AFT’s Weingarten Reacts to Vice President Kamala Harris’ Ellipse Address

WASHINGTON-AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement after Vice President Kamala Harris delivered her closing argument before 75,000 supporters in the nation's capital:

"Tonight, Kamala Harris reclaimed the site of Donald Trump's Jan. 6 rally by laying out a starkly different, patriotic vision for the country, honoring the enduring power of democracy. Just days after Trump's dark, dystopian, racist gathering at Madison Square Garden, the choice and contrast could not be more clear.

"Will we elect a president who will help us realize our hopes, dreams and aspirations, or one who embraces chaos, division and violence? A president who wants to polarize and demonize, or one who will help every American not just get by but get ahead? One who has a to-do list, or one who has an enemies list? Donald Trump only cares about himself, while Kamala Harris is for us.

"Kamala made the case that if elected, her presidency will improve the lives of Americans through real solutions. She will extend the ladder of opportunity by lowering prices, cut taxes on the middle class and invest in educational and economic opportunity. She will focus like a laser on families, from expanding Medicare to cover home care costs to reinstating the child tax credit. She will stand up for a woman's right to make her own healthcare decisions. She will defend our basic rights and freedoms.

"Trump is focused only on grievance and retribution. His policies help billionaires, coddle foreign dictators and hurt the rest of us through tariffs, tax increases and budget cuts. He will deny women's right to choose, abolish the Affordable Care Act and lay siege to the Constitution.

"Vice President Harris will bring our country together. She will bet on the promise of America. She will use her energy and smarts to lift every American up. She will embrace a future of hope and aspiration over a return to a distrustful, grievance-filled past. The stakes-for our democracy, for our rights and our freedoms, for our future-have never been higher.

"My members make a difference in the lives of others every day. We recognize that same trait in her. That's why we enthusiastically support Kamala Harris."

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The AFT represents 1.8 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.