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The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to eradicating human trafficking, often referred to in U.S. law as “trafficking in persons,” in all its forms. Human trafficking, a crime of exploiting a person for compelled labor, services, or commercial sex act(s), has no place in a society that values freedom and the rule of law. Nonetheless, it exists in every region of the United States and around the world. Human trafficking poses a grave danger to individual well-being, public health, public safety, national security, economic development, and prosperity.

In order to combat this threat, in December 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration announced an updated version of the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking. The National Action Plan focused on the foundational pillars of the U.S. and global anti-trafficking efforts—prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership—and committed agencies to implement various measures designed in furtherance of the same. Three years of concerted and coordinated efforts have produced significant results across the federal government, some of which are highlighted here. This Fact Sheet highlights some of the major accomplishments by agencies over the last three years. For more information on National Action Plan implementation efforts, please see the prior White House Fact Sheets from 2022, 2023, and 2024. There is still much work to do to stem the tide of this threat, and the federal government and its departments and agencies must remain vigilant to protect the most vulnerable, bring perpetrators to justice, empower survivors, and address the systemic inequities exacerbating the threat of human trafficking.

PREVENTION

Departments and agencies committed to educating government personnel, the public, and vulnerable communities on recognizing and reporting human trafficking, with the goal of raising awareness to prevent targeting of the most vulnerable among us.

• In 2024, the Department of Transportation (DOT) launched the bilingual Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign to educate and empower travelers and employees across all modes of transportation to recognize and report suspected instances of human trafficking. The campaign’s “Combating Human Trafficking in the Transportation Sector Awareness Training” underscored the intersection of human trafficking and transportation, provided indicators of human trafficking, and included reporting guidance. DOT provided signage for vulnerable populations and mode-specific posters, pocket cards, visor cards, and graphics tailored for use in airplanes and airports, buses and bus stations, trains and rail stations, rest areas and travel centers, and ports. DOT also compiled a compendium of human trafficking awareness laws, intended to guide transportation organizations in their implementation of awareness campaigns. In a parallel effort, in 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) developed a human trafficking awareness tutorial with Lyft, Inc., for more than one million ride-share drivers.

• Over the past three years, departments and agencies focused on creating educational resources about this threat, to include:

• The Senior Policy Operating Group (SPOG), consisting of senior officials from across U.S. government agencies, Public Awareness & Outreach Committee published several resources, including (1) the Guide for Introductory-Level Human Trafficking Awareness Training, a resource for federal law enforcement and service provider agencies developing workforce human trafficking training; and (2) the inventory of Federal Anti-Trafficking Resources, which includes awareness campaigns, toolkits, and programs, and evaluations on its effectiveness.

• In 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published the National Human Trafficking Framework, describing eight strategies on the best available evidence to prevent human trafficking, which was viewed by more than 10,000 individuals. HHS launched new funding for local education agencies, which provided human trafficking prevention education to 81,500 students and 22,600 school staff across more than 1,700 schools; reached more than 30 million people through the HHS Look Beneath the Surface public awareness campaign; educated nearly 288,000 health and human service providers through the SOAR to Health and Wellness trainings on human trafficking; and developed a suite of new resources to enhance the child welfare response to human trafficking.

• In 2023, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) added a human trafficking section to its Youth@Work Webpage, to help young workers, employers, educators, and parents identify signs of human trafficking and understand human trafficking laws. New content included tips for staying safe in the workplace, examples of human trafficking lawsuits, and victim resource links.

• In 2021, the Department of Defense (DoD) Combating Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) Office released a Student Guide to Preventing Human Trafficking for military-connected students to learn more about human trafficking. The Guide and a companion Parent Guide were published on the CTIP Website.

• Departments and agencies also worked on procurement and supply chain efforts, to include:

• The SPOG’s Procurement & Supply Chains Committee established annual public outreach sessions to engage contracting companies, NGOs, international partners, and others on the anti-trafficking requirements for federal procurement.

• In 2024, the Office of Management and Budget required that federal acquisition personnel complete a Combating Trafficking in Persons course. Over 82,000 federal acquisition employees were trained on human trafficking issues. 

• In 2024, the Department of State’s (State) Trafficking in Person’s Office (TIP Office) conducted a major revamp of the Responsible Sourcing Tool. The Tool provides risk management resources specific to various industries to understand, detect, and address forced labor in global supply chains.

• The Department of Labor (DOL) produced and maintained a List of Goods Produced with Child Labor or Forced Labor. The September 2024 list includes a record 72 new items across numerous sectors and countries. DOL also funded two $4 million projects to increase tracing of goods made by child and forced labor.

• The Department of Commerce’s (DOC) International Trade Administration (ITA) deployed two training courses to help employees and industry partners identify and prevent forced labor in supply chains, including “Human Trafficking: Forced Labor in Global Supply Chains” which educates on the laws, regulations, and red flags related to goods made with forced labor entering the United States. 

• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) led efforts on human trafficking in maritime supply chains, including: (a) In 2022, NOAA launched Collaborative Accelerator for Lawful Maritime Conditions in Seafood (CALM-CS), which included more than 120 experts from across the supply chain, agencies, NGOs, and researchers. CALM-CS collaborated to identify priorities for addressing forced labor in the global seafood supply chain, developed due diligence guidance for retailers, conducted outreach campaigns targeting fishers at risk for forced labor, and promoted tools to support ethical recruitment of crew; (b) In its 2023 congressional report on countries and entities engaging in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, NOAA identified  the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Taiwan as reliant on forced labor and oppressive child labor; and (c) In 2024, NOAA led the U.S. delegation to the Joint Working Group (JWG) of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Labor Organization, and the International Maritime Organization on IUU Fishing and related matters. The JWG recommended development of labor-related guidelines.

• The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) worked with trading partners to eliminate forced labor in supply chains globally, including: (a) In 2024, USTR, DOL and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilitated three trilateral sessions of the United States, Mexico, and Canada to enforce the countries’ forced labor import bans; (b) USTR encouraged trading partners to adopt forced labor import bans, including Taiwan and Kenya; and (c) USTR and DHS shared information on enforcement of forced labor imports with trading partners, including Kenya, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

• DHS chaired the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF) consisting of multiple government agencies. FLETF expanded the Uyghur Forced Labor Protection Act (UFLPA) Entity List (of entities producing goods in violation of UFLPA), to prohibit more than 100 entities’ goods from entering the United States. FLETF also identified new high priority sectors for enforcement—aluminum, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and seafood—for the first time since 2022.

PROTECTION

Departments and agencies increased use of victim-centered and trauma-informed strategies and training in order to increase victim identification and referral to services, and to encourage and increase, where appropriate, participation in law enforcement investigations and prosecutions.  

• Between 2021-2024, HHS responded to more than 43,000 potential trafficking situations reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline and supported more than 20,000 survivors of trafficking with benefits and comprehensive case management services. Between 2021-2023, Federally Qualified Health Centers served more than 5,750 patients with concerns of human trafficking across 10,700 clinical visits.

• DOJ’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) made over 450 distinct awards totaling over $350 million to fund direct services (e.g., housing, health care, legal aid) for trafficking survivors. Such funding also supported multidisciplinary task forces; training and technical assistance; capacity-building for organizations in underserved communities; and states’ child and youth trafficking coordination and prevention efforts. In 2023-2024, OVC encouraged its grantees to expand specialized services for labor trafficking victims.

• In 2023-2024, DOL published two rules aimed to protect migrant and seasonal workers, including the Wagner-Peyser Act Staffing final rule, which strengthened outreach services to migrant and seasonal farmworkers, and the Farmworker Protection final rule, which strengthened protections for agricultural workers and enhanced DOL’s capabilities to monitor program compliance and take enforcement actions.[1]  

• Departments and agencies enhanced training for investigators, focused on trauma-informed and victim-centered approaches, to include:

• DOL’s inspectors: (a) received comprehensive training on the prevention of labor exploitation and human trafficking, on trauma-informed interviewing, and on referrals, retaliation, and the certification of visas for victims; (b) increased their engagement with local human trafficking task forces; (c) increased referrals of labor trafficking cases for further investigations; and (d) provided expertise on labor exploitation and child labor prosecutions, as part of the Forced Labor Initiative.

• DOJ’s Executive Office for Immigration Review conducted mandatory training for all personnel on identifying trafficking indicators and avoiding adverse immigration consequences for trafficking victims.

• DOJ’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit delivered trainings to conferences of federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement on strategies for preventing inappropriate arrest and punishment of trafficking victims.

• Since October 2022, the Department of the Interior (DOI) partnered with DOJ to develop a training curriculum for law enforcement first responders (primarily National Park Service (NPS), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and Tribal law enforcement officers) on responding to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse crimes.  The partnership has trained over 170 federal and tribal officers.

• DOI deployed online training courses for law enforcement first responders on trauma-related topics, such as Brain Responses to Trauma, Responding to Traumatized Victims, responding to child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, the role of Victim Specialists, and the Law Enforcement Manager’s Role in Victim Assistance.  DOI’s First Responder to Violent Crimes Training curriculum heavily emphasized the key role of Victim Assistance personnel in investigations.

• DOL’s National Monitor Advocate and National Farmworker Jobs Program provided training on processing complaints regarding suspected trafficking of agricultural workers and met with stakeholders about improving employment and training services for trafficking victims and survivors.

• Departments and agencies strengthened their victim outreach capacities, to include:

• DOI, with support from DOJ, expanded NPS’s Victim Assistance Program, adding four Victim Specialists, and the United States Park Police created a national Victim Assistance Program Coordinator.

• DHS expanded its Victim Assistance Program, increasing the number of Homeland Security Investigations Victim Assistance Program Specialists and Forensic Interview Specialists, and enhancing efforts to identify victims of human trafficking and to connect them to social services and medical care. 

• In 2024, DHS launched Continued Presence – a temporary immigration designation provided to individuals identified as trafficking victims who may be potential witnesses. In addition to expanding federal law enforcement access, this modernization streamlined the application process and ensured eligible victims receive temporary immigration protection and access to federal benefits and services more quickly.

PROSECUTION

Departments and agencies worked to hold accountable individuals and entities engaged in human trafficking and to dismantle human trafficking networks, employing a broad range of non-criminal enforcement tools and strengthening criminal enforcement capabilities.

• DOJ led the Interagency Forced Labor Initiative Steering Group, established in 2022, intensifying its focus on prosecutions involving forced child labor, including forced labor of unaccompanied minors. Among other significant prosecutions, in 2024, DOJ secured a landmark life sentence and $80,000 in restitution in a forced child labor case.

• Through adding human trafficking as a core agency mission and establishing new partnerships, DHS improved investigations of perpetrators of this crime. In 2024, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made 2,545 arrests human trafficking-related offenses and assisted 818 human trafficking victims. HSI supported 914 human trafficking-related indictments with federal and state partners, leading to 405 convictions.

• Over the past three years, DOL’s Investigator General has opened approximately 100 criminal matters involving DOL’s Foreign Labor Certification program, and over 125 criminal matters relating to human and labor trafficking allegations. DOL’s efforts in these cases have resulted in dozens of convictions and more than $6 million in monetary results.

• In 2021, DOI created a new Missing and Murdered Unit (MMU) within the BIA, to pursue justice for missing/murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives. The MMU collaborated with agencies, enhancing DOJ’s National Missing and Unidentified Persons System and working in strategic partnerships with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Behavioral Analysis Units, the FBI Forensic Laboratory, the U.S. Marshals Missing Child Unit, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and FBI’s Operation Not Forgotten, which together with DOI surged resources for Tribal communities.

• Since December 2022, the Department of Treasury (Treasury) has used its sanctioning authorities to hold traffickers accountable and to disrupt human trafficking activities. Treasury has designated 33 persons for conduct related to human trafficking, including for serious human rights abuse aboard PRC-flagged fishing vessels, and for systemic and pervasive sex trafficking activity. In 2024, Treasury announced sanctions against a Cambodian official and five corporate entities for human rights abuses amounting to forced labor—a form of human trafficking—in online scam operations at casinos and hotels.  This action marked the culmination of years of interagency coordination, including extensive reporting and research led by State’s TIP Office, and is a model for preparing future sanctions packages against human traffickers.

• DOT issued a final rule requiring states to permanently ban drivers convicted of human trafficking from operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), which requires a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit.

• In 2024, DOJ’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force announced its National Human Trafficking Strategic Initiative to mobilize federal, state, and local law enforcement of transnational organized and gang-related human trafficking threats.

• In 2024, DOJ launched coordinated efforts to combat human trafficking and related crimes associated with the Venezuelan-based Tren de Aragua (TdA). The FBI-led National Gang Intelligence Center, a collaboration among interagency enforcement partners, has been developing a centralized platform from investigations and prosecutions across multiple agencies and jurisdictions against TdA-related human trafficking threats.

• DOI and DOJ have made efforts to improve investigations and prosecutions related to missing/murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives.

• In 2021, DOI and DOJ established the Not Invisible Act Commission (NIAC) comprised of law enforcement, Tribal leaders and organizations, judges, federal officials, family members, and survivors. In 2023, the NAIC held public hearings across the country, gathering over 200+ public comments about the crisis of missing/murdered Indigenous persons and human trafficking, which shaped NIAC’s final recommendations. In November 2023, the NIAC submitted its report, “Not One More: Findings & Recommendations of the Not Invisible Act Commission,” to DOI, DOJ, and Congress, recommending specific concerns and areas for improvement. In March 2024, the DOI and DOJ issued a response to the Report, addressing the areas of concern, including law enforcement and investigative resources; recruitment and retention of law enforcement; data collection and reporting; cross jurisdictional coordination; family and survivor resources; improving public safety resources; and Alaska-specific issues.

• At the 2022 White House Tribal Nations Summit, the BIA and the FBI announced an agreement to provide for the effective and efficient administration of criminal investigations in Indian Country.

• In September 2024, DOI and DOJ convened a virtual roundtable meeting with Tribal and federal representatives, advocates, media, and survivors to discuss improving media coverage of missing/murdered Indigenous peoples.

PARTNERSHIP

Departments and agencies worked across the government and with external partners, including to coordinate efforts domestically and with foreign partners, and to integrate survivor input into the work of these partners.

• In 2023, HHS launched the Joint Forced Labor Working Group, a public-private collaboration to strengthen public health supply chains through training and guidance for procurement professionals and suppliers. HHS hosted a series of listening sessions and provided resources on technology-facilitated trafficking and related forms of exploitation.

• Treasury has enhanced integration of financial intelligence in law enforcement investigations related to human trafficking, including: (a) In 2024, the agency published the National Money Laundering Risk Assessment, which stated that human trafficking networks are a major illicit financing threat; (b) Treasuryconducted 22 trainings for investigators on proactively identifying sex trafficking and forced labor cases utilizing Bank Secrecy Act data and other financial data; (c) Treasury published a Financial Trend Analysis on the use of virtual currency for suspected online child sexual exploitation and human trafficking; and (d) Treasury, through the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, joined and collaborated with two human trafficking-focused public-private partnerships hosted by Canada: Project Shadow and Project Protect.

• Departments and agencies worked with survivors and other stakeholders to inform and align federal efforts with survivor expertise, to include:

• State engaged with the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking and State’s Human Trafficking Expert Consultant Network (the Network) to launch new trainings, designed with survivors and other trauma experts, including: “Understanding Trauma and Trauma-Informed Approaches,” which provides tips for engaging with potential victims and survivors of trafficking. In 2024, State partnered with consultants from the Network to assist with drafting State’s 2024 TIP Report and with updating the Wilberforce “Know Your Rights” pamphlet.

• The U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) 2021 Counter-Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) Policy incorporated survivor input and prioritized survivor-centered approaches in CTIP programs through reintegration support such as livelihood training and psychosocial assistance to minimize re-traumatization.

• In 2024, State’s TIP Office launched a survivor leadership training and technical assistance award, which will provide technical assistance focused on establishing survivor leadership and survivor partnership structures and processes abroad.

• USAID engaged with multiple jurisdictions to enhance and support human trafficking awareness and investigations around the world.

• USAID supported the Government of Bangladesh in developing and updating its national action plan to combat human trafficking, empowered communities with enforcement tools, and strengthened court capacity.  In Central Asia, USAID has promoted safe migration and strengthened the accountability of government institutions by implementing laws, policies, and regulations on combating trafficking in persons and safe migration.  USAID has also worked in Guatemala to support survivors of trafficking by providing temporary housing, food, medical care, psychosocial support, education and job training, and legal support.

• In 2023, USAID’s Regional Development Mission in Asia convened the Evidence2Action Summit to discuss survivor inclusion in countering trafficking.

• DOT led the development of (a) counter-trafficking guidelines covering all modes of transportation for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation’s 21 member economies, and (b) aviation-specific guidelines for the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization’s 193 member countries. Key components of both guidelines include leadership, policies, reporting protocols, partnerships, training, public awareness, data collection, information-sharing, and victim and survivor support.

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[1] The Farmworker Protection final rule is currently subject to legal challenges. Several court orders—including one with nationwide effect—have prohibited DOL from implementing some or all of the rule.

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Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall
Fort Myer, Virginia

3:01 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.

Every time I’m here, it’s made me so damn proud to be an American. And it must all of you as well.

One percent of you are defending ninety-nine percent of us. We owe you. We owe you big.

