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Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is proposing a new rule to significantly expand coverage of anti-obesity medications for Americans with Medicare and Medicaid. Tens of millions of Americans struggle with obesity. An estimated 42 percent of the U.S. population has obesity, which is now widely recognized as a chronic disease, with increased risk of all-cause mortality and multiple related comorbidities such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, some cancers, and more. 
 
Over the past few years, there have been major scientific advancements in the treatment of obesity, with the introduction of new life-saving drugs. These anti-obesity medications can help prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, these drugs reduce deaths and sickness from heart attack and other cardiovascular outcomes by up to 20%. But for too many Americans, these critical treatments are too expensive and therefore out of reach. Without insurance coverage, these drugs can cost someone as much as $1,000 a month.
 
Currently, Medicare and Medicaid cover the use of AOM’s for certain conditions, like diabetes.  Today’s new proposal would expand access to these innovative medications for obesity, which is widely recognized as a disease and help an estimated 3.4 million Americans with Medicare. Medicare coverage would reduce out-of-pocket costs for these prescription drugs by as much as 95 percent for some enrollees. Approximately 4 million adult Medicaid enrollees would also gain new access to these medications. This proposal would allow Americans and their doctors to determine the best path forward so they can lead healthier lives, without worrying about their ability to cover these drugs out-of-pocket, and ultimately reduce health care costs to our nation.
 
Since taking office, the President has built on, strengthened, and protected Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act, by signing laws such as the American Rescue Plan Act and the Inflation Reduction Act to lower prescription drug costs and health insurance premiums. The President is proud of the fact that the Inflation Reduction Act allows Medicare to negotiate down the price of drugs, a tool that will help Medicare lower the cost of some of the most expensive medications in the program.  That power to negotiate drug prices is critical because Americans pay two to three times more than people in other countries for their prescription drugs.  An analysis from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finds international prices for anti-obesity medications are much lower than U.S. list prices and generally lower than U.S. net prices for these same medications. It’s unacceptable that Americans – especially those without insurance coverage for these drugs — are forced to pay so much more for life-saving medications.  The proposed rule would be implemented at the same time as a comprehensive agenda to lower the costs of drugs, including the drug price negotiation program and increased market competition.  We can lower drug prices and improve health outcomes for Americans.
 
Thanks to the President’s efforts, seniors are already seeing lower prescription drug costs with insulin capped at $35, free vaccines, and out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs capped at $2,000 starting in 2025. Already this year, nearly 1.5 million people with Medicare Part D saved nearly $1 billion in out-of-pocket prescription drugs costs in the first half of 2024 because of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act. Furthermore, HHS has reached agreement with drug manufacturers for the first ten negotiated drugs, with new prices that are reduced between 38 to 79 percent starting in 2026.
 
The President’s new actions are all in addition to an already impressive track record on fighting for the health care of Americans across the nation. The Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health focused on ending hunger and reducing diet-related diseases such as obesity. One of the Strategy’s pillars is integrating nutrition and health, which recognizes the opportunities within Medicare and Medicaid to support beneficiaries’ access to nutritious foods, obesity counseling, and other nutrition-related services. Obesity is a multi-faceted disease and we need to work on all levels from prevention to treatment to address this persistent challenge.

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The post FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Takes Latest Step to Lower Prescription Drug Costs by Proposing Expanded Coverage of Anti-Obesity Medications for Americans with Medicare and Medicaid appeared first on The White House.

United States Coast Guard Sector New York
Staten Island, New York

6:10 P.M. EST

THE FIRST LADY:  Hi.  Hello.  (Applause.)  Please.  Please.  (Laughs.)

So, thank you, Captain Andrechik.  It’s been the honor of this military mom’s life to serve as your first lady and to meet with military families through my Joining Fam- — Joining Forces initiative. 

You’ve trusted me with your stories and your challenges: PCSing every few years, transferring IEPs across state lines, spouses struggling to keep careers.  I’m proud that in Joe’s administration, we’ve made it easier for spouses to bring their careers with them when they move, and we’re making sure that kids with disabilities have the support they need at their new schools.

As Coasties split their days between waves and land, you find home in the little moments: in bear hugs and be- — big smiles on little faces, in the people whose love warms you even on the coldest days, the bonds built on shore and the ones forged on water.  That’s what Friendsgiving is about: the families you create together.

And, Robert, for year- — for four years now, you and your team have been extraordinary partners, serving this beautiful meal with love.  Joe and I look forward to this celebration every year, and we’re so grateful for everything you’ve done. 

And you know the best thing?  It sounds just like home.  (Laughter and applause.) 

With all my heart, thank you for your service and your sacrifice. 

Now please welcome a Coast Guard spouse and someone who works every day to make this community stronger, Jaime.

MS. BILLERT:  Thank you.  (Applause.)

Oh.  Well, thank you, Dr. Biden.  And thank you for helping host this year’s Friendsgiving for our Sector New York and local unit Coast Guard families.

THE FIRST LADY:  Thank you.

MS. BILLERT:  Good evening, everyone.  

It’s an honor and a pleasure to share this experience with you and give thanks to the service of our members and, importantly, the service of our families.

We all make sacrifices as Coast Guard families.  And while these sacrifices are unique to each of us, they are all made in the best interest of our families for a better quality of life, a better opportunity for resources, accommodations, education, and experiences. 

To the tables tonight and Thursday who are missing someone irreplaceable, the community around you sees your sacrifice and knows it firsthand.  As the president and Dr. Biden have said through their Joining Forces initiative, we may stand and wait, but we do not stand and wait alone.

So, it is an honor to give thanks to the service of our families tonight.

Sector New York and local unit Coast Guard families, it is my privilege to introduce to you our president, Mr. Joe Biden.  (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, Sector New York.  (Applause.)

And, by the way, kids can scream and cry and holler.  We’re Bidens; we’re used to it.  (Laughter.)  Kids rule in our house.

Well, thank you all very, very much. 

You know, I was thinking — I hadn’t planned on saying this, but I was thinking about this when I was coming up.  I was a pretty good football player in high school in my — I was a — I had it pretty good, and I had an opportunity to go and play in — but my quarterback, who was All-State as well, he came along, and he ended up being a quarterback for the Coast Guard Academy.   In 1912, but anyway.  (Laughter.)  When we — when we graduated.  (Laughter.)  

But, you know, you’re an incredible group.  Coasties are incredible.  I’ve had the opportunity to do the commencement speech at the Academy a number of years, and you’re incredible.  I mea- — really mean it. 

No branch in the military is stationed in more places than all of you.  You’re there for everything.

And, folks, you know, I know you’re hungry, so I won’t speak very long.  I want to — but just thank you, thank you, thank you for all you do and continue to do.

The Coast Guard motto: “Always ready.”  Over last year, those ro- — those words took on a — a sense of truth that they hadn’t had in a long while. 

When Iran sent weapons to the Houthis, you teamed up with the Navy, and you intercepted them. 

When the Baltimore bridge collapsed, which is — I spent a lot of time there — you arrived within minutes to help reopen the port in record time.  People thought it was going to take forever and ever.  You did it in record time.

When Hurricane Helene hit the co- — shore, you rushed to the front lines of search and rescue missions all up and down the coast.  When Hurricane Milton hit less than two weeks later, you stepped up again to help your fellow Americans.

And I also want to note that every day here in New York, you keep this port secure and the people safe, and the world knows it.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

And, by the way, simply put, we owe you, and we owe your families.  And with all due respect to those of you wearing uniform, we don’t thank your families enough.  You know, it’s — and your kids, I want to thank them as well.  Not a joke.  I mean this from the bottom my heart.

You know — you know how exci- — people think, “God, you get to be — go stationed around the world; isn’t that wonderful?”  And then you tell — you have — your daughter is a junior in high school about to go to the junior prom.  You say, “I got great news.  We’re leaving.”  (Laughter.)  “You’re going to go to another school.”

I re- — I really mean it.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  We underestimate the impact that they all provide for you to be able to do your job.

And, folks, you know, I often say it: As a nation, we have only one sacred obligation, and that’s to care for those we send into harm’s way and care for them when they come home and make sure their families are taken care of before and after.  I mean that sincerely.

We had a son who was military, who passed and — because of — anyway.  He’s a major in the United States military — in — in the United States Army.  And, you know, it’s — you can see it every day.

So, thank you, thank you, thank you.  And I promise you, every day we’ll keep striving to live up to the obligation we have. 

