Speeches and Remarks

South Lawn

9:30 A.M. EDT

Q    Mr. President, can the country afford the port strike?  Can the country afford these ships to stay off (inaudible)?

THE PRESIDENT:  I think we’re making progress on that.

Q    How much progress, sir?

THE PRESIDENT:  We’ll find out soon.

Q    What kind of sanctions —

Q    Any updates on —

Q    What kind of sanctions are you considering on Iran?  What kind of sanctions are you considering?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’ll tell them before I tell you.

Q    Did Tim Walz lose the debate?

Q    Any updates on the hostages — on the hostages in Gaza, sir?

Q    Did Tim Walz lose the debate?

THE PRESIDENT:  No, he didn’t.  And, by the way, the other guy lost the debate.  He misrepresented everything, including — anyway, I —

Q    Sir — the hostages in Gaza, sir.  The hostages in Gaza.  Do you have any updates on them?

THE PRESIDENT:  Not — not right now.

(Cross-talk.)

Q    Would you support Israel striking Iran’s oil facilities, sir?

THE PRESIDENT:  We’re in discussion of that.  I think — I think that would be a little — anyway.

Q    Do you believe that Donald Trump was acting as a private candidate and not as president when he sought to overturn the 2020 election, as Jack Smith laid out in his filing?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’ll let Jack Smith make that case.

(Cross-talk.)

Q    (Inaudible) response to the retaliation?  Will you let Israel retaliate?  What are the plans to allow Israel to strike back against Iran?

THE PRESIDENT:  First of all, we don’t allow Israel.  We advise Israel.  And there’s nothing going to happen today.  We’ll talk about that later.

Q    G20 and APEC Summits next month.  Is it a good chance to sit down with President Putin to discuss international security?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m sorry?

Q    G20 and APEC Summits next month.  Is it a good chance to discuss international security and Ukraine with Putin?

THE PRESIDENT:  I doubt whether Putin will show up.

Q    Are you surprised the race between Harris and Trump is so close right now?  Are you surprised?

THE PRESIDENT:  No, I’m not.  It always gets this close.  She’s going to do fine.

9:32 A.M. EDT

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5:05 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Gov.  Good afternoon, everyone.

I don’t have to tell this group that Hurricane Helene has been a storm literally of historic proportions.  The damage is still being assessed but — and many people are still unaccounted for. 

So, I’m here to say the United States, the nation has your back.  The nation has your back.  We’re not leaving until you’re back on your feet completely.

You know, we’re in a situation where earlier this morning I met with state and local police in Greenville, South Carolina.  Then I took an aerial tour of western North Carolina to survey the damage.  And I came here in Raleigh to receive a briefing from all of you and — who have been working nonstop to provide the support that you need and the survivors need. 

You know, it goes — my heart goes out to everyone who has experienced the unthinkable loss.  But we’re here for you. 

And I want to thank Republican governor of South Carolina and the Democratic governor of North Carolina and all of the elected officials who’ve focused on the task at hand.  In a moment like this, we put politics aside.  At least we should put it all aside, and we have here.  There are no Democrats or Republicans; there are only Americans.  And our job is to help as many people as we can as quickly as we can and as thoroughly as we can. 

You know, that’s why even before the storm hit, I directed the entire federal government to use every possible resource to help communities across the nation — across the region get ready.  We deployed over 1,000 first responders throughout the Southeast.  I immediately approved emergency declarations as soon as I received the requests from your governors.  And today, I approved the request of Governor Cooper for the federal government to cover 100 percent — 100 percent of all the costs for debris removal, emergency protective measures for six months — all the costs.  (Applause.)

Well, this — this really matters.

There are 70 North Carolinians who are dead and 100 more who are unaccounted for.  And much of Asheville is underwater. 

It was — I’ve flown over an awful lot of storm-damaged areas since I’ve been president.  Matter of fact, most of — many of them forest fires.  And I — we’ve — with — the FEMA director and I have flown over more — more forest that’s been taken down to the ground because of fires and a whole range of other reasons than makes up the entire state of Maryland.  And — and so, I’ve seen a lot.

But we’re looking at Asheville and just imagining what it must have been like sitting along those rivers and streams as all that rain came down.  What, 19 inches of rain?  Something like that.  An incredible amount of rain.  Watching homes — you could see homes that are moved from — clearly from one side of the river, down the river, to another side of the river.

And I can only imagine what it’s like to have been in one of those homes.  And much of Asheville was underwater.  Much of it was underwater.  What a beautiful, beautiful part of the country.  I’ve been to Asheville before.  It’s a magnificent part of Appalachia.  Much of it was underwater.

Communities like Chimney Rock are reduced to piles of wood and debris.  I mean, that’s — you look down, that’s what you see, as we flew over in the — circled in the helicopter. 

And this is going to pay for — this will pay for the urgent work we need to clear landslides, to provide shelters, and supply food and medicine. 

But today, I’m also directing the Department of Defense to move up 1,000 soldiers to reinforce North Carolina’s National Guard, because they need additional assistance.  These soldiers are out of Fort Liberty here in — right here in North Carolina and are available for responsive operations starting today — starting today. 

They’re going to spend — they’re going to speed up the delivery of lifesaving supplies like food, water, and medicine to isolated communities over what the Pentagon calls “the last tactical mile” — “the last tactical mile.”

Simply put, we’ve got the capabilities to get the job done, and we’re going to get it done as fast as possible.

I’ve also directed the development of Starlink sa- — a deployment of Starlink satellites.  Fifty — fifty are in place right now and more are going to be put in place so people in places like Canton can call for help and reach the ones that love — loved ones who they’re not sure whether anybody on the other end of that phone because there’s no cell service. 

And on top of this, FEMA teams are offering free temporary housing and hotel rooms for eligible residents.  They’re continuing to send helicopters and trucks to deliver hundreds of thousands of meals and liters of water in communities every single day. 

And they’re — and they’re knocking — literally knocking on doors and visiting shelters to register folks so they can receive assistance to buy the urgent needs that they have because they’ve lost everything, like prescriptions and baby formula and essentials.  This is a direct assistance that is being delivered here today, not — not later but today. 

And so — but, folks, it’s going to take — cost us billions of dollars.  It’s going to cost billions of dollars to deal with this storm and all the — all the communities affected.  And Congress has an obligation to ensure the storts — the — the states have the resources they need. 

Let me close with this.  Nobody can deny the impact of climate crisis anymore.  At least I hope they don’t.  They must be brain-dead if they do.  Scientists report that with warming oceans powering more intense rains, storms like Helene are getting stronger and stronger.  Not going to get — they’re not going to get less; they’re going to get stronger.

Today, in North Carolina, I saw the impacts of that fury: massive trees uprooted; homes literally swept off their foundations, swept down rivers; you know, families that are heartbroken. 

But there are also neighbors helping neighbors.  That’s the other thing we were talking about coming over here in a — in an automobile.  It’s amazing when people step up when people are in need, because they’re neighbors.  I think we underestimate that. 

That’s why one of the things I did with all the — all I put in place in terms of everything from the Recovery Act on down is that we have actually invested more funding under my administration in the so-called red states than blue states, because the need was greater; they’re larger states with larger territories. 

Because this — everyone — this is about America.  It’s not about one state or another, Democrat or Republican.  It’s about America. 

Volunteers, first responders are standing side by side, people leaning on each other to pick up the pieces that are left over.  And that’s the best of America. 

I — I firmly believe — and I’m saying this, saying this, saying it for three years — there’s nothing beyond our capacity to do — nothing, nothing, nothing.  This is the United States of America, for God’s sake.  Whenever we work together, we’ve never failed to get something done. 

So, I thank everyone who has been working tirelessly and cold, wet, and hungry to — to get the job done.  And Kamala and I are here until the end. 

And I want to — God bless you all. 

And I’d like to turn it now over to Director Will Ray. 

5:13 P.M. EDT

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Meadowbrook Neighborhood
Augusta, Georgia

4:35 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, I’m here in Augusta to, first and foremost, thank the federal, state, and local leaders.  Mayor, I want to thank you for your leadership, in particular, on the ground.

I am here to personally take a look at the devastation, which is extraordinary, and it is — and particularly devastating in terms of the loss of life that this community has experienced, the loss of normalcy, and the loss of critical resources. 

And so, I’m here today to — to thank all of those who are working to get folks the support and the relief that they so desperately need and so rightly deserve.  And — and that includes the fact that still, in this community, up to 60 percent of the residents here do not have power.  Many have been without running water for at least a couple of days now.  Many are — have water but no hot water.

I was just talking with one of the members of the community and her daughter who lost her husband.  And — and there is real pain and trauma that has resulted because of this — this hurricane and what has happened in terms of the aftermath of it. 

I do want to acknowledge and thank the first responders, who have been extraordinary.  Having met with them, they are the kind of folks that are the heroes in moments of crisis who do extraordinary work that is about lifting up other people.

As it relates in particular to the leaders who are here and doing that work, including the first responders, most of them, as it relates to the local folks, are folks who have personally and their families have personally experienced loss and devastation.  And yet they leave their home, leave their family to go to centers like where I was earlier to do the work of helping perfect strangers. 

And it really does highlight the nobility of the kind of work that these public servants have dedicated themselves to, which can be, in moments of crisis like this, so selfless in the way that they do that work.

The president and I have been paying close attention from the beginning to what we need to do to make sure the federal resources hit the ground as quickly as possible, and that includes what was necessary to make sure that we provided direct federal assistance.  And that work has been happening. 

I want to thank the governor for his leadership and his close coordination with the federal government, with our administration.  And I want to thank the local leaders for, together, creating a task force-like response, knowing that we are at our best when we work together and coordinate resources, coordinate our communications to the maximum effect for the community that has been impacted.

And the federal relief and assistance that we have been providing has included FEMA providing $750 for folks who need immediate needs being met, such as food, baby formula, and the like.  And you can apply now. 

For anyone who is watching this, who has been affected, there are FEMA personnel who are going door — door to door to interact personally with folks, especially those who do not have electricity.  But also, that — that aid, — if you have electricity, can be applied for online, and I encourage people to do that.  FEMA will just basically verify your address, and then the process should take hold. 

FEMA is also providing tens of thousands more dollars for folks to help them be able to deal with home repair, to be able to cover a deductible when and if they have insurance, and also hotel costs. 

Today, I’m also announcing that the president has approved the governor’s request for 100 percent federal reimbursement of local costs. 

And, Mayor, as you have pointed out, the — the burden to local governments, including state — the state government, is — is pretty immense.  And so, by announcing today and — and making the dedicated resources to cover 100 percent of local costs will have a huge impact on our ability to get relief to people as quickly as possible. 

And that will include, for example, what the federal government will do to reimburse local and state governments around issues like debris removal, which you can see just up and down this street, much less in other areas of the state and in the region, this is a big issue.  I was speaking with one of the residents of the community who needs that big tree removed so she can actually get to work and — and make sure that her child is able to get to school when the schools reopen.  So, this is a very big part of the recovery process. 

That money of the federal reimbursement will also help with emergency services that are now being provided by the state so that they can be reimbursed and then have the resources to keep providing those emergency services. 

Also, we will be covering the local government costs for food, wa- — water, and shelter — again, resources that are desperately needed by the members of this community. 

And so, my final point to the — to the residents of this community and — and the region is that we are here for the long haul.  There is the work that we have done together that was the immediate response — well, preparation for and then the immediate response after.  But there’s a lot of work that’s going to need to happen over the coming days, weeks, and months.  And the coordination that we have dedicated ourselves to will be long-lasting to get families, to get residents, to get neighborhoods back up and running. 

And — and my last point is this.  I think that in these moments of hardship, one of the beauties about who we are as a country is — is people really rally together and show the best of who they are in moments of crisis.  And we have seen that throughout the region where communities are coming together; where — where people are helping perfect strangers; where they are providing food, wa- — water, shelter for their neighbors, and that neighbor may be somebody they’ve never met before but are doing the work of helping each other out. 

And I think it really highlights the fact that the vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us and that the best of — the strength of who we are is we come to each other’s aid in a time of need. 

So, I thank everyone for doing that kind of work every day.

And with that, there is more work to be done.  Thank you all.  Thank you.  Thank you.

Q    Do you have an update on the death toll, Madam Vice President, or on people who are missing?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I — I did receive updates in terms of what’s happening in the state.  And — and so far, the number looks to be 33.  The — the mayor was just sharing with me —

PARTICIPANT:  Seven in Ri- — Augusta-Richmond County alone.  Seven.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Seven alone in August-Richmond County.  So, the numbers are coming in.  And part of the challenge of being accurate at this moment is that there are still so many areas that are remote, also rural areas, areas that are not easily accessible.  So, the assessment of the damage is being done across the board.  And, of course, the — the highest priority is to locate and determine individuals, people who are in need and making sure we’re getting to them as quickly as possible. 

     Thank you. 
    

                             END                4:44 P.M. EDT

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Augusta Utilities
Augusta, Georgia

3:13 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Mayor. 

And I am here in Augusta to — to thank all of the folks who are here on the ground doing this extraordinary work.  And, you know, I’ve been reading and hearing about the work you’ve been doing over the last few days.  And I think it really does represent some of the best of what we each know can be done, especially when we coordinate around local, state, and federal resources to meet the — the needs of people who must be seen and must be heard. 

These are very difficult times.  And in a moment of crisis, I think that really does bring out the best of who we are, and you each epitomize that important and good work.

So, I’m here to thank you and to listen.

And — and, Senator, I want to thank you for the work that you’ve been doing on behalf of the state, because I know you’ve been talking to me and the president and many others about making sure that the federal resources get to this beautiful state.

 So, thank you all.

 And, Mayor, I am now listening. 

                                 END               3:14 P.M. EDT

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Joint Base Andrews
Prince George’s County, Maryland

12:30 P.M. EDT

Q    Sir, do you have a view on automation with the dockworkers strike?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I — look, we’re going down to see what — the damage done.  I’m going to be going back again to other states.  But here’s the thing, this natural disaster is incredibly consequential.  The last thing we need on top of that is a man-made disaster: what’s going on at the ports.

We’re getting pushback already, and we’re hearing from the folks recently that they’re having trouble getting product they need because of the port strike. 

And, look, there’s a — there’s a consortium of mak- — basically six owners that control all the ports from all the way to the East Coast, down around the Gulf.  And — and they’ve made — they’ve made incredible profits — over 800 percent profit since the pandemic, and the owners are making tens of millions of dollars in this. 

The last thing they need is to profit off of this.  It’s time to — for them to sit at the table and get this strike done. 