Just over 240 years ago, George Washington gave his farewell address to the Continental Army. Still astonished by their victory and by their unity, Washington asked, and I quote, “Who that was not a witness could imagine that men who came from different parts of the continent would instantly become one patriotic band of brothers?”

That’s what you are: one patriotic band of brothers.

Vice President Harris, Jill, Doug, Secretary Austin, Secretary [Chairman] Brown — two of the best decisions I ever made in my career, I might add — service secretaries — (applause) — members of the Congress, and, most importantly, this patriotic band of service members before me: Serving as your commander in chief has been the greatest honor of my life.

And while I’m deeply grateful for your thanks and affection, I’m here to thank you — thank you for your service to our nation and for allowing me to bear witness to your courage, your commitment, your character.

As I listened to the choir sing, I thought about it. You all represent what America is: character, honesty, integrity, commitment.

Like Washington, you’ve left me astonished. And I mean it.

Over the years, I’ve frequently seen you in action in war zones in Bosnia, Baghdad, Fallujah, Kabul, K- — I — I wasn’t going to bore the hell out of you, but — (laughter) — Helmand, Kandahar, and other places.

I remember one trip to Afghanistan as vice president. I was at a forward operating base, Wardak province, which is in eastern Afghanistan.

I was asked by a commanding officer to pin a Bronze Star on a soldier for his heroism. The soldier’s teammate was hit while driving in a Humvee. And this soldier did everything possible to rescue his colleague from the burning flames.

But when I went to pin the medal on him, the soldier looked at me and said, “I don’t want it. I don’t want it. He died. I don’t want it.”

And in that moment, all I could think about was the encourage and — incredible courage and humility and moral compass that this soldier had, that all of you have.

You’re the — this is not hyperbole. You are simply the greatest fighting force in the history of the world — in the history of the world. (Applause.) That’s a fact. That’s not hyberbole. That’s a fact.

And there’s never been a time in history when we’ve asked our military to do so many different things, so many places all at the same time. And I want to be clear: You have done all — all these missions with strength and maybe even, importantly, with integrity.

When I asked you to end our nation’s longest war, you rose to the occasion, evacuating Americans, allies, and our Afghan partners; accomplishing the largest airlift in military history; and ending a war with the same courage that defined American service in Afghanistan for over 20 years.

I believe history will reflect that it was the right thing to do, but I know — I know it was hard. After decades of losing your brothers and sisters, including the withdrawal, the pain was still real.

And it was for me as well. Every day I still carry — every single day — (the president holds up a piece of paper) — it’s my schedule. On the back of the schedule, every single day at the top since I’ve been here, it says, “U.S.” — “Daily U.S. troops in Afghanistan” — “U.S. troops that have died in Afghanistan: 2,465.” Not “over 2,000” — “2,465.” “Troops wounded: 20,769.”

And every day we’ll honor their sacrifice for con- — continuing a mission for which they gave their lives: fighting terrorism, defending our homeland, and protecting the American people.

Six months after that war ended, when Russia began its largest war in Europe since World War II, I asked you to help defend Ukraine. You didn’t hesitate. You kept Ukraine in the fight; trained Ukrainian soldiers and pilots, troops; bolstered NATO’s eastern flank; and, above all, you showed the world America stands up for freedom, stands with our friends. America stands strong with our allies. We never bend down. We bend down to no one, certainly not Putin.

And now, nearly three years later, Putin has failed to take Kyiv, failed to make large territorial gains, and failed to break NATO.

As a matter of a fact, when I spoke to him on the phone, I talked — he talked about — he wanted us to be the Finland of Europe. And I pointed out to him at the time, for real, that you’ll not only get the Finland of Europe, you’re going to get the Finlandization — not of Europe — you’re going to see Europe joining NATO — Finland joining NATO, Sweden joining NATO.

On America’s watch, dictators do not get to do whatever the hell they want.

Then, following Hamas’s terrorism on October the 7th, I asked you to de- — excuse my back, by the way. (Laughter.) My mother would be very upset. (Laughter.)

I asked you to deploy to the Middle East. Again, you stepped up, pulling long nights and long deployments to weaken Hamas, to defend Isa- — Israel against unprecedented attacks on [from] Iran.

Imagine had we not.

If we don’t lead the world, who will lead the world? Who?

And twice, you stood up to the attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea.

Last year, I spoke with the women and men aboard the destroyer that took down the first Houthi attacks. It was the USS Carney. And I want you — to tell you all what I told them: We owe you. We owe you.

And back in May — yesterday I announced — proud to announce the ceasefire, the hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. The road to that deal was not easy. It was eight months ago I laid down the elements of that deal, in May — embraced by countries around the world, because they know we say what we mean; endorsed overwhelmingly by the U.N. Security Council.

It’s taken eight months of nonstop, relentless effort by my administration to get it done, but because of you — all of you standing behind me — because of you, because of so many diplomats and defense professionals, we kept the pressure on Hamas and we got it done. We got it done.

And finally, when I asked you to strengthen America’s position in the Indo-Pacific, in the middle of all the other conflicts and crises, you said, “No problem.” You kept China in check.

Remember when we take of- — took office, China was over — going to overcome the United States economically and politically by 2030. Everybody wrote that, except here in this building.

The skies open. The seas free. And our allies close.

You established our first trilateral defense partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom; our first trilateral partnership that some — we said couldn’t get done — with Japan and the Philippines; and our first trilateral partnership between Japan and South Korea.

Remember that? Camp David. They said we couldn’t do it.

It wasn’t me. It was America. We did it. That’s what America does — people know America is acting out of character. Our nation is so much and so many others as — did — our nation has asked so much of so many others as well.

Doctors and nurses helping service members to learn to walk again, eat again, speak again. The National Guard members who dropped everything to help their fellow Americans during the fires and hurricanes. The Marines guarding embassies around the world. The scientists making sure we have an edge over adversaries. Interpreters who make our missions possible.

And perhaps most importantly, your families. They sacrifice so much.

And I might add, the doctors and nurses — excuse a point of personal privilege, as they used to say in the Senate — came home one — I commuted every day — every single day, over two million one hundred thousand miles on Amtrak because I lost my family when I first got here.

My oldest son — one day, I went home — he was the attorney general — he said, “Dad, what are you doing Friday?” I said, “What do you want me to do?” He said, “I want you to pin my bars on.” I said, “What?” I said, “You’re married with two children.” He said, “I know, Dad, but someone has got to go.”

He spent a year in Iraq, won the Bronze Star, conspicuous service medal. But like many others, he was exposed to those burn pits, which are within about a half a mile of where he was — where he bunked. He had stage 4 glioblastoma, like so many other of our folks.

And I watched the nurses and the doctors who took care of him for so long.

And, by the way, I want to take a moment to speak to all military spouses, kids, and parents here today. Most Americans never see the sacrifices that you make every single day. They’ll never see all those holidays and birthdays with an empty seat at the dinner table because mom or dad was deployed. They’ll never see all the moves you had to make to new states, to new schools, to new jobs. But I see it, and Jill saw it.

She made it her life’s work. She’s — she’s done everything big and small, from helping military spouses find childcare and build their own careers, by hanging photos of deployed moms and dads outside classrooms of those National Guard folks, because then, ev- — every holiday, every time there’s — something is going on, their moms or dads weren’t there but then — but no one ever mentioned it. She started getting into every classroom in America to put a picture of an deployed mom or dad outside the classroom.

Even this morning, she held an event for — with Joining Forces, an historic White House initiative to support military and veterans’ families, because, as the poet John Milton wrote, “They also serve who only stand and wait.” “They also serve who only stand and wait.”

So, for the last time as commander in chief, I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to all the families. We owe you.

I’ve long said, as a nation, we have many obligations. But I said we only have one truly sacred obligation, and that’s to prepare those we send into harm’s way and care for them and their families when they come home and when they don’t.

Over the last four years, Kamala and I have worked to make good that obligation. We passed more than 40 bipartisan laws to support you, including something I felt so strongly about: the passage of the PACT Act. I drafted that law, and we passed it. Now it’s already helped over 1 million service members and their survivors, their children have access to everything from college to health care.

These people were exposed to toxins — in my generation, to Agent Orange; my son’s generation, to burn pits. But we had to prove that what you had — what’s your disease, all the brain damage, all the brain cancers — were a direct consequence of those toxins or Agent Orange.

But we changed that. And I want to publicly thank the 9/11 Commission. All those folks, all those firefighters were so badly, badly damaged because of the fumes and the toxins associated with the — 9/11.

And those of you who are the Vietnam generation — finally, all you had to prove is that stuff dropped on you and it didn’t cause — they didn’t have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt it caused your disease. Just state the fact and you’re covered.

We’ve invested over a trillion dollars in our defense industry base. In real dollars, that’s more than America did in any four-year period during the Cold War.

We also invested record resources to fight the scourge of military suicide. No more calling and saying, “My husband needs help. He needs help.” You get an answer.

We fought (inaudible) — we brought veterans’ homelessness to record lows, made historic changes in the military justice system, which has reduced the rates of sexual assault for the first time in nearly a decade.

We ended the ban on transgender service.

We took landmark steps to create more economic opportunities for military spouses.

We expanded opportunities for women in combat roles. And I’m proud to have appointed the first woman as a service chief in the history of this country. Clap for that, folks, because she deserves it. (Applause.)

I don’t know about the rest of you guys, but the women in my st- — family are a hell of a lot smarter than the men in my family. (Laughter.)

Look, if there’s one thing I hope to take away from today, it’s this — this is not hyperbole: You’re truly the finest fighting force in the history of the world. That’s not hyperbole. That’s true.

Everything I and others have asked of you, you’ve done — you’ve done with honor, commitment, grit, and guts.

Let me close with a final request. I say it not as your president or commander in chief; I say it as a man who spent 50 years of his life serving his country in a different way: Remember your oath.

My son, Major Beau Biden, used to call it “home base.” That’s a set of principles, of values that give you light in darkness, that guide you.

It’s true that the military has the best weapons, the best training in the world. We have the most cutting-edge ships, planes, and subs. We have the smartest and most well-trained force on Earth.

That’s all critical, but that alone is not what makes us strong. This is not what brought Washington’s “band of brothers” together all those years ago. It’s our values. I mean this sincerely. It’s our values — American values. Our commitment to honor, to integrity, to unity, to protecting and — and defending not a person or a party or a place, but an idea, literally, unlike — as a student of history, I can say unlike any other in human history.

And that idea is: The United States of America is unique in the world. Virtually every other nation in the world is based on geography, ethnicity, re- — ethnicity, or religion, or some defining feature. But we’re the only nation in the world — only nation in history built on an idea — an idea — an idea that we’re all created equal.

We know the words by heart. We’re endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness. That’s the idea that generations of service members have fought for, an idea you have sworn an oath to defend.

As a nation, we’ve never fully lived up to that idea, but we’ve never, ever, ever walked away from it. And our country is counting on you to ensure that that will always be true.

As I said when I began, 1 percent of you defend 99 percent of the people across this nation. That’s why you all deserve a special place in our hearts and in God’s heart.

May God bless you all. And may God protect our troops.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. (Applause.)
3:21 P.M. EST

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I have supported the Equal Rights Amendment for more than 50 years, and I have long been clear that no one should be discriminated against based on their sex. We, as a nation, must affirm and protect women’s full equality once and for all. 

On January 27, 2020, the Commonwealth of Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. The American Bar Association (ABA) has recognized that the Equal Rights Amendment has cleared all necessary hurdles to be formally added to the Constitution as the 28th Amendment. I agree with the ABA and with leading legal constitutional scholars that the Equal Rights Amendment has become part of our Constitution.

It is long past time to recognize the will of the American people. In keeping with my oath and duty to Constitution and country, I affirm what I believe and what three-fourths of the states have ratified: the 28th Amendment is the law of the land, guaranteeing all Americans equal rights and protections under the law regardless of their sex. 

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Congress passed the bipartisan Global Fragility Act (GFA) in 2019 to improve the ways in which the U.S. government advances conflict prevention and stabilization around the world.  Through the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability, the United States is delivering on the vision of the GFA through expanded partnerships and more integrated, adaptive, and effective U.S. government efforts.  Together, the United States and our partners are elevating shared approaches to forge a more prosperous and resilient future.  By prioritizing prevention, our efforts will potentially save countless lives and significant U.S. taxpayer dollars in the years to come.

In its report to Congress, the Departments of State and Defense, USAID, and other elements of the U.S. government documented early progress under the plans with our partners in Haiti, Libya, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, and the Coastal West African countries of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, and Togo.  Through this initiative, we are helping to foster more resilient and self-reliant U.S economic and security partners over the long term. 

• In Coastal West Africa, we collaborate regionally to prevent the spread of violent extremism from the Sahel.  U.S. engagement and programs in vulnerable border areas help strengthen social cohesion and expand equitable access to livelihoods, improve government responsiveness and service delivery, and bolster security force capacity and accountability.  Early evidence shows a reduction of conflict in border areas and an increase in trust between local communities and government authorities and the security forces who serve them.  Our partner governments are also taking important steps to address the longstanding marginalization of certain ethnic communities and engaging more with youth and women in at-risk communities.

• In Haiti, we respond and adapt to a multi-pronged crisis.  In the near term, we are addressing increased volatility amid complex political and security crises.  Through deepened U.S. diplomatic engagement, we mobilized international support and funding for the Multinational Security Support mission and continue to support a Haitian-led transitional political process.  At the same time, we are advancing a foundation for more durable stability in Haiti through a phased approach that supports inclusive governance, citizen security, and Haitian-driven political processes.  The U.S. government continues to engage with a wide range of Haitian stakeholders, including civil society, the diaspora, faith-based organizations, and multilateral organizations, to inform adaptations as conditions evolve.

• In Libya, we engage countrywide in new ways, with a focus on southern communities, to reduce divisions and lay a foundation for stability.  U.S. diplomatic efforts and development programming spur incremental but meaningful progress on reconciliation, citizen engagement, economic empowerment, and local governance in the south and at the national level.  The U.S. government now plays a more active role in fostering security and economic integration and dispute resolution—working with historically marginalized communities and generating positive momentum among governing bodies, international stakeholders, and donors to support broader stabilization and development.

• In Mozambique, we enhance social cohesion and community resilience among displaced and resident populations.  These efforts help improve governance in conflict-affected areas crucial to transforming the country’s long-term economic and foreign investment landscape.  The U.S. government launched a range of new peacebuilding, resilience, and stabilization programs in northern Mozambique that are yielding early results.  Through deepened diplomatic engagement, the United States has pressed for progress on government stabilization and reconstruction plans for the north and developed more cohesive approaches with Mozambique’s international partners to promote their support and collaboration.  The U.S. government will leverage and adapt PSF-funded programs and partnerships to address the current post-election crisis and promote stabilization, democratic governance, and inclusive dialogue.

• In Papua New Guinea (PNG), we advance a stable partnership by strengthening the local capacity to prevent violence and improving economic opportunity, justice systems, and security forces.  These efforts help catalyze local action in target provinces to advance gender equality, support women’s political and economic participation, and bolster youth civic awareness in this critical Pacific Island country.

Across these efforts, the U.S. government solidified wider international partnerships.  We pursued more structured engagement with international donor partners and invested in collaborative programming and funding mechanisms.  These include the joint U.S.-German Coastal States Stability Mechanism in Coastal West Africa and the Reconstruction Fund for Murzuq in southern Libya.  We grew international partner contributions to global mechanisms like the new Complex Risk Analytics Fund that fills critical data gaps on conflict and prevention.  The United States advanced conflict prevention and fragility priorities in our engagement with multilateral development banks through the MDB Evolution initiative as well as through the recent International Development Association 21 replenishment negotiations and pursued improved collaboration with the private sector to advance locally driven economic development.

As the U.S. government continues implementation of the bipartisan GFA, we expect its focus, resources, and approaches to continue to improve how the United States partners to address conflict and foster stability.  We are still in the early phases of this long-term endeavor.  Progress in fragile contexts will require an enhanced focus on learning and adaptation.  As we adapt and improve our efforts with partners, we work to not only prevent conflict and alleviate suffering, but also to create conditions in which our partners are better placed to address the drivers of fragility that can threaten U.S. national security.

For more information on the GFA and the Strategy, please visit this dedicated website.

FOR REFERENCE:

2024 factsheet marking one year of the 10-year plan implementation: FACT SHEET: Partnering for Peace through the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability | The White House

2023 factsheet marking 10-year plan submission: FACT SHEET: President Biden Submits to Congress 10-Year Plans to Implement the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability | The White House

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Today, I’m proud to announce that my Administration has selected the next 15 drugs for Medicare drug price negotiation.  The drugs treat conditions such as diabetes and cancer, and seniors across the country rely on them.  These 15 drugs, together with the 10 drugs that Medicare already negotiated, represent about a third of Medicare Part D spending on prescription drugs, which means the lower prices my Inflation Reduction Act is delivering will put money back in seniors’ pockets across the country.

My Administration completed the first round of price negotiation last year and delivered dramatic savings, slashing the price of some of the most commonly used drugs in Medicare by about 40 to 80 percent.  The Inflation Reduction Act put the country on a path to lower drug prices.  I’m proud of my Administration’s implementation of this law to deliver lower prices for America’s seniors.   

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Today, I am commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses who are serving disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today under current law, policy, and practice. With this action, I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in U.S. history.

