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Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris has changed her position on banning plastic straws in a notable shift from her previous stance. During the 2020 Democratic primary, Harris explicitly endorsed a government ban on plastic straws and other single-use plastics to address environmental concerns. However, her campaign confirmed this week that she no longer supports such a ban.
The change in position comes as Harris navigates her campaign for the presidency, with her team clarifying that her current focus remains on broader environmental reforms rather than specific bans. “She doesn’t support banning plastic straws,” a campaign official told Axios on Wednesday.
This policy reversal highlights a broader trend of shifting positions that Harris has faced since emerging as the Democratic nominee after President Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race last month. During a CNN town hall in 2019, Harris had been clear about her support for banning single-use plastics, including plastic straws. “I think we should, yes,” she had stated at the time. She even joked about the difficulties of using paper straws, suggesting that the technology needed further improvement.
Despite the reversal on plastic straws, the Harris campaign emphasized that environmental issues remain a high priority for her. “She cast the tie-breaking vote on the most consequential legislation to combat climate change and create clean energy jobs in history,” the campaign noted. “As President, she will be focused on expanding on that progress.”
This flip on plastic straws is part of a series of policy reversals Harris has made. Notably, her campaign also recently announced that she does not support a ban on fracking, a position contrary to her earlier statements during the primary. Additionally, Harris has distanced herself from “Medicare for All” and semiautomatic rifle buyback programs, both of which she had championed during her failed presidential bid in 2020.
As Harris seeks to solidify her candidacy, these shifts in policy positions have sparked criticism from various quarters, including political pundits, voters, and opponents. The evolving stances reflect the complexities of campaigning in a contentious political climate and highlight the challenges faced by candidates as they adjust their platforms to appeal to a broader electorate.