Following the unprecedented withdrawal of incumbent President Joseph Biden from the 2024 United States Presidential Election, Vice President, Kamala Harris, has emerged as the Democratic Party’s nominee in the race for the White House. Her running mate is Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Abortion: According to the New York Times, “Ms. Harris supports legislation that would protect the right to abortion nationally, as Roe v. Wade did before it was overturned in 2022.” Furthermore, the Vice President has supported rights to abortion throughout her time in the Senate.
Border security: From Vice President Harris’s campaign site, she pledges to revive a previous border enforcement bill that was blocked in Congress. This bill would have provided more spending to the border while giving the president additional powers to shut down immigration. This bill was criticized by Republicans as being too weak.
Climate change: According to the New York Times, Harris has supported the Biden Administration’s plan to help combat climate change by providing billions in tax credits for electric vehicles and renewable energy. In her letter to the League of Women Voters, she also promises to “hold polluters accountable to secure clean air and water for all.”
Crime and guns: To combat crime, according to her campaign’s letter to the League of Women Voters, Harris promises to “fight to ban assault weapons, require universal background checks, and support red flag laws that keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people.” Harris stated that she will continue to invest in law enforcement and community violence intervention programs, and address the mental health needs and the trauma of everyday gun violence.
Economy: According to her campaign website, Harris promises to lower taxes for middle-class families while increasing taxes on those making over $400,000 per year. She has also promised to provide first-time homebuyers with $25,000 to help with a down payment on a new home. To fight inflation, according to Ballotpedia, Harris stated that she plans on fighting price gouging to bring down costs, and will remove hidden fees and surprise late charges that companies use to increase profits.
Health care: In a letter addressed to the League of Women Voters, the Harris campaign discussed how, as President, Vice President Harris will expand the Affordable Care Act and lower premiums for many. She also stated her intention to extend the cost cap on insulin and accelerate Medicare negotiations.
Foreign policy: When it comes to the Israel-Palestine conflict, Harris has said, “I will always give Israel the ability to defend itself and in particular, as it relates to Iran and any threat that Iran and its proxies posed to Israel.” The New York Times noted that she has stated multiple times she supports a two-state solution. On the topic of the Ukraine war, Harris has stated that she will stand with Ukraine and America’s NATO allies.
