First established in Article I of the U.S. Constitution, Congress is comprised of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. This bicameral legislature is made up of a lower house whose members are proportionate to their respective states’ populations, and an upper house that is assigned two members per state. With one hundred members, the Senate is specifically tasked with duties related to the creation and passing of laws, representation of his or her state as a whole, and ensuring that these laws are abided and governed by all individuals. Despite being mainly involved in the lawmaking process, Senate also serves as an advisor for both the President and the country’s foreign affairs. This elected body of officials stands not only for American citizens, but also the laws and regulations of which the United States was built upon.
Democrat Kamala Devi Harris, born October 20, 1964 in Oakland, California, was first elected to Senate to represent California in 2016 (McNamee). Born to a Jamaican father, who taught at Stanford, and an Indian mother, who was a cancer researcher, Kamala was no stranger to hard work and dedication (McNamee). Harris went on to study political science at Howard University before earning a law degree from Hastings College in 1989 (McNamee). Starting out as a deputy district attorney, Harris quickly made her way up the political ladder before being elected attorney general of California in 2010. Accompanying this win was her honor of becoming both the first female and African-American to hold the position (McNamee). After this humongous feat, Harris’ declaration to run for Senate was accepted state-wide and without difficulty she won the election (McNamee).
Known both nationally and internationally as “The Golden State,” California’s rich and cultivated history has played a large role in the continuity of its prominence as an all-around frontrunner of the global world. Located along the West Coast of the United States, California borders the Pacific Ocean and sits directly below Oregon. With multiple mountain ranges and desert areas, California manages to exhibit an almost extreme topography and climate; containing both the highest, Mt. Whitney, and lowest, Death Valley, points in the United States (“California”). Although the state ranks third nationally in terms of area, it has been deemed the country’s most populous state for the past two decades with more than thirty-six million people (“California”). Of these thirty-six million, eight million people have been documented as foreign-born, “the largest portion among all 50 states” (“California”). Latin Americans make up about half of this group, while Asians offset for another third (“California”). The state’s African-American population, numbering about two million, pales in comparison to those who travel from other countries to settle in California (“California”). As mentioned previously, California has managed to maintain its position as the leading economic power of the United States. Specializing mainly in agriculture and manufacturing, the total personal income and commercial output has thus far been insurmountable (“California”). This status was first achieved during the gold rush of the mid-19th century, which brought many settlers to California. Little by little these industries soon expanded themselves into millions of subsidiary industries that are still being used today (“California”).
Being that Harris is a member of the Democratic political party, she tends to vote more progressively on matters such as planned parenthood, same-sex marriage, and even immigration. One of the bills most recently cosponsored by Harris in August of this same year was S.3321, also known as the Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act. This piece of legislation would award Congressional Gold Medals to Katherine Johnson, Dr. Christine Darden, and posthumously to Dorothy Vaughn and Mary Jackson in acknowledgement of their many contributions to NASA during the Space Race (“Legislation”). This bill was especially important given how much press these four women received after a movie recounting all of their accomplishments and struggles during the Space Race was released. Another bill cosponsored by the senator was S.3543, the Native American Voting Rights Act of 2018. Introduced in October, this bill was introduced with the intention of protecting the individual voting rights of both Native American and Alaskan Native voters (“Legislation”). The past few years have publicized an almost hidden discrimination towards certain voting groups, in particular, those who are viewed by the racial majority as outsiders. The last bill to be mentioned was sponsored by Harris herself and is S.3538, the DHS Body-Worn Camera Act of 2018. Also presented in October, this law was proposed to “establish pilot programs for, and require the development of policies with… the use of body-worn cameras by officers and agents of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement” (“Legislation”). This body-worn camera act is of the utmost importance seeing as how police brutality has morphed into an almost everyday occurrence and the growing fear that the public has made known of law enforcement officers. Although only a few laws have been named, it remains that Harris is heavily involved with the protection for both civilians and those who look to enforce these rules and regulations.
