2024 US Election Candidate Policy Overview

Sep 25, 2024

2024 US Election Candidate Policy Comparison

Introduction

  • Comparison of policies for Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
  • Focus on explicit policies, avoiding personality-driven analysis.
  • Kamala Harris: Policies reflect both her own and Biden Administration policies.
  • Donald Trump: Policies based on his past administration.
  • Aim to maintain impartiality with an Australian head writer.

Economy

  • Democratic policies favor social welfare, industrial subsidies.
  • Republican policies favor import tariffs, tax cuts.

Kamala Harris/Biden Administration

  • Expand child tax credit, paid/family leave.
  • Build 3 million homes, ban price gouging on food, $25,000 grant for first-time buyers.
  • Funded by higher corporate/high-income taxes.
  • Projected GDP growth: 1% increase by late 2026, slight inflation increase.

Donald Trump

  • 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: reduced corporate tax rate.
  • Proposed 10% tariff on all imports, or targeted tariffs against EU/China.
  • Effects: Potential GDP decrease, inflation increase.
  • Restrictive immigration policies lead to slower long-term GDP growth.

Climate Change and Environment

Kamala Harris/Biden Administration

  • 2022 Inflation Reduction Act: $3 trillion investment.
  • Shift from fossil fuel subsidies to green energy incentives.
  • Ambitious reforms like 100% renewable power grid by 2030.

Donald Trump

  • America First Energy Plan: driller-friendly, Paris Agreement withdrawal.
  • Rolled back 100+ environmental regulations.
  • Climate policies considered inadequate for net-zero goals by 2050.

Firearms Policy

Kamala Harris/Biden Administration

  • Bipartisan Safer Communities Act: expanded background checks.
  • Support for mandatory buyback programs for assault weapons.

Donald Trump

  • Limited restrictions: ban on bump stocks post-Las Vegas shooting.
  • Rolled back gun ownership restrictions related to mental illness.

Education

Kamala Harris/Biden Administration

  • $122 billion relief for K-12 post-pandemic.
  • Opposition to for-profit charter school funding.
  • $150 billion in student debt relief.

Donald Trump

  • Focused on school choice, reducing administrative roles.
  • Proposed certification for teachers with patriotic values, abolishing tenure.

Crime

Donald Trump

  • Tough on crime; high federal execution rate.
  • First Step Act for criminal rehabilitation.

Kamala Harris/Biden Administration

  • Focus on police reform, reducing use of force.
  • Biden's executive order on police misconduct.
  • Pardoning federal marijuana possession.

Immigration

Donald Trump

  • Decreased immigration through stringent border policies.
  • Proposed to cut green cards, reinstated Title 42.

Kamala Harris/Biden Administration

  • Reversed Trump's immigration policies, ended Title 42.
  • Pledged aid to South American nations.

Health

Kamala Harris/Biden Administration

  • Affordable Care Act: expanded access, capped out-of-pocket spending.
  • Harris supports single-payer system; Biden did not achieve public option.

Donald Trump

  • Attempted to repeal Affordable Care Act.
  • Proposed American Healthcare Act (unpopular).

Abortion

Donald Trump

  • Overturned Roe v. Wade, redirected funding towards abstinence education.

Kamala Harris/Biden Administration

  • Ended restrictions on abortion drugs by mail.
  • Supported restoration of Roe v. Wade.

Foreign Policy

Donald Trump

  • America First stance, semi-isolationist.
  • Historic visit to North Korea, withdrawal from international agreements.

Kamala Harris/Biden Administration

  • Rejoined international agreements, focused on reducing Chinese influence.
  • Supportive of Ukraine; two-state solution for Israel.

Key Topics

  • Israel-Hamas Conflict

    • Biden/Harris: Support Israel but critical of Gaza actions.
    • Trump: Pro-Israel, criticized Biden's handling.
  • Russia-Ukraine War

    • Biden: Strong support for Ukraine.
    • Trump: Critical of aid but claims could end war quickly.

Conclusion

  • The political landscape is complex; politicians often don't follow through on promises.
  • Encourage further research and fact-checking.