Kamala Harris: Biography, Career, and 2024 Presidential Campaign Policies
Kamala Devi Harris, the 49th Vice President of the United States, stands as one of the most influential and historic figures in American politics. Her journey from Oakland, California, to the White House is marked by a series of groundbreaking achievements, a commitment to justice, and a policy platform that reflects the evolving priorities of the Democratic Party. In the 2024 presidential election, Harris’s campaign promises and policy positions have been shaped by her experience as a prosecutor, senator, and vice president, as well as the challenges facing the nation. This article explores her life, career, and the detailed policy agenda she has put forward for 2024.
Early Life and Education
Kamala Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, to Shyamala Gopalan, a cancer researcher from India, and Donald Harris, an economist from Jamaica. Raised in a multicultural household, Harris was exposed to both Indian and Jamaican traditions, which shaped her worldview and sense of identity. Her parents were active in the civil rights movement, and Harris often attended protests and community events as a child.
After her parents’ divorce, Harris and her younger sister, Maya, were raised primarily by their mother in Berkeley, California. Shyamala Gopalan instilled in her daughters a strong sense of pride in their heritage and a commitment to social justice. Harris attended public schools in Berkeley, including Thousand Oaks Elementary School, where she was part of the second class to integrate the school through a busing program.
Harris went on to attend Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington, D.C., where she majored in political science and economics. At Howard, Harris joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the nation’s oldest Black sorority, and participated in student government and activism. After graduating from Howard, Harris earned her law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
Legal and Political Career
Kamala Harris began her legal career as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, California, where she prosecuted cases involving robbery, sexual assault, and homicide. Her reputation for being tough but fair quickly grew, and she was recruited to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, where she led the Career Criminal Unit.
In 2003, Harris made history by becoming the first woman, first Black person, and first South Asian person elected as San Francisco’s District Attorney. During her tenure, she focused on combating violent crime, reforming the criminal justice system, and supporting victims of crime. Harris launched innovative programs such as “Back on Track,” which provided job training and education to first-time nonviolent offenders, reducing recidivism and helping individuals reintegrate into society.
In 2010, Harris was elected as California’s Attorney General, becoming the first woman and first person of color to hold the position. As the state’s top law enforcement official, Harris oversaw a vast portfolio, including consumer protection, environmental law, and criminal justice reform. She refused to defend Proposition 8, California’s ban on same-sex marriage, and played a key role in its eventual overturning, paving the way for marriage equality in the state. Harris also secured a $20 billion settlement for California homeowners affected by the foreclosure crisis and implemented policies to reduce prison overcrowding and improve police accountability.
In 2016, Kamala Harris was elected to the United States Senate, representing California. As a senator, Harris quickly gained national attention for her incisive questioning during committee hearings and her advocacy for progressive policies. Her legislative priorities included criminal justice reform, healthcare expansion, immigration reform, economic equity, and women’s rights.
Vice Presidency and 2024 Presidential Campaign
As Vice President, Harris has played a central role in the Biden administration, focusing on issues such as voting rights, reproductive freedom, foreign policy, and economic recovery. In 2024, Harris launched her presidential campaign, building on her experience and the administration’s record while offering new solutions to the nation’s challenges.
Abortion and Reproductive Rights
Abortion rights are a signature issue for Harris in 2024. She has promised to eliminate the Senate filibuster specifically to restore the Roe v. Wade precedent on abortion, allowing for federal legislation that would mandate abortion access up to fetal viability (around 24 weeks of pregnancy) across the country. Harris has been a vocal advocate for reproductive freedom, pledging to protect and expand access to abortion and contraception, and to repeal the Hyde Amendment, which restricts federal funding for abortion services.
Economy and Inflation
Harris’s economic platform addresses the lingering effects of inflation and the need for economic fairness. She has proposed banning corporate price gouging on food and groceries, targeting companies that exploit consumers during periods of economic uncertainty. Harris supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour, expanding the Child Tax Credit, and providing direct relief to working families through tax credits and monthly payments. Her campaign promises increased transfers and credits for lower- and middle-income households, while higher-income households would see increased taxes.
Tax Policy
According to the Penn Wharton Budget Model, Harris’s tax and spending proposals would increase primary deficits by $1.2 trillion over the next 10 years, with spending increases of $2.3 trillion and tax revenue increases of $1.1 trillion. The proposals are designed to benefit low- and middle-income households through increased transfers and credits, while higher-income households would pay more. Harris’s tax plan includes closing loopholes, increasing taxes on the wealthy, and ensuring corporations pay their fair share.
Healthcare
Harris supports expanding access to affordable healthcare, building on the Affordable Care Act and offering a public option. She has pledged to lower prescription drug costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate prices and to import safe, affordable medications from other countries. Harris’s plan includes increased funding for mental health services and integrating mental health care into primary care settings.
