Vance praises redistricting and touts efforts to bring manufacturing back to the United States at the Kansas City stop

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Vice President J.D. Vance ran through a list of political topics — from efforts to change Missouri’s borders to the importance of moving manufacturing back to the United States — during a campaign-style rally Monday afternoon.

Vance spoke to a diminutive, raucous and enthusiastic crowd at an event dedicated to protecting American workers held at the nearly century-old Milbank Manufacturing.

The vice president praised President Donald Trump’s efforts to strengthen the manufacturing sector, pointing to increased job growth and the “largest manufacturing employment gain last quarter” since Trump’s first term.

The The Federal Reserve informed St. Louis In April, employment in the manufacturing sector was 12,596, a slight enhance after steady declines since November 2024, when there were 12,711 such workers.

Vance talked about the One Big Beautiful Bill, renamed the Working Families Tax Cut Act by Republicans, and its importance in cutting taxes, noting that all but one Democrat voted against it. As the crowd shouted in agreement, Vance said Republicans were the only party fighting to protect jobs and provide tax cuts to working-class Missourians.

“I’m sorry to say this, ladies and gentlemen, this is not the Democratic Party that my mom and dad belonged to,” Vance said. “It was not the Democratic Party that was patriotic and believed in supporting working people. It was the Democratic Party that, unfortunately, was given into the hands of many madmen.”

Vance and several politicians, including Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe, spoke about the importance novel missouri congressional district mapsrecently approved by the state Supreme Court for utilize in the August election. Milbank Manufacturing is headquartered in the state’s 5th District, where Vance encouraged those in attendance to make sure a Republican is elected.

“We are rooting for any good Republican in this office,” Vance said, adding that he was stepping into the shoes of “J.D. Vance, the prophet” to say that any Democrat who promises to care about the people of Missouri will be faking it.

“He’s actually going to get out there and fight for Nancy Pelosi because that’s what Democrats in Congress do,” Vance said.

Kehoe, who spoke before Vance, praised the “incredible congressional team” that represents Missouri’s values. Six of Missouri’s eight U.S. representatives are Republicans.

“We now have the first Missouri map, which gives us a chance at seventh,” Kehoe said. The target of the state’s redistricting efforts was the seat of Republican Emanuel Cleaver.

Vance continued to criticize Democrats while talking about the program he heads, which focuses on prosecuting those who commit fraud in government programs. He said Democrats only get “excited” about “illegal aliens,” open borders and higher taxes.

“I’m asking you to vote against the Democrats because they don’t know who they’re fighting for, and if they do, they’re fighting for illegal immigrants and they’re fighting for fraudsters,” Vance said.

Dennis Słupski, who worked in manufacturing for 10 years and then as a teacher for 25 years, said he agreed with what Republican Party leaders said at the event, especially regarding bringing manufacturing back to the United States.

The man from Kansas City, Kansas, said he grew up in Ohio, known for its steel industry.

“We have had presidents and politicians who have driven our industry out of the country,” he said. The United States flourished as a manufacturing nation during World War II and it is essential to bring companies back to the country, Słupski said.