Presidential Actions

September 6, 2024

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 Ethiopia declared in Executive Order 14046 of September 17, 2021, is to continue in effect beyond September 17, 2024.

The situation in and in relation to northern Ethiopia, which has been marked by activities that threaten the peace, security, and stability of Ethiopia and the greater Horn of Africa region, continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  

Therefore, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14046 with respect to Ethiopia.

                              Sincerely, 


                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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     On September 17, 2021, by Executive Order 14046, I 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 and in relation to northern Ethiopia.

     The situation in and in relation to northern Ethiopia, which has been marked by activities that threaten the peace, security, and stability of Ethiopia and the greater Horn of Africa region, 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 in Executive Order 14046 of September 17, 2021, must continue in effect beyond September 17, 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 14046 with respect to Ethiopia.

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

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,
    September 6, 2024.

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MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE
 
SUBJECT:       Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(1)
               of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
 
 
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 621 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA), I hereby delegate to the Secretary of State the authority under section 506(a)(1) of the FAA to direct the drawdown of up to $250 million in defense articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training, to provide assistance to Ukraine and to make the determinations required under such section to direct such a drawdown.
 
You are authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.
 
  

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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   Twenty-three years ago — on September 11, 2001 — 2,977 precious lives were ripped from us in an evil attack on our Nation.  During these solemn days, we renew our sacred vow:  Never Forget.  Never forget the loved ones we lost.  Never forget the first responders who ran toward the rubble to save others.  Never forget the hundreds of thousands of patriots who signed up to serve in the years after.  And never forget that, when an enemy tried to tear us apart, our country came together.  We stood united.

     While every year we mark this hallowed day, it is never easier.  To all those who are grieving a lost child, parent, spouse, sibling, friend, or coworker — and to all those who still bear the wounds from that September morning — I know how hard this time can be.  It can reopen that black hole in your chest, bringing you back to the moment you saw the news or the moment you got the phone call.  Today and every day, the First Lady and I are holding you close to our hearts.

     We are also thinking of all the families of Americans who showed extraordinary bravery, selflessness, and sacrifice that day.  They are the firefighters, police officers, and first responders who ran into the inferno of jet fuel and debris at Ground Zero and refused to stop searching for months.  They are the civilians and service members at the Pentagon who rushed into the fiery breach to rescue their colleagues.  They are the passengers of Flight 93, who confronted terror with absolute courage.  They are the heroes who signed up to serve and defend our homeland from future attacks.  And they include every American — from communities across our country — who stepped up and stood together.  

     Today — as we remember all those we lost on that searing September day 23 years ago — let us renew our faith in one another.  Let us continue to seek light, even in the darkest of hours.  And drawing from their example, let us resolve to continue building a Nation that stands as a beacon of liberty and justice for all.  That is the truest memorial to their lives — our actions, every day, to ensure that our democracy endures, that our freedom endures, and that the very soul of our Nation endures.

     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 September 6, 2024, through September 8, 2024, as National Days of Prayer and Remembrance.  I ask that the people of the United States honor the victims of September 11, 2001, and their loved ones with prayer, contemplation, memorial services and visits, bells, candlelight vigils, and other activities.  I invite people around the world to join.  I call on the citizens of our Nation to give thanks for our many freedoms and blessings, and I invite all people of faith to join me in asking for God’s continued guidance, mercy, and protection.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of September, 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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During National Preparedness Month, we honor our first responders for their bravery in helping us respond to natural disasters, and we recommit to equipping Americans with the resources they need to overcome the climate crisis and bouts of extreme weather and emerge stronger, more resilient, and more secure.

Across the country, historic heat waves, flooding, and fires have tragically claimed the lives of too many Americans.  These crises have impacted communities by keeping children out of schools, hurting small businesses, and destroying infrastructure — and they are only getting more ferocious and costly with climate change.  Disasters affect people across our Nation, but the most vulnerable among us typically bear the greatest impacts — from housing insecurity to financial hardship.  

My Administration has taken historic action to prepare and protect communities and make our Nation more resilient.  Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, we are investing more than $50 billion in climate resilience, ensuring communities can prepare for and recover from extreme weather events.  For example, we are elevating roads and bridges over projected flood zones, and we are upgrading buildings to make them stronger and more energy efficient.  We are also planting trees to protect neighborhoods from extreme heat.   

Since taking office, Vice President Harris and I have traveled across the country and directed our team to meet people where they are when they need our help the most.  To that end, we have made substantial changes to our Federal assistance policies, making it easier for disaster survivors to receive much-needed support and resources.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has expanded benefits for Americans applying for disaster relief and simplified the disaster assistance application process, reducing the burden on overwhelmed families and individuals.  My Administration also secured $6.8 billion for FEMA under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support communities suffering from disaster and avoid future disaster.  In total, we have provided hundreds of billions of dollars in disaster relief funding to communities nationwide, including FEMA public and individual assistance, Small Business Administration disaster assistance loans, COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loans, and other supplemental funds. 

