Kamala Harris has promised to sign an executive order on her first day as president to eliminate college degree requirements for certain federal jobs, marking her first concrete day-one commitment. This proposal seeks to broaden access to federal employment and encourage the private sector to follow suit.
Harris Pledges to Remove Degree Requirements for Federal Jobs on Day One
In a recent campaign event, Vice President Kamala Harris stated she would eliminate college degree requirements for specific federal positions on her first day in office through an executive order. This announcement, made during an appearance at an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union hall in Janesville, Wisconsin, is the first specific action Harris has promised for her initial day in the White House.
Promoting an “Opportunity Economy”
Harris has frequently emphasized her broader economic agenda, which she calls the “opportunity economy.” This package is aimed at reducing the cost of living through initiatives in housing, child care, and essential goods, although most of these proposals would require congressional approval. The pledge to remove degree requirements stands out as an action she can take unilaterally.
Addressing Federal Job Accessibility
The move to cut college degree requirements aligns with Harris’s aim to make federal job opportunities more accessible. “The press is always asking me, ‘What are you going to do on day one?’ One of the things I’m doing on day one… is I will eliminate unnecessary degree requirements for federal jobs,” she told attendees at the union hall, urging the private sector to adopt similar measures to enhance job accessibility.
Building Momentum with Union Support
Several prominent figures attended the Janesville event alongside Harris, including IBEW International Secretary Paul Noble, SEIU Wisconsin President Pat Raes, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, and Senator Tammy Baldwin. This Wisconsin visit marks one of Harris’s multiple campaign stops across key battleground areas, including Appleton and Milwaukee, where she will attend additional events and rallies.
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