A highly-cited webpage ranking Kamala Harris as the "most liberal" senator in 2019 has been quietly removed from the Internet by GovTrack.

The removal of the page spotlighting the VP's left-leaning history has sparked controversy and scrutiny, particularly following President Joe Biden's announcement to suspend his campaign in favor of Harris as the Democratic nominee, as Fox News reports.

GovTrack's 2019 Ranking of Kamala Harris

GovTrack, a prominent tracker of federal legislation, confirmed to Fox News Digital that it removed a webpage ranking Harris as the "most liberal" senator in 2019.

This ranking had placed her ahead of notable figures such as Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. The page's removal has caught public attention, as it now redirects users to a "Page Not Found" message.

According to the Internet Archive, the page was deleted sometime between July 10 and July 23. Some claims indicate that the page was still accessible on July 22. This timeline closely aligns with significant political announcements involving Kamala Harris.

On July 21, Biden publicly declared his decision to suspend his campaign and endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee. Subsequently, Harris announced on July 23 that she had secured the necessary delegates to clinch the nomination at the upcoming Democratic National Convention.

Reasons Behind the Removal

The removal of the 2019 page drew questions regarding the timing and rationale behind the decision. Joshua Tauberer, the founder of GovTrack, defended the action, stating that the webpage was in line with a policy adopted "several years ago."

This policy favored ratings based on two-year Congressional sessions over single-year assessments.

Tauberer explained that the limited data available in a single year does not provide a reliable portrait of legislators’ activities. The ebb and flow of the legislative calendar, according to Tauberer, made single-year data insufficient for users and the broader public.

Despite ending single-year report cards years ago, GovTrack just recently removed the page. Tauberer attributed this delay to focusing efforts on more impactful work. GovTrack continues to publish report cards, now focusing on two-year congressional sessions.

Continued Controversy and Political Ramifications

Interestingly, for the 116th Congress in 2020, GovTrack ranked Harris as the "most politically left" member among Senate Democrats and the second most liberal in the entire Senate.

Only Independent Sen. Sanders was ranked further left. Meanwhile, in October 2020, GovTrack adjusted its ranking language from "most liberal" to "most politically left."

The 2019 analysis initially positioned Harris as joining bipartisan legislation the least frequently compared to her Senate colleagues. This attributed to her ranking by GovTrack. During the 2020 presidential campaign, the Trump campaign seized on this ranking, portraying Harris as a "radical left-wing liberal."

The recent removal of the webpage resurfaced the 2019 rating, intensifying discussions, especially after Biden’s recent endorsement. A Biden campaign letter announced his decision to suspend his campaign and endorse Harris, while Harris expressed her intent to win the Democratic nomination.

Media and Endorsements in Focus

Harris' allies in the media suggested it is unfair to hold her accountable for issues like illegal immigration. For instance, Axios updated a previous story referring to Harris as a "border czar." Concurrently, Harris has garnered endorsements from significant political figures, including Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, and Nancy Pelosi.

The removal of the 2019 GovTrack page remains a focal point of scrutiny and debate. This alteration, now linked to strategic timing amid critical political endorsements and campaigns, continues to provoke analysis and varied interpretations among political observers and the public.

Summarizing the Sequence of Events

GovTrack removed a notable webpage ranking Kamala Harris as the "most liberal" senator in 2019 shortly after Biden endorsed her as the Democratic nominee.

Joshua Tauberer, the founder of GovTrack, explained the removal in line with a policy shift to assess lawmakers based on two-year congressional data for reliability.
Harris's previous ranking has resurfaced in political discourse, bringing forth several endorsements and media analyses.

As Harris gears up for the Democratic National Convention, the implications of these recent developments will likely continue to unfold.