Vice Presidential Pool Reports of March 14, 2024

VP Supplemental Pool report #1

Vice President Harris touched down at JBA on Marine Two at 10:40 am.

The VP waved to the pool under the wing but did not come over to chat.

She boarded AF2 at 10:45 am.

We are heading to Minnesota, where the VP will visit an abortion and reproductive health care clinic in the Twin Cities. It is believed to be the first trip to an abortion clinic by a president or vice president. The visit is part of the VP's nationwide "Fight for Reproductive Freedoms" tour, a White House initiative.

Later in the day, she will participate in a campaign event in Saint Paul.

We were wheels up to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport at 10:56 am.

The following is from the WH:

On Background From a White House Official:

Today, Vice President Kamala Harris is traveling to the Twin Citiesin Minnesota to continue her nationwide "Fight for Reproductive Freedoms" tour. During the sixth stop of her tour, the Vice President will visit a health center that provides a range of reproductive care including abortion, birth control, and preventative wellness services.

While at the health center, Vice President Harris will walk through the facility with the clinic provider, speak with staff, and hear how Minnesota has been impacted by extreme abortion bans in other states that threaten women's health, force them to travel out of state to receive care, and criminalize doctors. She will also reject proposals to enact a national abortion ban, outline how the Biden-Harris Administration has worked to safeguard reproductive freedoms, and highlight how advocates and elected leaders in states like Minnesota have worked to protect reproductive rights since the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

This visit to a health center is part of the Vice President's five-state swing (AZ, NV, CA, CO, MN) after President Biden's State of the Union address. During his speech on Thursday night, the President thanked her "for being an incredible leader defending reproductive freedom and so much more." Minnesota is the 15th state that she has traveled to in 2024, and this trip is her third visit to the state since being sworn in. Vice President Harris will be joined today by state and local leaders including Governor Tim Walz and U.S. Representative Betty McCollum.

The nationwide "Fight for Reproductive Freedoms" tour is a continuation of the Vice President's consistent leadership in the fight for reproductive rights. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe, she has held more than 80 convenings in 20 states while bringing together hundreds of elected officials, health care providers, faith leaders, students, and advocates who are on the frontlines of the fight for reproductive freedom.

Background on reproductive rights in Minnesota:

In 2022, voters across Minnesota elected a House majority, Senate majority, and Governor that have worked together to protect reproductive freedom. This includes enacting a statute that protects the "fundamental right to reproductive freedom" including abortion, contraception, maternity care, and fertility services. Minnesota also protects abortion under their state Constitution.

Additionally, Governor Walz signed legislation last year to repeal the state's 24-hour waiting period, extensive reporting requirements, and criminalization of abortion under some circumstances. He also signed legislation that prohibits agencies in Minnesota from assisting other states' investigations and prosecutions in connection with legal abortion services.

Despite the state's leadership on protecting women's reproductive freedoms, Minnesotans remain under threat by extremists who are proposing a national abortion ban and continuing to push for nationwide restrictions on medication abortion.

Background on the "Fight for Reproductive Freedoms" Tour:

The Vice President's nationwide tour kicked off with a speech in Waukesha County, WI on Jan. 22 – 51 years to the day that Roe was decided. The tour continued with a moderated conversation in San Jose, CA on Jan. 29, a speech in Savannah, GA on Feb. 6, a roundtable discussion in Grand Rapids, MI on Feb. 22, and a speech in Phoenix, AZ on March 8. The Vice President is visiting states that are experiencing chaos and confusion after Roe was overturned, states where women's reproductive freedom is being protected, and states with extreme abortion bans that are threatening the lives, health, and wellbeing of women.

During each stop on her tour, Vice President Harris is holding extremists accountable for proposing a national abortion ban, highlighting the harm caused by extreme abortion bans, calling on Congress to restore the protections of Roe v. Wade, outlining steps the Administration is taking to protect reproductive rights, and urging attendees to continue using their voices and stay engaged in the fight for fundamental freedoms.