There is still more work to do to improve the safety and security of our country, so my Administration has also taken steps to protect Americans’ lives and livelihoods.  No American should worry about how they will get the care they need if disaster strikes.  That is why we have expanded the Affordable Care Act and lowered the cost of health care for Americans and working families.  We have also created new jobs that strengthen our country and ensure that we have the resources we need — especially in times of crisis.  To get prepared and learn more about how to keep your family and community ready, visit Ready.gov or Listo.gov for Spanish speakers. 

During National Preparedness Month, we recommit to ensuring that our Nation is ready for any challenge that comes our way.  We support efforts to keep Americans safe, and we encourage optimism and preparation for our shared future.

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 September 2024 as National Preparedness Month.  I encourage all Americans to recognize the importance of preparedness and work together to enhance our resilience and readiness.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of August, 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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     Too many Americans know the pain of losing a mother, sister, wife, daughter, or friend to ovarian cancer — the deadliest of all female reproductive system cancers.  This year alone, nearly 20,000 women will be diagnosed with this terrible disease.  During National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, we honor the memories of all the women we have tragically lost.  We reaffirm our support for all the brave women living with ovarian cancer and all those who have survived it.  And we thank their loved ones, who stand loyally by their side, and the medical researchers, health care providers, and caretakers who fight tirelessly to save lives every day.   

     In our decades-long fight to find cures for cancers, scientists have made incredible breakthroughs and discovered better ways to prevent, detect, and treat them.  But for ovarian cancer, in particular, there remains no reliable method for asymptomatic screening and detection, which can delay a diagnosis until the cancer has become deadly.  Even after a diagnosis has been made, the flood of medical information, appointments, procedures, and financial expenses is overwhelming.  And too often, families, caregivers, and patients are left to advocate for themselves for effective care.

     Jill and I know from personal experience that a cancer diagnosis takes a severe toll on the whole family.  That is why I made fighting cancer a top priority for our Administration.  I reignited the Biden Cancer Moonshot with the goal of cutting the cancer death rate by at least 50 percent over 25 years and improving the experience of patients and loved ones.  I established the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, securing $4 billion in bipartisan funding to support scientists, innovators, and public health professionals who are pioneering efforts to prevent, detect, and treat cancer and other life-threatening and life-altering diseases.  And we delivered new reimbursement codes so that, for the first time ever, families facing cancer can get patient navigation services paid for through Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance.  Cancer navigation services are personalized assistance to patients, caregivers, and families to help guide them through the many decisions and challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis, which has been shown to reduce cancer disparities, improve health outcomes, and make an enormous difference in people’s lives.

     My Administration has also been working hard to make cancer treatments more affordable.  I am proud to strengthen Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by expanding health care coverage to millions of Americans — saving millions of families $800 per year on health insurance premiums.  And through the Inflation Reduction Act, we are capping total out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for seniors and others with Medicare at $2,000 per year — including for ovarian cancer medications, which can cost more than $10,000 per year.

     Additionally, because early detection is essential to beating ovarian cancer, my Administration is working to ensure that every American can access life-saving cancer screenings.  During my first year in office, we expanded coverage under the ACA, which requires insurers to pay for recommended cancer screenings and primary care visits.  I encourage all women to discuss risk factors with their doctors and remain vigilant against symptoms.  Experts recommend that patients with a personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer — or whose ancestry is associated with harmful gene variants — discuss risk factors with their doctors to see if genetic counseling and testing is appropriate.

     During National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, let us resolve to doing all we can together to provide patients, survivors, and their families the treatments, care, and support they need and deserve.  Let us rededicate ourselves to the urgent work of increasing awareness about ovarian cancer so that we can save more lives more quickly.  And let us never lose hope or waver in our resolve to ending cancer as we know it — for all the lives lost and all those we can still save.

     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 September 2024 as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.  I call upon the people of the United States to speak with their doctors and health care providers to learn more about ovarian cancer.  I encourage citizens, government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, the media, and other interested groups to increase awareness of what Americans can do to detect and treat ovarian cancer.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of August, 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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     Too many Americans know the grief of losing a father, son, brother, or friend to prostate cancer.  Nearly 300,000 American men get diagnosed with this terrible disease and over 35,000 people lose their lives to it, making prostate cancer the second leading cause of cancer death for men.  This National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we mourn all the courageous men we have tragically lost too soon to prostate cancer.  We honor the extraordinary resilience of those currently living with and surviving this disease.  And we thank the families who tirelessly support their loved ones every step of the way. 

     Despite the enormous strides made over the last few decades in fighting and treating prostate cancer, challenges persist.  Far too many men — approximately one in every eight — will be diagnosed in their lifetime.  Furthermore, the disease disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic men.  And too many patients and their families are left to decipher complex medical information alone, are saddled with the overwhelming cost of treatment, and are forced to advocate for effective medical care for their loved ones.

     I came into office committed to putting our country’s best minds and resources toward ending cancer as we know it.  Toward that aim, I reignited the Cancer Moonshot with the goal of cutting the cancer death rate by at least 50 percent over 25 years.  I secured $4 billion in bipartisan funding for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health to pioneer new breakthroughs in preventing, detecting, and treating cancer and other life-threatening diseases.  The Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs expanded research efforts to provide more service members and veterans facing prostate cancer with the opportunity to participate in clinical studies to learn about this disease and develop new treatment approaches.  And the National Institutes of Health is funding groundbreaking research to better treat prostate cancer in the early stages and help people with prostate cancer live longer, healthier lives. 

