Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday cast her 32nd tie-breaking vote in the Senate, surpassing a record previously held by John C. Calhoun.
To mark the occasion, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer presented her with a golden gavel. She previously tied Calhoun’s old mark during a vote in July of this year.
“The record Vice President Harris sets today is significant not just because of the number but of what she’s made possible,” Schumer said on the floor, pointing to her votes for two mammoth pieces of legislation, one Covid aid and another on health care, tax and climate policies, as well as judicial nominees.
Harris’ vice presidency has coincided with two Senate terms that saw incredibly thin majorities — split 50-50 last term and 51-49 this time. Additionally, close votes have become more of a norm on presidential nominees since former Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid eliminated the filibuster on most of those confirmations back in 2013.
“The Vice President’s tie-breaking votes have been consequential in moving the Biden-Harris agenda forward over the last three years. These tie-breaking votes have helped deliver for the American people by lowering costs for American families, creating good-paying jobs in local communities, and providing economic relief for small businesses across the country,” a White House official said in a statement.
The record-breaking vote was to advance the nomination of Loren AliKhan to be a judge on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) joined with all Republicans in opposing the pick.
Assuming full attendance continues, Harris will likely have to provide the tie-breaking vote to confirm AliKhan.
