The Presidential Candidates — A Policy Comparison

Peter Heck • October 29, 2024


Here’s a brief comparison of the positions of Vice President Kamala Harris, Democratic nominee for president, and former president Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, to help voters decide which candidate most reflects their own ideas. Summaries are based on information from guides.vote and NBC news — visit their websites for more details and additional policy comparisons.

 

Abortion, reproductive rights

  • Harris: Would sign national abortion rights legislation if president.
  • Trump: Takes credit for ending Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court precedent that decriminalized abortion; has said states should decide whether abortion is legal.

 

Climate change, global warming       

  • Harris: “We must do more” to address climate change. Voted to commit $369 billion to combat climate change and support clean energy.
  • Trump: “Climate change is a hoax.” Will expand domestic coal and oil production.

 

Economy

  • Harris: Supports expanded tax credits for childcare. Wants to lower costs of groceries and prescription drugs, and subsidize first-time home buyers.
  • Trump: Promises increase tariffs on imported goods. Says he will free up housing market through mass deportations of immigrants. Promises to deregulate businesses.

 

Education

  • Harris: Supports universal pre-K, debt-free college education, increased teacher pay.
  • Trump: Would abolish Education Department, eliminate teacher tenure. Supports “parental rights” regarding course content. 

 

2020 Election results

  • Harris: 2020 election results were certified, confirmed by numerous court cases — Joe Biden won.
  • Trump: Election was “rigged,” Jan. 6 protesters were “patriots.”

 

Foreign policy

  • Harris: Calls for cease-fire and two-state solution in Israel, but Israel has a right to self-defense. Supports Ukraine’s war against Russian aggression. Would continue strong support for NATO and other alliances.
  • Trump: Unreserved support for Israeli actions in Gaza. Would deport pro-Palestinian protestors. Will “end the war” in Ukraine by pushing Ukraine to cede territory already occupied by Russia. Has threatened to pull out of NATO unless other countries “pay their fair share.”

 

Healthcare

  • Harris: Would expand Affordable Care Act, link drug costs to those in comparable nations.
  • Trump: Says he will end Obamacare, replace with unspecified new program.

 

Immigration

  • Harris: Supports comprehensive immigration reform, pathways to citizenship for DACA participants.
  • Trump: Would deport 15 to 20 million immigrants; told supporters in Congress to kill a Senate bipartisan immigration reform bill in early 2024.

       

Labor, Unions

  • Harris: Supports “the sacred right to organize” workers. Walked a picket line with auto workers.
  • Trump: Praised employers who fire striking workers. As president, restricted collective bargaining rights for federal employees.


Minimum Wage

  • Harris: Supports raising federal minimum wage to $15/hour.
  • Trump: Questions need for federal minimum wage, claiming it “would eliminate jobs.”
     

Social Security

  • Harris: Would eliminate $168,000 income cap for Social Security payments, making wealthier Americans pay at same rate on all income. This would help ensure the continuing solvency of the program.
  • Trump: Proposed $35 billion cut in Social Security disability programs.

 

Taxes

  • Harris: Supports higher corporate tax rates, voted against Trump tax cuts.
  • Trump: Enacted largest tax cut in history for corporations and the wealthy.

 

Voting rights

  • Harris: Supports legislation to make registration and voting easier.
  • Trump: Wants stronger voter ID requirements, sued to eliminate voter drop boxes.

 

 

Peter Heck is a Chestertown-based writer and editor, who spent 10 years at the Kent County News and three more with the Chestertown Spy. He is the author of 10 novels and co-author of four plays, a book reviewer for Asimov’s and Kirkus Reviews, and an incorrigible guitarist.

 

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