Kamala Harris’s Role in Economic Policy as Vice President

Kamala Harris’s Early Economic Engagement as Vice President

Shortly after the Biden administration assumed office in 2021, Vice President Kamala Harris began reaching out to the chief executives of major banks, including JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America. At that time, the federal government was allocating hundreds of billions of dollars to assist banks in providing loans to small businesses struggling to survive during the pandemic-induced recession. In her discussions with these banking leaders, Ms. Harris emphasized the urgent need for them to expedite their lending processes, particularly to minority-owned businesses, which data indicated were experiencing significant barriers in accessing these funds.

These calls marked one of the earliest and most prominent initiatives taken by Ms. Harris in shaping and implementing the economic strategies of the Biden administration. They reflect the specific economic policy niche she has carved out as vice president. Current and former officials from the administration, along with progressive leaders outside the White House, largely concur that while Ms. Harris has been a notable figure in the administration, she did not play a central role in crafting the comprehensive economic legislation that has characterized President Biden’s tenure.

Throughout her vice presidency, Ms. Harris has not been a dominant voice in critical economic discussions, particularly those concerning strategies to combat the rising inflation rates witnessed in 2021 and 2022. Although she occasionally participated in economic briefings, her contributions during these sessions were not always prominent. One participant recalled an instance where she attended an economic briefing, primarily listening to the presentation while President Biden actively engaged by asking questions.

Other administration officials note that Ms. Harris tends to direct her inquiries toward understanding how specific policies impact workers and families on a personal level. This characteristic aligns closely with President Biden’s own approach, as both leaders share a commitment to prioritizing the needs of everyday Americans in their economic discussions.