Vice Presidential Pool Reports of December 5, 2024

VP Supplemental Pool #1 - NBCSL Conference

I'm your pooler for VP Kamala Harris' afternoon visit at the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL)'s 48th Annual Legislative Conference.

Pool arrived at The Capital Hilton at 1:27 p.m. and were brought into a ballroom at 1:55 p.m. with more than two dozen dining tables with guests seated.

As the pool was brought in, Stacey Abrams was on the stage moderating a panel discussing policy opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

Harris entered at 2:08 to rousing applause with one person shouting, "I love you."

The VP said she wanted to drop in to thank the Black state legislators for their work and support.

She expressed that it was important to "celebrate our blessings and .. the blessings we've yet to create."

Harris said the leaders on the ground are doing the work to lift people up.

"Your work benefits people that, for the most part, may never know your name … people you may never meet.

"Yours is the work that is a response to a calling to serve and calling to sacrifice to work long hours to work long days, to meet the needs of the people."

She said next year will be "an important year" and emphasized to the state legislators will likely do the most with "little resources."

"We have taken on the work of building community and coalition … let's stay committed to that," Harris added.

She repeated her usual saying on the campaign that "hard work is good work," adding, "We will do it with joy in our hearts."

VP Harris spoke for less than five minutes, wrapping her remarks at 2:13 p.m. As she exited the ballroom, a crowd of guests gathered around her, presumably taking photos. There was applause and whistling as she walked out.

On Background from a White House Official:

This afternoon, Vice President Harris will make a surprise stop at the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) 48th Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, DC.

The conference gathers over 300 African American state legislators, policymakers, and community leaders from across the nation. The Vice President will thank them for their critical work to address pressing issues impacting Black communities.

Throughout her career, the Vice President has worked closely with NBCSL members to advance key issues and legislation that affect communities across the country, including on healthcare, housing, investing in small businesses, and addressing gun violence. As Vice President, she continued to work with NBCSL members:

• In April 2023, the Vice President met with Tennessee state legislators in Nashville, TN, where she also met with and recognized the "Tennessee Three," including NBCSL members Rep. Justin Jones and Rep. Justin Pearson.
• In February 2022, the Vice President met with the National Black Caucus of State Legislators in her Ceremonial Office to discuss voting rights and other key issues.
• Many NBCSL members joined the Vice President's convenings of state legislators to discuss the fight for reproductive rights following the Dobbs decision.

That's all folks!