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     On this National Day of Prayer, we recognize the power of prayer to strengthen our spirits, draw us together, and create hope for a better tomorrow.

     The right to practice our faiths freely and openly is enshrined in the Constitution and remains at the core of our American spirit.  For centuries, Americans of every religion and background have come together to lift up one another and our Nation in prayer.  Throughout America’s history, faith and prayer have helped fuel some of the greatest moral missions of our time — from the abolition of slavery to the fight for voting rights and the Civil Rights Movement.  Many of our Nation’s greatest leaders have been motivated by faith to push all of us toward a more perfect Union and to bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice.  

     Prayer is also deeply personal:  For the First Lady and me, and so many across this Nation, prayer has helped us find solace during tough times and stay grounded in good ones.  Prayer has helped the bravest among us — including our Nation’s service members and their caregivers, survivors, and families  – summon the courage to make great sacrifices for our democracy.  It has guided the hands of medical professionals, who heal our loved ones, and steeled the nerves of our first responders, who put everything on the line to keep the rest of us safe.  We will never know the full impact of prayer on our Nation or the world, but we remain confident that it makes a profound difference each and every day.

     Scripture tells us to rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer.  This year, my prayer for our Nation is that we keep faith that our best days are ahead of us and continue to believe in honesty, decency, dignity, and respect.  May we see each other not as enemies but as fellow human beings, each made in the image of God and each precious in His sight.  May we leave no one behind, give everyone a fair shot, and give hate no safe harbor.  May we remember that nothing is beyond our capacity if we act together.

     The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as amended, has called on the President to issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a “National Day of Prayer.”

     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 May 2, 2024, as a National Day of Prayer.  I call upon the citizens of our Nation to give thanks, in accordance with their own faith and conscience, for our many freedoms and blessings, and I invite all people of faith to join me in asking for God’s continued guidance, mercy, and protection.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
first day of May, 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-eighth.

                        JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post A Proclamation on National Day of Prayer, 2024 appeared first on The White House.

Today, my Administration is approving $6.1 billion in student debt cancellation for 317,000 borrowers who attended the Art Institutes. This institution falsified data, knowingly misled students, and cheated borrowers into taking on mountains of debt without leading to promising career prospects at the end of their studies.

While my predecessor looked the other way when colleges defrauded students and borrowers, I promised to take this on directly to provide borrowers with the relief they need and deserve. Over the last three years, my Administration has approved nearly $29 billion in debt relief for 1.6 million borrowers whose colleges took advantage of them, closed abruptly, or were covered by related court settlements, compared to just 53,500 borrowers who had ever gotten their debt cancelled through these types of actions before I took office. And in total, we have approved debt cancellation for nearly 4.6 million Americans through various actions.

Today’s announcement builds on all we’ve done to fix broken student loan programs and bring higher education more in reach. That includes: providing the largest increases to the maximum Pell Grant in over a decade, fixing Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Income Driven Repayment so borrowers get the relief they are entitled to under the law, launching the SAVE Plan – the most affordable repayment plan ever, and pursuing new plans that would cancel student debt for more than 30 million Americans when combined with everything we’ve done so far.

We will never stop fighting to deliver relief to borrowers, hold bad actors accountable, and bring the promise of college to more Americans.

###

The post Statement from President Joe Biden on $6.1 Billion in Student Debt Cancellation for 317,000 Borrowers who Attended the Art Institutes appeared first on The White House.

Today, my Administration is approving $6.1 billion in student debt cancellation for 317,000 borrowers who attended the Art Institutes. This institution falsified data, knowingly misled students, and cheated borrowers into taking on mountains of debt without leading to promising career prospects at the end of their studies.

While my predecessor looked the other way when colleges defrauded students and borrowers, I promised to take this on directly to provide borrowers with the relief they need and deserve. Over the last three years, my Administration has approved nearly $29 billion in debt relief for 1.6 million borrowers whose colleges took advantage of them, closed abruptly, or were covered by related court settlements, compared to just 53,500 borrowers who had ever gotten their debt cancelled through these types of actions before I took office. And in total, we have approved debt cancellation for nearly 4.6 million Americans through various actions.

Today’s announcement builds on all we’ve done to fix broken student loan programs and bring higher education more in reach. That includes: providing the largest increases to the maximum Pell Grant in over a decade, fixing Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Income Driven Repayment so borrowers get the relief they are entitled to under the law, launching the SAVE Plan – the most affordable repayment plan ever, and pursuing new plans that would cancel student debt for more than 30 million Americans when combined with everything we’ve done so far.

We will never stop fighting to deliver relief to borrowers, hold bad actors accountable, and bring the promise of college to more Americans.

###

The post Statement from President Joe Biden on $6.1 Billion in Student Debt Cancellation for 317,000 Borrowers who Attended the Art Institutes appeared first on The White House.

As part of the President’s Investing in America agenda, a key component of Bidenomics, the Biden-Harris Administration has made historic progress towards lowering costs – including internet costs – for American families across the country. The Affordable Connectivity Program, enacted under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as the largest internet affordability program in our nation’s history, has helped 23 million households save on their monthly internet bills. Today, May 1st, begins the final month that Affordable Connectivity Program households will receive any benefit on their internet bills. Without Congressional action to extend funding for the program, millions of Americans will see their internet bills go up or lose internet access at the end of this month. President Biden is once again calling on Republicans in Congress to join their Democratic colleagues in support of extending funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, so tens of millions of Americans can continue to access this essential benefit.

Losing the monthly Affordable Connectivity Program benefit will have drastic, meaningful impacts on American households, according to survey data collected by the Federal Communications Commission. More than three-quarters of surveyed ACP households say losing their ACP benefit would disrupt their service by making them change their plan or drop internet service entirely. More than two thirds of households had inconsistent internet service or no internet service at all prior to ACP, and this number is even higher for surveyed households residing in rural areas. These respondents also reported that ACP has enabled them to schedule or attend healthcare appoints, apply for jobs, complete work, and do schoolwork.

During the month of May, as funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program runs out, millions of households will receive only a partial subsidy on their internet bills and some will receive no discount at all if their provider opts out of the partial benefit.

At this crucial time, the White House is encouraging providers to take steps to keep their consumers connected by offering low-cost or no-cost plans or providing discounts.

