Hundreds of economists, former policymakers endorse Harris

A group of more than 400 economists and former policymakers endorsed Vice President Harris in an open letter published Tuesday, arguing former President Trump’s policy proposals would create uncertainty for the economy.

The letter, which was signed by dozens of economics professors and several former government officials who served in Democratic administrations, comes ahead of an expected economic speech Wednesday from Harris in Pennsylvania.

“The choice in this election is clear: between failed trickle-down economic policies that benefit the few and economic policies that provide opportunity for all,” the signees wrote. 

“It is a choice between inequity, economic injustice, and uncertainty with Donald Trump or prosperity, opportunity, and stability with Kamala Harris, a choice between the past and the future,” they continued. “With Kamala Harris in the White House, workers, families, and businesses can be confident that they have a president who will work relentlessly to build a strong, pro-growth economy for all Americans.”

CNN first reported on the letter, which was signed by former Obama administration officials, such as Jason Furman, Bill Daley and Penny Pritzker. 

Other signees included former Labor Secretary Marty Walsh; Brian Deese, who recently served as President Biden’s top economic adviser; and Alan Blinder, who served on President Clinton’s Council of Economic Advisers and later served as vice chair of the Federal Reserve.

Harris has offered a handful of specific economic proposals since she became the Democratic candidate in late July, describing them as part of her “opportunity economy” agenda. She has proposed a federal ban on price gouging, a call for increased housing supply and support for first-time homebuyers and an expanded child tax credit.

Trump has said that, if he wins the White House in November, he will look to extend the tax cuts he first signed into law in 2017, which are set to expire next year, and push to lower the corporate tax rate further. 

The GOP presidential nominee has also said he would roll back regulations and open up more drilling, which the former president has claimed would lower energy prices. And he has repeatedly said he would impose tariffs on foreign imports and on manufacturers who outsource their production outside the United States.

While Trump has claimed the use of tariffs would lower costs, economists have repeatedly said it would cause companies to pass higher costs onto consumers and could worsen inflation.