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My first mission on day one as President— Kamala Harris

Published

5 months ago

August 31, 2024

By Mario Deepromoter

Vice President Kamala Harris gave her first in-depth media interview since becoming the Democratic nominee for president, answering questions Thursday from CNN’s Dana Bash.

Pressed by Bash about what she would do on “day one,” Harris focused on what she said was her agenda to bolster the middle class.

“Day one it’s going to be about, one, implementing my plan for what I call an opportunity economy,” she said. “I’ve already laid out a number of proposals in that regard, which includes what we’re going to do to bring down the cost of everyday goods, what we’re going to do to invest in America’s small businesses, what we’re going to do to invest in families, for example, extending the child tax credit to $6,000 for families for the first year of their child’s life to help them buy a car seat, to help them buy baby clothes, a crib.”

Harris added that she would also begin pushing her plan to build more affordable housing across the country.
‘My values have not changed’

In one exchange, Bash asked Harris about policy changes on issues like her past support for the Green New Deal and for a ban on fracking since running in the Democratic primary for president in 2019.

“Dana, I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed,” Harris responded.

She went on to note her commitment to fighting climate change and to try to address the current wave of undocumented immigration.

“We have set goals for the United States of America — and by extension, the globe — around when we should meet certain standards for a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, as an example. That value has not changed,” she said. “My value around what we need to do to secure our border. That value has not changed.”

On Israel, Harris puts hope on ceasefire agreement

Bash asked Harris if she would consider withholding weapon shipments in an effort to influence Israel as it wages a retaliatory war against Hamas in Gaza that has killed 40,000 people, according to Palestinian health officials.

“Let me be very clear. I am unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israel’s defense and its ability to defend itself, and that’s not going to change,” she said.

At the same time, Harris took issue with the number of civilian Palestinians that have been killed in Israel’s military operation in Gaza.

“Israel has a right to defend itself, we would. And how it does so matters,” she said.
As for whether she would change U.S. policy if elected president, Harris kept focus on the need for a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

“We have got to get a deal done. This war must end,” she said, adding that she ultimately supports a two-state solution.

Going on the attack on securing the border

Echoing her stump speech, Harris sought to flip the script on the surge of undocumented immigration that occurred under the Biden administration by blaming Trump for torpedoing a bipartisan Senate compromise to beef up border security and overhaul the asylum process.

“Donald Trump got word of this bill that would have contributed to securing our border, and because he believes that it would not have helped him politically, he told his folks in Congress, ‘Don’t put it forward.’” Harris said. “He killed the bill, a border security bill that would have put 1,500 more agents on the border, and let me tell you something, the Border Patrol endorsed the bill.”

“He killed the bill,” she said of Trump, adding, “I will make sure that it comes to my desk, and I would sign it.”
Pressed by Bash on whether she still supported the idea that the border should be “decriminalized,” as she indicated by raising her hand during a 2019 debate, Harris offered a different view on Thursday.

“I believe there should be consequence. We have laws that have to be followed and enforced that address and deal with people who cross our border illegally, and there should be consequence,” she said.

Pledge to appoint a Republican to Cabinet position

Harris said that if she is elected in November, she would pick at least one Republican Cabinet member in her administration.

“I think it’s important to have people at the table when some of the most important decisions are being made that have different views, different experiences,” she said. “And I think it would be to the benefit of the American public to have a member of my Cabinet who was a Republican.”Not taking Trump’s bait

Bash asked Harris to respond to the incendiary comments Trump made earlier this month during an appearance at the annual convention of the National Association of Black Journalists. During a contentious interview, Trump said that Harris had purposefully misrepresented her ethnic background and only recently “became a Black person.”

But Harris made clear that she wanted no part of what she regarded as a “tired,” racially motivated attack.
“Same old, tired playbook,” she said. “Next question, please.”

“That’s it?” Bash asked.

“That’s it,” Harris responded.

News

Kalu Leads House Delegation to Ogun for Condolence Visit

Published

2 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

…eulogizes late Onanuga, ex-speaker Bankole’s mother

By Gloria Ikibah

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CON, has described the late Deputy Chief Whip, Rt. Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, as an irreplaceable parliamentarian known for her vocal nature and friendly disposition.