     I believe that health care is a right, not a privilege.  That is why my Administration is working to ensure that every American has free access to a doctor by expanding and strengthening coverage under the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, and Medicare.  Now, millions of Americans have access to free cancer screenings and primary care visits, and millions of families are saving approximately $800 per year on their health insurance premiums.  I also signed the Inflation Reduction Act, which will soon cap total out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for people on Medicare at $2,000 per year, which could save beneficiaries with prostate cancer thousands per year.  Additionally, we are making cancer navigation resources, which guide families through the diagnosis and treatment process, more accessible — from transportation to the hospital to determining how to pay for the exorbitant health care costs.  I am proud that, since I took office, millions of Americans have gained access to these critical services for the first time.

     During National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we are reminded that early detection and screening are critical to beating prostate cancer.  Experts recommend that men — especially those at high risk for cancer — discuss screening for prostate cancer with their doctors.  This month and every month, let us come together and recommit to finally ending cancer as we know it — for all the lives we have tragically lost and the lives we can still save.

     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 September 2024 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.  I encourage citizens, government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other interested groups to join in activities that will increase awareness of what Americans can do to prevent and cure prostate cancer.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of August, 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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     Every person in this country deserves to live a healthy and fulfilling life, but nationwide, approximately 100,000 Americans have Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) — a painful genetic blood disorder that causes life-threatening complications such as strokes, infections, and organ damage.  Those living with SCD often have to put the goals and plans of everyday life on hold because of the chronic pain and serious health difficulties associated with it.  During National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, we recommit to finding a cure for SCD, supporting those who suffer from the disease, and addressing the health disparities that exist in communities across our Nation. 

     From dealing with the costs of expensive medical treatments and unplanned hospital trips to facing stigma and lacking access to health care providers with SCD expertise, many living with the disease face barriers to getting care, and there is no widely available cure.  Though SCD impacts people of all backgrounds, it disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic Americans.  Many children in the United States living with SCD are not receiving the treatments they need to prevent serious complications, and adults too often struggle with uncoordinated and fragmented care.

     My Administration is working to deliver for people with SCD and their families — and that work begins with following the science to find new, improved treatments.  Last year, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first gene therapies to treat those living with SCD and offer long-lasting results for SCD patients.  They have also approved new drug therapies that can help people with SCD manage pain.  And the National Institutes of Health is working to improve the quality of life for people with SCD.  Those efforts include funding clinical trials for SCD pain management, identifying cost-effective drugs to treat SCD, and finding therapies that can lead to a full recovery. 

     At the same time, my Administration is working to make treatment for SCD more accessible and affordable to help close health disparities.  We are empowering people with SCD on Medicare and Medicaid to have greater access to cell and gene therapy treatments.  This will give hope to thousands of Americans with this rare and severe disease while improving health outcomes, increasing access to treatment, and lowering health care costs.  The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is also expanding access to quality care for those with SCD through community-based organizations, ensuring they are taken care of no matter if they are at home or in the hospital.  HRSA also provides resources to families whose newborns were diagnosed with SCD from the moment they were screened and throughout their treatment. 

     Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has expanded data collection efforts to better target resources to regions of the United States with the greatest need for SCD support.  And the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology is improving data collection and coordination efforts to drive more effective research, increase integrated care, and improve health outcomes for individuals with SCD and their families.   

     During National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, we recommit to finding better treatments, developing a cure, and celebrating the courage and resilience of all those living with this terrible disease.  We also find hope in the health care professionals, researchers, and scientists working tirelessly to find transformative treatments for SCD.

     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 September 2024 as National Sickle Cell Awareness Month.  I call upon the people of the United States to learn more about Sickle Cell Disease and the progress we are making to reduce the burden of this disease on our fellow Americans.
   
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of August, 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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     Every year on Labor Day, we celebrate the dignity of America’s workers and the labor unions they have built.  I often say that Wall Street did not build America — the middle class built America, and unions built the middle class.  Labor unions have done so much for our Nation — giving workers a voice at the workplace, raising standards on the job, and fighting for better benefits and wages for us all.  Today, we honor the pioneers who fought for the rights of working people, pay tribute to the dedication of our American workforce, and honor the enduring movement that powers our economy and strengthens our Nation.

     My father taught me from a young age that a job is about far more than just a paycheck — it is about your dignity.  When I came into office, too many people had lost both their paychecks and their sense of dignity.  Our economy was failing working-class and union families.  Decades of trickle-down economics sent jobs overseas, shut down factories, and hollowed out our communities.  People had lost their sense of pride, their security, and their pathway to the middle class. 

     That is why I promised to be the most pro-labor, pro-union President in history and ensure unions have the support they need to fight for our workers.  Last year, the Department of the Treasury released a comprehensive report detailing how unions are not just good for union workers but non-union workers as well, showing that union growth helps to build a strong middle class in America.  I am proud to be the first sitting President to walk the picket line to support workers who were striking for better conditions.  I am also proud that, to date, we have created nearly 16 million new jobs, including almost 800,000 manufacturing jobs and nearly 900,000 construction jobs.  In fact, investment in construction of new factories has nearly tripled since I took office.  My Administration announced more than 60,000 projects to rebuild America’s roads, bridges, airports, ports, and more through our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  Wages are up, inflation is down, and we have had the fastest recovery of any advanced economy in the world since the pandemic started. 

