Journalist Tells Psaki Kamala Harris Has A “Trash” Wallet

White House reporter April Ryan on Wednesday asked press secretary Jen Psaki about an expert’s claim that Vice President Kamala Harris’ political portfolio “is garbage” because President Biden does not. not enough to support it.

Ryan, a veteran correspondent who reports for The Grio, quoted CNN scholar Bakari Sellers in an exchange on voting rights legislation, one of the many tasks Harris has been given by Biden. Harris’ other roles include reducing illegal immigration and promoting union membership.

“The argument is that the president does not support her with the tools she needs [because he does not supporting ending] obstruction of voting rights and it’s in his wallet. You have a friend of her and a Democratic strategist, Bakari Sellers, who says her wallet sucks because he doesn’t support her in the way she needs to be supported to make this happen, ”Ryan told Psaki during his daily press briefing.

Psaki defended Biden’s pledge to block electoral reform legislation and support Harris in his promotion.

“The president has repeatedly indicated that securing voting rights, signing a law, is high on his agenda,” Psaki said. “The Vice President, one of the most powerful people in the world, is leading this effort. [Biden] that’s her – she’s his partner. She’s the first in the room, the last in the room. And he will continue to work alongside him to get there.

But another journalist, Eugene Daniels from Politico, urged Psaki, saying: “There is real frustration … among activists over the question of the right to vote … What do you have to say to activists who say that this White House, the president, isn’t doing enough on voting rights, in particular?

Psaki replied, “I think that was just the question I just answered. No?”

Ryan interrupted him by telling Psaki, “We’re trying to get an answer from you. I mean, that’s a fair question.

“I’m not saying no. I’m not saying it’s not, “Psaki said, adding:” I would say the president is also frustrated that the right to vote has not been exercised, he is also frustrated that Republicans have so much. afraid to make reforms that would make it easier for people. to vote that they have blocked this effort.

Pressed further, Psaki said “you need 50 votes to change filibuster” in the Senate.

Republicans oppose Democratic electoral reform bills and say states should be allowed to set their own policies on issues such as voter registration and postal voting. Democrats say federal legislation is needed to override restrictions in GOP-led states, but they lack a voice in the equally divided Senate to pass legislation due to upper house obstruction rules.

Some Democratic activists want an exception to the Senate’s 60-vote threshold for electoral reforms. Centrist Democrats, including Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WVa.) And Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) Defended the higher threshold.