President Joe Biden put the full weight of his presidency behind voting action last week, heading to Capitol Hill in an effort to push Democrats to overturn hundreds of years of Senate rules and force through his legislation.

Vice President Kamala Harris — whom Biden tapped to take the lead on passing “voting rights” legislation in June — wasn’t there.

Harris was absent again. And it’s earning her a failing grade among voters.

Both Harris aides and White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki aides had no answer when asked why the vice president didn’t join Biden in the meeting.

It was yet another example of the difficulty Harris has faced throughout her first year in office, as she’s struggled to define herself and her role — and has faced a withering rebuke from voters, who rank Harris as one of the most unpopular politicians in America.

Harris has grappled to win any victories in an expansive portfolio of difficult assignments, mangled press questions about her relationship with the president, and faced cratering approval ratings — without, some worry, adequate support from the White House.

“It’s tough for any vice president to shine — even in the best of times. And these aren’t the best of times,” said Roy Neel, a political ally who served as chief of staff for former Vice President Al Gore. “You not only serve at the pleasure of the president, for any public activities, but there’s a limit to how much you can do to take the lead role on the major issue of the day, whatever that is, and to go out and look like you’re killing it.”

Indeed, Harris’ aides have privately expressed frustration at the president and say the vice president is careful not to take credit for any administration’s successes. She will also often say that while she offers her frank opinions to the president privately, her public role is to ensure he is successful.

But that’s left those remaining Harris supporters, who warmed to her as an outspoken far-left voice in the Senate on issues ranging from police reform to ballot access, frustrated at her inactions. During a recent interview with celebrity media personality Charlamagne Tha God, the vice president tried to defend the Biden administration, and Charlamagne took note.

“That Kamala Harris? That’s the one I like,” he said. “That’s the one I’d like to see out here more often in these streets.”

Harris’ office has complained that her assignments have no clear solution or immediate payoff. She’s been tasked with pushing broadband access, leading the Space Council, driving for passage of the voting rights bill, and addressing the illegal immigration crisis at the U.S. Southern border.

Republicans, in particular, have targeted Harris for her failures on illegal immigration, charging she hasn’t done enough as a massive increase in migrants at the border has bedeviled the administration.

She’s also drawn criticism from the left for her work on illegal immigration after she told migrants directly “do not come” to the U.S. during her trip to Guatemala and Mexico last year. Progressive Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York tweeted that Harris’ comments were “disappointing to see.”

And the grind of the office has clearly taken its toll.

Harris has drawn constant negative headlines over a mass exodus of top aides, including her former communications director and former chief spokesperson, with anonymous aides complaining of a difficult work environment from an overly tough boss.

Early in the year, it seemed like Harris was a bigger target for Republicans than Biden. Now that’s less so. A Gallup poll in December showed 44% of Americans saying they approve of how Harris is handing her job as vice president; 54% disapprove.

That was similar to Biden’s rating in the survey.

Observers have been left wondering: Will Harris be able to turn her image around in her second year as vice president?

Or will it only get worse?

[READ MORE] Kamala Harris finally reacts to staff mass exodus

The Associated Press contributed to this article