Washington (CNN) Sen. Kamala Harris said Friday she admires Andrew Yang's expanded "Freedom Dividends" proposal after appearing to chuckle at the suggestion during Thursday night's debate.

"I admire and, frankly, take joy in hearing people with innovative ideas and who are questioning the status quo and willing to challenge it," Harris said in an interview with CNN's Alisyn Camerota on "New Day."

Harris defended her response, saying on Friday that "I think he is challenging all of us to think about how we can be more innovative. And I admire that."

Yang's proposal, which he calls the " Freedom Dividends ," is a model of his Universal Basic Income campaign platform. Yang is proposing to give all Americans 18 and over $1,000 a month, saying it will help make the economy more equitable and allow people to decide how to use the money rather than the government.

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