Vice Presidential Pool Reports of February 20, 2024

VP travel pool report #1/Pittsburgh appearance

Hello, and good morning. I'll be your local pooler for VP Harris' visit to Pittsburgh today. I'm told she has arrived at Pittsburgh International airport and is en route to the event at the Kingsley Center in the city's Larimer neighborhood.

Local pols/people of note seen here so far: Gisele Fetterman, state Rep. LaTasha Mayes and former Allegheny County executive Rich Fitzgerald. Small gathering of about 75-100 community members.

Will send next update when VP arrives. Wifi is *terrible* here but please feel free to reach me on my cell with any questions:

VP *local* pool report #2/ Pittsburgh appearance

We've heard remarks from Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, US Rep Summer Lee and US Rep Chris Deluzio, expecting the VP shortly.

The official name of the venue is the Kingsley Association Community Center.

(And apologies for the earlier email where I promoted myself to *travel* pool)

VP local pool report #3/Pittsburgh appearance

VP has taken the stage, was introduced by Pittsburgh city clerk Kimberly Clark-Baskin, who told a brief story of how her family was affected by lead pipes in their home.

"We all believe every person in America has a right to clean water," Harris said.

She's speaking about a family she met, Deanna and son Aidan (sp) who dealt with lead poisoning. "It does not require a scientist or a doctor to understand the impact of lead pipes on our children," VP said.

She's standing on a stage between two large signs reading "replacing lead pipes/ delivering clean water" and the "investing in America" logo

VP local pool report #4/Pittsburgh appearance

VP has departed the Kingsley Center after speaking about clean water and infrastructure for about 5-10 minutes.

"We have invested billions of dollars to remove every lead pipe in our nation... and today, I am proud to announce the president and I have dedicated $5.8 billion in federal dollars... which include more than $200 million in Pennsylvania."

Will review recording for full quote.

VP local pool report #5/Pittsburgh appearance

We've moved to a construction site in the West End section of Pittsburgh (may be Elliott, will confirm) where workers are using a backhoe and replacing lead pipes in a residential neighborhood. The vice president is watching and asking questions of the construction workers, there are representatives from the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority here as well.

VP local pool report #6/Pittsburgh appearance

Before departing the construction site the VP made a brief statement:

"These incredibly highly skilled folks are doing the work that is about removing lead pipes which for too long in our country, have existed, especially in communities, that just couldn't afford on their own to pay to get rid of lead pipes and lead pipes, produce toxic water. Communities have been crying out for support to get rid of these lead pipes... I am proud to say that the president and I have finally made a commitment and we're seeing it through to get rid of all lead pipes in america. And so this is one of the projects that is taking place because of our infrastructure work and it's about good paying jobs, union jobs. The the folks who are running this operation hired over 100 people, just to do this work. But it's about the families that live here and deserve to to be heard and deserve to give the attention that they're now receiving because of our work. So, thank you."

And correx to earlier: construction site is in Elliott neighborhood of Pittsburgh, on Lakewood Ave.

Name of construction company is Independent Enterprises.

And that's all from Pittsburgh.

VP local pool report #7/Pittsburgh appearance

One more update!

On background from a White House official:

While in Pittsburgh today, Vice President Harris made an unannounced visit to an active construction site where union workers were removing lead pipes. This site is an example of what she announced alongside EPA Administrator Regan earlier today: $5.8 billion in funding for clean water infrastructure in communities throughout the nation including $200 million for projects across Pennsylvania.

This funding is creating good-paying jobs and helping to put Pittsburgh on track to remove all lead pipes in next 24 months.

During the visit, the Vice President thanked workers for their dedication, highlighted the historic impact of President Biden and her Investing in America Agenda, and underscored that she and the President believe that every American deserves the right to clean drinking water in their home, school, workplace, and community.

VP local pool report #8/Pittsburgh appearance

... and one more:

Readout of VP Harris' meeting with Pittsburgh-area community leaders:

· Vice President Harris met with approximately two dozen community and faith leaders from the Pittsburgh metro area. The meeting took place at the Kingsley Association Community Center in the heart of Larimer, a historically Black neighborhood in Pittsburgh's East End.
· The meeting included elected officials Lt. Governor Austin Davis (Pa.'s first Black Lt. Gov), Congresswoman Summer Lee (the first Black woman elected to Congress from Pa.), and Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey (the city's first Black mayor), who gave introductory remarks to open the meeting. Ten Black faith leaders and seven first-time Black mayors from cities across Western Pennsylvania were also in attendance.
· The Vice President and the gathered leaders spoke about the high stakes for the coming election and the Biden-Harris administration's historic record of accomplishments on behalf of Black Americans. This includes record growth for Black-owned small businesses, record-low Black unemployment, capping the cost of insulin for seniors at $35 per month, and more than $7 billion in investments in HBCUs.
· The Vice President and the community leaders noted the real-world impacts of the administration's work that is making a difference on the ground in Pittsburgh. Thanks to federal investments, the city of Pittsburgh is on track to replace all of its lead pipes by 2026. Also, the federal infrastructure law signed by President Biden has provided support for key improvements in Pittsburgh, such as $11 million for Pittsburgh's Hill District, a historically Black neighborhood.
· On behalf of the Biden-Harris campaign, the Vice President thanked the leaders for their ongoing support. She said she looked forward to continuing to work with them in the months ahead to communicate the administration's record to Black voters and earn reelection this fall.