Today’s clemency action provides relief for individuals who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes. As Congress recognized through the Fair Sentencing Act and the First Step Act, it is time that we equalize these sentencing disparities. This action is an important step toward righting historic wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their families and communities after spending far too much time behind bars. I am proud of my record on clemency and will continue to review additional commutations and pardons.

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Vice President’s Ceremonial Office
Eisenhower Executive Office Building

 4:24 P.M. EST
 
     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Hi, everyone.  (Applause.)  Hi.  Oh, my goodness.  We’ve got alum from years and years ago and days ago here.  (Laughter.)
 
     And — oh, I — I — you know, I saw so many of everyone who was here during the holiday parties, but I just have to say again: I am so proud of our team.  And this is a team that spans many years of doing extraordinary work on behalf of the people.
 
     And as you all have heard me say many times, I am fully aware that I am the public face of a lot of our work.  And so, I have the benefit of running into people all over our country who thank me.  And I will tell you, I am fully aware that when they are thanking me, they are thanking our team for the extraordinary commitment that you each have and as a team have to lifting up the American people — lifting up their condition, lifting up their hopes and dreams, and understanding, through it all, the nobility of public service.
 
     We have each taken on a life and a calling that is about doing work in the service of others and doing it in a way that is fueled, yes, with ambition; yes, with a sense of almost stubbornness about not hearing no; and knowing we can make a difference.
 
     And I’m not going to go through the laundry list of all of our accomplishments.  We know what they are.  But I will tell you that everyone here has so much to be proud of, and our work is not done.
 
     And as you all know me, because we have spent long hours, long days, and months and years together, it is not my nature to go quietly into the night.  (Laughter.)  So, don’t worry about that.
 
     But the ceremony of signing this desk is something that is especially important, so I hope everyone will get a chance to see the desk.
 
     But I have actually, I think with the exception of Truman and Eisenhower, met every person who has signed this desk, every vice president — former vice president.  And, you know, we don’t all — yeah, all of them.  In fact, I talked to Mondale — Vice President Mondale just days before he passed. 
 
And I will say that although many of us might have disagreed — me and some of the previous vice presidents — on — on certain matters, policy matters, I think we all probably have shared a very common experience that is a through line, as evidenced by the fact that we have this tradition of signing this dec- — desk since the — 1940, I believe. 
 
And it is the work of caring about our country.  It is the work of understanding we hold these offices in the public trust with the duty and the responsibility to uphold the oath we take to respect, to defend the Constitution of the United States, to do our work on behalf of the people of the United States.
 
And so, I stand in a long tradition, as the 49th vice president of the United States — in a long tradition of vice presidents who have signed this desk, and I do so with great honor and with the knowledge that our work here has mattered.  It has meaning.  It has impacted people we may never meet, people who may never know our name, but who are ever, forever grateful for the work that you each and we all together have done.  So, I thank you all.
 
And with that, I’m going to pull out the Sharpie.  (Applause.) 
 
(The vice president signs the Theodore Roosevelt desk drawer.)
 
All right.  It’s done.  (Applause.)
 
AUDIENCE:  MVP!  MVP!  MVP!
 
THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Okay.  All right.  Doug is going to take a selfie.

     Okay.  Okay.

     THE SECOND GENTLEMAN:  I’m taking pictures now.
(Cross-talk.)

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Let’s — we’ll get the press —

     Q    Madam Vice President, what’s next?
 
THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Just — we’re going to continue getting work done until Monday, and then I’ll keep you posted.  (Laughter.) 

     Thanks, everyone.  Thank you.  (Applause.)
 
                        END                4:29 P.M. EST
 
 

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As Commander in Chief, President Biden made clear that as a nation, we have a truly sacred obligation to prepare and equip those we send into harm’s way, and to care for them and their families while they are deployed and when they return home. Throughout his career, he has championed efforts to improve support for our military. And, as President, he made supporting service members, veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors, a key pillar of his Unity Agenda for the nation.  The Biden-Harris Administration advanced bold and comprehensive actions to improve the lives of our service members, their families, and their survivors.

• Strengthening pay and food security for military members and families. The DoD raised base pay for service members almost 14.5% since January 2021, with the help of Congress. Additionally, the DoD published the Strengthening Food Security in the Force: Strategy and Roadmap report outlining more than 50 actions and subsequent progress made across the Department to improve Service members’ access to nutritious, affordable food. This includes creating Dietitian-Approved Fueling Stations that are increasing healthy food options across DOD dining facilities and vending machines and enabling online shopping and curbside pickup service at its commissaries to now accept SNAP payments online. And the Administration enhanced and expanded access to the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA), which helps low-income military households better afford basic needs. DOD increased the eligibility threshold from 130 to 200 percent of federal policy guidelines and excluded federal food assistance programs from Service members’ gross household income calculations making it easier for them to qualify for and receive a higher BNA.
  
• Addressing historical inequity. The Biden-Harris Administration took action to right several historic wrongs in the treatment of minorities by exonerating 110 Black Soldiers and 256 Sailors who were wrongly convicted and discharged, paving the way for these former service members to have their military discharges upgraded. It also awarded military medals, including the Medal of Honor, to deserving service members who had previously not received a medal due to racial bias. 
  
• Reforming the military justice system to better protect survivors. The President led the most comprehensive transformation of the military justice system since the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) since 1950. Since 2021, President Biden issued three Executive Orders to implement historic, bipartisan reforms passed by Congress in National Defense Authorization Acts from Fiscal Years 2022-2024. Under the President’s leadership, the Administration transferred key decision-making authorities from commanders to specialized, independent military prosecutors in cases of sexual assault, domestic violence, murder, and other serious offenses; modernized procedures to better protect victims and promote fairness before, during and after court-martial proceedings; reformed the court-martial sentencing system to promote uniformity and fairness; and criminalized the broadcast or distribution of intimate images. These changes fundamentally shifted how the military justice system responds to sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes, strengthening the military justice system’s response to gender‑based violence. 
  
• In addition, DOD made record investments in sexual assault prevention and survivor support, more than doubling annual funding from $500 million to more than $1 billion in 2024 for these lifesaving services. This work made a difference: for the first time in nearly a decade, rates of sexual assault and harassment within the active-duty force declined—with a nearly 19% drop in the number of service members who reported experiencing unwanted sexual contact since 2021.
  
• Expanding access to health care for women service members and veterans. The Administration took action to defend access to reproductive health care for service members and veterans and to improve maternal health outcomes. DoD issued new policies to support Service members and their families’ ability to travel for lawful reproductive health care, to bolster Service members’ privacy, and to afford Service members the time and space needed to make personal health care decisions. DoD also expanded walk-in contraceptive care services for active-duty Service members and other Military Health System beneficiaries and eliminated TRICARE copays for certain contraceptive services. VA revised its regulations to provide abortion counseling and, in certain circumstances, abortion care to veterans and VA beneficiaries and eliminated out-of-pocket costs for certain types of contraception through the Civilian Health and Medical Program. DoD and VA also expanded eligibility for in vitro fertilization services for certain Service members and veterans. And VA expanded maternity care for veterans, who now have access to maternity care coordinators through 12 months postpartum, helping connect veterans with care after delivery, follow-up screenings, and mental health support.
  
• Addressing the root causes of military and veteran suicide. Since releasing a comprehensive public health strategy for reducing military and veteran suicide, the Biden-Harris Administration has continued to improve suicide prevention efforts.  We launched the first ever federal lethal means safety campaign to encourage service members and veterans to securely store their firearms because time and space between a firearm and someone in crisis saves lives. As of October 2024, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has provided no-cost life-saving care to more than 82,000 veterans at risk of suicide since the program began. VA awarded over $150 million in grants for community-based organizations to deliver or coordinate suicide prevention programs and services for veterans and their family members. Because economic and financial uncertainty can increase the risk of suicide, VA launched the National Veterans Financial Resource Center earlier this year to provide veterans and their families with a one-stop website to locate tools and resources to improve financial wellbeing. The DOD also announced several actions to advance the recommendations made by the Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee and invested historic resources to prevent military suicide. 
  
• Addressing the harmful effects of military toxic exposures. For far too long, service members and veterans have suffered health effects associated with toxic exposures like Agent Orange, radiation, and burn pits. In 2021, VA expanded the respiratory conditions considered service connected for exposure to burn pits. Then, in 2022, President Biden enacted the PACT Act, the most significant expansion of benefits and services for toxic exposed veterans. Earlier this month, VA announced it added more cancers to the list of those considered presumptive for burn pit exposure, lowering the burden of proof for veterans to get access to benefits. To date, over 1.2 million veterans and 12,000 survivors are getting access to disability benefits.
  
• Supporting LGBTQI+ service members and veterans. In his first week in office, the President rescinded the discriminatory ban on transgender service members. In October 2024, DoD announced that it concluded its proactive review of discharge records for former service members who had received a less than honorable discharge due to their sexual orientation under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. As a result of DoD’s new actions, 96% of individuals who were administratively separated on the basis of their sexual orientation and who served for long enough to receive a merit-based characterization of service now have an honorable discharge. In addition, this past spring, VA expanded access to care and benefits for some former Service members who received a less than honorable discharge based on homosexual conduct. Furthermore, in June 2024, President Biden issued a categorical pardon for certain former Service members convicted of crimes based on their sexual orientation.
  
• Championing military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors. In June 2023, the President, alongside Dr. Biden, signed an Executive Order on Advancing Economic Security for Military and Veteran Spouses, Military Caregivers, and Survivors. This Executive Order is the most comprehensive set of administrative actions any President has directed to support military spouses, and it included nearly 20 new actions aimed at enhancing career stability, expanding employment resources, and improving transition assistance support for military-connected spouses.
  
• Federal hiring and retention. In February 2024, the Administration released the first Government-wide Military-Connected Strategic Plan (MCP), for fiscal years 2024 to 2028. The MCP establishes a framework for federal agencies to recruit, hire, and retain military and veteran spouses, caregivers, and survivors by addressing military families’ unique challenges.  Additionally, OPM released The Guide to Recruiting and Hiring Military Spouses, a toolkit published by Joining Forces. Agencies integrated the toolkit into their recruitment efforts, establishing Career Resource Sites to provide targeted job listings, training, and support. 
  
• On April 17, 2024, DoD and the Department of State (DoS) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to enhance the Domestic Employees Teleworking Overseas (DETO) program. The agreement streamlines the approval process, refines safety protocols, and strengthens support for military spouses working remotely from overseas.  Additionally, in November 2024, DoS released official federal guidance for DETO program implementation.
  
• On January 1, 2024, DoD fully implemented Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (DCFSAs) for active-duty service members, allowing military families to use pretax funds for childcare and elder care expenses, enhancing economic security.
  
• In the fall of 2024 DoD implemented universal Pre-K in 80 DoDEA schools. The remaining 10 schools require facility improvements, five of which will open in fall 2025 and five to open within three years.
  
• In April 2023, DoD increased access and affordability of military child care, which was included in the Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers, by reducing DoD childcare fees up to 40% and expanding access through the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS (MCCYN-PLUS) program to 14 additional states (beyond where it was initially launched in Maryland and Virginia).
  
• In November 2024, VA issued a proposed rule that would expand eligibility for service members and veterans to qualify for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, implementing a key deliverable from the President’s Executive Order. 
  
• Protected service members, veterans, and their families from predatory actors. In 2023, veterans, military personnel, and their families reported $477 million in losses to fraud. Last November, the President announced the new Veteran Scam and Fraud Evasion (VSAFE) Task Force to better protect veterans and their families against these scams. In 2024, VSAFE released several resources to cut down on any confusion, and get veterans, service members, and their family members routed to the best support as effectively and efficiently as possible. A centralized website, VSAFE.gov, is a fraud prevention, response, and reporting information hub. Information from across federal agencies can be accessed in one place, making it easy for veterans, service members, and their families to find out more about different kinds of fraud, to get assistance, and to report. A single shared call line, 833-38V-SAFE, will connect veterans, service members, and their families with the best agency to handle their report and get help.

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During this century, major powers have deployed economic sanctions and other restrictive tools of economic statecraft to an unprecedented degree. The number of sanctioned individuals and entities across the world has increased by an order of magnitude since 2000.[1] Tariffs and other trade restrictions have tripled over the past five years.[2] The percentage of OECD countries screening investments in sensitive sectors has risen over the past decade from less than a third to more than 80 percent,[3] while the number of countries with sophisticated export controls has quadrupled since their inception during the Cold War.   

These trends are global, and while precise data are difficult to source in many jurisdictions, the growth of restrictive economic measures is accelerating both from the United States and our strategic rivals. China, despite having issued the lowest cumulative number of explicit sanctions among major economies, increased its designation activity by almost 100 percent last year – the highest rate of growth within this peer group  – on top of its existing array of informal and extralegal barriers such as consumer boycotts, tourism restrictions, phytosanitary standards, and corporate pressure.[4]  Russia, for its part, now applies its own sanctions regime at scale and is  routinely weaponizing its commodity exports – including nickel, tin, titanium, refined uranium, and, of course, oil and gas – to coerce trading partners and adversaries.[5]

Structural Forces & Shocks Underpin the Rise of Restrictive Statecraft

In my judgment the trendlines are set to extend, for three main reasons.

First, sanctions and other restrictive measures are symptomatic of new and durable geopolitical realities.  We’re no longer in the post-Cold War, unipolar order that underpinned the so-called “great moderation” in the global economy.  Instead, we’ve returned to the “old normal” that prevailed for much of modern history, in which divergent forms of national governance and political ideology lead to intense geopolitical competition, less opportunity for cross-border cooperation, and greater risk of cross-border conflict. Since most of today’s “great powers” are also nuclear powers, barring catastrophic miscalculation, the logic of mutually assured destruction suggests that direct competition is likely to continue playing out mostly in the theaters of economics, technology, and energy rather than in kinetic conflict on the battlefield. Set against this backdrop, the range of potential outcomes – the promise and peril for major powers to rise and fall – has widened, ushering in an era of more active use of economic tools to shape the course of events.   

Second, these trends reflect opportunity. Though we’ve left the era of hyper-globalization, the world economy is still nearly as connected as ever – which provides scope for economic powers to break existing linkages (or threaten to do so) in exchange for geopolitical leverage. The ratio of global trade to global GDP has plateaued not far from the peak reached earlier this century.[6] Worldwide foreign direct investment declined sharply after the pandemic but is rebounding and still exceeds the long-term historical average at well above a trillion dollars per year.[7] Technology diffusion across borders remains largely unabated for all but the most sensitive items, in part because U.S. restrictions on technology remain narrow and targeted.[8]

Third, the succession of cross-border shocks this century – most prominently the COVID pandemic, but also financial crises, climate change, mass migration, and acute episodes of energy and food insecurity – has punctuated the sense among policymakers that the singular pursuit of maximal efficiency and minimal cost will leave critical supply chains insufficiently resilient. Here in the United States, the Biden Administration centered its geoeconomic strategy on making long overdue public investments at home and building partnerships abroad to strengthen and scale our productive capacity, but we also imposed targeted tariffs in strategic sectors to level the playing field against competitors playing by a different set of rules. Under the same rationale, many other leading economies have also implemented a similar mix of policies – including tariffs – to “de-risk” their supply chains from disruption and distortion.     

Sanctions (and their ilk) Are Never Costless

Indeed, there is a growing policy reflex across the world to navigate a more uncertain and turbulent world by applying a sanction, tariff, export control, or investment restriction. As President Biden has reminded us, however, these measures are never costless. In each instance, they weaken or sever economic bonds that took decades to build, with immediate and sometimes unintended costs for households and businesses. And though in our Administration we’ve deployed restrictive measures in service of a higher geopolitical objective – not as an end to themselves – their repeated use can invite skepticism about American stewardship of the global economy. 

To the extent that our use of restrictive tools is perceived as arbitrary or illegitimate, the incentive to “hedge” against perceived dependency on the United States will rise.  China and Russia are making every effort to increase their (and others’) capacity to do so in finance, technology, and other domains in which the United States has a dominant position.  

Take, for instance, China’s longstanding effort to build a cross-border payment architecture without any nexus to the U.S. financial system – and therefore outside the reach of U.S. sanctions authorities.[9] Several non-aligned G20 economies have already signed up for this platform, and while the volumes transacted are far from reaching a threshold of macroeconomic significance, they have already surpassed a threshold of geopolitical consequence, with a run rate large enough to intermediate a significant portion of Russia’s procurement of dual-use items from China that are finding their way to the battlefield in Ukraine.  

In addition to strengthening the incentives to hedge against the sources of American economic power, the unconstrained use of restrictive economic statecraft also invites efforts by adversaries to deploy these same tools to target our own and our allies’ vulnerabilities. 

This isn’t conjecture, but rather a description of reality. The PRC is by far the world’s largest supplier of manufactured goods, accounting for almost a third of global manufacturing in value-added terms – equivalent to the combined production capacity of the United States, India, Japan, Germany, and South Korea.[10] From this position of strength, China has already weaponized its economic leverage in its attempts to coax geopolitical concessions from trading partners such as Lithuania, Australia, Japan, and South Korea.[11]  It also has untapped potential to exploit chokepoints in a wide range of supply chains in which it has dominant market share and where the current production capacity of the United States and our allies is limited (for now), including medical equipment, ship-to-shore cranes, solar panels, EV batteries, pharmaceutical ingredients, critical minerals, and lagging-edge semiconductors. Russia restricted its export of enriched uranium last November, creating the risk of disruption to our and allied nuclear power production, and for years has attempted to coerce Europe by modulating its supply of natural gas.  Iran and its proxy forces have repeatedly exploited their control over the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea shipping lanes to pressure the United States and its allies.

