Statements and Releases

I applaud the historic agreement and conclusion of the negotiations between the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom on the status of the Chagos Archipelago. It is a clear demonstration that through diplomacy and partnership, countries can overcome long-standing historical challenges to reach peaceful and mutually beneficial outcomes. This agreement affirms Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, while granting the United Kingdom the authority to exercise the sovereign rights of Mauritius with respect to Diego Garcia. 

Diego Garcia is the site of a joint U.S.-UK military facility that plays a vital role in national, regional, and global security. It enables the United States to support operations that demonstrate our shared commitment to regional stability, provide rapid response to crises, and counter some of the most challenging security threats we face. The agreement secures the effective operation of the joint facility on Diego Garcia into the next century.

We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Mauritius and the United Kingdom in upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific.

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National Security Advisor to the Vice President Dr. Phil Gordon met virtually today with Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian American community leaders from across the United States.

Dr. Gordon discussed the latest developments in the Middle East. He underscored the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to bring the war in Gaza to an end through a ceasefire and hostage release deal, which would relieve the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He expressed concern for civilians in Lebanon and underscored the importance of a diplomatic resolution for ultimately achieving lasting stability and security across the Israel-Lebanon border so that civilians can safely return to their homes. He also expressed concern about actions that undermine peace, security, and stability in the West Bank. Dr. Gordon heard participants’ views and perspectives about developments in the region and reiterated the Vice President’s commitment to continue to engage with Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian communities across the United States.

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Today, President Biden joined a call with the G7 to discuss Iran’s unacceptable attack against Israel and to coordinate on a response to this attack, including new sanctions. President Biden and the G7 unequivocally condemned Iran’s attack against Israel. President Biden expressed the United States’ full solidarity and support to Israel and its people, and reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s security

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The Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to fostering international partnerships to disrupt the global scourge of ransomware. This week, the White House convened the International Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI) for its fourth meeting in Washington, D.C. During the four-day event, the Initiative’s nearly seventy members discussed methods to counter ransomware attacks in the healthcare industry, collaboration with cyber insurers and the private industry to reduce ransomware payments and increase incident reporting, the security of our critical infrastructure and Internet of Things (IoT), efforts to increase the capacity and incident response capabilities of members, and best practices to counter the flow of money through virtual assets that motivates ransomware actors.

This year, the Initiative welcomed 18 new members—Argentina, Bahrain, Cameroon, Chad,  the Council of Europe, Denmark, the ECOWAS Commission, Finland, the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise, Hungary, Morocco, the Organization of American States, the Philippines, the Republic of Moldova, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu, and Vietnam—who participated in the gathering along withAlbania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Estonia, the European Union, France, Germany, Greece, India, INTERPOL, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lithuania, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uruguay.

At the gathering, CRI members advanced the Initiative’s commitments to resilience, cooperation, and disruption through the CRI’s Policy Pillar, Diplomacy and Capacity Building Pillar, and the International Counter Ransomware Task Force (ICRTF). The Initiative launched a new Public-Private Sector Advisory Panel, led by Canada, establishing a trusted set of private sector partners for CRI members to rely on when faced with responding to ransomware attacks. 

The CRI Policy Pillar

Under the leadership of Singapore and the United Kingdom, the Policy Pillar oversaw several projects focused on policy areas impacting ransomware. The Pillar developed policy guidance, with support from France, the Netherlands, and Kenya, to minimize the overall impact of a ransomware incident on an organization. France and the Netherlands led a project on cyber insurance, and facilitated a workshop for insurers to discuss how the insurance sector could support companies during a ransomware incident and increase their insurance accessibility. Under the auspices of the Pillar’s workplan, Australia released an international ‘Ransomware Playbook’ providing guidance to businesses on how to prepare for, deal with, and recover from a ransomware or cyber extortion attack. Switzerland and the United States led an incident reporting project, sharing best practices on mandatory reporting, factors to consider during implementation, outlining key information to provide at the first instance of a ransomware attack. Albania led a project to enhance implementation of the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) Recommendation 15 on the regulation of virtual assets and related services providers, which will help stem the illicit flow of funds and disrupt the ransomware payment ecosystem that fuel the ransomware industry. The US and UK completed a project on secure software and labeling principles, producing a report that summarizes the most common software vulnerabilities and misconfigurations that lead to ransomware attacks, and provided actions for software manufacturers to take to address them. The UK and Singapore also led a simulation exercise focused on enhancing members’ policy and operational coordination during a ransomware attack in the healthcare sector.

In 2025, the Pillar plans to advance policies to reduce ransomware payments globally, enhance incident reporting frameworks, explore how partnerships with cyber insurance industry can assist in countering ransomware, and raise the overall cybersecurity posture against ransomware attacks through cybersecurity standards and best practices.

The CRI Diplomacy and Capacity Building Pillar

The Diplomacy and Capacity Building Pillar, led by Germany and Nigeria, expanded the CRI’s reach by adding eighteen new members to the coalition and incorporating capacity building efforts throughout all CRI efforts. Among the Pillar’s substantial contributions was a project taking stock of CRI members’ capacity building assets and needs, continued support for the mentorship and onboarding program, and the promotion of the CRI to potential new members. Throughout the coming year, the Pillar will further elevate the initiatives’ global profile and set out to leverage existing capacity building initiatives to provide opportunities to members and help bridge their capacity gaps.

The International Counter Ransomware Task Force (ICRTF)

ICRTF, led by Australia and Lithuania, developed an INTERPOL-led comparative report analyzing Ransomware Interventions and Remediation in CRI members’ jurisdictions. Australia, in their role as ICRTF co-chair, launched a website and member portal for the CRI to share information and best practices between members as well as foster collaboration.

Advancing the Initiative through Action

Together, members of the CRI took bold new actions to further advance the initiative, including:

• Establishing the CRI Fund: The United States launched a new fund that will strengthen members’ cybersecurity capabilities through both rapid assistance in the wake of a cyber attack as well as targeted support to improve cybersecurity skills, policies, and response procedures. The Fund will be supported through contributions from CRI members and private sector partners.

