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Jennifer Klein, Director, White House Gender Policy Council

Under President Biden and Vice President Harris’s leadership, the Administration is taking bold action to expand coverage of contraception for the 52 million women of reproductive age with private health insurance, marking the most significant expansion of contraception benefits under the Affordable Care Act in more than a decade. Today’s announcement builds on the Biden-Harris Administration’s strong record of defending access to reproductive health care and commitment to ensuring that women have the freedom to make deeply personal health care decisions, including if and when to start or grow their family.

Meanwhile, Republican elected officials continue to threaten women’s health, lives, and freedom through extreme abortion bans, some with no exceptions for rape or incest. Women are being denied essential medical care while doctors and nurses are threatened with jail time. Abortion, contraception, and IVF are under attack, while Republicans in Congress refuse to protect nationwide access to this vital reproductive health care. This extreme agenda is out-of-touch with the American people—which is why voters have overwhelmingly chosen to protect reproductive freedom in every state where abortion has been on the ballot.
President Biden and Vice President Harris stand with the vast majority of Americans in supporting a woman’s right to choose, and they will continue the fight against a national abortion ban and call on Congress to restore the protections of Roe v. Wade in federal law once and for all.

Women’s Health and Lives at Risk
From day one, President Biden and Vice President Harris knew that state abortion bans would have devastating consequences for women’s health and lives. Since Roe was overturned, more than 1 in 3 women of reproductive age live in the more than 20 states with dangerous and extreme abortion bans in effect.

• Abortion bans are leaving women without emergency care. Courageous women and their families have shared harrowing stories about being denied urgently needed care because of state abortion bans. Women have died because they did not get the care they needed—or women only received care after developing sepsis or losing more than half of their blood. Some women are suing their states so other women with severe and dangerous pregnancy complications will not be similarly forced to the brink of death before they can receive an abortion.
  
• Abortion bans are worsening maternal mortality. States with abortion bans have higher rates of maternal mortality than states where abortion remains legal. For instance, after a dangerous Texas abortion ban went into effect in 2021, maternal mortality increased by 56% (compared to 11% nationwide). One year after Dobbs, two-thirds of OBGYNs reported that the Court’s decision worsened pregnancy-related mortality and their ability to manage pregnancy-related emergencies. And criminal and civil penalties under state abortion bans are causing doctors to flee abortion ban states, exacerbating the maternal health crisis and creating maternity care deserts that impact entire communities. 
  
• Abortion bans are making it even harder to access contraception and other essential care. Since Roe was overturned, abortion bans have caused dozens of reproductive health care clinics to shutter, jeopardizing access to abortion, contraception, and preventive care that women rely on. In states with abortion bans, there were over 4% fewer filled prescriptions for oral contraception in the first year after Roe was overturned. Some states had far greater declines: Texas, for instance, had a 28% decline in filled prescriptions for oral contraception.
  
• Abortion bans are forcing women to travel hundreds of miles for care. State abortion bans are forcing many women to travel to another state to obtain care that would have been available in their state if Roe were still the law of the land. Women in nearly a quarter of counties in America—especially in the South—have been forced to travel more than 200 miles to get the essential care they need.
  
• Abortion bans are jeopardizing our ability to train the next generation of medical providers. States with abortion bans continue to see a decrease in medical and residency student applications, especially among prospective OBGYNs. Nearly 60% of third- and fourth-year medical students said they were unlikely or very unlikely to apply to a single residency program in a state with abortion restrictions, while nearly 80% said that access to abortion care would influence where they would pursue their residency. And about 1 in 5 OBGYN residents said that the overturning of Roe changed where they had planned to practice medicine, and those who had planned to practice in a state with abortion bans were eight times more likely to change their intended practice location.

Republican Officials’ Extreme Agenda

Despite the devastating impact of state abortion bans, Republican officials continue to push for a nationwide abortion ban to restrict the rights of women in every state, deny access to emergency medical care, and eliminate access to safe and effective, FDA-approved medication abortion.

• Republicans in Congress have proposed four national abortion bans that would deny every woman in America the right to choose, regardless of where she lives. This includes a nationwide abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest that puts IVF treatment squarely at risk. House Republicans have also attacked contraception access nationwide by repeatedly proposing to defund the Title X Family Planning Program. And Senate Republicans continue to block federal legislation that would safeguard nationwide access to abortion, contraception, and IVF.
  
• Republican elected officials have enacted or enforced abortion bans in more than 20 states. Republican attorneys general have made clear they seek to access women’s medical records—even for out-of-state care—and have tried to discourage women from traveling out-of-state to receive lawful abortion care by threatening those who help them with criminal charges.
  
• Republican elected officials filed more than 350 bills restricting abortion during the 2024 legislative session. In Louisiana, Republican officials classified medications used in abortion and miscarriage management as controlled substances, making it even harder to access these critical medications during an emergency. In Florida, state officials are attempting to undermine support for a reproductive freedom ballot measure, including by threatening TV stations that run ads with criminal charges. And Republican state legislators are proposing legislation that would jeopardize access to IVF.
  
• Republican elected officials want to ban medication abortion nationwide, including in states where abortion remains lawful. They are also fighting to prevent women from receiving the emergency medical care they are entitled to under federal law— including abortion care when necessary to save a woman’s health or life.

No attempt to “rebrand” can change the fact that Republican elected officials have spent decades undermining reproductive freedom. Republican elected officials will not stop pursuing extreme policies until there is a national abortion ban in place.

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Divine Faith Ministries International
Jonesboro, Georgia

1:47 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, church.  (Applause.)  Good afternoon.  Good afternoon. 

Please have a seat.  Please have a seat.  I will be brief, but please have a seat. 

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  We’re not going back!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We are not going back.  No, we are not going back. 

Bishop Battle, I want to thank you for warmly receiving me and so many of us who — who joined you this afternoon — to thank you and the congregation and first lady for all the work that you are doing and for getting folks out to the polls today. 

I was — I’ve been in Georgia.  Today, I was — earlier, we were in fellowship and prayer with my pastor, who — who flew out from — from San Francisco, Reverend Dr. Amos C. Brown of Third Baptist Church in San Francisco.  We were all together this morning. 

And I have to say that I do know that we have all been raised in the church to understand “faith” is a verb.  (Laughs.)  It is about what we know and can believe, despite what we see, but it also is something that is going to manifest itself in our actions, our deeds, and our service. 

And I know everyone here today and this afternoon is committed to doing just that, and this is an afternoon that is about faith in action.

And, Pastor, I have to say, there is so much at stake right now.  And when we think about how we have learned and have understood and lived the knowledge that ours is a loving God, and that we understand that for us to do good works, it means to do it in the spirit of understanding that our strength is not based on who we beat down, as some would try and suggest.  Our strength is based on who we lift up. 

And that spirit is very much at stake in these next 16 days, which is: Are we a country that honors, through our faith and our deeds, the importance of kindness; of — of support; of understanding the dignity in each other, the respect that we should have for each other? 

You know, we know, in terms of the parable of the Good Samaritan, that we have learned and should live a life where in the face of a stranger, we see a neighbor.  But that’s not what we see on the other side of this oqua- — equation in this election.  It is constantly about berating people and belittling people and name-calling. 

And I think we of faith, we who believe in our country and love our country, know that we each as individuals and as a community have the power to make decisions through these next 16 days that will be about a statement about what kind of country do we want to live in and is ours a country where the people will speak their word — the power of the people will make the statement that ours is a country that, fueled by our faith, is about doing things that are focused on what’s in the best interest of our children, our families; giving people the resources they need around assistance; helping people pull out of poverty — those who want to work hard, who are working hard, but deserve to be seen and uplifted.  And these are the issues in this election.

I offer as an example — one of the things that I am very focused on is what we need to do to take care of our elders, right?  (Applause.)

So, as a point of personal experience, I will share with you.  When my mother was sick — she passed away from cancer.  And I know this is “Pink Sunday” for many of us.  We’re — we’re acknowledging what we knew t- — need to do to fight breast cancer.

So, my mother, she — she actually did research in breast cancer, okay?  And she was one of the very few who actually — a woman of color who was doing this work. 

But when my mother was sick, I took care of her.  And for anyone who has taken care of an elder in your family — a parent, a grandparent — you know what that is.  It’s about trying to cook something that they’ll feel like eating.  It’s about trying to give them the clothes that won’t irritate their skin, to — to help them to put on a sweater.  It’s about trying to figure out something you can say that brings a smile to their face or gives them a reason to laugh.  It’s about dignity.  It’s about dignity. 

So, part of how I think about what we need to do in the future of our country is really have policies that are about sharing and giving and recognizing dignity, which is why part of my plan is that instead of having you have to either leave your job to take care of an elder in your family or try to pull together the money to afford to bring somebody in or — worse yet — have to reduce all of your savings to qualify for Medicaid — I know what I’m talking about.  (Applause.) 

So, understanding it’s about dignity, part of my plan is that we are going to have Medicare co- — cover the cost of in-home health care for our seniors.  (Applause.)

And I could go on and on on the list of things that are about — from my perspective, and a lot of it my lived experience — about what kinds of policies a president of the United States should be leading and pushing that are rooted in recognizing the dignity in each one of us and the importance of lifting others up, especially those in need.  And as much as anything else, that’s what’s at stake in this election. 

And so, I thank you for all you are willing to do to continue to be leaders in this community, to get folks out to vote.  We have to remou- — we have to remind people the power they have, in spite of those that would try to diminish and make people feel powerless, in spite of those who would try and suggest that, “Oh, if you vote, nothing will happen.”  For sure, if you don’t vote, nothing will happen.  (Applause.)

I mean, recently, I was reminded: Jimmy Carter voted on his 100th birthday.  (Applause.)  Seems to me everybody can vote.  (Laughs.) 

But this work is so important because, in these next 16 days, with your help, I hope that we will continue to work on building back up community.  The church knows best how to do that.  Let’s build back up community. 

Let’s remind each other and perfect strangers we are all in this together.  We have so much more in common than what separates us. 

So, let’s reclaim that spirit for our country as we fight for the future, because we are not going back.  We are not going back.  (Applause.)

And my final point is to thank the great Stevie Wonder, because my — (applause) — you know, if one were to ever have a life dream — you know, people talk about a bucket list.  I think I have just checked off a whole big one — (laughter) — to have Stevie Wonder himself sing me “Happy Birthday.”  (Applause.)  (Laughs.)  So, I am truly blessed.

MR. WONDER:  Madam Vice President, I just want to — want to — if they can just say —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Oh.

MR. WONDER:  (Singing.)  People, keep on voting.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Keep on voting!  People — I’m not going to sing in here.  (Laughs.)

AUDIENCE:  (Singing.) People, keep on voting.

MR. WONDER: (Singing.)  ‘Til we reach the higher ground.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  ‘Til we reach the higher ground.  (Laughs.)

MR. WONDER:  Yes!

BISHOP BATTLE:  Amen.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  All right.  Bishop, I’m going to give you back the mic.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)

END                 1:55 P.M. EDT

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New Birth Baptist Church
Stonecrest, Georgia

10:46 A.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Good morning, church.  (Applause.)  Good morning, New Birth.  Good morning.  (Applause.)

Please — please have a seat.  Good morning.  Good morning, church.  (Applause.)

I’m so honored to be with you.  Thank you.  Thank you all.  (Applause.)  And everyone, good Sunday morning. 

Pastor —

AUDIENCE:  Happy birthday!  (Applause.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  (Laughs.)  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Okay, it’s Sunday morning.  It’s Sunday morning. 

And — and I — first of all, Pastor Bryant, I want to thank you.  You and I were reminiscing —

(The audience sings Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday”)

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you, thank you.  (Applause.)  (Laughs.)

     (The crowd continues singing.)

Oh, my goodness.  Thank you.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Oh, I’m so touched. 

Well, it is my great joy to celebrate my birthday with all of you here, and thank you for those warm and beautiful wishes.

Pastor Bryant, I thank you for your leadership.  You and I have discussed — we first met almost 20 years ago when there was a convening of rising stars in — in the country, and we had conversations back then about how we thought of our role and responsibility to our country and our responsibility and duty as leaders.  And it is so good to be with you this morning to celebrate what you have accomplished with this extraordinary congregation. 

And so, I’m honored to be here with everyone — (applause) — and thank you.  Thank you all, and please have a seat.  Please have a seat.  Thank you. 

So, before I begin, I will address the tragic incident that happened yesterday at Sapelo Island when a dock collapsed during what was to be a joyful celebration of history and culture.  And while we are still gathering information, we know that lives were lost and many were injured. 

And so, my heart, as I know for all of us, goes out to those who were impacted, and I thank all the first responders who acted so quickly.  And, of course, our administration has been in touch with state and local officials to offer any needed support.  And I know, on behalf of all of us here, that we pray for all of those who are affected.  (Applause.)

So, in times like this, we are reminded of the ties that bind us to each other and the importance of community — the importance of community.  And that is what I know New Birth church provides to so many people across Atlanta and beyond.

And so, Pastor Bryant, I thank you for your words and for your vision.  And in this election season, I also thank you for the time you have spent traveling our country to encourage people to register and to vote.  Because you know and we all know your parents, who gave so much and led such an honorable life, and — including, of course, among the leaders upon whose broad shoulders we stand — Congressman John Lewis — they — (applause) — they all knew, and by their example, they taught us that faith and good works go hand in hand. 

And that is especially true when it comes to protecting our sacred right to vote and getting souls to the polls, and I thank everyone for all you are doing in that regard. 

And I am truly honored to be in the presence of so many extraordinary leaders, including my pastor, Reverend Dr. Amos C. Brown of Third Baptist Church of San Francisco — (applause) — who you heard from earlier this morning — there he is, there he is — and whose wisdom, Dr. Brown, has guided me and just been a source of comfort and solace for me for so many years.

And I’m especially glad to be here on Pink Sunday.  (Applause.)  As some of you may know, my mother was a breast cancer researcher.  She was one of the very few women — and fewer even women of color — who was engaged in studying breast cancer.  And she had two goals in her life: to raise her two daughters — my sister Maya and me — and to end breast cancer.  It was her life’s work.  And so, today, of course, then has personal significance for me, just as I know it does for Pastor Bryant and — and so many of you here. 

And so, to everyone here today who knows what it means to support a loved one through a cancer diagnosis and treatment, and to those of you fighting your own battles, I am holding you close in my heart and in my prayers, and I thank you for your courage and your strength. 

So, all of this is to say it is so good to be here with everyone today and to worship with you.  And on this day, then, I am reminded, with everything that we reflect on, on the parable from the Gospel of Luke.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Preach!  (Applause.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, in the gospel, we are told of a man who traveled from the road from Jerusalem to Jericho.  And while traveling, he was attacked by robbers.  We remember he was beaten.  He was bloodied.  They left him for dead.  He was someone that should just be passed on by, maybe with a glance of pity but not more.

