Vice Presidential Pool Reports of October 12, 2023

VP College Tour Pool Report #1 - Arrival

VP arrived in Las Vegas at 12:22 p.m.

VP Kamala Harris enters the theater at the College of Southern Nevada's North Las Vegas campus at 1:09 p.m. to a standing ovation, cheers and the crackle of blue and white pom poms -- some of CSN's school colors.

She begins with a Q&A at 1:10 p.m.

"I love being with the leaders of our country," Harris said before questions begin.

VP College Tour Pool Report #2 - Youth Voting

Harris was asked a question by CSN's president of the Black Student Union regarding voting and encouraging people to vote.

She said that "voting is your way of determining who sits in those offices" and represents the people. The years following the COVID pandemic saw some of the highest youth voting numbers, according to Harris.

Harris said there are "powerful forces in our country" that are making it harder for people to vote. Mentioned Georgia law preventing people from giving water to people in election lines.

Early voting also came up, with Harris defending people who have multiple jobs and need early voting.

"Don't ever let anybody silence you, and understand when people are trying," Harris said.

VP College Tour Pool Report #3 - Gun Violence

The 1 October shooting was brought up in mention with Biden administration's gun violence prevention.

Harris said that "it's not rocket science what they need to do." Mentioned the need for assault weapon ban, background checks.

Asked the audience who had been involved in an active shooter drill, and most of the room raised their hands.

"This is real, and again I say to the young leaders here, it doesn't have to be this way," Harris said.

Also made an "official call to action as Vice President" urging students to enter the mental health profession, saying younger generations have the courage to talk about mental health.

VP College Tour Pool Report #4 - Reproductive Rights

Harris was later asked about reproductive rights and the moves being made to strip women of these in certain states.

"One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held faiths to agree that the government should not be telling her what to do to her body," Harris said of women seeking an abortion.

She explained that people are "silently suffering" in this country, especially in states where laws are not making exceptions for rape or incest.

Said that "extremists" do not have the right to decide what happens to women's bodies and that it is immoral. Also mentioned that it impacts low-income women, who may not be able to seek care in neighboring states due to costs.

Said Joe Biden will sign the bill to put Roe v. Wade back into law when the bill hits his desk.

"And, again, elections matter," Harris continued to emphasize.

VP College Tour Pool Report #5 - LGBTQ+ Rights

Mentioned Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law, saying laws are criminalizing LGBTQ+ people for "just being themselves." Believes LGBTQ+ teachers shouldn't have to worry about losing their jobs just for putting up a picture of their spouse.

"Nobody should be made to fight alone, especially when they are fighting for their right to just be," Harris said.

Called it a "civil rights issue as much as it is a human rights issues."

The majority of her remarks received loud applause, and shouts of agreement from the audience.

Harris then went on to talk about the need for communal efforts to ban together and oppose forces attempting to divide people.

Some quotes:
• "The antidote that we have to that is know how much we have in common and build coalition and build community."
• "Our unity is our strength, our diversity is our power there is no question about it it is the truth, period."

VP College Tour Pool Report #6 - Accomplishments and DEI

Highlighted them capping cost of insulin to $35 a month for seniors, which drew more applause and cheers.

Mentioned student loan forgiveness and said they're still fighting.

Began speaking on Las Vegas' weather, and the low water levels at Lake Mead, connecting both to climate change.

Said that she's "very excited" about the work Biden administration is doing, including them heading towards investing $1 trillion in addressing climate crisis around adaptation and resilience and investing in a clean economy.

Acknowledged that climate change impacts certain communities more than others.

"Stop the denial, of which there was a whole lot," Harris said.

Also brought up environmental justice, saying we need to have conversations on that. Some of the people in the country with poorest air quality are low-income communities and communities of color.

"The environmental justice piece of this is very important," Harris said.

Some other quotes:
• "There are some forces in our country that say it is a bad thing to talk about DEI," Harris said of people opposing talks about diversity, equity and inclusion.
• "We have to fight against this because it will lead to very bad outcomes and I say that because it is very clear diversity actually makes us stronger," she said on fighting against people who want to stop company DEI initiatives and similar efforts.

VP College Tour Pool Report #7 - Departure

VP Harris left the stage at 2:02 pm to a standing ovation with more cheers in support.

VP College Tour Pool Report #1 - Culinary Union
[APP Note: The reporter appears to have restarted the numbering sequence beginning with this second event in Las Vegas.]

VP arrives to Culinary Union Headquarters at 3:16 pm and meets with union members and executives.

VP College Tour Pool Report #2 - Culinary Stop and Departure

VP Harris visited the Culinary Union Local 226 headquarters and spoke with members, many of whom are picketing today on the Las Vegas Strip amidst contract negotiations with companies like MGM Resorts International.

She called culinary workers the "true champions for working people" and thanked them for "standing up for working people."

Harris departed Las Vegas at 4:04 p.m.