Tipped Workers Are Having a Moment in the Election — Except at the Debate

Kamala Harris was criticized for parroting Donald Trump’s position on ending taxes on tips. Her new policy platform includes a much bigger union priority.

Kamala Harris
Labor has gotten more attention in the presidential race as Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have made it a focus. Julia Nikhinson/AP

Labor groups sighed with relief — and basked in their newfound prominence as a voting bloc — after Kamala Harris called for ending subminimum wages for tipped workers this week. It was a win on top of both candidates’ proposals to end taxes on tips.

But they got snubbed on the debate stage Tuesday.

“I was disappointed that the moderators didn’t bring up No Tax on Tips since it’s on both campaigns’ platforms, and it’s gotten so much press,” Saru Jayaraman, president of One Fair Wage, texted NOTUS after the debate. “It didn’t feel to us like [Harris] had the opportunity to raise it given how quickly they moved on from this key issue.”