Presidential Actions

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 significant narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia declared in Executive Order 12978 of October 21, 1995, is to continue in effect beyond October 21, 2024. 

The circumstances that led to the declaration of a national emergency on October 21, 1995, have not been resolved.  The actions of significant narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States and to cause an extreme level of violence, corruption, and harm in the United States and abroad.  For this reason, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 12978 with respect to significant narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia.

                             Sincerely,

                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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     On October 21, 1995, by Executive Order 12978, 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, foreign policy, and economy of the United States constituted by the actions of significant narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia and the extreme level of violence, corruption, and harm such actions cause in the United States and abroad. 

     The actions of significant narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States and cause an extreme level of violence, corruption, and harm in the United States and abroad.  For this reason, the national emergency declared in Executive Order 12978 of October 21, 1995, must continue in effect beyond October 21, 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 with respect to significant narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia declared in Executive Order 12978. 

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

                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    October 11, 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 declared in Executive Order 13894 of October 14, 2019, with respect to the situation in and in relation to Syria, is to continue in effect beyond October 14, 2024.

The situation in and in relation to Syria undermines the campaign to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, endangers civilians, and further threatens to undermine the peace, security, and stability in the region, and 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 13894 with respect to the situation in and in relation to Syria.

                              Sincerely,

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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Girls have the power to shake and shape our world.  They will grow up to be doctors, CEOs, artists, entrepreneurs, tradeswomen, service members, scientists, or anything they put their minds to — leading our Nation to a bigger and brighter future.  During International Day of the Girl, we honor the lives and contributions of girls worldwide, celebrate their limitless potential, and recommit to opening doors of opportunity so girls everywhere can realize their dreams. 

Girls play an invaluable role in the success of our communities.  When young women and girls are afforded the same opportunities as young men and boys, we are all better off.  Economies grow, education rates and health outcomes improve, and political instability and violence decline.  Yet, throughout the world, girls continue to face persecution, violence, and intimidation, and they are barred from fully participating in their communities — socially, educationally, economically, and politically.

That is why my Administration has taken steps to provide girls with the support they need to thrive, beginning in their homes and classrooms.  My American Rescue Plan expanded the Child Tax Credit, which reduced child poverty to a historic low.  The American Rescue Plan was also the largest one-time education investment ever in our Nation’s history, bringing more teachers, counselors, social workers, after-school and summer programs, and tutoring to public schools across the country.  My Administration continues to call on the Congress to restore the expanded Child Tax Credit, guarantee affordable high quality child care from birth to kindergarten for 16 million children, and make universal, free preschool available to every four-year-old in America.  These actions would lift girls across the country out of poverty and ensure they enter the classroom ready and excited to learn. 

In addition, my Administration made it easier for schools to leverage Medicaid to deliver mental health services to their students.  We invested over $1.5 billion to strengthen the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, invest in school-based mental health services, and launched the National Mental Health Strategy, with ongoing investments to strengthen the mental health workforce, ensure mental health parity, and connect Americans to care.  We remain dedicated to using every tool in our toolbox to empower girls both in and out of the classroom. 

We also remain committed to ensuring that girls can live free from violence, fear, and abuse.  Last month, we marked the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), a bill I authored more than three decades ago.  Since then, every time we have reauthorized this law, we have strengthened it.  For example, we broadened the law’s protections to better address dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.  We expanded services for our Nation’s most vulnerable populations and invested in prevention programs for young people.  We provided more than $690 million in grants to over 40 VAWA-funded programs in States and Tribal communities nationwide.  Through VAWA and other laws like the Victims of Crime Act and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, we are working every day to empower girls and end gender-based violence.  

Furthermore, we are aggressively combating the harmful effects that social media can have on our children.  My White House Task Force to Address Online Harassment and Abuse worked directly with parents and teens to develop ways for children to stay safe online and prevent the misuse of technology that harms girls.  We are also tackling the next frontier of gender-based violence and abuse:  deepfake images and videos generated by artificial intelligence.  My Administration also restored and strengthened vital protections under Title IX to help keep students and employees safe from sexual assault and harassment on campus. 

My Administration continues to stand with women and girls who are facing threats to their basic human rights in far too many conflicts around the world.  We continue to condemn sexual violence committed by Russia’s forces against women and girls in Ukraine, and we condemn the terrorist group Hamas’ appalling, despicable acts of rape, mutilation, and other forms of sexual violence in Israel on October 7, 2023, and against hostages in captivity.  In 2022, I signed a historic Presidential Memorandum to promote justice and accountability for acts of conflict-related sexual violence, and I have since announced dedicated sanctions and new initiatives to hold perpetrators accountable and support survivors.  During this year’s NATO Summit, we revised the Women, Peace, and Security Policy to address emerging security threats that put girls at risk, including the climate crisis and conflict-related sexual violence.  And we are committed to eliminating child, early, and forced marriage and ending female genital mutilation and cutting, which have lifelong consequences on the health and well-being of victims, families, and communities. 

Guided by the belief that our Nation and our world are at their best when there are endless possibilities for all women and girls, my Administration is devoted to helping girls reach their full potential.  At the first Summit for Democracy, we established the Advancing Women’s and Girls’ Civic and Political Leadership Initiative to build and sustain girls’ participation in political and civic engagement.  And this year, my Administration launched Women Leading Effective and Accountable Democracy in collaboration with international allies to advance women and girls’ leadership in democratic, peace, and security processes.  And, thanks to the leadership of Vice President Harris, our Administration has galvanized more than $2.9 billion in investments to advance the economic status of women around the world, helping ensure girls will play a meaningful role in the industries of the future.

When First Lady Jill Biden spoke at the White House’s first-ever celebration of Girls Leading Change last fall, she reminded the world about the power of girls.  She said, “I hope you leave here knowing that your boldness is beautiful, that you belong in all places of power, that your future can be anything you want it to be, and that you will never be in this alone.”  On this International Day of the Girl and every day, let us each commit to doing our part to create a brighter future worthy of the talents, aspirations, and dreams of all our girls.  Because when girls do well, we all do well.

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 October 11, 2024, as International Day of the Girl.  I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with programs, ceremonies, and policies that advance equity and opportunity for girls everywhere.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of October, 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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On October 14, 2019, by Executive Order 13894, 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 and in relation to Syria.

The situation in and in relation to Syria undermines the campaign to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, endangers civilians, and further threatens to undermine the peace, security, and stability in the region, and 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 13894 of October 14, 2019, must continue in effect beyond October 14, 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 13894 with respect to the situation in and in relation to Syria.

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

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

  October 10, 2024.

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