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Berlin Brandenburg International Airport
Schönefeld, Germany

5:48 P.M. CET

Q    Mr. President, what did you achieve today?

THE PRESIDENT:  We had very good meetings today with the Quad.  There was an almost — there was unanimity on continuing to support what’s going on in Ukraine, helping the Ukrainians. 

We also talked about the Middle East.  We think there’s a road to peace there.  It’s going to be harder.  It’s going to be difficult.  But we’re all on the same page.  So, there’s total unanimity.  And — 

Q    Did your predecessor come up in the discussions?

THE PRESIDENT:  I don’t know who my predecessor is.

Q    Can you give us a sense about the Middle East piece?  Do you — you said it’s going to be harder.  Do you have any sense of a timeline?  Are you putting more pressure on Netanyahu? 

THE PRESIDENT:  There’s an opportunity, in my view — and my colleagues agreed — that we can probably deal to the — Israel and Iran in a way that is — ends the — the conflict for a while.

Q    Say that again.

THE PRESIDENT:  That ends the conflict.  In other words, that stops the back and forth. 

We think that there’s a possibility of working to a ceasefire in Lebanon.  And it’s going to be harder in Gaza, but we agree that there has to be an outcome, what — what happens the day after.

Q    Mr. President, do you have a good understanding right now what Israel is going to do in response to Iran’s October 1st attacks and when they will actually respond to Iran?

THE PRESIDENT:  Yes and yes.

Q    Can you tell us?

THE PRESIDENT:  No and no.

Q    Sir, did you hear any concerns about the upcoming American election?  Are your fellow leaders worried?

THE PRESIDENT:  They’re interested.

Q    Do you — did you get reassurance from Netanyahu yesterday on your phone call that they’re willing to come to the table on a ceasefire?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I — I’m not go- — we’re in the middle of discussions on that.  We’re not — I’m not going to get into that.

Q    Mr. President, is there any chance that you would — on Ukraine — that you would change your mind on long-range weapons, allowing them to strike deeper into Russia, which is one of the main proposals that Zelenskyy put out?

THE PRESIDENT:  In — in foreign policy, there’s never a, “Well, I never change my mind.”  Right now, there is no consensus for long-range weapons (inaudible).

Q    What would have to happen for you to change your mind on that —

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m not going to speculate.

Q    — and NATO membership?

Q    What’s the consensus on the Ukraine victory plan from the Quad meeting?

THE PRESIDENT:  Say it again.

Q    The consensus on the Ukraine victory plan from —

THE PRESIDENT:  We’re —

Q    — the Quad meeting?

THE PRESIDENT:  We’re going to stay with Ukraine.  We’re going to make sure they continue to have capabilities.

Thank you.

5:50 P.M. CET

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Berlin Brandenburg International Airport
Schönefeld, Germany

5:48 P.M. CET

Q    Mr. President, what did you achieve today?

THE PRESIDENT:  We had very good meetings today with the Quad.  There was an almost — there was unanimity on continuing to support what’s going on in Ukraine, helping the Ukrainians. 

We also talked about the Middle East.  We think there’s a road to peace there.  It’s going to be harder.  It’s going to be difficult.  But we’re all on the same page.  So, there’s total unanimity.  And — 

Q    Did your predecessor come up in the discussions?

THE PRESIDENT:  I don’t know who my predecessor is.

Q    Can you give us a sense about the Middle East piece?  Do you — you said it’s going to be harder.  Do you have any sense of a timeline?  Are you putting more pressure on Netanyahu? 

THE PRESIDENT:  There’s an opportunity, in my view — and my colleagues agreed — that we can probably deal to the — Israel and Iran in a way that is — ends the — the conflict for a while.

Q    Say that again.

THE PRESIDENT:  That ends the conflict.  In other words, that stops the back and forth. 

We think that there’s a possibility of working to a ceasefire in Lebanon.  And it’s going to be harder in Gaza, but we agree that there has to be an outcome, what — what happens the day after.

Q    Mr. President, do you have a good understanding right now what Israel is going to do in response to Iran’s October 1st attacks and when they will actually respond to Iran?

THE PRESIDENT:  Yes and yes.

Q    Can you tell us?

THE PRESIDENT:  No and no.

Q    Sir, did you hear any concerns about the upcoming American election?  Are your fellow leaders worried?

THE PRESIDENT:  They’re interested.

Q    Do you — did you get reassurance from Netanyahu yesterday on your phone call that they’re willing to come to the table on a ceasefire?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I — I’m not go- — we’re in the middle of discussions on that.  We’re not — I’m not going to get into that.

Q    Mr. President, is there any chance that you would — on Ukraine — that you would change your mind on long-range weapons, allowing them to strike deeper into Russia, which is one of the main proposals that Zelenskyy put out?

THE PRESIDENT:  In — in foreign policy, there’s never a, “Well, I never change my mind.”  Right now, there is no consensus for long-range weapons (inaudible).

Q    What would have to happen for you to change your mind on that —

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m not going to speculate.

Q    — and NATO membership?

Q    What’s the consensus on the Ukraine victory plan from the Quad meeting?

THE PRESIDENT:  Say it again.

Q    The consensus on the Ukraine victory plan from —

THE PRESIDENT:  We’re —

Q    — the Quad meeting?

THE PRESIDENT:  We’re going to stay with Ukraine.  We’re going to make sure they continue to have capabilities.

Thank you.

5:50 P.M. CET

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German Chancellery
Berlin, Germany

12:34 P.M. CEST

CHANCELLOR SCHOLZ:  (As interpreted.)  Mr. President. 

(Speaking English.)  Dear Joe, it is my great pleasure to welcome you here to the Chancellery in Berlin as a friend of Europe, as a friend of Germany, and, above all, as my friend.  Welcome.

(As interpreted.)  Dear Joe, our cooperation the past three years was extraordinarily close and full of trust.  I know that this is not something that we can take for granted, even among good partners as the U.S. and Germany have been for many, many decades. 

I would like to take this opportunity here and today to express my gratitude and say thank you.  Thank you, Mr.  President. 

The times in which we’re living are extremely challenging indeed.  With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, war has returned back to Europe.  The European security order has been shaken in its very foundations. 

It is all the more important that we reacted decisively and stood closely together and unequivocably condemned this blatant violation of international law and stand by our Ukrainian friends’ side. 

It is thanks to your leadership that Putin’s plans failed, that Ukraine wasn’t overrun within a few days.  But it is thanks to the bravery of Ukrainian armed forces and the support of many states — above all, the United States and Germany — Ukraine stands up to imperialist Russia since more than two and a half years. 

Together, we commit to Ukraine’s sovereignty and integrity so that Russia cannot subjugate Ukraine by force.  We stand by Ukraine’s side as long as it is necessary.  Putin has miscalculated.  He cannot sit and ride out this war.

Together, therefore, we decided, with our G7 partners, to support Ukraine with a loan package to the tune of 50 billion U.S. dollars by the end of this year. 

Together, we commit to a strong NATO Alliance which defends every square inch of its territory.  Every member of our alliance can rely on that.  And together, we commit to the fundamental principles of the free world as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. 

Mr. President, from the very beginning of the war, we closely coordinated ourselves across the Atlantic.  It has made us strong.  It has made the Alliance strong, and we will continue to do that. 

Our position is clear.  We continue to support Ukraine as strongly as possible.  At the same time, we are making sure that NATO does not become a party to this war so that this war does not lead to an even bigger catastrophe.  We are very much aware of this responsibility, and no one can shoulder this responsibility for us. 

Of course, the situation in the Middle East is also on our agenda.  The barbaric terrorist attacks of Hamas on Israel of October 7th has massively destabilized the situation. 

Israel has the right to defend itself.  It is important to me to say this very clearly.  We stand by Israel’s side, and we fully agree that it is now more important than ever before to prevent further escalation and a regional conflagration.

With the death of Hamas leader Sinwar, who was responsible for the horrific terrorist attacks, we hopefully now see a tangible prospect of a ceasefire in Gaza, an agreement that leads to the release of hostages held by Hamas. 

Joe, your efforts — we always supported your efforts in this conflict, and we will continue to do so.  Our common objective remains a credible political process towards a two-state solution, and we will continue to be fully committed to that. 

In Lebanon, we’re working towards a situation that the conflict leads to a diplomatic process as soon as possible.  It is clear the people in Northern Israel have to be able to live free of fear and insecurity.  Lebanon deserves a future in self-determination, stability, and security. 

Originally, your visit was scheduled to take place last Friday and had to be postponed due to the severe hurricanes.  And I’m delighted that you were able to come today.  It affords us the opportunity to talk about the challenging global situation in great detail bilaterally but also together with the French president, Emmanuel Macron, and the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, who will join us later. 

In my view, we need such talks at highest levels to make progress in the most important, pressing issues. 

(In English.)  Joe, thanks again for taking the time for this visit.  It is a strong signal of our transatlantic unity and of our friendship.

Please.

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Well, Chancellor — Olaf, it’s great to see you again, and I do apologize for having to cancel the first time around, but we did have a crisis in our southeastern border with hurricanes and tornadoes.  But we’re here because Germany is — Germany is my country’s closest and most important of allies. 

When Putin launched his brutal invasion in Ukraine, you reminded us all why this alliance is so essential.  Under your leadership, Chancellor, Germany rose to meet the moment.  You showed the wisdom to recognize that this war marked a turning point in the history, an assault on the very principles of the protected peace and security in Europe for more than 75 years. 

And then you summoned the resolve to act, remaking Germany’s foreign policy to reckon new realities — with new realities to stand strong and steadfast with Ukraine. 

America and Germany are the two largest supporters of Ukraine in its fight for survival as a free and independent nation.  As Ukraine faces a tough winter, we must — we must sustain our resolve, our effort, and our support. 

And I know the cost is heavy, but make no mistake, it pales in comparison to the cost of living in the world where aggression prevails, where large states attack and bully smaller ones simply because they can. 

Today, the chancellor and I are going to discuss ongoing efforts to surge support to Ukraine’s military; to shore up Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure, which is under constant assault and bombardment from Russia; and to help Ukraine recover by unlocking the value of frozen Russian assets.

I also want to recognize Germany’s decision to spend 2 percent of your gross domestic product on defense.  Please keep it up, because it matters. 

Our alliance with Germany extends far beyond Ukraine and Europe.  It’s global. 

Today, the chancellor and I will discuss regional security in the Middle East, including the ongoing domestic efforts regarding Lebanon and Gaza. 

The death of the leader of Hamas represents a moment of justice.  He had the blood of Americans and Israelis, Palestinians and Germans, and so many others on his hands.

I told the prime minister of Israel yesterday: Let’s also make this moment an opportunity to seek a path to peace, a better future in Gaza without Hamas.  And I look forward to discussing Iran. 

Olaf and I spoke the morning after Iran launched 200 ballistic missiles at Israel earlier this month.  With our G7 counterparts, we agreed to coordinate our response through sanctions and other measures, and that is what we have done. 

I’m grateful for Germany’s cooperation holding Iran accountable for destabilizing policies, including providing missiles and drones to Russia to use against Ukraine. 

And just this week, the European Union followed Germany, the UK, and France in sanctioning Iran’s leading airlines.  This followed our own oil sanctions.  This coordination is going to have to continue. 

I also want to thank Germany for standing firm against a vicious surge of antisemitism, hatred, and extremism we’re witnessing today.  Some of it fueled by foreign misinformation.

As domestic — as democratic allies, we have to remain ever vigilant against what I call the “old ghosts in new garments,” ancient hatreds resurfacing.  Our charge is to make sure that the forces holding our societies together and binding us in the common cause of human dignity and freedom remain stronger — stronger than the forces seeking to pull us apart. 

And finally, Chancellor, I deeply appreciate your partnership and the many times you’ve forsaken the easy choice to make the right choice.  Your act of statesmanship and friendship has made possible the safe return and unjustly detained Americans and Germans and the reunion of brave Russian dissidents to their families.  I want to thank you, thank you, thank you. 

I value our conversations, and I look forward to them — this one is — particularly.  And I want to — I really mean it — I want to thank you for your friendship, not only personally, but I don’t see how we maintain stability in Europe and around the world without a tight German-U.S. relationship.  And you’re the leader to do it. 

Thank you. 

12:45 P.M. CEST

The post Remarks by President Biden and Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany in Joint Statements to the Press | Berlin, Germany appeared first on The White House.

German Chancellery
Berlin, Germany

12:34 P.M. CEST

CHANCELLOR SCHOLZ:  (As interpreted.)  Mr. President. 

(Speaking English.)  Dear Joe, it is my great pleasure to welcome you here to the Chancellery in Berlin as a friend of Europe, as a friend of Germany, and, above all, as my friend.  Welcome.

(As interpreted.)  Dear Joe, our cooperation the past three years was extraordinarily close and full of trust.  I know that this is not something that we can take for granted, even among good partners as the U.S. and Germany have been for many, many decades. 

I would like to take this opportunity here and today to express my gratitude and say thank you.  Thank you, Mr.  President. 

The times in which we’re living are extremely challenging indeed.  With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, war has returned back to Europe.  The European security order has been shaken in its very foundations. 

It is all the more important that we reacted decisively and stood closely together and unequivocably condemned this blatant violation of international law and stand by our Ukrainian friends’ side. 

It is thanks to your leadership that Putin’s plans failed, that Ukraine wasn’t overrun within a few days.  But it is thanks to the bravery of Ukrainian armed forces and the support of many states — above all, the United States and Germany — Ukraine stands up to imperialist Russia since more than two and a half years. 

Together, we commit to Ukraine’s sovereignty and integrity so that Russia cannot subjugate Ukraine by force.  We stand by Ukraine’s side as long as it is necessary.  Putin has miscalculated.  He cannot sit and ride out this war.

Together, therefore, we decided, with our G7 partners, to support Ukraine with a loan package to the tune of 50 billion U.S. dollars by the end of this year. 

Together, we commit to a strong NATO Alliance which defends every square inch of its territory.  Every member of our alliance can rely on that.  And together, we commit to the fundamental principles of the free world as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. 

Mr. President, from the very beginning of the war, we closely coordinated ourselves across the Atlantic.  It has made us strong.  It has made the Alliance strong, and we will continue to do that. 

Our position is clear.  We continue to support Ukraine as strongly as possible.  At the same time, we are making sure that NATO does not become a party to this war so that this war does not lead to an even bigger catastrophe.  We are very much aware of this responsibility, and no one can shoulder this responsibility for us. 

Of course, the situation in the Middle East is also on our agenda.  The barbaric terrorist attacks of Hamas on Israel of October 7th has massively destabilized the situation. 

Israel has the right to defend itself.  It is important to me to say this very clearly.  We stand by Israel’s side, and we fully agree that it is now more important than ever before to prevent further escalation and a regional conflagration.

With the death of Hamas leader Sinwar, who was responsible for the horrific terrorist attacks, we hopefully now see a tangible prospect of a ceasefire in Gaza, an agreement that leads to the release of hostages held by Hamas. 

Joe, your efforts — we always supported your efforts in this conflict, and we will continue to do so.  Our common objective remains a credible political process towards a two-state solution, and we will continue to be fully committed to that. 

In Lebanon, we’re working towards a situation that the conflict leads to a diplomatic process as soon as possible.  It is clear the people in Northern Israel have to be able to live free of fear and insecurity.  Lebanon deserves a future in self-determination, stability, and security. 

Originally, your visit was scheduled to take place last Friday and had to be postponed due to the severe hurricanes.  And I’m delighted that you were able to come today.  It affords us the opportunity to talk about the challenging global situation in great detail bilaterally but also together with the French president, Emmanuel Macron, and the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, who will join us later. 

In my view, we need such talks at highest levels to make progress in the most important, pressing issues. 

(In English.)  Joe, thanks again for taking the time for this visit.  It is a strong signal of our transatlantic unity and of our friendship.

Please.

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Well, Chancellor — Olaf, it’s great to see you again, and I do apologize for having to cancel the first time around, but we did have a crisis in our southeastern border with hurricanes and tornadoes.  But we’re here because Germany is — Germany is my country’s closest and most important of allies. 

When Putin launched his brutal invasion in Ukraine, you reminded us all why this alliance is so essential.  Under your leadership, Chancellor, Germany rose to meet the moment.  You showed the wisdom to recognize that this war marked a turning point in the history, an assault on the very principles of the protected peace and security in Europe for more than 75 years. 

And then you summoned the resolve to act, remaking Germany’s foreign policy to reckon new realities — with new realities to stand strong and steadfast with Ukraine. 

America and Germany are the two largest supporters of Ukraine in its fight for survival as a free and independent nation.  As Ukraine faces a tough winter, we must — we must sustain our resolve, our effort, and our support. 

And I know the cost is heavy, but make no mistake, it pales in comparison to the cost of living in the world where aggression prevails, where large states attack and bully smaller ones simply because they can. 

Today, the chancellor and I are going to discuss ongoing efforts to surge support to Ukraine’s military; to shore up Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure, which is under constant assault and bombardment from Russia; and to help Ukraine recover by unlocking the value of frozen Russian assets.

I also want to recognize Germany’s decision to spend 2 percent of your gross domestic product on defense.  Please keep it up, because it matters. 

Our alliance with Germany extends far beyond Ukraine and Europe.  It’s global. 

Today, the chancellor and I will discuss regional security in the Middle East, including the ongoing domestic efforts regarding Lebanon and Gaza. 

The death of the leader of Hamas represents a moment of justice.  He had the blood of Americans and Israelis, Palestinians and Germans, and so many others on his hands.

I told the prime minister of Israel yesterday: Let’s also make this moment an opportunity to seek a path to peace, a better future in Gaza without Hamas.  And I look forward to discussing Iran. 

