Kamala Harris’ Stance on Key Issues: Ukraine, Abortion, and Gun Control | US News
Kamala Harris is currently the front runner to be the Democratic nominee after Joe Biden’s withdrawal, but where does she stand on important American issues?
Ukraine
Ms Harris has shown strong support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia, and has met with President Zelenskyy multiple times in recent years.
She has made it clear that the American people will continue to stand with Ukraine despite the country’s economic challenges.
“I know the American people feel a sense of moral outrage and a sense of responsibility for our nation to stand with the Ukrainian people around these atrocities,” she stated in 2023 during an interview with NBC News.
Pic: Reuters
Ms Harris reaffirmed her support at the Munich security conference this year, emphasizing America’s commitment to defending sovereignty and territorial integrity and preventing authoritarian encroachment on free and democratic nations.
She assured the audience, “You have made clear that Europe will stand with Ukraine, and I will make clear President Joe Biden and I stand with Ukraine.”
Abortion
The overturning of the federal right to an abortion in 2022 was a significant and divisive moment in the US.
The Supreme Court’s narrow decision, aided by three conservative judges appointed by Donald Trump, has put the issue at the forefront of the upcoming election, and could become a key point in Ms Harris’s candidacy if confirmed.
Abortion laws could be a big issue in election campaigning. Pic: Reuters
Earlier this year, she made history as the first vice president or president to visit an abortion provider as part of a prominent “reproductive freedoms tour.”
“Fundamentally, on this issue, it’s about freedom,” Ms Harris told MSNBC.
“Every person, regardless of gender, should understand that if such a fundamental freedom as the right to make decisions about your own body can be taken, other freedoms may also be at risk.”
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Middle East
There are concerns among some supporters about Joe Biden’s stance on Israel, but it is believed that Ms Harris would generally follow his approach on foreign policy matters, including Ukraine, China, and Iran.
“While she may be more dynamic, do not expect any immediate drastic changes in Biden’s foreign policy approach,” noted Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East negotiator in both Democratic and Republican administrations.
Ms Harris has been strong in her language regarding the war. Pic: Reuters
However, there are indications that she may take a tougher stance on the Gaza War publicly.
Ms Harris has shown willingness to voice her opinions ahead of the official White House position in the past.
In March, she criticized Israel for not doing enough to alleviate the “humanitarian catastrophe,” and later that same month did not rule out potential “consequences” if Israel launched a full-scale invasion of Rafah.
Immigration
Donald Trump has renewed promises to curb illegal immigration at the Mexican border—an issue that resonates strongly with many voters, especially in the southern states.
Republicans have attacked Ms Harris’s immigration record, labeling her as President Biden’s “border czar” (a characterization she disputes), blaming her for failing to stop illegal arrivals.
Republicans have blamed Ms Harris for failing to stop the influx of migrants. Pic: Reuters
Ms Harris was appointed to manage a “root causes” strategy in the early stages of the Biden administration, focusing on improving conditions in countries like Honduras and El Salvador.
However, similar to the situation in Europe, many individuals continue to undertake dangerous journeys despite efforts to address the root causes.
In February, Ms Harris acknowledged that the immigration system has been broken for decades and stressed the importance of maintaining legal pathways.
“Let us remember: we are a nation of immigrants,” she stated in a White House address.
“We know that in America, diversity is our strength. So rather than politicize this issue, let us all address it with the urgency and seriousness it requires,” she added.
Gun control
Vice President Harris has been an advocate for stricter gun laws under the Biden administration and is likely to continue this stance as the Democratic nominee.
In 2022, she supported a rare bipartisan package of gun safety laws, the most significant legislation on the issue in three decades.
The package included enhanced background checks for young gun owners and red flag laws to facilitate the confiscation of firearms.
Gun laws also remain an emotive topic on the left and right of US politics. Pic: Reuters
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Ms Harris leads the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and recently visited the site of the 2018 Parkland school shooting, unveiling a new initiative to maximize the enforcement of red flag laws.
“Our nation is being torn apart by the tragedy of it all and torn apart by the fear and trauma that results from gun violence,” she stated in a speech in September 2023.
“President Biden and I believe in the second amendment, but we also know common sense solutions are at hand,” she emphasized.