As a senator, it is customary to give speeches and press conferences when the need arises. Of the hundreds of speeches that Harris has carried out, the address given at the Human Rights Campaigns Annual Dinner was one of her most memorable. The premise of her speech emphasized the need for a revival of the Human Rights Campaign (“Human Rights Campaigns”). Harris notes how this rejuvenation will accompany the acknowledgement of violations that occur in regards to voting rights, health care, racial tension, and LGBT rights (“Human Rights Campaigns”). The impact of this speech shed light onto all of the social injustices many people face daily and provided both the attackers and those attacked with an essential solution in order to ensure the progression of modern society. Only weeks after accepting her new senatorial position, Harris gave a speech at the famed Women’s March on Washington. Compliant with the subject matter, Senator Harris called attention to the fact that “all issues are women’s issues” and that every individual has the power to do whatever they set their mind to (Westfall). While optimistic, Harris’ speech ignited a spark among the many females looking to make a difference in this world. Given her history and background, Harris interest in women’s rights is heartfelt and she continues to encourage not only women, but all individuals, to make their mark on the world. In keeping with female empowerment, the Californian Senator also delivered a speech expressing her siding with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford on the matter of her sexual assault allegation against now Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh (Kasana). Throughout the duration of her speech, Harris praises Ford for having the courage to testify as it was her “’civic duty’” (Kasana). Most notably, when it came time for Harris to question Ford she begins by telling the California professor, “’I believe you’” (Kasana). Her concurrence with the professor on this serious matter revealed to individuals everywhere how much Harris is pushing for the investigation and a more severe reprimanding of sexual assault accusers. The eloquence and passion exhibited in these speeches emphasizes how much Harris is willing to do to represent and advocate for her constituents and values.
Congressional committees are considered to be suborganizations within the legislature that decide which bills and resolutions to move forward for further deliberation. Harris in particular is involved with the Judiciary, Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Finance, Energy and Natural Resources, and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committees (Harris). The Judiciary Committee is in charge of the oversight of the administration of justice within all federal courts, administrative agencies, and Federal law enforcement units (Harris). The Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions deals with matters on these four related issues along with their expanded subcategories, such as school funding, rehabilitation, and even insurance packages for a variety of individuals (Harris). As is stated, the finance committee looks to help provide financial counseling and aid to organizations and individuals alike (Harris). Energy and Natural Resources focuses on the oversight of energy production and usage along with how various natural resources are obtained and utilized among the states (Harris). The final committee, the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, is the topmost suborganization of the United States Senate and involves all things having to do with national security (Harris). Harris’ participation in these suborganizations not only proves that she is heavily involved in Congressional affairs, it also substantiates her specific areas of interest among the problems faced by Americans that she wishes to amend.
Given the fact that Harris was received positively by much of the state, it is no surprise at the influx of contributors and resources that was donated to her campaign. Top contributors to her senatorial campaign consisted Time Warner, the University of California, Apple Inc, and 21st Century Fox (“Sen. Kamala D Harris”). Based upon Harris’ personal and political endeavors, I can honestly say that she is a very sincere individual whose intents always come with the purpose of making the world better for the Americans that she was chosen to represent. Leaning more towards a liberal perspective, Harris’ political beliefs include points such as equal rights for all, implementing more restrictions on the 2nd amendment, denouncing officials that accuse undocumented immigrants of being criminals, and having a pro-choice stance on abortion (“Voter’s Self Defense”). I do personally support Harris’ beliefs and her agenda for the people as a whole because she always manages to keep their best interests in mind, whether her decision turns out to be “Yea” or “Nay”.
As the first Indian-American to be elected to Senate, Kamala Harris has demonstrated an unrivaled work ethic coupled with a hunger to support all individuals. Since accepting her position, she has managed to revamp many individual sectors and has provided support to various social groups that are plagued by prejudice and inequality. Her dealings in California and the praise she sends to all those who reside there can be accredited to the fondness and amity she feels for her home state. She has not only altered the preconceived notion of what a Senator is supposed to do and look like, she has also pushed beyond her limits to advocate for the principles she holds near and dear. Senator Kamala Harris is a visionary beyond her time and she is without a doubt a true representation of the American dream.