Senator Bernie Sanders lauded Vice President Kamala Harris’s newly unveiled economic plan on Friday, describing it as “strong” and “progressive.” In an interview with MSNBC’s Chris Hayes, Sanders commented, “Given that she has been a candidate for only three weeks, I think she’s doing really well in many respects. What she laid out today was a strong progressive agenda.”
Sanders expressed optimism that Harris would provide further details on her proposals in the coming weeks. Harris, who stepped into the top position on the Democratic ticket after President Biden withdrew from the race last month, introduced her economic plan during a campaign stop in Raleigh, North Carolina. Analysts estimate that her proposals could cost up to $1.7 trillion, including initiatives like tax cuts, increased housing construction, and a federal ban on price gouging.
Harris’s campaign emphasized that this plan is just one part of her broader economic agenda, which will be a priority during her first 100 days if she is elected president. Sanders, who ran against Harris and Biden in the 2020 election, endorsed the policy positions she outlined, stating that they are “the right thing to do.”
“I’ve always believed that good policy is good politics,” Sanders said, highlighting Harris’s commitment to addressing the high costs of prescription drugs and building 3 million units of affordable housing amid a nationwide housing crisis. He also voiced support for her efforts to eliminate medical debt and control grocery prices, adding, “We need to lower the cost of housing in America.”
Though Sanders has not formally endorsed Harris, he has signaled his intent to influence the direction of her campaign, similar to his previous efforts with Biden. He has encouraged Harris to take pride in the accomplishments of the Biden administration while focusing on the needs of working people who feel overlooked.
As the Democratic National Convention nears, Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have been officially certified as the Democratic nominees for the White House. With less than three months until the election, Harris has gained momentum in the polls, particularly in swing states, and has received a growing number of endorsements alongside record-breaking fundraising efforts.