On Friday, Hillary Clinton campaigned in two battleground states with her first event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Clinton was joined by former Steelers football players Franco Harris and Mel Blount, singer Donnie Iris, and Mark Cuban. Cuban introduced Clinton and attacked Donald Trump saying that “we cannot put our trust in Trump.” Clinton then spoke about a number of her campaign platform points and focused on her plans to create jobs by investing in infrastructure and American manufacturing. She said that as president, she would lead by listening to people and finding common ground, something that she doubts Trump is capable of. Clinton concluded by asking everyone to vote adding, “This is one of those make-or-break moments for the United States. It might be the most important election of our lifetimes.” A video of Clinton’s speech is below.
Clinton then traveled to Detroit, Michigan where she asked everyone to consider what kind of future we want for our country and our children. Do we want Trump’s divisive vision that brings back failed policies? Or would we rather plan for the country’s future by working together and creating an economy for the 21st century that benefit everyone? She outlined a number of her plans, but said that none of it will be possible if Trump is elected. Clinton urged everyone to get out and vote saying, “You have to vote. Our progress is on the line. Everything that’s happened up until this point is on the line.” A video of Clinton’s speech is below.
Anne Holton and Jill Biden campaigned together in Pennsylvania. Speaking at events in Philadelphia and Pheonixville, Holton and Biden focused on the blueprint for America presented by Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine and how it stands in stark contrast from Donald Trump’s vision for America. Biden said that she is tired of Trump’s comments about women saying, “It sickens us. I’m not sure what to say to my daughters and granddaughters who ask, ‘Is this what politics has become?’ It’s hard to explain as a mother and grandmother.”
Holton explained what it has been like working with Clinton the last few months. She explained that she does not only support Clinton because of her party affiliation, but because she is truly knowledgeable about the issues. “I’ve loved getting to be with her on the campaign trail. She’s such a good listener. Yes, she’s a policy wonk. We all know that. She’s a very serious person. I want a serious person in the Oval Office. Her policies come from talking to people. I see the way she talks to the campaign bus driver and the factory line worker, asking about the work-family balance. She connects what she hears from them to inform her policy,” Holton said. Videos from today’s events will be posted when/if available.
Meanwhile, a series of fundraisers were held on behalf of Hillary for America. The first was held in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and featured a conversation with Laura Rosenberger, Foreign Policy Advisor. Actress Selma Hayek Pinault spoke at a fundraising event in Austin, Texas. In Massachusetts, former Congressman Barney Frank and Jimmy Tingle attended fundraising events in Newton and Jamaica Plain.
Senator Bernie Sanders remained on the campaign trail on behalf of Hillary Clinton on Friday with events in New Hampshire and Maine. In New Hampshire, Sanders spoke at rallies in Keene and Nashua. During each event, he spoke about Hillary Clinton’s plans to continue economic growth, create new jobs by investing in infrastructure and manufacturing, increase the minimum wage, reform the criminal justice system, and reduce the cost of higher education. Sanders also criticized Republican Donald Trump for his divisive language and his policies that benefit the wealthy. A video from his speech in Keene is below.
Sanders’ final event was in Bangor, Maine where he urged voters to look beyond the personalities of the two presidential candidates and focus on the issues. He argued that only Clinton’s plans would benefit the middle and working classes. Sanders blasted trump for running a bigoted and insult-driven campaigning adding, “When you run for president of the United States, there has got to be at least a minimum threshold of decency.” A video from the Bangor event is below.
Senator Elizabeth Warren campaigned in Wisconsin where she spoke in support of Clinton and US Senate hopeful Russ Feingold. At her first stop in Madison, Warren spoke about the importance of voting in the upcoming election and the platform of Clinton. She also spoke about the importance of electing Clinton president and Feingold to the Senate so they can continue the progress made over the last eight years and continue with a progressive agenda. Warren has not been shy of her criticism of Trump, and she did not back off in Madison. She called him a “pathetic, heartless bully” and a “selfish little sleazeball.” A video of Warren’s speech is below.
Her second event was in Milwaukee where she urged voters to get out and support the campaign by volunteering and ensuring that people are informed. She also urged voters to take advantage of early voting if they are unable to make it to the polls on November 8. Warren’s speech was similar to the one she gave in Madison early in the day in which she outlined key parts of Clinton’s platform and called out Trump. A video from the event will be added when/if available.
