TRENTON, N.J. – Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign-style speech at the NAACP national convention in Atlantic City on Monday cost New Jersey taxpayers $3.2 million.
During the state Legislature’s last session, the Democrat majority posted and passed a bill (S4218) that appropriated $2 million to support the costs associated with the event. That money was on top of the $1.2 million the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority spent to secure Atlantic City as the 2022 host for the convention.
“There are so many better things that we can do with $2 million in the state of New Jersey than to pay for a party for an organization. I don’t care what that organization stands for or what they do, we should not be doing it,” Assemblyman Brian Bergen (R-Morris) said from the Assembly floor before the vote on the bill.
Assemblyman Brian Bergen decries lawmakers granting $2 million for the NAACP conference planned in Atlantic City.
During her speech, Harris touted the Biden administration’s agenda, compared abortions to slavery, and attacked Second Amendment rights while she whipped up support for Democrats in the November midterm elections.
“We know, NAACP, that our country has a history of claiming ownership over human bodies. And today, extremists, so-called leaders are criminalizing doctors and punishing women for making healthcare decisions for themselves,” she said.
According to the NAACP, the organization always extends an invitation to the president, with the only exception being President Donald Trump.