• Guidance for Victim Organizations: This guidance, endorsed by CRI members and insurance bodies, offers a practical guide to help organizations experiencing a ransomware attack. Building on last year’s CRI statement on ransomware payments, the guidance underscores the important role cyber insurance can play in helping to build resilience to cyber attacks and highlights actions organizations should explore during an incident, aiming to reduce disruption and cost, the number of ransoms paid, and the size of ransoms paid. The ultimate goal is to minimize the overall impact of a ransomware incident on an organization.

• Private Sector Engagement Working Group (PSEWG): Canada developed a Public-Private Sector Advisory Panel to advise and support CRI members in combating ransomware. The advisory panel will catalyze effective information sharing, build trust through clear expectations and person to person collaboration, and develop best practices to navigate practical hurdles.

• Responsible Behavior in Cyberspace: The ICRTF called on members to join a statement that calls for responsible behavior in cyberspace and encourages members to hold bad actors accountable and deny them safe haven using all of the cyber diplomacy and law enforcement tools at their disposal. The CRI continues to call for responsible behavior in cyberspace and encourage members to call out malicious acts.
• Artificial Intelligence to Counter Ransomware: The CRI hosted its first-ever event dedicated to examining the use of AI to counter cyber attacks. Topics of discussion included the use of AI to track threat actor use, AI for Software Security, AI systems to ensure the security of critical infrastructure to include healthcare networks, and tools such as watermarking to counter disinformation.

• Information Sharing: Many members are now using CRI’s information sharing platforms developed by Belgium, Israel, Lithuania, and the UAE to quickly share intelligence related to ransomware attacks, attack tactics, techniques, procedures, and indicators of compromise. Additionally, a CRI website developed by Australia includes a forum for members to easily request assistance from CRI members.

• Building Collective Cyber Resilience: The implementation of secure software and labeling principles are important preventive measures against ransomware actors gaining access to data, related services, and connected infrastructure. CRI members were encouraged to take a coordinated, multi-national approach to developing a plan to institute secure software and labeling principles, including mapping existing cybersecurity requirements, and regulations, standards and guidelines for IoT devices. Recognition and implementation of such standards and schemes by multiple countries will set the foundation for global initiatives that enhance our collective resilience against ransomware and cyber attacks.

• Enhancing Cybersecurity of Supply Chains: The United States Department of Energy facilitated a panel discussion with executives from eight critical infrastructure equipment manufacturers to educate CRI members on the new U.S. supply chain cybersecurity efforts: GE Vernova, Hitachi Energy, Honeywell, Rockwell Automation, Schneider Electric, Siemens, Siemens Energy, and Westinghouse Electric Company. This session provided an opportunity for the United States to demonstrate leadership in developing the Supply Chain Cybersecurity Principles, released in June with support from industry partners, while inviting international participation in coordinated efforts to advance the principles throughout the global supply chain.

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The 68 members of the International Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI)—Albania, Argentina,  Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Council of Europe, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, the ECOWAS Commission, Egypt, Estonia, the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise, Hungary, India, INTERPOL, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lithuania, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, the Organization of American States, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, and Vietnam—met in Washington, D.C. from September 30 – October 3, 2024 for the Fourth CRI Gathering. Previously participating members welcomed Argentina, Bahrain, Cameroon, Chad, the Council of Europe, Denmark, the ECOWAS Commission, Finland, the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise, Hungary, Morocco, the Organization of American States, the Philippines, the Republic of Moldova, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu, and Vietnam as new CRI members.

During the Fourth CRI Gathering, members reaffirmed our joint commitment to develop collective resilience to ransomware, support members if they are faced with a ransomware attack, pursue the actors responsible for ransomware attacks and not allow safe haven for these actors to operate within our jurisdictions, counter the use of virtual assets as part of the ransomware business model, partner with the private sector to advise and support CRI members, and forge international partnerships so we are collectively better equipped to counter the scourge of ransomware.

Over the past year, this coalition has grown and continues to build upon the commitments made at the Third CRI Gathering in 2023. The United States launched a new fund for CRI members to strengthen members’ cybersecurity capabilities through both rapid assistance in the wake of a cyber attack, as well as targeted support to improve cybersecurity skills, policies, and response procedures.

The Policy Pillar, led by Singapore and the United Kingdom, spearheaded efforts to build resilience against ransomware attacks and leverage the ecosystem to disrupt the ransomware criminal industry. These efforts seek to undercut the business model that underpins the ransomware ecosystem by driving forward work on secure software and labeling, methods to counter the use of virtual assets as part of the ransomware business model, policies to reduce ransom payments, increase and improve reporting, cyber insurance, and a playbook to guide businesses on how to prepare for, deal with, and recover from a ransomware attack. Of note, CRI members and insurance bodies have endorsed guidance to help organizations experiencing a ransomware attack. The guidance underscores the important role cyber insurance can play in helping to build resilience to cyber attacks and highlights actions organizations should explore during an incident. In addition, the Pillar held a table-top-exercise to assist members in identifying gaps in their processes, learning best practices and supporting members develop effective responses to ransomware attacks on the healthcare sector.

The Diplomacy and Capacity Building Pillar, led by Germany and Nigeria, expanded the CRI’s partnerships with the addition of 18 new members to the coalition and mapped out the capacity building assets and needs of members. To foster collaboration, forge new partnerships, and recruit new members into the Initiative, CRI members hosted regional events throughout the year.

Under the leadership of Australia and Lithuania, the ICRTF focused its work on building resilience against malicious cyber attacks through international cooperation. Lithuania and Australia, as ICRTF co-chairs, worked to develop governance for information sharing and increase onboarding of members to the information sharing platforms led by Lithuania and Belgium as well as Israel and UAE. These platforms will allow members to easily share threat information and indicators of compromise. In a project led by INTERPOL and Australia, a comparative report was produced analyzing Ransomware Interventions and Remediation in CRI members’ jurisdictions. Australia launched a website and member portal so CRI members can easily share information and best practices, foster collaboration, and use as a mechanism to request assistance from the CRI community when experiencing a ransomware attack. The ICRTF co-chairs presented a statement for members to join that calls for responsible behavior in cyberspace and encourages members to hold malicious actors accountable and deny them safe haven using all of the cyber diplomacy and law enforcement tools at their disposal.

Canada established a new Public-Private Sector Advisory Panel to advise and support CRI members in combating ransomware. This advisory panel will catalyze effective information sharing, build trust through clear expectations and person to person collaboration, and develop best practices to navigate practical hurdles.

