U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris outlined a new initiative that aims to "lower costs for American families." Her proposal would prohibit price gouging, construct 3 million new housing units, and provide a $6,000 tax credit for newborn babies.
Those plans, to be announced at an election event in North Carolina, would be the first look at Harris's policy agenda as a potential future president. That came only three weeks after she rose to the top of the Democratic ticket when President Joe Biden dropped out of the race under party pressure following a weak performance in the first presidential debate.
These plans for her first hundred days of office, according to the Harris campaign, are targeted at bringing down costs for American families by cutting taxes for the middle class, reducing grocery costs, fighting price gouging, making home ownership and renting more affordable, continuing to lower prescription drug prices, and alleviating medical debt for millions of Americans.
"bring down costs for American families" and will "cut taxes for the middle class, reduce grocery costs, take on price gouging, lower the costs of owning and renting a home, continue to bring down the costs of prescription drugs, and relieve medical debt for millions of Americans".
The 2024 presidential election has been very strongly focused on high prices. Former President Donald Trump spotlighted the issue in his campaign to regain his office and held a news conference Thursday centered on inflation, which was sliding below 3% for the first time since 2021, based on the annual inflation data for July. Aware that the issue is critical, Harris, in contrast to President Biden, has rather taken a proactive approach.
"Vice President Harris and Governor Walz will work with businesses, entrepreneurs, workers, and all stakeholders to drive an economy that creates opportunity and ensures stability and security for everyone," the Harris campaign said, adding: "They believe competition is the lifeblood of our economy, and they will build the confidence and certainty that helps businesses innovate and grow."
The Harris-Walz administration will also be committed to fiscal responsibility and, echoing Biden, strive to do so by "asking the wealthiest Americans and largest corporations to pay their fair share -- steps that will allow us to make necessary investments in the middle class, while also reducing the deficit and strengthening our fiscal health".
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