Speeches and Remarks

Remarks by Vice President Harris in a Moderated Conversation with Sophia Bush on the National “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” Tour | San Jose, CA

Mon, 01/29/2024 - 23:11

Mexican Heritage Plaza
San Jose, California

12:20 P.M. PST

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

MS. BUSH:  I mean, how cool is this?  (Laughter.)

Before we get into serious business, I just personally want to extend a thank you.  We did this for the first time — having a conversation like this one — two years ago —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yes.

MS. BUSH:  — on a college campus across the country. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

MS. BUSH:  And day in and day out, while you are in the position to hold the issues of the world, you keep our rights a top issue in the administration and in the White House.  And on behalf of all women and potentially pregnant people everywhere, I just want to thank you.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you so much.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

MS. BUSH:  Okay.  So, we are in a moment as a nation, and I’m curious, from your vantage point, how you see it and — and why you have decided to lead this “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” tour.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.  Well, first of all, it’s great to be with you, Sophia.  And thank you for sharing the stage and — and for using your voice in such an important way. 

And I want to thank the senators who are here.  I know that we had Senator Padilla, Butler — who are here.  They are doing extraordinary work along with the Secretary, Xavier Becerra, and so many others.  And so, I want to just acknowledge them in front of all of the friends.  (Applause.)

As well as my husband, the first Second Gentleman of the United States.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)

So, here we are, January of 2024, where, just over a year ago, the highest court in our land, the Court of Thurgood and RBG, took a constitutional right that had been recognized from the people of America, from the women of America.  And thereafter, in state after state, we have seen extremist so-called leaders propose and pass laws that would criminalize healthcare providers, some of them literally legislating prison for life; punishing women; making no exception even for rape or incest.

You know, I will tell you —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Madam Vice President, we demand a ceasefire now!  Ceasefire now!  Ceasefire now!  There is no reproductive justice without a ceasefire now!  (Inaudible.)  

AUDIENCE:  MVP!  MVP!  MVP! 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah, let — let me say, in a — in a — in a real democracy, everyone has a right to have their voice heard.  (Applause.)  Everyone has a right to have their voice heard.

And I will say, we all want this conflict to end as soon as possible.  (Applause.)  And the President and I are working on that every single day.  So — (applause).

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, back to what we were discussing — back to what we’re discussing.  We are looking at a situation —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Ceasefire now!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We’re looking at a situation in our country —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Ceasefire now (inaudible).

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — where there are people who are literally suffering, many — most, silently suffering because of what has been proposed and/or passed in states across our country. 

Part of why I’m doing this tour is because I think that more people — not the people here, but more people who may not be here and are not as attuned to what’s happening in real time — must understand — you know, for years, so many of us, we were in marches; we’ve talked; we have fought — let’s keep Roe alive.  We have to protect Roe, and we all did.  Most of us, for our entire adult lives, it was intact.  We knew it was prescion [sic], and we need to defend it — we knew it was precious.  But we kind of thought it would always be there.

And now we have seen that it has been taken.  And all over our country — Dr. Gupta started to talk about that — the number of people who are suffering — we’re all grown in here, so I’m going to just speak fact because fact must be told: Women are having miscarriages in toilets in our country.  I’ve met women who were in the midst of a miscarriage —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — who were — went to an emergency room —

AUDIENCE:  MVP!  MVP!  MVP!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — went to an emergency room to seek healthcare and were rejected by the healthcare professionals there who were afraid they would be jailed for providing women in distress healthcare. 

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Ceasefire now!  Ceasefire now!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I met a woman —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I met a woman who literally developed sepsis.  And it was not until she developed sepsis that she received the healthcare that she needed. 

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  You are complacent (inaudible).  Ceasefire now!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We have a lot of very important issues that we all must discuss, but the topic for this discussion is what we need to do to fight back against laws that are criminalizing healthcare providers and making women suffer in our country.  (Applause.)

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

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yes, we are going to win this election.  (Applause.)  Yes, we will.

So, there are a lot of big issues impacting our world right now which evoke, rightly, very, very strong emotions and fears and anger and tears and concerns. 

The topic for today here is the topic of what has happened in our country after the Dobbs decision, which took away the right of people to make decisions about their own body and has resulted in extreme harm.  And so, I’m going to get back to the issue, because it’s an important one, and we should not be distracted from any important issue. 

So, what we’re talking about — (applause) — what we’re looking at in these — in these states, for example, that have made no exception even for rape or incest — now, many of you, this is my — I grew up in California, in the Bay Area.  Many of you know my career, so you know that I started my career as a prosecutor.  What you may not know is one of the biggest reasons why. 

When I was in high school, one of my closest friends, one of my best friends, I learned, was being molested by her stepfather.  And when I learned, I said to her, “You have to come and stay with us.”  I called my mother, and my mother said, “Of course she does.”  And she came to stay with us.

And I decided at a very early age I wanted to do everything I could to protect women and children from harm.  And I specialized, for a long time in my career as a prosecutor, including when I was working as AG, on crimes affecting women and children.

“No exception even for rape or incest.”  Let’s understand what that means.  It means that these so-called leaders are saying to a survivor of a crime of violence to their body, a violation to their body, that they don’t have the right to make a decision about what happens to their body next.  That’s immoral.

This is what’s happening around our country. 

So, when we talk about the layers of harm — be it harm to our democracy, harm to our Constitution, harm to our freedoms and our rights — and we then understand the real harm that also exists every day for individuals who are being denied the healthcare they need, it’s extraordinary. 

And for that reason, I know we all are approaching this with a sense, yes, of — of empathy and understanding but also profound commitment, with a sense of urgency, to do something about it to end the pain and the suffering that is happening right now in real time in our country. 

And so, that’s the issue as much as anything.  And the way that we are going to ultimately deal with this is to, one, have some consensus — which I do believe exists — which is that one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government should not be telling her what to do with her body.  (Applause.)

If she chooses — if she chooses, she will consult with her pastor, her priest, her rabbi, her imam, but not the government telling her what to do. 

And so, we need, this November, to elect a majority of people in the United States Congress who simply agree it’s not the government’s right to tell a woman what’s in her own best interest when she knows what’s in her own best interest and doesn’t need some person walking around with a flag pin to tell her what to do.  (Applause.)

And Joe Biden has been very clear: When Congress puts back in place the rights that the Court took away, he will sign it into law.  He will sign into law the protections of Roe v. Wade.  (Applause.)

So, that’s part of the task in front of us right now.

MS. BUSH:  I don’t think it’s lost on any of us in this moment — here or in the world — given the conversation we’re all having, that, as you said earlier, when extremism comes home to roost —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

MS. BUSH:  — whether it’s here in America or around the world, it’s women and girls who suffer worst.  And it can feel overwhelming to try to hold all of these issues. 

I know for me, as a citizen, I look to you.  And I — I can’t imagine the pressure you feel with all of us looking to you, going, “Tell us what to do.” 

But one of the things that you often encourage us to do when we feel helpless in the face of global suffering and of the suffering of women and girls and at-risk people is to get involved locally. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yes.

MS. BUSH:  That’s why you’re here on —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yes.

MS. BUSH: — a local tour with us —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yes.

MS. BUSH:  — talking about this issue, while you, daily, hold all the rest of them. 

And I’m curious, for those of us who, you know, don’t get the binders and the briefings: What should we be doing in our states?  And what can we encourage our states to do?  And what can states do across the nation to fight back and protect our reproductive freedoms?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  That’s great.  So, I’ll start with this.

Part of the environment in which this issue exists is an environment that is heavily laden with judgment, suggesting to these individuals, suggesting to these women that they’ve done something wrong and something they should be embarrassed about.  And — and understand, then, the layers that come along with that that include making her feel as though she’s alone. 

And, as we know, one of the things that can be most disempowering is when people feel they’re alone; when they feel they don’t have community, much less support; when they feel they’re being judged and outcast, as opposed to embraced. 

And so, this is the power of each of us as individuals in a community, in a society, on every level, including this one, which is to think about how you use the way that you talk with people, be it — you know, Mom, Peg, I see you here.  My mother-in-law is here.  (Laughter.)  That’s going to be by the telephone — (laughs) — or text or social media.

But the ways that we can talk with people — friends and strangers — about the issue to remind them about what’s at stake and — and the harm that is happening every day. 

I have seen — as I am traveling the country on this issue, I’ve seen the power of that communication.  I have met with people who started — especially before the Dobbs decision came down — and were vehement that they were opposed to abortion and who have not abandoned their faith and their — whatever reason it is for why they feel that way and strongly about themselves and their family, but also didn’t know and weren’t aware of the suffering that would happen as a result and, now knowing the suffering that is happening, are reconsidering their position in terms of the policy of it all — the policy being to deny other people a decision to make that very important decision for themselves and not the government telling them. 

So, the power of communication on this is very important. 

I think there’s also another thing that is at play on so many issues in our country, which is, if you will, I think a certain thing that is quite perverse that is being pushed by some so-called leaders, which is to suggest that the measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you beat down instead of who you lift up.  Right?  (Applause.)

You know, there’s a — there’s a thing happening that suggests that to care about people somehow is a sign of weakness, when we all know that one of the great characteristics and character of — of real leadership is the character that has some level of concern, curiosity, and compassion about the suffering of other people and then wants to do something about alleviating that suffering. 

And so, I work with the belief that the mass ma- —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — the vast majority of people in our country have that feeling.

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

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, the work that needs to be done over these next 10 months includes using our voices to really help people understand how this is affecting people in real time, because there’s nothing abstract about this issue.  There is nothing hypothetical about it.  It is — it does not require and it absolutely deserves more than some kind of intellectual political debate.  It requires action to stop the harm that is happening right now.  And that’s about organizing. 

Californians, thankfully, we have a state that has done beautiful and important work to protect rights, to put it in the Constitution.  (Applause.)  This is very important.  But we have neighboring states, not so much.  And so, think about, you know, how you travel and when you travel to do that. 

But the other point that I’d make on being a Californian right now: Let’s not — don’t get too comfortable with that, because if these folks have their way — and they’ve already articulated it’s part of their agenda — they’ll get a national ban.  So, let’s understand, none of us can afford to sit back and say, “Thank God we’re in California.”

MS. BUSH:  Right. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Because, as we know, they go for — they go for — they — and then they come for you.  Right?  And so, let’s keep that in mind as well. 

And we just got to hustle over these next 10 — 10 months.  You know, Doug and I have been very clear.  We came home for the holiday, and it was very funny.  I — a lot of friends here, so I’ll just share with you a little personal story.  We slept.  (Laughs.)  I mean, we were just tired.  We slept.  (Laughter.)  Doug looked at me, and he was like, “Honey, I think we’re defrosting.”  Right?  (Laughter.)  

And I cooked, which is my happy place — and family.  But all knowing that, starting in January, got to hit the road.  This year, already in the last two and a half weeks — I’m looking at Xavier — I’ve been North Carolina, South Carolina twice, Nevada twice, Georgia, Wisconsin, New York, California — in the first two and a half weeks.  (Applause.)  So — and Alex Padilla has been there, Laphonza Butler. 

So, we got a lot of ground to cover — all of us.  And — and we can make a difference on this issue for people that, by the way, for the most part, we may never meet; for people who, for the most part, will never know any of our names but whose lives will forever be impacted because of the work that we do in organizing and using our voices at this moment.  (Applause.)

MS. BUSH:  When — when we hold these two things to be true at the same time, the fact that we — in California, we’re lucky enough to enshrine our rights via Proposition 1 into our state laws, but we’re looking at the risk of a national ban.  We — we see the extremists on the GOP side going after mifepristone and medication abortion, which over 50 percent of pregnant people use in —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

MS. BUSH:  — when they are in need.  We’re — we’re talking about the potential denial of care, even here, if — if the mail stops.  And when we talk about the strain that comes into our state from our surrounding states, where our friends don’t have the rights that we do here —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

MS. BUSH:  — at this time, we’re — we’re really doing the math locally, but potentially nationally for a true healthcare crisis. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

MS. BUSH:  This is a crisis. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  You’re absolutely right. 

MS. BUSH:  And —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  You’re absolutely right. 

MS. BUSH:  — I’m just curious: Can you walk us through who’s responsible for this?  Because this was an intentional crisis.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Indeed. 

MS. BUSH:  And you’ve mentioned that the Supreme Court overturned Roe, but can we — can we just cover how we got to that point?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I think we should.

MS. BUSH:  I think we should too.  (Laughter.)  It feels appropriate to tell some truth. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, the former President of the United States hand-picked — hand-picked three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention that they would undo Roe.  Let’s be very clear about it. 

And he has been very clear that that is exactly what he intended.  Just take him at his word.  Take him at his word when he said recently he’s “proud” of what he did. 

And I asked, “Proud?”  I’m looking at Christine Pelosi.  I — I asked, “Proud?”  Proud that doctors might go to jail for giving healthcare?  Proud that women are having miscarriages without any healthcare that they need?  Proud that — that fundamental freedoms have been taken from the American people?

To understand the arrogance that is associated with the taking and then what we are up against — and so, this is why we know what is before us and the fight that is before us.  This is a fight that is fundamental.  And it is fundamentally about freedom — freedom — the freedom to make decisions about your own body. 

And understand, as we step back, there is — and I travel our country — there is afoot a full-on intent to attack hard-fought, hard-won freedoms in our country.  Just look at what is happening.  Look at what is happening with a “Don’t Say Gay” bill.  Okay?

So, now, let me — I will remind my fellow Californians: In 2004 — actually, Valentine’s weekend 2004 — so, it’ll be 20 years — I was proud to be one of the first elected officials in the country to perform same-sex marriages — (applause) — almost 20 years ago. 

A “Don’t Say Gay” bill — so, imagine this.  So, 20 years ago — so, this means that some young teacher in Florida is afraid to put up a photograph of themselves and their partner for fear they may be fired.  For doing what?  For doing the God’s gift to all of us to avow themselves to teach other people’s children?  As it is, they don’t get paid enough. 

In 2024, we’re looking at attacks on the LGBTQ community. 

In 2024, we’re looking at attacks on the freedom to vote and access to the ballot.  I was just in Georgia.  You know, they passed a law in Georgia to make it illegal to give people food and water while they stand in line to vote.  What happened to “love thy neighbor”?  I mean, the hypocrisy abounds.

The kinds of freedoms that are under attack in America right now, and — and I would offer — you know, I asked my team to create a Venn diagram for me.  I love Venn diagrams.  (Laughter.)  And, you know, whenever you’re kind of looking at something complex, a Venn diagram can usually help you out. 

And the overlap, then — right? — between where we’re seeing the attacks against voting rights, where we’re seeing the attacks against LGBTQ, where they’re seeing the attacks against reproductive freedom, and you would not be shocked to see the profound intersection between them.

So, this also — then, I say, as we organize and think about these next many months — is an opportunity to rededicate ourselves not only to community building but as an extension of that coalition building.  Let’s bring together all the folks who’ve been fighting for voting rights; all the folks who have been fighting for LGBTQ rights; all the folks who have been fighting for reproductive health rights, including maternal health rights and maternal mortality — (applause) — fighting against that.  Right?

By the way, on that issue, Sophia, so I’ve also been doing a lot of work over many years on the issue of combating maternal mortality.  It is — we have, as a so-called developed nation, one of the highest rates of maternal mortality of any nation in the world.  It’s a — it’s a crying shame. 

And so, again, the hypocrisy ob- — abounds.  In the states with the top 10 worst numbers on maternal mortality, all have bans.  I say to these so-called extremist leaders, “Okay.  So, you say that your work to — to ban abortion — ban access to reproductive healthcare is because you are so concerned about mothers and children.  Well, why you been silent on maternal mortality?”  (Applause.)  “Where you been?”

When I became Vice President, I issued a challenge to states: Extend Medicaid coverage for postpartum care from what is the standard 2 months to 12 months.  (Applause.)  When I started, 3 states were doing it; now 43 have done it.  Right?  (Applause.)  Right?

All these issues are connected.  All these issues are connected.

MS. BUSH:  That gives me hope, the coalition building —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

MS. BUSH:  — the — the work that you all are succeeding on.  And we need hope in a world that feels so heavy. 

I want to know what gives you hope for the year ahead, because you’re gearing up for a big fight.  We know what we’re up against.  It can’t be easy.  What keeps you positive and ready for this?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  A number of things.  One, this audience.  I mean, and I know who’s here.  I know who’s here.  And — and each of you have so many other things you could be doing with your time, so many other obligations, and — and the individuals here have come together as a community to stand together and with each other on a very important issue that’s going to require a certain level of selflessness on behalf of us all and certainly sacrifice to speak up.

What gives me hope is an understanding that if you — we all know history.  There has never been any progress that has come about in our country, as far as I’m concerned, that came about without a fight.  (Applause.)  It requires a fight.

You know, here’s how I think about democracy, as an extension of all the points we’re making about fighting for freedoms.  The nature of democracy — there’s a duality to it.  On the one hand, it’s very strong.  When a democracy is intact, what it does to protect and preserve individual rights and freedoms and the dignity of people, the equality of people — it’s very strong, what it does for its people.

It is also very fragile.  It is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it.  And so, fight we will. 

You know, we just, not long ago, celebrated Mar- — the birthday of Martin Luther King.  And when I do — and I always do — I will always also refer to the great Coretta Scott King.  (Applause.)  And — because she, too, was a great freedom fighter.  And Coretta Scott King — I’ll paraphrase — but she famously said, and I quote it all the time, “The — the fight for civil rights” — which is the fight for freedom — right? — the fight for equality — she said, “must be fought and won with each generation.” 

And by that, I think she had two points.  One, it is the nature of our fight for freedoms that whatever gains we make, the nature is they will not be permanent.  It’s just the nature of it.  Therefore, understanding that, we must always be vigilant.  We must understand how precarious and precious this all is and commit ourselves every day to stand for and fight for these rights and these freedoms.

And so, you know, understanding it’s the nature of it, I think that there’s — there’s — we know what the job is ahead of us.  We know —

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

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

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, let us remember, there’s a lot to fight for.  And, look, as I like to say and we all say many times: When we fight, we win.  When we fight, we win.  (Applause.)

And there are a lot of folks who need to know that the people who can be in a room like this are thinking of them, because there are a lot of folks who will never be in this room, can’t be in this room.  And I think we all know it is our duty — not just our responsibility but that we have a duty — to stand for these most essential freedoms.

And this is an era right now where we are looking at these attacks, and we’re clear-eyed about where it’s coming from.  And I think that when we show that we are going to stand in solidarity, at some point, folks are going to realize they can’t win with this stuff.

And — and that means all of us being in it together, holding each other up, taking care of each other.  In this moment, when there are people trying to divide our country and distract us from what’s important, let’s just hold on to each other.  Look at the person next to you, if you don’t know them, and just let them know we’re all in this together.  Okay?  We’re all in this together.

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

MS. BUSH:  Thank you so much.

END                  12:52 P.M. PST

The post Remarks by Vice President Harris in a Moderated Conversation with Sophia Bush on the National “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” Tour | San Jose, CA appeared first on The White House.

Remarks by President Biden at a Political Event | West Columbia, SC

Sun, 01/28/2024 - 17:49

3:28 P.M. EST
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Well, thank you very much, Rev.  Thank you all so much.  Please, sit down, if you have a seat.  (Laughter.)
 
I once said that — I said, “Sit down” — “That Biden doesn’t know what he’s doing; there’s no chairs.”  (Laughter.)
 
But thank you —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, tha- — (laughs).
 
AUDIENCE:  Four more years!  Four more years!  Four more years!
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you very, very much.  Thank you. 
 
By the way, I want you to know, for the first time in American history, the Divine Nine has an office in the White House.  (Applause.)  I know where the power is.  I know where the power is. 
 
It’s — well, let me say — I want to say very much thank you to Robin.  Robin and my wife, Jill, became prayer partners — for real.  And I think they became even more than that.  They became good friends.  Where — where are you, Robin?  There you are.  (Applause.) 
 
And thank you, thank you, thank you.  Thank you.
 
And I know you know — know this guy — this guy named Clyburn, you know him here?  (Laughter and applause.)  I am President of the United States of America for one reason — not a joke — Jim Clyburn.  (Applause.)  We hit rock bottom — and all of you.  He came down, and he said we’re going to win South Carolina, and we won in the primary in every single county.  Well, Jim, thank you very, very much.  (Applause.)  Thank you.
 
And, by the way, you know, I — I know — I see — I know talent when I see it, and I — soon as he — his term as mayor came up, I stole him.  You know this guy right here — (applause) — Benjamin — Steve Benjamin. 
 
Well, look, folks, you know, I — I came, basically, to say — start off say “Thank you.”  You’ve had my back.  You’ve had my back.  And I believe — I hope I’ve had yours.  And — and — (applause).
 
You know, when I ran for president in 2020, what made me do it was there — remember that situation down in Charlottesville, Virginia, with those folks coming out of the fields carrying torches and Nazi flags?  I mean, for real — Nazi banners and — and white supremacists, and — and they were — and they were marching in the night.  And a young woman was killed.  A young woman who was a witness was killed.  I spoke to her mom.
 
And the guy I’m running against this time was asked — the sitting President — he said, what — he said — was asked, “What did you think?”  He said, “There are very good people on both sides.” 

Some things are not debatable.  No, I mean it. 
 
And when I ran, I realized I got criticized for saying that one of the main reasons I was running was — and I meant it sincerely — to restore the soul of America — (applause) — no, I mean it — and to bring us back together.
 
Look, folks, one of the things we don’t talk a lot about — but I’ve been talking a lot about, and I think most people are observing it — Black, white, Hispanic, no matter what — is that, you know, our democracy is at stake.  No, it re- — it really is at stake for the first time in a long time. 
 
Jim knows and read a lot and spoken a lot about de Tocqueville, who wrote about America early on and why America was so strong.  And he didn’t say it was strong because of our military.  He — I’ll get — I’ll get right to it: He said it was strong because of our churches, because of our faith.  No, I mean it.  I’m — I’m sincere.
 
He talked about how our voices — that, you know, we’re unyielding and we were a people who believed in integrity, believed in decency.
 
My dad used to have an expression.  He’d say, at the dinner ta- — my dad was a hard-working guy, never got a chance to go to college, but my dad was a really decent, honorable man, a well-read man.  And the dinner table was a place where we — we had conversation and, incidentally, ate — (laughs) — before my dad would go back to work.  He’d come home and then go back to work.
 
And he’d say, “Joey, a job is about a lot more than a paycheck.  It’s about a person’s dignity.  It’s about respect.”  This — I swear to God, this is what he would say — my word as a Biden.  “It’s about dignity.  It’s about respect.  It’s about being about to look your kid in the eye and say, ‘Honey, it’s going to be okay.  It’s going to be okay.’”
 
But it’s only okay if our system is adhered to; if we abide by our democratic principles; if we, in fact, don’t try to undermine the very Constitution.  And the fellow I’m running against has — has made no bones about it: He thinks we should be able to rip it apart — not — not a joke.  He talked about being able to even ignore the Constitution.
 
By the way, I love his one thing that he should be able to use his special forces to kill somebody if he thought it was a problem.  (Laughter.)  In my church, we say, “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.”  (The President makes the sign of the cross.)  What the — (laughter).
 
But all kidding aside, there’s a great deal at stake.  I’m not going to take a lot of your time.  But, you know, the Bible teaches that we shall know the truth, and the truth shall set us free.  Well, I think we do know the truth.  We do know the truth.  We do know what the choice is here.  It’s pretty stark.  And it’s about dignity, respect; it’s about whether we believe —
 
You know, we’re the — I’ll get right to it.  We’re the most unique nation in the world.  Now, everybody says those kinds of things about their country, but every other country is organized based on ethnicity, based on geography, based on religion.  But we’re the only nation in the world based on an idea — literally, an idea — an idea contained in our Constitution that says, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights” — life, liberty, et cetera. 
 