The Initiative also hosted its first-ever event dedicated to examining the use of AI to counter ransomware attacks. Topics of discussion included the use of AI to track threat actor use, AI for Software Security, scenario planning around ransomware attacks on the healthcare industry, and tools such as watermarking to counter disinformation.

Through the Initiative’s annual gathering as well as the dedicated work and regional meetings occurring between each meeting, we commit to working together at both a policy and operational level to counter ransomware threats and hold perpetrators of these malicious attacks accountable. CRI continues to call for responsible behavior in cyberspace and encourage members to call out malicious acts, and we remain committed to using all appropriate tools to achieve these goals, and are jointly committed to the following actions in support of this mission.

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Today, President Biden is announcing 1,000 active-duty troops will be immediately deployed to assist with response and recovery efforts

President Biden and Vice President Harris continue to mobilize an intensive Federal response to the impacts of Hurricane Helene. The Administration is prioritizing life-saving and life-sustaining response efforts in impacted communities, as well as ensuring people displaced from the storm have prompt access to Federal resources that will enable them to both purchase essential items and begin their road to recovery and rebuilding.

As part of this coordinated response, today, President Biden is announcing he has directed the Department of Defense to deploy up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers to support the delivery of food, water, and other critical commodities to communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. The announcement is effective immediately, and these forces will be available for deployment starting today. This action will provide additional manpower and logistics capabilities, enabling FEMA and other interagency partners to reach the hardest hit areas as quickly as possible.

This comes as the President is traveling to North Carolina and South Carolina. He will take an aerial tour of areas impacted by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina, receive operational briefings, and meet with first responders and local officials. He will also engage with first responders and officials in South Carolina. The President will also visit Florida and Georgia in the coming days. The Vice President will travel to Georgia today. She will receive operational briefings, meet with residents impacted by the storm, and provide updates to local officials on actions that are being taken to support emergency response and recovery efforts in Georgia. She will also travel to North Carolina in the coming days.

Yesterday, President Biden received a briefing from his Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall and leaders across his Administration, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan, Department of Defense Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks, Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves, Department of Energy Deputy Secretary David Turk, U.S. Army Corps of Engineer LTG William H. (Butch) Graham Jr., Small Business Administration Deputy Administrator Dilawar Syed, Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Robert Bonnie, and Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Dawn O’Connell.

Additional updates on the Administration’s response efforts include:

Mobilizing Defense Department Resources to Support Prompt and Effective Hurricane Response

Today, the President is announcing he has directed the Department of Defense to deploy up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers to support response efforts. These soldiers are part of an Infantry Battalion Task Force, based out of Fort Liberty, North Carolina, which includes a Forward Support Company with the necessary support structure (fuel, water, mechanics, etc.) to conduct operations.

These soldiers are in addition to the support the Department of Defense is already providing to FEMA for the response to Hurricane Helene including:

• US Army and US Navy helicopters, soldiers, and sailors to provide critical capability to move personnel and supplies in areas where access via roads is not available or viable.
• US Air Force aircraft, helicopters, and airmen to provide search-and-rescue capabilities.
• US Army soldiers and high wheeled vehicles to move personnel and supplies over roads and terrain damaged or impassable to normal vehicles.
• The Army Corps of Engineers is supporting with response efforts with Temporary Power Teams and subject matter experts to support for debris removal, water and wastewater management, and bridge inspections. 

At the President’s direction, the Department of Defense has activated 22 helicopters to aid in search and rescue operations and provided dozens of high-water vehicles. The National Guard, in its state capacity, is also aiding these efforts. 700 National Guard from North Carolina are supporting debris removal, air lifts, and search and rescue. They are accompanied by National Guard from eight additional states under Emergency Mutual Assistance Compacts, with helicopters and rescue vehicles to further assist with road clearance, commodities, transport, and search and rescue.

Although not operating under Department of Defense authority, over 6,000 National Guard personnel from 12 states are spearheading the response effort across the impacted region in support of their Governors, providing critical life-saving and life-sustaining support to the victims of this unprecedented natural disaster.

Supporting On-The-Ground Response and Emergency Efforts

More than 4,800 personnel from across the Federal workforce are deployed and supporting state-led response efforts across the region. FEMA and other agencies have more than 1,200 personnel in North Carolina, with more resources and staff arriving daily.

Search and rescue efforts by state, local, and Federal partners are ongoing, and nearly 600 additional personnel are arriving in the region in the coming days, increasing the total number of Urban Search and Rescue personnel to over 1,250.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra declared Public Health Emergencies for South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. These declarations give the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ health care providers and suppliers greater flexibility in meeting emergency health needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. HHS has established a National Disaster Medical System medical treatment site at the Mission Hospital campus in Asheville and Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pines, North Carolina. HHS Health and Medical Task Force Teams are supporting state medical needs shelters in Hickory and Mills Springs, North Carolina. An HHS Incident Management Team is working closely with state officials to identify health care needs including in rural communities and areas which may be cut off from transportation systems. HHS has also deployed two Disaster Mortuary Assistance Team (DMAT) to assist state mortuary services in mortuary care of victim identification. HHS has made 9 DMAT teams available nationwide. Additionally, 200 Federal ambulances have been provided to North Carolina.

In total, FEMA has shipped over 8.5 million meals, more than 7 million liters of water, 150 generators and over 220,000 tarps to aid response efforts for this historic storm.

Restoring Power and Communications to Impacted Communities

Power outage numbers are improving as restoration teams from across the nation gain access to communities and debris is removed, although much more work remains to bring power back to badly impacted areas across the region. As of this morning, approximately 1.6 million customers are still without power, which is a reduction of more than 65% from the region-wide peak of 4.6 million on September 27.

In addition to intensive efforts to restore power, crews are working around the clock to restore cell service and communications to impacted communities. FEMA, the FCC, and private telecommunications providers are working together to help restore temporary communications as quickly as possible by establishing temporary cell sites and allowing for roaming where possible, where a resident can connect to any network available, even if they aren’t subscribed to that network.

FEMA has provided 50 Starlink satellite systems to help with responder communications and 65 satellite phones have been shipped to assist with communications.