     Furthermore, we are positioning American workers to lead the world in innovation.  I signed the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in clean energy and climate action in history, creating nearly 335,000 clean energy jobs according to outside estimates.  I also signed the CHIPS and Science Act to bring semiconductor manufacturing back home and ensure that America’s clean energy jobs go to American workers.  To date, we have attracted nearly $900 billion in private-sector commitments to invest in manufacturing and clean energy.  I am proud that this manufacturing boom we ignited is being done with American products and led by American workers — the most highly skilled workers in the world — because of “Made in America” provisions that I championed and my Administration enforced. 

     Today, more Americans are joining the workforce, and we have the highest share of working-age Americans in the workforce in over 20 years.  And over the past 2 years, more workers have been petitioning for union representation.  To ensure those workers have a voice on the job, I have required the use of project labor agreements for nearly all large-scale Federal construction projects.  I have also strengthened Davis-Bacon requirements to guarantee that prevailing wages pay workers what they deserve and enacted the Butch Lewis Act — the most significant law for union retirement security in 50 years — that has protected the pensions of 1 million union workers.  We issued a rule that expands overtime protections to millions of workers, and my Administration is working to crack down on noncompete agreements, which prevent 30 million Americans from taking new, higher-paying jobs.

     My Administration is also making sure that workers feel safe and secure on the job.  That is why the Department of Labor is proposing a new rule that will establish the Nation’s first-ever Federal safety standard for excessive heat in the workplace.  That rule includes developing a response to heat illness, training employees and supervisors, implementing rest breaks, and ensuring access to shade and water.  And we are limiting workers’ exposure to toxic materials like silica dust to prevent them from developing preventable and irreversible illnesses.  My Administration also issued a rule to ensure that workers are empowered to have a representative accompany an Occupational Safety and Health Administration official during workplace inspections. 

     I have long believed that workers deserve a seat at the table and an opportunity to join a union, organize, and bargain collectively with their employer without coercion or intimidation.  That is why I appointed people who actually care about American workers to the National Labor Relations Board.  And I established the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, led by Vice President Harris, which resulted in over 70 actions to promote worker organizing and collective bargaining.

     As we look to the future, my Administration is creating long-term pathways to help people secure good-paying jobs, including union jobs.  We invested nearly $730 million to expand Registered Apprenticeships, which support the education and training needs of apprentices across the country.  And I signed an Executive Order that expands Registered Apprenticeship programs in the Federal workforce, encourages Federal agencies to hire people who have participated in these programs, and increases workers’ voices in Federal programs and contracts.  

     This Labor Day, let us stand in solidarity with America’s workers, who are the engines behind our Nation’s prosperity.  Let us celebrate labor unions, who give voice to our workers and ensure they are given the dignity, respect, and protections in the workplace that they deserve.  And let us recommit to ensuring that every hardworking American has a fair shot at achieving the promise of the American Dream for generations to come.

     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 September 2, 2024, as Labor Day.  I call upon all public officials and people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that honor the energy and innovation of working Americans.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of August, 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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     America’s beautiful natural landscapes are part of our Nation’s identity, history, and heritage.  One century ago, the Gila Wilderness was established as our country’s first designated wilderness area, protecting this national treasure and beginning a new era of Federal conservation.  Across our Nation, designated wilderness areas protect some of our most precious sites — soaring mountains, winding rivers, expansive deserts, and lush forests.  These special places unite us, inspire us, and connect us to something bigger than ourselves.  During National Wilderness Month, we recommit to the essential work of protecting our Earth, celebrate our country’s natural places, and continue our work to ensure that every community has access to nature’s gifts.

     By conserving our wilderness, we not only protect key pieces of our Nation’s history — we also protect the livelihoods of people who depend on our lands and waters.  We protect and preserve Tribal communities’ sacred landscapes.  We sustain wildlife and conserve landscapes to help fight climate change and improve our Nation’s resilience.  And we ensure that generations of Americans will be able to enjoy the beauty and power of our country’s wilderness today and into the future.

     That is why my Administration set the most ambitious conservation goal ever — committing to conserve at least 30 percent of all our Nation’s lands and waters by 2030.  That goal is at the heart of my “America the Beautiful” initiative to support locally led, voluntary conservation and restoration efforts across the country.  To that end, my Administration has made historic investments to protect our shared natural heritage, such as investing $1.4 billion in ecosystem restoration and resilience through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

     To date, my Administration has conserved more than 41 million acres of our Nation’s lands and waters.  I restored protections for the desert buttes of both the Bears Ears National Monument and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah and the underwater canyons of Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.  I established six new national monuments, including the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni in Arizona and the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada.  And I expanded the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument and the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in California. 

     Further, I withdrew the United States Arctic Ocean from new oil and gas leasing.  And I took executive action to consider designating more than 700,000 square miles of the Pacific Ocean southwest of Hawaii as a new National Marine Sanctuary, which could make this one of the largest marine protected areas on the planet. 

