Kamala Harris has been the Vice President of the United States since January 2021. She’s the first woman and person of color to hold this position. So, how much does she make? Let’s discuss the U.S. Vice President salary.
The U.S. Vice President Salary – Current Figures
The current U.S. Vice President salary is $255,800 per year. This is after the Executive order 13970 adjustment for 2021, increasing the salary from the previous figure of $235,100. That’s how much Vice Presidents made between 2014 and 2021, when their annual income was frozen by Congress during the Obama Administration.
The Vice President’s annual salary is set by Congress and isn’t subject to change during his or her time in office. The VP doesn’t receive a pension from the government, but is eligible for federal benefits such as Social Security and Thrift Savings Plan. In addition, they receive an expense allowance of $20,000 per year.
Vice President Salaries over the Years
Little is known about the first salaries for U.S. Vice Presidents, as records from this time period are scarce. However, it’s safe to say that the vice president’s salary has increased significantly over the years. In fact, when George Washington was first elected as President in 1789, his vice president John Adams only made $5000 per year. That’s the equivalent of around $161,000 today.
It’s possible that the Vice President salary will increase again in the future. However, any changes to the vice president’s salary would have to be approved by Congress. So, for now at least, Harris’ salary will remain at $255,800 per year.
The History of Vice Presidency
The vice presidency has come a long way since it was first created over 200 years ago. The vice president’s salary has increased significantly, and the role of the vice president has changed dramatically.
For much of the U.S. history, the vice presidency was a largely ceremonial position. After the Twelfth Amendment was ratified in 1804, the vice president’s only real responsibility was to preside over the Senate.
This began to change in the 20th century. Vice presidents started to take on more responsibilities, such as heading up commissions and task forces. In the 21st century, vice presidents are seen as an integral part of a presidential administration. They play a key role in both domestic and foreign policy. Who knows what the future will hold for the vice presidency? Only time will tell.
What Does the Vice President Do?
The Vice President of the United States is the second highest-ranking official in the executive branch. The VP’s main duty is to be ready to take over if the President can’t perform his or her duties. The VP also acts as a tie-breaker in the Senate and can cast a vote if there’s a 50-50 tie. In addition, the Vice President is in charge of foreign and domestic policy issues.
Here’s a list of tasks they do on a regular basis:
- meet with the President to discuss domestic and foreign policy issues;
- brief the President on developments around the world;
- attend Cabinet meetings;
- vote in the Senate (if there’s a tie);
- preside over the Senate.
The Vice President salary may seem like a lot, but it’s important to remember the vice president’s duties. Being second in line for the presidency is a big responsibility. In addition, the vice president has many other duties that help to shape policy and keep the country running smoothly.
How Is the Vice President Elected?
The Vice President isn’t elected by the American people in a direct vote. Instead, they are chosen by the presidential nominee. So, when Kamala Harris was picked as Joe Biden’s running mate, she became the Vice President-elect. Once a presidential nominee has been chosen, the vice presidential nominee is usually announced shortly after.
The Vice President does have to be confirmed by the Senate, however. This is done through a process called impeachment. Impeachment is when Congress brings formal charges against the Vice President. If the Vice President is impeached, they can no longer hold office.
What Are the Requirements to Become a Vice President?
In order to become the Vice President of the United States, there are a few requirements one must meet. First, the candidate must be a natural-born citizen of the United States. They must also be at least 35 years old and have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years.
If they meet these requirements and are interested in becoming the Vice President, they’ll need to run for office. This can be done by campaigning to become a presidential nominee or by being chosen as a vice presidential nominee.
The Bottom Line: Great Pay Comes with Great Responsibility
The pay is just one aspect of this important position. As we can see, the Vice President has many responsibilities. And, while the vice president salary may seem high, it’s important to remember all that the vice president does for our country.
Do you think the Vice President salary is fair? Let us know in the comments below.
