Kamala Harris is preparing to run for president against Donald Trump and will need to outline her own ideas on steering the economy and addressing rising prices. While she has been a loyal messenger for President Joe Biden’s platform, she has previously advocated for more progressive positions on health care, taxes, and other issues, which she may return to in her 2024 campaign.
During her 2020 presidential campaign, Harris advocated for a government-backed health insurance system that would transition to a Medicare-for-All-type system over 10 years while continuing to allow private insurance companies to offer Medicare plans. Her proposal did not raise taxes on the middle class, instead aiming to fund the coverage expansion through taxing Wall Street trades, transactions, and offshore corporate income.
Harris also championed abortion rights, with a focus on reproductive freedoms and maternal health. Her national tour and conversations with patients and providers on abortion policy may lead to a stronger focus on reproductive rights if she were to become president. Additionally, as a senator, Harris proposed a refundable tax credit for middle-class and working families to help with living expenses, which could cost an estimated $3 trillion over 10 years.
Many American families are struggling with high costs of living and inflation, giving the Biden administration poor marks for handling the economy. Harris has proposed measures such as raising the corporate income tax rate and implementing the LIFT the Middle Class Act to provide relief for middle-class and working Americans. Her goal would be to put her stamp on these ideas, potentially altering them with guidance from her chosen Treasury secretary.
Harris has also focused on reducing drug costs, similar to proposals by other presidential candidates and administrations. Her People over Profit plan includes provisions to penalize drugmakers that raise prices faster than inflation and allow the government to set a fair price for drugs sold in comparable countries. Additionally, as a senator, she introduced the Rent Relief Act to provide a tax credit for renters spending more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities, emphasizing housing as a human right.
In conclusion, Kamala Harris will need to present her own platform and policies to voters as she runs for president against Donald Trump. Her past proposals on health care, taxes, reproductive rights, and housing affordability give insights into how she may address these issues if elected. With a focus on progressive policies and finding solutions to help middle-class and working families, Harris aims to address the pressing concerns facing Americans in the current economic and social landscape.