So, one person passed by, sees the man lying in his path, and walks around him, not wanting to be bothered or obstructed on the path that he decided to walk. 

A second man does the same. 

But then a Samaritan walks by.  He sees the man, and he stops.  The Samaritan bandages the stranger’s wounds, he brings him to an inn, gives him shelter and a hot meal, and he saves the man’s life. 

This parable, the parable of the Good Samaritan, teaches us to love thy neighbor as thyself.  (Applause.)

These words are simple.  We know them well.  It is an essential tenet and a pillar of our faith and that of so many others.  However, one must ask: Are all people of faith living those words?  Are all people of faith expressing those words in their actions?  Do we have leaders in place who understand that in the face of a stranger, one should see a neighbor?  (Applause.)

And I’ll tell you, I grew up in a church that took those words to heart.  As a little girl on Sundays, my sister Maya and I would go to 23rd Avenue Church of God in Oakland, California, where we sang in the children’s choir, we attended Sunday school, and where after church we would go to the basement and eat food prepared by loving hands — and where I first learned the teachings of the Bible. 

And my earliest memories of those teachings are about a loving God — a loving God — (applause) — a God who asks us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and to defend the rights of the poor and the needy.

And for me, like for so many of us, church is then a place of growth and belonging and community, a place where we are reminded of the incredible power of faith and followship — and fellowship.  And in moments of difficulty and uncertainty, when the way is not clear, it is our faith that then guides us forward — faith in what we often cannot see but we know to be true.  Faith in what we cannot see but know to be true. 

And I say that because in this moment, across our nation, what we do see are some who try to deepen division among us, spread hate, sow fear, and cause chaos.  There are those who suggest that the measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you beat down instead of what we know, which is the true measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you lift up.  (Applause.)

And this moment in our nation must be about so much more than partisan politics.  It must be about looking inward and being guided by our faith to know what brings hope and what is truly the best expression of our strength in the way that we reach out to each other with kindness and with love and with sincerity in that approach. 

This is a moment that is challenging us of faith to reflect on this moment in the context of our future.  We just applauded the young leaders who are here this morning, and I think so much of this moment in the context of them, our young leaders, and what they have a right to expect and what their faith teaches them, that gives them, rightly, a sense of hope about where they belong, who they are, and what they can be. 

And so, this is a moment that is challenging, I think, our fundamental values and challenging us as Americans and as people of faith.  And as the Good Samaritan reminds us, it is not enough to preach the values of compassion and respect.  We must live them.  (Applause.)

Faith is a verb.  Faith is a verb.  We show it in action, in our deeds and in our service.  Here in Georgia, we’ve seen it playing out in real time in just the last many weeks, where communities have come together in the wake of Hurricane Helene. 

Right here in the Atlanta area, I saw the story of a reporter who was outside covering the storm live on television when he heard some screams, he dropped everything and waded into chest-deep water to rescue a woman trapped in her car, carrying her on his back to safety. 

In a town a few hours from here, one mother and her children lost power for days.  And as soon as it was restored, they started a relief drive, distributing food, water, and supplies, and opened their home to neighbors in need of laundry or a hot shower. 

On a visit recently to Augusta, I met people who themselves had experienced extraordinary loss and devastation, many who did not have electricity or running water.  Yet, every day, they left their homes to go to relief centers to help perfect strangers. 

So, what we have seen here in Georgia and in other states is faith in action, individuals who know their power to shed light in a moment of darkness.

We have seen the Good Samaritans walking among us.  And for that reason, I say, as the scripture tells us, we then must remember that and not be weary.  Let us not be weary in moments like this.  Let us focus on what God shows us about the Good Samaritans walking among us to remind us of the power, the agency, the ability, and, dare I say, the duty that we have to come to another’s aid in moments of need, to love thy neighbor. 

 And what God is showing us is that any of us can do that, no matter who we are.  And I know — and I — and I learned this at a young age.  (Applause.)  And actually, I’ll share with you a quick story. 

So, during my final year of — of law school, I was a summer intern in the DA’s office in Oakland, California, and I was working in the superior courthouse.  And there was this one case that I got, and it was — it involved a drug bust.  And the police had arrested a number of people, including an innocent bystander — a woman who had been in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

And when I got the case, it was a late Friday afternoon, and most folks had gone home for the weekend, and I knew, in all likelihood, the judge would probably not see her case until that following Monday, which would have meant that she would have had to spend the whole weekend in jail. 

Now, this woman had children.  She is a mother.  She had children at home, and I wondered if they even knew that their mother had been arrested, who would take care of them if she could not.  Would Child Protective Services come and take those children?  Everything was on the line for that woman.

So, I rushed to the clerk of the court and asked them to have the case called that day.  And then, when that did not work, I pleaded with them.  Remember, I was not vice president.  I was an intern.  (Laughter.)  So, yes, I pleaded.

And finally, the judge returned to the bench and reviewed her case and, with a pound of his gavel, she was free to go home, and she would go home to see her children and take care of them.  (Applause.) 

And I never did get the chance to meet that woman, but I will never forget that moment.  And I share that story to say that we have all in our lives, from the earliest stages of our lives, had those moments where it has been revealed to us our power.  And we should never let anyone take our power from us — (applause) — or in any way try to convince us we are powerless. 

And so, I say, as we move forward, let us look at where we are and understand the lesson of the Gospel of Luke, because right now, each of us has an opportunity to make a difference.  In this moment, our country is at a crossroads and where we go from here is up to us as Americans and as people of faith. 

And now we ask a question.  We face this question.  What kind of country do we want to live in — a country of chaos, fear, and hate or a country of freedom, compassion, and justice?  (Applause.)

And the great thing about living in a democracy is that we, the people, have the power to answer that question.  So, let us answer not just through our words but through our action and with our votes. 

When we come across our brothers and sisters in need, let us, as the Good Samaritan did, see in the face of a stranger a neighbor.  And let us recognize that when we shine the light in moments of darkness, it will guide our feet into the path of peace. 

And let us remember that while weeping may endure for a night — (applause) — joy cometh in the morning.

Thank you.  May God bless you.  And may God bless the United States of America.  Thank you all very much.  (Applause.) 

 Thank you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

                             END                11:04 A.M. EDT

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Divine Faith Ministries International
Jonesboro, Georgia

1:47 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, church.  (Applause.)  Good afternoon.  Good afternoon. 

Please have a seat.  Please have a seat.  I will be brief, but please have a seat. 

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  We’re not going back!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We are not going back.  No, we are not going back. 

Bishop Battle, I want to thank you for warmly receiving me and so many of us who — who joined you this afternoon — to thank you and the congregation and first lady for all the work that you are doing and for getting folks out to the polls today. 

I was — I’ve been in Georgia.  Today, I was — earlier, we were in fellowship and prayer with my pastor, who — who flew out from — from San Francisco, Reverend Dr. Amos C. Brown of Third Baptist Church in San Francisco.  We were all together this morning. 

And I have to say that I do know that we have all been raised in the church to understand “faith” is a verb.  (Laughs.)  It is about what we know and can believe, despite what we see, but it also is something that is going to manifest itself in our actions, our deeds, and our service. 

And I know everyone here today and this afternoon is committed to doing just that, and this is an afternoon that is about faith in action.

And, Pastor, I have to say, there is so much at stake right now.  And when we think about how we have learned and have understood and lived the knowledge that ours is a loving God, and that we understand that for us to do good works, it means to do it in the spirit of understanding that our strength is not based on who we beat down, as some would try and suggest.  Our strength is based on who we lift up. 

And that spirit is very much at stake in these next 16 days, which is: Are we a country that honors, through our faith and our deeds, the importance of kindness; of — of support; of understanding the dignity in each other, the respect that we should have for each other? 

You know, we know, in terms of the parable of the Good Samaritan, that we have learned and should live a life where in the face of a stranger, we see a neighbor.  But that’s not what we see on the other side of this oqua- — equation in this election.  It is constantly about berating people and belittling people and name-calling. 

And I think we of faith, we who believe in our country and love our country, know that we each as individuals and as a community have the power to make decisions through these next 16 days that will be about a statement about what kind of country do we want to live in and is ours a country where the people will speak their word — the power of the people will make the statement that ours is a country that, fueled by our faith, is about doing things that are focused on what’s in the best interest of our children, our families; giving people the resources they need around assistance; helping people pull out of poverty — those who want to work hard, who are working hard, but deserve to be seen and uplifted.  And these are the issues in this election.

I offer as an example — one of the things that I am very focused on is what we need to do to take care of our elders, right?  (Applause.)

So, as a point of personal experience, I will share with you.  When my mother was sick — she passed away from cancer.  And I know this is “Pink Sunday” for many of us.  We’re — we’re acknowledging what we knew t- — need to do to fight breast cancer.

So, my mother, she — she actually did research in breast cancer, okay?  And she was one of the very few who actually — a woman of color who was doing this work. 

But when my mother was sick, I took care of her.  And for anyone who has taken care of an elder in your family — a parent, a grandparent — you know what that is.  It’s about trying to cook something that they’ll feel like eating.  It’s about trying to give them the clothes that won’t irritate their skin, to — to help them to put on a sweater.  It’s about trying to figure out something you can say that brings a smile to their face or gives them a reason to laugh.  It’s about dignity.  It’s about dignity. 

So, part of how I think about what we need to do in the future of our country is really have policies that are about sharing and giving and recognizing dignity, which is why part of my plan is that instead of having you have to either leave your job to take care of an elder in your family or try to pull together the money to afford to bring somebody in or — worse yet — have to reduce all of your savings to qualify for Medicaid — I know what I’m talking about.  (Applause.) 

So, understanding it’s about dignity, part of my plan is that we are going to have Medicare co- — cover the cost of in-home health care for our seniors.  (Applause.)

And I could go on and on on the list of things that are about — from my perspective, and a lot of it my lived experience — about what kinds of policies a president of the United States should be leading and pushing that are rooted in recognizing the dignity in each one of us and the importance of lifting others up, especially those in need.  And as much as anything else, that’s what’s at stake in this election. 

And so, I thank you for all you are willing to do to continue to be leaders in this community, to get folks out to vote.  We have to remou- — we have to remind people the power they have, in spite of those that would try to diminish and make people feel powerless, in spite of those who would try and suggest that, “Oh, if you vote, nothing will happen.”  For sure, if you don’t vote, nothing will happen.  (Applause.)

I mean, recently, I was reminded: Jimmy Carter voted on his 100th birthday.  (Applause.)  Seems to me everybody can vote.  (Laughs.) 

But this work is so important because, in these next 16 days, with your help, I hope that we will continue to work on building back up community.  The church knows best how to do that.  Let’s build back up community. 

Let’s remind each other and perfect strangers we are all in this together.  We have so much more in common than what separates us. 

So, let’s reclaim that spirit for our country as we fight for the future, because we are not going back.  We are not going back.  (Applause.)

And my final point is to thank the great Stevie Wonder, because my — (applause) — you know, if one were to ever have a life dream — you know, people talk about a bucket list.  I think I have just checked off a whole big one — (laughter) — to have Stevie Wonder himself sing me “Happy Birthday.”  (Applause.)  (Laughs.)  So, I am truly blessed.

MR. WONDER:  Madam Vice President, I just want to — want to — if they can just say —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Oh.

MR. WONDER:  (Singing.)  People, keep on voting.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Keep on voting!  People — I’m not going to sing in here.  (Laughs.)

AUDIENCE:  (Singing.) People, keep on voting.

MR. WONDER: (Singing.)  ‘Til we reach the higher ground.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  ‘Til we reach the higher ground.  (Laughs.)

MR. WONDER:  Yes!

BISHOP BATTLE:  Amen.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  All right.  Bishop, I’m going to give you back the mic.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)

END                 1:55 P.M. EDT

The post Remarks by Vice President Harris at an Early Vote Event | Jonesboro, GA appeared first on The White House.

New Birth Baptist Church
Stonecrest, Georgia

10:46 A.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Good morning, church.  (Applause.)  Good morning, New Birth.  Good morning.  (Applause.)

Please — please have a seat.  Good morning.  Good morning, church.  (Applause.)

I’m so honored to be with you.  Thank you.  Thank you all.  (Applause.)  And everyone, good Sunday morning. 

Pastor —

AUDIENCE:  Happy birthday!  (Applause.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  (Laughs.)  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Okay, it’s Sunday morning.  It’s Sunday morning. 

And — and I — first of all, Pastor Bryant, I want to thank you.  You and I were reminiscing —

(The audience sings Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday”)

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you, thank you.  (Applause.)  (Laughs.)

     (The crowd continues singing.)

Oh, my goodness.  Thank you.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Oh, I’m so touched. 

Well, it is my great joy to celebrate my birthday with all of you here, and thank you for those warm and beautiful wishes.

Pastor Bryant, I thank you for your leadership.  You and I have discussed — we first met almost 20 years ago when there was a convening of rising stars in — in the country, and we had conversations back then about how we thought of our role and responsibility to our country and our responsibility and duty as leaders.  And it is so good to be with you this morning to celebrate what you have accomplished with this extraordinary congregation. 

And so, I’m honored to be here with everyone — (applause) — and thank you.  Thank you all, and please have a seat.  Please have a seat.  Thank you. 

So, before I begin, I will address the tragic incident that happened yesterday at Sapelo Island when a dock collapsed during what was to be a joyful celebration of history and culture.  And while we are still gathering information, we know that lives were lost and many were injured. 

And so, my heart, as I know for all of us, goes out to those who were impacted, and I thank all the first responders who acted so quickly.  And, of course, our administration has been in touch with state and local officials to offer any needed support.  And I know, on behalf of all of us here, that we pray for all of those who are affected.  (Applause.)

So, in times like this, we are reminded of the ties that bind us to each other and the importance of community — the importance of community.  And that is what I know New Birth church provides to so many people across Atlanta and beyond.

And so, Pastor Bryant, I thank you for your words and for your vision.  And in this election season, I also thank you for the time you have spent traveling our country to encourage people to register and to vote.  Because you know and we all know your parents, who gave so much and led such an honorable life, and — including, of course, among the leaders upon whose broad shoulders we stand — Congressman John Lewis — they — (applause) — they all knew, and by their example, they taught us that faith and good works go hand in hand. 

And that is especially true when it comes to protecting our sacred right to vote and getting souls to the polls, and I thank everyone for all you are doing in that regard. 

And I am truly honored to be in the presence of so many extraordinary leaders, including my pastor, Reverend Dr. Amos C. Brown of Third Baptist Church of San Francisco — (applause) — who you heard from earlier this morning — there he is, there he is — and whose wisdom, Dr. Brown, has guided me and just been a source of comfort and solace for me for so many years.

And I’m especially glad to be here on Pink Sunday.  (Applause.)  As some of you may know, my mother was a breast cancer researcher.  She was one of the very few women — and fewer even women of color — who was engaged in studying breast cancer.  And she had two goals in her life: to raise her two daughters — my sister Maya and me — and to end breast cancer.  It was her life’s work.  And so, today, of course, then has personal significance for me, just as I know it does for Pastor Bryant and — and so many of you here. 

And so, to everyone here today who knows what it means to support a loved one through a cancer diagnosis and treatment, and to those of you fighting your own battles, I am holding you close in my heart and in my prayers, and I thank you for your courage and your strength. 

So, all of this is to say it is so good to be here with everyone today and to worship with you.  And on this day, then, I am reminded, with everything that we reflect on, on the parable from the Gospel of Luke.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Preach!  (Applause.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, in the gospel, we are told of a man who traveled from the road from Jerusalem to Jericho.  And while traveling, he was attacked by robbers.  We remember he was beaten.  He was bloodied.  They left him for dead.  He was someone that should just be passed on by, maybe with a glance of pity but not more.

So, one person passed by, sees the man lying in his path, and walks around him, not wanting to be bothered or obstructed on the path that he decided to walk. 

A second man does the same. 

But then a Samaritan walks by.  He sees the man, and he stops.  The Samaritan bandages the stranger’s wounds, he brings him to an inn, gives him shelter and a hot meal, and he saves the man’s life. 

This parable, the parable of the Good Samaritan, teaches us to love thy neighbor as thyself.  (Applause.)

These words are simple.  We know them well.  It is an essential tenet and a pillar of our faith and that of so many others.  However, one must ask: Are all people of faith living those words?  Are all people of faith expressing those words in their actions?  Do we have leaders in place who understand that in the face of a stranger, one should see a neighbor?  (Applause.)

And I’ll tell you, I grew up in a church that took those words to heart.  As a little girl on Sundays, my sister Maya and I would go to 23rd Avenue Church of God in Oakland, California, where we sang in the children’s choir, we attended Sunday school, and where after church we would go to the basement and eat food prepared by loving hands — and where I first learned the teachings of the Bible. 

And my earliest memories of those teachings are about a loving God — a loving God — (applause) — a God who asks us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and to defend the rights of the poor and the needy.

And for me, like for so many of us, church is then a place of growth and belonging and community, a place where we are reminded of the incredible power of faith and followship — and fellowship.  And in moments of difficulty and uncertainty, when the way is not clear, it is our faith that then guides us forward — faith in what we often cannot see but we know to be true.  Faith in what we cannot see but know to be true. 

And I say that because in this moment, across our nation, what we do see are some who try to deepen division among us, spread hate, sow fear, and cause chaos.  There are those who suggest that the measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you beat down instead of what we know, which is the true measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you lift up.  (Applause.)

And this moment in our nation must be about so much more than partisan politics.  It must be about looking inward and being guided by our faith to know what brings hope and what is truly the best expression of our strength in the way that we reach out to each other with kindness and with love and with sincerity in that approach. 

This is a moment that is challenging us of faith to reflect on this moment in the context of our future.  We just applauded the young leaders who are here this morning, and I think so much of this moment in the context of them, our young leaders, and what they have a right to expect and what their faith teaches them, that gives them, rightly, a sense of hope about where they belong, who they are, and what they can be. 

And so, this is a moment that is challenging, I think, our fundamental values and challenging us as Americans and as people of faith.  And as the Good Samaritan reminds us, it is not enough to preach the values of compassion and respect.  We must live them.  (Applause.)

Faith is a verb.  Faith is a verb.  We show it in action, in our deeds and in our service.  Here in Georgia, we’ve seen it playing out in real time in just the last many weeks, where communities have come together in the wake of Hurricane Helene. 

Right here in the Atlanta area, I saw the story of a reporter who was outside covering the storm live on television when he heard some screams, he dropped everything and waded into chest-deep water to rescue a woman trapped in her car, carrying her on his back to safety. 

In a town a few hours from here, one mother and her children lost power for days.  And as soon as it was restored, they started a relief drive, distributing food, water, and supplies, and opened their home to neighbors in need of laundry or a hot shower. 

On a visit recently to Augusta, I met people who themselves had experienced extraordinary loss and devastation, many who did not have electricity or running water.  Yet, every day, they left their homes to go to relief centers to help perfect strangers. 

So, what we have seen here in Georgia and in other states is faith in action, individuals who know their power to shed light in a moment of darkness.

We have seen the Good Samaritans walking among us.  And for that reason, I say, as the scripture tells us, we then must remember that and not be weary.  Let us not be weary in moments like this.  Let us focus on what God shows us about the Good Samaritans walking among us to remind us of the power, the agency, the ability, and, dare I say, the duty that we have to come to another’s aid in moments of need, to love thy neighbor. 

 And what God is showing us is that any of us can do that, no matter who we are.  And I know — and I — and I learned this at a young age.  (Applause.)  And actually, I’ll share with you a quick story. 

So, during my final year of — of law school, I was a summer intern in the DA’s office in Oakland, California, and I was working in the superior courthouse.  And there was this one case that I got, and it was — it involved a drug bust.  And the police had arrested a number of people, including an innocent bystander — a woman who had been in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

And when I got the case, it was a late Friday afternoon, and most folks had gone home for the weekend, and I knew, in all likelihood, the judge would probably not see her case until that following Monday, which would have meant that she would have had to spend the whole weekend in jail. 

Now, this woman had children.  She is a mother.  She had children at home, and I wondered if they even knew that their mother had been arrested, who would take care of them if she could not.  Would Child Protective Services come and take those children?  Everything was on the line for that woman.

So, I rushed to the clerk of the court and asked them to have the case called that day.  And then, when that did not work, I pleaded with them.  Remember, I was not vice president.  I was an intern.  (Laughter.)  So, yes, I pleaded.

And finally, the judge returned to the bench and reviewed her case and, with a pound of his gavel, she was free to go home, and she would go home to see her children and take care of them.  (Applause.) 

And I never did get the chance to meet that woman, but I will never forget that moment.  And I share that story to say that we have all in our lives, from the earliest stages of our lives, had those moments where it has been revealed to us our power.  And we should never let anyone take our power from us — (applause) — or in any way try to convince us we are powerless. 

And so, I say, as we move forward, let us look at where we are and understand the lesson of the Gospel of Luke, because right now, each of us has an opportunity to make a difference.  In this moment, our country is at a crossroads and where we go from here is up to us as Americans and as people of faith. 

And now we ask a question.  We face this question.  What kind of country do we want to live in — a country of chaos, fear, and hate or a country of freedom, compassion, and justice?  (Applause.)

And the great thing about living in a democracy is that we, the people, have the power to answer that question.  So, let us answer not just through our words but through our action and with our votes. 

When we come across our brothers and sisters in need, let us, as the Good Samaritan did, see in the face of a stranger a neighbor.  And let us recognize that when we shine the light in moments of darkness, it will guide our feet into the path of peace. 

And let us remember that while weeping may endure for a night — (applause) — joy cometh in the morning.

Thank you.  May God bless you.  And may God bless the United States of America.  Thank you all very much.  (Applause.) 

 Thank you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

                             END                11:04 A.M. EDT

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FEMA to hire Community Liaisons across the state to aid in recovery

More than $300 million approved for North Carolina survivors and state recovery efforts

Following Hurricane Helene’s devastating impacts across the Southeast and Appalachia, the Biden-Harris Administration continues its robust Federal efforts to help communities recover and rebuild, including in heavily impacted communities in North Carolina. Across the state, the Administration is working alongside state and local officials to continue surging resources and assisting families, business owners, farmers, and other impacted communities receive the support and assistance they need and deserve.

To continue supporting recovery efforts, today the Administration is announcing that the Federal government will create a brand-new program and hire Community Liaisons to assist impacted communities with their recovery and rebuilding efforts. These dedicated Community Liaisons will interface between the people of North Carolina and FEMA to ensure their needs are met and serve as trusted messengers for survivors.

Thus far, the Administration has approved more than $300 million in assistance across the state, including $118 million in individual assistance to more than 87,600 households, and more than $189 million for debris removal and other emergency efforts. In total, across all impacted states in the Southeast and Appalachia, the Administration has approved nearly $2 billion in hurricane recovery assistance.

These new efforts to support North Carolina’s recovery supplement additional resources and funding, including:

• More than 1,500 Federal personnel remain deployed supporting the response and recovery operations. This includes more than 400 Disaster Survivor Assistance Team members, who are visiting neighborhoods to connect with survivors, assess damage, and offer access to Federal resources that support recovery and rebuilding.
• Fourteen Disaster Recovery Centers are operating in impacted areas and have served more than 5,700 visitors. More centers will be opening in the coming days. Survivors can visit Disaster Recovery Centers in the following cities/towns: Asheville, Bakersville, Boone, Brevard, Hendersonville, Jefferson, Lenoir, Marion, Morgantown, Newland, Old Fort, Sparta, Sylva, and Waynesville.
• FEMA is providing temporary hotel stays to more than 2,500 households through Transitional Sheltering Assistance.
• FEMA inspectors have performed more than 21,000 home inspections to help survivors assess damage and apply for financial assistance.
• Active-duty troops and National Guard members remain on the ground in their state capacity to support search-and-rescue operations, route clearance, and commodities distribution across western North Carolina. The Department of Defense is also employing additional capabilities to assist with increasing situational awareness across the remote terrain of Western North Carolina. The Army Corps of Engineers continues missions supporting debris removal, temporary emergency power installation, water and wastewater assessments with the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Power has been restored to 99 percent of impacted North Carolina customers due to thousands of utility personnel working around the clock.
• Commodity distribution, mass feeding, and hydration operations continue in areas of western North Carolina. FEMA continues to send commodity shipments and voluntary organizations are supporting feeding operations with bulk food and water deliveries coming in via truck and aircraft. Mobile feeding operations are reaching survivors in heavily impacted areas, including three mass feeding sites in Buncombe, McDowell and Watauga counties.

Additional actions the Administration is taking to protect public health, provide flexibilities to homeowners and taxpayers, support infrastructure recovery, and support workers, farmers, and students in North Carolina can be found here. Additional actions President Biden directed before Helene’s landfall can be found here.

Biden-Harris Administration’s Continuous Commitment to Being on the Ground

Following Hurricane Helene’s devastating impacts across North Carolina, President Biden committed to helping impacted communities recover and rebuild, no matter how long it takes. On October 2, less than one week after landfall, President Biden visited North Carolina to survey the damage, meet with first responders and impacted communities, and receive an operational briefing. As part of that visit, he also directed up to 1,000 active-duty troops to partner with the North Carolina National Guard on the ground at the request of the Governor. Days later, to surge additional resources and capacity at the request of the Governor, President Biden ordered another 500 active-duty troops to move into western North Carolina. On October 5, Vice President Harris also visited North Carolina to survey the damage, receive briefings, and meet with first responders.

The President and Vice President and senior leaders across the Administration have spoken with and coordinated closely with Governor Cooper throughout the response. President Biden talked with Governor Cooper at least twice immediately following Helene’s landfall, and Governor Cooper joined him to survey damage and receive briefings during his visit. They have stayed in close contact in the ensuing weeks.

At the President’s direction, FEMA Administrator Criswell has been on the ground in North Carolina for multiple days and nights to lead the Federal response since Helene’s landfall. She has traveled across the state to meet with survivors and communities, identify resource needs, and continue ensuring a swift and coordinated recovery effort.  She will return again this evening and remain in place to direct additional measures to speed response and recovery.  Many other Administration leaders, including Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Secretary Michael Regan, and Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, have also visited North Carolina to support recovery efforts and others will do so in the coming days and weeks, including Secretary Tom Vilsack on October 25.

###

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FEMA to hire Community Liaisons across the state to aid in recovery

More than $300 million approved for North Carolina survivors and state recovery efforts

Following Hurricane Helene’s devastating impacts across the Southeast and Appalachia, the Biden-Harris Administration continues its robust Federal efforts to help communities recover and rebuild, including in heavily impacted communities in North Carolina. Across the state, the Administration is working alongside state and local officials to continue surging resources and assisting families, business owners, farmers, and other impacted communities receive the support and assistance they need and deserve.

To continue supporting recovery efforts, today the Administration is announcing that the Federal government will create a brand-new program and hire Community Liaisons to assist impacted communities with their recovery and rebuilding efforts. These dedicated Community Liaisons will interface between the people of North Carolina and FEMA to ensure their needs are met and serve as trusted messengers for survivors.

Thus far, the Administration has approved more than $300 million in assistance across the state, including $118 million in individual assistance to more than 87,600 households, and more than $189 million for debris removal and other emergency efforts. In total, across all impacted states in the Southeast and Appalachia, the Administration has approved nearly $2 billion in hurricane recovery assistance.

These new efforts to support North Carolina’s recovery supplement additional resources and funding, including:

• More than 1,500 Federal personnel remain deployed supporting the response and recovery operations. This includes more than 400 Disaster Survivor Assistance Team members, who are visiting neighborhoods to connect with survivors, assess damage, and offer access to Federal resources that support recovery and rebuilding.
• Fourteen Disaster Recovery Centers are operating in impacted areas and have served more than 5,700 visitors. More centers will be opening in the coming days. Survivors can visit Disaster Recovery Centers in the following cities/towns: Asheville, Bakersville, Boone, Brevard, Hendersonville, Jefferson, Lenoir, Marion, Morgantown, Newland, Old Fort, Sparta, Sylva, and Waynesville.
• FEMA is providing temporary hotel stays to more than 2,500 households through Transitional Sheltering Assistance.
• FEMA inspectors have performed more than 21,000 home inspections to help survivors assess damage and apply for financial assistance.
• Active-duty troops and National Guard members remain on the ground in their state capacity to support search-and-rescue operations, route clearance, and commodities distribution across western North Carolina. The Department of Defense is also employing additional capabilities to assist with increasing situational awareness across the remote terrain of Western North Carolina. The Army Corps of Engineers continues missions supporting debris removal, temporary emergency power installation, water and wastewater assessments with the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Power has been restored to 99 percent of impacted North Carolina customers due to thousands of utility personnel working around the clock.
• Commodity distribution, mass feeding, and hydration operations continue in areas of western North Carolina. FEMA continues to send commodity shipments and voluntary organizations are supporting feeding operations with bulk food and water deliveries coming in via truck and aircraft. Mobile feeding operations are reaching survivors in heavily impacted areas, including three mass feeding sites in Buncombe, McDowell and Watauga counties.

Additional actions the Administration is taking to protect public health, provide flexibilities to homeowners and taxpayers, support infrastructure recovery, and support workers, farmers, and students in North Carolina can be found here. Additional actions President Biden directed before Helene’s landfall can be found here.