On October 25, 2023, President Biden sent Congress a supplemental request for $6 billion to extend funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program. Despite that request, Republicans in Congress have failed to act. Without action from Republicans in Congress, this program will sunset at the end of May and tens of millions of Americans may no longer be able to afford high-speed internet service. It is time for Republicans in Congress to step up for families across the country.

See below for the state-by-state breakdown of the number of households that will see a $30 or $75 per month increase on their internet bill if Congressional Republicans fail to extend funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program. This breakdown includes estimates of percentages of households enrolled in ACP in every Congressional District.

• Alabama
• Alaska
• American Samoa
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
• Connecticut
• DC
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Guam
• Hawaiʻi
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

###

The post FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Continues to Call on Congressional Republicans and Internet Service Providers to Keep Americans Connected as the Affordable Connectivity Program Enters Final Month appeared first on The White House.

As part of the President’s Investing in America agenda, a key component of Bidenomics, the Biden-Harris Administration has made historic progress towards lowering costs – including internet costs – for American families across the country. The Affordable Connectivity Program, enacted under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as the largest internet affordability program in our nation’s history, has helped 23 million households save on their monthly internet bills. Today, May 1st, begins the final month that Affordable Connectivity Program households will receive any benefit on their internet bills. Without Congressional action to extend funding for the program, millions of Americans will see their internet bills go up or lose internet access at the end of this month. President Biden is once again calling on Republicans in Congress to join their Democratic colleagues in support of extending funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, so tens of millions of Americans can continue to access this essential benefit.

Losing the monthly Affordable Connectivity Program benefit will have drastic, meaningful impacts on American households, according to survey data collected by the Federal Communications Commission. More than three-quarters of surveyed ACP households say losing their ACP benefit would disrupt their service by making them change their plan or drop internet service entirely. More than two thirds of households had inconsistent internet service or no internet service at all prior to ACP, and this number is even higher for surveyed households residing in rural areas. These respondents also reported that ACP has enabled them to schedule or attend healthcare appoints, apply for jobs, complete work, and do schoolwork.

During the month of May, as funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program runs out, millions of households will receive only a partial subsidy on their internet bills and some will receive no discount at all if their provider opts out of the partial benefit.

At this crucial time, the White House is encouraging providers to take steps to keep their consumers connected by offering low-cost or no-cost plans or providing discounts.

On October 25, 2023, President Biden sent Congress a supplemental request for $6 billion to extend funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program. Despite that request, Republicans in Congress have failed to act. Without action from Republicans in Congress, this program will sunset at the end of May and tens of millions of Americans may no longer be able to afford high-speed internet service. It is time for Republicans in Congress to step up for families across the country.

See below for the state-by-state breakdown of the number of households that will see a $30 or $75 per month increase on their internet bill if Congressional Republicans fail to extend funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program. This breakdown includes estimates of percentages of households enrolled in ACP in every Congressional District.

• Alabama
• Alaska
• American Samoa
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
• Connecticut
• DC
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Guam
• Hawaiʻi
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

###

The post FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Continues to Call on Congressional Republicans and Internet Service Providers to Keep Americans Connected as the Affordable Connectivity Program Enters Final Month appeared first on The White House.

Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Oklahoma and ordered Federal aid to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding beginning on April 25, 2024, and continuing.

The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Hughes, Love, and Murray.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is also available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance in the counties of Hughes, Love, and Murray.

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

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

Damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service. 

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

###

The post President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Oklahoma Disaster Declaration appeared first on The White House.

Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Oklahoma and ordered Federal aid to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding beginning on April 25, 2024, and continuing.

The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Hughes, Love, and Murray.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is also available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance in the counties of Hughes, Love, and Murray.

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

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

Damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service. 

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

###

The post President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Oklahoma Disaster Declaration appeared first on The White House.

Today, Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein, Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden, and Chief Economist of the Investing in America Cabinet Heather Boushey, alongside senior staff from the Department of the Treasury, convened child care providers, community development financial institutions (CDFIs), and local and national leaders to discuss opportunities for collaboration between child care providers and CDFIs to support access to affordable, high-quality child care.

Since the beginning of the Administration, President Biden and Vice President Harris have prioritized tackling the structural issues negatively impacting the child care sector, including low wages for workers, high costs for families, and inadequate supply of high-quality care. The Administration has proposed transformational investments that would guarantee affordable, high-quality child care from birth until kindergarten for low- and middle-income working families, restore the expanded Child Tax Credit, expand home and community-based services, and provide national paid family and medical leave.

In April 2023, the President signed an historic Executive Order directing nearly every cabinet-level agency to expand access to affordable, high-quality care and provide increased support for care workers and family caregivers. Over the past month, during Care Workers Recognition Month and our “Month of Action on Care,” the Biden-Harris Administration announced new actions pursuant to the Executive Order, including: new funding opportunities from the Small Business Administration to support small business providing care and the creation of a child care business development guide; funding opportunities and new resources encouraging the use of supportive services, including care, for equitable workforce development; and the issuance of two final rules to improve access to safe, reliable, high-quality long-term care.

Today, building on these efforts, pursuant to the President’s Executive Order, the White House and the Department of the Treasury convened stakeholders to discuss challenges faced by child care businesses, such as barriers to securing financing and opportunities to support care providers, including pathways to access capital.  The convening highlighted ways in which they can collaborate with CDFIs for support—bringing awareness to challenges and opportunities faced by both child care businesses and CDFIs and forging cooperation in pursuit of supporting access to affordable, high-quality care.

###

The post Readout of White House Convening with Department of Treasury, Child Care Providers, and Community Development Financial Institutions appeared first on The White House.

Today, Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein, Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden, and Chief Economist of the Investing in America Cabinet Heather Boushey, alongside senior staff from the Department of the Treasury, convened child care providers, community development financial institutions (CDFIs), and local and national leaders to discuss opportunities for collaboration between child care providers and CDFIs to support access to affordable, high-quality child care.

Since the beginning of the Administration, President Biden and Vice President Harris have prioritized tackling the structural issues negatively impacting the child care sector, including low wages for workers, high costs for families, and inadequate supply of high-quality care. The Administration has proposed transformational investments that would guarantee affordable, high-quality child care from birth until kindergarten for low- and middle-income working families, restore the expanded Child Tax Credit, expand home and community-based services, and provide national paid family and medical leave.