Q    Will you be communicating with them directly about any of this?

THE PRESIDENT:  Oh, we have.  We have.  I haven’t personally, but we have. 

Q    Can you —

THE PRESIDENT:  Okay?

Q    Can you tell us anything about Iran and Israel’s possible —

THE PRESIDENT:  Yes.  Look —

Q    — retaliation?

THE PRESIDENT:  I called a meeting of the G7 today.  We’re working on a joint statement all of us agree on — from Japan to France to Germany to — et cetera.  And what we’re doing in that regard is we’re making it clear that there are things that have to be done.  And it’s — obviously, Iran has gone way out of — I mean, is way off board.  We’re going to — putting together a joint statement.  Hasn’t been done yet.  It will be done before too long, probably by the time we land.  And there’s going to be some sanctions imposed on Iran. 

Q    Sir, do — do you — sorry.  Do you have a view on the workers’ fight for restrictions on technology or automation for the dockworkers?

THE PRESIDENT:  No — look, they just need to sit down and talk, because I — remember, we negotiated a similar strike on the West Coast before, and they worked it out.  It’s time — they won’t even talk.  So, let’s get that done.

Q    Sir, and — sir — sir, can I ask you: What is your —

Q    Would you support an attack on the — would you support an attack on Iran’s nuclear sites by Israel?

THE PRESIDENT:  The answer is no.  And I think there’s things — we’ll be discussing with the Israelis what they’re going to do, but they — every- — all seven of us agree that they have a right to respond, but they should respond in proportion. 

Thank you. 

Q    Sir, could I ask you: What is your advice to Israel as far as how they should respond to this right now?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’ll leave that to — I’ll — we’re giving them that advice. 

Q    Okay.  When will you talk to Bibi?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I — we’ve been talking to Bibi’s people the whole time.  And it’s not necessary to talk to Bibi.  I’ll probably be talking to him relatively soon, my guess.

Thank you.

12:33 P.M. EDT

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Roosevelt Room

4:01 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Okay. Before I begin, I wanted to say a few words about Iran’s missile attack on Israel today.

At my direction, the United States military actively supported the defense of Israel, and we’re still assessing the impact. But based on what we know now, the attack appears to have been defeated and ineffective, and this is testament to Israeli military capability and U.S. military.

I’m also — it’s also a testament to intensive planning between the United States and Israel to anticipate and defend against the brazen attack we expected.

Make no mistake, the United States is fully, fully, fully supportive of Israel. And I just — I’ve been — spent the morning in the — and part of the afternoon in the Situation Room and meeting with my whole national security team and consulting with the Israelis indirectly, because — on — in terms of their impact on us.

And the national security team has been, as I said, in constant contact with Israeli officials and their counterparts. And is — and this is going to continue to be brought to me throughout the day.

We still have to share updates and — when we get them, and we will do that.

And now I want to turn to what we’re going to be talking about today: the damage done by this — this horrible hurricane.

My top priority — and I mean this sincerely, because we’ve been through a lot of these — my top priority is to ensure the communities devastated by this hurricane get the help and support they need as quickly as possible — as quickly as possible.

As we watched the storm from the Gulf region form, I also directed FEMA to redeploy a substantial number of assets and resources to ensure we were ready to deal with what we expected and to support all the folks in need.

We had over 1,000 federal personnel, including search and rescue teams, at the ready, on the ground before it hit.

Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama became the st- — staging ground for — for responders throughout the entire region, with 2.7 million meals, nearly 2 million liters of water ready to be distributed before the hurricane hit.

I immediately approved emergency declarations as soon as I received requests from the governors or the state officials.

Still, with all this preparation, this was a hurricane of unprecedented and historic proportions.

Over the past several days, I’ve been in regular contact with the governors, the mayors, the county officials on — on — in all the affected areas. That includes Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Virginia.

Now, in the storm’s wake, I’ve directed my team, including the leadership in key departments and agencies all across the government, to send every — and I mean this seriously — every available resource that we have at our disposal to the affected region. And that’s why we’re here today with the Cabinet and those acting in Cabinet but — because some are deployed already — the Department of Defense, Agriculture, HHS, Transportation, Energy, Homeland Security, EPA, Commerce, Small Business Association, and the U.S. Carmy the [Army] Corps of Engineers. We need to be all working together, and that’s what we’re going to talk about — that continued coordination we have going on.

I’ve been in frequent contact with the governors and other leaders in the impacted areas, and we have to jump-start this recovery process. People are scared to death. People wonder whether they’re going to make it.

We still haven’t heard from a whole lot of people. This is urgent. People have to know how to know how to get the information they need.

So, we’ll be there until this work is done. I’m go- — it’s going to cost — I predict to you; I don’t have a — a number — I think it’s going to cost billions of dollars to restore these areas to where they were before.

Until the work is done, we’re going to stay.

I’m going to — as I said, Congress needs to make sure that states have every available resource. And we have an obligation.

This is a storm of historic proportion. Nothing like this has happened in the region since the turn of the 20th century. I think the last was 1914, 1916, in that ran- — range.

So, that’s what we’re here to discuss: the detail of how we get all that’s needed. And it’s going to take a long time. It’s going to take a long haul to restore these communities.

And I’m going to be heading down — anyway. I’ll be in the region on Wednesday. And we’ve had people down there already. It’s just going to be real- — this is really consequential. Homes — come home and they’re just washed away; entire roads washed up; cliffs — I mean, it’s just devastating.

And so, we’re going to — it’s going to take a lot of work, a lot of coordination. And if this were the middle of the term, I’d be asking Congress for — to prepare to — they haven’t given me the money we need now for — for this — materials that we need for dealing with these devastating storms. It’s going to cost —

(A cell phone rings.)

That’s okay. It’s probably — is that the speaker calling me? (Laughter.) He said he’s in, right? (Laughter.) Anyway.

So, we’re going to — we’re going to now have our Cabinet meeting. And thank you all for being here.

Q Mr. President, on — on the Middle East, how are you advising Israel to respond?

Q How would — how would you like Israel to respond to Iran?

THE PRESIDENT: That’s an active discussion right now. We’ve got to get all the data straight. We’ve been in constant contact with the — with the Israeli government and our counterparts, and that’s — remains to be seen.

Q Thank you.

Q What is your message to Prime Minister Netanyahu, and have you spoken with him today?

THE PRESIDENT: I haven’t spoken with him. We’ve s- — we have spoken with all his people, and I’ll be talking to him. And my message will depend on what we fin- — finally conclude is needed.

Q What do you believe the consequences for Iran should be?

THE PRESIDENT: That remains to be seen.

Thank you.

4:07 P.M. EDT

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Josephine Butler Parks Center
Washington, D.C.

4:42 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, today, Iran launched approximately 200 ballistic missiles at Israel in a reckless and brazen attack.  I condemn this attack unequivocally. 

I am clear-eyed: Iran is a destabilizing, dangerous force in the Middle East, and today’s attack on Israel only further demonstrates that fact.

Earlier today, I was in the Situation Room with President Biden and our national security team as we monitored the attack in real time and ensured that the protection of U.S. personnel in the region is paramount.  I fully support President Biden’s order for the U.S. military to shoot down Iranian missiles targeting Israel, just as we did in April.

We are still assessing the impact, but initial indications are that Israel, with our assistance, was able to defeat this attack.  Our joint defenses have been effective, and this operation and successful cooperation saved many ic- — innocent lives.

As I have said, I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist militias.  My commitment to the security of Israel is unwavering. 

And let us be clear: Iran is not only a threat to Israel; Iran is also a threat to American personnel in the region, American interests, and innocent civilians across the region who suffer at the hands of Iran-based and -backed terrorist proxies.

We will never hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to defend U.S. forces and interests against Iran and Iran-backed terrorists.  And we will continue to work with our allies and partners to disrupt Iran’s aggressive behavior and hold them accountable.

Thank you.

                   END                     4:45 P.M. EDT

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11:12 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, folks. 

Good morning.

To state the obvious, over the weekend, we had devastating storms in the South.  I spoke with — for a couple hours with leaders yesterday affected by the hurricane and — Governor Kemp of Georgia, Governor Cooper of North Carolina, county officials in the Big Bend region of Florida, and other leaders in South Carolina and Tennessee about the broad and devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. 

It’s not just a catastrophic storm; it’s a historic history-making storm — the entire Southeast and Appalachia.  Damage from the hurricane stretches across at least 10 states.  Winds over 120 miles an hour in some places.  Storm surges up to 15 feet and record flooding. 

Communities are devastated.  Loved ones waiting, not sure if their loved ones are okay because they can’t contact them because there’s no cell phone connections.  Many more folks displaced with no idea when they’ll be able to be — return to their home, if ever — if there’s a home to return to.

So, we’re keeping our — we’re keeping them all in our prayers and all the lives lost — those particularly that are unaccounted for — there’s nothing like wondering, “Is my husband, wife, son, daughter, mother, father alive?” — and many more who remain without electricity, water, food, and communications and whose homes and businesses have washed away in an instant. 

I want them to know we are not leaving until the job is done. 

I also want you to know I’m committed to traveling to the impacted areas as soon as possible.  But I’ve been told that it’d be disruptive if I did it right now.  We will not do that at the risk of diverting or delaying any — any of the response assets needed to deal with this crisis.

My first responsibility is to get all the help needed to those impacted areas.  And I expect to be there — (coughs) — excuse me, I have a cold — I expect to be there later this week.

I and my team are in constant contact with the governors, mayors, and local leaders.  The head of FEMA, Deanne Griswell [Criswell], is on the ground now in Northern — in North Carolina.  She’s going to stay in Asheville and the Appalachia region for the foreseeable future.

There’s been reports of over 100 dead and — as a consequence of this storm, and there are reports of up 600 mil- — 600 people unaccounted for because they can’t be contacted.  God willing, they’re alive, but there is no way to contact them, again, because of the lack of cell phone coverage.

I’ve directed my team to provide every — every available resource as fast as possible to your communities to rescue, recover, and to begin rebuilding.

In addition to FEMA — it includes the Federal Communications Commission to help establish communications capability, the National Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Department of Defense are going to provide all the resources at its disposal to rescue and assist in clearing debris and delivering lifesaving supplies.

So far, that’s over 3,600 personnel deployed.  That number is growing by the day.

I quickly approved requests from governors of Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama for an emergency declaration.  And I approved additional requests for the governors of North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina and — for a disaster declaration to pay for — to pay for debris removal, provide financial assistance directly — directly to survivors.

FEMA and the Small Business Administration are there to help the residents whose homes and businesses were literally destroyed — washed away or blown away. 

And the federal search and rescue teams have been working side by side with state and local officials and partners in very treacherous conditions to find those who are missing, and they will not rest until everyone is accounted for. 

And I want to thank all the — all the first responders and everyone who has been working around the clock. 

One of the brave teams that’s volunteered to be there is from San Diego County Fire Department, set to travel all the way from California to North Carolina to help.  But on their way, they were in a — in a terrible car accident in Louisiana.  We pray for their full recovery, but it was a bad accident. 

We know there is more to do, and we will continue to surge resources, including food, water, communications, and lifesaving equipment. We’ll be there, as I said before, and I mean it, as long as it takes to finish this job.

Let me close with this.  As president, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating toll that disasters like this take on families and communities.  I’ve been on the ground at many divat- — disasters areas since I’ve been president — (coughs) — excuse me — and I’ve heard dozens of stories from survivors about how it feels to be left with nothing, not even knowing where or when to get back on track. 

I am here to tell every single survivor in these impacted areas that we will be there with you as long as it takes. 

For the sake of yourselves — excuse me — (coughs) — and your families, I urge everyone — everyone returning to their communities and homes to listen to the local officials and follow all safety instructions.  Take this seriously.  Please be safe. 

Your nation has your back, and the Biden-Harris administration will be there until the job is done.

God bless you all.  And I’m thinking of those that are still wondering where your loved ones are.

Thank you.

Q    Will you need to pass a supplemental to help the people in the Southeast, Mr. President?

THE PRESIDENT:  Say again.

Q    Will you need to ask Congress for a supplemental to help the people —

THE PRESIDENT:  That’s my estim- — my expectation, yes.

Q    Do you know roughly how much you — you’re thinking at this point?

THE PRESIDENT:  Not yet.  It’s been — this is a historic storm.  It’s devastating.  They’ve not seen anything like this before.  And some of them were back-to-back; there were three storms in a row.  So, it’s really, really devastating.

Q    Would you consider asking Congress to come back for a special session to pass the supplemental?

THE PRESIDENT:  That is something I may have to request, but no decision has been made yet.

Q    Do you have a sense of where you’ll go when you are able to go, sir?

THE PRESIDENT:  Yes.  I told the governor of — of North Carolina I’d go down.  And I — and I expect to be down there by Wednesday or Thursday if it would be clear for me to go. 

You guys who travel with me know there’s an entourage that’s — that is — can be disruptive.

Q    Is it a mistake for — for President Trump to be down there today in Georgia?  Is that disruptive?

THE PRESIDENT:  I — I don’t have any idea.

Q    On another issue on the other side of the world, in the Middle East.  It’s our understanding —

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m going to stick with this.

Q    What’s that?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m going to stick with this subject.  But go ahead.  I — I have — a thousand Olympians —

Q    Well, it’s just the fact that Israel may be now launching a limited operation into Lebanon.  Are you aware of that?  Are you comfortable with their plans, as best you know them?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m more aware than you might know, and I’m comfortable with them stopping.  We should have a ceasefire now.

Thank you.

Q    And Mr. President — Mr. President —

Q    Do you expect Iran to retaliate?

Q    On the hurricane, Mr. President.  Why weren’t you and Vice President Harris here in Washington commanding this this weekend?

THE PRESIDENT:  I was commanding.  I was on the phone for at least two hours yesterday and the day before as well.  I commanded.  It’s called a telephone. 

Q    Is it —

THE PRESIDENT:  I had all of my security people.

11:19 A.M. EDT

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FEMA Headquarters
Washington, D.C.

5:02 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  (Addressing FEMA staff.)  Thank you, thank you, thank you.   (Applause.)  I — thank you all.  (Applause.)

I — I am actually here to — to applaud you, so — and then — but the way we have apparently set this up is I’m going to speak to the press.  And I’m sorry, I’m going to have my back to you for a moment, but then I’m going to visit with you and — because I really am here to thank you all.  I know how everyone here has been working around the clock, as you always do in moments like this.

So, I’m going to address the press, and then we’re going to have a conversation. 

