By Jeff Mason and Kanishka Singh
WILKES BARRE, Pennsylvania (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris said on Friday she will cut college degree requirements for certain federal jobs if elected president after the Nov. 5 elections in which she faces Republican former President Donald Trump.
The Democratic presidential candidate said the U.S. should recognize the value of paths to success beyond a college degree, like apprenticeships and technical programs.
“As president, I will get rid of the unnecessary degree requirements for federal jobs to increase jobs for folks without a four-year degree,” Harris said in her speech.
A degree does not necessarily indicate a person’s skills, Harris said. She added: “And I will challenge the private sector to do the same.”
Both Harris and Trump have been trying to appeal to voters with economic pledges. Harris has said she will aim to pass a middle class tax cut. Trump has advocated for cutting taxes on overtime pay. Both have supported eliminating taxes on tips.
Harris’ speech in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, also faced some interruption from protesters opposing U.S. support for Israel’s war in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands and caused a humanitarian crisis. It followed a deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Palestinian Hamas militants.
Demonstrators in the U.S. have for months demanded an end to the war and restrictions on shipments of weapons to Israel.
Harris reiterated her support for a ceasefire and hostage rescue deal.
“Now is the time to get a hostage deal and ceasefire,” Harris said when interrupted. “I respect your voice, but right now, I am speaking,” she added.
Harris is in a tight race with Trump. Observers have said that if Muslim and Arab Americans, who overwhelmingly voted for the Democrats in the last presidential election, withhold their vote, it may hurt Harris’ chances.
(Reporting by Jeff Mason in Wilkes Barre and Kanishka Singh in Washington, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien)
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