In April 2023, the President signed an historic Executive Order directing nearly every cabinet-level agency to expand access to affordable, high-quality care and provide increased support for care workers and family caregivers. Over the past month, during Care Workers Recognition Month and our “Month of Action on Care,” the Biden-Harris Administration announced new actions pursuant to the Executive Order, including: new funding opportunities from the Small Business Administration to support small business providing care and the creation of a child care business development guide; funding opportunities and new resources encouraging the use of supportive services, including care, for equitable workforce development; and the issuance of two final rules to improve access to safe, reliable, high-quality long-term care.

Today, building on these efforts, pursuant to the President’s Executive Order, the White House and the Department of the Treasury convened stakeholders to discuss challenges faced by child care businesses, such as barriers to securing financing and opportunities to support care providers, including pathways to access capital.  The convening highlighted ways in which they can collaborate with CDFIs for support—bringing awareness to challenges and opportunities faced by both child care businesses and CDFIs and forging cooperation in pursuit of supporting access to affordable, high-quality care.

###

The post Readout of White House Convening with Department of Treasury, Child Care Providers, and Community Development Financial Institutions appeared first on The White House.

The Biden Administration marks the first year of implementation of ten-year plans to advance theU.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability (the “Strategy”).   An innovative, long-term, and locally-driven approach to conflict prevention and stabilization, the Strategy aims to bolster partnerships with Haiti, Libya, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, and the Coastal West African countries of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, and Togo.  The United States is advancing these partnerships through ten-year country or regional plans that leverage the full range of U.S. Government tools across new and existing diplomatic, defense, and development efforts.  Together, the United States and our partners are elevating shared approaches to promoting peace and stability.  At the same time, the Administration has deepened cooperation with likeminded countries, multilateral and regional organizations, civil society, and other stakeholders to address drivers of conflict and break costly cycles of instability.  The Administration is also investing in evidence-based, adaptive, and innovative programs at the local level, aimed at strengthening social inclusion, government responsiveness, service delivery, and security. 

Promoting Peace and Preventing Violent Extremism in Coastal West Africa

• Working with Congress, the Administration has committed more than $300 million to advance implementation of the ten-year plan to promote stability in the region.  As part of this effort, the U.S. and Germany are pursuing a multi-donor partnership in Benin, Ghana, and Togo to counter violent extremism and build trust between communities, governments, and security forces.
• USAID partners with more than one hundred local organizations across Benin, Ghana, and Togo to reduce violent conflict by investing in community-based approaches, such as inter-ethnic savings and loans associations and mediation committees.  These communities report a 41 percent increase in peacefully resolved conflicts and improved engagement on community stability by local authorities. 
• The Department of Defense advances civil-military engagement in this priority region with the addition of two persistent Civil Affairs Teams as well as engagements with Benin and Togo through the State Partnership Program.  The Department of State has also significantly increased security cooperation with Benin and Côte d’Ivoire to address terrorist threats.  The United States became a contributing board member of the multilateral International Counterterrorism Academy based in Côte d’Ivoire which facilitates learning and sharing of best practices among regional security actors. 
• The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is continuing to advance economic growth to promote stability in Coastal West Africa by developing and expanding critical infrastructure and related sectors. Last year, MCC and the Government of Benin celebrated the completion of the $423 million Benin Power Compact to expand access to energy, which is expected to benefit 11 million people over the next 20 years.  MCC is currently developing a Regional Transport Compact with the Government Benin, which is contributing $204 million to complement MCC’s investment of $202 million, to reduce transportation costs along the economic corridor extending from the Port of Cotonou.  In addition, MCC is currently implementing a $525 million compact with Cote d’Ivoire to grow the education and transportation sectors and a $35 million Threshold Program with Togo to improve citizens’ access to high quality and affordable Information and Communications Technology services.
• Treasury is also facilitating exchanges between USAID, the Department of State, and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to advance AfDB’s new country strategy for Ghana.

Strengthening Recovery and Resilience in Mozambique

• The ten-year plan aims to support the Government of Mozambique’s plans to promote reconciliation, recovery, and inclusive and sustainable development in historically marginalized and conflict-affected northern areas.
• In January, USAID and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation joined efforts to marshal more than $32 million to promote market-based farming in Mozambique’s Nacala Corridor.  This partnership is expected to increase incomes and jobs, particularly for women and youth in conflict-affected northern Mozambique.
• MCC is currently implementing a $537 million Connectivity and Coastal Resilience Compact with the Government of Mozambique, which is expected to benefit an estimated 57 million people with inclusive economic growth, strengthened climate and coastal resilience, and improved agricultural value chains and transportation infrastructure.
• The Department of Defense provides training and equipment towards maritime security, counter narcotics, and illicit trafficking, aimed at supporting more resilient and responsive security forces.  These activities build upon existing regional maritime security programs advancing maritime domain awareness and logistics and sustainment. The Department of State has increased assistance with the Mozambican military to address terrorist threats and maritime security. 

Addressing Immediate Needs While Advancing Community Engagement to Increase Security and Prosperity in Haiti

• The Haiti ten-year plan recognizes the critical need to address the immediate security crisis as part of its phased approach to long-term stability.  Helping Haiti restore security and democracy, especially at this critical moment, remains a top priority for the Biden Administration. 
• In alignment with the plan’s phased approach, the U.S. continues to support the expeditious deployment of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to Haiti. 
• The United States also continues to support Haitians in advancing their political process to pave a path towards free and fair elections through programs aimed at strengthening citizen security, community development and resilience, addressing sexual violence, advancing Women, Peace, and Security, and encouraging meaningful dialogue.

Accelerating Grassroots, Bottom-up Stabilization Initiatives in Libya

• In addition to addressing the current state of Libya’s political impasse at the national level, the ten-year plan targets sub-national opportunities to promote reconciliation, reconstruction, citizen engagement, economic empowerment, and local governance, particularly in the historically marginalized south.
• In the southern battle-scarred town of Murzuq, the United States has been instrumental in supporting a community-led reconciliation process.  This led to the creation of a Roadmap for Peace and Reconciliation and establishment of the Steering Committee that serves as Murzuq’s governing authority.
• The United States is continuing to support efforts to promote transparent, accountable, and inclusive service delivery and capital investment planning – critical in fostering stability and supporting the development of Murzuq’s reconstruction. 
• USAID supports Libyan entrepreneurs; micro, small, and medium enterprises; and historically marginalized groups to promote innovation, stronger business practices, and workforce skills that directly respond to market demands. 

