Since becoming the Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris has introduced only one significant policy proposal, which closely mirrors a plan originally unveiled by former President Donald Trump — eliminating taxes on tips for service industry workers.
The Trump campaign was quick to point out the similarities, accusing Harris of desperation. Trump first introduced his “NO TAX ON TIPS” proposal in June as a means to support working families in the service industry.
The proposal was designed to benefit the roughly 5.5 million workers who rely on tips as a critical part of their income, many of whom are women and single mothers. The poverty rate for tipped workers is more than double that of the overall workforce, with many relying on food stamps and Medicaid.
Related: Texas Senator Ted Cruz Intros ‘Not Tax On Tips’ Act
Trump’s proposal was swiftly endorsed by the Culinary Workers Union, emphasizing its appeal to those in the service industry.
In contrast, the Trump campaign criticized Harris for her past actions, claiming she has made life more difficult for workers who depend on tips:
- Harris supported a new IRS “reporting” program to crack down on tip compliance.
- She has advocated for the elimination of the federal tip credit.
- The Harris-Biden administration has opposed the current tip system, which allows tipped employees to earn above the minimum wage.
- They also eliminated the tip credit for federal contractors earning minimum wage.
- The administration has pushed for expanded authority for IRS agents, potentially leading to more penalties against taxpayers.
Read: Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie Intro “Tax Free Tips Act Of 2024”
The Trump campaign emphasized that while Trump is committed to letting workers keep their hard-earned money, Harris has not shown any similar commitment during her time in office. Instead, they argue, Harris is now attempting to pass off Trump’s proposal as her own, hoping voters overlook her previous policies that have, according to the Trump camp, harmed working families.
They labeled Harris as a “copycat” with no original ideas or genuine plans to support working Americans, accusing her of trying to disguise her record by borrowing from Trump’s playbook.
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