And I’m anxious to — I may not eat.  I may come around to the table and meet all your kids, because everybody knows I like kids better than people.  (Laughter.)  Anyway.

Thank you, really, from the bottom of my heart.  And the families, thank you, thank you, thank you.  Not a joke.  I mean it from the bottom of my heart.  Thank you for all the sacrifices you make.

So, have a good meal.  And we got a great chef, by the way.  He’s the best in the world.

Well, thank you.  I’ll see you again.  (Applause.)

THE FIRST LADY:  The pastor is going to —

THE PRESIDENT:  The bad news is I’m going to end up feeding you. 

Pastor.

LIEUTENANT COMMANDER ROACH:  Thank you, sir.

THE PRESIDENT:  Say an extra pray for me, will you?  (Laughs.)

LIEUTENANT COMMANDER ROACH:  Yes, Mr. President.  I’ll say an extra prayer for you.  (Laughter.) 

(The Friendsgiving dinner continues.)

(The Friendsgiving dinner concludes.)

THE PRESIDENT:  I’ve just been told I’ve been fired.  (Laughter.) 

What they do when they tell us w- — they set a time we’re going — how long we’re going to be somewhere, and then what they do is they close all the roads — the Secret Service does.  And if you want to lose all support for you — the Coast Guard and no one will ever vote for me again, I better get the hell out of here.  (Laughter.)

Well, thank you, thank you, thank you.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your service.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  I really — I really mean it.  Thank you. 

Appreciate it.  (Applause.)

7:10 P.M. EST

The post Remarks by President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at a Friendsgiving Event | Staten Island, NY appeared first on The White House.

On Monday, November 25, 2024, the President signed into law:

H.R. 599, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3500 West 6th Street, Suite 103 in Los Angeles, California, as the Dosan Ahn Chang Ho Post Office;

Thank you to Representative Gomez and the entire California delegation for their leadership.

H.R. 807, the “Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act,” which requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the invaluable service that working dogs provide to society;

Thank you to Representatives McHenry and McGovern, and Senators Budd, Kelly, Tillis and Duckworth for their leadership.

H.R. 1060, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1663 East Date Place in San Bernardino, California, as the Dr. Margaret B. Hill Post Office Building;

Thank you to Representative Aguilar and the entire California delegation for their leadership.

H.R. 1098, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 50 East Derry Road in East Derry, New Hampshire, as the Chief Edward B. Garone Post Office;

Thank you to Representatives Pappas and Kuster, and Senators Shaheen and Hassan for their leadership.

H.R. 3608, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 28081 Marguerite Parkway in Mission Viejo, California, as the Major Megan McClung Post Office Building;

Thank you to Representative Young Kim and the entire California delegation for their leadership.

H.R. 3728, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 25 Dorchester Avenue, Room 1, in Boston, Massachusetts, as the Caroline Chang Post Office;

Thank you to Representative Pressley, Senators Markey and Warren, and the entire Massachusetts delegation for their leadership.

H.R. 4190, the “Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act,”
which permits restoration of defrauded benefits after the death of a beneficiary;

Thank you to Representatives Trone and Ciscomani, and Senators Manchin and Tuberville for their leadership.

H.R. 5464, which names the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Guntersville, Alabama, as the Colonel Ola Lee Mize Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic;

Thank you to Representative Aderholt, Senators Tuberville and Britt, and the entire Alabama delegation for their leadership.

H.R. 5476, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1077 River Road, Suite 1, in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, as the Susan C. Barnhart Post Office;

Thank you to Representatives Fitzpatrick and Watson Coleman, Senators Casey and Fetterman, and the entire Pennsylvania delegation for their leadership.

H.R. 5490, the “Bolstering Ecosystems Against Coastal Harm Act” or the “BEACH Act,” which amends the Coastal Barrier Resources Act to expand the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System;

Thank you to Representatives Kiggans and Blunt Rochester, and Senator Carper for their leadership.

H.R. 5640, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 12804 Chillicothe Road in Chesterland, Ohio, as the Sgt. Wolfgang Kyle Weninger Post Office Building;

Thank you to Representative Dave Joyce, Senators Vance and Brown, and the entire Ohio delegation for their leadership.

H.R. 5712, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 220 Fremont Street in Kiel, Wisconsin, as the Trooper Trevor J. Casper Post Office Building;

Thank you to Representative Grothman and the entire Wisconsin delegation for their leadership.

H.R. 5861, the “Building on Reemployment Improvements to Deliver Good Employment for Workers Act” or the “BRIDGE for Workers Act,” which extends reemployment services and eligibility assessments to all claimants for unemployment benefits;

Thank you to Representatives LaHood and Danny Davis, and Senators Coons, Cassidy, Kaine and Tillis for their leadership.

H.R. 5985, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 517 Seagaze Drive in Oceanside, California, as the Charlesetta Reece Allen Post Office Building;

Thank you to Representative Levin and the entire California delegation for their leadership.

H.R. 6073, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 9925 Bustleton Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the Sergeant Christopher David Fitzgerald Post Office Building;

Thank you to Representative Boyle and the entire Pennsylvania delegation for their leadership.

H.R. 6249, the “Think Differently About Emergencies Act,” which provides for a review and report on the assistance and resources that the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency provides to individuals with disabilities and the families of such individuals that are impacted by major disasters;

Thank you to Representatives Molinaro, Titus, Carbajal and Norton for their leadership.

H.R. 6324, the “Fiscal Year 2024 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act,” which authorizes major medical facility projects for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2024;

Thank you to Representatives Bost and Amodei, and Senators Tester and Moran for their leadership.

H.R. 6651, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 603 West 3rd Street in Necedah, Wisconsin, as the Sergeant Kenneth E. Murphy Post Office Building;

Thank you to Representative Tiffany and the entire Wisconsin delegation for their leadership.

H.R. 7192, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 333 West Broadway in Anaheim, California, as the Dr. William I. ‘Bill’ Kott Post Office Building;

Thank you to Representative Correa and the entire California delegation for their leadership.

H.R. 7199, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at S74w16860 Janesville Road, in Muskego, Wisconsin, as the Colonel Hans Christian Heg Post Office;

Thank you to Representative Fitzgerald and the entire Wisconsin delegation for their leadership.

H.R. 7333, which names the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in West Palm Beach, Florida, as the Thomas H. Corey VA Medical Center;

Thank you to Representative Mast, Senators Rubio and Rick Scott, and the entire Florida delegation for their leadership.

H.R. 7423, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 103 Benedette Street in Rayville, Louisiana, as the Luke Letlow Post Office Building;

Thank you to Representative Scalise, Senators Cassidy and Kennedy, and the entire Louisiana delegation for their leadership.

H.R. 7777, the “Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living
Adjustment Act of 2024,” which provides for a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for veterans’ disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation beneficiaries equal to the Social Security COLA;

Thank you to Representatives Luttrell and Pappas, and Senators Tester and Moran for their leadership.

S. 1510, the “GAO Inspector General Parity Act,” which amends provisions relating to the Office of the Inspector General of the Government Accountability Office;

Thank you to Senator Braun and Peters, and Representatives Robert Garcia and McClain for their leadership.

S. 2143, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 320 South 2nd Avenue in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as the Staff Sergeant Robb Lura Rolfing Post Office Building;

Thank you to Senators Rounds and Thune for their leadership.

S. 2274, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 112 Wyoming Street in Shoshoni, Wyoming, as the Dessie A. Bebout Post Office;

Thank you to Senators Barrasso, Lummis and Carper for their leadership.

S. 3126, the “Mark Our Place Act,” which amends title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish or replace a headstone, marker, or medallion for the grave of an eligible Medal of Honor recipient regardless of the recipient’s dates of service in the Armed Forces;

Thank you to Senators Braun, Brown and Tester, and Representative Luttrell for their leadership.

S. 3267, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 410 Dakota Avenue South in Huron, South Dakota, as the First Lieutenant Thomas Michael Martin Post Office Building; and

Thank you to Senators Rounds and Thune for their leadership.

S. 3419, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1765 Camp Hill Bypass in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, as the John Charles Traub Post Office.

Thank you to Senators Fetterman and Casey for their leadership.