The Urgent Need for Limiting Principles

Against this backdrop, we have an urgent need to implement a set of principles that guide and constrain why, when, how, and to what extent we deploy restrictive economic tools.  I believe this effort should have three overarching goals: first, to sustain the credibility and potency of America’s economic statecraft toolkit for when we need it most; second, to prevent an escalatory tit-for-tat in the use of restrictive tools that could make the United States and the world worse off; and third, to update the rules of the international economic order we’ve worked to build and sustain for over 70 years.

I suggest we seek to embed five principles in the practice of restrictive economic statecraft, first in our conduct, and then among allies, non-aligned countries, and eventually our adversaries.  

First, economic and financial sanctions should be used sparingly, and in service of clearly defined and achievable geopolitical objectives.

Sanctions are a tool, and often a force multiplier, but never a standalone strategy. They should be designed and deployed in service of a geopolitical objective that policymakers outline prior to implementation and assess periodically afterwards.

Prior to articulating the objective, policymakers would be well served to analyze and explain – at least internally – how they expect an economic measure to influence the decision-making calculus of the target, how they are expected to reinforce other levers of foreign policy (e.g., military, diplomatic, humanitarian), and the degree to which a multilateral coalition is necessary for their success. 

These objectives could be pursued before an adverse “trigger” event occurs, either to deter a target’s malign behavior, degrade its capabilities, or both. Alternatively, or additionally, these measures can be imposed after a trigger event to impose costs, change the calculus of the target, or create leverage for an eventual settlement.   

In every instance, the objective should be achievable.  Efforts to engineer regime change through maximalist sanctions, for example, predictably fail to persuade the target (often an autocrat) that the benefits of sanctions relief outweigh the costs of giving up power (typically jail, or worse).   

Relatedly, the individuals or entities being sanctioned need to know why and for what behavior they are being penalized, so that the consequences of an action – whether it’s support for a terrorist organization, a serious human rights abuse, or the prosecution of an illegal war – are understood, such that the key actors can ultimately seek the reversal of sanctions through a change in behavior.

Second, the force of restrictive actions should be responsibly calibrated to their expected impact, spillovers, and uncertainties.

As the leading economic and geopolitical force in the world, restrictive measures imposed by the U.S. are capable of imposing great and lasting harm, producing ripple effects that are impossible to identify fully in advance. The force of our restrictive actions must be calibrated in proportion to their expected impact, spillover costs, and the uncertainties involved.

This requires the U.S. government to continue building the analytical muscle to conduct   rigorous, data-driven analyses on historical and imagined scenarios in which restrictive measures could be implemented – whether unilaterally or multilaterally, alone or in tandem with military and diplomatic actions, before or after a trigger event.

Assessments should highlight the degree to which the range of outcomes depends on the breadth of the implementing coalition, the target’s potential to mitigate the impact (e.g., by substituting the good or service with domestic supply or import from third countries), and our own vulnerabilities and potential for risk mitigation in an extended and escalatory conflict.

Third, policymakers must consider explicitly and upfront the efficacy of restrictive measures on the decision-making calculus of the target. 

The design of restrictive measures is typically prepared by those with expertise on how to impose costs on the macroeconomy and financial system of the target while minimizing spillovers to the U.S. and global economy.  While this is a vital and necessary contribution, the ultimate success of restrictive measures depends on how these costs are likely to influence the decisions of key actors in the target country or entity. It also depends on the extent to which these actors are influenced by their economic, political, social, and humanitarian impact on political elites and the civilian population. Meeting the analytical test of sufficiency requires the upfront and explicit integration of economic analysis with political intelligence.

Fourth, restrictive measures should be maximally coordinated, both with domestic stakeholders and international partners.  

Unity with partners multiplies the impact of restrictive measures – due to the higher impact it delivers on the target, the reduced opportunity for evasion, and the perceived legitimacy of the action.  This last point on legitimacy is critical: when we act together, it makes clear that our purpose is not the unilateral exercise of brute economic force, but rather the collective defense of shared principles that underpin peace and security.

It’s also critical that restrictive measures are explained to the range of stakeholders that transmit the force of restrictive policies to the real world – including private sector institutions, the regulatory community, and central banks.  Private sector actors, in particular, often represent the “front lines” of implementing financial sanctions and export controls, and we depend on their cooperation and sense of civic duty to spot and counter circumvention. In exchange, we owe them clarity and coordination.

Finally, restrictive measures must be flexible and adjust to unintended consequences, evolving economic conditions, and the reaction of the target.   

Even after exhaustive analysis and careful design, restrictive measures are blunt tools that are typically implemented under conditions of high uncertainty – often with little or no precedent from which to make confident projections about their likely effects.    

It should surprise no one when the impact delivered, or spillovers caused, are materially different than expected. Humility requires us to admit when we’re mistaken in our judgments and course correct as needed.

Separately, the context in which restrictive measures are applied inevitably evolves over time. The coalition that implements sanctions may grow or decline. Economic and financial conditions may change for the better or worse, both in the target country and within the implementing coalition. Political and power dynamics within the target country may harden or soften, along with the behavior we seek to influence.

All of these are reasons why we must have timely and demonstrated pathways to ratchet higher or lower the scale and scope of restrictive measures, to adjust the channels through which we generate impact, and to stand ready for mitigation of unanticipated risks or costs. 

Towards an Economic Geneva Convention

Under the leadership of President Biden and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, we’ve made important strides in putting these limiting principles into practice – not in a formalistic sense, but in real-time as events unfolded – and often in ways that were never made public. Each of the principles I’ve just described animated the design and execution of the sanctions program against Russia; the intuition of the oil “price cap” coalition; the logic of the “small yard and high fence” for our export controls and investment restrictions; and the targeted nature of the tariffs we deployed against China in strategic sectors. 

I’d like to close my remarks, and my time in government, with three recommendations on how to institutionalize these practices. Of course, it won’t be for those of us in the Biden Administration to decide whether and how these get implemented, but I believe emphatically they each would serve to advance our shared bipartisan interests of safeguarding America’s national security, while enhancing our economic prosperity.

First, much as we restructured our national security apparatus amid rising tensions in the aftermath of Second World War, this is a moment to evaluate whether the U.S. government’s organizational design for conducting economic statecraft is fit for purpose. Too many of our tools and subject matter experts are spread across too many agencies without a unifying set of incentives, objectives, and metrics for strategic success.  Japan pioneered the elevation of economic security to a Cabinet level in 2021, and we would be wise to consider following suit in this new era of geoeconomic competition – particularly to strike a deliberate balance between restrictive tools that impose economic pain and positive tools that offer the prospect of mutual economic gain. 

Second, we must continue to upgrade what I’ve described previously as the “analytical infrastructure” of economic statecraft – the personnel, technology, data, and connectivity to continually assess the efficacy, limitations, and tradeoffs of using our restrictive tools; to “stress test” and wargame their use against historical and simulated scenarios; to anticipate how and where evasion is likely to occur and build readiness for countermeasures in real time; to build surveillance capabilities that provide early warnings on developing threats; and to maintain the capacity to execute at pace, even if multiple conflicts emerge at once. While these and other demands on the practitioners of economic statecraft have grown exponentially, their available resources have increased only at a linear rate, and in some cases much less.[12]

Finally, we should begin a series of conversations that aim to forge a common vision on the rules of engagement on why, when, how, and to what extent restrictive measures are used.  We should start with our allies and then seek to build consensus with non-aligned or multi-aligned countries. Ultimately, in the same spirit of the Geneva Conventions, we must include our adversaries in a good faith effort to avoid creating a fractured economic system that damages lives and livelihoods across the world, and brings us closer to the hot conflicts that economic statecraft seeks to avoid.

[1] 2021 Treasury Sanctions Review and Atlantic Council analysis of Castellum.AI data.

[2] IMF data. https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2024/05/07/sp-geopolitics-impact-global-trade-and-dollar-gita-gopinath

[3] BCG analysis of OECD data. https://www.bcg.com/publications/2024/economic-statecraft-is-back

[4] Castellum.AI data. https://www.castellum.ai/insights/2024-sanctions-year-in-review

[5] Atlantic Council analysis of Castellum.AI data. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/econographics/global-sanctions-dashboard-sanctioning-soars-across-the-board/

[6] Oxford University analysis of World Bank data. https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/trade-as-share-of-gdp?tab=chart

[7] According to the Kearny 2024 Investor Confidence Survey, 88 percent of investors globally said that they were planning to increase their FDI in the next three years — 6 percent more than last year. Kearny has tracked FDI optimism since the 1990s through annual survey data. https://www.kearney.com/service/global-business-policy-council/foreign-direct-investment-confidence-index

See UN Trade & Development data for year-over-year global FDI. https://unctad.org/data-visualization/global-foreign-direct-investment-flows-over-last-30-years

[8] See National Security Advisor Sullivan remarks on “small yard, high fence.” https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/04/27/remarks-by-national-security-advisor-jake-sullivan-on-renewing-american-economic-leadership-at-the-brookings-institution/

According to the International Trade Administration, 95 percent of all items exported from the United States do not require an export license. https://www.trade.gov/us-export-licenses-navigating-issues-and-resources

[9]China has been working on a “one-stop-shop” since 2016 for messaging and settlement of financial payments through its Cross-Border Interbank Payments System, or CIPS, and most recently with its wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) experiment, the mBridge Project. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/not-so-fast-the-case-for-a-new-swift/

[10] Center for Economic Policy Research / Vox analysis of OECD data. https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/china-worlds-sole-manufacturing-superpower-line-sketch-rise

[11] Australia Strategic Policy Institute analysis.  https://ad-aspi.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/2023-02/Countering%20Chinas%20coercive%20diplomacy_1.pdf?VersionId=HZDwezgnFY5eitQqtEMEU7WuFci8S75z

[12] To give one example, Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control is using IT systems developed in the 1970s.

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This action will strengthen the federal workforce and streamline the pathway into service for 23,000 trained AmeriCorps alumni annually

Today, President Biden signed an Executive Order allowing agencies to more quickly hire individuals who have completed an AmeriCorps program. This action honors the service of AmeriCorps members who have worked full-time to address the most pressing challenges facing communities across the country. It also strengthens our civil service by enabling streamlined hiring from a pool of skilled and qualified individuals with a proven commitment to national service.

This action follows a recommendation from the congressionally chartered and bipartisan National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service. At a time when only 8.7% of the federal workforce is under age 30, this Executive Order will make it easier for agencies to employ qualified and diverse young people with a strong commitment to service. It will also improve recruitment for AmeriCorps and increase the return on the federal government’s existing investment in recruiting and training AmeriCorps members.

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Dear Mr. Chairman:  (Dear Madam Chair:)

In accordance with section 508 of the Global Fragility Act of 2019 (GFA) (Title V of Div. J, P.L. 116-94), I am transmitting the Progress Report for implementing the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability in GFA priority countries (Haiti, Libya, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea) and the sub-region of Coastal West Africa (Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, and Togo).

I am enclosing a copy of the unclassified Progress Report.  I am also enclosing the associated Annexes, which are for official use only and not for public distribution unless otherwise marked.

                              Sincerely,

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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This action will strengthen the federal workforce and streamline the pathway into service for 23,000 trained AmeriCorps alumni annually

Today, President Biden signed an Executive Order allowing agencies to more quickly hire individuals who have completed an AmeriCorps program. This action honors the service of AmeriCorps members who have worked full-time to address the most pressing challenges facing communities across the country. It also strengthens our civil service by enabling streamlined hiring from a pool of skilled and qualified individuals with a proven commitment to national service.

This action follows a recommendation from the congressionally chartered and bipartisan National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service. At a time when only 8.7% of the federal workforce is under age 30, this Executive Order will make it easier for agencies to employ qualified and diverse young people with a strong commitment to service. It will also improve recruitment for AmeriCorps and increase the return on the federal government’s existing investment in recruiting and training AmeriCorps members.

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Vice President Kamala Harris spoke today with President Isaac Herzog of Israel to thank him for his partnership and friendship, their twelfth conversation since she took office. The Vice President reaffirmed her unwavering commitment to the security of Israel. The Vice President and President Herzog discussed the ceasefire and hostage deal that has been reached between Israel and Hamas thanks to the efforts of President Biden, and she expressed that we expect it to be implemented fully and on schedule.  The Vice President welcomed that the deal would return hostages to their families, bring immediate relief to the people of Gaza through a surge in humanitarian aid, and form the basis for a lasting end to the war and security for Israel.  The Vice President also expressed her belief that the ceasefire and hostage deal can be the foundation on which we build to create a more peaceful future for Israeli and Palestinian people, and her intent to continue working to achieve a future of greater peace, dignity, and security for all people in the region.
 

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Vice President Kamala Harris spoke today with King Abdullah II of Jordan. The Vice President and King Abdullah discussed their work together to strengthen U.S.-Jordan ties across numerous meetings and phone calls. The Vice President and King Abdullah discussed the ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, and expressed their expectation that it will be implemented fully and on schedule. The Vice President welcomed that the deal would return hostages to their families, bring immediate relief to the people of Gaza through a surge in humanitarian aid, and form the basis for a lasting end to the war. The Vice President noted that, in her conversations with King Abdullah and leaders across the region, her unwavering focus has been to end this war such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination. The Vice President expressed appreciation for Jordan’s role in helping to facilitate aid to Palestinian civilians and the King’s leadership in advancing regional peace and stability. The Vice President also expressed her belief that the ceasefire and hostage deal can be the foundation on which we build to create a more peaceful future for Israeli and Palestinian people, and her intent to continue working to achieve a future of greater peace, dignity, and security for all people in the region.
 

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Adding to his legacy of conserving more lands and waters than any President in history, two days ago President Biden signed proclamations creating the Chuckwalla National Monument and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument in California. These two monuments together conserve 848,000 acres of lands in California and will protect clean water for communities, honor areas of cultural significance to Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples, and enhance access to nature.

Establishing the Chuckwalla National Monument is President Biden’s capstone action to create the largest corridor of protected lands in the continental United States, covering nearly 18 million acres stretching approximately 600 miles. The Moab to Mojave Conservation Corridor stretches from Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southwestern Utah, to which President Biden restored protections in 2021; through Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument in Arizona and Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada, both established by President Biden in 2023; and reaches the deserts and mountains of southern California that are being protected with the designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument. 

President Biden and Vice President Harris’s record-setting environmental legacy includes conserving more lands and waters, deploying more clean energy, and making more progress in cutting climate pollution and advancing environmental justice than any previous administration. Following last week’s actions to protect the East and West coasts and the Northern Bering Sea from offshore oil and natural gas drilling, President Biden has now protected 674 million acres of U.S. lands and waters.

Leaders from California and across the country applauded the announcement:

Elected Officials

Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA)

“California is now home to two new national monuments that honor the tribes that have stewarded these lands since time immemorial. Thanks to President Biden and the leadership of California tribes and local communities, we’re protecting 840,000 acres of some of our state’s most culturally significant lands. This is a huge boost for our efforts to protect 30% of California’s lands and coastal waters.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA)

“Establishing the Chuckwalla National Monument is another major victory for safeguarding California’s public lands for generations to come. This historic announcement accelerates our state’s crucial efforts to fight the climate crisis, protect our iconic wildlife, preserve sacred tribal sites, and promote clean energy, while expanding equitable access to nature for millions of Californians. This designation reflects years of tireless work from tribal leaders to protect these sacred desert landscapes. President Biden has joined California leaders in championing our treasured natural wonders, and I applaud him for further cementing his strong public lands legacy.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA)

“Designating Chuckwalla National Monument is a victory for conservation, climate resilience, and expanded access to nature. I am glad these lands will now be protected for generations to come.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Congressman Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25)

“I am thrilled that President Biden has designated the Chuckwalla National Monument using the Antiquities Act. After years of negotiation and bringing several communities together, this achievement was made possible through the leadership and partnership of many organizations, tribes, and community leaders. Chuckwalla National Monument will pave the way for the future of conservation and renewable energy. I greatly appreciate Senators Padilla and Butler for their support and partnership over the last several years.” [Statement, 1/07/2025]

Congressman Jared Huffman (D-CA-2)

“Designation of the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments is yet another win for Indigenous and community conservation efforts championed by the Biden-Harris administration,” said Ranking Member Huffman. “The new Chuckwalla National Monument will protect sacred and ecologically invaluable lands that have been home to the Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, Mojave, Quechan, and Serrano peoples since time immemorial. Likewise, Sáttítla, also known as the Medicine Lake Highlands, has been a spiritual center for the Pit River and Modoc Tribes for millennia. I’m grateful to the community leaders and elected officials that listened to Indigenous communities and worked tirelessly to protect these lands so that the ancestral homelands, cultural resources and traditions, and sacred sites of the region are protected for generations to come.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

James Ramos, Assembly Member, Serrano/Cahuilla Tribe and Chair of the California Legislative Native American Caucus

“The California Legislature expressed strong bipartisan support for establishing Chuckwalla and Sáttítla National Monuments by passing Senate Joint Resolutions (SJRs) 16 and 17 last year. These new monuments include lands long-valued and cherished by California’s First Peoples for their cultural and sacred significance. I am glad to see these irreplaceable natural and cultural treasures join our nation’s network of national monuments.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Casey Glaubman, Councilmember, Mt. Shasta City and Executive Director, Friends of the Mount Shasta Avalanche Center

