Topline
The Democratic Party approved its 92-page policy platform Monday, on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago—though the document is largely outdated as it was written before Vice President Kamala Harris was nominated to replace President Joe Biden at the top of the ticket.
Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson attend Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at … [+]
Key Facts
The platform—which was approved by the party platform committee July 16, five days before Biden dropped out—is written as though Biden is still the presumptive nominee and details a continuation of his policies, mentioning the president nearly 300 times, compared to just over two dozen mentions of Harris.
Much of the document is dedicated to criticizing former President Donald Trump and drawing a contrast between him and Biden—Trump’s name appears 150 times in document, which states the former president “has a very different vision” from Democrats, “one focused . . . on revenge and retribution, not on the American people, but on himself.”
The platform reiterates Biden’s call for a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians and touts his push for an “immediate and lasting ceasefire deal” to end the war between Israel and Hamas, along with the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people and a $14 billion aid package for Israel that Biden signed into law, but it does not mention an arms embargo on Israel—a key demand for pro-Palestinian protesters and the “uncommitted” delegates who opposed Biden’s nomination in protest of his Israel-Hamas war policies.
The platform repeats Democrats’ push for a $15 minimum wage for all workers and highlights the increase in minimum wage under Biden to $17.20 an hour for federal contractors, along with his administration’s proposal for a $10,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers—Harris on Friday proposed up to $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers.
It calls for a minimum 25% income tax rate for billionaires and promises to tamp down on life insurance “tax shelters” and various other tax loopholes used by wealthy Americans, while “reviving [IRS] enforcement against wealthy and corporate tax cheats.”
The platform vows to protect access to abortion by fighting restrictions in court, easing access to abortion medication and supporting abortion-related legal defense services, while attacking Trump for his role in Roe v. Wade’s reversal, alleging he “undermined access to contraception as president” and “opened the door to laws that rip away access” to in vitro fertilization.
What To Watch For
Biden’s daughter, Ashley Biden, is expected to introduce her father ahead of his speech at the DNC on Monday. Harris and First Lady Jill Biden are expected to join the president onstage. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., will also speak on opening night.
Key Background
The convention convenes in Chicago less than a month after Biden dropped out of the race on July 21 and Harris became the party’s presumptive nominee. More than 99% of delegates formally voted to place her and vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz at the top of the ticket on Aug. 6 in a virtual roll call—a formality typically reserved for the convention, though Democrats will still hold a ceremonial roll call to recognize Harris and Walz’s nomination. The convention comes as Democrats have been reenergized by Harris’ entrance into the race following weeks of division and panic in the wake of Biden’s June 27 debate with Trump.
Further Reading
Here Are The Biggest DNC Speakers—Bidens, Obamas, AOC And These Republicans (Forbes)
Trump Vs. Harris 2024 Polls: Harris Leads In 2 Major Surveys—Up 6 Points In 1 Poll (Forbes)
2022 midterms, 2024 presidential campaign, the January 6 House committee investigation, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s historic ouster, the 2023 State of the Union Address, former President Donald Trump’s federal election interference and classified documents cases and his Manhattan hush money case. Dorn graduated in 2012 from the University of Dayton with a degree in journalism. Prior to joining Forbes, she covered New York City and state politics for the New York Post and City and State magazine. Follow her for updates and analysis on the 2024 presidential race, key Senate and House races and developments in Congress and at the White House.
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