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The post Press Release: Bills Signed: H.R. 599, H.R. 807, H.R. 1060, H.R. 1098, H.R. 3608, H.R. 3728, H.R. 4190, H.R. 5464, H.R. 5476, H.R. 5490, H.R. 5640, H.R. 5712, H.R. 5861, H.R. 5985, H.R. 6073, H.R. 6249, H.R. 6324, H.R. 6651, H.R. 7192, H.R. 7199, H.R. 7333, H.R. 7423, H.R. 7777, S. 1510, S. 2143, S. 2274, S. 3126, S. 3267, S. 3419 appeared first on The White House.

Via Teleconference

12:20 P.M. EDT

MODERATOR:  Hey, everyone.  Thanks for joining.  We do not have anything here at the top, so we’ll go straight into questions. 

Trevor with Reuters, if you want to start us off.

Q    Hey.  Thanks for doing this.  First, do you have any comment about this DHL plane that crashed on the way to Lithuania and if there was any suspicion about Russian involvement?

And then second, just any update on Lebanon ceasefire talks.  There’s some reporting that suggests that that’s towards the end of the process there.

MR. KIRBY:  So, on your first question, Trevor, what I can tell you is that the FAA and NTSB are cooperating in the investigation that the Lithuanians are just now conducting.  This is pretty fresh stuff here; it just happened.  So we’re certainly not going to get ahead of that investigation and where the facts are going to lead them, but we are contributing some expertise on these kinds of things to help them through that.  And I’m sure that the Lithuanian authorities, as appropriate, will keep people informed about what they’re learning.

On your second question, look, I’ve seen the press reporting and the comments by anonymous officials.  I think you can understand that where we’re going to be today is that this remains a top priority for the President, has for some time and certainly is today as we speak, to get this ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah so that the rockets and the missiles stop and so that people can start moving back to their homes and restarting their lives along that Blue Line.  And we are actively involved in trying to bring that about.  But nothing is negotiated until everything is negotiated. 

And as you and I are speaking here this morning, Trevor — I’m sorry, this afternoon — those conversations are ongoing.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next — sorry, some user issue here.  Our next question will go to Zeke with AP.

Q    Thanks, John, for doing this.  Just following up on your answer to Trevor there.  Can you discuss what remaining sticking points there are?  What is still being negotiated, if not everything is yet negotiated?

And then, is there anything in detail about the President’s personal involvement?  We know Amos has been in the region, but what has the President’s involvement been in these talks?  Thank you.

MR. KIRBY:  The President has been monitoring this very, very closely.  He’s been in direct touch with Amos.  Amos is back now. 

I’m not going to get into the details.  You know, there’s still some process things that I think that they’re working through, and it just wouldn’t be wise of me to go into much detail at this particular point. 

Look, I can tell you that the discussions that Amos had were constructive, and we believe that the trajectory of this is going in a very positive direction. 

But, again, nothing is done until everything is done.  Nothing is all negotiated until everything is negotiated.  And, you know, we need to keep at the work to see it through so that we can actually get this ceasefire for which we’ve been working for so long and so hard.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to MJ with CNN.

Q    Hi, John.  A bunch of weeks ago, the U.S. had put out this Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire proposal, which was very publicly rejected by the Prime Minister.  Can you just talk to us about —

MODERATOR:  Sorry, MJ, your audio cut out.  Would you mind starting again?

Q    Yeah.  I said that a bunch of weeks ago, the U.S. had put out this ceasefire proposal, which was publicly rejected by the Prime Minister.  So I wondered if you could talk to us about the timing.  Assuming that this does come together, why now?  What’s different now versus back then, when you all, again, first put this proposal out there? 

And then secondly, Mike Waltz said that he has now met with Jake Sullivan.  Can you give us the top lines?  Who attended this meeting?  What were the issues discussed?  The Congressman also sort of leaned into this idea that the current and the incoming administrations are working hand in glove as one team.  What exactly are you all working on together at this point?  Thanks.

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, MJ.  So, on the first question, the why now is because we are at a certain point in the discussions where, again, we believe that things are moving in a very positive way.  It’s not — I mean, your question presupposes that, you know, we sort of put an anchor on the calendar and said, “Well, you know, we got to have it by, you know, before Thanksgiving.”  And that’s not the thinking here.

You know, with all these negotiations, including the ones that we’ve been trying to get, you know, with Hamas, it’s try, try again.  Keep putting things on the table.  Keep exploring things.  Keep moving things back and forth as both sides are presenting their requirements to you.  And we are mediating this, and we are where we are today because of a lot of back and forth, a lot of discussions, a lot of work, principally by Amos, of course.  And we believe we’ve reached this point where, you know, we’re close.

But, again, I want to be careful and cautious here in how I characterize it, because until you get everything done, you don’t have a deal.  So that’s kind of where we are. 

You talked about it being rejected earlier, but there’s been back and forth with both sides now for many weeks to get us to this point.

On the Waltz meeting, I can confirm that Jake did meet with Congressman Waltz, but I’m not going to get into the private conversation, and I need to really just leave it there.

On your second question, or your third question, I guess, on transition, the President has been consistent on this that he wants to make sure across the administration, and that certainly includes us here at the National Security Council, that we are doing everything that we can to effect a professional and an orderly transition. 

And we continue to urge the incoming team to take the steps that are necessary to be able to facilitate that on their end as well.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Barak with Axios.

Q    Hi, John.  Thank you for doing this.  Two quick questions.  First on the follow-up on Jake’s meeting with Waltz.  I was told that one of the issues they discussed is how the current administration and the incoming administration can work together to push for a Gaza hostage deal in the less than two months that are left until January 20th.  Can you confirm that?

And second thing: The U.S. is going to give Israel a letter of assurances, a letter of guarantees, whatever you want to call it, about Israel’s freedom of operation in Lebanon, if it sees any imminent threats after a ceasefire is reached.  Can you say anything about that?

MR. KIRBY:  No and no.  I’m sorry, Barak, but I really can’t be more helpful to you on either one of those ones. 

The only thing I will say is, you know —

Q    (Laughs.)  I tried.

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, you did.  It was a — it was a good effort. 

(Inaudible) rumors of a letter of guarantees (inaudible) and to protect their people.  And in those efforts, they’ll continue to get support from the United States.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Danny with AFP.

Q    Hi, Admiral.  Thanks for doing this.  A couple of things.  Firstly, just for the avoidance of any doubt, when you say, you know, we believe we’ve reached this point where we’re close, you mean close to a deal.  Is that right?

MR. KIRBY:  That’s correct. 

Q    Oh, thanks. 

MR. KIRBY:  That’s correct. 

Q    And secondly, there are reports in the region that President Macron of France is involved in this deal and indeed that there are plans for him and President Biden to announce it tomorrow.  Any comment on either of those aspects?

MR. KIRBY:  No, but except to say: I think you all know that the President spoke with President Macron last week, and, of course, they talked about a lot of things, including the war in Gaza and how much they both want to see this conflict end and tensions to be taken down and a ceasefire to be reached, in this case particularly between Israel and Hezbollah.  But beyond that, I won’t comment. 

Q    Thanks.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Neria with Channel 13 Israel. 

Q    Hi, Kirby.  Thank you so much for —

Hey, Admiral.  Thank you so much for doing this. 

I wanted to ask: U.S. officials approached the Lebanese today and told them that Israel is on board.  Did you get any response from the people in that — from the government in Lebanon, from Hezbollah?

And also, Netanyahu wants to know when he will be able to go back into a war, if he’d like to, if the Israeli government would think that’s necessary.  And I understand this is one of the latest things that are not completed yet.  Can you elaborate more on that, please?

MR. KIRBY:  Hey, I’m not going to be very helpful here.  This kind of gets, you know, to Barak’s question about this rumor of a letter of guarantees. 

Q    Yeah, we didn’t hear your answer there.  You muted your Zoom or something, when Barak asked the question.

MR. KIRBY:  Oh, my answer to Barak was no, and I think he acknowledged that.

But, look, I understand the great interest in this, and I really won’t go beyond what I’ve said before.  We believe we’re close.  The conversations that Amos had were very positive.  And as I said earlier, we believe the trajectory is going in the right direction here to potentially getting this ceasefire done.  But it’s not done.  And the last thing that I’m going to do publicly is speak about the details of it and what components are in there so that I don’t in any way sabotage the efforts to actually complete it. 

This remains an important priority for President Biden.  That’s why we have been working hard to mediate this deal so that people can return to their lives and their homes around the Blue Line, and the rockets and missiles can stop. 