“As an avid explorer, runner, and lover of the outdoors, I couldn’t be more excited about the designation of Sáttítla National Monument. This new designation will ensure that these treasured public lands will endure for future generations.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Waymond Fermon, Councilmember, Indio City

“Chuckwalla National Monument will help provide access to nature, protect places for outdoor recreation, boost our economy, and benefit businesses. In under an hour’s drive, residents of my community of Indio can experience the beauty of the monument and explore nature close to home. National monument status ensures that places beloved for outdoor recreation are here for current and future generations to enjoy.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Evan Trubee, Owner, Big Wheel Tours and Councilmember, Palm Desert City

“I am thrilled to celebrate the new Chuckwalla National Monument. Protecting public lands here in the Coachella Valley will preserve the wildlife and beautiful landscapes that make our desert home unique. It will help ensure access to the outdoors for our local communities and protect the nature that draws visitors to Riverside and Imperial Counties.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Tribal Nations

Statement from the Tribal Council of the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe

 “The protection of the Chuckwalla National Monument brings the Quechan people an overwhelming sense of peace and joy. Tribes being reunited as stewards of this landscape is only the beginning of much-needed healing and restoration, and we are eager to fully rebuild our relationship to this place. This action is part of a greater movement around the country to reconnect Tribes to their ancestral homelands whilst ensuring they have the authority to guide management decisions with federal and state agencies. We, along with our sister Tribes, are dedicated to taking our spirit back, culture back, language back, and land back. This national monument designation cements into history our solidarity and collective vision for our peoples. While we celebrate, we also hold the truth that there is still much work to do to fully re-immerse ourselves as stewards within this ecosystem. The essence of who we are lies in the landscapes of Chuckwalla and Avi Kwa Ame. Every trail, every living being, and every story in these places is connected to a rich history and heritage that runs in our DNA. That is why we look forward to the day when we can celebrate adding the proposed Kw’tsán National Monument for protection, as well. Our Tribe believes that this effort is proof that Together We Progress. We extend a hand of immense gratitude to the Biden Administration, to our allies, partners, and communities that showed up to protect the Chuckwalla region. We thank you on behalf of the generations of today and for all our relations that will look after this land in the future.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Yatch Bamford, Chairman, Pit River Nation

“For generations, my people have fought to protect Sáttítla, and today we celebrate the voices of our Ancestors being heard. Sáttítla Highlands National Monument is a victory not just for Tribal Nations but for every American who understands the value of clean water, healthy lands, and preserving the true history of these United States of America.  These designations demonstrate what is possible when we center Indigenous leadership and honor the deep connections between Tribes and their homelands. We thank President Biden for listening to the many diverse voices that called for this designation and for standing in solidarity with the Pit River Nation.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Erica Schenk, Chairwoman of the Cahuilla Band of Indians

“The Cahuilla Band of Indians strongly applauds the creation of the Chuckwalla National Monument. The area includes village sites, camps, quarries, food processing sites, power places, trails, glyphs, and story and song locations, all of which are evidence of the Cahuilla peoples’ and other Tribes’ close and spiritual relationship to these desert lands.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Darrell Mike, Chairman, Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians 

“Our histories, stories, trails, songs, and traditional knowledge are alive in these lands. The animals, plants, insects, canyons, mountains, and other natural features in this region are foundational components to our cultural identity and existence as Tribal people. To us, cultural and natural resources are inseparable. They connect us to our ancestors and sustain our livelihoods and traditional practices today. The biodiversity and cultural resources present in this proposed monument are worthy of robust and proper protections.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Robert Burkybile, Chief, Modoc Nation

“Modoc Nation shared the sacred landscapes of the Medicine Lake Highlands with the Pit River Tribe. Our Pit River neighbors refer to this land as Sáttítla; it seems the traditional Modoc word for this land may have been lost following the attempted extermination and eventual forced removal of the Modoc people from our lands. Modoc Nation celebrates the designation of our shared sacred land as a national monument, and looks forward to participating in a new land management planning process.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Brandy McDaniels, Sáttítla National Monument Lead, Pit River Nation

“We could not be more excited that federal leaders are hearing our call to protect these sacred lands. There has been overwhelming support for this monument, as demonstrated at the USDA’s listening session recently. We have many diverse voices that are passionate about protecting what makes this region unique and following decades of defending our ancestral homelands, the Pit River Nation welcomes the news that our voices and the voices of our Ancestors are finally being heard.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Joseph DL Mirelez, Chairman, Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians

“For thousands of years, the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians have called the lands in the Chuckwalla National Monument home. We are happy to see the designation protect this area that contains thousands of cultural places and objects of vital importance to the history and identity of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Amelia Flores, Chairwoman, Colorado River Indian Tribes

“The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) celebrates the permanent and long-term protection of ancestral lands and the cultural landscape through the designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument. CRIT has worked tirelessly to preserve and protect water, resources, and sacred sites. This designation clearly affirms CRIT’s spiritual, cultural, and ancestral connection to these lands.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Jack Potter, Chairman, Redding Rancheria

“Redding Rancheria celebrates the designation of the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument, and supports all Tribes working to protect their lands. Tribes revere our lands as historic places of learning and sacred practice. Just as other American cultures might seek to protect a historic church or university, tribal communities wish to preserve our culture by protecting the sacred land where we learn, heal, gather medicine, and honor The Creator. We thank President Biden for honoring and protecting our sacred space for generations to come.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Michael Madrigal (Cahuilla), Board President, Native American Land Conservancy 

“The Native American Land Conservancy celebrates the creation of Chuckwalla National Monument. We are grateful to the many Tribal Nations that engaged in the effort and called for the preservation and stewardship of this cultural landscape. It is heartening to see more Tribal communities involved in public land issues in recent years. Indigenous people must be heard and actively involved in all spaces that discuss the management of our homelands. We will continue to support Tribal communities and their many efforts to preserve cultural, natural, and spiritual values which are the foundations of our existence.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Conservation and Climate Leaders

Gene Karpinski, President, League of Conservation Voters

“LCV is forever grateful for President Biden and Secretary Haaland’s steadfast leadership and commitment to protecting our communities, climate, and sacred and treasured places. We are thrilled to celebrate today’s designations of the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments, and proud to support the Tribal and local leaders who advocated tirelessly to make them happen. These monuments protect and honor living landscapes that are rich in cultural, recreational, and ecological resources that continue to sustain the well-being and survival of Indigenous peoples today. Sáttítla Highlands National Monument offers protections for a unique volcanic landscape which is home to critical water resources for millions of people, as well as agriculture and fish populations, and Chuckwalla National Monument provides a poignant example of how clean energy and conservation practices can coexist to simultaneously tackle the climate crisis and build climate resilience.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Ben Jealous, Executive Director, Sierra Club

“Our public lands tell the history of America. They must be protected for us to learn from, and to be enjoyed and explored, for this generation and those to come. Throughout his time in office, President Biden has not only recognized that, he has acted with urgency. Today, the Sierra Club celebrates President Biden’s bold actions to, once again, protect and preserve America’s natural and cultural resources. From the ecologically rich Chuckwalla deserts in the south to the primordial network of Sáttítla aquifers in the north to the fragile habitats and ecosystems of the southwest, communities and wildlife will continue to benefit from the clean water, protected landscapes and more equitable access to nature these monuments preserve. For years, Tribes and Indigenous voices have called for these landscapes to be protected. As he has throughout his presidency, President Biden answered those calls. Each new national monument adds a chapter to the story our public lands tell. We must continue the work to expand that story, protect the lands and waters that make this country special and preserve the historical, cultural and spiritual connections the original stewards of these landscapes continue to have with these places.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Dr. Elizabeth Gray, CEO, National Audubon Society

“We are grateful that the administration has heeded the call of thousands of Californians to protect our fragile deserts. This historic designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument not only ensures the preservation of the area’s rich biodiversity but also provides a critical sanctuary in addressing the climate crisis and supports the livelihoods of underserved communities. The expansion of protected areas underscores our commitment to collaborative habitat conservation, emphasizing partnerships with Indigenous peoples and local communities. We deeply appreciate the dedication of the administration and California’s congressional leadership in conserving these irreplaceable lands.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Nicole Gentile, Senior Director of Conservation, Center for American Progress

“These designations honor the culture, history, and conservation efforts of numerous Tribes while safeguarding culturally and environmentally rich landscapes from the threat of large-scale development. Chuckwalla National Monument protects some of the most connected, diverse, and rare ecosystems in the West. At the same time, the new monument broadens access to nature for people across southwestern California. President Biden committed to protecting nature and prioritizing environmental justice, and these designations help him do just that. With just a few weeks left in his term, designating these monuments helps to solidify his legacy as one of the country’s greatest conservation presidents.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Theresa Pierno, President and CEO, National Parks Conservation Association

“Chuckwalla National Monument is a cornerstone in a vast network of protected landscapes across the Southwest. Stretching from Joshua Tree to the Grand Canyon to Bears Ears, this corridor forms the largest swath of protected lands in the continental U.S. This designation protects an extraordinary stretch of the California desert, preserving a landscape shaped by millennia for those who find inspiration in the timeless beauty of our national parks. This 18-million-acre corridor links the Mojave Desert to the Colorado Plateau, providing safe migration routes for wildlife like the iconic desert bighorn sheep and ensuring clean water flows through the Colorado River and its tributaries. It protects sacred sites central to Tribal nations for countless generations, and welcomes millions of visitors each year, inspiring exploration and bringing lasting economic strength to surrounding communities. NPCA has been proud to work locally and nationally for decades to preserve the extraordinary landscapes in the California desert and beyond.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

David Seabrook, Interim President, The Wilderness Society

“The significance of the dual designations of Sáttítla Highlands and Chuckwalla National Monuments in California is as enormous as the state itself—from the cool, northern headwaters of Medicine Lake Highlands to the Joshua Tree desert refuge in the south. These connected landscapes are crucial for both human and wildlife communities alike. We applaud President Biden for taking meaningful action to safeguard these culturally and ecologically unique regions and for listening to Tribal and local community members who have called for their protection so that their connections to this land last for future generations.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Raisa Lee, Senior Director of Development, Clearway Energy Group

“Chuckwalla National Monument is a testament to the reality that conservation and clean energy progress go hand in hand. We are grateful to Senator Padilla and Representative Ruiz for their tireless and collaborative work to protect biological and cultural areas while helping meet the nation’s growing demand for reliable, low-cost energy.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Adam Cramer, CEO, Outdoor Alliance

“Outdoor Alliance is thrilled to see the designation of Chuckwalla National Monument and Sáttítla National Monument. Today’s designations expand protections for some of California’s most popular outdoor landscapes. We are grateful for the work of Senator Padilla, Senator Butler, Representative Ruiz, and Governor Newsom, and are especially grateful to the Biden administration for their commitment to conservation and communities.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Katie Goodwin, Western Regional Director, Access Fund

“Access Fund appreciates the work and commitment of Tribal leaders, Senator Padilla, Senator Butler, Representative Ruiz, and Governor Newsom, to protect the unique landscapes of the Chuckwalla National Monument and the Sáttítla National Monument. These monuments will safeguard sacred, cultural, and historic sites and protect critical habitat and biodiversity. The monument will ensure these lands remain accessible, enjoyable, and protected for current and future generations.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Steve Messer, President, California Mountain Biking Coalition

“We appreciate the tireless efforts of the advocates and tribal leaders who have worked to protect special places like Chuckwalla, and thank Senator Padilla, Congressman Ruiz, and the Biden Administration for taking action. We also appreciate the Pit River Tribe’s advocacy for Sáttítla National Monument in the Medicine Lakes area in far Northern California. These designations not only support California’s 30×30 conservation goals but can also support local economies, enhance opportunities for recreation, and ensure these lands remain accessible, enjoyable, and protected for future generations. They also respect tribal sovereignty, and will ensure the continued cultural stewardship practices by the original stewards of these lands.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Megan Fiske, California Stewardship Manager, Winter Wildlands Alliance

“Winter Wildlands Alliance is grateful to see another successful effort to preserve and protect lands in California with the adoption of the Chuckwalla National Monument and the Sáttítla National Monument. We extend our gratitude to Senator Padilla and Senator Butler, Representative Ruiz, Governor Newsom and the Biden administration for supporting these critical efforts, moving us closer to our 30×30 goals. Protecting the unique landscapes throughout California, from the mountains to the desert, is crucial to preserving biodiversity and providing equitable access to our public lands.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Jennifer Savage, California Policy Associate Director, Surfrider Foundation

“The dedication of the Chuckwalla National Monument and Sáttítla National Monument demonstrates a much needed commitment to preserving healthy ecosystems and safeguarding natural spaces from the mountains to the sea. We commend Senator Padilla, Senator Butler, Representative Ruiz, Governor Newsom, and the Biden Administration for their leadership in making this designation a reality.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Theresa L. Lorejo-Simsiman, California Stewardship Director, American Whitewater

“American Whitewater is thrilled to see the designation of both the Chuckwalla National Monument and Sáttítla National Monument in California. We are grateful for the leadership and commitment of Senator Padilla and former Senator Butler, Representative Ruiz, Governor Newsom and the Biden administration to conserve these natural landscapes for future generations.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser, President and CEO, Trust for Public Land

“The designation of the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla National Monuments in California marks an historic step toward protecting lands of profound cultural, ecological, and historical significance for all Americans. These monuments honor the enduring stewardship of Tribal Nations and the tireless efforts of local communities and conservation advocates who fought to safeguard these irreplaceable landscapes for future generations.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Jennifer Rokala, Executive Director, Center for Western Priorities

“With these proclamations, President Biden has secured his legacy as one of America’s great conservation presidents. It’s not enough to protect iconic landmarks and features—we must preserve the linkages between ecosystems and landscapes that support wildlife, clean air, and water that communities depend on. We thank President Biden for taking another big step toward achieving the national goal of protecting 30 percent of America’s lands and waters, and for honoring and respecting Indigenous peoples’ advocacy and heritage.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Eric Hanson, Chair, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers California Chapter

“As hunters and anglers, we understand the vital importance of conserving intact ecosystems for wildlife, habitat, and for future generations. BHA has long advocated for large-landscape conservation measures where hunters have a seat at the table, so we applaud President Biden’s decision to establish a national monument where our North American hunting traditions can endure and where BHA and partner organizations can continue to roll up our sleeves to improve wildlife habitat on the ground.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Janessa Goldbeck, USMC Veteran and CEO, Vet Voice Foundation

“The Chuckwalla National Monument simply wouldn’t exist without the leadership of Congressman Raul Ruiz. We’re honored to have joined forces with Tribes, community leaders, outdoor enthusiasts, fellow veterans, and Congressman Ruiz’s dedicated team to make this designation a reality under President Biden. This milestone is a lasting victory for all—veterans, non-veterans, and future generations.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Jamie Asbury, General Manager, Imperial Irrigation District (IID)

“IID was one of the early supporters of legislation by Congressman Ruiz to designate the Chuckwalla National Monument for its importance to the region. We applaud the announcement made today by President Biden to make this designation official.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Linda Castro, Assistant Policy Director, CalWild

“CalWild is extremely pleased that the Biden administration has heeded the call of six Tribal nations, hundreds of local small businesses, elected officials, historical societies, veterans, clergy, and other diverse interests to designate the Chuckwalla National Monument. After more than five years of work we are delighted to join these constituencies in thanking President Biden for protecting California’s desert public lands for us and for future generations to visit and enjoy.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Dr. Jun Bando, Executive Director, California Native Plant Society

“The California Native Plant Society is thrilled and grateful to see these national monument designations, which have received overwhelming community support, give rare plant species a fighting chance for survival, and honor knowledges held by the land’s original stewards since time immemorial. California faces the highest risks for species extinction in the nation, and habitat loss is the leading cause. Protecting intact habitat, like Chuckwalla and Sáttítla, is essential to stopping the extinction crisis and avoiding the worst impacts of climate change.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Lisa Belenky, Senior Counsel, Center for Biological Diversity

“I’m grateful the president designated these two national monuments, protecting rare wildlife, stunning landscapes and sacred lands in California for future generations. Chuckwalla National Monument includes lands sacred to native peoples and it’s home to wildlife the Center has worked to protect for decades, including bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, desert kit foxes and the monument’s namesake Chuckwalla lizards.  The Sáttítla National Monument is a stunning landscape sacred to the Pit River Tribe that provides habitat for Pacific fishers and northern spotted owls. Protecting these lands also safeguards aquifers providing clean water to millions of people.” [Statement, 1/8/2024]

Phil Francis, Chair, Executive Council Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks

“We celebrate the designations of the Chuckwalla National Monument and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument. The efforts to protect these landscapes were led by Tribes and broadly supported by elected officials, businesses, local community members, and outdoor enthusiasts. The Chuckwalla National Monument will safeguard hundreds of thousands of acres of desert land that serves as a habitat for an incredible amount of biodiversity, protect numerous historic sites and resources, and preserve a landscape that is culturally significant for many Tribes. The Sáttítla Highlands National Monument will help to protect lands that are critical to the protection of water and wildlife and sacred for the Pit River and Modoc Nations, as well as for surrounding Tribal Peoples. We thank President Biden for taking action to protect these lands for future generations.” [Statement, 1/14/2025]