Restoring Road Access

The Department of Transportation activated its 24-hour toll-free Routing Assistance Hotline to provide routing assistance for first responders conducting relief missions. The Hotline supports the movement of Federal, state, local, Tribal, and Territorial response personnel and contractors, equipment, and goods by providing recommended safe routes using a variety of data sources. To reach the Hotline, responders can call 511 from their mobile phones or 833–99-ROADS (833-997-6237).  The Department of Transportation also announced that with the President’s approval of Emergency Disaster Declarations it has initiated a 14-day period of emergency regulatory relief from Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations, including maximum driving time for property- and passenger-carrying vehicles from the date of declaration. This allows truck drivers to get essential supplies to affected areas. 

Extending Housing Aid to Impacted Families

Following President Biden’s approval of a Major Disaster declaration in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) began implementing supplemental assistance, which includes a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of FHA-insured mortgages and mortgages guaranteed under the Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee program, as well as an automatic 90-day extension for Home Equity Conversion Mortgages.

Anyone whose home has been destroyed or severely damaged is also eligible to apply for HUD mortgage insurance. HUD is also enabling homeowners to finance rehabilitation and repairs for damaged homes.

To support households and communities through disaster recovery, HUD will provide Housing Counseling assistance and offer waivers and additional flexibilities to Public Housing Agencies, Tribes, and recipients of designated federal funding to allow communities to use existing resources to aid in response and recovery efforts. Additionally, HUD offered a suite of waivers and alternative requirements to allow impacted communities to use existing community development and homelessness assistance funds to aid in response and recovery efforts.  

Approving Additional Emergency Assistance

President Biden has now also approved Major Disaster Declarations for Georgia and Virginia, allowing individuals in 41 counties in Georgia and 6 in Virginia to apply for FEMA assistance. Administration officials are in touch with Georgia emergency management officials, and based on their ongoing assessments of impacts on the ground, FEMA is in the process of approving federal assistance for additional counties. This is in addition to approving Major Disaster declarations for Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina earlier in the weekend.

To date, more than $10 million in Individual Assistance has been provided to survivors who have been affected by Hurricane Helene, and we expect that number to increase over the coming days. In North Carolina, through the expedited Serious Needs Assistance program, FEMA has paid out more than $1 million to over 1,400 households in less than 24 hours.

FEMA assistance in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia can include a one-time $750 payment to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula and other emergency supplies. After registering for disaster assistance, individuals may also qualify to receive disaster-related financial assistance to repair storm-related damage to homes and replace personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay. Homeowners and renters with damage to their home or personal property from previous disasters, whether they received FEMA funds or not, are still eligible to apply for and receive assistance for Hurricane Helene.

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams are deployed to Florida and North Carolina to help survivors register for disaster assistance, visiting shelters and going door to door to help people get Federal assistance where they need it as quickly as feasible.

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President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. called Ishiba Shigeru today to congratulate him on his election by the Diet to become Prime Minister of Japan. The President underscored that the U.S.-Japan Alliance has served as the cornerstone of regional peace and prosperity for over seven decades and rose to new heights under former Prime Minister Kishida. The President said he looked forward to working closely with Prime Minister Ishiba to continue deepening the U.S.-Japan global partnership across the full range of security, economic, technology, and diplomatic issues.

The two leaders noted that the American and Japanese people share deeply rooted values and principles, including a commitment to uphold a global order that is free, open, secure, and prosperous. The President and Prime Minister reaffirmed their resolve to continue strengthening defense cooperation and to maintain peace and stability across the region. They also underscored their commitment to enhance regional cooperation through a latticework of likeminded partners, including cooperation with Australia and India through the Quad and through trilateral partnerships with the Republic of Korea and the Philippines. 

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Jill and I extend our heartfelt congratulations to President Claudia Sheinbaum on her inauguration.  As a symbol of our respect and the friendship between our two nations, our First Lady is leading the Delegation to President Sheinbaum’s inauguration, along with many senior leaders from my administration. Jill and I wish President Sheinbaum a joyful celebration and a very successful presidency, and we congratulate the people of Mexico on the historic inauguration of their first woman president.  

Mexico and the United States are strong partners and close neighbors and we share deep political, economic, and cultural ties.  The United States is committed to continuing to work with Mexico to deliver the democratic, prosperous, and secure future that the people of our two countries deserve.

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Collective bargaining is the best way for workers to get the pay and benefits they deserve. I have urged USMX, which represents a group of foreign-owned carriers, to come to the table and present a fair offer to the workers of the International Longshoremen’s Association that ensures they are paid appropriately in line with their invaluable contributions. Ocean carriers have made record profits since the pandemic and in some cases profits grew in excess of 800 percent compared to their profits prior to the pandemic. Executive compensation has grown in line with those profits and profits have been returned to shareholders at record rates. It’s only fair that workers, who put themselves at risk during the pandemic to keep ports open, see a meaningful increase in their wages as well.

As our nation climbs out of the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, dockworkers will play an essential role in getting communities the resources they need. Now is not the time for ocean carriers to refuse to negotiate a fair wage for these essential workers while raking in record profits. My Administration will be monitoring for any price gouging activity that benefits foreign ocean carriers, including those on the USMX board.

It is time for USMX to negotiate a fair contract with the longshoremen that reflects the substantial contribution they’ve been making to our economic comeback.

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Vice President Harris announces actions to protect consumers and reduce hurdles that prevent individuals from receiving relief from medical bills
 
White House hosts roundtable with Americans impacted by medical debt, including those who received medical debt relief through Biden-Harris Administration actions

Today, Vice President Harris announced a series of actions by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Department of Defense (DOD), and Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) to increase pathways for medical debt relief, to address illegal actions by third-party debt collectors, and to improve our understanding of the impacts of medical debt.
 
Getting sick or taking care of loved ones should not create financial hardship for families. Yet, more than 100 million Americans struggle with medical debt. Over 40 million Americans —1 in 5 adults — owe around $88 billion in medical debt in collections, making it the largest source of debt in collections—more than credit cards, utilities, and auto loans.
 
