In more than two years as second in line to the presidency, Vice President Kamala Harris has done almost nothing to distinguish herself. During the 2020 campaign, she was the perfect foil to an elderly, white, male politician named Joe Biden . Harris made history as the first woman to hold such an esteemed position. Her tenure has continued as expected. Pushing absurd progressive talking points is one of her talents.

During a recent speech, Harris said that Republicans "want to eliminate classes that teach 'gender ideology.' Well, so, what are we talking about here? Classes that teach women’s history? Women’s equality? The study of the fact that there are still only 25 women in the United States Senate in a body of 100?"

On top of being an overblown reaction, Harris's statements are just not based in fact. But her words serve a purpose: to add fuel to the fire. If the vice president is so focused on women's equality in the United States of America in 2023, things must really be bad.

Conflating women's history with gender ideology sounds good to an audience of peers comfortable with confirmation bias. However, the two are not close to the same thing. The teaching of women's history and history in general is, or at least should be, fact-based. On the other hand, gender ideology is based on feelings.

A March report on gender ideology from the Heritage Foundation offers a clear definition: "proponents of gender ideology argue that biological sex is itself a social construct and that gender as a term refers to a psychological reality that is the real core of a person’s identity." Learning about the achievements of biological women throughout history is quite literally the opposite of anything resembling gender ideology.

Somehow, Harris is quick to fearmonger and suggest criticism or removal of gender ideology curriculum is akin to the oppression of women. How ironic for someone representing an administration quick to push transgenderism . Harris is simultaneously concerned with safeguarding the study of women's history from a faux enemy and making sure gender ideology is protected. Does she even know what she's talking about?

Harris then goes on to mention the disparity in the U.S. Senate. The fact that only 25 women fill seats in the upper chamber must surely mean discrimination, right? That logic only works if we actively bar women from running for office in the United States. Women launch campaigns, appear on ballots, and win elections. That men outnumber women in the Senate shows both the lack of interest women personally have in running for office and individual voter preference for candidates. (There is no indication the latter is based on hatred of women.)

Are those things equal to suppression or intolerance? No. But the current imbalance in the Senate gives Harris and others of like mind the opportunity to chide America, its people, and the Republican Party for barricading the doors of Congress so women can't enter. Would Harris be happy if the Senate were 50 male and 50 female? Who knows. Perhaps she prefers 100 women in the Senate before she feels equality has been attained.

Harris's statements are embarrassing, though they sound good to anyone looking for a gender-based fight. The kindred audience concludes criticism of gender ideology is no different than haranguing the suffragettes of the early 20th century.

It's an effective tactic in 2023 when hyperbole rules political and social conversation. Harris, the first female to hold the office of vice president, solemnly utters these claims. But they are nothing more than emotional excess masquerading as truth.

Kimberly Ross ( @SouthernKeeks ) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner's Beltway Confidential blog and a columnist at Arc Digital.