Chris Hill, Chief Executive Officer, Conservation Lands Foundation

“President Joe Biden’s use of the Antiquities Act to protect Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments is the culmination of years of strong Tribal leadership, bipartisan collaboration and heartfelt advocacy from local communities, businesses and elected officials. Today’s action honors Indigenous cultural connections, conserves vital habitats, expands outdoor access, and strengthens local economies.” [Statement, 1/14/2025]

Laura Deehan, California State Director, Environment America

“These designations mean a brighter and safer future for California’s wildlife and public lands. Thanks to Tribal leaders, local coalitions and our state and Congressional champs, our state has made a huge stride today toward safeguarding more nature. The Chuckwalla and Sáttítla National Monuments are two of the most stunning and ecologically crucial regions in our state. The Chuckwalla National Monument is a perfect example of reconnecting nature. The region hosts one of the greatest densities of desert tortoises in the world and connecting their habitats will give these threatened tortoises better opportunities to survive and thrive. The forests and clear waters of the Sáttítla monument area will be a safe home for generations of bears, birds and fish; and the communities of northern California will have clean water for decades into the future. We are thrilled that President Biden, Secretary Deb Haaland, Secretary Tom Vilsack and other decision-makers recognized these stunning wildlife habitats and natural landscapes should be safeguarded.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

LD Delano, Board Chair, Great Old Broads for Wilderness

“Great Old Broads for Wilderness joins with the many conservation organizations, Tribal groups, and residents across the state of California in celebrating today’s designation of Chuckwalla National Monument and Sáttítla National Monument. Chuckwalla National Monument in Southern California preserves the cultural heritage sites of five Indigenous tribes, supports a critical desert ecosystem, and provides recreation opportunities for historically underrepresented communities. Northern California’s Sáttítla National Monument preserves and protects the ancestral homeland of the Pit River Tribe—and one of the most important sources of clean, cool groundwater for people and wildlife in the region—from potential development. We thank President Biden for using his authority under the Antiquities Act to preserve these special landscapes for future generations, and for his administration’s commitment over the past four years to the conservation of our wild public lands.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Maite Arce, President and CEO, Hispanic Access Foundation

“The designations of Chuckwalla National Monument and Sáttitla National Monument reflect the power of collaborative advocacy and the importance of protecting landscapes that hold profound cultural, ecological, and recreational significance. These designations honor the leadership of Tribal nations, and broad support from a coalition of advocates, including Latino communities who have long championed safeguarding these lands.” [Statement, 1/7/2025]

Anna Peterson, Executive Director, The Mountain Pact

“Public lands lie at the heart of our communities, and we are thrilled that President Biden has provided permanent protections for two of the West’s most priceless landscapes. Permanently protecting these sacred lands will not only honor long standing efforts to protect these lands from industrial development, but also ensures current and future generations can continue practicing time honored traditions on unspoiled lands. We thank President Biden for designating a Chuckwalla National Monument in the California desert. This new monument will protect important heritage values tied to the land such as multi-use trail systems established by Indigenous peoples, sacred sites and objects, traditional cultural places, geoglyphs, petroglyphs, pictographs, plants, and wildlife. Permanently protecting these lands will also help protect vast desert ecosystems and critical habitat for species like the chuckwalla lizard and desert tortoise, and migration corridors for desert bighorn sheep. We also thank the President for hearing the calls from the Pit River Tribe and designating a Sáttítla Highlands National Monument in Northern California. This culturally significant, geologically unique, and life-sustaining region is critical for the health of the Californians who rely on Sátíttla as a source of fresh drinking water, and for the Indigenous peoples who have called this land home since time immemorial. Public lands contribute to our local economies, shape our culture, and give our communities the opportunity to connect with nature. At a time when climate change is already threatening so many of the lands in California that sustain life and connect so many people to their cultural heritage, it is of utmost importance that we do everything in our power to protect the places that hold such ecological, biological, and cultural significance.” [Statement, 1/14/2025]

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Today, Joining Forces, along with the Department of Defense and Department of Education (ED), announced new actions to support military children with disabilities and ensure they receive the services they need when they move schools. Together, these actions will address delays in services due to issues with transferring special education records from one school district to another, often across state lines. 
 
Over the last four years, First Lady Jill Biden has met with military families who have shared the challenge of transferring their children’s Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) between school districts and across state lines as they move. Due in part to delays in transferring IEPs, some military families report waiting, on average, over 120 days—over half of most school years—for their children with disabilities to receive the services they need at their new school.  This loss of critical services is compounded with every move—which, for military children, will be an average of six to nine times throughout their K-12 education. 

Under the First Lady’s leadership through her Joining Forces initative, the federal government and private and non-profit sectors are working to ensure military children with disabilities, and all highly mobile students with disabilities, can receive the services they deserve in a timely manner. 
 
“Through my Joining Forces initiative, I’ve traveled to bases across the country and around the world, and have met with military families to learn about their experiences and challenges. I’ve heard from parents of military kids with disabilities who have shared how hard it is to transfer their child’s individualized education program when they move to new schools,” said First Lady Jill Biden. “These new commitments are a critical first step in helping military children with disabilities, and all students who move frequently, get the specialized services they need when they move schools – without delay.”
 
Department of Defense Education Activity
 
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) in collaboration with the non-profit InnovateEDU and the Project Unicorn initiative announced a first-of-its-kind effort to participate in a working group with state and local education agencies and school data management software companies to seamlessly and securely transfer IEP-related data of students moving into and out of DoDEA’s federally-operated school system.
 
DoDEA and InnovateEDU signed a Letter of Intent to support the working group in its efforts to develop the processes, governance structures, and legal agreements needed to facilitate transparent and confidential data transfers with a goal of reducing gaps in special education services for military children resulting from challenges in transferring student records.  
 
DoDEA operates 161 schools across 7 states, 11 foreign countries, and 2 territories, serving more than 64,000 military-connected children. 
 
In addition to DoDEA’s efforts, the Department of Defense’s Office of Special Needs (OSN) updated enrollment criteria while streamlining the role of Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Family Support providers. These revisions aim to provide military families with a more cohesive and consistent experience, ensuring smoother interactions and improved support.

Private Sector Commitments
 
Top school data management software companies serving millions of students across the country, including ClassLink, Clever, D2L, IEP&Me, Mindex, PowerSchool, and SIRAS Systems, are collaborating with the nonprofit InnovateEDU to take historic actions to address special education data transfer issues. 
 
Through Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), these companies are aligning their products and services to a standard set of key special education data fields by the end of the month.  In addition, for the first time, they have committed to piloting seamless and secure transfers of data within these standard fields, between at least two school systems by the end of their 2024-2025 school years—intending to make these data transfers available to all school systems served by these companies by fall 2025. 
 
InnovateEDU is coordinating across these companies and school systems to develop the processes, governance structures, and legal agreements needed to efficiently and safely transfer IEP-related student data with parental consent.
 
Department of Education
 
To support Joining Forces’ efforts related to facilitating records transfers, the Department of Education (ED) has engaged key organizations through the Interoperability, Efficiency, and Portability Commitment, which asks signatories to reimagine data-sharing infrastructure and processes.
 
These new actions complement ED’s recent announcements related to military students with disabilities, including providing grant funding for projects that will develop school-level strategies to better engage military families who have children with disabilities and releasing tools to assist states in reviewing their current practices for supporting military children with disabilities.  ED also released guidance urging Vocational Rehabilitation programs to implement flexible and proactive processes to support seamless transfers of job training and employment support services for military families with youth, students, and adults with disabilities when moving between states.
 
Background on the First Lady’s Joining Forces Initiative:
 
Joining Forces is Dr. Biden’s initiative to support military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors. Guided by the life experiences and the perspectives voiced during in-person and virtual listening sessions with military-connected families and stakeholders, the work and priorities of Joining Forces centers on the needs of this population in the areas of: Economic Opportunity; Military Child Education; and Health and Well-Being.
 
As First Lady, Dr. Biden has visited over 30 military installations; worked with Joining Forces partners to support over 80 engagements with the military-connected community; and helped coordinate the Administration’s efforts to increase and raise awareness of resources and support for military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors.

 
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Yesterday, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Alaska and ordered Federal assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe storm and flooding from October 20 to October 23, 2024.

Federal funding is available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storm and flooding in the Bering Strait Regional Educational Attendance Area and Northwest Arctic Borough.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Mr. Lance E. Davis of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. 

Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

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     By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including sections 3301 and 3302 of title 5, United States Code, and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows: 

     Section 1.  Policy.  The Federal Government benefits from a workforce that can be recruited from the broadest and deepest pools of qualified candidates for merit-based positions.  The issuance of an order granting Non-Competitive Eligibility to certain alumni of programs administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (operating as AmeriCorps) would be in the best interest of the Federal Government.  AmeriCorps alumni have demonstrated a sustained commitment to public service, have received extensive training and hands-on experience, and have developed leadership, communication, and technical skills that are aligned with the missions of many federal agencies and departments.  It is in the interest of the Federal Government to retain the services of these highly skilled individuals, particularly given that the Federal Government aided them in the acquisition of their skills.

      Accordingly, pursuant to my authority under 5 U.S.C. 3302(1), and in order to achieve a workforce that is drawn from all segments of society as provided in 5 U.S.C. 2301(b)(1), I find that conditions of good administration make necessary an exception to the competitive hiring rules for certain positions in the Federal civil service.

     Sec. 2.  Establishment.  The head of any executive department or agency may appoint noncompetitively any individual who is certified under section 3 of this order to a position in the competitive service for which the individual is qualified.

     Sec. 3.  Certifications.  (a)  The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AmeriCorps, or the CEO’s designee, shall issue certificates to persons whom the CEO or designee deems to have satisfactorily completed:

(i)  a full-time term of national service of at least 1,700 hours as a Team Leader or Member, as specified in section 155(b)(1) or 155(b)(4) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12615(b)(1), 12615(b)(4)), or in the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps program component specified in section 153 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 12613); or

(ii)  one or more terms of service that total at least 1,700 hours under section 139(b)(1) of that Act (42 U.S.C. 12593(b)(1)) as an AmeriCorps State and National participant under section 137 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 12591).

(b)  This order does not alter or otherwise affect the Non-Competitive Eligibility status for AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America participants, commonly known as VISTA members, who successfully complete their service, as described in section 415(d) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5055(d)). 

(c)  In making any certification under this section, the CEO, or the CEO’s designee, may rely on a confirmation made by the entity that selected the individual for, and supervised the individual in, the approved national service position in which such individual successfully completed a term of service, as specified in this section.  If AmeriCorps determines that the certification is incorrect, the Corporation shall, after considering the full facts and circumstances surrounding the incorrect certification, take appropriate action.

(d)  Any appointment under this order shall be effected within 1 year after completion of the appointee’s most recent term of service in the programs described in subsections (a)(i)-(ii) of this section.  Such period may be extended to not more than 3 years for persons who, following participation in the programs described in subsections (a)(i)-(ii) of this section, are engaged in an additional term of AmeriCorps service, in military service, in the pursuit of studies at an institution of higher learning, or in other activities that, in the view of the appointing authority, warrant an extension of such period.  Such period may also be extended to permit the adjudication of a background investigation.

(e)  Any law, Executive Order, or regulation that would disqualify an applicant for appointment in the competitive service shall also disqualify an applicant for appointment under this order.  Examples of disqualifying criteria include restrictions on employing persons who are not United States citizens or nationals; who have violated 5 U.S.C. 2302(b)(7) and 3310 (the anti-nepotism provisions of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978); who have knowingly and willfully failed to register for Selective Service when required to do so, 5 U.S.C. 3328(a)(2); who do not meet occupational qualifying standards prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM); or who do not meet suitability factors prescribed by OPM.

Sec. 4.  Regulations.  The Director of OPM is authorized to issue such additional regulations as may be necessary to implement this order.  Any individual who meets the terms of this order, however, is eligible for noncompetitive hiring with or without additional regulations.

Sec. 5.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)  the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

     (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

     (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.


THE WHITE HOUSE,
    January 16, 2025.

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TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:

     Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), I hereby report that I have issued an Executive Order that takes additional steps to deal with the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13694 of April 1, 2015 (Blocking the Property of Certain Persons Engaging in Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities), as amended by Executive Order 13757 of December 28, 2016 (Taking Additional Steps to Address the National Emergency With Respect to Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities), and further amended by Executive Order 13984 of January 19, 2021 (Taking Additional Steps To Address the National Emergency With Respect to Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities).

     Significant malicious cyber-enabled activities continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.  To address this continuing national emergency and protect against the growing and evolving threat of malicious cyber-enabled activities against the United States and United States allies and partners, including the increasing threats by foreign actors of unauthorized access to critical infrastructure, ransomware, and cyber-enabled intrusions and sanctions evasion, section 9 of the Executive Order I have issued updates the criteria to be used by the Secretary of the Treasury in designating a person for sanctions for engaging in specified malicious cyber-enabled activities and related conduct.

     I am enclosing a copy of the Executive Order I have issued.

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    January 16, 2025.

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By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (8 U.S.C. 1182(f)), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows: 

Section 1.  Policy.  Adversarial countries and criminals continue to conduct cyber campaigns targeting the United States and Americans, with the People’s Republic of China presenting the most active and persistent cyber threat to United States Government, private sector, and critical infrastructure networks.  These campaigns disrupt the delivery of critical services across the Nation, cost billions of dollars, and undermine Americans’ security and privacy.  More must be done to improve the Nation’s cybersecurity against these threats.

Building on the foundational steps I directed in Executive Order 14028 of May 12, 2021 (Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity), and the initiatives detailed in the National Cybersecurity Strategy, I am ordering additional actions to improve our Nation’s cybersecurity, focusing on defending our digital infrastructure, securing the services and capabilities most vital to the digital domain, and building our capability to address key threats, including those from the People’s Republic of China.  Improving accountability for software and cloud service providers, strengthening the security of Federal communications and identity management systems, and promoting innovative developments and the use of emerging technologies for cybersecurity across executive departments and agencies (agencies) and with the private sector are especially critical to improvement of the Nation’s cybersecurity.

Sec. 2.  Operationalizing Transparency and Security in Third-Party Software Supply Chains.  (a)  The Federal Government and our Nation’s critical infrastructure rely on software providers.  Yet insecure software remains a challenge for both providers and users and makes Federal Government and critical infrastructure systems vulnerable to malicious cyber incidents.  The Federal Government must continue to adopt secure software acquisition practices and take steps so that software providers use secure software development practices to reduce the number and severity of vulnerabilities in software they produce.   

(b)  Executive Order 14028 directed actions to improve the security and integrity of software critical to the Federal Government’s ability to function.  Executive Order 14028 directed the development of guidance on secure software development practices and on generating and providing evidence in the form of artifacts — computer records or data that are generated manually or by automated means — that demonstrate compliance with those practices.  Additionally, it directed the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to require agencies to use only software from providers that attest to using those secure software development practices.  In some instances, providers of software to the Federal Government commit to following cybersecurity practices, yet do not fix well-known exploitable vulnerabilities in their software, which puts the Government at risk of compromise.  The Federal Government needs to adopt more rigorous third-party risk management practices and greater assurance that software providers that support critical Government services are following the practices to which they attest.

(i)    Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Director of OMB, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), shall recommend to the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FAR Council) contract language requiring software providers to submit to CISA through CISA’s Repository for Software Attestation and Artifacts (RSAA):

(A)  machine-readable secure software development attestations;

(B)  high-level artifacts to validate those attestations; and

(C)  a list of the providers’ Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) agency software customers. 

(ii)   Within 120 days of the receipt of the recommendations described in subsection (b)(i) of this section, the FAR Council shall review the recommendations and, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of General Services, and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (the agency members of the FAR Council) shall jointly take steps to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement those recommendations.  The agency members of the FAR Council are strongly encouraged to consider issuing an interim final rule, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law.

(iii)  Within 60 days of the date of the issuance of the recommendations described in subsection (b)(i) of this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of CISA, shall evaluate emerging methods of generating, receiving, and verifying machine-readable secure software development attestations and artifacts and, as appropriate, shall provide guidance for software providers on submitting them to CISA’s RSAA website, including a common data schema and format.

(iv)   Within 30 days of the date of any amendments to the FAR described in subsection (b)(ii) of this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of CISA, shall develop a program to centrally verify the completeness of all attestation forms.  CISA shall continuously validate a sample of the complete attestations using high-level artifacts in the RSAA.

(v)    If CISA finds that attestations are incomplete or artifacts are insufficient for validating the attestations, the Director of CISA shall notify the software provider and the contracting agency.  The Director of CISA shall provide a process for the software provider to respond to CISA’s initial determination and shall duly consider the response. 

(vi)   For attestations that undergo validation, the Director of CISA shall inform the National Cyber Director, who shall publicly post the results, identifying the software providers and software version.  The National Cyber Director is encouraged to refer attestations that fail validation to the Attorney General for action as appropriate.

(c)  Secure software development practices are not sufficient to address the potential for cyber incidents from resourced and determined nation-state actors.  To mitigate the risk of such incidents occurring, software providers must also address how software is delivered and the security of the software itself.  The Federal Government must identify a coordinated set of practical and effective security practices to require when it procures software.

(i)    Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of NIST, shall establish a consortium with industry at the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence to develop guidance, informed by the consortium as appropriate, that demonstrates the implementation of secure software development, security, and operations practices based on NIST Special Publication 800-218 (Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF)).

