The White House said Monday that President Biden would “absolutely” sign a bill to eliminate taxes on tipped wages if it reaches his desk, supporting a policy first proposed by former President Trump and co-sponsored by Vice President Harris.
“This is something the president supports,” spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said at a news conference. “The president supports eliminating tip taxes for service and hospitality workers, while also raising the minimum wage and stopping the wealthy from gaming the system.”
Jean-Pierre argued that such proposals are consistent with Biden’s efforts to support working Americans and build an economy “from the bottom up and out the middle.”
Biden has not previously spoken publicly about the idea. Trump first floated it in June at a rally in Nevada, a battleground state home to thousands of service industry workers.
Republican lawmakers quickly followed Trump’s lead and introduced bills aimed at eliminating the tip tax, though critics warn it would add to the national debt and be exploited by the wealthy.
Harris, who became the Democratic nominee after Biden decided not to seek reelection, said at a rally in Las Vegas on Saturday night that she supported repealing the tip tax, echoing Trump’s proposal.
“I promise all of you here that if I’m president, I’ll continue to fight for working families, including raising the minimum wage and eliminating the tip tax for service and hospitality workers,” Harris said Saturday night.
Harris campaign officials suggestion It would require congressional action and would likely include income limits.
Trump and his campaign have slammed Harris for copying Trump’s ideas.
“The difference is she won’t do it. She just wants it for political purposes!,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “This was Trump’s idea. She has no ideas, she can only steal from me. Remember, Kamala proposed the biggest tax increase in history and it’s not going to happen.”
