September 14 :
Both Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her Republican opponent have been making economic promises to win over voters. On Friday, Harris, who is now serving as the United States Vice President, claimed that she will reduce the number of federal positions that require a bachelor's degree if elected president.

On November 5th, Americans will go to the polls to choose between Harris and former Republican president Donald Trump. While Trump has called for a reduction in taxes on overtime pay, Harris has stated that she intends to pass a tax cut for the middle class. Tipping taxes should be eliminated, according to both candidates.

During her address in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Harris promised to "get rid of the unnecessary degree requirements for federal jobs as president" in order to boost employment opportunities for individuals without a four-year degree. In early 2023, the U.S. Census Bureau revealed data showing that over 62% of Americans aged 25 and up did not possess that level of education. In 2020, three-quarters of the voting-age population lacked a bachelor's degree.

On Friday, the Democratic presidential candidate argued that the United States should emphasize alternatives to four-year degrees, like as apprenticeships and technical programs, as a means to a better future. Harris stated that a degree does not always reflect one's abilities. She further stated: "And I will challenge the private sector to do the same."

The value and expense of higher education are questions that many Americans have, according to a poll that was issued earlier this year by the Lumina Foundation and Gallup. The high expense of higher education was cited by more than half of the American adults who have never enrolled or who have attended once as a "very important" factor in their decision to not enroll or return to college. Protesters who are against U.S. backing for Israel's humanitarian crisis-inspiring assault in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of people, interrupted Harris' address.

U.S. protesters have been calling for less weapons supplies to Israel and an end to the war for months. A truce and an agreement to rescue hostages were both reaffirmed by Harris. "Now is the time to get a hostage deal and ceasefire," Harris said, being interrupted. "I respect your voice, but right now, I am speaking," said the woman.

It is Harris's intention to back Israel. Some have speculated that Harris' prospects would take a hit if Muslims, Arabs, and pro-Palestinian activists—who voted massively for the Democrats in the previous presidential election—choose not to cast ballots. Some activists have promised to back third party candidates, but those groups aren't expected to lean toward Trump.

Israeli authorities have estimated that 1,200 people were killed and 250 were taken captive in an attack by Palestinian militants from Hamas on October 7. This attack sparked the latest round of violence in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel has been accused of genocide in the World Court, a claim it denies, after launching an attack on the Hamas-governed enclave. The local health ministry estimates that over 41,000 Palestinians have been murdered, virtually the entire population of 2.3 million have been displaced, and a hunger crisis has ensued.

Kamala Harris announces plans to reduce degree requirements for select federal jobs.