Biden-Harris Administration’s Continuous Commitment to Being on the Ground

Following Hurricane Helene’s devastating impacts across North Carolina, President Biden committed to helping impacted communities recover and rebuild, no matter how long it takes. On October 2, less than one week after landfall, President Biden visited North Carolina to survey the damage, meet with first responders and impacted communities, and receive an operational briefing. As part of that visit, he also directed up to 1,000 active-duty troops to partner with the North Carolina National Guard on the ground at the request of the Governor. Days later, to surge additional resources and capacity at the request of the Governor, President Biden ordered another 500 active-duty troops to move into western North Carolina. On October 5, Vice President Harris also visited North Carolina to survey the damage, receive briefings, and meet with first responders.

The President and Vice President and senior leaders across the Administration have spoken with and coordinated closely with Governor Cooper throughout the response. President Biden talked with Governor Cooper at least twice immediately following Helene’s landfall, and Governor Cooper joined him to survey damage and receive briefings during his visit. They have stayed in close contact in the ensuing weeks.

At the President’s direction, FEMA Administrator Criswell has been on the ground in North Carolina for multiple days and nights to lead the Federal response since Helene’s landfall. She has traveled across the state to meet with survivors and communities, identify resource needs, and continue ensuring a swift and coordinated recovery effort.  She will return again this evening and remain in place to direct additional measures to speed response and recovery.  Many other Administration leaders, including Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Secretary Michael Regan, and Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, have also visited North Carolina to support recovery efforts and others will do so in the coming days and weeks, including Secretary Tom Vilsack on October 25.

###

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East Room

THE FIRST LADY:  Standing here with you, so many friends and colleagues and my family, I feel joy etching itself onto my heart.  We’ve done — all of us — we have done something momentous.  Something that — (applause) — something that, at times, seemed like it might not even be possible.  But together, with time and commitment and creativity, we did.

Tonight, I’m thrilled to be with all of you to celebrate tomorrow’s unveiling of the re-imagined White House tour. 

We — (applause) — we come together in the same room where President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, where President Reagan met with Soviet General Secretary Gorbachev, where President Lincoln lay in state.  And I can never come into this room without reliving the memory of celebrating our granddaughter’s wedding here.

So, when you walk these halls, you can almost feel history wrapped around you.  Each floorboard holds the echoes of footsteps of world leaders and guests from decades before.  Each pillar, the weight of decisions that have rippled across time.  Each piece of art, the memory of the person who created it.

But until today, if you looked around these walls, you might not know any of that. 

Education is my life’s work, and I know that there are three kinds of learners: visual, auditory, and tactile.

The White House tour now lets visitors touch, hear, and see their history up close.  They’ll walk past the vibrant digital photos in the East Colonnade, a living timeline changing to meet the day’s events.  They’ll arrive at the 3D model of the White House and watch as centuries unfold before their eyes.

And we’re inviting visitors further into the rooms than ever before — and including the Diplomatic Reception Room, which hasn’t been open to public tours before this. 

As they walk through the house, visitols w- — visitors will learn about all the people who have been a part of history and its stories, like the sculptors — six brothers, immigrants from Italy, who found a home on our shores, who crafted the molding of this room — and the enslaved African Americans who were part of building this house.

Visitors will now be able to learn about all those stories contained in these halls. 

To Paul Buccieri and everyone at the History Channel, you made this possible.  (Applause.)  You found the right team, and you moved at lightning speed.  And I’m so grateful for your commitment to this partnership.

To the National Park Service that helps make this park the incredible place it can be; the White House curators and the White House Historical Association, who preserve our history; ESI Design, who made this idea into a reality; and presiden- –presidential libraries and countless more staff and partners who came together and brought their expertise to this project, your work will be imprinted on every guest who tours this house.

And to Blair Downing, our chief usher, you — (applause) — you and the exceptional Executive Residence team make this house a home.  So, thank you. 

Because of all of your hard work, we can now see the history of this house and also its future.

The little girl grabbing her dad’s hand to point out her favorite detail of the Green Room, the educator who will bring notes back to his class on how our democracy was shaped, the grandmother who will share memories of the presidents of her childhood with her grandchildren.

While tonight is the end of one part of our work, it’s only the beginning of this new chapter of White House public tours.  I hope this experience that visitors will get here will continue to grow and change so that we can keep teaching the world more about our history.

It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your First Lady and to call this house home.

The White House belongs to the American people, and together, we’ve opened its doors wider and wider. 

So, please enjoy this evening.  We are here to celebrate you.  Thank you for making time for being here.  (Applause.)

And now it’s my honor to introduce the 46th president, my husband, Joe Biden.  (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  (Applause.)

Hello, everyone.  My name is Joe Biden.  I’m Jill’s husband.  (Laughter.)

And, you know, when we were set up on a blind date by my youngest brother, he said, “You’ll love her, Joe.  She’s not interested in politics.”  (Laughter.)  That was 400 years ago.  (Laughter.)

Well, I, too, want to thank the History Channel and the National Park Service and the White House curators and Executive Residence Staff, you know, ES- — the ESI Design and White House Historical Association, and the presidential libraries staff. 

By the way, every time they play “Hail to the Chief” — it took me two years — they’d start to play it — swear to God –I’d look around like, “Where the hell is he?”  (Laughter.)  You think I’m kidding.  I’m not.  (Laughter.)  I’m not.

You all have helped history come to life. 

Jill said countless times, being an educator is not j- — what she does, it’s who she is. 

Ashley, do you doubt it now?  Stand up.  I want you — to introduce my daughter, Ashley.  (Applause.)

Ashley is the life of my — the love of my life and the life of my love.

And, look, the first lady is to work full time — the first one ever to work full time.  And I’ve seen her stay up late grading papers and planning trips and the first lady — around her obligations as Dr. B. 

But — so, it’s no surprise to me that one of her signature efforts is making the White House an inspirational educational opportunity for everybody.

You know, to us, the White House is not just a home, it’s a p- — or a place of work.  It really is.  And we’ve been — been — and as — as David kno- — it’s been — it’s the People’s House.  We’re just temporary renters. 

And that why I’ve used our time in office to open the doors of the White House even more than its ever been, I’m told.  We’ll open the doors of possibilities for all Americans.  And that’s what this entire project is all about — for people to feel it, to taste it, to see it, to understand the — the nuances. 

You know, we’re grateful to all of you here tonight for helping to make it happen and to make sure we learn the good, the bad, the truth of who we are as a people.

In America, we don’t erase history, we celebrate history.  And that’s what great nations do, and we’re a great nation — in my view, the greatest nation on Earth.  We inspire future generations to write the next chapter of that history in our journey — America’s journey.

Let me close with this.  Eavan Boland was a daughter of Ireland and made a career as a poet here in America.  She once wrote, “Remind us again, now that history changes, that it belongs to us.  It belongs to all of us.”  “To all of us.”

So, a toast — I know I’m giving a toast, but I don’t know a glass is —

THE FIRST LADY:  There it is.  Right there.  (Laughter.)

Thank you.

There’s yours.

THE PRESIDENT:  There you go.

A toast to Jill and to all of you.  And the history of the White House belongs to all Americans. 

Cheers.  And God bless you all.

(The president offers a toast.)

Enjoy your meal.  (Applause.)

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East Room

THE FIRST LADY:  Standing here with you, so many friends and colleagues and my family, I feel joy etching itself onto my heart.  We’ve done — all of us — we have done something momentous.  Something that — (applause) — something that, at times, seemed like it might not even be possible.  But together, with time and commitment and creativity, we did.

Tonight, I’m thrilled to be with all of you to celebrate tomorrow’s unveiling of the re-imagined White House tour. 

We — (applause) — we come together in the same room where President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, where President Reagan met with Soviet General Secretary Gorbachev, where President Lincoln lay in state.  And I can never come into this room without reliving the memory of celebrating our granddaughter’s wedding here.

So, when you walk these halls, you can almost feel history wrapped around you.  Each floorboard holds the echoes of footsteps of world leaders and guests from decades before.  Each pillar, the weight of decisions that have rippled across time.  Each piece of art, the memory of the person who created it.

But until today, if you looked around these walls, you might not know any of that. 

Education is my life’s work, and I know that there are three kinds of learners: visual, auditory, and tactile.

The White House tour now lets visitors touch, hear, and see their history up close.  They’ll walk past the vibrant digital photos in the East Colonnade, a living timeline changing to meet the day’s events.  They’ll arrive at the 3D model of the White House and watch as centuries unfold before their eyes.

And we’re inviting visitors further into the rooms than ever before — and including the Diplomatic Reception Room, which hasn’t been open to public tours before this. 

As they walk through the house, visitols w- — visitors will learn about all the people who have been a part of history and its stories, like the sculptors — six brothers, immigrants from Italy, who found a home on our shores, who crafted the molding of this room — and the enslaved African Americans who were part of building this house.

Visitors will now be able to learn about all those stories contained in these halls. 

To Paul Buccieri and everyone at the History Channel, you made this possible.  (Applause.)  You found the right team, and you moved at lightning speed.  And I’m so grateful for your commitment to this partnership.

To the National Park Service that helps make this park the incredible place it can be; the White House curators and the White House Historical Association, who preserve our history; ESI Design, who made this idea into a reality; and presiden- –presidential libraries and countless more staff and partners who came together and brought their expertise to this project, your work will be imprinted on every guest who tours this house.

And to Blair Downing, our chief usher, you — (applause) — you and the exceptional Executive Residence team make this house a home.  So, thank you. 

Because of all of your hard work, we can now see the history of this house and also its future.

The little girl grabbing her dad’s hand to point out her favorite detail of the Green Room, the educator who will bring notes back to his class on how our democracy was shaped, the grandmother who will share memories of the presidents of her childhood with her grandchildren.

While tonight is the end of one part of our work, it’s only the beginning of this new chapter of White House public tours.  I hope this experience that visitors will get here will continue to grow and change so that we can keep teaching the world more about our history.

It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your First Lady and to call this house home.

The White House belongs to the American people, and together, we’ve opened its doors wider and wider. 

So, please enjoy this evening.  We are here to celebrate you.  Thank you for making time for being here.  (Applause.)

And now it’s my honor to introduce the 46th president, my husband, Joe Biden.  (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  (Applause.)

Hello, everyone.  My name is Joe Biden.  I’m Jill’s husband.  (Laughter.)

And, you know, when we were set up on a blind date by my youngest brother, he said, “You’ll love her, Joe.  She’s not interested in politics.”  (Laughter.)  That was 400 years ago.  (Laughter.)

Well, I, too, want to thank the History Channel and the National Park Service and the White House curators and Executive Residence Staff, you know, ES- — the ESI Design and White House Historical Association, and the presidential libraries staff. 

By the way, every time they play “Hail to the Chief” — it took me two years — they’d start to play it — swear to God –I’d look around like, “Where the hell is he?”  (Laughter.)  You think I’m kidding.  I’m not.  (Laughter.)  I’m not.

You all have helped history come to life. 

Jill said countless times, being an educator is not j- — what she does, it’s who she is. 

Ashley, do you doubt it now?  Stand up.  I want you — to introduce my daughter, Ashley.  (Applause.)

Ashley is the life of my — the love of my life and the life of my love.

And, look, the first lady is to work full time — the first one ever to work full time.  And I’ve seen her stay up late grading papers and planning trips and the first lady — around her obligations as Dr. B. 

But — so, it’s no surprise to me that one of her signature efforts is making the White House an inspirational educational opportunity for everybody.

You know, to us, the White House is not just a home, it’s a p- — or a place of work.  It really is.  And we’ve been — been — and as — as David kno- — it’s been — it’s the People’s House.  We’re just temporary renters. 

And that why I’ve used our time in office to open the doors of the White House even more than its ever been, I’m told.  We’ll open the doors of possibilities for all Americans.  And that’s what this entire project is all about — for people to feel it, to taste it, to see it, to understand the — the nuances. 

You know, we’re grateful to all of you here tonight for helping to make it happen and to make sure we learn the good, the bad, the truth of who we are as a people.

In America, we don’t erase history, we celebrate history.  And that’s what great nations do, and we’re a great nation — in my view, the greatest nation on Earth.  We inspire future generations to write the next chapter of that history in our journey — America’s journey.

Let me close with this.  Eavan Boland was a daughter of Ireland and made a career as a poet here in America.  She once wrote, “Remind us again, now that history changes, that it belongs to us.  It belongs to all of us.”  “To all of us.”

So, a toast — I know I’m giving a toast, but I don’t know a glass is —

THE FIRST LADY:  There it is.  Right there.  (Laughter.)

Thank you.

There’s yours.

THE PRESIDENT:  There you go.

A toast to Jill and to all of you.  And the history of the White House belongs to all Americans. 

Cheers.  And God bless you all.

(The president offers a toast.)

Enjoy your meal.  (Applause.)

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I congratulate President Prabowo Subianto on his inauguration as President of the Republic of Indonesia, and the Indonesian people for exercising their right to vote and making their voices heard.

This year, Indonesia and the United States are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations. Vice President Harris and I look forward to working with President Prabowo to honor this milestone by continuing to strengthen our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and show that democracies can deliver on the challenges that matter most to our peoples’ lives.

###

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I congratulate President Prabowo Subianto on his inauguration as President of the Republic of Indonesia, and the Indonesian people for exercising their right to vote and making their voices heard.

This year, Indonesia and the United States are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations. Vice President Harris and I look forward to working with President Prabowo to honor this milestone by continuing to strengthen our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and show that democracies can deliver on the challenges that matter most to our peoples’ lives.

###

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Western International High School
Detroit, Michigan

2:21 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Are we going to do this?  (Applause.)  Yes! 

Hey, Detroit.  Macsen, thank you so much. 

Hey, Detroit.  (Applause.)  Are we ready to get out there and get everyone to vote?  (Inaudible.)  And the mic is not on.  Now it’s on.  (Applause.)

Hey, Detroit, are we ready?  (Applause.)  Yes, we are.  So, before I came out, my team was telling me, and I was talking to some members of the press, and they said, “Hey, since early voting has started” —

     AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Can you hear me? 

     AUDIENCE:  Yes.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  You can hear me.  They can’t hear me.

Okay.  I’m going to — I did- — I didn’t want to have to stand right here.  Okay.  Can you hear me now?  Okay.  (Applause.)  There we go.

So, my team was telling me — so, you know, Georgia started early voting, and they broke historic records in early voting.  North Carolina started early voting, broke historic records in North Carolina.  (Applause.)

Now, who is the capital of producing records?  (Applause.)  So, we are going to break some records here in Detroit today.  (Applause.)  Yes, we are. 

We are going to do this because we know what is at stake, and we know the power of the people.  (Applause.)  This is about the power of the people.  This is about knowing each one of us as an individual and as a collective, as a community, as a coalition, we have the power to make the decisions about the direction of our country, and we know this election is about two very different visions for our future.  Ours, focused on the future, focused on our young leaders, focused on possibility, understanding the ambitions and the aspirations and the dreams of the American people — (applause) — understanding, like the people of Detroit, we have grit, we have excellence, we have history.  (Applause.)

