Vice President Harris on Friday pledged to end “unnecessary degree requirements” for some federal jobs as she courted middle-class voters in the critical battleground of Pennsylvania.
“For far too long, our nation has encouraged only one path to success: a four-year college degree. Our nation needs to recognize the value of other paths, additional paths, such as apprenticeships and technical programs,” Harris told the crowd in Wilkes-Barre, prompting applause.
“As President, I will get rid of the unnecessary degree requirements for federal jobs to increase jobs for folks without a four-year degree, understanding that requiring a certain degree does not necessarily talk about one’s skills,” Harris said.
She also promised to challenge the private sector to follow suit.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), who was a top contender in the so-called “veepstakes” to join Harris on her fast-tracked ticket, notably signed an executive order in the Keystone State last year that removed four-year college degree requirements for most state government jobs.
The pledge comes as the vice president promises she’d champion the middle class if elected to the Oval Office this fall. At the same time, she’s been working to highlight her own background as she appeals to the critical demographic.
“I come from the middle class. I understand where I come from, and I’m never going to forget that, and I will always put middle class, working people first,” Harris said on Friday.
Her rally speech was briefly interrupted by what appeared to be protests over the war in Gaza, prompting Harris to briefly veer off-topic as she addressed them directly.
“Now is the time to get a hostage deal and ceasefire. We have been working around the clock to get that done, and I respect your voice, but right now I am speaking,” she said to cheers. The shut-down echoed a line she’s used at previous events.
Harris and former President Trump are locked in a tight race for the White House. The latest polling averages from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ show the Democrat with a 3.5 percent lead nationally.
Harris made two stops in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, where the DDHQ aggregation shows her ahead by a fraction of a percentage point.
