Press Room

Bienvenido Policy & Research Center Debate Fact Sheet: Trump vs. Harris - Key Issues

Center For Policy and Research

Sep 10, 2024

Tonight’s debate between former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris is a defining moment in this election cycle. After 50 days without a solo interview or press conference, Kamala Harris will finally face the voters — and the scrutiny of her record.

 

This debate offers the Hispanic community an opportunity to compare two very different paths for America’s future. President Trump has a proven track record of economic growth, job creation, and support for law enforcement, while Kamala Harris represents an incumbent administration that has overseen rising inflation, skyrocketing crime, and a weakened economy. Below are key areas to watch tonight:

 

1. Economy: Harris vs. Trump

Under the Harris-Biden Administration:

- Inflation is at record highs: Gas, groceries, and electricity costs have surged 30%-50%.

-The typical American family has lost $28,000 in purchasing power due to inflation.

- 8.4 million Americans are working second jobs just to make ends meet.

What to Watch: President Trump will emphasize his track record of low inflation, job growth, and economic stability. Harris must explain why, despite her critical role as Vice President, she hasn't been able to alleviate inflation or improve the economic landscape.

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2. Crime & Public Safety: Kamala's Record

Harris’ Pro-Crime Policies:

- Supported eliminating cash bail and “reimagining” law enforcement.

- Homicide rates are up by 23% in cities like Chicago, with felony assaults rising 35% in New York.

-Endorsed progressive prosecutors who refuse to prosecute violent crimes.

What to Watch: President Trump is endorsed by major law enforcement organizations and will likely highlight Harris’ history of leniency toward crime, contrasting it with his commitment to law and order.

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3. Immigration: Kamala’s Record and Controversial Stances

Harris’ Past Record and Proposals:

- Pledged to defund ICE and supported taxpayer-funded gender transition surgeries for detained migrants and federal prisoners.

- Over 350 individuals on the terrorist watchlist were caught attempting to cross the border under her leadership as Border Czar.

- Nearly 300,000 unaccounted-for illegal immigrant children were lost under her watch.

What to Watch: Trump will press on his clear immigration policies, aiming to secure the border, enforce existing laws, and protect American jobs.

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4. Kamala’s Radical Stances: Uncovered by CNN

- Taxpayer-Funded Gender Surgeries for Detained Migrants: Harris supported this unprecedented policy in a 2019 ACLU questionnaire.

- Federal Decriminalization of Drug Possession: Harris advocated for the decriminalization of all drug possession, including hard drugs like fentanyl and cocaine.

What to Watch: These far-left positions will be difficult for Harris to justify on a national stage, especially as she tries to court moderate voters.

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5. Harris’ Record of Policy Reversals

- Border Security: Once called Trump’s border wall "un-American" and pledged to defund ICE, but now supports legislation providing border security funds.

- Green New Deal: Initially co-sponsored the Green New Deal but has since distanced herself from the proposal.

- Fracking: Once supported a nationwide ban on fracking, then reversed her stance.

- Plastic Straws: Supported a ban on plastic straws but walked back her position.

What to Watch: Harris’ numerous flip-flops raise questions about her consistency and reliability as a leader.

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6. Harris’ Plagiarized Policy Agenda

- Lifting from Biden’s Campaign Website: Harris’ newly released policy agenda was found to contain language lifted from Biden’s 2020 campaign website, prompting swift edits by her team.

What to Watch: Harris will have to demonstrate originality and leadership, distinguishing herself from Biden, whom she continues to support publicly.

Tonight’s debate between former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris is a defining moment in this election cycle. After 50 days without a solo interview or press conference, Kamala Harris will finally face the voters — and the scrutiny of her record.

 

This debate offers the Hispanic community an opportunity to compare two very different paths for America’s future. President Trump has a proven track record of economic growth, job creation, and support for law enforcement, while Kamala Harris represents an incumbent administration that has overseen rising inflation, skyrocketing crime, and a weakened economy. Below are key areas to watch tonight:

 

1. Economy: Harris vs. Trump

Under the Harris-Biden Administration:

- Inflation is at record highs: Gas, groceries, and electricity costs have surged 30%-50%.

-The typical American family has lost $28,000 in purchasing power due to inflation.

- 8.4 million Americans are working second jobs just to make ends meet.

What to Watch: President Trump will emphasize his track record of low inflation, job growth, and economic stability. Harris must explain why, despite her critical role as Vice President, she hasn't been able to alleviate inflation or improve the economic landscape.

---

2. Crime & Public Safety: Kamala's Record

Harris’ Pro-Crime Policies:

- Supported eliminating cash bail and “reimagining” law enforcement.

- Homicide rates are up by 23% in cities like Chicago, with felony assaults rising 35% in New York.

-Endorsed progressive prosecutors who refuse to prosecute violent crimes.

What to Watch: President Trump is endorsed by major law enforcement organizations and will likely highlight Harris’ history of leniency toward crime, contrasting it with his commitment to law and order.

---

3. Immigration: Kamala’s Record and Controversial Stances

Harris’ Past Record and Proposals:

- Pledged to defund ICE and supported taxpayer-funded gender transition surgeries for detained migrants and federal prisoners.

- Over 350 individuals on the terrorist watchlist were caught attempting to cross the border under her leadership as Border Czar.

- Nearly 300,000 unaccounted-for illegal immigrant children were lost under her watch.

What to Watch: Trump will press on his clear immigration policies, aiming to secure the border, enforce existing laws, and protect American jobs.

---

4. Kamala’s Radical Stances: Uncovered by CNN

- Taxpayer-Funded Gender Surgeries for Detained Migrants: Harris supported this unprecedented policy in a 2019 ACLU questionnaire.

- Federal Decriminalization of Drug Possession: Harris advocated for the decriminalization of all drug possession, including hard drugs like fentanyl and cocaine.

What to Watch: These far-left positions will be difficult for Harris to justify on a national stage, especially as she tries to court moderate voters.

---

5. Harris’ Record of Policy Reversals

- Border Security: Once called Trump’s border wall "un-American" and pledged to defund ICE, but now supports legislation providing border security funds.

- Green New Deal: Initially co-sponsored the Green New Deal but has since distanced herself from the proposal.

- Fracking: Once supported a nationwide ban on fracking, then reversed her stance.

- Plastic Straws: Supported a ban on plastic straws but walked back her position.

What to Watch: Harris’ numerous flip-flops raise questions about her consistency and reliability as a leader.

---

6. Harris’ Plagiarized Policy Agenda

- Lifting from Biden’s Campaign Website: Harris’ newly released policy agenda was found to contain language lifted from Biden’s 2020 campaign website, prompting swift edits by her team.

What to Watch: Harris will have to demonstrate originality and leadership, distinguishing herself from Biden, whom she continues to support publicly.