Elevating the Rights and Roles of Women and Youth for Sustainable Peace in Papua New Guinea

• Through the ten-year plan, the United States elevates the rights and roles of women and youth in target communities in Papua New Guinea.  Overcoming the marginalization and disempowerment of women and youth provides a critical opportunity for peacebuilding while addressing a key risk for instability.   
• USAID supports programs to strengthen communities’ capabilities to respond to violence while also supporting equitable livelihood opportunities.  The Department of State invests in efforts to address gender-based violence (GBV), including by improving law enforcement capacity on case management, increasing utilization of police services for GBV survivors, and improving services for GBV survivors.
• The Department of State is expanding the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs into Papua New Guinea and is currently recruiting the inaugural cohort for the global exchange program that equips women with the practical skills needed to create sustainable businesses and enterprises. 
• The Department of Defense is delivering Women, Peace, and Security courses to train and develop a gender advisory workforce with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force focused on gender-based violence prevention and response. 

For more information on our work to implement the Strategy, please visit this dedicated website.

“Cooperation and long-term investments in conflict prevention and stabilization are needed now more than ever to build peace across divided communities and boundaries.  We must collectively bolster societal resilience to prevent and reduce the heavy human and financial costs of conflicts that undermine global peace, security, and sustainable development.”

• President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

###

The post FACT SHEET: Partnering for Peace through the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability appeared first on The White House.

The Biden Administration marks the first year of implementation of ten-year plans to advance theU.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability (the “Strategy”).   An innovative, long-term, and locally-driven approach to conflict prevention and stabilization, the Strategy aims to bolster partnerships with Haiti, Libya, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, and the Coastal West African countries of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, and Togo.  The United States is advancing these partnerships through ten-year country or regional plans that leverage the full range of U.S. Government tools across new and existing diplomatic, defense, and development efforts.  Together, the United States and our partners are elevating shared approaches to promoting peace and stability.  At the same time, the Administration has deepened cooperation with likeminded countries, multilateral and regional organizations, civil society, and other stakeholders to address drivers of conflict and break costly cycles of instability.  The Administration is also investing in evidence-based, adaptive, and innovative programs at the local level, aimed at strengthening social inclusion, government responsiveness, service delivery, and security. 

Promoting Peace and Preventing Violent Extremism in Coastal West Africa

• Working with Congress, the Administration has committed more than $300 million to advance implementation of the ten-year plan to promote stability in the region.  As part of this effort, the U.S. and Germany are pursuing a multi-donor partnership in Benin, Ghana, and Togo to counter violent extremism and build trust between communities, governments, and security forces.
• USAID partners with more than one hundred local organizations across Benin, Ghana, and Togo to reduce violent conflict by investing in community-based approaches, such as inter-ethnic savings and loans associations and mediation committees.  These communities report a 41 percent increase in peacefully resolved conflicts and improved engagement on community stability by local authorities. 
• The Department of Defense advances civil-military engagement in this priority region with the addition of two persistent Civil Affairs Teams as well as engagements with Benin and Togo through the State Partnership Program.  The Department of State has also significantly increased security cooperation with Benin and Côte d’Ivoire to address terrorist threats.  The United States became a contributing board member of the multilateral International Counterterrorism Academy based in Côte d’Ivoire which facilitates learning and sharing of best practices among regional security actors. 
• The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is continuing to advance economic growth to promote stability in Coastal West Africa by developing and expanding critical infrastructure and related sectors. Last year, MCC and the Government of Benin celebrated the completion of the $423 million Benin Power Compact to expand access to energy, which is expected to benefit 11 million people over the next 20 years.  MCC is currently developing a Regional Transport Compact with the Government Benin, which is contributing $204 million to complement MCC’s investment of $202 million, to reduce transportation costs along the economic corridor extending from the Port of Cotonou.  In addition, MCC is currently implementing a $525 million compact with Cote d’Ivoire to grow the education and transportation sectors and a $35 million Threshold Program with Togo to improve citizens’ access to high quality and affordable Information and Communications Technology services.
• Treasury is also facilitating exchanges between USAID, the Department of State, and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to advance AfDB’s new country strategy for Ghana.

Strengthening Recovery and Resilience in Mozambique

• The ten-year plan aims to support the Government of Mozambique’s plans to promote reconciliation, recovery, and inclusive and sustainable development in historically marginalized and conflict-affected northern areas.
• In January, USAID and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation joined efforts to marshal more than $32 million to promote market-based farming in Mozambique’s Nacala Corridor.  This partnership is expected to increase incomes and jobs, particularly for women and youth in conflict-affected northern Mozambique.
• MCC is currently implementing a $537 million Connectivity and Coastal Resilience Compact with the Government of Mozambique, which is expected to benefit an estimated 57 million people with inclusive economic growth, strengthened climate and coastal resilience, and improved agricultural value chains and transportation infrastructure.
• The Department of Defense provides training and equipment towards maritime security, counter narcotics, and illicit trafficking, aimed at supporting more resilient and responsive security forces.  These activities build upon existing regional maritime security programs advancing maritime domain awareness and logistics and sustainment. The Department of State has increased assistance with the Mozambican military to address terrorist threats and maritime security. 

Addressing Immediate Needs While Advancing Community Engagement to Increase Security and Prosperity in Haiti

• The Haiti ten-year plan recognizes the critical need to address the immediate security crisis as part of its phased approach to long-term stability.  Helping Haiti restore security and democracy, especially at this critical moment, remains a top priority for the Biden Administration. 
• In alignment with the plan’s phased approach, the U.S. continues to support the expeditious deployment of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to Haiti. 
• The United States also continues to support Haitians in advancing their political process to pave a path towards free and fair elections through programs aimed at strengthening citizen security, community development and resilience, addressing sexual violence, advancing Women, Peace, and Security, and encouraging meaningful dialogue.

