Kamala Harris Track Record
For the People

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Early Career

Kamala Harris has been a vocal advocate for environmental justice. Two decades ago, when she was district attorney for San Francisco, Harris set up the state’s first environmental crimes unit. As she said back in 2005:

“Crimes against the environment are crimes against communities.”

Kamala Harris has spent her professional life in the trenches as a courtroom prosecutor. After graduating from U.C. Hastings College of the Law, she took a position in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, where she specialized in prosecuting child sexual assault cases.

In 1998, Harris was named managing attorney of the Career Criminal Unit of the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted three strikes cases and serial felony offenders. She then served as the head of the San Francisco City Attorney’s Division on Families and Children.

One of Kamla’s signature programs when she was the district attorney of San Francisco was called "Back On Track."

Jamilah King, a reporter at Mother Jones and Bay Area native who has written on Harris's early political career says, “‘Back On Track’ was a relatively small program that Kamala Harris started in the San Francisco District Attorney's office. The program consisted of everything under the sun. It was an internship program, but it was also for other things: if you needed counseling, job preparation, or resume help. At one point, Kamala Harris and her staff realized that folks needed stress relief, and they wanted a gym membership. So she got 24 Hour Fitness to donate memberships to the program. And it was a pretty successful program, given how small it was.”

Full interview - HERE!

Kamala Harris' former boss, Louise Renne, remembers Kamala as a tough, yet kind prosecutor.

“Kamala came into my office with an armful of teddy bears, and she said, come on, Louise, it's adoption day, and we're going to go over and give teddy bears to the children and their families as a remembrance of this day. And it certainly hadn't been anything that had been done in the past, but it certainly was appropriate for the moment. And so I thought that was sort of out-of-the-box look at what would be a very meaningful day in the life of the child and the family that were making the adoption.”

-Louise Renne is former San Francisco city attorney, and she was Kamala Harris' boss when Harris served as head of the office's division on children and families. Link - HERE!

In 2004-2010, Kamala Harris served as the first woman District Attorney in San Francisco's history, and as the first African American woman and South Asian American woman in California to hold the office.

Attorney General of California (2010-2016)

Attorney General Harris filed a lawsuit against cargo terminals in the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports for polluting nearby communities through diesel exhaust. Months later, she reached a settlement, requiring the terminals to protect nearby communities. (2011)

This idea became part of the big federal climate law, with $3bn to cut pollution from ports. In total, that landmark law includes more than $40bn in investments for disadvantaged communities – the largest investment in environmental justice in American history.

Attorney General Harris announces statewide sweep to remove guns, firearms and other weapons from those prohibited by law from possessing them. (2011)

1,209 firearms were seized from individuals legally barred from possessing them, including persons determined to be mentally unstable and those with active restraining orders.

Attorney General Kamala Harris calls on Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. (January 2012)

“We’ve made tremendous strides in how we deal with violence against women – from prosecuting violent offenders to breaking the cycles of crime and supporting and empowering victims,” said Attorney General Harris. “But our work is not done and the Violence Against Women Act, and ongoing support, is critical to this effort.”
Link - HERE!

Attorney General Harris issues a bulletin to law enforcement to remain vigilant against hate crimes. (2016)

Attorney General Harris charged a Southern California man, Mark Feigin, with one felony count of criminal threats with a special hate crime allegation for posting anti-Muslim rhetoric and threats to the Facebook page of the Islamic Center of Southern California in Los Angeles and calling the center to make death threats. If convicted, the defendant faces up to six years in prison.
Attorney General Harris has made the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes a top priority and has convened community members and law enforcement to discuss ways to counter Islamophobia and religiously-motivated hate crimes.
Following attacks on reproductive health clinics, she also convened local, state and federal law enforcement leaders and Planned Parenthood clinic directors to discuss the recent uptick in threats and violence and ways to increase coordination to better protect patients and health care workers.
Link - HERE; PDF of Bulletin - HERE!

U.S. Senator (2017-2020)

Senator Harris co-sponsors landmark Bill to end federal prohibition of marijuana. She specifically views marijuana arrests as inequities in the justice system based on skin color. “The war on drugs is a war on communities.” Stated in this video.