Last year, Vice President Harris also embarked on a "Fight for Our Freedoms" college tour in which she traveled to eight states, mobilized more than 15,000 students, and took questions directly from young leaders on a range of issues including reproductive freedom.

Additional background on the Vice President's leadership on reproductive rights:

• She has convened hundreds of state legislators from more than 40 states since the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision
• As part of the Administration's Task Force on Reproductive Health Care Access, she brought together Cabinet Secretaries across the government to implement the government's response to the Dobbs decision
• Share traveled to Tallahassee, Florida to markthe 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade in January 2023
• She traveled to North Carolina and Texas to mark one-year since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade
• She also traveled to Iowa to hold two conversations about the state's extreme abortion ban
• On the anniversary of Roe in January 2023, the Vice President also elevated patients and providers' stories to spread the word about the harmful impact of these extreme bans
• In June, the Vice President sat down with an OB-GYN in Missouri to discuss the impact of abortion restrictions
• In November 2023, the Vice President metwith an abortion rights advocate in Texas as she continues to uplift the young leaders who are on the frontlines of this fight

Additional background on the Vice President's longstanding leadership on fighting to protect women and girls:

• Vice President Harris has led on issues related to protecting the wellbeing of women and girls since before she was elected as District Attorney of San Francisco. Prior to becoming DA, she specialized in prosecuting crimes against women and children and later, as chief of the Division on Children and Families at the San Francisco City Attorney's Office, she continued prosecuting cases against domestic violence perpetrators, child abusers, and sex traffickers.
• As District Attorney, she sponsored a bill putting the crime of human trafficking into the state criminal code.
• As Attorney General, she continued to lead on efforts to combat human trafficking, reduce sexual violence, and seek justice for sexual assault victims. In her first year in office, she eliminated a longstanding backlog of untested rape kits in state-run labs.
• As a U.S. Senator, she introduced several bills that were targeted at addressing racial disparities in maternal mortality. This includes the Maternal CARE Act and the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act.

VP Supplemental Pool report #1a

On Background From a White House Official:

Upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews, the Vice President was greeted by Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN-04)

VP Supplemental Pool Report #2 — Arrival in Minneapolis

AF2 touched down at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport at 12:12 pm local time.

Among those greeting VP Harris as she stepped off the plane at 12:27 pm were Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota and AG Keith Ellison.

The motorcade departed at 12:33 pm for the VP’s historic visit to an abortion clinic in the Twin Cities.

Shortly before takeoff, VP Harris gaggled with the pool at the back of the plane in an off-the-record conversation that lasted roughly three and a half minutes.

She then reminded pool to buckle their seat belts as she said takeoff and landing on AF2could be bumpy, which turned out to be a prescient warning. We had no other visitors during the flight.

It is 52 degrees and relatively sunny here in Minneapolis, with a light wind.

On Background From a White House Official:
Upon arrival at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, the Vice President was greeted by

Gov. Tim Walz (D)
Attorney General Keith Ellison (D)
Secretary of State Steve Simon (D)
Mayor Melvin Carter III (D-St. Paul, MN)

VP Supplemental Pool Report #3 — Arrival at Clinjc

VP Harris arrived at a Planned Parenthood clinic on Vandalia Street in Saint Paul at 12:51 pm local time for her historic visit.

She was accompanied by Gov. Walz and Rep. McCollum, among others.

About two dozen anti-abortion protesters stood in the street outside holding signs that read "Planned Parenthood = Abortion" and "Abortion is not healthcare."

Inside, VP Harris was greeted by the chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood North Central States, Dr. Sarah Traxler. The name of the clinic is the St. Paul Health Center - Vandalia.

She then embarked on a tour of the clinic at 12:59 pm, which was closed press. The clinic has remained open for the visit and patients are being treated.

