Compare the presidential candidates’ policy platforms

Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump are in the home stretch of the 2024 election. The presidential candidates participated in a single debate in which they answered questions about their platforms and presented their plans for the United States. Later, in another debate, their running mates, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (Democrat) and Senator J. D. Vance (Republican), tried to drive the point home. In the last weeks of the presidential race, both candidates are campaigning in the seven swing states that could decide the outcome of the November 5 vote.

Here, you can review their policy platforms on issues such as the economy, foreign policy, gun control, health care, education, immigration and LGBT+ rights. Select the candidate whose proposals and issues you are interested in. You can choose more than one issue in order to compare the two sides.

Economy

Kamala Harris

Harris promises an economy that works for all U.S. citizens, especially middle class and working families. Her economic plan includes investments in infrastructure, affordable housing and childcare, aimed at creating jobs and raising wages. Harris seeks to expand union rights and worker protections, emphasizing collective bargaining and the importance of unionized labor. She also plans to accelerate the transition to clean energy, creating jobs in green industries while ensuring that economic growth is inclusive and sustainable. Her administration will focus on reducing the cost of living, especially in areas such as housing and healthcare, to ensure that families can thrive in an equitable economy.

Donald Trump

The former president seeks to promote economic growth by supporting energy independence, reducing regulations and improving supply chains. Similarly, one of his main promises is to establish high tariffs of 10 to 20% on imported goods to promote economic growth. He also seeks to reduce inflation by controlling government spending and reducing the national debt. In addition, he supports deregulation to encourage investment and reduce energy costs. According to his agenda, job creation is a priority, with a focus on rebuilding America’s industrial base and promoting domestic manufacturing, especially in key defense industries. He also proposes improving competitiveness by cutting red tape, which would reform the permitting process and ensure that foreign policies prioritize the country’s economic interests.

Taxes

Kamala Harris

Harris advocates a tax system that helps working families and ensures that the wealthiest Americans pay more taxes. Under her plan, tax cuts would target middle-class households and those struggling with the rising cost of living. She also plans to offer additional tax credits to help families meet essential expenses such as child care and education. The candidate says the wealthy and large corporations would have to pay higher taxes to balance the economic scales, using those revenues to fund public programs and reduce inequality.

Donald Trump

Trump’s agenda includes cutting taxes for individuals and businesses. He proposes to reduce income tax rates, make permanent the tax cuts from his time in office and eliminate the inheritance tax to ease the financial burden on families and businesses. He also intends to simplify the tax code and provide more deductions and credits for families, especially those with children. On the other hand, his main goal is to keep taxes low to boost economic growth and empower American workers and businesses.

Inflation

Kamala Harris

In response to inflation, Harris seeks to address what she considers are the main causes, and says she will fight “predatory pricing” by businesses, especially in sectors such as housing and healthcare, which she believes are driving up costs for families. Her administration would focus on expanding domestic production in key sectors, reducing dependence on foreign supply chains and stabilizing prices through strategic investments in infrastructure and technology. Harris also plans to strengthen consumer protection to prevent excessive price hikes and increase transparency in pricing, especially in the pharmaceutical and energy sectors.

Donald Trump

To address inflation, Trump plans to curb “excessive” government spending (as his campaign notes) and reform Federal Reserve policies to avoid prolonged inflation. His platform argues that energy independence and reduced dependence on foreign oil will help lower fuel prices, which will reduce overall inflation. He proposes increasing domestic production, especially in the energy and manufacturing sectors, which he asserts would stabilize prices and reduce inflationary pressures.

Foreign policy

Kamala Harris

Harris’ foreign policy is based on a commitment to restoring U.S. leadership on the world stage. She has worked closely with international leaders to strengthen alliances, especially with NATO and in the Indo-Pacific region, where she has shown a stance against China’s economic practices and security threats. Harris would also prioritize the defense of democracy, as evidenced by her support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. She pledges to continue to work with global partners to address pressing issues such as climate change and technological competition, especially in areas such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors. Her administration would also maintain a firm commitment to Israel’s security, while working for a peaceful solution in Gaza.

Donald Trump

On this point, Trump has indicated that he seeks “Peace through Strength” by rebuilding the military and strengthening alliances with other countries. He plans to invest in advanced military technologies, such as Israel’s “Iron Dome” missile defense shield, and support higher pay for the military. On the other hand, he seeks to counter China’s economic impact and states that he will seek peace in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific, while rebuilding U.S. influence globally. In addition, he supports modernizing defense, restoring America’s status on the world stage and ensuring that U.S. foreign policy is aligned with national interests.

Gun control

Kamala Harris

Harris has long advocated for stricter gun control measures. Her platform includes a commitment to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, implement universal background checks, and support “red flag” laws to keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals. As vice president, she helped pass the first major gun safety bill in decades, expanded funding for mental health professionals in schools and provided resources for community safety programs. Harris would continue these efforts as president, prioritizing public safety while ensuring that law enforcement has the training and support needed to reduce gun violence.

Donald Trump

The Republican agenda promotes Second Amendment rights and opposes efforts to limit gun ownership. The party and Trump advocate enforcing existing gun laws rather than creating new restrictions, and ensure that law-abiding citizens can protect themselves. The focus here would be on protecting constitutional rights while promoting safe gun ownership, without mentioning specific gun control measures.

