Kamala Harris’ Economic Agenda Aims to Strengthen Middle-Class Families

On August 16, Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign unveiled her economic agenda as she gears up for a campaign speech in Raleigh, North Carolina. Harris aims to address the financial concerns of middle-class families with a series of proposed policies.

The campaign emphasized that if elected, Harris will prioritize measures to lower grocery costs by implementing a ban on price gouging. Additionally, her plans include reducing middle-class taxes, cutting prescription drug prices, and alleviating housing costs. Relief for medical debt is also a key element of her economic strategy.

“Vice President Harris has made clear that building up the middle class will be a defining goal of her presidency,” the campaign stated. “She will deliver for Americans who are demanding a new way forward towards a future that lifts up all Americans so they can not just get by, but get ahead.”

Harris intends to enhance and protect Social Security and Medicare, as well as empower workers with stronger union rights to negotiate for higher wages. Her vision includes collaboration between small businesses, labor groups, and major corporations to stimulate investment in America and expand job opportunities.

Education, child care, and long-term care costs will also be focal points of her presidency, according to her campaign. Harris plans to address the housing supply shortage by building three million new housing units, which will help drive down costs in that area.

Among her policy proposals, the campaign detailed plans for reducing grocery prices by combating corporate price gouging. She aims to accelerate Medicare negotiations for prescription drug prices while also proposing tax relief for as many as 100 million middle-class Americans. This relief would come in the form of child tax credits of up to $6,000 per child.

The agenda put forth by Harris stands in stark contrast to the promises made by former President Donald Trump and his allies. The Harris campaign pointed to what they characterize as a focus on billionaires and corporations in Trump’s economic proposals.

“Donald Trump is running on a promise to give another billionaire tax break to his ultra-wealthy friends,” stated the campaign. “His plan will give billionaires a tax handout of $3.5 million apiece each year, provide big corporations a $1.5 trillion windfall, and make it easier for wealthy tax cheats to evade their responsibilities. Meanwhile, earlier this summer, JD Vance didn’t even show up to vote on cutting taxes for middle-class families.”

In an effort to tackle rising grocery prices, Harris announced plans for a federal ban on corporate price gouging. Her campaign highlighted the distinction between fair pricing in competitive markets and excessive prices that are disconnected from legitimate business costs.

The statement from the campaign pointed out, “Americans can see that difference in their grocery bills.” To take action against corporate practices that exploit inflation, Harris will propose investigations by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general into companies that engage in price gouging.

Through these initiatives, Harris is positioning herself as a candidate focused on uplifting the middle class, directly addressing their economic struggles and contrasting her policies with those of her opponents.

As her campaign unfolds, the emphasis on economic reform and support for working families will likely play a pivotal role in her message as she seeks to resonate with voters across the country.

Source: UPI