No one ever accused Kamala of being politically savvy. Now she’s throwing other Democrats for a whirl.
And Kamala Harris derailed her campaign after blindsiding her allies.
In a move that’s left many Democrats scrambling, Vice President Harris unexpectedly threw her support behind a proposal originally championed by former President Trump — a proposal to exempt service and hospitality workers’ tips from taxes.
This idea, once dismissed by Democrats as nothing more than a “bogus” attempt to win votes, has now been inexplicably embraced by Harris, raising eyebrows across the political spectrum.
Harris’s sudden endorsement is widely seen as a strategic ploy to win over voters in Nevada, a crucial swing state where the support of service workers is vital.
But the move also appears to be an attempt to counter any momentum Trump might have gained by first introducing this proposal during discussions with GOP lawmakers back in June.
However, the response from within her own party has been anything but supportive.
Key Democratic lawmakers and progressive activists are sounding the alarm, arguing that this tax exemption would leave out countless lower – and middle – income workers who don’t rely on tips but are equally deserving of tax relief.
“I didn’t see this coming,” admitted one senior Senate Democratic aide.
“Harris jumping on the tipped-wage bandwagon is surprising, especially since it wasn’t taken seriously when Trump proposed it. It still doesn’t seem like a serious plan.”
When Trump first floated the idea, leading Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee were quick to dismiss it.
Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) labeled it a “bogus proposal,” arguing it would be nullified by other Trump policies that increase consumer costs. Similarly, Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) condemned it as an “election-year ploy.”
Even now, with Harris backing the plan, some Democrats remain skeptical. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), a member of Senate Democratic leadership, expressed doubt that the proposal would do enough to aid low-wage workers, questioning its seriousness.
Experts, too, are critical. Steven Rosenthal, a senior fellow at the Tax Policy Center, warned that drafting legislation to exempt tips from taxes would be fraught with challenges, potentially leading to widespread abuse.
“Where do you draw the line?” he asked, pointing out the absurdity of extending such exemptions to non-traditional service roles.
Despite the outcry, the Harris campaign is pushing back, urging the media to speak with former Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak and labor unions, who they claim support the idea.
Sisolak, in a statement, praised Harris as the only candidate with a “proven record for delivering results for workers,” though the endorsement seems to ring hollow given the widespread criticism of the plan.
The sudden shift from the Harris camp has left many wondering: Is this a genuine policy shift, or just a desperate attempt to win over skeptical voters in a crucial state?
The answer remains to be seen, but for now, Harris’s alignment with Trump’s tax plan is sending shockwaves through her own party.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
