Vice Presidential Pool Reports of July 31, 2024

VP travel pool #1 -- rolling to JBA

Vice President Harris' motorcade is rolling from the White House to Joint Base Andrews at 2:12 p.m.

Pool did not see the VP get into her SUV.

We are headed on an overnight to Houston. Harris is scheduled to speak today at a political event, and atSigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.'s 60th International Biennial Boule. Tomorrow VP will deliver a eulogy at a service for the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee.

VP travel pool #2 — JBA arrival/OTR, wheels up soon

The motorcade arrived at JBA at 2:36 p.m. after an uneventful ride.

VP Harris got out of her SUV and waved to the pool on her way up the stairs.

VP came back to the press cabin for a five-minute OTR.

We will be wheels up shortly for Houston.

VP travel pool #3 — Houston arrival

Air Force Two landed at George Bush Intercontinental at 4:29 p.m.

Vice President Harris disembarked at 4:47 p.m., walked down the stairs and stopped to greet several elected officials on the tarmac. (Note on greeters below).

Harris got into her SUV and pool loaded into the press van.

Motorcade is rolling at 4:54 p.m. to a political event in Houston.

From the White House:

Houston Greeters:

- Representative Al Green (TX-09)
- Representative Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07)
- Representative Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)
- Judge Lina Hidalgo, Harris County
- Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Harris County, TX
- Mayor John Whitmire, City of Houston
- Judge KP George, Fort Bend County

VP travel pool #4 — fundraiser arrival

The motorcade arrived at a hotel in downtown Houston at 5:28 p.m. following a 35-minute ride.

A smattering of people lined the route into downtown taking pictures of the motorcade.

Pool is now holding in a room ahead of the VP's remarks.

On background from a Harris campaign official:

The Vice President is attending a Harris Victory Fund event.

Speaking Program
Sima Ladjevardian
The Vice President

Additionally, the Harris campaign provided this separate note, attributable to a campaign official:

The event was put together in four days and raised $2.5 million, exceeding its $1 million goal. Reps. Al Green, Lina Hidalgo, and Lizzie Fletcher will be in attendance.

VP travel pool #5 — Harris remarks underway

Pool was brought into a ballroom at the hotel at 6:06 p.m.

A crowd of supporters is seated before a raised platform with a lectern and two Texas and U.S. flags. There appear to be roughly 200-300 people in attendance.

Sima Ladjevardian, chair of the National Women's Business Council, gave a brief introduction for Harris.

VP walked on stage at 6:19 p.m. as Beyoncé played in the background and received a standing ovation.

Your pooler will follow with a note on VP's speech.

(The previous pool note was misnumbered. It was listed as #5, but should have been #4. Apologies for the mistake).

VP travel pool #6 — fundraiser quotes/rolling

Harris spoke for 17 minutes and concluded her remarks at 6:36 p.m. Some highlights:

Harris spoke at the top briefly about the recovery efforts from Hurricane Beryl, then turned to the election.

"We are not fighting against something. We are fighting for something," Harris said. "We know how much is at stake."

Harris focused on former President Donald Trump.

As a prosecutor, "I took on perpetrators of all types" including "fraudsters" and "cheaters," Harris said. "I know Donald Trump's type."

Harris said the campaign was not about Democrats vs. Trump but about two different visions for the future of America. She ticked off several policy priorities around health care, the environment, and the economy, among other issues.

"Building up the middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency."

Harris criticized Project 2025 and turned back to Trump, saying he intends to give corporations tax breaks and end the Affordable Care Act.

"America has tried these failed policies before, but we are not going back," Harris said.

Harris spent some time talking about reproductive rights. One in three women in the U.S. live in a state with a "Trump abortion ban," she said.

If Trump wins, "he intends to pass a nationwide abortion ban," Harris said, adding "I will not let that happen."

Harris also criticized the Supreme Court's recent ruling on presidential immunity. "There will be no consequences" if Trump returns to the White House, she said.

She ended by noting there are 97 days left in the election.

"Let's level set. We are the underdogs in this race," Harris said. "We have hard work" to do.

Pool was ushered out of the room at 6:36 p.m. after Harris finished speaking.

We are now loaded back in the van and the motorcade is rolling at 6:42 p.m. to VP's next event.

VP travel pool #7 — holding for Sigma Gamma Rho boule

After a brief ride the motorcade arrived at the George R. Brown Convention Center at 6:46 p.m., for VP's speech at the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority's 60th International Biennial Boule.

The pool was taken into a large event space at the convention center. There is a crowd of several thousand in attendance, music playing on loudspeakers, and strobe lights going.

Harris will speak soon.

As a reminder, this event will be live-streamed by the White House. Follow along there.

From the White House:

Introducer:

Rasheeda S. Liberty, President of Sigma Gamma Rho

VP travel pool #8 — Harris speech starting

Harris took the stage at the Sigma Gamma Rho boule at 7:17 p.m.

The crowd gave her a standing ovation and remained on its feet until VP told everyone to take a seat. Harris remarks are underway.

Watch her speech on the White House site.

VP travel pool #9 — speech over/rolling

VP's speech ended at 7:31 p.m.

The motorcade is rolling at 7:36 p.m. to the RON.

VP travel pool #10 — RON arriva

The motorcade arrived at the RON at 7:40 p.m.

Pool did not see VP exit her SUV.

Have a good night,