      My Administration is taking action to harness our natural resources in the fight against climate change; protect our forests; and improve the health of our Nation’s lands, waters, and wildlife.  Together, we can continue to advance locally led and locally supported proposals for conserving our most unique and beautiful lands and waters.  And we can continue our partnership with Tribal Nations, working together as co-stewards and ensuring that Indigenous Knowledge is respectfully included in the care of our natural heritage.

     During National Wilderness Month, may we celebrate the people who steward and care for our Nation’s designated wilderness areas.  And may we continue to protect and conserve these areas so that generations of Americans will know their beauty, serenity, and power.

     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 September 2024 as National Wilderness Month.  I encourage all Americans to experience our Nation’s outdoor heritage, to recreate responsibly and leave no trace, to celebrate the value of preserving an enduring wilderness, and to strengthen our commitment to protecting these vital lands and waters now and for future generations.
   
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of August, 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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     During National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we honor the extraordinary courage of the hundreds of thousands of children who are facing cancer, who survived cancer, or who were taken too soon by this deadly disease.  We offer strength and support to their families and friends, who devotedly care for their loved ones through every step of their cancer journeys.  And we recommit to finally ending cancer as we know it so that every child has the opportunity to realize their full potential and lead healthy, long, fulfilling lives.

     Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children in America.  As every family who has dealt with cancer knows — of all the things cancer steals from us, time is the cruelest.  So many young, bright children who should be exploring our world are forced to spend their precious time confined to hospital rooms.  Meanwhile, families and caregivers are left to navigate mountains of medical information, decipher complex treatment options, and find the means to pay for exorbitant medical bills as the emotional, physical, and financial toll mounts. 

     For my family, and for millions of Americans, the fight against cancer is personal.  When I lost my son Beau after his courageous battle with cancer, I buried a piece of my soul.  It is a feeling too many families know all too well.  That is why I came into office with a mission to accelerate research into curing cancer and to ensure that cancer patients and their families are treated with dignity throughout the process.  Toward that aim, the First Lady and I reignited the Biden Cancer Moonshot — mobilizing the entire country to cut the cancer death rate in half within 25 years and to strengthen support for patients and families.  Additionally, I formed the first-ever Cancer Cabinet to break down silos and deliver all of the cancer prevention, early detection, treatments, care, and support needed to save more than 4 million Americans’ lives by 2047. 

     Through these and other initiatives, we are making tremendous progress.  We secured $4 billion in bipartisan funding from the Congress to realize my Administration’s vision for a new biomedical research agency, the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, to drive breakthroughs in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for cancer and other diseases.  The National Cancer Institute developed a National Cancer Plan to fast-track effective cancer treatments, including for children, and this year alone we have secured $7.3 billion for work across the National Cancer Institute.  We are creating a national network to connect eligible children, adolescents, and young adults to opportunities to participate in clinical trials by launching the Childhood Cancer–Data Integration for Research, Education, Care, and Clinical Trials.  The Institute’s Childhood Cancer Data Initiative is also providing free molecular testing of tumors.  Moreover, we are working to implement the RACE for Children Act to identify and approve precision pediatric drugs quickly.  And I signed the Childhood Cancer STAR Reauthorization Act to increase funding for childhood cancer research.   

     My Administration is also working hard to ensure that treatment is more accessible and affordable.  I am proud to strengthen Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by keeping children covered under Medicaid for a full year and expanding ACA coverage to millions of families — saving them approximately $800 per year on health insurance premiums.  And we are receiving commitments from companies, nonprofits, and patient groups to increase screening, prevent exposure to toxic substances, deliver new research innovations, and improve access for more Americans to effective care.

     At the same time, my Administration is making sure that no family is left behind in the cancer treatment process.  Everyone needs a navigator who can help guide them through each step of their cancer journey — from sorting through health care costs to figuring out transportation to the hospital.  We delivered new reimbursement codes so that, for the first time ever, families facing cancer can get patient navigation services paid for through Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance.  Cancer navigation services are personalized assistance to patients, caregivers, and families to help guide them through the many decisions and challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis, which have been shown to reduce cancer disparities, improve health outcomes, and make an enormous difference in people’s lives.  To date, 40 cancer centers and community oncology practices nationwide along with 7 leading insurance companies who serve more than 150 million Americans have committed to providing and paying for navigation services for families facing cancer.

     Across the Nation, millions of families hold on to hope that their loved ones will get the cancer treatment they need to be cured for good.  During this National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, let us give strength to all the pediatric patients, their families, and their caretakers.  Let us pay tribute to all the brave kids who inspire us to keep fighting and never give up.  And let us recommit to doing all we can together to create a brighter, cancer-free future for America’s youth.

     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 September 2024 as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.  I encourage citizens, government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, the media, and other interested groups to increase awareness of what Americans can do to support the fight against childhood cancer.  I encourage anyone experiencing uncertainty around risk factors or treatment options or looking for other opportunities for support to connect with a trained specialist at 1-800-4-CANCER or visit cancer.gov.
    
