'Go higher': Bernie Sanders urges Harris to raise 28% capital gains tax rate proposal

• Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said Vice President Kamala Harris should increase her proposed 28% tax rate on long-term capital gains, marking his latest divergence with the Democratic presidential nominee's economic platform.
• President Joe Biden had proposed a capital gains tax rate of 39.6% and in 2016, Sanders campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination with an even higher proposed rate of 54.2%.
• While he has endorsed Harris , Sanders has offered lukewarm support for her economic proposals, which have been more moderate in order to appeal to a wider coalition of voters.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on Sunday said Vice President Kamala Harris should increase her proposed 28% tax rate on long-term capital gains, marking his latest divergence with the Democratic presidential nominee's economic platform.

"I would go higher than that," Sanders told NBC's "Meet the Press" of Harris' proposed capital gains tax rate. "I think she's trying to be pragmatic and doing what she thinks is right in order to win the election. My own view is slightly different."

Harris on Wednesday announced her plan for a 28% tax on long-term capital gains, assets that are owned for more than one year, an increase from the current maximum rate of 20%.

That proposal softened the party line on tax reform.

President Joe Biden previously proposed a capital gains tax rate of 39.6% in his 2025 fiscal year budget. In 2016, Sanders campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination with an even higher desired rate of 54.2%.

Sanders said Harris' economic platform should go further in taxing the wealthy.

"I think what the vice president needs is a strong agenda that speaks to working people," he said.

Sanders also remained steadfast on his opposition