Meanwhile, in Boston, Massachusetts, a fundraiser was held on behalf of Hillary for America. The event featured a conversation with Marc Elias.
Hillary Clinton has received the endorsement of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. In a press release, APFA president Bob Ross said, “I don’t think there is any question that she stands on the side of working families across this country, including those of over 26,000 American Airlines Flight Attendants.” Clinton responded to the endorsement with the following statement:
“Since 1977, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants has represented nearly 25,000 flight attendants of American Airlines. Through its relentless advocacy and activism, APFA has fought to create better and fairer working conditions both on the ground and in the skies. And I’m proud to have earned their endorsement.
APFA understands what’s at stake in this election. Donald Trump supports a tax system rigged for the rich and powerful. And we just learned he’s likely been exploiting that system to avoid paying taxes for years – even though he’s argued that wages for hardworking Americans are ‘too high.’
Trump personally hired a union-busting firm to keep workers at his Las Vegas hotel from organizing. He even opposes policies that would make it easier for Americans to balance work and family, like guaranteeing paid leave for all families. And he has said that women can earn the same as men only if they ‘do as good a job.’
In a Clinton-Kaine Administration, working families will always have a champion in the White House. We’ll reject bad trade deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, stand up to attacks on workers, and fight back against to discriminatory policies. I’m so grateful to APFA for their support, and I look forward to having their spirit and experience at my side as we build an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top.”
Tim Kaine returned to the campaign trail on Wednesday following his strong debate performance on Tuesday night. During his speech in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kaine claimed victory, but did address criticisms that he interrupted Mike Pence too many times joking that even his wife gave him a hard time about it. He did go after Pence for not defending his running mate Donald Trump saying, “Your running mate ought to be able to defend you.” Kaine continued with his speech talking about a number of Hillary’s key platform points including creating new jobs, raising the minimum wage, supporting labor unions, improving health care, supporting the middle class, and ensuring that everyone has an equal chance in America. A video of Kaine’s speech is below.
Bill Clinton remained in Ohio where he wrapped up a multiple day bus tour of the state. This morning he was in Youngstown where he spoke about Hillary’s plans to create new jobs and help communities that have been hit hard by unemployment and a loss of manufacturing and mining jobs. He said that he understands voters’ anger saying, “Look, there’s a reason for the road rage today. People go 15 years without a raise, they’re mad.” He then outlined a number of of Hillary’s platform proposals that would help communities like Youngstown including investments in infrastructure and clean energy. Speaking at the local UAW hall, Bill also spoke about the importance of labor unions and Hillary’s continued support for them while Republicans like Trump and Pence try to stamp out unions. A video from Bill’s speech is below.
Bill then traveled to Canton where he continued to his focus on the economy and job creation. He said, “I think we’re on the verge of the greatest period of prosperity, discovery and advancement in the history of this country, if we do that right thing.” But, Bill warned, there are people like Trump who are more interested in helping those at the top of the income scale and ignore those in the middle and working classes. He said that in order to grow the economy, we need to tap into previously untapped resources. “We need more manufacturing loans, we need more small business loans and more small business startups, we need more investments in science and technology,” he said. A video from the event is below.
Hillary Clinton hit the campaign trail today in Ohio holding two events in the state. Her first event was in Toledo where she focused on her plans to help the middle class. She covered a number of her major policy proposals including her plans to boost American manufacturing, invest in and improve the country’s infrastructure, and create good paying jobs. During the event, Clinton also attacked Donald Trump for the recent revelation that he may not have paid income taxes for nearly two decades. She said, “Trump’s campaign is bragging that not paying taxes makes him a genius. What kind of genius loses $1 billion in a single year?” She pointed out that Trump’s plan would cut taxes for himself even more at the expense of working families. Watch a video of Clinton speech below.
Clinton then traveled to Akron where she continued to focus on the economy and her plans to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to prosper in America. She largely focused on the same big points she hit on in Toledo, but she also spoke about her plans to raise the minimum wage, ensure equal pay for women, and cap the maximum out of pocket expenses for childcare. Clinton continued her assault on Trump’s tax records saying that he has certainly benefited from the tax code, but he has not contributed to the United States. Clinton is likely to continue to criticize Trump’s tax returns as the two prepare for their next debate next week. A video from the Akron event is below.