(ii)   Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of NIST, shall update NIST Special Publication 800-53 (Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations) to provide guidance on how to securely and reliably deploy patches and updates. 

(iii)  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of NIST, in consultation with the heads of such agencies as the Director of NIST deems appropriate, shall develop and publish a preliminary update to the SSDF.  This update shall include practices, procedures, controls, and implementation examples regarding the secure and reliable development and delivery of software as well as the security of the software itself.  Within 120 days of publishing the preliminary update, the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of NIST, shall publish a final version of the updated SSDF.

(iv)   Within 120 days of the final update to the SSDF described in subsection (c)(iii) of this section, the Director of OMB shall incorporate select practices for the secure development and delivery of software contained in NIST’s updated SSDF into the requirements of OMB Memorandum M-22-18 (Enhancing the Security of the Software Supply Chain through Secure Software Development Practices) or related requirements.

(v)    Within 30 days of the issuance of OMB’s updated requirements described in subsection (c)(iv) of this section, the Director of CISA shall prepare any revisions to CISA’s common form for Secure Software Development Attestation to conform to OMB’s requirements and shall initiate any process required to obtain clearance of the revised form under the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

(d)  As agencies have improved their cyber defenses, adversaries have targeted the weak links in agency supply chains and the products and services upon which the Federal Government relies.  Agencies need to integrate cybersecurity supply chain risk management programs into enterprise-wide risk management activities.  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Director of OMB, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of NIST, the Administrator of General Services, and the Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC), shall take steps to require, as the Director deems appropriate, that agencies comply with the guidance in NIST Special Publication 800-161 (Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management Practices for Systems and Organizations (SP 800-161 Revision 1)).  OMB shall require agencies to provide annual updates to OMB as they complete implementation.  Consistent with SP 800-161 Revision 1, OMB’s requirements shall address the integration of cybersecurity into the acquisition lifecycle through acquisition planning, source selection, responsibility determination, security compliance evaluation, contract administration, and performance evaluation.

(e)  Open source software plays a critical role in Federal information systems.  To help the Federal Government continue to reap the innovation and cost benefits of open source software and contribute to the cybersecurity of the open source software ecosystem, agencies must better manage their use of open source software.  Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of CISA, and the Director of OMB, in consultation with the Administrator of General Services and the heads of other agencies as appropriate, shall jointly issue recommendations to agencies on the use of security assessments and patching of open source software and best practices for contributing to open source software projects.

Sec. 3.  Improving the Cybersecurity of Federal Systems.  (a)  The Federal Government must adopt proven security practices from industry — to include in identity and access management — in order to improve visibility of security threats across networks and strengthen cloud security. 

(b)  To prioritize investments in the innovative identity technologies and processes of the future and phishing-resistant authentication options, FCEB agencies shall begin using, in pilot deployments or in larger deployments as appropriate, commercial phishing-resistant standards such as WebAuthn, building on the deployments that OMB and CISA have developed and established since the issuance of Executive Order 14028.  These pilot deployments shall be used to inform future directions for Federal identity, credentialing, and access management strategies.

(c)  The Federal Government must maintain the ability to rapidly and effectively identify threats across the Federal enterprise.  In Executive Order 14028, I directed the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish procedures to immediately share threat information to strengthen the collective defense of Department of Defense and civilian networks.  To enable identification of threat activity, CISA’s capability to hunt for and identify threats across FCEB agencies under 44 U.S.C. 3553(b)(7) must be strengthened.

(i)     The Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of CISA, in coordination with the Federal Chief Information Officer (CIO) Council and Federal Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Council, shall develop the technical capability to gain timely access to required data from FCEB agency endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions and from FCEB agency security operation centers to enable:

(A)  timely hunting and identification of novel cyber threats and vulnerabilities across the Federal civilian enterprise;

(B)  identification of coordinated cyber campaigns that simultaneously target multiple agencies and move laterally across the Federal enterprise; and

(C)  coordination of Government-wide efforts on information security policies and practices, including compilation and analysis of information about incidents that threaten information security.

(ii)    Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of CISA, in coordination with the Federal CIO and CISO Councils, shall develop and release a concept of operations that enables CISA to gain timely access to required data to achieve the objectives described in subsection (c)(i) of this section.  The Director of OMB shall oversee the development of this concept of operations to account for agency perspectives and the objectives outlined in this section and shall approve the final concept of operations.  This concept of operations shall include:

(A)  requirements for FCEB agencies to provide CISA with data of sufficient completeness and on the timeline required to enable CISA to achieve the objectives described in subsection (c)(i) of this section;

(B)  requirements for CISA to provide FCEB agencies with advanced notification when CISA directly accesses agency EDR solutions to obtain required telemetry;

(C)  specific use cases for which agencies may provide telemetry data subject to the requirements in subsection (c)(ii)(A) of this section as opposed to direct access to EDR solutions by CISA;

(D)  high-level technical and policy control requirements to govern CISA access to agency EDR solutions that conform with widely accepted cybersecurity principles, including role-based access controls, “least privilege,” and separation of duties;

(E)  specific protections for highly sensitive agency data that is subject to statutory, regulatory, or judicial restrictions to protect confidentiality or integrity; and

(F)  an appendix to the concept of operations that identifies and addresses certain types of specific use cases under subsection (c)(ii)(C) of this section that apply to the Department of Justice, including certain categories of information described in subsections (c)(vi) and (c)(vii) of this section, and requires the Department of Justice’s concurrence on the terms of the appendix prior to implementation of the concept of operations on the Department of Justice’s or its subcomponents’ networks.

(iii)   In undertaking the activities described in subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of CISA, shall only make a change to an agency network, system, or data when such change is required for threat hunting by CISA, including access to the EDR tools described in subsection (c)(ii) of this section, or in furtherance of its authority to conduct threat hunting as authorized under 44 U.S.C. 3553(b)(7), unless otherwise authorized by the agency.

(iv)    Within 30 days of the release of the concept of operations described in subsection (c)(ii) of this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of CISA, shall establish working groups, open to all agencies, to develop and release specific technical controls that achieve the objectives set forth in subsection (c)(ii) of this section and to work with EDR solution providers to implement those controls in FCEB agency deployments of EDR solutions.  The Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of CISA, shall, at a minimum, establish a working group for each EDR solution authorized by CISA for use in the CISA Continuous Diagnostic and Mitigation Program.  Each working group shall be open to all agencies and include at least one representative from an FCEB agency employing the designated EDR solution.

(v)     Within 180 days of the release of the technical controls described in subsection (c)(iv) of this section, the heads of FCEB agencies shall enroll endpoints using an EDR solution covered by those controls in the CISA Persistent Access Capability program.

(vi)    Within 90 days of the date of this order, and periodically thereafter as needed, the heads of FCEB agencies shall provide to CISA a list of systems, endpoints, and data sets that require additional controls or periods of non-disruption to ensure that CISA’s threat-hunting activities do not disrupt mission-critical operations, along with an explanation of those operations.

(vii)   In cases in which agency data is subject to statutory, regulatory, or judicial access restrictions, the Director of CISA shall comply with agency processes and procedures required to access such data or work with the agency to develop an appropriate administrative accommodation consistent with any such restrictions so that the data is not subject to unauthorized access or use.

(viii)  Nothing in this order requires an agency to provide access to information that is protected from non-disclosure by court order or otherwise required to be kept confidential in connection with a judicial proceeding.

(d)  The security of Federal information systems relies on the security of the Government’s cloud services.  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Administrator of General Services, acting through the Director of the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP), in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of NIST, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of CISA, shall develop FedRAMP policies and practices to incentivize or require cloud service providers in the FedRAMP Marketplace to produce baselines with specifications and recommendations for agency configuration of agency cloud-based systems in order to secure Federal data based on agency requirements.

(e)  As cybersecurity threats to space systems increase, these systems and their supporting digital infrastructure must be designed to adapt to evolving cybersecurity threats and operate in contested environments.  In light of the pivotal role space systems play in global critical infrastructure and communications resilience, and to further protect space systems and the supporting digital infrastructure vital to our national security, including our economic security, agencies shall take steps to continually verify that Federal space systems have the requisite cybersecurity capabilities through actions including continuous assessments, testing, exercises, and modeling and simulation.

(i)    Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey; the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall each review the civil space contract requirements in the FAR and recommend to the FAR Council and other appropriate agencies updates to civil space cybersecurity requirements and relevant contract language.  The recommended cybersecurity requirements and contract language shall use a risk-based, tiered approach for all new civil space systems.  Such requirements shall be designed to apply at minimum to the civil space systems’ on-orbit segments and link segments.  The requirements shall address the following elements for the highest-risk tier and, as appropriate, other tiers:

(A)  protection of command and control of the civil space system, including backup or failover systems, by:

(1)  encrypting commands to protect the confidentiality of communications;

(2)  ensuring commands are not modified in transit;

(3)  ensuring an authorized party is the source of commands; and

(4)  rejecting unauthorized command and control attempts;

(B)  establishment of methods to detect, report, and recover from anomalous network or system activity; and

(C)  use of secure software and hardware development practices, consistent with the NIST SSDF or any successor documents.

(ii)   Within 180 days of receiving the recommended contract language described in subsection (e)(i) of this section, the FAR Council shall review the proposal and, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, the agency members of the FAR Council shall jointly take steps to amend the FAR.

(iii)  Within 120 days of the date of this order, the National Cyber Director shall submit to OMB a study of space ground systems owned, managed, or operated by FCEB agencies.  This study shall include:

(A)  an inventory of space ground systems;

(B)  whether each space ground system is classified as a major information system under 44 U.S.C. 3505(c), labeled “Inventory of major information systems”; and

(C)  recommendations to improve the cyber defenses and oversight of such space ground systems.

(iv)   Within 90 days of the submission of the study described in subsection (e)(iii) of this section, the Director of OMB shall take appropriate steps to help ensure that space ground systems owned, managed, or operated by FCEB agencies comply with relevant cybersecurity requirements issued by OMB.

Sec. 4.  Securing Federal Communications.  (a)  To improve the security of Federal Government communications against adversarial nations and criminals, the Federal Government must implement, to the extent practicable and consistent with mission needs, strong identity authentication and encryption using modern, standardized, and commercially available algorithms and protocols.

(b)  The security of Internet traffic depends on data being correctly routed and delivered to the intended recipient network.  Routing information originated and propagated across the Internet, utilizing the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), is vulnerable to attack and misconfiguration.

(i)    Within 90 days of the date of this order, FCEB agencies shall take steps to ensure that all of their assigned Internet number resources (Internet Protocol (IP) address blocks and Autonomous System Numbers) are covered by a Registration Services Agreement with the American Registry for Internet Numbers or another appropriate regional Internet registry.  Thereafter, FCEB agencies shall annually review and update in their regional Internet registry accounts organizational identifiers related to assigned number resources such as organization names, points of contact, and associated email addresses.

(ii)   Within 120 days of the date of this order, all FCEB agencies that hold IP address blocks shall create and publish Route Origin Authorizations in the public Resource Public Key Infrastructure repository hosted or delegated by the American Registry for Internet Numbers or the appropriate regional Internet registry for the IP address blocks they hold.

(iii)  Within 120 days of the date of this order, the National Cyber Director, in coordination with the heads of other agencies as appropriate, shall      recommend contract language to the FAR Council to require contracted providers of Internet services to agencies to adopt and deploy Internet routing security technologies, including publishing Route Origin Authorizations and performing Route Origin Validation filtering.  The recommended language shall include requirements or exceptions, as appropriate, for agency contracts regarding overseas operations and overseas local service providers.  Within 270 days of receiving these recommendations, the FAR Council shall review the recommended contract language and, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, the agency members of the FAR Council shall jointly take steps to amend the FAR.  Pending any such amendments to the FAR, individual agencies are encouraged to include such requirements in future contracts, consistent with applicable law.

(iv)   Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of NIST, shall publish updated guidance to agencies on deployment of current, operationally viable BGP security methods for Federal Government networks and service providers.  The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of NIST, shall also provide updated guidance on other emerging technologies to improve Internet routing security and resilience, such as route leak mitigation and source address validation.

(c)  Encrypting Domain Name System (DNS) traffic in transit is a critical step to protecting both the confidentiality of the information being transmitted to, and the integrity of the communication with, the DNS resolver.

(i)   Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of CISA, shall publish template contract language requiring that any product that acts as a DNS resolver (whether client or server) for the Federal Government support encrypted DNS and shall recommend that language to the FAR Council.  Within 120 days of receiving the recommended language, the FAR Council shall review it, and, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, the agency members of the FAR Council shall jointly take steps to amend the FAR.

(ii)  Within 180 days of the date of this order, FCEB agencies shall enable encrypted DNS protocols wherever their existing clients and servers support those protocols.  FCEB agencies shall also enable such protocols within 180 days of any additional clients and servers supporting such protocols.

(d)  The Federal Government must encrypt email messages in transport and, where practical, use end-to-end encryption in order to protect messages from compromise.

(i)    Within 120 days of the date of this order, each FCEB agency shall technically enforce encrypted and authenticated transport for all connections between the agency’s email clients and their associated email servers.

(ii)   Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Director of OMB shall establish a requirement for expanded use of authenticated transport-layer encryption between email servers used by FCEB agencies to send and receive email.

(iii)  Within 90 days of the establishment of the requirement described in subsection (d)(ii) of this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of CISA, shall take appropriate steps to assist agencies in meeting that requirement, including by issuing implementing directives, as well as technical guidance to address any identified capability gaps.

(e)  Modern communications such as voice and video conferencing and instant messaging are usually encrypted at the link level but often are not encrypted end-to-end.  Within 180 days of the date of this order, to advance the security of Internet-based voice and video conferencing and instant messaging, the Director of OMB, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of CISA; the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA); the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of NIST; the Archivist of the United States, acting through the Chief Records Officer for the United States Government; and the Administrator of General Services shall take appropriate steps to require agencies to:

(i)   enable transport encryption by default; and

(ii)  where technically supported, use end-to-end encryption by default while maintaining logging and archival capabilities that allow agencies to fulfill records management and accountability requirements.

(f)  Alongside their benefits, quantum computers pose significant risk to the national security, including the economic security, of the United States.  Most notably, a quantum computer of sufficient size and sophistication — also known as a cryptanalytically relevant quantum computer (CRQC) — will be capable of breaking much of the public-key cryptography used on digital systems across the United States and around the world.  In National Security Memorandum 10 of May 4, 2022 (Promoting United States Leadership in Quantum Computing While Mitigating Risks to Vulnerable Cryptographic Systems), I directed the Federal Government to prepare for a transition to cryptographic algorithms that would not be vulnerable to a CRQC. 

(i)    Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of CISA, shall release and thereafter regularly update a list of product categories in which products that support post-quantum cryptography (PQC) are widely available.

(ii)   Within 90 days of a product category being placed on the list described in subsection (f)(i) of this section, agencies shall take steps to include in any solicitations for products in that category a requirement that products support PQC.

(iii)  Agencies shall implement PQC key establishment or hybrid key establishment including a PQC algorithm as soon as practicable upon support being provided by network security products and services already deployed in their network architectures.

(iv)   Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of NIST and the Under Secretary for International Trade, shall identify and engage foreign governments and industry groups in key countries to encourage their transition to PQC algorithms standardized by NIST.

(v)    Within 180 days of the date of this order, to prepare for transition to PQC, the Secretary of Defense with respect to National Security Systems (NSS), and the Director of OMB with respect to non-NSS, shall each issue requirements for agencies to support, as soon as practicable, but not later than January 2, 2030, Transport Layer Security protocol version 1.3 or a successor version.

(g)  The Federal Government should take advantage of commercial security technologies and architectures, such as hardware security modules, trusted execution environments, and other isolation technologies, to protect and audit access to cryptographic keys with extended lifecycles.

(i)    Within 270 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of NIST, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of CISA, and the Administrator of General Services shall develop guidelines for the secure management of access tokens and cryptographic keys used by cloud service providers.

(ii)   Within 60 days of the publication of the guidelines described in subsection (g)(i) of this section, the Administrator of General Services, acting through the FedRAMP Director, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of NIST, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of CISA, shall develop updated FedRAMP requirements, incorporating the guidelines described in subsection (g)(i) of this section, as appropriate and consistent with guidance issued by the Director of OMB, concerning cryptographic key management security practices.

(iii)  Within 60 days of the publication of the guidelines described in subsection (g)(i) of this section, the Director of OMB, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of NIST; the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of CISA; and the Administrator of General Services shall take appropriate steps to require FCEB agencies to follow best practices concerning the protection and management of hardware security modules, trusted execution environments, or other isolation technologies for access tokens and cryptographic keys used by cloud service providers in the provision of services to agencies.

Sec. 5.  Solutions to Combat Cybercrime and Fraud.  (a)  The use of stolen and synthetic identities by criminal syndicates to systemically defraud public benefits programs costs taxpayers and wastes Federal Government funds.  To help address these crimes it is the policy of the executive branch to strongly encourage the acceptance of digital identity documents to access public benefits programs that require identity verification, so long as it is done in a manner that preserves broad program access for vulnerable populations and supports the principles of privacy, data minimization, and interoperability. 

(i)    Within 90 days of the date of this order, agencies with grantmaking authority are encouraged to consider, in coordination with OMB and the National Security Council staff, whether Federal grant funding is available to assist States in developing and issuing mobile driver’s licenses that achieve the policies and principles described in this section.

