Kamala Harris
Running for: US President
Kamala Harris is the current Vice President of the United States. When President Biden announced he was dropping out of the 2024 race, he threw his support behind Harris. She said in a statement, "I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda."
Declined to complete our 2024 Federal Candidate Survey
Position on Issues
For| Read My Position
Candidate's Website, 2019
"Ban AR-15-style assault weapons from being imported into the United States.
- "More than 4 million assault weapons have been imported into the U.S. from foreign countries.
- "The Gun Control Act empowers the executive branch to prohibit the importation of guns not 'suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes,' and it's been done in a limited fashion by both Democratic and Republican presidents in the past. The AR-15 was designed to kill people on the battlefield. It was not designed for sporting. As president, Harris will ban AR-15-style assault weapon imports and suspend all other assault weapon imports until the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) conducts an analysis of whether their importation should be permanently banned under existing law.
"This is just part of the gun safety agenda Harris will pursue as president. In addition to enacting universal background checks, renewing the assault weapons ban, and repealing the PLCAA, Harris will fight to make gun trafficking a federal crime, ban high capacity magazines, and prohibit those convicted of a federal hate crime from buying guns."
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Do you support abolishing any federal agencies or departments?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Do you support abolishing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency and redistributing its duties?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Do you support a constitutional amendment limiting terms for U.S. representatives and senators?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the federal government combat inflation by requiring budget cuts to match any new federal spending?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the federal government combat inflation by capping price increases by large businesses?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Do you support a law that would allow U.S. officials to turn away migrants seeking asylum when the number of border crossings exceeds a certain number?
Other| Read My Position
"During a Democratic primary debate in late 2019, Ms. Harris called Mr. Trump 'erratic' on trade policy and said his tariff wars had hurt soybean farmers in Iowa, who faced foreign retaliation. Ms. Harris said she would be focused on bolstering American exports and declared, 'I am not a protectionist Democrat.' ...
"Last week, Ms. Harris echoed her earlier criticism of Mr. Trump when discussing his plan to impose 10 percent tariffs on all imports into the United States. She said such a policy would inflate the cost of gas, groceries and clothing.
"'His tariffs would increase the cost of everyday expenses for families,' Ms. Harris said at an event in North Carolina."
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Do you support a federal rule that would oblige automakers to make 50% or more of the vehicles they sell electric?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Do you support revising Title IX to limit participation in female sports based on an individual's reproductive biology and genetics at birth?
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Candidate's Twitter Feed, 2024
"Good news: The Child Tax Credit bill is headed to the Senate.
"While @POTUS and I continue to fight for the full expanded Child Tax Credit, this bill should be passed quickly. President Biden is ready to sign it into law."
Against| Read My Position
"As a presidential candidate, Ms. Harris proposed replacing Mr. Trump’s 2017 tax cuts with a monthly refundable tax credit worth up to $500 for people earning less than $100,000. The policy, known as the LIFT the Middle Class Act, was unveiled in 2018 and aimed to address the rising cost of living by providing middle-class and working families with money to help pay for everyday expenses. She framed it as a way to close the wealth gap in the United States."
Against| Read My Position
Candidate's Twitter Feed, 2024
"Women across our nation face chaos, confusion, and fear as extremists ban abortion and attack IVF.
"I am grateful for Abbey and all those in Alabama and throughout America who are organizing and fighting back. @POTUS and I stand with you."
For| Read My Position
Candidate's Twitter Feed, 2024
"I applaud the organizers, advocates, and elected officials who ensured that Arizona’s legislature passed a repeal of the state’s 1800s abortion ban.
"But let me be clear: Abortion is still banned in Arizona, with no exceptions for rape or incest. Doctors and nurses could still be thrown in jail for providing health care.
"To truly protect reproductive freedom, Congress must restore the protections of Roe."
Other| Read My Position
Like most presidential candidates in 2024, Harris has left some ambiguity about exactly how much military support the U.S. would give Taiwan. In general, analysts believe should would take a similar approach to Taiwan as President Joe Biden.
In 2022 remarks she said the administration would "continue to oppose any unilateral change to the status quo ... and we will continue to support Taiwan’s self-defense, consistent with our long-standing policy."
Against| Read My Position
Candidate's Twitter Feed, 2024
As a U.S. Senator, Kamala Harris frequently objected to increasing oil and natural gas drilling on federal land.
For example, in January 2018 she wrote, "Trump is preparing to auction off almost all of our country’s coastal waters to oil & gas companies for drilling. This is a recipe for disaster with the potential to devastate the economies of coastal cities and towns."
Later that year she wrote, "Last week, at the bidding of the oil and gas industry, the Trump Administration took the first step in opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling. This is another dangerous mistake that the Trump Administration considers a 'win.'"
Other| Read My Position
While Vice President Harris has not voiced support for specific restrictions on aid to Israel, many analysts perceive her as more concerned about the death of Palestinian civilians than President Biden.
In December 2023 remarks she said, "The United States is unequivocal: International humanitarian law must be respected. Too many innocent Palestinians have been killed. Frankly, the scale of civilian suffering and the images and videos coming from Gaza are devastating. ... As Israel pursues its military objectives in Gaza, we believe Israel must do more to protect innocent civilians."
For| Read My Position
Candidate's Facebook Page, 2018
"The fact is, marijuana laws are not applied and enforced in the same way for all people. That's why I've signed onto Cory Booker's Marijuana Justice Act to make marijuana legal at the federal level. It's the smart thing to do."
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the federal government reform Social Security by requiring means testing?