(Addressing the press.)  Okay.  Okay.  Hi. 

So, good afternoon to everyone. 

Deputy Administrator Hooks, I thank you and — and everyone here for their leadership. 

As I — as I said briefly, I know who is here.  I know what you each do.  And you are so selfless in the way that you serve our country and, in particular, at times like this, people who are just so desperately in need of help, support, and just knowing that the resources are going to be expedited to them as they need it in their most vulnerable situation — when their families have been at risk, where their homes may have been destroyed, where they lack just basic, essential needs.  You all do that work around the clock as though these are your family members.  I know how you work, and I know how hard you work. 

So, I am here mostly to thank you all for all that you do, everyone who is here and everyone who is on the ground in the region at the moment. 

And I am here to also talk about where we are based on the briefings I have been receiving over the last couple of days.  I have received regular briefings on the impact of Hurricane Helene, including from Administrator Criswell.  And over the past 24 hours, I have spoken with Governor Kemp of Georgia, Governor Cooper of North Carolina, and many local officials. 

I have shared with them that we will do everything in our power to help communities respond and recover, and I’ve shared with them that I plan to be on the ground as soon as possible — but as soon as possible without disrupting any emergency response operations, because that must be the highest priority and the first order of business. 

The devastation from Hurricane Helene is immense.  Millions of Americans are without power.  Thousands of families have lost their homes.  Entire neighborhoods have been destroyed.  Major roads have been blocked or damaged, leaving entire towns inaccessible at this very moment.  Already, nearly 100 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds more are missing. 

The destruction we have seen in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia is heartbreaking. 

In coordination with state and local officials, President Biden and I will continue to make sure that communities have the support and the resources that they need not only to respond to this storm and its immediate aftermath but also the resources they will need to recover.

So far, more than 3,300 federal personnel are on the ground to assist with recovery efforts.  They are deploying food, water, and generators.  And we continue to work with teams on the ground to restore water and power as quickly as possible.

To everyone who has been impacted by this storm and to all of those of you who are rightly feeling overwhelmed by the destruction and the loss, our nation is with you.  And President Biden and I and all of the folks behind me are with you.  We will continue to do everything we can to help you recover and to help you rebuild, no matter how long it takes. 

And I do believe the true character of a nation is revealed in moments of hardship. 

Over the past few days, our nation has endured some of the worst destruction and devastation that we have seen in quite some time, and we have responded with our best — with the best folks who are on the ground and here doing the kind of work that is about rising to a moment of crisis to do everything we can to lift up folks who deserve to be seen and heard. 

Communities have been coming together.  People are checking in on their neighbors.  Families are opening their doors to strangers in need.  And as they always do, our first responders are working around the clock, putting their own lives at risk to keep our communities safe. 

Moments like this remind us we have so much more in common than what separates us.  And the true measure of our leadership — each one of us — is based on lifting other folks up, knowing how we can make a difference. 

So, I thank everyone for rising to this moment.  And I thank you all here for the work that you each do. 

May God bless you.  And may God bless the United States of America. 

Thank you all very much.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

(The vice president speaks with a FEMA staff member.)

I’m going to move this microphone.  (Laughter.)

(Addressing FEMA staff.)  Hey, guys.  I’m going to do the tour right now, but I — I really do mean what I said.  I know the work that you all are doing, and it is so critically important.

The people on the ground right now — you know, we know that communications are still down for so many people, which means that they don’t know necessarily what is being done right now by all of you to help them.  But I know, based on what you all historically have done, that the folks on the ground who have been impacted, I’m sure, have faith that you all are here right now as you are and that they know, in their hearts, that you all are working around the clock, as you’ve been. 

And I know it takes a lot out of you.  And you’re seeing a lot of pain.  You’ve seen the destruction.  You’re seeing the damage.  And it’s the work that you all have dedicated your lives to doing.  So, I just wanted to come by, truly, to say thank you to all of you, because it takes a lot out of you. 

And when you’re interacting with folks who are on the ground and need help, you know, they look in your eyes to see: Is — is everything going to be okay?  And sometimes you’re not sure, right?  But you do everything you can to make sure everything is going to be okay.  And that’s a strength that you uniquely have when you do this kind of work that you all do. 

So, thank you for all that you are doing.  Let’s keep it up.  I know we have many, many hours ahead of important and critical work, but you guys are just the best of anything that we could hope for in our country. 

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

END                  5:09 P.M. EDT

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Mexico City, Mexico

Thank you, Ambassador.

It’s wonderful to be here representing the United States with so many of you.

Buenas tardes.

As we gather this evening, our hearts are with everyone who has been affected by the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Joe and his team have mobilized a full federal response to save lives and help survivors.

The head of FEMA is on the ground, and we are sparing no resources to help the areas in need. Please keep those families and the first responders in your prayers.

The Mexican-American author Sandra Cisneros once said of the impact of her writing: “It is transmitting light, but I was just the conduit for that light, not the source. I am fortunate and blessed to be the flute, but I recognize and acknowledge I am not the music.”

Being a conduit of light and culture, this is diplomacy at its best.

And when I look around, I see her words come to life in all of you.

Because each of you, in your own way, channels the light and music—the hope and talent and vision—of one nation to the other.

Few country-to-country relationships are as consequential to Americans’ daily lives as that of the United States and Mexico.

I am honored to be with you tonight to celebrate the strength of the relationship between our countries—at such a historic moment.

Ambassador Salazar, thank you for welcoming us to your home. Over the past three years, Joe and I have seen your steady, thoughtful leadership to strengthen our ties with Mexico. We’re grateful to you, Hope, and your beautiful family for your service.

Thank you to the incredibly talented dancers for their performance earlier, and for sharing that vibrant piece of Mexican tradition with us.

And a special thanks to the entire team at the Embassy, including so many staff members who are from Mexico. Every day, you reinforce the connections between our two countries. We’re grateful for your dedication to the U.S. Mission.

There’s something special in the air this evening. I felt it as soon as I landed—a crackle of excitement to see the inauguration of the first woman president of Mexico.

As President-elect, Dr. Sheinbaum, has noted, she didn’t arrive to this historic moment alone. She said: “We all arrived, with our heroines who gave us our homeland, with our ancestors, our mothers, our daughters and our granddaughters.”

Tomorrow, those generations of women will arrive together at the Legislative Palace to see her take the oath of office.

Joe and I—and so many Americans—wish her well and look forward to her leadership.

Under Dr. Sheinbaum’s presidency, I know that we will continue to build a more prosperous, safe, and democratic region. And take the next steps in our U.S.-Mexico partnership.

We are all part of that work.

Together, we can be the conduit for the light of our two nations, illuminating the path toward even brighter tomorrows, lifting up each other and the world.

###

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South Lawn

12:01 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, hello, hello!  (Applause.) 

If I didn’t say this, my dad would come down from heaven and you know what — (laughter): Please excuse my back while I’m speaking.  I apologize.  (Laughter.)

Folks, hello, Team USA!  (Applause.)

You got a few fans out there on the South Lawn.  (Laughter.)  (Applause.)  Yeah, let’s hear you.  (Applause.)  Let’s hear the South Lawn.  (Applause.)

Paul, thank you to the introduction.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  USA!  USA!

THE PRESIDENT:  You got it, kid.  (Laughter.)  You got it.

And, Paul, for your incredible courage.  Adrina, I thank you.  I [don’t] doubt you’ll be representing Team USA one day as well.  I think it’s going to happen.

Paul, along with Torri, thank you for representing your fellow Olympians and Paralympians.  But, Torri, let me say, this is not my house; this is your house.  This is your house.  (Applause.)  That’s the God’s truth: Team USA’s house.  (Applause.)  I’m just a temporary resident.  It’s only a couple months left.  (Laughter.)

But thank you to all your family and friends who support these incredible athletes. 

Torri’s dad said it best, only in America — (applause) — only in America do we believe anything is possible.

I spent close to 100 hours alone with Xi Jinping of China.  He asked me — when I was in the Tibetan Plateau with him, when I was vice president, he said, “Can you define America for me?”  It’s the God’s truth.  And I said, “Yes, in one word.”  He looked at me.  I said, “Possibilities.”

We’re the only nation that thinks anything is possible when we di- — set mind to do it.  That’s what all of you embody.

On behalf of the entire nation and thousands of fans here today, thank you.  Thank you for representing the very best of America.  (Applause.)

And because I’m president and I cause commotion when I go places — (laugher) — they wouldn’t let me go the Olympics.  But I watched it all.  Jill, my wife, went to the Olympics.  (Applause.)  Guess what?  I was supposed to be introducing at the inauguration of the president of Mexico, who is a fine woman — I’m going to be seeing her shortly — but I said I’m staying here and meeting you guys.  (Applause.)  She’s going to represent the United States.  She’s in Mexico.  (Laughs.)

But she was able to say hi to many of you this morning before you left.  I said, “Where were you this morning?  I was looking for you.”  She said, “I was out saying hello to the Olympians.”  (Laughter.)

Now, as you know, she led the U.S. delegation to Paris.  All she did when she came back home — I mean this from the bottom of my heart — was talk about how amazing you all are, talk about the amazing resilience, the courage, and the commitment, and your loyalty to one another.

My staff would have their TVs on watching you as I was trying to get briefed on national security.  (Laughter.)  But in fairness, I had the TV on in the Oval Office as well.  (Laughter.)

We felt so much pride, and I’m honored to welcome 400 athletes from (inaudible) — USA — Team USA today here at the capital.  (Applause.)  Part of a nation so vast, so diverse, and so talented, it’s like no other country on Earth.

Two hundred and thirty total medals win — won at this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games to finish the top of overall medal count, period.  (Applause.)

When you competed, it wasn’t just you in the spotlight.  You re- — you represented all the people who sacrificed for you, as was mentioned earlier, just as you’ve sacrificed yourselves — early hours, long days, intense training, sometimes overcoming extreme disappointment.

For many of you, you hold down multiple jobs to fund your dreams.

And, by the way, we need to do more to support all of our Team USA al- — athletes.  (Applause.)  You’re parents.  You’re caretakers.  And 28 of you have also worn a uniform representing our country and one of our armed forces.  (Applause.)

As your commander in chief, I say thank you for your service, wherever the hell you are.  (Laughter and applause.)  We owe you.  That’s not hyperbole.  We owe you.

Yes, you’ve sacrificed, but you look at — you have to look at who you lift up.  Your families wept with joy, filled with pride.  Your hometowns honor you.  And to your fellow Americans, most of whom have never known — you’ve never known, you’ve become their heroes — their heroes. 

How many stu- — how many parents talk to their kids who are having difficulty and say, “You can do this.  You can overcome anything”?  I think we underestimate how much you do, what incentives you provide for people.  You know, they see you and they begin to believe in themselves. 

And, by the way, I told her, when she’s president of the United States — (laughter and applause) — and they say, “Joe Biden is in the waiting,” she promised me she won’t say “Joe who?”  (Laughter.)

Whether this was your first time at the Games or the peak of a distinguished career, your legacy is one of discipline, success, joy, and loyalty to one another.  And that legacy is part of something bigger than yourselves: It’s about your country, the greatest sports nation in the history of the world.  (Applause.)

In the next few years, we get to showcase to the world from our own backyard.  (Applause.) 

The World Cup in 2026, hosted by the United States of America.  (Applause.) 

And the Los Angeles Summer Games in ‘28. (Applause.)  I won’t be president.  They can’t stop me from going there then.  (Laughter.)  That will include distinctly Amer- — distinctly American sports for the first time: flag football, lacrosse — and making their return — baseball and softball.  (Applause.) 

And the Salt Lake City Winter Games of 2034.  (Applause.)  It matters. 

Let me close with this.  Last May, I awarded the nation’s highest honor, an Presidential Medal of Freedom, to the late Jim Thorpe. 

(Inaudible) hold for a moment, my grandfather, Ambrose Finnegan, was an All-American in college at Santa Clara.  And he was — always talked sports all the time in Scranton.  He always talked about Jim Thorpe.  I mean it sincerely.  And why — why we didn’t pay enough attention, why we didn’t honor one of the greatest la- — athletes in American history.  The first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal; world record settler in the — settler [setter] in the decathlon — (applause); world-class football, baseball, and basketball player.  Put simply, the greatest ever. 

And his legacy wasn’t just cemented by example of his power but by the power of his example.  (Applause.)

He overcame vile racism and shameful bigotry, and he broke barriers.  Just like his given name, Bright Path — that was his name, Bright Path — he led a way for future generations. 

And now it’s your turn — your turn to take the torch from those before you, to run the race to the fullest, and then pass the torch to those who follow.  I know something about that. 

Look, folks, Kamala and I had a wonderful time leading this U.S. del- — delegation. (Applause.) 

We know the power of sports to empi- — empower and bring us together. 

There’s nothing like the simple truth that’s already been stated: only in America.  And it’s a great honor to represent our nation and to hear those letters: USA.  USA.  USA.

AUDIENCE:  USA!  USA!  USA! 

THE PRESIDENT:  I mean it.

Folks, I’ve never been more optimistic about our future, and I mean that.  We just have to remember who the hell we are.  We’re the United States of America.  (Applause.)  And I mean this from the bottom of my heart: There is nothing we can’t do when we do it together — nothing.

God bless you all.  May God protect our troops.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you’ve done.  (Applause.)

12:11 P.M. EDT

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Via Teleconference

11:44 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Hey, Sean.  Thanks for that introduction, pal.  We go back a long way, you and I.  And we go back — look, the fact is the building trades have been a significant part of my career my whole career — all 800 years of it. 

Hey, look, good morning, tradeswomen of North America and Chair Vicki O- — O’Leary; and I want to talk — Brandon Bishop, the secretary; and Liz Shuler, my AFL-CIO president.  You’ve always had my back.  I never forget it. 

Julie Su, my acting secretary of Labor, is in the crowd.  She just spoke.  I got to hear her, even though I’m up in — up northeast. 

Look, I kept my commitment.  I have an administration that looks like America.  That includes having more women senior role — in senior roles than at any time in — ever, starting with the amazing vice president, Kamala Harris. 

And together, we’re proud to have most pro-union administration in American history. 

I know this simple truth: Wall Street didn’t build America.  You know damn well they didn’t build the middle class.  Unions built the middle class.  Unions built the middle class.

And we’re beginning to thrive.  In fact, I asked the secretary of Treasury to — to study what my — I was getting criticized that — my being so supportive of unions was going to cost money. 

Well, guess what?  When unions do well, the studies shows, all Americans — all — union and non-union — do better.  It’s a big reason why our economy is the strongest in the world. 

