Kamala Harris in Axios.com political coverage

On Crime: Moratorium on death penalty; but defended it as AG

Harris has called for a national moratorium on the death penalty. She defended the death penalty as attorney general, despite being personally against it. Source: Axios.com "What you need to know about 2020" May 7, 2019

On Drugs: Co-sponsor of Marijuana Justice Act for legalization

She's declared her support for legalizing marijuana at the federal level, admitting in an interview that she had smoked a joint "a long time ago." Signed on as a cosponsor of Cory Booker's Marijuana Justice Act to legalize weed at the federal level. Source: Axios.com "What you need to know about 2020" May 7, 2019

On Education: Boost average teacher pay by $13,500

Announced in March a plan to give the average teacher a $13,500 salary increase, which would cost an estimated $315 billion over 10 years. Source: Axios.com "What you need to know about 2020" May 7, 2019

On Tax Reform: Tax relief for middle class; repeal 2017 tax cuts

She introduced the LIFT the Middle Class Act which, Vox's Dylan Matthews explains, was basically an expansion of the earned income tax credit. Earlier, she proposed the Rent Relief Act, which would offer tax credits to help with rents. She said she would fully repeal the 2017 Republican tax law and replace it with LIFT. Source: Axios.com "What you need to know about 2020" May 7, 2019

On Energy & Oil: Does not support a total ban on fracking

During the 2020 election cycle, Harris publicly supported bans on fracking, mandatory buy-back programs for assault weapons, and decriminalizing illegal border crossings. Now, her campaign says she's changed her positions.

During 2020, Harris publicly supported bans on fracking, mandatory buy-back programs for assault weapons, and decriminalizing illegal border crossings. Now, her campaign says she's changed her positions.

A few days ago, Harris' campaign released a statement saying the vice president "does not support a total ban on fracking" to drill for oil and gas. Video clips from 2019 of her telling CNN that "there's no question I'm in favor of banning fracking" have been circulating on social media.

Asked whether Harris' stance has changed, a campaign official told Axios that the vice president's positions have been "shaped by three years of effective governance."

Source: Axios.com on 2024 Presidential hopefuls Aug 9, 2024

On Environment: 2019: ban plastic straws; 2024: no longer her position

When Kamala Harris ran for president in 2020, she said plastic straws should be banned. [This week], her campaign says that's no longer her position.

Why it matters: Banning plastic straws to protect the environment and marine life is the latest progressive issue on which Harris and her campaign have either declined to comment or changed her position.

Zoom in: Many parts of the country have banned plastic straws as concerns have grown about plastic pollution in oceans and waterways.

Flashback: During a CNN town hall in 2019, Harris was asked whether plastic straws should be banned: "I think we should," she said. "We do need to ban the plastic" straws, she added, saying that paper straws needed to be improved.

Axios asked Harris' current campaign if she still supports that idea. "She doesn't support banning plastic straws," a campaign official told Axios. "She joked about how crappy paper straws are and the need to come up with better eco-friendly alternatives."

Source: Axios.com on 2024 Presidential Hopefuls Sep 5, 2024

The above quotations are from Axios coverage of political news. Click here for other excerpts from Axios coverage of political news. Click here for other excerpts by Kamala Harris. Click here for a profile of Kamala Harris.
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Page last updated: Sep 29, 2024