The Marijuana Justice Act would remove marijuana from the list of controlled substances, making it legal at the federal level. Specifically, the Marijuana Justice Act will:

Remove marijuana from the list of controlled substances, making it legal at the federal level;
Incentivize states through federal funds to change their marijuana laws if marijuana in the state is illegal and the state disproportionately arrests or incarcerates low-income individuals or people of color for marijuana-related offenses;
Automatically expunge federal marijuana use and possession crimes;
Allow an individual currently serving time in federal prison for marijuana use or possession crimes to petition a court for a resentencing
Create a community reinvestment fund to reinvest in communities most impacted by the failed War on Drugs and allow those funds to be invested in the following programs:

Job training;
Reentry services;
Expenses related to the expungement of convictions;
Public libraries;
Community centers;
Programs and opportunities dedicated to youth; and Health education

(2018) Link - HERE and video HERE!

As part of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Harris grilled Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, on the issue of Roe v Wade.

“Can you think of any laws that give government the power to make decisions about the male body?” (2018) Link HERE!

Former prosecutor Senator Harris grilled Attorney General William (Bill) Barr on the findings of Mueller’s report on Russian interference in the 2016 election. Harris accused Barr of stalling and refusing to answer her questions about the White House during a Senate hearing because he knew doing so would open himself up to perjury allegations.

Harris, along with many of her Democratic colleagues, demanded Barr resign from office and that the Justice Department’s inspector general investigate Barr’s handling of the special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation and report. (2019) Link - HERE!

Senator Harris co-sponsored the National Climate Bank Act (2019) (Green banks are mission-driven institutions that finance the transition to clean energy and fight climate change.)

Senator Harris introduced a bill that would electrify school buses, and just two years later, Congress committed $5bn to the effort. (2019) Today, almost 200,000 kids are riding clean buses to school every day – a very fast change for a legislative body that’s known for taking decades to get policies passed.

Senator Harris Endorses Bi-Partison Criminal Justice Reform Bill - FIRST STEP Act (2018)

“For years, we’ve been offered a false choice on criminal justice policy. It’s a choice that suggests that we are either ‘soft’ on crime or ‘tough’ on crime instead of asking: ‘Are we smart on crime?’ Americans deserve a criminal justice system that is both fair and smart. By passing the FIRST STEP Act, we can make our criminal justice system smarter,” Harris said in a statement.
The bill seeks to reduce recidivism and mass incarceration by expanding the pool of inmates eligible for early release and increasing judicial autonomy in determining sentences. Deemed a success by the Senate judiciary committee five years after its start.

Link - HERE, and HERE!

Passed the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act (2018)

The Senate unanimously passed a bill that would, for the first time, explicitly make lynching a federal hate crime; criminalizing lynching, attempts to lynch, and lynching conspiracies.

Senator Cory Booker and Senator Kamala Statement - HERE!

Senator Harris calls Trump's Covid response ‘greatest failure of any presidential administration’

“All we needed was a competent president. One who was willing to listen, willing to lead, take responsibility, have a plan, do their job,” the California senator said.
But “Donald Trump has failed at the most basic and important job of a president of the United States,” Harris said. “It’s his obligation to protect us. Yet, he has failed miserably.”
Senator Harris pointed out that on a March 16, 2020 call with U.S. governors, Trump told them it wasn’t his job to get personal protective equipment to frontline workers. He said ‘respirators, ventilators, all the equipment, try getting it yourselves.

(2020) Link - HERE!

Senator Harris introduced the Rent Relief Act in 2018

The Rent Relief Act was a U.S. federal bill proposed by Kamala Harris in 2018 that would offer tax credits to renters who earn less than $100,000 and spend over 30 percent of their income on rent and utilities. Individuals living in government-subsidized rental housing would claim the value of one month’s rent as a refundable tax credit.
"I applaud Senator Harris for her leadership in introducing this innovative, bold proposal, which would help struggling families who today face impossible choices between paying rent and meeting their other basic needs, including putting groceries on the table and taking care of their health.” -National Low Income Housing Coalition President and CEO Diane Yentel. Link - HERE!