Hillary Clinton received the endorsement of the Association of Flight Attendants adding to the growing list of labor unions supporting Clinton for president. In a release, the group states their support of Clinton stems from their long relationship with her. They said, “We have experience with Hillary Clinton as a champion for Flight Attendants, especially as the leading voice for the technical correction to FMLA and the relentless advocate for 9/11 first responders. Recognizing the importance of this election and our experience with Secretary Clinton, the AFA-CWA Board of Directors endorses Hillary Clinton for the next President of the United States.” Clinton responded to the endorsement with the following statement.
“For over 70 years, the Association of Flight Attendants has helped raise wages, benefits, and working conditions for its members all across – and above – America. Over the decades, it has brought our nation’s attention to important issues like discrimination, outsourcing, and equal pay. Every American worker deserves an advocate like the AFA in their corner, and I’m honored to have earned their endorsement.
Throughout my career, the AFA and I have partnered to fight for fairer labor standards. In the Senate, I led the effort to ensure AFA members had access to Family and Medical Leave Act benefits. And we’ve always stood up for women who have been treated unequally in the workforce.
The stakes in this election could not be higher. Donald Trump stood on a debate stage and said that wages are ‘too high’ in this country. He opposes policies that would make it easier for people to balance work and family, including guaranteeing paid leave for all families and working for equal pay for women. He even personally hired a union-busting firm to keep workers at his hotel in Las Vegas from organizing.
If I’m elected in November, labor will always have a champion in the White House. Together, we’ll build an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top. We’ll say no to bad trade deals, no to attacks on workers, and no to discriminatory and sexist policies. And I’m glad to know the AFA will be at my side as we stand up for American workers.”
First Lady of Arkansas Hillary Rodham Clinton with her daughter Chelsea, 13th May 1984. (Photo by Mike Stewart/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images)
Today, an op-ed by Hillary Clinton was published by Fortune magazine. In the article, Clinton discusses what she learned from being a working mother. She writes about how she had to struggle her career as a lawyer and raising her daughter. She goes to say that while progress has been made, more needs to be done. Clinton then outlines a number of her proposals aimed at helping working and single mothers including raising the minimum wage, ensuring that women receive equal pay, ensuring everyone has access to affordable childcare, and providing paid leave for new parents. Read the full op-ed below or on Fortune.
Hillary Clinton: What I Learned From Being a Mom Who Works September 29, 2016
We’ve made progress, but have a ways to go.
When I was pregnant with my daughter Chelsea, I asked about the maternity leave policy at the law firm where I worked. I was surprised to find out that we didn’t have one. I soon learned why: No woman who worked in our office had ever come back to work full-time after having a baby.
Well, I wanted to come back. I loved what I did. And it was important to me to contribute to my family’s finances, especially now that we were having a baby.
Finally, as my due date approached, I decided to take matters into my own hands. When Chelsea was born, my employer agreed to grant me four months off to be home with her. I’d still earn an income, though it would be smaller; part of my income was determined by the fees I generated for the firm, which would fall to zero while I was on leave. That made sense to me. And it meant a lot that I could have that time with my new daughter, knowing that my job would be waiting for me when I came back.
These kinds of situations are commonplace today, with more women entering the workforce than ever before. Today, nearly half of all full-time employees are women. Through our contributions, talent, insights, and very presence, we’ve changed the workplace forever. There’s no going back to the days when women were fired for getting married or pregnant, or were excluded from entire professions. Thank goodness.
But let’s be real. We still have a long way to go. Our policies just haven’t kept up with the challenges women and families face today.
Too many women still aren’t paid fairly. On average, women earn 20% less than men do for full-time, year-round work. Women of color earn even less. And when a working mom or grandmother earns less than she deserves, she’s not the only one who pays the price. Her children or grandchildren—whoever’s counting on her salary—do, too.
Women also make up the majority of minimum-wage workers, which means they make as little as $14,500 a year for full-time work. That’s below the national poverty line. Many of those women are raising kids on that income. Raising the federal minimum wage would do a lot for those families.
Meanwhile, even though the number of women running companies, labs, universities, and philanthropies is growing, it’s still too small. So is the number of women serving in elected office. That means women aren’t always included in decision-making, and their needs and concerns aren’t always reflected in government policy or workplace norms.
And we’re making it too hard to balance work and family. That’s true for all parents, but especially mothers. Women are breadwinners in more households than ever, yet they still do the lion’s share of childcare.
