Former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Hillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Fox News poll: Biden ahead of Trump in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Ohio MORE issued a statement Friday that doubled down on his record in support of civil rights after being confronted on the issue by Sen. Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisHundreds of lawyers from nation's oldest African American sorority join effort to fight voter suppression Biden picks up endorsement from progressive climate group 350 Action 3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing MORE (D-Calif.) during Thursday's debate.

In an email to supporters, Biden said that he "heard" and "respect[s] Senator Harris" following their clash the previous night over Biden's remarks about working with former segregationist senators such as James Eastland.

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During the debate, Harris chastised Biden for his support of legislation with Eastland to prevent busing measures to integrate public schools directed by the Department of Education, which Harris argued were necessary measures to promote diversity and force integration of all-white schools.

"For my entire career, I’ve fought my heart out to ensure that civil rights, voting rights, and equal rights are enforced everywhere," Biden responded Friday in the email. "These rights are not up to the states to decide. They are embedded in our Constitution. And, the federal government has a duty to protect the civil rights of every single American. That has always been my position."

"But the discussion in this race today shouldn’t be about the past. It should be about how we can do better and move forward and give every kid in this country an opportunity to succeed," he continued. "That means good schools in every neighborhood. No child’s future should be determined by their zip code."

Biden has refused to apologize for his past stance on busing directed by the federal government as well as his comments about his ability to work with segregationist senators during his Senate career in the face of criticism from Harris, fellow 2020 presidential contender Sen. Cory Booker Cory Anthony Booker3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing Bipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility MORE (D-N.J.) and others.

The former vice president initially called for Booker, who first spoke out about the issue this month, to apologize, telling reporters that the New Jersey senator "knows better." The two reportedly later spoke privately about the issue.