October 12, 2024 Philadelphia – U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono and Congresswoman Judy Chu participated today in a special event in Philadelphia, alongside over 50 Asian American small business owners and community leaders. The gathering was organized by the Pennsylvania Democrats and the Harris-Walz campaign team, aimed at mobilizing the Asian American community, particularly the Chinese American voters, to support Vice President Kamala Harris in her campaign.
During the event, Senator Hirono and Congresswoman Chu highlighted the policy proposals put forth by Kamala Harris for the Asian American community, emphasizing her commitment to supporting AANHPI individuals in Pennsylvania. Harris has pledged to increase the small business tax credit from the current $5,000 to $50,000, providing a tenfold increase in assistance. Additionally, she plans to restore the expanded Child Tax Credit, build 3 million new homes, and combat corporate price gouging to lower living costs for AANHPI families.
In stark contrast, Donald Trump’s “Project 2025” extreme agenda poses significant risks to Pennsylvania’s Asian American community. Trump’s plans include repealing the Affordable Care Act, weakening protections for workers, and cutting support for small businesses, all while granting substantial tax breaks to billionaires and large corporations.
Congresswoman Chu remarked, “As President, Kamala Harris will increase the small business tax credit tenfold, from $5,000 to $50,000, ensuring that small businesses get the assistance they need. What does Trump want to do? He wants to cut the Small Business Administration budget by one-third.”
Senator Hirono also emphasized, “This is the time for all of us to recognize which team is truly helping small businesses. Kamala Harris is promising $50,000 credits to enable businesses to start and succeed. And it’s not just about the loans; it’s about caring for our middle-class families. How are we going to help middle-class families afford food, housing, and all those daily expenses? This is all part of the plan that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz have, while the other side only has ‘concepts of a plan.’”
The event also highlighted that under Harris’s leadership, over 1.5 million jobs have been created for the Asian American community, resulting in the highest employment rate for AANHPI individuals in the U.S. since 2008. In contrast, Trump’s administration saw a loss of 275,000 jobs in Pennsylvania.
The significance of the Asian American vote in Pennsylvania was a central theme at the event. As the number of voters continues to rise, the voices of the Asian American community are becoming increasingly influential in the political landscape. Their participation in the election will directly impact policy decisions and drive changes that benefit the community.
