Kamala Harris, Vice President, praised President Joe Biden Monday for his efforts to obtain a trillion dollars infrastructure bill. This was amid reports of a breakdown in their relationship.
The two of them walked together on the South Lawn, evoking unity, before they hugged each other in front 800 guests.
An insider claimed that CNN Biden disassociated himself from Harris due to her slide poll numbers. The VP, however, felt isolated.
Officials attempted to ignore the claims throughout the day. Harris, however, offered Harris the gratitude of the entire nation.
“You welcomed Republicans, Democrats and independents to the Oval Office from the start. Ideas were welcome. Harris, before Biden signed it into law, said Harris that you welcomed discussion.
“And this is what I know, Mr. President: You are equal parts builder and believer.
“And because of you, we’re all happier. We thank you, Mr. President.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democratic Senator Kyrsten Sinema and Republican Senator Rob Portman were on the stage as they signed the infrastructure bill to invest in broadband, bridges, roads and ports.
On Monday afternoon, President Joe Biden met Vice President Kamala Harris on the South Lawn at the White House. This was amid reports of their breaking up.
They offered a very public display of unity with broad smiles and a hug, despite claims that Harris felt isolated and that Biden was distancing himself from an unpopular vice president
Both were present for the signing the billion-dollar infrastructure bill. Harris thanked Harris for his hard work and stated, “And here’s what I know to truth, Mr. president, you’re equal parts believer, builder.”
Each of them delivered speeches to an audience that included members of Congress and governors and mayors of state and local governments, labor leaders and business leaders.
However, the subplot concerned the status of Harris-Biden’s relationship.
Senior Biden advisers spent the entire day trying to deny the CNN article Sunday night that contained background material from more than three dozen sources. This was in response to Harris’s approval of the CNN article.
Harris’s aides claim that Harris was set up for failure and given a portfolio not appropriate to her history as the first women and first of color to assume the office of vice president.
A former Harris adviser said that Harris is sending Harris consistently to her in order for her to lose issues and put her skills into the wrong situation.
Also, her aides complain that when she is given the control of issues such as border crises, the White House doesn’t support her actions.
They claim that the president was more aggressive in his defense of Pete Buttigieg, Transportation Secretary.
Biden’s staff also privately disapprove of Harris’ self-inflicted controversies. For example, her ‘awkward laughter’ when she was asked by Lester Holt about crossing the border.
(From left to right) House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Senator Kyrsten Sinema, and Republican Senator Rob Portman were on the stage as they signed the infrastructure bill to invest in broadband, bridges, roads and ports
The signing was a success with First Lady Jill Biden, and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. They were happy to be greeted by a smile as they entered the South Lawn.
Democratic Senator Joe Manchin (the key vote behind Biden’s $1.8trillion Build Back Better Bill) was also there
Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy is 81 and poses with his fellow legislators just hours after announcing his retirement from eight terms in 1972.
Before the signing ceremony, the crowd gathers at the White House South Lawn.
The White House claims that the relationships between Harris and Biden are harmonious and productive.
“It’s unfortunate that some media outlets are focused only on gossip after our productive trip to France, where we reaffirmed America’s relationship with America’s oldest ally, demonstrated U.S. leadership at the international stage, and following the passage of an historic, bipartisan bill that will create job opportunities and strengthen communities, but not the results that President Trump and Vice President have delivered,” Symone Sanders, the spokesperson for the vice president, told CNN.
Jen Psaki (White House Press Secretary) also seemed to reply to these reports with a tweet to defend the vice president.
She began her Sunday evening tweet with the words, “For anyone who requires it,” ‘@VP is not only a vital partner to @POTUS but a bold leader who has taken on key, important challenges facing the country—from voting rights to addressing root causes of migration to expanding broadband.’
Biden appealed to more bipartisanship prior to signing the legislation.
He stated that Washington is too often dominated by Washingtonians who insist on getting all they want.
“With this law, our focus was on getting things accomplished. My candidacy for the presidency was because compromise and consensus is what will move this country forward.
On Monday, all speakers praised Biden, and in some cases, his predecessor, for pushing through the infrastructure program.
Sinema is a moderate Democrat who was a key swing vote in Senate. She said that the plan would create millions of jobs and will not cost taxpayers anything. Additionally, she said it will improve Arizona’s water supply.
“Our plan will create millions in jobs and make America stronger, safer, more global competitive, without increasing taxes on every American,” she stated.
Portman praised the bipartisan effort that led to the bill. He also credited ex-President Trump for his inability to make ‘infrastructure Week’ anything tangible.
He stated that Trump made infrastructure a priority for his administration and helped Republicans think different about the positive effects of infrastructure investment.
The White House spent more than 24 hours trying to downplay the claims of a falling-out.
Sabrina Singh (Deputy Press Secretary for Harris) reposted Psaki’s tweet on Sunday and added her own. She is focused on #BuildBackBetter and delivering the results she promised to the American people.
CNN reported that Harris and her top advisers were frustrated at Biden for allowing her to ‘no-win” issues such as the border crisis. White House insiders said this.
It is also claimed that President Trump defended Pete Buttigieg as transportation secretary more aggressively than she.
CNN’s two liberal commentators are unhappy with the publication of this story.
Bakari Sellers backed Harris’ failed presidential bid and complained Monday to ‘New Day’ about how the media treats the first female vice president.
He stated that he had a bigger issue about Kamala Harris’ tone and tenor.
“I had to press back on the article heavily and add some cold water. I spoke briefly with the vice-president’s office. She just returned from an excellent overseas trip in France where she dealt with a difficult issue. We had to freeze our diplomatic relations with France.
CNN legal and national security analyst Carrie Cordero quoted the article’s headline ‘Inside the frustrating and dysfunctional start to Kamala Harris’ vice presidency’ and tweeted to show she was unhappy with the piece: ‘Alternatively, ‘Accomplished, Brave & History-Changing @VP Doesn’t Conform to Mythical Expectations of a Pandemic-Era, Post-Insurrection Vice Presidency.’
White House Chief Of Staff Ron Klain tweets: “Think about how many speeches you have heard from officials about China’s fall in growth/investment/etc Thanks for the Infrastructure Bill next year, the US will invest MORE on infrastructure than China for the first time since 2000.”
Also, he retweeted the gif that showed Biden declaring: “America is back!”
Harris’ approval rating is lower than that of Biden in the recent months. Rumours are swirling that President Obama may consider appointing Harris to the Supreme Court as an indirect method for selecting a new Vice-President.
Biden’s staff also privately disapprove of Harris’ self-inflicted controversies. For example, her ‘awkward laughter’ when she was asked by Lester Holt about crossing the border.
The White House claims that the relationships between Harris and Biden are harmonious and productive.
But, privately, the reports say that she blames her inability to overcome the border crisis and for the declining poll numbers.