If Vice President Kamala Harris wins the presidency, and Democrats manage to gain control of both the House and Senate, the U.S. could experience a major shift towards progressive policies. This would solidify President Biden’s domestic legacy, particularly in areas like green energy, while maintaining current U.S. foreign policies.
The Democratic Party would likely focus on reshaping American courts and hoping for a vacancy in the conservative-majority Supreme Court. This period of unified Democratic control would provide a short, two-year window to push through their agenda before the next congressional elections.
A key focus of a Harris administration would be climate policy. Democrats would push for major green energy initiatives, expanding subsidies for clean energy technologies like solar and wind, and increasing electric vehicle infrastructure.
Stricter regulations on fossil fuels would likely follow, targeting emissions-heavy industries. Harris would also prioritize re-establishing U.S. leadership on global climate efforts, though this aggressive environmental policy could meet strong opposition from industries impacted by higher compliance costs and regulations.
Health care would be another central area for reform, with efforts to expand the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, and Medicare. Lowering the Medicare eligibility age and increasing the scope of services would be on the table, along with strengthening social safety nets like child care, paid family leave, and affordable housing.
Kamala Harris
Reproductive rights would likely be reinforced, with the federal government protecting abortion access and gender-affirming care, particularly in conservative states. However, these reforms could lead to increased taxes on corporations and the wealthy, sparking significant debate.
Democrats would also target labor rights and economic inequality. They would push for a higher federal minimum wage, expanded union rights, and stronger protections for workers, especially in the tech and retail sectors. Corporate regulation would intensify, with a focus on curbing the influence of big tech companies and private equity.
Progressive tax reforms aimed at wealth redistribution, such as higher taxes on the rich, would fund these social programs. While these efforts would benefit many workers, they could generate significant pushback from the business sector, particularly industries reliant on lower-wage labor.
Education and social equity would be major priorities under a Harris administration. Policies aimed at closing the racial wealth gap, expanding access to higher education, and advancing LGBTQ+ rights would likely move forward.
Initiatives like student loan forgiveness and free community college could become a reality. Federal anti-discrimination protections for marginalized communities would be strengthened, but these moves could provoke a cultural backlash, particularly from conservative states and communities, increasing divisions on issues like gender equality and anti-racism education.
Lastly, with control of both the White House and Congress, Harris would have the opportunity to appoint progressive judges and reshape the federal judiciary. This would ensure long-term gains for civil rights and environmental protections.
On the foreign policy front, Harris would continue Biden’s multilateral approach, with a strong focus on climate diplomacy, continued support for Ukraine, and maintaining a tough stance on China.
However, these policies could deepen polarization between blue and red states, with conservative states resisting federal mandates, leading to legal battles over state versus federal authority and further dividing the nation politically.
