Vice Presidential Pool Reports of July 25, 2024

VP Travel Pool 1 — headed to speech

Good morning. We are rolling pool did not see VP leave hotel or enter her vehicle

The VP is headed to an AFT event — details below — at the George R Brown Convention Center that is a very short drive from the RON

The event will be live-streamed

On Background From a White House Official:

Today, Vice President Harris is back in Houston, TX to deliver the keynote speech at the American Federation of Teachers' 88thnational convention. These remarks to educators from communities throughout the nation are a continuation of her consistent efforts to fight for workers across America, including as Chair of the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment. The visit is her second trip to Texas this month. The Vice President's 10:00 a.m. CT/11:00 a.m. ET keynote speech will be livestreamed atWhiteHouse.gov/Live.

Additional Background on the Vice President's Leadership on Uplifting Workers and Unions:

As the Chair of the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, Vice President Harris has consistently convened workers, labor leaders, and economic experts on a variety of issues impacting working families.

• Earlier this month, the Vice Presidentcelebrated that the Biden-Harris Administration has now approved $167 billion in student debt relief for nearly five million Americans across the nation. That includes nearly $70 billion in student debt for almost 950,000 public service workers – including educators, nurses, firefighters, and other public servants.

• Last month, she provided remarks at the Constitutional Convention of UNITE HERE, the nation's largest hospitality union. Prior to this, she also delivered the keynote speech at the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Quadrennial Convention in Philadelphia, PA. While speaking in front of thousands of members at each event, the Vice President highlighted how she and President Biden have delivered for working families and urged attendees to continue organizing in the fight for fundamental freedoms.

• In April, the Vice President joined SEIU and nursing home care workers in La Crosse, WI to make an announcementabout two final rules to establish minimum staffing requirements for federally funded nursing homes, and help raise pay for home and community-based service workers.

• In April, she was also in Philadelphia, PA to convene union members who had their student loans forgiven thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration's unprecedented actions to cancel student debt.

• In March, she traveled to Madison, WI to uplift a new Executive Order to expand registered apprenticeship programs while creating good-paying union jobs.

• In January, the Vice President traveled to Las Vegas, NV to meet with hospitality workers of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and congratulate them on their successful new contracts, which led to historic pay increases and workplace safety improvements. This followed an October visit in which she joined Local 226 members for their day of action organizing effort.

• In November, the Vice President traveled to a Pipefitters Local 537 training center in Boston, MA to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week by participating in a moderated conversation with members of registered apprenticeship programs.

• In the fall of 2023, Vice President Harrismet with members of an apprenticeship program at IBEW Local 743 in Reading, PA while on her nationwide Fight for Our Freedoms College Tour that engaged more than 15,000 students.

• Last August, she returned to Philadelphia, PA to announce actions to raise wage standards for more than one million construction workers across America.

• In June of 2023, she participated in a moderated conversation with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration's actions to invest in and protect American workers.

The Vice President has also traveled the country to engage with workers and labor leaders who are on the frontlines:

• In March, she visited Madison, WI tomeet with workers who are building the new Metro Transit satellite bus facility that will help put more electric busses on the roads of Wisconsin.

• In February, she visited a construction site in Pittsburgh, PA where union workers were replacing lead pipes.

• Last year, she visited St. Cloud, MN tomeet with workers and members of the Communications Workers of America who were going to help assemble electric vehicles.

• In January, she traveled to Tonopah, AZ to meet with IBEW workers who are helping to build a new transmission line that will deliver clean energy to AZ and CA.

• In November, she also visited Boston, MA to hear from sheet metal workers who will undertake some of the work to make homes energy efficient thanks investments in the Inflation Reduction Act.

Additional Background on the Vice President's History on Fighting for Workers:

The Vice President's work on behalf of working people is nothing new. She relentlessly fought for workers as District Attorney, Attorney General, and a U.S. Senator. For example:

• As Attorney General of California, Vice President Harris took actions to expand community access to essential health care services and protect workers.

• As Senator, Vice President Harris co-sponsored the PRO Act and the Raise the Wage Act. She also partnered with the National Domestic Workers Alliance to introduce the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act.

VP Travel Pool 2 -- arrival

The motorcade arrived at the convention center at 9:30 local time, driving through persistent rain. Pool did not see the VP exit her vehicle. The convention hall is now observing a moment of silence for Sheila Jackson Lee. It's a cavernous room with press risers toward the back and three larges screens in front. No crowd count yet but it is not full. VP is scheduled to speak at 10 local time.

VP Travel Pool 3 -- speech beginning shortly

Randi Weingarten (AFT President) spoke before Brittany Shoup (Special Education Teacher from Pittsburgh, Federation of Teachers #400) who will introduce the Vice President.

