Kamala Harris pledges to eliminate taxes on tips for service workers

Vice President Kamala Harris vowed on Saturday to work towards eliminating taxes on tips for restaurant and service industry employees, mirroring a pledge previously made by her Republican opponent, Donald Trump.

Speaking at a rally at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Harris emphasized her commitment to fighting for working families, including raising the minimum wage and removing taxes on tips for service and hospitality workers. This marks a rare moment of overlap between the two presidential candidates, though both Harris and Trump would need Congress to act to make such changes possible.

Trump quickly responded on social media, accusing Harris of copying his policy. He claimed that while she supports the idea for political gain, she would not follow through on it.

Harris’ campaign later clarified that her proposal would include an income limit and other provisions to prevent misuse by high-income individuals, and that she would push for it alongside a federal minimum wage increase.

Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, concluded their five-state battleground tour in Nevada, a key state where Latino voters play a significant role. The 60,000-member Culinary Workers Union, a powerful force in Nevada, endorsed Harris and backed her call for a higher minimum wage and the elimination of taxes on tips.

Harris also addressed immigration during the rally, advocating for an earned pathway to citizenship and criticizing Trump’s approach to border security.

The vice president’s recent efforts to take a strong stance on immigration have been seen as an attempt to counter Republican criticism and strengthen her position on the issue.

The rally, which drew over 12,000 attendees, marked a moment of renewed energy for Harris’ campaign following President Joe Biden’s exit from the race. Harris and Walz’s appearances in key states are part of their strategy to secure the 270 electoral votes needed to win on Election Day.