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Election 2024 updates: Beshear says Vance 'ain't from Appalachia' at Harris event

Former President Barack Obama has also endorsed Vice President Harris.

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Julia Reinstein, Lauren Peller, Nadine El-Bawab, Leah Sarnoff, and Ivan Pereira
Last Updated: July 28, 2024, 2:16 PM EDT

Vice President Kamala Harris wrapped up what has been a whirlwind week in the presidential race with her campaign saying Sunday it has raised more than $200 million in less than a week.

On Thursday night, Harris met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and took the lead in addressing the public about their discussions.

Harris has secured commitments from enough delegates to become the presumptive nominee if they all honor their commitment when voting, according to ABC News reporting.

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Here's how the news is developing:
Jul 21, 2024, 6:02 PM EDT

What pushed Biden to drop out of 2024 race?

President Joe Biden had been facing growing pressure from his own party to step aside from the 2024 race, despite his repeated assurances that he plans to stay in the race.

Pressure had mounted after his disastrous June debate with former President Donald Trump which left many within the Democratic Party questioning if he could win his reelection campaign. Before he made his announcement, at least 40 congressional lawmakers had publicly called on Biden to step aside.

Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden hold hands at the Democratic National Committee 2023 Winter meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 3, 2023.
Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images

Biden's decision Sunday -- which came as he recovers from COVID-19 -- took members of his staff by surprise, despite his repeated assurances doing little to decrease public pressure for him to step down.

Jul 21, 2024, 5:59 PM EDT

Biden spoke with Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer: Sources

President Joe Biden had conversations with the two top congressional Democrats Sunday as he ended his 2024 presidential campaign, sources told ABC News.

President Joe Biden pauses as he speaks at a news conference on the final day of the NATO summit in Washington, DC, July 11, 2024.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP

Biden spoke with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, sources said.

Jul 21, 2024, 5:56 PM EDT

'It is an honor to serve under Biden,' Secretary of Homeland Security Mayorkas says

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas weighed in on Biden's decision to end his bid for reelection Sunday.

"Today and everyday, it is an honor to serve under POTUS Biden’s leadership," Mayorkas said in a statement on X.

Mayorkas said he's "extraordinarily proud" of the work the Department of Homeland Security has done to "secure our shores, skies, borders, and cyberspace; safeguard the American people from threats old and new; and advance our vital homeland security mission under the President’s leadership."

Looking to the future of Biden's tenure as president, Mayorkas said, "We will continue to use every minute of this administration to deliver for the American people."

Jul 21, 2024, 5:52 PM EDT

Anti-abortion rights groups bash Harris calling her 'radically pro-abortion'

After Harris announced her intention to join the 2024 race for president, anti-abortion rights groups released a statement criticizing Harris' support of abortion rights. National Right to Life, a major anti-abortion group, released a statement criticizing Harris, calling her "radically pro-abortion" after Harris announced she will be running for president.

"Kamala Harris is radically pro-abortion and sees the lives of precious unborn babies as expendable ... She has toured the country pushing unlimited abortion and criticizing protective state laws that support women and their preborn children," National Right to Life President Carol Tobias said in a statement.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign event in Greensboro, N.C., July 11, 2024.
Chuck Burton/AP

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, which opposes access to abortion care, also accused her of refusing to support limits on access to abortion care.

"While Joe Biden has trouble saying the word abortion, Kamala Harris shouts it. In contrast, President Trump, JD Vance, and the GOP reject the Democrat attempt to impose abortion on-demand across all 50 states and support the right of states to place limits on abortion," Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser wrote in a statement.