"Are you ready to elect the next president of the United States?" Weingarten said, crediting Biden/Harris with the strongest economic recovery in our lifetime, restoring integrity to the WH and being pro- worker/pro labor.

"I told her earlier that her entry into this race has electrified this race," she said.

Before the speech began, people chanted "Kamala" "Harris" in a call and response fashion. Many also held up white AFT Kamala Harris placards.

A spokesperson for the AFT said there are 3,500 delegates registered for the conference and that the vast majority are at the speech.

VP Travel pool 4 -- speech -- Biden comments

VP, in a purple jacket, came in to loud and sustained cheers and a standing ovation, with many people waving white Kamala Harris AFT placards. Behind her were projected pictures of Harris in classrooms and with Weingarten.

Harris led with Biden praise...
"So last night, our President addressed the nation. And he showed once again what true leadership looks like."

"He thinks and talks about his work ...understanding what it means in terms of what we do now and how that will impact the future. He thinks about our history in the context of the importance of the work we do now and over the past three and a half years. And over his entire career, Joe has led with grace and strength, and bold vision and deep compassion."

VP travel pool 5 -- more speech and departure

Please check against the transcript.

Harris thanked the union for being the first to endorse her and talked about the inspiration of her first-grade teacher, Mrs Wilson.

"It is because of Mrs. Wilson and so many teachers like her that I stand for you as Vice President of the United States of America. And that I'm planning to become president of the United States of America," she said, drawing big applause.

"Project 2025" drew boos "Randi, can you believe they put that thing in writing?"

"A plan to return America to a dark past...failed trickle down economic policies...union busting...tax break for billionaires...to stop student loan forgiveness for teachers and other public services...they even want to eliminate the department of education and end head start" she said, drawing boos as she realed off policies.

"President Joe Biden and I promised to sign the PRO act into law and I promise I will keep that promise," she said, drawing applause.

"When unions are strong, America is strong."

"We want to ban assault weapons and they want to ban books."

"We are in a fight for our most fundamental freedoms and to this room of leaders I say: bring it on."

That prompted the crowd to chant "Bring it on."

"We believe in our country. We believe in its promise of freedom...so we are in the fight."
"as we all know, we each in our country faces a question that question being what kind of country do we want to live in?"

Pool now leaving and will move shortly toward the airport to return to DC.

VP Pool 6 — departure from Houston

The motorcade arrived at Ellington Airfield at 11:24 after a ride through rain-filled highways.

VP a walked out of her vehicle at 1127 carrying a large umbrella, saluted the greeters and then waved from atop the steps. Wheels up shortly.

VP Travel pool 7 — landing in JBA. Debate comments.

AF 2 touched down at 3:12. The flight was uneventful.

VP made a statement to the pool on debates but walked away before taking questions:

"You have been asking me about the debate and I'll tell you I'm ready to debate Donald Trump. I have agreed to the previously agreed upon September 10 debate. He agreed to that previously. Now, here he is backpedaling and I'm ready and I think the voters deserve to see the split screen that exists in this race on a debate stage and so I'm ready to go."

VP Travel pool 7a

To clarify, those comments came on the JBA tarmac under the wing. Please check rushed quote against audio. VP motorcaded toward the White House after her comment. Pool is now handing off for the Netanyahu meeting.

Hi all -- I'm pooling VP Harris' bilat with Israeli PM Netanyahu today. Pool is together and walking over to EEOB.

VP supplemental # 2 - two minute

[APP Note: No additional text was included in this report.]

The two leaders walked in, shook hands.

"Welcome Mr. prime minister. I look forward to our conversation."

Netanyahu responded but we could not hear.

The pool was ushered out quickly. We are being taken to a hold room.

Addendum to what the leaders said. Harris added "We have a lot to talk about."

Netanyahu said "We do indeed."

VP supplemental pool #5 -- OTR GUIDANCE

from the VP's team:

OFF THE RECORD:

"We anticipate that Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver on-camera comments to the pool following the conclusion of her meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. The Vice President's remarks will also be livestreamed at WhiteHouse.gov/Live

We anticipate that this will occur at approximately 5:55 p.m. ET.

For your reference, the TV pool is CNN and the radio pool is NPR."

Pool is back in ceremonial office. Harris is giving remarks after her meeting with PM Netanyahu. They will be Livestreamed.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

The VP walked out just before 6:20. And spoke for about six minutes.

She said she had a "frank" conversation with Netanyahu.

Said she has an unwavering commitment to Israel's right to defend itself but that how they do that "matters"

Harris also said that "everyone who has called for a ceasefire ... Who yearns for peace, I see you. Let's get this deal done."

The VP did not take answer a yelled question from pool. We are being escorted out. Again, it was Livestreamed so you will be able to find full remarks on the WH channels.