Accelerating Grassroots, Bottom-up Stabilization Initiatives in Libya

• In addition to addressing the current state of Libya’s political impasse at the national level, the ten-year plan targets sub-national opportunities to promote reconciliation, reconstruction, citizen engagement, economic empowerment, and local governance, particularly in the historically marginalized south.
• In the southern battle-scarred town of Murzuq, the United States has been instrumental in supporting a community-led reconciliation process.  This led to the creation of a Roadmap for Peace and Reconciliation and establishment of the Steering Committee that serves as Murzuq’s governing authority.
• The United States is continuing to support efforts to promote transparent, accountable, and inclusive service delivery and capital investment planning – critical in fostering stability and supporting the development of Murzuq’s reconstruction. 
• USAID supports Libyan entrepreneurs; micro, small, and medium enterprises; and historically marginalized groups to promote innovation, stronger business practices, and workforce skills that directly respond to market demands. 

Elevating the Rights and Roles of Women and Youth for Sustainable Peace in Papua New Guinea

• Through the ten-year plan, the United States elevates the rights and roles of women and youth in target communities in Papua New Guinea.  Overcoming the marginalization and disempowerment of women and youth provides a critical opportunity for peacebuilding while addressing a key risk for instability.   
• USAID supports programs to strengthen communities’ capabilities to respond to violence while also supporting equitable livelihood opportunities.  The Department of State invests in efforts to address gender-based violence (GBV), including by improving law enforcement capacity on case management, increasing utilization of police services for GBV survivors, and improving services for GBV survivors.
• The Department of State is expanding the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs into Papua New Guinea and is currently recruiting the inaugural cohort for the global exchange program that equips women with the practical skills needed to create sustainable businesses and enterprises. 
• The Department of Defense is delivering Women, Peace, and Security courses to train and develop a gender advisory workforce with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force focused on gender-based violence prevention and response. 

For more information on our work to implement the Strategy, please visit this dedicated website.

“Cooperation and long-term investments in conflict prevention and stabilization are needed now more than ever to build peace across divided communities and boundaries.  We must collectively bolster societal resilience to prevent and reduce the heavy human and financial costs of conflicts that undermine global peace, security, and sustainable development.”

• President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

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The post FACT SHEET: Partnering for Peace through the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability appeared first on The White House.

Today the White House released visitor log records generated in January 2024. This set includes 48,634 records, bringing the total number of records posted to 1,256,092.

These records were posted pursuant to the White House’s policy to voluntarily disclose visitor log records. This release is consistent with the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to becoming the first administration to post visitor log records from its first full year in office.

To learn more about the policy, read our voluntary disclosure policy. To view visitor log records, view our disclosure page.

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The post January 2024 Visitor Logs Records Posted appeared first on The White House.

Today the White House released visitor log records generated in January 2024. This set includes 48,634 records, bringing the total number of records posted to 1,256,092.

These records were posted pursuant to the White House’s policy to voluntarily disclose visitor log records. This release is consistent with the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to becoming the first administration to post visitor log records from its first full year in office.

To learn more about the policy, read our voluntary disclosure policy. To view visitor log records, view our disclosure page.

###

The post January 2024 Visitor Logs Records Posted appeared first on The White House.

     America is home to people from every place on Earth, some whose ancestors have been here for thousands of years and others who have only just arrived.  We all came from somewhere, but we are all American — loyal not to a person or a place but to an idea:  We are all created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives.  This idea is our Nation’s North Star.  While we have never fully lived up to it, we have never stopped pursuing it.  This Loyalty Day, we promise to always keep fighting for a more perfect Union.  

     Our Nation’s North Star guided us through historic challenges to Nation-defining triumphs.  Through abolition, the Civil War, women’s suffrage, the Great Depression, World Wars, and the Civil Rights Movement, the idea of America animated our many movements and gave us hope for a better future.  Today, that light — that promise — still shines brightly as we build an America that is more prosperous, free, and just.  

     Now more than ever, we must stay loyal to our North Star and the founding values that are the bedrock of this Nation.  In the face of forces that want to pull America back into the past, we must honor our Constitution and uphold the rule of law.  We must respect free and fair elections and honor the will of the people.  We must reject violence as a political tool and stamp out hate, giving it no safe harbor in America.  We must open the doors of opportunity wider for everyone and remember that diversity is our greatest strength.  We must respect the dignity and integrity of our service members, who put their lives on the line for our flag.  We must believe in honesty, decency, and respect for others as well as patriotism, justice for all, and possibilities. 

     Today, we also recognize the men and women across the country who have protected and defended our Nation.  We owe a debt of gratitude to our brave service members and veterans along with their families, caregivers, and survivors, who have sacrificed so much to defend our democracy around the globe.  We thank all the courageous first responders who protect our communities, the diplomats who support and protect American citizens abroad, and all the hardworking Americans who are the engines of our economy and strengthen our Nation.    

     This Loyalty Day, we recognize that nothing about our democracy is guaranteed — we must defend it, protect it, and stand up for it.  Our democracy began and will be preserved in “We the People,” in the habits of our hearts, and in our character — in an optimism that is tested yet endures, a courage that digs deep when we need it, and an empathy that fuels our hearts and inspires all of us to see each other not as enemies but as fellow Americans.  

     To celebrate our shared American spirit and the sacrifices so many of our fellow citizens have made, the Congress, by Public Law 85-529, as amended, has designated the first day of May each year as Loyalty Day.  

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 1, 2024, as Loyalty Day.  This Loyalty Day, I call upon the people of the United States to join in this national observance, display the American Flag, and pledge allegiance to our Republic for which it stands.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of April, 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-eighth.

                        JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post A Proclamation on Loyalty Day, 2024 appeared first on The White House.

     America is home to people from every place on Earth, some whose ancestors have been here for thousands of years and others who have only just arrived.  We all came from somewhere, but we are all American — loyal not to a person or a place but to an idea:  We are all created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives.  This idea is our Nation’s North Star.  While we have never fully lived up to it, we have never stopped pursuing it.  This Loyalty Day, we promise to always keep fighting for a more perfect Union.  

     Our Nation’s North Star guided us through historic challenges to Nation-defining triumphs.  Through abolition, the Civil War, women’s suffrage, the Great Depression, World Wars, and the Civil Rights Movement, the idea of America animated our many movements and gave us hope for a better future.  Today, that light — that promise — still shines brightly as we build an America that is more prosperous, free, and just.  