That is unacceptable to President Biden and Vice President Harris. Vice President Harris has repeatedly highlighted the negative impacts of medical debt, noting that medical debt can stand in the way of someone’s dream to own a car, home, or small businesses. In June, Vice President Harris announced the CFPB’s proposed rule to remove medical debt from the consumer credit reports of more than 15 million Americans and called on states to take action to tackle medical debt. Following the Vice President’s call to action, HHS approved North Carolina’s innovative program to encourage hospitals to relieve medical debt and relieve approximately $4 billion in medical debt for nearly 2 million working families in North Carolina. Further, American Rescue Plan funds are being leveraged to eliminate an estimated $7 billion in medical debt for up to nearly 3 million Americans by the end of 2026.
 
“No one should be denied economic opportunity because they got sick or experienced a medical emergency. That is why I have worked to cancel hundreds of millions in medical debt to date – part of our Administration’s overall plan to forgive $7 billion by 2026 – and make it so medical debt will soon no longer be included in your credit score,” said Vice President Harris. “As someone who has spent my entire career fighting to protect consumers, I am proud to announce today’s new actions to build on our work to reduce the burden of medical debt by increasing pathways for relief and cracking down on predatory debt collection tactics.”
 
To continue addressing the burden of medical debt, today the Vice President is announcing the following actions:
 
Holding Third-Party Debt Collectors Accountable
 
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released an Advisory Opinion on improper medical debt collections. The Advisory Opinion clarifies the responsibilities of debt collectors to confirm that debts are accurate, valid, and substantiated before engaging in collection actions. Further, the CFPB has stated that they will ensure fairness and increase transparency by cracking down on debt collectors that collect on debt that is not owed by patients.
 
CFPB also released a Consumer Advisory that explains to consumers what actions they can take when they suspect that they have been improperly billed or if they have had improper or illegal collection actions taken against them. The Consumer Advisory suggests actions such as: following-up with their provider if a bill looks incorrect, asking their provider for an itemized bill, negotiating bills if the price appears wrong, reporting to the CFPB if they have been improperly billed, and pursuing legal action if appropriate.
 
Increasing Pathways to Reduced Medical Bills
 
The Department of Defense has proposed a rule aimed at providing financial relief for civilians receiving medical care at military medical treatment facilities (MTFs).  If finalized as proposed, this rule would implement fee reductions through a sliding scale discount program as well as catastrophic cap waivers.  Through these measures, the DoD aims to significantly reduce the financial burden on patients while maintaining high-quality care and expanding the range of complex trauma cases that Department healthcare providers may encounter in both deployed and humanitarian settings.
 
Providing Transparency on Tax-Exempt Hospital Debt Collection Practices
 
CFPB released a blog post highlighting billing issues that occur when non-profit hospitals fail to provide financial assistance. Under the law, tax-exempt hospitals are required to offer financial assistance to help offset health care costs for low-income patients. However, the CFPB has previously found evidence that tax-exempt hospitals often bill and initiate collections against patients who have received or are eligible for financial assistance. Today’s blog post shines a light on bills wrongfully ending up in collections.
 
Better Understanding the Impact of Medical Debt on Seniors
 
HHS is collecting evidence and data to inform future actions to address the burden of medical debt. For the first time, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services added new questions on medical debt to their Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS). The MCBS is an annual survey of people covered by Medicare to better understand their health care needs. These new questions will provide essential background on levels of medical debt carried by seniors and those with disabilities and the impacts of these debts on their day-to-day lives. The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality is also adding additional questions to the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, one of the largest sources of data on health care in the United States, to capture more granular information on medical debt. Questions will capture information on the amount of medical debt, ability to pay unexpected medical bills, financial sacrifices that individuals may have had to make due to their health or treatment, and other aspects of medical debt and financial well-being. CFPB also recently spotlighted the legal challenges facing surviving spouses who are pursued for their spouse’s medical debt, providing insights into the ways debt collectors take advantage of this vulnerable population.

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Today, I welcome Mark Rutte as the new Secretary General the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which for 75 years has strengthened our collective security, protected democracies, and defended against threats as one.

Secretary General Rutte has an impressive track record as a consensus-builder and decisive leader.  I have full confidence that he will continue to build on our work to create a NATO that is stronger, larger, and more resolute than ever in its mission to create a safer world for our peoples.  The United States remains deeply devoted to the most successful Alliance in the history of the world.  We hold fast to our sacred Article 5 commitment: an attack on one is an attack on all.

Lastly, I want to express my deep gratitude to Jens Stoltenberg, who led the Alliance through the most consequential decade for Euro-Atlantic security since World War II.  I thank him for his remarkable service. 

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    Too many Americans know the pain of losing a mother, sister, wife, daughter, or loved one to breast cancer.  During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we honor the memories of all those we have lost to this devastating disease.  We give strength and support to their families, to their caregivers, to survivors, and to women still undergoing treatment.  And we express our gratitude to all the medical professionals and health researchers working tirelessly to end cancer as we know it. 

     Today, there are more than four million breast cancer survivors in America — and this year alone, hundreds of thousands more will be diagnosed.  While scientists have made significant breakthroughs to better prevent, detect, and treat breast cancer, a diagnosis is frightening and overwhelming.  Patients and families are often flooded with complex medical information and forced to advocate for themselves to receive basic care.  Additionally, some patients are left saddled with exorbitant medical bills while undergoing grueling treatments.

     For my family and Vice President Harris’ family — along with millions of families across the country — cancer is personal.  Ending cancer as we know it has been a top priority for my Administration since day one.  The First Lady and I reignited the Cancer Moonshot to cut the cancer death rate by at least 50 percent over the next 25 years and improve the experience of those diagnosed with cancer and their loved ones.  I also established the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, securing $4 billion in bipartisan funding to help the scientists, innovators, and public health professionals who are working around the clock to improve the prevention, detection, and treatment of cancers and other deadly diseases.

     My Administration has also worked hard to make cancer treatment more affordable for patients.  I strengthened Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), expanding health coverage to millions of Americans and saving millions of families $800 per year on their health insurance premiums.  My Inflation Reduction Act will cap total out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at $2,000 per year for seniors and other people on Medicare — including expensive cancer medications, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars. 

     Moreover, to increase support for patients and their families, we have ensured that people facing cancer can access patient navigation services that are fully paid for through Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance.  This personalized assistance helps lift the burden of managing the complex medical journey alone from millions of patients.

