Former Vice President Kamala Harris outlined several proposals to reshape federal institutions during a speech at the National Urban League Conference in Nashville, Tennessee on Friday, flagging potential controversy around her positions.
Harris called for eliminating the Electoral College, expanding the Supreme Court to 13 justices, and revisiting statehood for Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. "I know this is going to be controversial coming from me, in particular," She said.
"We need to revisit the Electoral College. We need to revisit the point of expanding the court, to 13 justices like we have 13 district courts. We need to revisit, if they so want, statehood for Puerto Rico and D.C.," Harris stated.
The positions mark departures from her 2024 presidential campaign, when she lost to President Donald Trump. During that race, Harris did not advocate eliminating the Electoral College, instead supporting Supreme Court term limits and ethics codes rather than expansion. She backed D.C. Statehood but did not publicly support Puerto Rico statehood.
Harris also called for stronger consequences for judicial nominees who mislead senators during confirmation, proposing congressional procedures to hold nominees who lie under oath in contempt.
The speech follows reports that Harris has been meeting with progressive Democratic figures including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as she considers another presidential run. According to polling averages, she holds a double-digit lead over potential 2028 Democratic rivals including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Ocasio-Cortez.
When asked about a campaign, Harris said: "I am fully, sincerely, focused on these midterms. I have not made a decision."