We’ve never fully lived up to it, but we’ve never walked away from it.  Every generation, we get closer; until now, it’s at stake.  It literally is at stake.
 
And, folks, it’s important, not just for the African American community but for every community in this country.  It’s about who we are.  It’s about what — think about it — how the world looks at us.
 
I’ve been doing foreign policy for a long, long time.  I was a chairman of those committees and the like.  And that’s why Barack asked me be on his ticket.  And I know every one of those heads of state, and I’ve known them for a while.  And every meeting I go to internationally, I — as they’re walking out — this is the God’s truth; I can say this in front of the press — virtually every one of them pull me aside and say, “You’ve got to win.  We can’t let that happen again.  You can’t let that happen again.  You can’t let that happen again.”
 
Folks, this is about a — the campaign is a lot bigger than me, you, and all of us.  It’s about who we are as a country. 
 
And, by the way, you know, what we — we’re — the thing about us is we believe in those basic principles.  We don’t always practice them as a nation, but we — we do believe in honesty and decency.  We do believe that people should be treated with respect.  We don’t live up to it.  We don’t live up to it all the time, but we don’t walk away from it. 
 
And f- — you know, a question I have — and I want to cut through all these notes I have here to get to the end because I don’t want to keep you. 
 
Look, one of the things in my church — I spent an awful lot of time in African American churches — Black churches.  I come from a state that, like South Carolina, had the shame of being a slave state — Delaware.  Although it fought on the side of the North, it was a slave state.  We have all the vestiges of what that — all — all still living that down.  That’s why I got involved in public life.
 
And — and what I used to do, I used to go to 7- — I’m a practicing Catholic, and I used to go to 7:30 mass at St. Joe’s, and then I’d go to Reverend Beaman’s church at 10:30, be — and we’d prepare for going out and marching and doing the things we were going to do.  And — and it really — it really taught me that — I’m — I’m not trying to be overly religious here, but I think the elements of our faith really matter as to what we believe, what — what we do.
 
And, you know, as I said, the Bible teaches us that we shall know the truth, and the truth shall set us free.  And we got to focus on it.  We got to focus on it.
 
And we — in my church, we’ve taken the 21st Psalm, and we’ve turned it into a refrain in one of the hymns we sing.  You know the Psalm.  And it’s my — this is my wish for all of you.  The Psalm goes, “May he raise you up on eagle’s wings and bear you on the breath of dawn and make the sun to shine on you and hold you in the palm of his hand.” 

That’s my prayer for you.  Because you are — you are and every other religious organization in this country is about saving people, about caring about people.  It’s hard to do, but we know we should do it.  And my prayer for you is that — that we’re able to do that.
 
And one last thing.  I — I want to point out that we had a tough day last night in — in the Middle East.  We lost three brave souls in an attack on one of our bases.  And I’d ask you for a moment of silence for all three of those fallen soldiers.
 
(A moment of silence is observed.)
 
And we shall respond.
 
God bless you all.  Thank you for allowing me to be here.  And — and I — I wish I didn’t have to go.  (Laughter.)
 
Thank you all so very, very much.  (Applause.)
 
3:39 P.M. EST
 

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Remarks by President Biden at a Political Event | Columbia, SC

Sun, 01/28/2024 - 13:16

11:13 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, hello, hello.  (Applause.)  Please, si- — thank you.  (Applause.)

Thanks for bringing me home.  (Laughter.)  You all think I’m kidding.

For the longest time, when I was a young public defender and a United States Senator, I went to — if you’ll excuse me — an AME church — I apologize — (laughter) — with Reverend Beaman. 

You brought it all back, Rev.

REVEREND GRAHAM:  Amen.  (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT:  I’ll tell you what, the man can preach, can’t he?  (Applause.)

To the whole congregation, I’m genuinely honored to be here.  I sincerely mean that.

And I’m especially honored to have one of your own working with me, your former mayor running things for me in Washington, D.C.  (Applause.)  And he was baptized here and married here. 

And A’ja Williams [Wilson] is from here.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)  Can that woman play basketball.  Whoa.  That’s the only reason I was coming.  I thought she was here.  (Laughter.)

I’m only joking.  I know she’s not.  I’m going to get in trouble with my wife if I keep fooling around.  (Laughter.)

But I want to thank Steve for his friendship and his leadership. 

You know, it’s a covenant we have with each other that comes from a — from the commands of scripture: “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and all thy mind and all thy soul.  Love thy neighbor as thyself.”  Easy to say but really hard to do.  Easy to say but hard to do.

But in those commands is the essence of the gospel, is the essence of what I believe to be the American promise.  And I mean that sincerely.

You know, we’re unique in all the world — America.  We’re the only country that is formed not based on ethnicity, based on geography — based on an idea — an idea — and I mean this sincerely — the only country in the world.  An idea we’ve never lived up to, but we’ve never walked away from.  That “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights” — life, liberty, et cetera.

It’s an idea that we can’t abandon.  And some want to see it abandoned.

In my life, I’ve tried to walk my faith.  Like I said — I was kidding with Jim — I — I’d always go to 7:30 mass at St. Joe’s, which is a — a church built — a Catholic church built by indentured serv- — Irish servants working for the DuPont family.  It’s kind of — kind of — it always kind of made me angry.  The head- — the cornerstone of the church, 1848, says, “Built for our Catholics.”  I never figured we were their Catholics.  But any rate —

But all kidding aside, then I’d go to 10:30 mass — 10:30 service at — with Reverend Beamon and — during the Civil Rights era, when I was working hard as a young man as a public defender. 

And, you know, you said it, Rev.  My — my mother would say, “You got to be who you say you are.  You got to do what you say you’re going to do.  Just get up.  Just get up.”  And that’s what I tried to do: tried to walk the — my walk of faith.

But here’s what I learned, as many of you might have learned as well: We’re all imperfect beings — all of us.  And we don’t know where fate is going to take us or when it’s going to take us.  It can, like many of you, sn- — and me, snatch an entire family from your grip with an accident.

But we can do our best to seek the light and the hope and love.  You know, from where I come from, that’s the power of faith.  That’s the power of faith.  That’s the power, as I was saying to the Rev outside when we — when — before he invited me in, that’s what the Black Church has done for American — Black Americans for their — I mean, imagine what would have happened would there been no Black Church all those periods of darkness.

Well, you give us a mountaintop.  You give us a promised land.  You give us a dream and a faith that we shall overcome, we can overcome.  You know, and you push us toward a more perfect union — you really do — to bend the arch of the moral universe toward justice together.  And what a gift to the nation and the world you’ve been.

Your prayers mean everything.  And they’re — we’ve — in my church, we’ve taken the 22nd Psalm and turned it into a — a hymn, basically.  It says, “May he raise you up on eagle’s wings and bear you on the breath of dawn, make the light to shine on — upon you.  And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.”

That’s my wish for all of you. 

Thank you for being so good to me.  (Applause.)  I appreciate it very much.

1:19 A.M. EST


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Remarks by President Biden at a Political Event at South Carolina’s First in the Nation Dinner | Columbia, SC

Sun, 01/28/2024 - 12:26

South Carolina State Fairgrounds
Columbia, South Carolina

(January 27, 2024)

7:37 P.M. EST

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

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

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, thank you.

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

THE PRESIDENT:  It’s —

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

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Look, it’s — it’s good be home with so many friends I’ve known for so long.  And tonight, I’m thinking of so many of my friends who are no longer with us, like Fritz and Peatsy Hollings.  And they were here for me when I first got started in a tough time of my life, when I didn’t want to stay in the Senate.  They embraced me.  They included me in everything and kept me going.  They’re always with me in spirit.

The same goes for Emily Clyburn.  You know, Jim — Jim is the reason that I’m president, because he endorsed me and got all of you to help me.  (Applause.)  But I later learned Emily convinced him to endorse me.  (Laughter.)  Jim, we miss her.  And you’re the best friend anyone could have.

Folks, I — if I were smart, I’d say “Thank you” and leave — (laughter) — because Jim made the case for me better than I can make the case for me.  (Applause.)

Well, folks — and I love Columbia so much I asked your former Mayor to join me in the White House.  (Laughter.)  We’re fortunate to have Steve Benjamin at my side.  (Applause.)  But we’re really fortunate we put his better half on the federal bench.  (Laughter and applause.)  She’s doing an incredible job. 

Just like I’m fortunate for my better half, Jill, who was here in Columbia last night — (applause) — with the women of Alpha Kappa Theta — Alpha Kappa Alpha, excuse me.  She had a wonderful time.

And we’ve got so many real leaders here — two former Chairs of the Congressional Black Caucus: Joyce Beatty — and you heard Marcia Fudge.  Don’t mess with Marcia.  (Laughter and applause.) 

And my home state senator, Chris Coons, who — (applause) — a real quick story.  When my son passed away, a — well, anyway.  Chris was just wonderful.  He wouldn’t take the jo- — he wouldn’t run until he knew it was okay.  We had to call Chris and say, “Chris, please run.”  Because it was “Beau’s chair,” he said. 

Our great DNC chairman, Jaime Harrison, from South Carolina.  (Applause.)

But the truth is I wouldn’t be here without the Democratic voters of South Carolina, and that’s a fact.  (Applause.) 

So, I want to start with a very simple message: From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank you. 

If you ever doubt that the power to change America is in your hands, remember this: You proved it.  You’re the reason I am president.  (Applause.)  You’re the reason Kamala Harris is a historic Vice President.  (Applause.)

And you’re the reason Donald Trump is a defeated former President.  (Applause.)  You’re the reason Donald Trump is a loser.  And you’re the reason we’re going to win and beat him again.  (Applause.)

Nearly four years ago, I came to Columbia to celebrate a primary victory, and I said then, and I quote, “For all those who have been knocked down, counted out, left behind, this is your campaign.”
That same message has defined my presidency. 

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible) Palestinians (inaudible) —

THE PRESIDENT:  I am determined —

AUDIENCE:  Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT:  No, no —

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

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m determined to give all those who have been knocked down, counted out, left behind in America a shot again — a fair shot at making a living, taking care of their children, starting a business, being able to buy a home, build real wealth for generations to come.

Now, maybe Donald Trump and his MAGA friends believe that they have — they — to — you have to hold us down to lift everybody else [themselves] up. 

I don’t believe that.  I believe that America is big enough, strong enough, blessed enough for all of us to succeed.  (Applause.)

And that’s why we’re finally building an economy that grows from the middle out and the bottom up, instead of trickle-down economy from the top.  Because when you do that, the poor have a ladder up, the middle class do well, and the wealthy still do very well.  We all do well.

Just think back to the mess Donald Trump left this country in: a deadly pandemic, economic freefall, a violent insurrection.

I promised to do everything in my power, I said at the time, to get us through one of the toughest periods in our history.  And together we are.

We vaccinated America.  We created a record 14 million new jobs in three years.  (Applause.) 

And let’s get something straight.  Trump talks about putting checks in pockets.  But in 2021, as soon as I came to office, I was the guy who sent every one of you those $1,400 checks.  (Applause.) 

On top of that, I sent those $300 checks per child per family per month for hardworking families.  That was thousands of dollars in pockets to get people through a real crisis.

And here’s what it did.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  You’re funding a genocide!  (Inaudible.)

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

THE PRESIDENT:  And here’s what it did.  It helped cut Black poverty in half for Black children in America.  (Applause.)  Because no child in America should ever go hunger [hungry] — ever.

When Trump pushed Black small businesses to the back of the line in the pandemic [relief] funding, I moved them to the front of the line.  (Applause.)  And today, Black small businesses are starting up at the fastest rate in 30 years.  (Applause.)

But look, folks, things this country has — have been through have been pretty tough for a lot of people.  But we’re making progress.  There’s a lot more on the way.

Inflation is coming down.  It’s now lower in America than any other major economy in the world.  (Applause.)  The cost of eggs, milk, chicken, gas, and so many other essential items
have come down.

But for all we’ve done to bring prices down, there are still too many corporations in America ripping people off:  price gouging, junk fees, greedflation, shrinkflation. 

You see that article about the Snickers bars?  (Laughter.)  

Well, it’s going to stop.  Americans, we’re tired of being played for suckers.  (Applause.)  And that’s why we’re going to keep these guys — keep on them and get the prices down.

Folks, the bottom line is our economy has grown more in the last six months than it ever did in any point in Trump’s entire four years in office.  (Applause.)

And for too long, we imported projects — products and exported jobs.  But now, thanks to all we’re doing, we’re exporting American products and we’re bringing American jobs back home to America — (applause) — where they belong.

America is experiencing a manufacturing boom that no one thought was possible.  But I knew it was possible.  Eight hundred thousand new manufacturing jobs and counting — good-paying jobs.  (Applause.)  Record unemployment, including the lowest levels of Black unemployment ever recorded in American history.  (Applause.)  The racial wealth gap is at its lowest level in 20 years.

Trump’s $2 trillion tax cut when he was president benefitted the super wealthy but was never paid for, and it completely blew up the federal deficit.  We’ve brought that deficit down. 

And all the progress we’ve made comes down to a simple proposition: Promises made and promises kept.  (Applause.)

I promised, as Jim pointed out, that we’d beat Big Pharma, that charges more for prescriptions drug prices in America than anywhere else in the world — the same company, the same prescription.  And we did.  Thirty-five-dollar-a-month insulin for seniors, instead of $400 a month or more.  (Applause.) 

As Jim pointed out, we tried to make that $35 available to everybody, but the Republicans blocked us.  But with our vote in 2024, we’re going to make it happen for everyone — everyone.  (Applause.)

As Jim pointed out, out-of-pocket costs for seniors for all their prescriptions will soon be capped at $2,000 a year, even for expensive cancer drugs that cost $10-, $12-, $15,000 a year.  (Applause.)

I protected and expanded the Affordable Care Act, giving millions of families over $800 [a year] in premiums and protecting their care for preexisting conditions.  And, by the way, basically doubling the Pell Grants, which is another issue, but that’s —

Look, today, more Americans — more Black Americans — have health insurance than ever in history.  (Applause.)

A promise made and a promise kept.

I promised to help ease accumulated student debt for millions of folks carrying during the crisis of the pandemic.  The Supreme Court blocked me, but it didn’t stop me.  (Applause.)  I found another way to help more than 3.7 million people — teachers, nurses, police officers, firefighters — with $130 billion in relief.  And causing the economy to grow faster as a consequence of that.  (Applause.)

And another 25,000 people a month, beginning next month, are going to start to get their student loans forgiven, because they’re getting notified with a letter from me — (applause) –you’re about to get that relief — because of their public service, so they can follow their dreams, start a business, buy a home, start a family.

And I’m not done.  Promises made and promises kept.  (Applause.)

I promised you we’d make record investment in HBCUs, including South Carolina’s eight HBCUs.  (Applause.)  HBCU students are just as talented as any student in America — (applause) — but their colleges and universities don’t have the funding and endowments for the cutting-edge laboratories and research centers.

Well, I’ve invested, so far, $7 billion in HBCUs and counting — (applause) — to help support our brilliant HBCU students.

And, again, a promise made and a promise kept.

I keep my promises when I said no one — no one should be in prison for merely possessing marijuana or using it, and their records should be expunged.

A promise made and a promise kept.  (Applause.)

Folks, I made a commitment to have an administration that looks like America, to tap into the full talents of our nation.  And I’m proud we have the most diverse administration in the history of America, because I know — (applause) — I know our diversity is our strength in America.

It was here in South Carolina that I promised to appoint the first Black woman to the United States Supreme Court.  (Applause.)  Her name is Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.  And, by the way, she’s smarter than the rest.  (Laughter and applause.) 

I’ve appointed more Black women to the Federal Circuit Courts of Appeals than every other president in American history combined — combined.  (Applause.)

A promise made and a promise kept.

And that includes Judge Michelle Childs — (applause) — of the D.C. Circuit, who is making South Carolina proud.

I promised to take care of hundreds of thousands of veterans exposed to toxic materials and care for their families.  That’s why I wrote the PACT Act. 

As Commander-in-Chief, I think we have only one sacred obligation — I’ve said it many times — prepare those we send into harm’s way and care for them and their families when they come home.  (Applause.) 

Well, as Commander-in-Chief, I look at veterans completely differently than Donald Trump.  Think about this — especially here in South Carolina, a proud military state — Donald Trump, when he was Commander-in-Chief, refused to visit a cemetery — U.S. cemetery outside of Paris for fallen American soldiers.  And he referred to those heroes, and I quote, as “suckers” and “losers.”  He actually said that.  He said that.

How dare he say that.  How dare he talk about my son and all (inaudible) like that.  (Applause.) 

Look, I call them patriots and heroes.  The only loser I see is Donald Trump.  (Applause.) 

It makes me angry.

AUDIENCE:  Loser Trump!  Loser Trump!  Loser Trump!

THE PRESIDENT:  I apologize for losing my temper, but it really, really, really offends me. 

In recent weeks, we’re starting to see real evidence that American consumers are facing [feeling] real confidence in the economy we’re building.  Let me tell you who else is noticing that:  Donald Trump.  (Laughter.)

Did you see what he recently said about that wants to — that he wants to see the economy crash this year?  A sitting [former] President.  As they say in my faith, “Bless me, Father, for…” — (the President begins to makes the sign of the cross).  I mean, come on, man.  (Laughter.) 

“When there’s a crash” — “Wh-” — he said, “When there’s a crash, I hope in the next 12 months,” he went on to say.  It’s unbelievable.  It’s un-American.

How can anyone — especially a former president — wish for an economic crash that would devastate millions of Americans?

Well, let me tell you what he really means.  Donald Trump knows this economy is good and is strong and getting stronger.  (Applause.)  He knows that while it’s good for America, it’s bad for him politically.

Trump also said the one president he doesn’t want to be is Herbert Hoover.  Well, Donald, it’s too late.  (Laughter.)  There are only two presidents in American history who left office with fewer jobs than when they took office: Herbert Hoover and, yes, Donald “Herbert Hoover” Trump.  (Laughter and applause.)

And, by the way, have you noticed he’s is a little confused these days?  (Laughter.)  He apparently can’t tell the difference between Nikki Haley and Nancy Pelosi.  (Laughter and applause.)

Well, folks, we’re making real progress on one of the most important issues we’re facing: security at the border.  The first bill I introduced was for a massive change in security at our border.  Two months ago, my team beginning [began] to work with a bipartisan group of Senators to put together the toughest, smartest, fairest border security bill in history — the best one the nation has ever seen.  It would finally provide the funding I requested early on and again in October to secure our borders. 

It includes an additional 1,300 Border Patrols — we need more agents on the border; 375 immigration judges to judge whether or not someone can come or not come and be fair about it; 1,600 asaylum off- — asylum officers; and over 100 cutting-edge inspec- — injec- — inspection machines to help detect and stop fentanyl coming in our Sou- — — our Southwest Border.  (Applause.) 

It would also give me, as President, the emergency authority to shut down the border until it can get back under control.  If that bill were the law today, I’d shut down the border right now and fix it quickly.  (Applause.)

The bipartisan bill would be good for America and help fix our broken immigration system and allow speedy access for those who deserve to be here.  And Congress needs to get it done.  (Applause.)

Folks, we’re just getting started.  That’s why I’m so optimistic about our future. 

Forty thousand projects across America and counting, rebuilding our roads and our bridges; affordable high-speed Internet everywhere in America; ripping out every poisonous lead pipe in America so every child can turn on a faucet, drink clean water without worrying about brain damage.  (Applause.)

We passed the most significant gun safety law in decades.  (Applause.)  And I will not stop until we once again ban assault weapons, as I did once.  (Applause.)

Now, look, I want you to imagine — to imagine the future nightmare if Trump is back in office.  I’m serious.  Given the nightmare when he was in office, you know what is likely to come.  Trump and his MAGA friends are trying again to get rid of the Affordable Care Act and ripping away the protections you have under that, even if you have a preexisting condition.

I won’t let that happen.  Are you with me?  (Applause.)  I will not let that happen.

And instead of saving Social Security for working people and the middle class — although he said he wanted to get rid of it or change it — cut it drastically and now he says he’s for it.  But guess what?  Trump and his MAGA friends will give another massive tax break to the super wealthy and the biggest corporations.  I won’t let that happen.  (Applause.) 

Folks, I know you’re with me. 

I know this: Trump and his MAGA friends are determined to take away your freedoms, like the freedom to vote.  Trump brags about taking away a woman’s freedom to choose.  And now, they’re hatching a plan for a national ban — a national ban.

I won’t let that happen.  Are you with me?  (Applause.)

I’ve made it clear: If the MAGA Republicans try to pass a national ban on abortion, I will veto it.  And consider that a promise made, and a promise will be kept.  (Applause.)

And if you reelect me and Kamala with a Democratic House and a bigger majority in the Senate No- — this November, imagine a future where we restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land again.  (Applause.)

A promise made, and a promise will be kept.

Let me close with this.  A few weeks —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  President Biden, you promised to (inaudible) — you promised to declare (inaudible) —

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

THE PRESIDENT:  Let me close with this.  A few weeks ago, along with Jim, I spoke at Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston.  I said there are extreme and dangerous forces at work in this country — dividing us, not uniting us; dragging us back to the past instead of leading us to a future; refusing to accept the results of legitimate elections; seeking, as Trump says, to “terminate” the Constitution; embracing political violence and white supremacy.

I said in Charleston, there is a second Lost Cause emerging in America.  The first Lost Cause perpetuated the lie that slavery wasn’t the cause of the Civil War.  And we’ve been paying a price for that lie for generations. 

The second Lost Cause is Trump’s Big Lie that the 2020 election was stolen.  We cannot allow that lie to live either, because it threatens our very democracy.

Folks, there are truth, and there are lies — lies told for power, lies told for profit.  We must call out these lies with a voice that is clear and unyielding. 

The Bible teaches, “We shall know the truth, and the truth shall set us free.”  (Applause.)  My friends, we must speak the truth, that America, we still — in America, we still believe in honesty, decency, dignity, respect.  We li- — we believe we are all created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives. 

We leave no one behind.  Everyone deserves a fair shot.  We give hate no safe harbor.  (Applause.)  And we stand against the evil of racism, the poison of rite suprem- — of white supremacy — today, tomorrow, and always.

And we will live in the light, not darkness.  We’ll stand with the truth and defeat the lies.  (Applause.)

And when we do, we’ll be able to look back and say something few generations will have been able to say: America’s democracy at risk — was at risk, and we saved it.

Are you with me?  (Applause.)

Let’s finish what we started.  February 3rd is your primary — the first in the nation.  Organize.  Mobilize.  Vote.  (Applause.)

And let’s remember who we are.  We’re the United States of America.  (Applause.)  And there is nothing — nothing beyond our capacity if we stand together.

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

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

Thank you.  Thank you. 

8:02 P.M. EST

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Remarks by Vice President Harris on Uplifting Small Businesses and Supporting Entrepreneurship | Las Vegas, NV

Sat, 01/27/2024 - 22:27

The Chef Jeff Project
Las Vegas, Nevada 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, let me start by saying it is wonderful to be back in Nevada.  And, Chef Jeff, I want to thank you for so warmly welcoming us and sharing with us the success of your dream of investing in the community and the capacity of everyone.  I’ve been reading about and hearing about the work that you are doing here for quite some time, so it’s been my joy to be here in person.

I do believe in a very fundamental principle — and it transcends religions, but it is an age-old concept — and it is the concept of redemption, which is the notion and the understanding that all people will make a mistake.  And, yes, there must be accountability, especially when it involves the commission of a crime, when it involves anything that might hurt another person; of course, there must be accountability.  But is it not the sign of a civil society to allow people the ability to come back and earn their way back?

And so, when I look at the spirit, I believe, behind the work that is happening here and the work that should be happening everywhere, it is about understanding that all people have some skill or gift or capacity to do good things.  And often, it is a function of whether we as a society put the resources into that possibility.