Leading a delegation on behalf of the Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, Kalu visited Sagamu, Ogun State, on a condolence mission to the late Onanuga’s family.

Addressing the bereaved, he praised her dedication and influence, noting her unique presence in plenary sessions and unwavering support for her colleagues.

Kalu consoled her mother, Chief Mrs. Comfort Folashade Etutu, and her children, urging them to trust in God for comfort and strength. He assured the family of the House’s continued support and prayed against further untimely deaths in the household.

Earlier, Kalu led the delegation to Abeokuta for the fidau prayers of the late Mrs. Monsurat Atinuke Bankole, mother of former House Speaker Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole.

He lauded her sacrifices, which contributed to the success of her children, including the former Speaker’s contributions to the National Assembly.

News

N800bn Inadequate for Nigeria’s Road Projects, Minister Umahi Tell Lawmakers

Published

3 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has described the N800 billion allocated to his ministry in the proposed 2025 budget as grossly insufficient to address Nigeria’s growing road infrastructure needs.

Umahi stated this during the 2025 budget defence session held on Friday by the House Committee on Works, chaired by Rep. Akin Alabi.

Speaking candidly, Umahi called for an upward review of the ministry’s budgetary allocation, stressing that the current figure would barely make a dent in the nation’s road development agenda.

“We plead with you to help us. N800 billion cannot do anything for us. It cannot address our road needs, and so we plead with you to help us,” the Minister told the lawmakers.

Umahi who emphasised the importance of adequate funding to complete ongoing projects and initiate critical new ones across the country, also stressed that borrowing was a necessary step to bridge the infrastructure gap and stimulate economic growth.

The Minister underscored the potential economic impact of infrastructure development, stating that it would create jobs and boost local economies.

“When the nation is in recession, you have to borrow money and invest in infrastructure. That is how you emerge from a recession. Infrastructure is a catalyst for economic activities, and this hunger we talk about will become a thing of the past,” he explained.

“Food sellers, sand suppliers, gravel workers, and others will benefit. Support Mr. President, and let’s borrow money to build infrastructure so Nigeria can be great again,” he added.

In response, Chairman of the Committee, assured Umahi that the committee would summon the Minister of Finance and the Head of the Budget Office to clarify the rationale behind the ministry’s limited allocation.

The session also provided an opportunity for the Minister to address lawmakers’ concerns about the state of roads nationwide, with assurances that the government remains committed to completing ongoing projects.

News

NASS Joint Committee Suspends Fire Service Budget Over Irregularities

Published

3 hours ago

January 17, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The National Assembly Joint Committee on Interior has suspended the budget defence of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) following significant discrepancies in the agency’s 2024 budget performance and 2025 proposal.

At a hearing chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole and his counterpart from the House, Chaired by Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed, lawmakers flagged irregularities, including contradictory figures and inadequate documentation.

The committee uncovered discrepancies in the procurement of firefighting trucks, with similar units priced at N1.5 billion in one instance and N2.5 billion in another, despite being from the same supplier and of identical specifications.

The FFS Controller General, Jaji Abdulganiyu Idris, attributed the difference to variations in tanker sizes but failed to provide adequate supporting documentation.

Senator Oshiomhole criticized the inconsistencies, stating, “This reeks of over-padding or over-invoicing. Your written submission does not align with your explanation, and we cannot overlook this.”

Lawmakers also raised concerns about unclear contract commitments and an outstanding payment of N603 billion for ongoing projects, which lacked proper specifications.

Oshiomhole emphasized fiscal responsibility, saying, “Every N10 wasted by MDAs adds up. Our duty is to ensure that every naira benefits Nigerians, especially the poor.”

The committee further queried the FFS over unverified revenue remittances. Idris presented manual receipts as evidence, but the lawmakers rejected them, demanding proper bank statements and confirmation from the Accountant-General’s office.

As a result, the committee stepped down the FFS budget defence, instructing the agency to rectify its submission. Oshiomhole warned, “Submit a revised presentation with accurate figures, or risk zero allocation in 2025.”

The decision underscores the lawmakers’ commitment to accountability and efficient use of public funds, urging the FFS to address the issues promptly to secure its funding.