Other| Read My Position
Candidate's Website, 2019
Harris's Medicare for All plan would have some automatic enrollment but some private insurance options, as well.
According to her website, "First, when we pass my plan, all Americans will immediately have the ability to buy into Medicare. This is similar to the immediate, introductory buy-in provided in Senator Sanders' Medicare for All bill. Right away, it will lower costs and give us a baseline plan as we transition to Medicare for All.
"Second, we will set up an expanded Medicare system, with a 10-year phase-in period. During this transition, we will automatically enroll newborns and the uninsured into this new and improved Medicare system, give all doctors time to get into the system, and provide a commonsense path for employers, employees, the underinsured, and others on federally-designated programs, such as Medicaid or the Affordable Care Act exchanges, to transition. This will expand the number of insured Americans and create a new viable public system that guarantees universal coverage at a lower cost. Expanding the transition window will also lower the overall cost of the program.
"Third, in setting up this plan, we will allow private insurers to offer Medicare plans as a part of this system that adhere to strict Medicare requirements on costs and benefits. This would function similar to how private Medicare plans work today, which cover about a third of Medicare seniors, and operate within the Medicare system. Medicare will set the rules of the road for these plans, including price and quality, and private insurance companies will play by those rules, not the other way around. This preserves the options that seniors have today and expands options to all Americans, while also telling insurance companies they don't run the show.
"Unlike the current system, private plans in the new Medicare system will be held to stricter consumer protection standards than they are today, such as getting reimbursed less than what the Medicare plan will cost to operate, to ensure that they are delivering meaningful value and unable to profit off of gaming consumers or the government. People will also be able to purchase supplemental insurance covering services not included in Medicare, such as medical insurance for traveling abroad, or cosmetic surgery.
"Essentially, we would allow private insurance to offer a plan in the Medicare system, but they will be subject to strict requirements to ensure it lowers costs and expands services. If they want to play by our rules, they can be in the system. If not, they have to get out."
For| Read My Position
Candidate's Website, 2019
"In America, health care should be a right, not a privilege only for those who can afford it. It's why we need Medicare for All. ...
"First, when we pass my plan, all Americans will immediately have the ability to buy into Medicare. This is similar to the immediate, introductory buy-in provided in Senator Sanders' Medicare for All bill. Right away, it will lower costs and give us a baseline plan as we transition to Medicare for All. ...
"At the end of the ten-year transition, every American will be a part of this new Medicare system. They will get insurance either through the new public Medicare plan or a Medicare plan offered by a private insurer within that system. Seniors will see stronger Medicare benefits than they have now. We will cover millions more people who don't have health insurance today. And we will reduce costs, save our country money, and ensure that no American has to sacrifice getting the care they need just because the cost is a barrier."
For| Read My Position
"Harris said in an interview with NBC News this year that Ukraine can continue to count on support from Washington as the war drags on. 'Ukraine needs our support,' Harris said. 'And we must give it.'
At this year’s Munich Security Conference, Harris also reiterated the Biden administration’s pledge of supporting Ukraine for 'as long as it takes.'"
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Do you support increasing federal enforcement of organized retail crime?
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"Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign chief has signaled that Harris, if elected in November, would continue President Biden's asylum crackdown, which U.S. officials have credited for a steep drop in migrant crossings along the southern border.
"In an exclusive interview with CBS News, Harris' campaign manager, Julie Chávez Rodríguez, was asked if the vice president would keep the partial ban on asylum claims that Mr. Biden enacted in June through a presidential proclamation.
"'I think at this point, you know, the policies that are, you know, having a real impact on ensuring that we have security and order at our border are policies that will continue,' Chávez Rodríguez responded."
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the federal government privatize some or all of Social Security?
For| Read My Position
"Today, U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) joined her colleagues to introduce legislation to expand Social Security benefits and strengthen the retirement program for generations to come. ... The bill would ensure that Social Security could pay every benefit owed to every eligible American for the next 52 years, according to the retirement system's chief actuary. It would extend the program's solvency by making the wealthiest 1.8 percent of Americans - those with incomes of more than $250,000 a year - pay the same rate into the retirement system as everyone else already pays. Current law caps the amount of income subject to payroll taxes at $132,900."
Against| Read My Position
Candidate's Facebook Page, 2017
"Congressman Mick Mulvaney supports a raise in the retirement age for Social Security, cuts to Medicare, and refuses to commit to prompt disaster relief, which would all jeopardize the livelihood and well-being of millions of Californians. After careful consideration of these facts, I will vote no on his nomination for director of the Office of Management and Budget."
For| Read My Position
"In 2019, Ms. Harris proposed increasing estate taxes on the wealthy to pay for a $300 billion plan to raise teacher salaries. In what was billed as the 'largest federal investment in teacher pay in U.S. history,' the plan would have given the average teacher in America a $13,500 pay increase.
"Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris did have some differences when vying for the Democratic nomination. Notably, Ms. Harris wanted to raise the corporate tax rate from 21 percent to 35 percent, which is higher than the 28 percent that Mr. Biden had proposed."
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the federal government combat inflation by repealing or revising the Jones Act to allow more foreign involvement in shipping between U.S. ports?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should Congress revise Section 230, a federal law that shields social media companies from lawsuits over content that appears on their platforms?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the federal government combat inflation by supporting further Federal Reserve interest rate hikes?
For| Read My Position
"As Attorney General, Harris has fought to protect key climate safeguards including defending California's landmark carbon tax and President Obama's Clean Power Plan, taken on environmental justice issues by standing up for the families at Mira Loma, and held companies accountable for dumping hazardous waste."