Olaf and I spoke the morning after Iran launched 200 ballistic missiles at Israel earlier this month.  With our G7 counterparts, we agreed to coordinate our response through sanctions and other measures, and that is what we have done. 

I’m grateful for Germany’s cooperation holding Iran accountable for destabilizing policies, including providing missiles and drones to Russia to use against Ukraine. 

And just this week, the European Union followed Germany, the UK, and France in sanctioning Iran’s leading airlines.  This followed our own oil sanctions.  This coordination is going to have to continue. 

I also want to thank Germany for standing firm against a vicious surge of antisemitism, hatred, and extremism we’re witnessing today.  Some of it fueled by foreign misinformation.

As domestic — as democratic allies, we have to remain ever vigilant against what I call the “old ghosts in new garments,” ancient hatreds resurfacing.  Our charge is to make sure that the forces holding our societies together and binding us in the common cause of human dignity and freedom remain stronger — stronger than the forces seeking to pull us apart. 

And finally, Chancellor, I deeply appreciate your partnership and the many times you’ve forsaken the easy choice to make the right choice.  Your act of statesmanship and friendship has made possible the safe return and unjustly detained Americans and Germans and the reunion of brave Russian dissidents to their families.  I want to thank you, thank you, thank you. 

I value our conversations, and I look forward to them — this one is — particularly.  And I want to — I really mean it — I want to thank you for your friendship, not only personally, but I don’t see how we maintain stability in Europe and around the world without a tight German-U.S. relationship.  And you’re the leader to do it. 

Thank you. 

12:45 P.M. CEST

The post Remarks by President Biden and Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany in Joint Statements to the Press | Berlin, Germany appeared first on The White House.

Bellevue Palace
Berlin, Germany

11:10 A.M. CEST

PRESIDENT STEINMEIER:  Please have a seat.

Mr. President, so good to have you here. 

(Speaks German.)  (No translation provided.)

Of the many stereotypes about Germany — our sense of humor — (laughter) — our spontaneity, our irresistible joie de vivre — (laughter) — only one is really true: We are good at keeping records. 

So, 44 and a half years ago, when the young Senator Joseph Biden came to Bonn, a German civil servant — ein guter Beamter, as we like to say — made a note — a rather extensive one, I should say — of this senator’s visit.  And being Germans, you understand, we still have that note.  (Laughter.)  (Holds up a document.)  This one.  Many pages.

(Speaks German.) (No translation provided.)

That’s the content — the main content of report: “He is keenly interested in the Federal Republic of Germany,” the note concludes.  And it adds, “that this senator might look to a,” I quote again, “significant political future.”  (Laughter.)  “Significant.”  What a remarkable understatement. 

Today, you are the 46th President of the United States.  And under your leadership, the transatlantic alliance is stronger and our partnership is closer than ever. 

Mr. President, you are keenly interested in Germany.  That we have known for almost half a century.  So, it is time for you to know that Germany, in turn, is deeply grateful to you. 

Let me say, in the name of my country, thank you, Mr.  President.  (Applause.) 

For Germany, the friendship with the United States has been, is now, and will always be existentially important — existential both for our security and our democracy. 

And yet, in this friendship, there have been and always will be times of proximity and greater distance, times of agreement and times of discord.  Even recently, just a handful years ago, the distance had grown so wide that we almost lost each other. 

But — but, ladies and gentlemen, throughout the ups and downs of time, there have been people who have stood by the transatlantic relations no matter what.  And chief among those people, Mr. President, is you. 

You stand with us, sir, because you know that what binds us is so much deeper than the news of the day.  What binds us is freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. 

What binds us is the conviction that if liberal democracy is to have a future in this troubled world, we have to secure it together.

And what binds us are the lessons from our past — sacred lessons that you described so hauntingly in your letter to our beloved Margot Friedländer. 

Sir, when you were elected president, you restored Europe’s hope in the transatlantic alliance literally overnight.  And then, only a year later, came Putin’s war. 

When Putin invaded Ukraine, he didn’t just go after one country.  He attacked the very principles of peace in Europe. 

Putin thought we would be weak.  He thought we would be divided.  But the opposite was true.  NATO was stronger and more united than ever, and that is, in no small part, Mr. President, thanks to your leadership.

Mr. President, to have you in our most dangerous moment since the Cold War, to have you and your administration on our side is no less than a historical stroke of good fortune.

For us here in Europe, the past two years have shown once again, America truly is the indispensable nation.  But it has also shown something else.  NATO is the indispensable alliance. 

So, in the months to come, I hope that Europeans remember America is indispensable for us, and I hope that Americans remember your allies are indispensable for you. 

We are more than just other countries in the world.  We are partners.  We are friends. 

The choice on November the 5th is only Americans’ choice to make.  But we, as Europeans, have a choice too.  We have the choice to do our part, to be unwavering in our support for Ukraine, to invest in our common security, to invest in our shared future, and, as you have done, sir, to stand by the transatlantic alliance no matter what.

Mr. President, when I visited you in the Oval Office a year ago on October the 6th, just a few hours before Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel, we spoke about the Middle East.  We spoke about Ukraine and Russia.  But at the end — I will never forget that — at the end of our conversation, you went to your desk and handed me a speech of yours not on foreign policy but on the issue that you care most about and that you worry most about — about democracy. 

I quote, “Democracies don’t have to die at the end of a rifle,” you say in that speech.  “Democracies can die when people are silent, when they are willing to give away that which is most precious to them because they feel frustrated, tired, alienated.”  End of the quote.

Your words, Mr. President, echoed deeply in our part of the world, and they weigh even more heavily coming from the leader of the world’s oldest and most time-tested democracy. 

So, let me say this from the bottom of my heart.  In this time when democracy is under strain all around the Western world, you, Mr. President, have been a beacon of democracy. 

You are a beacon not just by what you have done but by who you are, by the example of your humility, your deep connection with the lives and hopes of hardworking people, and, if you excuse that old-fashioned word, by your decency. 

Decency is maybe what we are most at risk of losing.  But your decency, sir, is a light that shines very far.  It certainly reached the hearts of my fellow Germans. 

As U.S. president, you command the most powerful military.  You lead the biggest economy in the world.  But maybe the most precious service to democracy, the most joyful and reassuring thing for people is to know that even this most powerful man in the world is, in the end, a fundamentally decent human being. 

Mr. President, we all know that you love your Irish poets and that you know them well.  I have heard you quote Seamus Heaney from memory, so I hope you allow me to end with a quote from his “Republic of Conscience.” 

I quote, “At their inauguration, public leaders must swear to uphold unwritten law and weep to atone for the presumption to hold office.” 

“The presumption to hold office,” Mr. President.  It seems that you have always had a deep sense of the inevitable presumption in holding office, including the highest office — in being elevated above others, in a society of equals. 

You have transformed this presumption into a deep sense of responsibility, and you have carried that responsibility throughout your career and have now decided, in the most noble tradition of American leaders since Washington, to let democracy run its ever-changing and uncharted course. 

Mr. President, on the historic occasion of your visit to Germany, my country recognizes your decades-long dedication to the transatlantic alliance, your outstanding political leadership in Europe’s most dangerous moment, and your lasting moral example of service, sincerity, and decency.

It is now my great honor to bestow on you the Grand Cross special class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. 

And for that, Mr. President — may I say, dear Joe — congratulations.  (Applause.)

I have to read the document — one second — in German.

(Speaks German.)  (No translation provided.)  (Applause.)

(President Biden is presented the Grand Cross special class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.)  (Applause.)

It’s done.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Let me begin by saying I — I’m overwhelmed not just by the award but by the words, Mr. President.

Margot Friedländer, you are a voice of conscience and healing.  I’m actually honored to be in your presence, for real.

This award means so much to me for what it says about us, the journey we’ve taken; the alliance we’ve strengthened; the way that we have, as two separate nations, risen together to meet our moment.

I think it’s fair to say, although I know I only look like I’m 40 years old — (laughter) — I — I’ve seen a wide sweep of history.

When I was born, our countries were at war.  As a young senator, I visited West Berlin and saw what it meant to live in a divided city, country, and continent.  And I forged a bond with Helmut Schmidt, your — my first relationship of candor and trust with a German chancellor but, thankfully, not my last.

And then, in 1989, like millions of people around the world, I saw 70,000 brave souls gathered in Leipzig, crying — crying out for freedom.  And the Berlin Wall came down 35 years ago this month. 

It was one of the greatest advances in human dignity in my lifetime.  Some feared the reunification of Germany would revive old hatreds and rivalries.  But leaders of America and Germany dreamed together of a much better future.

The achievement of a Germany whole and free lives on, exceeding, I think, everyone’s expectations.  The dream of Europe whole and free remains the work of our time, nor is that work more urgent than a pushing back against Putin’s vicious attack against Ukraine.

German leaders had the wisdom to recognize a turning point in history, an assault on a fellow democracy, and also on principles that upheld 75 years of peace and security in Europe.

Germany and the United States stood together to support the brave people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom, for democracy, for their very survival.  And I want to thank every leader across Germany’s government who has worked tirelessly to ensure that Ukraine prevails and Putin fails, and NATO remains strong and more united than ever.

We head into a very difficult winter — (coughs) — but we cannot let up.  We cannot — (an aide delivers a glass of water) — thank you so very much.  That’s kind of you.  (Laughs.)

We head to a dery — a very difficult winter.  But we cannot let up.  We must sustain our support.  In my view, we must keep going until Ukraine wins a just and durable peace consistent with the U.N. Charter, until once again human dignity prevails.

Let me close with this.  The times I have lived through have taught me that history does move forward and things can get better if we determine they must — that things can get better and that we should never underestimate the power of democracy, never underes- — -estimate the value of alliances.

Germany — Germany has taught us all that change is possible and, for better or for worse, countries can and do choose their own destinies and the choices that leaders make at critical times truly matters.

I want to thank the current leaders of Germany for the choice you’ve made when it matters most.

I hope you’ll forgive this once, but — if I forsake the great German poets and quote an Irish poet.  (Laughter.) 

Seamus Heaney said in “The Cure at Troy” — he said, “History teaches us not to hope on this side of the grave.  But then — but then, once in a lifetime, a longed-for tidal wave of justice can rise up, and hope and history rhyme.”

When the Berlin Wall fell, hope and history rhymed.  When Kyiv stood, hope and history rhymed.

Many Americans and Germans always find the wisdom and the courage.  May they keep making hope and history rhyme, because we can, because nothing is beyond our capacity, in my view — nothing is beyond our capacity — when we do it together.

So, thank you again for this award.  I’m honored to accept.  I do not deserve, but I’m honored to accept.  And that, if we continue to work together, Germany has stood up in a way that is incredible.

I want to thank you again for the award.  And may God bless you all.  And may God protect our troops.

Thank you so very much.  (Applause.)

11:31 A.M CEST

The post Remarks by President Biden and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany at an Order of Merit Ceremony | Berlin, Germany appeared first on The White House.

Bellevue Palace
Berlin, Germany

11:10 A.M. CEST

PRESIDENT STEINMEIER:  Please have a seat.

Mr. President, so good to have you here. 

(Speaks German.)  (No translation provided.)

Of the many stereotypes about Germany — our sense of humor — (laughter) — our spontaneity, our irresistible joie de vivre — (laughter) — only one is really true: We are good at keeping records. 

So, 44 and a half years ago, when the young Senator Joseph Biden came to Bonn, a German civil servant — ein guter Beamter, as we like to say — made a note — a rather extensive one, I should say — of this senator’s visit.  And being Germans, you understand, we still have that note.  (Laughter.)  (Holds up a document.)  This one.  Many pages.

(Speaks German.) (No translation provided.)

That’s the content — the main content of report: “He is keenly interested in the Federal Republic of Germany,” the note concludes.  And it adds, “that this senator might look to a,” I quote again, “significant political future.”  (Laughter.)  “Significant.”  What a remarkable understatement. 

Today, you are the 46th President of the United States.  And under your leadership, the transatlantic alliance is stronger and our partnership is closer than ever. 

Mr. President, you are keenly interested in Germany.  That we have known for almost half a century.  So, it is time for you to know that Germany, in turn, is deeply grateful to you. 

Let me say, in the name of my country, thank you, Mr.  President.  (Applause.) 

For Germany, the friendship with the United States has been, is now, and will always be existentially important — existential both for our security and our democracy. 

And yet, in this friendship, there have been and always will be times of proximity and greater distance, times of agreement and times of discord.  Even recently, just a handful years ago, the distance had grown so wide that we almost lost each other. 

But — but, ladies and gentlemen, throughout the ups and downs of time, there have been people who have stood by the transatlantic relations no matter what.  And chief among those people, Mr. President, is you. 

You stand with us, sir, because you know that what binds us is so much deeper than the news of the day.  What binds us is freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. 

What binds us is the conviction that if liberal democracy is to have a future in this troubled world, we have to secure it together.

And what binds us are the lessons from our past — sacred lessons that you described so hauntingly in your letter to our beloved Margot Friedländer. 

Sir, when you were elected president, you restored Europe’s hope in the transatlantic alliance literally overnight.  And then, only a year later, came Putin’s war. 

When Putin invaded Ukraine, he didn’t just go after one country.  He attacked the very principles of peace in Europe. 

Putin thought we would be weak.  He thought we would be divided.  But the opposite was true.  NATO was stronger and more united than ever, and that is, in no small part, Mr. President, thanks to your leadership.

Mr. President, to have you in our most dangerous moment since the Cold War, to have you and your administration on our side is no less than a historical stroke of good fortune.

For us here in Europe, the past two years have shown once again, America truly is the indispensable nation.  But it has also shown something else.  NATO is the indispensable alliance. 

So, in the months to come, I hope that Europeans remember America is indispensable for us, and I hope that Americans remember your allies are indispensable for you. 

We are more than just other countries in the world.  We are partners.  We are friends. 

The choice on November the 5th is only Americans’ choice to make.  But we, as Europeans, have a choice too.  We have the choice to do our part, to be unwavering in our support for Ukraine, to invest in our common security, to invest in our shared future, and, as you have done, sir, to stand by the transatlantic alliance no matter what.

Mr. President, when I visited you in the Oval Office a year ago on October the 6th, just a few hours before Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel, we spoke about the Middle East.  We spoke about Ukraine and Russia.  But at the end — I will never forget that — at the end of our conversation, you went to your desk and handed me a speech of yours not on foreign policy but on the issue that you care most about and that you worry most about — about democracy. 

I quote, “Democracies don’t have to die at the end of a rifle,” you say in that speech.  “Democracies can die when people are silent, when they are willing to give away that which is most precious to them because they feel frustrated, tired, alienated.”  End of the quote.

Your words, Mr. President, echoed deeply in our part of the world, and they weigh even more heavily coming from the leader of the world’s oldest and most time-tested democracy. 

So, let me say this from the bottom of my heart.  In this time when democracy is under strain all around the Western world, you, Mr. President, have been a beacon of democracy. 

You are a beacon not just by what you have done but by who you are, by the example of your humility, your deep connection with the lives and hopes of hardworking people, and, if you excuse that old-fashioned word, by your decency. 

Decency is maybe what we are most at risk of losing.  But your decency, sir, is a light that shines very far.  It certainly reached the hearts of my fellow Germans. 

As U.S. president, you command the most powerful military.  You lead the biggest economy in the world.  But maybe the most precious service to democracy, the most joyful and reassuring thing for people is to know that even this most powerful man in the world is, in the end, a fundamentally decent human being. 

Mr. President, we all know that you love your Irish poets and that you know them well.  I have heard you quote Seamus Heaney from memory, so I hope you allow me to end with a quote from his “Republic of Conscience.” 

I quote, “At their inauguration, public leaders must swear to uphold unwritten law and weep to atone for the presumption to hold office.” 

“The presumption to hold office,” Mr. President.  It seems that you have always had a deep sense of the inevitable presumption in holding office, including the highest office — in being elevated above others, in a society of equals. 

You have transformed this presumption into a deep sense of responsibility, and you have carried that responsibility throughout your career and have now decided, in the most noble tradition of American leaders since Washington, to let democracy run its ever-changing and uncharted course. 

Mr. President, on the historic occasion of your visit to Germany, my country recognizes your decades-long dedication to the transatlantic alliance, your outstanding political leadership in Europe’s most dangerous moment, and your lasting moral example of service, sincerity, and decency.

It is now my great honor to bestow on you the Grand Cross special class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. 

And for that, Mr. President — may I say, dear Joe — congratulations.  (Applause.)

I have to read the document — one second — in German.

(Speaks German.)  (No translation provided.)  (Applause.)

(President Biden is presented the Grand Cross special class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.)  (Applause.)

It’s done.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Let me begin by saying I — I’m overwhelmed not just by the award but by the words, Mr. President.

Margot Friedländer, you are a voice of conscience and healing.  I’m actually honored to be in your presence, for real.

This award means so much to me for what it says about us, the journey we’ve taken; the alliance we’ve strengthened; the way that we have, as two separate nations, risen together to meet our moment.

I think it’s fair to say, although I know I only look like I’m 40 years old — (laughter) — I — I’ve seen a wide sweep of history.

When I was born, our countries were at war.  As a young senator, I visited West Berlin and saw what it meant to live in a divided city, country, and continent.  And I forged a bond with Helmut Schmidt, your — my first relationship of candor and trust with a German chancellor but, thankfully, not my last.

And then, in 1989, like millions of people around the world, I saw 70,000 brave souls gathered in Leipzig, crying — crying out for freedom.  And the Berlin Wall came down 35 years ago this month. 

It was one of the greatest advances in human dignity in my lifetime.  Some feared the reunification of Germany would revive old hatreds and rivalries.  But leaders of America and Germany dreamed together of a much better future.

The achievement of a Germany whole and free lives on, exceeding, I think, everyone’s expectations.  The dream of Europe whole and free remains the work of our time, nor is that work more urgent than a pushing back against Putin’s vicious attack against Ukraine.

