Kamala Harris made a strong pitch for labor support on Thursday, emphasizing her commitment to pro-labor policies during a keynote address at the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) convention in Houston, Texas. The Vice President, who is currently in the midst of her presidential campaign, highlighted her dedication to strengthening unions and ensuring worker rights.
Addressing a packed crowd, Harris declared, “When unions are strong, America is strong,” and criticized her opponents’ economic policies. She took aim at Donald Trump and his supporters, accusing them of advocating for outdated economic strategies and union-busting measures. Harris also denounced Project 2025, a conservative think tank’s proposal for a future Trump administration, calling it a plan to “return America to a dark past.”
In her speech, Harris praised the contributions of educators and emphasized the importance of the labor movement. She reflected on her own educational journey, crediting her first-grade teacher, Mrs. Frances Wilson, for inspiring her to pursue public service. “It is because of Mrs. Wilson, and so many teachers like her, that I stand before you as vice-president and now am running to become president,” she said.
Harris outlined her vision for the future, stressing a commitment to ending poverty, ensuring dignified retirements, and protecting workers' rights to join unions. She reaffirmed her support for the Pro Act, a piece of legislation designed to enhance labor rights, and vowed to sign it into law if elected.
Additionally, Harris highlighted her long-standing advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, recalling her early support for same-sex marriage. She contrasted her vision of a country based on freedom and compassion with what she described as the chaos and fear propagated by her opponents.
The AFT president, Randi Weingarten, endorsed Harris, praising her for her leadership on various issues, including reproductive rights and gun violence. The AFL-CIO has also endorsed Harris, signaling strong support from major labor unions for her presidential bid.
As Harris continues her campaign, her focus on labor rights and union support remains central to her strategy, aiming to build on the pro-labor legacy of the Biden administration.
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