Kamala Harris is set to unveil her economic agenda in a major policy announcement on Friday, her first since becoming the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee.
The vice president, who took over the top spot on the ticket last month, has seen surging enthusiasm and a boost in trust on economic issues, according to a new University of Michigan poll.
However, Harris has faced pressure to articulate a concrete plan for governing, with the Wall Street Journal noting, “Elections aren’t just about winning. They’re about accumulating political capital for a particular agenda, which Ms. Harris can’t do unless she articulates one.”
In her speech in Raleigh, North Carolina, Harris is expected to call on Congress to pass a federal ban on “price-gouging” with penalties for food companies that unfairly increase prices. She will also draw a contrast with Donald Trump’s economic vision, arguing that his plan for tariffs will drive up costs for everyday items.
Harris will also launch a comprehensive plan to lower housing costs, including the construction of three million new housing units, increased tax incentives for builders, and taking on corporate landlords who jack up rents.
Trump has been critical of Harris, making personal attacks and questioning her crowd sizes, heritage, and intelligence. However, Republicans have urged him to focus on policy, with Trump devoting much of his recent speech to personal insults and saying he’s “not sure” the economy is the most important subject in the election.