It comes down to something my dad used to — that Dad taught me.  He said, “Joey, a job is about a lot more than a paycheck.”  You’ve heard me say this before.  “It’s about your dignity.  It’s about your place in the community.  It’s about being able to look your kid in the eye and say ‘Honey, everything is going to be okay’ and mean it.”

That’s why Kamala and I are so damn proud to have the greatest job creation record of any single presidential term: nearly 16 million new jobs so far, 800,000 manufacturing jobs, and over 300,000 more women in manufacturing than when I took office. 

Where the hell is it written to say we can’t lead the world in manufacturing?  We are leading, and we will continue to. 

The economy has also created 848,000 construction jobs, a record 8.2 million jobs across the construction industry, including over 100,000 more women in construction.  And construction is booming. 

That’s not all.  We’ve achieved the lowest unemployment rate for women in 70 years.  We narrowed the gender pay gap.  And there are more women, especially mothers, in the workforce than ever before. 

And here’s how we’re making that progress.  My predecessor promised “Infrastructure Week” every week for four years, and he never build a damn thing, literally. 

Well, with your support, we’re going to have Infrastructure Decade.  We — we provided well over a trillion dollars for infrastructure in America.

And Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — we’re investing over 5 — so far — just so far, 50,000 projects have been designated across America so far, modernizing our roads, bridges, ports, airports, clean water systems, affordable high-speed Internet, and so damn much more. 

It’s creating tens of thousands of good jobs for the building trades.  You’re literally building back America.  And we’re just getting started.

When I signed the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, which is the most significant laws ever for climate and clean energy, science and innovation, so far, it’s not only generated what we put in — remember the criticism of “Biden put in too much federal money”?  “He shouldn’t be making that debt.”  Well, guess what?  It’s attracting nearly $1 trillion in private-sector investment in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, clean energy, and more here in America, creating tens of thousands of good-paying building trades jobs.

And these are construction jobs now.  And in the future, they’re going to maintain these factories.  They’re going to be needed for a long time. 

In fact, construction of new factories has more than doubled.  Clean energy workers are joining unions at the highest rate level in all of American history. 

And guess what?  With your support, I signed an executive order to make — make sure large federal construction projects are pro- — are pro-labor; they’re project- — they have project labor agreements; and that contractors, subcontractors, unions are all put in place before the construction begins so we know exactly who’s going to get paid what.  These agreements make sure construction is top-notch, on time, on task, and on budget. 

Buy America has been the law of the land for — since the 1930s.  And to tell you the truth, no one paid attention.  I didn’t even realize it was written into the law until about 12 years ago — 15 years ago, when we were deciding whether — how labor would have a fair shot of organizing. 

But it said, when you send me money as a president, you — I should use that money to build or buy — we use American labor and American products, whatever that I’m spending that money for.

Past administrations, including my predecessor, failed to Buy America.  Not anymore.  Federal projects helping build American roads, bridges, highways will be made with American products, built by American workers, creating good-paying jobs, instead of doing what they did: send the job overseas for cheaper labor and bring home the product, which costs more. 

In fact, we’re requiring these kinds of jobs to pay Davis-Bacon prevailing wage for jobs that don’t require a college degree and jobs you can raise a family on.  And these increase — and this is going to increase wages for more than a million construction workers. 

I also signed an executive order strengthening the pipeline for good jobs. 

In fact, we expanded the register- — and Julie Su just spoke about it — registered apprenticeships, resulting in hiring of a million apprenticeships since I came to office.  Remember they wanted to keep making private?

Under my administration, the number of women in apprenticeships has increased by nearly 50 percent.  And a lot of folks don’t realize it, but apprenticeship is like earning a college degree.  I’ve urged — I’ve urged Sean and all the labors leaders: Let them know the reason why people are hiring us, want us is because you’re the best-trained workers in the world.  And when you — when you go through an apprentice program, it’s like earning a college degree. 

An apprentice is you train for four to five years before you get full — before you’re re- — recognized for your trade.  These were — you’re some of the best workers in the world.

And I’ve always believed the National Labor Relations Board should be pro-labor.  National Labor Relations Board.  Pro-labor.  That’s why one of the most significant things we’ve done is appointed National Labor Relations Board members who — that actually believe in unions and believe in the right to organize. 

Remember what Trump did?  Trump appointed union busters on that board. 

Also, we made incredible progress and we know there’s more to do to support women’s economic security. 

All around the country, local governments are using dollars from my Invest in America agenda for — to fund childcare — to fund childcare, requiring, for example, semiconductor companies applying for new federal subsidies to make sure that all their workers have access to affordable childcare. 

I recently signed an executive order encouraging even more federal agencies to prioritize projects that provide affordable childcare and other benefits the workers need. 

I signed into law the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and the PUMP Act, giving pregnant and postpartum workers long-overdue protections, and so much more.

I’d go on, except I know you have to — they’re going to shut down that parade if I don’t make this shorter. 

And that’s a stark contrast to my predecessor.  You know, do you think he has any idea about the work you do every day?  Hell, with regard to picket lines, he’d rather cross one than — instead of walking one. 

But Kamala and I have no problem walking in it.  We did.  And we’ll always walk alongside you, the union workers who built this country. 

Let me close with this.  Two years ago, Jill and I invited an ironworker from Cincinnati to be our guest at the State of the Union.  She joined her local union more than 20 years ago, working her way up.  The job helped her raise a family.  The career gave her pride in her community.  Her union is known as the “Cowboys in the Sky” because they built Cincinnati’s skyline.

And because of the historic investments we’re making, she’s going to be working 10 stories over the Ohio River, building a new billion-dollar bridge — literally building a bridge of — to American dreams.  That’s all of you. 

I spent my whole career believing in unions.  I’m honored to be considered the most pro-union president ever, and I make no apologies for that. 

I’m here to tell you that if you care about increasing the strength of unions, if you care about hardworking people who just want a fair shot, if you think about the dignity of work, look at the record of the Biden-Harris administration, we’re providing a woman can — we’re proving it. 

And I’ve raised this — I was raised from the time I can remember: A woman can do anything a man can do.  That’s how I was raised by my mom and by my family.  That includes being president of the United States of America.

And I’ve never been more optimistic about America’s future.  We just have to remember who we are.  We’re the United States of America, damn it.  There’s nothing beyond our capacity when we work together, and we’re working together. 

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

I’m sorry to go so fast, but you got to get out there and let them see who you are.  Thank you. 

11:53 A.M. EDT

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Dover Air Force Base
Dover, Delaware

2:38 P.M. EDT

Q    Mr. President, will you deploy more U.S. troops to the Middle East?

THE PRESIDENT:  No.

Q    Mr. President, has Netanyahu gone too far?

Q    Any comment on the strikes in Yemen, Mr. President?

THE PRESIDENT:  Spoke with both sides at the outset of the strike.  We support the collective bargaining effort.  I think they’ll settle the strike.

Q    Are you going to talk to Netanyahu?  Are you going to talk to Prime Minister Netanyahu?  Do you have any- — anything to say to him?

THE PRESIDENT:  Yes.  I will be talking to him, and I’ll tell you what I say to him when I talk to him.

Q    Yes, sir.

Q    Do you have any words for the victims of the hurricane?

THE PRESIDENT:  Yes, it’s tragic.  As a matter of fact, they’re trying to get the exact number.  My FEMA adviser is on the ground in Florida right now.  There’s a distinction between the numbers that FEMA has used and the ones used by — by the locals.

So, it’s — it really is amazing.  You saw the photographs.  It’s stunning.

Q    So many —

THE PRESIDENT:  But — but it really is.

Q    So  many — so — such a wide area.

THE PRESIDENT:  And we — we gave — are giving them all the — all — everything we have.  Were on the ground ahead of time.  So, we’re working hard.

Q    Are there any more resources the federal government could be giving them?

THE PRESIDENT:  No.  We’ve given them — we have preplanned a significant amount of it, even though they didn’t ask for it yet — had — hadn’t asked for it yet.

Q    Mr. President, will you intervene in the dockworkers strike if they go on strike on Tuesday?

THE PRESIDENT:  No.

Q    Why not?

THE PRESIDENT:  Because there’s collective bargaining, and I don’t believe in Taft-Hartley.

Q    Can all-out — can an all-out war in the Middle East be avoided?

THE PRESIDENT:  It has to be.  We — we really have to avoid it.

We’ve already taken precautions relative to our embassies and personnel who want to leave, and — but we’re not there yet, but we’re working like hell with the French and many others to (inaudible).

Thank you.

Q    Thank you, sir.

2:41 P.M. EDT

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JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE
Los Angeles, California

4:37 P.M. PDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, L.A.  (Applause.)  Oh, it’s good to be home.  (Laughs.)  Thank you all.  Oh, my goodness.  Thank you all.  (Applause.)

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

Okay, come on.  We have work to do.  We have work to do.

Please have a seat.  We have — we have work to do.  Thirty-seven days.  (Applause.)

Thank you, everyone.  Oh, it’s good to be with so many friends, and I’ve known so many of you my whole career. 

I — I mean, I look around this room, and there are people who have been with me on this journey every step of the way, and I’m so thankful to all of you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Truly.

And you who have been providing so much encouragement, I just — I thank you so very much. 

And I especially want to thank the members of Congress who are here, including Senator Alex Padilla — (applause), Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar.  (Applause.)  And all the state and local leaders who are here today, I thank you all so much.  (Applause.)  

All right, so let’s get to business.  Let’s get to business. 

Okay, let’s start by level setting.  Okay, let’s level set.  Thirty-seven days.  (Applause.)  Thirty-seven days. 

And I know who’s here, and so many of us have been involved every four years.  And every four years we say, “This is the one.”  This here is the one.  (Applause.)  This is the one.  This is the one. 

This is probably the most important election in our lifetime and probably one of the most important in the life of our country.  And you have all heard me say it many times before: Look, this election is — and I think is increasingly becoming clear, this election is about two very different visions for our nation.  And we see that contrast every day on the campaign trail.  Just consider the last two weeks. 

In the last two weeks I was in Georgia to highlight the dangerous consequences of Trump abortion bans.  In fact, some of them were highlighted during an event that I did with Oprah Winfrey.  You may have heard the stories — (applause) — but tragic, tragic, tragic stories: a mother talking about her daughter who, because of the ban in Georgia, she ended up dying.  Right?  Tragic stories.

In the last couple of weeks — well, actually, many times I’ve been to Pennsylvania, most recently in Pittsburgh to lay out my vision for our economy.  And then, just a couple days ago, I was in Arizona to present my plan for what we need to do to strengthen our border. 

Meanwhile, Donald Trump —

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thirty-seven days.  (Laughter and applause.)

But from him, we’ve seen the same old show.  We just see the same old, tired show from the same old, tired playbook that we have heard for years with no plan on how he would address the needs of the American people. 

And that is why I am convinced that — as I travel around our country and meet folks from every walk of life, I am convinced and they seem to be convinced that it is time to turn the page.  (Applause.)  It is time to turn the page on what we’ve been getting from that side.  And I think America is ready to chart a new way forward and ready for a new generation of leadership that is optimistic about what we can do together — (applause) — what we can do together.

And I think that’s why Democrats and Republicans and independents are supporting our campaign, because they want a president who works for all the American people.  (Applause.)

And you all know me.  My entire career has been about fighting for the people.  (Applause.)  When I was a young prosecutor in Oakland, as a — as courtroom lawyer, as the elected district attorney of San Francisco, I stood up for women and children against predators who abused them.  As attorney general of California for two terms, I defended communities that were being poisoned by polluters and Big Oil.  I stood up for veterans and students being scammed by for-profit colleges — (applause) — for workers who were being cheated out of the wages they were due, for seniors who were facing elder abuse.

And many of you were actually with me and — and supported me in those fights.  And together, then, we have always stood for what we understand to be important about dignity, about fairness, about equality, about doing the right thing.  And together again, then, we stand fighting for our future.

And as Americans planned for that future, one of the biggest issues — you hear it on the evening news — one of the biggest priorities, frankly, is about our economy. 

And so, we will build together what I call and have named an “opportunity economy.”  (Applause.)  We will do so as a new generation of leadership.  With a sense of optimism, we will tap into the ambition and the aspirations and the dreams of the American people.  (Applause.)  An opportunity economy where everyone can compete and has a real chance to succeed; where middle-class families have security and stability; and all Americans, regardless of who they are, where they start, can build wealth for themselves and their children. 

I will bring together labor, small businesses, founders, and innovators and major companies — (applause) — because, as I said in Pittsburgh last week, I am, yes, both a devout public servant and I am a capitalist.  (Applause.)  I believe an active partnership between government and the private sector is one of the most effective ways to fully unlock economic opportunity.  (Applause.)

I also believe that unions help build the middle class and that — (applause) — every worker should have the right to join a union. 

I believe that to build a strong economy, we must also engage those who create most of the jobs in America. 

I have also pledged that building a strong middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency — (applause) — because we know that when America’s middle class is strong, America is strong.  (Applause.)

And to support the middle class, one of the first things we must do is lower costs.  Under my plan, more than 100 million Americans will get a middle-class tax break, including $6,000 for new parents during the first year of a child’s life — (applause) — because the vast majority of parents have a natural desire to parent their children well.  They want for everything for their children but don’t always necessarily have the resources to achieve that goal.  And I was raised to believe that the children of the community are the children of the community, and we have a collective responsibility to support everything we can to ensure they are nurtured and well taken care of.  (Applause.)

And we will also go after the biggest drivers of costs for the middle class, including housing, grocery prices, and prescription drugs, and we will work to bring those costs down.  (Applause.)

To build an opportunity economy, we need to invest in American innovation and entrepreneurship, including by making it easier to start a new business.  (Applause.)  So, as president, I will make the start-up deduction 10 times richer and raise it from $5,000 to $50,000.  (Applause.)  Because here’s the deal.  In 2024, there is nary a small business who can actually get started on only $5,000. 

And if we’re going to talk about building the next generation of leadership, we’ve got to be current about the problems that people are facing and deal with them. 

We also must increase, and I will continue to work on increasing, access to capital for small businesses that want to expand.  (Applause.) 

And as a proud daughter of California — (applause) — I know the power of American innovation.  And so, as president, I will ensure that we lead the world in the industries of the future and that America wins the competition for the 21st century.

Included in that, we will invest in biomanufacturing and aerospace, expand clean energy innovation and manufacturing, and invest in the factory towns and workers who built our country and have long been overlooked.  (Applause.) 

And we must make sure that good-paying jobs are available to all Americans, not just those with college degrees.  (Applause.)  And let us recognize the value of additional paths such as apprenticeships and technical programs.  (Applause.) 

And so, it is my pledge: As president, I will eliminate degree requirements for half a million federal jobs — (applause) — because I understand that requiring a certain degree, a college degree, does not necessarily speak to a job candidate’s skill and experience.  (Applause.)  And we must honor and actually value the skill of the job and the skill required to do the job.  And so, when we are doing that — and I do that with federal jobs — I’m going to look at all of you in the private sector and say, “I challenge you to make a similar commitment.”

And Donald Trump has a different plan.  (Laughter.)

You know, I’ve said this before, and you may have heard me say it, but in many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man, but the consequences of putting him back in the White House are extremely serious — extremely serious.  (Applause.)

Just look at Project 2025, which — I mean, google it if you have some time or don’t have anything else to do.  (Laughter.)  But I would urge you to know what’s in it, and I’ll talk a little bit about it. 

And, by the way, for those of you who are familiar with Project 2025, can you believe they put that thing in writing?  (Laughter.)  I mean, they put it in writing, they published it, they actually bound it, and star- — and handed it out.  (Laughter.)  But it’s detailed and it’s dangerous. 

Donald Trump intends to cut Social Security and Medicare.  He wants to impose what I call a “Trump sales tax,” because it — he’s — what he’s talking about is a 20 percent tax on everyday basic necessities, which will cost, as economists have measured — (sound system stops working) — there we go — (laughter and applause) — which will cost the average family nearly $4,000 a year.

The top economists in our country, many of them, have reviewed our plans and compared them.  Goldman Sachs says my plan would grow our economy and his plan would shrink it.  Sixteen Nobel Prize-winning economists say he would reignite inflation.  Moody’s assessed he would ignite a recession by the middle of next year. 

And on top of all of this, Donald Trump intends to end the Affordable Care Act. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Some of you may have seen the debate.  (Laughter and applause.)  Yeah.  So, I’m trying to get another one — trying to get another debate — trying, but — trying to get that other debate, but we’ll see.  (Laughter.) 

But — but you’ll remember: What he said at the debate was he has — on the Affordable Care Act, remember what he said?  He has “concepts of a plan.”  Concepts.  (Laughter.)  And, again, yes, we understandably laugh at that, but think about the seriousness of the consequence. 

So, basically, he’s going to threaten the health insurance of 45 million Americans based on a concept, which would mean taking us back to when insurance companies could deny people health coverage for preexisting conditions.  Remember what that was like?  Children with asthma.  Someone who survived breast cancer.  A — a grandparent with diabetes. 

So, look, as I say everywhere I go — and I am traveling our country — I say, and — and the crowds are pretty big.  (Applause.)  And — (laughs) — and so, so what I say and — and people repeat, everywhere I go: We are not —

AUDIENCE:  Not going back!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — going back.

We are not going back, because ours is truly a fight for the future.

And it is a fight for freedom, like the freedom to vote, the freedom to be safe from gun violence — (applause) — the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride — (applause) — and the freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body and not have her government tell her what to do.  (Applause.)  So much is at stake.

And to all the leaders who are here, help me to remind folks — many remember, but it’s important for everyone to know — how we got here.

On that point, Donald Trump hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court — the Court of Thurgood and RBG — selected them to overturn the protections of Roe v. Wade, and they did as he intended. 

And now, in more than 20 states in our country, there are Trump abortion bans, many with no exceptions even for rape or incest, which means that they’re basically telling a survivor of a crime of a violation to their body that they have no right to make a decision about what happens to their body next.  That is immoral.  It’s immoral.  (Applause.)

But that being one of the many examples of why elections matter.  Elections matter.  (Applause.)

And I’m going to tell you, when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom — (applause) — as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law — (applause) — will proudly sign it into law.

So, so much is on the line in this election.  So much is on the line.  And this is not 2016 or 2020.  It’s different for many reasons, but a very important reason among them is what the Supreme Court did just a few months ago.  The Supreme Court basically told the former president that he is effectively immune no matter what he does in the White House. 

Now let’s put this in context.  This is a man who has openly vowed to be a dictator on day one; who has talked about — even recently — how he would weaponize the Department of Justice against his political enemies; and has called for, quote, the “termination” of the Constitution of the United States.  Just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  He’s a felon!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Well, the courts are going to take care of that piece.  (Laughter and applause.) 

We’ll take care of November.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)  We’ll take care of November. 

But all of this is to say that we are here together because we know the stakes.  And we are here together because we love our country.  We love our country.  (Applause.)  And I do believe it is one of the highest forms of patriotism to fight for the ideals of our country — (applause) — and to fight to realize the promise of America — the promise of America. 

So, the election is in 37 days, and early voting and vote by mail has already started in some states, including Michigan, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.  (Applause.)  So — so the election is pretty much here. 

And let me be clear, we are going to win. (Applause.)   We

are going to win.  We are going to win.  (Applause.)  Yes, we will.  Yes, we will.  Yes, we will.

And — and we also have our work cut out for us, okay?  This race is as close as it could be.  This race is as close as it could be.  And we are the underdog, friends.  We are the underdog, and I’m running like the underdog.  We are the underdog.

And our campaign, with all of your help and support, is doing the work we need to do on the airwaves, on voter education.  I know many people here have been do- — phone banking — (applause) — and thank you.  And — and we’re doing this work together in every county of every battleground state.

And here’s what we’re finding: The more people hear about our plans, the more they rally around our campaign. 

So, we, I know, are here together because we are all prepared to leave it all on the field.  And your support is absolutely critical to the work we have in front of us. 

The leaders in this room have done so much already, and I’m going to ask you for a little more.  (Laughter.)  Here’s what I’m going to ask you: You are each — you are all part of very large networks — I know who’s here — and you’re trusted and you are opinion leaders.  Well, I didn’t mean the television networks, but, yeah, that too I guess.  (Laughs.)  But networks of — of organizations and folks. 

And so, I ask you this, in addition to everything you’ve done: Please do activate your networks and tell your friends and your neighbors about what is at stake.  Let them know why you support this campaign, why you have taken so much time out of your busy lives to be here.  And let them know that we need their help in the next 37 days.  Let them know. 

And for you, join our team in battleground states and help folks register folks to vote and get them out to the polls.  Let’s sign up and sign folks up to make more phone calls.  And let’s remind them that this is a fight for our freedom and our future. 

And I’ve been sharing with some friends, also, here’s how I think about our campaign: We know the stakes.  We’re prepared to work hard.  And our highest imperative, which we will achieve, is to win.  And let’s think about our campaign in the next 37 days also in the context of the power that we have to build community and to build coalitions. 

You know, there’s been so much about these last several years and — yes, and it’s why people want to turn the page, but these forces that have been trying to divide us and have people point fingers at each other — you know, these forces that would — they’re so wrongheaded and suggest that the measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you beat down instead of what we know: The real measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you lift up.  (Applause.)

So, let’s continue to do what we know is also about strengthening our country, our neighborhoods, our communities every step of the way over these next many days. 

And — and let’s remember, we — we stand on the shoulders of folks who, for generations, have fought for freedom and fought for our rights and liberties.  (Applause.)  And — and now the baton is in our hands.  Now the baton is in our hands. 

So, I’ll close by saying what I say at every rally, which is this: We know what we stand for, and that’s why we know what to fight for.  And when we fight —

AUDIENCE:  We win!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — we win.  We win.  (Applause.)

God bless you.  God bless the United States of America.  (Applause.)

Thank you all.  (Applause.)

END                 5:04 P.M. PDT

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World Market Center
Las Vegas, Nevada

7:51 P.M. PDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Hey, Las Vegas.  (Applause.)

Good evening, Nevada.  (Applause.)  Good evening.  Good evening.  Good evening.  (Applause.)  (Inaudible.)

Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

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

And can we please hear it for Captain Quintero?  (Applause.)

Oh, thank you all.  Thank you, everyone.  Oh, it is so wonderful to be back in Nevada.  Thank you all.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

And happy Hispanic Heritage Month to everyone.  (Applause.)

Thank you.  Thank you all.  It’s good to be back, and I want to thank everyone for all that you do. 

I know we have some extraordinary elected leaders here, and I want to thank them for their incredible work and friendship.  It is good to be with all the leaders who are here, including Representative Susie Lee, who is here — (applause); Steven Horsford — (applause); Dina Titus — (applause); the great General Ford — (applause); Senator Catherine Cortez Masto — (applause); Senator Jacky Rosen, who we’re going to send back to the United States Senate.  (Applause.)

Thank you, everyone, and all the local leaders here.  There are so many leaders here.  It is good to be back with you.  (Applause.)

Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

And wait a minute.  We also tonight have here some of the Vegas Raiders, who won their game tonight. (Applause.)  Thank you.  Congratulations.  Oh, congratulations.  You came right from the game.  Congratulations.

Give them an applause, right?  (Applause.)  Well done.  Well done.  Well done.

So, in all seriousness, everyone, before I begin, I want to say a few words about Hurricane Helene.  And please have a seat if you’re able. 

I want to talk about Hurricane Helene for a moment, and I know that everyone here sends their thoughts and prayers for the folks who have been so devastated by that hurricane and the ensuing events in Florida, in Georgia, the Carolinas, and other impacted states.  And we know that so many have been impacted; some have died.

But I want to thank everyone for doing everything you can to think about them.  Send them your thoughts.  Send them your prayers. 

I want to thank the first responders who have done so much.  (Applause.) 

And we will stand with these communities for as long as it takes to make sure that they are able to recover and rebuild. 

Earlier today, I received an operational briefing from FEMA Director Criswell.  More than 3,300 federal personnel have been mobilized.  We are deploying food, water, and generators and working to restore water and power.  (Applause.)

And the president and I have told state and local leaders we will provide whatever help they need in the days and weeks ahead. 

And so, I thank you all for sending your best wishes to everyone there.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

So, Las Vegas, we have 37 days until the election.  (Applause.)  Thirty-seven days.  And we know this will be a tight race until the very end. 

And let’s level set.  We are the underdog.  We are the underdog, and we have some hard work ahead. 

But here’s the thing.  We like hard work.  Hard work is good work.  Hard work is good work.  (Applause.)

And with your help, we will win in November.  (Applause.)  Yes, we will.  Yes, we will.  Yes, we will. 

AUDIENCE:  We will win!  We will win!  We will win!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We will win.

AUDIENCE:  We will win!  We will win!  We will win!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We will win.

AUDIENCE:  We will win!  We will win!  We will win!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We will win.

And here’s why — and here’s why — and here’s why: Because we here know that this election is about two very different visions for our nation.  And the contrast, I think, was quite clear in our debate.

Did you all see the debate?  (Applause.)  You saw — you saw the debate.  You saw the debate.  Yeah, yeah.

And in two days, I know we will cheer on Coach Walz when he debates J.D. Vance.  (Applause.)  Yeah. 

But listen, also, their debate should not be the last word.  I’m trying to debate Donald Trump again and — (applause) — I think he should debate again.  The American people have a right to hear us discuss the issues.  And as you say here in Las Vegas, I’m all in.  I’m all in — (applause) — even if my opponent is ready to fold, so there you go.

But you will remember, in our first debate, I talked about issues like bringing down the cost of living, investing in small businesses, protecting reproductive freedom — (applause) — and keeping our nation secure.  (Applause.)

But from Donald Trump, well, it was the same old, tired playbook — same old, tired playbook — with no plan on how he would address the needs of the American people. 

Well, folks, it’s time to turn the page.  (Applause.)  It’s time to turn the page. 

America is ready to chart a new way forward — (applause) — ready for a new and optimistic generation of leadership — (applause) — which is why Democrats, Republicans, and independents are supporting our campaign, because we know we need a president who works for all the American people.  (Applause.)

Enough of the division.  Enough of the hate.  We are all in this together.  (Applause.) 

And you all know, for my entire career, I’ve only had one client: the people.  The people.  (Applause.) 

From being a young courtroom prosecutor in Oakland, I stood up for women and children against predators.  (Applause.)  As attorney general of California, I took on the big banks — (applause) — and delivered $20 billion for middle-class families who faced foreclosure.  (Applause.)  I stood up for veterans and students being scammed by for-profit colleges — (applause) — for workers who were being cheated out of their wages.  (Applause.)

And I pledge to you, as president, I will fight for all Americans.  And together, we will build a brighter future for our nation.  (Applause.)

We will build a future that includes thinking about our economy in a way that it is about lifting everyone up.  We will build what I call an “opportunity economy” so that every American has an opportunity to own a home, to build wealth, to start a business.  (Applause.)

And let me tell you, I love our small businesses, of which I’ve met so many right here in Vegas.  (Applause.)

You know, growing up, our mother worked very long hours, and so, my sister Maya and I would go over two doors down to Ms. Shelton’s house.  She — we called her our second mother.  And Ms. Shelton was a small-business owner.  So, I know, since I was a young child, who our small businesses are, who our small-business owners are. 

Small businesses are the backbone of America’s economy.  (Applause.)  I know that.  I know that.  And Latina small-business owners are the fastest growing segment of our economy.  (Applause.)

 So, my plan is about tapping into that ambition, those aspirations, those dreams, those incredible ideas, that strong work ethic that people have, also understanding not everybody gets handed $4 million on a silver platter and files for bankruptcy six times. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, my plan is about saying we’ve got to help entrepreneurs, startups out, and I will give a $50,000 tax deduction to help entrepreneurs start their small businesses.  (Applause.)  Because right now, that tax deduction is $5,000.  Can’t nobody start a small business in 2024.  So, we’re going — we are going to make it something what — where it is doable to lift folks up. 

We also need to build more housing in America.  (Applause.)  My mother saved up for years, until I was a teenager, when she was able to buy our first home.  And right now, a serious housing shortage is part of what is driving up cost.  So, we will cut the red tape and work with the private sector to build 3 million new homes — (applause) — and provide first-time home buyers with $25,000 down-payment assistance — (applause) — so you can just get your foot in the door.  You’ll do the rest.

 And we must lower the cost of living, because while our economy is doing well by many measures, prices for everyday things like groceries are still too high.  You know it, and I know it. 

So, I have a plan that includes lowering costs on everything from health care to groceries, including I will take on the corporate price gouging that we know — (applause) — has resulted in jacking prices up, often around tragedies and emergencies. 

