Remarks by Vice President Harris on the 2022 Democratic Nationwide Committee Summer season Assembly

September 10, 2022

Gaylord Nationwide Resort and Conference Middle
Nationwide Harbor, Maryland

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Jaime, you give me hope.  (Applause.)  It’s so good to see all of those leaders below one roof at one time.  I see so many associates. 
 
I need to thanks all.  And, Jaime, I need to thanks.  You’ve been such an unimaginable chief at a really, very vital and essential time in our nation.  And thanks for the eagerness and the drive and the inspiration that you just give to this place and to all of us as Democrats.  Can we hear it up for Jaime Harrison?  (Applause.)  Thanks. 
 
So I do need to say that after we take into consideration the place we’re at present — and, to the DNC members, I need to thanks all, as a result of you’re the leaders who’re making our promise actual on this nation.  And so, I thanks for that.
 
To the elected leaders who’re right here and the elected officers, particularly the state and native officers, thanks for lifting up our communities. 
 
As Jaime mentioned, I’ve been touring the nation, convening particularly our Democrats on the state degree, as a result of with a lot of what has occurred lately, their management is as, if no more, essential than ever, when it comes to you being on the bottom — a recognizable face in the neighborhood — to remind folks of all that’s at stake and to present them a way of optimism about our future.
 
To the younger leaders who’re right here, I thanks.  You talked a few Harry Types live performance; that might be enjoyable.  (Laughter.)  However thanks for all that you’re doing.  I’ve met with so lots of you, and you actually are position fashions of what it means to know the position of management that all of us had been born with, however it’s a matter of while you resolve to show it on.  And also you all are doing that work. 
 
And to our labor leaders who’re right here, thanks for preventing on behalf of working folks daily.  (Applause.)  As you understand, I head up the Labor Council with Marty Walsh, Secretary of Labor.  And Joe Biden and I are very proud that we would be the most pro-union administration within the historical past of our nation.  (Applause.)  Certainly. 
 
So, as Jaime mentioned, we’ve bought 59 days to go — 59.  And our work, your work goes to make all of the distinction as a result of we all know, Democrats, the stakes are so excessive.
 
Because the President — as our President made clear in Philadelphia final week, the threats we face as a nation are nice: threats to our freedom, threats to our very democracy.  And we have to communicate fact about that. 
 
And so, at present, all of us, by coming collectively, reaffirm that we refuse to let extremist, so-called leaders dismantle our democracy.  (Applause.) 
 
We convene at present to recommit to the combat for freedom.  Democrats, we right here rise to fulfill this second.  And we’ve performed it earlier than.  It wasn’t very way back: 2020.  Below extraordinarily troublesome circumstances, the American folks stood for his or her nation and our democracy in one of many best expressions of patriotism: They voted. 
 
They dropped off their poll with their youngsters within the backseat.  They took day without work from work.  They discovered childcare with a purpose to stand in line for hours. 
 
Democrats, in 2020, you reminded American voters of the stakes and, so importantly, you reminded — you reminded them that their vote issues and that they matter. 
 
And due to your work, extra Individuals voted than ever earlier than, together with a report variety of youthful voters. 
 
Due to your work, the American folks delivered a Democratic Congress and despatched Joe Biden and me to the White Home.  (Applause.) 
 
And so, all of our progress since has confirmed that your work mattered.  In 2020, the American folks put their belief in Democrats.  And over these final 18 months, Democrats have delivered. 
 
Let me rephrase that.  Over these final 18 months, Democrats have delivered massive time.  (Applause.) 
 
And if there was any query about whether or not there’s a distinction between the events, nicely, over the past 18 months, it has turn out to be crystal clear: There’s a massive distinction. 
 
Everyone knows that American households have been struggling.  However whereas Republican Get together leaders have gone on TV to opine in regards to the scenario, Democrats truly did one thing about it.  (Applause.) 
 
Assume again, on the top of the pandemic, when Democrats supplied emergency aid to the American folks.  You understand, not one Republican in Congress voted for the invoice. 
 
We prolonged the Little one Tax Credit score; introduced down, within the first 12 months, baby poverty in America by 40 p.c.  We gave mother and father a tax lower of as much as $8,000 for the price of elevating a baby: medical provides, college provides.  And never one Republican in Congress voted with us. 
 
Simply final month, when Democrats introduced down healthcare prices, power prices by passing the Inflation Discount Act, once more, not one Republican in Congress voted for the invoice. 
 
For years, Massive Pharma tried to pocket larger income by stopping Medicare from negotiating decrease drug costs.  Effectively, Democrats — we mentioned, “Sufficient.”  As a result of we all know that it isn’t proper in a civil nation that individuals go broke or bankrupt simply to have the ability to get the prescription medicine they should dwell. 
 
