Harris Resigns as Senator Two Days Before Inauguration... Now Vice President and Senate President

Official Announcement on the 18th... California Secretary of State Likely to Succeed
Casting Vote Exercised in Senate... "Securing Power Amid Party Divisions"

Kamala Harris, Vice President-elect of the United States
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Kamala Harris, the U.S. Vice President-elect, will resign from her Senate seat two days before her inauguration on the 18th (local time), according to reports by The New York Times (NYT) and others on the 17th. Harris is a Democratic Senator from California.

According to reports, Harris has informed California Governor Gavin Newsom of her resignation schedule and plans to make an official announcement on the 18th. Harris's Senate term runs until 2022, and her successor will be appointed by Governor Newsom. Last month, he announced his intention to appoint Alex Padilla, California Secretary of State and a second-generation Mexican immigrant, as her successor.

Harris's resignation from the Senate comes just two days before her vice presidential inauguration. Previously, Joe Biden, who was elected Vice President in the 2008 U.S. presidential election, resigned from the Senate five days before his inauguration, while former President Obama, who was a Senator from Illinois, resigned two months prior.

Since her election in November last year, Harris has continued to attend Senate sessions and was present at the Capitol when supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the building on the 6th. On the 20th of this month, Harris will be sworn in as the first female and first person of color to become Vice President in U.S. history, with the oath administered by Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina federal Supreme Court Justice.

Even after Harris relinquishes her Senate seat, she will not be leaving the Senate entirely. Soon, the Senate seats will be split 50-50 between Democrats, including independents, and Republicans, and in the event of a tie in votes, the Vice President, as Senate President, holds the casting vote. This grants her the authority to exercise influence in critical moments such as passing legislation and confirming appointments in Congress.

Bloomberg News stated, "With the Senate deeply divided along party lines, Harris will gain greater power when conflicts arise in votes," but also noted that she has fewer Republicans with whom she has close relationships compared to President-elect Biden, limiting her ability to persuade Republicans in the Senate.