Democrats unveil 2024 platform ahead of convention kickoff
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Preparations continue one day ahead of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, on Aug. 18. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
The Democratic National Committee released its 2024 platform on the eve of the party's convention kicking off Monday in Chicago.
The big picture: The platform was written by the DNC's Platform Committee before President Biden bowed out of the 2024 race, and the document repeatedly references his successes and goals for a second term.
- The DNC said in a release that the platform "makes a strong statement about the historic work that President Biden and Vice President Harris have accomplished hand-in-hand."
Driving the news: The 92-page document details the party's priorities to grow the economy, lower costs, tackle the climate crisis, protect communities from gun violence and secure the border, among other goals.
- It touts the Biden-Harris administration's efforts to rebuild a post-pandemic economy and highlights initiatives like investing in infrastructure, signing the Inflation Reduction Act and raising the minimum wage for federal contractors.
- It also outlines goals to prevent "supply chain shocks," push for at least a $15 minimum wage across the country, limit foreign ownership of farmland, and restore the expanded Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit.
On reproductive health care, the platform vows that the next administration — with help from a Democratic Congress — will pass legislation to restore Roe v. Wade.
- It also specifies goals to strengthen access to contraception, protect IVF and repeal the Hyde Amendment.
Zoom in: The section outlining immigration pledges several steps to shore up the U.S.-Mexico border, a key issue that former President Trump and Republicans have targeted Harris over.
- The next Democratic administration will "push Congress to provide the resources and authorities that we need to secure the border," the platform states.
- It continues: "This includes additional border patrol agents, immigration judges, asylum officers, cutting-edge inspection machines to help detect and stop the flow of fentanyl, and funding for cities and states that are sheltering migrants."
Friction point: Uncommitted delegates pressed for the platform to include an arms embargo on Israel during the public drafting phase, the Washington Post reported. The document does not mention that initiative.
- The platform reaffirms Democratic support for a "two-state solution that ensures Israel's future as a Jewish and democratic state with recognized borders and upholds the right of Palestinians to live in freedom and security in a viable state of their own."
- It also highlights the intention to broker an "immediate and lasting ceasefire deal" that secures the return of hostages and addresses the "immense civilian pain and extreme suffering being caused by the conflict, including the displacement and death of so many innocent people in Gaza."
Between the lines: Some of the platform's details differ from Harris' recent proposals, such as the $10,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers detailed in the platform versus the $25,000 subsidy she proposed last week.
What's next: Delegates will vote on the platform Monday evening.
Go deeper: What to know about the Democratic National Convention
