Lawler Disputes CNN Host's View on Harris' Economic Policies, Claims They Would Cripple Economy

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) engaged in a heated debate with CNN host Sara Sidner, arguing that Vice President Kamala Harris' economic proposals would harm the economy by raising taxes and increasing bureaucracy.

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) clashed with CNN host Sara Sidner in a heated debate over the economic policies of Vice President Kamala Harris, with Lawler arguing that they would "cripple" the economy.

Sidner questioned Lawler about economists' criticism of former President Trump's tariff proposal on Chinese imports, which they claim would raise prices for consumers. Lawler defended tariffs before accusing the Biden-Harris administration's policies of contributing to skyrocketing inflation.

Lawler Disputes CNN Host's View on Harris' Economic Policies, Claims They Would Cripple Economy

"The fact is that [the Inflation Reduction Act] has not reduced inflation. It has actually crippled our economy," Lawler said. "We have to reverse many of the policies that the Biden-Harris administration has put into effect. Kamala Harris is proposing to raise the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%. That would be disastrous for the economy."

Sidner countered by citing Harris' proposal of a smaller tax hike on capital gains than President Biden, suggesting she was "breaking" from some of his policies. However, Lawler questioned Sidner's characterization, arguing that raising the corporate tax rate to 28% would be harmful.

Lawler Disputes CNN Host's View on Harris' Economic Policies, Claims They Would Cripple Economy

"A lot of Americans pay 28%," Sidner responded.

"It will cripple our economy," Lawler said, arguing that jobs would be sent overseas. "And she is proposing massively increasing the federal bureaucracy with trillions of dollars in new spending. Kamala Harris' policies will put us into a recession."

Lawler Disputes CNN Host's View on Harris' Economic Policies, Claims They Would Cripple Economy

Sidner continued to press Lawler on Trump's tariffs, claiming that economists believe they "could be a huge tax on consumers."

"Tariffs are a tool to force countries like China not to purchase uranium, petroleum," Lawler countered. "That is something that absolutely should be on the table when Iran is funding terrorism."

Lawler Disputes CNN Host's View on Harris' Economic Policies, Claims They Would Cripple Economy

Sidner named Mark Zandi of Moody's and Goldman Sachs as economists who have criticized Trump's tariff plan, but Lawler suggested that CNN was focusing on this one proposal without considering the broader context of each candidate's economic policies.

"Increasing the corporate tax rate is going to have a more profound impact on the economy, increasing personal income taxes….allowing open borders…supporting Medicare for All? It will cripple the economy," Lawler told Sidner.

Sidner denied Lawler's suggestion and wrapped up the interview on an awkward note, accusing him of not answering her questions about Harris' policies. Lawler retorted that he had answered her questions and that she was simply focusing on Trump's policies.

The U.S. corporate tax rate was 35% before the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 lowered it to 21%. Harris' campaign has proposed raising it to 28%, a move supported by campaign spokesperson James Singer as a way to "put money back in the pockets of working people."

Trump's tariff proposal has drawn mixed reactions from economists. Trump campaign national press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the plan, stating that Trump "will do it again in his second term" and that it will result in "millions of jobs and hundreds of billions of dollars returning home from China to America."