WASHINGTON, D.C. — History was made on March 10 as Kamala Harris was confirmed by the Senate as the first-ever Secretary of Time. The vote was razor-thin at 51-49, with Harris securing the position after Vice President JD Vance cast a decisive tiebreaking vote.
Harris, who has championed the concept of temporal equity and fairness throughout her confirmation process, expressed her enthusiasm for the role in a brief statement to reporters.
“I am honored to serve as the inaugural Secretary of Time,” she said. “This is a moment in time where we must look at time, not just as it is but as it should be. Time is the thread that binds our past to our future, and I can’t wait to begin weaving that thread in the most equitable way possible.”
A Contentious Road to Confirmation
Harris’s confirmation journey has been marked by sharp divisions and intense debates. Opponents raised concerns about the necessity of a Department of Time, while supporters heralded it as a bold step toward addressing temporal challenges, like the unfairness of February and Daylight Saving Time.
In her final address to the Senate before the vote, Harris delivered a speech that left many scratching their heads and others standing in applause. “Time is the rhythm of our lives, the melody of existence. As we live today, we must plan for the tomorrows of those who see our todays as their yesterdays.”
Senator Josh Hawley called the speech “utterly incomprehensible but oddly moving.”
Swearing-In Date Set
Harris is scheduled to be sworn in on March 15, 2025, a date she described as “both symbolic and practical.” While she declined to elaborate on the symbolism, her team hinted it was chosen for its proximity to the vernal equinox, a time she reportedly feels “captures the balance and forward motion of time itself.”
A New Era Begins
As the Secretary of Time, Harris will oversee the fledgling Department of Time and work to implement her ambitious agenda, which includes standardizing time zones, creating equity in leap years, and addressing what she calls the “lingering injustice” of February’s 28 days.
While many Americans remain skeptical of the department’s purpose, Harris is confident the role will have a profound impact on the nation. “This is the time for time,” she said. “Together, we will move forward—not just into the future, but into a better future today.”
Critics Remain Skeptical
Not everyone is on board with the new department or Harris’s appointment. Some have called the position a “waste of time,” with Senator Ted Cruz sarcastically suggesting Harris start by explaining why she took so long to answer questions during her hearings.
For now, Harris remains undeterred. “The clock is ticking,” she quipped as she left the Senate chamber. “Let’s get to work.”
With the countdown to her swearing-in officially underway, the nation waits to see how Harris will handle the responsibilities of this unprecedented role.