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Remarks by President Biden at the National Prayer Breakfast

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 14:13

U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C.

9:04 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT:  Frank, thank you for that introduction.

And, Reverend Black, I’ve spent a lot of time with you in the United States Senate — 36 years.  But you were only there 21.  But I miss your sermons, because that’s how I viewed your opening prayers every — every mon- — every day.

Frank, thanks for the introduction and for your service on behalf of the people of Northwest Indiana.

A few years ago, I visited Frank’s hometown, Hammond, Indiana, with our dear friend and great Hoosier Joe Donnelly, who is doing an incredible job as our Ambassador to the Holy See, walking his faith in service of his nation as well — as we all are called to do. 

So, Frank, thank you for leading this year’s prayer breakfast, and Congressman Tracey Mann of Kansas as well.

Thank you, Speaker Johnson.  It’s an honor to be with you today and Majority [Minority] Leader Jeffries.  And Senators Gillibrand and Blackburn, thank you both.

The Chair of the National Prayer Breakfast and Foundation, Senator Heidi Heitkamp.  Heidi, I hadn’t seen you in a while.  It’s so good to see you again, kid.  It really is.

Members of the administration — Secretary Buttigieg, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and his wife, Grace, who helped make this event what it is today.

Members of Congress and their families, including one of the home-state senators — my home-state senators, Chris Coons, who, by the way — he not only got a law degree, the same time he got a law degree, he got a divinity degree at Yale University, which makes me always wonder about him.  I don’t know.  (Laughter.)  But all kidding aside, he’s a great man.  And his wife Annie is with him today.  They’re — they’re both dear friends.

Chaplain Black, we’ve known each other a long time.  And on my last day in the Senate Chamber, you offered a prayer: that in our labor may we illuminate the darkness of doubt, may we distinguish between truth and falsehood, and may we see possibilities that are now hidden.

Your wisdom then and now, this morning, are deeply moving.

To the incredible Andrea — I think — by the way, I am an unadulterated fan of Bocelli.  He will tell you.  And you know that to be the case.  He — God, he can — anyway — (laughter).  He’s incredible, I think.

Jill and I had the honor to host him for Christmas at the White House in our first year in office.  And you performed with your son and daughter as if you were a choir of herald angels.  And in a difficult time for our family, after we lost our son Beau, you expressed in a song what we felt in our hearts.

From your song, “Fall on Me,” it goes like this.  It says, “Fall on me with open arms.  Fall on me from where you are.  Fall on me with all your light.”

Andrea, well, you’re a gift.  You were a gift to my family at that moment and you continue to be.

I’ve attended many prayer breakfasts over the years.  And Jill and I have been humbled by the prayers of so many when we needed them badly.  It means everything to us.

And we’re all blessed to live in a nation where we can practice our many faiths and practice them freely, and where we can come together and lift up our nation and each other — each other in our own prayers, especially in tough times.

Our prayers continue to be with the families of the three American servicemen [service members] killed and attacked in the FOB in Jordan: Sergeant William Rivers, Specialist Breonna Moffett, and Specialist Kennedy Sanders.

I spoke with each of these families separately, and Jill and I will be, tomorrow, at Dover Air Force Base to receive the dignified transfer of their bodies.

They’ve raised [risked] their lives in harm’s way.  They risked it all.

And we’ll never forget the [their] sacrifices and service to our country [and] that [of] the dozens of service members who were wounded and are recovering now.

I also see the trauma, the death, and destruction in Israel and Gaza.  And I understand that the pain and passion felt by so many here in America and around the world.

We value and pray for the lives taken and for the families left behind, for all those who are living in dire circumstances — innocent men, women, and children held hostage or under bombardment or displaced, not knowing where their next meal will come from or if it will come at all.

Not only do we pray for peace, we are actively working for peace, security, dignity for the Israeli people and the Palestinian people.

I’m engaged on this day and night and working, as many of you in this room are, to find the means to bring our hostages home, to ease the humanitarian crisis, and to bring peace to Gaza and Israel — an enduring peace with two states for two peoples — just as we worked for peace, security, and dignity for the Ukrainian people as they show incredible resolve and resilience against Putin’s aggression.  We must continue to help them.

The challenge of our times reminds us of our responsibility as a nation to help each other [deliver] just and lasting peace — deliver it abroad and here at home.

That’s why we’re fighting against the rise of antisemitism and Islamophobia here in the United States and all forms of hate, including those against Arab Americans and South Asian Americans.

This is a calling to stand against hate, to remember the very idea of America.  We’re all created equal.  We’re unique in the world — the only nation based on an idea — “We hold these truths to be self-evident” — we’re all created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives.

We’ve never as a nation fully lived up to that, but we’ve never walked away from it either.  It’s a covenant we have with one another that holds this nation together. 

And, quite frankly, I knew it before I became president because I did a lot of foreign policy und- — in the — in the previous administration with Barack. 

But we’re the beacon to the world.  The entire world looks to us.  That’s not hyperbole. 

This is an idea.  This idea was made real before the soul became flesh, before this dream became a fact.  It was prayed for, it was hoped for, it was believed in.  That’s the story of America.

Let me close with this.

It’s fitting today marks the first time the National Prayer Breakfast is being held here in Statuar- — Statutory [Statuary] Hall.

This is where the House of Representatives met for 50 years leading up to the Civil War.It’s where a congressman from Illinois, Abraham Lincoln, sat at desk number 191 before becoming the president who served our Union and saved it.

History remembers President Lincoln’s first inaugural address counseling us to heed, quote, “the better angels of our nature.”  “The better angels of our nature.”

We do well to remember what he said just a few moments before he concluded the same address.  At a moment of deep division in our nation, President Lincoln said, “We are not enemies.”  He said, “We are not enemies, but friends.”  “We must not be enemies,” he went on to say.

I have long believed we have to look at each other even in our most challenging times not as enemies but as fellow Americans.

Scripture tells us, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”  I believe that’s our collective calling today.

Here — here we are in this room, among the statue of heroes who have shaped our history.  And here we know faith is a living spirit that awakens our passions to come down from the pedestal and act to serve.

That’s why over the door of the Rotunda is a scripture [sculpture] depicting Clio, the muse of history.  In her hands is an open book in which she records the events taking place here.  In the citadel of democracy, she is a silent witness to the American story of war and peace, insurrection and stability.

As we gather this morning, what will Clio write for the future about what we did in our time?  What will she write about us?

My prayer, my hope is we continue to believe our best days are ahead of us — that as a nation we continue to believe in honesty, decency, dignity, and respect.  We see each other not as enemies but as fellow human beings, each made in the image of God, each precious in his sight.

We leave no one behind.  We believe everyone deserves a fair shot.  We give hate no safe harbor.

Together, we believe in America.  That’s my prayer: to remember who we are. 

We’re the United States of America, and there is nothing — and I mean this sincerely — nothing beyond our capacity if we act together.

We’re the only nation in the world that’s come out of every crisis stronger than we went in when we act together.

My prayer for all of you — in my church, we’ve taken the 22nd Psalm and turned it into a — a hymn.  And it says, “And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings and bear you on the breath of dawn and make you to shine like the sun.  Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.”

That’s sincerely my prayer to all of you.  We have really tough, tough differences.  We really go at one another.  But remember — let’s remember who the hell we — hell we are.  We’re the United States of America.  It’s all about dignity and respect.  So, let’s practice it. 

Thank you for having me.  It’s good to be back.  (Applause.)

9:15 A.M. EST

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Readout of President Biden’s Call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 14:09

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to applaud the European Union’s historic decision at the European Council today to approve 50 billion euro in additional financial support to Ukraine.  President Biden commended the European Union’s steadfast support for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russian aggression and fulfill the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of its citizens. Von der Leyen emphasized the critical importance of sustained U.S. support to Ukraine, which has been indispensable to Ukraine’s efforts to defend its people, cities, and soldiers in its fight for freedom.

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Statement from National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Action to Promote Peace, Security, and Stability in the West Bank

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 12:04

President Biden has been clear that the United States strongly supports Israel’s right to defend itself following the horrific terrorist attacks that occurred on October 7 and in its effort to defeat Hamas to make sure that such an attack never happens again. This includes taking steps to cut off Hamas’ access to the international financial system. Since October 7, the United States has issued five rounds of sanctions against Hamas, including the most recent round of sanctions against Hamas last week. President Biden has also spoken about his concern about the rise in violence that we have seen in the West Bank from extremist actors—in particular the rise in extremist settler violence, which reached record levels in 2023. This violence poses a grave threat to peace, security, and stability in the West Bank, Israel, and the Middle East region, and threatens the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States.
 
Today, President Biden signed a new Executive Order to implement new measures to address actions that undermine peace, security, and stability in the West Bank. This E.O. will allow the United States to issue financial sanctions against those directing or participating in certain actions, including acts or threats of violence against civilians, intimidating civilians to cause them to leave their homes, destroying or seizing property, or engaging in terrorist activity in the West Bank. The State Department today will also be announcing an initial set of designations under this new E.O.
 
Today’s actions seek to promote peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

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Message to the Congress on Imposing Certain Sanctions on Persons Undermining Peace, Security, and Stability in the West Bank

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 12:00

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:

     Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), section 212(f) and section 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (8 U.S.C. 1182(f) and 8 U.S.C. 1185(a)), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby report that I have issued an Executive Order declaring a national emergency to deal with the threat posed by the situation in the West Bank, including in particular high levels of extremist settler violence, forced displacement of people and villages, and property destruction.  Such actions constitute a serious threat to the peace, security, and stability of the West Bank and Gaza, Israel, and the broader Middle East region and undermine the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States.  I find that these actions constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, and I have declared a national emergency to deal with that threat.

     The order authorizes the blocking of property and interests in property of any foreign person determined by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, or the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State:

          (i)    to be responsible for or complicit in, or to have directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in, actions — including directing, enacting, implementing, enforcing, or failing to enforce policies — that threaten the peace, security, or stability of the West Bank;

          (ii)   to be responsible for or complicit in, or to have directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in, planning, ordering, otherwise directing, or participating in certain actions — including acts of violence or threats of violence targeting civilians, efforts to place civilians in reasonable fear of violence, property destruction, or seizure or dispossession of property by private actors — affecting the West Bank;

          (iii)  to be or have been a leader or official of certain entities that have engaged in, or whose members have engaged in, such activities;

          (iv)   to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, any person blocked pursuant to the order; or

          (v)    to be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person blocked pursuant to the order.

     The order also authorizes the blocking of property and interests in property of any foreign person determined by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, to have committed or have attempted to commit, to pose a significant risk of committing, or to have participated in training to commit acts of terrorism affecting the West Bank.  In addition, the order suspends the entry into the United States of any noncitizen determined to meet one or more of the above criteria.

     The order authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to take such actions, including the promulgation of rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the order.  It directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to implement the order as it applies to visas, and it directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to implement the order as it applies to the entry into the United States of noncitizens.  All executive departments and agencies of the United States are directed to take all appropriate measures within their authority to implement the order.

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

                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,
February 1, 2024.

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Executive Order on Imposing Certain Sanctions on Persons Undermining Peace, Security, and Stability in the West Bank

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 12:00

     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.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) (NEA), section 212(f) and section 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (8 U.S.C. 1182(f) and 8 U.S.C. 1185(a)), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code,

     I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, find that the situation in the West Bank — in particular high levels of extremist settler violence, forced displacement of people and villages, and property destruction — has reached intolerable levels and constitutes a serious threat to the peace, security, and stability of the West Bank and Gaza, Israel, and the broader Middle East region.  These actions undermine the foreign policy objectives of the United States, including the viability of a two-state solution and ensuring Israelis and Palestinians can attain equal measures of security, prosperity, and freedom.  They also undermine the security of Israel and have the potential to lead to broader regional destabilization across the Middle East, threatening United States personnel and interests.  For these reasons, these actions constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  I hereby declare a national emergency to deal with that threat.  Accordingly, I hereby order:

     Section 1.  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, including any foreign branch, of the following persons are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in:

     (a)  any foreign person determined by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, or the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State:

          (i)    to be responsible for or complicit in, or to have directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in, any of the following:

               (A)  actions — including directing, enacting, implementing, enforcing, or failing to enforce policies — that threaten the peace, security, or stability of the West Bank; or

               (B)  planning, ordering, otherwise directing, or participating in any of the following actions affecting the West Bank:

                    (1)  an act of violence or threat of violence targeting civilians;

                    (2)  efforts to place civilians in reasonable fear of violence with the purpose or effect of necessitating a change of residence to avoid such violence;

                    (3)  property destruction; or

                    (4)  seizure or dispossession of property by private actors;

          (ii)   to be or have been a leader or official of:

               (A)  an entity, including any government entity, that has engaged in, or whose members have engaged in, any of the activities described in subsections (a) or (b) of this section related to the leader’s or official’s tenure; or

               (B)  an entity whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order as a result of activities relating to the leader’s or official’s tenure;

          (iii)  to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, any person blocked pursuant to this order; or

          (iv)   to be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person blocked pursuant to this order; or

     (b)  any foreign person determined by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury:

          (i)   to have committed or have attempted to commit, to pose a significant risk of committing, or to have participated in training to commit acts of terrorism affecting the West Bank; or

          (ii)  to be a leader or official of an entity sanctioned pursuant to subsection (b)(i) of this section.