And due to us, Democrats, Medicare now has the ability to barter drug costs on behalf of 60 million Individuals.  (Applause.)  As a result of we don’t put income earlier than folks. 
 
And naturally, Republican Get together leaders strongly opposed us after we cancelled between $10,000 and $20,000 in scholar debt for thousands and thousands of Individuals.  (Applause.)  However we all know what’s the proper factor to do.
 
They are saying they care about crime.  Effectively, it was us who expanded background checks and handed probably the most vital gun violence legislation in 30 years.  (Applause.) 
 
They made promise after promise about investing in infrastructure.  You keep in mind “Infrastructure Week.”  (Laughter.) 
 
Effectively, it was us — we led the way in which to the biggest funding in our nation’s infrastructure in a technology.  (Applause.) 
 
They downplay — even deny — the affect of local weather change as communities are actually on fireplace.  We made the biggest funding to fight the local weather disaster in historical past and ship on environmental justice for folks in every single place.  (Applause.)  And, sure, not one Republican voted with us.
 
We have now paid for all of this with out elevating taxes on working folks. (Applause.) 
 
And, you understand, it’s fascinating.  Republican Get together leaders — nicely, they like to speak about fiscal accountability.  We have now performed all of this and introduced down the deficit by a report quantity.  (Applause.) 
 
And allow us to not overlook about our judiciary.  We’re making certain that our judiciary seems like America.  (Applause.)  Sure. 
 
We have now confirmed extra ladies to the federal courts than ever earlier than — (applause) — together with to the very best courtroom in our land.  (Applause.)  Her title is Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.  (Applause.) 
 
So, Democrats, you understand, I consider that when you understand what you stand for, you understand what to combat for.  So, allow us to remind the American folks what Democrats stand for.  Allow us to remind the American folks that we, as Democrats — we combat for the folks, all of the folks.  Allow us to remind them, on this second, that the stakes couldn’t be greater. 
 
You understand, proper now, extremist so-called leaders are trumpeting the rhetoric of freedom whereas they limit and systematically try to remove freedoms.
 
America Supreme Court docket simply took a constitutional proper that had been acknowledged from the folks of America, from the ladies of America.  And now, these extremist, so-called leaders are passing legal guidelines to criminalize healthcare suppliers and punish ladies. 
 
They consider that authorities ought to make private choices for girls — that authorities ought to make choices for girls about their very own physique. 
 
Effectively, we don’t.  We belief ladies.  (Applause.)
 
And an essential level to be made on that topic is with reference to alternative and what the Dobbs determination has performed and what it means.  It’s an essential level to acknowledge that you just don’t need to abandon your religion or your beliefs to agree that the federal government shouldn’t be making that call for her.  (Applause.)
 
And thanks, Kansas.  (Applause.)  You guys are right here. 
 
These extremist, so-called leaders declare we should always return this challenge to the voters within the states.  Effectively, isn’t that ironic?  As a result of a few of the identical persons are those passing legal guidelines that deliberately make it harder for folks in these states to vote, passing legal guidelines that ban drop containers and limit early voting — legal guidelines that make it unlawful to present folks meals and water once they’ve been standing in line for hours; undemocratic legal guidelines; un-American legal guidelines. 
 
So once more, on this second, the stakes couldn’t be greater.  And have a look — as a result of I’ve — at which states — from which states are we seeing assaults on the liberty to vote, assaults on the LGBTQ+ group, assaults on ladies’s rights to make choices about their very own our bodies.  Check out from the place these assaults are taking place, and you’ll then not be shocked to know that there’s fairly just a few of these states which can be doing all three on the identical time: Florida, Georgia, Texas.
 
And this November, these governors — nicely, they’re going to need to reply to the voters.  (Applause.)  As I journey to go to with all of you — journey throughout our nation, let me let you know: Of us know — in addition they know that elections matter up and down the poll.  Proper?
 
As a result of give it some thought.  As medical doctors are being criminalized, take note of these native county prosecutor races.  As massive lies are being perpetrated, take note of these Secretary of State races.  In truth, in 11 states proper now — in 11 states, Republican candidates for Secretary of State deny the outcomes of the 2020 election.  Simply take into account: The very individuals who don’t belief elections need to be accountable for operating them. 
 
After which, there’s D.C., the place we have to maintain on — and we are going to — maintain on to the Home of Representatives and develop our majority in america Senate.  (Applause.) 
 