Senator Harris introduced the Maternal Care Access and Reducing Emergencies (CARE) Act

This Bill sought to address Healthcare Bias against Black Women, especially in regards to Reproductive Healthcare. The Bill relied on two Grants, one addressing bias among medical practitioners and the second assigning case workers to Black mothers with High Risk. The Bill did not pass but the Vice President has continued to work on the issues as Vice President. Link - HERE

Vice President of the United States (2021-Present)

Kamala cast the tie-breaking vote to pass the Inflation Reduction Act. (8/7/2022)
Here’s what it means for the American people:

Insulin capped at $35 a month for seniors
The largest investment in climate action in history
Over $1 billion in unpaid taxes collected from 1,600 millionaires so far
Prescription drug costs for those on Medicare capped at $2,000 a year
The creation of an estimated 1.5 million jobs in the next decade

Harris announced a $20bn investment in green banks that will reduce pollution in communities across the country. (Green Banks are mission-driven institutions that finance the transition to clean energy and fight climate change.)

Kamala was the lead author on legislation that would replace lead pipes. Today, $15bn is being spent on this effort across the country, and the U.S. is on track to replace 1.7m lead pipes.

Harris is particularly vocal on drought funding, traveling to Lake Mead in Nevada to drum up media coverage about the effects of climate change on the region’s water and food supplies.

The Nevada reservoir, which provides water to 25 million people in California, Arizona, Nevada and Mexico, has seen its levels decline every year since 2000 and is now at its lowest level since its creation more than 86 years ago. The reservoir has dropped 140 feet in the last 20 years. Meanwhile, California has registered its driest year in terms of precipitation in a century. (2021) Link - HERE!

Kamala Harris is the ‘perfect person’ to prosecute big oil, says Jamie Henn, director of the climate accountability non-profit Fossil Free Media. Environmentalists want the Department of Justice to hold fossil fuel firms accountable. Kamala has a track record for doing exactly that. (2024) Link - HERE!

Vice President Kamala Harris has made abortion rights a priority, pledging in several speeches to codify Roe v. Wade into federal law:

“When I am President of the United States and when Congress passes a law to restore those freedoms, I will sign it into law.” Harris said.

First Vice President in history to visit a Planned Parenthood health center.

Planned Parenthood Action Fund officially supports Kamala Harris to be the next President of the United States. Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund released the following statement:
“Here’s the undeniable truth: Vice President Kamala Harris is the only person running for president that we can trust to protect access to abortion. Kamala Harris has spent her career fighting to protect access to sexual and reproductive health — and for the last two years as states have banned abortion, she has used her time and position to lift up and listen to abortion providers, patients, and advocates, including by being the first vice president in history to visit a Planned Parenthood health center.” (July 23, 2024)
Link - HERE!

Vice President Harris announces $5.5 billion to 1,200 communities through more than 2,400 grants to states, cities, DC, Puerto Rico, and local organizations across the country to boost affordable housing, invest in economic growth, and address homelessness.

"Homeownership is an essential part of the American Dream that represents so much more than a roof over our heads. For people all across our nation, a home represents financial security, the opportunity to build wealth and equity, and a foundation for a better future for themselves, their children, and future generations," said Vice President Harris. "That is why President Biden and I are expanding on our historic investments in housing by announcing $5.5 billion that will increase access to affordable housing, invest in economic growth, and address homelessness in communities throughout America. This funding will build more affordable homes and support renters and homeowners while also lowering costs, building wealth, and creating jobs."

(May 2024) Link - HERE!

During her visit to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Vice President Harris announced two gun safety solutions while continuing efforts to keep schools safe from gun violence. (2024)

Launched first-ever National Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Resource Center, which will support the effective implementation of state red flag laws.
Vice President Harris is calling on states to pass red flag laws and to use BSCA funding to help implement laws already enacted.

Vice President Harris embarked on a history-making Africa trip (2023)

“I’m going to Africa mainly to talk with African leaders about what we as the United States are prepared to do to have our role in investing in the future of that continent,” Harris said.
As part of her trip to Africa, she convinced private investors to bring $7 billion in investments to Africa focused on a Green Economy and Women Owned businesses. Link - HERE

Vice President Harris made history casting the most tie-breaking votes in the Senate ever. A record that was set nearly 200 years ago by Calhoun over a seven year period. Votes cast included a record number of judges, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the American Rescue Plan, which was a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief measure.

Vice President Harris has met with over 150 world leaders since becoming Vice President. She has visited 21 countries on 17 foreign trips, met with more than 150 leaders, and led the U.S. delegation at three Munich Security Conferences. Harris has attended almost every National Security Council meeting and, more important still, almost every President’s Daily Briefing. Link - HERE

Central America Forward: Vice President Harris leads the implementation of the Root Causes Strategy, which tackles the drivers of irregular migration by improving the conditions in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras so people do not feel compelled to leave their homes.