     Furthermore, my Administration is committed to ensuring women have access to screening and early detection services, which are critical in catching breast cancer early and saving lives.  Toward that aim, we expanded coverage under the ACA, which requires insurers to pay for recommended cancer screenings — including mammograms — for many more Americans.  We expanded access to free breast cancer screenings for any veteran exposed to burn pits during their military service.  And we will continue to forge partnerships with community health centers to help ensure underserved communities have access to early detection and support services.

     For more information about breast cancer, go to cancer.gov/types/breast or call 1-800-422-6237 to speak to information specialists at the National Cancer Institute in English and in Spanish.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program also offers breast cancer screenings or diagnostic services to low-income individuals who are uninsured or otherwise qualify for the program — go to cdc.gov/breast-cervical-cancer-screening/ to learn more.

     This National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let us each recommit to doing our part to give more support, hope, and care to patients, families, and survivors of breast cancer.  Let us rise above party and politics and unite as Americans to help all of our loved ones struggling with this terrible disease.  And let us strengthen our resolve together as a Nation to end cancer as we know it — for all the lives we have lost and all those we can still save. 

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 2024 as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I encourage citizens, government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other interested groups to join in activities that will increase awareness of what Americans can do to prevent and control breast cancer and pay tribute to those who have lost their lives to this disease.

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

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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The Biden-Harris Administration continues to lead a robust Federal response to help impacted communities in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The Administration is working around the clock and mobilizing every resource available to support life-saving response efforts in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida.
 
The President and Vice President continue to receive regular briefings from their teams, including today, and Administration officials remain in constant communication with state and local officials to ensure they have the support and resources they need. President Biden has spoken with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, and Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, along with other state and local officials in the impacted areas to offer further assistance as needed. This afternoon, the President was briefed by Governor Cooper and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell from the field following surveys of Helene’s impacts across the State. Vice President Harris also received an in-person briefing at FEMA today and has been in touch with Governor Cooper, Governor Kemp, Greenville Mayor Knox White, and Savannah Mayor Van Johnson.
 
President Biden directed Administrator Criswell to determine what more can be done to accelerate delivering support to those who are having the most difficult time accessing assistance in isolated communities. At the President’s direction, Administrator Criswell has been on the ground to survey damage and determine any unmet needs, and at the President’s direction she will remain on the ground in Asheville, North Carolina, until the situation has stabilized.
 
On Wednesday, President Biden will travel to North Carolina. He will also travel to Georgia and Florida as soon as possible.
 
Additionally, the Federal government is closely monitoring an additional weather disturbance in the Caribbean Sea that has the potential to form into another storm in the coming week. Residents throughout the Gulf Coast should remain alert, listen to local officials, and make additional preparations as needed.
 
Additional Administration actions to support ongoing response and recovery efforts include:
 
Supporting On-The-Ground Response Efforts
 
As of today, more than 3,500 personnel from across the federal workforce are deployed and supporting Hurricane Helene response efforts across the impacted states. This includes the most experienced incident management teams to help identity Federal resources to address unmet needs, as well as Urban Search and Rescue personnel using high water rescue equipment for rescue missions across the region.
 
Search and rescue efforts by state, local and Federal partners are ongoing, and hundreds of additional personnel are arriving in the region in the coming days. Over 1,250 Urban Search and Rescue personnel are deployed across Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Together with local and state responders, teams have rescued or supported more than 1,900 people, including nearly 900 in North Carolina.
 
The Department of Defense has 30 high-water trucks ready to assist rescuers and 18 helicopters with lift capabilities that can transport supplies, equipment and assist with search and rescue operations.
 
Approving Major Disaster Declarations
 
President Biden approved a Major Disaster declaration for South Carolina yesterday, allowing survivors to immediately access funds and resources to jumpstart their recovery. This is in addition to approving declarations for Florida and North Carolina earlier in the weekend.
 
FEMA assistance in Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina may include a one-time $750 payment to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula and other emergency supplies. After registering for disaster assistance, individuals may also qualify to receive disaster-related financial assistance to repair storm-related damage to homes and replace personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay.
 
Homeowners and renters with damage to their home or personal property from previous disasters, whether they received FEMA funds or not, are still eligible to apply for and receive assistance for Hurricane Helene.
 
People in 17 counties in Florida, 25 counties in North Carolina and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, as well as 13 counties in South Carolina can now apply for assistance with FEMA. People can apply in four ways: online by visiting disasterassistance.gov, calling 1-800-621-3362, on the FEMA App, or via disaster recovery centers.
 
Emergency declarations were also approved for Florida, North Carolina Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama. Under an emergency declaration, FEMA provides direct Federal support to states for life saving activities and other emergency protective measures, such as evacuation, sheltering, and search and rescue.
 
Restoring Power to Impacted Communities
 
At least 50,000 personnel from 34 states and the District of Columbia and Canada are responding to power outages and working around the clock throughout parts of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina to restore power to those communities that can receive power. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is moving generators and additional power restoration assets into the hardest hit areas of South and North Carolina as flood waters recede and debris removal allows. As power is being restored throughout parts of Florida and Georgia, power crews are being moved into other states to assist with their restoration efforts. Mobile Emergency Operations Vehicles are in place to support responder communication and assist impacted communities. We are working with private sector partners to augment and restore cellular services in several states.
 
In North Carolina, 40 Starlink satellite systems are available to help with responder communications, and an additional 140 satellites are being shipped to assist with communications infrastructure restoration. One Starlink will be deployed per county Emergency Operations Center to assist with communications.
 
Power outage numbers are improving as restoration teams gain access to communities and debris is removed. As of this morning, approximately 2.1 million customers are without power, down more than 54% from the region-wide peak of 4.6 million on September 27.
 
Additional Interagency Support Efforts
 
Together with state and local partners, the Federal government is actively supporting Hurricane Helene response efforts and is coordinating requests for Federal assistance.