And — and on that time, enable me to put out two very actual eventualities for you.  First, think about — I don’t need to, however think about if we misplaced our Democratic majority within the Congress. 
 
Republican Get together leaders have made it clear: They need to ban abortion nationwide.  And so they gained’t cease there.  Justice Clarence Thomas mentioned the quiet half out loud: Marriage equality might be on the road.  Contraception might be on the road.  With no Democratic majority in Congress, who is aware of what different rights they are going to come after? 
 
Now, think about a greater future.  Think about what we are able to do if we defend the 5 seats we have to maintain on to the bulk within the Home.  Think about what we are able to do if we defend and, higher but, develop our majority within the Senate.  Think about.  (Applause.)
 
We will then combat to make sure each employee has paid household depart.  We will combat to make sure each household can afford childcare.  We will combat to make sure each childcare supplier is paid pretty additionally.  (Applause.)
 
As a result of, you see, we have now performed so much over these final 18 months, however we nonetheless have much more work that we’re able to do. 
 
And, Democrats, with simply two extra seats within the Senate, we are able to codify Roe v Wade.  We will put the protections of Roe into legislation.  (Applause.)
 
With two extra seats in america Senate, we are able to cross the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.  (Applause.)  Two extra seats.  (Applause.)  That’s proper.  Two extra seats.
 
And, you understand, our President — our President, Joe Biden, he’s been clear.  He’s sort of performed with these archaic Senate guidelines which can be standing in the way in which of these two points.  He’s made that clear, and has mentioned that that — he won’t enable that to impede these two points. 
 
And, you understand, for me, as Vice President, I’m additionally president of the Senate.  And — (applause) — and in our first 12 months in workplace, a few of the historians right here might know I truly broke John Adams’s report of casting probably the most tiebreaking votes in a single time period.  (Laughs.)  How about that? (Applause.)  How about that?
 
And so, that being the case, I can’t wait to forged the deciding vote to interrupt the filibuster on voting rights and reproductive rights.  I can’t wait.  (Applause.)  Fifty-nine days.  Fifty-nine days.
 
And right here’s the excellent news — you all realize it; I can really feel the power within the room — we’ve bought momentum on our facet.  As a result of once more, if I could ask the Kansans within the room to face so we are able to applaud what you probably did.  (Applause.)  Yeah.  Momentum. 
 
Look what occurred in Kansas.  The folks there — these leaders and so many joined collectively and guarded reproductive rights of their state. 
 
Look what occurred in New York’s Hudson Valley.  Keep in mind, the pundits predicted a Republican victory, however the folks elected a Democrat to Congress.  (Applause.)
 
Look what’s taking place simply final week in Alaska.  (Applause.)  How about that?  Mary Peltola is on her technique to america Home of Representatives.  (Applause.)  And by the way in which, it’s the primary time a Democrat has gained that seat in 50 years.  (Applause.)
 
So, within the subsequent 59 days, it’s as much as all of us right here to construct on this momentum.  And every one in every of lately counts. 
 
And know that almost all of Individuals are with us on so many of those points.  As a result of we stand with the folks, and we combat for the folks, and we’re dedicated to main our nation ahead, not again. 
 
So, to each American, allow us to say: Should you consider in the proper to privateness, within the promise of freedom and liberty, within the perfect of self-determination, then stand with Democrats.  Should you consider within the promise of America, then stand with us. 
 
As a result of, you see, we do consider elementary to America is to guard ladies’s rights.  Elementary to America is to guard LGBTQ rights.  Elementary to the power of America is to combat for employees’ rights.  Elementary to who America has at all times been and might be is to combat for immigrant justice.  Elementary to having accountable policing is the purpose that if we need to be safer and deal with all as equals, that is what we do. 
 
If we as a nation need to put money into small companies that make America stronger, stand with us. 
 
If you wish to construct the center class and develop alternative for each American wherever they dwell — be it an enormous metropolis, a suburb, or a small city — stand with us. 
 
This can be a pivotal second in our nation’s historical past.  And make no mistake: This election is how we rise to fulfill it.  (Applause.)
 
You all have heard me paraphrase Coretta Scott King so many occasions, and I’m about to do it once more.  (Laughter.)  She mentioned, “Wrestle is a unending course of, and freedom is rarely actually gained.  You earn it, and also you win it in each technology.”  And at present, I’m going so as to add a chunk: and also you earn it and also you win it in each election.  (Applause.)
 
So, in 59 days, we are going to decide the way forward for our nation.  And in these 59 days then, let’s depart all of it on the sector.  As a result of after we combat, we win.  (Applause.)
 
God bless you all.  God bless America.  Thanks.  Thanks.  (Applause.)
 
                          END

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