 We will give a tax cut to 100 million more Americans, including $6,000 during the first year of a child’s life — (applause) — knowing that the vast majority of our young parents have a natural desire to parent their children well but not always the resources to do it.  And that $6,000 in extending and expanding the Child Tax Credit will help buying a crib, buying a car seat, doing the things that are so critical in that first phase of life.

 I will also make sure good-paying jobs are available to all Americans, not only those with college degrees.  (Applause.)  Because we need to recognize the value of additional paths, such as apprenticeships and technical programs.  (Applause.)  And so, as president, part of how I’m going to push this forward is I will get rid of unnecessary degree requirements for federal jobs — (applause) — understanding that having a college degree is not the only measure of the skills and experience of a worker.  (Applause.)  And when we do that with the federal workforce, I’m coming to ask the private sector — challenge you to do the same.  (Applause.)

So, all of this is to say I will always put the middle class and working families first.  I come from the middle class, and I will never forget where I come from.  (Applause.)  Never.
    
Now, Donald Trump has a different plan.

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.  Just google “Project 2025.”

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Which, I have to say, I still can’t believe they put that thing in writing.  (Laughter.)  They printed it up.  They bound it.  They handed it out.  Just google it.  It is a detailed and dangerous blueprint for what he would do if he were elected again as president. 

Donald Trump will give billionaires and corporations massive tax cuts again —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — cut Social Security and Medicare —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — and impose what I call a “Trump sales tax,” which would be a 20 percent tax on everyday basic necessities —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — which economists have measured would cost the average family nearly 4,000 more dollars a year in everyday expenses. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And on top of all this, Donald Trump intends to end the Affordable Care Act.

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And he has no plan to replace it.

He has, quote, “concepts of a plan.”  (Applause.)  “Concepts.”

So, here’s the thing, though.  We can laugh about many things, but the consequences of this are quite serious — quite serious.  Because think about it: He’s going to threaten health coverage and health insurance for 45 million people in our country based on a concept and take us back to when insurance companies could deny people with preexisting conditions.  You remember what that was like?

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Well, we are not going back.  (Applause.)  We are not going back.

AUDIENCE:  We’re not going back!  We’re not going back!  We’re not going back!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We’re not going back.  We — we will move forward and — (applause) — and we will take on the biggest issues facing our nation. 

We have talked about the economy.  We have talked about what we can do in terms of investing in the ambition, the aspirations of our country.  We will take on the issue of immigration.  We will take on a number of issues.

On the subject of immigration, we must have comprehensive immigration reform — (applause) — with strong border security and an earned pathway to citizenship — (applause) — including for hardworking immigrants who have been here for years, including our DREAMers — (applause) — including our DREAMers. 

And I was attorney general of a border state.  I prosecuted transnational criminal organizations who traffic in guns, drugs, and human beings.  And as president, I will double the resources for the Department of Justice to go after those transnational cartels — (applause) — and take action to stop the flow of fentanyl coming into our country, which is destroying entire communities.  (Applause.)

These are serious problems, and we know Donald Trump won’t solve them. 

When he was president, he did nothing to fix our immigration system.  (Applause.)  And earlier this year, we had a chance to pass the toughest bipartisan border security bill in decades, and Donald Trump tanked the bill because he thought that that bill, if passed, would have hurt him, and he’d prefer to run on a problem instead of fixing a problem.  That’s not the kind of president we want.

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  As president, he cruelly separated families and plans to do it again. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And he continues to fan the flames of fear and division. 

Look, we need a president who cares more about solving problems than playing political games and demeaning people full

time.  (Applause.)  We’re tired of that.  We’re — we’re done with that.

 So, Nevada, ours is a fight for the future and it is a fight for freedom — (applause) — like the fundamental freedom of a woman to be able to make decisions about her own body and not have her government tell her what to do.  (Applause.)

And we remember how we got here.  Donald Trump hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court — the court of Thurgood and RBG —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — so that they would do as they did and overturn the protections of Roe v. Wade.  And now one in three women in America lives in a state with a Trump abortion ban —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — many with no exceptions, even for rape and incest.  It is immoral.  Immoral. 

And let us agree, one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government shouldn’t be telling her what to do.  (Applause.)  If she chooses, she will talk with her priest, her pastor, her rabbi, her imam, but not the government telling her what to do with her body.  (Applause.)  Come on.

 And with Jacky Rosen back in the United States Senate — (applause) — when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom, as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law.  (Applause.)  Proudly sign it into law.

 And, Nevada, you know I’m traveling all over our country.  Across our nation, we are witnessing a full-on assault on other hard-fought, hard-won freedoms and rights, like the freedom to vote, the freedom to join a union, the freedom to breathe clean air and drink clean water, the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride — (applause) — and the freedom to be safe from gun violence — (applause) — which after 1 October  Nevada proved that smart gun safety laws are just common sense.  (Applause.)

So, look, generations before us, generations of America led the fight for freedom, and the baton — well, it’s now in our hands.  It’s now in our hands.  (Applause.) 

 And it all comes down to this.  We are here together.  You came out on a Sunday evening.  We are here together because we know what is at stake, and we are here together because we love our country.  We love our country.  We love our country.  (Applause.)

     AUDIENCE:  USA!  USA!  USA!

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  That’s right.  That’s right.

     AUDIENCE:  USA!  USA!  USA!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And I do believe — I do believe that one of the highest forms of patriotism that we could show is to then fight for the ideals of our country.  That’s what this is about.  It is a fight to realize the promise of America.  (Applause.)

 And I know the people of Nevada; you are Battle Born.  You are Battle Born.  (Applause.)  Yes, you are.  And we are all ready for the work ahead.  Thirty-seven days.  (Applause.)  Thirty-seven days.

And here in Nevada, every voter will receive a ballot in the mail, and in-person early voting starts October 19th.  (Applause.) 

So, now is the time to make your plan for how you are going to vote.  Okay?  And I’d ask you to start making your plan now for how you are going to vote.  And if you choose to vote by mail, do not wait.  Fill out your battl- — ballot, sign it, and send it back right away.  (Applause.)  Okay?  And tell your neighbors.

Because, folks, the election is here — (applause) — and we need to energize and organize and mobilize.  And remember, your vote is your voice.  Your voice is your power.  Don’t ever let anybody take your power from you.  Never.  (Applause.)  Never.  Don’t let anybody silence you ever. 

 So, Las Vegas, today, I ask you, are you ready to make your voices heard?  (Applause.)

     Do we believe in freedom?  (Applause.)

     Do we believe in opportunity?  (Applause.)

     Do we believe in the promise of America?  (Applause.)

     And are we ready to fight for it?  (Applause.)

     And when we fight —

     AUDIENCE:  We win!

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — we win.

 God bless you.  And God bless the United States of America.  God bless you.  (Applause.)

                             END               8:18 P.M. PDT

The post Remarks by Vice President Harris at a Campaign Event | Las Vegas, NV appeared first on The White House.

Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
San Francisco, California

3:16 P.M. PDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon!  (Applause.)  Oh, good afternoon, everyone.  Good afternoon.  (Applause.)

Oh, it’s good to be home!  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)  Oh, it’s good to be home. 

Thank you all.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

Okay.  Come on.  We have work to do.  Everybody, sit down.  (Laughs.)

     Oh, my goodness.  Oh, it really is good to be home and to see so many friends.  My goodness.  I have known, I mean, most of the people here my entire career.  You all are such a big part of my journey, every step of the way.  (Applause.)  Oh, goodness.   Thank you.  And always providing encouragement and support.  I thank you all so very much.

And I especially want to thank our current and future member of Congress, Lateefah Simon — (applause) — where is she? — who is going to follow in the great footsteps of an extraordinary national and international leader, our own Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi.  (Applause.)  There she is. 

And to all the incredible state and local leaders who are here today, all the leaders who are here, I thank you so, so very much.  It is truly good to be home. 

So, all right, we know how to get to work, so let us level set: 38 days.  (Applause.)  Thirty-eight days.  And a lot of us have been doing this for a while.  And every four years we say, “This is the one.”  Well, this here is the one.  (Applause.)  This is the one.

This is probably the most important election of our lifetime and one of the most important elections in the lifetime of our nation.  (Applause.)

And as many of you have heard me say, in this cycle, I do believe that this election is about two very different visions for our nation, and we see that contrast every day on the campaign trail. 

Consider, for example, the last two weeks.  I’ve been to Georgia in the last — I’ve been many, many times, but in the last two weeks to highlight the dangerous consequences of Trump abortion bans.  And some of you may have heard the most recent stories coming out of Georgia.

I recently did an event with Oprah Winfrey where a — a mother talked about the death of her daughter because of the abortion ban in Georgia.

I traveled to Pennsylvania to lay out my vision for our economy and talk about what I know that we here in California understand to be so much opportunity and we have so much optimism about what we have yet to do, and that being the thing that fuels us in terms of knowing how we can strengthen our economy. 

I was recently in Arizona — just yesterday, actually — (laughter) — long days — (laughs) — (applause) — long days — to present my plan for how we strengthen the border.

Meanwhile, from Donald Trump, it’s been the same old, tired show, the same tired playbook we have heard for years with no plan for how he would address the needs of the American people.  And that is why I am convinced — and the people I meet across America, I do believe, are convinced — that it is time to turn the page.  It is time to turn the page.  (Applause.)

America is ready to chart a new way forward.  America is ready for a new generation of leadership that is optimistic about what we can do together.  And I do believe that is why Democrats and Republicans and independents are supporting our campaign, because they want a president who works for all the American people.  (Applause.)

And I have had the blessing and good fortune to work with a lot of people who are here.  And you know me; we have worked together for years.  My entire career, I have fought for the people, whether it was at the beginning of my career as a courtroom prosecutor in Oakland and then elected district attorney of San Francisco — (applause) — where I stood up for women and children against predators who abused them. 

As attorney general of California, I defended communities that were being poisoned by polluters and Big Oil.  I stood up for veterans and students being scammed by big for-profit colleges, for workers who were being cheated out of the wages they were due, for seniors who have faced elder abuse. 

Many of you were with me during those fights.  And so, together, we stand again in a fight for our future.  And we fight for a future where, for example, we can build what I call an “opportunity economy” — (applause) — where everyone can compete and has a real chance to succeed; where middle-class families have security and stability, and all Americans, regardless of who they are or where they start, can build wealth for themselves and their children. 

To build that opportunity economy, I will bring together labor with small businesses and founders and innovators and major companies, because, as I said this week in Pittsburgh, I am both a devout public servant and a capitalist.

I believe — (applause) — and I believe unions helped build the middle class and that every worker should have a right to join a union.  (Applause.)

I believe in active partnership between government and the private sector, and that it is one of the most effective ways to fully unlock economic opportunity. 

And I believe that to build a strong economy, we must engage those who create most of the jobs in America. 

I have also pledged that building a strong middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency — (applause) — because we here know that when the middle class of America is strong, America is strong.  (Applause.) 

And to support the middle class, the first thing we must do is lower costs.  Under my plan, more than 100 million Americans will get a middle-class tax break, which includes a $6,000 tax credit — a child tax credit for new parents during the first year of a child’s life to help them buy a crib or a car seat during that most fundamental period of their child’s development — (applause) — because we know the vast majority of parents have a desire to parent their children well but not always the resources to do it. 

And I know the folks here who also understand that our approach is always going to be that the children of the community are the children of the community.  (Applause.)

We will go after the biggest drivers of costs for the middle class, including housing, grocery prices, and prescription drugs to bring those costs down.  (Applause.) 

And to build an opportunity economy, we need to invest in American innovation and entrepreneurship, including by making it easier to start a new business.  (Applause.)  And we have a whole lot of folks who are start-ups, who are small businesses who are here who understand exactly what I’m talking about and why it is important.  (Applause.)

So, part of my plan is, as president, I will make the startup deduction 10 times richer and raise it from $5,000 to $50,000.  (Applause.)  Because what we all know is, in 2024, it is nearly impossible that anyone would be able to start up a small business with just a $5,000 tax deduction. 

My intention is to increase access to capital for small businesses that want to expand, understanding that when they have access to the resources that can feed their natural ambition, their hard-work ethic, their — their desire and dream to actually create, innovate, and strengthen their community, we should give them that access, understanding not everybody was handed $400 million on a silver platter and then filed for bankruptcy six times.  (Applause.)

And as a proud daughter of California, I know the power — (applause) — I know the power of American innovation.  And as president, I will ensure that we lead the world, then, in every way, including in the industries of the future, and that America wins the competition for the 21st century. 

And so, we will be intentional about investing in biomanufacturing and aerospace; remain dominant in AI, quantum computing, blockchain, digital assets, and other emerging technologies; expand clean energy innovation and manufacturing — (applause); and invest — and invest in factory towns and workers — workers who help build our country and deserve to be seen — (applause) — and deserve the resources to build the next generation of our economy.

And let’s make sure that this work, then, is about not only investing in what we can do to build but investing in workers.  That is a big part of how I think about all this. 

And so — (applause) — I say these things to give you a few examples of a very different perspective that we bring to what we can do building the future of America and my opponent. 

Because you see, and I think everyone here knows, Donald Trump has a very different plan.  And in many ways, he is an unserious man.  He is.  (Applause.)  He is an unserious man.  However, the consequences of putting him back in the White House are extremely serious — extremely serious.  (Applause.)

Look, for example, at Project 2025.

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  By the way, Nancy, sometimes I think about this: I can’t believe they put that thing in writing.  (Laughter.)  I mean, they not only put it in writing, they published it.  They bound it, published it, and passed it out.  (Laughter.)  Google it.  (Laughter.)  Because what you’re going to find is that there’s a whole agenda that my opponent, the former president, has.

He intends to cut Social Security and Medicare.  Now understand what that means.  Understand how many seniors in our country have as their only income their Social Security benefits.  Understand what that would mean — Medicare, what that does to give people dignity in terms of making the prescription medication a doctor has required they take to alleviate their pain, to make that affordable.

And he wants to impose what I call a “Trump sales tax,” a 20 percent tax on everyday basic necessities, which economists have analyzed and have determined it will cost the average family nearly $4,000 more per year. 

And top economists have reviewed both of our plans and compared them.  Goldman Sachs says my plan would grow our economy and his plan would shrink it.  Sixteen Nobel Prize-winning economists say he would reignite inflation.  And Moody’s has assessed he would ignite a recession by the middle of next year. 

And on top of all of this, Donald Trump intends to end the Affordable Care Act. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —
    
THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And some of you may have watched the debate.  And so — (applause) — I’m trying to get another one, by the way.  I’m trying to get another debate.  I really am.  (Laughs.)  Trying.

