WATCH: VP Kamala Harris Pushes Back When Reporter Asks Why Biden Admin Has to ‘Sell’ Popular Covid Relief Package
Vice President Kamala Harris pushed back when a reporter asked why President Joe Biden’s administration feels the need to “sell” the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan if it’s so popular.
The VP spoke to reporters during a visit to Las Vegas, as part of the White House’s “Help Is Here” tour, which they say is “to communicate directly and clearly with Americans about how the American Rescue Plan is helping them and their families and making sure they understand how to utilize benefits available to them.”
To that end, Harris explained to one reporter that “Part of what the president and I are talking about is also reminding people to file their taxes. We’ve got 30 days to do it before April 15. There are a number of folks who don’t file taxes if their income is too low, but it would actually help them get their benefits quicker and maybe even direct deposits if they file their taxes now, so we want to encourage people to do that so that they know what their rights are right now.”
Two different reporters asked the veep if a tax increase is on the table for the next round of legislation, to which she replied “We haven’t really figured out what the next phase is going to be, to be honest with you.”
As the gaggle was wrapping up, a reporter asked “Madam Vice President, the White House has said repeatedly that this is a very popular law. If that’s the case, why is it important to get out and sell it?”
“It’s not selling it, it’s literally letting people know their rights,” Harris said, and explained the tour by saying it’s like “you buy a product, you’ve already been sold on the product, but you need some directions on the box usually.”
Harris repeated her earlier information about filing taxes as an example, as well as things like spreading the word about vaccination sites.
“These are the things we are doing to let people know what they are entitled to and to spread the word. Think of it more as a public education campaign,” Harris said.
Watch the clip above via C-Span.