(ii)   Within 270 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of NIST, shall issue practical implementation guidance, in collaboration with relevant agencies and other stakeholders through the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, to support remote digital identity verification using digital identity documents that will help issuers and verifiers of digital identity documents advance the policies and principles described in this section.

(iii)  Agencies should consider accepting digital identity documents as digital identity verification evidence to access public benefits programs, but only if the use of these documents is consistent with the policies and principles described in this section.

(iv)   Agencies should, consistent with applicable law, seek to ensure that digital identity documents accepted as digital identity verification evidence to access public benefits programs:

(A)   are interoperable with relevant standards and trust frameworks, so that the public can use any standards-compliant hardware or software containing an official Government-issued digital identity document, regardless of manufacturer or developer;
(B)  do not enable authorities that issue digital identity documents, device manufacturers, or any other third party to surveil or track presentation of the digital identity document, including user device location at the time of presentation; and
(C)  support user privacy and data minimization by ensuring only the minimum information required for a transaction — often a “yes” or “no” response to a question, such as whether an individual is older than a specific age — is requested from the holder of the digital identity document.

(b)  The use of “Yes/No” validation services, also referred to as attribute validation services, can enable more privacy-preserving means to reduce identity fraud.  These services allow programs to confirm, via a privacy-preserving “yes” or “no” response, that applicant-provided identity information is consistent with information already contained in official records, without needing to share the contents of those official records.  To support the use of such services, the Commissioner of Social Security, and the head of any other agency designated by the Director of OMB, shall, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, consider taking steps to develop or modify services — including through, as appropriate, the initiation of a proposed rulemaking or the publication of a notice of a new or significantly modified routine use of records — related to Government-operated identity verification systems and public benefits programs, with consideration given to having such systems and programs submit applicant-provided identity information to the agency providing the service and receive a “yes” or “no” response as to whether the applicant-provided identity information is consistent with the information on file with the agency providing the service.  In doing so, the heads of these agencies shall specifically consider seeking to ensure, consistent with applicable law, that:

(i)    any applicant-provided identity information submitted to the services and any “yes” or “no” response provided by the services are used only to assist with identity verification, program administration, anti-fraud operations, or investigation and prosecution of fraud related to the public benefits program for which the identity information was submitted;
(ii)   the services are made available, to the maximum extent permissible and as appropriate, to public benefits programs; Government-operated identity verification systems, including shared-service providers; payment integrity programs; and United States-regulated financial institutions; and

(iii)  the agencies, public benefits programs, or institutions using the services provide reimbursement to appropriately cover costs and support the ongoing maintenance, improvement, and broad accessibility of the services.

     (c)  The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Administrator of General Services, shall research, develop, and conduct a pilot program for technology that notifies individuals and entities when their identity information is used to request a payment from a public benefits program, gives individuals and entities the option to stop potentially fraudulent transactions before they occur, and reports fraudulent transactions to law enforcement entities.

Sec. 6.  Promoting Security with and in Artificial Intelligence.  Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform cyber defense by rapidly identifying new vulnerabilities, increasing the scale of threat detection techniques, and automating cyber defense.  The Federal Government must accelerate the development and deployment of AI, explore ways to improve the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure using AI, and accelerate research at the intersection of AI and cybersecurity.

(a)  Within 180 days of the date of the completion of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s 2025 Artificial Intelligence Cyber Challenge, the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall launch a pilot program, involving collaboration with private sector critical infrastructure entities as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, on the use of AI to enhance cyber defense of critical infrastructure in the energy sector, and conduct an assessment of the pilot program upon its completion.  This pilot program, and accompanying assessment, may include vulnerability detection, automatic patch management, and the identification and categorization of anomalous and malicious activity across information technology (IT) or operational technology systems.

(b)  Within 270 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense shall establish a program to use advanced AI models for cyber defense. 

(c)  Within 150 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of NIST; the Secretary of Energy; the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology; and the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) shall each prioritize funding for their respective programs that encourage the development of large-scale, labeled datasets needed to make progress on cyber defense research, and ensure that existing datasets for cyber defense research have been made accessible to the broader academic research community (either securely or publicly) to the maximum extent feasible, in consideration of business confidentiality and national security.

(d)  Within 150 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of NIST; the Secretary of Energy; the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology; and the Director of the NSF shall prioritize research on the following topics:

(i)    human-AI interaction methods to assist defensive cyber analysis;

(ii)   security of AI coding assistance, including security of AI-generated code;

(iii)  methods for designing secure AI systems; and

(iv)   methods for prevention, response, remediation, and recovery of cyber incidents involving AI systems.

(e)  Within 150 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence, in coordination with the Director of OMB, shall incorporate management of AI software vulnerabilities and compromises into their respective agencies’ existing processes and interagency coordination mechanisms for vulnerability management, including through incident tracking, response, and reporting, and by sharing indicators of compromise for AI systems.

Sec. 7.  Aligning Policy to Practice.  (a)  IT infrastructure and networks that support agencies’ critical missions need to be modernized.  Agencies’ policies must align investments and priorities to improve network visibility and security controls to reduce cyber risks.

(i)   Within 3 years of the date of this order, the Director of OMB shall issue guidance, including any necessary revision to OMB Circular A-130, to address critical risks and adapt modern practices and architectures across Federal information systems and networks.  This guidance shall, at a minimum:

(A)  outline expectations for agency cybersecurity information sharing and exchange, enterprise visibility, and accountability for enterprise-wide cybersecurity programs by agency CISOs;

(B)  revise OMB Circular A-130 to be less technically prescriptive in key areas, where appropriate, to more clearly promote the adoption of evolving cybersecurity best practices across Federal systems, and to include migration to zero trust architectures and implementation of critical elements such as EDR capabilities, encryption, network segmentation, and phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication; and

(C)  address how agencies should identify, assess, respond to, and mitigate risks to mission essential functions presented by concentration of IT vendors and services.

(ii)  The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of NIST; the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of CISA; and the Director of OMB shall establish a pilot program of a rules-as-code approach for machine-readable versions of policy and guidance that OMB, NIST, and CISA publish and manage regarding cybersecurity.

(b)  Managing cybersecurity risks is now a part of everyday industry practice and should be expected for all types of businesses.  Minimum cybersecurity requirements can make it costlier and harder for threat actors to compromise networks.  Within 240 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of NIST, shall evaluate common cybersecurity practices and security control outcomes that are commonly used or recommended across industry sectors, international standards bodies, and other risk management programs, and based on that evaluation issue guidance identifying minimum cybersecurity practices.  In developing this guidance, the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of NIST, shall solicit input from the Federal Government, the private sector, academia, and other appropriate actors.

(c)  Agencies face multiple cybersecurity risks when purchasing products and services.  While agencies have already made significant advances to improve their supply chain risk management, additional actions are needed to keep pace with the evolving threat landscape.  Within 180 days of the issuance of the guidance described in subsection (b) of this section, the FAR Council shall review the guidance and, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, the agency members of the FAR Council shall jointly take steps to amend the FAR to:

(i)   require that contractors with the Federal Government follow applicable minimum cybersecurity practices identified in NIST’s guidance pursuant to subsection (b) of this section with respect to work performed under agency contracts or when developing, maintaining, or supporting IT services or products that are provided to the Federal Government; and

(ii)  adopt requirements for agencies to, by January 4, 2027, require vendors to the Federal Government of consumer Internet-of-Things products, as defined by 47 C.F.R. 8.203(b), to carry United States Cyber Trust Mark labeling for those products.

Sec. 8.  National Security Systems and Debilitating Impact Systems.  (a)  Except as specifically provided for in section 4(f)(v) of this order, sections 1 through 7 of this order shall not apply to Federal information systems that are NSS or are otherwise identified by the Department of Defense or the Intelligence Community as debilitating impact systems.

(b)  Within 90 days of the date of this order, to help ensure that NSS and debilitating impact systems are protected with the most advanced security measures, the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of NSA as the National Manager for National Security Systems (National Manager), in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence and the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS), and in consultation with the Director of OMB and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (APNSA), shall develop requirements for NSS and debilitating impact systems that are consistent with the requirements set forth in this order, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law.  The Secretary of Defense may grant exceptions to such requirements in circumstances necessitated by unique mission needs.  Such requirements shall be incorporated into a proposed National Security Memorandum, to be submitted to the President through the APNSA. 

(c)  To help protect space NSS with cybersecurity measures that keep pace with emerging threats, within 210 days of the date of this order, the CNSS shall review and update, as appropriate, relevant policies and guidance regarding space system cybersecurity.  In addition to appropriate updates, the CNSS shall identify and address appropriate requirements to implement cyber defenses on Federal Government-procured space NSS in the areas of intrusion detection, use of hardware roots of trust for secure booting, and development and deployment of security patches.

(d)  To enhance the effective governance and oversight of Federal information systems, within 90 days of the date of this order, the Director of OMB shall issue guidance as appropriate requiring agencies to inventory all major information systems and provide the inventory to CISA, the Department of Defense, or the National Manager, as applicable, which shall each maintain a registry of agency inventories within their purview.  CISA, the Department of Defense CIO, and the National Manager will share their inventories as appropriate to identify gaps or overlaps in oversight coverage.  This guidance shall not apply to elements of the Intelligence Community.

(e)  Nothing in this order alters the authorities and responsibilities granted in law or policy to the Director of National Intelligence, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Manager over applicable systems pursuant to the National Security Act of 1947 (Public Law 80–253), the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-283), National Security Directive 42 of July 5, 1990 (National Policy for the Security of National Security Telecommunications and Information Systems), or National Security Memorandum 8 of January 19, 2022 (Improving the Cybersecurity of National Security, Department of Defense, and Intelligence Community Systems).

Sec. 9.  Additional Steps to Combat Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities.  Because I find that additional steps must be taken to deal with the national emergency with respect to significant malicious cyber-enabled activities declared in Executive Order 13694 of April 1, 2015 (Blocking the Property of Certain Persons Engaging in Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities), as amended by Executive Order 13757 of December 28, 2016 (Taking Additional Steps to Address the National Emergency With Respect to Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities), and further amended by Executive Order 13984 of January 19, 2021 (Taking Additional Steps to Address the National Emergency With Respect to Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities), to protect against the growing and evolving threat of malicious cyber-enabled activities against the United States and United States allies and partners, including the increasing threats by foreign actors of unauthorized access to critical infrastructure, ransomware, and cyber-enabled intrusions and sanctions evasion, I hereby order that section 1(a) of Executive Order 13694 is further amended to read as follows:

“Section 1.  (a)  All property and interests in property that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of any United States person of the following persons are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in:

(i)    the persons listed in the Annex to this order;

(ii)   any person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of State, to be responsible for or complicit in, or to have engaged in, directly or indirectly, cyber-enabled activities originating from, or directed by persons located, in whole or in substantial part, outside the United States that are reasonably likely to result in, or have materially contributed to, a threat to the national security, foreign policy, or economic health or financial stability of the United States, and that have the purpose of or involve:

(A)  harming, or otherwise compromising the provision of services by, a computer or network of computers that support one or more entities in a critical infrastructure sector;

(B)  compromising the provision of services by one or more entities in a critical infrastructure sector;

(C)  causing a disruption to the availability of a computer or network of computers or compromising the integrity of the information stored on a computer or network of computers;

(D)  causing a misappropriation of funds or economic resources, intellectual property, proprietary or business confidential information, personal identifiers, or financial information for commercial or competitive advantage or private financial gain;

(E)  tampering with, altering, or causing a misappropriation of information with the purpose of or that involves interfering with or undermining election processes or institutions; or

(F)  engaging in a ransomware attack, such as extortion through malicious use of code, encryption, or other activity to affect the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of data or a computer or network of computers, against a United States person, the United States, a United States ally or partner or a citizen, national, or entity organized under the laws thereof; or

(iii)  any person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of State:

(A)  to be responsible for or complicit in, or to have engaged in, directly or indirectly, the receipt or use for commercial or competitive advantage or private financial gain, or by a commercial entity, outside the United States of funds or economic resources, intellectual property, proprietary or business confidential information, personal identifiers, or financial information misappropriated through cyber-enabled means, knowing they have been misappropriated, where the misappropriation of such funds or economic resources, intellectual property, proprietary or business confidential information, personal identifiers, or financial information is reasonably likely to result in, or has materially contributed to, a threat to the national security, foreign policy, or economic health or financial stability of the United States;

(B)  to be responsible for or complicit in, or to have engaged in, directly or indirectly, activities related to gaining or attempting to gain unauthorized access to a computer or network of computers of a United States person, the United States, a United States ally or partner or a citizen, national, or entity organized under the laws thereof, where such efforts originate from or are directed by persons located, in whole or substantial part, outside the United States and are reasonably likely to result in, or have materially contributed to, a significant threat to the national security, foreign policy, or economic health or financial stability of the United States;

(C)  to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, any activity described in subsections (a)(ii) or (a)(iii)(A) or (B) of this section or any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order;

(D)  to be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order or that has engaged in any activity described in subsections (a)(ii) or (a)(iii)(A) – (C) of this section;

(E)  to have attempted to engage in any of the activities described in subsections (a)(ii) and (a)(iii)(A)-(D) of this section; or

(F)  to be or have been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order or that has engaged in any activity described in subsections (a)(ii) or (a)(iii)(A) – (E) of this section.”

Sec. 10.  Definitions.  For purposes of this order:

(a)  The term “agency” has the meaning ascribed to it under 44 U.S.C. 3502(1), except for the independent regulatory agencies described in 44 U.S.C. 3502(5).

(b)  The term “artifact” means a record or data that is generated manually or by automated means and may be used to demonstrate compliance with defined practices, including for secure software development.

(c)  The term “artificial intelligence” or “AI” has the meaning set forth in 15 U.S.C. 9401(3).

(d)  The term “AI system” means any data system, software, hardware, application, tool, or utility that operates in whole or in part using AI.

     (e)  The term “authentication” means the process of determining the validity of one or more authenticators, such as a password, used to claim a digital identity.

(f)  The term “Border Gateway Protocol” or “BGP” means the control protocol used to distribute and compute paths between the tens of thousands of autonomous networks that constitute the Internet.

(g)  The term “consumer Internet-of-Things products” means Internet-of-Things products intended primarily for consumer use, rather than enterprise or industrial use.  Consumer Internet-of-Things products do not include medical devices regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration or motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment regulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

(h)  The term “cyber incident” has the meaning given to the term “incident” under 44 U.S.C. 3552(b)(2).

(i)  The term “debilitating impact systems” means systems as described by 44 U.S.C. 3553(e)(2) and 3553(e)(3) for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community purposes, respectively.

(j)  The term “digital identity document” means an electronic, reusable, cryptographically verifiable identity credential issued by a Government source, such as a State-issued mobile driver’s license or an electronic passport.

(k)  The term “digital identity verification” means identity verification that a user performs online.

(l)  The term “endpoint” means any device that can be connected to a computer network creating an entry or exit point for data communications.  Examples of endpoints include desktop and laptop computers, smartphones, tablets, servers, workstations, virtual machines, and consumer Internet-of-Things products.

(m)  The term “endpoint detection and response” means cybersecurity tools and capabilities that combine real-time continuous monitoring and collection of endpoint data (for example, networked computing device such as workstations, mobile phones, servers) with rules-based automated response and analysis capabilities.

(n)  The term “Federal Civilian Executive Branch agencies” or “FCEB agencies” includes all agencies except for the agencies and other components in the Department of Defense and agencies in the Intelligence Community.

(o)  The term “Federal information system” means an information system used or operated by an agency, a contractor of an agency, or another organization on behalf of an agency.

(p)  The term “Government-operated identity verification system” means a system owned and operated by a Federal, State, local, Tribal, or territorial Government entity that performs identity verification, including single-agency systems and shared services that provide service to multiple agencies.

(q)  The term “hardware root of trust” means an inherently trusted combination of hardware and firmware that helps to maintain the integrity of information.

(r)  The term “hybrid key establishment” means a key establishment scheme that is a combination of two or more components that are themselves cryptographic key-establishment schemes.

(s)  The term “identity verification” means the process of collecting identity information or evidence, validating its legitimacy, and confirming that it is associated with the real person providing it.

(t)  The term “Intelligence Community” has the meaning given to it under 50 U.S.C. 3003(4).

(u)  The term “key establishment” means the process by which a cryptographic key is securely shared between two or more entities.

(v)  The term “least privilege” means the principle that a security architecture is designed so that each entity is granted the minimum system resources and authorizations that the entity needs to perform its function.

(w)  The term “machine-readable” means that the product output is in a structured format that can be consumed by another program using consistent processing logic.

(x)  The term “national security systems” or “NSS” has the meaning given to it under 44 U.S.C. 3552(b)(6).

(y)  The term “patch” means a software component that, when installed, directly modifies files or device settings related to a different software component without changing the version number or release details for the related software component.

(z)  The term “rules-as-code approach” means a coded version of rules (for example, those contained in legislation, regulation, or policy) that can be understood and used by a computer.

(aa)  The term “secure booting” means a security feature that prevents malicious software from running when a computer system starts up.  The security feature performs a series of checks during the boot sequence that helps ensure only trusted software is loaded.

(bb)  The term “security control outcome” means the results of the performance or non-performance of safeguards or countermeasures prescribed for an information system or an organization to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system and its information.

(cc)  The term “zero trust architecture” has the meaning given to it in Executive Order 14028.

Sec. 11.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b)  This order shall be implemented in a manner consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    January 16, 2025.

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