Do we and are we committed to access — meaningful access to opportunity for all people?

And that is the beauty of the work that is happening here and in many other places, and especially because of the Administrator and who — we have, in Administrator Guzman, the ability to understand, through the SBA, how we can make these opportunities real, in terms of giving businesses like this one access to capital to then create access to opportunity for all the young leaders who are here. 

And so, I applaud the work that is happening here.  I — I recognize it.  Many, many years ago — in fact, now almost two decades ago, when I was District Attorney of San Francisco, I created one of the first reentry initiatives of any place in the country focused on just this notion and idea, which is to give folks an opportunity to come back with the skills and the skill development that are necessary for the people to reach their capacity and achieve their dreams.

And I do believe this is work that we need to reinforce through the structures of our systems, including recognizing where the structures of some of our systems have been an obstacle to these possibilities.

So, on that point, I am pleased to announce today that what we are doing is ensuring that the millions of Americans who have served time or have a criminal record will soon be able to receive small business loans in a way that, before now — (applause) — they were not able to.

And when we look at this, right now, before this announcement, we are looking at millions of Americans who could not access loans for the Small Business Administration — loans that, on average, are about $40 billion a year — because they served time. 

And, again, they paid their — they — they have paid for the accountability that — that they needed to pay.  They have done their time.  They have served their time.  And the point is, if we are to be a society that understands their capacity to earn their way back, we have to remove the obstacles that will prevent them from doing that.

And so, I want to acknowledge and thank the Administrator for your leadership.  The President and I are so proud of the work you have done to make these ideals real.

I especially want to thank the Congressman, Steven Horsford.  He and I have had these conversations for years.  Everyone here in — in Las Vegas and in Nevada knows his background.  But this is a lifelong commitment he has had.  And a lot of the work that we have done as an administration in this regard has been with him as a partner and often as someone who is championing it in the United States Congress in a way that we can facilitate it and see it through.

So, I’ll close where I started: by saying that every person in America should have access to opportunity.  And we have to be very thoughtful and intentional about — and clear-eyed about where there are obstacles to just that end.  And let’s remove those obstacles so that we can have success stories like we have with the young men and women who are here.

And with that, I’m going to turn it over to the Administrator.  Please. 

Thank you.  (Applause.)

                               END         

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Remarks by Vice President Harris at the California State Legislature Democratic Caucus Reception | Sacramento, CA

Thu, 01/25/2024 - 22:22

Stanford Mansion
Sacramento, California 

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

Thank you.  Thank you. 

Okay.  Let’s get to the business at hand.  (Laughter.)  Enough of that. 

(Referring to a handheld microphone.)  Is this working?  Okay.

It’s good to be home.  It’s really good to be home. 

Mr. Speaker, Madam Senate pro Tem, I want to thank you.  I was talking with Robert Garcia, the Congressman, and Congresswoman Doris Matsui, and we’ve been working together in D.C., and we just love our home state and thought, “Well, let’s try and figure out a way to get to Sacramento,” so I could hang out with you all for minute.  (Applause.)  And that’s why we’re here.  And that’s why we’re here. 

And I just want to start by thanking all of you. 

And — and, McGuire, where are you?  I know you’re coming in as Sen- — where is he?  Where is — he’s back there in the ba- — okay.  Not your time yet to be in the front of the room, right?  (Laughter.)  Congratulations to you as well.

And, of course, to our Governor, who is in South Carolina right now on behalf of our administration.  So, let’s applaud his work and his leadership.  (Applause.)

So, I just wanted to — to visit with everyone, to come back home.  And, you know, I know the press is here, but the rumor mill among those of us who have worked in Sacramento is this building is haunted.  (Laughter.)  And I’m sure some of us have had haunting experiences in this building.

But it is certainly good to be back home and to be in a place that really is a heartbeat of so much that happens in our beautiful state but has happened around the country historically and today.  And so, first and foremost, I want to thank you all for your leadership.

And, as many of you know, I have served in local government as DA, served in the state government and here in Sacramento as AG and then Senate, and now as Vice President.  And I know the work that you all do.  And I know how committed you are.  And I have had the pleasure and the joy and the good fortune of working with most of you to see how you do what you do.  And it’s extraordinary.

We have a state with a population of over 40 million people, and we take great pride in what we know we can have in terms of impact — for each of you, for your constituents directly, but by extension, the impact you have on our state, and, therefore, on the rest of the country.  And you take that work very seriously.

And, you know, I, maybe with a bit of bravado, will repeat what I think we all say: So goes California, goes the nation.  So, I start by saying thank you.

And I wanted to come and visit with you to also highlight that this is going to be an extraordinary year of extraordinary consequence.  And I know you know that.  We are looking at an election that is coming up that is, without any question, existential in terms of where we go as a country and, by extension, where we go as a world.

So, as Vice President, I will tell you, I have now met with over 150 world leaders: presidents, prime ministers, chancellors, and kings.  In fact, hosted a number of them at my new temporary public housing in Washington, D.C.  (Laughter.)  But I have met with many of them now many times and have formed relationships with them.

So, the last international trips that I took were actually to Dubai to represent our country at COP28 — and, of course, California has had a profound impact on the discussions that have happened at COP over the years — and then I was also in the United Kingdom, in London, to represent our perspective on what should be the future of the safety of AI for the world.  And, of course, California has and continues to have an outsized impact on what that will mean.

But all of that being said, being there, then, to a one, the leaders of nations around the world — and, in particular, our allies — came up to me, and the first point they made is, “I hope you guys are going to be okay.” 

And when they ask that question, it is absolutely for them out of self-interest.  Because understand, when we walk in those rooms around the world representing the United States of America, we walk in those rooms, historically, chin up, shoulders back, with the self-appointed and earned authority to talk about the significance of democracies, rule of law.

But the thing — I say to a room of role models — about being a role model is people watch what you do to see if it lines up with what you say.  And best believe that then the outcome of this November will have a profound impact on whether we will either remain in a position to walk around and in those rooms with allies and adversaries alike, talking about the strength that democracies give to its people and talk about it by example, or not.

The impact of this upcoming election is, without any question, global in its reach.  And then let us talk about what it means for your constituents, for our neighbors, for our family members, and for our friends.

You know, New Hampshire this week made it pretty clear where this is going to go.  Okay?  The process is still unfolding.  But I would offer that in the midst of so much that is weighted and — and complex about what is happening in our world and, therefore, not binary — November of ’24: binary.

I’d ask us to just put up a split screen.  On the one side, you’ve got a former President who openly applauds dictators and has pretty explicitly suggested that that’s the role that he intends to take on if reelected, who openly has talked about an intention to weaponize the Department of Justice to exact consequence to those who he has determined are his political enemies. 

Split screen.  On the other side, you have, in Joe Biden and what we have accomplished as an administration, competence, compassion, skill, and performance.  Because of the support and, in so many ways, the role modeling of people in this room, our administration has been able to accomplish transformative work.

On the issue of climate, California has always been a leader.  It has been leadership coming right out of this town — Sacramento.  And because of the way that we know we should think about the future, our administration has been able to now, by my calculation, invest over $1 trillion in the next 10 years on addressing the climate crisis — (applause) — around resilience, adaptation, and a clean energy economy.  Competence.

You know, they talked for years — in administrations of — of, you know, both parties — about what we need to do around America’s infrastructure, which, by many calculations, is 150 years old.  We got it done. 

California is going to get $33 billion out of that infrastructure bill — (applause) — to upgrade our roads and bridges and sidewalks.  Talk to any parent, a mom or a dad, trying to push a stroller on those broken sidewalks.  Of great consequence, the work that we have achieved. 

An investment in the CHIPS and Science Act, which is an investment in R&D, a lot of the work that started right here in our state — (applause) — so that we will be competitive and a leader globally on the trajection, on the future of this work. 

As many of you know, my mother, in her last years, ran a lab at UC Berkeley.  She was a breast cancer specialist.  We take great pride out of UC and — and the community colleges for the work that we’ve done in California — (applause) — in terms of our investment in semiconductor and science and — and advancement. 

Think about the work that we have done that has been about saying we got to have compassion and understand, for too long, our seniors have been having to make a choice of whether they could fill their refrigerator or fill a doctor’s prescription.  And we finally got it so that Medicare can finally negotiate drug prices for our seniors and cap that cost at $2,000 a year.  (Applause.)

Cap the cost of insulin at $35 a month — African Americans, 60 percent more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes; Latinos, 70 percent more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes. 

So, let’s just pull up the split screen to see.  It’s really quite binary in terms of what we’re looking at and what’s at stake. 

And so, I’m here to talk with the leaders who are here to, most of all, just ask you to always do and continue to do what you do so well.  Because I know you, and I know how you do what you do. 

And so, it is about, in the midst of an environment that is, frankly, I think, a bit perverse in terms of what it is suggesting leaders look like — you know, this environment that suggests you measure a leader based on who they beat down, instead of what we know is the real measure of the strength of a leader, based on who you lift up; this environment that suggests it’s a sign of weakness to have compassion, when we know the true quality and character of a real leader is one who has a level of concern and care and curiosity for the suffering of other people and then does something about lifting them up and alleviating that suffering.

So, right now, your leadership is so important.  This California legislature and you each individually make such a difference.  And I know you, and I know what I’m saying.

I’ve been traveling our country.  I mean, just in the last two and a half weeks, I’ve been to Georgia and North Carolina, South Carolina twice, Wisconsin — what did I leave out? — New York, Nevada, came home to Sacramento.  (Applause.) 

You guys will make a difference.  And so, here’s what I am here to ask of you.  I’m here to ask you to do what you know how to do and do so well and to just remind you that it’s really important and it makes a difference.  And it’s going to make a difference for our state.  And, by extension, it’s going to make a difference for our nation.

And so, what does that work look like?  Well, one, you know, one of the challenges that we’re going to have in this reelect is not that we don’t have a lot of good material, because we do; we just need to let folks know who brung it to them. 

It is shocking — maybe not for this group — to know that you go to some states, and people who voted against what we’ve accomplished are now taking credit for it.  (Laughter.)  But we know how this stuff works. 

Okay.  That’s fine.  (Laughter.)  Let’s just — right?  We know how this works.

So, let’s get out there and use the skills that we have — of communication, of organizing, of touching people, of understanding who they are, of seeing them, of listening to them — to remind people that we’re all in this together.  In the midst of an environment that is trying to distract and divide our nation, let’s do what we do to build community and coalition around all of these issues.

And so, I’m here to ask that of you.  I’ve asked Buffy to follow up and kind of be a liaison, along with whoever else wants to raise their hand, to do that work, to work with us around what we can do to spread the message not only in our home state but as we have done, historically, in Nevada, in Arizona, and wherever else. 

I know we’ve got folks here who have relations in Wisconsin.  Where are you?  Right?  Exactly.  (Laughs.)  Right?

But let’s — let’s hustle and get that wo- —

I — I — you know, I’ll tell you on a personal level: So, Doug and I — I was working right up until Christmas Eve, so we stayed in D.C. in — and then — because I knew I could not get back to L.A., which is where I now live, in time to get a tree and some poinsettias.  (Laughs.)  Like, I just knew it wasn’t going to happen, right?  And I would have just been sad.

So, we stayed in D.C. for Christmas and came back to L.A. on the 26th.  And we slept.  (Laughter.)  I mean, you guys know what that’s like.  We slept.  Like, Doug looked at me — he’s like, “Honey, we’re defrosting.”  (Laughter.) 

And I — I cooked, which is my happy place, and the kids and family, friends came over.  But did all that knowing that starting the first of this year, we got to be on the road full time and hustle.  And every day is going to matter.

So, again, I thank you all for everything that you are, everything that you represent.  It is so good to be home and be with so many longstanding friends and colleagues. 

And I’ll end where I started, by saying thank you. 

          END

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Remarks by First Lady Jill Biden at a Gun Violence Prevention Event

Thu, 01/25/2024 - 21:25

Indian Treaty Room
Eisenhower Executive Office Building

3:41 P.M. EST
     

THE FIRST LADY:  Thank you.  Thank you, Greg.  

And, Stef, you’ve built an amazing team for the first-ever Office of Gun Violence Prevention.  (Applause.)  I know that working on this issue is not easy, but this team’s commitment never wavers, and we all are so grateful for everything that you do.

 Ava Olsen, from Townville, South Carolina, is 13.  But her friend Jacob will always be six.  

Ava will try out different clothing trends and learn how to drive.  She’ll have crushes and graduate from high school.  But Jacob, now forever dressed in his favorite Batman costume, will always be six.  

Ava is a survivor.  After years of debilitating PTSD, unable to leave her home, you know, for fear of reliving those moments on the playground when she ran for her life, she then returned to school.  But the heaviness of that small coffin will always weigh on her heart, because Jacob will always be six.

Ethan Song of Guilford, Connecticut, will always be 15.  

Alejandro Guerrero Jr. of Grand Rapids, Michigan, will always be 14.

I know that we have some of their friends and family with us today. 

The number of children we’ve lost to gun violence, to shooting is unfathomable.  But those numbers don’t tell the whole story. 

They don’t tell us of the parents who steel themselves as they put their child on the school bus every morning, the students who watch the door instead of the whiteboard, the educators who go over their emergency plans in their heads before the first bell. 

Like many of all of you, I know that feeling.  I teach at a community college not far from here.  I was there this morning.  And at the start of each semester, I explain to my students what they should do if the worst happens. 

 But we can help prevent that violence.  You can help prevent that violence.  

The parents in your schools trust you.  They look to you to steer their children toward the bright futures ahead of them.  You can show parents that they can be part of preventing the next shooting, the next suicide, the next accident.

A secured gun could have saved Jacob and Ale- — Alejandro and Ethan.  It could mean they would be starting high school or college or their first job.

They could have grown up beside their friends, like it — like it really should have been. 

I know we ask a lot of our educators.  And I know that these shootings affect you too.  So, I want to thank you for all that you’ve already done, for coming here to be willing to push a little harder and to do this one more thing. 

This issue matters to the President.  It weighs on his heart every day.  And he’s not going to stop fighting until we’ve solved it.

How can we accept a world where the leading cause of death for our children is gun violence?  Where active shooter drills are part of growing up in America?  Where our children hear loud noises and duck for cover?

Enough is enough — enough pain, enough death.  No more funerals. 

I don’t want to have to put my hand on another cross with an eight-year-old’s name. 

We must change this.  We must protect our kids from gun violence. 

Thank you for all that you do. 

And now, please help me welcome someone who is fighting for our students and our educators every single day, my favorite, Secretary Miguel Cardona.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.) 

                             END                3:47 P.M. EST

###

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Remarks by President Biden on Investing in America and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law | Superior, WI

Thu, 01/25/2024 - 16:59

Earth Rider Brewery
Superior, Wisconsin

1:05 P.M. CST

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, hello, hello.  (Applause.)  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  (Applause.)  If you have a seat, take it.  (Laughs.)

Hello, Wisconsin.  (Applause.)  And from across the Bay, hello, Minnesota.  (Applause.)  Tim, thank you for the introduction.

I got to m- — I got to meet his twins and his wife.  And no wonder he’s here.  I tell you what, they’re going to keep him here.

Look, I’m honored to be with the two best governors in America — in the United States of America today — (applause) — the governor of Wisconsin, Tony Evers — Tony, stand up — and, also, the governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz.  (Applause.)

And thanks to the outstanding senators: Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin — (applause) — Tammy (inaudible) — and Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith from the state of Minnesota.  (Applause.)  If I have all three of them on my side, I don’t worry about anything.  (Laughter and applause.) 

And two great mayors: Mayor Paine of Superior, Wisconsin — (applause) — and Mayor Reinert of Duluth, Minnesota.  (Applause.)  Stand up, guys.  (Applause.)

Folks, I’m here today to talk about something that doesn’t get enough attention: the progress we’re making to invest in America — in American workers, in American products — to invest in America.  That’s what we’re doing: bringing work, opportunity, and hope to people and communities all across this country.

Just last week, we saw the biggest jump in 30 years in how positive consumers are feeling about the economy.  Things are finally beginning to sink in.

We passed a lot of really good legislation.  We knew it was going to take time for it to begin to take hold.  But it’s taking hold now and turning the economy around.

We also just learned that America fi- — filed 16 million new business applications since I’ve become President.  That’s a record.  (Applause.) 

And the reason I mention it — when someone files for a new business, it’s a — it’s a — it’s an example of hope, something they believe in.  They believe that they can get something done and of consequence.  You know, and Tim’s business right here is that act of hope, as well — started a while ago.

And just today, we learned the economy of the United States grew by 3.1 percent last year.  I don’t wa- — (applause) — I don’t want to bore you all with detail, but, you know, the experts, from the time I got elected, were insisting that a recession was just around the corner.  Every month, there was going to be a recession.

Well, you know, we’ve got really strong growth.  Listening to this — here is this mo- — this morning’s headlines, from the Wall Street Journal and other papers.  Quote, “U.S. [Growth] Shatters Expectations.”  Second headline: “The U.S. Economy Boomed in 2023.”  Third: “U.S. Economy Grew at a Sh- — a Shocking Pace.”  (Laughs.)  I love that “shocking pace” piece.  (Laughter.)  But my favorite is from the Wall Street Journal.  Quote, “What Recession?  Growth Ended [Up] Accelerating in 2023.”  (Applause.)

Folks, look — and, by the way, the economic growth was stronger than we had during the Trump administration.

Our — my predecessor recently said he was actually hoping for the economy to crash.  His quote.  Hoping for the economy to crash.  And can you believe it?  Well — well, he said he’s hoping — because he hope it happens soon, while I’m still president.  That’s what he’s hoping for.

Well, thanks to the American people, America now has the strongest growth and the lowest inflation rate of any major economy in the world.  (Applause.)  It’s because of you.

We obviously have more work to do, but we’re making real progress, building an economy from the middle out and the bottom up and not the top down.

I was raised in a household where there were — we had three-bedroom — it was a nice home — three-bedroom split-level home in a new development of 40 homes in suburbia with four — four kids and a grandpop living with us.  And — but trickle-down economics didn’t trickle down much on my ga- — dad’s kitchen table.

Because when we — when we — when we work from the middle out and the bottom up, the poor have a shot, the middle class does really well, and the — and the wealthy still do well.  But everybody gets a shot.  We all do well.

You know, as the Secretary of the Treasury, Jan- — Janet Yellen, just said today, and I quote, “The story of the middle class is not separate from the st- — state of the economy.  It’s at the heart of it.”  She went on to say, “I mean workers across industries and occupations — from firefighters to nurses to factory workers.”

That’s the middle class.  At least that’s where I come from.  And that’s what it’s all about.

So, I’m here to announce more progress that shows that we can get big things done in America if we start believing in ourselves again, if we start investing in America again.

Folks, look, our infrastructure used to be the best in the world — the be- — rated the best in the world.  But over a period of time, we stopped investing in America.  We stopped it.  We stopped investing in ourselves, and we slipped.  We’re now ranked the 13th best infrastructure in the world.  The United States of America, number 13 in the world.

How in God’s name can we have the strongest economy in the world when we don’t have the strongest and best infrastructure in the world?  It’s not possible.

So, we’re determined to turn that around.  We — we’re determined to turn that around in a big way.  And that’s exactly — (applause) — and that’s actually what we’re doing.

Two years ago, I came to Wisconsin — it was almost this very spot — to talk about the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that I signed with the support of your elected officials — the most sweeping investment to rebuild America in American history.

We’ve already invested $6.1 billion in Wisconsin so far, $5.7 billion — (applause) — $5.7 billion in Minnesota.  (Applause.) 

Two years later, I came back to the Blatnik Bridge.  I was here two years ago.

Well, last time I was here, I came with Tammy, and we’re now back this time because we know — we knew this bridge needed a — had — needed a lot of work.  Tammy didn’t let — let me forget that, either.  (Laughter.) 

You know, that bridge opened in 1961, and it connects Minnesota to Wisconsin — you know better than anyone in the world — and over the [St.] Louis Bay.

It’s a vital link in our nation’s economy.  Every year, 950,000 trucks use the bridge to carry 3.4 billion tons of goods all the way across America and into Canada.  Folks, every day 33,000 ve- — vehicles cross that bridge.

The flow of people is so critical to small businesses that rely on it to get customers, employers [employees], goods to the businesses — it’s critical — and local businesses like this brewery at the base of the bridge.

Think what Tim just told us.  Tim’s family has been here for four generations.  His great-grandparents moved here from Scandinavia to build a bakery just four blocks from here.

And as Tim just said, the bridge is critical to his business, his workers, his customers, to the entire local economy.  And it’s like that in other parts of the country as well.

This bridge is also critical to the largest port on the Great Lakes, serving critical industries like forestry, agriculture, clean energy, supporting so many communities.  I mean, it really is consequential.

But you also know this bridge is in badly corroded condition.  It’s unsafe for trucks to carry oversize, overweight loads, causing drivers lengthy detours, increasing costs and delays.

It’s outdated in design.  Tight curves have led to higher-than-average car accident rates, traffic congestion.

For decades, people talked about replacing this bridge, but it never got done, until today.  (Applause.)  Until today.  I mean it.

And I’m proud to announce $1 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be used to build this new bridge, a new bridge that will increase capacity for large trucks and oversized loads; a new bridge with a modern design, wider shoulders, smother on — smoother on and off ramps; a new bridge with a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists.  (Applause.)

And I — and I want to credit your governors — and I mean this sincerely — and your state legislatures for coming up with the matching money to invest in this bridge.  Otherwise, it wouldn’t have gotten done with — with your own funding.

This investment is going to make a huge difference: less traffic, fewer car accidents, faster commutes to your jobs and schools, quicker response times from firetrucks and first responders when every minute counts.

Goods are going to get shipped quicker, and commerce will flow more freely, instead of having to detour for up to 10 miles.

Here’s what else it means.  It means that 10,000 new construction jobs — union jobs — (applause) — are going to be created.

We’re investing in America, in jobs for American workers, built with American products.

And that’s going to — with the help of your congressional delegation, especially Senator Tammy Baldwin, we’re making sure that that iron, that steel, that construction material to build this bridge is made in America.  (Applause.)
And this funding is part of a larger $5 billion investment led by the Department of Transportation for 37 major projects across America, including bridges, highways, ports, airports.  To date, 40,000 infrastructure problems have been — projects have been announced all across America.  And with the support of these great governors and congressional delegation, we’re doing other big things.

For example, we’re making sure every American, including all of you here, have access to affordable high-speed Internet.  (Applause.)  I want to thank Amy for her leadership in this issue.  She has been relentless.  (Applause.)

High-speed Internet is essential to today’s economy.  It’s as essential as electricity was when Franklin Roosevelt was president.  Not a joke. 

That’s why, nearly a century ago, Franklin Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act.  I know this sounds like it doesn’t make — doesn’t matter, but it matters a great deal.  He signed it to bring electricity to nearly every home and farm in America because it became essential — an essential part of the economic growth of the country, an essential way to access the modern life.  And so is high-speed Internet today.

In Wisconsin and Minnesota, we’re investing $2.5 billion — $2.5 billion in high-speed Internet.  And we’re going to save — (applause) — and we’re going to save more than 600,000 families in these two states up to $30 a month on their Internet bills.  The household that I came from, that matters.  Those $30 extra at the end of the month — bills all add up when you’re living on a fixed salary.

We’re also investing $1.1 billion in your state to provide clean water and replace poisonous lead pipes.  (Applause.)  Every lead pipe is going to be taken out so you can turn on your faucet and drink clean water without getting sick. 

You know, a recent study shows that reducing lead exposure for children has the same effect on a student’s test scores as reducing the size of a class they’re in from 22 to 15 — one tenth the cost, it is.  It matters.  It affects the ability of the brain to function.

