Vice Presidential Pool Reports of January 15, 2025

VP Supplemental #1 - VP attending MLK breakfast

Good morning from the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., where Vice President Kamala Harris is dropping by to give remarks at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast, hosted by Rev. Al Sharpton, Martin Luther King III, and his wife Arndrea King. Today is MLK's birthday, though the federal holiday in his name is observed on Monday, Jan. 20.

The Vice President's remarks at 10:00AM ET will be live-streamed HERE

Prior to her remarks, House Minority Leader Congressman Hakeem Jeffries was presented with an award by Sharpton's National Action Network. Both Jeffries and Sharpton derided conservative attacks on DEI. Jeffries called diversity with and inclusion "American values," adding, "We will not back away from them."

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, the new chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, also received and award and gave remarks.

Other attendees included Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, Congressman Al Green, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, former RNC chairman and MSNBC host Michael Steele.

On Background from a White House Official:

This morning, Vice President Harris will make a surprise stop at the Martin Luther King Day Legislative Breakfast hosted by the National Action Network (NAN) at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. This event hosted by Reverend Al Sharpton, gathers elected officials, civil rights leaders, and community advocates from across the nation to reflect on Dr. King's enduring legacy and discuss strategies to combat the ongoing attacks on civil and social justice causes, such as voting rights. The Vice President's remarks at 10:00AM ET will be live-streamed HERE

The Vice President's remarks will honor the continued impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy. She will also thank the leadership and members of NAN for their tireless work, while emphasizing the importance of sustained civic engagement for the purpose of preserving and expanding fundamental freedoms for future generations of Americans.

Throughout her career, the Vice President has worked closely with civil rights leaders and organizations to advance key issues and legislation that affect communities across the country, including on healthcare, housing, investing in small businesses, and addressing gun violence.

As Vice President, she continued to work with national and international civil rights organizations to reaffirm the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to equity, economic justice, and the protection of civil and human rights.

Over the last four years, she has spoken at several convenings of civil rights organizations, including the NAACP, the Urban League, NALEO, UnidosUS, and Indian American Impact. She has also convened leaders around critical issues—some of these engagements include:

• February 27, 2024, the Vice Presidentconvened leaders who are on the frontlines of protecting voting rights and registering communities to vote.

• July 21, 2023, the Vice President delivered aspeech in Jacksonville as she fought back against Florida's extremist attack on education standards for how Black history would be taught in schools.

• July 13, 2023, the Vice President convenedconsumer protection, labor, and civil rights leaders to discuss risks related to artificial intelligence (AI) and reaffirm the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to protecting the American public from harm and discrimination.

• April 7, 2023, the Vice President met with Tennessee state legislators in Nashville, TN, where she also met with and recognized the "Tennessee Three," including NBCSL members Rep. Justin Jones and Rep. Justin Pearson.

• November, 21, 2022, during a trip The Philippines, the Vice President met with Filipina Civil Society leaders and Human Rights Defenders in Manila. The Vice President underscored the United States' enduring commitment to human rights, democracy, and rule of law in the Philippines and around the world.

• September 12, 2022, Vice President convened civil rights and reproductive rights leaders at the White House to discuss coalition building between their organizations to protect reproductive health care and abortion access in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade in Dobbs.

VP Supplemental #2 - VP remarks

Following remarks by MLK III and Arndrea King, VP Harris entered the Mayflower ballroom at 10:09 a.m. to applause and standing ovation.

Harris praised Sharpton for carrying on MLK's legacy and lifting up communities that should be "seen and heard."

Harris spoke about the California fires and lifted Altadena, a historically Black neighborhood.

She connected fires to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina and Georgia. The VP said there must be more done to address "extreme weather events," adding "climate change is real," and called out insurance companies for canceling coverage homeowners. Harris also said these weather events are leading to "rampant discrimination."

VP Harris called the room an "extraordinary group of leaders" and said the "fight to uplift the people … and for freedom" must be fought for generations.

She said the definition of a winner is measured by the progress that is made and "the knowledge that it is an enduring fight and that we must be strong."

"We can never be defeated … our spirit can never be defeated."

"This is a group of winners," she concluded.

Following her remarks, Sharpton called for a silent moment of prayer for the victims of the California wildfires. The room then broke out in song of the gospel song, "We Shall Overcome."

As Harris exited the room, some individuals yelled "Happy Founder's Day." Today is the anniversary of the founding of Harris' sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc: