Fact Check: "The Vice President of the United States can cast tie-breaking votes in the Senate."
What We Know
The role of the Vice President of the United States in the Senate is defined by the U.S. Constitution. Specifically, Article I, Section 3, Clause 4 states that the Vice President serves as the President of the Senate but may only cast a vote in the event of a tie (U.S. Senate). This constitutional provision has been in place since the establishment of the office, allowing the Vice President to break ties when the Senate is evenly divided.
Historically, Vice Presidents have exercised this power, with Kamala Harris recently setting a record for the most tie-breaking votes cast by a Vice President in American history. As of December 5, 2023, she has cast 32 tie-breaking votes, surpassing the previous record of 31 set by John C. Calhoun in 1832 (AP News, Presidency Project). The significance of these votes has been highlighted in various legislative achievements, including the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act (New York Times).
Analysis
The claim that the Vice President can cast tie-breaking votes in the Senate is supported by both constitutional text and historical precedent. The U.S. Constitution explicitly grants this power to the Vice President, making it a well-established fact. The reliability of this information is bolstered by multiple credible sources, including the U.S. Senate's official website, which outlines the constitutional basis for the Vice President's role in the Senate (U.S. Senate).
Moreover, the recent actions of Vice President Kamala Harris provide contemporary evidence of this role in action. Her record-setting number of tie-breaking votes has been reported by reputable news outlets, including the Associated Press and the New York Times, which detail the implications of her votes on significant legislation (AP News, New York Times). These sources are generally regarded as reliable, providing factual reporting and analysis of current events.
While there may be some political bias in the framing of Harris's achievements, the core fact that the Vice President can cast tie-breaking votes remains unaffected by such bias. The historical context and the constitutional foundation of this power lend further credibility to the claim.
Conclusion
The verdict on the claim that "The Vice President of the United States can cast tie-breaking votes in the Senate" is True. This is supported by the constitutional text, historical precedent, and recent actions by Vice President Kamala Harris, who has utilized this power to influence significant legislation.