Kamala Harris faced tough questions on the economy, immigration, and war from CBS correspondent Bill Whitaker on 60 Minutes. During the interview, Harris was pressed on how she would pay for her economic plans and deflected when the increase in undocumented migrants was brought up. Despite facing challenging questions, she was also able to take a swipe at former President Donald Trump, who had declined an offer to appear on the same program. With less than a month before Election Day, attention is focused on the claims and campaign promises made by both candidates between now and November 5.
Harris cited the Biden administration’s record for credibility when asked what she would do to tackle rising food prices and the state of the United States economy. While she did not claim to have met a record low, she praised the government’s efforts to put Americans in employment. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that during the Biden administration, the unemployment rates have been at historic lows for all Americans aged 16 or over. However, the unemployment rate has increased for many groups compared to a year ago, indicating a mixed picture of the economic situation.
Harris claimed that the economy is thriving by all macroeconomic measures, highlighting the U.S.’s high increase in GDP growth against pre-pandemic levels compared to other leading world economies. However, there are areas where the economy is not necessarily thriving, such as the increasing trade deficits and international transaction deficits. While the administration’s record on the economy has been largely positive, suggesting dominance across all measures may be misleading.
Challenged by Whitaker on the estimated $3 trillion that her economic plan would add to the federal deficit over the next decade, Harris defended her plan by referencing support from economists and Nobel laureates. While some reports do support Harris’ claim that her plan would strengthen the economy, others suggest that it could add significantly to the national debt. Comparing her plan to Trump’s proposals, it is projected that both could lead to substantial increases in the national debt in the coming years.
Harris also claimed that the flow of illegal immigration has been cut in half. While data supports a substantial and consistent decrease in the number of monthly Southwest land border encounters since March, immigration numbers remain higher than when Biden took office. Harris also stated that the flow of fentanyl has been cut by half, although data does not fully support this claim, as fentanyl seizures by the pound have increased year-on-year in some cases. Harris’ claims on immigration and fentanyl reduction did not provide the full picture and may need further clarification.
Overall, Kamala Harris faced tough questions on various issues during her 60 Minutes interview, including the economy, immigration, and war. While she cited positive economic indicators, such as historic low unemployment rates, the conversation also delved into potential deficits arising from her economic plan. Claims regarding immigration and fentanyl reduction were contested, indicating a need for further data to support these statements. As Election Day approaches, attention remains on the claims and campaign promises made by both candidates as they vie for the presidency.
