Vice President Kamala Harris reiterated her support for US President Joe Biden, whom she called a fighter, on July 9 while addressing voters in a campaign event in Nevada. 

“The one thing we know about our President, Joe Biden, is that he is a fighter. And he is the first to say, when you get knocked down, you get back up,” Harris said. 

Harris was speaking at the launch of a new initiative to engage Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) voters in support of President Biden’s reelection campaign ahead of November.

“So we continue to fight. And we will continue to organize. And in November, we will win,” Harris said adding that the upcoming election is the most “existential, consequential, and important election of our lifetime.”

Harris stated that a fundamental belief guides President Biden and her: to work for the American people, not for special interests, billionaires, or big corporations.

Biden vs Trump: The fight for affordable health care

Addressing the gathering, Harris highlighted the stark differences in health care policies between the Biden administration and Donald Trump's tenure. 

She pointed out that during his time in the White House, Trump attempted more than 60 times to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, risking the health care of millions of Americans with preexisting conditions.

“President Joe Biden and I, on the other hand, have defended the Affordable Care Act and made it stronger. In fact, today, more AANHPI Americans are insured than ever before in our history,” Harris said. 

The VP also criticized Trump for his failure to lower prescription drug costs despite his promises to stand up to Big Pharma. She contrasted this with the Biden administration's successful efforts to cap the cost of insulin for seniors at $35 a month.

“South Asians are twice as likely to have diabetes, we capped the cost of insulin for seniors at $35 a month. We are finally making it so that medical debt cannot be used against your credit score,” she said. 

“Knowing how many of our relatives have had a medical emergency, something they did not invite or plan, racking up then tens, even hundreds of thousands of dollars of medical bills and debt. And that being used against your credit score is just wrong. The credit score is supposed to be a measure of whether you are financially responsible,” she said. 

By preventing medical debt from impacting credit scores, Harris noted, individuals are no longer unfairly denied car loans, apartment leases, or home loans. This policy, she stated, is rooted in their commitment to what is morally right and ensures dignity for all people.

Small business success with Biden-Harris

Maya Kwong, owner of small business Shalom dumplings, expressed her admiration for Harris, who created history as the first Asian American woman to hold one of the highest offices in the country.

Kwong reflected on the decision to launch their small business in 2021 amid the pandemic, acknowledging the perceived risk of starting a new restaurant during such uncertain times. “President Biden and Vice President Harris took actions and kept our economy strong. And because of that, my people, my business, and myself were able to survive and thrive throughout the crisis,” she said. 

 “I am proof of President Biden and Vice President Harris, they truly care about small business owners and they support our American dream. As an Asian American woman, Vice President Harris is a role model for me. Her stories show all of us, women, AANHPI people, and so many others that there's nothing we cannot conquer,” she added. 

AANHPI voters an important voting bloc

Padma Lakshmi, an Indian-American author, model, activist, and television host, emphasized the significant influence AANHPI voters can have in the upcoming election. 

Addressing the gathering, Padma noted that the AANHPI demographic is the fastest growing in the country and has played a crucial role in deciding elections in battleground states such as Georgia and Nevada. 

“We can come together to reject Donald Trump's hate fuel campaign. Don't let Donald Trump tell you you don't belong here. We built this country too. In this room, I see the diversity and beauty of our communities,” she said urging the AANHPI community to help ensure Joe Biden and Kamala Harris return to the White House.