Health

Kamala Harris

Harris’ healthcare plan focuses on expanding access to affordable healthcare for all Americans. It advocates lowering the cost of prescription drugs and making critical treatments more accessible by allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices. Harris is also committed to expanding mental health services, ensuring that all Americans can access quality mental health care. Her platform builds on the Affordable Care Act, aiming to close coverage gaps and reduce premiums, while focusing on preventive care to improve overall public health outcomes.

Donald Trump

Trump claims that healthcare costs can be reduced by promoting competition and consumer choice. He opposes government-run health programs, preferring to empower private marketplaces. Healthcare for veterans is a focus of the campaign and proposes expanding access to options for them, holding Department of Veterans Affairs employees accountable, and protecting whistleblowers. Republicans also emphasize the importance of drug-free schools and access to healthcare through reforms rather than new government programs.

Abortion

Kamala Harris

Protecting reproductive rights is one of the main focuses of Harris’ platform. Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, she has spoken out in favor of restoring reproductive freedoms at the federal level. She is committed to signing any bill that restores abortion rights nationwide and has been active in the Biden administration’s strategy to defend these rights. Harris has traveled across the country, listening to women affected by restrictive abortion laws, and pledges to block any attempt to enact a national ban on abortion.

Donald Trump

The Republican agenda is strongly pro-life, with an emphasis on an opposition to late-term abortions while supporting states’ rights to pass laws protecting unborn children. They also propose advancing policies that support prenatal care, birth control and access to fertility treatments. Trump has taken credit for the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, and argues that states should decide on abortion. Similarly, he has mentioned that he supports abortion in the case of rape, incest or when it is dangerous to mothers. He has also mentioned that he would veto a law banning abortion nationwide.

Education

Kamala Harris

Education is central to Harris’ plan to reduce inequality and expand opportunity. She advocates increased funding for public schools, increased teacher salaries and universal preschool education to ensure that all children get a good start in life. Harris also supports free community colleges and expanded access to higher education for middle- and low-income students. Her administration would focus on reducing student debt and making education more affordable across the board, as she sees education as a path to economic mobility and long-term success.

Donald Trump

Trump seeks to reform the education system by eliminating “woke” ideologies such as Critical Race Theory and gender education in schools, focusing instead on core subjects such as reading, history, science and math. He plans to return control of education to the states by closing the Department of Education and increasing parental rights. Similarly, he seeks to promote patriotic education, which includes teaching Western civilization and America’s founding principles. His campaign also emphasizes school safety, with support for improved school security and stricter discipline standards for violent students.

Immigration

Kamala Harris

Harris’ immigration plan balances strong border security with comprehensive reform. She favors deploying more resources to the border, including advanced detection technologies to interdict drugs and human smugglers, and increasing the number of border security agents. However, Harris also recognizes the need for comprehensive immigration reform, including a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who have contributed to the U.S. economy and society. Her platform focuses on fixing a broken system and ensuring that the U.S. remains a country that welcomes immigrants.

Donald Trump

One of Trump’s main campaign proposals is to “seal the border with Mexico” and carry out the largest deportation of immigrants in history. However, he has not detailed how this plan would be carried out. The candidate is committed to securing the U.S. border, continuing to build the border wall, and cracking down on drug and human trafficking cartels. He has proposed strict enforcement of immigration laws to reduce illegal immigration and opposes granting voting rights to undocumented immigrants. His agenda includes measures to prevent sanctuary cities, support law enforcement and ensure that American jobs are protected from illegal immigrants.

Environment

Kamala Harris

Combating climate change and environmental degradation is one of the top priorities of Harris’ platform. Her plan includes a transition to clean energy through a $500 billion investment in green infrastructure and technologies that will also create new jobs. Harris aims to make the United States a world leader in the fight against climate change by investing in renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions and protecting natural resources. Her platform aligns economic growth with environmental sustainability, ensuring that climate action generates new opportunities in emerging industries while preserving the planet for future generations. She has mentioned that she will not ban fracking.

Donald Trump

Trump’s platform seeks environmental conservation while ensuring energy independence through the use of natural resources such as oil and natural gas. It advocates for balanced conservation efforts that support economic growth without overly restricting business and highlights an interest in preserving national treasures and public architecture, thereby seeking for the United States to maintain a healthy balance between environmental preservation and economic development.

LGBT+ rights

Kamala Harris

Harris advocates for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Her platform includes passage of the Equality Act to enshrine protections against discrimination in areas such as healthcare, housing and employment. She is also a supporter of expanding civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ people and has a long history of fighting for marriage equality, having officiated some of the first same-sex marriages in the United States. As chair, Harris wants to ensure that LGBTQ+ Americans are fully protected under the law.

Donald Trump

Trump opposes public funding for sex change surgeries and seeks to protect women’s sports by keeping trans women out of women’s competitions. He also seeks to reverse President Biden’s Title IX regulations protecting gender identity and restore protections for women and girls. The Republican party opposes what they call “gender indoctrination” in schools and government policies that promote gender transitions.

ProposalsKamala Harris

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ProposalsDonald Trump

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