     Sec. 2.  The prohibitions in section 1 of this order apply except to the extent provided by statutes, or in regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this order, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted before the date of this order. 

     Sec. 3.  The prohibitions in section 1 of this order include:

     (a)  the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order; and

     (b)  the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

     Sec. 4.  (a)  The unrestricted immigrant and nonimmigrant entry into the United States of noncitizens determined to meet one or more of the criteria in section 1 of this order would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and the entry of such persons into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, is hereby suspended, except when the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security, as appropriate, determines that the person’s entry would not be contrary to the interests of the United States, including when the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security, as appropriate, so determines, based on a recommendation of the Attorney General, that the person’s entry would further important United States law enforcement objectives.

     (b)  The Secretary of State shall implement this order as it applies to visas pursuant to such procedures as the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, may establish.

     (c)  The Secretary of Homeland Security shall implement this order as it applies to the entry of noncitizens pursuant to such procedures as the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, may establish.

     (d)  Such persons shall be treated by this section in the same manner as persons covered by section 1 of Proclamation 8693 of July 24, 2011 (Suspension of Entry of Aliens Subject to United Nations Security Council Travel Bans and International Emergency Economic Powers Act Sanctions).

     Sec. 5.  (a)  Any transaction that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, causes a violation of, or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.

     (b)  Any conspiracy formed to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.

     Sec. 6.  I hereby determine that the making of donations of the types of articles specified in section 203(b)(2) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)) by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order would seriously impair my ability to deal with the national emergency declared in this order, and I hereby prohibit such donations as provided by section 1 of this order.

     Sec. 7.  For the purposes of this order:

     (a)  the term “entity” means a partnership, association, trust, joint venture, corporation, group, subgroup, or other organization;

     (b)  the term “noncitizen” means any person who is not a citizen or noncitizen national of the United States;

     (c)  the term “person” means an individual or entity;

     (d)  the term “United States person” means any United States citizen, lawful permanent resident, entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States (including foreign branches), or any person in the United States; and

     (e)  the term “terrorism” means an activity that:

          (i)   involves a violent act or an act dangerous to human life, property, or infrastructure; and

          (ii)  appears to be intended:

               (A)  to intimidate or coerce a civilian population;

               (B)  to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or

               (C)  to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, kidnapping, or hostage-taking.

     Sec. 8.  For those persons whose property and interests in property are blocked or affected by this order who might have a constitutional presence in the United States, I find that because of the ability to transfer funds and other assets instantaneously, prior notice to such persons of measures to be taken pursuant to this order would render those measures ineffectual.  I therefore determine that for these measures to be effective in addressing the national emergency declared in this order, there need be no prior notice of a listing or determination made pursuant to this order.

     Sec. 9.  The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is authorized to take such actions, including the promulgation of rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this order.  The Secretary of the Treasury may, consistent with applicable law, redelegate any of these functions within the Department of the Treasury.  All executive departments and agencies of the United States shall take all appropriate measures within their authority to implement this order.

     Sec. 10.  Nothing in this order shall prohibit transactions for the conduct of the official business of the Federal Government or the United Nations (including its specialized agencies, programs, funds, and related organizations) by employees, grantees, and contractors thereof.

     Sec. 11.  The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is authorized to submit recurring and final reports to the Congress on the national emergency declared in this order, consistent with section 401(c) of the NEA (50 U.S.C. 1641(c)) and section 204(c) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1703(c)).

     Sec. 12.  (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,
  February 1, 2024.

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President Biden Takes On Big Pharma and Is Lowering Prescription Drug Prices

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 05:00

After decades of opposition, President Biden enacted a law that finally takes on Big Pharma and gives Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices. President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act will save millions of seniors money on some of the costliest prescription drugs on the market –and today, Medicare will send initial offers to manufacturers of the first ten drugs selected for drug price negotiation to help bring down the price of these prescription drugs.  This is the first time ever that Medicare is not accepting the drug prices the pharmaceutical companies set. 

The drug price negotiation program is a prime example of the ways the Administration is working to lower costs for American families. In 2022, nine million seniors on Medicare were prescribed the ten drugs selected for the first round of drug price negotiation. These individuals spent an estimated $3.4 billion in out-of-pocket costs in 2022 alone for these drugs, which are used to treat some of the most common conditions like blood clots, arthritis, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and more. Some seniors spent nearly $6,500 out-of-pocket for a single one of these drugs – while Big Pharma continued to make record profits, ripping off American taxpayers and the seniors their drugs aim to treat.

New report highlights Big Pharma price gouging

A new report released today shows that in 2022, Big Pharma charged Americans two to three times more than what they charged people in other OECD countries for the same drugs, even when accounting for rebates and discounts. As one example, U.S. gross prices for insulin – a drug that has been around for 100 years and costs drug companies just $10 a vial to make – were on average almost ten times the price in the United States than in comparison countries.

This comes as large drug companies spent nearly $750 billion on self-enriching stock buybacks and dividends over the last decade. Big Pharma also executed over $135 billion in mergers and acquisitions in 2023 alone, while passing the cost to consumers. And six of ten of the drugs selected for this year’s negotiation program raised their prices in the first month of 2024 – after all ten drugs were already priced three to eight times higher in the United States than in other countries.

President Biden’s drug price negotiation program finally takes on Big Pharma’s exorbitant price gouging of seniors, allowing Medicare to put money back in the pockets of American families. By negotiating lower prices for these drugs – and dozens more in the years that follow – the Biden Administration is creating a new and better deal for patients.

Drug price negotiation could have a significant impact on seniors

Until the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare was prohibited from directly negotiating prescription drug prices to get the best deal for seniors, even as other government agencies that provide health services actively negotiate lower drug prices. The Veterans Health Administration, Department of Defense, and Medicaid all have the power to negotiate drug prices, and they pay less than Medicare, on average, for top-selling brand-name drugs. In 2017, the Government Accountability Office found that the VA paid on average 49 percent less per unit for the same brand-name drugs offered through the VA health system than Medicare Part D paid.

Big Pharma and House Republicans continue to attack popular drug price negotiation program

Americans from all backgrounds and ages overwhelmingly support Medicare being able to negotiate lower drug prices for seniors, with eight in ten adults in favor of the federal government negotiating drug prices.  

At the same time, Big Pharma is litigating nine lawsuits against Medicare Drug Price Negotiation. They’re hoping the courts will do what they could not get done in Congress: block Medicare from negotiating lower prices for seniors and families. And House Republicans are all too eager to come to drug companies’ defense. House Republicans have pledged to eliminate the Inflation Reduction Act, have vowed to cut Medicare and Social Security benefits, are trying to kick millions of Americans off affordable health care, and would keep drug prices high for seniors and American families.

President Biden won’t stand for that. He is laser focused on lowering costs, protecting Medicare and Social Security, and making sure his Inflation Reduction Act gives more seniors, people with disabilities, and families more breathing room. 

Later this year, new, negotiated prices for the first ten prescription drugs selected for the negotiation program are scheduled to be announced. Over the next four years, Medicare will select up to 60 drugs for negotiation – and up to 20 additional drugs per year after that.

Beyond that, millions of seniors with diabetes are already benefitting from the $35 cap for a month’s supply of insulin under the President’s Inflation Reduction Act. Fifteen million Americans are saving $800 per year on health insurance premiums. And seniors that took the 47 drugs covered by Medicare Part B that hiked prices faster than inflation in 2023 had lower coinsurance, with some enrollees saving as much as $618 per dose.

No matter how many times House Republicans try to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act, President Biden knows how it is delivering for American families, and his Administration will continue the fight to lower health care costs for more Americans.

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Statement by President Joe Biden on Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Progress

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 05:00

For the first time in history, Medicare is making offers on the fair price for ten of the most widely used and expensive drugs. Medicare is no longer taking whatever prices for these drugs that the pharmaceutical companies demand. 

To keep their prices high, Big Pharma and their allies lobbied hard against this historic law, and they were joined by every single Republican in Congress, who voted against giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower prices.  What’s worse, Republicans in Congress are still trying to block this historic law and keep Medicare from getting the best deal for America’s seniors, supporting legislation and budgets that would repeal my work to lower drug prices.

My vision is different. Medicare is negotiating for lower prices on drugs to treat everything from diabetes, Crohn’s disease, arthritis, heart disease, cancer, and more. Just one of these drugs alone can cost as much as $6,500 in out-of-pocket costs for seniors. Through my Inflation Reduction Act, we’re working to give seniors the best possible deal on their prescription drugs and lower health care costs. Already, we’ve cut insulin costs to $35 for seniors and people with disabilities, 15 million Americans are saving an average of $800 per year on health insurance costs, and seniors’ out of pocket drug costs will be capped at $2,000 starting next year. The days where Americans pay two to three times what they pay for prescription drugs in other countries are ending.  

My Administration won’t stop fighting to lower health care costs for seniors and families. Even as Republicans in Congress continue to try to repeal my Inflation Reduction Act, cut Medicare and Social Security benefits, end insurance for millions, and keep health care costs high, we’ll continue to protect these programs and deliver lower costs for seniors and hardworking families.

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Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s Meeting with European Commission Executive Vice Presidents Margrethe Vestager and Valdis Dombrovskis

Wed, 01/31/2024 - 21:57

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with European Commission Executive Vice Presidents Margrethe Vestager and Valdis Dombrovskis today to discuss ongoing cooperation between the United States and the European Union, including at the most recent U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) meeting on January 30.  They highlighted the continued importance of the TTC as a primary forum to advance key shared priorities, including quantum information science, artificial intelligence, standards, and ongoing efforts to promote high-standard transatlantic trade, and bolster mutual economic security and resilient supply chains.  They also reaffirmed our shared commitment to continue to support Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s aggression.   

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Statement from National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on John Podesta

Wed, 01/31/2024 - 18:23

From Day One, President Biden defined the climate crisis as the existential threat of our time that required a global effort to put the world on a safer climate trajectory.  In his time as Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, Secretary Kerry  — with characteristic passion, diplomatic acumen, and tireless focus — ensured that the United States not only rejoined that effort but once again led it.

President Biden’s appointment of John Podesta to continue to lead our global climate efforts demonstrates the President’s steadfast commitment to tackling the climate crisis – and reflects his belief that we have not a moment to lose.  John has played–and will continue to play—a lead role in restoring U.S. domestic leadership on climate, including leading the Administration’s implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act, the single largest investment to tackle climate change in history.  John is a key architect of turning President Biden’s bold vision – that tackling the climate crisis also represents the single biggest economic opportunity of our time – into a reality here at home.  These efforts have not only put the United States in a strong position to achieve our climate goals, but have also unleashed a clean manufacturing boom that has inspired a domestic and global resurgence in clean energy investment and good-paying jobs.  As he assumes his new role, John will bring both a deep understanding – and a proven model – for how countries around the world can enhance their ambition while unlocking a new era of clean, inclusive, and resilient economic growth.  John’s efforts and experience will be critical as countries around the world develop their next round of enhanced emissions targets, which are due early next year, as well as work to build out the global clean energy supply chains necessary for achieving our shared climate goals.

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Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby

Wed, 01/31/2024 - 16:57

1:28 P.M. EST

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Good afternoon.  Hello. 

Hi.  I have a few things at the top before we get started.

As the Presi- — as the President and his team continue working to deliver a historic bipartisan agreement on the border, House Republicans have a choice to make: They can keep playing po- — politics or they can work in a bipartisan way to secure the border.

Sadly, this is not new.  For years, they have refused to heed the President’s requests for action on much-needed funding for border security. 

For example, in the bill the President introduced in his first day in office, more than a thousand days ago, he requested funding to develop and deploy exped- — expediting screening technology to improve our ability to catch narcotics and contraband at every port of entry.  Republicans never acted on the bill. 

Each year in office, President Biden has requested record-breaking border security funding into law.  But without exception, House Republicans have tried to stop the President from delivering the resources we need at the border.

As recently as October, President Biden submitted a supplemental request for additional resources for border security; House Republicans did not take it up. 

Now House Republicans are going further and signaling that they may refuse even to consider a historic bipartisan border security deal that would strengthen America’s national security.  

Perhaps Speaker Johnson and House Republicans should reflect on what they’ve had to say over just the past few months. 

In October, Speaker Johnson said, “We must come together and address the broken border.”  And in November he said, “I think we can get a bipartisan agreement” on “border security.”

But suddenly, we’ve heard a change of tune.  One Republican member from Texas even said, why would they do anything to help President Biden? 

This is about helping the President — this is about helping the American people.  It’s not about helping the President.  It’s about the American people.  This is about securing the border. 

Republicans in the Senate are working with us to do just that.  Republicans in the House should as well.  

Look no further than their effort to impeach Secretary Mayorkas, an impeachment that even conservatives say is unconstitutional. 