Consistent with the broader goals of the U.S. strategy to address the root causes of migration, State Department Central America Forward was created. Its framework goes beyond addressing the economic drivers of migration. It incorporates a focus on good governance and labor rights into this public-private partnership, essential priorities under the Root Causes Strategy to ensure the success of our private sector partners.
This includes tackling economic, governance, and security challenges. These efforts are providing hope and opportunity to the people of Central America, affirming that a secure and prosperous future lies in their home communities. We remain committed to policies and programs that improve the lives of people in Central America so that they may see a future at home. This link to the WH fact sheet is fascinating – HERE!

Migration, continued: Vice President Harris calls for action for Northern Central America migrating people; addressing the root causes of migration in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.

Vice President Harris announces public-private partnership has generated more than $5.2 Billion in private sector commitments for Northern Central America.
Harris and the Partnership for Central America (PCA) announced more than $1 billion in new private sector commitments, as part of State Department Central America Forward (CAF), a public-private partnership that was created in response to the Vice President’s Call to Action for Northern Central America. Bringing the overall total of new commitments to more than $5.2 billion since May 2021.
To date, CAF and other PCA partners include more than 50 companies and organizations that have made commitments to support inclusive economic growth in the region. These entities represent the financial services, textiles and apparel, agriculture, technology and telecommunications, and nonprofit sectors, among others.
Meta is among the new companies and organizations to join: Meta will make a 3-year commitment to train 250,000 youth, entrepreneurs and small business owners in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras by July 2025. Additionally, Meta is supporting an initiative to help over 9,000 women from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras including women who lead small and medium-sized enterprises to establish their online presence, seize the opportunities afforded by immersive technologies such as augmented reality, access financial services, and expand their operations to international markets.

Learn more: White House Link - HERE; and Senator Chris Murphy - HERE!

Endorsements

TAYLOR SWIFT

Following the Presidential debate on September 10, 2024, Taylor Swift warmly endorsed the Harris/Walz ticket, stating:

“Like many of you, I watched the debate tonight. If you haven’t already, now is a great time to do your research on the issues at hand and the stances these candidates take on the topics that matter to you most. As a voter, I make sure to watch and read everything I can about their proposed policies and plans for this country.

Recently I was made aware that AI of ‘me’ falsely endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential run was posted to his site. It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation. It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter. The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth.

I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. I’m voting for Kamala Harris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos. I was so heartened and impressed by her selection of running mate Tim Walz, who has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades.

I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice. Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make. I also want to say, especially to first time voters: Remember that in order to vote, you have to be registered! I also find it’s much easier to vote early. I’ll link where to register and find early voting dates and info in my story.

With love and hope,

Taylor Swift

Childless Cat Lady”

REPUBLICANS

Former VIce President Dick Cheney –Dick Cheney put out a statement confirming his endorsement: “Trum can never be trusted with power again,” the statement said. “As citizens, we each have a duty to put country above partisanship to defend our Constitution. That is why I will be casting my vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.” His daughter and former Congresswoman, Liz Cheney, endorsed Kamala Harris, as well.

Republican Mayor John Giles of Mesa, Arizona — The Republican mayor of Arizona's third-largest city has publicly denounced former President Donald Trump and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. Focused on climate action, Giles is set to take a prominent role in Harris' campaign for the White House.

Republican Congressman & Pilot in Air National Guard Adam Kinzinger (Illinois)

“As a proud conservative, I never thought I’d be endorsing a Democrat for President,” Kinzinger said in a statement. “But, I know Vice President Harris will defend our democracy and ensure Donald Trump never returns to the White House.”

Kinzinger, one of two Republicans on the House Jan. 6 committee investigating the attack on the Capitol intended to prevent Biden from becoming president, said Trump “poses a direct threat to fundamental American values. He only cares about himself, and his pursuit of power. That’s what we saw on January 6 when he sent a mob to overturn our lawful election, who violently attacked law enforcement and ransacked our nation’s Capitol in the process.

“There’s too much at stake to sit on the sidelines, which is why I wholeheartedly endorse Kamala Harris for President. Now is the time for us all to unite to save our democracy and defeat Donald Trump one last time.”Link - HERE!

