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Vice President Kamala Harris pledged to remove “unnecessary degree requirements” for federal jobs.
What’s the deal: During a rally in Pennsylvania, Vice President Harris said, “For far too long, our nation has encouraged only one path to success: a four-year college degree. Our nation needs to recognize the value of other paths, additional paths, such as apprenticeships and technical programs. As President, I will get rid of the unnecessary degree requirements for federal jobs to increase jobs for folks without a four-year degree, understanding that requiring a certain degree does not necessarily talk about one’s skills.”
Something you should know: During Trump’s presidency, he moved to reduce college degree requirements for federal jobs. In 2020, his administration issued an executive order prioritizing skills and experience over formal education in hiring. The goal was to expand the candidate pool, especially for roles that typically required a four-year degree. At the time, Trump argued that many qualified people had gained experience through alternative paths like military service, vocational training, or on-the-job learning.
Other takeaways: Vice President Harris also proposed other key initiatives to support the middle class and boost economic opportunities. She introduced a $50,000 tax deduction for small businesses to encourage entrepreneurship and job creation, especially for new ventures. Harris proposed expanding the child tax credit, offering a $6,000 payment to families during a child’s first year to reduce financial strain. She further pledged to cut red tape and streamline processes for individuals and businesses, with a focus on incentivizing private-sector housing development. This includes building 3 million homes and expanding tax incentives for affordable rental housing, contributing to her broader vision of an “opportunity economy.“
The war in Gaza: During the rally, Vice President Harris was briefly interrupted by protesters calling for action on the Gaza conflict. She acknowledged their concerns and said they were working to secure a hostage deal and ceasefire. Harris said, “Now is the time to get a hostage deal and ceasefire. We’ve been working around the clock to make it happen.” She added, “But right now, I am speaking.”
