Kamala Harris

In a speech delivered on Sunday, the vice president advocated for Congress to take action to protect abortion rights.

Vice President Harris told NPR that the administration plans to bolster agents at the southern U.S. border after pandemic migration restrictions end, but said Congress must lead on broader reforms.

Vice President Harris has held more than 20 events on abortion rights since May. She's been traveling the country to listen and speak about what's become a top issue for Democratic voters.

"Congress needs to have the courage to act and renew the assault weapons ban," Harris told a teachers convention in Chicago before visiting the shooting scene at nearby Highland Park.

In an interview with NPR White House correspondent Asma Khalid, the vice president also called on Congress to codify abortion rights.

Vice President Harris has tested positive for COVID-19 and has exhibited no symptoms, the White House announced on Tuesday. She's not considered a close contact to President Biden or the first lady.

The fact that Vice President Harris is even attending the inauguration is a sign of the importance the White House is placing on finding a partner in the fight against root causes of migration.

As Harris begins her historic second year in office, she's taken on the traditional second-in-command role: reinforcing the president's message.

Biden didn't utter Trump's name but referred repeatedly to him with forceful, and at times personal, denunciations of his actions. "He's not just a former president. He's a defeated former president."

As we count down to the new year, we asked our readers what they thought were the top political stories of 2021. Here's what they picked.