And it’s about looking in the face of a perfect stranger and seeing a neighbor and understanding we are all in this together.  We all have so much more in common than what separates us, and we are going to fight for this country we love.  We are in this to win it.  (Applause.)

And we know, look, the race is tight.  It’s going to be hard work, but we like hard work.  (Applause.)  Hard work is good work.  And we will win.  (Applause.)  And we will win.

So, you all are here taking time out of your busy lives and all your other obligations, and I thank you so very much.  And I know — and — and I know what today is.  We’re here because this is a working day.  We’re ready to get out there.  We’re ready to walk the neighborhood.  We are ready to talk with our neighbors and our friends and just the people that we see and remind them they are important and that we are so optimistic about our new generation of leadership for America and what we will do together that is about investing in working people, in middle-class people, in our children; what we do in terms of caring about the education of our children, which is why we’re not falling for the other guy trying to get rid of the Department of Education and Head Start — (applause) — because we know what we stand for.  We stand for the idea that the true measure of the strength of a leader is not based on who you beat down, it’s on who you lift up.  (Applause.)

And these are the things that we stand for as a community of people that understand the importance of caring and kindness, who understand the importance of having a leader who speaks truth and is not so self-consumed.

You know, I keep talking about somebody needs to just watch his rallies if you’re not really sure how to vote — (laughter) — because he spends full time talking about himselves and mythical characters, not talking about the working people, not talking about you, not talking about lifting you up.

And so, as we spend these next 17 days, we’re going to go vote today; we’re going to remind people to vote; we’re going to register folks to vote; we’re going to email, text, phone call, knock on doors — (applause); and we’re going to remind people of what is at stake.

And with that, I want to thank incredible leaders from Michigan who are here: the lieutenant governor, Garlin Gilchrist.  (Applause.)  He always stands above the crowd.  (Laughs.)  We have Representative Slotkin, who is here, who we will send to the Senate in November.  (Applause.)  Representative Thanedar, who is here; Wayne County Executive Evans; Mayor Duggan; and all of the national labor union presidents who are here.  (Applause.)  And let’s not forget the most phenomenal Lizzo.  (Applause.)

So, to everyone who is here, I’m not going to spend any more time on the stage, because we got work to do.  We have 17 days to get this done, and we’re not going to be able — we’re never going to — we’re not going to be able to get these 17 days back. 

And what I think we all know is on Election Day, we don’t want to have any regrets about what we could have done these next 17 days.  And on November 5th, and at the end of that day, we’re going to look at each other, and we’re going to say, “Yes, the power was with the people, and we made a difference.” 

 And that’s the beauty of who we are as a nation.  We know we can make a difference because the power is with the people.  (Applause.)

God bless you.  Thank you.  I’ll see you out there.  Thank you all.  (Applause.)

                             END                2:28 P.M. EDT

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Lakewood Amphitheatre
Atlanta, Georgia

6:48 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Ohh.  Good evening, Georgia!  (Applause.)  Good evening.

     Can we give it up for Tyler?  (Applause.)

     AUDIENCE:  Kamala!  Kamala!  Kamala!

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Hey, everybody. 

     AUDIENCE:  Kamala!  Kamala!  Kamala!

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Oh, thank you. 

     AUDIENCE:  Kamala!  Kamala!  Kamala!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

All right.  We got some work to do.  All right.  Thank you.  It is so good to be back in Atlanta.  Thank you all.  (Applause.)

Oh, my goodness.  It is so good to be back.  And I want to thank all of the incredible leaders who are here.  I want to thank everyone for being here when there are so many things that you have to do with your time, and to taking the time to be here and for us to be here as community, building coalition, being together means the world. 

This is what our campaign is about.  Our campaign is about the people.  (Applause.)  Our campaign is about the people. 

And I want to thank Senator Ossoff, who is here — (applause); Atlanta’s own, Representative Nikema Williams — (applause).  And the many members of the Congressional Black Caucus who are here today, I thank you.  (Applause.)  Mayor Dickens, thank you.  Every time I come, you meet me on the tarmac.  (Applause.)  My pastor, who is here, Reverend Dr. Amos C. Brown, of Third Baptist Church in San Francisco, I thank you.  (Applause.)  And, of course, Ursher — (laughs) — Usher.  (Laughter and applause.)  I got you.  (Laughs.)

And so, I thank you all, everybody, for taking the time to be here together.  And before —

     AUDIENCE MEMBER:  We love you!  (Applause.)

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you all.

 Okay.  So, before I continue, let me just say, on a serious note, there are people here in Georgia still dealing with the devastation from Hurricane Helene, and I am grateful to all the federal, state, and local personnel who have been working around the clock to help those who are impacted.  (Applause.)

As we know, this recovery will take time, and we will stand with Georgia and everyone across the Southeast who are impacted by these recent storms for as long as it takes to rebuild.  (Applause.)  Thank you. 

All right.  So, Atlanta, we have 17 days left — (applause) — 17 days left in one of the most consequential elections of our lifetime.  And, look, let’s have some real talk.  It’s going to be a tight race until the very end.  (Applause.)  And we are the underdog, and we are running as the underdog.  But make no mistake, we will win.  (Applause.) 

     We will win.  Yes, we will.  We will win.  Yes, we will.

     AUDIENCE:  We will win!  We will win!  We will win!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  (Addressing an audience member.)  You got the old school!

And we will win — and we will win because we understand what is at stake.  This election is about two very different visions for our nation: one, Donald Trump’s, who is focused on the past —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — and ours that is focused on the future.  (Applause.)  Ours that is focused on bringing down the cost of living, investing in small businesses and entrepreneurs. 

By the way, I love our small businesses.  Can I see the small business leaders and entrepreneurs who are here?  (Applause.)

 I’m telling you, our small businesses are the backbone of America’s economy.  I thank you all.

And we are here because we are committed to protecting reproductive freedom.  (Applause.)

But none of that is what we hear from Donald Trump.  Instead, it is just the same old, tired playbook over and over again.  (Applause.)  He has no plan for how he would address the needs of the American people.  He is only focused on himself.  And now he’s ducking debates —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — and canceling interviews because of exhaustion. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And when he does answer a question or speak at a rally, have you noticed he tends to go off script and ramble?  (Applause.)  And generally, for the life of him, cannot finish a thought.  (Laughter.)  And he has called it the “weave.”  (Laughter.)  But I think we here would call it nonsense.  (Laughter and applause.)

So, folks, for these reasons and more, it is time to turn the page.  (Applause.)  It’s time to turn the page.  And America is ready to chart a new way forward.  (Applause.)  We are ready.  We are ready for a new and optimistic generation of leadership.  (Applause.)  All of you.  All of you.  All of you.  Which is why Democrats, Republicans, and independents are supporting our campaign.  (Applause.)

In fact, earlier this week, over 100 Republican leaders from across the country joined me on the campaign trail — (applause) — including some who worked in Donald Trump’s administration.  And I believe, as I travel our country, Americans really want a president who works for all the American people — (applause) — all the American people — who understands that the vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us.  Right?

Folks are exhausted with someone trying to have Americans point their fingers at each other.  It’s ex- — we’re exhausted with it.  That’s why I say it’s time to turn the page on that.  Let’s turn the page — (applause) — and have a president who cares about all the people. 

And you all know I’ve only ever, in my career, had one client: the people.  (Applause.)  The people. 

     As a young courtroom prosecutor, I stood up for women and children.  As attorney general of California, I fought for students and veterans.  As vice president, I have stood up for workers and seniors.  (Applause.)  And as president, I will fight for all the American people.  (Applause.)  And together, we will build a brighter future for our nation.

Together, we will build a brighter future that includes what I call an opportunity economy — (applause) — so that every American has the opportunity to own a home, to build wealth, to start a business.

And to build that opportunity economy, we’ve got to bring down the cost of living — (applause) — because while inflation is down and wages are up, prices are still h- — too high.  You know it, and I know it.

And so, I have laid out a comprehensive plan to lower the costs that you pay on everything from prescription medication to groceries, and this will be my focus every single day as president of the United States.  (Applause.)

I will take on corporate price gouging.  I’ve done it before, and I’ll do it again.  (Applause.)

I will give a middle-class tax cut to 100 million Americans, including $6,000 during the first year of a child’s life.  And I’m going to tell you why: Because we all know young parents have a natural desire to parent their children well but not always the resources to do it.  And we, as a community, need to understand they are the children of the community, and it is in our collective best interest to make sure that they have the resources they need during that critical phase of a child’s development to buy a crib, to buy a car seat, to buy what that child needs during that critical stage of life. 

That’s the kind of leadership that we believe in in America.  (Applause.)   

I have a pr- — a plan to bring down the cost of housing by building more homes and taking on those corporate landlords who are unfairly buying up properties and increasing rental prices.  (Applause.)  We know what’s happening. 

My plan will lower the cost of starting a small business, including by increasing the tax deduction for entrepreneurs from $5,000 to $50,000 — (applause) — knowing that our small-business owners are civic leaders as much as they are business leaders.  They mentor.  They hire locally.  They are part of the cultural fabric of our communities and deserve to be lifted up in every way. 

Under my opportunity economy, I have a plan to lower health costs and health care costs for people as they age so they can grow old with dignity and so their families are not financially crushed by the cost of home care.  (Applause.) 

Because, look, let me tell you — you all may know this; it’s a personal story — I helped take care of my mother when she was sick.  I took care of my mother when she was sick.  And for any of you who is taking care of an elder relative, you know that’s about love and it’s about care.  It’s about trying to cook something for them that they feel like eating.  It’s about trying to help them put on clothes that won’t irritate their skin, help them put on a sweater.  It’s about, from time to time, trying to think of something that will put a smile on their face or make them laugh.  It’s about dignity.  It’s about dignity. 

But what we know is that right now we have so many people who are doing that and raising small children at the same time.  We call it the sandwich generation.  And unless you got a lot of money to be able to hire somebody to help, then folks are looking at the potential of having to leave their job, which is losing a source of income or — worse even — having to spend down whatever might be their savings to be able to qualify for Medicaid.  That’s not right.  That’s not right.  (Applause.)

So, my plan includes allowing Medicare to cover the cost of home health care for our seniors.  (Applause.)  It’s a matter of dignity — dignity.

And so, I share some of these details with you to just let you know what you already know: I will always put the middle class and working families first.  (Applause.)  I always will. 

I come from the middle class, and I will never forget where I come from.  (Applause.)  I will never forget where I come from.

Now, Donald Trump —

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  You know here I go.  Now, Donald Trump, well, he has a different plan.  Just google Project 2025.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Now, I say it every time, but I just have to say again.  Can you believe they put that thing in writing?  (Laughter.)  They put it in writing.  They published it.  They bound it and handed it out. 

And when you read it, you know it is a detailed and dangerous blueprint for what Donald Trump will do if he is elected president.

Donald Trump — Donald Trump will give billionaires and corporations massive tax cuts.  Like he did it last time, he would do it again. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  He would cut Social Security and Medicare.  He would get rid of the thing we all fought so hard for: that $35-a-month cap on insulin for our seniors.  (Applause.)

Read that plan and you’ll see they’ll make it easier for companies to deny overtime pay for workers.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And impose — he will impose what I call a Trump sales tax, because he has an intention of putting an at least 20 percent tax on everyday necessities, which economists have estimated would cost the average person more than $4,000 more a year. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And on top of all of this, Donald Trump intends to end the Affordable Care Act —

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — with no plan to replace it.

Oh, y’all watched the debate.  (Laughs.)  He has, quote —

AUDIENCE:  Concepts of a plan.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — “concepts of a plan.”

So, you all know and you’ve heard me say, look, I think and I do believe Donald Trump is an unserious man, and the consequences of him ever being again in the White House are brutally serious — brutally serious.  Because, think about it, the man is going to threaten the health insurance of 45 million Americans based on a concept and take us back to when insurance companies had the power to deny people with preexisting conditions.  You remember what that was?

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Well, we are —

AUDIENCE:  Not going back!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — not going back.  (Applause.)  We are not going back.  We are not going back. 

We’re not going back.

AUDIENCE:  We’re not going back!  We’re not going back!  We’re not going back!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And we are not going back because we are working and intend to move forward.

     AUDIENCE:  Forward!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Forward, because ours is a fight for the future.  (Applause.) 

And it is a fight for freedom — (applause) — like the fundamental freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body and not have her government telling her what to do.  (Applause.)

And we know how we got here.  Donald Trump hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention that they would undo the protections of Roe v. Wade, and they did as he intended.  And now, in America, more than one in three women lives in a state with a Trump abortion ban.

Today, except for Virginia, every state in the South, including Georgia, has a Trump ban, many with no exceptions even for rape or incest, which is telling a survivor of a violation to their body they have no right to make a decision about what happens to their body next.  That’s immoral.  That’s immoral.

And let us agree: One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government should not be telling her what to do — (applause) — not the government.  If she chooses, she will talk with her priest, her pastor, her rabbi, her imam, but not the government telling her what to do. 

So, look, we all know this is a health care crisis.  This is not something theoretical.  This is not just about a political conversation.  It’s very real, and Donald Trump is the architect. 

Women are being denied care during miscarriages, some only being treated once they develop sepsis, and tragically, because of these bans, some women have even died. 

Let me show you what I’m talking about.  Roll the clip.

     (A video clip is played.)  (Applause.) 

So, I — here’s the thing that — that you got to understand, and I think everyone is following this.  Donald Trump still refuses to take accountability — to take any accountability for the pain and the suffering he has caused, or even to just acknowledge the pain and suffering that has actually happened.

In a Fox town hall earlier this week, he even mocked Amber’s family for sharing their story. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Play the clip.

     (A video clip is played.)

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  You know, we — we talk and we care about things like dignity.  We understand that the real —

     AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Well, I hear you.  But, you know, the thing i- — you know what?  The court is going to take care of that.  We’re going to take care of November.  (Applause.)  Right?  We’re going to take care of November.  We’re going to take care of November.

But — but here’s the thing.  Here’s the thing.  Here’s the thing.  A grieving family — a grieving family sharing the memory of their daughter with our nation — where is the compassion? 

You know, part of what’s wrong with what’s been happening in this so-called Trump era is that there’s this backward notion that somehow the measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you beat down, instead of what we know, which is that the real measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you lift up.  (Applause.)  It’s based on who you lift up. 

And what we see continually from Donald Trump is exactly what that clip shows.  He belittles their sorrow, making it about himself and his television ratings.  It is cruel. 

And, listen, I promised Amber’s mother that we will always remember her story and speak her name: Amber Nicole Thurman. 

     AUDIENCE:  Amber Nicole Thurman.  Amber Nicole Thurman.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Amber Nicole Thurman.  And Amber’s family, including her parents, Shanette and Andre, are here with us tonight.  (Applause.)  And in front of all the friends here, I thank them both for their courage and their strength, and it is my pledge to the family — (applause) — there she is.  There she is.  And I have pledged to the family — it is my pledge to everybody here: When Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom nationwide, as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law.  (Applause.)  I will proudly sign it into law. 