The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board said, “Grandstanding is easier than governing, and Republicans have to decide whether to accomplish anything other than impeaching Democrats.  Impeaching him accomplishes nothing beyond political symbolism.  A better idea is to strike a deal with Mr. Biden on serious border security reforms.”  That’s from the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board. 

Former President Trump — Trump’s own impeachment lawyer, Alan Dershowitz, urged Republicans to vote no.

House Republicans’ own impeachment witness, Jonathan Turley, said there is no basis for impeachment. 

And former DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff, who served in Bush administration, said House Republicans should “drop this impeachment charade and work with Mr. Mayorkas to deliver for the American people.” 

Members of the House Republican Conference have said this is baseless.  Congressman Ken Buck said, “Secretary Mayorkas did not commit an impeachable offense.”  And Congressman Tom McClintick — McClintock said, “These are not impeachable offenses.”

So, our challenge to House Republicans is this: Will you go against the very voices you typically listen to play a dangerous, unconstitutional game, or will you listen to what many of you yourselves have — have been saying?  Come to the table, work on a bipartisan border security solutions, finally fund our needs at the border, and actually tackle the problem instead of playing politics with it.

So, this is not about politics.  This is about bipartisan solutions to help the American people and secure the border. 

We hope, for the sake of the country, House Republicans challen- — change course from their years of playing politics with this issue.

So, now , yesterday, a new IMF report found that the United States is leading the global economic recovery.  As Axios put it, the U.S. is winning the world economic war.  The United States economy grew faster than any other large, advanced econo- — economy last year by a wide margin and is on track to do so again in 2024.

And the Washington Post wrote earlier this week, “Falling inflation, rising growth give U.S. the world’s best recovery.”  That’s thanks to strong actions taken by this President to recover from the pandemic and invest in America. 

And yesterday, we got new evidence Americans are seeing the results, with consumer confidence at the highest level in more than two years and inflation expectations falling to the lowest level since the start of the pandemic.

And before I turn it over to my colleague, Admiral John Kirby, as you all know, this Friday, the President and the First Lady are honored to attend the dignified transfer of the three U.S. Army soldiers we lost in Jordan.

As the President said, these service members represented the very, very best of our nation. 

The President spoke to each of the families yesterday to offer his heartfelt condolences, and he and the First Lady will have an opportunity to meet with them in person in Dover on Friday.

As the Pentagon announced yesterday, the President and the First Lady will be joined by Secretary of Defense.

And so, with that, Admiral.

MR. KIRBY:  Thanks, Karine.  Just very briefly here at the top, I just want to note that the National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, had a chance to meet today with the Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, while he was here in town. 

They, of course, discussed the situation on the ground in Gaza; also had an opportunity to talk about continued efforts to increase the flow of humanitarian assistance in to the people of Gaza.  And, of course, they talked about our ongoing collective efforts to get all the hostages released, get them back home with their families where they belong.  And those negotiations and discussions are — are certainly ongoing right now.

Now, this meeting comes on the heels of Jake’s meeting yesterday with the families of the American hostages and his discussion yesterday as well with the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Al-Thani, again, all really around trying to see what we can do to — to get another deal in place, another pause in place to get those hostages back with their families.

And with that.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  Go ahead, Aamer.

Q    Admiral, I want to make sure I get this right — Iran’s ambassador to the U.N. warned today that Iran, quote, “would decisively respond to any attack on the country, its interests, and nationals under any pretext.”  One, do you have any reaction to that warning? 

And, two, more specifically, could that be read as a tacit acknowledgement by Iran that the U.S. can keep the Mid-East conflict from expanding if President Biden shows restraint in his response that may be forthcoming?

MR. KIRBY:  Well, the folks that need to show restraint are these groups that Iran backs.  But nevertheless, I would just say a couple of things.

  First of all, as we’ve said many times, we don’t seek a war with Iran.  We’re not looking for a broader conflict.  We’re not looking for a war with Iran.  That’s number one. 

Number two, we have obligations in the region, including those to our troops and our facilities.  And now, as Karine reminded everybody, those attacks have taken the lives of three of them.  We will have to do — we will do what we need to do to make sure that — that those responsible are held properly accountable. 

Q    Is there attribution yet of who — which militant group or groups were behind this?

MR. KIRBY:  We believe that the — the attack in Jordan was — was planned, resourced, and facilitated by an umbrella group called the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which contains multiple groups, including Kata’ib Hezbollah. 

Q    And was KH the principal behind it?  They seem to have the fingerprints of this sort of precise attack.

MR. KIRBY:  As I said, I mean, this certainly has the earmarks of the kinds of things that Kata’ib Hezbollah does. 

But, again, for our purposes today and the question you’re asking, the attribution that — that our intelligence community is comfortable with is that this was done by the umbrella group called the Islamic Resistance in Iraq. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Nancy.

Q    Thank you.  John, can you tell us more about the latest hostage proposal that is supported by the U.S. and the Qataris?  The U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. said today that it — it envisions a much longer humanitarian pause than we saw back in November, plus more food and water and medicine.  What details can you tell us?

MR. KIRBY:  Not a lot.  And that’s on purpose, because I don’t want to say anything from the podium that could torpedo these very sensitive discussions.  Nothing is negotiated until everything is negotiated, and not everything is fully negotiated at this point, Nancy.

I will tell you that, in broad strokes, we are looking at an extended pause is the goal.  How long?  That’s all part of the discussions, but longer than what we saw in November, which was about a week. 

We’d like to see a longer pause than that not just because that helps facilitate the movement of so many more hostages out — you can get more people out if there’s a longer cease in the — a longer stoppage in the fighting — but so it can also give us an opportunity to increase the flow of humanitarian assistance in.

Q    We’ve heard 45 days.  Does that sound about right?

MR. KIRBY:  I’m not going to talk about the details.

Q    And can you talk also about — it’s been shared that this would be a multistage process where civilian women, the elderly would come out first, then, perhaps, soldiers, corpses after that.  What can you tell us about the notion of a multistage process and why that would be preferable?

MR. KIRBY:  The goal of an extended-level pause is so that you can get the maximum amount of hostages out.  The modalities of that — should we be able to get this in place — of who’s coming out when and in what sequence is all part of the discussions right now.  So, I’m just not going to get into that.

Q    Well, how has Hamas responded, if at all, to this latest proposal?

MR. KIRBY:  I would just tell you that the discussions that we’ve been having and will — and are continuing to have have been constructive.  They’ve been — we believe they’re moving in the right direction. 

But, again, I — I don’t want to — I don’t want to come across as too sanguine here.  And I certainly don’t want to get into the actual details of it.  And I — I hope you all can understand that.  I mean, the last thing that I’d want to do is say something up — from here that all of a sudden gets inserted into the negotiations and becomes a sticking point. 

We want to see this deal in place.  We want to see it in place as soon as possible.  These families are grieving, and they — they want to see their loved ones again.  And we want to see if we can facilitate that.  But — but obviously, you know, we’re mindful of time.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.

Q    Thanks.  It has been three days since the attack in Jordan that killed three service members.  The President said yesterday that he had decided how to respond, but we haven’t seen any public action — you know, at least publicly, we haven’t seen any action.  So, with every day that passes and no response, are you missing an opportunity to signal resolve?

MR. KIRBY:  I think we’ve signaled resolve pretty well.  And as I said the other day, we’ll respond on our own time, on our own schedule.  And — and we’ll do that.

And I would — I would also caution you not to — not to think that the first thing you see — you talked about publicly seeing not — the first thing you see won’t be the last thing.

Q    Can you confidently say that Iranian-backed forces have not begun moving assets out of the region in anticipation of a possible retaliatory strike?

MR. KIRBY:  We’re monitoring as best we can.  I’m not going to speak about what the intelligence assessments tell us.  But — well, I’ll just say that we’re confident in the planning.  And we’re confident in the — in the response that —

Q    Is it possible that —

MR. KIRBY:  — we’re primed to undertake.

Q    — we’re moving assets out of the region as they’re getting ready for the U.S. to respond?

MR. KIRBY:  I’m not going to talk about intelligence assessments. 

As the President said, we’re going to respond.  And we’ll — we’ll respond in an appropriate way.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Kelly O.

Q    Admiral, can you give us a little understanding of the process?  When the President said “yes,” very definitively, he’d made a decision, and yet we know there’s still ongoing work related to the attribution and assessment of potential targets and those sorts of things.  Is it a multipart decision process for the President?  Or is the “yes” he gave already put into, kind of, the action that the Pentagon would need to go forward?  Or would he come back and review the specific targets and that kind — can you shed any light on that longer process?

MR. KIRBY:  Just in — in terms of process, the — the — his decision to move forward was based on discussions that he had with his national security team over the previous three days, including yesterday.

And when you’re talking about what we’re anticipating here, which won’t just be a one-off — as I said, the first thing you see will not be the last thing — there’s a lot of moving pieces in that in terms of what you’re going to choose to go after and what you’re electing not to go after and why.  And — and he asks all those questions.  He did that in this case.

But it’s a — it’s an iterative process.  And I would fully expect, Kelly, that because, as I said, this — this will be a response over time, you should expect that the President will continue to weigh options ahead of him, continue to ask tough questions, continue to talk to his national security team as things go forward. 

Q    And does he want this to be a U.S.-only response, or would he welcome military action from partners who’ve been a part of some of the other work in the region?

MR. KIRBY:  We’re — we’re focusing on a U.S. response.  They killed American troops.

Q    When the Kata’ib Hezbollah says that they will suspend the attacks on U.S. forces, do you believe them?  Would that spare them retaliatory strikes?

MR. KIRBY:  I’d say a couple of things.  Number one, you can’t take what a group like Kata’ib Hezbollah says at face value.  Number two, as I said in my answer to Aamer, they’re not the only group that has been attacking us.  And they’re certainly not the only group that is a participant in this Islamic Resistance of Iraq. 

So, they’re not the — they’re not the — the sole proprietors here of the violence that had been — has been visited on our — on our people. 

And number three, back to that point, there are three families that are going through the worst possible grief right now.  And let me tell you something.  The — Karine talked about Dover.  That’s — that’s a tough day.  That is a tough day.  They killed American soldiers.  And I’d leave it at that. 

Q    And just secondly, John, the Ron Dermer meeting, did Jake ask him about post-conflict Gaza, and do you have a better sense of how long this conflict is going to last?

MR. KIRBY:  I couldn’t tell you how long it’s going to last.  The Israelis have spoken about this themselves, that this could go on for months.  I’ll let them speak to their operations and where they see it — it going. 

We obviously want to see this conflict end.  And — and certainly, we’d like to all see it end as soon as possible, but it has to end in a way that doesn’t imperil the Israeli people from the threat of Hamas, which is right next door.  So, we’re going to continue to support them in their efforts to do that. 

As for the discussion with Mr. Dermer, I know that was focused on humanitarian assistance, on the hostages specifically, and the general situation in Gaza.  I don’t have more detail than that. 

Q    Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, M.J.

Q    I just wanted to clarify Kelly’s last question.  The U.S.’s response, whenever it happens, it will be unilateral.  It would not be, sort of, the joint exercise we saw with the Houthi assets earlier this month? 

MR. KIRBY:  That’s our expectation. 

Q    Okay.  Does the President believe, John, that it is important for the U.S. to strike back immediately and quickly following the deaths of the three U.S. service members?

MR. KIRBY:  The President believes that it is important to respond in an appropriate way now that three American soldiers have been killed.  And what’s appropriate?  Well, you know, it depends on what your — what your response is going to look like and what you’re going to go after. 

And as I said earlier, we will respond in a time and in a manner of our choosing on our schedule.  And just because you haven’t seen anything in the last 48 hours, that doesn’t mean that you’re not going to see anything. 

And as I said earlier, when you see the first thing, don’t come to be thinking that that’s going to be the last thing.

Q    Is the President open to maybe holding off on whatever strikes may come to give time and sta- — space for the ongoing hostage negotiations to continue moving in the right direction?  Is — is that a consideration at all?

MR. KIRBY:  As I said a few days ago, there should be no impact — we — there’s no reason why what we’re trying to do in terms of getting hostages out and what we have to do to respond appropriately to this latest attack in Jordan to be affe- — for one to affect the other.  So, we are going to respond.  We are also going to continue to work on trying to get the hostages out.  Both can be done.  Absolutely, both can be done.

Q    Well, it could certainly be a complicating factor, though, right? 

MR. KIRBY:  As if it’s not complicated already, M.J.  I mean, this is hard work.  This is hard diplomatic work that’s going into trying to get those hostages out.  It’s hard. 

But that doesn’t mean that you — that you put on — you put the brakes on that because you feel you have to respond, which we do.  And it doesn’t mean that you don’t respond to the attacks in Jordan because this diplomatic work is — is still going to remain difficult ahead of us.  We — we can and we will do both.

Q    So, you’re saying the hostage negotiations, that those are not a factor in the President’s thinking and deliberations over how to strike back — that those two things are totally separate in his mind? 