But on the issue of the Affordable Care Act — back to the — the consequences that are at stake.  At the debate, he said — about getting — trying to get rid of the Affordable Care Act, he said — well, he has “concepts of a plan” to replace it.

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  “Concepts.”  “Concepts of a plan.” 

So, again, the serious nature of this is as follows: He’s going to threaten the health insurance of 45 million people in our country based on a concept — based on a concept — which would take us back to a time when insurance companies could deny people with preexisting conditions.  You remember what that was like for so many people?  A child with asthma.  A survivor of breast cancer.  A grandparent with diabetes.  The consequences are brutally serious. 

And as I say, then, everywhere I go — and I’m traveling our country — as I say everywhere, and often the rallies, which are quite a nice size — (laughter and applause) — what I say and they repeat back is “We are not going back.”  (Applause.) 
We are not going back.  We are not going back. 

Because truly, ours is a fight for the future, and it is a fight for freedom, like the freedom to vote, the freedom to be safe from gun violence — (applause) — the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride — (applause) — and the freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body and not have her government tell her what to do.  (Applause.)

And on that point, let’s remind folks of how we got here.  Donald Trump hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention that they would undo the protections of Roe v. Wade, and they did as he intended.  And now, in more than 20 states in our country, there are Trump abortion bans. 

One in three women lives in a state with a — a Trump abortion ban, many with no exceptions even for rape and incest, which is immoral to tell a survivor — (applause) — of a crime, a — a violation of her body that she has no right to decide what happens to her body next.  It’s immoral. 

 So, all of that to say, elections matter.  Elections matter.  (Applause.)  And when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law.  (Applause.)  I will proudly sign it into law.  Proudly.

Thirty-eight days.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)  Thirty-eight days. 

So — so, what we know, which is why we’re all here together, is so much is on the line in this election.  And let us also remember this is not 2016 and it is not 2020 for many reasons, including because a few months ago, the United States Supreme Court basically told the former president that he is and would be effectively immune from anything he did in the White House. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  But think about what this is.  Think — but think about — think about this. 

So, whereas before, at least, there was some threat of accountability and consequence, and now there is essentially an explicit — explicit — direction that there will be no consequence. 

Let’s put this in context.  This is a man who has vowed he would be a dictator on day one.  He said he would weaponize the Department of Justice against his political enemies.  He has called for, I quote, “the termination of the Constitution of the United States.”  Just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails. 

All of this is at stake, and that is why we are here together.  And we are here together because we love our country.  We love our country.  We love our country.  (Applause.)  And I do believe — I believe it is the highest form of patriotism to fight, then, for the ideals of our country and fight to realize the promise of America.  And that’s what this is about. 

Election Day is in 38 days.  And early voting and vote by mail have already started in some states, including Michigan, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.  So, the election is kind of here.  Okay?  And I’ll share with the friends some notes from the field. 

This race is as close as it could possibly be.  Okay?  This race is as close as it could possibly be.  This is a margin-of-error race.  I know there is a lot of enthusiasm, and we see what is possible.  This is a margin-of-error race.  And we are the underdog, and I am running like the underdog, because I do believe we are the underdog in this race.  Okay?  And our campaign is doing the work we need to do on the airwaves and voter education in — in every county of every battleground state.  And the more that people hear about our plans, the more they rally around our campaign. 

So, we are leaving it all on the field.  And your support and what you have done today and every day leading up and, I know, what you’re going to do over the next 38 days is absolutely critical to all we have achieved so far and all we will achieve. 

The leaders in this room have done so much already, and — (laughter) — I’m going to ask for a little bit more.  (Applause.)  Which is this — which is this — which is this: You are all part of — each one of you are part of large networks.  And I ask you, then, to activate those networks and tell your friends and your colleagues and your neighbors about what’s at stake.  Tell them why you took the time to be here today and what’s at stake for you. 

Reach out to people you know.  Talk to strangers at the grocery store.  It’s okay.  They’ll be fine.  They’ll like you.  (Laughter.)  

But I think that in these last many years, there’s something that’s been happening where people have been made to feel that they might be alone, and — and people are desperate for connections.  I was saying to some of the friends, in this campaign, our highest imperative is we must win.  There’s no question.  But what I really would like is, in the process of winning, that we be intentional about building community and building coalitions.  Let’s do that.  Let’s do that.  (Applause.)

Let’s remind people that in spite of these forces that are trying to divide us as a nation, in spite of these forces that would have us pointing fingers at each other, let’s remind people that the vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us.  That’s our power and that’s our strength.  (Applause.)

And so, that’s what I — I ask of you to do more.  And let them know also how close this race is and how they can make a difference.  And tell them we need their help also in the next 38 days.  And — and to everyone here, I just thank you so much. 

For anyone who wants, join our team in battleground states.  Help people in terms of what we’re doing to register folks to vote and getting them to the polls.  What you can do — even from home, anywhere you want, in your car, wherever — to — to make phone calls and sign folks up, that’s making a difference.  We’ve got a whole effort coming out of California where people are making calls to battleground states.  It’s really make a di- — making a difference. 
    
And please remind people, ultimately, that this fight is for our freedom and for our future.  And, you know, folks, generations before us have fought for all of this stuff, and the baton is now in our hands.  The baton is now in our hands.  (Applause.)
    
     And so, as I say at every rally, when we fight —

     AUDIENCE:  We win!

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — we win.  (Applause.)

God bless you.  And God bless the United States of America.  God bless you.  (Applause.)

     We will win!  We will win!  (Applause.)

                                 END                3:41 P.M. PDT

The post Remarks by Vice President Harris at a Political Event | San Francisco, CA appeared first on The White House.

Cochise College Douglas Campus
Douglas, Arizona

5:08 P.M. MST

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon.  Hi, everyone.  Hi.  Good afternoon.  (Applause.) 

Can we please applaud Theresa and her extraordinary courage?  Please, can we applaud her extraordinary courage?  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

Please have a seat, everyone.  Thank you.  It’s good to be back in Arizona.  (Applause.)  It is good to be back in Arizona. 

Thank you all.  Thank you so very much.  (Applause.)

AUDIENCE:  Kamala!  Kamala!  Kamala!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you. 
    
     AUDIENCE:  Kamala!  Kamala!  Kamala!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Thank you.  I appreciate — thank you so very much.

I — I just want to, for a moment, speak about Theresa.  We — we had some time together backstage.  And, you know, I think that in moments of crisis, such as the fentanyl crisis, there are people who, through their suffering and their pain, rise with courage in such a selfless way to be a voice for others with the anticipation and the hope and the hard work of hoping that their story will be the reason other people don’t have that story. 

And you sharing your story about Jacob and your advocacy on why we have to stop this scourge is so incredibly important.  And, again, I applaud Theresa, and I know we all do.  (Applause.)  And our need to stop this issue is one of the reasons that we are all here together today. 

I also want to thank the extraordinary elected officials who are here.

Senator Mark Kelly, who came with me.  (Applause.)   He had — and his extraordinary wife, Gabby Giffords, traveled with me from Washington, D.C. to be here.  And Senator Kelly has been talking with me for quite some time about the importance of this visit.  And so, I thank you in front of all of our friends for your work.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.

Attorney General Kris Mayes, who just tore up the floor up.  (Applause.)  She is, you know, one of — well, I’m going to talk a bit about it in a minute, but some of the work that — that I have done in my career as attorney general and watching her do the work that she has done as attorney general really does emphasize the importance of having the right leader at the right time in the right place, and that’s who she is.  (Applause.)

Mayor Huish, I thank you for the warm welcome.  We’ve spent some time together.  You’ve shared with me the needs of your community.  (Applause.)  And I thank you for your leadership as well.

And to all the elected and community leaders here today, thank you for taking the time out of your busy lives to be here this afternoon. 

Before I begin, I do want to say a few words about Hurricane Helene.  I spoke this morning with our FEMA Administrator Criswell, and President Biden and I, of course, will continue to monitor the situation closely. 

We have mobilized more than 1,500 federal personnel to support those communities that have been impacted.  We have food, water, and generators that are ready for deployment, and — (applause) — we are working to restore power for — for millions of people who currently are experiencing outages. 

And I just want to stress — and for the — the press that is here, to those who are watching — the storm continues to be dangerous and deadly, and lives have been lost, and the risk of flooding still remains high.  So, I continue to urge everyone to please continue to follow guidance from your local officials until we get past this moment.  So, thank you all.

And — and now I’ll speak about, in particular, the people who are here today and why we are gathered here together today. 

So, Arizona, I think you all know, and this is why you are here, there are consequential issues at stake in this election, and one is the security of our border. 

The United States is a sovereign nation, and I believe we have a duty to set rules at our border and to enforce them, and I take that responsibility very seriously. 

We are also a nation of immigrants.  The United States has been enriched by generations of people who have come from every corner of the world to contribute to our country and to become part of the American story, and so we must reform our immigration system to ensure that it works in an orderly way, that it is humane, and that it makes our country stronger.  (Applause.)

So, I’ve just come from visiting the border and the port of entry in Douglas.  I spoke with dedicated agents from Border Patrol and Customs officers who every day see the overflow of commercial traffic through the port.  These men and women who work there and at other places along our southern border help keep our nation secure, and they need more resources to do their jobs, which is why we have and are in the process of investing half a billion dollars to modernize and expand the port of entry here in Douglas — (applause) — and why last December I helped raise the rate of overtime pay for border agents — (applause) — and also why I strongly supported the comprehensive border security bill written last year — written last year, as you know, by a bipartisan group of senators, including one of the most conservative members of the United States Congress. 

That bill would have hired 1,500 more border agents and officers.  It would have paid for 100 inspection machines to detect fentanyl that is killing tens of thousands of Americans every year.  It would have allowed us to more quickly and effectively remove those who come here illegally.  And it would have increased the number of immigration judges and asylum officers. 

 It was the strongest border security bill we have seen in decades.  It was endorsed by the Border Patrol union, and it should be in effect today, producing results in real time right now for our country.  (Applause.)

But Donald Trump tanked it.  He picked up the phone and called some friends in Congress and said, “Stop the bill.”  Because, you see, he prefers to run on a problem instead of fixing a problem.  (Applause.)  And the American people deserve a president who cares more about border security than playing political games and their personal political future.  (Applause.)

And so, even though Donald Trump tried to sabotage the border security bill, it is my pledge to you that as president of the United States, I will bring it back up and proudly sign it into law.  (Applause.)

And let me say, the issue of border security is not a new issue to me.  I was attorney general of a border state for two terms.  I saw the violence and chaos that transnational criminal organizations cause and the heartbreak and loss from the spread of their illicit drugs. 

I walked through tunnels that traffickers used to smuggle contraband into the United States.  I’ve seen tunnels with walls as smooth as the walls of your living room, complete with lighting and air conditioning, making very clear that it is about an enterprise that is making a whole lot of money in the trafficking of guns, drugs, and human beings. 

And my knowledge on how they work comes from the fact that I have prosecuted transnational criminal organizations who traffic in guns, drugs and human beings. 

My team and I broke up a heroin trafficking ring in the Bay Area with ties to Mexican cartels.  We took down a gang working with the Sinaloa Cartel to traffic methamphetamine into the United States.  We seized millions of dollars’ worth of cocaine from the Guadalajara cortel — Cartel and broke up a drun- — a drug trafficking operation, including pill mills and so-called recovery centers that were pushing opioids with deadly results. 

As attorney general of California, it was 10 years ago that I brought a bipartisan group of American attorneys general and led that group to travel to Mexico City to meet with Mexican attorneys general to address this issue and, in particular, to increase intelligence sharing on gang activity.  All of which allowed us to prosecute more human traffickers. 

And I started, as attorney general, the first comprehensive report in the state of California analyzing transnational criminal organizations and the threats they pose to public safety and to the economy. 

So, stopping transnational criminal organizations and strengthening our border is not new to me, and it is a long-standing priority of mine.  I have done that work, and I will continue to treat it as a priority when I am elected president of the United States.  (Applause.)

And it is my pledge to you, understanding how solutions get formed, that I will reach across the aisle and I will embrace commonsense approaches and new technologies to get the job done, because I know transnational gangs coming across the border, trafficking in guns, drugs, and human beings, could care less who somebody voted for in the last election.  (Applause.)  They could care less. 

They’ve got one goal in mind, and it is therefore critically important that anybody who calls themselves a leader would work with other leaders for commonsense solutions, understanding the pain and the suffering that Americans are experiencing if we don’t work together to fix these problems. 

And look, I — transnational gangs, one of the things I know about them, they are always innovating.  So, to disrupt them, we must do the same, and that means, again, working together in real time, grounded on finding commonsense approaches, not just about some rhetoric at a rally but actually doing the work of fixing a problem.  (Applause.)

And as president, I won’t only bring back the border security bill that Donald Trump tanked; I will do more to secure our border. 

To reduce illegal border crossings, I will take further action to keep the border closed between ports of entry.  Those who cross our borders unlawfully will be apprehended and removed and barred from reentering for five years.  We will pursue more severe criminal charges against repeat violators.  And if someone does not make an asylum request at a legal point of entry and instead crosses our border unlawfully, they will be barred from receiving asylum.

While we understand that many people are desperate to migrate to the United States, our system must be orderly and secure, and that is my goal.  (Applause.)  And that is my goal. 

Securing our border also means addressing the flow of fentanyl into our communities.  Fentanyl is a scourge on our country.  The nature of it as a drug is such that it is highly addictive and it is highly lethal, so much so that using it one time only can be fatal.  I have met far too many families, parents, loved ones who have lost a family member, a child to fentanyl, and their grief is heartbreaking.

And the devastation caused by fentanyl is being felt from rural communities to big cities.  It’s impacting communities across our country, regardless of where they are geographically, politically, or any other demographic you cl- — you choose to talk about.  It’s a scourge in our country, and we have to take it seriously.  And as president, I will make it a top priority to disrupt the flow of fentanyl coming into the United States.  (Applause.)

And I know everyone here understands that most of the fentanyl in America comes from two cartels based in Mexico.  Most often, they are smuggling it through vehicles at legal ports of entry, like the one I visited today. 

The fact is, border officers don’t have enough resources and are only able to search a fraction of the vehicles that pass through their checkpoints.  This is unacceptable.  They need the resources to do their jobs.  And as we could have done with that border security bill, I will surge support to law enforcement agencies on the front lines — more personnel, more training, and more technology, including 100 new inspection systems that can detect fentanyl hidden in vehicles.  And we will make sure that our ports of entry, including airports and seaports, have additional state-of-the-art technology to detect fentanyl and the chemical tools used to make it. 

