President Biden and first lady Jill Biden honored recipients of the National Medals of Arts and Humanities during a Monday reception at the White House.
Biden invoked the power of women during a speech honoring the recipients, which include actress Queen Latifah and the late singer Selena Quintanilla.
“As Jill Biden’s husband, I know the power of women in this room,” Biden joked during his remarks.
He then took on a more serious tone while appearing to pay homage to Vice President Harris, his former running mate before she replaced him atop the Democratic presidential ticket.
“I know the power of women in this room will get things done enough with the next generation of pioneers. Proving a woman can do anything a man can do, and then some, and that includes being president of the United States,” Biden said to standing applause.
Biden also made an appeal to voters, citing book bans as an example of threats to the arts and humanities.
“This is a very consequential time for the arts and humanities in America,” the president said.
Biden’s comments come just weeks out from Election Day and as the race between Harris and former President Trump draws to a close.
The national polling average from Decision Desk HQ/The Hill shows Harris with a 1.2-point lead over Trump, with 49 percent support to his 47.8 percent.