MR. KIRBY:  I don’t think I’m going to parse out the President’s decision-making process here.  I think, though, I — hopefully, I’ve adequately answered the question: We’re going to respond to the killing of our three soldiers.  He’s already — he told you that yesterday.  He’s made his decision.  There will be a response. 

We are also going to continue to have the conversations that are needed.  And they have been good.  They’ve been — there have been — it has moved in a constructive way. 

And, again, we’re not — nobody is doing a touchdown dance here.  We got a long way to go.  But we still think that there’s — there’s real significant ability here to — possibility to get an extended pause in place to get these hostages out. 

Q    And can I just quickly get your read on Kata’ib Hezbollah’s statement yesterday saying that they would suspend military and security operations against U.S. forces?  What was the administration’s read on that statement?

MR. KIRBY:  I think, as I said to Steve, we — we certainly read it, but we’re not going to take it at face value.  And we recognize that they’re not the only group that has been attacking our troops and our facilities in Iraq and Syria. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Ken.

Q    John, just — separate the topic.  The FBI Director was on the Hill today.  He said Chinese hackers are preparing to wreak havoc and target critical U.S. infrastructure.  Has the ad- — administration seen any evidence that critical infrastructure could be compromised?  And what are you doing to strengthen those systems?

MR. KIRBY:  I would just tell you that this is something we’re moni- — we monitor very closely all the time, and we take all these threats seriously.  You have to, each and every day.  There’s not a day where we’re not taking a look at cybersecurity, particularly when it comes to critical infrastructure.  And I think that’s as far as I’m going to go on that. 

Q    And Jake met with the Chinese Foreign Minister recently in — in Bangkok.  Did that issue come up at all?  Did he bring up cyber in their discussions?
MR. KIRBY:  I won’t get into the specifics of the conversation.  This was a follow-up to the meeting out in San Francisco between President Xi, Pre- — President Biden and really meant to look at the ways in which both our countries are meeting the commitments coming out of that discussion, including the work on counternarcotics; the military-to-military communications, restoration of that; and a whole range of other issues, including cross-Strait tensions. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Michael.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  John, do you have confidence that the Kenyan government has satisfied the requirements from the Kenyan Supreme Court outlined for this multilateral force to be sent to Haiti?  And if not, what is your plan B?  Obviously, the U.S. has been pushing for this multilateral force to be led by the Kenyans for some time, and the U.N. Security Council resolution was predicated on their leadership.  So, do you have a plan B if that doesn’t work out?

MR. KIRBY:  We were very grateful that Kenya had agreed to step up to lead that multinational security effort.  I’ll let the Kenyans speak to where they are in the judicial process.  That’s really not for us to speak to.  We’re grateful that they had stepped up and volunteered to do that.

We still believe that that kind of multinational security presence in Haiti is important.  We’d still like to see it move forward.  And we’re — we’re obviously watching closely what happens in Kenya, but it’s really for the Kenyans to speak to.

It won’t change — regardless of how this comes out, won’t change our central position that we believe some sort of multinational security force presence on the ground is important for the people of Haiti.  I mean, they still are suffering the violence of these criminal gangs and thugs and organizations that are just literally making life almost impossible for the people of Haiti. 

So, we — we still believe that’s important.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Cristina.

Q    Thank you.  Admiral, given the Chinese hacking warning, can the American people be — feel a confidence in the electoral system?

MR. KIRBY:  What I can assure the American people of is that we take cybersecurity extremely seriously.  We put a new strategy out just last year — a cybersecurity strategy.  We — we are always mindful of the threats to critical infrastructure. 

And one of the things the President believes is critical infrastructure is, of course, the — the free and fair election process here in the United States and making sure that — that that can — that can occur.  We — we were able to do that in 2022. 

The President is confident that the national security team, the folks over at Cyber Command are all taking this as seriously as they — and the intelligence community is taking this as seriously as possible and that we will be able to ensure that.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Anita.

Q    Thank you so much, John.  I’ve got a question on Turkey and another one on Venezuela.  Just starting with Turkey, we’re seeking an update on their possible return to the F-35 program once or if they scrap their Russian defense missile system.  But I just wanted to ask you, you know, what this process would look like, would sanctions needed to be lifted.  And what does the White House want here? 

MR. KIRBY:  There’s no change to our view that the F-35 program for Turkey is incompatible with their use of the S-300 and S-400 missiles.  So, we’re still having those discussions.  And should Turkey be able to resolve our concerns about that, then there could be a restoration of — of moving into the F-35 program.  But — but that’s — that’s where we are.  There’s no change in that.

Q    On Venezuela.  Their leadership now says they’ll suspend U.S.-Venezuela repatriation because of the U.S. threat of sanctions that you outlined on Monday. 

Sorry, I was just trying to catch your eye. 

How does the White House —

MR. KIRBY:  No, I’m listening.  I’m — I’m listening.

Q    Just texting somebody?  (Laughter.)

MR. KIRBY:  No, no. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  (Inaudible.) 

Q    (Inaudible.)

MR. KIRBY:  I’m taking notes so that I don’t screw this up.  (Laughter.)

Q    — see that affecting movement on the southern border, and what are you doing to prepare for that possible challenge?

MR. KIRBY:  So, I really don’t have much more to give you today than what I gave you the other day.  They made — the Maduro regime made commitments back in the fall about what they were going to do to allow free and fair elections and allow for the active participation of opposition parties.  They have until the spring to move forward on those commitments, and we’re going to be watching that closely. 

I’m not going to preview any economic levers at this point.  We’re looking for the Maduro regime to step up and meet the commitments that it made in October.

Q    So, the President will host the Japanese Prime Minister Kishida for the (inaudible) on April the 10th.  It’s still January, but what should we expect from the meeting?  And speaking with Japan, Japanese company Nippon Steel offered to buy U.S. Steel last December.  I know the President always welcome the investment from the foreign countries.  So, what is the President’s opinion on this offer?

MR. KIRBY:  So, the President is looking forward very much to having Prime Minister Kishida here.  Japan, as you know, a terrific ally and great friend not just in the region, but the effect that they have around the world.  So, there’s going to be a lot on the agenda. 

It is January, and the — the state visit is in April.  I have no doubt that you’ll hear more from us in greater detail as we get closer to it.

But, look, tensions in the Indo-Pacific; opportunities to improve our alliance, the capabilities; opportunities to improve trilateral cooperation with South Korea, Japan, and the United States together — there’s going to be a lot to talk about. 

I don’t have anything new to say about this U.S. Steel potential purchase.  That would be inappropriate for me at this time.  But I would just tell you that the President is the most pro-union president we’ve had.  He absolutely wants to make sure that there’s a level, fair playing field for steelworkers in this country.  That will always be foremost in his mind.  That’s about as far as I think I can go.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Aurelia.

Q    Thank you so much.  I will have a question on Ukraine.  So, the E.U. said today that they would only be able to supply half of the million artillery rounds that they had pledged for Ukraine.  And this comes at a time when U.S. assistance has stopped.  So, how bad is all this for the Ukrainian forces?  And do you see an impact on the battlefield already?

MR. KIRBY:  It sure as heck ain’t good.  And this is why we need the supplemental funding.  It’s critical.  And artillery rounds are one of the most expended munitions on the battlefield — continue to be.  It’s absolutely critical that we get this funding for Ukraine so that we can get back to leading the world in supporting Ukraine and their ability to defend themselves.

So, I can’t speak for the European Union or other European nations.  I — but I — I have said in the past that — that other nations will be looking to us for our leadership.  They will be looking to us for decisions and certainty about what support for Ukraine is going to look like going forward.  It’s absolutely vital we get that funding.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  A couple more.  Go ahead, Andrew.

Q    Thank you.  Admiral, right now, obviously the U.S. is contemplating retaliatory strikes that could be in Iraq or in and around Iran or other countries.  U.S. and British planes have hit targets in Yemen.  U.S. forces have come under attack in multiple countries in recent weeks.  All these are part of the same larger conflict.  At what point would the administration consider this to be at least a small regional war?

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, I absolutely don’t agree with your description of a “same larger conflict.”  There’s a conflict going on between Israel and Hamas. 

Q    I didn’t even mention that one.

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, I’m mentioning it.  And we’re going to make sure that we continue to get Israel the support that they need to defend themselves against a still viable threat. 

We were being — there were attacks against our — our troops and facilities in Iraq and Syr- — Syria well before the 7th of October — certainly in the last administration as well. 

And as for the Houthis, they can claim all they want that this is linked to Gaza, but two thirds of the ships that they’re hitting have no connection to Israel whatsoever.  So, it’s just not true.  It’s a falsehood. 

And we’re going to continue to do what we have to do to protect that shipping.  And as we did just today, if we see an opportunity to prevent a missile from getting launched, we’ll take it out.  We’ll do what we have to do. 

Q    And on the subject of Gaza.  Officials with the World Health Organization, the U.N. World Food Program, and UNICEF are all warning that the humanitarian situation there is quickly approaching the point of being a famine and that the decision by the U.S. and other countries to pull UNRWA funding will make the problem even worse because of UNRWA’s unique capabilities in Gaza.  Does the White House share these concerns?  And what’s the administration prepared to do to fill any gap in aid to Gaza caused by the decision to defund UNRWA?

MR. KIRBY:  We absolutely share the concerns about the humanitarian crisis that’s in Gaza right now.  Certainly, we know that severe hunger is one of those issues, which is why we’re working so hard to get more security assistance in to the people of Gaza, which is why it’s so important that these discussions that we’ve been having about an extended pause actually come to fruition.  Because it’s not just — it is primarily about getting those hostages out, of course, but it also will give you a longer opportunity to increase that — that aid.  So, absolutely, we’re concerned about that.  No question about it. 

Now, look, we suspended funding temporarily to UNRWA as they do this investigation.  We believe it was the right thing to do to stop that funding while they investigate.  And we’ll see how that investigation goes.  We’ll see what they learn.  And we’ll see what accountability measures they put in place. 

I would remind that — that it is a suspension.  It is not a termination.  We’ll take a look at what our options are depending on how the investigation goes.  And the money that was suspended — there wasn’t a lot left in the allocation.  And the money that was suspended was really designed more for their efforts in Jordan, not in Gaza.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.

Q    Thank you.  If the border bill plus Ukraine aid fails, is there an alternative legislative vehicle to get aid to Ukraine?  And do you believe that House Republicans, in killing the bill, are helping Vladimir Putin?

MR. KIRBY:  On your first question, no.  The supp- — th- —

Q    No other alternative?  No other —

MR. KIRBY:  The — the national security supplemental is what we need.  It was thoughtfully calibrated, thoughtfully arrived at through discussions with our Ukrainian counterparts.  We need that funding.

Right now, as you and I are speaking, we aren’t sending additional security assistance to Ukraine.  There’s nothing left.  We’ve got to have that funding. 

And on your first question — do I think House Republicans are supporting Vladimir Putin? — I — I’m not —

Q    In effect.

MR. KIRBY:  I — yeah, look, I’m not going to get up here and impugn members of Congress. 

We believe that there is strong bipartisan support and bicameral bipartisan support for Ukraine.  And the leaders of the — on the House side of those oversight committees for national security, intelligence, foreign affairs — they all support supporting Ukraine. 

But it is a matter of getting there, and there are active negotiations going on.  Now, I’m going to — I’m not going to get into Karine’s lane here, because this is really what she’s been talking about, but there are active negotiations going on, and we’re doing that in good faith.

Q    But if — if that supplemental is the only vehicle for aid to Ukraine, if that fails, there’s no aid to Ukraine.

MR. KIRBY:  Well, look, that —

Q    Is that what you’re saying?

MR. KIRBY:  What we need is a national security supplemental funding.  That is the discussion that’s going on right now.  Your — I can’t put myself 2 or 10 steps ahead of where we are right now and what that would look like.  We want to get the funding for Ukraine.  The President submitted the supplemental in October.  We believe it’s the right amount and we believe that that’s the right vehicle to get it — get it to them.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  We’ve got to wrap it up.  Way in the back.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  John, you’ve been saying since October 7th you don’t want to escalate.  And when you’ve been asked last time what do the Iranians want, you referred us to the Iranians.  But what’s the strategy behind repeating the message, “We don’t want to escalate”?  Did the Iranians convey a message — a private message to you that they don’t want to — to escalate also? 

MR. KIRBY:  I — I don’t have any private communications with Iran to speak to.  I’m not really — I probably don’t understand the question as well as I should.  Nothing has changed.  We don’t want to see the conflict widen or escalate.  And almost everything the President has done since the 7th of October has been designed to prevent that escalation. 

Now, of course, I’m mindful of the attacks by the Houthis.  We’re mindful of the lethal attacks in Jordan, which is why he is taking the actions that he’s taking and it’s why he’s about to take the actions we’re going to take.

Q    One more question on the (inaudible) statement yesterday.  Was it — the Kata’ib Hezbollah statement yesterday in Iraq.

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, yeah.

Q    Was it a result of a diplomatic engagement with the Iraqi government pressure?  Were you in contact with the Iraqis on this statement?  Or did you pressure them, something like that?

MR. KIRBY:  No.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Last question.  Go ahead.

Q    I want to go back to Dover for a moment.  If — in the past, when there has been the transfer of remains, it has been done late at night and there’s been some photographs but no actual press coverage of that event.  Is this going to be a different situation, given the fact that the President is about to — or has already decided what his response is going to be to the drone strike that took out those three Americans?

MR. KIRBY:  I’m not sure I follow.  What — why would the — why would the dignified transfer be different —

Q    Will the President be —

MR. KIRBY:  — because the President decided to make a response?

Q    Will the President be making any statement at that event?

MR. KIRBY:  Oh, oh, oh.  No.  Just to level set here, the — the way these dignified transfers happen, they — you talked about some coming in in the middle of the night.  They come in — it — it’s not — the arrival time is set by the military.  It has nothing to do with who’s going to be there to meet them.  That’s number one.  So, they come in at whatever hour the U.S. military system has that plane arriving.  It’s completely independent of any other factor.  That’s point one.

Point two, on the press coverage, that is determined by the families — not by the administration, not by the U.S. military, not by the folks at Dover — the families get to determine whether they want media to be there.  And in some cases, when you have — when you — we’ve had multiple families involved, some families want it, some families don’t. 

And so, the media are allowed to witness a transfer or two and then they are taken away for the ones that the families don’t want.  It is up to the families, not to — not to — to us.  We have nothing to do with that. 

And, no, the President won’t be speaking at Dover.  That’s — that’s not the appropriate venue for anybody to speak.  It is a very, very solemn, dignified ce- — ce- — well, I think you could call it a cemetery — the- — ceremony.  We call it a — a transfer. 

But — but there is a ritual to it.  And it’s very somber, and it’s very solemn.  And — and that’s not the place for speeches. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Thank you so much, Admiral. 

MR. KIRBY:  Thank you. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Appreciate that.  Thank you.

Q    Thanks, John. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right, Aamer. 

Q    Thanks.  On — on East Palestine.  Why — why did the administration decide that things have, I guess, coalesced and it’s now time for President Biden to go? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, the mayor and community leaders invited the President to meet with East Palestine residents and also assess the recovery progress that’s been going on for some time now, as you all know.  And so, the President had always said that he would go when it is most helpful to the community. 

And with this invi- — invitation — obviously, very recent — and the current status of the recovery, we felt that the time was right.  Again, we got an invitation from the mayor and community leaders to — to come a- — very, very recently, and so we are working with them to figure out the best time to do that in February. 

Q    And there is- — there isn’t a date yet that you’ve —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  There’s no date yet, but obviously, we’re working with community leaders, we’re working with the mayor, elected officials to find the exact time and day to — to go in February.

Q    And can you just square — you know, the mayor has made some comments — reported comments that seem less than inviting to President Biden to come while praising former President Trump as actually having more impact on helping the situation and getting the ball moving as things have happened.  Does the mayor, one, want President Biden to come?  And, two, why is — from what you’re saying —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — he’s inviting him. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, he is.

Q    But at the other end, he’s —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, I’m assuming he wants him to come if he’s inviting him. 

Q    Yeah.  But wh- — what’s — why is he also at the same time — have you got — have you guys gotten a sense, and does it matter —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No —

Q    — to President Biden, that he’s — at one end, he’s, sort of, I don’t know, dunking on him while also calling him to come and visit, from what you’re saying?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, the — the invite came from — from the mayor —

Q    Right.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  — and — and other folks on the ground.  So, I think that’s important.  Right?  The mayor obviously wants the President of the United States to be there. 

The President has always said he is a president for folks who live in red states, folks who live in blue state — doesn’t matter if you’re in rural America, urban, suburban — he is a president for all.  And so, let’s just never forget that. 

And I will — also want to take a step back.  Look, the mayor is allowed to say whatever he wants to say.  But he also invited the President — this — this President, this current President to — to come.

Look, this is — if you think about what happened in East Pales- — East Palestine, on day one — on day one, within hours of the derailment, we were on the ground, at the President’s direction — within hours. 

And — and he sent personnel there — this is the President — sent personnel — personnel there.  EO- — EPA, DOT, FEMA, HHS have all been on the ground to support the community until this day.  They’re still on the ground today. 

And so, look, the President has been very clear.  Anytime there is a situation that happens in a community that is devastated by what — whether it’s a — whether it’s a derailment or a natural disaster, obviously, the President says this all the time: He is there for that community for as long as it takes.  And he’s proven that.

So, he’s looking forward to going to East Palestine in February.  We’re going to find the day that works best for the folks on the ground.  He always said that when the time was right, when it was the most helpful for him to be there, he was going to be there.  

Q    Just very quickly.  Tomorrow, is there any official business in Michigan for the President or is this solely a political trip?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  It’s a political trip tomorrow.

Go ahead, Steve.

Q    Your topper about the border deal — are you now pessimistic that a border deal will get done?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No, we’re not pessimistic at all.  I mean, look, the conversations in the Senate with Republicans and Democrats that’s been going on for about two months now, we believe have been going in the right direction.  They’ve been productive.  I’ve — I’ve said this before.  The President says this.  He’s optimistic, and we appreciate that they have been doing this in good faith. 

But we’re also going to call out House Republicans.  And we’re going to call out Speaker Johnson.  And I think it’s important for us to do that because it’s like upside-down world over there.  You know, they’ve been flip-flopping over there. 

This is going to be a deal, if it is — actually goes into law, that is, yes, going to be tough.  But it’s also going to be fair.  It is a bipartisan agreement.  That’s how we move policy forward.  That’s how we move legislation forward on behalf of the American people. 

So, we’re always going to be — we’re always going to be very clear-cut and straightforward on how we the- — see things.  And so, that’s why we — we’re going to call out what we’re seeing with House Republicans. 

It is not in line — it is not in line with what they have been saying for years about what they wanted to see. 

Q    The President has faced a lot of criticism in Michigan from the Arab American community.  What does he say that — what’s his message to them — those who feel disenchanted by the Gaza operation?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, a couple of things.  Obviously, as — as I — as Aamer was asking me, tomorrow he’s going to be going to Michigan.  It’s going to be a political-organized trip that is going to be done by the — the campaign.  So, any itinerary or pieces like that or related to that particular trip, the campaign could — could answer to that more broadly, obviously. 

But what I wo- — want to say is that, you know, the President has met with Americans with varying — varying opinions about the conflict that we’re seeing, sadly, in — in Israel and Hamas.  Officials at the White House have had numerous conversations and in regular contact with Muslim and Arab members — (aide coughs) — Americans — Americans leaders in — in Michigan — (aide coughs) — and across the country — hopefully Sam is okay.  Get some water.  Concerned for him.  (Laughter.)  

And, look, the President is going to continue — continues to believe that Israel has a right to defend themself.  They have a right to defend itself, as long as they continue — they — it is done in accordance of humanitarian — international humanitarian law.  So, we will continue to have those conversations with them.

At the same time — at the same time, he is heartbroken –heartbroken by the suffering of innocent Palestinians.  That is, you know — you know, who have — who have who have been caught in the middle of this conflict, sadly, and — between, obviously, Israel and Hamas. 

And he — you know, he continues to press for humanitarian aid.  You’ve heard the Admiral speak to that when he was getting a couple of questions on that.  And when we’ve had the humanitarian pauses in the past, we’ve been able to get about a hundred — a hundred hostages home to go back to their family and friends, right?  There are families and — families and loved ones who are heartbroken right now waiting for — for their loved ones to come home.  That is very important.  And also to make sure we get that much-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza.

And so, this is what this administration has been doing around the clock, trying to get to another humanitarian pause so that we can get that much-needed assistance into Gaza and get those hostages home to their loved ones.

Go ahead, M.J.

Q    Karine, is the White House open to a separate bill that funds Israel and Ukraine and tabling the current supplemental package, as some Senate Republicans are discussing?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, what we want — and to answer that question very straightforward is that we want the national security supplemental to be passed.  That’s what we want. 

As you know, we introduced that in October.  I’ve said this very, very often: When a president asks for a supplemental bill, it is because it is a emergency request.  This is an emergency request that we believe is important for our national security, hence the name of the supplemental, for — for — not just for — for around the world but for us here — for Americans here in this country.

And so, we are going to be very focused on getting that done.  We appreciate the conversations, the — that’s happening on the border secur- — on border security in the Senate, both Republicans and Democrats.  But we want to see the national — national security supplemental bill move forward as it stands, as it is al- — altogether.

Q    I understand that’s your preference, obviously.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    But is the White House open to a separate bill that just deals with Ukraine and Israel?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  That’s — that’s not the discussion we’re having.  That’s not what we’re looking for.  That’s not what we’re moving towards for.  That is not the discussions that we’re having.  That is not what we want to see.

We want to see the entire national — we want to see that national security supplemental move forward.  That is what we’re working towards. 

Q    Just to clarify, when you just said, “That’s not the discussion that we’re having,” do you mean that the White House has not been engaged with Senate leaders — Senate Republicans, in particular — about that idea, which is being discussed right now?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, what we have focused on — I mean, the answer is we’re focused on getting the national security supplemental moved forward as is, in the way that the President requested it.  That’s what we want to do.  That’s how we’re moving forward.  And that is, we believe, what has been asked in that bill.  Those different components, those different pieces are incredibly important.  It is what’s needed for our national security.  And we need to move forward with it as is.

Q    But has anyone at the White House had discussions —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — look, I — 

Q    — with members about that idea?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  There — look, I don’t have any discussions to share with you about — about that.  I can tell you what we’re moving towards.  We’re moving towards on making sure that we get that national security supplemental moved forward as it is, as the President requested from Congress. 

That’s one of the reasons we’re having these really important bipartisan conversation in the Senate to see what we can do at the border security, but we want that national security supplemental to move forward.  That’s what we want.  We want that request to move forward.

Go ahead.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Boeing’s CEO said today that the company caused the problems with the 737 Max and needed to return focus to safety.  Obviously, in addition to the administration’s role on ensuring air safety, the government is one of Boeing’s biggest customers.  So, are you guys confident that the leadership at Boeing can execute that pivot back to safety?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, I — what we want to make sure and what FAA wants to make sure and it is their top priority that we make the safety — obviously, the safety of Americans as they fly across the country, obviously, and beyond is safe.  And that is what we want to be very, very clear about. 

I can’t speak to — obviously, there’s an investigation going on.  They’re looking into it.  I’m going to let that investigation go — go forth.  I don’t want to get ahead of that.

But obviously, we’re concerned.  You know, obviously, we’re concerned.  We want to put Americans’ safety — we put Americans’ safety first.  That’s what FAA does.  But I’m not going to get into the leadership of Boeing.  I’m not going to get into specifics of that. 

FAA has acted.  They’ve taken action.  And we’re going to let that process move forward.

Q    And in addition to the Max, the Osprey, which is made by Boeing, is under review.  I was just wondering if you have any update on the review there.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, don’t have any — we don’t have any updates for you at this time, Justin.  What I can say is that the Department of Defense is better to answer those specifics as it relates to the Osprey.

Q    And one last one.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    A judge in Delaware yesterday ruled that Elon Musk’s pay package at Tesla was excessive.  Elon then tweeted that companies shouldn’t incorporate in the President’s home state.  So, I’m wondering if you have any reaction to the ruling.  But barring that, thoughts on Delaware’s corporate governance, legal system, anything you might want to share?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I’m going to be really careful.  I’m not going to get into a private company’s legal cases.  Look, this ruling — and I’ll just add a finer point: This ruling has — doesn’t involve this administration at all.  It just doesn’t.  So, I really don’t have anything more to share from here.

Go ahead, Nancy.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  There’s some big protests planned tonight in Dearborn, Michigan, on the eve of the President’s visit to Michigan tomorrow — Arab Americans protesting the administration’s handling of the war between Israel and Hamas.  Does the President have any plans to meet with any Arab American community leaders when he’s in Michigan tomorrow? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, as I stated, this is a political event.  They can — the campaign certainly can speak to — can speak to — you know, can speak to the different parts of the trip directly. 

I’ll say this, and I kind of said this at the — at the top when I was asked this question.  The — you know, the President has had meetings with Muslim and Arab leaders.  Obviously, we don’t — we don’t read out every meeting.  So, those — so has — White House officials here have been in regular contact with Muslim and Arab leaders, folks in those community.

Don’t have anything else to share beyond — beyond that.  And I — you know, I’ve laid out that we understand — like, we get this is a very difficult time for people.  We get that.  We get that it’s a very difficult time for folks. 

And, you know, we — we always believe it’s important, the President believes it’s important for — for Americans to feel like their voices can be heard and to — and to do that in a peaceful way.  And so, that is where we’re always going to be on that. 

I laid out just moments ago, like, how — how — how heartbreaking it has been to see Palestinians — innocent Palestinians, you know, have been caught up — caught up in the middle of — of what we’re seeing between the — obviously, Israel and Hamas. 

And — and so, we’re going to continue to push for these humanitarian pauses to make sure hostages come home to their loved ones and families and get that all — very important, needed humanitarian aid into — into Gaza.

Go ahead.

Q    Does the President believe he may alienate Arab Americans with his policy?  And is he willing to sustain that kind of difficulty because he believes in his view about Israel’s right to defend itself?  Is that a cost of this war that he’s willing to sustain?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, you know, when the President thinks about things, it’s not about the politics, right?  It — it truly isn’t.  It is — and we always do this — right? — we do a step back about what happened on October 7th. 

Israel was attacked by a terrorist organization, Hamas, and those leaders in that organizations have said they want to see October 7th happen over and over and over again.  And the President is going to continue to believe that Israel has a right to defend themselves.  Of course — of course, they need to do it following the international humanitarian law.  We’ve been very clear about that. 

And, of course, we are heartbroken by what we’re seeing with innocent Palestinians being caught up in the middle of that.

And, of course, we understand how folks are feeling in the community.  And it’s important for them to have their voices be heard.  And we respect that.  We respect that. 

But we cannot forget what happened on that day and what has led us to where we are today.

Q    On a separate topic.  There have been notable exchanges on Capitol Hill today with some of the tech company executives being questioned about their content and about protections for users and so forth.  Do you know if the President has had a chance to see any of that?  Does the White House have a view about how forthcoming these CEOs have been and if there’s more they need to do?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, just a couple of things on that.  Obviously, we have been monitoring the hearing.  The country is experiencing an unprecedented youth mental health crisis.  That’s a fact.  That’s what we see in the data.  And there is now undeniable evidence, as I just stated, that social media and other online platforms have contributed to that. 

It is exactly why this President, the Biden-Harris administration has made tackling the mental health crisis part of their Unity Agenda, which you’ve heard the President speak to in the last State of the Union and you’ve heard him speak — speak about this throughout the past three years.  It’s a key priority.  And that is a key priority for the nation, obviously.

It’s an issue that cuts across political — politics and affects red states and blue states.  You heard from the different — different congressional members — from Republicans and — and Democrats — speak to this today very passionately, asking difficult questions.  And it’s why this administration has invested historic resources and launched new tools — new tools to ensure the safety of Americans here. 

So, we know there’s a lot more work to be done.  The work is far from over.  This administration is going to remain to be committed to providing Americans with the support and the resources needed as we’re dealing — as we’re dealing with this crisis right now.

Go ahead.

Q    Following up on that.  Senator Lindsey Graham said specifically to these CEOs, “You have blood on your hands.  You have a product that’s killing people.”  Is that the view of this administration?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, I’m not going to — I’m going to let the Senator obviously speak to — for himself. 

What I can state is that the data, the evidence — there is evidence that showed that — that, you know, this — these — these platform has been devastating to our young people’s mental health.  And it’s — it has been part of a mental health crisis that we see here, and that’s why this President has taken action. 

And look, we have to do everything that we can — this President believes we need to do everything that we can to have the resources to make sure that we — we as- — we help Americans as we’re dealing with — through this mental health crisis. 

We believe that particular issue is a — is a unity issue.  It brings people together.  Both Democrats and Republicans, they support this.  And it has been a key platform of this President.

I’m not going to dive into every — everything that congressional members said — a senator, specifically, said today.  But obviously, we are — this country is experiencing a crisis amongst our young people.  And we have to do something, and the work is far from over.

Q    At least one of the CEOs endorsed the Kids Online Safety Act.  Anything about that bill in particular that the White House might like?  Have you had conversations with Senator Schumer about trying to get it for a floor vote?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I — I can’t speak to that.  I haven’t spoken to our legis- — legislative team on that particular piece, that act.  But obviously, we think Congress has — has a — has a place here to act, to move forward legislation, to strengthen protections for a child’s — children’s privacy.  We think that they can do that to protect the health of kids, to protect safety online for children.  They can act, and they can certainly do things to move forward the — move forward on that. 

Q    And if I could ask just one on the immigration negotiations.  We’ve learned from some of our Senate sources — and it’s been talked about a lot in a lot of other outlets — about part of the deal, including — the deal that is still being worked on, including these numbers, you know, that — that the border could be shut down specifically if migrant crossings increase above 5,000 per day.  Were those numbers acceptable to the White House?  Were they the numbers that the White House or the President was pushing for?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m not going to get into specifics or details.  I just don’t want to get involved from here — the podium — on what is being discussed, what is being negotiated.  I think it’s just — it’s just the right thing to do to give folks the space as they’re doing this in good faith in the Senate.  I think it’s important to do.

We’ve been very clear: We think the system is broken — the immigration system is broken.  We have to do everything that we can to deal with the challenges at the border. 

And it’s good that we’re — there are — there’s bipartisan support in moving forward in that way from the Senate. 

And so, that is what we’ve been very clear about.  I’m just not going to get into numbers or specifics or dive into policy discussions from here. 

Q    I get that.  But from a messaging perspective, House Republicans are diving into these numbers.  They’re responding to them —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.  Yeah. 

Q    — and they are calling them out and saying this is a reason they can’t support this kind of bill.  So, are you guys doing yourself a disservice —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No.

Q    — by not talking about some of these specifics?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m going to be very clear here: House Republicans are actually getting in the way.  They’re not part of the discussion.  They’re not.  They’re not part of trying to figure out how to come to — to a bipartisan agreement.  We would like them to be, but they’re deciding not to. 

And it’s on them.  The question to them is: Why aren’t you all interested or wanting to work with your colleagues over at the Senate?  We have said, if this law passes, it will be, yes, the toughest and the most fairest set of reforms to secure the border and deal with real, real solutions to — to reform the immigration system.  That is what we believe. 

And let’s not forget what the President put in his supplemental.  Right?  He wants the border agents, drug detection equipment, immigration judges, and asylum officers.  He wants resources. 

And so, that’s what the President is looking forward to doing — looking forward to do in the supplemental.  He laid it out very clearly.  But House Republicans are — you know, they’re flip-flopping on this.  They’re truly flip-flopping on this issue. 

Go ahead, Jared.

Q    Is there a timeline or deadline for these talks or are you happy to just have them be open-ended as long as it takes?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, we think — again, we think it’s moving in the right direction.  We think it’s happening in good faith.  We appreciate the conversations that are happening on the Hill with the bipartisan legislators in the Senate more specifically.  And we want this to move as quickly as possible, obviously.  Yeah. 

Do we want it to happen today?  Did we want it to happen two weeks ago?  Obviously, yes.  But we want to give them the space to do this. 

This is an issue that we have been dealing with for decades, even in the last administration, obviously — for decades — for decades.  And so, now we’re at a moment where we can come to a bipartisan agreement, where this is happening in the Senate.  And so, we think that’s a good thing.  We think that’s a good thing. 

As you heard me call out House Republicans — because it’s important to do.  They’re being disingenuous right now with where they are, where they’ve been on this issue.  And we’re going to call them out.

Q    I ask because a lot of times these bipartisan talks that deal with, like, fiscal issues or whatever have a date certain — whether that’s a government shutdown deadline or something else — right? — a trigger.  That’s not the — so, there’s not, like, a date circled on your calendar?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I don’t have a timeline for you, Jared.  I don’t.  We want to get this done, obviously, as soon as possible.  Let’s not forget I — I talked about three year- — more than three years ago, more than a thousand days ago, we put forward — the President, his very first piece of comprehensive legislation was to deal with immigration.  That’s what he wanted to do on the first day.  So, it’s been three years.  So, obviously, we want to get this done. 

Go ahead, Phil. 

Q    Two questions on East Palestine.  First, has the White House coordinated or discussed with DOJ any type of damage settlement or compensation for folks there who were affected by the derailment?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I don’t have any specifics.  I would have to refer you to Department of Justice on that piece.  Obviously, we want to make sure that Norfolk Suffolk [Southern] is held to account.  We’re going to make sure that happens.  We are determined to — to get that done. 

I think you’ve heard that from the Department of — of Transportation, as well, from Secretary Buttigieg.  You’ve heard that from us many times.  We want to make sure that they pay — they pay for the derailment that they caused.  And so, it’s — obviously, that is — that is a priority. 

Q    And then, next month, when the President is in East Palestine, will he drink the water there?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, look, what I can tell you is the President’s focus has been to do everything that he can to support this community from day one.  We get what’s going on on the ground.  We understand what’s going — that’s why we’ve had the EPA, that’s why we had DOT, that’s why we had HHS, that’s why we’ve had FEMA on the ground. 

You know, this is not about some sort of, like, political stunt here.  This is not about — this is not what this is about.  This is about this President being a president for everyone and showing up — showing up for this community.  That’s what this is about. 

I’m not going to get into some sort of political stunts —

Q    But — right.  (Inaudible) —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  — about drinking — about drinking water.

Q    (Inaudible.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  What we’re going to focus about is making sure they have what they need.  And the President was invited by the mayor, by community leaders.  He’s going to show up.  He always said he would be there when it was the most helpful.

Q    The reason I ask is despite some of the — the federal assurances, there — there are folks on the ground who are not political —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — and are just very concerned, and they — they doubt some of the assurances they got from federal regulators.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  And we — and we understand that.  We get that.  We get that.  Something horrible happened to that community — a derailment happened in that community that caused a lot of — you know, some damage — real damage to folks who live there.  We get that. 

That’s why we’ve had, again, EPA, FEMA, HHS, DOT on the ground within hours by this President’s direction.  So, we’re taking this incredibly seriously, Phil, and the President is going to go down there in February when the time permits — right? — the best time to do this.  We’re working with folks on the ground — to visit the community and be there. 

And it’s not going to be about politics.  It’s not about being in a red state or a blue state.  You hear this — us say this over and over.  You hear it from the President over and over again, because he wants to be — make sure that he’s there for this community. 

I have to go.  I actually have to go into the Oval Office.  Thank you, everybody. 

2:28 P.M. EST

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Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s Meeting with Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps of the United Kingdom

Wed, 01/31/2024 - 16:47

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps of the United Kingdom today to discuss U.S.-UK cooperation on a variety of issues, including preventing regional escalation in the Middle East and ongoing efforts to defend against Iranian-backed Houthi attacks against merchant and naval vessels transiting the Red Sea. They reviewed their support for Israel as it defends itself against Hamas, and efforts to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including through increasing deliveries of life-saving humanitarian aid. They reaffirmed their support for Ukraine as it faces continued Russian aggression. They also noted progress under AUKUS, including recent initiatives on advanced capability development.

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FACT SHEET: One Year After Train Derailment, Biden-Harris Administration Continues to Support People in East Palestine, Ohio and Nearby Communities and Hold Norfolk Southern Accountable

Wed, 01/31/2024 - 15:59

President Biden to visit East Palestine, Ohio in February

 One year ago, on February 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, jeopardizing the community’s safety and sense of normalcy. Since the derailment, the Biden-Harris Administration has mobilized a comprehensive, whole-of-government response to support the people of East Palestine, Ohio, affected communities in Pennsylvania, and other impacted communities. In February, President Biden will travel to East Palestine, Ohio, to meet with residents impacted by the Norfolk Southern train derailment, discuss Federal support to the community, and hold Norfolk Southern accountable.
 
Under President Biden’s leadership, within hours of the derailment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) deployed a team of trained emergency response personnel to East Palestine to aid state and local emergency and environmental response efforts. The Department of Transportation (DOT) also arrived on scene within hours to support the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in their independent investigation of the derailment. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) worked alongside state and local health departments to conduct public health testing and offer technical assistance. Throughout the response and recovery process, the Administration has continued to closely coordinate with the Ohio Governor, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Health and local partners, including the Village of East Palestine and Columbiana County.
 
As President Biden has said from the beginning, the Administration will continue to support the people of East Palestine and other affected communities for as long as it takes, including by using every available tool to hold Norfolk Southern accountable. President Biden pledged he would make Norfolk Southern clean up its mess in East Palestine, and his Administration is delivering. Last February, EPA ordered Norfolk Southern to clean up all environmental damage caused by the derailment, including cleaning or disposing of contaminated soil and water, as well as reimbursing the Federal government’s response costs. In September, President Biden issued an Executive Order directing that Norfolk Southern continue to be held accountable for the derailment and address any long-term effects on the community, and to ensure Federal assistance is available to affected communities should needs develop that are not met by Norfolk Southern.
 
At the same time, the Administration has taken action to improve rail safety and continues to call on Congress to do its part by passing the Bipartisan Railway Safety Act.
 
The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to the people of East Palestine, impacted communities in Pennsylvania, and other affected communities, and to holding Norfolk Southern accountable, with each Federal agency playing a critical role in the long-term recovery effort:
 
Environmental Protection Agency

  • Holding Norfolk Southern Accountable. On February 21, 2023, EPA issued a Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) unilateral administrative order holding Norfolk Southern accountable to clean up the mess it created. Since then, EPA has directed and overseen the extensive cleanup activities conducted by Norfolk Southern.

    On October 18, 2023, EPA issued an Administrative Order under the Clean Water Act to Norfolk Southern requiring the company to remove sediments in culverted areas of Sulphur Run stream, and to further delineate, characterize, and, as necessary, remove oil and hazardous substances from the sediments in Leslie and Sulphur Run streams. Sediment and sheen sampling efforts required by the Order are complete, and cleanup is complete in four of five culverts. Additional cleanup in Sulphur and Leslie Runs will begin in early 2024.
  • Ensuring the Cleanup is Done Right. The EPA coordinated the oversight of Norfolk Southern’s soil remediation of the derailment site. The remediation included testing of the soils within and immediately surrounding the impacted areas for hazardous materials, and ensuring the site is cleaned up to meet Federal and state regulations.

    On October 30, 2023, excavation of contaminated soil from the derailment site was completed, reaching one of the most significant goals of the cleanup. Ultimately, more than 176,000 tons (more than 350 million pounds) of contaminated soil were excavated and transported out of East Palestine for appropriate disposal. The final site-wide confirmation soil sampling effort – a final doublecheck to ensure that the cleanup has been fully successful, and that no contamination has spread due to cleanup activities – is underway and will continue through mid-2024.

    Additionally, CERCLA hazardous substances have not impacted water in surface streams since mid-May. Weekly drinking water samples from the municipal water system and over 1,200 private well samples have consistently shown no impacts from the derailment and municipal water continues to meet drinking water safety standards.
  • Monitoring Air Quality. Since the derailment, EPA has collected more than 115 million air monitoring data points and more than 45,000 samples (air, water and soil) in and around the community. No sustained air monitoring readings or analytical results for the contaminants of concern (vinyl chloride, n-butyl acrylate, and over 70 additional monitored chemicals) have been found above action levels established for the site since the evacuation order was lifted on February 8, 2023. Air monitoring in the community continues as appropriate at site activities to assure protection of the community. Ongoing science-based monitoring continues to show that residents of East Palestine are not at risk from impacted surface water, soil, or air from the derailment.
  • Supporting the Local Community. Engagement with the surrounding communities and with State and local leaders continues to be a priority for EPA. Representatives from Ohio EPA, the Village of East Palestine and Columbiana County are members of the Unified Command for the cleanup. In addition, Ohio EPA is actively involved with assisting with oversight of the cleanup, primarily with groundwater, potable water, streams, on-site wastewater treatment and final soil sampling efforts. EPA’s Welcome Center in downtown East Palestine remains open and available to answer questions from residents by appointment. Residents can still call the information line or send an email to talk to a representative during business hours. To ensure the affected communities are receiving the most up-to-date information as rapidly as possible, the EPA updates its website on cleanup progress several times each week; hosts recurring community stakeholder meetings to communicate and actively listen to community concerns; and keeps the community informed through the regular print newsletter, now published on a monthly basis, that reaches around 9,000 homes. EPA remains committed to the people of East Palestine and surrounding area, to the successful completion of the cleanup, and to the revitalization of the community.
  • Prioritizing Chemical Safety. On December 14, 2023, EPA announced it began the process of prioritizing vinyl chloride, one of the primary chemicals of concern involved in the derailment, for a risk evaluation under the nation’s premier chemical safety law, the Toxic Substances Control Act.

Department of Transportation

  • Investigating the Cause of the Derailment.  The NTSB, which is independent of the DOT, is leading the investigation into the cause of the derailment. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) within DOT were on site within hours of the derailment and continue to support the NTSB-led investigation.
  • Creating a Safer Rail System. In 2023, DOT deployed a historic level of funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to modernize and upgrade fail infrastructure. Grants through programs including the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program, the new Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) program, and Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) program to support both passenger and freight rail projects, including track improvements, bridge replacements and rehabilitations, highway-rail grade crossing eliminations, upgrades on routes carrying hazardous materials, and more.  In June 2023, through the first-ever RCE grants, DOT awarded $570 million to 32 states to eliminate or improve more than 400 at-grade crossings nationwide — making our roads and railways safer, while also helping countless Americans save time on their commutes.  In September 2023, DOT awarded more than $1.4 billion in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grants to 70 projects to make passenger and freight rail safer – the largest investment ever through the program.
  • Ensuring Compliance with Rail Safety Regulations.  The FRA initiated multiple inspection programs in 2023 that were focused on tank cars and routes transporting large amounts of hazardous materials. FRA completed a focused inspection and investigation of over 40,000 freight cars, 76,888 miles of track, and thousands of wayside detectors on 28 different railroads. Wayside detectors are devices that are fixed near tracks to scan passing trains for defects. FRA is taking action based on these findings, and the inspections completed are prompting railroads to take corrective actions to increase safety. FRA also conducted a safety assessment of Norfolk Southern’s safety practices, pressed for improvements, and is in the process of conducting comprehensive assessments of the safety culture, practices, and regulatory compliance of each Class I railroad.
  • Protecting First Responders. PHMSA invested more than $30 million to support firefighters, and local hazardous materials safety planning and response efforts. Thousands of responders nationwide have received training thanks to this program, including 2,500+ responders in 137 different locations in Ohio. PHMSA also proposed a new rule to require railroads to always maintain — and update in real-time — accurate, electronic information about rail hazmat shipments that would be accessible to authorized emergency response personnel. Railroads would also be required to proactively share that information to authorized local first response personnel as soon as the railroad is aware of an accident involving any hazardous materials.  
  • Supporting Rail Workers: Before the Biden-Harris Administration, most workers didn’t have paid sick leave and instead kept working, which is a safety issue. The Administration has pressed railroads to provide paid sick leave – and now over 88% of Class I freight rail workers do. Last week, FRA issued a Final Rule requiring railroads to provide emergency escape breathing apparatus to train crews and other employees when transporting certain hazardous materials. And last year, DOT called on the Class 1 freight railroads to join the Confidential Close Call System. Since that call, Norfolk Southern became the first to participate with about 1,000 of its employees, and DOT continues to press all others to join the program so all rail workers can report issues without fear of reprisal.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

  • Following the derailment, FEMA provided immediate technical and operational assistance to EPA, Federal partners and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, including providing incident management expertise and community outreach support to the multi-agency response and recovery effort. At its peak, FEMA had 70 full-time and reserve staff on the ground in East Palestine to support the effort.
  • Pursuant to President Biden’s Executive Order, FEMA designated a Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator, who arrived on the ground within days to oversee the long-term recovery efforts in East Palestine.  The Coordinator continues to work with local officials, State and Federal partners, and Norfolk Southern to address the community’s enduring concerns related to the derailment.  The Coordinator will provide a comprehensive Federal assessment regarding any needs not met by Norfolk Southern using inputs gathered from the community itself and Federal partners. The Coordinator meets regularly with representatives from the Village Council, County Emergency Management, and Federal partners with the intent of delivering on the Biden-Harris Administration’s promise to support the full recovery of the East Palestine community and its residents.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

The health and well-being of those impacted by the derailment is an ongoing priority for the Biden-Harris Administration. As required by President Biden’s Executive Order, HHS will provide technical assistance to the States of Ohio and Pennsylvania in the event that either State considers submitting a proposal for services through the Medicaid program for individuals affected by the derailment, such as an experimental, pilot, or demonstration project. In coordination with the affected States, HHS will continue to monitor the public health consequences of the derailment, including any long-term health issues in the affected communities.

  • Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR)
    • ASPR developed detailed recommendations on strategies to address the behavioral health impact of the derailment on the East Palestine community and provided these written recommendations to the Responsible Party at the request of FEMA. In December 2023, disaster behavioral health (DBH) and disaster recovery SME’s from ASPR’s Office of Response met with the FEMA’s Federal Coordinator and representatives of the Responsible Party to brief on the recommendations, which are evidence-informed based on the current state of science about the effects of technological disasters on population behavioral health and are actionable but require funding from the Responsible Party.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) / Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
    • CDC/ATSDR deployed a public health team to East Palestine on February 20, 2023, to provide additional technical assistance at the request of the Ohio and Pennsylvania Health Departments. The team provided support in the following areas: the Assessment of Chemical Exposure (ACE) investigation for residents and first responders; health communications coordination; partner coordination; and environmental data technical assistance. CDC/ATSDR Region 3 and 5 directors continue to participate in bi-weekly Public Health Unit calls with EPA, Ohio Department of Health, Pennsylvania Department of Health, and the Columbiana County Health Department and continue to provide relevant updates to State and local partners as well as answers to health questions from regulatory partners and the public. 
  • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

    • CMS, through the Center for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), has engaged with the States of Ohio and Pennsylvania to offer support and assistance following the train derailment through the Medicaid program. Following that engagement, Ohio submitted, and CMS approved, a State Plan Amendment (SPA) to implement a policy to help preserve Medicaid eligibility for individuals impacted by the train derailment. Specifically, the SPA ensured that, effective April 1, 2023, any compensation paid by Norfolk Southern to individuals affected by the accident would be disregarded from their income for purposes of determining eligibility for Medicaid. CMS remains in regular contact with both states regarding the operation of their Medicaid programs.
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

    • Beginning March 13, 2023, the FDA initiated an Incident Management Group (IMG) to respond to the train derailment, which included representatives from the agency’s human and animal foods programs. The IMG cooperated closely with the EPA, U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Unified Command Group leading the response, state and local entities, academia and regulated industry in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The IMG analyzed relevant data and information on chemical food safety hazards, including the release of vinyl chloride, reviewed results of soil samples, and confirmed the disposition or destruction of food products involved in the incident. FDA reviewed the results of soil samples collected and analyzed by EPA, Norfolk Southern, and the State of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for semi-volatile organic compounds.
  • Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

    • In the aftermath of the, train derailment, HRSA took action to support two neighboring community health centers, Community Action Agency of Columbiana (CAAC), in Lisbon, Ohio, and Primary Health Network (PHN), in Sharon, Pennsylvania, as they stepped in to deliver primary care services to address unmet need and supplement the efforts of local providers. On March 3, 2023, HRSA provided CAAC with $250,000 in emergency funding to provide screening and supportive services via their mobile unit in partnership with a local community partner, First Church of Christ. The one-time funding allowed CAAC to conduct outreach, purchase medical supplies, and staff the mobile unit with key health care personnel, including nurse practitioners, medical assistants, and administrative support staff who provided toxic chemical screenings, mental health assessments and referrals, case management, and housing referrals.
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH) / National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
    • In November 2023, NIEHS, with support from CDC/ATSDR, commissioned the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to hold a two-day public workshop on community questions and concerns about chemical exposures and health impacts in East Palestine. NIEHS also published a rapid scoping review of chemicals of interest to the derailment to assess available health effects information. 
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
    • Following the train derailment, SAMHSA met and coordinated with officials in both Ohio and Pennsylvania regarding support for impacted residents in both states.
    • In particular, with technical assistance from SAMHSA, both states applied for and were awarded a SAMHSA Emergency Response Grant which will support the immediate and ongoing behavioral health needs of the community related to the initial incident and subsequent traumatic experiences, help minimize the long-term impacts and foster resilience in the community, and expand and enhance the capacity of local crisis response systems to ensure adequate and effective intervention in situations of crisis.
    • The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, in partnership with the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, was awarded $1,088,911 to address major behavioral health issues identified by the community because of the February 3 train derailment.
    • The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services, Beaver County Behavioral Health, and representatives from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency were awarded $47,488 to address major behavioral health issues identified by the community because of the February 3 train derailment/chemical spill.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

  • USDA Rural Development obligated $500,000 in Rural Business Development Grant award funding to create a low-interest revolving loan fund for businesses in East Palestine, Ohio. USDA also added the Village of East Palestine as an eligible community on an existing Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) award.

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Readout of Vice President Harris’s Meeting with Prime Minister Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago

Wed, 01/31/2024 - 15:45

Vice President Kamala Harris today met with Prime Minister Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago at the White House.  They discussed continued progress under the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis (PACC 2030) and other key priorities, including regional security issues and the imperative of addressing firearms trafficking. They also discussed Venezuela and the Vice President stressed the need for Nicolas Maduro and his representatives to meet their commitments under the democratic electoral roadmap and support the aspirations of the Venezuelan people for a democratic future. 

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Statement from President Joe Biden on the Passing of Former U.S. Senator Jean Carnahan

Wed, 01/31/2024 - 15:35

Jean Carnahan was a devoted partner, public servant, and the first woman to represent Missouri in the U.S. Senate, and someone I’m proud to have called a dear friend. In the face of unspeakable loss, she found the courage to step up into work she’d never imagined, putting the people and values she believed in above her personal comfort in order to serve our nation.

I remember when she arrived in Washington, just weeks after losing her husband, Mel, and their son, Randy, in a plane crash. I didn’t know her then, but I knew her loss. When I met her, moments after she’d been sworn in to Mel’s seat in the Senate, I told her what other senators had told me when I’d first arrived, having just lost my own wife and daughter – “lose yourself in the work.” But Jean found herself in the work, and over the years, I saw her turn her pain into tremendous purpose.

Jean always knew the value of hard work. She met the love of her life, Mel, in high school, where they sat together in class. She worked her way through college, the first in her family to graduate, at a time when many women never considered attending. Married at 21, she became Mel’s indispensable political partner, in the field, in the governor’s mansion, and over the decades helping to run his nearly two dozen state and local campaigns. Whether working to pass school bonds in their hometown of Rolla, or fighting for daycare for working families as Missouri’s First Lady, she was sharp, kind, and committed to consensus. She revered history and took the honor of the job seriously, personally raising funds to restore the governor’s mansion as the people’s house.

