Biden-harris record, What to expect from Harris

Overview: The Biden-Harris administration has respected the rule of law, and the institutions that make the United States a stable democracy.

• Biden chose the first female VP, and endorsed her to be presdient. He has accomplished the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson as well as federal judges of diverse backgrounds. You can expect a similar commitment to diversity by a Harris administration.

Overview: Biden & Harris are champions of reproductive rights. Expect a continuation of this under Kamala Harris.

• Biden issued executive orders protecting reproductive rights to preserve access to reproductive care and protect the right to travel across state lines to receive care.
• Biden planned to codify the abortion-related protections enshrined in Roe v. Wade into federal law if he won a second term, but he acknowledged that would require the cooperation of a Democratic-controlled Congress. Expect the same from Kamala.

Overview: Biden knows how to deal with complex situations, and tries to reduce international instabilty and the rise of authoritarian rules. Expect the same from Kamala.

• Ukraine: Biden rallied the world to support Ukraine in response to Putin’s aggression, and would continue to support Ukraine’s defense. He strengthened international alliances and partnerships.
• Counterterrorism: He launched successful counter terrorism missions against the leaders of Al Qaeda and ISIS.
• Israel-Gaza: The Biden-Harris administration's approach to the war in Gaza has been characterized by a balancing act between supporting Israel's right to self-defense against attacks from Hamas, and addressing humanitarian concerns for the Palestinian people. The U.S. has worked through diplomatic channels to advocate for ceasefires during escalations. The Biden-Harris administration has reinstated aid to the Palestinians, which had been cut during the Trump administration. The U.S. has supported efforts to establish humanitarian corridors to allow for the safe passage of aid and to evacuate civilians from conflict zones. The Biden-Harris administration has reiterated its support for a two-state solution as the best way to achieve a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. This includes encouraging direct negotiations between the two parties.
• Southeast Asia: A Harris administration would likely stay calm on China, and seek some collaboration where possible, as has been evident in recent months — yet also stay resolute. Kamala would continue to collaborate with regional friends and allies, including with new groupings and new tools like the “Quad” (of India, Japan, Australia and the U.S.), the AUKUS submarine/technology arrangement with Australia and the United Kingdom, and the recent trilateral cooperation including Japan and South Korea. The Biden team appears to have settled into such an overall approach by mid-late 2023, and Kamala could be expected to keep it.

Overview: Biden's economic policies have been much better for regular Americans, whereas Trump favors the rich. Expect Kamala Harris to carry on the work of Joe Biden.

• Biden worked to lower the costs of families’ everyday expenses.
• There are more people are working than at any point in American history.
• This administration, with bipartisan support, rescued the economy and changed the course of the pandemic and is rebuilding our infrastructure.
• Biden funded our national vaccination campaign and helped safely reopen America’s schools.
• There has been a historic expansion of benefits and services for toxic exposed veterans.
• President Biden approved the cancellation of billions in student loan debt for millions of Americans, as well as the largest increase in Pell Grants in over a decade.
• The Chips and Science Act will bring back manufacturing from overseas and create good-paying union jobs here at home. Since Biden signed it into law, companies have already announced almost $300 billion in new American manufacturing investments. 
• In a second term, Biden wanted to make two years of community college tuition free, offering universal preschool and limiting the cost of child care to 7% of income for most families. Expect Kamala Harris to do this.
• To fund past and future accomplishments, Biden planned to move the tax burden from the middle class to the wealthy and corporations, where it belongs. He already has succeeded in implementing a 15% minimum tax on companies with annual income exceeding $1 billion. Biden has proposed raising the top tax rate to 39.6%, the corporate tax rate to 28% and the stock buyback tax to 4%. He wants a minimum tax of 25% on the wealthiest Americans, a levy that would be applied not only to income but unrealized capital gains. Expect Harris to follow this plan.

Overview: The Biden-Harris administration has made several notable accomplishments in protecting the environment and addressing climate change. It delivering on the most aggressive climate and environmental justice agenda in American history. Some of these specific actions and initiatives include:

• Rejoining the Paris Agreement: On his first day in office, President Biden signed an executive order to rejoin the Paris Agreement, reversing the previous administration's withdrawal. This action underscored the U.S.'s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and working with other nations to combat climate change.
• Executive Orders on Climate: President Biden signed multiple executive orders focused on tackling the climate crisis, including pausing new oil and gas leases on public lands and waters, and directing federal agencies to prioritize climate change in their policymaking and procurement decisions.
• American Jobs Plan: The administration proposed the American Jobs Plan, which includes substantial investments in clean energy infrastructure, electric vehicles, and renewable energy projects. This plan aims to modernize the nation's infrastructure while addressing climate change and creating jobs.
• Methane Emissions Regulations: The Biden-Harris administration has reinstated and strengthened regulations on methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and controlling its emissions is crucial for mitigating climate change.
• Environmental Justice: The administration has prioritized environmental justice, establishing the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council and the White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council to ensure that marginalized and overburdened communities benefit from federal climate policies and investments.
• Commitment to Reducing Emissions: The Biden-Harris administration has set ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, aiming to cut U.S. emissions by 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.
• Climate Finance: The administration has increased U.S. contributions to international climate finance, pledging to double financial aid to help developing countries mitigate and adapt to climate change.
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Promotion: President Biden has advocated for the expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure, including the installation of 500,000 EV charging stations nationwide and providing incentives for EV purchases.
• Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Signed into law in November 2021, this bipartisan legislation includes significant investments in clean energy, public transit, and water infrastructure, which are vital for reducing emissions and building resilience to climate impacts.
• Clean Energy Development: The administration has promoted the development of offshore wind energy, with plans to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030, creating jobs and increasing renewable energy capacity.

