When Kamala Harris arrived in Washington, DC four years ago as a new senator from California, she was offered a place on the senate intelligence committee, one of the most powerful and secretive bodies of the Congress. As the junior-most member of the committee, she sat at the far end of the row of senators during its meetings. But once the committee started investigating Russian involvement in the 2016 presidential elections, Kamala’s experience as a prosecutor brought her to the centre of the committee’s proceedings. Her incisive interrogation made Trump officials jittery. Attorney general Jeff Sessions, who had served in the senate for two decades, was so shaken after a round of questioning that he pleaded for mercy. “I'm not able to be rushed this fast,” he told Kamala during one of the hearings. “It makes me nervous.” She smiled warmly in response. But there was no respite for Sessions.
Kamala, who takes over as the 49th vice president of the United States on January 20, will be one of the most powerful occupants of that office. With Georgia, once the bastion of the southern confederates, electing two Democrats—a black preacher and a young Jew—on January 5, the senate is now split evenly between Democrats and Republicans. As the ex officio head of the senate, Kamala can break the tie on crucial votes, giving her a major say in critical appointments and an outsized influence on the senate’s legislative agenda. President Joe Biden will have to work more closely with her and be more accommodative to her priorities. She will not be the president's rubber stamp.
The audacious fighter
Bu hikaye THE WEEK dergisinin January 24, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye THE WEEK dergisinin January 24, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Themes Of Choice
As Savvy Investors Seek New Avenues, Thematic Mutual Funds Are Gaining Popularity
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
