Vice Presidential Pool Reports of September 18, 2024

VP Pool #1: holding at CHCI event venue

Good morning,

Scripps News is your pool with Vice President Kamala Harris today.

Your pool arrived at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center via motorcade from the White House independent from the Vice President - we're told she will be arriving here separately and the first time we will see her is when she takes the stage.

After multiple additional security sweeps, we are now holding in a midsize room set up theater-style with a stage at the front. A lectern is positioned center in front of a large backdrop that reads: "CHCI Latino Excellence in Action." Attendees are beginning to trickle in as of 11:30am.

The Vice President's remarks to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's 47th Annual Leadership Conference are scheduled for 12:15pm and will be streamed live on http://whitehouse.gov/Live. I will pass along color and flag any newsy quotes.

VP Pool #2: 2 min to event

VP Harris arrived at the Reagan Building at 12:10pm, her office said - we did not have eyes on her arrival.

2 min warning to the start of the event given at 12:39pm.

VP Pool #3: event underway / Harris takes the stage

The CHCI event began at 12:44pm with very brief remarks from CHCI President and CEO Marco Davis. Davis welcomed attendees and promptly ceded the stage to Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY). He highlighted Hispanic Heritage Month, speaking to the "growing influence" of the Latino community across the nation. Espaillat introduced Harris as a leader and "relentless advocate" for the Latino community.

The Vice President took the stage at 12:48pm. Remarks ongoing.

VP Pool #4: CHCI remarks

Audience members rose to their feet for a brief standing ovation as the VP walked on stage. After thanking attendees and organizers, Harris started by speaking to her personal history. She described her mother as a "five-foot tall Brown woman with an accent," noting that despite the challenges she faced she "never lost her cool." Harris then detailed her background as a prosecutor in California.

"When I stand before you today, this is not just something that I decided to do but really is about a life-long career that has been about fighting for people," Harris said. "I have been proud to fight alongside the members and the leaders of this incredible caucus."

Harris pivoted to some of the recurring themes throughout her campaign: a "fight for the future," her push for an "opportunity economy," and what she described as the two campaigns' competing visions for the future. She highlighted specifically her proposal to give first-time homebuyers $25,000 in down payment assistance and desire to cap out-of-pocket prescription drug expenses at 2,000 per year for everyone, not just seniors. She warned that former President Trump wants to stop the Medicare prescription drug negotiations authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act, and spoke to her desire to expand the Child Tax Credit.

As Harris spoke, audience members watched intently and cheered intermittently. They were vocal when Harris spoke out about immigration:

"We can do both: create an earned pathway to citizenship and ensure our border is secure," she said. Harris spoke to Trump's plans to carry out mass deportations: "How will that happen?" she asked. "What are they talking about?"

During her standard remarks on reproductive access and so-called "Trump abortion bans," Harris noted that 40% of Latinos today now live in a state with such a ban. She mentioned the new reporting from ProPublica about a woman who died in Georgia after being denied timely abortion services.

Harris wrapped with her slogan, "when we fight, we win" at 1:08pm, after almost exactly 20 minutes As always, please check all quotes against tape. Pool now moving to vans now.

VP Pool #5: rolling back to WH without VP Harris

Shortly after Harris wrapped, the pool was escorted into the same van we arrived in. We held until 1:36pm before rolling back to the White House - again separate from VP Harris. We are told we will not have eyes on the VP again today.

For those interested, your pooler believes this is the virtual campaign event that the Vice President is scheduled to participate in at 3:45pm:
https://events.democrats.org/event/698345/

VP Pool #6: Lid

The Vice President's office called a lid at 1:53pm.

VP Pool #7: Background on youth organizing call and WIRED interview

Passing along the below points of background:

On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign
Vice President Harris is participating in a Harris-Walz campaign National Youth Organizing Call, alongside actress Chloe Grace Moretz and Tennessee State Representative Justin J. Pearson, where she will provide remarks

On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign
Vice President Harris taped a digital video interview with WIRED.

My note: video of the VP’s remarks to the campaign youth organizing call can be seen here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvabQ90I1pU

VP Pool #8: Lid lifted, holding outside DNC

Around 4pm, the VP's office informed your pool that the lid was lifted. Those who were able then scrambled to the Democratic National Committee headquarters where we are told the VP is taping the aforementioned WIRED interview as well as participating in "internal briefings with staff," per a White House official.

The pool is now holding outside the DNC on the sidewalk – we are told there still will be no coverage opportunities or even chances to shout questions as the VP departs, though your pooler will remain on site until another lid is called for the day.

VP Pool #9: Harris motorcade departs DNC

At 6:15pm, VP Harris' motorcade departed the DNC through a rear garage - we did not see her get into her vehicle or at all during our hold outside on the sidewalk. We're told the VP is headed back to her residence.

Also noting a White House official confirmed that, in addition to the WIRED interview and internal meetings with staff, the VP conducted her virtual remarks to the youth organizing call from the DNC as well.

I will flag once I get word from her office that she has arrived at the Naval Observatory and a (presumably final) lid is called.

VP Pool #10: Harris at VPR + Lid

Per the VP's office, the Vice President arrived at VPR at 6:31PM and a lid was subsequently called.

Have a nice rest of your night.