A five-year-old American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) questionnaire completed by Kamala Harris has recently resurfaced, bringing attention to her past policy positions. The survey, conducted during the 2020 presidential campaign, highlights the Vice President's previous support for various liberal policies.
One of the most notable responses in the questionnaire was Harris's affirmative stance on providing gender transition surgeries to prisoners relying on state medical care. She stated, "It is important that transgender individuals who rely on the state for care receive the treatment they need, which includes access to treatment associated with gender transition."
Harris, who served as California's Attorney General from 2011 to 2017, also mentioned her efforts to provide gender transition surgery to state inmates during her tenure. She expressed support for policies ensuring federal prisoners and detainees could obtain medically necessary care for gender transition, including surgical care.
The questionnaire also revealed Harris's positions on other progressive issues:
- Legalizing marijuana
- Reforming sentencing laws to address mass incarceration
- Ending private prisons and immigrant detention facilities
- Using clemency and pardon powers for non-violent drug offenses
These stances align with Harris's long-standing advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and criminal justice reform. During her time as a U.S. Senator from California, she co-sponsored the Green New Deal and supported Medicare for All, further demonstrating her progressive leanings.
However, as the Vice President campaigns for the presidency, her team has emphasized a more centrist approach. A Harris campaign adviser stated, "The vice-president's positions have been shaped by three years of effective governance as part of the Biden-Harris administration."
The resurfacing of this questionnaire comes at a crucial time, with the presidential debate in Philadelphia scheduled for September 17, 2024. It may provide additional material for her opponents to challenge her current policy positions.
Harris, now 59 years old, has maintained that while her approach to governance has evolved, her core values remain unchanged. "My values have not changed," she asserted in a recent interview.
As the first South Asian American and African American woman to hold the office of Vice President, Harris's political journey has been marked by significant achievements and evolving policy positions. Her campaign spokesman emphasized that as president, she would focus on "common sense solutions for the sake of progress," reflecting a pragmatic approach to governance.
"I have my entire life and career been an ally and I see the issue of LGBTQ rights as a fundamental civil rights and human rights issue, period."
As the debate approaches, voters will be watching closely to see how Harris addresses questions about her past policy positions and articulates her vision for the future of the country.