President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at the Congressional Black Caucus’ Phoenix Awards Dinner on Saturday, conveying the message that lawmakers are in a “battle for the soul of the nation.”
Biden highlighted the Congressional Black Caucus’ (CBC) ties with black voters.
“In 2020, I ran for president to save the soul of America and bring class and dignity back to the office of the presidency,” he said. “I ran to rebuild the backbone of America: the middle class. And I ran to unite our country and remind ourselves that there is nothing we can’t accomplish when we come together.”
The spectres of Trump, MAGA Republicans and the threat Democrats say they pose to the country loomed over Biden’s remarks, calling on the assembled CBC members to act.
“Old ghosts in new clothes are trying to seize your power, and extremists are seeking your freedoms by making it harder to vote, making your vote count, closing the doors of opportunity and attacking affirmative action,” he said. “My predecessor called the mob that stormed the Capitol on January 6th ‘patriots,’ yet when peaceful protesters marched for justice for George Floyd, Trump wanted to send in the military, and they didn’t.”
Biden went on to draw a contrast between his and Harris’ tenure in the White House and that of his predecessor. On the theme of unity, Biden again denounced Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, who in recent weeks has chanted a slogan that makes baseless, racist accusations against Haitian-American immigrants in Ohio.
“It’s wrong and it must stop,” he said. “No president should reject or incite hatred in America. Friends, to win this battle for the soul of our nation, we must defend our democracy and speak out against the lies and hatred.”
Towards the end of his speech, Biden spoke about his time as a congressman alongside Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman to run for president.
Harris, who is also the Democratic presidential candidate, was introduced by the president as “Kamala Harris for the People” and the CBC attendees erupted in joy as she took the stage to the tune of Beyonce’s “Freedom.”
Members of Harris’ sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, jubilantly greeted her with their trademark “Ski-wee” calls.
Harris began by stressing the importance of the caucuses, saying she needed the CBC’s support to win in November.
“The Congressional Black Caucus has served as the conscience of Congress and the nation, and as a proud former member of the Congressional Black Caucus, I know firsthand that America counts on the leaders in this room not only for their conscience but also their vision,” Harris said.
Harris said the CBC’s vision for the future was under “serious threat” and also noted differences between herself and President Trump, reiterating her policies which include reproductive rights, building an “opportunity economy”, health care and “no going back”.
“We actually have a health care plan, not just a ‘concept of a plan,'” she said, referring to Trump’s comments during Tuesday night’s debate.
At the end of her speech, Harris returned to her campaign themes of “joy” and “hard work.”
“The baton is now in our hands,” she said. “I truly believe America is ready to end the politics of division and hate, and our country is looking to the leaders in this room to make that happen.”
Harris called out and thanked the CBC members for their efforts in registering voters and mobilizing them to vote. Harris and Biden spoke at the 53rd Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), commonly known as “CBC Week,” in Washington, where black political and social leaders discuss public policy. The Harris campaign is working to galvanize black voters, especially in key battleground states.
“We know what we stand for, and that’s why we know what we’re fighting for,” Harris said, “and when CBC fights, we win.”