Press Release - Kamala Harris Sets New Record for Most Tie-Breaking Senate Votes Cast by a Vice President in American History, Surpassing Nearly 200-Year-Old Record

The Vice President's historic 32 tie-breaking votes have helped deliver for the American people by lowering costs for families, creating good-paying jobs, cutting prescription prices, investing in climate action, and confirming judges that represent the diversity of the nation.

WASHINGTON – Vice President Kamala Harris once again made history today as she cast her 32nd tie-breaking vote in the U.S. Senate, surpassing a record that had stood for nearly 200 years. The previous high-water mark for most tie-breaking Senate votes cast by a Vice President in American history was set by John C. Calhoun who took nearly eight years to reach that number in 1832.

The Vice President's tie-breaking votes have been consequential in moving the Biden-Harris agenda forward over the last three years. These tie-breaking votes have helped deliver for the American people by lowering costs for American families, creating good-paying jobs in local communities, and providing economic relief for small businesses across the country. These votes have also helped lower prescription drug costs, launch the largest investment to address the climate crisis in history, tackle the pandemic, and confirm nominees that ensure the federal government and judiciary represent the diversity of the nation.

"This is a history-making moment for the United States Senate," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). "When it has mattered most, Vice President Harris has provided the decisive vote on some of the most historic bills of modern times, from the American Rescue Plan to the Inflation Reduction Act, to so many federal judges who now preside and provide balance on the federal bench."

"The 191-year-old tiebreaking record was held by John C. Calhoun, one of the biggest proponents of slavery. It is only fitting that Vice President Harris – the first woman, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American elected Vice President – has set a new standard and brought us into the 21st century," said Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn. "This historic moment should serve as a monument to the significant progress we have made under the Biden-Harris Administration and a testament to this administration's promise to deliver on behalf of the American people."

Today's historic vote advanced the nomination of Loren L. AliKhan to be a United States District Court Judge for the District of Columbia. A confirmation vote is expected later today.