Vice President Kamala Harris said she would begin to roll out her plans of an “opportunity” economy on her first day in office — when asked about her initial actions during her first interview as the Democratic nominee for president.
“Well, there are a number of things. I will tell you, first and foremost, one of my highest priorities is to do what we can to support and strengthen the middle class,” Harris, 59, told CNN’s Dana Bash.
“When I look at the aspirations, the goals, the ambitions of the American people, I think that people are ready for a new way forward, in a way that generations of Americans have been fueled by hope and by optimism,” she began.
“I think, sadly, in the last decade, we have had in the former president someone who is really been pushing an agenda and an environment that is about diminishing the character and the strength of who we are as Americans, really dividing our nation, and I think people are ready to turn the page on that.”
Turning back to the question, Harris said, “Day one, it’s going to be about one, implementing my plan for what I call an opportunity economy. I’ve already laid out a number of proposals in that regard, which include what we’re going to do to bring down the cost of everyday goods, what we’re going to do to invest in America’s small businesses, what we’re going to do to invest in families.”
She cited specific examples that would require legislation.
“For example, extending the child tax credit to $6,000 for families for the first year of their child’s life, to help them buy a car seat to help them buy baby clothes, a crib. There’s the work that we’re going to do that is about investing in the American family around affordable housing a big issue in our country right now. So there are a number of things on day one,” she said.
Other presidents have marked their first day in office with executive orders that swiftly shift federal policy.
President Biden signed 17 executive actions on his first day — including halting construction of former President Donald Trump’s US-Mexico border wall.