That’s why we’re going to eliminate every single lead pipe in America.  And I promise you that.  We got the money to do it now.  (Applause.)

And that’s on top of another billion dollars to clean up the Great Lakes, which provide drinking water to 20 million people — (applause) — 20 million people.  And, by the way, it used to make the beer brewed here — (laughs) — it is used to make the brewed beer here in this refine- — oh, Earth Rider, thanks for the Great Lakes.  I wondered why (inaudible) — (laughter).

What we’re doing in Wisconsin and Minnesota is just one piece of a much bigger story.  Look, 14 million new jobs since I became president — (applause); 169 [thousand] new jobs in Wisconsin, 200,000 in Minnesota; nearly 800,000 new manufacturing jobs nationwide — good-paying jobs. 

And [un]employment has been the lowest — been below 4 percent for the longest stretch in 50 years.  (Applause.)  And it’s even lower in Wisconsin and Minnesota, where it stands at 3.3 and 2.9 percent, respectively. 

That’s our economic plan: invest in America, invest in American products, build in America.  That’s what we call Bidenomics. 

My professor — well, I won’t get into my professor.  (Laughter.) 

But, look, my predecessor, though, he chose a different course: trickle-down economics, cut taxes for the very wealthy and big corporations, increasing the deficit significantly.  That’s exactly what happened.  That’s exactly what happened. 

And the fact is — well, I won’t get into it, but — I don’t want to get going.  (Laughter.) 

He stripped good-paying jobs and shipped them overseas.  Why?  Cheaper labor.  Rather than pay you a fair wage, ship it overseas, lower wage costs, and then import the product, denying Americans jobs.  He shrank public investment in infrastructure and education.  And then the process — in the process, he hollowed out communities, closing factories, leaving too many Americans behind.

Look, I grew up in the neighborhoods that many — many of you did, in regions where they had that factory that — maybe it only employed 600 people or 800 people, but it was the heartbeat of the community. 

And all of a sudden, one day, corporation owners decided it was cheaper to send that factory overseas because the labor was cheaper.  So, it sent the — closed the factory, sent it overseas, imported the product from overseas, paid more money for it, and they didn’t have to pay as much in labor.  That’s what happened.  That’s how we began to hollow out American labor.  For real.  Not a joke. 

You know, any rate —

He talked about infrastructure.  Every week, when — for four years, he was going to increase the infr- — “We’re at ‘Infrastructure Week.’”  Well — (laughs) — we have Infrastruc- — Infrastructure Year.  (Laughter.)  He didn’t get — on my watch, instead of Infrastructure Week, America is having an Infrastructure Decade.  (Applause.)

Look, we’re rebuilding factories, and jobs are coming back to America.

For example, you know, when we — you know that little computer chip that everybody needs for everything from your watch to your automobile?  Well, guess what?  We used to make — we invented them.  We s- — made them more sophisticated.  We used to have 40 percent of the market.  And all of a sudden, it was — we have nothing.  You know that — and so, guess what?  I got on a plane and went to South Korea. 

My staff went, “What the hell are you doing?”  I talked to the — the prime — the leader of South Korea.  I said, “You have a thing called ‘Samsung.’  You make a lot of these computer chips.  Come to America.” 

Well, not only did they, but a total of $50 billion — (applause) — is coming to America, building factories in America — in America.

There’s a place just outside of Columbus, Ohio.  They call it a “Field of Dreams.”  They’re building two of these — these fa- — these “fabs,” they call — factories.  They’re like gigantic football fields.  And guess what?  They hire a whole hell of a lot of people, not only building the facility but working there. 

You know what the average salary is?  One hundred and ten thousand bucks a year, and you don’t need a college degree to have the job.  (Applause.)  

The Midwest is coming back.  And these senators right in front of you here, they delivered it.  Amy delivered it.  Tammy delivered it.  Tina delivered it.  I mean it sincerely.  (Applause.)  And you, the American people, supported it. 

Now, I worked with some Republicans to get the bipartisan law done.  And it got done.  But I’m sorry to say, the vast majority voted against it.  But you know what?  That’s okay, because we’re building projects everywhere, no matter whether they voted for it or not. 

I promised to be a president for all Americans, whether you voted for me or didn’t vote for me.  (Applause.)

Folks, but we have more — we have more work to do.  For example, does anyone think that the tax code in America is fair?  Raise your hand if you think the tax code is fair. 

In 2020, 55 of the Fortune 500 company corporations paid zero in taxes — zero in taxes.  You may heard me harp on this for a while.  Federal taxes on $40 billion in profit, they paid zero cents. 

But not anymore.  What I was able to do is provo- — provide for funding all of these programs by signing a — getting passed the tax of just 15 percent.  You pay more than that.  But just getting up to 15 percent — 15 percent tax on these 50 corporations making $40 billion.  And guess what?  As a consequence, we could pay for so many of these investments we’re making all across America without the deficit going up.  And we still brought the deficit down by $7 billion. 

Look, we have to do more. 

One of the other things that I want to mention — you know, I — I’ve been — I’m going to say this politely.  For my entire career, I have been going after the pharmaceutical corporations.  Pharmaceutical corporations in America are the best in the world.  They make the best product.  But whatever prescription you may be taking now, if I take that prescription for you — we’re going to fly to Toronto, Canada; London, England; any — Brazil; anywhere in the world — I will get that prescription by the same company filled for anywhere from one third to one half the cost. 

We get charged more than any other country in the world.  Not a joke.  And you pay for it not only in your prescription, but you pay for it because Medicare pays for a great deal of this.  So, I’ve been pushing to let Medicare negotiate and save (inaudible).  (Applause.)

Well, with the help of your Senate and congress- — congressional delegation, I finally won. 

And guess what?  Any of you — I’m not asking you to raise your hand — but you know anybody who has a — has a problem with diabetes, needs insulin?  Well, it used to be the average cost of that insulin shot a ye- — on a monthly basis was closer to $400.  Now they cannot charge more than $35.  (Applause.)

And, by the way, they’re still making 350 percent profit.  It costs 10 bucks to make it — 10 bucks to make it.  And the guy who invented it didn’t even want a patent on it because he thought it should be available to everyone.

I could take you down the list. 

And beginning in 2025, guess what else happens?  Anybody you know have parents or grandparents who are taking a cancer drug?  They may be paying anywhere from 6- to 13,000 bucks a month for the — for that drug.  They can’t do it.

And guess what?  No one is going to have — no senior is going to have to pay, no matter how many drugs have to take, more than $2,000 bucks a month, period — period, period, period.  (Applause.)

And they’re still going to make money.  They’re still going to make money.

And, folks, I was told that that’s an awful thing to do, man.  It’s a terrible thing to do.  Guess what?  Not only is it saving the individual money, it means you, as taxpayers, are paying billions of dollars less per month because you don’t have to spend that money on Medicaid.  You don’t have to spend that money on Medicaid because it’s a fair price.

We get thou- — look, we — you know, we now have — we used to — before the recession, before the — the pandemic, we had about 700 billionaires in America.  There are 1,000 billionaires now.  You know what their average tax rate is?  Eight percent.

Raise your hand if you want to trade your tax rate now for 8 percent.  (Laughter.)  No, I’m not joking.  I — I’m being deadly earnest.  You know, it sou- — it sounds like I’m making this up: 8 percent, what they pay. 

That’s why I proposed the billionaire minimum tax of 25 percent.  That’s not even the top rate.  (Applause.) 

If billionaires and big corporations paid even close to their fair share, we could strengthen Social Security and Medicare, bring down the cost of childcare, eldercare.  Working-class and middle-class people would all be better off.  And it wouldn’t cost a penny because they’re making — $40 billion would be coming in.

And — and it’s not — I mean, it’s just — it’s just basic fairness.  You know, it’s the right thing to do, and we can get this done.  And I’ll be damned, in the last year of this administration, I’m going to get it done.  (Applause.) 

Let me close with this.  I’m going on too long.  I apol- — I get a little tied up here.  (Laughter.)

This bridge is important, but the story we’re writing is much bigger than that.

When you see the shovels in the ground and cranes in the sky and people hard at work on these projects, I hope you feel re- — a renewed sense pride — pride in your community, pride in what we can do, pride in America, pride in knowing we can get big things done still together in America.

We’re the only county in the world that’s come out of every crisis we’ve gotten into stronger than we went in.  Not a joke.  The only country in the world.  For God’s sake, this is the United States of America — United States of America.

And the real heroes in this whole story, the American people, are starting to speak up.  American workers, American people doing the work to bring communities back to their country in ways that are — that it was before — in the future.

That’s what America does.  That’s why I’ve been never more optimistic about the future.  We just have to remember who in God’s name we are.  We’re the United States of America, and there is nothing — nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together. 

Let’s start working together, for God’s sake.

God bless you all.  And may God protect our troops.  (Applause.)

1:28 P.M. CST

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Remarks by President Biden at a Political Event

Wed, 01/24/2024 - 20:45

2:30 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Hello, UAW! (Applause.)

AUDIENCE: UAW! UAW! UAW!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

AUDIENCE: UAW! UAW! UAW!

THE PRESIDENT: For —

AUDIENCE: UAW! UAW! UAW!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AUDIENCE: Joe! Joe! Joe!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2:51 P.M. EST

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Remarks by Vice President Harris at a Campaign Event | Manassas, VA

Wed, 01/24/2024 - 13:07

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

4:36 P.M. EST

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

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

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

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

Please have a seat if you’d like.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Across our nation, women are suffering. 

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

AUDIENCE MEMBERS:  Boo!

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

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

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

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

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

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

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

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

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

And when we fight, we win.

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

And now —

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

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And with that —

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

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

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

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

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

Amanda.  (Applause.)

                               END                  4:45 P.M. EST

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Remarks by President Biden at a Campaign Event | Manassas, VA

Wed, 01/24/2024 - 12:57

Hylton Performing Arts Center
Manassas, Virginia

(January 23, 2024)

4:50 P.M. EST

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

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

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

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

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

Hello, Virginia! (Applause.)

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

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

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

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

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

Jill and I had a chance to sit down —

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

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

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

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

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

Thank you.

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

AUDIENCE MEMBER: We love you, Joe!

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

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Israel kills two mothers every hour!

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

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

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

THE PRESIDENT: They feel deeply.

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

Yes- —

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Miscarriage (inaudible) —

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

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

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

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

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

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

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

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

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

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

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

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

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AUDIENCE: No!

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

AUDIENCE: Booo —

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

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

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

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

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

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

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

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

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: (Laughs.)

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

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

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible) is a war crime!

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

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Keep going!

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

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

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

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

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

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

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

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

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

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

AUDICENCE: Booo —

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

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

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

Look —

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: Please don’t jump.

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

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

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

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

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

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: But, look —

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AUDIENCE: Booo —

AUDIENCE MEMBERS: We have daughters!

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

AUDIENCE: Nooo —

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

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

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

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

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

AUDIENCE: Yes! (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: Are you ready to defend democracy?

AUDIENCE: Yes! (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: Are you ready to protect our freedoms?

AUDIENCE: Yes! (Applause.)

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

AUDIENCE: Yes! (Applause.)

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

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

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

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

Thank you. (Applause.)

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

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

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

5:12 P.M. EST

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Remarks by Vice President Harris to Kick Off Nationwide “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” Tour | Big Bend, WI

Mon, 01/22/2024 - 23:06

IUPAT District Council 7
Big Bend, Wisconsin

12:51 P.M. CST

AUDIENCE:  MVP!  MVP!  MVP!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  (Laughter.)  Thank you, all.  (Applause.)

Oh, it’s good to be back in Wisconsin.  Good afternoon, everyone.  Good afternoon. 

Can we please give it up for Dr. Domeyer-Klenske for just all she has done — (applause) — and her incredible courage?  I had the joy of spending some time with her backstage.  You really are fantastic.

And, of course, it is good to be with my dear friend Tammy Baldwin.  She was here earlier today, but she had to go back to Washington for some important votes.  So —

AUDIENCE:  MVP!  MVP!  MVP!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And on the subject of Tammy Baldwin, I — I want to just mention Tammy because she had to go back to Washington for some important votes.  She was here earlier.  But I will say, Wisconsin, that you have in her an extraordinary leader.  I had the privilege of spending time with her when I was in the Senate.  Tammy is always fighting for the people of Wisconsin.  And so, can we please applaud her for what she does?  (Applause.)  Thank you.

And moving on, I want to say that, you know, when we look at where we are as a country, we do no- — need those elected leaders.  Among the leaders who are here — for example, Congresswoman Gwen Moore is here, another member of Congress — (applause) — and all of the state and local leaders who are here, I want to thank you all for the work that you do to uphold one of our nation’s highest ideals: the ideal of freedom.

Freedom, I believe, is fundamental to the promise of America — freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom of assembly, the freedom to vote.  In America, freedom is not to be given.  It is not to be bestowed.  It is ours by right — (applause) — by right.

And that includes the freedom to make decisions about one’s own body — (applause) — not the government telling you what to do. 

Fifty-one years ago today, in the case of Roe v. Wade, the United States Supreme Court recognized the fundamental constitutional right to reproductive freedom.  And for nearly half a century, Americans relied on the freedoms protected by Roe.  However, 19 months ago, the highest court in our land, the court of Thurgood and RBG, took a constitutional right from the people of America, from the women of America. 

And now on the 51st anniversary of Roe, we speak of it in the past tense.  In the last 19 months, in states across our nation, extremists have proposed and passed laws that criminalize doctors and punish women; laws that threaten doctors and nurses with prison time, even for life, simply for providing healthcare; laws that, in some states, make no exception, even for rape and incest.

Now, many of you know, I started my career as a prosecutor specializing in crimes against women and children.  What you may not know is one of the reasons why.  So, when I was in high school, I learned that one of my best friends was being molested by her stepfather.  And so, I said to her, “You’ve got to come stay with us.”  I called my mother, and my mother said, “Of course she should,” and she did.

So, the idea that someone who survives a crime that is violence to their body, a violation to their body, and then would not have the authority to decide what happens to their body next, that’s immoral.  It’s immoral.  (Applause.)

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

This is, in fact, a healthcare crisis.  And there is nothing about this that is hypothetical.  Today, in America, one in three women of reproductive age live in a state with an abortion ban — one in three.

And let us understand what that really means for people across our nation.  Let us understand the horrific reality that women are facing every single day since Roe was overturned.  I have met women who have had miscarriages in toilets because they were refused care.  I met a woman who went to the emergency room during a miscarriage and was turned away because the doctors were afraid they’d be thrown in jail for giving care.  And it was only when she developed sepsis that they gave her the care she needed. 

We know that the majority of women who have abortions are mothers.  If they live in a state with an abortion ban and they need to travel to receive care, God help her if she does not have paid leave or affordable childcare.  God help them if they don’t have the savings to buy a bus, a train, or a plane ticket or to bo- — book a hotel room. 

And while these extremists say they are motivated by the health and well-being of women and children, in reality, they ignore the crisis of maternal mortality.  (Applause.)  The top 10 states with the highest rates of maternal mortality all have abortion bans.  The hypocrisy abounds. 

And let us be clear about what they’re up to.  These extremists want to roll back the clock to a time before women were treated as full citizens — Wisconsin to the 1800s.  Just look at what happened here in this beautiful state of Wisconsin. 

After Roe was dismantled, extremists evoked a law from 1849 to stop abortion in this state — 1849 — before women could vote, before women could hold elected office, before many women could even own property. 

In a state whose motto is “Forward” — (applause) — these extremists are trying to take us backwards.  But we’re not having that.  We’re not having that.  (Applause.)

And just look at what the fallout has been: the reproductive care clinics across the state that had to close, the women that hospitals had to turn away — women like Meagan.

So, Meagan learned she was pregnant early last year.  A few months later, she and her husband, Jon, went to their doctor for a routine ultrasound, and it revealed devastating news for them.  The fetus had a severe genetic disorder, and Meagan’s pregnancy threatened her life.  But because of that 1849 law, Meagan’s doctor could not provide a lifesaving abortion unless he found two other physicians to sign off. 

He called doctor after doctor here in Wisconsin, but none were willing to risk going to prison.  Ultimately, Meagan had to go to Minnesota to receive care.  She had to leave the state where she calls home to save her life. 

Thankfully, late last year, a judge declared that this 1849 law did not apply to abortion, and some clinics in Wisconsin have since reopened.  But that does not undo — (applause) — that does not undo or heal the incredible pain that women like Meagan have endured. 

Meagan and her husband, Jon, are here with us today.  And in front of all the friends, let us applaud them for their courage, and I thank them for the time that I had with them today.  Can we please applaud them?  (Applause.) 

And I — I mention them because I think it’s very important to understand the courage it takes to share those kinds of stories.  And the reality of what is happening in real time across our country is that, for every story we hear, there are so many that we do not hear about. 

Today, an untold number of women are silently suffering — women who are being subjected to profound judgment; women who are being made to feel as though they did something wrong, as though they should be embarrassed, being made to feel as though they are alone. 

And to those women, I say: We see you, and we are listening, and we see your incredible strength.  And we are here with you.  (Applause.)

And so, as we face this crisis, as we are clear-eyed about the harm, let us also understand who is responsible, shall we?   The former President —

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — hand-picked three Supreme Court Justices because he intended for them to overturn Roe. He intended for them to take your freedoms. And it is a decision he brags about.

A couple of weeks ago, he said that, for years, quote, “They were trying to get Roe v. Wade terminated.”  But he said, quote, “I did it.  And I’m proud to have done it.”  

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Proud?  Proud? 

Proud that women across our nation are suffering?  Proud that women have been robbed of a fundamental freedom?  Proud that doctors could be thrown in prison for caring for their patients?  That young women today have fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers? 

How dare he.  (Applause.) 

And the extremists are not done.  This afternoon, in the Wisconsin Legislature, extremists will hold a hearing on a new bill that would ban abortion in this state with no exception for rape and incest. 

And in the United States Congress, extremists are trying to pass a national abortion ban to outlaw abortion in every single state.  

But what they need to know is that if Congress passes a national abortion ban, President Joe Biden will veto it.  (Applause.)  Yes, he will.

Because here’s the deal about all of us: We trust women.  (Applause.)  We trust women to make decisions about their own bodies.  We trust women to know what is in their own best interest.  And women trust us to fight to protect their most fundamental freedoms.  (Applause.)

And it is going to take all of us.  It is going to take all of us. 

Joe Biden and I are fighting in court to protect women’s access to medication and emergency care.  We strengthened the patient privacy protections so that medical records stay between a woman and her doctor.  And we are protecting the right of women to travel for abortion care.  

But the bottom line is: To truly protect reproductive freedoms, we must restore the protections of Roe. 

Because, you see, what the United States Supreme Court took, Congress can put back in place.  (Applause.)

So, we need a majority of leaders in Congress who simply agree — here’s the thing — simply agree that the government should not be making those personal decisions for folks. 

And when Congress passes a law that puts back the protections of Roe, Joe Biden will sign it.  (Applause.)  

So, I’ll close with this.  It’s going to take all of us to get us to that place — everybody here.

And momentum is on our side.  (Applause.)  We are winning.  

Since Roe was overturned, every time reproductive freedom has been on the ballot, the people of America have voted for freedom.  From Kansas to California to Kentucky; in Michigan, Montana, Vermont, and Ohio; the people of America have voted for freedom.   And not by a little — by overwhelming margins.  (Applause.) 

Proving, also, this is not a partisan issue.  Tens of millions of Americans in red states and blue, including here in Wisconsin, marched to the polls in defense of fundamental freedoms. 

So, I say: The voice of the people has been heard, and it will be heard. 

And then I finally ask: Today, Wisconsin, are you ready to make your voices heard?  (Applause.) 

Do we trust women?  (Applause.)

Do we believe in reproductive freedom?  (Applause.)

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

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

And when we fight, we win. 

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

END                  1:10 P.M. CST

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Remarks by President Biden Before Meeting With His Task Force on Reproductive Healthcare Access

Mon, 01/22/2024 - 17:46

State Dining Room

2:44 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Well, good afternoon, folks.

Doctor, thank you for sharing your story. And I’m sure there’s others like it many doctors across America have had to contemplate.

Fifty-one years ago today, in Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court recognized a woman’s constitutional right to choose — constitutional right to choose — the right to make a deeply personal decision with her doctor, free from the interference of politicians.

I believe Roe v. Wade was right. I’m not supporting — we didn’t — they didn’t support abortion on demand. It was Roe v. Wade. Roe v. Wade was the decision. And a majority of Americans agree.

But then, a year and a half ago, this — this Supreme Court — this Supreme Court made an extreme decision, overturning Roe with their Dobbs decision, to rip away a constitutional right from the American people, which had never been done before — a fundamental right ripped away — important to so many Americans, a right that is vital to a country founded on the idea of freedom.

I said on the — on that day that Roe was overturned, the health and lives of women in this nation would now be at risk. And that has unfortunately proven to be true. They have been at risk. It made them at risk — put them at risk.

Today, in 2024 in America, women are turned away from emergency rooms, forced to travel hundreds of miles to get basic healthcare in another state that may have a different rule, forced to go to court to plead for help.

Thanks to [Think of] the mothers of two in Texas — a mother of two in Texas, who was pregnant with her third child. From her doctor, she received the news no one wants to hear: The life of the child and her own life were at risk if she continued her pregnancy. But instead of being able to receive care from her doctor, she was blocked by the State of Texas Attorney General and the State Supreme Court.

Think about that. As she and her family were going through the frightening, heartbreaking ordeal, she had to fight extreme politicians in the court. They turned a deeply private and painful matter into a public matter.

She ultimately had to leave the state to get the help she needed to protect herself and her ability to have more children in the future.

The cruelty is astounding — an affront to a woman’s dignity, being told by extreme politicians to wait, to get sicker and sicker to the point where her life may be in danger before you can get the care you need.

That cruel reality is the result of extreme Republicans who, for years, have made it their mission to end the Roe v. Wade decision.

Since Roe was overturned, in 21 states, abortion bans are now in effect, many with no exception for rape or incest.

We have doctors — we have doctors with us today who are on the frontlines of this crisis. And they can attest to the consequences that these extreme laws are having on doctors and on their ability to care for their patients.

Some doctors are feeling their — fleeing their home states because of laws that would send them to prison for providing evidence-based healthcare.

In states like Texas, doctors can get a life sentence — a life sentence for providing the care they were trained to provide. It’s outrageous. It’s simply outrageous.

And, frankly, this is just the beginning.

My congressional Republican friends are going to even further — further extremes to undermine a woman’s rights to threaten — and threatening the lives of women.

Three different Republican members in the United States Congress have proposed three different additional national bans to criminalize healthcare in every state. Let me tell you what they are.

One is a zero-week ban with absolutely no exceptions — a zero-week with absolutely no exceptions. The second is a six-week ban. The penalty for violating it is jail. The third is a 15-week ban. The penalty is a five-year prison sentence.

That means even if you live in a state where the extremist Republicans are not running the show, your right to choose, your right to privacy would still be at risk if this law was passed — any of these were passed nationally.

And the extreme right is trying to limit all women in America from getting a safe and effective medication, approved by the Federal Drug Administration over 20 years ago based on the FDA’s independent expert judgment. They’re trying to block women from getting this medication even in states where abortion is legal.

And on top of all of that, if you live in a state where you cannot get this care you need and you make a plan to travel to a state where you can get the medicine [medical care], Republicans official [Republican officials] are trying to stop that as well.

And get this, in Alabama — as my mother would say, “God love them” — the Attorney General is threatening to prosecute people who help family members travel to another state — who help family members travel to another state.

Folks, this is what it looks like when the right to privacy is under attack. These extreme laws have no place — no place in the United States of America.

You know, the American people know these laws are wrong. The vast majority of Americans believe the right to choose is fundamental.