• FEMA distribution centers are fully stocked and ready to provide commodities and equipment to any impacted state, as required.
• FEMA is sending additional generators, 150 ambulances, trailers full of meals and water and 215 additional Search and Rescue personnel to North Carolina.
• Thus far, FEMA has shipped over 1.9 million meals, more than 1 million liters of water, 30 generators and over 95,000 tarps to impacted states.
• FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams are deploying to Florida and North Carolina to help survivors register for disaster assistance, answer questions and help people jumpstart their recovery.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a Public Health Emergency for Florida, Georgia and North Carolina, giving health care providers and suppliers greater flexibility in meeting emergency health needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Medical responders are in affected states along with medical equipment and supplies, to help protect the delivery of health care services following the landfall of Hurricane Helene.
• The U.S. Coast Guard crews have saved 19 lives and five pets in the response so far, with rescues continuing in North Carolina. They have thousands of personnel working on response efforts and are providing surface and air rescue assets to support search and rescue missions. Personnel continue addressing transportation concerns by ensuring ports and waterways are reopened safely.
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deployed teams for temporary emergency power, debris removal and infrastructure assessment of water/wastewater treatment facilities and road/bridges.
• The Environmental Protection Agency has personnel on the ground who are working closely with federal, state, local, and Tribal partners to prepare for and safely remove hazardous materials and debris, and maintain critical public health and environmental protections in place as storm impacts are assessed.
• The Department of the Interior’s U.S. Geological Survey activated its Landslide Team to help with assessments in the impacted areas.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration deployed more than 50 personnel to support people and small businesses as they recover from the hurricane.
• The U.S. Department of Energy has responders deployed to the Emergency Operations Centers in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina and is closely monitoring impacts and working to advance restoration efforts, including power, fuel and supply chain interruptions.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has offices in virtually every county with personnel who stand ready to provide technical assistance, disaster programs, and emergency credit to farmers and agriculture producers who lost crops and livestock. USDA has deployed 132 emergency support staff to assist FEMA at their Regional Response Coordination Center in Atlanta and their National Response Coordination Center in Washington. USDA has also approved Florida’s request for waivers for food assistance programs to Florida and is standing by to render additional flexibilities and assistance as requested by the states. In addition, USDA is working to locate those with housing impacts related to Hurricane Helene and connect them with housing assistance and is prepared to assist with infrastructure assistance.

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Today, I have signed into law H.R. 7032, the “Congressional Budget Office Data Sharing Act” (the “Act”).  The Act amends the current provision authorizing the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to secure information from the Executive Branch to provide that agencies shall furnish necessary information to the Director “(with or without written agreement) provided that the Director maintains the level of confidentiality required by law of the department, agency, establishment, or regulatory agency or commission from which it is obtained.”  I understand that this amendment to the statutory framework governing the provision of information to the CBO does not alter the established and constitutionally grounded accommodation process between the Congress and the Executive Branch, whereby the Executive Branch seeks to comply with laws that require the disclosure of information to agents of the Congress in a manner that both satisfies congressional needs and is also consistent with the need to safeguard classified, potentially privileged, and other sensitive information implicating Executive Branch interests.  Moreover, this amendment does not alter agencies’ ability to negotiate written agreements with the CBO governing disclosures of information as part of that accommodation process.  It is on this understanding, which I believe that the Congress shares, that I have signed this bill into law.

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,
September 30, 2024. 

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This year, the homicide and violent crime rates have continued their rapid decline from their peaks during the last administration. According to new preliminary data submitted to the FBI, in the first half of this year, the homicide rate continued to fall at record speed, declining by 22.7%, while the violent crime rate fell by 10.3% to its lowest level since 1969. These record decreases follow the historic declines in crime in 2023, including the largest-ever decrease in the homicide rate. Communities across our country are safer now than when I took office.

Under the previous administration, we saw the biggest increase in murder rates on record. Vice President Harris and I moved swiftly to turn it around. We passed the American Rescue Plan – despite every Republican in Congress voting against it – which has helped deliver over $15 billion in public safety funding that enabled over 1,000 state, city, and county governments to avoid cuts to police budgets, invest in community violence interventions, and keep communities safe. And we have taken more action to get illegal guns off of our streets and out of dangerous hands than any Administration, including by signing into law the most significant gun violence prevention legislation in nearly 30 years which has expanded background checks and cracked down on gun traffickers. Last year, I established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, overseen by Vice President Harris, to accelerate this work.

Even among these historic declines, we can and must do more. That’s why, just this past week, Vice President Harris and I announced additional actions to combat machinegun conversion devices, improve school-based active shooter drills, and take other steps to reduce gun crime and save lives. I’ll continue to urge Congress pass my plan to fund 100,000 additional police officers, invest in community violence intervention programs, and make commonsense gun safety reforms, including banning assault weapons.

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Today, on the last day of National African Immigrant Heritage Month, celebrated in the community throughout the month of September for the past 16 years, the White House hosted a virtual roundtable discussion to hear directly from members of targeted media organizations servicing diasporans from all 54 countries of the African continent across 30 American states. 

Connected to the White House through the Cameroon American Council’s African Immigrant Media Network, participants interfaced with representatives of both the White House’s Press and Communications teams to learn best practices on how to keep their audiences informed about the Biden-Harris Administration. 

With one in five Black Americans who are either immigrants or children of Black immigrants, participants discussed the ways in which their experiences and challenges both mirror and uniquely diverge from the broader story of Black in America, and detailed their ongoing advocacy work to expand African language access and immigration relief programs such as Special Humanitarian Parole for Cameroon and Temporary Protected Status for various African countries. 

African Immigrant media leaders engaged in this roundtable also heard about how the pipeline gets built for the diverse workforce that makes up the Biden-Harris Administration, how the Press and Communications teams work daily to package President Biden and Vice President Harris’ agenda, and the importance of representation in stakeholder outreach and policy messaging. Additionally, representatives from the Biden Harris Administration discussed the logistics that went into executing the Kenyan State Visit and media coverage needs for President Biden’s upcoming trip to Angola.

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For too long, millions of Americans have faced the impossible choice of paying for their prescription drugs or being able to afford other basic needs. While Big Pharma made record profits, Americans footed the bill for the industry’s price hikes. Not anymore. Thanks to my Inflation Reduction Act, companies that increase the price of prescription drugs faster than inflation now must provide a rebate to Medicare.

Today, our Administration is announcing that starting in October, seniors and people with disabilities enrolled in Medicare will pay less for 54 Part B prescription drugs. That means more money will go back into the pockets of people with Medicare – including some of the 822,000 seniors and people with disabilities who use these drugs annually to treat conditions like cancer, osteoporosis, and pneumonia, and some seniors will save more than $3,800 per day. And last month, for the first time ever, Medicare negotiated lower prices on the first 10 prescription drugs selected for negotiation – some of the most expensive and commonly used medications. Starting in 2025, out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs will be capped at $2,000 for Medicare beneficiaries.

