Vice President Kamala Harris isn’t even 24 hours into her role as the presumptive Democratic nominee to challenge Donald Trump for the White House.
You’d think she’d want to show voters that she’s all-in on being present and engaged in vital foreign policy meetings, right?
Well, Harris decided she had much more important things to attend to… like a meeting of sorority sisters.
According to a Fox News report, Harris declined to preside over a Wednesday joint address to Congress by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu because she will be in Indiana for an event that was previously scheduled.
The event?
The Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Grand Boule in Indianapolis, Ind., which is a biennial international conference according to a White House official.
According to the Fox report, even though Harris won’t be in attendance an aide emphasized that Harris’ absence and refusal to preside shouldn’t be considered a change to her stance on Israel.
An aide to the vice president told Fox News Digital that she would be meeting with Netanyahu at the White House this week while he is in Washington, D.C. They noted that the meeting is separate from Biden’s planned meeting with the prime minister.
Harris is expected to reiterate the country’s commitment to Israel’s ability to defend itself from Iran and militias that are backed by the country, such as terrorist groups Hizbullah and Hamas.
Per a Harris aide, she will also express her already stated concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where most of the war is taking place. Harris is expected to further convey that the war should end soon and in a way that allows for a secure Israel, the release of all hostages and the restoration of the rights of civilians in Gaza. She will specifically discuss with Netanyahu efforts to reach a deal for a ceasefire.
To add another wrinkle in the icy situation with Israel, with Harris not in attendance the task ordinarily would fall to Senate President pro tempore Patty Murray, D-Wash.
But according to the Fox reoprt, Murray reportedly refused to do so – and will instead be boycotting the address.
The session will instead be presided over by Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., who happens to be retiring after this Congress.