Harris declines invitation to Vance for pre-inauguration courtesy visit to vice president's mansion
When J.D. Vance, his wife Usha and their three young children move into the Naval Observatory Mansion on January 20, it will be their first time inside the white Queen Anne-style mansion that has been built since the 1970s. It has been the residence of the Vice President.
Multiple Democratic and Republican sources told CBS News that Vice President Kamala Harris has not yet extended a formal invitation to sit down or visit.
In November, Usha Vance contacted the staff of the home's current occupants, Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff, through an intermediary, asking for details. Include what they need to keep children safe. Ivan, Vivek and Mirabell Vance are all under the age of eight.
The questions were initially rebuffed by Harris' political appointees. But since then, there has been communication between Vance's team and the Navy aide who manages the home.
Before Christmas, Navy officials provided an overview of the home to discuss the layout, logistics and practicalities of moving in and help answer any questions the Vances had, a person familiar with the matter said.
Sources said Usha Vance spoke with Emhoff for about 40 minutes last week. Harris sources said arrangements are being made to accommodate Vance's children.
Spokespeople for Vance and Harris declined to comment.
But people close to Harris said she never had a chance to visit the home before she was sworn in in 2021. However, she took office during the 2021 swearing-in. coronavirus disease outbreakjust at capitol riot — Donald Trump refuses to admit he lost the election.
Advisors to then-Vice President Mike Pence disputed that the invitation was never sent. They say that toward the end of Trump's administration, he quietly gave Harris and Emhoff access to visit. The invitation was offered with caution, as Trump has declined to host the incoming administration.
Democratic and Republican sources said there were never formal talks between Pence and Harris.
People close to Harris defended her decision not to invite Vance, a tradition that was broken during the Trump-Pence administration. Harris' team has been focusing on canceled overseas trips and California wildfires.
In 2016, shortly after the election, then-Vice President Biden and his wife, Jill, received the Pence couple at their official residence in northwest Washington.
“We are very grateful to the Vice President and the Second Lady for their hospitality today,” Pence said at the time.
Harris He did not move into the Naval Observatory residence until April 2021, about three months after being sworn in, because the house needed repairs.