Donald Trump's running mate, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, blamed Kamala Harris' poor leadership over the past four years for the economic problems Americans have faced, including rising housing costs, job losses, inflation and higher-than-average credit default rates. , during a rally in Pennsylvania on Monday night.
“He's been in Washington for four years, and the consequence is that our fellow citizens are seeing sky-high credit card delinquency rates, unaffordable housing, unaffordable food prices,” Vance said on the eve of Election Day from a place in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
“You know, 8% of our fellow citizens can't afford their car payments right now because of Kamala Harris' policies. The state of Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, has seen a major increase in the cost of food than any state. Across the union, Pennsylvania families are being crushed by the cost of everything from food to housing.
In battleground Pennsylvania, one of the most coveted states for both candidates this election cycle, inflation remains higher than the national average. In September, food prices in Philadelphia rose 3.7% annually, compared to the national average of 1.3%. Meanwhile, energy prices in the Philadelphia metropolitan area have risen to more than double the national average.
Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, speaks during a campaign rally Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Vance described Harris' record on the economy as a “failure” and insisted he has no plan to fix it. He also criticized the vice president for her approach to taxes, noting that she plans to let former President Trump's tax cuts expire, which Vance said will lead to “every person” paying thousands of dollars in additional taxes each year.
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“She thinks we should raise taxes on American citizens and reward foreign corporations that send American jobs overseas,” Vance argued from his podium Monday night. “Do you know what Donald J. Trump thinks? President Trump thinks we should cut taxes and punish corporations that send American jobs overseas.”
American jobs would be at risk under a potential Harris administration, Vance added, noting that a recent jobs report showed 28,000 private sector jobs disappeared last month. “We lost 46,000 manufacturing jobs under Kamala Harris' leadership,” he told the crowd. “But you know what? You know who we hire? We hire a lot of government bureaucrats.”
While Vance insisted that Harris's political record was poor for the economy and shows that she would do little about Pennsylvanians' concerns about the cost of living, the Ohio senator praised former President Trump for already achieving an economic strong when he was president.
Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, gestures to the crowd after speaking during a campaign rally Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
“We want the president who had inflation of 1.5%.” Vance implored those attending the rally. “We know that Donald J. Trump's leadership generated the fastest increase in take-home pay in 40 years in the United States of America. He already did it.”
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Vance added that Trump plans to increase housing supply, something Harris' campaign has also proposed, and said the former president would fight to lower mortgage interest rates as well.
Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, leaves the stage after speaking during a campaign rally on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Vance, Trump and Harris spent time in Pennsylvania on the eve of Election Day, while campaigning in numerous battleground states. Trump rallied Monday in Reading and Pittsburgh, while Harris spent time in Allentown, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. During Harris' rally in Allentown, she told rally attendees that she would strengthen the economy by cutting taxes on the middle class, while raising them on the country's wealthiest and corporations. She also insisted she would make everyday costs, such as childcare, more affordable and work to reduce costs for older people.
“I promise you that when I enter the White House – instead of worrying about the enemies list – I will spend every day working on my to-do list on your behalf, filled with priorities that have to do with improving your life and bringing reduce the cost of living,” Harris said from Allentown on Monday. “On banning corporate price gouging on food, on making housing and child care more affordable. My plan will be to reduce taxes for workers in middle-class families and small businesses. Reduce care costs medical, including the cost of home care for home care for our seniors.”