Pool is holding in the lobby. The VP is expected to deliver remarks to the press in the lobby after her tour. I will record those remarks.

In the lobby was a map of Minnesota and the surrounding states that showed the location of Planned Parenthood clinics in the region. Minnesota had by far the most, with a few in Iowa. Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota were almost bare. (Photo attached)

On the drive from the airport to the clinic, pool noticed a building off the highway that bore a sign demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, a reminder that uncommitted received 19 percent of the vote in last week's Minnesota Democratic primary.

VP Supplemental Pool Report #4 - Recording of VP Harris remarks

VP Harris addressed the media after her tour of the Planned Parenthood clinic in Saint Paul. The tour lasted about 20 minutes. She also took questions.

Here are recordings of her remarks: https://app.trint.com/public/8e5be3f0-293b-4d71-8cc1-be8295a219ee

A recording of the q&a: https://app.trint.com/public/0150d4cf-0c55-4881-95d9-7d5c5be9ef14

And Dr. Sarah Traxler: https://app.trint.com/public/08d5bc96-9008-4024-8be7-7899b261bf12

Please let me know if you have any issues accessing the recordings.

Notable quotes from VP and others who spoke coming shortly, as well as a more fulsome description.

We are on our way to a campaign event now.

VP Supplemental Pool Report #5 — Harris remarks

Harris was flanked by Gov. Walz, Rep. McCollum, Mayor Carter, Dr. Traxler and several healthcare providers at the clinic.

She described the lack of access to abortion care as a "health care crisis," called Republicans limiting access to that care "extremists" and said laws banning abortion were "immoral."

Some quotes

"So, many of you have asked, why am I here at this at this facility. And I will tell you it is because right now in our country, we are facing a very serious health crisis. And the crisis is affecting many, many people in our country, most of whom are, frankly, silently suffering after the United States Supreme Court took a constitutional right that has been recognized from the people of America."

"In states around our country, Extremists have proposed and passed laws that have denied women access to reproductive health care."

"So I'm here at this health care clinic to uplift the work that is happening in Minnesota as an example of what true leadership looks like, which is to understand it is only right and fair that people have access to the health care they need, and that they have access to health care in an environment where they are treated with dignity and respect."

"So everyone get ready for the language: uterus. That part of the body needs a lot of medical care from time to time issues like fibroids. We can handle this. Breast cancer screenings, contraceptive care. That is the kind of work that happens here, in addition of course to abortion care."

In the Q&A, she described her tour:

"Well, what I saw were, I don't know, maybe two dozen health care workers who really care, really care about their patients and who understand that in the health care delivery system, regardless of your gender or your health care needs."

"And walking through this clinic, that's what I saw, are people who have dedicated their lives to the profession of providing health care in a safe place that gives people dignity. And I think we should all want that for each other."

VP Supplemental Pool Report #6 - campaign event

VP Harris addressed a crowd of more than 100 supporters at the Coven, a co-working space in Saint Paul, starting at 2:38 pm local time. The event was a rally for the campaign's Women For Biden-Harris initiative.

Harris praised what Democrats in Minnesota have accomplished with control of all three branches of state government, seeming to hint at her hopes for the national elections in November

"So the victory that you all have wanted to, particularly in the state House, have once again demonstrated to our nation just how much progress a Democratic trifecta can make."

Harris extolled the accomplishments of the administration, including forgiving student loan debt, investments made in women entrepreneurs and small business owners, and limiting prescription drug costs for seniors.

She also talked about efforts to increase postpartum medical care for women. Her remarks lasted roughly 17 minutes.

Full recording of her remarks here:
https://app.trint.com/public/681aa85f-3a12-48fb-b6f6-c64f7c439e3e

Standing off to the side in the audience, Gov. Walz led the crowd in a chant of "four more years" after she finished.

Hanging on the walls were colorful paintings and signs with positive messages like "You are magic."

