Kamala Harris’s Focus on the Care Economy in Her Presidential Campaign

The Care Economy: A Central Focus of Kamala Harris’s Campaign

The concept of the “care economy” encompasses a wide range of policies designed to support parents and caregivers, representing one of the significant unfinished aspects of President Biden’s domestic agenda. As Vice President Kamala Harris embarks on her campaign to succeed him, she has made the care economy a pivotal element of her platform.

Throughout her campaign, Ms. Harris has consistently highlighted the importance of making child-rearing more affordable. In a strategic move, she has selected Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota as her running mate, a leader known for his achievements in establishing a paid family leave program.

In her inaugural major economic address as a candidate, Ms. Harris unveiled a proposal to reinstate an expanded child tax credit, along with a bold initiative that would provide a new $6,000 benefit for parents welcoming newborns. Furthermore, she outlined a series of policies aimed at alleviating housing costs, including a plan to offer up to $25,000 in down-payment assistance for first-time home buyers.

During her acceptance speech for the Democratic nomination, Ms. Harris passionately asserted her commitment to preserving vital programs like Head Start, which offer essential preschool and childcare services to children. She emphasized that she would fiercely oppose any attempts by conservatives to dismantle such programs.

However, it is notable that Ms. Harris has yet to present detailed proposals regarding child care, paid family leave, or early childhood education. This lack of specificity has surprised some progressive policy experts and has evoked memories of the Biden administration’s struggles to implement more expansive policies.

Initially, President Biden had also prioritized the care economy as a key component of his domestic policy framework, positioning it alongside significant investments in infrastructure such as roads, bridges, domestic manufacturing, and green energy initiatives. His administration often articulated the idea that care infrastructure is just as critical as traditional infrastructure—asserting that affordable child care is vital for a thriving economy.