German leaders had the wisdom to recognize a turning point in history, an assault on a fellow democracy, and also on principles that upheld 75 years of peace and security in Europe.

Germany and the United States stood together to support the brave people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom, for democracy, for their very survival.  And I want to thank every leader across Germany’s government who has worked tirelessly to ensure that Ukraine prevails and Putin fails, and NATO remains strong and more united than ever.

We head into a very difficult winter — (coughs) — but we cannot let up.  We cannot — (an aide delivers a glass of water) — thank you so very much.  That’s kind of you.  (Laughs.)

We head to a dery — a very difficult winter.  But we cannot let up.  We must sustain our support.  In my view, we must keep going until Ukraine wins a just and durable peace consistent with the U.N. Charter, until once again human dignity prevails.

Let me close with this.  The times I have lived through have taught me that history does move forward and things can get better if we determine they must — that things can get better and that we should never underestimate the power of democracy, never underes- — -estimate the value of alliances.

Germany — Germany has taught us all that change is possible and, for better or for worse, countries can and do choose their own destinies and the choices that leaders make at critical times truly matters.

I want to thank the current leaders of Germany for the choice you’ve made when it matters most.

I hope you’ll forgive this once, but — if I forsake the great German poets and quote an Irish poet.  (Laughter.) 

Seamus Heaney said in “The Cure at Troy” — he said, “History teaches us not to hope on this side of the grave.  But then — but then, once in a lifetime, a longed-for tidal wave of justice can rise up, and hope and history rhyme.”

When the Berlin Wall fell, hope and history rhymed.  When Kyiv stood, hope and history rhymed.

Many Americans and Germans always find the wisdom and the courage.  May they keep making hope and history rhyme, because we can, because nothing is beyond our capacity, in my view — nothing is beyond our capacity — when we do it together.

So, thank you again for this award.  I’m honored to accept.  I do not deserve, but I’m honored to accept.  And that, if we continue to work together, Germany has stood up in a way that is incredible.

I want to thank you again for the award.  And may God bless you all.  And may God protect our troops.

Thank you so very much.  (Applause.)

11:31 A.M CEST

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President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today with Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany at the Chancellery to discuss the longstanding U.S.-German relationship, grounded in our shared democratic values.  The two leaders coordinated on support for Ukraine in its self-defense against Russian aggression; efforts to counter antisemitism and other forms of hate at home and abroad; the Middle East; amongst other global issues.  President Biden expressed his appreciation for Chancellor Scholz’s leadership in increasing Germany’s investment in NATO’s collective defense and in securing the release of wrongfully detained Americans, along with other human rights activists and political dissidents from Russian prison, earlier this year. He also underscored the U.S. commitment to continue working together to address the challenges of today and tomorrow and deliver results for both our peoples.

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The post Readout of President Biden’s Meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany appeared first on The White House.

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today with Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany at the Chancellery to discuss the longstanding U.S.-German relationship, grounded in our shared democratic values.  The two leaders coordinated on support for Ukraine in its self-defense against Russian aggression; efforts to counter antisemitism and other forms of hate at home and abroad; the Middle East; amongst other global issues.  President Biden expressed his appreciation for Chancellor Scholz’s leadership in increasing Germany’s investment in NATO’s collective defense and in securing the release of wrongfully detained Americans, along with other human rights activists and political dissidents from Russian prison, earlier this year. He also underscored the U.S. commitment to continue working together to address the challenges of today and tomorrow and deliver results for both our peoples.

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The post Readout of President Biden’s Meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany appeared first on The White House.

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany at Bellevue Palace to discuss the strong U.S.-German relationship, grounded in our shared democratic values.  The two leaders coordinated on support for Ukraine in its self-defense against Russian aggression; countering antisemitism and other forms of hate at home and abroad; efforts to de-escalate conflict in the Middle East and support the protection of civilians; amongst other global issues. President Biden acknowledged the timing of his visit ahead of the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and our countries’ shared commitment to freedom and democracy.  The President underscored the close U.S. diplomatic, economic, and military relationship with Germany.

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The post Readout of President Biden’s Meeting with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany appeared first on The White House.

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany at Bellevue Palace to discuss the strong U.S.-German relationship, grounded in our shared democratic values.  The two leaders coordinated on support for Ukraine in its self-defense against Russian aggression; countering antisemitism and other forms of hate at home and abroad; efforts to de-escalate conflict in the Middle East and support the protection of civilians; amongst other global issues. President Biden acknowledged the timing of his visit ahead of the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and our countries’ shared commitment to freedom and democracy.  The President underscored the close U.S. diplomatic, economic, and military relationship with Germany.

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The post Readout of President Biden’s Meeting with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany appeared first on The White House.

Resch Expo
Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin

6:54 P.M. CDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Can we hear it for Jim?  (Applause.)  Good evening, Wisconsin!  (Applause.)  Good evening, everyone. 

Hey, Jim, thank you.  Can we hear it for Jim again?  (Applause.)

Oh, it’s good to be back.  Hey, everybody.  Hey, Green Bay.  (Applause.)  Hi, everybody. 

Hey, so, many of you may know, when I was five years old, we lived in Wisconsin.  (Applause.)  My ch- — my parents taught for a short time here.  And now, every time I land, Governor Evers will meet me, and he’ll say, “Welcome home.”  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)

So — but it’s so good to be back with everyone.  And thank you all for taking the time out of your busy lives to be here this evening.  Thank you all.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you. 

And it’s great to be with just this incredible group of leaders, including, of course, Ben Wikler, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party.  (Applause.)  There he is — Ben.

Kristin Lyerly, who we need to send to the United States Congress.  (Applause.)  

And, Green Bay, let’s reelect someone who has spent her career fighting for Wisconsin families and manufacturing right here in Wisconsin, your senator, Tammy Baldwin.  (Applause.)  We need her back in D.C.

We are also joined by tribal leaders, including President Holsey, who is here from the Stockbridge-Munsee Band, the Mohican Indians.  (Applause.) 

And I will say, Madam President, that I strongly believe that the relationship between Tribal nations and the United States is sacred, and that we must honor Tribal sovereignty — (applause); embrace trust and treaty obligations; and ensure tribal self-determination.  And as president, I will defend those principles.  (Applause.) 

All right, Green Bay.  So, Green Bay, we have 19 days until Election Day — 19 days.  So, we are entering the homestretch — (applause) — and this is going to be a tight race until the very end. 

Look, we are the underdog, and that’s why we are and I am campaigning to earn every single vote, because I intend to be a president for all Americans — (applause) — no matter their political party, where they live, or where they get their news.  (Applause.)

On that point, last night, you may have seen that I went on Fox News.  (Applause.)  Meanwhile, Donald Trump joined a Univerge — a Univision town hall last — yesterday, where a voter asked him about January 6th. 

Okay, now we here know January 6th was a tragic day — a tragic day for our country.  It was a day of terrible violence, with attacks on law enforcement.  A hundred and forty law enforcement officers were injured that day.  Law enforcement officers were killed that day. 

And what did Donald Trump say last night about January 6th?  He called it quote, “a day of love.”

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And we are all clear, the American people are exhausted with his gaslighting — (applause) — exhausted.  Enough.  Enough.  We are ready to turn the page.  (Applause.)  Turn the page. 

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

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We’re not going back.  And the reason, Wisconsin, is because we know this election is about two very different visions for our country.  One that is focused on the past, his.  And, ours, that is focused on the future.  (Applause.)  On the future. 

Because we know America is ready for a new way forward, ready for a new optimistic generation of leadership.  (Applause.)  All of us — it’s all of us, which is why Democrats and Republicans and independents are supporting our campaign. 

In fact, yesterday, over 100 Republican leaders from across the country joined me on the campaign trail — (applause) — including — including some who had previously served in Trump’s administration.  (Applause.)  And I believe it is because America wants a president who will serve on behalf of all the American people.  (Applause.)  And that has been the story of my entire career. 

My entire career, I’ve only ever had one client: the people — the people.  (Applause.)  As a young courtroom prosecutor, I stood up for women and children against predators.  As an attorney general of California, I took on the big banks and fought to deliver $20 billion for middle-class families that faced foreclosure. 

I stood up to veterans and stood up for — excuse me, stood up for veterans and students being scammed by big for-profit colleges.  You know, who else — who ran a big for-profit college?  Let’s not forget.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And I stood up for those veterans and students who were being scammed by for-profit colleges that were trying to rip them from their dreams and charge them, producing nothing in return. 

I have stood up for workers who have been cheated out of the wages they were due.  I have stood up for seniors who were facing elder abuse. 

And as president, I will always fight for the American people.  (Applause.)  I will always fight for the American people.

And together, we will build a brighter future for our nation.  Together.  (Applause.)  And it’s a future where we build what I call an “opportunity economy,” where America has an opportunity to do for our people, what we know is part of our ambition, our dreams, our aspirations — an opportunity economy where everyone has an opportunity to own a home, to build wealth, to start a business. 

Under my plan, we will bring down the cost of housing — (applause) — including with a $25,000 down payment assistance so you can just get your foot in the door.  (Applause.) 

You’ll do the hard work of saving up and paying that mortgage, but let’s be honest.  You know the American dream?  Well, that was real for generations past, but not so much within the reach of people right now, and we got to deal with the real challenges that people are facing right now if we’re going to invest in the future. 

Part of my plan is about helping entrepreneurs start and grow small businesses.  (Applause.)  Look, my mother worked hard, and there was a woman who lived two doors down from us, our neighbor, who helped my mother raise us.  She was a small-business owner.  I know who our small business owners are. 

You are not only business leaders; you are community leaders.  You are civic leaders, and it is our small businesses who are the backbone of America’s economy.  I know that to be true.  (Applause.)  Do we have any small-business owners here tonight?  Raise your hand.  Yeah.  (Applause.)

Under my plan, we will expand Medicare to cover home health care for seniors.  Again, this is — (applause) — this is based on what I personally know. 

So, look, when my mother was sick, I took care of her.  And one of the things for anyone who was in that situation or has been, you know what it’s like.  It’s about cooking for folks in a way that hopefully they’ll want to eat.  It’s about trying to find the clothes that won’t be too rough on their skin.  It’s about trying to, from time to time, think of something that can put a smile on their face or make them laugh.  It’s about dignity.  It’s about dignity.  (Applause.) 

But the reality is, it is expensive if you don’t have the ability to do it.  It is expensive to try and bring somebody in.  And far too many people then have to quit their job to try and take care of their elder relatives, and that’s not right.  That’s not right. 

And so, we also know there are so many people in what we call the “sandwich generation” — right? — who are raising young children while you taking care of your parents, and it’s almost impossible to do it all. 

So, my point is this: Either, under the current system, you pay down and lose all your savings so you can qualify for Medicaid —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Woo!  (Laughter.) 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — or — you know what I’m saying.  Either you have to give it all up and — and — to be able to qualify for Medicaid, or you’re going to have to quit your job or somehow figure out how you can afford to bring in help. 

So, my plan is that, instead, we’re going to have Medicare cover home health care for those who need it.  (Applause.)  Because the details matter.  The details matter.

In an opportunity economy, here’s how I see it, we must create good-paying jobs that are available to all Americans and not just those with college degrees.  Okay?  (Applause.) 

Because here’s the thing, a college degree is not the only measure of the skills and experience of a qualified worker.  (Applause.)  Which is why, as president, I will get rid of unnecessary degree requirements for federal jobs, and I will challenge the private sector to do the same.  (Applause.)

And we will lower costs on everything from health care to groceries and take on corporate price gouging.  I’ve done it before, and I will do it again.  (Applause.)

My plan will also give a middle-class tax cut to 100 million Americans, including $6,000 during the first year of your child’s life.  Because here’s the thing, we know the vast majority of parents have a natural desire to parent their children well but not always the resources.  And that shouldn’t be the thing that gets in the way of giving a child all that we know parents have to give.

And the $6,000, by extending that Child Tax Credit, that’s what’s going to help you buy a crib or a car seat and all the things that that child needs during that most critical phase of their development. 

And I share with you some of these details to say this: I will always put the middle class and working families first.  (Applause.)  I come from the middle class, and I will never forget where I come from.  (Applause.)  Never.  Never. 

Now, Donald Trump has a different plan. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Just google “Project 2025.” You know, I mean, I keep saying this, but I can’t believe they put that thing in writing.  (Laughter.)  You know, I just — and they didn’t just put it in writing.  They bound it, and then they handed it out.  (Laughter.) 

And if you read it, look, it’s a detailed — it’s a detailed and dangerous blueprint for what he will do if he is elected president.  You know, many of you have heard me say, I do believe that Donald Trump is an unserious man, but the consequences of him being president again are brutally serious — brutally serious.  Because here’s the thing, Donald Trump will give tax cuts to billionaires and big corporations, just like he did before.  He will cut Social Security and Medicare and get rid of the $35 cap on insulin for seniors. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Check this out, when you — when you look at Project 2025, he will make it easier for companies to deny overtime pay for workers.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And he will impose what I call a “Trump sales tax,” which is at least a 20 percent tax on everyday basic necessities, which economists have estimated will cost the average American over $4,000 more a year. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

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

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

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

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  He has concepts!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So you watched the debate.  (Laughs.)

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

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Come on. 

But, again, it’s a serious issue, because here’s the thing.  He’s going to then threaten health insurance coverage for 45 million Americans based on a concept and take us back to when insurance companies were denying people with preexisting conditions?  You remember what that was?

AUDIENCE MEMBERS:  We’re not going back! 

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

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

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We’re not going back.  We’re not going back. 

And we are not going back, because just like Wisconsin’s state motto tells us, we will move —

AUDIENCE:  Forward!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — forward.  (Applause.)

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

And no matter how he’d like to gaslight us, we are clear about how we got here: Donald Trump hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention that they would undo the protections of Roe v. Wade, and they did as he intended.  And now, in America, one in three women live in a state with a Trump abortion ban. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And you’ve heard the stories — awful stories, painful stories — of the experiences people have been having since that came down. 

I mean, think about it.  In some of these states there’s no exception even for rape or incest, which means telling a survivor of a violation to their body that they have no right to make a decision about what happens to their body next.  That’s immoral.  That’s immoral.

And let us agree: One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government should not be telling her what to do — not the government.  (Applause.) 

And it is my pledge to you, when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom nationwide, as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law.  (Applause.)  Proudly sign it into law.  Proudly. 

That’s why you got to get Tammy back to the Senate, by the way.  Okay?  (Applause.) 

Now, Donald Trump has a very different view on reproductive freedom, and he refuses continuously — he refuses continuously to acknowledge the harm he has caused.  See for yourself.  Let’s roll a clip.

(A video clip is played.)

AUDIENCE:  Booo — 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Right? 

AUDIENCE:  Lock him up!  Lock him up!  Lock him up!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Oh, okay, the courts will take care of that.  Let’s take care of November.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)  We’ll take care of November.  

Now, I mean, seriously, so first of all, no, Donald, everybody did not want Roe v. Wade to be overturned.  Women are dying of sepsis because they cannot get the health care they need.  They did not want this.  Couples just trying to grow their family are being cut off in the middle of IVF treatments.  They did not want this. 

And now, I mean, it just gets more unbelievable sometimes.  (Laughter.)  And now, the man calls himself the “father of IVF”?  (Laughter.)  I mean, what does that even mean?  (Laughter.)  And — and all of that — well, he is the one who, by the way, is responsible for it being at risk in the first place. 

And what is sadly — what is sadly interesting, I think,

is that when you listen to Donald Trump talk, it becomes increasingly clear, I think, he has no idea what he’s talking about when it comes to the health care of women

in America.  (Applause.)

And across our nation — again, because this is serious, right? — you know, this is why you all are here and spending so much time when you could be doing other things. 

Listen, across our nation, we are witnessing a full-on assault on other and additional hard-fought, hard-won freedoms and rights, like the freedom to vote — you see what’s happening around our country; attacks on the freedom to join a union; attacks on the freedom to just be safe from gun violence — (applause); attacks on the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride.  (Applause.)

So much is on the line in this election.  And this is not 2016 and it’s not 2020.  The stakes are even higher because, a few months ago, the Supreme Court told the former president that he is effectively immune no matter what he does in the White House. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Now, just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails.  Think about that.  He who has vowed, if reelected, he will be a dictator on day one —

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — that he will weaponize the Department of Justice against his political enemies.  He who calls Americans who disagree with him the “enemy from within,” and — yes — and says that if reelected, he would use the military to go after them. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  He — he who has called for the, quote, “termination” of the Constitution of the United States.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And let us be very clear.  Someone who suggests we should terminate the Constitution of the United States should never again stand behind the seal of the president of the United States.  (Applause.)  Never again.  Never again.  Never again.

So, Wisconsin, it comes down to this.  I know we are all here together because we know what is at stake, and we are here together because we love our country.  (Applause.)  We love — we love our country.  (Applause.)

And I do believe it is one of the highest forms of patriotism, of an expression of the love of our country to then fight for its ideals and to fight to realize the promise of America, and that’s what we are doing.  (Applause.)

So, Election Day is in 19 days.  (Applause.)  And here in Wisconsin, early voting starts next Tuesday, October 22nd.  (Applause.) 

So, now is the time to make your plan to vote.  And if you have received your ballot in the mail, please do not wait.  Fill it out and return it today. 

And remember, Wisconsin has same-day voter registration, so if — (applause) — right? — so if you are not registered to vote, you can register when you vote on Election Day or early. 

Because, folks, the election is here, and so we know we need to organize.  We need to energize.  We need to mobilize.  And we got to remind everybody:  Your vote is your voice and your voice is your power.  In a democracy, it still remains true that each individual has the power — each individual has the power to weigh in on this. 