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of August, 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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  This month, we recognize the more than 21 million Americans in recovery from substance use disorder.  They exemplify courage, hope, and resilience as they seek new beginnings and help countless others find pathways to healing.  People in recovery serve in every sector of society as business leaders, public servants, community leaders, and more.  During National Recovery Month, we celebrate their contributions, and we honor the loved ones who have supported them on their recovery journeys.  We also reaffirm our commitment to making sure every American has the resources they need to recover and thrive.
 
   Substance use disorder impacts Americans in communities nationwide.  Too many families have lost their children, siblings, parents, and friends to substance misuse and overdose.  Every loss is a painful call to action.  With adequate support and resources, recovery is possible.  Our Nation is stronger when people in recovery do well.

     The main goal of my Administration’s National Drug Control Strategy is to save lives.  My Administration is taking steps to provide the resources needed to ensure people can achieve and sustain recovery, no matter where they are.  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration opened the Office of Recovery to improve community-based recovery services across the country.  And last year, we released the Recovery-Ready Workplace Toolkit to help employers create a safe and healthy work environment, reduce stigmatization of people with substance use disorder and mental illness, and promote treatment and recovery services. 

     We are also disrupting the flow of illicit drugs across our borders and into our neighborhoods; increasing prevention efforts; and expanding access to treatment for substance use disorder and mental health conditions, overdose reversal medications, and recovery services.  Under my Administration, Federal law enforcement agents are keeping more deadly drugs out of our communities than ever before.  Officials have stopped more illicit fentanyl at ports of entry over the last 2 fiscal years than in the previous 5 fiscal years combined.  The Department of Justice has prosecuted thousands of drug traffickers, and the Department of the Treasury has sanctioned more than 300 people and organizations involved in the global illicit drug trade.  And in July 2024, I issued a National Security Memorandum that calls on all relevant Federal departments and agencies to work collaboratively to do even more to disrupt the supply of illicit drugs.

     We have expanded access to life-saving treatments, like medications to treat opioid use disorder, and have increased the number of health care providers who can prescribe these medications by 15 times.  In February 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a rule to comprehensively update the regulations in governing Opioid Treatment Programs for the first time in 20 years — removing barriers to the treatment of substance use disorder and expanding access to care.  My Administration has made historic investments in the State Opioid Response and Tribal Opioid Response programs to improve prevention; expand treatment; and deliver free, life-saving medications across America.  Already, this program has delivered nearly 10 million kits of opioid overdose reversal medications, such as naloxone. 

     And I have proposed a Budget that includes $1.8 billion for recovery, including over $200 million of Federal Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant program funding for recovery support services to help all Americans access health care, no matter where they are in their recovery process, as well as $22 billion to expand substance use treatment and help more Americans achieve and stay in recovery. 

     During National Recovery Month, we support everyone in their journey to and during recovery.  We recommit to helping them live long, successful, and healthy lives, and we thank them for their contributions to our country.  And we continue to ensure that those battling substance use disorder are supported.

     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 September 2024 as National Recovery Month.  I call upon all citizens, government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other groups to take action to promote recovery and improve the health of our Nation.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of August, 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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Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of New York and ordered Federal assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe storm, tornadoes, and flooding from July 10 to July 11, 2024.

Federal funding is available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storm, tornadoes, and flooding in the counties of Cortland, Essex, Hamilton, Lewis, and St. Lawrence.

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

Ms. Lai Sun Yee of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. 

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

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

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The President is announcing his intent to nominate three individuals to federal district courts—all of whom are extraordinarily qualified, experienced, and devoted to the rule of law and our Constitution.

These choices also continue to fulfill the President’s promise to ensure that the nation’s courts reflect the diversity that is one of our greatest assets as a country—both in terms of personal and professional backgrounds.

This will be President Biden’s fifty-fourth round of nominees for federal judicial positions, bringing the number of announced federal judicial nominees to 257.

United States District Court Announcements

Elizabeth C. Coombe: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York

Elizabeth C. Coombe has served as the First Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York since 2018. She joined the Office in 2003 and previously served as Chief of its Criminal Division from 2014 to 2018. Earlier in her career, Ms. Coombe served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia from 1998 to 2003; a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch from 1996 to 1997; and a staff attorney in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Enforcement Division from 1994 to 1996. She served as a law clerk for Judge Diana E. Murphy on the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota from 1992 to 1994. Ms. Coombe received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School in 1992 and her B.A., summa cum laude, from Hamilton College in 1989.

Sarah M. Davenport: Nominee for the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico

Sarah M. Davenport has served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico in Las Cruces, New Mexico since 2009. Before that, Ms. Davenport worked as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in Las Cruces from 2008 to 2009 and as a law clerk in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Albuquerque, New Mexico from 2006 to 2008. Ms. Davenport received her J.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2006 and her B.Mus. from New Mexico State University in 1998.

Sharad H. Desai: Nominee for the United States District Court for the District of Arizona

Sharad H. Desai has been Vice President and General Counsel for Honeywell International’s Integrated Supply Chain and Information Technology divisions in Phoenix, Arizona since 2023. He has worked in senior legal counsel roles at Honeywell since 2015. From 2007 to 2015, Mr. Desai worked as an attorney with the Phoenix law firm Osborn Maledon, P.A., first as an associate and later as partner. He began his legal career serving as a law clerk for Justice Rebecca White Berch on the Arizona Supreme Court from 2006 to 2007. Mr. Desai received his J.D. from New York University School of Law in 2006 and his B.A. and B.S. from the University of Arizona in 2003.