These lower costs are only possible because of the Inflation Reduction Act, which passed with the leadership of Democrats in Congress, and with Vice President Harris casting the tie-breaking vote in the Senate – without a single Republican voting for it. While Republicans in Congress try to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act which would mean high drug costs for seniors, Vice President Harris and I will keep fighting to ensure all Americans can pay less for prescription drugs. 

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Under President Biden and Vice President Harris’s leadership, the Administration is continuing to provide robust and well-coordinated Federal support for the ongoing response and recovery efforts to Hurricane Helene’s impacts. The President and Vice President are closely monitoring these efforts and receive regular updates from their teams.
 
At the President’s direction, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell visited Florida over the weekend to assess damage alongside local and state officials. She continued surveying damage today in parts of Georgia before she moves into North Carolina on Monday.

Earlier this evening, Administrator Criswell and Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall briefed President Biden on the ongoing impacts of Hurricane Helene in multiple states, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, and Virginia. Administrator Criswell also updated the President on Federal actions to support response and recovery.  

The President directed Administrator Criswell to determine what more can be done to accelerate support to those who are having the most difficult time accessing assistance in isolated communities. He also advised the FEMA Administrator that as soon as it will not disrupt emergency response operations, he intends to travel this week to impacted communities.

Additionally, the Federal government is closely monitoring an additional weather disturbance in the Caribbean Sea that has the potential to form into another storm in the coming week. Residents throughout the Gulf Coast should remain alert, listen to local officials, and make additional preparations as needed.
 
Additional Federal response actions include:
 
Approving Major Disaster Declarations
 
Yesterday, President Biden approved Major Disaster declarations for the states of Florida and North Carolina, allowing survivors to immediately access funds and resources to jumpstart their recovery. People in 17 counties in Florida and 25 counties in North Carolina, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, can now apply for assistance with FEMA. People can apply in three ways: online by visiting disasterassistance.gov, calling 1-800-621-3362 or on the FEMA App.
 
FEMA assistance in Florida and North Carolina may include upfront funds to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula, and other emergency supplies. Funds may also be available to repair storm-related damage to homes and personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay.
 
Emergency declarations were also approved for Florida, North Carolina Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama. Under an emergency declaration, FEMA provides direct Federal support to states for life saving activities and other emergency protective measures, such as evacuation, sheltering, and search and rescue.
 
Supporting On-The-Ground Response Efforts
 
As of today, more than 3,300 personnel from across the Federal workforce are deployed and supporting Hurricane Helene response efforts across the impacted states. This includes the most experienced incident management teams to help identity Federal resources to address unmet needs, as well as Urban Search and Rescue personnel using high water rescue equipment for rescue missions across the region. 
 
At least 50,000 personnel from 31 states and the District of Columbia and Canada are responding to power outages and working around the clock throughout parts of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina to restore power to those communities that can receive power. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is moving generators and additional power generation assets into the hardest hit areas of South and North Carolina as flood waters recede and debris removal allows. As of this afternoon, approximately 2.3 million customers are without power, down from the region-wide peak of 4.6 million on September 27.
 
Additional Interagency Support Efforts
 
Together with state and local partners, the Federal government is actively supporting Hurricane Helene response efforts and is coordinating requests for Federal assistance.

• FEMA distribution centers are fully stocked and ready to provide commodities and equipment to any impacted state, as required.
  
• FEMA is trucking dozens of trailers containing food and water in North Carolina to support the State as they start to set up care-sites for survivors.
  
• FEMA is also working with the Federal Communications Commission and private sector telecommunications partners to deploy emergency mobile communications assets while they work to restore network services, particularly in remote areas.
  
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a Public Health Emergency for Florida and Georgia, giving health care providers and suppliers greater flexibility in meeting emergency health needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. About 200 medical responders are in Florida, Alabama, and North Carolina, along with medical equipment and supplies, to help ensure the delivery of health care services following the landfall of Hurricane Helene.
  
• Twenty-four federal Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces are deployed across the affected regions. Roughly 1,302 Urban Search and Rescue personnel are assisting in the impacted areas. Together with local and state responders, teams have rescued and supported over 1,400 of people across the impacted area.
  
• The U.S. Coast Guard has thousands of personnel working on response efforts and are conducting post-storm assessments to support the rapid reopening of impacted ports.
  
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deployed teams for temporary emergency power, debris removal, and infrastructure assessment, including for dams throughout the region.
  
• The Environmental Protection Agency has personnel on the ground who are offering technical assistance and guidance on water systems, debris management, and maintaining critical public health and environmental protections in place as storm impacts are assessed.
  
• The U.S. Small Business Administration deployed more than 50 personnel to support survivors and small businesses as they recover from the hurricane.
  
• The U.S. Department of Energy has responders deployed across the region and are closely monitoring power, fuel, and supply chain interruptions.
  
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency has deployed personnel to the impacted region to extend much-needed emergency credit to farmers and agriculture producers who lost crops and livestock.

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My heart goes out to everyone impacted by the devastation unleashed by Hurricane Helene. Doug and I are thinking of those who tragically lost their lives and we are keeping all those who loved them in our prayers during the difficult days ahead.

President Biden and I remain committed to ensuring that no community or state has to respond to this disaster alone. Federal personnel are on the ground to support families that have been impacted so that critical resources like food, water, and generators are available. We have also approved emergency declarations for Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee – making resources and funding available to maximize our coordinated response efforts at the local, state, and federal levels.
 
As we continue to respond and as communities recover, our administration will remain in constant contact with state and local officials. I have been briefed by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and will continue to receive regular updates.
 

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Hassan Nasrallah was a terrorist with American blood on his hands. Across decades, his leadership of Hezbollah destabilized the Middle East and led to the killing of countless innocent people in Lebanon, Israel, Syria, and around the world. Today, Hezbollah’s victims have a measure of justice.

I have an unwavering commitment to the security of Israel. I will always support Israel’s right to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. 

President Biden and I do not want to see conflict in the Middle East escalate into a broader regional war. We have been working on a diplomatic solution along the Israel-Lebanon border so that people can safely return home on both sides of that border. Diplomacy remains the best path forward to protect civilians and achieve lasting stability in the region.

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