Harris defends economic policies amidst debt concerns

In a wide-ranging interview on CBS’s ‘60 Minutes’, Vice President Kamala Harris defended her economic agenda while addressing criticisms of potential debt increases. Harris outlined her proposals, including building millions of homes, offering tax breaks for new parents, and providing $25,000 in down-payment assistance for first-time homebuyers. When pressed on how she would fund these plans, she pledged to raise taxes on billionaires and large corporations. However, an analysis from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget suggested her proposals could add up to $8.1 trillion to the federal debt by 2035.

Foreign policy: Israel and Ukraine take center stage

Harris also discussed foreign policy, notably her relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. She declined to label him a “close ally,” instead emphasizing the importance of the US-Israel alliance. The interview aired as Israel continued its response to Hamas’s deadly cross-border attack. Harris balanced support for Israel’s right to defend itself while acknowledging the high Palestinian civilian toll in Gaza.

On Ukraine, Harris categorically ruled out meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin without Ukraine’s representation, responding to Donald Trump’s claims that he could end the war quickly: “It’s about surrender,” she said, warning that Putin would control Kyiv under Trump’s presidency.

Harris’s media blitz and gun ownership stance

As Harris and her running mate Tim Walz battle Trump in a tight race, she has engaged in an extensive media tour, appearing on podcasts, daytime TV, and late-night shows. In a lighter moment, Harris confirmed her gun ownership, sharing that she owns a Glock and has fired it at a shooting range.

The interview also touched on Walz’s past misstatements about his military service, which he admitted to clarifying, calling himself a “knucklehead.” Harris expressed confidence in her team as they push forward in the 2024 presidential race.