Former Trump administration press secretary Stephanie Grisham

Grisham said in a statement that she “might not agree with Vice President Kamala Harris on everything, but I know that she will fight for our freedom. I encourage other Trump administration officials who saw the tyrant we worked for in office to speak out and stand with Kamala Harris this November to keep integrity in the White House and ensure democracy for our country.” Link HERE!

Former Republican Congressman Denver Ringleman (Virginia)

Ringleman’s message to other Republicans, “It’s a little bit scary. I’m not going to lie. You can be a little bit afraid, but you’re allowed to stretch. You’re allowed to do what’s OK for your country. And if you’re like, ‘I’m going to vote for Harris, but I’m not going to tell anybody,’ I’m fine with that.” Link - HERE!

Former Republican Congressman Joe Walsh (Illinois)

Walsh ran against Trump in the 2020 GOP primary, said in a statement, “I am proud to be part of the Republicans for Harris program to ensure those in the party of Lincoln who are disgusted by the extremism, by the hatred, and by the lies put forth by Donald Trump, know that they have a place in this campaign, and can join me in voting for Vice President Harris this November.” Link - HERE!

Former Republican Gov. Bill Weld (Massachusetts)

Former Republican Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar

Former Republican Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood

ORGANIZATIONS

Advocates for Trans Equality - (A4TE) - July 2024

“Vice President Kamala Harris has been a formidable ally for LGBTQI+ equality. Her efforts span decades, beginning with her leadership in San Francisco against hate crimes to her work aiming to abolish the so-called gay and transgender ‘panic defense’ in California. Harris has consistently supported marriage equality and continued her advocacy as Vice President, demonstrating her support for the LGBTQI+ community.

A Harris Administration would not only uphold but also expand upon the protections for transgender Americans established by the Biden Administration. Her leadership promises to fortify and enhance the efforts to address and meet the needs of transgender people, ensuring continued progress in our nation's history of civil rights.” – Executive Director Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen

Planned Parenthood Action Fund - Link HERE!

“Here’s the undeniable truth: Vice President Kamala Harris is the only person running for president that we can trust to protect access to abortion. Kamala Harris has spent her career fighting to protect access to sexual and reproductive health — and for the last two years as states have banned abortion, she has used her time and position to lift up and listen to abortion providers, patients, and advocates, including by being the first vice president in history to visit a Planned Parenthood health center.” Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund

Human Rights Campaign (HRC) - Link HERE!

“Vice President Kamala Harris is a trailblazer and has been a champion for LGBTQ+ equality for decades: from leading the fight in San Francisco against hate crimes and her work in California to end the so-called gay and transgender “panic defense” to her early support for marriage equality and her leadership serving as our Vice President.” -Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Kelley Robinson

UNIONS

Teamster Unions in Battleground States - While the Teamsters general president refused to endorse either candidate, Teamster Unions in battle ground states are backing Kamala Harris.

“Michigan Teamsters President Kevin Moore and the Executive Board on behalf of 245,000 active and retired Teamsters enthusiastically endorse the Harris-Walz campaign,” Kevin D. Moore, president of the Michigan Teamsters Joint Council No. 43.

Link - HERE

Unite Here - Hospitality Union -

Associated Press Link - HERE!

Gwen Mills, the union’s president, said Trump was merely “making a play” for votes while Harris has credibility from having supported unions. She discussed the move with The Associated Press before the union’s announcement of an endorsement.

The endorsement includes a commitment by the union to have its members knock on more than 3.3 million doors for Harris in swing states that include Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, Arizona and North Carolina.

American Federation of Teachers (AFT) - Link HERE!

National Education Association (NEA) - Link HERE!

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) - Link HERE!

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) - Link HERE!

American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) - Link HERE!

North American Building Trades Unions (NABTU) - Link HERE!

“North America’s Building Trades Unions, on behalf of the over 3 million Building Trades professionals we represent, proudly endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States.” -NABTU President Sean McGarvey.

National Nurses United (NNU) - Link HERE!

“Vice President Harris has played a fundamental role in the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration, and she has a long history of supporting working people and backing legislation that is critical to patient health and safety. Her strong track record of support for our union, and for nurses’ values of caring, compassion, and community stands in stark contrast to the right-wing threats and anti-worker agenda of Donald Trump. Nurses across the country are proud and excited to endorse Vice President Harris to be the next president of the United States because we know she is the right choice to protect our patients’ health and safety.” -NNU President Nancy Hagans, RN.

Donate to the Harris Walz Campaign - Here

Volunteer Opportunities - HERE