So, again, I do understand where all the questions are coming from.  They’re all fair, they’re all right, they’re all the right questions to ask today, but I’m just not going to be able to get into too much of the details.  Actually, I’m not going to get into any of the details here unless or until we’ve got more to say.

Q    And one last question, if that’s okay, Admiral, about the new administration.  We do hear that Trump’s administration is getting messages from Israeli officials about — saying that most of the hostages are dead, maybe trying to convince them not to try to push to a deal.  Do you know anything about it?  Do you give the new administration any info about the hostages that are still alive?

MR. KIRBY:  I don’t know anything about those conversations.  And as I said earlier to a question about Congressman Waltz’s meeting with Jake, we continue to urge the incoming team to take the steps necessary so that we can help effect an orderly, efficient, complete, and comprehensive transition to them, which includes being able to provide them the kinds of briefings, and the context, and the material that we believe will be important to help inform their decisions as they come into office.  So that’s where we are.

Q    Thank you so much.

MR. KIRBY:  Yes, ma’am.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Nadia.

Q    Thank you.  Thank you for doing this.  I want to follow up on a few of the questions about Lebanon. 

Number one, John, can you just confirm once and for all that, actually, we do not expect any announcement between the President and Macron, not tomorrow, but maybe in the next few days?  Because now everybody talks about the kind — maybe there is a kind of announcement, maybe not tomorrow or the day after, but soon.

MR. KIRBY:  All I can tell you, Nadia, is what I’ve been saying here for 15, 20 minutes.  You know, we believe we’re close, and there’s been an awful lot of work done.  And when we have something we can announce and we can speak to, well, by goodness, we’ll do that, and we’ll do that as soon as it is practical to do so. 

But I couldn’t sit here and look at the calendar over the next day or two and tell you exactly when that might be.

Q    Okay.  Fair enough.  How close does Mr. Hochstein coordinate with the Trump transitional team on Lebanon, and at what level? 

MR. KIRBY:  I’m not going to get into the private conversations that Mr. Hochstein has been having as he’s been working to try to get this deal.  He’s been very, very focused on primarily discussing what he’s doing — or what he’s trying to do with our Israeli counterparts and, of course, his counterparts on the Lebanon side.  And I’m just going to leave it at that.

Q    Okay.  And just one last question.  I know you said you don’t want to talk about any letters of guarantees, but in general, is this any role that the U.S. playing in this mediation, beyond the facilitating both points of views, whether in execution later on or whether in some kind of guarantee to both sides, not just the Israelis?

MR. KIRBY:  I’m not sure I understand your question.  I mean, as the mediator of this, we’re obviously trying to get a ceasefire over the finish line.

Q    Sure, but let me explain what I meant.  I meant there is lots of reports saying basically that the U.S. will guarantee — will give to Israel the right to monitor Lebanese airspace to make sure that Hezbollah is not going to launch rockets from there, and that will be by U.S. supervision.  While now you’re saying there is no letter, there’s nothing like this.  And vice versa — they were saying that they will make sure that during the 60 days ceasefire, that there’s no violation; the U.S. will guarantee that by monitoring what’s happening and reporting it.

MR. KIRBY:  What I said was I’m not going to confirm reports that there’s some sort of letter out there.  I’m not going to confirm any of the details that have been discussed between the two sides and the United States.  We are not there yet.  And if we’re able to get there, as soon as possible we will lay it all out for everybody.  And you’ll get to see for yourself, you know, what was negotiated. 

But the last thing I’m going to do is get into speculation from press reports about what is or what isn’t in this deal at this particular point.  I’m just not going to do it. 

Q    Okay.  Thank you. 

MR. KIRBY:  Yes, ma’am.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Marek with Polskie Radio.

Q    Thank you, Sam.  Hi, John.  I have a question on the Russia threats against Poland.  Moscow says that the new U.S. missile defense base that was just recently opened in Redzikowo in Poland is considered a priority target.  So may I ask you for a comment on that?

And my second question is: What’s your assessment on the effectiveness of the use of ATACMS by Ukraine?  In the past, you kind of downplayed potential impact of the ATACMS on the battlefield and warned that allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russia could lead to escalation by the Kremlin.  How do you see it now?

MR. KIRBY:  Right now, they are able to use ATACMS to defend themselves, you know, in an immediate-need basis.  And right now, you know, understandably, that’s taking place in and around Kursk, in the Kursk Oblast.  I’d let the Ukrainians speak to their use of ATACMS and their targeting procedures, and what they’re using them for and how well they’re doing.

But nothing has changed about the — well, obviously we did change the guidance and gave them guidance that they could use them, you know, to strike these particular types of targets.

On your — what was your first question again?  I knew I was going to forget.

Q    Just about Russia’s threats against Poland, the new missile defense (inaudible) put on the target list.

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, we’ve seen those comments, and, obviously, you know, you have to take those kinds of threats seriously, and we do.  As reckless and irresponsible as they are, we obviously take it seriously. 

President Biden has been rock-solid.  We’re going to do everything we have to do to make sure our troops on the European continent are safe and secure.  And just as importantly, you know, we take our Article Five commitments to our NATO Allies incredibly seriously.  It’s rock-solid, and that’s not going to change.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Hiba.

Q    Thanks, John.  I want to try again, John, to understand where do things stand now.  From what we’ve learned, there was an Israeli response that was then relayed to the Lebanese.  If Israel hasn’t made any amendment to it, the agreement remains as is.  Now, did you receive anything from the Lebanese?  Where is the agreement now?  On the Lebanon side?  On Israel side? 

Second, my second question: Is it an agreed ceasefire?  And within these 60 days or whatever, the negotiations will continue for a broader deal?

And my third question, please, if I may: Will this ceasefire agreement or deal, or whatever, go to the U.N. Security Council, considering that you will soon preside over it in December?  I mean, will we have a resolution?  Will we have a statement from the U.N. Security Council after this?  Because the Lebanese were opposing that.  Thank you.

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, Hiba, look, I’m simply not going to talk about where we are in the negotiation process.  As I said several times here on this call, we believe we’re close.  The conversations that Amos had in the region were constructive.  I’d go so far as to say we believe they were productive. 

But nothing is done until it’s all done, and it’s not done right now.  And if we can get there, as soon as possible we’ll be able to talk in more detail with all of you about the contents of this.  But I hope you understand how irresponsible it will be — irresponsible it would be for me in an on-the-record gaggle to lay out for you and confirm every single press report out there about what is in or what is not in this deal.  I’m just not going to do it. 

And I don’t have anything to talk to you today about, you know, if we get a deal, what a broader timeline (inaudible).  All that gets into the parameters of the deal itself.  So, again, I’m just not going to go there.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  And unfortunately, that’s all the time we have for today.  As always, if we weren’t able to get to your questions, please reach out to our distro, our NSC press distro.  And I think Kirby has a few words here before we fully go.

MR. KIRBY:  Yep, just two things.  One, look, I know you all had lots of very detailed questions, and you’re coming away from the gaggle, I’m sure, unsatisfied, and I understand that.

I just — as I said many times, I hope you understand why.  I’m not trying to obfuscate, certainly not trying to be an obstacle or make things difficult for you.  What I was trying to do is characterize sort of where we think we are but not do anything or say anything that might torpedo our chances. 

And obviously, the most important thing here is that we try to get this ceasefire, because it will mean, literally, that lives will be saved and, hopefully over a period of time, that livelihoods will be restored.  And again, last thing any spokesman wants to do is be in the way of that.  And so, I just want you to understand where I was coming from. 

The last thing is: I don’t know if we’re going to have a chance to talk before Thanksgiving.  If not, I just want to wish everybody a happy holiday.  And if you’re traveling, please do so safely. 

And thanks for all this engagement.  I know it’s been a while since we did a gaggle.  And hopefully after the holiday is over, we can get back on to a more normal schedule. 

But anyway, Happy Thanksgiving to all of you if I don’t get a chance to talk to you before then.  Thanks. 

MODERATOR:  Thanks, everyone.

12:44 P.M. EDT

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The White House

Good afternoon.

This beautiful Fraser fir was grown at Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm, where the Cartner family has been growing trees for more than 60 years.

Their farm is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, a region that was recently devastated by Hurricane Helene.

The Cartner family lost thousands of trees to the storm. But this one remained standing—and they named it “Tremendous” for the extraordinary hope that it represents.