Since the Court overturned Roe v. Wade, every single time abortion has been on the ballot — and, by the way, a lot of people don’t really understand. The Court said that it’s up to the states to decide whether or not abortions are valid. So, it says that if the cou- — if the state comes along and wants to say, “No, no, it’s valid in my state — Roe v. Wade is valid in my state,” it’s allowed.

Well, guess what? Every single time that decision had been put before the people of a state — on the ballot in Ohio, Kansas, Michigan, Kentucky — voters have voted to protect reproductive rights. But we need these protections in every state, because your family [ability] to have access to healthcare should not depend on your ZIP code. It should not depend on your ZIP code.

As I’ve made clear, we have to do what the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs would allow, and that is: Congress must codify Roe v. Wade for all the states in America.

Stop playing politics with the women’s lives and freedom. Let doctors do their job.

Let me say it again: Pass laws restoring the protections of Roe v. Wade for women in every state. That’s what can be done under this co- — on the — even under the Dobbs decision. But under this Court, that is going to be constitutional if we pass it nationwide.

That’s what I’m working for. I’m working for that law. And when they send me that law, I’m going to sign it immediately and restore that right. Until then, my administration is going to keep working to protect women in the wake of the Supreme Court’s extreme decision.

That’s why I created a task force to ensure we are doing everything we can to support women.

I’ve signed executive orders and my administration has taken action to ensure that women get the care they need in medical emergencies, to protect a woman’s right to travel to get healthcare, to protect a woman’s right to receive healthcare free from discrimination, and to protect her privacy.

The idea that a woman should have to carry a fetus after she has been raped or a victim of incest is just — I think it’s just cruel. To me, it’s outrageous.

The idea that a woman who receives competent medical advice that the fetus she’s carrying wouldn’t live and will impact on her ability to have children in the future and still gets [can’t get] medical care — can’t get medical — it’s ridiculous.

I could go on, but I’m already taking too much time.

I want to thank the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, for her leadership on this important issue as she travels the country in her fight for freedom.

I’d also like to thank the Gender Policy Advisor — my Gender Policy Advisor, Jen Klein. Jen — where’s Jen sitting? There you are, Jen. Thank you. And Secretary Becerra, who’s sitting right next to her, for their leadership on this task force.

And I want to thank all the members of my Cabinet here today, including the Attorney General for leading efforts and the — at the Department of Justice to protect reproductive rights in court, and Secretary McDonough for leading the important work being done at the VA.

I know that folks across America are worried about what they’re seeing happening to women all across America. I hear about it everywhere I go.

My message is: We’re fighting hard to reinstate your rights and the rights to protect women and families and doctors who care for those women.

And we need the American people to keep making their voices heard so congr- — so congressional Republicans finally get the message that these laws do not represent the United States of America.

Your voice will have a final say. This is not over.

With that, I’m going to sit down, and we’re going to get to work.

Thank you all for being here. And let’s get this done. It’s important.

Thank you. (Applause.)

2:54 P.M. EST

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Remarks by National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard on Place-Based Growth: Helping Communities Making a Comeback

Mon, 01/22/2024 - 13:00

At The Brookings Institution
As Prepared for Delivery

Today I want to focus on an area this institution has been emphasizing for many years: place-based growth. When communities across the country thrive economically, so too does our overall economy. Economic growth takes root at the local level. From that basic reality comes an important insight: we are more effective at growing the economy when we lift communities up rather than leaving them behind.

Trickle-Down

Take the alternative that we can broadly shorthand as trickle-down economics. Trickle-down is what it says: it holds that getting the government out of the way by cutting public investment and cutting taxes for those at the top will generate wealth and income that trickles down.

That economic approach has been tried and tested – most recently in the previous administration – and the reality has not matched the rhetoric. Trickle-down has generated wealth and opportunity for some, but at the expense of widening inequality, deteriorating infrastructure, and fragile supply chains.

The economic evidence makes clear this led to growing regional inequality, with some areas seeing declining economic opportunity and lower labor force participation, especially for workers without college degrees1. Trickle-down meant too many communities across our country were left behind and left out.

Towns lost anchor employers. Businesses chased low taxes, low wages, and non-union labor, resulting in an exodus of unionized manufacturers from regions like the Midwest. Tax revenue dropped, resulting in an erosion of local public investment. And distressed communities often fell into a downward spiral of disinvestment.

These trends were exacerbated by the China Shock. According to some research, the wave of cheap, subsidized imports from China wiped out nearly one million manufacturing jobs concentrated in industrial communities in the Midwest and the South2.

Take Milwaukee’s 30th Street Industrial Street Corridor. During the Great Migration, Milwaukee’s Black population multiplied3. By 1970, more than 40% of these Black residents worked in blue-collar jobs – a rate higher than Detroit. Many jobs were accessible by transit or in walk-to-work neighborhoods, and many families joined America’s growing middle class.

But then manufacturers moved – to other regions or other countries – and Milwaukee lost nearly half of its manufacturing jobs. Redlining exacerbated the effects on Black workers and families4. And the 30th Street Corridor fell behind the rest of Milwaukee in employment and income.

These forces didn’t just hollow out communities, they hollowed out the middle class.

Bottom-Up Middle Out

This President came to office with a different approach to growing the economy – from the bottom-up rather than the top-down. Bottom-up, middle-out economics means investing in the communities that were left behind by trickle-down economics. It means investing in the workforce and infrastructure. It means providing incentives to encourage businesses to invest in areas that have been disinvested. It means supporting small businesses on Main Street that bring communities together.

Many economists now agree that place-based policies punch above their weight in distressed communities. They can build more resilient, productive, and innovative communities – and revitalize cities like Milwaukee, Wisconsin, or Allentown, Pennsylvania.

The President’s economic agenda combines targeted investments in industries such as infrastructure, clean energy, and semiconductors with well-supported economic and community development principles. This ensures that supply-side policies and public investment are reaching communities that were previously left behind and that economic growth is more broadly shared. This strategy is guided by 6 general principles.

Investing in Local Infrastructure

First, well-designed public investment in local communities is a force multiplier for private investment and growth. Communities often need a helping hand to turn around a downward spiral of disinvestment and declining local revenues. That is why the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is designed to create strong economic foundations — connecting every home, school, and small business to high-speed internet, building resilience, and fixing the roads, bridges, airports, ports, and rail that are the connective tissue of commerce all across the country.

Earlier this month, the President visited small business owners in Allentown, Pennsylvania, once home to major iron and steel manufacturing. The Administration has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in rebuilding roads and renovating airports in the area, alongside strategic, federal economic development dollars and new private investments in manufacturing. For example, $22 million is going toward fixing the 90-year-old Cementon Bridge over the Lehigh River that has been in poor condition since 1999. Today, the Allentown area is experiencing an investment, employment, and small business boom.

Unlocking Private Investment

Second, there are special incentives to encourage private investment in communities that suffered from disinvestment. The President’s strategy is unlocking private capital and the economic potential of previously left-behind communities.

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credits set aside $4 billion in additional tax benefits for clean energy manufacturing investments in energy communities – places at risk of job displacement due to the energy transition – and low-income communities.

This approach is producing results: A Treasury analysis found that clean energy investments are growing fastest in energy communities. For instance, the Administration has helped drive more than $20 billion in federal support to the communities most affected by the energy transition, from Appalachia to the Four Corners.

Providing special incentives to encourage investments in hard hit communities is an intentional policy choice. Research suggests that public investments yield a greater return in the hardest hit communities for each dollar spent5, and this is especially true for improving employment outcomes6.

The IRA provides bonus tax credits to small-scale solar and wind projects in low-income communities, bringing clean energy and lowering costs to places where the private sector is less likely to invest on its own. Treasury found that close to 80 percent of IRA investments have gone to counties with median household incomes below the national average.

And, for the first time, local, state, and Tribal governments, as well as non-profits, can access clean energy tax credits as direct payments, unlocking new opportunities for local communities to invest in themselves.

Connecting Neighborhoods to Opportunity

Third, special programs are designed to connect left-behind communities to nearby areas of economic opportunity. In too many cases, communities have been cut off from job opportunities, public transit, and educational and training opportunities by the placement of major highways or other physical barriers.

The Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program is a first-of-its-kind $1 billion program to reconnect communities that had been cut off from opportunity and burdened by past transportation infrastructure decisions. In Buffalo, New York, this program is allocating over $55 million to build a new cap and tunnel to cover the Kensington Expressway – something the community has sought since the 1980s. The expressway cut off east and west sides of roads that previously connected residents to community services, food options, and cultural facilities.

The Department of Commerce’s Recompete is a new grant program that will invest $200 million in connecting workers to good jobs targeting economically disadvantaged neighborhoods that are often disconnected from opportunities only miles away.

We recognize that distressed communities suffering from a downward spiral of disinvestment may not have the capacity to access these historic opportunities. That is why the Administration is finding ways to reach out to communities and help them reach back.

For instance, the Rural Partners Network is a whole-of-government initiative that sends federal staff to 25 rural communities across the country. Rural communities such as the Tri-County North Delta, bordering the Mississippi River, are getting help accessing federal resources through local federal offices or federal partnerships with the local chamber of commerce, higher-education institutions, philanthropies, and workforce development organizations.

Multiplying Innovation Clusters

Fourth, our programs help support science and innovation clusters all across the country, not just in a handful of major metro areas. Just five metro areas represented more than 90% of the nation’s innovation-sector growth from 2005 to 20177. Economists, including at Brookings, have outlined the need for innovation programs in other regions.

The CHIPS and Science Act Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program allocates resources on a competitive basis to help innovation clusters around the country reach the next level. Just recently, the Department of Commerce designated 31 Tech Hubs – coalitions of universities, labor, companies and non-profits – across the country, focused on building globally competitive manufacturing and innovation ecosystems in industries like clean energy, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence.

The CHIPS and Science Act also established the NSF Regional Engines Program that will award up to 10 years of grant funding on a competitive basis. It will help advance American research and development, while supporting training opportunities for jobs coming to these innovation clusters across the country. This effort includes regions that have not fully participated in the technology boom of the past few decades.

Communities in the Lead

Fifth, many of these programs are designed to lift up the priorities of local communities as opposed to being a one-size-fits all, top-down approach. This Administration knows, based on decades of experience, that policies are only as good as the degree of community engagement and ownership on the ground.

From Recompete to Tech Hubs to NSF Engines, these efforts are competitive grant-based programs where local communities are encouraged to form coalitions of educational institutions, businesses, labor, Tribal organizations, and non-profits to develop proposals designed around the communities’ local economic vision, challenges, and special assets.

Stacking Federal Resources

Finally, we have learned that it is most effective to take a whole of government approach to working with localities by stacking investments. When these programs work well, they pull together federal support for workers, small businesses, and new industries so that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts in supporting an economic comeback.

Milwaukee is a good example of how different federal programs can work together to benefit the whole community. BIL funding is not only removing lead pipes and providing clean drinking water for Milwaukee’s child care centers and homes – it is also supporting local small businesses like Rashawn Spivey’s plumbing business. Milwaukee’s 30th Street Industrial Corridor also recently received a Recompete Program designation. This is on top of efforts to increase access to affordable housing and healthcare.

In a recent visit to Milwaukee, the President said that the goal is to make “sure Milwaukee is coming back – and all of Milwaukee [is] coming back.” Indeed, since the President took office, small business applications are up 70 percent, the share of Black people employed in Milwaukee in 2022 has reached the highest in more than a decade, and billions are being invested in manufacturing, environmental cleanup, infrastructure, and small businesses.

The Baltimore area is similarly benefitting from stacking federal initiatives. BIL is investing $4.7 billion in Amtrak’s Frederick Douglass Tunnel, which is expected to create 30,000 jobs. A new workforce hub has already generated commitments to train and place hundreds of Baltimore residents in apprenticeships. It will improve pathways to the middle class for non-college educated residents and create a skilled workforce to meet the growing demand from new and growing employers. The city has also been designated a Tech Hub, growing its AI and biotechnology sectors to lead in predictive healthcare.

Coming Back

Good economic policy starts with the basic insight that communities are where economic development happens – where people connect with jobs, develop their skills, start businesses, make their homes, and raise families.

President Biden came to office determined to invest in all of America, to leave no community behind. It is working. Communities that had been left behind are making a comeback. In recent visits, the President has talked with workers, small business owners, and residents in communities like Allentown and Milwaukee where new jobs and new small businesses are creating hope.

###

[1] Autor, Dorn, and Hanson (2016)
[2] Ibid.
[3] Bonds, Farmer-Hinton, and Epps (2009)
[4] Ibid.
[5] Austin, Glaeser, and Summers (2018)
[6] Bartik (2020)
[7] Atkinson, Muro, and Whiton (2019)

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Remarks by President Biden at the U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting

Fri, 01/19/2024 - 17:00

East Room

4:05 P.M. EST

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

Thank you.  Thank you very much.  Please — please sit down.

My dad used to have an expression: Quit while you’re ahead.  (Laughter.)

I tell you what, I can’t tell you how pleased I am to have you all here, and I mean it.  For some of you, this is not your first visit.  I know the new mayors, obviously it is. 

But, you know, Mayor Schieve — thanks for that introduction and your leadership of this conference.

A special thanks to the CEO of the Conference of Mayors,

Tom Cochran — Tommy, how you doing, pal? — (applause) — who began his distinguished tenure in 1969.  God bless you, pal.  (Laughter.) 

It’s hell turning 50, isn’t it?

MAYOR SCHIEVE:  We’re the same age.  And Mike Bloomberg is the same age too.  (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT:  All right.  But neither one of us have his money.  (Laughter.)

Well, thank you all, and welcome to the White House.  I mean that sincerely.

Today, we get some good news: We just signed a bill to keep the government open.  (Applause.)  I thought about it when I signed it, but — but, you know, some days, that counts as progress.  (Laughter.)

As many of you know, I started my career as a local official back in Delaware.  And I only ran for Senate because serving locally was too hard.  (Laughter.)  They know where you live and they think you can solve problems that are beyond your authority. 

And believe me, all kidding aside, you have enormous respect for the — I have enormous respect for job you do.  I really mean it.  You can’t go anywhere without people knowing what you’re doing.  You — they know where you live.  And they think you can solve every problem.  (Laughter.)  No, I’m serious.

The fact is, you’re answering key questions people ask every day: Is my neighborhood safe?  Is it going to be okay?  Will this bus get me to work on time?  You know, my kids — will they — they going to have a good future in this town?  Am I able to stay in my hometown?

It matters.  It matters what you do.

Mayors get the job done.  And I’m not being fa- — I’m not just being solicitous.  Those of you who’ve known me for a long time know that’s been my view from the time I got here as a United States senator.

That’s why I’ve filled my administration with so many former mayors — (applause) — including Keisha Lance Bottoms,  Steve Benjamin — Steve, good to see you — Mitch Landrieu, Marty Walsh, Secretary Buttigieg.  (Applause.) 

Pete turned 30 today.  (Laughter.)  He got — my wife is going to — we have — she has a tradition in her family.  Five and girls and one — five sisters — and at everybody’s birthday, you’ve got to sing “Happy Birthday.”  So, stand up, and let’s sing happy birthday.

(The President leads the audience in singing “Happy Birthday” to Secretary Buttigieg.)

And those of you who know my wife know I’m not kidding.  (Laughter.) 

By the way, I tell every young man that tells me “I’m thinking of getting married” or something like — I say, “Look, I” — “You have any advice?”  I said, “Yeah, pick a family with five sisters or more.”  And they look at me, “What the hell is that all about?”  I said, “It’s really simple.  That way, one of them always loves you.  Not the same one.”  (Laughter.)  You always have somebody on your side.

I want to thank Tom — Tom Perez for being the point person for so long.  Where are you, Tom?  There you are.  Stand up, Tom.  (Applause.)  And I know he spent several days this week meeting with many of you, and I hope you — I hope you — he was able to answer all your questions, because he always answers mine.  (Laughter.)

Folks, I made a commitment to be a President for all Americans, whether you live in a — whether you voted for me or not.  And I mean it sincerely.  Whether it —

I made a commitment to rebuild from the middle out and bottom up, not the top down — give everybody a little bit of breathing room.

And, you know, it’s kind of interesting that I — I — a lot of folks who voted every — against everything I’ve done, they’re announcing all these great projects.  (Laughter.)  I tell them — and by the way, as many in blue states as red states — you know? — and red states as blue, for real, because they’re all Americans.

And here’s the deal — (a cell phone in the audience rings) — I know.  I know.  (Laughter.)

Tell the former President I’m busy right now.  (Laughter and applause.)

Look, but I always say, some of the most ardent critics of me are announcing these great programs.  And I say — I have one comment: See you at the groundbreaking.  (Laughter.)

Look, I’ve kept those commitments, and so have you.  And I — look at what we’ve been able to accomplish together.  That’s what I would like to talk a little bit about today. 

I’m not going to take a lot of your time, but the things that are on top of mind for you.

Look, when I came to office, the pandemic was raging.  The economy was reeling.  Cities nationwide faced devastating budget cuts.  And together, we turned things around.  You turned them around.  You turned them around.

It started with the American Rescue Plan: $350 billion for state and local governments.  Money to put cops back on the beat, teachers in the classroom, keep families in their homes –(applause) — and train your workforces and get small businesses on their feet.  Money directly to every single city in the cou- — in the country so you could decide how best to spend your money and meet your residents’ needs without having to go through a statehouse or a governor.  (Applause.)

A lot of — a lot of great governors, a lot of state houses.  But you all know what you need better than anybody.  I like it going directly to you.  When I was a local official, I liked that a lot better.  I liked the Delaware state legislature when I was there.  But guess what?  They had — everybody had to get a piece of it — (laughter) — and my county wouldn’t get what it needed.  Any rate. 

I followed that with the most significant investment

in our nation’s infrastructure in generations: roads, bridges, railroads, ports, airports, public transit, clean water, high-speed Internet, and so much more.

How can we have the best economy in the world if we don’t have the best infrastructure in the world?  Not a joke. 

We used to be number one in the world.  You know what we rank now nationally — our — our infrastructure is rated worldwide?  We’re number 13.  The United States of America is 13, from being number one.  You can’t lead the world unless you have the best infrastructure in the world.

Well, you’re helping us change that.  Now — now, we’ll — we’re going — on our way to leading the world again.

Over 4- — 40,000 new infrastructure projects announced to date and a hell of a lot more to come, with jobs now and jobs for the next decade.

I remember going through — remember we had Infrastructure Week?  (Laughter.)  And then, we had Infrastructure Week.  And then we had Infrastructure Week.  And then we had In- — (laughter).  It never happened.  Well, we’ve got an Infrastructure Decade.  (Applause.)  Because of you.

Just yesterday, I was in — I was in Raleigh, North Carolina.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Yes, sir.

THE PRESIDENT:  You got it, man.  (Laughter.)  Great city, by the way.  (Laughter.)

And we’re investing $3 billion in the entire state for high-speed Internet by the end of the decade.  (Applause.)  And we’re doing that in all 50 states. 

You know, Franklin Roosevelt brought electricity to rural America.  That’s what he did, because it wasn’t there.  And he realized that it was necessary to equalize the country and to grow the whole country. 

Well, we’re — we’re bringing high-speed Internet to everyone in America.  Rural — it’s the same — same thing, the same necessities, critical to our economy.  How do you get by in a city, a state, a town, your home without accessing Internet — affordable acc- — we’re not leaving anybody behind.

Yesterday, in North Carolina, I also highlighted a $1 billion we’re investing in a new rail line from Raleigh to Richmond.  And that’s a billion dollars.  It’s going to create good-paying jobs, make travel faster, and it’s going to improve the environment considerably by getting tens of thousands of cars off the road.  Because every study shows, if you get a chance to go by electric rail and/or your car, you go by rail if it’s the same time. 

They’ve cut the point going from point A to point B.  Look, right now, is it takes — it takes about three hours to get that route.  Cut it down to two hours.  It changes everything.

And each of you could give examples of infrastructure projects of the one happening now in your states. 

Look, with your help, we’re also making the biggest investment in fighting climate change ever anywhere in the world — (applause) — in the world.  We’ve got more to do. 

Across your cities, we’re working together to help small — small businesses install — install rooftop solar panels, electric buses — city fleets of all electric buses, planning — I just met with a lovely woman who knows a little bit about the environment, going to plant thousands of trees in her city, a million total — a million total.  It’s going to change the — protect against extreme heat and so much more.

My administration continues to work closely with you and your governors and respond quickly to the wake of devastating floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and hurricanes. 

By the way, when I started the job, I kept talking about the need for a deal with the — with the environment.  Said, “We don’t have a problem.”  Anybody think climate is not a problem, raise your hand.  (Laughter.)  Come on, man.  (Laughter.)

I’ve been around the world and on the ground with you, making sure to help strengthen the resilience and withstand the extreme weather and build back a stronger economy and bring back a stronger community.  We’re revitalizing fenceline communities smothered with a legacy of pollution.  I grew up in one of those communities, and Delaware used to have the high- — one of the highest cancer rates in the nation.

When we moved from Scranton — when jobs were eliminated in Scranton, we moved back to Delaware where my dad had been raised — to Claymont, Delaware, right on the border of Pennsylvania, that arch that goes up in it.  More — more oil refineries than any place in the nation, including Houston, at the time.

Well, guess what?  Almost all my friends, including me, we — we had asthma.  We’d go to — you know, my mom would drive us to the local school.  It wasn’t very far — a little Catholic school called Holy Rosary — up the Philadelphia pike.  And if it was the first frost, you’d turn on the windshield wipers — this is the God’s truth — and there’d be an oil slick in the window — an oil slick.

And you all come from places that have those all- — those alleys.  You know — and we’re promoting clean energy and industries of the future.  Our workers have already drawn $640 billion in private investment at home and — from home and around the world — $640 billion.  We’re building factories.  We’re creating jobs here in America. 

Let me give you one example.  America invented the microchip, about as big as the tip of your little finger.  Okay?  We invented and — went to the moon.  We — we modernized it.  We made it — it’s necessary for everything from smartphones to dishwashers to automobiles.  And over time, we went from producing 40 percent of the world’s chips to producing less than 10 percent.

And that’s when I signed the CHIPS and Science Act.  I got on a plane — and maybe I was a little nuts — and flew to South Korea.  And I said, “Why — why don’t you come invest and build us those computer chips in America” so we didn’t have a supply chain problem.  And went around — well, guess what?  They did. 

I asked the — I asked Samsung, “Why are you investing so much money in America?”  They said, “Because you have the best workers in the world, and it’s the safest investment I can make, is in America.” 

Now, semiconductors are investing literally hundreds of billions of dollars producing chips back home, here in America — your cities, your towns — so folks never have to leave home to get — excuse me — to get a good job.

And, by the way, even with those historic investments that we made over the last three years, we still reduced the deficit during this whole period.  All those investments, we still reduced the deficit by $1 trillion.  (Applause.)

And, look, you all — a lot of you come from places like I grew up in, where there used to be that factory that employed 3,000, 2,000, 1,500 people.  All of a sudden, it closed down.  It was there for generations.  People lost heart.  People lost a sense of — literally, a sense of loss.  And it’s particularly those of you from the near-Midwest and the Midwest.  Look at all the factories that picked up and moved. 

Well, our economic agenda has ignited a manufacturing boom, a semiconductor boom, a battery boom, an electric vehicle boom.  We’re making things in America, in every part of America, creating millions of good-paying jobs.  By the way, 800,000 new manufacturing jobs.  And if you work more than —

By the way, you know, these new factories, they call them — when they’re for — to build these new — these chips manufacturing facilities, they have what they call “fabs” factories.  They look like — and I’ve seen them.  They look like great, big football fields in a stadium — I mean, rectangular fields.  And guess what?  You don’t need a college degree.  You know what the average salary is?  $110,000 working there.

