Kamala Harris Faces Republican Criticism Over Reform Proposals
Former Vice President Kamala Harris quickly drew fire from Republicans after suggesting that Democrats should contemplate expanding the Supreme Court and abolishing the Electoral College if they regain power.
“Let’s gather ideas on reforming the Supreme Court, maybe even by increasing the number of justices,” Harris said during a call with the progressive nonprofit Emerge. “We should also discuss statehood for Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., and reconsider the Electoral College.”
She added, “We need to counteract the fraud happening in this red state. There’s a real brutality and ruthlessness at play, and we have to strategize to win.”
This appeal for “bold” changes comes on the heels of significant setbacks for Democrats in redistricting efforts while both parties prepare for the upcoming midterm elections in November.
In late April, the Supreme Court limited the use of race in creating electoral districts, effectively dismantling several black-majority areas in the South that were typically Democratic strongholds. Moreover, Democrats faced another defeat in early May when the Virginia Supreme Court dismissed a Democratic-leaning gerrymander due to procedural issues.
“This decision essentially says that political maneuvering in redistricting is permissible, which is a form of backdoor racism,” Harris remarked on the conference call. “They are deliberately trying to suppress the people’s voice.”
Harris, who is eyeing the 2024 presidential race, received sharp criticism from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), who branded the Democrats as “arsonists.”
“What they propose is highly dangerous,” he said. “If we falter, the entire system is at risk.”
Johnson further expressed disbelief at Harris’s suggestions, stating, “It’s absolutely outrageous for a former vice president to propose packing the Supreme Court or dismantling essential institutions simply because of political losses.”
Conservative Representative Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) also denounced Harris’ remarks, calling them “completely outrageous” during an interview, asserting, “We cannot allow her to become president again. She has been rejected by the public before and will be again.”
Not all Democrats share Harris’s views. Representative Jason Crow (D-Colorado) pointed out the need to prioritize more pressing issues, saying, “I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves. My focus is on lowering healthcare costs and resolving ongoing conflicts which are costing Americans greatly.” This seems more aligned with what his constituents are talking about.
Interestingly, Harris’s push for reform comes as Republicans emerge victorious in redistricting disputes leading up to the midterms. So far, Democratic gains appear primarily confined to California and Utah, while Republicans stand to gain potentially over a dozen seats as numerous Republican-dominated states redraw congressional maps.
In a notable change, Tennessee has removed its only black-majority district, previously represented by white Democrats for many years, allowing the Republicans to claim long-sought seats.
Similarly, Louisiana and South Carolina are trying to eliminate Democratic-held seats in light of Supreme Court decisions. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) intends to initiate his own gerrymandering efforts in blue and swing states like New York, New Jersey, Colorado, and Oregon. However, any new maps in those states may not be implemented until 2028, leaving room for discussion as the election approaches.