It’s an honor to be here today with Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, as well as members of the North Carolina National Guard—and their families—who are leading the work to rebuild after Hurricane Helene. This tree recognizes your tremendous strength and service.

In just a few days, volunteers from all over the country will pour in to transform this tree—and decorate the entire White House. And out of the whirlwind of glitter and garlands, will come the warmth and comfort of the season. I can’t wait for everyone to share in it.

Happy holidays!

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Today, as we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we recommit ourselves to the urgent work of ending gender-based violence in the United States and around the world. Gender-based violence is a human rights abuse and a public health crisis that impacts one in three women and girls. We also know that whenever and wherever women and girls are under threat, so too are peace, stability, and economic progress.

Working to end violence against women and girls has been the cause of my life.  In the U.S. Senate, I wrote and championed the Violence Against Women Act, working across the aisle and with courageous survivors to strengthen the law four times.  As President, I was proud to sign into law the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act, which expanded access to safety and support for survivors, increased prevention efforts, and established new federal protections against online harassment and abuse. Under my Administration’s leadership, the United States secured the highest-ever funding levels to implement the Violence Against Women Act, and, globally, we have maintained the highest-ever level of investment to address gender-based violence at $250 million per year.

My Administration issued the first-ever U.S. National Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, updated the U.S. Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence Globally, and worked tirelessly to prevent and address gender-based violence in all its forms, including through the White House Task Force to Address Online Harassment and Abuse and the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse, which has grown to a 15-country membership. We’ve advanced policies within the United States and globally to address online safety; invested in efforts to prevent technology-facilitated gender-based violence—including countering its chilling effects on women’s civic and political participation; and supported survivors of image-based sexual abuse.

We have also taken historic steps to strengthen justice and accountability for conflict-related sexual violence. In 2022, I issued a Presidential Memorandum on Promoting Accountability for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence—directing federal agencies to leverage sanctions authorities, assistance restrictions, and other tools to promote accountability for perpetrators of this human rights abuse. Since the release of that memorandum, the United States issued nearly two dozen sanctions, including for the first time several issued solely on the basis of sexual violence. And earlier this year, we announced the Dignity in Documentation Initiative, which supports civil society-led efforts to investigate and document sexual violence in conflict.

Today we reflect on the tremendous progress we’ve made since the first International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women a quarter century ago.  We also recommit ourselves to the work ahead to achieve a world in which all women and girls can live free from fear, free from violence, and free from abuse.

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South Lawn

11:07 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, good morning.

AUDIENCE:  Good morning!

THE PRESIDENT:  They tell me there’s 2,500 people here today — (applause) — looking for a pardon.  (Laughter.)

Well, good morning and welcome to a wonderful White House tradition.  We’ve got a lot of folks joining us today.  Members of my cabinet, members of the White House staff and their families.  We’ve got students from 4-H programs and Future Farmers of America.  Where are you?  (Applause.)

And, of course, a special thanks to everyone at the National Turkey Federation.  Leslee Oden, president of the Federation.  Leslee, where are you?  There you are.  (Applause.)  And John Zimmerman, chairman of the Federation, and his family from Northfield, Minnesota.  John.  (Applause.)

I was in Northfield last year with our — last year with my secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, and our great friend, the Minnesota governor, Tim Walz — (applause) — talking about our historic investment in transforming rural America. 

Back in Minnesota, John has been a turkey grower for 35 years.  He’s raised over 4 million turkeys.  (Applause.)  Whoa.  And with the help of his nine-year-old son, Grant, they’ve raised two special guests we’re honoring today: Peach and Blossom.  (Applause.)  Let’s bring Peach up to join us. 

They tell me Peach weighs about 42 pounds. 

What do you say, Peach? 

Peach is making a last-minute plea here.  (Laughter.)

The two turkeys are named after Delaware state flower, the peach blossom.  And by the way, Delaware has a long history of growing peaches.  In fact, the peach pie in our state is one of my favorite.  It’s a state dessert.  And peach blossom flower is — also symbolizes the resilience, which is, quite frankly, fitting for today.  (Laughter.) 

This White House tradition began when turkey was presented to President Truman.  And that president — then President George H.W. Bush began pardoning turkeys. 

In the last four years, I’ve had the honor to continue that tradition by pardoning Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chocolate and Chip, Liberty and Bell.  And today, Peach and Blossom — (applause) — will join the free birds of the United States of America.  (Applause.) 

Born this past July at the Zimmerman family farm, raised by the —

(Peach gobbles.)

Yeah, I hear you.  (Laughter.)  Peach wants to speak a little bit here.  (Laughter.)

Raised by the family with the help of neighboring chil- — neighborhood children, who helped the turkeys get ready for this very moment.

According the experts, Peach weighs 41 pounds and loves to eat hotdish and teter to- — tator tots, and cross-country skis.  (Laughter.)  You know, dreams to see — but his — the real dream he has is to see the Northern Lights, I’m told.  He lives by the mo- — the motto, “Keep calm and gobble on.”  (Laughter.)

Meanwhile, Blossom weighs 40 pounds, loves to eat cheese curds and watch boxing — (laughter); dreams of visit — to visit each one of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes — (applause); lives by the motto, “No fowl play, just Minnesota nice.”  (Laughter.)

They just finished a two-day road trip from Minnesota to Washington, D.C. 

By the way, do you have chairs?  Sit down.  (Laughter.)  I forgot you had chairs.  (Applause.)  I’m sorry.  (Laughter.)  Started thinking about the arduous trip they made, and you guys are still standing.  (Laughter.)

Well, that trip is 1,100 miles.  (A turkey gobbles.)  It takes 16.5 hours.  Through it all, they stayed calm, and they gobbled on and are still gobbling.  They were s- — (a turkey gobbles) — they — (laughter) — they were — stayed nice, listening to their favorite music, which apparently includes the song “Living on a Prayer.”  (Laughter.)

Well, fellas, your prayer is going to be answered today. 

Based on your temperament and commitment to being productive members of society, I hereby pardon Peach and Blossom.  (Applause.)

They will now head back to Farmamerica, Minnesota’s center for agricultural int- — interpretation, to serve as educational ambassadors of America’s top turkey growing state and inspire the next generation of agricultural students. 

Congratulations. 

Let me close on a more serious note.  This event marks the official start of the holiday season here in Washington.  It’s also my last time to speak here as your president during this season and give thanks and gratitude. 

So, let me say to you: It’s been the honor of my life.  I’m forever grateful. 

Later today, my wife, Jill, and I will travel to Staten Island, New York, for a Friendsgiving with members of the Coast Guard and their families to demonstrate our gratitude for their service and sacrifice, like my son.  (Applause.) 

We also keep in our hearts those who have lost so much, who will have an empty seat at the di- — at the Thanksgiving dinner table tonight — or, excuse me, Thursday night. 

May we use this moment to take time from our busy lives and focus on what matters most: our families — my dad used to have an expression; he’d say, “Family is the beginning, the middle, and the end” — our friends and our neighbors, and the fact that we blessed these — to live in America, the greatest country on Earth.  And that’s not hyperbole.  We are.

No matter what, in America, we never give up.  We keep going.  We keep the faith. 

We just have to remember who we are.  We’re the United States of America.  There is nothing, nothing, nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together. 

So, happy Thanksgiving, America.  God bless you all.  And may God protect our troops.

Thank you.  (Applause.) 

11:12 A.M. EST

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I congratulate Yamandú Orsi on his election to serve as Uruguay’s 43rd President.  I also send my congratulations to the people of Uruguay for their unyielding commitment to democracy as they successfully exercised the fundamental right to vote.
 
In the over 150 years of diplomatic relations between Uruguay and the United States, we have built an enduring partnership based on our peoples’ shared values.  Uruguay has been at the vanguard of promoting democracy in the Americas, as well as leading in the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity to invest in innovations that create opportunities for the middle class throughout the hemisphere.  As President-elect Orsi prepares to take office in March, I am confident our two countries will continue our work together to build more secure and prosperous futures for our people.

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When I took office, the pandemic was raging and the economy was reeling. From Day One, I was determined to not only deliver economic relief, but to invest in America and grow the economy from the middle out and bottom up, not the top down.

Over the last four years, that’s exactly what we’ve done. We passed legislation to rebuild our infrastructure, build a clean energy economy, and bring manufacturing back to the United States after decades of offshoring. Today I’m proud to announce my Investing in America agenda—the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act—has helped attract over $1 trillion in announced private-sector investments. These investments in industries of the future are ensuring the future is made in America, by American workers. And they’re creating opportunities in communities too often left behind.