And what happens?  The first one is being built outside of Columbus, Ohio, in what I call the “Field of Dreams,” a thousand acres there.  What’s happening there?  Not only you build a factory, but you’re going to end up having to build more — more filling stations, more beauty shops, more drugstores, more — everything — everything moves when that’s happening, when people have money to spend. 

And it’s clean, I might add.  It’s clean.

And when folks see shovels in the ground and people going to work on these projects, they can feel a sense of pride again.

Think what we did.  Most of the major — I come from the corporate capital of the world — not a joke — Delaware.  More corporations incorporated in Delaware than any — every other state in the Union combined — combined.  And guess what?  A lot of those corporations, they’re not bad people, but they decided, “Let’s go with the cheapest labor in the world.”  So, they sent the jobs overseas — shut down the factories at home, sent the jobs overseas, and then imported the product.

Not anymore.  We are sending product overseas, and we’re importing the jobs.  (Applause.)  Pride in hometowns.  I really mean it.

Think about it.  Think about it.  What happens if you build up your — pride in America, pride in — people have pride when things start coming back — pride in knowing you can get big things done when your work together. 

Look, folks, we know pride also means feeling safe in your neighborhoods.  The fact that we’ve made enormous progress preventing and reducing crime through the American Rescue Plan.   We’ve made one of the biggest investments in local public safety ever: over $15 billion.  And much of it has gone directly to you to hire for your departments. 

You’ve done a tremendous job.  You really have.  You’ve done a tremendous job putting these resources to work.  You know how to do it.  And I’m not being solicitous.  Mayors are the people who get things done: hiring more officers for accountable community policing, investing in violence intervention programs proven to reduce crime. 

With your support, I also signed the first gun safety law in 30 years.  (Applause.)  And we’re working with you to implement it, to coordinate these efforts and create the first-ever White House Off- — I — we — what we did, my staff came along and said, you know, we need a White House Office dedicated to getting — getting guns off the street and threatening — and treating the trauma from gun violence, because there’s a lot of trauma as a consequence.

So, we’re deploying teams to meet with communities that have been victimized to make sure they get the help they need.  Working — it’s working because of you, the mayors.  But we –we’ve got to do a lot more.

You know, some of you may remember, a woman named Dianne Feinstein and Joe Biden passed the first assault weapons ban back when I was a senator.  (Applause.)  And mass shootings actually went down.  So, I’m still committed to banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.  (Applause.)  We’ve done it before, and we can do it again. 

And we have to pass universal background checks.  It doesn’t violate the Second Amendment, for God’s sake.  I used to teach the Constitution at the University of Pennsylvania.  Look, folks, the situation is simple.  You know, when the — when the — we passed the Second Amendment, guess what?  You weren’t allowed to have a cannon.  (Laughter.)  And you — no, I’m serious.  Not a joke.  You weren’t allowed to have certain — you weren’t — there were certain limitations of what you could have.

And I love — my friends and I come — the southern part of my state is very conservative, the Delmarva Peninsula.  We talk at you like y’all talk sometimes.  You know what I mean?  (Laughter.)

But all kidding aside, it’s just — it’s just kind of amazing.  They think that you could order — you could have anything.  That never was the case.  There’s always been limitations on what you could purchase.

So, anyway, look — and I love people who say, “The blood of liberty” — or excuse me, the — excuse me — “The tree of liberty is watered with the blood of patriots.”  Well, guess what, man?  I didn’t see a whole lot of patriots that are out there wa- — walking around making sure that we have these weapons.  Well — and if you really want to worry about the government, you need an F-16.  You don’t need an AR-15.  (Laughter.) 

No, I’m not — no, I’m serious.  I mean, think about it.  (Laughter.)  I’m not joking.  Because that’s one of the arguments made by the right, that we need to be able to protect ourselves against the government. 

Well, look —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)  (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT:  If Jill were here, she’d say, “Joe, hush up, boy.”  (Laughter.)

Across the country, violent crime is at — rates are falling.  In some cities, it’s going up, but overall — but not everywhere — overall, we are — we — they’re — they’re falling, these rates — down nearly in every major category.  Record declines in homicide.  It matters.

And at some time, we’ve invested, in the last little bit, billions in improving mental health services to extend care, boost coverage, and address the causes of addiction and mental health issues.  We’re expanding mobile crisis services and community clinics.  We’re helping schools hire 1,400 new counselors — counselors.  Mental health care is healthcare. It’s healthcare.  It’s no different if you broke your arm and need help.  (Applause.)  We have a moral obligation to have our folks’ backs. 

And I want to thank you all — I mean it sincerely — I want to thank you all for what you’re doing to support mental health all across the country.  And the same is true for the fight to end homelessness and move people into supportive and permanent housing.  We’re your partner in this work. 

We’ve got a lot more to do, I know.  Across the country, a record 1 million new housing units under are con- — are under construction today.  We’re expanding our rental assistance to over 100,000 additional families, the biggest increase in 20 years, and have been working to cut red tape to make it easy for people to access federal housing benefits. 

You know, I’ve sent Congress an ambitious plan to do more: lowering housing costs, helping you build affordable housing, provide assistance for renters and first-time homebuyers. 

By the way, most of you come from families like mine.  We weren’t poor, but, you know, we lived in a three-bedroom, split-level home when we moved to Delaware with four kids and a grandpop.  We lived in a decent neighborhood; it was safe.  But it wasn’t what you’d call luxurious.  There wasn’t much leftover. 

My dad used to say, “Joey, you know, a job is about a lot more than a paycheck.  It’s about decency.  It’s about respect.  It’s about being able to look your kid in the eye and say, ‘Honey, everything is going to be okay,’ and mean it.” 

Well, guess what?  What we’re doing is saving the government money.  Providing assistance for renters, first-time homebuyers, that’s how people build equity.  You build equity in your home, that’s how you build wealth.  So, let’s keep pushing, pass the plan into law.

And I want to talk about another top issue: the border.  Now, I love how I turn on, and “Biden — Biden is for a free open border.  Just tear down everything.  Let everybody come, no restrictions.”  Well, one — I — used to be a bipartisan issue in this country, and it should be one again.

I’ve been clear from the very beginning: The system is broken.  My first day in office, I sent Congress a comprehensive plan on immigration reform.  My friends on the other side have done nothing with that. 

Over and over, I’ve asked for resources to step up action at the border.  In October, I asked Congress to fund — for funding that would add another 20 additional bord- — 20 — 2,000 additional border agents and officers, hundreds of new immigration judges to make the judgments on the spot, a new — new detection equipment to stop fentanyl from coming into the country. 

And, by the way, I’ve worked with China and Mexico to slow the flow of fentanyl into the United States.  As I speak, it’s way down.

So, let me be clear.  My team has been at the table for weeks now on a partisan — with a bipartisan group of senators to negotiate a deal, including border, because I believe we need significant policy changes at the border, including changes in our asylum system to ensure that we have authorities we need to control the border.  And I’m ready to act. 

I think — hope — “God willing and the crick not rising,” as my grandpop would say — you know, I think next week, we ought to be able to work out something, at least in the Senate.  And I’m hopeful it’s going to be a bipartisan package the Senate is going to pass, God willing. 

Now, the question is for the Speaker and the House Republicans: Are they ready to act as well?  They have to choose whether they want to solve a problem or keep weaponizing the issue to score political points against the President.  I’m ready to solve the problem.  I really am.  Massive changes — and I mean it sincerely.

Today, folks in America, with in- — with the incredible help of you mayors, we’ve created 14 million new jobs — 14 million new jobs.  (Applause.) 

Americans have filled 16 — filed 16 new — 16 million new business applications since I became President.  That’s a record.  And every single one of them — think about it — is an act of hope.  Someone says they want to risk everything and open a new business, it’s an act of hope.

Wages are rising.  So is household wealth.  We have the lowest inflation rate and the fastest recovery of any major economy in the world.  And that’s a fact.  (Applause.)

In fact, today, costs are down on everything from a gallon of gas to a — to a carton of milk.  You know — I mean, look, I — I was down in Raleigh, as I said, the other day.  I didn’t pass by a gas station that wasn’t under three bucks: $2.99, $2.87.  I mean, come on. 

And, folks, fars are — folks are starting to see it.  Today, I learned that consumer sentiment — and you guys saw it — surged by 29 percent in the last two months, the biggest two-month jump in 30 years.  We’ve got more to do.  And that’s not all, though.  We’re lowering the costs of — for working-class families across the board.

And, by the way, it used to drive my dad crazy.  My dad was a hardworking guy, an honest man who didn’t get a chance to go to college because of the war, but he was a well-read guy.  And the thing that bothered my dad more than anything else was what I call junk fees, the add-on fee by a corporation or a business just because they could do it.

For example, we’re going after junk fees like banning banks and credit unions from charging fees for basic services, like checking your account balance.  To check your account balance, you get a bill for 30 bucks.  Come on.  Or retrieving your bank records, 50 bucks.  Some banks charge as much as, I said, 30 to 50 bucks for the services.  But not anymore.  For families like mine, that extra 30 bucks mattered when I was growing up. 

And speaking of not — being not fair, without the help of a single person on the other side, we finally were able to reduce the exorbitant cost of prescription drugs.  (Applause.)  Any prescription — any one you’re taking for any purpose in your town, you give me that prescription, and if I had the ability, I would take it to Ontario or — or Paris or Belgium and get it for anywhere from 60 to 30 percent less.  Same company, same pharmacy, same pharm- — pharmaceutical company, but that much less.

Look, folks, we finally allowed Medicare to negotiate drug prices.  I’ve been fighting that as a senator for my whole 2,000-year career.  (Laughter.)  Just like the VA has been able to do for decades.

Insulin now — if you have diabetes, insulin is now cast — capped at $35 for seniors on Medicare — (applause) — after being out at $400.  They’re saving hundreds of dollars a month.

And, by the way, starting next year, out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors on Medicare is going to be capped at, total — no matter wh- — how many — no matter what the cost of your — you’re paying, everything will be — you can’t — don’t have to pay more than $2,000 a year for every exp- — and even the expensive cancer drugs, which costs $14-, $16,000 a year.

Folks, I’m going to keep fighting to lower costs for families across the board. 

And, by the way, guess what?  I love it.  They say, “Well, you’re spending all that money.”  Guess what?  That’s money saved — billions of dollars the federal government does not have to pay, billions and billions of dollars.  And that’s a fact.  (Applause.)

By the way, you know how much it costs to make that insulin?  The guy who invented it didn’t want to patent it because he wanted it available for everybody.  You know how much it costs to make it?  Ten dollars — T-E-N.  Package it every way, add all the costs you could possibly think, another $2, maybe $3.  And they’re charging 400 bucks for it?  Come on, man.  (Laughter.)  No, I’m serious.  I’m not joking.

But it saves the government money.  It’s not the government spending money.  It saves the federal government billions of dollars a year — billions.  And it’s going to save more.  We have more work to do, but we’re going to keep moving forward together and, God willing, as partners.

Take student debt relief for public servants.  You know, I know I — I wanted to forgive all student debt, and the Supreme Court said, no, I didn’t have the authority to do that.  Okay.  But then I realized there’s a public service requirement out there.  If you engaged in public service for a serious amount of time —

And, by the way, the reason why any of you — I’m sure not anybody — I’m not going to ask you if you have it.  Anybody had to pay for student debt for yourself and/or a kid or anyone, raise your hand.  Guess what?  The interest you’re paying is more than, in fact, what the — the original bill was. 

Already, I’ve been able to forgive the debt for 3.7 million people — gotten debt relief.  (Applause.) 

And, by the way, when I originally got this passed, it was for everybody.  You didn’t have to be a senior.  For everybody.  But my team was unable to get past — I didn’t have a bunch of mayors.  I had a bunch of senators and congressmen.  (Laughter.)

But all kidding aside, you know, I met yesterday in Raleigh with a dad, who was an impressive guy.  And he was a Principal of the Year — picked as a Principal of the Year in his state. He had two young boys.  He lived in a lovely small home.  And — but he had a debt that — that was $124,000 — student debt, much of it interest.  And he never stopped paying b he — but he always kept his payments going — kept going up.

Well, guess what?  That debt is now forgiven.  And, by the way — (applause) — and, by the way, he’s a former high school principal and now an executive coach for school — for a school district, teaching principals.  He said this debt relief was a game changer for he and his family.  He has two boys I met. 

One — I mean, their — I sat with them in their — in their kitchen for — and their dining room for the better part of two hours.  Now he can stay in a town that he loves, take care of his children in a way that they’re able to meet the basic needs he has. 

It’s not only fair, but it grows the economy.  It grows the economy.  So many who are being able to pay off their student debt are now able to go out and go buy a home, invest in a business, invest in other things and their families — to grow their families. 

And, quite frankly, you, the mayors, are the key to all of this.  I’m not blaming you if you don’t want to be — take credit for it.  But the point is — look, the fact is you’re — you’re the ones responsible.  You’re the ones people listen to.  You talk to people.  You speak plain English or Spanish or whatever language you’re speaking, and you’re able to speak to them directly, and you explain in simple language what we’re doing.

Because, otherwise, people get really, really, really confused.  We talk about — you know, for example, in the speech they put together for me to talk about — talk about the supplemental.  Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.  (The President makes the sign of the cross.)  (Laughter.)

You all know what I mean, the supplemental request I’m making to spend money.  No one knows what — I mean, people are busting their neck.  Whether or not they have a college degree or not, you talk about a supplemental, “What are you talking about?”  We got to speak plain language to people.  And that’s what you do.

Look, let me close with this.  Last week, I visited a small-business community owners near Allentown, Pennsylvania.  Almost — almost Scranton — almost.  (Laughter.)  Close.  Almost Scranton.

And if you notice, those of us who — everybody is from Scranton these days.  (Laughter.)

But, you know, in my fam- — my mother, who was — married my dad when she was 24 years old, I guess lived in Scranton for those 20-some years and maybe another 10.  My mother was in Delaware for 35 years, and she’d be somewhere and they’d say, “Where are you from, ma’am?”  She’d say, “I’m from Scranton.”  (Laughter.)

But, look, they remind me how much our work matters.  They said, back in 2020, when we were down, that they lost businesses and they lost — this is in Allentown, all these folks I met.  I met with business leaders, a bike owner, a — shop owner, et cetera.  But then the laws we passed, they said, the work they’d all done together, helped them get back on their feet.  They’re able to support more cops, more firefighters in the community; more savings for health insurance because of the work we’ve done; more opportunities in manufacturing, infrastructure; new jobs, new businesses, and a new cycle of hope.

I know that sounds corny, but you’re probably the only group who fully understand it.  What do you want to give people who are hurting the most?  Genuine hope — hope they get something done, that there’s a way out. 

Places like Allentown, once left behind, are now coming back.  I mean, for real.  The folks I met in your cities and towns — (applause) — the folks I met in your cities and towns are a big reason why I’ve never been more optimistic about our nation’s future. 

Like I said, I know I only look like I’m 40, but a little more than that.  (Laughter.)  All kidding aside, I’ve been around a long time. 

And I’m ki- — I’ve never been more optimistic in my whole life about the prospects for America, relative to every other nation in the world.  You know all the talk — I’m supposedly an expert on foreign policy because I’ve been doing it so much.  Well, let me tell you, remember everybody said China is going to eat us alive?  Give me a break.  (Laughter.) 

China has got more problems than, as my dad used to say, Carter has little liver pills.  (Laughter.)  I don’t want them to do badly, but I don’t — I want them to play fairly. 

We’re just — we’re more — look where Russia is.  Russia has lost 300,000 forces.  I mean, we are now, if we don’t lose our footing, in the most powerful position we’ve been since the end of World War Two.  We had that post-war period where we knew exactly what we were talking about. 

But now — think about it — if we’re able to maintain support for Ukraine so they don’t fall, as Henry Kissin- — Henry Kissinger called me — asked me to call him about three weeks before he died.  And I was a young senator when he was the Secretary of State, so we had our run-ins and our agreements and disagreements.  And he said, in one part of the conversation was — when I called, he said, “You know, not since Napoleon — not says Napoleon in France has Europe looked at Russia without fear until now.”

If we walk away — if we walk away and Russia is able to sustain their onslaught and bring down Ukraine, what do you think is going to happen in the Balkan countries?  What do you think is going to happen from Poland to Hungary and Orbán?  I mean, seriously, think about it.  It changes the dynamic, magnifi- —

I won’t get on this — I’m not supposed to be talking about this, but same thing with regard to Israel.  Israel has to — has to taper this off.  There’s ways to put this together.  We’re in a position where we’re unable to — I think one of the reasons the Houthi — I can’t prove this — one of the reasons the — the — Hamas did what they did was I was about to work out a deal with Saudi Arabia, wanting to normalize relations.  I mean, fully normalize relations with Israel and bring along six other Arab nations to change the dynamic in the region.

Some of you attended the G20 and — the 20 largest cont- — the 20 heads of states from the major countries of the world.  I got a resolution passed.  Everybody thought I was nuts.  Said that we’re going to build a railroad from Riyadh all the way to England, going underwater — not with the railroad, but a pipeline through — it’s going to go from Riyadh to Saudi Arabia to Jordan to Israel to so on and so forth.

Why?  Because everybody understands their interest is better — better met when they had this inter- — this interconnection economically.

Well, guess what?  We had to remember — I’m going on too long.  I apologize.  But — (laughter) — we have to remember — I mean this from the bottom of my heart — we’ve got to remember who the hell we are.  We are the United States of America.  There is nothing beyond our capacity — nothing, nothing, nothing — when we’ve been — done it together.  Nothing.

We’re the only nation in the world — think about this — that’s come out of every crisis stronger than we went in — no other nation in the world has done — because we’ve worked together.  And the thing I love about you guys is you work together.

We’re going to get this done, folks. 

I want to now turn it over — (applause).

My grandfather — God bless you all.  Now I’m going to turn it over to Tom, who’s going — I’m going to take a few questions.

MR. PEREZ:  Thank you, Mr. President.  Can we give it up for Mr. President?  (Applause.)

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

MR. PEREZ:  The questions are over, Mr. President.  (Laughter.)

We’re — we’re going to first turn to Mayor Holt of the great city of Oklahoma City.

MAYOR HOLT:  Thank you, Tom. 

THE PRESIDENT:  I want the record to show he didn’t have to say, “Four more years.”  He’s a Republican.  (Laughter.)

MAYOR HOLT:  Mr. President, I know I speak for this bipartisan room of mayors when I thank you for having us here today.  Thank you for the very deep participation that your administration has had in our meeting these last three days.  And, most importantly, thank you for your obvious commitment to our urban priorities these last three years.  We’re so very grateful.  (Applause.)

I want to ask a quick question.  You alluded to this a little bit.  I think I can give you an opportunity to — to expand on it.  Obviously, as mayors, we face countless challenges and opportunities.  But it seems that, at the end of the day, the most important one is always public safety.  Obviously, public safety and law enforcement is often thought to fall under the jurisdiction of local government, but we have long had a partnership with the federal government in that.

And I think we’d all just love to hear — obviously, we’re gratified, as you alluded to, that crime rates have fallen across the country this past year.  But I think we’d all love to hear: What are your thoughts and plans moving forward for how the federal government can partner with cities to continue that momentum and to help us keep our communities safe?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, thank you, Mr. Mayor.  Look, I — I spent a significant portion of my career as Chairman of the Ju- — the Judiciary Committee, which did almost all the crime legislation that exists.  And in the last administration — in 2020, for example, we had the largest increase of murders we’ve ever had in all of America.  Not blaming it on the — that president, particularly. 

But think about what was happening.  We had a lot of crises going on.  We had the whole — the beginning of the pandemic, which wasn’t being acted on.  We had a lot of people just very, very upset, worrying about where they were.  Mental health was deteriorating.

And so, when I got elected, I acted to turn it around.  And so have you.  In 2023, violent crime came down significantly.  It’s one of the largest yearly decri- — declines of homicide ever. 

And the American Rescue Plan, which was a very, very big facility — big facility for you guys to draw on, was one of the largest investments in public safety ever.  More police officers were put on the — on the beat, invested in violence prevention, and it was because you did it and you made — you had the money and you made the investment. 

And I signed — we signed the first meeting of a bipartisan gun safety legislation.  It still helped a lot, these — these phony gun — anyway.  A whole — I won’t go into it.  But you — you did a whole lot.

But mainly, we were able to bring more police officers on and raise the standard — raise the standard expected of them.  I — anyway.

But, you know, we’re in the — it took executive action to keep illegal guns out of our cities, and that’s what we’re doing.  And you’re doing it as well.  And I need — look, more is needed.  A hundred thousand more community police officers on the beat, I think, is what’s needed nationwide — another hundred thousand. 

And — and we have to fund mental health counselors.  You know, what we found is that if — in fact, you know where most — most law enforcement officers are getting killed?  Responding to domestic violence.  You know, we — we expect our cops to do everything.  We except them to be counselors, we expect them to be psychologists, we expect them to be tough guys and women. 

But, you know, the — what you want to do, you want to have someone stop — trying to stop someone from jumping off the top of the roof, you need somebody who has a background and expertise.  So, we’re hiring into the police departments people with different skills than just being able to tote a gun and — and physically protect. 

And so, I think that, you know, one of the reasons I appointed Vivek Murthy — Admiral Murphy to become this — the solic- — excuse me, become the guy in charge of the whole mental health piece of this operation is because he understands it.  And he talks all the time about what we can do to engage in providing for mental health facilities around the wor- — around your cities and — and communities so people can have the help they need.

And, look, you know, we — and, look, I know it’s very controversial.  I know it’s a red, hot-button issue for a lot of Democrats and Republicans.  I come from a state that, back when I was a senator, had — I think it was the third-highest gun ownership in America.  And I don’t know what it is now, but — because of a lot of duck hunting in the — in the Delmarva Peninsula and a lot of other reasons. 

And — and I know how unpopular it was when I started talking about banning assault weapons.  Who needs an AR-15 that can hold a hundred rounds?  Not — not a joke. 

I was — I was campaigning when I was running for reelection as the last time as a senator, and I was down in the — in the Delmarva Peninsula, just on the Maryland border, in where — in the swampy area, a lot of — and I’m walking through, and that’s how — like you guys do.  You campaign.  You go where the people are.

I go through — and so, I’m walking through in a pair of high boots, and a guy said, “Biden, you SOB,” — (laughter) — and I said, “What?”  He said, “You want to take my gun away.”  And I said, “I don’t want to take…” — he was fishing.  And I said, “I don’t want to take your gun away.”  I said, “You’re able to have your gun.”  He said, “You want to take my AR-15.”  I said, “You must be one hell of a lousy hunter.”  (Laughter.)

And — and he looked at me, and he said, “What do you mean?”  I said, “You need an AR-15 that’s basically a semi-automatic and can fact — fire off 20, 30, 50, 60 rounds?”  I said, ”My — the best — last time I checked, deer weren’t wearing Kevlar vests.”  (Laughter.)  And we — we got in the — and then he calmed down, got into conversation, started talking practically about what, in fact, happens — what, in fact, happens.

And, you know, the other thing is background checks.  There’s always been a requirement of a background check.  And now this 16-year-old kid was able to buy an AR- — anyway.

So, I think we have to support community violence intervention programs as well.  Many of you have those programs going in your cities, in your communities.  And you’re seeing they work.  You get people engaged, and you get them involved.

And so, there’s a lot we can do — I think a lot more we can do.  But two of the things are making sure there’s background checks for people to purchase weapons, number one.  And, number two, certain weapons you shouldn’t be able to purchase because you never have — you’re nev- — you’re not able to go out and purchase a machine gun.  I me- — anyway.

There’s certain basic principles that are ma- — just make common sense.  And I think — and, again, you can go back and look — if you want, I’ll send you a copy of the study we did after the — the assault weapons ban lapsed, because it only could last for 10 years.  I couldn’t get it done again.  And it’s interesting.  The number of mass shootings dropped precipitously — dropped precipitously when we had that limitation.  It doesn’t solve every problem.  It’s one of the things we can do.