I will also double the resources for the Department of Justice to extradite and prosecute transnational criminal organizations and the cartels.  (Applause.)  Yes. 

I will ensure that we target the entire global fentanyl supply chain, because we must materially and sustainably disrupt the flow of illicit fentanyl coming into our country. 

My approach takes into account also that the precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl are by and large made in China and then shipped to Mexican cartels and trafficked right here into the United States. 

Our administration demanded that China crack down on the companies that make those chemicals, and it has started to happen, but they need to do more.  And as president, I will hold them to their commitment to significantly reduce the flow of precursor chemicals coming from China.  (Applause.)  Yeah.

And all of this to say, we must tackle this issue from every angle, because our highest charge must be to protect the lives of our people.  It must be to understand the pain and to have the courage to know that the solutions are at hand if we focus on fixing a problem instead of running on a problem.  (Applause.)

And on this issue, writ large, we must ensure that our country remains strong and competitive, which includes fixing our broken immigration system.  (Applause.) 

And let me be clear, I reject the false choice — I reject the false choice that suggests we must either choose between securing our border or creating a system of immigration that is safe, orderly, and humane.  We can and we must do both.  (Applause.)  We must do both.

And we need clear, legal pathways for people seeking to come into our country — (applause) — and we must make our current system work better. 

For example, it can take years for asylum claims to be decided.  Well, this is a problem we can solve, including by hiring more asylum officers and expanding processing centers in people’s home countries.  (Applause.)  And as president, I will work with Congress to create, at long last, a pathway to citizenship for hardworking immigrants who have been here for years — (applause) — for years and deserve to have a system that works. 

I also have in mind our DREAMers.  I have met — (applause) — I have met with so many of our DREAMers throughout my career.  They who have grown up in the United States, were educated here, pay taxes here, serve in our military, and contribute to our communities every day.  They are American in every way, but still, they do not have an earned pathway to citizenship.  And this problem has gone unsolved, at this point now, for decades.

The same goes for farm workers who ensure that we have food on our tables — (applause) — and who sustain our agricultural industry, and they, too, have been in legal limbo for years because politicians have refused to come together to fix our broken immigration system. 

Well, as president, I will put politics aside to fix our immigration system and find solutions — solutions to problems which have persisted for far too long.  (Applause.)  For far too long, we have all known this is not working as it can and as it should.

And so, as I said at the beginning, these issues are highly consequential for our nation, and the contrast in this election is clear.  It is a choice between commonsense solutions and the same old political games.

In the four years that Donald Trump was president, he did nothing to fix our broken immigration system.  He did not solve the shortage of immigration judges.  He did not solve the shortage of border agents.  He did not create lawful pathways into our nation.  He did nothing to address an outdated asylum system and did not work with other governments in our hemisphere to deal with what clearly is also a regional challenge.  (Applause.)

As overdoses went up during his presidency, he fought to slash funding for the fight against fentanyl.  And what did he do instead?  Well, let’s talk about that.  He separated families.  He ripped toddlers out of their mother’s arms, put children in cages, and tried to end protections for DREAMers. 

He made the challenges at the border worse.  And he is still — and he is still fanning the flames of fear and division. 

And let me be clear, that is not the work of a leader.  That is not the work of a leader, and that is, in fact, I think we all believe, an abdication of leadership.  (Applause.)

And so, on behalf of all across our nation who want to see these problems solved, I say we cannot accept Donald Trump’s failure to lead.  We should not permit scapegoating instead of solutions.

And let’s see what’s happening.  Let’s not permit scapegoating instead of solutions or rhetoric instead of results. 

As your president, I will protect our nation’s sovereignty, secure our border, and work to fix our broken — broken system of immigration, and I will partner with Democrats, Republicans and independents to do it.  (Applause.) 

Arizona, it is time for us to turn the page on the ugly battles that have characterized our politics, and it is time to move forward together to achieve real solutions that make our country stronger. 

And I know we can get this done.  I know we have the will.  I know we have the courage.  I know the solutions are at hand, and I know we are ready.  (Applause.) 

And so, with all of that, I say, thank you. 

May God bless you.  And may God bless the United States of America.  (Applause.)  Thank you all. 

                        END                5:33 P.M. MST

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Dover Air Force Base
Dover, Delaware

2:50 P.M. EDT

Q    Mr. President, did you — do you support Israel’s decision to try to kill Nasrallah?

THE PRESIDENT:  We’re still gathering information.  I can tell you the United States had no knowledge of or participation in the IDF action.  We’re ga- — we’re gathering more information.  I’ll have more to say when we have more information. 

Q    You say you support Israel’s decision —

THE PRESIDENT:  I — 

Q    — to defend itself.  Do you support what they did today with the strikes in Beirut?

THE PRESIDENT:  We have to get more detail.  I don’t know enough to answer that question.

Thank you.

Q    Are you worried about escalation?

Q    On U.S. Steel, sir.  On U.S. Steel.  The timeline has been pushed back three months.  Some are interpreting that that you might changing your mind about how you feel about that deal.  Do you have any comment about how you feel about that deal?

THE PRESIDENT:  No, I don’t — I haven’t changed my mind.  (Inaudible.)

Q    Sir, how concerned are you about escalation right now in Lebanon?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m always concerned about that.  I’m always concerned about that.

Q    And your reading on the hurricane: How bad does it look down there right now?

THE PRESIDENT:  It looks bad.  At least 25 people dead.  There’s still rising waters.  We don’t have enough information yet.  There’s one dam in North Carolina that’s also in question.

2:51 P.M. EDT

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East Room

As Prepared for Delivery

SECOND GENTLEMAN DOUGLAS EMHOFF: Good morning, everyone.

On behalf of President Biden, the First Lady, and my wife, Vice President Harris: congratulations to the 2023 Major League Soccer Champions, Columbus Crew, and welcome to the White House.

To all the members of Congress and other distinguished guests: thank you for joining us and for the work you do every day. It’s great to be with all of you.

As Second Gentleman, I’ve traveled to Columbus, Ohio a couple times. And one thing I learned during my travels is just how big of a sports town Columbus is – with loyal ride or die fans to the Crew.

I’ve always loved soccer. I grew up playing a lot of sports as a kid. And at my Jewish Summer camp, I was voted “Most Athletic.”

Later on in life, I was a proud soccer dad for my kids.

First, I was their coach. Then, I became a referee. I had a lot of fun wearing that yellow outfit with the whistle, short shorts, and big socks. Though I think my kids didn’t enjoy that part as much.

And these days, I’m still a massive fan who gets up early to watch the sport.

Last year, I led the Presidential Delegation to the Opening Ceremony of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. And just a couple months ago, I had the honor of representing the United States at the Closing Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where I watched the U.S. women’s national Soccer team take home the gold.

Now, I get to join you all for today’s celebration.

Columbus Crew is a team that exemplifies excellence.

Since 1996, you’ve won 9 major trophies.

During the 2023 regular season, you were the top-scoring team in MLS for the first time in the club’s history.

In Round One of the playoffs, you beat Atlanta in three hard-fought games.

In the Conference Semis, you shut out Orlando on the road.

In the Conference Finals, you capped a legendary comeback against your Cincinnati rivals and came back from 2-0 down at the half to win 3-2 in extra time.

Before the Championship match, Coach Nancy, you shared an important lesson with your team. You reminded them that you have one virtue in life: courage.

“Without courage, you can’t do anything.”

Courage is exactly what you showed in that championship match. You played brave: taking risks, attacking early and often, and relying on each other.

And it paid off.

By the end of the game, you were champions once again, for your second MLS Cup in four years.

You’re not only champions on the field. You’re leaders off the field, too. Through the Columbus Crew’s community efforts, you are:

Developing new fields for kids to play soccer;

Providing equipment to help more kids pick up the sport;

And combating chronic absenteeism in Ohio with the Stay in the Game initiative.

Through your work and dedication, you have made the Central Ohio community – and our entire nation – incredibly proud.

Part of why I love sports so much is that it unifies us.

As we all know, we have way more in common than what divides us. There is a lot of hate and division out there at this moment. But sports bring people – and our country – together.

That’s what each of you do every day. You inspire people across our nation, and you lift them up with a sense of joy and community. You show them what true leadership looks like.

This is something Coach Nancy knows a thing or two about.

Right before the MLS Cup Final, Coach Nancy showed all of you pictures of yourselves as kids.

He reminded you — his team — to play with the same joy you did when you were young and helped to lighten the mood before a high-pressure match.

Coach – in only two seasons as head coach for the Crew, you are already making your mark. You are setting an example for coaches across our nation and around the world.

So, Columbus Crew, congratulations once again, on your championship. And good luck on the remainder of the 2024 season.

Now, please join me in welcoming Coach Nancy.

###

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Vice President’s Ceremonial Office
Eisenhower Executive Office Building

3:46 P.M. EDT

VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS:  Well, President Zelenskyy, it is good to see you again.  This is our seventh visit together.  And welcome back to Washington, D.C.

As I have made clear on our six previous meetings and throughout Putin’s brutal aggression and war against Ukraine, my support for the people of Ukraine is unwavering. 

I have been proud to stand with Ukraine.  I will continue to stand with Ukraine.  And I will work to ensure Ukraine prevails in this war. 

To be safe, secure, and prosperous, the United States must continue to fulfill our long-standing role of global leadership.  We must stand with our allies and our partners.  We must des- — defend our democratic values and stand up to aggressors.  And we must stand for international order, rules, and norms.  Each one of these principles is at stake in Ukraine, and that is why Ukraine’s fight matters to the people of America. 

The Ukrainian people are bravely defending their homes and their homeland, their freedom, and their democracy against a brutal dictator, and the American people know well the meaning of freedom, of independence, and the importance of rule of law.  These ideals are central to who we are as Americans, and some of the most important moments in our history have come when we stood up to aggressors like Putin just as we must today. 

Indeed, standing with our friends and defending our ideals against tyranny has helped make America the most powerful and prosperous nation in the world.  Putin’s aggression is not only an attack on the people of Ukraine, it is also an attack on fundamental principles such as sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

 International rules and norms are not some abstract notion.  They provide order and stability in our world.  They support American security and American prosperity.  And when they are threatened anywhere, they are threatened everywhere. 

History has shown us if we allow aggressors like Putin to take land with impunity, they keep going.  And Putin could set his sights on Poland, the Baltic states, and other NATO Allies.  We also know that other would-be aggressors around the world are watching to see what happens in Ukraine.  If Putin is allowed to win, they will become emboldened.  And history reminds us and history is so clear in reminding us: The United States cannot and should not isolate ourselves from the rest of the world.  Isolation is not insulation. 

 So, then, the United States supports Ukraine not out of charity but because it is in our strategic interest.  We will continue to provide the security assistance Ukraine needs to succeed on the battlefield, as demonstrated by President Biden’s significant announcement earlier today.

I’ve been proud to work alongside President Biden and the 50-nation coalition we have built up to allow Ukraine to defend itself.  Thanks to this coalition and the skill and the bravery of the Ukrainian people, along with your courageous leadership, President Zelenskyy, Ukraine has stood up to Russia’s aggression, and today Kyiv stands free and strong. 

President Zelenskyy, I am clear: Putin started this war, and he could end it tomorrow if he simply withdrew his troops from Ukraine’s sovereign territory.  Of course, he has demonstrated no intention of doing that.  Instead, he continues to assault civilian infrastructure and terrorize the people of Ukraine.

In Switzerland, in June, along with 90 other nations at the Uka- — at the Ukraine peace conference, I told you that the United States shares your vision for the end of this war, an end based on the will of the people of Ukraine and the U.N. Charter, and that m- — we must work with the international community se- — to secure a just and lasting peace.  And I told world leaders there: Nothing about the end of this war can be decided without Ukraine. 

However, in candor, I share with you, Mr. President, there are some in my country who would instead force Ukraine to give up large parts of its sovereign territory, who would demand that Ukraine accept neutrality, and would require Ukraine to forego security relationships with other nations.  These proposals are the same of those of Putin.  And let us be clear: They are not proposals for peace.  Instead, they are proposals for surrender, which is dangerous and unacceptable.

So, President Zelenskyy, I look forward to our discussion today, and I will continue to work with you to ensure Ukraine prevails in this conflict and remains a free, democratic, and independent nation. 

Welcome back, again. 

PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY:  Thank you so much.  Madam Vice President, thanks for invitation.  Happy to see you.

Dear journalists, I want to especially thank you for your participation in the peace summit.  And, really, it was very important, and we remember it.  The format was successful.  We are preparing the second one. 

And now, we have to end this war.  We need a just peace, and we must protect our people — Ukrainian families, Ukrainian children, and everyone — from Putin’s evil.  And we are grateful to America for supporting Ukraine all along. 

And we’ll have an important meeting today, right after I talked to President Biden about the plan of victory, and I will share some details of the plan with Vice President Harris.  It’s crucial for us to — to be fully understandable and to work in a full coordination with the United States. 

And this morning, I talked also to — to the congressmen, both chambers, both parties.  And I am thankful for their bipartisan support.  We believe this war can be won and just peace can be close only with a — with the United States. 

Madam Vice President, this is our — you said seventh meeting?

VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS:  Seventh.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY:  Yeah, and it’s not last.  And the third meeting — as far as I remember, the third meeting this year. 

VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS:  Yes.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY:  Thank you.  And I want to inform you about the latest developments on the battlefield, of course, and about Ukraine’s actions in the Kursk region, on what has been achieved and the ambitions ahead.

Today, we have a new strong support package, as you said, and we have common view on the things that need to be done.  We have to keep pressure on Russia to stop the war and to make truly lasting and just peace.  It’s a top priority for us and for other freedom-loving nations to achieve not a freezing but real — real peace for us. 

So, we need to keep sanctions against Russia strong, and we need to use the proceeds from immobilized Russian assets to protect Ukraine — our people, our cities, our front line — from Russian evil.  And, of course, we must work hard to bring all Russian war criminals to justice. 

And one more thing.  I want to inform Madam Vice President about the latest Russian missile and the Shaheds attacks against Ukrainian energy infrastructure.  We need to urgently strengthen Ukraine’s air defense to save thousands of lives and reduce Russian terror to zero. 

It’s achievable. 

Thank you, again.  Thanks, America.  Thanks to you, Madam Vice President. 

Slava Ukraini.

VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS:  Thank you.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY:  Thank you so much.

VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS:  It’s good to see you.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY:  Good to see you too.

                   END                     3:55 P.M. EDT

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