Kamala Harris, Democrats push to repeal and replace Trump tax cuts

Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Senator Kamala Harris, a Democrat from California, questions Gina Haspel, director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) nominee for President Donald Trump, not pictured, during a Senate Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C., 

With midterm elections 2½ weeks away and the 2020 presidential race around the corner, prominent Democrats are embracing an ambitious idea: Repeal and replace the $1.5 trillion Republican tax plan.

The proposals would get rid of the tax cuts and, in turn, funnel that money into government-guaranteed cash for low- and middle-income households.

Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., announced a plan this week that would give working families up to $6,000 each year, with the option of receiving monthly payments. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., outlined a similar idea last year. A bill from Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., would allow stay-at-home parents and students to receive the money as well.

“The idea was to provide a clear contrast with Donald Trump,” Khanna told CNBC in an interview. “You know what you could actually do with this money? You could give anyone making under $75,000 a raise.”

The measures are significantly more dramatic than some previous Democratic proposals – a reflection of the proximity to the midterm elections and the early interest surrounding the presidential race in 2020. Harris and Brown are potential contenders for the White House, and Democrats have been seeking bold ideas to present to their energized electorate.