But any rate, there’s a lot more to say.  I’m probably already saying too much.

MR. PEREZ:  Our second and last question comes from Mayor Katie Rosenberg from the great city of Wausau, Wisconsin. 

MAYOR ROSENBERG:  Thank you so much.  This is an absolute — (applause) — this is an absolute honor.  Thank you for hosting us.  You have a wonderful staff. 

Just about a year ago, the Vice President hosted a lead pipe summit here in Washington.  And I attended that, and it was like shooting me out of a cannon.  I ran home, and we started working on our plan to shore up, pull out all of those lead pipes, and we made our plan — a 15-year plan down to a 5-year plan.

But I’m curious, what other progress are we seeing about these lead pipes being removed across our nation?  It’s really important that we get that out of our drinking water.  Thank you.

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, first of all, thank you for what you’re doing.  I agree. 

Let me put this in perspective.  The research by the doc shows that reducing lead exposure for children has — this is a study that was done — has the same effect on test scores — just take test scores at school — on test scores as reducing class size from 22 to 15 students and less — one tenth of the cost.  Let me just give you one example of the impact it has on IQ formation and the ability to think and the like.  So, it’s a — it’s a significantly smart investment, number one.

Number two, we have enough money and we’re going to eliminate every lead pipe in America.  (Applause.)  Every one. 

It’s going to take us — it’s going to take us about 10 years, but every single one.  Because you shouldn’t — think about it.  You got 400,000 schools, kids going to the water fountain and drinking wa- — you know, water.  You got so much else that’s going on.  And it can just — and it makes a lot of sense.

And, by the way, it creates a hell of a lot of jobs too.  (Laughter.)

But my point is, it just is — look, exposure to lead impacts on brain development — we know that, particularly for as it’s developing — a hazard to the health of people, it can damage the brain and the kidneys, and interferes with the production of blood — of red blood cells that need to carry the hydrogen.  And studies show that lead exposure hurts cognitive function in children and can even knock off several points of their IQ.

Despite these dangers — the knowledge of how dangerous this is, we’re in a fact where the CDC estimates that over half of American children could be exposed to lead, with the exposure often coming from their own homes with lead pipes.  And it costs a hell of a lot of money to take that pipe from the watermain to the house.  It costs a lot of money.  A lot of people can’t even remotely afford doing it.

But everybody is better off — everybody is better off when we get the lead pipes out of the system.  And, look, our ambitious goal is to remove all lead pipes in America by — within 10 years.  The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law financed over 1,200 drinking water and wastewater projects, and it’s going to replace hundreds of thousands of lead service lines in America beginning right away.  Ongoing efforts in cities like Wausau and Philadelphia and Newark, New Jersey.  They create good-paying jobs as well — good-paying jobs.

And I visited the Hero Plumbing in Milwaukee, by the way, a Black-owned small business that was — replaced over 600 lead pipes in homes and daycare centers.

Well, guess what?  Ten-year effort to bring these — is to bring your states, tribes, and labor unions water utilities and private companies together to deliver clean drinking water to every community in the — in the world — in America.  And so, it just seems to me that it’s one of those things — who the hell can be against clean water?  Except some of the people I know.  But — (laughter).

But all kidding aside, if there’s anything you’re going to expend — expend money on, you want to increase the prospect of growth in schools, I mean, this was a — that study, extensive study done.  It makes a big difference in terms of the ability to learn and ability — and long-term impacts on cognitive capability.

But I’m convinced we can get it done.  I’m convinced we can get it done.

Thank you all very much.  You’re very patient.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

You’re all welcome to spend the night.  (Laughter.)

By the way, have you — have you had the chance to see most of the White House yet?  Not all the — well, you ought to take — I don’t know, I might get myself in trouble here.  (Laughter.) 

But, you know, there’s — downstairs, there’s a lot of interesting rooms you can check out.  And up here, the — the dangerous part of up here is that it’s hard to know what room you’re in because all of them are identified by color.  (Laughter.)  The Red Room, the Blue Room, the Green Room — it’s not —

But all kidding aside, welcome to the White House.  This is your house, and I was getting in the elevator to — to come up, and my introducer — where is she?  There she is.  I said every time that I hear “Hail to the Chief,” I wonder, “Where the hell is he?”  (Laughter.)

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible) playing your song.

THE PRESIDENT:  That’s right.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  That’s what my sister says about me being mayor.  (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT:  Anyway, thank you, thank you, thank you for everything you do.  (Applause.)

4:56 P.M. EST

The post Remarks by President Biden at the U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting appeared first on The White House.

Remarks by President Biden on High-Speed Internet Investments | Raleigh, NC

Thu, 01/18/2024 - 19:29

Abbott’s Creek Community Center
Raleigh, North Carolina

2:02 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Hey, everybody. How are you? (Applause.) Hello, Raleigh. What a great crowd.

Please have a — take a seat, if you have one. I once said that an event, and people didn’t have chairs. (Laughter.) And the press looked at me and said, “What the hell is the matter with that guy?”

Anyway, Edward, thank you. Sergeant First Class.

I was telling him — my son, Beau, who I lost because of what happened in Iraq — anyway, my — my son, Beau, when he made Major in Iraq, I was — I was there — I wasn’t with him when he made that — when he got promoted. But I was with him later at an event — at an event at his — anyway — in Iraq. I didn’t want to say where I was, but — (laughter) — and I said, “Beau, congratulations. You’re now a field grade officer.” He looked at me and said, “Dad, I know who runs the United States Army. Sergeants First Class run it.” (Laughter.) And that’s a fact.

So, Sarge, thank you very, very much.

Folks — Governor Cooper and all the state officials here today — and, by the way, you got the best governor in the country. Where are — where — (applause) — where is he? Roy, stand up. No, I mean it. (Applause.)

You know what I love about him most? I mean this from the bottom of my heart: He has absolute, total integrity — integrity. (Applause.) Thanks for the welcome back to North Carolina, Gov. I appreciate it very much.

I also want to mention your Congresswoman Deborah Ross. Where’s Deborah? Did she — I just had my picture taken with her. That’s probably why she left. (Laughter.) No, all kidding aside — but, anyway — you — oh, she couldn’t be here, actually. That’s not true. I got it mixed up. And she has — you know, she fights very hard for the people of this district, and she is up in Washington right now.

And, folks, I’m here today to talk about something that doesn’t get enough attention, and that’s the progress we’re making in investing in America — all of America.

You know, there was a — there was a law written back in the ‘30s that says when the Congress passes a bill that has money in it to be spent to build something in America — whether it’s an aircraft carrier or — or it’s a highway or whatever it happens to be — that the president should use American workers and American products.

For the longest, longest time, Democrats and Republican presidents didn’t abide by that very much. But I do, because I want to make sure that we make it in America, build it in America with American products. And that’s why we’ve created 14 million new jobs. (Applause.) Folks — bringing opportunity and hope to people and communities across this country.

Let me give you one example of bringing high-speed Internet to every person in America.

Nearly a century ago, Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act, bringing electricity to every home and farm in America, because it was in cities but it wasn’t in a lot of rural areas. Because electricity had become an essential part of modern life, so he wanted — (inaudible) everyone had access to it. He was determined that no American should be left behind, no matter where they lived, whether in a big city or a rural area. (Applause.)

Well, I tell you what, I’ve made the same determination about our time: affordable high-speed Internet. It really is critical. It’s just as essential today as electricity was a century ago.

Who remembers, you know, during the pandemic when schools were shut down and the mas- — the Sergeant First Class mentioned it — kids weren’t able to attend schools. They had to go online. How many of you spent time in McDonald parking lots tapping into their Internet so you could do the homework with your kid?

Look, think of all the workers who need Internet to do their jobs when they’re working from home. So many are working from home — have to work. Small businesses need Internet to reach more customers here at home and literally around the world. And our seniors who need it in connection with their doctors through telemedicine because they can’t make it to the doctors in person.

High-speed Internet isn’t a luxury anymore, it’s an absolute necessity. It’s an absolute — (applause) — no, it really is. And yet, when I became president, around 24 million Americans didn’t have access to affordable high-speed Internet. And for millions more, their Internet connection was limited or unreliable.

That’s why, as soon as I came into office, I took action with what we call the American Rescue Plan. And it included — (applause) — it included more than $25 billion to invest in affordable Internet, high-speed Internet all across America.

A few months later, I signed a piece of legislation, which many people didn’t think we could get done: the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. (Applause.) A once-in-a-generation investment to rebuild America’s infrastructure — our roads, our bridges, our railroads, our high-speed Internet — all of it paid for.

And, look, our goal is to connect everyone in America to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet by the year 2030 — everyone in America — just like Franklin Roosevelt did a generation ago with electricity.

I promised to be a president for all America, whether you voted for me or not. These investments help all Americans in red states and blue states as well. And we’re not leaving anybody behind. (Applause.)

Look — look around North Carolina — and with the leadership of Governor Cooper — with the partnership of your Governor, we’ve invested more than $3 billion to expand high-speed Internet in every county across this state — $3 billion. (Applause.) Fiber-optic cable is being laid in the ground as we speak.

Over the next three years, over 300,000 homes and businesses all across North Carolina will be connected with affordable high-speed Internet.

And today, I’m announcing another major step. We’re investing another $82 million to connect 16,000 additional homes and businesses, bringing high-speed Internet all across the state of North Carolina, from top to bottom. (Applause.)

And by the end of the decade, we’re going to finish the job, reaching all the remaining homes, schools, libraries, small businesses, healthcare facilities in North Carolina that don’t have access to high-speed Internet today.

Let me say that again: universal high-speed Internet in all of North Carolina by the end of this decade — by the — (applause).

Folks, you just heard from Sergeant Smith a few minutes ago why it matters. He’s retired Army — 22 years of service, which we owe him. He and his wife, Emma, live in Tar Heel, as he mentioned, North Carolina — population — staggering population of 100 people. (Laughter.)

They’ve been using dial-up Internet for years, just like everyone else in town. It took Edward far too long to download medical paperwork, as he mentioned — the VA. It was hard for his grandkids, who live nearby, to use the Internet to do their homework.

And then, thanks to the American Rescue Plan, which I signed into law, fiber-optic cable was laid and the town got high-speed Internet.

And now, Edward and Emma and the kids and their grandkids can use the Internet quickly and easily, from getting care from the VA to doing their homework. Look, their neighbors include folks who can’t attend local church service, as he mentioned. They can stream these services at home every single Sunday.

High-speed Internet has been a game changer for their town and so many counties all across America. Look — and we’re just getting started.

But it’s not enough to just have Internet access. It needs to be affordable — affordable. (Applause.)

So, here’s what my administration did. We work with Internet service providers to bring down prices for people struggling with their payments. It’s called Affordable Connectivity Program. It’s already helped 880,000 households in North Carolina save a total of $440 million on their Internet bills collectively. (Applause.)

That’s about one in five families across the state are saving $30 a month for their Internet bills, and some save a lot more. That savings in — matters in homes like the one I grew up in. Another 30, 40 bucks a month was the difference between how many groceries, you pay the gas bill, all other necessities. It matters. It matters.

Plus, the investment we’re making in high-speed Internet means something else as well: good-paying jobs. (Applause.)

And, folks, just ask the folks at the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers, the IBEW, or the Communication Workers union or the Laborers Union. (Applause.) We’re putting thousands of people to work laying fiber-optic cable all across America.

And that cable will be made in America, put in by Americans. (Applause.) Even better, a lot of that cable will be made in North Carolina. (Applause.)

Two American companies — two American companies, CommScope and Corning, are investing more than $550 million to manufacture fiber-optic cable, creating around 650 good-paying jobs in Hickory, North Carolina, the single sta- — (applause). And there are going to be more.

Already, 40 percent of all the fiber cable — -optic cable in America is being manufactured in Hickory. And, though, that number is going to continue to grow and jobs are going to grow. And when jobs grow, everything grows. Everything grows. Everything in the community grows.

All told, during my presidency, we’ve invested — and I know it’s going to sound like not much to you all — but $11 billion in North Carolina — (applause) — $11 billion — in infrastructure, clean energy, everything from high-speed Internet to clean water, new roads and bridges.

For example, we’re investing $1 billion — $1 billion — in a new rail line connecting Raleigh and Richmond, Virginia. (Applause.) Not only creating a whole hell of a lot of jobs, but it’s going to take a lot of vehicles off the road, it’s going to help with pollution. And guess what? It’s going to cut the time — well, let me give you an idea. Right now, the trip takes about three hours by train. With the new rail line, it’s going to take you two hours. (Applause.)

Think of what that will mean for people traveling to work and visiting families. Think what it means in the reduction of highway bills.

We’re also investing $110 million to replace the Alligator River Bridge. Look, that bridge is a major hurricane evacuation route for the Outer Banks, so it’s high time it get replaced, because it’s in trouble. The bridge now is far too low for boat traffic, which means cars have to stop and wait, sometimes several times a day, for the bridge to swing open so boats can pass underneath. And because the bridge mechanism is 60 years old, sometimes when it swings open it can’t close, which stops cars in traffic for hours and sometimes days.

Now, we’re building a new higher bridge that boats can easily pass under. It will be wider and more accessible to more cars to travel across every single day, saving time and saving money.

Folks, what we’re doing here in North Carolina is just one piece of a much bigger story. To date, 400- — excuse me, 40,000 infrastructure projects have been announced across this nation. Since I’ve been to office, we’ve created 14 million new jobs — 440 [thousand] new jobs in North Carolina alone, just since I came to office. (Applause.) And that’s because of this guy right here. Nearly 800,000 manufacturing jobs nationwide.

And unemployment has been below 4 percent for the longest stretch in American history in the last 50 years. And here in North Carolina, unemployment is even lower. It’s 3.5 percent. (Applause.) And the stats coming out today show that seeking unemployment insurance has even gone down. Fewer people are needing help.

That’s lower than it was in every single month under the last president.

Wages are up. Household wealth is up — not only for middle-class Americans — for Latinos, for Black Americans, for minorities.

Costs are still too high, but inflation continues to fall. And mortgage rates are falling, and they’re going to fall more.

Last week, we learned that America filed 16 million — 16 million in America — 16 million new applications for businesses — for a new business since I became President. Folks, that’s a record. Every single one of those new small businesses is an act of hope — an act of hope. It generates progress.

People are beginning to have — and if you look at the consumer confidence, it’s way up. Sixty-four percent — I think it may be 62 percent of Americans think their personal circumstance is good and it’s getting better.

Meanwhile, thanks to the Investing in America agenda, private companies have invested over $640 billion — let me say it again — $640 billion in advanced manufacturing here in America. (Applause.)

By the way, you know, we invented that little computer chip, which everything from your cell phone to your automobile needs. Guess what? We used to control it. We got down to the point where we were hardly manufacturing any of it.

And so, what happened when things went bad? We didn’t have access to all those computer chips that were being made in Asia and other parts of the world, so I got on a plane and went to South Korea. And I said, “Why don’t you come invest in America?” And one thing led to another, and over $50 billion, people coming to America, investing and building these computer chip factories. (Applause.)

And guess what? It’s just getting started. But guess what? The fact is that these computer factories — they build what they call “fabs.” They’re about as big as a football field. And they manufacture these chips. You don’t need a college degree to work in it. And you know what the average starting salary is? $116,000. $116,000. (Applause.)

And, look, put it all together, America has — this is a fact — the strongest growth rate of any — and the lowest inflation rate of any major economy in the world — in the world.

We have a lot more work to do, but there’s no question our plan of investing in America and the American people is working. It’s all part of my economic vision: building an economy from the middle out — from the middle class out and the bottom up. That way the poor have a shot, the middle class does well, and the wealthy still do well. Well, they got to start paying their taxes. (Applause.)

You know, I’m serious. I — I don’t mean paying 60 percent. I mean just paying the top rate of 38 percent.

Look, folks, you know how many billionaires we have in America today? One thousand. You know what their average rate — the tax rate — the federal tax rate is — (the President walks away from the podium) — oh, I shouldn’t walk away from this — (laughter) — the federal tax rate is? Eight and a half percent.

Raise your hand if you’d trade your tax rate for 8 and a half percent. (Laughter.) I’m serious. Think about this. There’d be $40 billion raised if they just paid 38 percent — if they even paid 25 percent. (Applause.)

Folks, look, we all do well when the middle class does well and we grow. Everybody does well.

You know, I’m so tired I — of trickle-down economics. I grew up in a family where not a lot trickled down to my dad’s kitchen table. My dad was a hard-working guy. We weren’t poor. But we lived in a three-bedroom split-level home with four kids and a grandpop. And, you know, we were fine. It was okay. But there wasn’t anything leftover. There was nothing leftover.

But now, a lot of middle-class folks are having enough leftovers they can do things.

Our approach is a fundamental break from trickle-down economics super-charged by my predecessor. My predecessor, everything was trickle-down, but not a lot trickled. (Laughter.) No, I’m serious. Which tax cuts for the wealthy and big corporations, shipping goods [good-paying jobs] overseas.

How many people do you know in this state and other states — there was a factory in town that employed 300, 400 people, and all of a sudden you found that factory shipped overseas? Why was it shipped overseas? Cheaper labor costs. So, we were shipping factories overseas and importing the product they made here.

Well, guess what? We’re doing the opposite. (Applause.) We’re making it here and shipping the product overseas. I’m serious. (Applause.)

And also, that trickle-down shrank public investment in education — infrastructure and education. It hollowed out communities, closing factories, leaving too many behind.

And now, my predecessor likes to say America is a failing nation. In my faith — (the President makes the sign of the cross) — bless me, Father, for he has sinned. I mean, come on. (Laughter.) A failing nation?

And, by the way, did you hear he wants to see the stock market crash, because he does not want — now. We’re doing well. He’s acknowledging — by that — we’re doing pretty damn well economically and we’re getting better. He wants to see the stock market crash. You know why? He doesn’t want to be the next Herbert Hoover.

As I told him, he’s already Hoover. (Laughter.) He’s the only president to be president for four years and lose jobs, not gain any jobs. Come on, man. (Laughter.)

You know, some of the things he sa- — well, I don’t want to get started. (Laughter and applause.) But, look, frankly, to put it very politely, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

Meanwhile, the vast majority of Republicans in Congress voted against our infrastructure law. We got enough to make it work, with 30-something. But the vast majority voted against it. They all voted against all the other bills that I had. I mean, 100 percent voted against.

And guess what? Whether it’s Marjorie Taylor Greene or whoever (inaudible) out, when these new projects come, they’re there. They’re welcoming it to their state. They voted against it all. So, I told them I’ll be there for the groundbreaking with them. (Laughter.)

You know, look, what was mentioned as well — look at what — I’ve fought my whole career — I’ve been arou- — I know I don’t look it, but I’ve been around for a little while. (Laughter.) But all kidding aside, look, you know, I’ve spent the bulk of my career as a senator trying to bring down the cost of prescription drugs.

If you have a prescription from your doc and you take it to a pharmacy here in North Carolina or in Wilmington, Delaware, where I’m from, or wherever, guess what? I can take that same prescription from here and go to Toronto, Canada; London, England; Rome, in Italy — anywhere around the world — and it will be somewhere between 50 percent less and 70 percent less. How does that work? Why?

Why is it, in America, you’re paying — were paying $400 a month for insulin if you have diabetes, and — and in other places, they’re paying 35 bucks?

Well, guess what? You’re paying 35 bucks now, and it’s going to go down even further. (Applause.)

And, by the way, at $35, they’re making 350 percent gain. It costs 15 — it costs 10 bucks to make it, 12 bucks to package it. So, come on, man. It’s about time we start to be a little fair to ordinary people. (Applause.)

When it comes to voting against the infrastructure law, it doesn’t stop many of our Republicans from calling up and saying, “We need a project in my district.” Now, what I haven’t done is I haven’t blocked projects in their districts, because they’re all Americans. The fact they have a g- — a senator or a g- — a congressman that doesn’t know what they’re doing, it doesn’t mean they should be denied. (Laughter.)

But it’s okay. (Applause.) It’s okay, because I promised to be a president for all Americans. And I mean that sincerely. It’s not hyperbole. I promised to be a president for all Americans. And, like I said before, I told them all I’ll see them at the groundbreaking.

Let me close with this. When you see shovels in the ground, cranes in the sky, and people hard at work on these projects, I hope you feel pride in America — pride in America, pride knowing we can get big things done when we work together.

You’re all the real heroes. That’s not hyperbole. You’re the real heroes of this story: American workers, the American people, neighbors and community leaders doing the work to bring our cities into the future.

That’s what America does. That’s why I’ve never been — and I mean this — and I’ve been saying this for a while. And the press has to — the press has to cover me everywhere. I’ve been saying I’m optimistic. I’m optimi- — I’ve been — I’ve been around for a while. I’ve never been optimistic about America’s prospects than I am in the last three years. I really mean it.

Because there’s nothing — nothing, nothing, nothing — we have to remember who we are. We’re the United States of America, and nothing is beyond our capacity when we work together. Nothing, nothing, nothing. (Applause.)

And I’ll say one last thing. We’re the only major company [country] in the world that has come out of every crisis stronger than we went in. And that’s what we’re doing again today because of you.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

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

Thank you very much. (Applause.)

Let’s go get them. Thank you. (Applause.)

2:24 P.M. EST

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Remarks by Vice President Harris During a Moderated Conversation at the U.S. Conference of Mayors 92nd Winter Meeting

Thu, 01/18/2024 - 17:24

Capital Hilton
Washington, D.C.

2:02 P.M. EST

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everyone.  Good afternoon.

AUDIENCE:  Good afternoon.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And, President Schieve, thank you for convening us.

MAYOR LUCAS:  Thank you, Madam Vice President.  And say hello, Mayors, to the Vice President.  (Applause.)  (Laughs.)

We are delighted and honored to be with you, but we also discuss an important topic.  Following the onset of the pandemic and the nationwide protests after the murder of George Floyd, we saw a spike in homicides in cities across the country.  Innocent lives were being lost; communities were being shattered. 

But when you and the President took office, you immediately began to address the scourge of gun violence in our country.  The President issued several important executive orders, and federal agencies put policies in place to help reduce the problems of gun violence and to support local prevention and enforcement efforts.

And in 2022, Congress passed and President Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — (applause) — for those who don’t know, the first piece of legislation to strengthen our gun laws in decades.

And last year, you and President Biden established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.  Thank you on behalf of all of our cities.  (Applause.)

We have begun to see some progress.  And during 2023, many cities had significant reductions in homicides.  But make no mistake, gun violence remains a serious problem in our cities and in our nation.  But we’re seeing a glimmer of hope, and that’s what we’re here to talk about today.

This past fall, Madam Vice President, you met with over 15,000 students across the country on your “Fight for Our Freedoms” college tour.  What did you hear from them, and what was on their minds?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good.  Well, thank you, Mayor Lucas.   It’s good to be with you today.  And to all the mayors who are here, let me start by thanking you for the extraordinary calling that you have answered to serve, in particular, at the local government level.  And as — as Tom said, I — I once served as — as District Attorney at the local level.  And so, I fully appreciate what your lives are like.

People recognize you as the face of government.  And they run into you at the grocery store, the gas station, at the — your children’s softball games, and it is you that they recognize as being responsible for and accountable for all of the concerns that they may have about their life and the world.  And you all rise to the level every day. 

And it takes a lot, in terms of personal sacrifice but also a deep commitment to service.  And so, let me start by thanking the U.S. Conference of Mayors and all of the members for the work that you do.  O- — (applause) — thank you to you.

So, on the issue of gun violence, let me start with this.  And back to the point about my previous service, I started my elected career as the elected District Attorney of San Francisco.  And I will tell — (applause) — well, and I will tell you that — and that was following a — a career of being a courtroom prosecutor, where, among the cases that I prosecuted — homicide cases.

