As veep, Kamala Harris will have every opportunity for clout. Biden, the oldest man to become president, has promised her a prime role. But she faces minefields too.
“When there is a need to be up there to be a tiebreaking vote, of course she will be there. But the administration wants to work with the Senate” to avoid ties, said one of her advisors, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
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Much of that strategy is pragmatic. Currently, most bills in the Senate require a 60-person majority because of the filibuster rule. Though many Democrats are pushing to change the long-standing rule as it applies to legislation, it’s unclear when or if they will have the votes to do so. Filibusters have already been removed for Cabinet and judicial confirmations.