These accomplishments reflect the Biden-Harris administration's comprehensive approach to addressing climate change and promoting environmental sustainability through policy, investment, and international collaboration. Kamala Harris is committed to addressing climate change.

Overview: Kamala Harris's leadership style combines charisma with a hands-on approach, persistence, purposefulness, and attention to detail. Her ability to inspire while remaining relatable and her courage to speak up in challenging environments are key aspects of her leadership approach.

• Harris is described as a charismatic leader who can inspire confidence and energy in others. However, unlike some charismatic leaders who may seem aloof, she is not afraid to get involved in the details and "mundane" tasks. This balance between being inspiring and relatable helps her make real change and build trust with those around her.
• Persistent and courageous: As a woman in politics, Harris has demonstrated a willingness and courage to speak up in challenging environments. She is known for her persistence and courage in making her voice heard, even in the face of interruptions or difficulties.
• Detail-oriented: Harris believes that attention to small details and even boring or mundane tasks is key to achieving bigger change and innovation. This approach has contributed to her progression to her current position.
• Adaptable: Her background as the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants suggests she has likely faced and overcome numerous biases, indicating adaptability and resilience in her leadership.

Overview: The Biden-Harris administration's stance on immigration has focused on creating a more humane and orderly system while addressing both enforcement and reform. 

• Reversing Trump-Era Policies: The administration has worked to roll back several policies from the Trump era, including ending the "Remain in Mexico" program, which required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their claims were processed.
• Pathway to Citizenship: President Biden proposed legislation to create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, particularly those brought to the U.S. as children (DREAMers), as well as essential workers and others who have been in the country for an extended period.
• Humane Border Enforcement: While maintaining border security, the administration emphasizes treating migrants with dignity and respect. This includes ensuring that facilities for holding migrants meet adequate standards.
• Ending Family Separations: The Biden-Harris administration has ended the policy of separating children from their families at the border and has focused on reuniting families that were previously separated.
• Restoring Asylum Processes: Efforts have been made to restore and streamline the asylum process, ensuring that those fleeing persecution can seek protection in the U.S.
• Increasing Refugee Admissions: The administration has increased the cap on refugee admissions, reversing previous cuts and aiming to resettle more refugees.
• Addressing Root Causes: The administration has taken a regional approach to address the root causes of migration from Central America. This includes initiatives to improve economic conditions, reduce violence, and tackle corruption in countries like El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
• Collaboration with Regional Partners: There is a focus on working with Mexico and other countries in the region to manage migration flows and enhance border security collaboratively.
• Reducing Backlogs: Efforts are being made to reduce the backlog in immigration courts, hire more judges, and streamline processes to ensure timely and fair adjudication of cases.
• Legal Representation: The administration supports initiatives to increase access to legal representation for immigrants navigating the immigration system.
• Overall: the Biden-Harris administration's stance on immigration aims to balance enforcement with humanitarian considerations, addressing both immediate needs and long-term reforms to create a more just and efficient immigration system.

Overview: The Biden-Harris administration defends and promotes civil rights.

• Marriage Equality: President Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act to enshrine marriage equality for same-sex and interracial couples into federal law. 
• Criminal Justice Reform: President Biden signed a landmark executive order to promote safe and accountable policing, ban chokeholds, restrict no-knock entries by police, create a national police accountability database, and prohibit the transfer of military equipment to local police departments.
• Ensuring Federal Law Enforcement Accountability: The Department of Justice (DOJ) launched the National Law Enforcement Accountability Database (NLEAD) that contains information about misconduct by federal law enforcement officers. NLEAD is now available online to authorized government personnel for use in their hiring and other employment decisions. Every one of the 93 Executive Branch agencies that employs law enforcement officers has reported data to the NLEAD or certified that it had no misconduct records covered by the Executive Order, including three agencies that are contributing records on a rolling basis and are expected to complete submission in the coming months. 
• Voting Rights: He issued an executive order on voting rights that aims to expand registration efforts. 

Overview: Biden-Harris promotes policies that are good for public health.

• The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act: The most significant gun violence prevention legislation in 30 years. It will help keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, narrow the “boyfriend loophole,” and expand mental health and safety services in schools.
• Weed: He is challenging and changing the failed approach to marijuana.
• Affordable Care Act: President Biden worked to protect and strengthen the Affordable Care Act. Now, millions of Americans are saving $800 per year on their health insurance and 4-in-5 Americans can find coverage for $10 a month or less through the ACA. There are more people with health insurance than ever before.
• Prescription Drugs: The monthly cost of insulin was capped at $35 for Medicare recipients. 
• Assault Weapons: Biden’s biggest goal, supported by Harris, is a ban on so-called assault weapons. So far it has remained out of reach because of Republican opposition. Such a ban was in place from 1994 to 2004, but it wasn’t extended after it expired. Although the proposal hasn’t been spelled out in detail, it would likely affect popular high-powered weapons such as the AR-15, which can shoot dozens of bullets at a fast pace.
• Gun Violence: Kamala Harris also plans to pass legislation for universal background checks, which increase scrutiny of sales conducted through gun shows or other unlicensed avenues.
• Social Security: Harris also plans to protect and strengthen Social Security and make the wealthy pay their fair share.