     Now more than ever, we must stay loyal to our North Star and the founding values that are the bedrock of this Nation.  In the face of forces that want to pull America back into the past, we must honor our Constitution and uphold the rule of law.  We must respect free and fair elections and honor the will of the people.  We must reject violence as a political tool and stamp out hate, giving it no safe harbor in America.  We must open the doors of opportunity wider for everyone and remember that diversity is our greatest strength.  We must respect the dignity and integrity of our service members, who put their lives on the line for our flag.  We must believe in honesty, decency, and respect for others as well as patriotism, justice for all, and possibilities. 

     Today, we also recognize the men and women across the country who have protected and defended our Nation.  We owe a debt of gratitude to our brave service members and veterans along with their families, caregivers, and survivors, who have sacrificed so much to defend our democracy around the globe.  We thank all the courageous first responders who protect our communities, the diplomats who support and protect American citizens abroad, and all the hardworking Americans who are the engines of our economy and strengthen our Nation.    

     This Loyalty Day, we recognize that nothing about our democracy is guaranteed — we must defend it, protect it, and stand up for it.  Our democracy began and will be preserved in “We the People,” in the habits of our hearts, and in our character — in an optimism that is tested yet endures, a courage that digs deep when we need it, and an empathy that fuels our hearts and inspires all of us to see each other not as enemies but as fellow Americans.  

     To celebrate our shared American spirit and the sacrifices so many of our fellow citizens have made, the Congress, by Public Law 85-529, as amended, has designated the first day of May each year as Loyalty Day.  

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 1, 2024, as Loyalty Day.  This Loyalty Day, I call upon the people of the United States to join in this national observance, display the American Flag, and pledge allegiance to our Republic for which it stands.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of April, 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-eighth.

                        JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post A Proclamation on Loyalty Day, 2024 appeared first on The White House.

     During National Mental Health Awareness Month, we recognize the bravery and resilience of the tens of millions of Americans living with mental health conditions, and we show our gratitude for the dedicated mental health professionals and devoted loved ones who stand by them every step of the way.  Mental health care is health care, and my Administration will ensure that every American has the care they need to thrive — we have your back.   

     Being able to get health care when you need it is essential to living a full, productive, and healthy life — that goes for mental health care too.  Mental health care can help people find joy and purpose; ensuring they have access to the care they need is about dignity.  But for millions of Americans, mental health care is out of reach.  In 2020, less than half of all adults with a mental illness diagnosis received care for it.  It is worse for kids — nearly 70 percent of children who need mental health care cannot get it.  Imagine being a parent searching for a way to help their child but never finding it, no matter how hard they look.  This is an all-too-common experience as many Americans face mental health challenges:  Two in five adults report experiencing anxiety or depression, and suicide is a leading cause of death among young people.  We know that mental health treatment works, but we need to make it more accessible and affordable for all Americans.  

     That is why, as President, I have taken steps to dramatically expand access to mental health care in America.  I signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — the largest investment in youth mental health ever, and we are investing $1 billion of that funding to help schools across the country hire and train new mental health counselors.  We also added more than 140 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics across the Nation, which serve everyone regardless of their ability to pay and provide a range of services, including 24-hour crisis support.  We launched 988, the Nationwide Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which anyone can call, text, or chat to be connected to a trained crisis counselor.  Further, my Administration developed new resources to support the mental health and resilience of frontline workers; expanded Medicare coverage to include additional substance use disorder services and expand mental health services; made it easier for schools to leverage Medicaid to deliver mental health care to millions of children and youth; and invested in mental health programs that help service members and veterans as well as their families, caregivers, and survivors.

     We are also working to ensure full mental health parity so that mental health care is covered the same as physical health care.  We have proposed requiring health insurance plans to identify the gaps in the mental health care they provide, and if they find they are not covering mental health care on par with physical health care, to make changes to fix it.  Finally, we are taking action to ensure that State and local government employees have the same mental health parity protections as millions of other Americans who get health insurance from their jobs, which is why we are working to close loopholes so these dedicated public servants can more easily access the mental health care they need with fewer limits on care and lower co-pays.

     At the same time, my Administration is working to end the opioid and overdose epidemic by cracking down on fentanyl trafficking and increasing public health efforts to save lives.  This month, we celebrate the absolute courage of the Americans in recovery and reaffirm our commitment to care for those suffering.

     My Administration will also keep fighting to end the youth mental health crisis — and that means addressing social media’s contributions to it.  I continue to call on the Congress to restrict the personal data that companies collect, ban advertising that targets minors, and take action to ensure that social media platforms prioritize the health and safety of our Nation’s children. 

     Each one of us has a role to play in changing the narrative and ending the stigmatization of mental health issues.  We can start by showing compassion so everyone feels free to ask for help and learning the warning signs of emotional distress and suicide.  If you are facing a crisis, dial 988 to reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.  If you are a new or expecting mother, you can call 1‑833‑TLC-MAMA for confidential advice on mental health from a professional.  If you are feeling overwhelmed or just need someone to talk to, ask your health care provider, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline at 1‑800‑662‑HELP, or visit FindSupport.gov.  To anyone struggling with mental health, know that you are not alone.  As Americans, we have a duty of care to reach out to one another and leave no one behind.  We are all in this together.

     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 May 2024 as National Mental Health Awareness Month.  I call upon citizens, government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other groups to join in activities and take action to strengthen the mental health of our communities and our Nation.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of April, 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-eighth.
 
 
 
 
                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post A Proclamation on National Mental Health Awareness Month, 2024 appeared first on The White House.

     During National Mental Health Awareness Month, we recognize the bravery and resilience of the tens of millions of Americans living with mental health conditions, and we show our gratitude for the dedicated mental health professionals and devoted loved ones who stand by them every step of the way.  Mental health care is health care, and my Administration will ensure that every American has the care they need to thrive — we have your back.   

     Being able to get health care when you need it is essential to living a full, productive, and healthy life — that goes for mental health care too.  Mental health care can help people find joy and purpose; ensuring they have access to the care they need is about dignity.  But for millions of Americans, mental health care is out of reach.  In 2020, less than half of all adults with a mental illness diagnosis received care for it.  It is worse for kids — nearly 70 percent of children who need mental health care cannot get it.  Imagine being a parent searching for a way to help their child but never finding it, no matter how hard they look.  This is an all-too-common experience as many Americans face mental health challenges:  Two in five adults report experiencing anxiety or depression, and suicide is a leading cause of death among young people.  We know that mental health treatment works, but we need to make it more accessible and affordable for all Americans.  

