Kamala Harris to Swear In Senators Who Disparaged Her “`
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Vice President Kamala Harris will swear in new Senators on Friday. Many of these politicians, who will present her with family Bibles, have previously denounced her as a threat to American values. Some falsely accused her of wanting to ban Christmas, promote dog meat consumption among immigrants, and rig elections through illegal voting.
Four of the Senators being sworn in spoke at the Republican convention last year and mispronounced her name while mocking her.
This situation is a common challenge for Vice Presidents, particularly those who ran for President unsuccessfully. Former Senators understand the Senate’s norms must be upheld, regardless of personal feelings. The necessity of interacting with political opponents is simply part of the role.
However, this doesn’t make it easy, especially presiding over the Senate’s certification of an opponent’s election victory. Former Vice Presidents Mike Pence, Joe Biden, and Dan Quayle can attest to the difficulties of this aspect of the job.
For Harris, who lost the Democratic nomination late last year, this day presents additional challenges. Despite maintaining a strong public image, the arrival of her fiercest critics in Washington adds to the sting of her recent defeat.
Sen.-elect Bernie Moreno of Ohio, who was born in Bogotá, Colombia, spread false allegations about dog and cat consumption, blaming Harris for the supposed problem and claiming Democrats prioritize illegal immigrants over citizens. His campaign also came close to accusing Harris of involvement in an assassination attempt against Trump.
Sen.-elect Jim Banks of Indiana perpetuated culture war narratives, claiming Harris wanted a “war on Christmas.” Senator-elect Ted Cruz also spent months falsely accusing Harris and her allies of encouraging illegal immigration for political purposes. Cruz also falsely claimed the Ukrainian president was campaigning for Harris during a US visit.
Senator-elect Rick Scott of Florida criticized Harris for allegedly neglecting Florida’s post-hurricane recovery to pursue photo opportunities. He also accused her of basing policies on “racism.”
As these new and returning Senators take their oaths, they will do so from the woman who, until recently, led the Democratic party.
Experienced politicians like Harris understand that partisan conflict is inherent in politics. She’s used to such tactics, and shows no signs of slowing down.
Nevertheless, the transition from the Naval Observatory to Capitol Hill will likely be emotionally charged for Harris and Biden, as their offices will soon be occupied by political adversaries. The Senate’s shift to Republican control, along with the uncertainty of the chamber’s future, might provide Harris with a degree of solace as she interacts with her former critics.
Harris will maintain a composed demeanor for the next few weeks, but she’s unlikely to forget the past slights.
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