And so, Wisconsin, today I ask you: Are you ready to make your voices heard?  (Applause.)

Do we believe in freedom?  (Applause.)

Do we believe in opportunity?  (Applause.)

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

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

And when we fight —

AUDIENCE:  We win!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — we win. 

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

                        END                7:23 P.M. CDT

The post Remarks by Vice President Harris at a Campaign Event | Ashwaubenon, WI appeared first on The White House.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
La Crosse, Wisconsin

3:59 P.M. CDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Wisconsin!  (Applause.)  Hi, everyone.  Oh.  (Applause.)

Can we hear it for Cisco?  (Applause.)

Good afternoon, Wisconsin.  Good afternoon.  (Applause.)  Oh, it’s wonderful to be back and here at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.  Thank you all.  (Applause.)  Go Eagles!  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)  Oh, it’s good to meet everyone.

And, Mark Cuban, thank you for all that you are and being a partner in this.  (Applause.)  Thank you.

So, some of you may know, when I was five years old, we lived in Wisconsin.  (Applause.)  My parents taught at the University of Wisconsin in Madison for a time.  And every now — every time I come now, when I land, Governor Evers will greet me, and he’ll say, “Welcome home.”  (Applause.)  So, it is good to be back in Wisconsin.  (Laughs.)

And this is a room full of leaders, and I thank you all for taking the time out of your busy lives to be here to have this conversation. 

I want to thank Mayor Reynolds.  Thank you for the warm welcome and all you do.  (Applause.)

And, La Crosse, let’s reelect someone who has spent her career fighting for the families of Wisconsin: your senator, Tammy Baldwin.  (Applause.)  We need her in Washington.  We need her in Washington.  Good.

So, Election Day is in 19 days — (applause) — 19 days.  And — and if — anyone, if you all have a chair or a seat, please do seat — sit, for anyone who has a chair.  Okay?  (Laughter.)

So, listen, we are nearing the home stretch, and this is going to be a tight race until the very end.  And we —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  You got this!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We got this.  (Applause.)  I see you.

And — and reality check: We are the underdog.  Okay?  And that’s why I’m here with you, and you are taking the time to do the hard work that is necessary.  It’s why I’m campaigning for every vote, because I want and intend to be a president for all Americans — (applause) — and no matter their political party, where they live, or where they get their news.  Okay?  (Laughter and applause.)

And on that point, last night, you may have seen I went on Fox News.  (Applause.)  And while I was doing that, Donald Trump was at a Univision town hall where a voter asked him about January 6th.

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Okay.  So, now, we here know January 6th was a tragic day.  It was a day of terrible violence.  There were attacks on law enforcement.  A hundred and forty law enforcement officers were injured; some were killed. 

And what did Donald Trump say last night about January 6th?   He called it a — quote, “a day of love.”

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  But — but it points out something that everyone here knows.  The American people are exhausted with his gaslighting — (applause) — exhausted with his gaslighting.  Enough. 

We are ready to turn the page.  (Applause.)  Let’s turn the page.  We’re done. 

     And, Wisconsin —

     AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)

     AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.) 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And I’ll — (laughs).  And we’re not going back, because this election — (laughs) —

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

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And we are not going back because we know that this election is about two very different visions for our nation: one that has focused his on the past and ours that is focused on the future.  (Applause.)

As represented by everyone here, and especially the students who are here right now — (applause) — yeah, you guys.  You guys.  Yeah.  Yeah.  It’s about you guys.  It really is.  It really is.

And we know that America is ready for a new way forward.  (Applause.)  We are ready for a new and optimistic generation of leadership — (applause) — which is why Democrats and independents and Republicans are supporting our campaign. 

In fact, just yesterday, I was with over 100 Republican leaders from across the country who joined me on the campaign trail.  (Applause.)  Really.  And as they said, it was about putting country before party.  And some of them served in Donald Trump’s previous administration — the people who know him best.   Okay?

And I believe, and I think we all know, Americans want a president who works for all the American people.  (Applause.)  It’s what we deserve.  And that has been the story of my entire career. 

 In my career, I’ve only ever had one client: the people.  (Applause.)  When I was a young courtroom prosecutor, I stood up for women and children against predators.  As attorney general of California, I took on the big banks, fought to deliver $20 billion for middle-class families who faced foreclosure.  I stood up for veterans and students being scammed by for-profit colleges.  (Applause.)  I stood up for workers who were being cheated out of the wages they were due, stood up for seniors facing elder abuse.

And I promise, as president, I will always fight for all the American people.  And together — together, we can and we will build a future — a brighter future for our nation.  That’s why we’re all here together.  We love our country.  (Applause.) 

Together, we will build, in that future, what I call an opportunity economy, which is where every American has an opportunity to own a home, to start a business, to build wealth.  Under my plan — and I know this is a big deal for the young people here — we will bring down the cost of housing.  (Applause.)  Because there was a time that generations of Americans could count on the American dream, but for far too many these days, it is just out of reach. 

So, we will deal with the housing supply.  And I will commit to creating a $25,000 down payment assistance so you can, for the first-time homebuyers, just get your foot in the door.  (Applause.) 

We will help entrepreneurs and sm- — small businesses to begin and grow because we know small businesses are part of America’s backbone in terms of the strength of our economy. 

You know, the woman who helped raise my sister and me was a small-business owner.  I know — are we — do we have small-business owners who are here?  Raise your hand.  (Applause.)  Yeah.  You are not only business leaders; you are civic leaders, you are community leaders, and you really are part of the backbone of America’s economy, and we’ve got to invest in you and make your jobs easier.  (Applause.)

My plan will help expand Medicare to cover home health care for seniors.  (Applause.)  And this is personal for me. 

So, part of you may know — part of — some of you may know that, when my mother was sick, I — I took care of her.  And for anybody who has taken care of an elder parent when they are in their time of need, the work includes trying to cook something that they feel like eating — right? — helping them put on a sweater, trying to make them just laugh from time to time.  Right?  It’s about dignity.  It’s about dignity.  (Applause.)

But for far too many people, including people in the sandwich generation, who are raising young children and taking care of a parent — oh, it’s so rough.  And so, my plan is this.  It’s to say, instead of how it currently is, which is, in order for you to be able to get help to come in, you’re going to have to pretty much get rid of all your savings to qualify for Medicaid — what I’m saying is, no, this is a matter of dignity and it is a matter of your ability to participate in the workforce and be productive and have a quality of life. 

So, we’re going to change the system so Medicare will cover your ability to have home health care for your elder parent.  (Applause.)  Because, you see, part of the difference between the way we see our country and the world and the way my opponent sees it is we actually see real people and care about them — (applause) — and have a sense of understanding about how tough times can be but how good times can be if we put the work into solving problems instead of trying to run on problems, like Donald Trump.  (Applause.)

And so, that’s why we will also lower costs on everything from health care to groceries, including taking on corporate price gouging, which I’ve done before and I will do again.  (Applause.) 

And we will give a middle-class tax cut to 100 million Americans, including $6,000 for young parents for star- — parents who are just starting out during the first year of their child’s life, knowing the vast majority of our parents have a natural desire to parent their children well but not always the resources to do it.  And so, this is about helping folks out to be able to buy a car seat and a crib just during that most critical phase of their child’s development. 

This is all about dignity, and this is about understanding.  (Applause.)

And so, I share this to say I will always put the middle class and working families first.  It’s where I come from, and I will never forget where I come from.  (Applause.)  I will never forget where I come from. 

     AUDIENCE MEMBER:  We love you, Kamala!

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Now, Donald Trump has a different plan. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I love you back, by the way.  Thank you.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.) 

     Donald Trump has a different plan.  So, just google Project 2025.

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Now we’re at a — a place of higher learning, so I must say — (laughter) — I can’t believe they put that thing in writing.  I really can’t.  (Laughter and applause.)  They — they put it in writing.  They bound it.  Like, they bound it and handed it out. 

So, look, we read it, right?  It’s a detailed and dangerous blueprint for what he will do if he is elected president. 

You know, I said many times — you’ve heard me say — Donald Trump is an unserious man, and the consequences of him ever getting his foot back in the Oval Office are brutally serious — brutally serious.  (Applause.) 

     AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, Donald Trump — right? — that’s why we’re here together, and we — we’re here because we know we got work to do still. 

Donald Trump will give billionaires and corporations massive tax cuts. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  He will cut Social Security and Medicare. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  He will get rid of the $35 cap on insulin for seniors. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  He will make it easier for companies to — check this out — he will make it easier for companies to deny overtime pay for workers —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — and will impose what I have named a “Trump sales tax,” because, essentially, he plans on putting a 20 percent tax, if not higher, on everyday basic necessities, which economists have estimated will cost the average American $4,000 more a year. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

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

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

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

     AUDIENCE MEMBERS:  “Concepts”!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  You guys watched the debate.  (Laughter.)  He has, quote, “concepts of a plan” — “concepts” — “concepts.”  (Laughter.)

So, here’s the thing.  Again, it’s a serious issue, right?  So, he’s going to threaten the health insurance coverage of 45 million people in America based on a concept —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — taking us back to when insurance companies had the power to deny people with preexisting conditions.  You remember what that was?  Well, we are —

     AUDIENCE:  Not going back!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — not going back.  (Applause.)  (Laughs.)  We are not going back.  We are not going back.  (Laughs.)  We’re not going back. 

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

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We’re not going back, and just like Wisconsin’s state motto tells us, we will move —

     AUDIENCE:  Forward!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — forward.  (Applause.)  We will move forward.

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

Right.  I see you.  Thanks.

And, again, we’re not going to be gaslighted on this.  We remember Donald Trump hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court wi- —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — with the intention that they would undo the protections of Roe v. Wade, and they did as he intended.

     AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Lies.  Lies.  That’s a lie.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Oh, you guys are at the wrong rally.  (Laughter and applause.)  No, I think you meant to go to the smaller one down the street.  (Applause.)  (Laughs.)  Come on.

So — but back to the matter at ha- — we need a medic here.  We need a medic.  We — right here, and then pr- — let’s part the way so someone can come through and bring help. 

     AUDIENCE MEMBER:  She’s okay.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Sh- — okay?  Okay.  All right.  We’re good.

So, on the subject of his intention and what he actually did to undo the protections of Roe v. Wade, let’s understand what has happened since.  It is now the case that, in America, one in three women live in a state with a Trump abortion ban.  Many — many of these bans have no exception even for rape or incest.

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And you react that way because we understand the idea that someone who calls themselves a leader would even make no exceptions for a survivor of a violation to their body, and to tell that survivor they have no right to make a decision about what happens to their body next, that’s immoral.  That’s immoral.  It’s immoral.  (Applause.)

And I know we all agree one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government should not be telling her what to do.  (Applause.)  If she chooses, she will talk with her priest — if she chooses, she will talk with her priest or her pastor, her rabbi, her imam but not the government telling her what to do. 

And it is my pledge to you that when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom nationwide, as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law — (applause) — proudly — proudly sign it into law. 

     So — 

AUDIENCE:  Kamala!  Kamala!  Kamala!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Lots of work — lots of work to do.

So, listen, so much is on the line in this election.  You all know that.  Again, that’s why you’re here. 

And this is not 2016 or 2020.  The stakes are even higher, because a few months ago, the United States Supreme Court told the former president he is effectively immune no matter what he does in the White House.

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Now think about that.  Think about that.  Just imagine Donald Trump with no guard rails.  Right?  He who has vowed, if reelected, he will be a dictator on day one. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  He who has called — he who has called for the, quote, “termination” of the Constitution of the United States of America.

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And let us be very clear: Someone who suggests we should terminate the Constitution of the United States should never again stand behind the seal of the president of the United States.  (Applause.)  Never again.  Never again.  Never again.

And then consider the comments that he made just in the last few days, because he just — he’s got more.  (Laughter.)  He said he will target and punish those who disagree with him or refuse to bend to his will.  He calls these Americans “the enemy within” —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — and says that he would use the American military to go after American citizens: journalists whose stories he doesn’t like, nonpartisan election officials who refuse to cheat by finding a few extra votes for him, judges who insist on following the law instead of following him.

It is for reasons like these that General Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — Donald Trump’s top general — has called Trump, and I quote, “fascist to the core.”  (Applause.)

And it is clear Donald Trump is increasingly unstable and unhinged and will stop at nothing to claim unchecked power for himself.  He wants to send the military after American citizens.  He wants to prevent women from making decisions about their own body.  He wants to threaten fundamental freedoms and rights, like the freedom to vote, the freedom to be safe from gun violence, to breathe clean air and drink clean water, and the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride.  (Applause.)

So much is on the line in this election.  So much is on the line. 

And, Wisconsin, when it comes down to it, look, we are all here together because we know what is at stake.  We are all here together because we love our country.  (Applause.)  And I do believe it is the highest form of patriotism to then fight for the ideals of our country and fight — Cisco, you said it — to realize the promise of America — (applause) — the promise of America. 

So, Election Day is in 19 days.  And here in Wisconsin, early voting starts next Tuesday, October 22nd.  (Applause.)  So, now is the time to make your plan to vote.  And if you have received your ballot — if you have received your ballot in the mail, please do not wait.  Fill it out and return it today. 

And remember that Wisconsin has same-day voter registration, right?  (Applause.)  So, if you are not registered to vote, you can register when you vote.  And please do vote early or on election day because the election is — and bring an ID — (laughs) — (applause) — because the election is here. 

 And, listen, I’m telling everybody what you already know and have been doing.  We’ve got to energize.  Let’s mobilize.  Let’s organize.  Let’s — let’s continue in this process, also, to do what everyone here is doing: Let’s build community.  (Applause.)  You know?  Let’s — let’s build coalitions. 

Let’s remind each other that we are all in this together.  Let’s remind each other we have so much more in common than what separates us.  (Applause.) 

 And let’s do all this knowing that our vote is our voice, and your voice is your power.  (Applause.)

 So, Wisconsin, today, I then ask you: Are you ready to make your voices heard?  (Applause.)

     Do we believe in freedom?  (Applause.)

     Do we believe in opportunity?  (Applause.)

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

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

     And when we fight —

     AUDIENCE:  We win!

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

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

                         END                     4:26 P.M. CDT

The post Remarks by Vice President Harris at a Campaign Event | La Crosse, WI appeared first on The White House.

Resch Expo
Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin

6:54 P.M. CDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Can we hear it for Jim?  (Applause.)  Good evening, Wisconsin!  (Applause.)  Good evening, everyone. 

Hey, Jim, thank you.  Can we hear it for Jim again?  (Applause.)

Oh, it’s good to be back.  Hey, everybody.  Hey, Green Bay.  (Applause.)  Hi, everybody. 

Hey, so, many of you may know, when I was five years old, we lived in Wisconsin.  (Applause.)  My ch- — my parents taught for a short time here.  And now, every time I land, Governor Evers will meet me, and he’ll say, “Welcome home.”  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)

So — but it’s so good to be back with everyone.  And thank you all for taking the time out of your busy lives to be here this evening.  Thank you all.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you. 

And it’s great to be with just this incredible group of leaders, including, of course, Ben Wikler, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party.  (Applause.)  There he is — Ben.

Kristin Lyerly, who we need to send to the United States Congress.  (Applause.)  

And, Green Bay, let’s reelect someone who has spent her career fighting for Wisconsin families and manufacturing right here in Wisconsin, your senator, Tammy Baldwin.  (Applause.)  We need her back in D.C.

We are also joined by tribal leaders, including President Holsey, who is here from the Stockbridge-Munsee Band, the Mohican Indians.  (Applause.) 

And I will say, Madam President, that I strongly believe that the relationship between Tribal nations and the United States is sacred, and that we must honor Tribal sovereignty — (applause); embrace trust and treaty obligations; and ensure tribal self-determination.  And as president, I will defend those principles.  (Applause.) 

All right, Green Bay.  So, Green Bay, we have 19 days until Election Day — 19 days.  So, we are entering the homestretch — (applause) — and this is going to be a tight race until the very end. 

Look, we are the underdog, and that’s why we are and I am campaigning to earn every single vote, because I intend to be a president for all Americans — (applause) — no matter their political party, where they live, or where they get their news.  (Applause.)

On that point, last night, you may have seen that I went on Fox News.  (Applause.)  Meanwhile, Donald Trump joined a Univerge — a Univision town hall last — yesterday, where a voter asked him about January 6th. 

Okay, now we here know January 6th was a tragic day — a tragic day for our country.  It was a day of terrible violence, with attacks on law enforcement.  A hundred and forty law enforcement officers were injured that day.  Law enforcement officers were killed that day. 

And what did Donald Trump say last night about January 6th?  He called it quote, “a day of love.”

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And we are all clear, the American people are exhausted with his gaslighting — (applause) — exhausted.  Enough.  Enough.  We are ready to turn the page.  (Applause.)  Turn the page. 

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

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We’re not going back.  And the reason, Wisconsin, is because we know this election is about two very different visions for our country.  One that is focused on the past, his.  And, ours, that is focused on the future.  (Applause.)  On the future. 

Because we know America is ready for a new way forward, ready for a new optimistic generation of leadership.  (Applause.)  All of us — it’s all of us, which is why Democrats and Republicans and independents are supporting our campaign. 

In fact, yesterday, over 100 Republican leaders from across the country joined me on the campaign trail — (applause) — including — including some who had previously served in Trump’s administration.  (Applause.)  And I believe it is because America wants a president who will serve on behalf of all the American people.  (Applause.)  And that has been the story of my entire career. 

My entire career, I’ve only ever had one client: the people — the people.  (Applause.)  As a young courtroom prosecutor, I stood up for women and children against predators.  As an attorney general of California, I took on the big banks and fought to deliver $20 billion for middle-class families that faced foreclosure. 

I stood up to veterans and stood up for — excuse me, stood up for veterans and students being scammed by big for-profit colleges.  You know, who else — who ran a big for-profit college?  Let’s not forget.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And I stood up for those veterans and students who were being scammed by for-profit colleges that were trying to rip them from their dreams and charge them, producing nothing in return. 

I have stood up for workers who have been cheated out of the wages they were due.  I have stood up for seniors who were facing elder abuse. 

And as president, I will always fight for the American people.  (Applause.)  I will always fight for the American people.

And together, we will build a brighter future for our nation.  Together.  (Applause.)  And it’s a future where we build what I call an “opportunity economy,” where America has an opportunity to do for our people, what we know is part of our ambition, our dreams, our aspirations — an opportunity economy where everyone has an opportunity to own a home, to build wealth, to start a business. 

Under my plan, we will bring down the cost of housing — (applause) — including with a $25,000 down payment assistance so you can just get your foot in the door.  (Applause.) 

You’ll do the hard work of saving up and paying that mortgage, but let’s be honest.  You know the American dream?  Well, that was real for generations past, but not so much within the reach of people right now, and we got to deal with the real challenges that people are facing right now if we’re going to invest in the future. 

Part of my plan is about helping entrepreneurs start and grow small businesses.  (Applause.)  Look, my mother worked hard, and there was a woman who lived two doors down from us, our neighbor, who helped my mother raise us.  She was a small-business owner.  I know who our small business owners are. 

You are not only business leaders; you are community leaders.  You are civic leaders, and it is our small businesses who are the backbone of America’s economy.  I know that to be true.  (Applause.)  Do we have any small-business owners here tonight?  Raise your hand.  Yeah.  (Applause.)

Under my plan, we will expand Medicare to cover home health care for seniors.  Again, this is — (applause) — this is based on what I personally know. 

So, look, when my mother was sick, I took care of her.  And one of the things for anyone who was in that situation or has been, you know what it’s like.  It’s about cooking for folks in a way that hopefully they’ll want to eat.  It’s about trying to find the clothes that won’t be too rough on their skin.  It’s about trying to, from time to time, think of something that can put a smile on their face or make them laugh.  It’s about dignity.  It’s about dignity.  (Applause.) 

But the reality is, it is expensive if you don’t have the ability to do it.  It is expensive to try and bring somebody in.  And far too many people then have to quit their job to try and take care of their elder relatives, and that’s not right.  That’s not right. 

And so, we also know there are so many people in what we call the “sandwich generation” — right? — who are raising young children while you taking care of your parents, and it’s almost impossible to do it all. 

So, my point is this: Either, under the current system, you pay down and lose all your savings so you can qualify for Medicaid —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Woo!  (Laughter.) 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — or — you know what I’m saying.  Either you have to give it all up and — and — to be able to qualify for Medicaid, or you’re going to have to quit your job or somehow figure out how you can afford to bring in help. 

So, my plan is that, instead, we’re going to have Medicare cover home health care for those who need it.  (Applause.)  Because the details matter.  The details matter.

In an opportunity economy, here’s how I see it, we must create good-paying jobs that are available to all Americans and not just those with college degrees.  Okay?  (Applause.) 

Because here’s the thing, a college degree is not the only measure of the skills and experience of a qualified worker.  (Applause.)  Which is why, as president, I will get rid of unnecessary degree requirements for federal jobs, and I will challenge the private sector to do the same.  (Applause.)

And we will lower costs on everything from health care to groceries and take on corporate price gouging.  I’ve done it before, and I will do it again.  (Applause.)

My plan will also give a middle-class tax cut to 100 million Americans, including $6,000 during the first year of your child’s life.  Because here’s the thing, we know the vast majority of parents have a natural desire to parent their children well but not always the resources.  And that shouldn’t be the thing that gets in the way of giving a child all that we know parents have to give.

And the $6,000, by extending that Child Tax Credit, that’s what’s going to help you buy a crib or a car seat and all the things that that child needs during that most critical phase of their development. 

And I share with you some of these details to say this: I will always put the middle class and working families first.  (Applause.)  I come from the middle class, and I will never forget where I come from.  (Applause.)  Never.  Never. 

Now, Donald Trump has a different plan. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Just google “Project 2025.” You know, I mean, I keep saying this, but I can’t believe they put that thing in writing.  (Laughter.)  You know, I just — and they didn’t just put it in writing.  They bound it, and then they handed it out.  (Laughter.) 

And if you read it, look, it’s a detailed — it’s a detailed and dangerous blueprint for what he will do if he is elected president.  You know, many of you have heard me say, I do believe that Donald Trump is an unserious man, but the consequences of him being president again are brutally serious — brutally serious.  Because here’s the thing, Donald Trump will give tax cuts to billionaires and big corporations, just like he did before.  He will cut Social Security and Medicare and get rid of the $35 cap on insulin for seniors. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Check this out, when you — when you look at Project 2025, he will make it easier for companies to deny overtime pay for workers.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And he will impose what I call a “Trump sales tax,” which is at least a 20 percent tax on everyday basic necessities, which economists have estimated will cost the average American over $4,000 more a year. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

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

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

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

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  He has concepts!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So you watched the debate.  (Laughs.)

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

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Come on. 

But, again, it’s a serious issue, because here’s the thing.  He’s going to then threaten health insurance coverage for 45 million Americans based on a concept and take us back to when insurance companies were denying people with preexisting conditions?  You remember what that was?

AUDIENCE MEMBERS:  We’re not going back! 

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

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

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We’re not going back.  We’re not going back. 

And we are not going back, because just like Wisconsin’s state motto tells us, we will move —

AUDIENCE:  Forward!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — forward.  (Applause.)

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

And no matter how he’d like to gaslight us, we are clear about how we got here: Donald Trump hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention that they would undo the protections of Roe v. Wade, and they did as he intended.  And now, in America, one in three women live in a state with a Trump abortion ban. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And you’ve heard the stories — awful stories, painful stories — of the experiences people have been having since that came down. 

I mean, think about it.  In some of these states there’s no exception even for rape or incest, which means telling a survivor of a violation to their body that they have no right to make a decision about what happens to their body next.  That’s immoral.  That’s immoral.

And let us agree: One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government should not be telling her what to do — not the government.  (Applause.) 

And it is my pledge to you, when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom nationwide, as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law.  (Applause.)  Proudly sign it into law.  Proudly. 

That’s why you got to get Tammy back to the Senate, by the way.  Okay?  (Applause.) 

Now, Donald Trump has a very different view on reproductive freedom, and he refuses continuously — he refuses continuously to acknowledge the harm he has caused.  See for yourself.  Let’s roll a clip.

(A video clip is played.)

AUDIENCE:  Booo — 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Right? 

AUDIENCE:  Lock him up!  Lock him up!  Lock him up!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Oh, okay, the courts will take care of that.  Let’s take care of November.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)  We’ll take care of November.  

Now, I mean, seriously, so first of all, no, Donald, everybody did not want Roe v. Wade to be overturned.  Women are dying of sepsis because they cannot get the health care they need.  They did not want this.  Couples just trying to grow their family are being cut off in the middle of IVF treatments.  They did not want this. 

And now, I mean, it just gets more unbelievable sometimes.  (Laughter.)  And now, the man calls himself the “father of IVF”?  (Laughter.)  I mean, what does that even mean?  (Laughter.)  And — and all of that — well, he is the one who, by the way, is responsible for it being at risk in the first place. 

And what is sadly — what is sadly interesting, I think,

is that when you listen to Donald Trump talk, it becomes increasingly clear, I think, he has no idea what he’s talking about when it comes to the health care of women

in America.  (Applause.)

And across our nation — again, because this is serious, right? — you know, this is why you all are here and spending so much time when you could be doing other things. 

Listen, across our nation, we are witnessing a full-on assault on other and additional hard-fought, hard-won freedoms and rights, like the freedom to vote — you see what’s happening around our country; attacks on the freedom to join a union; attacks on the freedom to just be safe from gun violence — (applause); attacks on the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride.  (Applause.)

So much is on the line in this election.  And this is not 2016 and it’s not 2020.  The stakes are even higher because, a few months ago, the Supreme Court told the former president that he is effectively immune no matter what he does in the White House. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Now, just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails.  Think about that.  He who has vowed, if reelected, he will be a dictator on day one —

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — that he will weaponize the Department of Justice against his political enemies.  He who calls Americans who disagree with him the “enemy from within,” and — yes — and says that if reelected, he would use the military to go after them. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  He — he who has called for the, quote, “termination” of the Constitution of the United States.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And let us be very clear.  Someone who suggests we should terminate the Constitution of the United States should never again stand behind the seal of the president of the United States.  (Applause.)  Never again.  Never again.  Never again.

So, Wisconsin, it comes down to this.  I know we are all here together because we know what is at stake, and we are here together because we love our country.  (Applause.)  We love — we love our country.  (Applause.)

And I do believe it is one of the highest forms of patriotism, of an expression of the love of our country to then fight for its ideals and to fight to realize the promise of America, and that’s what we are doing.  (Applause.)

So, Election Day is in 19 days.  (Applause.)  And here in Wisconsin, early voting starts next Tuesday, October 22nd.  (Applause.) 

So, now is the time to make your plan to vote.  And if you have received your ballot in the mail, please do not wait.  Fill it out and return it today. 

And remember, Wisconsin has same-day voter registration, so if — (applause) — right? — so if you are not registered to vote, you can register when you vote on Election Day or early. 

Because, folks, the election is here, and so we know we need to organize.  We need to energize.  We need to mobilize.  And we got to remind everybody:  Your vote is your voice and your voice is your power.  In a democracy, it still remains true that each individual has the power — each individual has the power to weigh in on this. 

And so, Wisconsin, today I ask you: Are you ready to make your voices heard?  (Applause.)

Do we believe in freedom?  (Applause.)

Do we believe in opportunity?  (Applause.)

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

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

And when we fight —

AUDIENCE:  We win!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — we win. 

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

                        END                7:23 P.M. CDT

The post Remarks by Vice President Harris at a Campaign Event | Ashwaubenon, WI appeared first on The White House.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
La Crosse, Wisconsin

3:59 P.M. CDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Wisconsin!  (Applause.)  Hi, everyone.  Oh.  (Applause.)

Can we hear it for Cisco?  (Applause.)

Good afternoon, Wisconsin.  Good afternoon.  (Applause.)  Oh, it’s wonderful to be back and here at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.  Thank you all.  (Applause.)  Go Eagles!  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)  Oh, it’s good to meet everyone.

And, Mark Cuban, thank you for all that you are and being a partner in this.  (Applause.)  Thank you.

So, some of you may know, when I was five years old, we lived in Wisconsin.  (Applause.)  My parents taught at the University of Wisconsin in Madison for a time.  And every now — every time I come now, when I land, Governor Evers will greet me, and he’ll say, “Welcome home.”  (Applause.)  So, it is good to be back in Wisconsin.  (Laughs.)

And this is a room full of leaders, and I thank you all for taking the time out of your busy lives to be here to have this conversation. 

I want to thank Mayor Reynolds.  Thank you for the warm welcome and all you do.  (Applause.)

And, La Crosse, let’s reelect someone who has spent her career fighting for the families of Wisconsin: your senator, Tammy Baldwin.  (Applause.)  We need her in Washington.  We need her in Washington.  Good.

So, Election Day is in 19 days — (applause) — 19 days.  And — and if — anyone, if you all have a chair or a seat, please do seat — sit, for anyone who has a chair.  Okay?  (Laughter.)

So, listen, we are nearing the home stretch, and this is going to be a tight race until the very end.  And we —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  You got this!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We got this.  (Applause.)  I see you.

And — and reality check: We are the underdog.  Okay?  And that’s why I’m here with you, and you are taking the time to do the hard work that is necessary.  It’s why I’m campaigning for every vote, because I want and intend to be a president for all Americans — (applause) — and no matter their political party, where they live, or where they get their news.  Okay?  (Laughter and applause.)

And on that point, last night, you may have seen I went on Fox News.  (Applause.)  And while I was doing that, Donald Trump was at a Univision town hall where a voter asked him about January 6th.

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Okay.  So, now, we here know January 6th was a tragic day.  It was a day of terrible violence.  There were attacks on law enforcement.  A hundred and forty law enforcement officers were injured; some were killed. 

And what did Donald Trump say last night about January 6th?   He called it a — quote, “a day of love.”

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  But — but it points out something that everyone here knows.  The American people are exhausted with his gaslighting — (applause) — exhausted with his gaslighting.  Enough. 

We are ready to turn the page.  (Applause.)  Let’s turn the page.  We’re done. 

     And, Wisconsin —

     AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)

     AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.) 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And I’ll — (laughs).  And we’re not going back, because this election — (laughs) —

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

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And we are not going back because we know that this election is about two very different visions for our nation: one that has focused his on the past and ours that is focused on the future.  (Applause.)

As represented by everyone here, and especially the students who are here right now — (applause) — yeah, you guys.  You guys.  Yeah.  Yeah.  It’s about you guys.  It really is.  It really is.

And we know that America is ready for a new way forward.  (Applause.)  We are ready for a new and optimistic generation of leadership — (applause) — which is why Democrats and independents and Republicans are supporting our campaign. 

In fact, just yesterday, I was with over 100 Republican leaders from across the country who joined me on the campaign trail.  (Applause.)  Really.  And as they said, it was about putting country before party.  And some of them served in Donald Trump’s previous administration — the people who know him best.   Okay?

And I believe, and I think we all know, Americans want a president who works for all the American people.  (Applause.)  It’s what we deserve.  And that has been the story of my entire career. 

 In my career, I’ve only ever had one client: the people.  (Applause.)  When I was a young courtroom prosecutor, I stood up for women and children against predators.  As attorney general of California, I took on the big banks, fought to deliver $20 billion for middle-class families who faced foreclosure.  I stood up for veterans and students being scammed by for-profit colleges.  (Applause.)  I stood up for workers who were being cheated out of the wages they were due, stood up for seniors facing elder abuse.

And I promise, as president, I will always fight for all the American people.  And together — together, we can and we will build a future — a brighter future for our nation.  That’s why we’re all here together.  We love our country.  (Applause.) 

Together, we will build, in that future, what I call an opportunity economy, which is where every American has an opportunity to own a home, to start a business, to build wealth.  Under my plan — and I know this is a big deal for the young people here — we will bring down the cost of housing.  (Applause.)  Because there was a time that generations of Americans could count on the American dream, but for far too many these days, it is just out of reach. 

So, we will deal with the housing supply.  And I will commit to creating a $25,000 down payment assistance so you can, for the first-time homebuyers, just get your foot in the door.  (Applause.) 

We will help entrepreneurs and sm- — small businesses to begin and grow because we know small businesses are part of America’s backbone in terms of the strength of our economy. 

You know, the woman who helped raise my sister and me was a small-business owner.  I know — are we — do we have small-business owners who are here?  Raise your hand.  (Applause.)  Yeah.  You are not only business leaders; you are civic leaders, you are community leaders, and you really are part of the backbone of America’s economy, and we’ve got to invest in you and make your jobs easier.  (Applause.)

My plan will help expand Medicare to cover home health care for seniors.  (Applause.)  And this is personal for me. 

So, part of you may know — part of — some of you may know that, when my mother was sick, I — I took care of her.  And for anybody who has taken care of an elder parent when they are in their time of need, the work includes trying to cook something that they feel like eating — right? — helping them put on a sweater, trying to make them just laugh from time to time.  Right?  It’s about dignity.  It’s about dignity.  (Applause.)

But for far too many people, including people in the sandwich generation, who are raising young children and taking care of a parent — oh, it’s so rough.  And so, my plan is this.  It’s to say, instead of how it currently is, which is, in order for you to be able to get help to come in, you’re going to have to pretty much get rid of all your savings to qualify for Medicaid — what I’m saying is, no, this is a matter of dignity and it is a matter of your ability to participate in the workforce and be productive and have a quality of life. 

So, we’re going to change the system so Medicare will cover your ability to have home health care for your elder parent.  (Applause.)  Because, you see, part of the difference between the way we see our country and the world and the way my opponent sees it is we actually see real people and care about them — (applause) — and have a sense of understanding about how tough times can be but how good times can be if we put the work into solving problems instead of trying to run on problems, like Donald Trump.  (Applause.)

And so, that’s why we will also lower costs on everything from health care to groceries, including taking on corporate price gouging, which I’ve done before and I will do again.  (Applause.) 

And we will give a middle-class tax cut to 100 million Americans, including $6,000 for young parents for star- — parents who are just starting out during the first year of their child’s life, knowing the vast majority of our parents have a natural desire to parent their children well but not always the resources to do it.  And so, this is about helping folks out to be able to buy a car seat and a crib just during that most critical phase of their child’s development. 

This is all about dignity, and this is about understanding.  (Applause.)

And so, I share this to say I will always put the middle class and working families first.  It’s where I come from, and I will never forget where I come from.  (Applause.)  I will never forget where I come from. 

     AUDIENCE MEMBER:  We love you, Kamala!

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Now, Donald Trump has a different plan. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I love you back, by the way.  Thank you.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.) 

     Donald Trump has a different plan.  So, just google Project 2025.

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Now we’re at a — a place of higher learning, so I must say — (laughter) — I can’t believe they put that thing in writing.  I really can’t.  (Laughter and applause.)  They — they put it in writing.  They bound it.  Like, they bound it and handed it out. 

So, look, we read it, right?  It’s a detailed and dangerous blueprint for what he will do if he is elected president. 

You know, I said many times — you’ve heard me say — Donald Trump is an unserious man, and the consequences of him ever getting his foot back in the Oval Office are brutally serious — brutally serious.  (Applause.) 

     AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, Donald Trump — right? — that’s why we’re here together, and we — we’re here because we know we got work to do still. 

Donald Trump will give billionaires and corporations massive tax cuts. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  He will cut Social Security and Medicare. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  He will get rid of the $35 cap on insulin for seniors. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  He will make it easier for companies to — check this out — he will make it easier for companies to deny overtime pay for workers —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — and will impose what I have named a “Trump sales tax,” because, essentially, he plans on putting a 20 percent tax, if not higher, on everyday basic necessities, which economists have estimated will cost the average American $4,000 more a year. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

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

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

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

     AUDIENCE MEMBERS:  “Concepts”!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  You guys watched the debate.  (Laughter.)  He has, quote, “concepts of a plan” — “concepts” — “concepts.”  (Laughter.)

So, here’s the thing.  Again, it’s a serious issue, right?  So, he’s going to threaten the health insurance coverage of 45 million people in America based on a concept —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — taking us back to when insurance companies had the power to deny people with preexisting conditions.  You remember what that was?  Well, we are —

     AUDIENCE:  Not going back!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — not going back.  (Applause.)  (Laughs.)  We are not going back.  We are not going back.  (Laughs.)  We’re not going back. 

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

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We’re not going back, and just like Wisconsin’s state motto tells us, we will move —

     AUDIENCE:  Forward!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — forward.  (Applause.)  We will move forward.

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

Right.  I see you.  Thanks.

And, again, we’re not going to be gaslighted on this.  We remember Donald Trump hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court wi- —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — with the intention that they would undo the protections of Roe v. Wade, and they did as he intended.

     AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Lies.  Lies.  That’s a lie.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Oh, you guys are at the wrong rally.  (Laughter and applause.)  No, I think you meant to go to the smaller one down the street.  (Applause.)  (Laughs.)  Come on.

So — but back to the matter at ha- — we need a medic here.  We need a medic.  We — right here, and then pr- — let’s part the way so someone can come through and bring help. 

     AUDIENCE MEMBER:  She’s okay.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Sh- — okay?  Okay.  All right.  We’re good.

So, on the subject of his intention and what he actually did to undo the protections of Roe v. Wade, let’s understand what has happened since.  It is now the case that, in America, one in three women live in a state with a Trump abortion ban.  Many — many of these bans have no exception even for rape or incest.

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And you react that way because we understand the idea that someone who calls themselves a leader would even make no exceptions for a survivor of a violation to their body, and to tell that survivor they have no right to make a decision about what happens to their body next, that’s immoral.  That’s immoral.  It’s immoral.  (Applause.)

And I know we all agree one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government should not be telling her what to do.  (Applause.)  If she chooses, she will talk with her priest — if she chooses, she will talk with her priest or her pastor, her rabbi, her imam but not the government telling her what to do. 

And it is my pledge to you that when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom nationwide, as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law — (applause) — proudly — proudly sign it into law. 

     So — 

AUDIENCE:  Kamala!  Kamala!  Kamala!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Lots of work — lots of work to do.

So, listen, so much is on the line in this election.  You all know that.  Again, that’s why you’re here. 

And this is not 2016 or 2020.  The stakes are even higher, because a few months ago, the United States Supreme Court told the former president he is effectively immune no matter what he does in the White House.

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Now think about that.  Think about that.  Just imagine Donald Trump with no guard rails.  Right?  He who has vowed, if reelected, he will be a dictator on day one. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  He who has called — he who has called for the, quote, “termination” of the Constitution of the United States of America.

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And let us be very clear: Someone who suggests we should terminate the Constitution of the United States should never again stand behind the seal of the president of the United States.  (Applause.)  Never again.  Never again.  Never again.

And then consider the comments that he made just in the last few days, because he just — he’s got more.  (Laughter.)  He said he will target and punish those who disagree with him or refuse to bend to his will.  He calls these Americans “the enemy within” —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — and says that he would use the American military to go after American citizens: journalists whose stories he doesn’t like, nonpartisan election officials who refuse to cheat by finding a few extra votes for him, judges who insist on following the law instead of following him.

It is for reasons like these that General Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — Donald Trump’s top general — has called Trump, and I quote, “fascist to the core.”  (Applause.)

And it is clear Donald Trump is increasingly unstable and unhinged and will stop at nothing to claim unchecked power for himself.  He wants to send the military after American citizens.  He wants to prevent women from making decisions about their own body.  He wants to threaten fundamental freedoms and rights, like the freedom to vote, the freedom to be safe from gun violence, to breathe clean air and drink clean water, and the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride.  (Applause.)

So much is on the line in this election.  So much is on the line. 

And, Wisconsin, when it comes down to it, look, we are all here together because we know what is at stake.  We are all here together because we love our country.  (Applause.)  And I do believe it is the highest form of patriotism to then fight for the ideals of our country and fight — Cisco, you said it — to realize the promise of America — (applause) — the promise of America. 

So, Election Day is in 19 days.  And here in Wisconsin, early voting starts next Tuesday, October 22nd.  (Applause.)  So, now is the time to make your plan to vote.  And if you have received your ballot — if you have received your ballot in the mail, please do not wait.  Fill it out and return it today. 

And remember that Wisconsin has same-day voter registration, right?  (Applause.)  So, if you are not registered to vote, you can register when you vote.  And please do vote early or on election day because the election is — and bring an ID — (laughs) — (applause) — because the election is here. 

 And, listen, I’m telling everybody what you already know and have been doing.  We’ve got to energize.  Let’s mobilize.  Let’s organize.  Let’s — let’s continue in this process, also, to do what everyone here is doing: Let’s build community.  (Applause.)  You know?  Let’s — let’s build coalitions. 

Let’s remind each other that we are all in this together.  Let’s remind each other we have so much more in common than what separates us.  (Applause.) 

 And let’s do all this knowing that our vote is our voice, and your voice is your power.  (Applause.)

 So, Wisconsin, today, I then ask you: Are you ready to make your voices heard?  (Applause.)

     Do we believe in freedom?  (Applause.)

     Do we believe in opportunity?  (Applause.)

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

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

     And when we fight —

     AUDIENCE:  We win!

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

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

                         END                     4:26 P.M. CDT

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On the occasion of President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s visit to Germany, the United States reaffirms its commitment to deepening the close and historic bond between the two nations as Allies and friends.  For over 75 years, Germany has been a crucial partner in ensuring the stability, security, and prosperity of the transatlantic alliance.  In October 2023, President Biden welcomed President Steinmeier to Washington during German-American Day, underscoring the enduring people-to-people ties between our two countries, including the over 40 million Americans who claim German heritage and strengthen the diverse fabric of the United States.  In February 2024, President Biden welcomed Chancellor Olaf Scholz to the White House, where the two leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s war of aggression, discussed regional stability in the Middle East, and prepared for the NATO Summit in Washington.

During his visit to Germany, President Biden will underscore our mutual commitment to upholding democracy, combating antisemitism and hatred, and expanding collaboration to promote economic growth and technological innovation.  In addition, he will express gratitude to Germany for its role in hosting approximately 39,000 U.S. service members and its vital contributions to the security of NATO and the broader transatlantic community. 

The United States and Germany are partners in a wide range of new and continuing initiatives to address the most pressing challenges of our time, some of which are listed below.

# # #

SECURITY AND DEFENSE

• The United States and Germany cooperate through several multilateral institutions including NATO, the G7, the OSCE, and the UN, to advance security, democracy, and the rule of law globally.
• As host to the largest U.S. troop presence in Europe and second largest globally, Germany continues to play a critical role as a platform for U.S. military force projection, including support for NATO’s eastern flank and training for Ukrainian soldiers. 
• Germany has been a key provider of military assistance to Ukraine in its defense against the Kremlin’s aggression.  Contributions include advanced weaponry such as Leopard 2 tanks, air defense systems (such as IRIS-T), artillery, and ammunition. Germany also supplies medical aid, vehicles, and training for Ukrainian forces, continuously adapting its support to Ukraine’s evolving needs in coordination with NATO allies.
• As announced by President Biden and Chancellor Scholz on July 10, 2024, the United States looks forward to beginning the episodic deployments of its Multi-Domain Task Force in Germany in 2026, as part of planning for enduring stationing of these conventional long-range fire capabilities in the future.
• Germany plays a key role in the U.S-Italy co-led G7+ Coordination Group for Ukraine Energy Security Support.  Germany has been a leading provider of financial assistance and critical components such as transformers and power generators to support the repair and strengthening of Ukraine’s energy sector in response to Russia’s continued brutal attacks on civilian infrastructure.
• Germany is a robust partner in the fight against terrorism and terrorism financing, in the Financial Action Task Force, and as part of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS (D-ISIS).  On September 30, State Secretary Tobias Lindner joined Secretary Blinken for the D-Isis Ministerial Meeting in Washington, D.C. 
• Germany will accede to Operation Olympic Defender, a U.S.-led multinational effort intended to strengthen nations’ abilities to deter hostile acts in space, strengthen deterrence against hostile actors, and reduce the spread of debris orbiting the earth. International partners currently include the UK, Canada, and Australia.

DEFENDING DEMOCRACY

• As the second-largest provider of assistance to Ukraine after the United States, Germany has provided $37.2 billion (€34 billion) in bilateral assistance since February 2022.  This includes humanitarian assistance, budgetary support, military equipment and training, and funding for Ukraine’s reconstruction.  Germany hosted an international reconstruction conference for Ukraine in Berlin in June 2024 which generated over €60 billion in commitments to Ukraine and emphasized the human dimension of post-war recovery.
• At the September 2024 United Nations General Assembly, the United States, in partnership with Germany and other international allies, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting democratic transitions as part of the Democracy Delivers Initiative, launched by USAID.  The initiative mobilized over $517 million to provide financial and technical assistance to countries undergoing democratic renewal, including Guatemala, Armenia, and Moldova, with the aim of strengthening global democratic resilience.
• Germany has increasingly recognized the importance of supporting Taiwan as a like-minded democratic partner.  Education Minister Stark-Watzinger’s visit to Taiwan in 2023 marked the first visit by a German minister to Taiwan in 26 years.  Two German warships recently transited the Taiwan Strait, a visible demonstration of Germany’s commitment to upholding international laws and norms and increasing engagement to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
• Germany was one of the first of twenty-one countries to endorse the U.S. government’s Framework to Counter Foreign State Information Manipulation, the U.S. Department of State’s key initiative to galvanize like-minded democracies to respond collectively to the threat posed by disinformation.  

ECONOMICS & TRADE

• Germany is the United States’ largest trading partner in Europe, with bilateral trade reaching over $324 billion in goods and services in 2023.  U.S. direct investment in Germany was $193.2 billion in 2023.  In total, German firms employ an estimated 923,600 people in the United States.  Germany is the fourth-largest source of foreign direct investment in the United States and the number one foreign investor in U.S. renewable energy projects.  Germany is currently the third-largest source of foreign direct investment in the United States, with investments worth more than $660 billion based on 2023 data.
• On September 24, 2024, the United States and Germany held the third round of the U.S.-Germany Economic Dialogue, building on the framework established in the 2021 Washington Declaration.  The talks focused on strengthening collaboration to increase economic security, including cooperation in sectors such as digital technologies and clean energy supply chains.  Both countries committed to enhancing supply chain resilience and advancing sustainability goals.
• Germany and the United States partner on several initiatives to advance women’s economic security around the world, including bolstering women’s participation in climate sectors through the Women in the Sustainable Economy Initiative, closing the gender digital divide through the Women in the Digital Economy Initiative, and supporting women to join the workforce by investing in efforts to close the global childcare gap through the Invest in Childcare Initiative.

COMBATTING ANTISEMITISM:

•  Germany is a global leader and vital partner in the fight against antisemitism and extremism.  Senior officials are unequivocal in condemning antisemitism and federal and state governments have robust strategies for tackling the problem.  In July 2024, Germany co-launched the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism in Buenos Aires, an initiative led by U.S. Special Envoy Deborah Lipstadt.
• Launched in 2021, The U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues, plays an essential role in combatting Holocaust distortion online and promoting accurate Holocaust education and commemoration.
• Germany and the United States cooperate on improving resolution to Nazi-confiscated art to ensure just and fair solutions for survivors and heirs, and salute Germany’s new art restitution policy.

EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGES

• The German-American Fulbright program is one of the largest and most varied of the Fulbright Programs worldwide, sponsoring over 40,000 Germans and Americans since its inception in 1952.
• Established in 2016 as a public-private partnership, each year the USA For You program brings youth from underserved German communities to the United States for a two-week homestay and community service experience.  The program promotes civic engagement and helps counter extremism and xenophobia by fostering cultural understanding.  In 2023, the German government launched a reciprocal Germany for You program, allowing American high school students to visit Germany for a similar exchange, further strengthening transatlantic ties.
• The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX), jointly funded by the United States and German governments, supports the transatlantic relationship by fostering year-long academic, homestay, and community service opportunities for 700 American and German youth annually.  Since 1983, CBYX has promoted cross-cultural understanding, professional skills, and mutual awareness of each nation’s history, politics, and society.  With around 15,000 German and 14,000 American participants to date, the program strengthens ties and deepens the transatlantic partnership between the next generation of leaders.
• The German Bundestag-Bundesrat exchange (CBBSX) program is an annual two-way exchange between German Bundestag and Bundesrat staff and U.S. Congressional staff members.  It was initiated during the 1983 German-American Tricentennial celebration and first implemented in 1984.  Participants focus on the U.S. legislative process and U.S.-German relations; examining U.S. Congress and the U.S. political system.  In 2024 the IVLP brought 10 German Bundestag and Bundesrat staff members to the United States.  For the first time, CBBSX participants also engaged with state and local government.

SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT, SPACE, & TECHNOLOGY

• On January 10, 2024, the United States and Germany held a U.S.-Germany Critical and Emerging Technology Track 1.5 Dialogue to share strategic objectives, outlooks, and lessons learned in technological innovation. The two countries agreed to convene the first of an ongoing AI Dialogue to discuss approaches to AI governance, infrastructure and innovation, and applications of AI for good. They intend to hold the first session of this dialogue in early 2025.

• Furthering their commitment to monitoring the effects of climate change, the United States and Germany have partnered on space collaboration through NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On (GRACE-FO) mission, which monitors Earth’s water movement by tracking shifts in gravity.  This mission provides critical data for managing water resources, monitoring sea levels, and understanding climate change impacts on a global scale.
• The U.S.-Germany scientific partnership was further strengthened throughfunding from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for Collaborative Research in Computational Neuroscience (CRCNS) program, which advances cutting-edge research in brain function and computational neuroscience.  This initiative supports interdisciplinary approaches to understanding neural systems.
• On September 14, 2023, the United States and Germany held the inaugural U.S.-Germany Space Dialogue, advancing collaboration in space exploration, satellite technology, and space security.  This dialogue promotes joint efforts in planetary science, climate monitoring, and managing space debris, while advancing international norms for responsible space operations.

CLIMATE & ENERGY

• In July 2021, the United States and Germany launched the U.S.-Germany Climate and Energy Partnership to deepen collaboration on the policies and sustainable technologies needed to accelerate the global net-zero future.  Notable outcomes of the Partnership include the first U.S.-Germany Climate and Energy Summit held in Pittsburgh September 2022, and the U.S.-German Clean Hydrogen Conference held in Berlin October 2023.
• Beyond our strong bilateral partnership, the United States and Germany are also intensifying our cooperation to accelerate the clean energy transition and promote clean economic growth in emerging and developing economies.  This includes leveraging and scaling-up our collective technical, policy, and financial support to catalyze investments in clean energy manufacturing and industrial decarbonization in developing countries, leveraging key international platforms such as the Climate Club and Clean Technology Fund.

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT

• The United States participated in the International Humanitarian Conference on Sudan, hosted by France, Germany, and the European Commission on April 15, 2024, to address the vital need for greater humanitarian assistance for the Sudanese people.
• The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Germany’s Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) are strengthening their partnership through a Strategic Development Dialogue.  This initiative focuses on joint efforts to tackle global challenges in climate change, food security, gender equality, health, and G7 development priorities.
• The United States and Germany have worked closely across multiple presidencies of the G7 Food Security Working Group to support efforts to achieve long-term food and nutrition security.  As most recently affirmed in the Apulia G7 Leaders’ Communiqué, both countries have committed to promoting and supporting multi-stakeholder programs to build climate resilience in our food systems.  These programs include the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils, launched by the United States in partnership with the African Union and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

###

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On the occasion of President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s visit to Germany, the United States reaffirms its commitment to deepening the close and historic bond between the two nations as Allies and friends.  For over 75 years, Germany has been a crucial partner in ensuring the stability, security, and prosperity of the transatlantic alliance.  In October 2023, President Biden welcomed President Steinmeier to Washington during German-American Day, underscoring the enduring people-to-people ties between our two countries, including the over 40 million Americans who claim German heritage and strengthen the diverse fabric of the United States.  In February 2024, President Biden welcomed Chancellor Olaf Scholz to the White House, where the two leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s war of aggression, discussed regional stability in the Middle East, and prepared for the NATO Summit in Washington.

During his visit to Germany, President Biden will underscore our mutual commitment to upholding democracy, combating antisemitism and hatred, and expanding collaboration to promote economic growth and technological innovation.  In addition, he will express gratitude to Germany for its role in hosting approximately 39,000 U.S. service members and its vital contributions to the security of NATO and the broader transatlantic community. 

The United States and Germany are partners in a wide range of new and continuing initiatives to address the most pressing challenges of our time, some of which are listed below.

# # #

SECURITY AND DEFENSE

• The United States and Germany cooperate through several multilateral institutions including NATO, the G7, the OSCE, and the UN, to advance security, democracy, and the rule of law globally.
• As host to the largest U.S. troop presence in Europe and second largest globally, Germany continues to play a critical role as a platform for U.S. military force projection, including support for NATO’s eastern flank and training for Ukrainian soldiers. 
• Germany has been a key provider of military assistance to Ukraine in its defense against the Kremlin’s aggression.  Contributions include advanced weaponry such as Leopard 2 tanks, air defense systems (such as IRIS-T), artillery, and ammunition. Germany also supplies medical aid, vehicles, and training for Ukrainian forces, continuously adapting its support to Ukraine’s evolving needs in coordination with NATO allies.
• As announced by President Biden and Chancellor Scholz on July 10, 2024, the United States looks forward to beginning the episodic deployments of its Multi-Domain Task Force in Germany in 2026, as part of planning for enduring stationing of these conventional long-range fire capabilities in the future.
• Germany plays a key role in the U.S-Italy co-led G7+ Coordination Group for Ukraine Energy Security Support.  Germany has been a leading provider of financial assistance and critical components such as transformers and power generators to support the repair and strengthening of Ukraine’s energy sector in response to Russia’s continued brutal attacks on civilian infrastructure.
• Germany is a robust partner in the fight against terrorism and terrorism financing, in the Financial Action Task Force, and as part of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS (D-ISIS).  On September 30, State Secretary Tobias Lindner joined Secretary Blinken for the D-Isis Ministerial Meeting in Washington, D.C. 
• Germany will accede to Operation Olympic Defender, a U.S.-led multinational effort intended to strengthen nations’ abilities to deter hostile acts in space, strengthen deterrence against hostile actors, and reduce the spread of debris orbiting the earth. International partners currently include the UK, Canada, and Australia.

DEFENDING DEMOCRACY

• As the second-largest provider of assistance to Ukraine after the United States, Germany has provided $37.2 billion (€34 billion) in bilateral assistance since February 2022.  This includes humanitarian assistance, budgetary support, military equipment and training, and funding for Ukraine’s reconstruction.  Germany hosted an international reconstruction conference for Ukraine in Berlin in June 2024 which generated over €60 billion in commitments to Ukraine and emphasized the human dimension of post-war recovery.
• At the September 2024 United Nations General Assembly, the United States, in partnership with Germany and other international allies, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting democratic transitions as part of the Democracy Delivers Initiative, launched by USAID.  The initiative mobilized over $517 million to provide financial and technical assistance to countries undergoing democratic renewal, including Guatemala, Armenia, and Moldova, with the aim of strengthening global democratic resilience.
• Germany has increasingly recognized the importance of supporting Taiwan as a like-minded democratic partner.  Education Minister Stark-Watzinger’s visit to Taiwan in 2023 marked the first visit by a German minister to Taiwan in 26 years.  Two German warships recently transited the Taiwan Strait, a visible demonstration of Germany’s commitment to upholding international laws and norms and increasing engagement to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
• Germany was one of the first of twenty-one countries to endorse the U.S. government’s Framework to Counter Foreign State Information Manipulation, the U.S. Department of State’s key initiative to galvanize like-minded democracies to respond collectively to the threat posed by disinformation.  

ECONOMICS & TRADE

• Germany is the United States’ largest trading partner in Europe, with bilateral trade reaching over $324 billion in goods and services in 2023.  U.S. direct investment in Germany was $193.2 billion in 2023.  In total, German firms employ an estimated 923,600 people in the United States.  Germany is the fourth-largest source of foreign direct investment in the United States and the number one foreign investor in U.S. renewable energy projects.  Germany is currently the third-largest source of foreign direct investment in the United States, with investments worth more than $660 billion based on 2023 data.
• On September 24, 2024, the United States and Germany held the third round of the U.S.-Germany Economic Dialogue, building on the framework established in the 2021 Washington Declaration.  The talks focused on strengthening collaboration to increase economic security, including cooperation in sectors such as digital technologies and clean energy supply chains.  Both countries committed to enhancing supply chain resilience and advancing sustainability goals.
• Germany and the United States partner on several initiatives to advance women’s economic security around the world, including bolstering women’s participation in climate sectors through the Women in the Sustainable Economy Initiative, closing the gender digital divide through the Women in the Digital Economy Initiative, and supporting women to join the workforce by investing in efforts to close the global childcare gap through the Invest in Childcare Initiative.

COMBATTING ANTISEMITISM:

•  Germany is a global leader and vital partner in the fight against antisemitism and extremism.  Senior officials are unequivocal in condemning antisemitism and federal and state governments have robust strategies for tackling the problem.  In July 2024, Germany co-launched the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism in Buenos Aires, an initiative led by U.S. Special Envoy Deborah Lipstadt.
• Launched in 2021, The U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues, plays an essential role in combatting Holocaust distortion online and promoting accurate Holocaust education and commemoration.
• Germany and the United States cooperate on improving resolution to Nazi-confiscated art to ensure just and fair solutions for survivors and heirs, and salute Germany’s new art restitution policy.

EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGES

• The German-American Fulbright program is one of the largest and most varied of the Fulbright Programs worldwide, sponsoring over 40,000 Germans and Americans since its inception in 1952.
• Established in 2016 as a public-private partnership, each year the USA For You program brings youth from underserved German communities to the United States for a two-week homestay and community service experience.  The program promotes civic engagement and helps counter extremism and xenophobia by fostering cultural understanding.  In 2023, the German government launched a reciprocal Germany for You program, allowing American high school students to visit Germany for a similar exchange, further strengthening transatlantic ties.
• The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX), jointly funded by the United States and German governments, supports the transatlantic relationship by fostering year-long academic, homestay, and community service opportunities for 700 American and German youth annually.  Since 1983, CBYX has promoted cross-cultural understanding, professional skills, and mutual awareness of each nation’s history, politics, and society.  With around 15,000 German and 14,000 American participants to date, the program strengthens ties and deepens the transatlantic partnership between the next generation of leaders.
• The German Bundestag-Bundesrat exchange (CBBSX) program is an annual two-way exchange between German Bundestag and Bundesrat staff and U.S. Congressional staff members.  It was initiated during the 1983 German-American Tricentennial celebration and first implemented in 1984.  Participants focus on the U.S. legislative process and U.S.-German relations; examining U.S. Congress and the U.S. political system.  In 2024 the IVLP brought 10 German Bundestag and Bundesrat staff members to the United States.  For the first time, CBBSX participants also engaged with state and local government.

SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT, SPACE, & TECHNOLOGY

• On January 10, 2024, the United States and Germany held a U.S.-Germany Critical and Emerging Technology Track 1.5 Dialogue to share strategic objectives, outlooks, and lessons learned in technological innovation. The two countries agreed to convene the first of an ongoing AI Dialogue to discuss approaches to AI governance, infrastructure and innovation, and applications of AI for good. They intend to hold the first session of this dialogue in early 2025.

• Furthering their commitment to monitoring the effects of climate change, the United States and Germany have partnered on space collaboration through NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On (GRACE-FO) mission, which monitors Earth’s water movement by tracking shifts in gravity.  This mission provides critical data for managing water resources, monitoring sea levels, and understanding climate change impacts on a global scale.
• The U.S.-Germany scientific partnership was further strengthened throughfunding from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for Collaborative Research in Computational Neuroscience (CRCNS) program, which advances cutting-edge research in brain function and computational neuroscience.  This initiative supports interdisciplinary approaches to understanding neural systems.
• On September 14, 2023, the United States and Germany held the inaugural U.S.-Germany Space Dialogue, advancing collaboration in space exploration, satellite technology, and space security.  This dialogue promotes joint efforts in planetary science, climate monitoring, and managing space debris, while advancing international norms for responsible space operations.

CLIMATE & ENERGY

• In July 2021, the United States and Germany launched the U.S.-Germany Climate and Energy Partnership to deepen collaboration on the policies and sustainable technologies needed to accelerate the global net-zero future.  Notable outcomes of the Partnership include the first U.S.-Germany Climate and Energy Summit held in Pittsburgh September 2022, and the U.S.-German Clean Hydrogen Conference held in Berlin October 2023.
• Beyond our strong bilateral partnership, the United States and Germany are also intensifying our cooperation to accelerate the clean energy transition and promote clean economic growth in emerging and developing economies.  This includes leveraging and scaling-up our collective technical, policy, and financial support to catalyze investments in clean energy manufacturing and industrial decarbonization in developing countries, leveraging key international platforms such as the Climate Club and Clean Technology Fund.

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT

• The United States participated in the International Humanitarian Conference on Sudan, hosted by France, Germany, and the European Commission on April 15, 2024, to address the vital need for greater humanitarian assistance for the Sudanese people.
• The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Germany’s Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) are strengthening their partnership through a Strategic Development Dialogue.  This initiative focuses on joint efforts to tackle global challenges in climate change, food security, gender equality, health, and G7 development priorities.
• The United States and Germany have worked closely across multiple presidencies of the G7 Food Security Working Group to support efforts to achieve long-term food and nutrition security.  As most recently affirmed in the Apulia G7 Leaders’ Communiqué, both countries have committed to promoting and supporting multi-stakeholder programs to build climate resilience in our food systems.  These programs include the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils, launched by the United States in partnership with the African Union and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

###

The post FACT SHEET: The U.S.-Germany Partnership appeared first on The White House.

Berlin Brandenberg International Airport
Schönefeld, Germany

10:13 P.M. CET

THE PRESIDENT:  It’s a good day for the world.  We got Si- — I called Bibi Netanyahu to congratulate him on getting Sinwar.  He has a lot of blood on his hands — American blood, Israeli blood, and others.

And I told him that we were really pleased with his actions and, further, that now is the time to move on — move on, move towards a ceasefire in Gaza, make sure that we move in a direction that we’re going to be in a position to make things better for the whole world. 

It’s time for this war to end and bring these hostages home.  And so, that’s what we’re ready to do.  That’s what we’re going to be — and I’m sending Tony Blinken to Israel — I guess he’s going in five days — four days — four or five days.  Anyway, he’s going.  And I talked with Bibi about that.  We’re going to work out what — what is the day after now, what — how do we secure Gaza and move on. 

So, thank you very much.

Q    Do you feel more hopeful, sir, about a ceasefire?

THE PRESIDENT:  I do.  I do feel more hopeful.

Q    Do you have a sense of when he will end the war, sir?

THE PRESIDENT:  Hopefully, he — very soon. 

10:14 P.M. CET

The post Remarks by President Biden After Air Force One Arrival | Schönefeld, Germany appeared first on The White House.

Berlin Brandenberg International Airport
Schönefeld, Germany

10:13 P.M. CET

THE PRESIDENT:  It’s a good day for the world.  We got Si- — I called Bibi Netanyahu to congratulate him on getting Sinwar.  He has a lot of blood on his hands — American blood, Israeli blood, and others.

And I told him that we were really pleased with his actions and, further, that now is the time to move on — move on, move towards a ceasefire in Gaza, make sure that we move in a direction that we’re going to be in a position to make things better for the whole world. 

It’s time for this war to end and bring these hostages home.  And so, that’s what we’re ready to do.  That’s what we’re going to be — and I’m sending Tony Blinken to Israel — I guess he’s going in five days — four days — four or five days.  Anyway, he’s going.  And I talked with Bibi about that.  We’re going to work out what — what is the day after now, what — how do we secure Gaza and move on. 

So, thank you very much.

Q    Do you feel more hopeful, sir, about a ceasefire?

THE PRESIDENT:  I do.  I do feel more hopeful.

Q    Do you have a sense of when he will end the war, sir?

THE PRESIDENT:  Hopefully, he — very soon. 

10:14 P.M. CET

The post Remarks by President Biden After Air Force One Arrival | Schönefeld, Germany appeared first on The White House.

2:15 P.M. EDT

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  So, I’m just going to get straight to it.  

As you can see, I have the national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, here to talk to us about the trip but also the latest in the Middle East.

Jake, the floor is yours. 

MR. SULLIVAN:  So, I don’t know if you guys have heard because of the lack of Wi-Fi back here, but the IDF has confirmed the death of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader, and I’ll come to that in just a moment. 

But let me start by laying out what we hope to achieve over the course of the next 24 hours in Berlin.  This is the president’s first visit to Berlin as president, and he did not want his time in office to go by without going to the capital of one of — one of our most important partners and allies. 

Germany is a core Ally in NATO, a core partner in the G7.  They’ve been a core player in the Allied response to Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.  And the president is looking forward to having the opportunity to talk to the chancellor and other German officials about where we go from here in Ukraine; about developments in the Middle East, in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Israel; about how we align our respective approaches on the PRC; about how we align our industrial and innovation strategies; about artificial intelligence and the clean energy transition. 

He will also have the opportunity to meet with the prime minister of the UK and president of France.  The four leaders — Germany, France, UK, U.S. — will sit together to particularly focus on two issues.

One, the war in Ukraine and the pathway ahead, particularly in light of the fact that they’ve all had the opportunity to engage in person with President Zelenskyy over the course of the last few weeks and heard from him about where he sees things going.  So, this is an opportunity to consult on that.

And then, second, to talk about the ongoing and fast-moving developments across the Middle East region.

The president will see President Steinmeier.  He’ll spend one-on-one time with Chancellor Scholz.  He’ll spend time with his delegation — with Chancellor Scholz and his delegation. 

And then, of course, there’ll be this meeting among the four leaders in the afternoon, and there’ll be an opportunity for press statements with the chancellor and the president. 

So, that’s the plan for tomorrow.

Of course, this comes against the backdrop of a pretty significant — very significant day in the Middle East, and that is that Yahya Sinwar has been taken off the battlefield.  This is a murderous terrorist responsible for the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.  He has a lot of blood on his hands — Israeli blood, American blood, Palestinian blood — and the world is better now that he’s gone. 

President Biden has just put out a written statement sharing his thoughts and reactions to the death of Sinwar, and he looks forward to the opportunity soon, perhaps very shortly, to speak to Prime Minister Netanyahu to congratulate the IDF and the brave Israeli soldiers and security professionals who carried out the operation that killed Sinwar but also to talk about the way forward, because Sinwar was a massive obstacle to peace and the day after in Gaza.  And now that that obstacle has been removed, President Biden looks forward to talking to Prime Minister Netanyahu about how we secure the return of the hostages, an end to the war, and a move to the day after in Gaza — a Gaza where Hamas is no longer in power or control. 

So they’ll have the opportunity to have an initial conversation about that, but this truly is an opportunity we need to seize together to bring about a better day for the people of Gaza, the people of Israel, the people of the whole region.  And the United States is committed to doing everything in our power to help contribute to that. 

Last thing I will say is that from shortly after October 7th, President Biden dispatched special operations personnel and intelligence professionals to Israel to work side by side with their Israeli counterparts in the hunt for Hamas leaders, including Sinwar, and it was with American intelligence help that many of these leaders, including Sinwar, were hunted and tracked, were flushed out of their hiding places, and put on the run.  And, ultimately, this is a credit to the IDF for taking out Sinwar over the course of the last hours and days, but we’re proud of the support that the United States has given to the IDF all along the way. 

So, with that, I’d be happy to take your questions.

Q    Jake —

Q    Can you say anything — well, go ahead.  I’m sorry. 

Q    Jake, thanks so much for doing this.  You kind of implied that Sinwar had been an obstacle to hostage release and ceasefire.  How big an obstacle is that?  And does this give you additional hope now of a ceasefire and possibly a hostage release?  How should we process this?

MR. SULLIVAN:  I didn’t just imply it; I stated it explicitly. 

At various points along the way, Sinwar was more interested in causing mayhem and chaos and death than in actually trying to achieve a ceasefire and hostage deal.  And we repeatedly saw moments where it was him, in particular, who stood in the way of making progress towards a ceasefire and hostage deal.  Now, there were other obstacles too along the way, but he was certainly a critical one. 

And, yes, I think his removal from the battlefield does present an opportunity to find a way forward that gets the hostages home, brings the war to an end, brings us to a day after.  That’s something we’re going to have to talk about with our Israeli counterparts.

Of course, there are still other Hamas actors who need to be brought to justice, and there are hostages, including Americans, being held by terrorists.  We’re going to have to deal with all of that, but we believe there is a renewed opportunity right now that we would like to seize.

Yeah.

Q    Do you assess this as being the cutting off of the head of the Hydra, or what — what’s your assessment of Hamas’ capabilities from now on?  Is there going to be a mop up?  And what — what would you recommend the Israelis do?

MR. SULLIVAN:  Sinwar was a critical figure operationally, militarily, and politically for Hamas.  He had, in fact, consolidated control of both the political and military wing under his singular leadership in — in recent weeks and months.  And so, this is a very significant event.

But what exactly it means for the future of Hamas as an organization, it’s early days yet.  We will have to see.

What we do know is that the broad military structure, the battalions of Hamas have been systematically dismantled.  We do know that Hamas does not pose the kind of threat to Israel that it posed on October 7th or anything close to it.  We also know that there are still Hamas terrorists wielding guns and holding hostages and harboring a desire to continue to attack Israel and attack others. 

And so, we’re going to have to sort through all of that.  But this is an incredibly significant blow to Hamas.  It is the removal of someone who, as I said, was unique in the consolidation of the control of the Hamas apparatus under his command.  And now we will have to work to ensure that his death actually does deal the kind of long-term blow to Hamas that all of us would like to see.

Q    Can you give —

Q    Do you get the sense that Netanyahu is done now, that he’s — he’s reached his objectives?  You just laid out the decimation of Hamas — 

MR. SULLIVAN:  No, his critical objective that — has not been reached.  That objective is the return of the hostages, including American hostages.  So, from the United States’ perspective, we now need to work with Israel, with Qatar and Egypt, with others — and this is something we’ll discuss with our European partners as well — to secure the release of those hostages.  We’d like to see that happen.

Q    You referenced U.S. intel.  To what extent did that play a role in this particular operation? 

MR. SULLIVAN:  This operation was an IDF operation.  I’m not here to overclaim or — or try to take credits for something where the credit belongs to them. 