     That is why, as President, I have taken steps to dramatically expand access to mental health care in America.  I signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — the largest investment in youth mental health ever, and we are investing $1 billion of that funding to help schools across the country hire and train new mental health counselors.  We also added more than 140 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics across the Nation, which serve everyone regardless of their ability to pay and provide a range of services, including 24-hour crisis support.  We launched 988, the Nationwide Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which anyone can call, text, or chat to be connected to a trained crisis counselor.  Further, my Administration developed new resources to support the mental health and resilience of frontline workers; expanded Medicare coverage to include additional substance use disorder services and expand mental health services; made it easier for schools to leverage Medicaid to deliver mental health care to millions of children and youth; and invested in mental health programs that help service members and veterans as well as their families, caregivers, and survivors.

     We are also working to ensure full mental health parity so that mental health care is covered the same as physical health care.  We have proposed requiring health insurance plans to identify the gaps in the mental health care they provide, and if they find they are not covering mental health care on par with physical health care, to make changes to fix it.  Finally, we are taking action to ensure that State and local government employees have the same mental health parity protections as millions of other Americans who get health insurance from their jobs, which is why we are working to close loopholes so these dedicated public servants can more easily access the mental health care they need with fewer limits on care and lower co-pays.

     At the same time, my Administration is working to end the opioid and overdose epidemic by cracking down on fentanyl trafficking and increasing public health efforts to save lives.  This month, we celebrate the absolute courage of the Americans in recovery and reaffirm our commitment to care for those suffering.

     My Administration will also keep fighting to end the youth mental health crisis — and that means addressing social media’s contributions to it.  I continue to call on the Congress to restrict the personal data that companies collect, ban advertising that targets minors, and take action to ensure that social media platforms prioritize the health and safety of our Nation’s children. 

     Each one of us has a role to play in changing the narrative and ending the stigmatization of mental health issues.  We can start by showing compassion so everyone feels free to ask for help and learning the warning signs of emotional distress and suicide.  If you are facing a crisis, dial 988 to reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.  If you are a new or expecting mother, you can call 1‑833‑TLC-MAMA for confidential advice on mental health from a professional.  If you are feeling overwhelmed or just need someone to talk to, ask your health care provider, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline at 1‑800‑662‑HELP, or visit FindSupport.gov.  To anyone struggling with mental health, know that you are not alone.  As Americans, we have a duty of care to reach out to one another and leave no one behind.  We are all in this together.

     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 May 2024 as National Mental Health Awareness Month.  I call upon citizens, government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other groups to join in activities and take action to strengthen the mental health of our communities and our Nation.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of April, 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-eighth.
 
 
 
 
                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post A Proclamation on National Mental Health Awareness Month, 2024 appeared first on The White House.

     Over two centuries ago, our Founding Fathers created the United States of America based on an idea:  We are all created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives.  Ours would be a government by and for the people, enshrining in our Constitution, over time, the right to vote and to have that vote counted — the threshold of our liberty and democracy.  On Law Day, we recommit to protecting this Constitutional right.  We reflect on the enduring power of “We the People.”  We rededicate ourselves to the ongoing pursuit of perfecting our Union. 

     Right now, we face a rare moment in the history of our Union:  Freedom is under attack at home and abroad, at the very same time.  Overseas, Russia is continuing its brutal assault against Ukraine’s sovereignty, attempting to sow chaos throughout Europe and beyond.  Here at home, our democracy is facing threats from waves of States that have proposed dozens of anti-voting laws to suppress the will of the people — reflecting the same dark motivations of the violent mob that stormed the Capitol 3 years ago in an effort to overturn a free and fair election.  

     Simply put:  We are in a battle for the soul of our Nation — between those who want to pull America back to the past and those who want to move America into the future.

     I am determined to move our Nation forward to build a future based on equality, decency, and dignity.  In this country, that effort begins and ends with the ballot box.  That is why I signed an Executive Order that promotes access to voting — from making vote.gov available in 12 languages to providing voter registration services at naturalization ceremonies for our Nation’s newest citizens.  I also signed into law the Electoral Count Reform Act, which establishes clear guidelines for certifying and counting electoral votes so no mob can again believe that, through violence, it can suppress the will of the people.  The Department of Justice has doubled its voting rights staff, increasing their capacity to hold people accountable for voter suppression.  Further, the Department is promoting equal access to justice to help every American have access to quality legal aid.  I continue to call on the Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act.  Passing these laws would mean the Department can take action against discriminatory voting laws before they go into effect.  It is critical to fully secure the right to vote in every State.

     We also have to make sure every voice in America has an opportunity to be heard because diversity is our Nation’s greatest strength.  That is why I signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law, which helps State and local law enforcement better track and identify hate crimes.  My Administration also convened the first-ever White House summit on combating hate-fueled violence, working with community leaders across the country to ensure hate has no safe harbor in America. 

     At the same time, we are committed to defending freedom around the world.  The United States has brought together a coalition of more than 50 nations to support the brave people of Ukraine as they defend themselves and their sovereignty against Russia’s vicious onslaught.  We unified NATO — the greatest military alliance in the history of the world — and have continued to defend liberty, democracy, and the rule of law.  Together, we have made it clear that the United States stands up for freedom.  We stand strong with our allies.  We bow down to no one — certainly not Vladimir Putin.

     America can and should be a Nation that defends democracy, protects our rights and freedoms, and pioneers a future of possibilities for all Americans.  History and common sense show us that this can only come to pass in a democracy, and we must be its keepers.  Democracy begins with and will be preserved by “We the People,” in habits of the heart and in our character; in optimism that is tested yet endures; in courage that digs deep when we need it; and in the willingness to see each other not as enemies but as fellow Americans.  This Law Day, U.S.A., may we recommit to protecting every American’s right to vote as we build a Union that is free and fair, just and strong, and noble and whole.  

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, in accordance with Public Law 87-20, as amended, do hereby proclaim May 1, 2024, as Law Day, U.S.A.  I call upon all Americans to acknowledge the importance of our Nation’s legal and judicial systems with appropriate ceremonies and activities and to display the flag of the United States in support of this national observance.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of April, 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-eighth.

                        JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post A Proclamation on Law Day, U.S.A., 2024 appeared first on The White House.

