Harris Champions Unions and Critiques Republicans Ahead of Election

Vice President Kamala Harris has positioned unions as the backbone of the middle class while criticizing Republican stances on gun control and public education. During a recent address, she condemned the notion of arming teachers in classrooms without enacting sensible gun safety laws. Harris received early support from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), with President Randi Weingarten declaring that Harris has energized the electoral race. As the Biden campaign shifts focus under Harris’ leadership, she is set to embark on an extensive outreach effort to galvanize voters in the lead-up to the November election against Republican Donald Trump. Harris aims to differentiate her campaign from Trump’s, emphasizing the power of organization and mobilization in effecting change. “We know when we organize, mountains move,” she stated, highlighting the importance of voting in shaping history. Her campaign is also tapping into pop culture, recently releasing a social media video featuring Beyoncé’s “Freedom,” which encapsulates her core messages surrounding abortion rights, gun violence, and economic advancement. The AFT, representing 1.8 million members, has endorsed Harris, citing concerns that a second Trump term could threaten organized labor and education funding. However, the Vice President has yet to secure the endorsement of the United Auto Workers (UAW), with President Shawn Fain indicating that the union's executive board will make that decision soon. Fain has been vocal in his criticism of Trump, who previously struggled to gain majority support from union households in the 2020 election. Later, Harris is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington.