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President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Mrs. Kishida Yuko of Japan for an Official Visit to the United States, which will include a state dinner, on April 10, 2024. The visit will underscore the enduring strength of our Alliance partnership, the unwavering U.S. commitment to Japan, and Japan’s increasing global leadership role.  President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida will discuss efforts to strengthen our political, security, economic, and people-to-people ties so that our Alliance is postured to address evolving challenges and advance our shared vision for a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region and world.    

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Office of Management and Budget guidance expands access for small businesses to high value and high use contracts; Small Business Administration revamps mentoring programs for underserved businesses interested in doing business with the government and releases new demographic data on government contracts

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced its latest actions to expand access for small businesses to the over $700 billion spent through federal contracts each year, particularly for those owned by individuals from underrepresented communities. The federal government is the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world, making federal contracts a powerful tool to build wealth in underserved communities and ensure that the federal government is leveraging talent from all corners of the country. These new initiatives will advance the President’s Investing in America agenda and bold goal of increasing the share of federal contracting dollars going to small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SDBs) to 15% by Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, a 50% increase from spending levels when he first took office. 

In each of the last three fiscal years, the Administration has increased spending on contracts to small businesses on the way to this goal, with small businesses receiving nearly $163 billion in federal contracting dollars in FY 2022, $70 billion of which was earned by SDBs. Supporting small businesses and giving entrepreneurs the tools to thrive is a key pillar of Bidenomics. Under President Biden, a record 16 million new business applications have been filed, while the share of Black households owning a business has more than doubled, and the share of Latino households owning a business has increased by 40%.

In 2021, President Biden took the historic step of ordering the public release of federal contract data broken down by business owner race and ethnicity to bring increased transparency to federal contracting. New data for FY22 released today shows that businesses owned by historically underrepresented groups earned more through federal contracts across every category.

The Administration continues to stand behind our programs to support small businesses, and today, the Administration is announcing new actions to help small businesses access federal contracts, including issuing new guidance to federal agencies from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), providing new technical resources to SDBs to help them obtain contracts and expand revenue, and sharing data on federal contracts to traditionally underserved small businesses.  Actions include:

• New OMB guidance to all federal agencies to help more small businesses participate in high use federal contracts. Today, OMB issued guidance on strategies federal agencies should adopt so that small businesses can participate in multiple-award contracts – a contract vehicle that accounts for nearly $160 billion, or over 20%, of all federal government contract dollars. Agencies rely on multiple-award contracts because they allow agencies to meet mission needs with more timely, cost-effective and streamlined competitions. To ensure that small businesses have opportunities to participate in multiple-award contracts, the guidance encourages earlier engagement and planning for multiple-award contracts to maximize opportunities for small business contract holders; additional consideration of “on-ramps” to allow for businesses to be added during the performance period of the multiple-award contract; and the use of small business set aside orders for competition among small businesses. These changes will help more small businesses participate in federal contracts, support a and resilient federal marketplace and ensure federal contracts are best delivering for the American people.
  
• Improved technical assistance opportunities for small businesses looking to do business with the federal government. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is announcing a slate of major improvements to the popular 7(j) technical assistance program – now called Empower to Grow (E2G) – which is available to SDBs located in areas of high unemployment or low income. The improved E2G program will offer customized one-on-one training tailored to small business needs and guide them through the process of pursuing government contracts, convening networking and matchmaking events between government agencies and prime contractors.  In FY 2023, the E2G program provided support to 6,000 small businesses and helped 2,000 small businesses grow their participation in federal contracting. Small businesses that received training reported, on average, a 45% increase in annual revenue.

Today’s actions build on significant steps the Biden-Harris Administration has already taken to support small businesses. This includes:

• SBA expanded its lending program focused on underserved communities for the first time in 40 years and made critical program changes to increase lending to underserved small businesses. This fall, the SBA issued new licenses to lenders in the Small Business Lending Company (SBLC) program for the first time in 40 years. The lenders in this program have a track record of strong lending to traditionally underserved communities, and the new lenders each specialize in delivering capital to sectors and groups that face persistent capital access gaps. SBA also made critical reforms to its loan programs in 2023 that supported significant progress in addressing barriers to capital facing small business owners. In FY 2023, SBA made record gains in lending to Black, Latino, Native, AAPI, women, and veteran entrepreneurs – including $1.5 billion in loans to Black-owned businesses and $3 billion to Latino-owned businesses. Total loans and total loan dollars to Black-owned businesses more than doubled under the Biden-Harris Administration, and total loans to Latino-owned businesses doubled with total loan dollars increasing by more than 80%.
  
• The Department of the Treasury administers $10 billion State Small Business Initiative (SSBCI). Funded by the American Rescue Plan, Treasury’s SSBCI program delivers funding to states, territories, and tribal governments that spur lending and investing in small businesses, and provides critical technical assistance. So far, Treasury has approved $7.7 billion in allocations to 54 states and territories and 25 tribal governments. In addition, Treasury announced a $75 million competitive grant program for states to provide services to help very small and underserved businesses access opportunities created by the President’s Investing in America agenda – which includes the historic investments made by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and American Rescue Plan – by offering them technical assistance.
  
• The Minority Business Development Agency’s (MBDA) Capital Readiness Program is investing in small business incubators and accelerators. The MBDA’s Capital Readiness Program awarded $125 million to 43 non-profit community-based organizations to help underserved entrepreneurs launch and scale their small businesses. This program, funded through the American Rescue Plan, is the largest-ever direct federal investment in small business incubators and accelerators of its kind.
  
• SBA’s Community Navigators Program provides critical technical assistance. In December 2023, the SBA released a report that found that its more than 50 American Rescue Plan-funded Community Navigators grantees had already helped to secure more than $270 million in approved funding for small businesses, trained over 350,000 business owners, and conducted 175,000 hours of one-on-one counseling. With funding set to expire by the end of this year, the Biden-Harris Administration proposed additional funding for the program in its FY24 Budget proposal and has called on Congress to continue the program. 

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Following the 51st anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade, Jennifer Klein, Assistant to the President and Director of the Gender Policy Council, and Tom Perez, Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, convened state leaders who have been on the front lines of the fight to defend reproductive rights. Today, state legislators tuned in to hear from Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Pennsylvania Speaker Joanna McClinton, Florida Leader Fentrice Driskell, and Texas Leader Carol Alvarado on the impact of dangerous abortion bans and their respective efforts to protect access to reproductive health care.

President Biden and Vice President Harris stand with the vast majority of Americans who believe that the right to choose is fundamental. Directors Klein and Perez emphasized that state leaders are invaluable allies in the Administration’s fight to defend reproductive freedom.

This meeting builds on more than two dozen White House-led working discussions with state legislators in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, including an in-person convening of more than 80 state legislators from 41 states in June 2023, as well as ongoing collaboration with governors, who President Biden convened for a discussion on reproductive rights in the wake of the Dobbs decision. The convening comes the same week that the Vice President kicked off her nationwide Fight for Reproductive Freedoms tour in Wisconsin, building on her travel to 20 states and meetings with more than 250 state legislators, health care providers, and advocates in the past year. 

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Today we learned that the U.S. economy grew 3.1 percent over the past year while adding another 2.7 million jobs, and with core inflation moving back down towards the pre-pandemic benchmark. As a result, wages, wealth, and employment are higher now than they were before the pandemic. That’s good news for American families and American workers. That is three years in a row of growing the economy from the middle out and the bottom up on my watch.
 
But our work is not done. I will continue to fight to lower costs — from implementing historic legislation to lower prescription drugs costs, health insurance premiums, and clean energy costs, to taking on hidden junk fees that companies use to rip off consumers, to calling on large corporations to pass on to consumers the savings they have been seeing for months now. And I won’t allow extreme Republicans to hand out massive giveaways to the wealthy and large corporations, while raising your costs and cutting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. That’s not how we give American families more breathing room.
 

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Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is announcing new executive actions to help promote safe storage of firearms that implement President Biden’s Executive Order on promoting safe gun storage in order to reduce gun violence and make our communities safer.

Gun violence is the leading cause of death of children in America. That is why the Biden-Harris Administration is taking comprehensive action to prevent gun violence affecting children. Approximately 4.6 million children live in homes with unsecured firearms. Studies show that safe storage can dramatically reduce children’s risk of self-inflicted harm and unintentional shootings.

Safe storage of firearms can physically prevent youth from accessing firearms, helping to keep youth, schools, and communities safe from gun violence. Unsecured guns are also closely associated with school shootings, youth suicide, unintentional shootings, and theft of firearms.

• 76 percent of school shootings are committed with guns from the home. The Department of Homeland Security’s National Threat Assessment Center reviewed targeted school violence over the past 40 years and found that three-quarters of school shooters acquired their firearm from the home of a parent or close relative.
• 80 percent of firearm suicides by children (age 18 or younger) involved a gun belonging to a family member. The firearm suicide rate among children and teens has increased by 66 percent over the past decade.
• 76 percent of unintentional shootings of children were committed with unsecured guns from the home, most often stored in nightstands or other sleeping areas. From 2003 to 2021, 1,262 children (0-17 years) were killed by fatal unintentional firearm injury, with approximately half caused by another person.
• Over 1 million stolen firearms. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) reported that from 2017 to 2021, local law enforcement reported 770,642 private theft incidents involving 1,026,538 firearms. A rising trend has been firearms stolen from unattended motor vehicles.

New Actions to Reduce Gun Violence and Save Lives

Local leaders, like school officials, community and faith leaders, and law enforcement can be trusted, credible messengers when it comes to providing guidance on gun violence prevention and safe firearm storage options. Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is announcing three actions to help further promote safe storage and protect children:

• The U.S. Department of Education will take new action on safe firearm storage by sending a letter to school principals across the country explaining the importance of safe storage and encouraging them to communicate with parents, families, caregivers, and the broader community about how safe storage can protect students in school and in their communities.
• The U.S. Department of Education will also issue a new communication template that principals and school leaders can use to engage with parents and families about the importance of safe firearm storage, and encourage more people to take preventive action by safely storing firearms.
• The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) will release a guide to safe storage of firearms in order to provide subject matter expertise on different types of storage devices and best practices for safely storing firearms. This is the most comprehensive guide on safe storage ever released by the federal government.

To highlight these new actions, First Lady Jill Biden, White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention Director Stefanie Feldman and U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona will join a town hall with school principals at the White House. The town hall will elevate the importance of safe firearms storage and emphasize the role that principals and education leaders can play in helping prevent gun violence. A livestream of the town hall is available here: School Principals Town Hall with the Office of Gun Violence Prevention & the Department of Education – YouTube

Building on a Record of Action to Promote Safe Storage of Firearms

These new actions build on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to promoting safe storage of firearms, including:

• The Administration’s launch of an unprecedented focus on lethal means safety in the White House strategy to reduce military and veteran suicide, with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) also launching the first of its kind paid media campaign, KeepItSecure.net to highlight the importance of firearm safe storage in preventing veteran suicide. The Department of Defense (DoD) also released new evidence-informed communication tools, including a public service announcement, to encourage safe storage among military service members and their families.
• The issuing of a new ATF final rule clarifying firearms dealers’ statutory obligations to make available for purchase gun storage or safety devices compatible with the dealer’s firearm inventory.
• The publishing by ATF of an open letter to all federal firearms licensees on their legal obligations if they choose to provide temporary storage options on their premise.
• The DOJ announcement of new grant funds available through its STOP School Violence Program for schools to promote awareness of safe storage.  The DOJ’s Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program made grant funds available for law enforcement to acquire gun locks and storage devices that can be distributed to individuals and businesses.
• The release of a statement by the Assistant Secretary of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration bringing attention to lethal means safety, and particularly safe storage of firearms, as a critical component of comprehensive suicide prevention efforts.
• The publishing of a Vital Signs Report on Firearm Safety by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) highlighting the growing disparities in firearm violence, including firearm-related suicide and emphasized the importance of lethal mean safety. CDC also published a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report examining unintentional injury among children and teens that emphasized the role of unsecured firearms and how safe storage can prevent harm.

The Biden-Harris Administration will continue to take action to promote safe storage and calls on Congress to assist these efforts by passing a national safe storage law to create accountability for those who leave firearms unsecured. In addition, the Administration is working with state and local leaders on safe storage efforts.

In December, Vice President Harris, the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs convened 100 state legislators to announce the Biden-Harris Administration’s Safer States Initiative to reduce gun violence and save lives. The Administration urged states to enact and implement strong laws requiring firearms owners to safely store their firearms in their homes and vehicles. The laws should impose a clear standard to penalize those who do not safely store their weapons and whose weapons end up being used for violence.

• States were also encouraged to invest in efforts that raise awareness of the range of safe storage options available to keep guns out of the hands of children and unauthorized individuals, and fund individuals’ access to effective storage options through tax incentives and other programs.
• In addition, the Department of Justice published model safe storage legislation to help states craft appropriate requirements for securing firearms kept in residences and vehicles and to ensure that those firearms do not fall into the hands of children, teens, and prohibited persons.

While safe gun storage is an important factor in curtailing death and injuries among children, the Biden-Harris Administration, through the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and other grant programs, has also provided unprecedented funding to establish safe, healthy, and supportive learning opportunities and environments; to increase access to school-based mental health services; and to strengthen the pipeline of mental health professionals in high-need communities. These historic investments provide greater access to the services and supports that help keep students safe and healthy. These investments help advance the President’s Mental Health Strategy, which directly implements his Unity Agenda for the nation by helping to tackle the mental health crisis.

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Today, President Biden will visit Superior, Wisconsin, where the Blatnik Bridge connects Wisconsin and Minnesota, to announce nearly $5 billion in funding for major transportation projects across the country as part of his Investing in America agenda. A key pillar of Bidenomics, the President’s Investing in America agenda—including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act—is making long overdue investments in infrastructure, unleashing a clean energy and manufacturing boom, and creating good-paying jobs, many of which do not require a college degree. To date, the Administration has announced over $400 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for over 40,000 infrastructure projects across the nation, and has mobilized over $640 billion in private sector manufacturing and clean energy investments in the United States. And, since day one of the Biden Administration, over 670,000 construction jobs and 210,000 clean energy jobs have been created in communities across the country.

Two years ago, after he signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, President Biden visited the Blatnik Bridge and highlighted the vital yet deteriorating bridge as the type of infrastructure that he would rebuild across the country. Today’s announcement—a transformative $5 billion investment that includes $1 billion to replace the Blatnik Bridge itself—is a key example of the President following through on that commitment. Due to its poor condition, the current Blatnik Bridge is predicted to close by 2030, and this new investment will change that by expanding weight capacity to accommodate freight, building wider shoulders to improve safety, and increasing accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. During his visit to Wisconsin, President Biden will highlight the impact of the Blatnik Bridge investment on people in the community—including small business owners who rely on timely orders, deliveries, and commutes for their customers and employees; families that need to cross the bridge safely and with less traffic; truck drivers whose loads are too heavy for the current bridge; workers who will be hired on the project, and more. The President will meet with a small business owner who says his local business—and the downtown community in Superior—will benefit from the new Blatnik Bridge.

In addition to the Blatnik Bridge, key projects from today’s announcement include: replacing the I-5 Bridge over the Columbia River between Vancouver, Washington, and Portland, Oregon, which carries over 143,000 vehicles per day and no longer meets the needs of commerce and travel; improving 10 miles of I-10 through the Gila River Indian Community and Pinal County in Arizona; making multimodal improvements in the I-376 corridor of Pittsburgh; and reconnecting communities divided by the Cross Bronx Expressway in New York, which displaced residents and separated communities when constructed in the mid-1900’s. These historic projects will create good-paying jobs, make our transportation systems safer and more resilient, and unlock economic opportunity for communities across in every corner of the country. Overall, half of the funding announced today – nearly $2.8 billion – is going to projects in rural areas. These investments also build on historic funding that President Biden has announced over the past year—including $1.7 billion through the Mega and INFRA programs early last year, $2.1 billion through the Bridge Investment Program, and major rail announcements at the end of 2023—$16.4 billion to modernize Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and $8.2 billion for world-class rail, including the country’s first high speed rail projects.

Already, the projects funded by previous announcements are hitting major milestones. For example, thanks to $1.6 billion in funding, construction to upgrade the existing Brent-Spence Bridge and build a new bridge along this critical freight corridor is expected to begin this year. In addition, thanks to the $11 billion investment from the Biden-Harris Administration, construction is now underway to replace the over 100-year-old Hudson River Tunnel between New York and New Jersey, which serves 200,000 passengers daily and is a source of frequent delays. Early work is now underway to replace the 150-year-old Frederick Douglass Tunnel in Baltimore, thanks to $4.7 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Work is also underway to construct the 10.3-mile St. Paul Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit system that will serve nearly 2 million passengers annually thanks to $240 million in funding. Thanks to $198 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, construction is also ongoing to extend the Phoenix Northwest Light Rail which will serve about 2 million passengers per year. Finally, due to a $84.5 million investment, upgrades to Boston Logan Airport’s Terminal E are now complete, with increased capacity, improved energy efficiency, and new passenger waiting areas.
Funding announced today will support 37 projects across the country, including: 

• $1.06 billion to replace the Blatnik Bridge connecting Superior, Wisconsin with Duluth, Minnesota. The Blatnik Bridge is a 1.5-mile-long bridge that connects Duluth, MN, and Superior, WI, often referred to as the “Twin Ports”. The current bridge is weight restricted and cannot carry large or heavy trucks, causing lengthy detours for regional freight. The replacement bridge will increase capacity and create a new shared-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists.
   
• $600 million to replace the over 100-year-old I-5 Bridge—a critical connection linking Oregon and Washington across the Columbia River as part of a vital regional, national and international trade route. This project will replace the aging bridge with a modern, earthquake-resilient, multimodal bridge. It will also add safety shoulders and auxiliary lanes, include add transit improvements, and create safe and accessible shared use paths.
   
• $427 million for the Humboldt Offshore Wind project in California. The project will establish the first offshore wind terminal on the Pacific Coast. The terminal will support the transport, assembly, launch, and maintenance of floating offshore wind turbines.  
   
• $372 million to replace the 80-year-old Sagamore Bridge, one of the Cape Cod Bridges that spans the Cape Cod Canal and provides the only vehicle access to the Massachusetts mainland from Cape Cod.
   
• $300 million for the Louisiana International Terminal Project to construct a new container terminal on the Gulf Coast for the Port of New Orleans. The new terminal will be a new alternative for larger vessels compared to inland terminals that have height restrictions.
   
• $200 million for the Hood River White Salmon Bridge in Oregon and Washington. The project will replace the bridge between Hood River, OR, and White Salmon, WA, which serves as a critical link for freight and provides hospital access and a wildfire evacuation route. The current bridge is structurally deficient, and the replacement will have higher clearance, wider lanes, seismic improvements, and a separate bicycle and pedestrian pathway.
   
• $150 million to reconnect communities divided by the Cross Bronx Expressway between the Harlem River and the Hutchinson River Parkway in New York—one of the most congested stretches of interstate in the U.S. with some of the highest rates of traffic and collisions. The project will improve pedestrian, bicycle, and transit connections across the highway and along parallel routes, expand open space, increase safety on local routes along the corridor, and improve traffic management, especially for freight vehicles. The Expressway was constructed between 1948 and 1972 and divided the borough, displacing residents and separating communities.
   
• $95 million for the Gila River Indian Community I-10 Project in Arizona. The project will widen approximately 10 miles of I-10 in Pinal County from two lanes to three lanes, make interchange improvements and build a new interchange, and remove or replace low-clearance bridges along the route. The project will improve safety, increase capacity, and provide job opportunities for the Gila River Indian Community.
   
• $66 million for the Mineral County I-90 Improvement Project in Montana. The project will reconstruct almost six miles of I-90, making resilience, drainage, and safety improvements, and replacing three bridges on westbound I-90. 
   
• $28 million for the Elko Nevada Rail Corridor Enhancement project in Nevada. The project will make improvements on the Union Pacific Railroad at the Elko Yard. Track improvements, infrastructure upgrades, and enhanced signal infrastructure will reduce an average of 2.5 hours of delay per freight train using the corridor.
   
• $15 million for the East River Terminal Berth Replacement project in Georgia. The project will replace three berths at the Port of Brunswick’s East River Terminal, as well as support growing export of wood pellets at the port.

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2:30 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Hello, UAW! (Applause.)

AUDIENCE: UAW! UAW! UAW!

THE PRESIDENT: It’s great to be home. (Applause.) One of the best unions in the world. (Applause.) You look out for one another. And the whole country — the whole country benefits from what you do.

You know — please take a seat if you have one. (Laughter.)

You’re tough as they come, starting with your president, Shawn Fain — (applause) — a leader with backbone — a backbone like a ramrod. I don’t know where he is, but he is.

Together, we’re proving what I’ve always believed: Wall Street didn’t build America. The middle class built America, and unions built the middle class. (Applause.) That’s a fact.

Look, I kept my commitment to be the most pro-union president ever, and I’m proud you have my back. Let me just say I’m honored to have your back and you have mine. That’s the deal. (Applause.)

It comes down to seeing the world the same way. It’s not complicated.

You know, my dad — who never went to college; who was the smartest, toughest, most gracious man I knew; who managed a car dealership for the bulk of my life — taught me a very important lesson. He’d say, “Joey” — this is the God’s truth — “a job is about a lot more than a paycheck. It’s about decency. It’s about your dignity. It’s about your place in the community. It’s about being able to look your kid in the eye and say, ‘Honey, it’s going be okay,’ and mean it — and mean it.”

Folks, that’s what the UAW is all about, and it’s always been that way. (Applause.)

Just after the UAW was founded nearly 90 years ago, it launched what historians call the most important strike in the 20th century: Flint, 1936. (Applause.) Walter Reuther org- — organized a sit-down in a factory.

They weren’t sure what would happen. They were worried about getting beat up. But they were determined. They were determined. And it took 44 days, but they won the first collective bargaining victory in American history. (Applause.)

And the leadership of the UAW spread across the country and led to the first substantial wage increase in a long time, the first cost-of-living allowance, the first employer-provided healthcare. Within four years, workers across the entire auto industry unionized, inspiring workers across other industries as well, giving life to new industries in the labor movement.

I share that history with you because all of you made history again. I’m confident — and I mean this — 90 years from now, people are going to look back on the impact you had — you in this room. Just like them 90 years ago, you matter now. You lead.

And I respect all of you here today. You represent unions that always led, always lifted, and always inspired workers.

The UAW legacy from Walter Reuther to Shawn Fain today — Shawn, you took a lot of heat, but you demonstrated extraordinary leadership. (Applause.) You did.

And that’s what I saw a few months ago during your historic UAW strike — the time — this time in Belleville, Michigan.

And I’ll say I was so damn proud to stand on that picket line with you. (Applause.) It’s not the first — it’s not the first UAW picket line I stood in. In my home state of Delaware, I’ve done it many times. But it’s the first time a president did it, I found out later. (Laughter and applause.)

I’ve always fought for a strong auto industry, with UAW-built cars leading the world. This is what — it’s about a simple proposition: You built these iconic companies. You built GM. You built — you built these companies. You sacrificed to save them in the worst of times. And you deserve to benefit when these companies thrive. (Applause.)

As Shawn said, record profits mean record contracts. (Applause.) I’m serious. And that’s what you got: record wage increases, winning back cost-of-living adjustments, greater retirement security, more paid leave, and eliminating tiers. (Laughs.) (Applause.) Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. (Laughs.) You all know my position.

I’m — I’m tire- — I’ve tried — you know, I’m tired about jobs going overseas, having products shipped to — (applause).

Look, during the Trump administration and a lot of administrations before that, what’d they do? So many — so many people around America lost their sense of pride. Because whether it was an automobile company or any company at all, that factory was there for 30 years. Hiring — they maybe only had 150 people in it, but it was a part of the community.

Guess what? Corporate America found the cheapest labor in the world and they sent the jobs to those laborers and sent the product back to us. But not anymore. We’re building product here and shipping it overseas. (Applause.) Buy America and build America. (Applause.)

I mean it. And what’s really important, you made sure the auto future of the world will be made in America. (Applause.) Oh, I mean it.

You know, I’m going to digress just a second. Most people don’t know that back in the ‘30s when Roosevelt was talking about the value of unions, he didn’t just say unions are okay. He said any product that — in fact, that Congress — any money that Congress gives the President to spend, to build a product — whether it’s an aircraft carrier, an automobile, a tanker, a staircase — no matter what that was, it should be built —

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

AUDIENCE: UAW! UAW! UAW!

THE PRESIDENT: For —

AUDIENCE: UAW! UAW! UAW!

THE PRESIDENT: But for a long time — for a long time —

AUDIENCE: UAW! UAW! UAW! (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: For a long time, the Congress would make an appropriation and send it to the President to spend, whether it was building an aircraft carrier or staircase. And guess what? It was supposed to be built by an American worker with American products.

Well, guess what? I’m going back to that. We build in America, and we buy American. (Applause.)

And here is what you all did: You won commitments from the Big Three to create thousands of more jobs. So, that’s tens of billions more dollars. Building an auto future made in America.

It wasn’t just about what you did for the UAW workers. The fact is, you’ve transformed the entire auto industry that’s not yet unionized — or, as we call that, the “UAW bump.” (Applause.)

Because of you, Toyota, Volkswagen, Nissan, Tulsa [Tesla] all gave their workers double-digit raises.

Because of you — (applause) — workers across the country have seen the largest wage increases for workers building cars and trucks and any other transportation equipment in nearly 30 years.

Thousands of these workers are already asking to join your union. (Applause.)

Even before this, the UAW has been expanding its reach to workers in auto plants in cont- — from auto plants to casi- — to casi- — casinos. (Laughter and applause.) You can tell I don’t spend much time there. (Laughter.)

But guess what most people don’t know what the UAW represents? Researchers in higher education and workers. And because of this union, I’m pleased and proud that you expanded the UAW to include 5,000 researchers at the National Institute of Health — UAW workers. (Applause.)

I, honest to God, have always believed that the union movement in America is important because it produces the best-skilled workers in the world.

That’s what happens. It’s good for everybody. It’s good for companies. It increases the quality of the jobs, the quality of the products. And it’s good for economic growth.

In fact, I asked — which is unusual for a president to do — I asked the Treasury Department to do a significant study — the most comprehensive report ever — detailing how unions are good for all workers, including non-union workers; how they found that unions raise standards across workplaces in industry, improving skills and sa- — pushing up wages, strengthening the benefits for everyone.

It matters. It matters, it matters. And some in corporate America are finally beginning to figure it out.

And look at what we’re doing — what’s good for workers and companies.

Since I took office, we’ve attracted billions of dollars in investment here in the United States. We supercharged advanced manufacturing, including electric vehicles made by union workers in America.

China is determined — (applause) — China is determined to dominate that market, with EV predominantly made in China and Chinese jobs. The previous administration consent — was content to sit on the sidelines and let China take all these jobs, but I won’t let that happen. (Applause.) I will not.

That’s why I — (applause) — that’s why I pushed and drafted the CHIPS and Science Act, investing more than $50 billion in manufacturing semiconductors here at home.

Automobiles today require 3,000 chips — of these chips to be made. That’s why my Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is building a network of 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations all across America, installed by your brothers and sisters at the IBEW. That’s who is doing it. (Applause.)

That’s why the Inflation Reduction Act — which, the other team, not a single person supported — that I signed into law — dramatically — is a dramatic incentive for the Big Three and other auto companies to make it here — their future here in America with American jobs — jobs that we want to make union jobs. (Applause.)

That’s why I announced $12 billion to help companies that respect their workers implement a just transition to electric vehicle future. Because I strongly believe — (applause) — that companies transitioning to new technology should retool, reboot, and rehire in the same factories in the same communities with comparable wages. (Applause.) And existing union workers should have the first shot at those jobs. (Applause.)

Shawn said I appointed — I appointed a historically pro-union National Labor Relations Board, because I don’t believe any company should be using threats or tactics to stand in the way of workers’ rights to organize. Period. (Applause.)

And, folks, you’ve been very patient, sitting a long time. But these investments are paying off.

Since I came to office — by the way, the last guy said he’s looking for — he’s hoping for a recession — (the President makes the sign of the cross) — (laughter) — because he does not want to be the next Herbert Hoover.

He’s already Herbert Hoover. (Laughter and applause.) He’s the only president other than Herbert Hoover who lost jobs when he was president.

Look, since I came to office, with your help, we’ve created 14 million new jobs — 14 million — (applause) — nearly 800,000 manufacturing jobs nationwide. (Applause.) And that means we’re creating American jobs and exporting American products instead of the other way around, like we saw for too long.

Unemployment has been below 4 percent for the longest stretch in 50 years, and it’s going down. (Applause.) Wages are up; household wealth is up.

We have the lowest inflation and fastest recovery of any major economy in the world. We have the fastest growing economy in the world.

I know we have more to do. And we’re making real progress. Over the last year, prices are down on everyday items from a gallon of gasoline to a gallon of milk. And folks are beginning to feel it.

Last week, we saw one of the biggest jumps in how positive consumers are about — feeling about their personal circumstance. But we have more work to do.

But our plan is delivering for the American people, building an economy from the middle out and the bottom up, not the top down. That’s what I said I was going to do — that’s what I tried to do as a senator and vice president — but because, when we do that, the poor have a ladder up and the middle class does well, and the wealthy do well. Although, they should be paying a hell of a lot more in taxes. (Applause.)

We all do well. It’s called Bidenomics. If you notice, all the major — all the major economists who are talking about “there’s going to be a recession next week, next month” — they’re all of a sudden — they’re seeing the Lord. (Laughter.) I’m a little worried; some of the major economists in American history are now giving me credit. It’s like, “Oh, God, what’s going on?” (Laughter.)

But, look, all kidding aside. This is a fundamental break from what used to be called trickle-down economics. And some Democrat presidents did it as well as Republican.

You know, I sat — not a lot trickled down on my dad’s kitchen table growing up. There wasn’t a lot. The idea was if the wealthy do very well, there will be a lot left over, and it will trickle down to ordinary folks. Well, guess what? That trickle-down economy was supercharged by my predecessor.

He cut taxes for the very wealthy and the biggest corporations. They shipped good-paying jobs overseas because labor was cheaper. It shrank public investment in infrastructure and education — invested less. It hollowed out entire communities, closing factories — I’m not making this up; you know this to be true — closing factories, attacking unions, and leaving too many Americans behind.

In fact, when Donald Trump was in office, six auto factories closed around the country. Tens of thousands of auto jobs were lost nationwide during Trump’s presidency.

During my presidency, we’ve opened 20 auto factories with more to come. (Applause.) We’ve created more than 250,000 auto jobs all across America. (Applause.)

And while I stood in solidarity with you on the picket line — as — as your president said, I went to the picket line; Donald Trump went to a non-union shop and attacked you.

Let me tell you something I learned a long time ago. If I’m going to be in a fight, I want it to be in a fight with you, the UAW — with you. (Applause.) No, no, I mean it.

We have a big fight in front of us. We’re fundamentally changing the economy in this country. And everybody is getting a little worried about it — the — the very powerful. Some are seeing the light.

But changing the economy — taking it from an economy that takes care of those at the top and changing an economy that gives people who built this country a fair shot.

Getting back to my dad, all anyone wants is just a fair shot — just a fair shot, an even shot to be able to make it. That’s what my economic plan is all about. That’s what the UAW is all about. That’s what the — your battle has been about.

The days of working people being dealt out of the deal are over in this country as long as I’m President. (Applause.) Working people are going to get their fair share. You’ve earned it, you’ve fought for it, and you deserve it.

So, today, I want to say to all of you: Thank you, thank you. (Applause.) I could not be more proud or more honored that you’ve chosen to stand with me.

AUDIENCE: Joe! Joe! Joe!

THE PRESIDENT: For all the progress we’ve made together, you’re the real hero. I mean — I want to make it clear: You’re the heroes of this story. It’s not what I did; it’s what the American people standing up with backbone did. You’re the reason why. And I mean it sincerely.

I’m supposedly an expert in foreign policy. I’ve known every major world leader for the past 25 years. And guess what? As I tell every world leader, remind them, whether they’re an adversary or an ally, it’s never, ever, ever been a good bet to bet against the American people — never, never, never. (Applause.)

And that’s been true throughout history, and it’s still true today.

Because of you — I mean this — because of you, I’ve never been more optimistic about America’s future. We just have to remember who we are. We are the United States of America. (Applause.)

And I mean this: There is nothing beyond our capacity when we work together. We’re the only nation in the world that’s come out of every crisis stronger than we went in.

So, God bless you all. And may God protect our troops. And God bless the American worker.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. (Applause.)

Every time I’d walk out of my grandfather — leaving his house up in Scranton, he’d yell, “Joey, keep the faith.” And my grandmother would come to the door, and she’d say, “No, Joey, spread it.” Let’s spread the faith. (Applause.)

2:51 P.M. EST

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We are gravely concerned by reports today of strikes hitting a UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) facility — with subsequent reports of fires in the building—in a neighborhood in southern Gaza where more than 30,000 displaced Palestinians had reportedly been sheltering. While we don’t yet have all the details on what happened and will continue to seek further information regarding today’s incidents, the loss of every innocent life is a tragedy. This conflict has already resulted in the devastating deaths and injuries of tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians, and we mourn every single civilian life that has been lost. It’s heartbreaking to see children killed, injured, and orphaned. The United States is unwavering in our support for Israel’s right to defend itself, consistent with international humanitarian law, against Hamas terrorists who hide among the civilian population and want to annihilate the State of Israel. But Israel retains a responsibility to protect civilians, including, humanitarian personnel and sites. And, as President Biden has been clear from the earliest days of this crisis, the United States will also continue working to increase life-saving humanitarian assistance into Gaza and to bring home all of the hostages held there.

###

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     I am returning herewith without my approval S.J.Res. 38, a resolution that would disapprove under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, an action by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) relating to “Waiver of Buy America Requirements for Electric Vehicle Chargers.”

     This resolution would eliminate the domestic manufacturing standards for electric vehicle (EV) chargers funded by the FHWA, thereby harming domestic manufacturing and American jobs.  If enacted, it would weaken Buy America requirements by reverting to FHWA’s general waiver for manufactured products, allowing Federal dollars –- including $7.5 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law –- to be spent on chargers made in competitor nations like the People’s Republic of China.  Additionally, if enacted, this resolution would undermine the hundreds of millions of dollars that the private sector has already invested in domestic EV charging manufacturing, and chill further domestic investment in this critical market.

     Finally, if enacted, this resolution would undermine efforts to ensure that the national network of EV chargers, being funded with Federal dollars, must be manufactured in the United States.  Specifically, in 2023, my Administration issued a new policy for EV chargers that restores Buy America protections that are consistent with the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) standards included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  This policy immediately required that EV chargers purchased through FHWA grants be manufactured in the United States and that EV charger housing comprised of iron and steel must use iron and steel produced in the United States.  Based on information gathered through public outreach, the policy phases in full Buy America coverage by requiring full BABA compliance starting on July 1 of this year.  These actions ensure that Federal dollars for EV chargers are used to purchase American-made products, while allowing newly announced manufacturing capacity for EV charger components the necessary time to ramp up production.

     If enacted, this resolution would harm my Administration’s efforts to encourage investment in critical industries and bring high-quality jobs back to the United States.  It would not only thwart the collective goal of the Congress and the Administration to establish a domestic EV charger manufacturing industry, but it would also delay the significant progress being made by my Administration and the States in establishing the EV charging network.  Establishing resilient supply chains is critical to our national economic and energy security, and my Administration will not support policies that would undermine efforts to bring this critical manufacturing back to the United States.

     Therefore, I am vetoing this resolution.
 
 

                               JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
 

THE WHITE HOUSE,
  January 24, 2024.

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James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

11:53 A.M. EST

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  Hello.  Good afternoon.

Q    Good afternoon.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Hi.  Hi, Weijia.  (Laughs.)

Q    Not quite.  It’s still morning.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Oh, that’s right.  We are a bit early.  We got nine more minutes before it’s afternoon.  Okay.

Today, President Biden announced that a record-breaking 21.3 million Americans have enrolled in healthcare coverage through the Affordable Care Act.  It’s another major milestone in his work to expand access to affordable healthcare and lower costs for families.

Not only do more Americans have healthcare coverage than ever before, but thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, which every single Republican in Congress voted against, this President has capped the cost of insulin to 35 bucks for seniors, allowed Medi- — Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for the first time ever, and has saved millions of Americans an average of 800 bucks per month [year] on their healthcare insurance.

The American people have made it clear.  They don’t want the Affordable Care Act weakened and/or repealed.  They want it strengthened and protected.

President Biden will continue to fight to bring down healthcare costs and prescription drug costs as well.

With that, we have the Admiral in the briefing room today, who’s going to give us a little bit of an update on travel to Africa and also an update on the latest on the Middle East.

Okay.  Admiral.

MR. KIRBY:  Thank you.  Afternoon, everybody.

So, yeah, I do a little bit of gripe — gra- —

Q    Good afternoon?  Good morning.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Good morning. 

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, good morning.  I’m sorry.  Yeah.  (Laughter.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  Okay.  Okay. 

MR. KIRBY:  I wasn’t paying attention, clearly. 

I do have a little bit of a grab bag of stuff to get through.  And I’ll — I’ll promise I’ll try to do it as quickly as I can.

Yesterday, as I think you’re all aware, in direct response to a series of escalor- — escalatory attacks against U.S. and coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria — including, of course, at al-Asad Air Base over the weekend — the United States military conducted strikes on facilities that were used by the Iran-backed Kata’ib Hezbollah (inaudible) militia group, as well as other affiliated groups in Iraq.

Initial reports that we’re getting indicate that we had effective results on all three targets: Two headquarters buildings and an intelligence facility were destroyed.

I want to emphasize that these actions were taken in self-defense following, of course, the attack on our forces in Iraq and certainly consistent with international and domestic law.

As the President has said, we’re not going to hesitate to take necessary action to protect our troops and our facilities, and we’ll stay vigilant going forward, of course.

Separately, I’m also sure that you saw yesterday a joint statement from 24 countries expressing support for the action that the United States and our — United Kingdom armed forces — with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Netherlands — took against the Houthis on Monday.

I think it’s notable that more and more countries now wanted to show that they condemn the Houthis’ indiscriminate and unlawful attacks on international commerce and that they support the actions that we and our partners are taking.

Now, as you may have seen, several Cabinet and senior administration leaders are engaging with countries across the African continent this week, building on our commitment to accelerate U.S.-Africa partnership opportunities following the Africa Leaders Summit last year.

Just run through quickly, if I can, just to, kind of, give you a sense of the scope.

Secretary Blinken, of course, is traveling to Cabo Verde, the Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Angola this week.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield is visiting Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone.

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation CEO Scott Nathan led a presidential delegation to attend the Inauguration of the DRC President Ta- — sorry, To- — Tsheke- — To- — Teshikedi — Tshisekedi over the weekend.  Apologize for that.

EPA Administrator — Administrator Regan is in Mozambique and Ghana, sharing solutions and building partnerships on a range of environmental priorities.

USAID Deputy Administrator Coleman is traveling to Maputo and the central and northern regions of Mozambique.

And the CDC’s Principal Deputy Director Nirav Shah is visiting the Sahel and West Africa to discuss our health partnerships.

And, of course, Jake Sullivan, our National Security Advisor, spoke with his Kenyan count- — counterpart earlier this week.

That’s a lot of activity just this week across the continent.  And there’s just the start of what we think will be a very busy 2024.

We’re looking forward to deepening those relationships and — and improving on that coordination.

Now, before I get to your questions, there — I do want to correct something that I said yesterday.  I got asked about another meeting with our Mexican par- — partners and whether there was something on the schedule.  And I said that I wasn’t aware that there was anything on the schedule.  But if I had done my homework, I would have been able to answer that question better. 

At the conclusion of the last U.S.-Mexico Ministerial on Migration on the 19th of January, we did say in our readout that we would continue our strong cooperation on migration on the margins of the Trilateral Fentanyl Committee meeting in Mexico City in early February.  And so, we’ll have more to share soon on that.

But — but I had — I was incorrect.  There was actually something on the schedule, and it’s in early February.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Chris.

Q    One person missing from your travel announcement with Africa: President Biden.  Is he going to go to Africa this year?  He has said he’s going to go.

MR. KIRBY:  I have nothing to announce with respect to presidential travel.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, April. 

Q    Okay.  And one more thing.  Also, the Russians say that Ukraine shot down a military transport craft carrying Ukrainian POWs.  Does the U.S. have any information on that?

MR. KIRBY:  No, we don’t.  We’ve seen the reports, but we’re not in a position to confirm them.

We’re obviously doing the best we can to try to get more clarity and more information on it, but I don’t have anything more for you right now.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, April, and then in the back.

Q    John, could you give us information as to what the roadblocks were last year for the President not to go and what some of the roadblocks could be this year, in what is considered an intense year, why he would not go?  What are some of the roadblocks?

MR. KIRBY:  I wouldn’t describe them as “roadblocks,” April.  I mean, as you know, there was a lot of international travel last year, and it was really a scheduling challenge.  And we’ll — we’ll see what this year holds.

The President is still very, very committed to making sure we are expanding and deepening our relationships on the continent.  And as I just laid out in the opening statement, there’s an — that’s just this week.  There’s an awful lot going on.

Q    But, as you said, there are scheduling challenges –there are challenges, but the President made a commitment that he would go as well as his Cabinet Secretaries.  The Vice President went last year.  The Cabinet Secretaries —

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah.

Q    — are still going.  What is the importance of going to Africa for him in this moment still?

MR. KIRBY:  He — he’s still committed to making sure that that — that we’re all in on Africa.  And, again, I don’t have a —

Q    But a travel (inaudible).

MR. KIRBY:  I don’t have travel — I don’t have travel to speak to now, April.  But — but I can assure you that the President is very, very committed to deepening the relationships we have on the continent and to furthering all the lines of effort that we agreed to in the Africa Leaders Summit.  That’s why so many administration officials are — are visiting right now.

Q    So, what are the positives that have come out of all the administration officials going and not him thus far?

MR. KIRBY:  There’s an awful lot of good work being done here.  And I just kind of laid out for you briefly who’s going and what they’re — and why they’re going and what they’re — what they’re trying to get done.  And all of these visits, all of these discussions very much build on the Africa Leaders Summit and the things that we committed to doing economically, diplomatically, socially, and even, in some ways, from a security perspective. 

So, I think — let — we’ll — we’ll have good — I think, a sense once these trips are over and these — these principals come back on — on what kind of progress they made, and we’ll just continue to work at it.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Kevin.

Q    The U.N. refugee agency in Gaza says there has been a mass casualty event at one of its shelters in Gaza.  They say it was struck by two tank shells.  There are hundreds of people who are sheltering — displaced people who are sheltering here.  Does the White House have a comment on this?  And does this reflect a lower-intensity phase of fighting in Gaza?

MR. KIRBY:  I — I don’t have any information on this particular event, the way you described it.  I — I didn’t — I don’t have any background on it to share.  I’m just learning about it myself.  So, look, why don’t we — when the briefing is over, we’ll see if we — you know, if we can comment on it one way or the other.  I don’t know.

That aside, with the — with the caveat that I don’t know anything about this particular event that you’re describing, the Israelis have taken steps to — to transition their operations.  They have removed a division of troops.  That’s a lot of troops.  That’s thousands of troops. 

And they are pursuing, on the ground, more targeted operations against — particularly against the leadership.  They are relying less on — on airstrikes.

Low-intensity operations doesn’t mean no-intensity operations.  And even in a low-intensity environment — again, I won’t speak for them — but from my own experience, even in low-intensity operations, you’re still going to be in combat.  There is still going to be fighting and there’s still going to be casualties. 

So, again, I would just — you know, as we think about this going forward, we shouldn’t expect that as they transition to low-intensity operations that there’s not still going to be some violence.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Andrea.

Q    John, just continuing on the Gaza question.  Yesterday, the President’s speech was interrupted by multiple protesters calling for a ceasefire.  Now, we’ve seen these kinds of interruptions at — at various events, but we’re also seeing increased polling among the American public that is clamoring for a ceasefire.  Is the President — you know, is his perspective on this changing at all, given the daily mounting casualty toll?  Is he starting to rethink whether it might be prudent to — to ask for a halt in — in the fighting and beyond just the pause?

MR. KIRBY:  I would remind that, since very early going in this conflict, we have been urging our Israeli counterparts to be careful and precise.  We have talked about the civilian casualties and how we don’t want to see more.  We have urged them to take different actions, and they have responded to that advice and counsel.

He understands that there are strong feelings here on all sides, as you would expect.  I mean, he’s been doing this a long, long time.  He also believes it’s really important that Israel have the right and the ability to continue to defend themselves against which is — what is clearly still a viable threat from Hamas. 

But that doesn’t mean we’re going to stop, again, urging
a stronger focus by our Israeli counterparts on minimizing civilian casualties and on getting aid in.

And you talked about a pause.  I would also remind that, from the very beginning — or nearly the very beginning — this administration, under President Biden’s leadership, has argued and tried to push for humanitarian pauses in the fighting so that hostages could get out and aid could get in.  And we are still doing that.

Brett McGurk is in the region as we speak.  In fact, he’s in Doha today having discussions with our Qatari counterparts about the possibilities of another — another hostage deal.

Q    Can I — can I just follow up on — sorry — on that?

So, the President has been pushing for pauses.  You’ve been talking here from the podium about pauses.  The Israeli — Israelis today have again, sort of, ruled out a — a Gaza ceasefire.  They’ve said that there were pauses for humanitarian purposes.  Those have been breached by Hamas.  We’re hearing out of the region that there’s movement towards something like a one-month pause.  Can you give us an update on that? 

And then, you know, whether — you know, whether that is — whether there’s any additional language that would come as part of that about if a further — like, a more permanent solution?

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, I don’t have any additional context to provide today.  We talked about this a little bit yesterday.  As I said, Brett is in the region right now.  And while he’s having lots of conversations on lots of issues, this is certainly top of his agenda.  And he’s in Doha, as I said, today.

I — I don’t want to get ahead of those discussions, except to repeat what I said yesterday, which is these are very sober and serious discussions we’re having.  And we certainly want to see another humanitarian pause put in place so that we can, again, get aid in and get people out. 

But how close we are to that and what the parameters of that are going to look like, how many days and the — that’s all part of the discussions we’re having right now.  And it would not be appropriate for me to try to speculate on where that’s going right now.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  We sadly don’t have too much time.  Go ahead, Selina.

Q    Thank you, Admiral.  On Sergey Lavrov.  He’s calling for an emergency U.N. Council meeting over the plane crash.  Just want to get your reaction to that, and if there could be any truth to the Russian version of events that the U.S. believes there were Ukrainian prisoner — prisoners of war on that plane. 

MR. KIRBY:  Again, we just don’t have enough information to comment on this — on this plane crash.  We’re — we’ve seen the reports of it.  We’re trying to get more information.  But it would be imprudent for me to speculate beyond that.  I just don’t know the veracity of these — of these reports. 

You know, the Ukrainians are claiming one thing.  The Russians are claiming another.  And we just don’t know enough to comment on it.

Q    And Iran’s Foreign Minister told ABC News yesterday that he believes the risks of a “wider war in the region” is going up.  He’s blaming the U.S. for it, says that if the U.S. stopped providing aid, then Netanyahu wouldn’t survive for 10 minutes.  Wanted to get your reaction on that.

MR. KIRBY:  If — if the Iranian government is concerned about escalation, then the best thing they could do would be to cut off the support that they give to groups like Hamas and Hezbollah and these Iran-backed militia groups in Iraq and Syria.  We don’t want to see conflict escalate.  We don’t want to see some broader war.  We’re not looking for a war or a conflict with anybody.  We’re actually trying to de-escalate. 

And if the Iranians are serious about that and they want to de-escalate, well, we would welcome them stopping this support. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.

Q    John, can you give an assessment on — on what the White House’s assessment is of the hunger crisis in Gaza?  We know from several aid groups that, you know, this —

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah.

Q    — “could not be worse” is the words that have been used.  But what’s the White House’s take on — on that right now?

MR. KIRBY:  We understand that the situation — the humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire.  And specifically, when it comes to food insecurity, we’re mindful of that — which is why, again, you got Brett in the region right now.  We’re trying to do everything we can to get additional humanitarian pauses in place so that aid can get in.

It is obviously designed to help us get hostages out, of course.  But when you have a lull in the fighting, man, you got to take advantage of that, and you got to get more trucks in. 

And so, we’re very much focused on this.  And that’s why food is such a principal product of the humanitarian assistance that’s going in.  We’re mindful, though — we’re very mindful —

Q    Has the White House seen —

MR. KIRBY:  — that a lot of people are hungry. 

Q    Has the White House seen reports that there are Palestinians who are trying to make flour out of animal feed at this point, like, it is — it is that level?

MR. KIRBY:  We’re — we’re mindful of the dire circumstances that some people are living in in terms of food insecurity there in Gaza.  Absolutely. 

Now, one of the things we talked about — I don’t know, a week or so ago — was we had worked with the Israelis to open up the Ashdod — Ashdod port for the delivery — direct delivery into Gaza of flour, specifically because we know how important flour and the ability to create meals from that is to the people of Gaza.  So, we’re very focused on this. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.

Q    Okay, thank you so much.  Admiral, can you comment on what happened in the Red Sea this morning?  Two Maersk vessels had to turn back after explosions happened.  So, were these explosions due to strikes by the Houthis?  And if so, does it mean that the campaign against the Houthis still is not working?

MR. KIRBY:  What I can tell you and what I do know what happened today it was that there were three Houthi missiles fired at two merchant vessels and — in the Southern Red Sea.  One missile missed by something like 200 kilometers.  The other two were shot down by a U.S. Navy destroyer.

That — that’s — that’s what I know.  It’s — obviously, underscores that the Houthis still intend to conduct these attacks, which means we’re obviously still going to have to do what we have to — have to do to protect that shipping. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Weijia.

Q    Thank you.  Following on the humanitarian crisis.  President Biden recently said that there were no sticking points when it came to the border deal, which, of course, impacts the supplemental.  But there does appear to be disagreement over an aid package for Palestinian civilians.  So, would the President support any measure that did not include aid for Palestinian civilians?

MR. KIRBY:  I won’t negotiate here from — from the podium.  That wouldn’t be appropriate. 

We are, we believe, making good progress here on the Senate side in a bipartisan way to try to get this supplemental funding passed and in place.  We understand that that certainly includes lots of different moving pieces, but it would be irresponsible for me to go into much detail here. 

Q    Thanks.

Q    Thank you.  Admiral, I want to ask on behalf of my colleagues in Argentina: There are reports in local media down there that they’re getting ready to finalize the purchase of the F-16s that was approved in the U.S. last year.  I’m wondering what your read is on that and what you can say about the context of potentially Argentina moving closer to Washington, maybe further from Beijing?

MR. KIRBY:  I don’t have anything on the F-16s.  Let me take that question and get back to you rather than try to pontificate from here.  But obviously, we — we value the biparti- — the bilateral relationship with Argentina and certainly want to do what we can to improve it, grow it, deepen it.  But let me get back to you on the F-16s.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Last question.  (Inaudible.)

Q    Thank you.  Two questions.  On Iran proxies, any confirmed reports that Iran has provided Mohajer-6 combat drone to the Sudanese army? 

And secondly, why is there a double standard when it comes to that administration dealing with the Iranian proxies in the region?  On one hand, you (inaudible) Israel annihilating Hamas, but only (inaudible) degrading Houthis and the Iranian-backed groups in Iraq.

MR. KIRBY:  I’m not sure I understand the premise of the second question.  I’m not — there’s — there’s no double standard here.  We’re acting in self-defense.  In both cases, strikes against the Iran-backed groups in Iraq yesterday were designed to prevent them from continuing to attack our troops — self-defense. 

And the same thing goes for the attacks against the — the Houthis.  And whether it’s ashore or knocking their stuff out of the sky when it’s on the way to these ships like we did this morning, it’s about self-defense.  There’s no double standard here. 

And I didn’t understand your first question.  What was a —

Q    Can you confirm reports that Iran has provided Mohajer-6 combat drone to the Sudanese army?

MR. KIRBY:  To the Sudanese.  I don’t — I have not seen that report.  I’ll take the question and get back to you. 

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

All right.  Chris. 

Q    I just wanted to recap one thing.  You said there was an Africa travel update.  I’m just sort of puzzled that there’s nothing more on the President — you know, I just thought —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Oh.

Q    — that was going to be — we were all waiting for that at the end of that — that (inaudible).

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I know.  Well, he did talk about Africa travel, but not as it relates to the President.  But there are, as you heard from the Admiral, Cabinet Secretaries, obviously, being — being really active with their travel, going to the continent, and having really important conversations —

Q    Is it still the President’s commitment to go to the continent?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — look, it is the President’s commitment to go to the continent.  As it relates to a timeline, a date, I don’t have that to share with you at this time.  But we wanted to lift up the Cabinet Secretaries, as we have also said that we would see an influx of Cabinet Secretaries traveling to the continent, which is what you’re seeing.

And the President is — very much wants to — wants to go to — to the — to the continent, obviously. 

One of the reasons why we lifted up in the topper today is because the President wanted to show his commitment to the continent of Africa.

Q    And a personnel question.  Mike Donilon and Jen O’Malley Dillon —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  A personal — oh, personnel. 

Q    Personnel.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m like, “A personal question?”  (Laughter.) 

Q    Personnel question.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I was like, “Why now?  Why here?”  (Laughter.)

Q    Mike Donilon and Jen O’Malley Dillon are leaving the White House for the campaign.  When are — when is their last day here at the White House (inaudible) —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I just want to —

Q    — stay for the State of the Union?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No, I appreciate the question.  So, a couple of things.  You guys all saw the President’s statement yesterday, last night, announcing that Mike Donilon and Jen O’Malley Dillon will leave the White House in the upcoming weeks to join the reelection campaign. 

Like the President said, they have served with dedication and purpose as we have delivered on a historic recovery.  And he is thankful to Mike and Jen both for their service in the White House these past three years. 

Both are trusted advisors to the President, as you all know, who have deep experience and played important roles in the historic successes he has delivered for the American people, ranging from building an economy that works from the bottom up, middle out, not the top down; standing up for our basic freedoms as Americans; or protecting our democracy from unprecedented threats.

And on a personal note — now, I can — I will say this personally, I’ve known Jen O’Malley Dillon for some time.  And she is — has been an excellent colleague.  Mike — Mike — Mike Donilon has become a friend over the last three years.  And we are very sad to lose them.

As it relates to a timeline, it’s going to be in the upcoming weeks.  I just don’t have a timeline to share at this time.

Go ahead, Kelly O.

Q    In terms of the event yesterday, where the President obviously indicated that the views of the public are passionate and there are expected protests, is he now braced for protests at every event where the public is expected?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, let me just say more broadly, obviously, the President respects people’s right to — to speak out peacefully, as you just stated in your — in your — in your question to me, Kelly O. 

As it relates to events and what to expect, that is something for Secret Service.  Obviously, they deal with that.  That’s not something that I can speak to.  They look out for that.  They deal with that, so I don’t want to get ahead of the Secret Service process. 

But, look, you know, again, the President believes that Americans have the right to speak out, make their voice heard as long as they do it peacefully.  And so, we res- — we respect that. 

Q    And, of course, the event was about, in large part, a strong view that the administration and the campaign have that reproductive rights, abortion rights are an essential in this campaign season.  Do you get a sense that the President is going to find ways to do more to personalize this story of how women are affected by it?  He cited ways where women are not getting medical care.  He talked about how influential it is.  Is there some other outreach that he can do? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, appreciate the question.  Look, I think what you heard — obviously, yesterday was a campaign event that the President did with the other principals in the administration — and you heard him speak passionately and fiery, I will say, about the issue. 

On Monday, as you all know, this week would have been the 51st — if Roe was still a constitutional law, it would have been the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade.  And we talked about — you’ve heard from the President; you’ve heard from the Vice President — talk about how devastating the overturning of Roe have been to women across the country. 

And just the amount of — of legislation that is restricting that right, restricting that reprod- — reproductive right that we’ve seen in states. 

What I will say as it relates to outreach — there is something that I will share with all of you.  On Sunday, the President and the First Lady spoke to Kate Cox, who was forced to go to court to seek permission for the care she needed for a non-viable pregnancy that threatened her life — that threatened her life.  They thanked her for her courage in sharing her story and speaking out about the impact of the extreme abortion ban in Texas.  The First Lady invited Kate to join her as a guest at the State of the Union, and Kate accepted.

So, those are ways that you’re going to hear the President lift up those very personal stories.  You saw that yesterday with Amanda who came and who introduced the President.  And it is important.  It is important for Americans to hear the horroring [harrowing] stories that we’re hearing from women of their experiences across the country. 

And one last thing I’ll say — and it looks like you have a follow-up, and I apologize — is that, you know, this is a President and administration — the Biden-Harris administration is standing with the majority of Americans on this — with majority of Americans.  And Republican elected officials are just not.

Q    I had a follow-up (inaudible) there.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I know you had a follow-up.  (Laughs.)

Q    Was that a private call or was that something that you recorded?  Sometimes we’ve seen those —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — as released later.  What’s the status of that?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, it definitely was a private car- — co- — call — pardon me, a private call.  I — I cannot speak if it was recorded.  But obviously, it was a private call that they thought it was really important — the President and the First Lady — to reach out to Kate. 

As you all know and all have reported — and she’s been on some of the networks here — her story is incredibly powerful, devastating.  And — and it speaks to the moment that we are in now when we talk about women having the right to make these deeply personal decisions about their healthcare that was taken away by the Supreme Court. 

And we have Republican officials that continue to talk about — and in Congress introduce, you know, national bans.  And so, that is not where this President and this Vice President stands.  And you’re going to continue to hear us to speak to that.

Go ahead, Kevin.

Q    When you talked to the President afterwards, is he frustrated that he wasn’t able to sort of deliver this speech as he intended?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, look — look, the President — from my view — and I think some of your colleagues have written about this — it was a fiery speech.  It was a deeply, deeply impactful speech.  You heard how the crowd reacted to the speech.  It was a speech that, I think, landed in a way that talked about how this President and his entire administration is going to fight for women.  And that is also important.

Look, you know, I said this at the top when I was asked this question, he respects all Americans — you know, their right to speak out as long — and make sure that their — their voices are heard, just as long — they do it in a peaceful way.  That’s what we want to see. 

And he’s made clear about where he stands on — you know, on the — on the issue that we’ve been talking about, obviously, today with Israel being able to defend themselves, understanding the painful time that a number of communities — and we’re certainly working to be supportive of resource — and resource — and respect different points of views. 

But he’s been very, very clear.  And, look, we’re going to — you know, we’re going to continue to — to be clear about that — where we stand — and also, obviously, respect the peaceful protest that, you know, Americans are allowed to do.

Q    Was there any effort after the speech yesterday to try and engage some of these protesters, to have President Biden talk with them directly?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No, I can’t speak to any — any opportunities to engage with the protesters.  But, obviously, they made — they made their voices very loud and clear.  And I’ll just leave it there. 

Q    When is the last time he talked to folks who are advocating for a ceasefire?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, look, I think he hears from Americans all the time.  I think he — he —

Q    But in terms of, like, a direct conversation.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, look, he — I can’t speak to a direct conversation that he’s had, but he hears from Americans all the time about their different views that they have.  And so, that is — you know, that is the — something that the President is very aware of. 

So, don’t have any direct conversations to speak to, but obviously the President has — is aware of what’s happening and how people feel.

Go ahead.

Q    So, the UAW — President Biden will speak to the UAW, today.  The UAW has also called for a ceasefire.  Does that complicate the — you know, any effort to sort of get — you know, does it complicate the relationship between President Biden and the union if these large unions — it’s not just the UAW, but others who are also calling for a ceasefire?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’ll say this.  The President — as you know, in the fall, the President joined UAW workers on — on the picket line.  And he was the first president to ever do that.  Because this is a President who says it all the time: He believe the union built the middle class.  He believes that the unions are — should be able to, you know, get the benefits that they deserve for working so hard — right? — for working and — you know, on behalf of the American people, obviously.

But, look — and he supported them for their historic fight to get a historic contract.  So, he has — he believes he has and we believe he has a very good relationship with unions, not just the UAW. 

And, look — and — and not just that.  He fought very proudly to — and — and won the type of major investment needed to ensure that we have EV future — EV future made in America, right?  When we talk about manufacturing, when we talk about bringing manu- — manufacturing back to America, and that is something that he has been very proud about. 

And so, he’s been a union guy for a very long time.  He continual — we will continue to do that.  He’s going to go and speak to UAW.  Obviously, he has a good relationship with UAW if he’s going to go do that. 

And he proudly, proudly stood next to union workers, as I stated, in the fall to — on the picket line — something that no other president has done. 

Go ahead.  And then I’ll come to the back.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  The Boeing CEO is being scrutinized on Capitol Hill today.  What has been the President’s reaction to the ongoing safety concerns?  And is there any message from the White House to reassure American travelers?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, look, as — as I’ve stated, and I’ve stated this before, FAA, their — one of their number one priorities is to make sure that Americans feel safe flying, and — and certainly they’ve take actions to — to show their commitment to make sure that, you know, flights are — are safe and they feel safe doing that. 

I don’t have any specifics.  Obviously, as you just mentioned, the executives are — are on the Hill.  And that is something FAA and — is continuing to look into exactly what’s going on there. 

Just don’t have anything more to share.  I’m going to not get ahead of — of what they’re looking into.

Q    And just going back to the earlier question on the UAW.  I know you can’t talk about the campaign.  But, you know, the President has called himself the most pro-union president.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    We haven’t seen an endorsement yet. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    Could you just talk a bit about what the President’s message is going to be and your views on whether or not he’s going to clinch that endorsement soon.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, and not just the President has called himself the p- — the most pro-union president; other unions have called him the most pro-union president.  So, I just want to make that clear.

I cannot speak to endorsements from here.  That is something that the campaign would have to speak to. 

Again, the President was very proud to join — join union members at the picket line early this fall.  He has fought for union members throughout — not just the last three years, but throughout his career.  And that’s something that he’s going to continue to do. 

I’m just not going to speak to any — any endorsements from here.

Go ahead, Jon.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Can you give an overview about the President’s trip that he’s taking tomorrow to Wisconsin?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, as you all know, he’s going to go to Superior, Wisconsin.  I’m not going to get ahead.  We’ll have more to share about that tomorrow or if not later in the day.

Look — and I think I said a little bit about this earlier this week when I announced the trip — he’s going to continue to talk about investing in America; what he’s doing to make — make Americans’ lives a little bit more easier — right? — a little — giving them a little bit more breathing room; talk about Bidenomics. 

And one thing that I will say — and I don’t want to get ahead of it — I think you saw a tweet from a congressman from Minnesota 8, who — who touted the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, something that this congressman — Congressman Stauber — who did not vote for it.  And it — what’s interesting is it was a bipartisan piece of legislation. 

Obviously, we were thankful to Republicans who — who did work with the President to — to put forth this Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and voted for it and pushed for it.  But there are some Republicans who didn’t, and they see the benefits of this particular law and now are touting it, but didn’t vote for it — did not vote for it at all. 

So, the President is going to go to Superior, Wisconsin.  He’ll have a — he’ll have more to say.  I’m not going to get ahead of him.

Q    Do you suppose the President will call out that congressman, in particular —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  We’ll see.

Q    — while he’s on the ground there?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  We’ll see.  I mean, I called him out.  And we called him out on — on “X” — now, I think it’s called.  (Laughter.)  So, you know, we’ll continue — we’ll continue to be very clear about that. 

Go ahead, April.

Q    Karine, what do you have to say about the confirmation — Senate confirmation this afternoon of the 34th and 35th Black women judges in this administration? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  What — what to say about that, specifically —

Q    Yeah.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  — the confirmation? 

Look, this is a president who has been very clear and has stuck to his commitment: When he said that he wanted to make sure he had an administration that looked like America, including, obviously, a judicial system that looked like America.  And he’s been very proud.  He has been very proud of the women that he’s been able — the women of color, Black women that he’s been able to put forward to get confirmed for some of these judicial appoint- — appointments.

And so, look, you see that in his administration.  You see that in his appointments.  He wants to make sure that we represent what this country looks like.  And he’s been very proud of that.

Q    In the long term —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — what does this administration believe that this will do to reshape the court system in this nation —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, I think —

Q    — with these appointments?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I think it’s important that we — that we have this type of representation.  And you hear us say this many — many times: representation matters.  And I think that is important that we make sure we have, obviously, not just representation, but the women and the — and the — the men and women that he has been able to appoint to these position have been incredibly ex- — experienced.  They’ve been impressive with their own record.  They are more than qualified to have these appointments.  And I think that’s important too.

Q    But I’m drilling down on the Black women, at a time when people are walking away from DEI.  And this is historic.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  It is historic.  We agree with you, April. 

Q    We’ve never seen it before.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  It is historic and important.  It is historic and important.  And this is a —

Q    But they —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Let’s not forget, this is a commitment that the President said that he — he would move forward with — right? — making sure we have representation, making sure we have diversity, making sure we have talented, experienced people in these roles.  And that’s what he’s doing.  That’s what he’s doing.

Go ahead, Weijia.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  I have more questions about Boeing.  Has the White House been in touch with Boeing?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Any, like, personal, pri- — like, conversations with —

Q    Correct.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  — with executives of Boeing?

Q    Since the loose-bolt issues arose.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I don’t have any — I don’t have any calls or meetings to read out. 

Q    Okay.  So, this isn’t the first time the FAA and Boeing have been under scrutiny.  You know, the 737 Max was grounded just a few years ago.  And you just said that their priority is to make sure people are safe.  So, did they fail here?  I mean, how could we be in this position again?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, we always — I’m going to start off and say the same thing that I said.  Their priority is to make sure that — that Americans feel safe and that they are safe, and they’re going to continue to work toward that goal. 

And look, certainly, everything is being looked into.  There’s a — as you — as was stated by your colleague, there is a hearing happening in the — on the Hill.  And we’re always going to look into what we can do — and FAA is going to do this — to make sure that we continue to — that we do everything possible to make sure that they are safe, that people feel —

Q    But what’s your message to American flyers who might be thinking: “Well, we can’t trust Boeing.  We can’t trust the FAA to do its oversight part.  What are we supposed to do?”

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I think — I think what — what the President has said and will continue to say is that that’s the FAA’s top priority.  Their top priority is — is certainly to make sure that Americans feel safe.  That’s why they launched an investigation and it is — is increasing, obviously, their oversight of Boeing.

And — look, and we’ve talked about how the Boeing Max 9 aircraft will remain grounded, right?  That’s what they’re going to do — that’s one way that Americans could feel that FAA has taken action — until FAA is satisfied — they are satisfied that they are safe to return to service. 

And so, look, that is — that is a commitment that Americans could be sure of.  That is a top priority of FAA’s.  We want to make sure that we look into it and figure out exactly what happened, and they’re going to get to the bottom of it.

Q    Thanks.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Just wanted to get an updated read on inflation impacts of the Red Sea attacks.  I wonder if the White House is seeing anything in the data that (inaudible) concern?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, we’ve been asked about this a couple of times.  I think the Admiral may have been asked about this yesterday as well. 

Look, we’re — these are things that we’re obviously going to continue to monitor.  We have not seen any — any impacts.

Our national security team and obviously our economic team are going to continue to keep a close eye on this, on the evolving situation in the Red Sea.  The Department of Transportation and the Navy are in close communication with oc- — ocean shippers and insurers industry and other stakeholders.  And we’re taking steps to ensure shipping in the Red Sea is an un- — unobstructed. 

So, that is something that we’re certainly going to continue to monitor and keep an eye on.

Okay, go ahead.

Q    In the wake of recent job cuts at outlets like the Los Angeles Times, does the administration support legislation — like that moving forward in California — that would require social media platforms to pay news outlets for their content?  And is the — the administration concerned about the layoffs at the L.A. Times, Time, and — and other outlets?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, we are always — we are always going to support the freedom of the — of speech, obviously, and support — and we believe journalists have a really difficult job — right? — to make sure that they — you know, making sure that they are able to — to report on — on the facts.  And so, certainly, we’re always going to support that. 

And we’ve been very clear in not engaging with the Los Angeles Times while they’re going through — while they’re going through this process.  I know they — they went on — went on strike.  So, we’re — we’re very respectful of — of that as well.

As it relates to the legislation, I haven’t seen the legislation.  I have not spoken to the team here, so I don’t want to get ahead of that.

Go ahead.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  This week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for a crackdown on Zyn nicotine pouches, saying that companies seem to set their sights on young kids, teenagers, and even lower and use social media to hook them.  Does the administration believe there should be a crackdown on Zyn?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  That’s something for FDA to speak to.  I can’t speak to that from here.  I’ve not seen that report, so I would refer to the FDA specifically.

Go ahead.

Q    Thank you.  There are about 800 gotaways at the border every day, 96,000 since October 1st.  Does President Biden want to locate these folks who have disappeared into this country to parts unknown?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, here’s what I will say is that the President — one of the reasons that the President is having these negotiation procedures or process with the Senate — with both Republicans and Democrats — as I’ve said many times before, is because we want to deal with what’s going on at the border.  He is taking this very seriously.  He’s — he wants to make sure that we come up with a bipartisan agreement.  And we are very appreciative for that. 

But there’s also the diplomatic aspect of it, of making sure that we’re having conversations with Mexico, and we have had — and we’ve had productive conversations with them. 

And DHS is maximizing — they are maximizing its enforcement efforts.  And since May 12th — and you’ve heard me say this as well — DHS has been able to return more than 482,000 individuals who did not have the legal basis to be here.

So, we’re doing what we can — right? — at the border.  DHS is doing — maximizing their process, doing what they can at the border. 

But we need help, right?  We need Congress to actually act and do their part as well.  And we’re having those negotiations and we’re having those processes. 

I cannot speak to the 800 — the 8,000 number you just provided to me.  What I can speak to as what we’re trying to do on the policy side and the funding side to make sure that we — the Border Patrol, the law enforcement on the ground have what they need.

Q    Different topic.  Is election denying a joke now?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  What do you mean?  You have to say more than just make a random statement (inaudible).  (Laughter.)

Q    Why did the President say, “Hello, Virginia!  And the real governor, Terry McAuliffe”?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  He was making a joke about Terry M- — he was making a joke — 

Q    What’s the joke?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  He was — I mean, if you play it back, it’s clearly that the President was making a joke. 

Q    What’s the joke?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  He was making a joke about McAuliffe’s previous term as governor.

Q    How are you guys going to convince people, though, that this idea of denying election results is very bad if President Biden is going out —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  How is he —

Q    — and making jokes about this?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay, he did not deny — he did not deny it.  He congratulated Governor Youngkin.  Matter of fact, when he won his election, he did it out of the gate — out of the gate.  Really, truly.  He — he congratulated the governor.  And not only that, we’ve had opportunities to work closely with the governor over the past couple of years. 

And, you know, this is a president that works across the aisle.  We’ve seen that many times.  And he was making a joke.

Go ahead, Toluse.

Q    Do you have an update on the border negotiations?  Has the President made any calls or done anything over the past couple of days to move those negotiations along?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, the update that I can give you is that our team has been in regular contact daily with — with the negotiators on the Hill doing — obviously, as I’ve mentioned many times, both Republicans and Democrats.  We feel like it’s been in good faith.  We feel like it’s — it’s been — it’s — we are grateful that these conversations have been happening for the past couple of months.  And we certainly want them to continue. 

As — as it relates to the President, the President has — tends to have conversations with members of Congress because of his long- — long-term relationships with many of them.  Don’t have anything to read out.  But I can say that our — our — our team here has been in regular contact — daily contact with negotiators.

Q    There was reportedly a pretty raucous lunch in the GOP Senate conference yesterday.  A little bit of debate over whether or not Republicans should have multiple days, potentially up to three weeks, to review this, as opposed to a deal being put on the floor and senators being forced to vote on it very quickly. 

Does the President, who was in the Senate for a very long time, have thoughts on whether or not Republican senators and Democratic senators should have time to review what the deal is?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  That is something — as it — as it relates to the process and how they’re moving forward, you know, the process and the technical and the procedures and all of the things that is related to passing legislation or agreeing on a piece of legislation, that’s something for — for the leadership to speak to.  I can’t speak to it from here. 

AIDE:  We’ve got to wrap to gather.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  We have to gather.  Let’s see.  Go ahead, sir. 

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Kirby mentioned those ongoing talks with Mexico about immigration.  Have — has that dialogue and, like, the handshake deal with China from last year yielded — yielded any substantive results regarding fentanyl flow —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Oh, yeah, absolutely. 

Q    — in the country yet?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  And I believe we made some announcements. 

Q    Can we get some numbers?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.  Happy to — happy to get back to you with some announcement that we made after the meeting that the President had with President Xi on the — on what we think was a productive conversation on fentanyl specifically.

Look, the President has been very clear.  When it comes to fentanyl, he wants to make sure we get that out of our communities across the country and has been very committed in having conversation with Mexico and having conversation with China. 

We’ll — happy to — to give you a — more update on that. 

We have to go because you all have to gather because the President is heading to UAW.  Thanks, everybody. 

12:37 P.M. EST

The post Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby appeared first on The White House.

Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Madam President:)
 
As I reported previously, since at least November 2023, Yemen‑based Houthi militants have engaged in a series of attacks against United States military forces, including ships and aircraft, and against maritime commercial shipping, operating in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden.  These attacks pose a threat to the safety of United States forces and commercial ships and their crews, regional political and economic stability, and navigational rights and freedoms.  The Houthi militants continue to pose a threat of future attacks against United States forces and military vessels and against other maritime traffic in the region.
 
I previously reported that on January 11, 2024, in response to these attacks and the threat of future attacks, at my direction, United States forces as part of a multinational operation alongside the United Kingdom, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, conducted discrete strikes against facilities in Yemen that facilitate Houthi militants’ attacks in the Red Sea region.
 
On January 22, 2024, at my direction, United States forces as part of a multinational operation alongside the United Kingdom, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, conducted discrete strikes against Houthi underground storage sites and locations associated with the Houthis’ missile and air surveillance capabilities in Yemen that support and facilitate Houthi militants’ attacks in the Red Sea region.  I directed the strikes in order to protect and defend our personnel and assets, to degrade and disrupt the ability of the Houthi militants to carry out future attacks against the United States and against vessels operating in the Red Sea region, and to prevent the Houthi militants from conducting or supporting further attacks that could further destabilize the region and threaten United States strategic interests.  The strikes were taken to deter and degrade Houthi capacity to conduct future attacks and were conducted in a manner designed to limit the risk of escalation and avoid civilian casualties.

I directed this military action consistent with my responsibility to protect United States citizens both at home and abroad and in furtherance of United States national security and foreign policy interests, pursuant to my constitutional authority as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive and to conduct United States foreign relations.  The United States took this necessary and proportionate action consistent with international law and in the exercise of the United States’ inherent right of self-defense as reflected in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.  The United States stands ready to take further action, as necessary and appropriate, to address further threats or attacks.
 
I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148).  I appreciate the support of the Congress in this action.
 
                                      Sincerely,
 
 
                                      JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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Hylton Performing Arts Center
Manassas, Virginia 
(January 23, 2024)

4:36 P.M. EST

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Hi, everyone.  Good afternoon.  Can we give it up for the First Lady of the United States of America?  (Applause.)

Thank you, Dr. Biden.  Thank you, Jill.  She’s been traveling.  She’s really been traveling.  And I can’t thank you enough for your friendship and your leadership. 

And — and I have to say about our First Lady, just as she left the stage, she has been an unwavering champion for the women and f- — families of our nation.  Excuse me.  I see her when the cameras are on and when they’re off, and she’s an extraordinary leader on so many levels. 

So, again, to Dr. Jill Biden, thank you very much.  (Applause.)

Please have a seat if you’d like.

And to my husband, the first Second Gentleman of the United States, Doug Emhoff.  (Applause.)  And, of course, I always thank him for standing with the women of America and for the people.

And of course, our President, Joe Biden, who is going to take the stage very shortly.  (Applause.)  Who, as we all know — which is why we are here together — we have, in Joe Biden, a courageous fighter for our most fundamental freedoms as Americans, including, of course, the freedom to make decisions about one’s own body and not have their government tell them what they’re supposed to do.  (Applause.)

And, of course, today, that freedom is under profound threat.

We all know, 19 months ago, the highest court in our land — the court of Thurgood and RBG — took a constitutional right from the people of America, from the women of America.  And in the 19 months since, in states across our nation, extremists have proposed and passed laws that criminalize doctors and punish women — laws that make no exception even for rape and incest.

And let us all agree, one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government should not be telling her what to do with her body.  (Applause.)

If she chooses — if she chooses, she will consult with her pastor, her priest, her rabbi, her imam.  But it should not be the government telling her what they think is in her best interest.

And note — (applause) — while these extremists say they are motivated by the health and the well-being of the women and children of America, in reality, they ignore the crisis of maternal mortality.  (Applause.)

The top 10 states in our country with the highest rates of maternal mortality all have abortion bans.  The hypocrisy abounds.

And so, this is, in fact, a healthcare crisis.  And there is nothing about this moment that is hypothetical.

Today, in America, one in three women of reproductive age live in a state with an abortion ban. 

And let us understand what that really means for people across our nation.  Let us understand the horrific reality that women face every single day.

Since Roe was overturned, I have met a woman, for example — I’ve actually met more than one who have had miscarriages in toilets because they were refused care.

I have met women who went to the emergency room and who were turned away because doctors were afraid they would be thrown in jail for providing care.

Just yesterday, I was in Wisconsin for the first stop of my national “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” tour.  (Applause.)  And there I met a woman named Meagan.  Because of a law that Wisconsin passed in, get this, 1849, that extremists then use in current day to stop abortion, Meagan had to go to Minnesota to leave the state she calls home to receive the care that saved her life.

Across our nation, women are suffering. 

And let us be very clear about who is responsible.  Former President Trump handpicked —

AUDIENCE MEMBERS:  Boo!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — handpicked three Supreme Court Justices because he intended for them to overturn Roe.  He intended for them to take your freedoms.  He is the architect of this healthcare crisis.  And he is not done.  And he is not done.  And the extremists are not done.

In the United States Congress, extremists are trying to pass a national abortion ban to outlaw —

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — to outlaw abortion in every state.

But what they need to know is that we will not allow it.  (Applause.)  The American people will not allow it.  (Applause.)  That’s right.

And here’s some evidence of that point.  Since Roe was overturned, tens of millions of Americans in red states and blue marched to the polls in defense of fundamental freedoms.

The voice — (applause) — the voice of the people has been heard, and it will be heard.  (Applause.)

So, today, I ask the people here in Virginia: Are you ready to make your voice heard?  (Applause.)

Do we trust women?  (Applause.)  Do we believe in reproductive freedoms?  (Applause.)  Do we believe in the promise of America?  (Applause.)  And are we ready to fight for it?  (Applause.)  Good.

And when we fight, we win.

God bless you.  And God bless America.  (Applause.)

And now —

AUDIENCE:  Four more years!  Four more years!  Four more years!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And with that —

AUDIENCE:  Four more years!  Four more years!  Four more years!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And — yes.  And, absolutely, four more years.  (Applause.)

And so, getting on to how we’re going to get there, let me just say, we have a president who knows how to win; a president who is protecting women’s access to medication and emergency care, protecting women’s privacy and the right of women to travel to receive care. 

We have a president who has a vision for our future, a future where reproductive freedom is protected for every woman, every person in America.  And we have a president who has — and this is so critically important — the compassion as well as the determination and skill to make our vision for our country and our future real.

And so, now, to introduce our president, it is my honor to welcome a person of profound strength and courage, Amanda Zurawski, who is going to join us to say a few words and share a story that it takes so much courage for anyone to share.

Amanda.  (Applause.)

                               END                  4:45 P.M. EST

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Jill and I are praying for the family members of the eight victims killed in Joliet, Illinois, and for the broader community devastated by these tragic shootings. 

Federal law enforcement agencies assisted local law enforcement with the investigation.

This tragedy underscores why I am doing everything in my power to keep guns off our streets and out of the hands of those who seek to harm themselves or others. It’s why my administration is strengthening the gun background check system and cracking down on gun trafficking through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. It’s why I’ve taken dozens of executive actions to strengthen gun safety and end the gun violence epidemic. And it’s why I continue to call on Congress to pass universal background checks and a national red flag law, in addition to other commonsense gun safety measures.

It is within our power to stop the epidemic of gun violence tearing our communities apart. Congress must act now.

###

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Hylton Performing Arts Center
Manassas, Virginia

(January 23, 2024)

4:50 P.M. EST

AUDIENCE: Let’s go, Joe! Let’s go, Joe! Let’s go, Joe!

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

AUDIENCE: Let’s go, Joe! Let’s go, Joe! Let’s go, Joe!

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Please. (Applause.)

Take a seat, if you have one. (Laughter.)

Hello, Virginia! (Applause.)

And the real governor, Terry McAuliffe. (Laughter and applause.)

My name is Joe Biden. I’m Jill Biden’s husband and Kamala’s running mate. (Laughter.)

Kidding aside, thank you, Kamala, for your leadership, for protecting the reproductive freedom, and for so much more that you do.

And thank you, Jill and Doug, for shining the spotlight on so many issues affecting women’s rights — not just this one.

And, Amanda, thanks for the introduction. Do you realize how much courage it takes to do what she did? (Applause.) You give so many young women hope.

Jill and I had a chance to sit down —

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Genocide Joe, how many kids have you killed in Gaza?

AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you. (Applause.)

Thank you.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Go ahead, Mr. President. (Laughter.)

AUDIENCE MEMBER: We love you, Joe!

THE PRESIDENT: Well, look — (applause) — Jill and I had a chance to sit down and talk with Amanda and her husband, Josh. I told you how proud we were of your courage, Amanda, standing up and speaking out on such a personal issue to help so many women, and —

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Israel kills two mothers every hour!

AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.) Ceasefire now! Ceasefire now! (Inaudible.)

AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years! (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: They feel deeply.

I want to thank you, again, Amanda, for your absolute courage. And to all of you here today, thank you for your support defending freedom in America, because that’s what we’re doing.

Yes- —

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Miscarriage (inaudible) —

AUDIENCE: (Applause.) Let’s go, Joe! Let’s go, Joe! Let’s go, Joe!

THE PRESIDENT: Yesterday — yesterday marked the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which recognized a woman’s constitutional right to choose, her right to make the deeply personal —

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT: We’re going to have — this is going to go on for a while.

AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT: We’ve got a couple more of these, I think.

AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT: And, folks, I believe Roe v. Wade got it right, and so do a majority of Americans. And they still do. (Applause.)

We all know what happened a year and a half ago: A new Supreme Court made an extreme decision overturning Roe v. Wade with their — with their Dobbs decision.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

AUDIENCE: Let’s go, Joe! Let’s go, Joe! Let’s go, Joe!

THE PRESIDENT: I’m sorry this is taking so long. (Applause.)

Folks, the Supreme Court did what it never had done before: It ripped away a fundamental constitutional right that was in place for nearly 50 years and that was so important to so many Americans for so long.

As I said on that day, the health and lives of women in this nation would be at risk and the consequences of this decision. That’s exactly what happened.

Today, in America, women are being turned away from mergen- — emergency rooms, forced to travel hundreds of miles to get basic healthcare, forced to go to court to plead to help to protect themselves and the ability for them to have children in the future. The cruelty is astounding. (Applause.)

And it’s a direct affront to a woman’s dignity to be told by extreme politicians and judges to wait, to get sicker and sicker before anything can happen, even to the point where, as you heard, your life had been determined to be in danger.

Or the idea that a woman should have to carry a fetus after she’s been raped or the victim of incest — it’s outrageous. It’s outrageous.

Or the idea — (applause) — a woman receives competent medical advice that the fetus she is carrying won’t live and will impact on her ability to have children in the future, and she still can’t get medical care. I think it’s unconscionable.

Did anyone think — did anyone think that this is where America was going in 2024?

AUDIENCE: No!

THE PRESIDENT: I could go on. But, look, let there be no mistake: The person most responsible for taking away this freedom in America is Donald Trump. (Applause.)

AUDIENCE: Booo —

THE PRESIDENT: Lis- — listen to what he says. Trump says he’s “proud” that he overturned Roe v. Wade. He said, and I quote, there has to be “punishment” for the women exercising their reproductive freedom.

He describes the Dobbs decision as a “miracle.” But for American women, it’s a nightmare.

So, let’s be absolutely clear what Trump is bragging about. The reason there are 21 states where abortion bans are in effect, may [many] with no exception for rape or any other — or incest, is Donald Trump.

The reason women are being forced to travel out of state —

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT: This is going to go on for a while. They’ve got this planned.

AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: (Laughs.)

The reason women are being forced to travel across state lines for healthcare is Donald Trump. The reason their family members are trying to get help — them to — are threatened with — with prosecution is because of Donald Trump. And the reason their fundamental right has been stripped away is Donald Trump.

And because of Donald Trump, doctors are fleeing their home states, setting up practices in other states, because they’re afraid they’ll be put in prison if they exercise their responsibilities. In states like Texas, doctors can get a life sentence for providing the care they were trained to provide. It’s outrageous.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible) is a war crime!

THE PRESIDENT: And, frankly, Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans — including the woman hollering — (applause) —

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Keep going!

THE PRESIDENT: And, frankly — (applause) — Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans, including the Speaker of the House, are hell-bent on going even further. To date, MAGA Republicans in Congress have proposed three additional national abortion bans to criminalize healthcare in every state.

Let me tell you what they are. First is a zero-week ban with absolutely no exceptions. The second one introduced is a sec- — is a six-week ban with a penalty for violating it — jail. And the third is a 15-week ban, and the penalty is five-year jail sentence. You know, and they’re in Congress now.

In the past year, Trump himself endorsed a federal ban, promising to “lead the charge,” God love him. (Laughter.) And that means even if you live in a state where extremist Republicans are not in charge of the state government, your right to choose, your right to privacy is still at risk.

But as long as I have the power of the presidency, know this: If Congress were to pass a national abortion ban, I will veto it. (Applause.) I will veto it.

Look, MAGA Republicans — MAGA Republicans are trying to limit all women in America from getting a safe and effective medication —

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT: MAGA Republicans are trying to limit all women in America from getting a safe and effective medication, approved by the FDA to — for over 20 years now. They’re trying to block women from getting this medication even in states where women’s healthcare choices are still protected.

And if you live in a state where you cannot get care that you need and you make a plan to travel to another state to get the care you need, MAGA Republicans are trying to stop you as well.

And get this. In the state of Alabama, the Attorney General is threatening to prosecute family members who help their loved ones travel to another state to get healthcare they need. That can’t be America —

AUDICENCE: Booo —

THE PRESIDENT: That can’t be America in 2024. It can’t be.

So, let’s be clear that the Dobbs decision also puts at risk the broader rights of privacy for everyone. That’s because the fundamental right to privacy, which Roe v. Wade recognized, has served as a basis for so many other rights that are part of the fabric of this country: the right to make the best decisions for your health, the right to bir- — use birth control, the right to marry someone who you love. (Applause.)

Justice Thomas wrote as much in his con- — in his concurring opinion in Dobbs that the future cases of the Court, he said, should be considered — reconsider all substantive due process precedents from Griswold on. That’s what he said.

Look —

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: Please don’t jump.

Folks, the extreme laws passed by Dobbs have no place in the United States of America. (Applause.) But what does have a place is your voice. (Applause.)

The Dobbs decision practically dared the women of America to be heard. In writing, they said, “Women are not without electoral or political power.” No kidding. (Applause.)

I said at the time, I don’t think this Court and the MAGA Republicans have any clue about the power of women in America. (Applause.) I don’t think they have any clue. But they’re about to find out.

Since — (applause) — since the Dobbs decision, all over this country, from Ohio to Kansas, Michigan, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and right here in Virginia, Americans have showed up — women and men of all races, all backgrounds — voting to protect the freedom to choose. (Applause.)

And there’s one other person who doesn’t have a clue about the power of women in America: Donald Trump.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: But, look —

AUDIENCE: Let’s go, Joe! Let’s go, Joe! Let’s go, Joe!

THE PRESIDENT: What I said is there’s one other person who doesn’t have a clue about the power of women in America. It’s Donald Trump. (Applause.)

But I promise you, in 2024, he’s going to find out about the power of you all. (Applause.)

We — oh, he — watch. We need the protections of Roe v. Wade in every state. And we can do it. You can do it. Together, we can do it. It’s within your power to do it.

So, let me be crystal clear. Today isn’t just a day to remember the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Today is a day to call to action. With your voice, with your power, with your vote, we can restore the protections that had been around for over 50 years under Roe v. Wade. (Applause.)

We can — we can — (applause) — we can once again make it the law of the land in America. And we’re going to do that.

Are you ready to make it happen? (Applause.)

Well, to do that, we need a new Congress. Are you ready to make that happen? (Applause.)

Give me a Democratic House of Representatives and give me a bigger — a bigger Democratic Senate, and we will pass a new law restoring the protections of Roe v. Wade, and I will sign it immediately. (Applause.)

And let’s remember: It was Donald Trump and his Supreme Court who ripped away the rights and freedoms of women in America. And it will be Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and all of you who are going to restore those rights for the women of America. (Applause.)

Donald Trump is betting we won’t — you won’t vote on this issue. But guess what? (Laughter.) He’s betting we won’t hold him responsible, either, for taking away the rights. He’s betting you’re going to stop caring.

AUDIENCE: Booo —

AUDIENCE MEMBERS: We have daughters!

THE PRESIDENT: By the way — that you’ll get distracted and discouraged and stay home.

AUDIENCE: Nooo —

THE PRESIDENT: Well, guess what? I’m betting he’s wrong. I’m betting you’re the — won’t forget. (Applause.) I’m betting you won’t stop caring, that you won’t get distracted. And I’m betting, come November, we will vote in a record number. (Applause.)

And when we do that, we’ll teach Donald Trump a valuable lesson: Don’t mess with the women of America unless you want to get the benefit. (Applause.)

Look, let me close with this. I believe 2024 is going to be the most important election we’ve had since 1864. I mean it. (Applause.)

And the reasons are clear. Democracy is on the ballot. Freedom is on the ballot, like the freedom to choose; the freedom to vote; the freedom to love who you want; the freedom to go to work, go to school, go to your house of worship without fear of being gunned down by a weapon of war. (Applause.)

So, my question to you is simple: Are you ready?

AUDIENCE: Yes! (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: Are you ready to defend democracy?

AUDIENCE: Yes! (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: Are you ready to protect our freedoms?

AUDIENCE: Yes! (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: And are you ready to win this election?

AUDIENCE: Yes! (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: Let’s get this done. Talk to your families and friends. Organize your community. Register to vote. Get people to the polls.

And let’s remember who we are: We are the United States of America. (Applause.) And there’s nothing — nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together.

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

Thank you, thank you, thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. (Applause.)

Thank you. (Applause.)

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. (Applause.)

All right. You heard me say this before. Every time I’d walk out of my grandfather’s house, he’d yell, “Joey, keep the faith.” Guess what? My grandmother would yell, “No, Joey, spread it.” (Applause.)

Let’s spread the faith. Thank you. (Applause.)

5:12 P.M. EST

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Today, we broke another record when it comes to lowering costs and ensuring Americans have access to quality, affordable healthcare: 21.3 million Americans have signed up for health coverage through Affordable Care Act marketplaces. That means 9 million more people have gained coverage under the law – and peace of mind – since I took office. It’s no accident. My actions to protect the Affordable Care Act and lower premiums continue to make a big difference. And the American people have made it clear: they don’t want the Affordable Care Act weakened and repealed – they want it strengthened and protected.

We need to build on the progress we’ve made by making lower premiums permanent.  But Republicans in Congress have a different vision. Their recent budget would get rid of the improvements I signed into law, raising costs for millions of people. Over the last decade, extreme Republicans in Congress have blocked efforts to lower health care costs, and they’re still trying to end the Affordable Care Act, just as my predecessor tried and failed to do. Repealing the Affordable Care Act would throw these 21 million people off their coverage, and end Medicaid coverage for millions more. It would return to the days when insurance companies could rip Americans off by denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions, charge women more than men, and make older adults pay astronomical health care premiums based on their age. We must not and will not go back.

If the extreme Republicans in Congress get their way, millions of families would face skyrocketing health care costs or lose their health care altogether. I won’t let it happen on my watch, and I’ll keep fighting to bring down health care and prescription drug costs.

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James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

12:20 P.M. EST

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Good afternoon, everyone. 

Q    Good afternoon.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  One thing at the top.  Oh, guys —

Q    Is there an echo?

Q    The voice of God.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  (Referring to the briefing room audio system.)  Does it sound like the voice of God?  I don’t know.  I don’t think people would say that.

Okay.  We’ll try this again.  Good afternoon, everybody.

Q    Good afternoon.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Today we learned that last year, 19 states achieved their lowest average unemployment rate on record, 23 states sent [set] new record-low unemployment rate last year, and 32 states had an unemployment rate below 4 percent for the entire year.

We created a total of 2.7 million jobs last year for a historic 13 — 14- — 14.3 million jobs created under President Biden, all while wages are rising and inflation is falling.

And we’ve continued lowering costs for families — from healthcare and prescription drugs to utility bills.

This is the heart of President Biden’s strategy to grow the economy from the middle out and the bottom up.  Now we’re seeing consumer sentiment rise as more Americans feel the results of President Biden’s economic plan. 

And with that — I said I was going to be real short; I am — Admiral John Kirby is here to give an update on the Middle East.

MR. KIRBY:  Thanks, Karine.  I will also be short.

I think, as you — all of you saw, yesterday, the militaries of the United States and the United Kingdom, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, all conducted an additional round of strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

These self-defense strikes targeted missile systems and launchers, unmanned aerial and surface vessels, storage facilities, fighter aircraft, helicopters, and attack boats — all with the goal of further degrading Houthi — the Houthis’ ability to conduct further attacks on ships in the Red Sea.

Initial reports from the Pentagon indicate that all the targets were hit and that they will help further degrade Houthi offensive capabilities.  That said, the Pentagon is still conducting a battle damage assessment, so I’d refer you to them for any additional detail.

I just want to remind that the United States is acting in — in part — I’m sorry — is acting as part of a coalition of countries committed to the defense of our ships and our sailors, to upholding the freedom of navigation in a major international waterway, and, of course, to holding the Houthis accountable.

And as the President has made clear, we will not hesitate to take further action as appropriate.

With that.

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

Q    Thanks, John.  On the strikes yesterday, can you walk us through a little bit of the — when the President approved those strikes?  Was that — was there a new convening of his national security team for that — for that operation?  Or was that sort of the — greenlit a couple of weeks ago when the fir- — when these strikes started?

MR. KIRBY:  No, these — this — these additional strikes yesterday required additional conversations and discussions across the national security team, and the President made the decision to authorize the — this particular round of strikes very recently.

Q    And would — that national security team, would that include Secretary Austin?  When was the last time the President spoke with the Secretary?

MR. KIRBY:  It would — those discussions did include Secretary Austin.  I — I don’t have the exact time on the calendar of when the — those discussions happened, but he was involved and engaged in all those discussions.  Yeah.

Q    And then on a different topic.  There’s a report that the Israelis have presented a new cease- — a ceasefire — a temporary ceasefire for a hostage deal for — a two-month pause to release all the hostages and the bodies of — of their — of civilians and soldiers.  Can you confirm that?  Is the U.S. engaged in it?  Is Brett — as Brett is in the region right now, is he trying to actively, sort of, dru- — drum up support for that framework of an — of a deal?

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, I’m not able to confirm those specific reports that you’re al- — that you’re talking about in the press.  Brett is in the region.  He was in Cairo today, as a matter of fact, and he’ll have other stops along the way. 

Certainly one of the things he’s in the region talking about is the potential for another hostage deal, which would require a humanitarian pause of some length to get that done.  And that’s definitely on the agenda. 

He’ll also be talking about a range of other issues, including humanitarian assistance, including getting assessment of Israeli Defense Force operations and the protection of civilian life.  I mean, there’s a lot on his agenda. 

But I can’t confirm these reports that those are the parameters of a deal that’s being discussed. 

The last thing I’ll leave you with is that the — as I’ve said before, the discussions are sober and serious.  Again, I don’t want to get ahead of where we are or give you — I can’t give you odds on — on if and when we’ll be able to get there.  But the conversations are very sober and serious about trying to get another hostage deal in place.

Q    Could you characterize — sorry, just — the — where the — the holdup is — and this seems to be a — a far more, you know, significant offer on the part of the Israelis.  I mean, we’ve seen from them —

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah.

Q    — through their public messaging.  Is — is Hamas the real holdup here?

MR. KIRBY:  I — I don’t know that, you know, it’s time now to be talking about holdups.  I mean, these are — these are ongoing discussions.  I wouldn’t even class- — classify them as “negotiations” quite at this point but “ongoing discussions with counterparts” about what’s in the — what’s in the realm of the possible here to get these hostages out and how long would that last, the pause itself, and what would that mean for humanitarian aid.  There’s a lot of components here. 

And so, I wouldn’t describe it as us running up against some kind of obstacle here or a — or a stop or a hard spot.  We’re — we’re just having these active conversations, and hopefully they will bear fruit.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Kelly O.

Q    Do you think that a pause of a really extended nature, whether it’s two months or it’s weeks — very different than what we saw in the earlier release of hostages — would that not only serve to — to be a pathway for hostages to come out but also to change the overall nature of the fight and transition to a different character of or intensity of the conflict?

MR. KIRBY:  You know, Kelly, it — it’s possible, but I — I really think we’ve got to be careful about getting ahead of where we are in the — in the process.  The focus would rightly be on getting the hostages out — more than 100 that we know Hamas or their affiliates are still holding — and, of course, increasing the humanitarian assistance. 

Could — you know, again, it would depend on how long, right?  And so, I think it’s possible that it could have some larger implications for the conflict itself, but it’s just too soon to know right now.

Q    And do you think that the substantial loss of life among the IDF — the 24 — is that a component of changing how Israel may view where we are in the war now — to have a — you know, a catastrophic incident like that?

MR. KIRBY:  Only the Israelis could answer that question.  It was a terr- — terrible day for the IDF yesterday.  That’s an enormous amount of troops lost in one day.  And certainly, our condolences go out to all the families and their teammates as well. 

But as for what impact yesterday’s actions might have on this, I — I think that’s something we would refer to them to speak to. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Jeff.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  John, you’ve said multiple times that the U.S. doesn’t support a general ceasefire right now.  But would the White House support a 30-day, a 60-day, or a 90-day ceasefire, if that’s something that Israel was open to for a hostage deal?

MR. KIRBY:  Sure, absolutely.  If that would require — if that would give us the opportunity to get hostages out and get more aid in, we would absolutely support a humanitarian pause of — of a longer length than the week that we were able to accomplish.  Absolutely, we would.

Q    And do you think that’s realistic, that a 90-day pause, for example, might be agreed?

MR. KIRBY:  Again, I don’t want to get ahead of where we are in the discussions, Jeff.  So, I can’t confirm the reports out there about what the length might be.  But we are in serious discussions about trying to get another pause in place.

Q    And just lastly, on Brett’s trip.  Can you give us a sense of who else he plans to meet with and what his message is during this visit?

MR. KIRBY:  He’s working on a range of issues, so his messages are really in line with our policy, which is making sure Israel knows that it has the support that it — that it needs, making sure we’re getting humanitarian assistance increased to the degree we can, getting the hostages out, and obviously working — helping to work towards an arrangement where a pause can be in place to allow all those things to occur.

He’ll also, no question, have other discussions about other regional issues, including continuing to explore the idea of — of normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia.  I don’t have a readout of all his discussions that he’s had.  He’s only just gotten in the region, I think, yesterday.  So, we’ll see if we can get you a little bit more granularity on — on where he’s going next and who he’s going to be talking to.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  There were Russian strikes on residential neighborhoods in Kyiv and Kharkiv.  What does this say about Russia’s strategy right now?

MR. KIRBY:  It’s very much, I think, of a piece of what the Russians have been trying to do since the winter months have set in, which is to make — to — to further victimize the Ukrainian population, to try to break their will and their — and their back.  And the attacks on civilian infrastructure, residential homes and — and areas is, again, not something that Putin has shied away from in the past.

We don’t see a lot of movement on the battlefront from east to south.  There’s — there’s — neither side is really making a lot of progress, and we’re not seeing any major push by the Russians to some sort of ground offensive.  And I’m not ruling out that they might not try to pursue that when the ground gets a little harder.

But that — but what they are doing are trying to overwhelm Ukrainian air defense systems.  And those air defense systems have been pretty effective at knocking a lot of this stuff out of the sky.  Things get through, obviously.  They don’t get — they don’t hit every- — everything. 

But that’s why it’s so critical that we get this supplemental funding, because, as I said earlier, the Ukrainians are making some tough decisions on the battlefield about what they’re going to shoot and what they’re going to save for another day.  And — and the — and the Russians know that.

So, part of this is trying to break the back of the Ukrainian people but also trying to — to force the Ukrainians to continue to use munitions in defense of themselves.

Q    Is the U.S. seeing evidence that Russia is increasingly targeting Ukrainian arms production sites?  And, if so, what does that mean?

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, actually, I’m glad you asked that question.  They have, in fact — we have seen them start to go after more of Ukraine’s defense industrial base.  Again, all of a piece of wearing down the Ukrainians’ ability to defend themselves over time, which, again, it just makes — it just underscores how important it is that we get this supplemental funding for — for Ukraine.

Secretary Austin, I think, as you know, hosted yet another contact group today.  We’ve got 50-some-odd nations involved in here trying to contribute stuff to Ukraine, and they’re all looking to us for leadership.  They all want to know where we’re going be here, you know, in a couple months.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Nancy.

Q    Thanks, John.  Is — are the U.S. strikes on the Houthis aimed simply at degrading their capabilities or also at interrupting the rate of resupply of materiel from Iran?  And — and what has the U.S. observed about those resupply efforts?  Are they slowing down?  Are they speeding up?

MR. KIRBY:  Two different efforts here.  We already have in place and have been doing interdiction to try to stop the flow of munitions from Iran to Houthi-controlled Yemen.  And, matter of fact, that’s how we lost — tragically lost those two Navy SEALs.  They were involved in an interdiction mission of that sort.

The strikes that were taken are something separate and distinct.  And it really is designed about — to disrupt and des- — and degrade Houthi offensive capabilities, to — to make it harder for them to — to continue these attacks.

Q    But are you seeing any efforts by the Iranians to — to pick up the pace of supplying the Houthis as they come under attack by the U.S.?

MR. KIRBY:  I would just say we’re watching this very, very closely.  I mean, it’s not — Iranian support of the Houthis is nothing new.  They have — they have not only supplied things to — to them but to Hamas and Hezbollah and other groups in — in the region.  And I would just say we’re monitoring that flow as closely as we can. 
I think that’s as far as I’m going to be able to go today.

Q    And then can you give us an update on the effort to prevent a war with Hezbollah and Amos Hochstein’s efforts in the region?

MR. KIRBY:  We are involved diplomatically, not just with the — the Israelis but with officials in Lebanon to — to see what we can do to keep that — the conflict from widening and escalating there along that northern border with I- — Israel.

We still don’t believe that it’s in the interest of the Israeli people, certainly not in the interest of regional security, for another front to be opened up. 

We have not seen — and I think this is important, and I’ll let Amos speak to his discussions; he has been a significant interlocutor in — in having these discussions — but we have not seen Hezbollah jump in with both feet and come to the aid of Hamas.  There have been — I’m not going to, obviously, dismiss it.  There has been rocket fire exchanged on both sides.  We want to see those tensions de-escalate.  But we have not seen Nasrallah give the orders that, you know, they’re going to go all in to help Hamas.

As a matter of fact, I mean, take a look at it — and I know we’re all talking about the Houthis, and I get all that.  But — but there ain’t a whole lot of people that are jumping in with two feet to help Hamas in this war that they started on the 7th of October.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Justin.

Q    Thanks.  John, I have one on the Middle East.  But first I wanted to follow up.  Zeke asked about Secretary Austin.  He had his first public appearance today from a very secure printer closet — (laughs) — over at the Pentagon.  I’m wondering if you have a sense of when he — when we might see him in person, if that’s been a conversation between the White House and the Pentagon about, kind of, getting him out and —

MR. KIRBY:  Getting him out?

Q    Yeah.  (Laughter.)

MR. KIRBY:  I think, as I understand it, and you should check with my Defense Department colleagues, but I think he hosted that contact group from home, from — over Zoom.  And we — he’s done these virtually before.  Getting 50 nations all together in the same place sometimes can be difficult.  So, this one was another virtual one, and I understand that he took it from home.

I — I don’t have anything on — I certainly wouldn’t be in a position to speak to his schedule and when you might see him out more publicly.  But I know that they’re working through — at the Defense Department — working through what his schedule will look like once he’s able to get back to work in the Pentagon and then, you know, how they build out his calendar.  But that’s really for them to speak to. 

Q    And then, on the Middle East, you mentioned yesterday that we were engaging the Saudis and regional partners still on that normalization effort.  But I wanted to ask about the G20.  There was the announcement about the India to Europe, sort of, rail and waterway trade pipeline —

MR. KIRBY:  The economic corridor. 

Q    Yeah. 

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah.

Q    Has — has the conflict in Israel, sort of, put that either on the backburner or effectively killed that effort?  Or is that something that’s still an active part of talks?

MR. KIRBY:  The short answer is no.  But, look, this — that — that is a major rail corridor that, actually, we’re calling an economic corridor.  Because while it’s principally around a rail system, there would be all kinds of logistics and sustainment hubs along the way and offer all kinds of opportunities for infrastructure improvement and employment opportunities. 

And it’s — that’s — you know, that’s a years-long process.  It’s going to take a long time to get there.  The President knows that. 

And so, our — our work and our efforts to start laying the groundwork, literally, if you’ll excuse the pun, but laying the tracks for that are ongoing.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  In the back.

Q    Merci, Karine.  John, I just want to go back on the strikes on the — on the Houthis.  You listed a number of countries — allies involved in this — UK, Canada.  How is this coordinated?

And, by the way, has the mission — does the mission have a name?  Is it — is it just, like, “We’re Striking the Houthis Operation”?  And how does the coordination happen?  Is the President involved?  Has he talked to Prime Minister Trudeau, for instance? 

MR. KIRBY:  So, couple of — there’s a lot off — there.  Not every nation is involved in the actual dropping of munitions.  In this case, it was the United States and the United Kingdom.  Other nations, as I indicated in my opening statement, they contribute other capabilities.  I’ll let them speak to what — what they’re doing to support these strikes on — on Houthi capabilities ashore. 

There is an awful lot of coordination done at various levels.  I mean, the President spoke yesterday with Prime Minister Sunak.  And, obviously, this was on the — on the plate to talk about it, given that that conversation took place in advance — a few hours in advance of the strikes that we actually took. 

And we always read out his calls with foreign counterparts.  So, I’ll — you know, it’s not like he would have a conversation with another prime minister and you wouldn’t know about it.  But he is involved at his level, of course, but so is Secretary of Defense; so is Secretary of State; so is Jake Sullivan, our National Security Advisor.  And then staff levels at the NSC up and down the chain of command are involved, clearly, with our — our counterparts. 

Q    So, this mission is just “We’re striking the Houthis.”

MR. KIRBY:  You’re asking for the name?

Q    Well, is it an operation organized and well-thought?

MR. KIRBY:  I would — I’d refer you to the Pentagon if they’ve — if they’ve given it an operational name or not.  That’s really for them to — to speak to. 

We’re not so much worried about what bumper sticker you slap on it.  We’re interested in making sure we’re going after Houthi capabilities and trying to degrade their ability to continue to conduct these attacks.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Anita.

Q    Thank you so much, John.  I’m right here. 

MR. KIRBY:  Oh, sorry.

Q    Just a quick question about whether the administration includes environmental impact assessments in calculating how to support allies like Israel and Ukraine. 

Just for reference, we interviewed some environmental experts who estimated that, in the last 60 days, U.S. supply flights to Israel contributed to 133,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions.  That’s a lot.  Right? 

So, is that part of the calculation that you make?  And how do you balance your desire to protect the environment with your desire to protect your allies?

MR. KIRBY:  I know of no — and I’m happy to take this question.  I know of no mathematical analysis that we’re conducting at an agency level to — to judge the impact of using jet fuel, for instance, to — to fly support to Ukraine or — or get it into the region for Israel. 

Again, I’ll take that question.  But we’re focused, rightly so, on making sure that our two partners have what they need to defend themselves.  And that’s really where the President’s head is.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Arlette.

Q    Thank you.  One of my colleagues has reported that Israel has prono- — proposed that a — Hamas senior leadership could leave Gaza as part of a broader ceasefire agreement.  Is this something that the U.S. believes is a viable proposal?

MR. KIRBY:  We don’t want to see Hamas in charge of Gaza anymore.  They chose to violate the ceasefire that was in place, and we, certainly, agree with our Israeli counterparts that whatever the future of post-conflict Gaza looks like, it can’t include Hamas leaders. 

Now, how that’s actualized, I think, I’d refer to the Israeli Defense Forces to — to speak to.  And I’m not — I understand where the question is going.  I’m just not going to get ahead of discussions that we’re having in the region about post-conflict Gaza and what that — what that can look like and what a hostage deal — what the parameters of that would look like. 

The last thing I’ll say on this is we have been very consistent that whatever governance looks like in Gaza after this is over, it’s got to be representative of the aspirations of the Palestinian people who are not represented by Hamas and who do not — the majority — don’t support what Hamas has put them through in — in visiting this kind of violence inside the Strip. 

So, whatever — whatever it looks like, it’s got to be representative of their aspirations.  And we believe that a good place to start to get to that outcome is a revitalized Palestinian Authority. 

Q    And Senate Republican Whip John Thune told reporters today that he thinks that the Ukraine aid the President proposed may need to be scaled back a bit, specifically when it comes to non-lethal assistance.  Is this something that the White House would be open to, scaling back —

MR. KIRBY:  I won’t —

Q    — any portions of it?

MR. KIRBY:  I won’t negotiate in public here.  The President’s supplemental request that we put forward way back in October was thoughtful, it was carefully done and crafted, it was done in consultation with our Ukrainian partners about what they believe they were going to need in the early months of this year.  And it came up to, I think, more than $60 million, or something like that. 

So — I’m sorry.  Sixty billion.

And we believe that that was an adequate request.  And that’s the request that we want considered.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Peter.

Q    Thank you, John.  Why are you guys making it easier for people to enter the country illegally?

MR. KIRBY:  I don’t believe we are.  Why do you think we are?

Q    Well, you guys sued to cut razor wire that was put in place by Texas officials and —

MR. KIRBY:  So that the Border Patrol could actually do their jobs. 

But keep going. 

Q    Well, you won in court.  So, now what?  The Border Patrol union president is saying the Supreme Court’s decision is going to “undoubtedly encourage more illegal immigration.”  Do you guys know better than the Border Patrol union?

MR. KIRBY:  The Border Patrol needed access.  And that’s why we sued to get rid of that razor wire so that they could do their jobs. 

And you know what else will help them do their jobs, Peter?  More Border Patrol agents.  There’s an idea.  And if you go back to the supplemental request that we put in, there’s money in there for some 1,300 additional Border Patrol agents. 

We want to help them do their jobs.  We want to give them more resources.  And the answer we kept — keep getting back from House Republicans is no, no, no.

Q    Does razor wire work?

MR. KIRBY:  Does razor wire work for what?  Does it work for the Border Patrol to allow them to have the access they need to be able to better process people that are trying to get across the border?  I don’t think so.  And that’s why we asked for it to be removed.

Q    But what is the President’s plan?  This is happening just weeks after 300,000 people came into this country over the southern border illegally.  The razor wire, officials down there think, was keeping some of them out.  And you guys just sued and won to remove it.

MR. KIRBY:  On behalf of the Border Patrol, who needed — who needed to have better access to it. 

Look, let me go back to your other question.  And I — and I know I’m running short on time, so I won’t — I won’t filibuster here. 

But “what’s the plan?”  Please look at the stuff we’ve put forward: the immigration reform legislation that the President put forward on day one, the work we’re doing in the region.  Just last week, we had Mexican officials here to talk about how together we have and will continue to try to stem the flow of migrants. 

You mentioned the numbers.  No question there’s a lot of people trying to make that journey.  But it’s not just to the United States, it’s to other countries in the world — in the region.  We’re seeing historic movement.  Not since World War Two have we seen this many people on the move in this hemisphere.  And the Mexicans are really stepping up and trying to do the more — more on their southern border to keep that flow going north lower.  And we have seen, in recent weeks, some success at that.

The idea that we don’t have a plan or a strategy or we’re not taking this seriously, it’s just not borne out by the facts. 

And, you know, again, if the — if the folks on the House Republican side are serious about border security — and they claim they are — then they should act on the supplemental request.  And, you know, let’s negotiate this in good faith. 

The President has said he’s willing to make compromises.  He’s willing to negotiate in good faith.  So — so, let’s — let’s have that discussion. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Sabrina.

Q    Thank you.  Israel has said that it is going to build a buffer zone.  It appears to already be demolishing structures inside Gaza along its borders, despite the U.S. position that Gaza’s territory should not be reduced.  Does the administration object to this plan?  And if the Israelis are moving forward anyway, then what is the administration doing about it?

MR. KIRBY:  I’ll let the Israelis speak to this idea.  Nothing has changed about our view, Sabrina.  We do not want to see the territory of Gaza reduced in any way.  We won’t support that.

Q    And you — the administration has communicated that directly to the Israelis, that they shouldn’t create these buffer zones?

MR. KIRBY: I won’t talk about our diplomatic conversations. 

We have been very clear and consistent, both in private and publicly, that we do not want to see the territory of Gaza reduced in any way.

Q    To the back?

Q    Thank you.  John, could you please confirm — could you — could you please confirm if Russia has used more North Korean missiles in Ukraine —

MR. KIRBY:  They have.

Q    — after your —

MR. KIRBY:  They have, yes.

Q    — two weeks ago announced aid.

MR. KIRBY:  They have.

Q    What’s your response to President Putin’s visit, in the near future, to North Korea?

MR. KIRBY:  Well, what we’re — what’s concerning to us is this increasing relationship, this deepening relationship between North Korea and Russia.  Because, obviously, Mr. Putin stands to benefit from it, as he not only gets ballistic missiles and using them for use in Ukraine, but also artillery shells.  And he’s using them to a fare-thee-well, as well. 

So, we’re watching this very, very closely, as we are North Korea’s own pursuit of advanced military capabilities.  And what concerns us is not just Mr. Putin’s ability to benefit from this relationship, but Kim Jong Un’s ability to benefit from this relationship and what that means for peace and security in the region.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Danny.

Q    Thanks.  Staying on North Korea.  There’s been a number of reports recently about — that there have been signs that Kim Jong Un is preparing for some kind of attack or even preparing for war.  Have you seen any indication of a change in posture from North Korea?  Is there any concerns that you have about — about that?

MR. KIRBY:  I want to be careful here.  I don’t get into intelligence assessments.  But we’re watching this very, very closely.  And I would just tell you that we remain confident that the defensive posture that we’re maintaining on the Peninsula is appropriate to the risk.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Ed.

Q    On the Houthis.  Back to the Houthis.  So, Treasury issued a general license allowing the Houthis to profit from oil sales.  Why designate or redesignate them a special terrorist group if you’re going to allow them to make profits off of oil sales within the country?

MR. KIRBY:  It doesn’t.  You’re talking about General License Number 25 —

Q    Yeah.

MR. KIRBY:  — which is designed to allow for the import of some petroleum products, such as cooking oil, so that the Yemeni people aren’t suffering and they can — and they can eat.  It does not allow — and I’m happy to get you the exact language, Ed — but it does not allow for the transfer or the export for profit of Yemeni petroleum products.  They are not going to be allowed to profit off of this.

Q    There are five licenses in general — or in total.  One of them also allows them to get payments for goods going through the ports, as well as fees from people leaving airports.  Again, same question, allowing them  —

MR. KIRBY:  Again, you —

Q    — revenue to do their operations.

MR. KIRBY:  Again, I’m happy to refer you to Treasury for more detail.  My understanding of that license as well is it will not allow them to profit.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead. 

Q    A senior administration official told Politico that one aspect of your plan to stop the Houthis is to have China pressure them to stop.  Does the administration have any indication that China has sway with the Houthis and any interest in applying such pressure?

MR. KIRBY:  China has influence over Tehran; they have influence in Iran.  And they have the ability to have conversations with Iranian leaders that — that we can’t.  And so, what we’ve said repeatedly is: We would welcome a constructive role by China, using the influence and the access that we know they have, to try to help stem the flow of weapons and munitions to the Houthis.

MR. JEAN-PIERRE:  Let’s wrap it up. 

Go ahead.  Go ahead, Courtney.

Q    Thank you.  You mentioned earlier the meeting with Mexican officials that was last week to talk about migration.  Can you talk through what some of the next steps are after that meeting and whether U.S. officials are going to meet with them again in the coming weeks?

MR. KIRBY:  I don’t have another meeting on the schedule right now to speak to or to announce.  I have every expectation that there will be additional conversations at various levels of the staff.  We’re focused on root causes of this migration and helping try to, with our Mexican counterparts, alleviate some of those root causes.  There’s lots of reasons why people are on the move, depending on where they’re coming from.

We’re also working closely, as I mentioned to Peter, with Mexican officials about what they might need to help as they deal with pressure at their southern border.  And they have taken some action.  They’ve put more soldiers down there.  They are doing more work at railheads and — you know, and bus routes to try to stem the flow. 

And so, we’re going to keep having those kinds of conversations with them.

Q    When you say “what they might need,” are you talking about support from the U.S. to stem the flow at their southern border?

MR. KIRBY:  Support from — from the U.S., support from in the region.  I mean, again, we’re trying to take a true regional approach on this.

Q    Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, sir.  Go ahead, in the back.  Go ahead. 

Q    Me?

Q    Thank you.  So, as Turkish parliament is appearing to move on — on Sweden’s NATO accession, Hungary’s Prime Minister is suggesting that it’s still up for negotiations.  He invited the — his Swedish — Swedish counterpart for negotiation on NATO’s accession.  Do you see this as, you know, still up for negotiation?

And relatedly, the Polish Prime Minister suggested that Hungary is quietly wak- — working with Russia and betraying Europe.  Is that your assessment as well?

MR. KIRBY:  First of all, we understand that the Turkish parliament may be taking up this decision today.  Obviously, we’ll watch this very closely. 

As the President has said, Sweden is more than ready to become a NATO Ally, and we certainly look forward to their accession into the Alliance. 

But I’m not going to get ahead of the Turkish parliament.  Obviously, these are discussions and a vote that they have to hold.

I can’t speak for what the Hungarian government is doing or about to do.  They have indicated in the past that they certainly won’t be the holdup here, that they won’t be the last to accede.  They’re also, I’m sure, watching what’s going on in Turkey very closely as well.

But, look, it’s time for Sweden to become a NATO Ally.  They have a modern and advanced military, one that we’re very comfortable with.  And they’ll add real significant military capabilities to the Alliance.

MR. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  Andrew, last question.

Q    Thank you.  John, two questions on two unrelated subjects.  The first: A federal court in California this week is scheduled to hear arguments in a lawsuit from civil and human rights advocates that is seeking a court order to prevent the U.S. from providing any more aid to Israel.  Aside from what the Justice Department has argued in court papers, does the White House have any reaction to the lawsuit?

MR. KIRBY:  We won’t speak to an individual lawsuit.  That wouldn’t be prudent.  I will just tell you that nothing has changed about the President’s strong view that we’ve got to continue to make sure Israel has what it needs to defend itself.

Q    And then, the second question.  If the state government of Texas, specifically the governor, is using National Guard personnel to impede the law enforcement efforts of federal authorities, why is the President hesitant to simply federalize the Texas Guard and order them to cease and desist rather than going to the courts and having to wait for the court process to play itself out?

MR. KIRBY:  I don’t have any pending decision by the — by the President as Commander-in-Chief to federalize the Texas National Guard.  I mean, obviously, as Commander-in-Chief, he has that option.  But I’m not going to get ahead of any decision space that the President might be in.

Q    Does the administration believe that it’s a proper function of the Guard, under — under state authority, to be used to frustrate federal authority?

MR. KIRBY:  They have — they have a chain of command under the governor, and we respect that chain of command.  We can disagree on the use of the National Guard and other — even state assets for the way that Governor Abbott is treating that border.  We certainly disagree from a policy perspective. 

But, legally, he is, by — you know, by authority, the state commander-in-chief of the National Guard.  It doesn’t mean we have to agree with every which way they’re used.  And I won’t get ahead of the President’s decision space, again, one way or the other.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Thanks, Admiral. 

MR. KIRBY:  Thank you. 

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

All right.  Zeke, want to reset us?

Q    Yes, thanks, Karine.  Has the President been briefed on that shooting in Joliet, Illinois, and the subsequent manhunt there?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.  So, thank you for that question.  So, we are tracking certainly the connect- — the connected fatal shootings that took place in Joliet, Illinois, just outside of Chicago.  Our thoughts are with the families of the victims of this senseless act of violence.

Federal officials are supporting the local law enforcement investigation, and we will know more as they complete their work. 

As law enforcement has stated, the shooter appears to have died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds.  This recently — this recent tragedy underscores the need for Congress to act and to take action to end this epidemic of gun violence that we’re seeing across the country. 

Our administration is taking aggressive steps to keep guns off our streets and out of the — out of those who mean to do harm by cracking down on gun trafficking, stolen firearms, and enhancing background checks to stop sales to those in crisis, and all thanks to key provisions of the President’s Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that we were able to do about almost two years ago now. 

But we need Congress to do more: universal background checks, red flag laws to provide further protections and tools to prevent such tragedies.  The longer they wait, the more communities like Joliet will continue to be torn apart by gun violence. 

So, we are certainly tracking this.  And so, we’re going to see what the — what the law enforce- — local law enforcement say about the more specifics of this horr- — horrific, horrific gun violence. 

Q    Thanks.  And on a different topic, it’s election day — primary election day in New Hampshire.  The President’s name is not on the ballot, but many of his supporters are trying to write his name in — onto that ballot there.  Without speaking to —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — 2024 at all, how does the President plan to spend this evening?  Does he plan to watch those — those results?  How does he plan to monitor the outcome of the race?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I appreciate the question.  So, look, as you know, the President is going to be heading out in a couple of hours to head to Virginia.  He’s going to be doing a dual — obviously, a dual event with the Vice President.  Can’t go too much further into that, but, obviously, you all know he’s going to — they’re going to be speaking about reproductive healthcare, the importance of that. 

Yesterday would have been the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade before the Supreme Court overturned Roe.  And — and we have seen the devastating effects that that overturning of Roe have had across the country with women obviously not being able to — many of them not being able to make decisions on their own healthcare. 

So, you’ll hear from the Vice President, obviously.  You’ll hear from the President.  So, that’s what he’s going to be doing later on today. 

I have not spoken to him on how he’s going to be taking in the results tonight.  So, I don’t have anything — specifics to share on how that’s going to — how the President is going to be spending his evening, but certainly he is always — certainly always focused on the American people.  And that mu- — that much I can promise.

Q    And does he have any concerns that — that he might lose that write-in campaign?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  (Laughs.)  I think the President’s concern right now is making sure we continue to deliver for the American people.  That’s his focus.

Go ahead, Karen.

Q    I’m going to try a couple on the border negotiations.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Oh, sure. 

Q    Now that it seems there’s a semblance of optimism on the Hill that this is inching closer —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  We’ve always been optimistic.

Q    No, on the Hill.  On the Hill.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Oh, okay.  Okay, okay.

Q    — a semblance, though — (laughter) — that it’s inching closer to the finish line, has the President spoken to negotiators this week?  Will he meet with any of the Senate leaders on this to get it across the finish line?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, don’t have any — we don’t have anything to preview on any conversations that the President has had specifically with the negotiations.  And I’m assuming you’re speaking to — you’re speaking about the senators, both Republicans and Democrats.  Obviously, he gets regularly updated from his team, who have been in close — a part of these negotiations in close — obviously, in close contact with members in the Senate.  And they’ve been doing this for months now — for months.  So, he’s getting regular updates — every day, daily updates. 

And the President said last week — I think you — someone asked him if — how he felt about it.  And he thought it was basically — that a deal was — was coming — was soon to come. 

So, look, we’re — we continue to be optimistic.  This is an important, important negotiation to try to figure out how do we address a broken system, the immigration system, how do we deal with border security.  It is a bipartisan negotiation, which we really, truly appreciate, to get to that agreement.  And we are going to continue to be optimistic. 

If there are any conversations that the President is going to have that we feel — you know, that we will — we will — that is necessary to share, we certainly will do that.  But as you know, the President — you know, because he has relationships with many of those Senate members, tends to have regular commun- — communications with some of those senators on the Hill.

Q    And Arlette had asked Kirby — so, he touched on this somewhat, but I think more specifically for you because of the politics of this —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — if the border policy changes come in at a higher number, the total cost of that compared to what the administration had asked for in the supplemental for border security, is there wiggle room in the —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  You mean in the appropriations process?

Q    — in the — yeah.  Is there wiggle room from the administration on the number that is put for the Ukraine funding?  If — would that come down from the administration’s side to keep this still in that ballpark range of $106 billion?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I want to be really mindful and really careful here.  I’m not going to say what we would accept or not accept. 

What I will say is that the national security supplemental that the President put forth back in the fall is incredibly important.  We want Congress to move forward with it.  We want Congress to act on the supplemental.  It is an emergency request.  That’s why presidents usually put forward supplementals.  And it’s about our national security not just abroad, but obviously here in the U.S.  And it includes Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan.  It also includes, obviously, the border security. 

So, there are different parts and pieces to this that are very important.  And — and it was a thoughtful process. 

I’m not going to get into the appropriations part of it.  I’m not going to get into anything else beyond — you know, beyond letting the negotiators, as it — as it — as it is focused — as they’re focused on border security — to allow them to do their negotiations. 

Again, these — the negotiations that they’re talking about is, obviously, policy and — and funding as well. 

What are we going to do to give the resources that are needed to deal with what’s going on at the border?  I’m just going to stick it to there — keep it to there.

Go ahead, Nancy. 

Q    Thanks, Karine.  On the razor wire case.  Now that the Supreme Court has decided in favor of the administration, what is the plan?  How quickly does the administration intend to remove all the razor wire that has been set up?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So I don’t have the — the specifics on the — what the border security is going to do and how they’re going to do it.

Look, we are certainly glad that the Supreme Court made the decision to — to vacate the injunction that prevented border security to actually do their jobs, to do humanitarian work, to actually — to actually enforce laws.  And it got in the way. 

And what — and what was put forward that — what — what — what Texas was doing — the governor was doing was actually ineffective.  And that’s something that we have to remember: It was ineffective. 

And so, now it’s going to — it’s going to allow border security to do their jobs.  It’s going to allow border security to actually act if there is an issue or some — a dangerous situation happening and they need to act and save lives.  It’s going to allow them to do that and actually do their jobs and enact law. 

Look, at the bott- — at the — you know, the bottom line here is that we need changes in policy.  We need funding.  And that’s what the conversations are happening in the Senate.  And so, that’s incredibly important.  We do not need political stunts.  We do not need political stunts that we’re seeing — that was — that we’re seeing from the Texas governor. 

But, look, this is — this is — we’re glad that it happened.  And now Border — Border Patrol will be able to do their jobs.

Q    My c- — my colleague who is down at the border has new video of the Texas National Guard setting up razor wire right now, today, even in the wake of this decision.  How does the administration plan to deal with that without getting into some kind of direct conflict with the Texas National Guard?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So — so, what was — what was decided on was the ability for the Border Patrol agents to cut through the wire, right?  The — the — kind of, the initial reason as the wire is being put — putting la- — being laid out there, that still has to go to the fi- — the cir- — court, the Fifth — the Fifth Circuit.  Right?  They still have to go through that process.  Maybe it goes to the Supreme Court.  I’m going to be careful and not talk about that legal process.

But what we know that we are able to do, that the Border Patrol is able to do is cut through the border wire so they can actually do their jobs.  There’s a whole ‘nother process that has to go through the — the legal system.  So, we’re going to let DOJ and others continue that process.

But now, Border Patrol has a — has the ability — ability to do their jobs because now they can cut through the wire.

Go ahead, Arlette.

Q    You started the briefing talking about some of these positive economic indicators and how the mood of consumers is changing as you’re seeing some of these positive signs in the economy.  But so far, it really hasn’t changed in their perception of how President Biden has contributed to this and — and helped them.  Are there discussions about different ways that you can try to communicate this message, given the fact that, so far, it just hasn’t sunk in with the American psyche that Biden should be getting credit, in your belief?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, look, we’re going to just continue to have the conversation.  We’re going to continue to have the President talk — speak directly to the American people.  You saw him do that in many different ways in the past two weeks, where he’s been able to address Americans at their home — right? — where he’s been able to go to a business and talk to folks at — at a — at a business.

And so, look, we’re going to try — obviously, we’re always trying to find ways to communicate with folks on the ground.  And we understand, look, polls don’t vote; people vote.  That’s really important to remember as well.

And — but I think the data still matters.  The fact that consumer sentiment is high in a way that we hadn’t seen it in some time — right? — the numbers show that — and the fact that the economy is indeed stronger than it was.  Since the President walked into this administration, he’s been able to create more than 14 million jobs.  All of that matters. 

We’re going to do our job.  We’re going to continue to have those conversations with the American people.  And you’ll see that.  And you’ll see contin- — the President has been doing that for the last three years, and he’s not going to stop.  And we’re going to make sure that the American people hear directly from him as — you know, as often as we can.

Q    And is the President frustrated that Americans are feeling better about the economy, but they’re not feeling better about his role in it? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I think what the President is — is proud to see is that the data is showing that consumer confidence is up, is that we’re able to see gas prices under three bucks in more than — in 27 states.  That’s important.  That’s what the President is happy to see. 

The President is — is happy to see that we’ve created more than 14 million jobs.  That’s what we’re going to continue to work on, an economy that is — that — that makes sure that we build it from the bottom up, middle out.  And let’s not forget, we’re going to continue to lower costs for the American people.

And so, as long as we do that, as long as we do our job, the President does his job, then that’s what matters.

Go ahead.

Q    Hi.  Thank you so much.  So, you said at the beginning of the briefing that 19 states have experienced the lowest unemployment rate on record.  What do they have in common?  Are they geographically clustered in one area?  And to what do you attribute this?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Oh, that’s a good question.  I don’t — I don’t have specifically which 19 states.  Certainly, we can get that number.  It’s in the — obviously, it’s in the data.  So — it’s in the stun- — state unemployment data, so you can actually pull it fr- — directly from there.

I think we attribute that to the President’s plans and policies and what he’s been able to do for the past three years — right? — whether it’s legislation — historic piece of legislation — whether it’s the Bipartisan Infra- — Infrastructure — Infrastructure Act, or whether it is the CHIPS and Science Act.  I mean, there are multiple — we believe, multiple reasons, multiple policy changes that the President has been able to do to get the economy going.  And we see that in the data. 

And so, we — we believe that what the President has done is working.  Now, we have more work to do in lowering costs, and we’ll continue to do that.  But certainly, this is the President and this administration’s work at hand, along with some of the work that we’ve been able to do with Congress.

Q    To the back.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Jeff.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  The President, you alluded to, is speaking about abortion at the event tonight in Virginia.  He has often said he would like Congress to codify Roe.  Are there talks between the White House and legislators in Congress about doing that?  I know they don’t have the votes for it, but is there an effort right now to prepare for that underway?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I can’t speak of an — of a — of conversations specifically on — that we’ve had with legislators.  We talk to legislators on a — an array of issues and — and, certainly, different agendas.  I know that legislators in Congress have tried to introduce pieces of legislation to codify — to do just that, to codify Roe. 

And so, look, here — here’s where we are: Majority of Americans want to make sure that their rights are protected, that their freedoms are protected.  That’s where majority of Americans are.  They want to make sure that women have the right, the ability to make decisions on their reproductive healthcare.  That is something that we know.

And Republicans do not stand with the majority of Americans.  You have about, I believe, three national bans that were — that were introduced by congressional Republicans.  And so, that is a problem. 

And so, we have to be very clear.  This is why the President, the Vice President, his entire administration is going to continue to speak loud and clear and stand on the side of the majority of Americans.  And so, until we have Republicans that are willing to — to stand with the majority of Americans on this and do something and make sure that our freedoms and rights — women’s freedoms and rights are protected, then we’re not going to be able to make this happen.

But doesn’t mean that the President is not going to continue to call f- — call on that.  And so, that’s what we want to see.  In order to truly deal with this issue, we have to see legislation in Congress.  And that is just the facts.

Q    And is that the message that he wants to get across tonight?  And apropos tonight, is there a reason that this rally or this event was scheduled on the same day as the New Hampshire primary —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  (Laughs.)

Q    — where the Republican candidates —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I would refer you to the —

Q    — will be in focus?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  — scheduling of this political rally to the campaign.  So, I’m not going to speak to that.  And I’m not going to get ahead of what the President is going to say.  You’ll hear from him directly tonight.

But, look, you heard from the President yesterday during his task force — his for- — task force on this particular issue, reproductive healthcare.  Yesterday, he spoke to the importance of making sure that we stand with majority of Americans.  You saw the Vice President in Wisconsin speaking to the issue.  We were — we were very clear on where this administration stand.  We stand with majority of Americans on this. 

Q    Maybe the sixth row?  (Laughter.)

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

Q    I mean, you haven’t gone past the fifth row yet.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.

Q    I’m just saying.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.  Thank you for keeping track, but I believe the gentleman is — there’s a gentleman that I called on that’s sitting in your row. 

Q    Well, that’s true.  That’s true.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Thank you.  Oh, thanks.  Thanks, James.  I appreciate that.  Go ahead.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Does the White House support a possibility of limiting immigration parole that seems to be now at the center of Senate negotiations?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m not going to speak to the specifics of the negotiation process, what’s being discussed, the policy discussions, or even the funding component of the discussions.  Just not going to do that from here.  Can’t negotiate from the podium because we want to make sure that they have — negotiators have the freedom to have a good-faith conversation.  I’m just not going to inject myself from here.

Q    Another topic.  Venezuelan President Maduro is accusing the U.S. of plotting to kill him, specifically the CIA and the DEA.  Has the White House seen these accusations?  And how do you respond to them?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, I have not seen those accusations.  Obviously, that is — sounds a bit — a bit — well, it’s not even a bit.  It’s just not factual.  I’m just going to leave that there. 

Q    Sixth row (inaudible)?  (Laughter.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  I’m trying to call some people I haven’t called on.  Go ahead, in the back.  Go ahead, go ahead. 

Q    I know —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No, go ahead.  This young — this young lady. 

Q    I’m trying to help you do that.  (Laughter.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No, I know.  Thanks for the help.  But I got it.  Go ahead, go ahead.

Q    Thank you.  So —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No.

Q    Sorry, me?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.  Yes.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  We’re sort of seeing a lot of House Republicans push back on the Supreme Court ruling, sort of encouraging the Texas governor to ignore it.  People like —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Could you start from the beginning?  I missed the beginning of your question.

Q    That’s okay.  So, we’re seeing some House Republicans encourage Texas to ignore the Supreme Court ruling.  Representative Clay Higgins also sort of said it’s a “civil war.”  Is that rhetoric helpful to solve the situation at the border?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  None of it is helpful.  That rhetoric is not helpful.  The political stunts are not helpful.  They’re just not.  They’re not dealing with the issue that we’re seeing at the border. 

What we have asked and what we have said: Let’s work in a bipartisan way.  That’s why we are very grateful to what the senators are doing right now in negotiating in a bipartisan way, in good faith, to come up with a solution on a system that has been broken for decades — an immigration system that has been broken for decades. 

And so, you have Republicans coming together, Democrats coming together in the Senate to actually figure out how — what are the policy changes that we can — meaningful policy changes that could be put forth, what’s the funding — funding stream that is needed to deal with the border.  And that’s what we want to see, and that’s what we appreciate.

All of the political stunts that — some of them put — you know, put Border Patrol agents’ lives in danger.  It puts migrants’ lives in danger.  That’s not helpful.  That is not helpful at all. 

Go ahead, Courtney.

Q    Thank you.  Will President Biden renominate Todd Edelman for a seat on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia?  There was reporting that that’s not going to
happen. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I’m not going to get ahead of the President’s nomination process.  So, just don’t have anything to preview. 

Q    It’s to renominate, though, not —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m just not going to get ahead of the process at this time.

Q    Okay. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, sir.

Q    So, knowing that there’s bipartisan negotiations happening in the Senate right now when it comes to the supplemental — obviously, House Republicans are not involved, but we do know Speaker Johnson was obviously here at the White House meeting with President Biden.  Are — is the White House or President Biden or any administration officials speaking directly with House Republicans about this, knowing that they’re basically saying that it’s dead on arrival, whatever comes out of the Senate?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, look, the President spoke to this last week a little bit too.  He said — you know, he — he called out — he said to House Republicans: Do you really want to actually fix this problem?  Do you really actually want to do the work that’s needed to deal with the issue that we’re seeing at the border?  Do you really want to fix this immigration system?  I’m adding on to what the President said, but that’s a question for House Republicans. 

I think we have proven — Republicans in the Senate and Democrats in the Senate have proven that we actually want to work on this issue, on this broken system. 

And so, look, if they are real about this, if they want to fix this problem, then they would get involved.  They would get involved.  But they haven’t, right?  You heard me say, back at the end of last year, they left in the middle of December while negotiations were happening with Republicans in the Senate and the Democrats in the Senate. 

So, you know, this is a real problem.  This is an issue that Americans care about, and they want to see it done in a bipartisan way.  That’s what we’re trying to do.  That’s what we’re trying —

I don’t know why House Republicans continue to get in the way.

Q    But outside of the meeting last week, have they been in constant contact at all with House Republicans?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, don’t have any specific communication or conversations to read out.  Obviously, it came out — it came up in the — in the meeting that the President had last week with leadership.  And that — it was obviously about Ukraine and the importance of America supporting Ukraine in their fight for freedom.  But obviously, as well, border security came up.  And there was an agreement.  There was an agreement with folks in the room that we needed to deal with both issues.  Both issues were really important. 

And so, that’s what I will leave you with.  But House Republicans could speak for themselves.  And we are saying to them: Why are they getting in the way?  Why don’t they come to the table and actually have these negotiations with us as well?

Way in the back, go ahead.

Q    Great.  Thank you.  Immigration is now the top issue for Americans — over the economy, over inflation.  That’s according to a new Harvard poll.  So, is immigration the President’s top priority?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  There are many issues that are top priorities for this President, right?  This is a president that has to deal with multiple issues all at once. 

Obviously, immigration is clearly important.  I just went into — into a back-and-forth with your colleague here about what’s been going on — right? — what he’s been doing; what Republicans and Democrats in the Senate have been doing; how these negotiations are so important to get to a bipartisan agreement to deal with immigration, this broken system, and the border security. 

So, obviously, it’s a priority for this President.  And he is managing multiple things that are important — that are important and key to the American public.

Q    I just want to follow up on that.  Also on the border.  Speaker Johnson — he put out a statement talking about this issue.  He’s saying that the VP wants Congress to, quote, “grant mass amnesty and spend taxpayer dollars to process — not stop — more illegals,” and “her ‘solution’ is to…incentivize the lawlessness and the chaos.”  Can the White House
respond to that?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I will say to the House Speaker: If you truly care about the border and dealing with the border in a way that — that actually helps the American people and if he really cares about a broken immigration system that’s been broken for decades, then come have a conversation — a true, good-faith conversation.  Be part of the solution.  Be part of the negotiations.  Actually do something that’s going to make a change for the better.

And right now, that’s not what we’re seeing.  He’s getting in the way.  And, you know, that’s not what this President is about. 

He wants to see this done in a bipartisan way, a bipartisan agreement that is effective and that actually has meaningful policy changes and also funding streams that make sense — that make sense.

All right.

Q    Thanks, Karine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  Thanks, everybody.  We’ll see you tomorrow.

1:16 P.M. EST

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In response to continued illegal and reckless Houthi attacks against vessels transiting the Red Sea and surrounding waterways, the armed forces of the United States and United Kingdom, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, conducted additional strikes against eight targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in accordance with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defense, consistent with the UN Charter.  These strikes were designed to disrupt and degrade the capability of the Houthis to continue their attacks on global trade and innocent mariners from around the world, while avoiding escalation. 

The thirty-plus attacks that the Houthis have launched on commercial and naval vessels since mid-November constitute a threat to all countries that rely on international maritime shipping.  We condemn these attacks, and demand an end to them.  We also underscore that those who supply the Houthis with the weapons to conduct these attacks are violating UN Security Council Resolution 2216 and international law.  The January 22 international response to the continuing Houthi attacks demonstrated shared resolve to uphold navigational rights and freedoms, and to defend the lives of mariners from illegal and unjustifiable attacks.

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The post Joint Statement from the Governments of Albania, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Italy, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Poland, Republic of Korea, Romania, United Kingdom, and the United States appeared first on The White House.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met today with National Security Advisor Henrik Landerholm of Sweden.  Mr. Sullivan underscored the United States’ strong support for Sweden joining NATO as soon as possible and applauded the Turkish parliament’s ratification of Sweden’s NATO accession today. They welcomed the recent signing of the U.S.-Sweden Defense Cooperation Agreement.  Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Landerholm emphasized their commitment to continue supporting Ukraine as it defends itself from Russia’s invasion.  They discussed the ongoing Iranian-backed Houthi attacks against merchant and naval vessels transiting the Red Sea, as well as the importance of increasing humanitarian aid and civilian protections for people in Gaza as Israel defends itself from Hamas.  They also discussed our growing bilateral cooperation on emerging technologies and the close partnership on a range of shared global challenges.

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Today, the Biden-Harris Administration will announce new commitments to workforce development from the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Sprint. The Sprint, which First Lady Jill Biden announced in May and the Administration kicked off in October, is an intensive drive to build a diverse, skilled pipeline of workers for good advanced manufacturing jobs, including union jobs, many of which do not require a four-year college degree. This comes as President Biden’s historic Investing in America agenda—including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, Inflation Reduction Act, and American Rescue Plan—is creating strong demand for skilled advanced manufacturing workers in clean energy, biotechnology, semiconductors, and more.

Today, Neera Tanden, Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, in partnership with the National Economic Council, will highlight some of the many new commitments in remarks to 850 community college and other labor and workforce leaders in New Orleans, Louisiana. More than 160 organizations are participating in the Sprint—including community colleges, employers, unions, education and training providers, community-based groups, philanthropic organizations, and state and local governments—by taking tangible steps to help more Americans train for and succeed in good advanced manufacturing jobs and careers.

In the three months since the Administration kicked off the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Sprint:

• Over 160 organizations have made new commitments to workforce development and job quality in advanced manufacturing.
• Over 150 new advanced manufacturing-related Registered Apprenticeship programs and occupations have been created or are newly under development.
• Over 4,700 new apprentices have been hired in advanced manufacturing occupations.
• The Administration is announcing new investments—including more than $50 million in January alone—to grow and diversify America’s advanced manufacturing workforce.
• The AFL-CIO Working for America Institute, in partnership with labor and industry, will lead development of a universal pathway curriculum for advanced manufacturing to provide students and workers an onramp to good advanced manufacturing careers.

The Biden-Harris Administration continues to encourage and support expansion of high-quality pathways into advanced manufacturing, and invites additional interested organizations to join the Sprint by submitting a commitment.

Alongside Director Tanden’s remarks today, the Administration is highlighting dozens of concrete actions by Sprint participants and agencies to expand high-quality pathways into good advanced manufacturing jobs and careers:

• The Department of Labor announced that more than 4,700 apprentices have been hired and more than 150 new programs and occupations created or under development during the course of its Advanced Manufacturing Registered Apprenticeship Accelerator Series. The effort was launched on October 6 to meet critical recruitment, retention, and training needs in advanced manufacturing occupations—including in the clean energy, semiconductor, aerospace, automotive, and biotechnology sectors. Registered Apprenticeship programs offer a proven earn-and-learn pathway that benefit workers and employers alike.
• Examples of employer and non-profit actions to expand Registered Apprenticeship programs and other high-quality pathways include:
  • Multiverse, in collaboration with partners such as Rolls Royce, will scale its advanced manufacturing-related Registered Apprenticeship programs to support 1,000 roles, such as Data Analyst, over the next two years.
  • Rockwell Automation, a smart manufacturing company, will expand its Academy of Advanced Manufacturing, a 12-week residential program in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Cleveland, Ohio that equips veterans with the technical and workplace skills to fill in-demand manufacturing jobs. The program has served over 500 participants, 38 percent of whom are people of color.
  • Micron, the only U.S.-based leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing company, partnered with the Idaho Manufacturing Alliance and College of Western Idaho to expand their first-ever Registered Apprenticeship Program in Advanced Mechatronics. Micron is also advancing its partnerships with community colleges to increase recruitment of underrepresented students, including with a $5 million investment to Onondaga Community College to support a new Micron Cleanroom Simulation Laboratory.
  • Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) – Atlanta/Georgia Chapters, a non-profit trade organization, committed to hiring 125 additional Electrical Registered Apprentices. 
  • Global Foundries, semiconductor contract manufacturing and design company, has committed to enrolling 130 incumbent workers in its Industrial Manufacturing Technician Registered Apprenticeship program.
  • Jobs for the Future (JFF), a workforce development organization, will register at least 825 apprentices annually, at least 50 percent of whom will be from populations underrepresented in the advanced manufacturing workforce. JFF will also provide free coaching and technical assistance—including on equitable recruiting strategies—for employers and other group sponsors launching a registered apprenticeship in manufacturing.

• Examples of community college actions to increase high-quality programming and partnerships include:
  • Delta College in Michigan plans to enroll 300 students during the first two years of a new 15-week accelerated technician certificate program or engineering degree programs this year, both developed in partnership with local semiconductor manufacturers Hemlock and SK Siltron. Delta will recruit students from local K-12 schools and provide wraparound supports such as housing stipends, child care, transportation and food assistance, and healthcare, partnering with local community groups.
  • Nunez Community College in Louisiana, in partnership with NASA and Boeing, will register its Aerospace Manufacturing Technology Training program as a Registered Apprenticeship program. 
  • Fullerton Community College in Californiawill work with up to 100 area employers to implement Registered Apprenticeships for CNC/Machinists.
  • St. Petersburg Community College in Florida, in partnership with GE Aerospace, plans to launch a new Registered Apprenticeship program in Avionic Technology in early 2024.  
  • Leeward Community College in Hawaii will create new specializations in Advanced Additive Manufacturing, Robotics, Cobotics, accessible as part of an associate’s degree in Integrated Industrial Technology or as a stackable credential for workers seeking to upskill.
  • Parkland College in Illinois, in partnership with AGCO, an American agricultural machinery manufacturer, will launch a Registered Apprenticeship program in 2024 for Agricultural Equipment Technicians, which will target underserved youth. 

• Examples of partnerships between unions, employers, and education providers to deliver high-quality pathways into good advanced manufacturing jobs and careers include:
  • The American Federation of Teachers (AFT)—in partnership with the New York State United Teachers, the United Federation of Teachers, Micron, and Governor Kathy Hochul—launched a $4 million project to develop an Advanced Technology Framework for students to hone technical skills for semiconductor jobs, which will be piloted in 10 school districts starting next fall.
  • In March, the Department of Labor will launch a National Manufacturing Sector Table of leading labor, industry and workforce organizations in the manufacturing sector and support them to develop and lift up workforce solutions that equitably build and grow the next generation of the manufacturing workforce.
  • The AFL-CIO Working for America Institute (WAI) will support DOL’s Sector Table by working with other organizations to develop, scale, and adopt a universal pathway curriculum for advanced manufacturing. The universal pathway will provide workers and students an onramp to a variety of good manufacturing jobs and careers, while creating a pipeline of job-ready workers for employers.
  • SME—a nonprofit association of professionals, manufacturers, educators, and students committed to supporting the manufacturing industry—announced the Manufacturing Imperative – Workforce Pipeline Challenge (MI-WPC), a collaboration with 25 community and technical colleges, each of member which aims to enroll 1,000 individuals per year in pathways that lead to family-sustaining manufacturing jobs.
  • North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the National Education Association (NEA) will develop and disseminate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) template to help local school districts, community colleges, and unions form partnerships to build students’ awareness of and access to good union careers—building on similar MOUs announced in the Augusta Workforce Hub. The template may include language for developing training partnerships such as pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship programs; engaging education professionals such as school counselors and career and technical education (CTE) instructors; and reaching underrepresented students. Local areas can adapt the template for their needs and apply it in construction trades, advanced manufacturing, and other sectors.

• The White House Workforce Hubs—announced in five cities across the country that are seeing significant public- and private-sector investment—continue to lead the way on equitable workforce development, including for good advanced manufacturing jobs and careers. For example:
  • In Columbus, Columbus State Community College (CSCC) launched its semiconductor technician certificate program developed with Intel—announced during First Lady Jill Biden’s visit to the Columbus Workforce Hub in July—which is part of a suite of engineering technology programs that CSCC plans to grow fourfold by 2030, enrolling 5,000 students a year.
  • In Pittsburgh, the German American Chamber of Commerce, Pittsburgh Chapter will launch a new Electric Vehicle (EV) Technician Registered Apprenticeship in August 2024. Five employers have signed on to host apprentices; the program is committed to having the highest safety standards for its apprentices in the industry.
  • In Augusta, Augusta Technical College, in collaboration with the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), announced it will enhance its Nuclear Engineering Technology program curriculum, supported by a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Minority Serving Institutions Partnership Program (MSIPP). The initiative includes establishing a new apprenticeship program at SRNL; adding modules for radiation control and protection; and engaging high school students early through site visits, hands-on learning experiences, and a summer internship program.
  • In Phoenix, the City—in partnership with Arizona State University (ASU), Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD), and Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC)—is establishing Innovation 27, a workforce training and education collaborative focused on semiconductor, bioscience, information technology, healthcare, and other emerging industries. It is supported by $18.5 million in funding from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.

• The 17 Manufacturing USA Institutes, which collectively comprise over 2,500 member organizations across the nation and engage more than 106,000 people in advanced manufacturing training, announced recent steps to expand workforce development:
  • Revitalizing America’s Manufacturing Workforce—a national roadmap to develop advanced manufacturing technologies, grow the advanced manufacturing workforce, and connect workers to good jobs in advanced manufacturing.
  • BioFabUSA welcomed the inaugural cohort of the first-of-its-kind Biofabrication Technician Registered Apprenticeship Program in November. Apprentices completed customized coursework in math, biology, chemistry, and cell culture, along with soft skills and hands-on training to prepare them for the workplace. Participants will begin a year of on-the-job training, with pay and benefits, in late January 2024.
  • NIMBL, the Department of Commerce Manufacturing USA Institute, launched its 2024 application for the NIMBL eXperience program, which will offer postsecondary students real-world exploration of careers in the biopharmaceutical industry, targeting students of color, including at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

These commitments complement new and ongoing federal investments to expand and diversify the advanced manufacturing workforce, including:

• The Department of Labor awarded more than $65 million to develop, scale, and diversify Registered Apprenticeship programs to 46 states and territories—with 19 states focusing on advanced manufacturing as a target sector with $36 million in formula funds.
• The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) launched a $28 million Future Manufacturing competition on January 10 to catalyze new manufacturing capabilities that do not exist today through research, education, and workforce training that will overcome scientific, technological, educational, economic, and social barriers. Applicants must develop a plan to prepare diverse students and a skilled technical workforce that can transition new discoveries into U.S. manufacturing enterprise.
• NSF will announce upwards of $20 million for its Experiential Learning in Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) program in March. ExLENT is a first-of-a-kind training initiative that provides paid experiential learning opportunities such as Registered Apprenticeships to current professionals in any field, helping them build the skills they need to pivot into careers in emerging technology fields, such as advanced manufacturing, microelectronics, biomanufacturing, and energy. This new announcement will build on NSF’s inaugural ExLENT awards of $18.8 million to 27 project teams.
• On January 22, Department of Energy (DOE) announced its intent to invest up to $24 million in high-quality training for union apprentices, incumbent workers, and students for in-demand jobs in advanced manufacturing and clean energy through the Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) Program. The announcement is part of the IAC Program’s unprecedented expansion to include Registered Apprenticeship, union-led training, and community and technical college programs through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. It follows DOE’s $40 million investment, announced in November, to support 17 new IACs as well as the inaugural cohort of 10 Building Training and Assessment Centers. 

The Biden-Harris Administration’s Advanced Manufacturing Sprint builds on the Administration’s prior workforce sprints, which have driven commitments to equitable workforce development and job quality improvement to address critical needs. These include efforts to expand Registered Apprenticeships in trucking and cybersecurity, and to build pathways into good jobs and careers in broadband, electrification, and construction through the Talent Pipeline Challenge. The Sprint also supports the goals of the plan to expand education and training opportunities to biotechnology and biomanufacturing released in July.

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Today, on the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), I commend the entire MCC team for the tremendous impact they have had on the lives of millions of people around the world through their innovative, cost-effective, data-driven development model. MCC’s novel approach is one based on partnership, in which it partners with low-income and lower-middle income countries that share a commitment to good governance, democracy, and investing in their people, to tackle key constraints to growth. Over the past 20 years, MCC has made critical investments to support farmers and strengthen food systems; unlocked critical policy reforms; strengthened the delivery of essential health services; built educational facilities and supported training opportunities for educators, healthcare workers, and nearly half a million students; and invested billions of dollars in climate-resilient infrastructure, including roads, water and sanitation, energy, and agriculture-related infrastructure in countries around the world. With strong bipartisan support from Congress, MCC has delivered nearly $17 billion in aid to 47 low-income and lower-middle income countries across six continents, lifted more than 300 million people out of poverty, generated economic growth in hard-to-reach communities, and strengthened democratic institutions across five continents. MCC’s projects have left a lasting and monumental impact on every community they have touched. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this model of development will have on millions more people in the years to come.

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