 
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Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that an emergency exists in the State of New York and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from a severe storm and flooding from August 18 to August 19, 2024. 

The President’s action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.

Public Assistance (Category B) emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding for Suffolk County.

Ms. Lai Sun Yee of FEMA has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. 

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

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During Overdose Awareness Week, we mourn those who have lost their lives to overdose deaths.  We acknowledge the devastating toll the opioid epidemic has taken on individuals, families, and communities across America.  We reflect on the progress we have made so far in reducing the number of annual overdose deaths and protecting American lives — and how much more there is to do.  And we reaffirm our commitment to doing more to disrupt the supply of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids and support those who suffer with substance use disorder and their families in all of our communities.

My Administration made beating the opioid epidemic a key priority in my Unity Agenda for the Nation, calling for Republicans and Democrats to work together to stop fentanyl from flowing into our communities, hold those who brought it here accountable, and deliver life-saving medication and care across America.  

We are working to tackle this crisis through a comprehensive approach, including by expanding access to evidence-based prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support services as well as reducing the supply of illicit drugs.  We have expanded access to life-saving treatments, like medications to treat opioid use disorder, and have increased the number of health care providers who can prescribe these medications by 15 times.  In February 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a rule to comprehensively update the regulations in governing Opioid Treatment Programs for the first time in 20 years — removing barriers to the treatment of substance use disorder and expanding access to care.  My Administration has made historic investments in the State Opioid Response and Tribal Opioid Response programs to improve prevention; expand treatment; and deliver free, life-saving medications across America.  Already, this program has delivered nearly 10 million kits of opioid overdose reversal medications, such as naloxone.  

We also continue to fight the stigmatization that surrounds substance use and accidental overdose so that people feel comfortable reaching out for help when they need it.  Naloxone is now available over-the-counter for people to purchase at their local grocery stores and pharmacies.  We also launched the White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose and several awareness campaigns, raising awareness and securing commitments from local governments and cross-sector organizations to increase training on and access to opioid overdose reversal medications in schools, worksites, transit systems, and other places where overdose may occur in our communities.  My Fiscal Year 2025 Budget requests $22 billion to expand substance use treatment and help more Americans achieve and stay in recovery.

Under my Administration, Federal law enforcement agents are keeping more deadly drugs out of our communities than ever before.  We are seizing deadly drugs at our borders so that illicit drugs never reach our neighborhoods.  Officials have stopped more illicit fentanyl at ports of entry over the last 2 fiscal years than in the previous 5 fiscal years combined.  The Department of Justice has prosecuted leaders of the world’s largest and most powerful drug cartel along with thousands of drug traffickers.  The Department of the Treasury has sanctioned more than 300 people and organizations involved in the global illicit drug trade.  I have also deployed cutting-edge drug detection technology across our southwest border, and I continue to call on the Congress to strengthen border security, increase penalties on those who bring deadly drugs into our communities, and close loopholes that drug traffickers exploit.  And in July 2024, I issued a National Security Memorandum that calls on all relevant Federal departments and agencies to work collaboratively to do even more than they are already doing to stop the supply of illicit fentanyl and other synthetic opioids into our country. 

I am also committed to working with partners across the globe to address this crisis.  Last year, I negotiated the re-launch of counternarcotics cooperation between the United States and the People’s Republic of China — which has led to increased law enforcement coordination, increased efforts to tackle illicit financing of drug cartels, and increased regulation of certain precursor chemicals.  I have increased counternarcotics cooperation with other key foreign governments; launched the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats, which brings together more than 150 countries in the fight against drug trafficking cartels; put in place new initiatives between the United States, Mexico, and Canada targeting the supply of illicit drugs; and made countering fentanyl and other synthetic opioids a key priority of the G7.     

Now for the first time in 5 years, the number of overdose deaths in the United States has started to decline.  But even one death is one too many, and far too many Americans continue to lose loved ones to fentanyl. 

Today I grieve with all the families and friends who have lost someone to an overdose.  This is a time to act.  And this is a time to stand together — for all those we have lost and all the lives we can still save.

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 August 25 through August 31, 2024, as Overdose Awareness Week.  I call upon citizens, government agencies, civil society organizations, health care providers, and research institutions to raise awareness of substance use disorder so that our Nation can combat stigmatization, promote treatment, celebrate recovery, and strengthen our collective efforts to prevent overdose deaths.  August 31 also marks Overdose Awareness Day, on which we honor and remember those who have lost their lives to the overdose epidemic.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of August, 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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MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE

SUBJECT:  Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 621 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA), I hereby delegate to the Secretary of State the authority under section 506(a)(1) of the FAA to direct the drawdown of up to $125 million in defense articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training, to provide assistance to Ukraine and to make the determinations required under such section to direct such a drawdown.

