I’m Voting for Kamala Harris: 5 Biden Economic Policies I’d Like to See Her Continue
Written by
Paige Cerulli
Edited by
Ashley Barnett
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With Kamala Harris having officially declared her candidature for the United States presidential election, we’re hearing about her stance on policies and her plans if she wins the presidency. Harris is talking a lot about changes she hopes to make, but voters who plan to vote for her highlight the Biden economic policies they hope she’ll continue.
Student Loan Forgiveness
Amber Haggerty, originally from Lakewood, Colorado, runs the travel blog, Amber Everywhere. “I would like to see [Harris] continue to fight for student loan relief and forgiveness, as Biden did during his term,” said Haggerty. “Millennials and Gen Zers who went to college are suffering under the weight of enormous student loan sums — both financially and psychologically.”
Haggerty wants to see Harris continue to aggressively address student loan debt. She feels it’s particularly important that Harris focus on providing debt relief to low-income students who didn’t complete their degrees.
On July 31, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the next step in its student debt relief efforts to grant relief to tens of millions of borrowers. If the rules are finalized, they will deliver partial or full debt relief to many borrowers, including those who owe more now than they did at the start of the repayment period, borrowers who have been in repayment for more than 20 years, and borrowers who enrolled in low-financial value programs.
Childhood Tax Credit
“I would like to see [Harris] more aggressively tackle childhood poverty by making the pandemic era childhood tax credit permanent,” said Haggerty. “That tax credit and direct payment plan successfully reduced childhood poverty in the United States, and the rates of childhood poverty subsequently increased after it ended.”
According to Kiplinger, the child tax credit is $2,000 per qualifying child for 2024. During the pandemic, that credit was expanded to a maximum of $3,600 per child. When those pandemic relief measures ended, child poverty rates increased. If Harris decides to expand the bill, she could increase the maximum amount per child once again.
Job Creation and Infrastructure Investment
Aziz Bekishov, CEO of Washington, DC-based DC Mobile Notary, wants to see Harris continue Biden’s focus on job creation and infrastructure investment. “I think these policies are essential for stimulating economic growth and providing opportunities for everyone,” explained Aziz. “The emphasis on renewable energy and green jobs not only addresses climate change but also opens up new markets and industries.”
According to U.S. Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su’s statement on the January 2024 Employment Situation report, as of January, a total of 14.8 million jobs were created under President Biden. The report showed job growth across numerous sectors, including retail, health care, and professional services like engineering.
Small Business Support
Bekishov also wants to see Harris continue current financial support for small businesses. “The current administration’s support for small businesses through grants and loans has been a lifeline for many entrepreneurs, including myself,” he said. “I believe in maintaining and expanding these programs to ensure that small businesses can thrive and contribute to the economy.”
On March 1, 2024, Vice President Harris, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo, and Governor Roy Cooper announced $32 million awarded to women- and minority-led venture capital funds. Those funds were awarded through the State Small Business Credit Initiative in addition to a $60 million private investment; together, they made equity capital investments available to American entrepreneurs, including those who are typically shut out of capital investment opportunities.
Affordable Healthcare
Bekishov also noted his support for the focus on affordable healthcare. “Ensuring that everyone has access to healthcare reduces financial stress and increases overall productivity,” he said.
Harris has already been outspoken about her efforts to protect abortion access and reproductive rights. Additionally, in 2019, Harris released a Medicare for All plan with a 10-year phase-in period that would ultimately cover all medically necessary services for Americans, including emergency room visits, vision, dental, and more.
Editor’s note on election coverage: GOBankingRates is nonpartisan and strives to cover all aspects of the economy objectively and present balanced reports on politically focused finance stories. You can find more coverage of this topic on GOBankingRates.com.
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