     Over two centuries ago, our Founding Fathers created the United States of America based on an idea:  We are all created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives.  Ours would be a government by and for the people, enshrining in our Constitution, over time, the right to vote and to have that vote counted — the threshold of our liberty and democracy.  On Law Day, we recommit to protecting this Constitutional right.  We reflect on the enduring power of “We the People.”  We rededicate ourselves to the ongoing pursuit of perfecting our Union. 

     Right now, we face a rare moment in the history of our Union:  Freedom is under attack at home and abroad, at the very same time.  Overseas, Russia is continuing its brutal assault against Ukraine’s sovereignty, attempting to sow chaos throughout Europe and beyond.  Here at home, our democracy is facing threats from waves of States that have proposed dozens of anti-voting laws to suppress the will of the people — reflecting the same dark motivations of the violent mob that stormed the Capitol 3 years ago in an effort to overturn a free and fair election.  

     Simply put:  We are in a battle for the soul of our Nation — between those who want to pull America back to the past and those who want to move America into the future.

     I am determined to move our Nation forward to build a future based on equality, decency, and dignity.  In this country, that effort begins and ends with the ballot box.  That is why I signed an Executive Order that promotes access to voting — from making vote.gov available in 12 languages to providing voter registration services at naturalization ceremonies for our Nation’s newest citizens.  I also signed into law the Electoral Count Reform Act, which establishes clear guidelines for certifying and counting electoral votes so no mob can again believe that, through violence, it can suppress the will of the people.  The Department of Justice has doubled its voting rights staff, increasing their capacity to hold people accountable for voter suppression.  Further, the Department is promoting equal access to justice to help every American have access to quality legal aid.  I continue to call on the Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act.  Passing these laws would mean the Department can take action against discriminatory voting laws before they go into effect.  It is critical to fully secure the right to vote in every State.

     We also have to make sure every voice in America has an opportunity to be heard because diversity is our Nation’s greatest strength.  That is why I signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law, which helps State and local law enforcement better track and identify hate crimes.  My Administration also convened the first-ever White House summit on combating hate-fueled violence, working with community leaders across the country to ensure hate has no safe harbor in America. 

     At the same time, we are committed to defending freedom around the world.  The United States has brought together a coalition of more than 50 nations to support the brave people of Ukraine as they defend themselves and their sovereignty against Russia’s vicious onslaught.  We unified NATO — the greatest military alliance in the history of the world — and have continued to defend liberty, democracy, and the rule of law.  Together, we have made it clear that the United States stands up for freedom.  We stand strong with our allies.  We bow down to no one — certainly not Vladimir Putin.

     America can and should be a Nation that defends democracy, protects our rights and freedoms, and pioneers a future of possibilities for all Americans.  History and common sense show us that this can only come to pass in a democracy, and we must be its keepers.  Democracy begins with and will be preserved by “We the People,” in habits of the heart and in our character; in optimism that is tested yet endures; in courage that digs deep when we need it; and in the willingness to see each other not as enemies but as fellow Americans.  This Law Day, U.S.A., may we recommit to protecting every American’s right to vote as we build a Union that is free and fair, just and strong, and noble and whole.  

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, in accordance with Public Law 87-20, as amended, do hereby proclaim May 1, 2024, as Law Day, U.S.A.  I call upon all Americans to acknowledge the importance of our Nation’s legal and judicial systems with appropriate ceremonies and activities and to display the flag of the United States in support of this national observance.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of April, 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-eighth.

                        JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post A Proclamation on Law Day, U.S.A., 2024 appeared first on The White House.

     The nearly 370,000 children in foster care deserve to grow up in safe and loving homes that help them reach their full potential.  During National Foster Care Month, we share our gratitude for the foster parents who show foster youth unconditional love and the biological parents who work hard to reunite with their children despite difficult circumstances.  We thank all the dedicated staff and volunteers who help foster youth find temporary and permanent homes.  We commend the immeasurable courage of kids in foster care, who truly represent the best of our American spirit.

     No young person should have to face the challenges that foster youth endure.  The trauma they experience, including being separated from their biological families at a young age, can leave lasting emotional, mental, and physical scars that take a toll on their adult lives.  Too often, it is children of color who bear the brunt of this toll:  One in nine Black children and one in seven Native American children have been in foster care.  Our Nation has a moral responsibility to ensure all our children are taken care of, especially our foster youth.

     That begins with giving families the support and resources they need to provide for their children.  The Child Tax Credit I championed during the pandemic cut taxes for millions and cut child poverty in half — the lowest rate ever.  It gave families some breathing room, making sure they had the funds they needed to provide for their children.  Ensuring families have access to support and resources is so important, especially because poverty can lead to unnecessary interventions that remove children from their homes.  My Administration has also invested hundreds of millions of dollars in expanding and improving neglect prevention and child protective services. 

     At the same time, we are prioritizing helping the children and youth already in the foster care system find supportive and caring temporary and permanent homes.  Relative and kinship caregivers take care of one-third of all children in the foster care system.  That is why I have called to make adoption and legal guardianship more affordable for those caregivers by making the adoption tax credit fully refundable and extending it to legal guardians — including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives.  For biological parents who want to safely reunite with their children, we are working to ensure that they have access to legal representation, which is critical for navigating the child welfare system. 

     To ensure every capable, loving family has the opportunity to foster, I signed an Executive Order that removed barriers making it harder for LGBTQI+ families to foster and adopt.  We are also making sure that the 30 percent of all foster youth who identify as LGBTQI+ are placed in environments that love and support them for who they are.

     There is still so much to do to ensure our foster youth are set up for success in their adult lives.  That is why I proposed providing $9 billion to establish a housing voucher program for all 20,000 youths aging out of foster care every year, giving them the security to begin adulthood.  I have also called for over $2 billion to help youth aging out of foster care find a job, enroll in and afford higher education, obtain basic necessities, and access preventative health care.

     Throughout my life, I have had the honor of meeting incredible young people who grew up in foster care with wonderful foster parents, who loved them unconditionally.  This month, we affirm to foster youth across America that we have their backs, and we recommit to supporting both foster and biological parents in creating safe and loving homes.  

      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 May 2024 as National Foster Care Month.  I call upon all Americans to observe this month by reaching out in their neighborhoods and communities to the children and youth in foster care and their families, to those at risk of entering foster care, and to kin families and other caregivers.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of April, 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-eighth.
 
 
                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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