Republican Rep. Mike Lawler clashed with CNN host Sara Sidner over the economic plans of Vice President Kamala Harris, arguing that her proposals would cripple the economy. Lawler defended former President Trump's tariffs while criticizing the Biden-Harris administration's policies for contributing to inflation.
Republican Rep. Mike Lawler and CNN host Sara Sidner engaged in a heated debate on Thursday morning, clashing over which presidential candidate's policies were worse for the economy.
Republicans, CNN Spar Over Vice President Harris' Economic Proposals
Sidner challenged Lawler on economists' criticism of former President Trump's proposed tariffs on Chinese imports, arguing they would raise prices for consumers. Lawler defended the tariffs, claiming they were necessary to prevent countries like China from purchasing uranium and petroleum.
The debate intensified when Lawler accused the Biden-Harris administration of contributing to skyrocketing inflation. He specifically criticized Vice President Harris' role in passing the Inflation Reduction Act, arguing that it had not reduced inflation but had instead harmed the economy and raised grocery prices.
Republicans, CNN Spar Over Vice President Harris' Economic Proposals
Lawler also took aim at Harris' proposal to raise the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%. He warned that such a move would cripple the economy and lead to job losses overseas. Additionally, he criticized Harris' plan to increase the federal bureaucracy with trillions of dollars in new spending.
Sidner countered by suggesting that Harris was breaking from some of President Biden's policies, citing her proposal of a smaller tax hike on capital gains than Biden had outlined in his budget earlier this year. However, Lawler dismissed this as irrelevant, arguing that 28% was still a high tax rate that would hurt businesses.
Republicans, CNN Spar Over Vice President Harris' Economic Proposals
Sidner pressed Lawler on Trump's tariffs, citing economists who argued they would make it more difficult for people to afford imported goods. Lawler responded by suggesting that Trump's economic policies should be viewed in their entirety, rather than focusing only on the tariffs.
He accused Sidner of ignoring Harris' other economic proposals, such as increasing personal income taxes, supporting open borders, and advocating for Medicare for All, which he claimed would cripple the economy. Sidner denied this, stating that she had asked Lawler about some of Harris' policies.
Republicans, CNN Spar Over Vice President Harris' Economic Proposals
The interview ended on an awkward note, with Lawler accusing Sidner of misrepresenting his views.
The debate between Lawler and Sidner highlighted the sharp divide between Republicans and Democrats on economic policies. Republicans argue that Democratic policies, such as higher taxes and increased government spending, will harm the economy, while Democrats contend that Republican policies, such as tariffs and tax cuts for the wealthy, benefit the few at the expense of the many.
