Harris unveils 'opportunity economy' agenda in 1st major policy rollout of her campaign
Vice President Kamala Harris released her economic agenda on Friday following calls for her campaign to zero in on policy after an unprecedented rise to the top of Democratic ticket.
Harris outlined her plans at an event in Raleigh, North Carolina -- a pivotal battleground state that both Harris and former President Donald Trump will work to win in November.
"This election I do strongly believe is about two very different visions for our nation," Harris said. "One is ours, focused on the future. The other is focused on the past. We see that contrast clearly in many ways, including what it comes to how we think about the economy."
Harris added, "As president, I will be laser focused on creating opportunities for the middle class that advance their economic security, stability and dignity. Together, we will build what I call an opportunity economy."
Throughout her speech, Harris sought to contrast her vision with that of Trump, whom she painted as someone who "fights for billionaires and large corporations" while she will "fight to give money back to working and middle-class Americans."
Among the policies Harris announced is a plan to provide up to $25,000 in down-payment support for first-time homeowners.
The campaign is vowing that during her first term, the Harris-Walz administration would provide working families who have paid their rent on time for two years and are buying their first home up to $25,000 in down-payment assistance, with more generous support for first-generation homeowners.
She also called for the construction of 3 million new housing units to end the housing supply shortage, and said she would "make sure those homes actually go to working and middle-class Americans and not just investors."
MORE: Biden, Harris greeted by chants of 'Thank you, Joe' at 1st joint event since he exited race
Harris also proposed a federal ban on "corporate price-gouging" on food and groceries.
"My plan will include new penalties for opportunistic companies that exploit crises and break the rules, and we will support smaller food businesses that are trying to play by the rule and get ahead," she said. "We will help the food industry become more competitive."
Overall, her plans are being sold as a way to bring down everyday costs for Americans.
Harris will work to raise the minimum wage and end taxes on tips, her campaign said.
Her plan includes proposals to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare by building on Biden-era proposals such as lowering drug costs by capping the cost of insulin at $35 and out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs at $2,000 for everyone, not just seniors.
Harris' agenda also seeks to restore the American Rescue Plan’s expanded Child Tax Credit and she proposed a new $6,000 Child Tax Credit for "families with children in the first year of life."
She said she'd also direct her administration to crack down on mergers and acquisitions between big food corporations, another way for the campaign to continue to highlight her role as a prosecutor.
Harris' announcement comes on the heels of her first joint appearance with President Joe Biden since he stepped down as the Democratic Party's nominee. Questions are mounting on whether or not she will choose to either distance herself or embrace the current administration's "Bidenomics."
For her part, Harris has maintained an interest in expanding popular Biden-era proposals such as the Child Tax Credit and has shown staunch support of labor unions. Under the current administration, she has taken on reducing medical and student debt.
Harris' economic plan will provide a split screen with Trump, who touched on his economic priorities in remarks on Wednesday. He has already criticized Harris for "copying" some of his own proposals after she announced eliminating taxes on tips in Las Vegas on Saturday, the same city he first mentioned it.
"She's doing a plan, you know she's going to announce it this week, maybe. She's waiting for me to announce it so she can copy it," said Trump while outlining his own broad policy ideas in Asheville, North Carolina on Wednesday. "Like, remember a couple days ago, and 'we will have no tax on tips!' I said, 'that was my plan!"
MORE: Trump focuses partly on economy as he returns to campaign trail in North Carolina
Harris addressed Trump's remarks and accused him of offering little policy details.
"Two days ago, Donald Trump was in North Carolina," she said. He said he was going to talk about the economy. I think you all watched. You know what I'm about to say. But he offered no serious plan to reduce costs for middle-class families. No plan to expand access to housing or health care."
The vice president has already distanced herself from some of her former positions laid out in her 2020 presidential bid. Her campaign has remained ambiguous over her support of banning fracking and Medicare for All, which she had previously espoused.
ABC News' Selina Wang contributed to this report.
Harris unveils 'opportunity economy' agenda in 1st major policy rollout of her campaign originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