Over 1.6 million construction and manufacturing jobs have been created over the last four years, and our investments are making America a leader in clean energy and semiconductor technologies that will protect our economic and national security, while expanding opportunities in red states and blue states.

Today, thanks to my Investing in America agenda, businesses around the world are investing in America—which is good news for American workers and American businesses—and we’re positioned to win the economic competition for the 21st century.

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We condemn in the strongest terms the murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan in the UAE and our prayers are with his family, the Chabad-Lubavitch community, the broader Jewish community, and all who are mourning his loss. This was a horrific crime against all those who stand for peace, tolerance, and coexistence. It was an assault as well on UAE and its rejection of violent extremism across the board. The United States is working in close coordination with Israeli and UAE authorities, and we have offered all appropriate forms of support. We commend the rapid efforts of UAE authorities who now have suspects in custody. Those who carried out this crime, and anyone supporting them, must be held fully accountable.

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In 2015, the world came together to finalize the Paris Agreement, a historic commitment made by nearly every country in the world to address the climate crisis and protect the planet for future generations. On my very first day in office, I took action to return the United States to that agreement, restore America’s global climate leadership, and recommit to international climate ambition. 

Since then, my Administration has leveraged our Nation’s leadership on climate action at home to accelerate global efforts – including at COPs 26, 27, and 28 – to reduce emissions, lower energy costs, create good-paying jobs, protect ecosystems, and strengthen resilience – all of which has also helped grow our economy.

Today at COP29, thanks in part to the tireless efforts of a robust US delegation, the world reached agreement on another historic outcome. In Baku, the United States challenged countries to make an urgent choice: either consign vulnerable communities to ever more catastrophic climate disasters, or step up and place all of us on a safer path toward a better future. 

Together, countries set an ambitious 2035 international climate finance goal. It will help mobilize the level of finance – from all sources – that developingcountries need to accelerate the transition to clean, sustainable economies, while opening up new markets for American-made electric vehicles, batteries, and other products. 

In the years ahead, we are confident that the United States will continue this work: through our states and cities, our businesses, and our citizens, supported by durable legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate and clean energy in history. While some may seek to deny or delay the clean energy revolution that’s underway in America and around the world, nobody can reverse it — nobody. 

I congratulate the Parties and the COP29 Presidency on reaching this outcome. While there is still substantial work ahead of us to achieve our climate goals, today’s outcome puts us one significant step closer. On behalf of the American people and future generations, we must continue to accelerate our work to keep a cleaner, safer, healthier planet within our grasp.  

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Ninety-one years ago, Joseph Stalin and the Soviet regime engineered the Holodomor, a forced and deliberate famine that killed millions of Ukrainians. We remember the men, women, and children who perished during the Holodomor. We also honor the survivors of the Holodomor and their descendants who, despite Stalin’s efforts to repress Ukraine’s national identity, have built a free, independent, and democratic Ukraine. 

Today, as we mark the solemn anniversary of the Holodomor, we also renew our commitment to stand with the Ukrainian people in their time of need. For nearly three years, Russia has been waging a brutal war against the Ukrainian people in an attempt to wipe Ukraine off the map. In this effort, Russia has failed. Kyiv stands free, thanks in part to the United States and the more than 50 other countries that are committed to providing Ukraine with the assistance it needs to defend itself.

My message to the Ukrainian people on this day is clear: The United States honors your past and stands with you in the present. On this day, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting Ukraine’s ongoing defense of its freedom, its pursuit of justice, and its path to the Euro-Atlantic future it has chosen for itself.  The courage and strength of the Ukrainian people will prevail.   

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South Lawn

7:26 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT:  Good evening, everyone.  Good evening, good evening, good evening.

If you have a seat, please take it.  But don’t jump in the pool.  (Laughter.)

Jill and I are hosting this dinner tonight for a very simple reason: to say thank you — thank you to so many dear friends. 

We began this journey to redeem the soul of the nation and to find the light in the darkness.  Jill and I never could have gotten to where the White House has become without you.  We never could have gotten as much done as we did without you.  And that’s not hyperbole.  I mean it from the bottom of my heart.

Maybe the most important thing you’ve done is lend your name, your reputation, your character to this effort.  It’s more than just saying, “We’re for that administration.”  You put yourself on the line.

And we never forget.  We’re incredibly grateful.  

One thing I’ve always believed about public service and especially the presidency is the importance of asking ourselves, “Have we left the country in better shape than we found it?”  (Applause.) 

And tonight, I can say with all my heart the answer to that question is a resounding yes, because of you.  (Applause.)  Because of you.

Kamala and I promised we’d have an administration that looks like America, that taps into the full talents of our nation.  I look out at so many of you — our Cabinet members, our White House staff — who poured their heart and soul into their work.  And I want to thank their families for the sacrifices they made to allow that to happen.  (Applause.)

I believe we can be proud we’re leaving America in a better place today than when we came into office four years ago. 

This country was living through the worst pandemic we’d seen in over 100 years.  Our economy was in a tailspin.  We had just witnessed something we thought we’d never, ever see in America: a violent insurrection on January the 6th.  And so much more. 

We’ve come a long way since then.  We’ve passed historic legislation, often with some bipartisan support — laws that are literally going to change America not just now but for decades and decades to come.  (Applause.)

I know I’ve only been around a few days, a few years.  (Laughter.)  I can’t believe how long it’s been.  (Laughter.)  But I fully believe America is better positioned to lead the world today than any point in my 50 years of public service.  (Applause.) 

If you’ll hold a second, as I say to my colleagues around the world when we meet, “If not America leading the world, who leads the world?”  I mean that literally.  Think about that question.  Who would lead the world if we did not step up?

That’s because of you — and I mean this ser- — sincerely — because of the incredible work you’ve done.  You should be so proud of the work you’ve done.  You should never forget all you’ve done for your country. 

And I’m so proud we can say we’ve done all this with a deep belief in the core values of America: that all of us — all of us are created equal, that everyone should be given a fair shot, that hate should have no safe harbor in America.  (Applause.)

We’ve stuck to our principles, set a high standard for character and integrity in public life.  

And I must say, I follow that standard because I had no choice.  I’m Jill Biden’s husband.  (Laughter and applause.)  That’s the title I’m most proud of.  Jill is the rock of our family.  She has been one of the — I think, one of the finest first ladies in history, in my view.  (Applause.) 

And those who you know Jill, you know I’m going to catch hell for saying that.  “Joe, don’t do that in public.  Don’t say that.”  (Laughter.) 

Jilly, I love you, kid.  I love you. 

Let me close with this.  It will surprise none of you that I’m going to quote an Irish poet.  (Laughter.)  William Butler Yeats wrote, “Think where man’s glory most begins and ends and say my glory was I had such friends.”  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  (Applause.)

As I look out over such friends, serving as president of the United States has been the honor of my life.  (Applause.)  But while our time in office is coming to an end, our cause endures. 

That’s because of the history of the journey of America.  America, the America of our dreams is calling us to stay engaged, to never give up, to keep going, to keep the faith. 

I know I will, and I know you will. 

We just have to remember who in God’s name we are.  We’re the United States of America.  (Applause.)  And there is nothing, nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together.

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

Please enjoy the dinner.  Thank you, thank you.  (Applause.)

(The dinner continues.)

THE FIRST LADY:  Wow.  (Laughs.)  This is so spectacular.  (Applause.)  That incredible performance, the fountain, these views of the house and the Washington Monument, and all of you.

It’s hard to believe that we’re in the final moments of this extraordinary journel — journey together.  (Applause.)  Some of you have worked with us over the past four years.  Some of you have been in our lives for decades.

THE PRESIDENT:  Forty years!  (Laughter.)

THE FIRST LADY:  You’ve seen us through our proudest, mountaintop moments and helped us achieve them.  (Applause.)  And you’ve been with [by] our side through the hard times and everything in between.

We’ve reached higher, moved further, became stronger because we did it together.  (Applause.)

It is the honor of our lives to serve as your First Family, and we couldn’t have done it without you.  (Applause.)  Time and time again, you’ve opened up your homes to us and carried us forward with your kindness.

Tonight, Joe and I have opened our home to celebrate you, the friends who grew into family.  (Applause.)

May we cherish the journey we’ve been on together and treasure the bonds that we will always share.

