Biden Campaigns for Harris at Sheet Metal Workers Local 19 | ACHR News

Oct 17, 2024

(Courtesy of CSPAN)

Rebuffing critiques that President Joe Biden wasn’t supporting the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris enough, the president issued strong endorsements for his former running mate at the Sheet Metal Workers Local 19 Training Center on Tuesday.

He touted the Biden-Harris administration's record on the economy and union rights while blasting President Donald Trump's policies as failed and dishonest.

"I make no apologies for being the most pro-union president in American history. Under our administration, the number of workers filing for union representation has doubled since I became president,” Biden said. “The Biden-Harris administration is the first in five decades to increase union petitions. They know what I know: unions built the middle class. That's a fact."

Biden highlighted the economic growth and job creation under his presidency, contrasting it with Trump's record. And importantly, he said that while Harris has been “loyal so far,” she will “cut her own path” going forward.

"We've created 60 million jobs, more jobs in a single term than any other administration in American history. More people are working today than ever before. Wages for working people are higher than they've ever been before, and more people have health care insurance than ever before."

The president also attacked Trump's business record and his proposals for new tax cuts. The Section 199A pass-through deduction allows pass-through manufacturers to deduct up to 20% of their qualified business income, decreasing their effective tax rate, and came with cuts to the top individual rate from 39.6% to 37%. While the pass-through deduction will phase out in 2026, Republicans are campaigning on its extension and further tax cuts amounting to a total of $5 trillion.

"On our watch, businesses of all sizes are surging. Record numbers of small business applications, 19 million so far since we got elected, and every single application is an act of hope,” Biden said.

He expressed pride in his and Harris' record and endorsed her for president, saying it was time to "pass the torch to the next generation." He praised her character, integrity, and experience as district attorney, attorney general, and senator.

"I can tell you, Kamala Harris has been a great Vice President. She'll be a great president as well. I knew who I wanted to replace me. I endorsed Kamala immediately. Have you seen her campaign?” Biden asked. “It proves I'm right. The enthusiasm is off the charts. Her convention was great. She beat Trump so badly in the debate, he's scared to death to debate her again.”

The president concluded by emphasizing the choice in the election: between the values and vision of his administration’s legacy, and the policies and rhetoric of Trump.

“We've got a lot of work to do, especially in Pennsylvania, especially in Philadelphia,” Biden concluded, noting Pennsylvania will determine the election. “Philadelphia, are you ready? Let's show who we are. We are the United States of America. And nothing, nothing is beyond our capacity when we walk together.”