So, there’s so much at stake.  And, you know, I’m traveling the country, and everybody here knows, across our nation, we are witnessing a full-on assault on other hard-fought, hard-won fundamental freedoms and rights — like right here in Georgia, the freedom to vote — (applause); the freedom we are seeing in so many places in our country, an attack on the freedom to be safe from gun violence; the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride.  (Applause.)

So, so much is on the line in this election.  And this election is not 2016 or 2020.  The stakes are even higher for obvious reasons, including because just a few months ago, the United States Supreme Court basically told the former president he is effectively immune no matter what he does in the White House. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  But — and just think about this — right? — so, before that ruling just a few months ago, at least there was some possibility of threat of consequence for misbehavior — right? — for breaking the law.  But just imagine now Donald Trump with no guardrails — he who has vowed that he will be a dictator on day one; he who calls Americans who disagree with him the “enemy from within.” 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Understand where that comes from in history.  And says he would use the American military to go after American citizens. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  He — he who has called for the “termination,” I quote, of the Constitution of the United States of America. 

And let us be very clear: Someone who suggests that we should terminate the Constitution of the United States should never again stand behind the seal of the president of the United States of America.  (Applause.)  Never again.  Never again.  Never again. 

So, Georgia, it comes down to this.  We are all here together because we know what is at stake.  We are all here together because we love our country.  (Applause.)  We love our country.  And I do believe it is one of the highest forms of patriotism to then fight for the ideals of our country.  That’s what this is about.  This is about a fight for the promise of America.  (Applause.)  Right?  Right.

And the extraordinary, great Congressman John Lewis reminded us that democracy is not a state; it is an act.  It is an act. 

So, Georgia, now is our time to act.  The baton is in our hands.  Election Day is in 17 days, and early voting has already started.  (Applause.)

You guys are setting some records, by the way.  And so, now is the time to make your plan to vote.  Make your plan.  Go to IWillVote.com and get all the information you need.  And if you have received your ballot in the mail, please do not wait.  Fill it out and return it right away. 

 And you know, Georgia’s own president, Jimmy Carter, voted early.  (Applause.)  Bless him.  Just days after his 100th birthday. 

So, look, if Jimmy Carter can vote early, you can too.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)  

Because, folks, the election is here.  It’s here.  And I need you to continue to do what you do so well.  Let’s continue to energize.  Let’s continue to organize.  Let’s continue to mobilize.  And let’s remind folks that your vote is your voice and your voice is your power. 

And so, Georgia, I ask you: Are you ready to make your voices heard?  (Applause.) 

     Do we believe in freedom?  (Applause.)

     Do we believe in opportunity?  (Applause.)

     Do we believe in the promise of America?  (Applause.)

     And are we ready to fight for it?  (Applause.) 

     And when we fight —

     AUDIENCE:  We win!

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — we win.  (Applause.)

     God bless you.  And God bless the United States of America. 

                             END                7:18 P.M. EDT

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Westin Book Cadillac Detroit
Detroit, Michigan

1:08 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everyone.  Good afternoon.  Well, it’s good to be back in Detroit, and so we’re here back today to thank all the folks for the work that they are doing to help organize, register people to vote, and get them out to vote.  And today, early voting begins in Detroit. 

So, it is good to be back here and — and, obviously, to be in a great American city and to applaud it for being just that: a great American city with a lot of hardworking folks who have grit and ambition and deserve to be respected for all of that. 

And then, on Monday, I will be headed to Pennsylvania, to Michigan, and Wisconsin to spend some time with a great American leader, Liz Cheney, and talk with folks about why it’s important for us to — to put country before party and value the very important foundational principles on — that we stand on, in terms of particular — respecting and upholding the Constitution of the United States and — and the rule of law and the importance of having a president in the White House who actually understands their job and is fit to serve. 

So, with that, I’ll take any questions.

Q    On early voting. 

AIDE:  Chris with the AP.

Q    On early voting.  Are you concerned that Republicans are cutting the Democratic strength for early voting, and what are you seeing in the numbers now and how do you feel about them?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Well, what I’m hearing is that we’re seeing record turnout.  What I’m hearing is that in Georgia, for example, we’re beating all records in terms of early voting, and in North Carolina.  And in fact, today in Michigan, I’m going to challenge the folks here to do the same. 

So, you know, I don’t — I don’t yet have enough data to tell you who’s voting for who and — or how they’re leaning, but I think it’s great that people are turning out and voting and being active.  I — it’s what we should all want — right? — in our democracy, that people understand it’s their civic duty, but also that they can make a difference. 

Q    Vice President Harris —

AIDE:  And we’ll go to Nancy at Bloomberg, right here.

Q    Thank you. 

AIDE:  Yep.

Q    I wonder what you think of Elon Musk just getting increasingly involved in the election, both through his financial contributions to Trump’s super PAC, but also holding campaign events, attending rallies.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I mean, listen, I think that the most important thing that any one of us could do right now is pay attention to the issues that are at stake, and there’s a lot at stake. 

We are looking at — as I say repeatedly, because it is true — two very different visions for our country.  And Donald Trump has proven himself to be increasingly unstable and unfit, and he’s trying to take us backward. 

He is someone who demeans the American people, who has no actual plan for uplifting the middle class, no actual plan that is about any sense of optimism in who the American people are and what we are capable of doing.  And I think that that’s really what’s most important in these remaining — I believe it’s 17 days of the election, which is focusing on the issues themselves and reminding the American people they not only have a choice, but they have the power to decide the future of our country through this election.

Q    Madam —

AIDE:  We’ll go to Andrea right here.

Q    Hi.

AIDE:  Reuters. 

Q    So, yesterday, you called out Assad Turfe, one of the elected —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

Q    — officials here, an Arab American.  He’s faced a tremendous backlash since you mentioned his name at the rally, and obviously there’s a lot of churn and turmoil within the Arab American and Muslim communities here in Michigan. 

Do you think you could lose the election because of Gaza?  And what — you know, overnight, there were more strikes.  Thirty-two more people were killed in Gaza, some in hospitals.  You know, how risky is it that you could lose the election?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Well, it is undeniable that it is something that everyone is aware of — what is happening there.  I speak publicly all the time about the fact that there are so many tragic stories coming from Gaza. 

And, of course, the first in this phase of everything that has happened, the first and most tragic story is October 7th and what happened that day, and then what has happened since. 

And I think what’s critically important as we look at this moment is, one, acknowledging the tragedy of what has happened in Gaza in terms of the extraordinary number of innocent Palestinians who have been killed and taking that seriously and speaking truth about that, in addition, of course, to what I said about what happened on October 7, in terms of 1,200 innocent Israelis being slaughtered, women being horribly raped.

And then fast-forwarding to today, with the killing of Sinwar, this creates an opening that I believe we must take full advantage of to dedicate ourselves to ending this war and bringing the hostages home. 

Q    But it’s not working so far. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  You know what?  Listen, as it relates to the issues in the Middle East and in particular in that region, it has never been easy, but that doesn’t mean we give up.  Okay?  It is always going to be difficult.  It does not mean we give up.  We can’t give up. 

Q    Madam — Madam —

AIDE:  We have time for one more from Tamara at NPR.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Sure.

Q    You’ve been doing some more, sort of, Trump “rapid response,” I’d describe it — you know, responding to him in near real time — in recent days.  It feels like something slightly different from the way you were handling it before, and I’m wondering: Why that shift?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  He’s becoming increasingly unstable and unhinged, and it requires that response.  I think the American people are seeing it, witnessing it in real time, and we must take note of the fact that this is an individual who wants to be president of the United States, and I think the American people deserve better than someone who actually seems to be unstable. 

Q    Madam — Madam Vice President —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Okay.  Thank you all.  Thank you.

                        END                1:13 P.M EDT

The post Remarks by Vice President Harris in Press Gaggle | Detroit, MI appeared first on The White House.

Westin Book Cadillac Detroit
Detroit, Michigan

1:08 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everyone.  Good afternoon.  Well, it’s good to be back in Detroit, and so we’re here back today to thank all the folks for the work that they are doing to help organize, register people to vote, and get them out to vote.  And today, early voting begins in Detroit. 

So, it is good to be back here and — and, obviously, to be in a great American city and to applaud it for being just that: a great American city with a lot of hardworking folks who have grit and ambition and deserve to be respected for all of that. 

And then, on Monday, I will be headed to Pennsylvania, to Michigan, and Wisconsin to spend some time with a great American leader, Liz Cheney, and talk with folks about why it’s important for us to — to put country before party and value the very important foundational principles on — that we stand on, in terms of particular — respecting and upholding the Constitution of the United States and — and the rule of law and the importance of having a president in the White House who actually understands their job and is fit to serve. 

So, with that, I’ll take any questions.

Q    On early voting. 

AIDE:  Chris with the AP.

Q    On early voting.  Are you concerned that Republicans are cutting the Democratic strength for early voting, and what are you seeing in the numbers now and how do you feel about them?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Well, what I’m hearing is that we’re seeing record turnout.  What I’m hearing is that in Georgia, for example, we’re beating all records in terms of early voting, and in North Carolina.  And in fact, today in Michigan, I’m going to challenge the folks here to do the same. 

So, you know, I don’t — I don’t yet have enough data to tell you who’s voting for who and — or how they’re leaning, but I think it’s great that people are turning out and voting and being active.  I — it’s what we should all want — right? — in our democracy, that people understand it’s their civic duty, but also that they can make a difference. 

Q    Vice President Harris —

AIDE:  And we’ll go to Nancy at Bloomberg, right here.

Q    Thank you. 

AIDE:  Yep.

Q    I wonder what you think of Elon Musk just getting increasingly involved in the election, both through his financial contributions to Trump’s super PAC, but also holding campaign events, attending rallies.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I mean, listen, I think that the most important thing that any one of us could do right now is pay attention to the issues that are at stake, and there’s a lot at stake. 

We are looking at — as I say repeatedly, because it is true — two very different visions for our country.  And Donald Trump has proven himself to be increasingly unstable and unfit, and he’s trying to take us backward. 

He is someone who demeans the American people, who has no actual plan for uplifting the middle class, no actual plan that is about any sense of optimism in who the American people are and what we are capable of doing.  And I think that that’s really what’s most important in these remaining — I believe it’s 17 days of the election, which is focusing on the issues themselves and reminding the American people they not only have a choice, but they have the power to decide the future of our country through this election.

Q    Madam —

AIDE:  We’ll go to Andrea right here.

Q    Hi.

AIDE:  Reuters. 

Q    So, yesterday, you called out Assad Turfe, one of the elected —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

Q    — officials here, an Arab American.  He’s faced a tremendous backlash since you mentioned his name at the rally, and obviously there’s a lot of churn and turmoil within the Arab American and Muslim communities here in Michigan. 

Do you think you could lose the election because of Gaza?  And what — you know, overnight, there were more strikes.  Thirty-two more people were killed in Gaza, some in hospitals.  You know, how risky is it that you could lose the election?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Well, it is undeniable that it is something that everyone is aware of — what is happening there.  I speak publicly all the time about the fact that there are so many tragic stories coming from Gaza. 

And, of course, the first in this phase of everything that has happened, the first and most tragic story is October 7th and what happened that day, and then what has happened since. 

And I think what’s critically important as we look at this moment is, one, acknowledging the tragedy of what has happened in Gaza in terms of the extraordinary number of innocent Palestinians who have been killed and taking that seriously and speaking truth about that, in addition, of course, to what I said about what happened on October 7, in terms of 1,200 innocent Israelis being slaughtered, women being horribly raped.

And then fast-forwarding to today, with the killing of Sinwar, this creates an opening that I believe we must take full advantage of to dedicate ourselves to ending this war and bringing the hostages home. 

Q    But it’s not working so far. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  You know what?  Listen, as it relates to the issues in the Middle East and in particular in that region, it has never been easy, but that doesn’t mean we give up.  Okay?  It is always going to be difficult.  It does not mean we give up.  We can’t give up. 

Q    Madam — Madam —

AIDE:  We have time for one more from Tamara at NPR.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Sure.

Q    You’ve been doing some more, sort of, Trump “rapid response,” I’d describe it — you know, responding to him in near real time — in recent days.  It feels like something slightly different from the way you were handling it before, and I’m wondering: Why that shift?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  He’s becoming increasingly unstable and unhinged, and it requires that response.  I think the American people are seeing it, witnessing it in real time, and we must take note of the fact that this is an individual who wants to be president of the United States, and I think the American people deserve better than someone who actually seems to be unstable. 

Q    Madam — Madam Vice President —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Okay.  Thank you all.  Thank you.

                        END                1:13 P.M EDT

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Tonight, Doug and I are praying for all those who were killed or injured in the collapse of the ferry dock walkway on Georgia’s Sapelo Island, as well as their family members and loved ones. Our Administration is in close touch with state and local officials, and we have offered any federal support the community might need. As always, we are deeply grateful for the heroism of our first responders. Even in the face of this heartbreak, we will continue to celebrate and honor the history, culture, and resilience of the Gullah-Geechee community.

# # #

The post Statement from Vice President Kamala Harris appeared first on The White House.

Tonight, Doug and I are praying for all those who were killed or injured in the collapse of the ferry dock walkway on Georgia’s Sapelo Island, as well as their family members and loved ones. Our Administration is in close touch with state and local officials, and we have offered any federal support the community might need. As always, we are deeply grateful for the heroism of our first responders. Even in the face of this heartbreak, we will continue to celebrate and honor the history, culture, and resilience of the Gullah-Geechee community.

# # #

The post Statement from Vice President Kamala Harris appeared first on The White House.

UAW Local 652
Lansing, Michigan

5:31 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Hey, everybody.  Hey.  (Applause.)  Hey, everyone.  Good afternoon.  Good afternoon, everyone.

Oh, it’s good to be in the house of labor.  Good afternoon.  (Applause.)  Good afternoon.

Ben, I want to thank you for your leadership.  I just said to him, I mean, what a leader he is.  You know, I just — first of all, it’s so good to be in the house of labor, and it’s so good to be with people who understand the dignity of work and fight for it every day.  And it’s not an easy fight, but it’s a good fight.

And I thank you for all that you do, Ben, and everybody who is here.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you. 

So, it’s wonderful to be back in Michigan and to be with so many incredible leaders, including, of course, Representative Slotkin.  Where is she?  She’s — there you are.  (Applause.)  Who we must elect to the United States Senate.  (Applause.)  And we will.  I’m counting on that.

State Senator Hertel, let’s send him to the United States House of Representatives.  (Applause.)  There you are.

And a special thanks to the brothers and sisters of United Auto Workers.  Thank you for all that you are, all that you do, and the warm welcome.  (Applause.) 

