Kamala Harris full speech at North Carolina campaign rally

Vice President Kamala Harris is promoting a broad set of economic proposals that would offer new tax breaks and lower the cost of living for Americans, aiming to address the financial concerns that are at the top of the mind for voters and that Republican Donald Trump is trying to lay at her doorstep.

Harris traveled to the battleground state of North Carolina to lay out her plans on August 16, 2024, including a proposal for a federal ban on price gouging on groceries. She also is proposing $25,000 in down payment help for certain first-time homebuyers and tax incentives for builders of starter homes, among other things.

Harris is calling for tax breaks aimed at families, as well as middle- and lower-income people. She would expand the child tax credit to up to $3,600 — and $6,000 for children in their first year of life. Harris would expand the earned income tax credit to cover people in lower-income jobs without children, which the campaign estimates would cut their effective tax rate by $1,500. Harris also wants to lower health insurance premiums through the Affordable Care Act.

“Together we will build what I call an ‘opportunity economy,’” Harris said. “An economy where everyone can have a real chance to succeed, no matter who they are. … Your salary should be enough to provide you and your family with a good quality of life. No child should have to grow up in poverty. After years of hard work, you should be able to retire with dignity. And you should be able to join a union, if you choose.”