Many are feeling the squeeze. I’ve had moms break down in tears as they describe the heartbreak of returning to work just a few days after delivering their baby, because they don’t have paid leave at their jobs. Staying with their child for a few months would mean losing too many paychecks, maybe even their job.
In April, I met a mom in Newton, Iowa, who held her four-and-a-half-month-old in her arms. She said to me, “I’m counting on you to know what it’s like to be a working mother. Please help us working mothers and fathers have more time with our babies.”
I’m not going to let her down.
One thing we can do is invest in affordable childcare. Right now, childcare is more expensive than college tuition in many states. Let’s make sure no family has to spend more than 10% of their income on childcare by making historic investments in childcare assistance and providing tax relief to working families.
Let’s finally join every other advanced economy in the world and guarantee paid leave. I’m proposing 12 weeks of paid medical leave to recover from a serious illness, and 12 weeks of paid family leave to care for a new child or a sick relative. After all, moms and dads both deserve to spend time with their babies.
Let’s encourage employers to adopt family-friendly work policies, like flexible and fair scheduling and tele-work, so parents can both work and be there for their families.
Let’s raise the minimum wage. No one who works full-time should be forced to raise their kids in poverty.
And at long last, let’s finally ensure equal pay for women. It’s time for Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act—which I cosponsored when I was in the Senate—to give women the tools they need to fight discrimination in the workforce. We also need to promote pay transparency so that women have the information they need to negotiate fairly for their wages.
These aren’t just women’s issues. They’re economic issues and family issues. And they need to be a top priority for our next president. If we’re going to build a globally competitive workforce, we can’t afford to leave any talent on the sidelines. We can’t keep short-changing working families.
I’ll never forget what it was like to be a mom at work. It wasn’t easy. And I was lucky: I had financial security, a supportive employer, and affordable childcare. Too many families don’t. I’ve met so many parents stuck in impossible situations, at their wits’ ends trying to make it all work. It just shouldn’t be this hard to work and have a family.
As president, it’ll be my mission to bring our economy and workplaces into the 21st century, so all of our contributions are respected—both women’s and men’s—and families can thrive.
Hillary Clinton received the endorsement of the Amalgamated Transit Union on Wednesday. In a release, ATU International President Larry Hanley said that Clinton is the clear choice in the election because of her dedication to working Americans. He said, “Secretary Clinton’s rallying cry – Stronger Together – is an expression of the fundamental principle that has guided the labor movement’s historic work delivering momentous improvements in Americans’ lives. Similarly, there is so much President Hillary Clinton and all of us will be able to accomplish together.” Clinton responded to the group’s endorsement with the following statement:
“I am honored to have earned the endorsement of the Amalgamated Transit Union.
For more than a hundred years, ATU members have kept our cities running, powering our urban economies and helping countless people get to and from work every day. Along the way, they helped build the American middle class by fighting for fair wages, good benefits, and safe working conditions.
As President, I will proudly stand with ATU as we work to build an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top, and make the minimum wage a living wage. We’ll invest in building 21st century infrastructure, including transit infrastructure, and make sure that our transit systems are designed to actually connect working people to jobs and economic opportunity. And we will protect the rights and dignity of all Americans–because we know that we are stronger together.
The stakes in this election could not be higher for working people. Donald Trump stood on a debate stage and said that wages are “too high” in this country. He opposes policies that would make it easier for people to balance work and family, including paid family leave and ensuring pay for women. He personally hired a union-busting firm to keep workers at his hotel in Las Vegas from organizing. Donald Trump is wrong for workers and he’s wrong for America.”
On Tuesday, President Barack Obama returned to the campaign trail on behalf of Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine. During his speech in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the president spent as much time criticizing Republican Donald Trump as he did expressing his confidence in Clinton. Obama attacked Trump’s divisive claims and attacked his new-found dedication to working people. “This guy who spent 70 years on this earth showing no concern for working people — this guy’s suddenly going to be your champion?” he asked the crowd. He then spoke about his trust in Clinton’s judgement and confidence that she has a better vision for the future saying, “This is not the usual choice between parties and policies and left and right. This is more fundamental. This is a fundamental choice about who we are as a people. This is a choice about the very meaning of America.” A video of the president’s speech is below.
Hillary Clinton Speeches 