While Democrats appreciate Kamala Harris’ power to cast Senate tiebreakers in their favor has the potential to define her as vice president – and as a possible presidential candidate in 2024.
Why it matters: As president of the Senate and 51st vote for Democrats, Harris faces the prospect of weighing in on specific bills that she would have avoided after leaving Congress. His domestic and international travel – a fundamental privilege for the vice presidency – can also be inhibited by the need to stay close to Washington.
What they are saying: “It can change the game,” said former Senator Tom Daschle, “from the perspective of creating a political narrative in the future.”
- A small majority in the Senate allowed Vice President Mike Pence to cast more tiebreaker votes – 13 – than any vice president in the modern era, according to the Pew Research Center.
- One vote confirmed Betsy DeVos as secretary of education. Another supported a federal judge and a third allowed a vote on the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, which ended up failing.
- Harris will now take office only during the Senate’s second 50-50 division for the past 60 years. Congress is facing the prospect of major legislation addressing the coronavirus, comprehensive immigration reform and voting rights.
- Although Harris had a perspective on each of them as a member of the presidential administration, she may now have to cast roll-call votes, just as she did during her four years as a senator.
Although Joe Biden did not say he would not seek a second term, these votes would serve as food for potential Harris opponents in the 2024 primary and general elections.
Daschle, who was the leader of the majority and minority in the Senate’s last division (during the first two years of George W. Bush’s presidency), he said that potential tied votes are still relatively rare.
- Looking to the future, South Dakotan predicted that Democrats would unify around legislation to prevent a member from voting with Republicans, a process of reconciliation with progressives and other party constituents that would benefit Harris politically.
Harris spokeswoman Sabrina Singh added that Biden’s long term in the Senate “along with his relationships will strengthen the Biden-Harris government’s ability to pass bipartisan legislation”.
Flashback 50-50: Daschle said the fate of the next Senate will be driven by the relationship between future majority leader Chuck Schumer and minority leader Mitch McConnell.
- “I was fortunate enough to work only with an extraordinarily good Republican leader, Trent Lott. We became very close friends, partly because we were put together that way and remain very close friends today.”
- “I don’t know how far that relationship will exist with the two leaders today, but that will be a big factor.”
Be smart: Biden deliberately sought to avoid embarrassing Republicans aligned with President Trump, hoping to create a productive working relationship.
- He also praised his longstanding relationship with McConnell from his shared Senate days, which could soften any of the daily criticism that occurs between him and Schumer.