Who is our vice president

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Last updated: April 17, 2026

Quick Answer: As of 2024, the Vice President of the United States is Kamala Harris. She is the first female, first Black, and first South Asian vice president, elected in November 2020 and inaugurated on January 20, 2021.

Key Facts

Kamala Harris was inaugurated as Vice President on January 20, 2021, making her the first woman to hold the office.
She is the first African American and first Asian American vice president in U.S. history.
Harris previously served as U.S. Senator from California from 2017 to 2021.
She was the Democratic nominee for vice president in August 2020, selected by Joe Biden.
The vice president earns a salary of $235,100 per year as of 2024.

Overview

The Vice President of the United States is the second-highest-ranking official in the executive branch and first in line to succeed the President. As of 2024, this role is held by Kamala Harris, who made history upon her inauguration in January 2021.

Kamala Harris serves alongside President Joe Biden, having won the 2020 general election. Her position carries significant constitutional and ceremonial responsibilities, including presiding over the Senate and stepping in if the President is unable to serve.

Term: Kamala Harris began her term as Vice President on January 20, 2021, following the certification of the 2020 election results.
Historic Firsts: She is the first woman, first Black American, and first person of South Asian descent to hold the office of Vice President.
Previous Role: Before becoming Vice President, Harris served as a U.S. Senator representing California from January 2017 to January 2021.
Party Affiliation: A member of the Democratic Party, she was selected as Joe Biden’s running mate in August 2020 during the Democratic National Convention.
Presidential Succession: As Vice President, Harris is first in the presidential line of succession, meaning she would assume the presidency if the President dies, resigns, or is removed from office.

How It Works

The Vice Presidency operates under specific constitutional and procedural rules that define its powers, term length, and succession role within the federal government.

Term: The Vice President serves a four-year term concurrent with the President, beginning on January 20 following the November election. Re-election is possible for a second term if the ticket wins again.
Election Process: The Vice President is elected indirectly through the Electoral College, as part of a presidential ticket voted on by the public every four years.
Senate Role: The Vice President serves as President of the Senate and can cast tie-breaking votes, a power Harris has used on several key legislative decisions.
Salary: The current annual salary for the Vice President is $235,100, set by federal law and unchanged since 2019.
Security: The Vice President receives full protection from the U.S. Secret Service, both during and after their term in office.
Residence: The official residence of the Vice President is Number One Observatory Circle in Washington, D.C., which has been used since 1977.
Succession Duty: The 25th Amendment clarifies the Vice President’s role in assuming presidential duties during incapacity or vacancy in the presidency.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of recent Vice Presidents highlights differences in background, tenure, and historic significance.

VP Name	Term	Party	Historic First
Kamala Harris	2021–present	Democratic	First female, Black, and South Asian VP
Mike Pence	2017–2021	Republican	Strong evangelical policy influence
Joe Biden	1973–1981	Democratic	Youngest VP in modern era at age 44
Sarah Palin	2008–2009	Republican	First Alaskan VP candidate
Walter Mondale	1977–1981	Democratic	First VP with regular Cabinet meetings

This table shows how vice presidents vary in political impact and representation. Kamala Harris stands out for breaking multiple demographic barriers, while others like Walter Mondale expanded the office’s institutional role. Each vice president reflects the priorities and diversity of their time.

Why It Matters

The Vice Presidency is more than a ceremonial role—it shapes national policy, succession planning, and political representation across the country.

Policy Influence: Vice Presidents often lead major initiatives; Harris has been tasked with addressing migration at the southern border and advancing voting rights.
Global Representation: Harris represents the U.S. abroad, such as during diplomatic visits to Singapore and Vietnam in 2021 and 2023.
Symbolic Importance: Her presence in office inspires underrepresented groups, particularly women and minorities in public service.
Legislative Power: As Senate president, she cast 32 tie-breaking votes between 2021 and 2024, more than any previous vice president in a single term.
Succession Readiness: The role ensures continuity of government, requiring the VP to be constantly prepared to assume presidential duties.
Political Platform: The position often serves as a springboard for future presidential runs, as seen with Biden and Al Gore.

The Vice President plays a vital role in American democracy, balancing constitutional duties with evolving expectations in governance and representation.