You are authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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   One hundred and four years ago, American women won the right to vote with the ratification of the 19th Amendment, bringing us closer to living up to our Nation’s most fundamental values of dignity, fairness, freedom, and equality.  On Women’s Equality Day, we recognize the courage of generations of visionaries who fought tirelessly for the sacred cause of women’s suffrage and all those who continue to work toward a more equitable future for women and girls in America. 

     The 19th Amendment marked a critical milestone in our Nation’s history, but it did not guarantee the right to vote for all.  For many women of color, that right would not be secured until decades later when the Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965.  Today, our Nation is still facing relentless assaults on the sacred right to vote freely and fairly and to have every vote count.  At the same time, women’s fundamental rights are under attack, which undermines our democracy and our freedoms.  These challenges serve as a critical reminder that our work as a Nation is never done — realizing the full promise of the 19th Amendment is as important today as ever before.
     
     My Administration is committed to upholding the vision of suffragists, who understood that equality at the ballot box was a critical step to advancing rights and opportunities for American women.  Over the past three and a half years, Vice President Harris and I have leveraged the full force of the Federal Government to protect those rights and remove barriers that prevent women and girls from reaching their full potential.  We are defending reproductive freedom, delivering the highest women’s prime-age labor force participation and the narrowest gender pay gap on record, making historic investments in the care economy, fighting to end violence against women, increasing access to educational opportunity, and promoting women’s representation, leadership, and human rights here at home and around the globe.

     Guaranteeing women access to affordable, quality health care has also been a top priority for my Administration.  That is why we have been working to address the maternal health crisis, with Vice President Kamala Harris announcing our Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis.  Furthermore, in addition to issuing an Executive Order directing the most comprehensive set of executive actions to expand research on women’s health, last year the First Lady and I were proud to launch the first-ever White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, and the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health has dedicated $100 million to solve challenges in women’s health.  As part of the Biden Cancer Moonshot, we are taking significant actions to save and improve the lives of the millions of American women facing cancer.  During my first year in office, we expanded coverage under the Affordable Care Act, which requires insurers to pay for cancer screenings and primary care visits, including those that will detect cancer early when outcomes are best.  Furthermore, I have taken action to safeguard access to reproductive care — and the Vice President and I will keep calling on the Congress to restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land.  Americans show time and again that they agree that health care decisions should be made by a woman with the help of her doctor, not politicians — and we will continue fighting to ensure that women can access the health care they need in every State.

     To be the strongest economy in the world, we cannot leave women — who make up half our workforce — behind.  Through our American Rescue Plan, my Administration made the biggest investment in child care ever, helping over 225,000 child care programs that serve 10 million children across the country keep their doors open and enabling parents, especially mothers, to enter or remain in the workforce.  We have taken steps to advance pay equity and transparency for Federal employees and contractors, eliminating practices that allow pay discrimination to follow workers from job to job and helping workers better negotiate and reduce pay inequities.  We are also ensuring that women have access to the millions of good-paying jobs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. 

     Women and girls deserve to live free from violence and fear.  Next month marks 30 years since the Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) — a historic law that I championed and wrote.  VAWA gave our Government more comprehensive tools to prevent and prosecute sexual assault, provide support for survivors, and save countless women’s lives.  Today, this law, which I reauthorized in 2022, has record funding levels and grant programs.  In addition, my Administration is working to address online harassment and abuse, including image-based sexual abuse generated by artificial intelligence.  And we restored and strengthened vital protections under Title IX for students who have experienced campus sexual assault and other forms of sex discrimination in schools and universities.

     Since I took office, I have been proud to serve alongside the first woman ever elected as Vice President, Kamala Harris, and to have appointed women to the highest levels of my Administration, including a record number of female Cabinet Secretaries.  I established the White House Gender Policy Council to advance the rights of women and girls at home and abroad.  My Administration released the first-ever National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality.  And during Women’s History Month this year, I signed an Executive Order to increase the representation of women’s history in the National Park System and to help honor the legacy and contributions of women and girls to our country.

     My Administration will continue to fight for every American’s sacred right to vote — carrying on the legacy of the suffragists we celebrate today.  I continue to call on the Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act to restore and expand access to the ballot and prevent voter suppression — because every American’s voice deserves to be heard. 

     We are making tremendous progress, but more must be done to ensure equal rights and opportunity for women and girls.  I urge the Congress to recognize the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and affirm the fundamental truth that all Americans should have equal rights and protections under the law.  This Women’s Equality Day, let us recommit to building a country and a world where our daughters have the same opportunities as our sons.  Because when women thrive, we all thrive.

     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 August 26, 2024, as Women’s Equality Day.  I call upon the people of the United States to celebrate and continue to build on our country’s progress toward gender equality and to defend and strengthen the right to vote.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of August, 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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Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Montana and ordered Federal assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by straight-line winds on July 24, 2024.

Federal funding is available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the straight-line winds in the counties of Missoula and Powell.

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

Mr. Edwin J. Martin of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. 

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

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

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Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that an emergency exists in the State of Connecticut and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides beginning on August 18, 2024, and continuing. 

The President’s action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.

Public Assistance (Category B) emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding for the counties of Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven.

Mr. Robert V. Fogel of FEMA has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. 

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

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