In the U.S. Senate, Jean worked for gun safety and reproductive freedom. She stood up for workers, sponsoring legislation to support folks who’d lost their jobs in the wake of 9/11. And as one of only a handful of women to have then served on the Armed Services Committee, she was part of the first Congressional delegation to travel to Afghanistan that year, and helped to guide our country through its own immense grief at that time.

When Mel was killed, Jean embraced a new motto – “don’t let the fire go out.” She dedicated her life to stoking the flames. And thanks to her quiet courage and lifetime of service, they will keep burning bright.

I’m grateful for Jean’s support over the years, and for the support of her brilliant, strong children, Russ, Tom, and especially Robin, whom I’m so proud to have serving in my Administration as our Administrator of General Services.

Our love is with them today; with her grandchildren; and with the people of Missouri whom she so honorably served in so many ways for so long.

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A Proclamation on American Heart Month, 2024

Wed, 01/31/2024 - 14:42

This American Heart Month, we recommit to promoting heart-healthy lifestyles, expanding access to quality health care, and breaking new bounds in heart disease research and treatment.

     Each year, heart disease takes the lives of nearly 700,000 Americans.  It is the leading cause of death in our country.  Too many of us are familiar with the pain of losing a loved one to a heart attack, stroke, or coronary heart disease.  There is still hope, however:  With the adoption of a healthy lifestyle and access to good health care, these conditions can often be prevented and lives can be saved.

     That is why my Administration is committed to giving families the tools they need to stay healthy.  In 2022, we hosted the first White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in over 50 years and released a national strategy to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases by 2030.  Our strategy includes improving food access and affordability by providing free, healthy meals to millions of students, expanding incentives for fruits and vegetables in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and expanding Medicaid and Medicare coverage to provide nutrition and obesity counseling. 

     I have often said that health care should be a right, not a privilege.  Every American deserves access to the health care and treatment they need.  In 2022, I was proud to sign the Inflation Reduction Act, which, once in effect will cap the total out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors and others with Medicare at $2,000 per year, saving nearly 19 million families an average of $400 per year.  I have also improved access to dental services for people with Medicare who need certain cardiac procedures — these dental services have been shown to reduce unnecessary and preventable acute and chronic complications for the patient.  These measures ensure that people on Medicare who have heart disease will be better able to access the preventative services and treatments they need. 

     Additionally, we are working to advance new breakthroughs on a range of diseases.  Our Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health is working to accelerate major biomedical innovations in preventing, detecting, and treating life-threatening conditions like Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and cancer.  This is the kind of progress that can lead to new advancements for cardiovascular diseases.

     It is also important for every American to be aware of individual actions we can take to keep our hearts healthy:  Exercising regularly, eating well, managing weight, and avoiding smoking or vaping are proven to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.  Experts also recommend that everyone should learn the warning signs of a heart attack and stroke and that they should consult a doctor if they experience risk factors or symptoms.

     This Friday, February 2nd, I encourage every American to raise awareness about heart health by wearing red on National Wear Red Day.  During American Heart Month, may we remember the lives of all those who have been lost to heart conditions and all the people who live with these conditions each day.  My Administration will continue working to put a heart-healthy lifestyle within the reach of every American.

     To learn more about heart health, please talk to your health care provider or visit CDC.gov/heartdisease.

     In acknowledgement of the importance of the ongoing fight against cardiovascular disease, the Congress, by Joint Resolution approved December 30, 1963, as amended (36 U.S.C. 101), has requested that the President issue an annual proclamation designating February as “American Heart Month.”

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim February 2024 as American Heart Month, and I invite all Americans to participate in National Wear Red Day on February 2, 2024.  I also invite the Governors of the States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and the American people to join me in recognizing and reaffirming our commitment to fighting cardiovascular disease and extending the promise of a long and healthy life across this country.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth.
 

                            JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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A Proclamation on National Black History Month, 2024

Wed, 01/31/2024 - 14:39

     This National Black History Month, we celebrate the vast contributions of Black Americans to our country and recognize that Black history is American history and that Black culture, stories, and triumphs are at the core of who we are as a Nation.

     The soul of America is what makes us unique among all nations.  We are the only country in the world founded on an idea.  It is the idea that we are all created equal and deserve to be treated with equal dignity throughout our lives.  While we still grapple today with the moral stain and vestiges of slavery — our country’s original sin — we have never walked away from the fight to fully realize the promise of America for all Americans.  Throughout our history, Black Americans have never given up on the promise of America.  Unbowed by the forces of hate and undaunted as they fought for centuries against slavery, segregation, and injustice, Black Americans have held a mirror up to our Nation, allowing our country to confront hard truths about who we are and pushing us to live up to our founding ideals.  They have helped redeem the soul of our Nation, ensuring the promises in our founding documents were not just words on a page but a lived reality for all people.  In the process, the vibrancy of Black history and culture has enriched every aspect of American life.

     Since taking office, the Vice President and I have worked to continue this legacy of progress and lay down a foundation for a stronger, more equitable Nation.  On my first day as President, I signed a historic Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.  In February 2023, I signed an additional Executive Order to acknowledge the unbearable human costs of systemic racism and to direct the entire Federal Government to advance equity for those who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent discrimination, poverty, and inequality, including the Black community.  That includes building an economy that grows from the middle out and bottom up, not the top down.  So far, we have created over 14 million jobs and in 2023, the Black unemployment rate was lower than in any other year on record.

     We are addressing historic health inequities for Black Americans by making systemic changes to our health care systems that increase healthcare access while lowering costs.  Today, more Black Americans have health insurance than at any previous time in American history.  We are working to address the Black maternal health crisis — ensuring dignity, safety, and support for Black moms.  The Vice President has helped elevate this critical issue to a national priority by calling on States to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage from two months to one year. 

     My Administration is also working to close racial gaps in education and economic opportunity.  To that end, we have delivered over $7 billion in funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and are working to expand access to home-ownership — a major source of generational wealth for families — while aggressively combating racial discrimination in housing.  Our update to the Thrifty Food Plan is keeping 400,000 Black kids out of poverty every month and making sure millions more have enough food to eat.  By 2025, we are working to ensure that 15 percent of Federal contracting dollars goes to small disadvantaged businesses, including Black-owned small businesses.  We are also replacing poisonous lead pipes so every American can turn on a faucet at home or school and drink clean water. 

     To deliver equal justice under the law, we are appointing judges to the Federal bench who reflect all of America, including Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and more Black women to the Federal circuit courts than all previous administrations combined.  I also signed a historic Executive Order that implemented key elements of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act:  banning chokeholds and restricting no knock warrants by Federal law enforcement, creating a national database of officer misconduct, and promoting effective and accountable community policing that advances public trust and safety.  I also signed the first major gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years as well as a long-overdue law to make lynching a Federal hate crime in Emmett Till’s name.  My Administration continues to call on the Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act to secure the right to vote for every American.

     Today, I am reminded of something Amelia Boynton said when reflecting on her march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on what would be known as Bloody Sunday:  “You can never know where you’re going unless you know where you’ve been.”  America is a great Nation because we choose to learn the good, the bad, and the full truth of the history of our country — histories and truths that we must preserve and protect for the next generation.  This National Black History Month, as we remember where we have been, may we also recognize that our only way forward is by marching together.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 2024 as National Black History Month.  I call upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with relevant programs, ceremonies, and activities.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth.
 

                               JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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A Proclamation on National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, 2024

Wed, 01/31/2024 - 14:35

     During National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, we recommit to building a future where our Nation’s young people can live free from violence, fear, and abuse.

     About 1 in 12 high school students in the United States have experienced physical or sexual dating violence.  Violence, intimidation, and fear — whether perpetrated in person or online — can upend the lives of young people during some of their most formative years and have lifelong consequences.  Survivors of teen dating violence are more likely to suffer from symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma.  Experiencing an unhealthy or abusive relationship as a teen can increase a young person’s risk of facing violence in intimate relationships throughout their lives.

     Throughout my career, I have fought against abuses of power.  As a United States Senator, I wrote and championed the groundbreaking Violence Against Women Act that became law in 1994.  Preventing and responding to gender-based violence wherever it occurs and in all of its forms is a cause I care about deeply, and it has remained a cornerstone of my career in public service.

     That is why, last year, my Administration released the first-ever National Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, which includes resources to prevent teen dating violence, promote healthier relationships, and equip survivors with the resources and care they deserve.  In addition, the White House Task Force to Address Online Harassment and Abuse is working to help teens stay safe online and prevent the misuse of technology as tools of abuse, harassment, and exploitation.  In 2022, I was proud to sign the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which increased investment in programs working to reduce teen dating violence. 

     The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is providing tools and training for educators, families, and community members to teach young people how to form healthy relationships and safely leave abusive ones.  Learn more at VetoViolence.CDC.gov.  If you or someone you know is involved in an abusive relationship of any kind, immediate and confidential support is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline’s project focused on supporting young people by visiting loveisrespect.org, calling 1-866-331-9474 (TTY: 1-800-787-3224), or texting “LOVEIS” to 22522.

     This month, may we come together to end teen dating violence and ensure our teens feel safe, protected, and empowered to live lives free from violence and full of dignity and respect.  

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 2024 as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.  I call upon everyone to educate themselves and others about teen dating violence so that together we can stop it.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth.
 

                               JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves New York Disaster Declaration

Wed, 01/31/2024 - 08:46

Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of New York and ordered Federal assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe storm and flooding from September 28 to September 30, 2023.
 
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 counties of Kings, Nassau, and Westchester.
 
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
 
Ms. Lai Sun Yee 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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Declaración del Presidente Joe Biden ante el Fallecimiento de Chita Rivera

Wed, 01/31/2024 - 08:43

Chita Rivera fue una de las grandes del teatro musical estadounidense de todos los tiempos, una pionera y perfeccionista cuyas actuaciones magnéticas en decenas de producciones de Broadway trajeron alegría a millones y capturaron la valentía y la gracia de Estados Unidos.

Con un espíritu incontenible, era la tercera hija de servidores públicos –su madre era empleada del Pentágono y su padre clarinetista de la Banda de la Marina de los Estados Unidos–, se mudó a Nueva York para bailar a los 15 años. Durante las siguientes siete décadas, construyó una carrera deslumbrante, protagonizando papeles de mujeres icónicas y fuertes en clásicos desde West Side Story, Bye Bye, Birdie, Chicago y Kiss of the Spider Woman, abriéndole el camino a generaciones de artistas latinas.

Chita ganó tres premios Tony, el Kennedy Center Honors y la Medalla Presidencial de la Libertad, pero nunca dejó de poner el trabajo en primer lugar. Superó altibajos con resiliencia, incluido un devastador accidente automovilístico que le destrozó la pierna y la dejó con tornillos de metal en los huesos, solo para verla volver a la cima y llevar a cabo actuaciones que le valieron nominaciones al Tony hasta bien entrados los 70 y 80 años.

El trabajo de Chita, fascinante bailarina, cantante y actriz, fue más que entretenimiento: refleja parte de quiénes somos como estadounidenses y como seres humanos, y ha ayudado a moldear la forma en que nos vemos unos a otros y a nuestro mundo. Chita sabía lo que saben los grandes estadounidenses: lo importante no es la fuerza con la que caes, sino la rapidez con la que te levantas. Su deslumbrante encanto vivirá en el alma de nuestra nación.

Nuestro amor hoy para la hija de Chita, Lisa; a los hermanos de Chita, Julio, Armando y Lola del Rivero; y a sus generaciones de fans.

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Statement from President Joe Biden on the Passing of Chita Rivera

Wed, 01/31/2024 - 08:30

Chita Rivera was an all-time-great of American musical theater, a pioneer and perfectionist whose magnetic performances in scores of Broadway productions brought joy to millions and captured the grit and grace of America.
 
The irrepressible third child of public servants – her mother was a Pentagon clerk and her father a clarinetist in the U.S. Navy Band– she moved to New York to dance at age 15. Over the next seven decades, she built a dazzling career, originating the roles of iconic strong women in classics from West Side Story, to Bye Bye, Birdie, to Chicago, to Kiss of the Spider Woman, while blazing a trail for generations of Latina performers.
 
Chita won three Tony Awards, Kennedy Center Honors, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, but she never quit putting the work first. She rode highs and lows with fierce resilience, including a devastating car crash that shattered her leg and left her with metal pins in her bones, only to see her climb back to the top and turn in Tony-nominated performances well into her 70s and 80s.
 
A mesmerizing dancer, singer, and actor, Chita’s work was more than entertainment – it reflects part of who we are as Americans and as human beings, and it has helped shape how we see each other and our world. Chita knew what great Americans know – it’s not how hard you get knocked down, it’s how quickly you get back up. Her dazzling charm will live on in the soul of our nation.
 
Our love goes out to Chita’s daughter, Lisa; to Chita’s siblings, Julio, Armando, and Lola del Rivero; and to her generations of fans.

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