Now, this celebration is only possible because of our social secretary, Carlos Elizondo — (applause) — as well as Bryan Rafanelli, who put this magnificent tent event together.  (Applause.)  Thank you, Bryan.  I think you’re over here somewhere.  Thank you to your and you — you and your teams. Thank you for creating magic.  (Applause.)

And — wow — to the President’s Own Marine Band and all of our military band members — (applause) — yes — thank you.  Your music doesn’t just fill a space; you create something new, a place within us and among us where we feel more alive and more complete.

As a military — (laughs) — as a military mom, you make me proud.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  You make your commander in chief proud as well.  (Applause.)  And we deeply appreciate you and your families for your service.

So, finally, I want to talk about the person who brought all of us together: Joe.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)

Throughout your life in public service, you’ve put people at the center, so it’s never a surprise to see people gather around you.

Four years ago, you set out to restore the soul of the nation.  That was — (applause) — that was never just a sound bite; it was your drumbeat.

Your wisdom and steady hand lifted our country out of a pandemic, set our economy on solid ground, and fortified our hope for what is possible. 

You led with an unshakable belief in the goodness of the American people and guided us on a new and brighter course. 

All the while, you continued to be a brother, an uncle, a friend, a partner, and a father and grandfather whose devotion can be measured by the calls that you fit in between bilateral meetings and security briefings, just when you check — you want to check in with everyone in our family and say, “I love you.”

What I’ve watched you do for more than 40 years is extraordinary.  What you’ve done over the last four years — (applause) — Joe, what you’ve done over the last four years is breathtaking.  (Applause.) 

Here, Joe.  (The first lady hands the president a glass.)

Oh, here.  (Laughs.)  He has a ginger ale.  (Laughs.)

Please join me in raising a glass to your president, my husband and hero, Joe Biden.  (Applause.)

(A toast is given.)

THE PRESIDENT:  Can I say something?

THE FIRST LADY:   Okay.  Wait a minute.  I have something more to say.  (Laughs.)  Wait, drink.

And now please stay and enjoy more of the beautiful music and the stunning views and head out to the dance floor. 

So —

THE PRESIDENT:  I want to say something.

THE FIRST LADY:  — we’re going to have a dance. 

THE PRESIDENT:  I know.  I want to say —

THE FIRST LADY:  Oh, he wants to say something.  Hold on.

PARTICIPANT:  Thank you, Joe!

THE PRESIDENT:  Folks — (applause).  No.  No, really, thank you.

The thing that I want to say to so many of you who I’ve come to know well is you’ve not only helped me politically and help our family, but when things have really gone bad — when we lost our son, when we lost — the accident and all, you were there.  You’re always there, reaching out in ways that I — you’ve made me promise, some of you, that I wouldn’t say what you’ve done.  But just incredible things you’ve done — incredible things you’ve done for the — our family.

And they’re the things that really matter to me more than anything else.  It’s not just you’re supporters and you’ve helped us win, but you’re there when things really went bad.  Like a lot of families, I was lucky.  I had strong family around me. 

I think of all the people who’ve lost family members in accidents and war and the like that they ha- — they have nobody.  They just walk alone.  But you were always there with me.

And I — I know some of you have been through really tough times yourselves, and you know what it means.  You know what it means. 

And I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you. 

There’s a — another Irish poet who once said — (laughter) — that history teaches us not to hope on this side of the grave, but then, once in a lifetime, a longed-for tidal wave of justice rises up and hope and history rhyme. 

You’re making hope and history rhyme.  (Applause.)

9:27 P.M. EST

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On November 27, 2018, by Executive Order 13851, the President declared a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the situation in Nicaragua.  On October 24, 2022, I issued Executive Order 14088 to take additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13851.

     The situation in Nicaragua, including the violent response by the Government of Nicaragua to the protests that began on April 18, 2018, and the Ortega-Murillo regime’s continued systematic dismantling and undermining of democratic institutions and the rule of law, its use of indiscriminate violence and repressive tactics against civilians, as well as its corruption leading to the destabilization of Nicaragua’s economy, continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  For this reason, the national emergency declared on November 27, 2018, must continue in effect beyond November 27, 2024.  Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13851 with respect to the situation in Nicaragua.

     This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    November 22, 2024.

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Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Madam President:)

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date.  In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to the situation in Nicaragua declared in Executive Order 13851 of November 27, 2018, under which additional steps were taken in Executive Order 14088 of October 24, 2022, is to continue in effect beyond November 27, 2024.

The situation in Nicaragua, including the violent response by the Government of Nicaragua to the protests that began on April 18, 2018, and the Ortega-Murillo regime’s continued systematic dismantling and undermining of democratic institutions and the rule of law, its use of indiscriminate violence and repressive tactics against civilians, as well as its corruption leading to the destabilization of Nicaragua’s economy, continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  For this reason, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13851 with respect to the situation in Nicaragua.

                              Sincerely,

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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Today, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology Anne Neuberger hosted a meeting with executives from the telecommunications sector to share intelligence and discuss the People’s Republic of China’s significant cyber espionage campaign targeting the sector. The meeting was an opportunity to hear from telecommunications sector executives on how the U.S. Government can partner with and support the private sector on hardening against sophisticated nation state attacks. Today’s meeting reflects the ongoing efforts by the Biden-Harris Administration to engage with executives across critical infrastructure sectors to improve our domestic cybersecurity and bolster our national resilience. 

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My Dad taught me that family is the beginning, the middle, and the end.  It is everything.  During National Family Week, we celebrate the love shared by millions of American families, and we recommit to uplifting them, so that more families can build their American Dream together.

Since I came into office, I have been determined to give hardworking families a little more breathing room and a fair shot at achieving their dreams.  That work began with building an economy that would strengthen our middle class.  My American Rescue Plan kept millions of families afloat during the pandemic, ensuring they could stay in their homes and put food on their tables.  It also delivered the largest-ever Child Tax Credit, which helped tens of millions of working families with the costs of raising children and cut child poverty nearly in half.  My Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created jobs rebuilding our Nation’s infrastructure — from strengthening our roads, bridges, and ports to removing lead pipes from our homes and expanding access to high-speed internet.  My CHIPS and Science Act is revitalizing American manufacturing, and, throughout my Administration, we have created over 1.6 million manufacturing and construction jobs.  And my Inflation Reduction Act made healthcare more affordable for families, saving millions of them an average of $800 per year on their health insurance premiums.  It will also cap the cost of out-of-pocket prescription drug costs at $2,000 per year for seniors on Medicare, easing their cost of care.  And through my PACT Act, we are helping veterans exposed to toxic materials get the benefits they and their families deserve.  And today, incomes are up almost $4,000, after adjusting for inflation, ensuring families have the breathing room they deserve.

My Administration has also been working to ensure families have the support they need to thrive while keeping them safe.  I signed the Respect for Marriage Act, protecting the right to marriage for same-sex and interracial couples.  I signed an Executive Order that directed the most comprehensive actions of any administration in history to make high-quality child care and long-term care more accessible and support caregivers.  I took a slate of historic actions to prevent children from being placed into foster care and separated from their families without adequate justification.  And I signed the most comprehensive gun reform bill in nearly three decades to end the scourge of gun violence ripping apart our families and deliver historic funding to address the youth mental health crisis.

During National Family Week, may we hold our loved ones close, both the family that have been there since the beginning and the family we have made along the way.  And may we continue to fight for families — the heart and soul of our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 24 through November 30, 2024, as National Family Week.  I invite States, communities, and individuals to join together in observing this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities to honor our Nation’s families.

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

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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President Biden spoke today with President Macron of France on a number of global and bilateral matters. They reviewed developments in Ukraine as well as in the Middle East, to include efforts to secure a ceasefire deal in Lebanon that will allow residents on both sides of the Blue Line to return safely to their homes. They committed to remain in close consultation directly and through their national security teams. 

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This week, President Biden announced the U.S. intent for a substantial increase in the U.S. contribution to the International Development Association (IDA), the arm of the World Bank that supports the poorest and most vulnerable countries.  The United States will pledge $4 billion over three years to the ongoing IDA replenishment, subject to Congressional approval, sustaining the U.S. position as the largest historical donor to IDA and joining other countries that are stepping up to assist IDA recipients with critical, sustainable investments in their development.