Immigration and Border Security
Harris has not yet issued a comprehensive immigration policy platform for 2024, but she has promised to revive the bipartisan border security deal that collapsed in Congress earlier in the year. The legislation would enact permanent restrictions on asylum, give the president the power to quickly deport migrants when border crossings surge, and boost the ranks of border agents, deportation officers, immigration judges, and asylum adjudicators. It would also expand legal immigration, allocating 50,000 new immigrant visas annually for five years. Harris supports an “earned” path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and has signaled that she would continue Biden’s June order that has curtailed access to the U.S. asylum system, credited for a four-year-low in illegal border crossings.
Foreign Policy
Israel and Gaza
Harris has called the bloodshed in Gaza “devastating” but has vowed there would be no change in policy toward Israel. She has pushed for a cease-fire deal that would release the remaining hostages held by Hamas and backs a two-state solution.
Ukraine and Russia
Harris has pledged to stand strong with Ukraine and NATO allies, accusing Russia of committing “crimes against humanity” in Ukraine. The Biden administration, with Harris’s support, has spearheaded aid packages for Ukraine and worked with allies to sanction Russia for its invasion.
China
Harris’s China policy emphasizes “de-risking” rather than “decoupling” the U.S.-China economic relationship. She has condemned China’s aggression in the South China Sea and reaffirmed U.S. support for Taiwan. Harris cosponsored the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act and the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act in the Senate.
Iran
It is unclear whether Harris would seek to renegotiate a new nuclear deal with Iran if elected. During the 2020 campaign, she said she would seek to rejoin the Iran nuclear agreement if Iran returned to verifiable compliance.
Climate Change and Environment
Harris supports bold action on climate change, including rejoining the Paris Climate Accord and investing in clean energy infrastructure. Her plan aims for net-zero emissions by 2045, with significant investments in green jobs and environmental justice initiatives to protect vulnerable communities from pollution and climate impacts.
Gun Violence Prevention
Harris advocates for universal background checks, an assault weapons ban, and red flag laws. She has pledged to take executive action if Congress fails to pass gun safety legislation within her first 100 days.
Education
Harris’s education platform includes universal pre-kindergarten, increased teacher pay, student debt relief, and expanded funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions. She supports debt-free college for students from families earning less than $125,000 and expanded Pell Grants.
Women’s Rights and Gender Equity
Harris’s campaign prioritizes advancing women’s rights and gender equity, including equal pay, paid family leave, and increased funding for services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Racial Justice
Harris’s policies address systemic barriers faced by communities of color, including targeted investments in Black entrepreneurship, homeownership, and education. She advocates for restoring the Voting Rights Act and automatic voter registration.
Budgetary and Economic Impact
The Penn Wharton Budget Model projects that Harris’s tax and spending proposals would increase primary deficits by $1.2 trillion over the next 10 years, with spending increases of $2.3 trillion and tax revenue increases of $1.1 trillion. While low- and middle-income households would benefit from increased transfers and credits, higher-income households would be worse off. The model also projects a reduction in GDP and wages over the long term due to increased deficits.
Kamala Harris 2024 Campaign Policies & Platform
- Abortion/Reproductive Rights: Harris centers her campaign on restoring federal abortion rights, supporting Roe v. Wade standards, and ending the filibuster to pass abortion protections.
Sources: - Economy/Taxes: Proposes expanding the child tax credit, raising the corporate tax rate, and supporting middle-class families.
Sources: - Healthcare: Supports expanding Medicare benefits, capping drug prices, and canceling medical debt.
Sources: - Immigration: Advocates for balanced reforms: border security plus legal pathways, opposes asylum bans, and supports DACA.
Sources: - Foreign Policy: Supports NATO, aid to Ukraine, multilateralism, and climate diplomacy.
Sources: - Climate Change: Backs the Inflation Reduction Act, clean energy, and climate resilience, but has not released a new detailed plan.
Sources: - Gun Violence: Supports reinstating the assault weapons ban, universal background checks, and community violence intervention.
Sources: - Education: Supports universal pre-K, higher teacher pay, career/technical education, and debt-free college.
Sources: - Women’s Rights: Platform includes reproductive freedom, maternal health, child care, and support for global women’s health.
Sources: - Racial Justice: Highlights racial equity, economic opportunity for Black Americans, and civil rights.
Sources:
Conclusion
Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign is built on a foundation of progressive policies, a commitment to justice and equity, and a vision for a more inclusive and prosperous America. Her policy platform addresses the most pressing challenges facing the nation, from reproductive rights and economic fairness to immigration reform and climate action. As a historic figure and experienced leader, Harris’s campaign promises reflect both her personal journey and the priorities of the Democratic Party in 2024.