And, of course, for generations in Lansing and across our country, union members have helped lead the fight for fair pay, better benefits, and safe working conditions, and every person in our nation has benefited from your work. 

You know, everywhere I go, I tell people, you may not be a union member, but you better thank unions — (applause) — for the five-day work week, for sick leave, for paid family leave and vacation time, because we are all clear: Collective bargaining benefits our entire nation — our entire nation.  (Applause.) 

Because here’s the deal.  When union wages go up, everybody’s wages go up.  When union workplaces are safer, everyone’s workplace is safer.  So, thank a union.  (Applause.)  Thank a union. 

And the bottom line is when unions are strong, America is strong.  Unions have always fought to make our nation more equal, more fair, and more free.  And in this election, everything we have fought for, for years in this movement — in this movement, for unions and for labor, is on the line. 

And I’m about to talk about it in real terms because we always have real talk with each other, and your members can afford nothing less, which has been why I appreciate your leadership. 

This election is about two very different visions for our nation: one that’s trying to take us backward — him — and ours that is about moving forward and about the future.  (Applause.)  We fight — we fight for a future where we protect the freedom to organize, where we understand the importance of collective bargaining. 

You know, I sometimes say to young people — and, by the way, have you noticed how, when you look at the polling, younger workers coming into the workforce, they get it and they understand the power and the nobility of unions. 

And I always say to people, look, here’s the thing about collective bargaining.  Everybody should want that, when there’s a negotiation, the outcome would be fair.  Right?  Who’s going to argue with that?  Everybody should want that — that there will be a fair outcome in a negotiation. 

All right.  So, if we start from there — we’re all reasonable people — then let’s think about it.  If you’re talking about the worker, the one worker trying to negotiate against the corporation, is that outcome going to be fair? 

     AUDIENCE MEMBERS:  No.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  No.  The disparity in power is too great.  So, collective bargaining, it’s a simple, simple and important point.  You let the workers organize so that the collective, together, who have the same concerns, the same issues, can be banded together to have equal power in a negotiation, because the whole point is the outcome of the negotiation should be fair.  That’s what collective bargaining is about.  That’s what unions are about.  (Applause.)

It’s about basic fairness, and it’s about the dignity of work, understanding all workers deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.  That’s what we’re talking about when we talk about this movement and the strength of the movement and the importance of keeping it going. 

We talk about, then, our knowledge about the importance of building a future where we tap into the ambition of the American people, where we build what I call an “opportunity economy” — right? — so every American has an opportunity to own a home, to buy a car, to build wealth, to start a business.

And I will always — it is my pledge to you — put the middle class and working people first.  I come from the middle class, and I will never forget where I come from.  (Applause.)  I will never forget where I come from.  I know where I come from.

Hard work is good work.  Hard work is good work and must receive the value to which it is due, which means understanding the value of the worker.  (Applause.) 

And we know we cannot have a strong middle class without American manufacturing.  Over the last three and a half years, we brought manufacturing back to America, creating 730,000 manufacturing jobs — (applause) — with your help — with your help.  We announced the opening of more than 20 new auto plants in the United States, and we did it by investing in American industry and American workers.  (Applause.)

And I will make sure America, not China, wins the competition for the 21st century.  (Applause.) 

So, under my plan, it’s about investing in the industries that built America, like steel, iron, the great American auto industry.  And we will ensure that the next generation of breakthroughs, from advanced batteries to electric vehicles, are not just invented but built right here in America by American union workers.  (Applause.)  Because it is they and you who have proven how to get the job done.  (Applause.)

And as part of that vision, we will invest in manufacturing communities like Lansing.  We will retool existing factories, hire locally, and work with unions to create good-paying jobs, including, by the way, jobs that do not require a college degree. 

And I’mma tell you why.  And I’mma tell you why, because I’m really clear that a college degree is not the only measure of the skills and experience of the qualified worker, and we need to understand — (applause) — we need to understand that. 

In fact, it is my pledge that, as president, I’m going to do a critical assessment of federal jobs to look at those that don’t require a college degree so we can start talking about good jobs based on the skill and experience of the worker and not random measures of who can do what.  And I plan on, then, challenging the private sector to do the same.  (Applause.)

And we will importantly protect the pensions of union workers and retirees.  (Applause.)  Again, it’s about the dignity of work, which includes the dignity of retirement.  After a lifetime of working hard, let’s talk about the dignity of retirement, the dignity of aging. 

And that’s why, as attorney general, I sued the big banks to return hundreds of millions of dollars to workers and their families after their pensions were mismanaged.  This is not new to me.  I’ve done that work. 

As a United States senator, I pushed for legislation to rescue workers’ pensions without cutting the benefits that workers had earned. 

And, as vice president, I worked alongside then-Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, and we, for a year, worked on what we needed to do with the federal workforce, which was in our direct power, to increase the ability for collective bargaining and to ensure that they have all the resources they need to grow in terms of organizing. 

As vice president, I also helped to do the long overdue work to protect the pensions of more than 1 million union members.  And yesterday, I announced the protection of the full earned pension benefits of more than 22,500 union workers and retirees in Michigan under the Detroit Carpenters’ Pension Fund.  (Applause.) 

Because, again, just to put a fine point on it, when it comes to your pension or Social Security or Medicare, these are retirement benefits you have earned.  This is not about a giveaway.  You’ve earned it.  And it must be protected, and it must be respected — after decades of hard work, that you receive it.  And honoring these benefits must be an ironclad commitment.  (Applause.)

Now — now let’s talk about, you know, the guy on the other side.  Let’s talk about Donald Trump for a minute.  Shall we?  So —

     AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And because he has a very different view.  Now, in all seriousness, he has a very different view of workers, of hard work, of the dignity of work.  You guys — we know it.  We know it. 

He tries to, you know, do his rhetorical thing at — at rallies like he understands what it means to earn a living.  No, you understand what I’m saying.  He pretends that he understands workers and the hard work and the battle workers face every day to get their due wages and benefits. 

Well, we’re not falling for the okey-doke, because we know — we know what he has said, and we know what he has done.  (Applause.)  He who called Social Security a Ponzi scheme.  He called it a Ponzi scheme.  He recommended we raise the retirement age to 70.  Can you imagine, if you are required to work to 70?  He who intends to cut Social Security and Medicare?

You know, we know how many people — their only source of income is their social security check.  Talk about — right? — is the value about dignity in retirement, dignity in aging.  And remember, he was the only one — he said he was going to be the only one who could bring back America’s manufacturing jobs.  You know how he talks.  (Deepens voice.)  “I’m the only one,” right?  (Laughter.)  You know how he talks.  (Laughter and applause.) 

And then, because we’re too busy watching what he’s doing to hear what he’s saying, we know America lost nearly 200,000 manufacturing jobs when he was president — okay? — including tens of thousands of jobs right here in Michigan.  And those losses, we know and we’ll note, started before the pandemic — okay? — making Donald Trump one of the biggest —

     AUDIENCE:  Losers!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — losers of manufacturing jobs in American history. 

And his track record for the auto industry was a disaster.  He promised workers in Warren that the auto industry would — I’m going to quote — “not lose one plant” under his presidency.  Then American automakers announced the closure of six auto plants when he was president, including General Motors in Warren and Stellantis in Detroit.  Thousands of Michigan autoworkers lost their jobs.

And if he wins again, we can expect there would be more of the same, because we know what he has done.  And we know that we’re going to focus on the work, not the words, when it comes to Donald Trump, and we know where he took us the last time.

 And check this out.  Donald Trump’s current running mate — because you know the job was open, right?  (Laughter.)  You know, like, when people go for an interview — especially the young people, they’ll go for an interview, and they’ll sit down and they’re in the interview, and they’ll say, “Why is the job open?”  (Laughter.)  Well, we know why that job was open.  (Laughter.)

So, Donald Trump’s running mate recently suggested that if they win, they would threaten the Grand River Assembly plant right here in Lansing —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — the same plant that, with your help, our administration protected earlier this year, saving 650 union jobs.  (Applause.)  Right? 

And I do believe some of the union workers from Grand River are here with us today.  So, you know what I’m ta- — (applause) — so, you know I’m talking about.  You know what I’m talking about.  And Trump’s running mate called your jobs “table scraps,” right?

So, let me just say — needless to say — I will always have your back — (applause) — and will keep fighting to make sure that you keep your jobs right here in Lansing and keep these most noble and important jobs for America’s strength.  That’s the work you all do. 

You know, Donald Trump, he also promised that he was going to stop offshoring.  Remember that?  Then he cut taxes for corporations that shipped 200,000 jobs overseas during his presidency — cut the taxes for those corporations — okay? — and awarded nearly half a trillion dollars in federal contracts to companies that were offshoring jobs.  Okay?  Follow the money.

He gave your tax dollars to companies that were sending your jobs overseas.  And we got to get the word out to all of the brothers and sisters in labor to remind them of what this dude does — right? — what he actually does.  (Applause.)

Because, make no mistake, Donald Trump is no friend to labor. 

     AUDIENCE:  No!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  He is no friend to labor, and we’ve got to listen to what he says.  Know that — you know that famous saying: Listen when people tell you who they are. 

In fact, can we roll the clip?  (Laughter.)  Let’s see.  There we —

(A video clip is played.)

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Right?  Right.  Right.

 So, of course, that last bit, he was talking about Shawn Fain, who — who represents nearly a million active and retired autoworkers.  Okay?  So, that’s about a million autoworkers, active and retired. 

 Donald Trump — listen to his words: He’s saying that autoworkers are essentially engaged in child’s play, that children could do it.  Listen to what he says. 

I’m telling you, he — you know, he’s got his club, and I’m going to tell you, union workers are not part of his club.  Let’s be clear about that.  No matter what he does at his rallies, let’s be clear about that, right?

He thinks that the value of your work is essentially meaningless.  That’s what he’s saying, to compare it to child’s work? 

When we here know the work you do is complex.  You do it with great care.  You work hard.  You are highly skilled.  You are highly trained.  And the best autoworkers in the world is who you are — the best in the world — (applause) — the best in the world.

 And the fact is, Donald Trump’s comments are the talk of someone who has had everything handed to him. 

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  That’s exactly right.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I know it’s right.  (Laughter.)  It is — I know.  It is. 

This man, you know, who never had to work a job that came with calloused hands or an hourly wage — right? — someone who got handed $400 million on a silver platter and did what with it?  Filed bankruptcy six times.  (Applause.)  Come on.  Come on. 

He will never understand the life of a United Auto Worker — he will never understand that — people who work hard for everything they have, who take great pride in a job well done, who understand what it represents to their family and the future of their family.  Again, I go back to the dignity of hard work. 

So, let us be clear.  Donald Trump’s insults to American workers is not exclusive to that video.  Okay?  So, that was just a moment.  Kind of think of it as the commercial break in my speech.  (Laughter.)

But his comments are not only that, because Donald Trump has been a union buster his entire career.  He has called union leaders, quote, “Dues Sucking” people.  Okay?  He said that he supports so-called right-to-work laws, quote, “100 percent.”  Okay?  He bragged and joked with a billionaire buddy about mass firing striking workers and lowered labor standards and made it easier for companies that break the laws to get federal contracts. 

Donald Trump encouraged automakers of Michigan so they could pay their workers less — encouraged them to move so they could pay their workers less.  Okay?  And when the UAW went on strike to demand the higher wages you deserve, Donald Trump went to a nonunion shop and attacked the UAW.  He said striking and collective bargaining don’t make, and I’m going to quote, “a damn bit of difference.” 

So, here’s the bottom line, Donald Trump’s track record is a disaster for working people.  And he is, I believe, an existential threat to America’s labor movement.  And everything he intends to do, if he is reelected, is also spelled out in that Project 2025. 

So, to read it and to know it is to know he intends to launch a full-on attack on unions and the freedom to organize.  Okay?  He will ban public-sector unions, roll back workplace safety protections.  Read it when you have some time.  Google it, everybody who’s watching.  Look, mak- — he will make it easier for companies to deny overtime pay for workers and appoint a union buster to run the Department of Labor.  Be sure of that.  Be sure of that. 

So, to all the friends here, I say what you already know.  It’s time to turn the page.  (Applause.)  Let’s just turn the page.  (Applause.)  Turn the page.  (Laughs.)  Because America is ready to chart a new way forward, and we are not —

     AUDIENCE:  Going back!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — going back.  We are not going back.  (Applause.)

AUDIENCE:  We’re not going back!  We’re not going back!  We’re not going back!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  No, we are not going back.  We’re not going back.  We’re not going back.

AUDIENCE:  We’re not going back!  We’re not going back!  We’re not going back!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We’re not going back because, as UAW always does, we are going to push forward.  We are going to push forward. 

And it all comes down to this.  Look, you all have taken time out of your busy lives to be here this afternoon, and we are all here together because we know the stakes in this election are so high. 

We are all here together because we love our country.  (Applause.)  We love our country.  And I do believe it is one of the highest forms of patriotism, the expression of the love of our country, to fight for our ideals.  And that’s what this is about. 

This is not, at the end of the day, a fight against something; this is a fight for something.  (Applause.)  This is a fight for something, including the fight to realize the promise of America.  After all, that’s what unions have always done.  It’s about understanding the promise of America, which has to include the promise that we should make to the workers of America.

 So, we have 18 days to get this done.  It’s not a lot of time.  Okay?  And we know this is going to be a tight race until the very end.  We are the underdog.  But make no mistake, we will win.  (Applause.)  We will win.  We will win.  We will win, I’m telling you.

It’s going to be hard work, but we like hard work.  Hard work is good work.  (Applause.) 

And ultimately, we will win because we know what we stand for.  (Applause.)  And when you know what you stand for, you know what to fight for.  (Applause.)  Right?We stand for opportunity.  We stand for dignity.  And we stand for the future.  (Applause.)

And so, I’ll close by saying, and when we fight —

     AUDIENCE:  We win!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — we win.

 God bless you.  God bless America.  (Applause.)

                               END                 5:57 P.M. EDT

The post Remarks by Vice President Harris at a Campaign Event | Lansing, MI appeared first on The White House.

UAW Local 652
Lansing, Michigan

5:31 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Hey, everybody.  Hey.  (Applause.)  Hey, everyone.  Good afternoon.  Good afternoon, everyone.

Oh, it’s good to be in the house of labor.  Good afternoon.  (Applause.)  Good afternoon.

Ben, I want to thank you for your leadership.  I just said to him, I mean, what a leader he is.  You know, I just — first of all, it’s so good to be in the house of labor, and it’s so good to be with people who understand the dignity of work and fight for it every day.  And it’s not an easy fight, but it’s a good fight.

And I thank you for all that you do, Ben, and everybody who is here.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you. 

