Even as the Democratic National Convention has kicked off on Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris has yet to post a policy platform onto their official campaign website.
Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee since nearly a month ago, has been less vocal on just where she stands ever since her selection was announced. Some Democratic lawmakers told POLITICO that Harris might wait until if elected to reveal her policy agenda, a break from typical practice for presidential candidates.
She debuted her first policy proposal on August 10, calling for the abolition of taxes on tips — a position taken by former President Donald Trump two months prior. More recently, Harris has floated further measures to try and combat food and housing being too expensive although critics have said that she would be instituting Soviet-style price controls.
Last Friday, Harris said: “As president, I will take on the high costs that matter most to most Americans like the cost of food. We all know that prices went up during the pandemic when the supply chains shut down and failed, but our supply chains have now improved, and prices are still too high. A loaf of bread costs 50% more today than it did before the pandemic. Ground beef is up almost 50%.”
When asked about her plan, Harris also replied: “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 rules and get ahead.”
Harris also promised, if she becomes president, to offer $25K in federal down payment assistance for first-time homeowners and even more help for those buying their families’ first home.
The backlash from conservatives was immediate, including Republican Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance.
The DNC platform approved by delegates Monday was additionally mocked for calling President Joe Biden, rather than Harris as the party’s nominee.