So, I have witnessed and — and seen autopsies.  I know what guns do and gun violence does to the human body.  For so many of you, you too know what gun violence does to people, to a community, to families, to the psyche of a community, to the well-being and health of a community.

So, when we have this conversation among us, this is not some intellectual, academic discourse.  It is very real.  It is part of our lived existence.  And it is that approach that I bring, then, to my thoughts about this issue.

So, I started a college tour last fall because, you know, I have to tell you: I love Gen Z.  (Laughter.)  Yes, I know, but I love Gen Z.  And — and it will be a humbling fact to many of us when we realize that anyone who is 18 today, they were born in 2005.  (Laughter.)

MAYOR LUCAS:  Wow.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Indeed.  Yes, wow. 

And this generation, for so many of these issues, it’s a lived experience.  Think about it.  For this generation of — who I call young leaders, they’ve only known the climate crisis.  In fact, they’ve coined a term “climate anxiety” to describe their fears about having children or buying a home for fear that it may be destroyed because of extreme climate incidents.

They witnessed George Floyd being killed.  They endured a historic pandemic where they lost also significant phases of their educational process.  They have, through their lives — and I would ask at the college tour them to raise their hand in these auditoriums: “Who of you, please raise your hand,” I would ask, “had to endure an active shooter drill anytime between kindergarten and 12th grade?”  Almost every hand went up. 

And, in fact, I’d say to the press that was always in the room and the older adults, “Please take a look and take account of this.”  Because I think so many older adults don’t really understand what our children — the children of our community — have been going through.

And so — and, also, they, at the height of their reproductive years, just witnessed the highest court in our land take a freedom from them to make decisions about their own body, such that they will have fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers. 

So, on so many of these issues, it was reinforced for me during this college tour that these are lived experiences and it has had a profound impact on their lives.  And they, therefore, think about these issues with a sense of urgency that the solutions that are often at hand be implemented.  And they are right to demand that we, in positions of elected leadership right now, do something about it with a sense of urgency. 

They are acutely aware of what we know, which is that gun violence is the leading cause of death of the children of America — leading cause of death — not car accidents, not some form of cancer — gun violence.  One in five Americans has a family member that was killed as a result of gun violence.

I have traveled m- — most of your states over the last three years.  I have met with parents who say a silent prayer every time their child gets on the school bus or they drop them off at school that there’s nobody running around with an assault weapon, breaking into their school — the school of their child while they’re at a place where they should be fulfilling their God-given capacity to learn.

So, the young people of our country have lived through this, and they want a change.  And they understand what I think so many of us do: It is a false choice to suggest you’re either in favor of the Second Amendment or you want to take everyone’s guns away.

I am in favor of the Second Amendment.  But is it not reasonable that we would have an assault weapons ban, understanding that assault weapons were literally designed to kill a lot of human beings quickly and are weapons of war with no place on a — the streets of a civil society? 

They want and know — (applause) — they understand — they understand, like so many of us, the logic behind universal background checks, which is pretty simple.  You just might want to know before someone can buy a lethal weapon if they’ve been found by a court to be a danger to themselves or others.  You just might want to know.  It’s reasonable.

Same point with red flag laws. 

So, on this issue, it is a lived experience, and they are aware of the solutions.  And I think, frankly, when they start voting in their numbers, we’re going to see a sea change.

But I will also say, on this issue, I was just in — in North Carolina, and I met with a — a yo- — a group of young students.  They’re in middle school.  And I convened a group of them without the press — it wasn’t about the press — to talk with them because each one of them had experienced — personally experienced gun violence, either because they witnessed it, they had a family member, or they were there wh- — they witnessed it when — when someone was shot.

And the undiagnosed and therefore untreated trauma that results from violence of any sort and, in particular, gun violence is very real.

I would urge the mayors here — there’s a book that I — I’m very fond of.  It’s called “The Deepest Well,” and it was written by a former surgeon general and talks about the prevalence in our cities — urban, suburban, rural communities — of undiagnosed, untreated trauma and how that can then lead to a number of behavioral issues, obviously, but also physiological symptoms. 

And when we think about our youngest children through — and through adulthood witnessing this kind of violence and the impact it has, then, that becomes almost inherited trauma — not genetically inherited, but inherited from the environment — and what that results in, in terms of behaviors that are not productive for a community, much less harmful to the individual. 

So, all of these issues are the issues that you address as mayors.  So many of you have been leaders in a fundamental way around what we need to do around intervention, what we need to do around community approach, what we need to do around prevention. 

And, as Tom Perez said, the work that we have done through bipartisan work, thankfully — first time in 30 years on the — on gun violence — has resulted in federal dollars flowing to you.  And hope you got it.  Call Tom if you didn’t.  (Laughter.)  But to support the work that you are doing at a local level to address all these issues, including the issue of trauma and treatment and the need for more mental health services. 

During the college tour — and I’ll end with this — I also issued a national call to our young leaders to enter the mental health professions.  And I was thinking and had in my mind from decades earlier — remember? — there was a national call for people to become social workers.  Similarly, we know some of the best treatment that can be offered for anyone who needs assistance is — is peer-based.  And thinking about our young leaders, their learned experience, and then being able to be part of the solution in terms of the — the mental health counseling is also, I think, important. 

MAYOR LUCAS:  Absolutely.  Thank you for that.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  (Applause.)

MAYOR LUCAS:  Thank you so much.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.

MAYOR LUCAS:  On the topic of fundamental rights and freedoms, you’ve made clear — and I thank you for this — that every American has the right to live safe from gun violence. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

MAYOR LUCAS:  And let’s go back to what you just mentioned with North Carolina.  The administration is making historic progress, was — as was exemplified by your announcement in Charlotte last week —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yes.

MAYOR LUCAS:  — of an additional $285 million
to help hire and train school counselors across the country — $285 million for school counselors across the country.  That is just one way you are collaborating with mayors across the country.  But what is your recommendation to mayors as to how we can tackle this epidemic?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Well, so, you mentioned Charlotte.  And I want to thank Mayor Lyles.  I know you’re here because I just saw you a minute ago.  And we had a — we — so, what we did — Mayor Lyles convened a group of leaders in the community.  And they were teachers; they were schoolboard members; they were parents; they were also parents of — of children who had been killed because of gun violence; mental health providers.

And it was — it was a very productive conversation.  And Mayor Lyles just shared with me that — that the result of that conversation was even more work, which is always my intent. 

I have this saying, among many, which is: “We meet to do our job; our job is not to meet.”  (Laughter.)  I think all of you will appreciate that point. 

And so, that meeting, from it, actually, came more work, which is good.  And it was a — it was an opportunity, I think, for Mayor Lyles, if I can speak for her, to actually have an opportunity to bring folks together who are in some ways working in silos simply because they’re just trying to get through the days and nights with the — fewer resources than they actually need and allowing them to then think about how they can collaborate and work together. 

So, the convening power of mayors is extraordinary.  In addition to, of co- — and because, of course, you, then, as mayors, have the power to convene not only the community-based providers, but the — the folks from city agencies, folks from law enforcement, and — and to create these conversations where, invariably, ideas will come from and — and plans can be hatched to — to create greater synergy. 

So, I would encourage that.  And I would encourage you to, as often as you can, do what you do, which is be a voice for all those folks who must be seen and whose experiences must be known. 

I think there’s so much about the challenges that we face as a nation that end up being minimized through the — the political discourse in a way that really is about politics more than it is substance or policy.  And you all don’t have the luxury of doing that because of what you need to accomplish each day.  And your voices are so credible and important to amplify the experiences of your constituents. 

And I know it’s not easy to do, but it is very important when you do it.  And I thank you for that as well. 

MAYOR LUCAS:  Thank you so much for that as well.  I also want to give a shout-out.  We mentioned it before, but the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention is doing amazing work.  I had the chance to meet with them just a few weeks ago.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

MAYOR LUCAS:  I know they have met with mayors, state legislators.  I encourage you — every city, large and small, working on gun violence prevention, reducing intimate partner violence —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

MAYOR LUCAS:  — which is a significant issue for us —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

MAYOR LUCAS:  — and doing important work. 

So, for my final question.  You have often put the — the fight for freedoms from gun violence in the context of — of more of our fights for freedoms. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

MAYOR LUCAS:  And we know that next week you will begin your “Fight for Reproductive Freedom” tour. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yes. 

MAYOR LUCAS:  And we welcome you to Kansas City as part of it. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  (Applause.)

MAYOR LUCAS:  And thank you for doing this tour.

In light of the Dobbs decision, what are the most important things for all of us to do to assure reproductive freedom in our nation?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I’ll start with this.  I think we can all agree that one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree that the government should not be telling her what to do with her body. 

If she chooses, she will talk with her priest, her pastor, her rabbi, her imam, but that the government should not be telling her what to do with her body. 

And if we could perhaps frame the discourse around that so that we understand that this is not about trying to convert someone in terms of their beliefs.  It is simply saying that we respect autonomy and bodily autonomy and, frankly, that we trust women to know what’s in their own best interest.  (Applause.)  And everyone can say that.

So, that is it, in terms of — of a fundamental concept that is at play on the issue of freedoms.  But here’s the other thing about this issue.  And it’s — it — it is, again, an issue where we — we — especially those who serve in local office and — and have direct contact with your constituents on a daily, hourly, minute-by-minute basis — understand —

You know, so, for so many of us — I’m going to judge that most of us — for our entire adult or conscious lives, Roe v. Wade was intact.  And, you know, many of us would, you know, start with, you know, “We are pro-choice; we must protect Roe,” but didn’t necessarily think it was ever going to go away. 

Well, it did.  And there has been a consequence of that that is very real to real people, who are silently suffering every day. 

We are a group of adults.  So, I’m going to just share with you what you may know. 

There are women in America having miscarriages in toilets.  There are women who have been denied emergency care because the healthcare providers at the emergency room are afraid that they may go to jail for assisting these women in giving them healthcare that they want to give.

I shared with you I was a prosecutor.  Well, many of you may not know why.  One of the reasons I became a prosecutor is my best friend in high school, I learned, was being molested by her stepfather.  And when I learned, I said to her, “Well, you — you have to come and stay with us.”  I called my mother.  My mother said, “Yes, she has to come stay with us.”  And she did.

And I decided I wanted to take on the issue of violence against women and children, and most of my career as a prosecutor was to do just that.

I bring that up to say: There are laws that have been proposed and passed that make no exception even for rape or incest.  Understand what that means.  We are saying to a survivor of a crime of violence, a violation of their body, that you don’t have the authority or right to make a decision about what happens to your body next.  That’s immoral.

So, on this issue, I would ask us all who have a voice to consider all those who are silently suffering.

The majority of women who have abortions in America are mothers.  God help her that she has paid family leave, paid sick leave, has a bit of savings to be able to afford a bus or train or a plane ticket to go where she needs to go to get the healthcare she needs if it’s not available in her own state.  Understand what this means. 

And there is a — it is occurring in an environment that also is laden with judgment, as though she’s done something wrong, something she should be embarrassed about.

And as all of us know, when we isolate people, we strip them of their power.  And it hurts our whole community.

So, on this issue, the President has been clear.  We are clear that when Congress puts back in place what the Court took away, President Joe Biden will sign back into law the protections of Roe v. Wade.  (Applause.) 

So, elections matter.  And we’ve got to get there.  We’ve got to get there.

MAYOR LUCAS:  Madam Vice President, on behalf of the United States Conference of Mayors, God bless you. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And you.

MAYOR LUCAS:  Thank you. 

Ladies and gentlemen, the Vice President of the United States.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, all.  (Applause.)

END                  2:23 P.M. EST

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Remarks by President Biden Before Marine One Departure

Thu, 01/18/2024 - 13:42

11:46 A.M. EST
 
Q    What do you make of these attacks between Iran and Pakistan?
 
THE PRESIDENT:  As you can see, Iran is not particularly well-liked in the region. 

Q    Yeah.

THE PRESIDENT:  And where — where that goes, we’re working on now.  I don’t know where that goes.
 
Q    And how was your — how was your meeting yesterday?
 
THE PRESIDENT:  I thought the meeting went well yesterday.  I thought the meeting went well.
 
Q    What are the sticking points on the border agreement?  Where are the disagreements you’re working on?
 
THE PRESIDENT:  I don’t think we have any sticking points left.
 
Q    Are the airstrikes in Yemen working?
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Well, when you say “working,” are they stopping the Houthis?  No.  Are they going to continue?  Yes.
 
Q    Mr. President, how do you feel about aid for Ukraine after yesterday’s meeting with members of Congress?
 
THE PRESIDENT:  I think the vast majority of members of Congress support aid to Ukraine.  The question is whether or not a small minority are going to hold it up, which would be — which would be a disaster.
 
Q    How concerned are you with the Arab American votes during this election?  And what Iowa means to you, to your reelection race?
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I don’t think Iowa means anything.  The President got 50-some-thousand votes — the lowest number of votes anybody who’s won got.  You know, this idea that it’s been a runaway, I think he can characterize it any way he wants.  I’ll let them make that judgment.
 
What was the second part of the question?
 
Q    The part was: Are you concerned with the Arab American votes voting for you during this election because of Gaza?  Many say they will not vote for you.
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Well, look, the President wants to put a — the former President wants to put a ban on Arabs coming into the country.  We’ll make sure he — we understand who cares about the Arab population, number one.
 
Number two, we got a long way to go in terms of settling the situation in Gaza.
 
(Cross-talk.)

Q    The March for Life is tomorrow in Washington, D.C. — the March for Life is tomorrow in Washington, D.C.
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Yes, I know that.
 
Q    What’s your message to those attending?
 
THE PRESIDENT:  March.
 
(Cross-talk.)
 
Q    Sir — sir, can you talk about inflation?  When will prices come down?

Q    Should anybody be held for — should anybody be held criminally responsible for failures after the Uvalde shooting?  Should anybody be held responsible with criminal charges?
 
THE PRESIDENT:  I have not read the full report.  The report will be out today —
 
Q    Today.
 
THE PRESIDENT:  — number one.  We’re going to do what we can to implement the recommendations of the Justice Department.  But I don’t know if there is any criminal liability.  I — I have not read the report.
 
Q    Were you — were you briefed by the Attorney General on this?
 
THE PRESIDENT:  I was briefed by my staff on it.
 
(Cross-talk.)

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.
 
11:48 A.M. EST
 
 

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Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill Biden at an Event to Celebrate Educators and Highlight the Importance of Educator Wellness

Tue, 01/16/2024 - 19:31

West Valley City, UT

First Lady Cox – from the day we met, we’ve had a connection – the kind that you can only have with another teacher. Thank you for your tireless work – Abby, you “show up” and make sure that students and educators have what they need to thrive. And how wonderful to be able to spend time with you and Emma Kate. Joe and I are excited to continue working with you and Governor Cox at the National Governors Association Winter Meeting.

Dr. Murthy, I’m grateful for your leadership and commitment to making sure everyone has the mental health support they need. Joe knew you would have both the expertise and the heart for the job of Surgeon General, and it’s amazing to see what you’ve done.

Thank you, Principal Oaks and Mrs. Jordan for your dedication to the students here at Hunter High.

As First Lady, I get to speak with many groups across the country, but visiting schools and talking to students, and the teachers, nurses, cafeteria workers, custodians, and administrators – all who make schools run – are some of my favorite visits.

Thank you for your warm welcome.

Do you remember that moment? When you first decided to become an educator?

For me, it was almost 40 years ago. I thought about just how much books had shaped me – how I loved escaping into them or learning something new. And it broke my heart that there were people who didn’t know that joy – who couldn’t read.

I realized that it was a gift I could give to someone. That I could teach someone else to read.

And I bet that you have a similar story – a moment when you realized that you wanted to be the person to open up the world for someone else, to give the smile that helps that student find the confidence she didn’t know was inside her, to be the one who says, “It’s OK, we’ll figure it out together.”

There is something profoundly optimistic about education.

To answer this call of service is, in itself, an act of hope.

But I know that, sometimes, it feels like the weight that teachers like you across the country have to carry is too much for one person to take on alone. Pay that doesn’t match your value. Work that doesn’t end when the afternoon bell rings.

Students who seem to be struggling with more than a teacher can solve.

Today, First Lady Cox and I are here to tell you that you aren’t alone. We understand, and we are working to honor this profession and give you the support you deserve – because there is no greater calling than educating the future.

President Biden has delivered on his promises to you: from addressing the mental health and academic needs of our students, to passing a bipartisan gun safety law, to loan forgiveness for public servants, including educators.

But he can’t do it alone. And here in Utah, he doesn’t have to. Thanks to the work of your Governor and First Lady, Utah has taken a big step toward paying teachers what they deserve.

Joe and I are grateful for partners like your Governor and First Lady. Because supporting educators doesn’t have to be a red or a blue issue, it’s an American one.

We’re all here because we heard the same calling – and we answered it.

We answered it because we’re learners – collecting all the wisdom, and art, and insight humanity has to offer.

We’re sculptors – able to see the beauty hidden beneath the surface and help bring it out.

We’re optimists – believing that the students we teach can help make our world a better place.

Teaching isn’t just what we do; it’s who we are.

President Biden and I are grateful for the incredible work you do.

Never underestimate your power – or your worth.

Right now, someone out there is a better thinker because of you. Someone is working a little harder because you pushed him to try. Someone is braver because you helped her find her courage.

Thank you.

Now, we’re excited to come meet all of you.

###

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Remarks by Vice President Harris at NAACP South Carolina State Conference on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Tue, 01/16/2024 - 12:01

South Carolina State House
Columbia, South Carolina

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody.  Good afternoon.  (Applause.)  Good afternoon, South Carolina.  Good afternoon.  Please have a seat. 

It is so good to be back.  It is so good to be back. 

I want to thank Grace Fellowship Choir for lifting our hearts with your beautiful voices.  And I just want to thank all of the leaders who are here for the work that you do every day. 

To Senator Devine, I thank you for that beautiful introduction and, most of all, for your courageous leadership and, of course, all the history that you make every day.  Can we please applaud Senator Devine for her work — (applause) — and her recent election?

And to President Murphy and all the leaders of the South Carolina NAACP, thank you for welcoming me today.  (Applause.) 

And, of course, it is always an honor to be in the home state of Assistant Leader Jim Clyburn.  (Applause.)  I do not need to tell South Carolina what a powerful leader he is.  And, of course, he is one of the closest advisors and friends to President Joe Biden and to me. 

Today, we celebrate the legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a visionary who saw what could be unburdened by what had been; an organizer who moved the minds, the hearts, and the feet of the American people; a leader who dedicated his life and, in the end, gave his life to advance one of our nation’s highest ideals: the ideal of freedom. 

Freedom is fundamental to the promise of America.  Freedom is not to be given.  It is not to be bestowed.  It is ours by right.  (Applause.)  And in many ways, the story of America has been a story of our fight to realize that promise. 

As Dr. King wrote in the Letter from Birmingham Jail, “The goal of America is freedom.”  And so, we gather this afternoon to honor his legacy.  And I therefore pose a question that I do believe Dr. King would ask today: In 2024, where exactly is America in our fight for freedom?  How are we doing?

Well, as Vice President of the United States, I’d say, at this moment in America, freedom is under profound threat. 

Today, in fact, we are witnessing a full-on attack on hard-fought, hard-won freedoms.  Consider, in states across our nation, extremists attack the sacred freedom to vote.  They pass laws to ban drop boxes, limit early voting, and restrict absentee ballots.

In Georgia, extremists had the gall to pass a law to even make it illegal to simply offer food and water to people standing in line for hours to exercise their basic civic duty. 

I ask the friends, whatever happened to “love thy neighbor”?  The hypocrisy abounds. 

And please note, the governor in Georgia signed that law on the 56th anniversary of the march from Selma to Montgomery.

Today, in states across our nation, extremists propose and pass laws to attack a woman’s freedom to make decisions about her own body — laws that would even make no exception for rape and incest. 

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

Freedom. 

Every person in our nation has a right to live safe and to live free from the horror of gun violence.  And yet, today, these so-called leaders stand by and refuse to pass reasonable gun safety laws to help protect our children and places of worship. 

Every person in our nation has a right to be who they are and love who they love openly and with pride.  And yet, this past year, extremists have proposed or passed hundreds of laws targeting LGBTQ people. 

Every person in our nation has a right to be free to learn and acknowledge our country’s true and full history.  (Applause.)  And yet, today, extremists pass book bans — book bans in this year of our Lord 2024. 

And then they even try to erase, overlook, and rewrite the ugly parts of our past.  For example, the Civil War, which must I really have to say was about slavery?  (Applause.) 

All the while, they tell our children that enslaved people benefited from slavery.  They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us in an attempt to divide and distract our nation with unnecessary debates. 

Fundamental freedoms under assault: freedom from fear, violence, and harm; freedom to vote, to live, to learn, to control one’s own body; and the freedom to simply be.

And understand the profound impact these attacks have had on the next generation of leaders.  So many of our young leaders are here this afternoon. 

This past fall, I met with more than 15,000 young leaders in my “Fight for Our Freedoms College Tour,” including at the College of Charleston.  (Applause.)  From our young leaders, I heard that the assault on freedoms, well, it’s a lived experience.  It’s not just hypothetical. 

Think about it.  During the height of their reproductive years, this generation has witnessed the highest court in our land — the court of Thurgood — take a constitutional right that had been recognized from the people of America, from the women of America.

This generation now has fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers.  That is not a hypothetical. 

That from kindergarten to 12th grade, this young generation has had to endure active-shooter drills.  Our children, who should be in a classroom, fulfilling their God-given potential to explore the beauty of the world, and instead have to worry that someone might bust through their classroom door with a gun.

And when students go to vote, they often have to wait in line for hours because of laws that intentionally make it more difficult for them to cast a ballot.  It is not a hypothetical. 

But even though our young leaders are clear-eyed about these challenges, I will share with you: They will not be discouraged.  They will not be deterred.  Standing on the shoulders of the generations who came before, our young leaders are prepared and ready for this fight — (applause) — as are we. 

Six decades ago, from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Dr. King spoke to our nation, to the thousands of Americans who had marched that day on Washington.  And he spoke of what he called a “promissory note” — a promissory note, a check that had been signed to the American people in the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. 

Dr. King’s voice rang out when he, quote, said, “We refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt.”  “So, we’ve come to cash this check,” he said, “a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.” 

And, of course, less than a year later, because of the movement that Dr. King and so many other great American leaders helped to build and sustain, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed.  And in the decades since, inspired by the power and the purpose of that movement, together, we have won many victories to make our nation more free, more equal, and more just, from the passage of the Voting Rights Act, to — yes, Senator, to the appointment of the first Black woman to serve on the highest court in our land.  (Applause.)

So, if he were here, I think Dr. King would be the first to say that, yes, we have come far.  And though we have come far, in this moment, it is up to us to continue that fight to cash that promissory note. 

And like Dr. King, even through the struggles and the setbacks, even during the pain and the heartbreak, even when our feet grow weary and our legs grow tired, we will march forward for freedom.  Because I do believe — I do believe the true power behind the promise of America is in the faith of her people.  The promise of America, I do believe, is in the faith of the people — our faith in the founding principles of our nation and our profound commitment to make those principles real.

Generation after generation, on the fields of Gettysburg, in the schools of Little Rock, on the grounds of this state house, on the streets of Ferguson, and on the floor of the Tennessee House of Representatives, we the people have always fought to make the promise of freedom real. 

And so, today, we must do so once again. 

The great Coretta Scott King once said, “Freedom is never truly won.  You earn it and win it in every generation.”  And at this moment in history — (applause) — at this moment in history, in the relay race of history, I say, then, let us not throw up our hands, because it’s time to roll up our sleeves.  (Applause.)  And we were born for a time such as this. 

And so, with faith, with hope, and optimism, we will fight.  And when we fight, we win.  (Applause.) 

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

                              END

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