Quicksplained: Who is Bharat Ramamurti, Kamala Harris’ Indian-origin economic advisor?

As the 2024 US presidential election draws closer, Bharat Ramamurti has emerged as a key figure in shaping Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign.  

With a strong background in liberal economic policies, Ramamurti is playing a crucial role in crafting Harris’s economic strategy. His work aims to help the Democrat nominee define her own economic vision, who is distancing herself from the political baggage associated with the Biden administration’s record on inflation and the economy.

So, who exactly is Bharat Ramamurti, and what are his plans for Harris’s economic agenda? Let’s take a closer look

1. A graduate of Harvard College and Yale Law School, Ramamurti gained experience as an intern after his graduation in the legal department and later worked as a litigator. According to Harvard magazine, his parents are from Tamil Nadu, India, and later settled in the United States. His father, Ravi Ramamurti, also earned a doctorate from Harvard and so did Ramamurti’s twin siblings, Gita and Arjun.

2. Ramamurti’s rise to prominence is deeply rooted in his extensive background in economic policy. He served as a senior counsel for banking and economic matters in the Senate from 2013 to 2019. Following this, he became a close aide to Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, advising her on economic issues during her 2020 presidential campaign. His seven-year collaboration with Warren solidified his reputation as a key figure in progressive economic circles.

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3. He also played a crucial role during the pandemic as a member of the COVID-19 Congressional Oversight Commission, appointed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to track some of the $2 trillion of economic stimulus approved by former President Donald Trump amid the pandemic.

In an opinion column, Ramamurti wrote for The New York Times, that the commission’s job was to “track how beneficiaries are spending public money and assess whether the public is benefiting from the half-trillion dollars it has put at the Treasury’s and the Fed’s disposal.” “Our watching eyes can help ensure that the money broadly benefits American families. There isn’t time to waste,” he added.

Ramamurti remained with the commission until December 2020.  

4. Following this, President Joe Biden named Ramamurti as Deputy Director of the National Economic Council (NEC) for financial reform and consumer protection. He focused on sectors like manufacturing, innovation, and domestic competitiveness. He left the council in 2023.

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5. Bharat Ramamurti has been a staunch advocate for progressive policies, championing clean energy, raising the minimum wage, taxing the wealthy, and extensive student debt cancellation. He argues that these initiatives are not only critical for America’s future but also politically advantageous. Despite facing criticism from Republicans that these policies might fuel inflation and increase the national debt, Ramamurti remains steadfast, viewing them as essential strategies to reclaim the White House.

6. Ramamurti recently made headlines when he faced off with CNBC over the Biden-Harris proposal to tax unrealised capital gains. The network said the plan was “unfair” and “against the law”.  The plan targets individuals with assets of $100 million or more who are not paying at least a 25 per cent tax on their annual income. Despite causing a heated debate and few eye rolls, Ramamurti maintained that Harris’ plan, along with the revenue generated from the unrealised gains tax, would create greater opportunities for Americans.

With input from agencies