A few blocks away, the pool saw a group of protesters as we entered the building. Their chants were not audible but one member of the group was holding a large Palestinian flag on a flagpole.

VP Supplemental Pool Report #6a - from the campaign

On Background From a Biden-Harris Campaign Official:

During today’s trip to the Twin Cities, Vice President Kamala Harris delivered remarks at a Women for Biden-Harris campaign event. She was introduced by Janett Jimenez, a fellow at the Women’s Foundation. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN), Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Minnesota State Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten, Financial Secretary of IBEW 292 Jennifer Mudge, and CEO of The Coven St. Paul Alex West Steinmanalso spoke.

Vice President Harris and First Lady Jill Biden launched the Women for Biden-Harris coalition earlier this month. The First Lady then embarked on a Women for Biden-Harris tour to key battleground states that included stops in Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, and Wisconsin. Women for Biden-Harris is an organizing program that spans all 50 states, and aims to reach, mobilize, and engage with women across the country.

VP Supplemental Pool Report #7 - Stop at a softball practice

VP Harris surprised the girl's softball team at Central High School in Saint Paul with a visit at around 3:20 pm, leading to a chorus of "oh my gods" and general excitement from players as they gradually realized who had just walked in. The meeting took place in the school's gymnasium where the team was practicing.

The VP briefly addressed the team, which had circled up around her, telling then that "you guys are the reason that I do what I do." She then watched them do short-range, ground ball drills. At one point, she shagged a grounder that rolled astray.

"I'm really impressed," she exclaimed twice.

One young woman wearing a crimson Harvard sweatshirt exchanged a high-five with the VP, then looked down at her hand in seeming amazement, mouth agape.

Central High is the Alma mater of Mayor Carter, who joined the visit, along with Gov. Walz and Rep. McCollum.

The motorcade began rolling back to the airport at 3:44 pm for our return flight to JBA.

VP Supplemental Pool Report #7a— background from the WH

On Background From a White House Official:

During today's trip to the Twin Cities, Vice President Kamala Harris surprised the Saint Paul Central High School varsity and junior varsity softball teams at their pre-season practice. While visiting with the teams, the Vice President highlighted how student athletes across the country are leaders and role models on and off the field. She also emphasized the importance of women's sports, encouraged the athletes to continue leading in their communities, and wished them luck on their upcoming season. She was joined by the teams' coaches, the school's principal, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, U.S. Representative Betty McCollum, and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter.

Today's visit with the varsity and junior varsity softball teams is a continuation of the Vice President's efforts to uplift student athletes and other young leaders throughout America.

• While in Columbia, SC earlier this year, she visited Colonial Life Arena to speak with the University of South Carolina and University of Kentucky women's basketball teams. During these meetings with the Gamecocks and Wildcats, she also honored Coach Dawn Staley for her leadership and accomplishments.

• In December, Vice President Harris traveled to Atlanta, GA to attend the Cricket Celebration Bowl, an annual national championship football game celebrating Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The 2023 Celebration Bowl featured the Vice President's alma mater, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions Howard University and Southwestern Athletic Conference champions Florida A&M University. During the game, she also stopped by the ESPN booth to chatwith Jay Walker and Tiffany Greene about her experience at Howard and the importance of celebrating HBCUs.

• In the fall, she embarked on a nationwide "Fight for Our Freedoms" college tour in which shetraveled to eight states, mobilized more than 15,000 students, and took questions directly from young leaders on a range of issues.

VP Supplemental Pool Report #8 — Arrival at JBA

AF2 landed back at JBA at 7:23 pm after a busy day in the Twin Cities.

As the pool waited under the wing for the VP, we observed AF1 touch down with POTUS aboard. Two ships in the night.

The VP did not talk to the pool as she left the plane.

At 7:44 pm, Marine Two took off with the VP aboard.

Have a good night, all.

Per the WH, greeting the VP on arrival was Major Nicholas Konishi.