So, it’s wonderful to be back in Michigan and to be with so many incredible leaders, including, of course, Representative Slotkin.  Where is she?  She’s — there you are.  (Applause.)  Who we must elect to the United States Senate.  (Applause.)  And we will.  I’m counting on that.

State Senator Hertel, let’s send him to the United States House of Representatives.  (Applause.)  There you are.

And a special thanks to the brothers and sisters of United Auto Workers.  Thank you for all that you are, all that you do, and the warm welcome.  (Applause.) 

And, of course, for generations in Lansing and across our country, union members have helped lead the fight for fair pay, better benefits, and safe working conditions, and every person in our nation has benefited from your work. 

You know, everywhere I go, I tell people, you may not be a union member, but you better thank unions — (applause) — for the five-day work week, for sick leave, for paid family leave and vacation time, because we are all clear: Collective bargaining benefits our entire nation — our entire nation.  (Applause.) 

Because here’s the deal.  When union wages go up, everybody’s wages go up.  When union workplaces are safer, everyone’s workplace is safer.  So, thank a union.  (Applause.)  Thank a union. 

And the bottom line is when unions are strong, America is strong.  Unions have always fought to make our nation more equal, more fair, and more free.  And in this election, everything we have fought for, for years in this movement — in this movement, for unions and for labor, is on the line. 

And I’m about to talk about it in real terms because we always have real talk with each other, and your members can afford nothing less, which has been why I appreciate your leadership. 

This election is about two very different visions for our nation: one that’s trying to take us backward — him — and ours that is about moving forward and about the future.  (Applause.)  We fight — we fight for a future where we protect the freedom to organize, where we understand the importance of collective bargaining. 

You know, I sometimes say to young people — and, by the way, have you noticed how, when you look at the polling, younger workers coming into the workforce, they get it and they understand the power and the nobility of unions. 

And I always say to people, look, here’s the thing about collective bargaining.  Everybody should want that, when there’s a negotiation, the outcome would be fair.  Right?  Who’s going to argue with that?  Everybody should want that — that there will be a fair outcome in a negotiation. 

All right.  So, if we start from there — we’re all reasonable people — then let’s think about it.  If you’re talking about the worker, the one worker trying to negotiate against the corporation, is that outcome going to be fair? 

     AUDIENCE MEMBERS:  No.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  No.  The disparity in power is too great.  So, collective bargaining, it’s a simple, simple and important point.  You let the workers organize so that the collective, together, who have the same concerns, the same issues, can be banded together to have equal power in a negotiation, because the whole point is the outcome of the negotiation should be fair.  That’s what collective bargaining is about.  That’s what unions are about.  (Applause.)

It’s about basic fairness, and it’s about the dignity of work, understanding all workers deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.  That’s what we’re talking about when we talk about this movement and the strength of the movement and the importance of keeping it going. 

We talk about, then, our knowledge about the importance of building a future where we tap into the ambition of the American people, where we build what I call an “opportunity economy” — right? — so every American has an opportunity to own a home, to buy a car, to build wealth, to start a business.

And I will always — it is my pledge to you — put the middle class and working people first.  I come from the middle class, and I will never forget where I come from.  (Applause.)  I will never forget where I come from.  I know where I come from.

Hard work is good work.  Hard work is good work and must receive the value to which it is due, which means understanding the value of the worker.  (Applause.) 

And we know we cannot have a strong middle class without American manufacturing.  Over the last three and a half years, we brought manufacturing back to America, creating 730,000 manufacturing jobs — (applause) — with your help — with your help.  We announced the opening of more than 20 new auto plants in the United States, and we did it by investing in American industry and American workers.  (Applause.)

And I will make sure America, not China, wins the competition for the 21st century.  (Applause.) 

So, under my plan, it’s about investing in the industries that built America, like steel, iron, the great American auto industry.  And we will ensure that the next generation of breakthroughs, from advanced batteries to electric vehicles, are not just invented but built right here in America by American union workers.  (Applause.)  Because it is they and you who have proven how to get the job done.  (Applause.)

And as part of that vision, we will invest in manufacturing communities like Lansing.  We will retool existing factories, hire locally, and work with unions to create good-paying jobs, including, by the way, jobs that do not require a college degree. 

And I’mma tell you why.  And I’mma tell you why, because I’m really clear that a college degree is not the only measure of the skills and experience of the qualified worker, and we need to understand — (applause) — we need to understand that. 

In fact, it is my pledge that, as president, I’m going to do a critical assessment of federal jobs to look at those that don’t require a college degree so we can start talking about good jobs based on the skill and experience of the worker and not random measures of who can do what.  And I plan on, then, challenging the private sector to do the same.  (Applause.)

And we will importantly protect the pensions of union workers and retirees.  (Applause.)  Again, it’s about the dignity of work, which includes the dignity of retirement.  After a lifetime of working hard, let’s talk about the dignity of retirement, the dignity of aging. 

And that’s why, as attorney general, I sued the big banks to return hundreds of millions of dollars to workers and their families after their pensions were mismanaged.  This is not new to me.  I’ve done that work. 

As a United States senator, I pushed for legislation to rescue workers’ pensions without cutting the benefits that workers had earned. 

And, as vice president, I worked alongside then-Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, and we, for a year, worked on what we needed to do with the federal workforce, which was in our direct power, to increase the ability for collective bargaining and to ensure that they have all the resources they need to grow in terms of organizing. 

As vice president, I also helped to do the long overdue work to protect the pensions of more than 1 million union members.  And yesterday, I announced the protection of the full earned pension benefits of more than 22,500 union workers and retirees in Michigan under the Detroit Carpenters’ Pension Fund.  (Applause.) 

Because, again, just to put a fine point on it, when it comes to your pension or Social Security or Medicare, these are retirement benefits you have earned.  This is not about a giveaway.  You’ve earned it.  And it must be protected, and it must be respected — after decades of hard work, that you receive it.  And honoring these benefits must be an ironclad commitment.  (Applause.)

Now — now let’s talk about, you know, the guy on the other side.  Let’s talk about Donald Trump for a minute.  Shall we?  So —

     AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And because he has a very different view.  Now, in all seriousness, he has a very different view of workers, of hard work, of the dignity of work.  You guys — we know it.  We know it. 

He tries to, you know, do his rhetorical thing at — at rallies like he understands what it means to earn a living.  No, you understand what I’m saying.  He pretends that he understands workers and the hard work and the battle workers face every day to get their due wages and benefits. 

Well, we’re not falling for the okey-doke, because we know — we know what he has said, and we know what he has done.  (Applause.)  He who called Social Security a Ponzi scheme.  He called it a Ponzi scheme.  He recommended we raise the retirement age to 70.  Can you imagine, if you are required to work to 70?  He who intends to cut Social Security and Medicare?

You know, we know how many people — their only source of income is their social security check.  Talk about — right? — is the value about dignity in retirement, dignity in aging.  And remember, he was the only one — he said he was going to be the only one who could bring back America’s manufacturing jobs.  You know how he talks.  (Deepens voice.)  “I’m the only one,” right?  (Laughter.)  You know how he talks.  (Laughter and applause.) 

And then, because we’re too busy watching what he’s doing to hear what he’s saying, we know America lost nearly 200,000 manufacturing jobs when he was president — okay? — including tens of thousands of jobs right here in Michigan.  And those losses, we know and we’ll note, started before the pandemic — okay? — making Donald Trump one of the biggest —

     AUDIENCE:  Losers!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — losers of manufacturing jobs in American history. 

And his track record for the auto industry was a disaster.  He promised workers in Warren that the auto industry would — I’m going to quote — “not lose one plant” under his presidency.  Then American automakers announced the closure of six auto plants when he was president, including General Motors in Warren and Stellantis in Detroit.  Thousands of Michigan autoworkers lost their jobs.

And if he wins again, we can expect there would be more of the same, because we know what he has done.  And we know that we’re going to focus on the work, not the words, when it comes to Donald Trump, and we know where he took us the last time.

 And check this out.  Donald Trump’s current running mate — because you know the job was open, right?  (Laughter.)  You know, like, when people go for an interview — especially the young people, they’ll go for an interview, and they’ll sit down and they’re in the interview, and they’ll say, “Why is the job open?”  (Laughter.)  Well, we know why that job was open.  (Laughter.)

So, Donald Trump’s running mate recently suggested that if they win, they would threaten the Grand River Assembly plant right here in Lansing —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — the same plant that, with your help, our administration protected earlier this year, saving 650 union jobs.  (Applause.)  Right? 

And I do believe some of the union workers from Grand River are here with us today.  So, you know what I’m ta- — (applause) — so, you know I’m talking about.  You know what I’m talking about.  And Trump’s running mate called your jobs “table scraps,” right?

So, let me just say — needless to say — I will always have your back — (applause) — and will keep fighting to make sure that you keep your jobs right here in Lansing and keep these most noble and important jobs for America’s strength.  That’s the work you all do. 

You know, Donald Trump, he also promised that he was going to stop offshoring.  Remember that?  Then he cut taxes for corporations that shipped 200,000 jobs overseas during his presidency — cut the taxes for those corporations — okay? — and awarded nearly half a trillion dollars in federal contracts to companies that were offshoring jobs.  Okay?  Follow the money.

He gave your tax dollars to companies that were sending your jobs overseas.  And we got to get the word out to all of the brothers and sisters in labor to remind them of what this dude does — right? — what he actually does.  (Applause.)

Because, make no mistake, Donald Trump is no friend to labor. 

     AUDIENCE:  No!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  He is no friend to labor, and we’ve got to listen to what he says.  Know that — you know that famous saying: Listen when people tell you who they are. 

In fact, can we roll the clip?  (Laughter.)  Let’s see.  There we —

(A video clip is played.)

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Right?  Right.  Right.

 So, of course, that last bit, he was talking about Shawn Fain, who — who represents nearly a million active and retired autoworkers.  Okay?  So, that’s about a million autoworkers, active and retired. 

 Donald Trump — listen to his words: He’s saying that autoworkers are essentially engaged in child’s play, that children could do it.  Listen to what he says. 

I’m telling you, he — you know, he’s got his club, and I’m going to tell you, union workers are not part of his club.  Let’s be clear about that.  No matter what he does at his rallies, let’s be clear about that, right?

He thinks that the value of your work is essentially meaningless.  That’s what he’s saying, to compare it to child’s work? 

When we here know the work you do is complex.  You do it with great care.  You work hard.  You are highly skilled.  You are highly trained.  And the best autoworkers in the world is who you are — the best in the world — (applause) — the best in the world.

 And the fact is, Donald Trump’s comments are the talk of someone who has had everything handed to him. 

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  That’s exactly right.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I know it’s right.  (Laughter.)  It is — I know.  It is. 

This man, you know, who never had to work a job that came with calloused hands or an hourly wage — right? — someone who got handed $400 million on a silver platter and did what with it?  Filed bankruptcy six times.  (Applause.)  Come on.  Come on. 

He will never understand the life of a United Auto Worker — he will never understand that — people who work hard for everything they have, who take great pride in a job well done, who understand what it represents to their family and the future of their family.  Again, I go back to the dignity of hard work. 

So, let us be clear.  Donald Trump’s insults to American workers is not exclusive to that video.  Okay?  So, that was just a moment.  Kind of think of it as the commercial break in my speech.  (Laughter.)

But his comments are not only that, because Donald Trump has been a union buster his entire career.  He has called union leaders, quote, “Dues Sucking” people.  Okay?  He said that he supports so-called right-to-work laws, quote, “100 percent.”  Okay?  He bragged and joked with a billionaire buddy about mass firing striking workers and lowered labor standards and made it easier for companies that break the laws to get federal contracts. 

Donald Trump encouraged automakers of Michigan so they could pay their workers less — encouraged them to move so they could pay their workers less.  Okay?  And when the UAW went on strike to demand the higher wages you deserve, Donald Trump went to a nonunion shop and attacked the UAW.  He said striking and collective bargaining don’t make, and I’m going to quote, “a damn bit of difference.” 

So, here’s the bottom line, Donald Trump’s track record is a disaster for working people.  And he is, I believe, an existential threat to America’s labor movement.  And everything he intends to do, if he is reelected, is also spelled out in that Project 2025. 

So, to read it and to know it is to know he intends to launch a full-on attack on unions and the freedom to organize.  Okay?  He will ban public-sector unions, roll back workplace safety protections.  Read it when you have some time.  Google it, everybody who’s watching.  Look, mak- — he will make it easier for companies to deny overtime pay for workers and appoint a union buster to run the Department of Labor.  Be sure of that.  Be sure of that. 

So, to all the friends here, I say what you already know.  It’s time to turn the page.  (Applause.)  Let’s just turn the page.  (Applause.)  Turn the page.  (Laughs.)  Because America is ready to chart a new way forward, and we are not —

     AUDIENCE:  Going back!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — going back.  We are not going back.  (Applause.)

AUDIENCE:  We’re not going back!  We’re not going back!  We’re not going back!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  No, we are not going back.  We’re not going back.  We’re not going back.

AUDIENCE:  We’re not going back!  We’re not going back!  We’re not going back!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We’re not going back because, as UAW always does, we are going to push forward.  We are going to push forward. 

And it all comes down to this.  Look, you all have taken time out of your busy lives to be here this afternoon, and we are all here together because we know the stakes in this election are so high. 

We are all here together because we love our country.  (Applause.)  We love our country.  And I do believe it is one of the highest forms of patriotism, the expression of the love of our country, to fight for our ideals.  And that’s what this is about. 

This is not, at the end of the day, a fight against something; this is a fight for something.  (Applause.)  This is a fight for something, including the fight to realize the promise of America.  After all, that’s what unions have always done.  It’s about understanding the promise of America, which has to include the promise that we should make to the workers of America.

 So, we have 18 days to get this done.  It’s not a lot of time.  Okay?  And we know this is going to be a tight race until the very end.  We are the underdog.  But make no mistake, we will win.  (Applause.)  We will win.  We will win.  We will win, I’m telling you.

It’s going to be hard work, but we like hard work.  Hard work is good work.  (Applause.) 

And ultimately, we will win because we know what we stand for.  (Applause.)  And when you know what you stand for, you know what to fight for.  (Applause.)  Right?We stand for opportunity.  We stand for dignity.  And we stand for the future.  (Applause.)

And so, I’ll close by saying, and when we fight —

     AUDIENCE:  We win!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — we win.

 God bless you.  God bless America.  (Applause.)

                               END                 5:57 P.M. EDT

The post Remarks by Vice President Harris at a Campaign Event | Lansing, MI appeared first on The White House.

We are heartbroken to learn about the ferry dock walkway collapse on Georgia’s Sapelo Island. What should have been a joyous celebration of Gullah-Geechee culture and history instead turned into tragedy and devastation. Jill and I mourn those who lost their lives, and we pray for the injured and anyone still missing. We are also grateful to the first responders at the scene. My team is in touch with state and local officials, and we stand ready to provide any and all assistance that would be helpful to the community.

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