WILKES-BARRE, Pa., Sept 13 (Askume) – U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris said on Friday she would relax college degree requirements for some federal jobs if she was elected president, as the Democratic presidential nominee and her Republican rival make economic promises to appeal to voters.
Harris and Republican former President Trump are preparing for the US election on November 5Fierce competition . Harris has previously said her goal is to cut taxes through the middle class, while Trump has advocated cutting overtime taxes . Both candidates support eliminating the tip tax .
“As president, I will eliminate unnecessary degree requirements for federal jobs, expanding employment opportunities for people without a four-year degree,” Harris said in a speech in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Data released by the US Census Bureau in early 2023 shows that more than 62% of Americans over the age of 25 do not have a bachelor’s degree. Three out of five American voters in 2020 did not have a college degree.
The Democratic presidential candidate said Friday that the United States should recognize the value of pathways to success beyond a college degree, such as apprenticeships and technical programs.
Harris said a degree does not necessarily reflect a person’s skills. “I would ask the private sector to do the same,” she said.
A survey released earlier this year by Gallup and the Lumina Foundation found that many Americans are skeptical about the value and cost of college. More than half of U.S. adults who have never enrolled or have enrolled say the cost of education is a “very important” reason for not enrolling or returning to college.
Protesters disrupted traffic
Harris’s speech was briefly disrupted by protesters protesting US support for Israel’s war in Gaza , which has killed thousands and created a humanitarian crisis.
For several months, American protesters have been demanding an end to the war and a ban on the supply of weapons to Israel.
Harris reiterated her support for a ceasefire and a hostage rescue agreement. When interrupted, Harris said, “It is time for a hostage agreement and a ceasefire.” She added, “I respect your voice, but I am going to speak now.”
Harris pledges support for Israel. Observers say Harris’s chances could be hurt if pro-Palestinian Americans, including activists, Muslims and Arabs who voted heavily for Democrats in the last presidential election, do not vote . Although these groups are unlikely to lean toward Trump, some activists have pledged support for third-party candidates.
Israeli data shows that the latest bloodshed in the decades-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict began on October 7 last year , when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages.
Israeli attacks on Hamas-ruled territory killed more than 41,000 Palestinians and displaced some 2.3 million, according to the local health ministry, leading to a famine crisis and charges of genocide before the World Court , which Israel denies.
