First Lady Jill Biden led a fundraiser at the home of friends Co-creator Marta Kauffman on Friday as she called out the “extremists” among Republican lawmakers who refuse to support widespread issues.
According to a Pool report, Biden said that although Americans say they want companies to pay their fair share of taxes and invest in clean energy, “not a single Republican voted for it.”
She was referring to the Inflation Reduction Act, the climate and health bill that passed Congress without a Republican vote.
“These aren’t controversial issues for heaven’s sake,” she said. “They are not partisan and that is why the extremists refuse to support them. They use political tricks, you know, play in front of the people they represent, and they really fail all Americans, including millions of Republicans.”
The lunchtime event in Hancock Park was for the Democratic Grassroots Victory Fund, which raises money for the Democratic National Committee and state parties. Tickets started at $5,000 per person, with those who write or collect $25,000 also known as hosts.
Biden said her parents were Republicans, saying, “Republicans aren’t like bad people.”
“I mean, my father was a good person … and the average Republican, I don’t think, understands what’s happening either.”
She said that by electing more Democrats in the midterm elections, the Biden administration could seek legislation to restore abortion rights, ban assault weapons, protect Social Security, pass marriage equality and increase school funding.
She said it’s “not enough just to get angry. We need to get out and get to work, and I think especially in this election. We can do that…especially if we can get women to see what rights are being taken away and that we absolutely need to get out there and work harder.”
Biden later toured and visited the Homeboy Bakery and Homegirl Cafe in Los Angeles. Founded by Father Gregory Boyle, Homeboy Industries provides on-the-job training and rehabilitation services to ex-gang members and previously incarcerated people. Homeboy is the largest gang intervention, rehabilitation and reintegration program in the world.
During a post-tour discussion, she sat with Boyle and Johanna Carbajal, an undergraduate and UCLA graduate, and Eugene Walker, who is on the executive staff of Homeboy Industries. They talked about how the company has offered rehabilitation services to previously incarcerated gang members and given them an opportunity to establish themselves in the workforce where others would not. They were joined by Los Angeles District Leader Hilda Solis, Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor Brent Parton and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
Walker spoke about his own experiences of being in prison and finding a new path through Homeboy Industries. He also spoke about how his success is linked to his ability to build relationships in the community.
“I’ve heard so much about this place from my husband and son,” Biden said.
Boyle remarked: “Your husband got here two hours in advance and I wasn’t even there and it was extraordinary. And he left me the longest voicemail message.”
There’s more to come.