President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris held their first joint event since Biden exited the 2024 race and endorsed her to take his place atop the Democratic ticket.
The two walked out together to cheers to deliver remarks on stage at Prince George’s County Community College in Maryland about the economy and what their administration’s done to alleviate costs for Americans.
That includes the administration’s announcement earlier Thursday that the Department of Health and Human Services reached an agreement on price negotiations for 10 commonly used drugs that they say will save Medicare enrollees $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs when the new prices go into effect in 2026.
“We know it is not just about health care, it is about your dignity,” Biden said. “It’s about peace of mind. It’s about security. It’s about taking care of your family. It’s about giving folks just a little bit more breathing room. That’s all. Look, I believe health care should be a right and not a privilege in America.”
Harris spoke first and took a moment to praise Biden for his work on the issue, as the crowd broke out into chants of “Thank you, Joe!”
“I could speak all afternoon about the person that I’m standing on the stage with,” she said. “Our extraordinary president, Joe Biden. And he’s going to speak in a minute, but there’s a lot of love in this room for our president. And I think it is for many, many reasons, including few leaders in our nation have done more on so many issues, including to expand access to affordable health care.”
When it was Biden’s turn, he returned the plaudits.
“Folks, I have an incredible partner,” he said. “The progress we have made. She’s going to make one hell of a president.”
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris walk out together, at an event on Medicare drug price negotiations, in Prince George’s County, Md., Aug. 15, 2024.
Ken Cedeno/Reuters
The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act allows the government to directly broker with drug manufacturers for the first time in the history of the Medicare program. In addition to the 10 drugs negotiated for 2026, the government can select 15 more drugs for negotiation in 2027 and another 15 drugs for 2028 and up to 20 more drugs each year after.
Harris said she was “proud” to have casted the tie-breaking vote to get the law passed in the Senate.
“We believe deeply every senior in our nation should be able to live with security, stability, and dignity,” she said. “And so in the United States of America no senior should have to choose between either filling their prescription or paying their rent. That is the subject of today.”
While Harris is associating herself with Biden’s agenda to lower costs on Thursday, it comes one day before she is set to make campaign remarks in North Carolina about her own economic platform to deal with the rising cost of living, which will be her first major policy rollout since becoming the party’s nominee.
As Biden left the White House for Thursday’s event, he said he does not believe Harris will try to shift away from his economic policies when was asked by a reporter if he’d be bothered if she did so for political reasons.
“She’s not going to,” Biden responded.
Harris on Friday will propose a federal ban on corporate price-gouging on food and groceries, her campaign announced. She will also call for giving the Federal Trade Commission as well as state attorneys general the power to investigate and punish companies that violate the new rules.
“Vice President Harris and Governor Walz know that price fluctuations are normal in free markets,” the campaign said in a press release. “But there’s a big difference between fair pricing in competitive markets, and excessive prices unrelated to the costs of doing business. Americans can see that difference in their grocery bills.”
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris speak about their administration’s efforts to lower prescription drug costs during an event at Prince George’s Community College in Largo, Md., Aug. 15, 2024.
Stephanie Scarbrough/AP
Recently, Harris has also called for eliminating a tax on tips for service workers — a plan former President Donald Trump had introduced weeks ago. Her campaign also said her economic agenda will feature items to lower health care and housing costs.
Trump, in his own remarks delivered Wednesday that were also intended to focus on the economy, slammed the Biden-Harris administration record and briefly outlined his proposal to eliminate the tax on tips and taxes on Social Security benefits for seniors.
Trump’s criticisms often included falsehoods about the state of the economy and his own record, as he hit Biden and Harris over inflation.
“With four more years of Harris, your finances will never recover, they’re never going to recover. Our country will never recover, frankly, more importantly. It will be unrecoverable,” he claimed. “Vote Trump, and your incomes will soar, your savings will grow, young people will be able to afford a home and we will bring back the American dream bigger, better and stronger than ever before.”
-ABC News’ Fritz Farrow and Lalee Ibssa contributed to this report.
Former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris recently held their first joint event since Biden exited the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. The event, which took place in Wilmington, Delaware, was met with enthusiasm and support from attendees who chanted “Thank you, Joe” as the two politicians took the stage.
The event marked a significant moment in the 2020 presidential campaign, as Biden and Harris joined forces to rally support for their ticket. Harris, who was announced as Biden’s running mate just days before the event, spoke passionately about the need for change in America and the importance of electing Biden as the next president.
The chants of “Thank you, Joe” from the crowd underscored the deep respect and admiration that many Americans have for Biden, who served as Vice President under President Barack Obama for eight years. Throughout his political career, Biden has been known for his dedication to public service and his commitment to fighting for the rights of all Americans.
The event also highlighted the historic nature of Harris’ candidacy as the first Black woman and first person of Indian descent to be nominated for vice president by a major political party. Her presence on the ticket has energized many voters who see her as a strong and capable leader who will bring much-needed diversity and representation to the White House.
As the campaign season heats up and the November election draws closer, events like this one serve as a reminder of the importance of unity and solidarity in the fight for a better future. The chants of “Thank you, Joe” reflect the gratitude and appreciation that many Americans feel towards Biden for his years of service and dedication to making a positive impact on the country.
Overall, the joint event between Biden and Harris was a powerful display of unity and determination as they work together to defeat President Donald Trump in November. The enthusiasm and support from attendees at the event signal a growing momentum behind their campaign and a strong desire for change in America.
