Vice President Harris took a swipe at Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) Friday evening, after Johnson said on the campaign trail that he would “probably” move to try to repeal the CHIPS and Science Act.
The Republican leader later backtracked on the comment, clarifying in a joint statement with Rep. Brandon Williams (R-N.Y.) that he “misheard” the question.
“Let’s be clear why he walked it back. Because it’s not popular,” Harris told reporters Friday in Milwaukee. “And their agenda is not popular.”
The Harris campaign also released a statement Friday slamming the Speaker’s comments.
Harris-Walz rapid response director Ammar Moussa also released a statement on Friday, slamming the speaker’s comments.
“His and Donald Trump’s closing argument is clear: cut billions in key investments, ship American jobs overseas, and end the Affordable Care Act,” Ammar Moussa, Harris’s rapid response director, said in the statement.
“Vice President Harris is running to bring manufacturing jobs back to America and make us competitive globally, Moussa added. “The only way to guarantee these Republicans never get a chance to repeal these laws that are creating jobs and saving Americans money is to elect her President.”
The comments come after Williams, a vulnerable member this election cycle, seemed to awkwardly contradict Johnson when asked about the legislation — signed into law by President Biden in 2022 — which seeks to strengthen domestic chip manufacturing and finance scientific research to boost U.S. competitiveness.
“No. Obviously, the CHIPS Act is hugely impactful here,” Williams said during the event. “My job is to keep lobbying on my side. That’s why I crossed the aisle and supported many things against leadership. But that’s our partnership, that’s how we’re going to get through it.”
Despite the “clarification,” Democrats have been quick to feature Johnson’s comments into their campaign messaging.
Harris, according to reporting from The Associated Press, has also criticized the Louisiana Republican for suggesting the GOP could cut semiconductor manufacturing investments.
“It is my plan and intention to continue to invest in American manufacturing,” Harris told reporters in Milwaukee, per the AP.
The Hill has contacted Johnson’s press office for comment.