Just as President Biden has championed a domestic economic agenda built around investing at home, he is determined to unlock the resources needed for developing countries to similarly invest in their futures.  High debt burdens, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the food insecurity crisis fueled by Russia’s war against Ukraine, have put these critical investments out of reach for too many developing countries.  As a result, many countries are facing difficult choices between paying back creditors and making critical investments in their economy and people—like vaccinating children, building more resilient and sustainable food systems, and addressing the damaging effects of climate change.  At this moment of need, we need to scale up the amount of concessional finance available to these countries, while all other creditors need to step up to keep money flowing as well.

IDA is a key source of grants and highly concessional lending that provides net positive flows and helps to fill the investment gap.  It is the single largest source of concessional finance to the poorest and most vulnerable countries, and a vital provider of financing for countries with heavy debt burdens.  IDA offers support for policy reforms in conjunction with financing, with this replenishment sharpening the focus on boosting resilience by addressing the impacts of climate change, pandemics, and fragility and conflict, while continuing to invest in sustainable infrastructure, quality jobs, inclusion, gender equality, good governance, food security and nutrition, and access to basic services.  A strong IDA builds on the initiative that the Biden-Harris Administration has spearheaded to equip the multilateral development banks to help countries better address global challenges so that they can accelerate progress on reducing poverty and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

In addition to the U.S. pledge, President Biden is urging existing donors to follow his example by stepping up support and calling on new donors to start contributing.  The leaders of developing countries have been loud and clear in calling for more concessional financing.  IDA represents the most impactful opportunity for the international community to respond to this urgent request.

To complement his support for IDA, President Biden has pursued a bold agenda calling on the international financial institutions, bilateral creditors, and the private sector to step up support for countries with ambitious investment and reform plans that are unable to invest in their own futures due to debt service burdens.  President Biden outlined this agenda in the Nairobi-Washington Vision he launched with President Ruto of Kenya in May.  At the Rio Summit, he pressed the G20 to take action on this plan so that developing countries’ stepped-up investments supported by IDA and other multilateral assistance providers are not undermined by free-riding creditors.  As part of this strategy, the U.S. government is deploying its multilateral and bilateral tools to step up financing for countries with heavy debt burdens, providing a pathway for sustainable growth and development.

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South Lawn

4:29 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, welcome to the White House.  (Applause.)  I don’t know — know any of these guys behind me, but they just showed up.  I don’t know where the hell they came from.  (Laughter.)

2024 NBA champions: the Bols- — you’re Celtics, right? —  (laughter) — the Boston Celtics.  (Applause.)  Not just any champion but the winningest franchise in league history, and now with a record 18 titles.  (Applause.)

Please have a seat, if you have one.  You don’t have to keep standing.  You may stand to stay warm, but — (laughter).

Let me just say, all of you may not know this, but my Secret Service name is “Celtic” — (laughter) — for real — because I’m Irish.  Everybody behind me is — is Irish in their heart.

I feel a special pride in this trophy.  From this old Irish Celtic to all you Celtics, congratulations.  (Applause.)  Con- — congratulations to the team ownership, players, coaches, staff, and family members, along with diehard fans, like the governor — Gov, stand — where are you, Gov?  Where’s the governor?  That’s it.  There you go, Gov.  (Applause.) 

The mayor, M- — Madam Mayor, stand up.  Where are you?  (Applause.)  All right.

And members of Congress, stand up.  All the members of Congress from the — not just Massachusetts but all of — (applause).  You’ve got half the damn Congress here.  (Laughter.)

You all know what the great Red Auerbach said?  He said, “Celtics aren’t just a basketball team.  They’re a way of life.”  “They’re a way of life.”

Passion.  Loyalty.  A first team mentally.  Full of heart, guts, and faith. 

We see it from you, the ownership group, the executives, the coaches — especially Coach Joe.  I used to like Joe — (applause) — Joe is the youngest head coach to win a title since the great Bill Russell.  (Applause.)  I told him I used to be the youngest; now I’m the oldest.  I liked being the youngest better.  (Laughter.) 

Laughs.)  Together — together, you guys built one of the deepest teams of all time: incredible players, led by Jayson and Jaylen and Derrick and Drew, Big Al.  (Applause.)

I know it wasn’t easy.  You came close more than once.  But you put in the work.  You clocked one of the greatest seasons ever: 64 wins, the best record in the league last year — (applause); more points per possession than any team in NBA history.  Ruled the playoffs, beating the Heat in five, the Cavs in five, and the Pacers in four.  (Applause.)  Then you dominated Dallas on both ends of the floor.  (Applause.)  And now, that 18th championship banner hangs in the rafters.  (Applause.)

With the start of the new season, you’re hungry for more. 

A total team effort that you show off the court as well, working across Boston through your foundations to fight injustice, to expand education, to register voters, to deliver health care to infants and moms, and so much more.  It matters, what you do.  It really, genuinely matters. 

So, let me close with this.  Something — I thought I knew a lot about this, but I was surprised to learn this today.  I didn’t realize that in 1963, President John F. Kennedy welcomed the Boston Celtics as the first NBA champions to visit the White House ever — first time.  It’s part of that wonderful dit- –tradition, celebrating the power of sports to bring people together.  It’s a tradition that I’ve honor- — I’ve had the honor to continue. 

No matter the sport, what these champions all have in common are core values, and I mean this sincerely: hard work, teamwork, respect, the knowledge that no one of us is ever as good as all of us can be when we’re together — (applause) — that when we get — when we get knocked down, we get back up.  As my dad would say, “Just get up, Joe.  Get up.” 

Character to keep going and keep the faith, that’s the Celtic way of life.  That’s sports.  And that’s America. 

As we celebrate Thanksgiving next week, that value set is something truly to be grateful for in America.  We just have to remember who we are.  We are the United States of America, and there’s nothing — nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together.  And I mean that for certain.  (Applause.)  

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

Now I’m going to turn this over to Wyc.  He has a 40-minute speech for you.  (Laughter.)  But it — really, Wyc, thank you.  Congratulations, man.  You got a hell of a ball club.

MR. GROUSBECK:  Thank you, sir. 

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you. 

MR. GROUSBECK:  Thank you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you, Celtic. 

THE PRESIDENT:  (Laughs.)

MR. GROUSBECK:  Thank you very much, Celtic — I — excuse me, Mr. President — (laughter) — for welcoming us here today. 

And on behalf of all the Boston Celtics, we want to thank you for your ongoing service to this country.  (Applause.) 

I’d also like to extend my thanks to our Massachusetts senators.  I see my friend Senator Markey, Senator Warren.  Thank you, Governor Healey.  Thank you, Mayor Wu.  Thank you with our — for our Massachusetts representatives who are here and the hundreds of guests in attendance.  Your support means a great deal to all of us.

Joining me today are my wife, Emilia; my co-managing partners, Bob Epstein and Steve Pagliuca, with Judy Pagliuca and Esta Epstein; and other members of ownership.

And now I’d like to again present to you the world champion players of the Boston Celtics.  (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT:  (Inaudible.)

MR. GROUSBECK:  I’d also like to present to you our team president, Rich Gotham; our president of basketball, Brad Stevens; and our head coach, Joe Mazzulla.  (Applause.)

We are here celebrating our 18th world championship.  Every day, those of us at the Celtics wake up and try to honor the great Celtics who came before us, and that’s why it has been particularly a pleasure and a thrill and an honor to raise banner 17 in 2008 and banner 18 this year in 2024.  (Applause.) 

We hope to demonstrate through what we do not only how to win basketball games on the court but how to make a difference and achieve your dreams.  We’re trying to show the people of the world that with, as you referenced, the teamwork, hard work, mutual respect, and integrity, you can achieve anything. 

We try to take that principle into not only our basketball games but into the community.  This group s- — supports meaningfully close to 2,000 charities a year in the Boston community and nationally and internationally.  So, thank you all for doing that.  (Applause.)

Thank you once again, Mr. President.  And I would now like to introduce two of our great Celtics champions, Jayson Tatum and Derrick White, to present you with some gifts for the team.  Thank you very much, sir.  (Applause.)  Thank you.

MR. TATUM:  Here you go, Mr. President. 

THE PRESIDENT:  I’ll be damned, man. 

(The president is presented with a Boston Celtics jersey.) 

MR. TATUM:  Let’s turn it around.

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m going to put this on.  (Laughter.)

Well, thank you.

MR. TATUM:  Absolutely.

4:39 P.M. EST

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