But the Americans — the special operations personnel, the intelligence professionals — they also deserve our thanks for the work that they did alongside the IDF over the course of many months to help create the kind of counterterrorism pressure in Gaza that put a lot of these guys on the run.  And Sinwar was plainly on the run (inaudible).

Q    Earlier this — earlier this week, Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin sent letters to their counterparts threatening legal action if the humanitari- — humanitarian situation in Gaza doesn’t improve.  Can you give us a sense of what that legal option would be and if there are any deadlines or specific actions that the president will raise with Prime Minister Netanyahu about that today?

MR. SULLIVAN:  The letter speaks for itself.  I think a lot of the headlines were breathless and overblown.  We have had an ongoing dialogue with Israel for months now about improving the humanitarian situation.  We have had previous communications that looked quite similar and that generated positive momentum towards opening crossings and getting more aid in.  We’ve had, actually, constructive back-and-forth with our Israeli counterparts over the last few days in response to our requests, and we expect that we’ll see progress on the ground. 

One thing that has unfolded this week is — is the reopening of some of the crossings that had been closed in the north and trucks going in.  We need to see that sustained and expanded as we go forward, among the other requests in that letter. 

But I’d — and I’d — just the other point I would make here is that it’s — it was a private diplomatic communication.  It was a serious, substantive laydown.  It’s part of our ongoing work and partnership with Israel.  And having it all out there in the open, leaked in the way that it was, I think, was highly unfortunate.  And I’ll leave it at that.

Q    Can you give us a sense of what the president will say in this conversation with Netanyahu?  Will he push for an accelerated timeline for a ceasefire?  Will he say, you

know, kind of, “Now you achieved the main direct- — main objective and we should move forward on — on other things,” or push for humanitarian aid?

MR. SULLIVAN:  I’m going to let the president speak to the prime minister before I preview what he’s going to say in the press on the record, but we’ll try to give you a good sense of both what the president is thinking and what he’s communicating to the prime minister at the appropriate time.

Q    To — to what extent do you think this success with Sinwar might embolden Netanyahu when it comes to retaliating against Iran?  Or do you see them as totally unrelated?  And what are your conversations right now with them in terms of restraint — or whatever you want to call it — when the president has thoughts about what the target should be when they hit back?

MR. SULLIVAN:  We’ve had very constructive communications with the Israelis about how they’re thinking about responding to the attack on October 1st.  Those conversations will continue. 

I can’t speculate as to the psychology of the prime minister based on what happened today.  What I can say is that the logic of deterrence, the logic of a response to a salvo of 200 ballistic missiles — nothing in the Middle East is unrelated, but that is a distinct logic from the killing of Sinwar today.

Q    Jake, going back to the trip.  What message will President Biden give his fellow leaders about America’s place in the world, given the uncertainty around our upcoming election?

MR. SULLIVAN:  Say that again.

Q    What reassurance will President Biden give his fellow leaders about America’s place in the world, given the uncertainty about our upcoming presidential election?

MR. SULLIVAN:  What President Biden can do is what he’s done for four years, which is lay out his vision of America’s place in the world and point the way forward based on what he thinks are in America’s national security interests and in the interests of our close allies. 

Beyond that, he can’t speak for anyone else and doesn’t intend to.

Q    Is there any —

Q    Does this change your calculus on whether Israel can come to the table on a ceasefire by the end of the year?

MR. SULLIVAN:  I’m sorry?

Q    Your calculus on whether a ceasefire could be reached by the end of the year.

MR. SULLIVAN:  I have long since given up on making predictions or drawing timelines.  All I can say is that we see an opportunity now that we want to seize to try to secure the release of the hostages, and we’re going to work at that as rapidly as we possibly can.

Q    Give- — given the situation, would the president reconsider possibly holding a press conference during his time in Berlin?  It would be good to hear from him firsthand on how he thinks about this and the situation in Ukraine. 

MR. SULLIVAN:  I will note for the record there are heads nodding.  (Laughter.)  I’ll also note for the record that that is a really fascinating way to bring the press into the middle of a world historical event.  So — (laughter) — and I’ll leave it at that.

Q    I’ll follow up on that.  The president talks about democracy as being a key part of his administration, of his vision for America that you just referenced.  Why would he not take questions from the press at what was originally going to be a state visit to Germany?  I don’t understand.

MR. SULLIVAN:  It’s fascinating how you guys can — (laughs) — make this the story.

Q    It’s not the story.  It’s just a question. 

MR. SULLVIAN:  I mean, honestly, I think invoking democracy and suggesting that President Biden is somehow insufficiently committed to it because of the structure of his press engagement on one day in Germany is a bit ludicrous. 

Q    I can ask a Germany question.  So, a lot of the moves that President Biden has made both domestically and internationally have been characterized as “Trump-proofing” the — the, you know, U.S. government for a future Trump presidency. 

How do you feel about that characterization?  I’m talking about moves like bringing NATO under — forgive me, it’s too complicated to explain, but you know what I’m talking about. 

So, do you think he’s Trump-proofing?

MR. SULLIVAN:  I — I don’t like characterizations like that because they’re inherently political.

Q    So, what is he doing, then?

MR. SULLIVAN:  What the president is trying to do is to make our commitment to Ukraine sustainable and institutionalized for the long term.  And every other ally agreed that that was the responsible thing to do. 

The la- —

Q    (Inaudible) necessarily reduced U.S. role, is that the idea?

MR. SULLIVAN:  Not at all.  The basic logic was what the president laid out at the Washington Summit this summer, which is the communiqué said Ukraine’s place, Ukraine’s future, is in NATO.  There is work to do to get from here to there, including reforms and security conditions being met. 

So, the question is, how do you build a bridge from where we are now to Ukraine’s eventual membership in NATO?  And the answer to that question was the set of deliverables in Washington, including the institutionalization of the security support apparatus for Ukraine.  That is what we were trying to accomplish, and that’s what we believe we did accomplish.

Q    Jake, on Iran.  Can you confirm and elaborate on reporting that President Biden directed the NSC to warn Iran that any attempt on President Trump’s life would be seen as an act of war?

MR. SULLIVAN:  I will tell you that President Biden has taken this issue with the utmost seriousness.  He asked to be updated on it regularly.  He gives us direction for how to respond to it regularly and in a very serious and consequential way.  We are following his directives and implementing them.  And I’m not going to get into specifics on what that looks like.

Q    Jake, what about these reports that President Trump and President Putin have had seven conversations?  Are you worried about this?  Are you worried about any sort of backdoor conversations President Trump is having with leaders?

MR. SULLIVAN:  I do not know if that’s true or not, but obviously that would raise red flags if it were true. 

Q    Another one on — since you just said Putin.  There’s been reporting in Germany that Chancellor Scholz said he would be open to speaking with President Putin ahead of the G20 if asked — sort of various ways he said it.  Have you guys talked about this?  Has he told President Biden about this?  Do you think this would be a good idea to do a leader-level conversation with President Putin at this time?

MR. SULLIVAN:  That has not come up between the chancellor and the president.  You know, I was just in Germany at the end of last week with my German counterpart.  That — the question of a call to Putin didn’t come up.  So, I think that’s a question better put to the chancellor. 

Q    The official who briefed us yesterday about the Germany trip on the — on the phone mentioned that the Ramstein meeting would be rescheduled.  Does that mean the president will be going back to Ramstein at some point, or what — what did that mean?

MR. SULLIVAN:  We will hold a leaders-level Ramstein meeting virtually in November.

Q    One more.  On the frozen assets deal — the Russian frozen assets.  What’s the progress on that there?  I assume this comes up in the conversations.  Is there a plan B if the EU doesn’t figure out a sanctions regime?

MR. SULLIVAN:  I’m feeling very good about the progress that we’ve made on the G7 commitment to mobilize $50 billion from the proceeds of the Russian sovereign assets by the end of the year.  We intend to meet that commitment, and we intend to make a contribution — the United States.  The EU, obviously, has announced that it’s prepared to make a contribution.  So are other partners.  So, from my perspective, at this point, everything is on track. 

Q    Is there any update on when the president might talk to President Xi?

MR. SULLIVAN:  No.

Thank you, guys. 

Q    Thank you.

Q    Who you — wait, who are you rooting for in the playoffs, World Series?

MR. SULLIVAN:  I’m a Minnesota Twins fan, so I can’t root for the Guardians, but I definitely can’t root for the Yankees.

I don’t know.

Q    What about the Dodgers and Mets?

MR. SULLIVAN:  Yeah, I’m watching, but actually I don’t — I’ve not clearly determined who I’d prefer to win.  But, yeah, Dodgers or Mets. 

Q    Can you swing back and talk to us off the record later?

MR. SULLIVAN:  Sure. 

Q    Great.

Q    Thanks.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I don’t know.  Is there any real thing — anything else to discuss?  Let me t- —

Q    The only thing I would say is we disagree with the suggestion that democracy and speaking — and taking questions from the press is “ludicrous.” 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  Noted.

Q    I would argue that our stories allow the president to have a relationship with the world, not just with other leaders, and the ability to talk openly will help that. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  Noted.  Noted. 

Let’s move on.

So, just want to talk about an announcement.  This is domestic, obviously, going to go to the — to that space.  I just wanted to touch on an announcement very quickly.

And so, today, the Biden-Harris administration announced an additional $4.5 billion in student debt cancelation for over 60,000 public service workers, bringing the total number of public — of public service workers who have had their student debt canceled under the Biden-Harris administration to over 1 million people. 

One such example is Kelly, a kindergarten teacher in Rhode Island, who had been paying off her student loans for a decade.  After the student let her know that her debt had been canceled, she tol- — after the president, pardon me — she told us that after 12 years of marriage, she might be able to take the honeymoon she never had.

The president — the president’s administration made it a priority to fix the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.  Prior to our administration, only 7,000 public service workers had received relief since the program was established in 2007. 

Thanks to the work of the Biden-Harris administration, as of today, 1 million teachers, nurses, firefighters, service members, first resp- — responders, and — and more who — who pursued careers in public service have gotten the relief they deserve. 

The relief brings the total loan forgiveness approved by the Biden-Harris administration — administration to over $175 billion for nearly 5 million Americans.  And while — meanwhile, our Republicans elected officials have repeatedly attempted to block student debt relief. 

President Biden and Vice President Harris remain committed to making education affordable for all Americans. 

With that, what else do you guys have for me?

Q    I have a question. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Sure.

Q    Did President Biden talk to Vice President Harris ahead of this trip to see if she had any message for the world leaders or to get her input on what the situation should be going forward? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  As you know, the president and the vice president talk regularly.  I don’t have a specific call to — to read out, but I think you can see the last almost four years of the — what we’ve been able to do, what the president has been able to do on the world stage, certainly has been in partnership with the vice president.  I know that she supports his trip and everything that he’s — he’s trying to do tomorrow in the — in the short trip that we have in — in Germany.

I just don’t have anything to read out as a call specifically on this trip.

Q    Is the president or the administration facing pressure from allies to get something done after the election but before he is out of office?  There’s been some talks that Zelenskyy — you know, whether that’s accelerating a push for Ukraine into NATO or — or other funding things for Ukraine?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, you’re talking about the victory plan.  Certainly, I’m going to let the Ukr- — Ukrainians speak to their victory plan as it relates to that question about NATO. 

Look, I think — I think what you have seen from this president, from this administration — obviously, including the vice president — is how much we have stand behind — next to, if you will — with Ukrainians and how they’re trying to beat back the aggression that we’ve seen from Russia.  And you have not just seen us standing there.  You’ve seen this president take action, and — which is why you see NATO much stronger than it was, and that’s why you see 50 countries have gotten behind Ukraine.  And you heard us — you heard us lay out yesterday an additional assistance package that we have provided to Ukrainians. 

And so, we’re going to have to continue — we’re going to continue having conversations with the Ukrainians on what they need on the battlefield and how else we can be helpful to them. 

As it relates to their victory plan — as it relates to what’s next, I’m certainly going to let the Ukrainians speak directly about that. 

Obviously, the president has had a conversation with the president, President Zelenskyy, on that plan.  I just don’t have anything beyond that, and I’m not — certainly, I’m not going to get into hypotheticals from here. 

Q    The president at the funeral yesterday had a — what looked like a spirited conversation with former President Obama.  Did you talk to him about what they discussed?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No, it’s been kind of busy the last couple hours on the plane, as you can imagine. 

Look, I’ll — I’ll say this.  The president really very much looked — appreciated being there at the — at the funeral of Ethel Kennedy, who he saw as someone who was incredible and had a — was an incredible force, obviously, in her life, during her — her years.  And what he wanted to do is — was to lift up — lift her up and speak to her accomplishment and what she meant to him — not just to him but to her family and to the country.  So, he appreciated doing that. 

And we have said many times the president and — and president — and former President Biden [Obama] — they have a very close relationship.  They’ve had one for a long time, obviously, as he served as his vice president.

I don’t have anything else to — to share on that.  I have not had this conversation with the president.  Obviously, we’ve been pretty busy these past couple of hours on the plane. 

Q    Do you know if the president was able to watch any of the Fox News interview that Vice President Harris did?  And does —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yes, he —

Q    — did he talk to you about how — how she did? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, he was able to — to catch that.  And he saw her performance, her interview as strong.  And I think what you saw and what — and this is what he believes — is that you saw why Americans and people want to see her continuing to fight for them.  And that’s what he saw last night.  That’s what we all saw — many of us saw.  So, I think she was strong and incredibly impressive in that interview. 

Q    Karine, does the president believe that his vice president would be a markedly different leader?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, look, he talked about this on Tuesday when he was in Philly, and he — and I talked a little bit about this as well, just reit- — really reiterating what the president shared, which is that, look, she’s going to be essentially her own person, right?  She is going to have her own direction, her own view of how to move forward. 

And he did that, right?  He was loyal to President Obama when he was vice president, but he cut his own path.  And so, that’s what he expects from the vice president to do. 

So, nothing — nothing new.  That’s what he expects her to do — to have her own path, to have — to build on — certainly, to build on the economic successes that we have seen and continuing the — the work that we’ve been able to do. 

But she’s going to cut her own path.  He was very clear about that a couple days ago.

Q    Karine —

Q    But on student loans — you talked about the PSLF 1 million, a huge achievement for those borrowers — what’s your message for the other 40 million-plus borrowers who’ve been caught up in a lot of legal limbo over the past three years?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, I’ll — I’ll say this.  You know, I’m not going to speak to the legal — the legal components of this.  There are legal matters that are happening, so they are ongoing.  So, I’m not going to speak to that. 

But I think what you can take away from what this president has — trying to do, when Republicans have continued to block him, in promising to give Americans a little bit of breathing room, to make sure that Americans who have — borrows [borrowers] who have loans and — and are squeezed by those loans are not able to, you know, buy a home, start a family.

The president was very attuned to that and very clear that he wanted to give them an opportunity — an opportunity to really, you know, be able to — to start that life that they wanted.  And so, he’s been trying to do that, even though he’s been blocked and — and Republicans have gotten in the way. 

I think you can see over the past — certainly, the past six months, the president continuing to try to take actions to — to make sure he kept his commitment to Americans who, again, need a little bit of breathing room.

So, I’m not going to speak to the legal matter, but I think this announcement today shows his commitment to public service workers, right?  I talked about firefighters, nurses.  I talked about police officers, who put so much on the line, who give so much for — for everybody, for folks who need their assistance and their help, and wanted to give them that opportunity to really be able to — to move on economically in what they want to accomplish for themselves and for their family.

All right.  Anything else?

Q    On the —

Q    So —

Q    Sorry.  Go ahead.

Q    Sorry.

Now going back to the funeral for a minute.  Did he speak with Speaker Emeritus Pelosi?  And also, she was not seen at the Italian American celebration, when she’s been front and center in the past.  Was she not invited?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — I don’t have anything to share with you on that.  I didn’t talk to the president about that at all.  But what you saw — obviously, you saw the president and the former president, Pres- — President Obama, connect, have a moment together.  The president m- — very much looked forward to that.  I just don’t have anything on Nancy Pelosi.

Q    Just —

Q    I noticed he didn’t recognize her when he recognized the other two presidents at the funeral.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, he wanted it — I can say this.  He wanted it to be, you know — to — to be very focused on the family.  He wanted it to be, you know, brief and — and very poignant.  And that’s what his focus was yesterday on his remarks.

Q    On the trip.  Obviously, this is a abbreviated agenda from, you know, the Ramstein summit —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — and other things.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    But can you explain to us, what’s the reason that it’s so short?  Why do we have to get out of Germany at 4:00 p.m. tomorrow?  Is there a reason on the German chancellor’s schedule why we have to —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I mean —

Q    Regardless of the press conference, there was also talk about maybe doing a Holocaust memorial situation.  What’s —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No, I totally understand what — totally — as you — let’s step back for a second. 

The reason that the president had to postpone his trip was because Hurricane Milton was coming, and it was — it was forecast to be a historical hurricane, and the president wanted to be in the States to deal with the response and what was needed, certainly, by the impacted region, for what folks on the ground really needed.

And so, that’s why we postponed the trip.  We said that we wanted to certainly get that back on the books.  We were able to do it — to your point, a truncated version, but it is a robust schedule.  And we were able to work with the Germans and to be able to get done what we can on this trip.

I mean, the president has a busy schedule.  He does.  There’s a lot going on in the next couple days, couple weeks.

Q    But he has to get back to the States for something in particular —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, we’ll —

Q    — that we don’t know about?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  We’re certainly going to share with you what the — his — the next couple of days of his schedule is going to look like.  But he wanted to — and I said this yesterday in the briefing room.  He wanted to thank the chancellor for his partnership, for his leadership as well with Ukraine.  Outside of the U.S., U- — the U- — German is the second — have provided the second-most resources, assistance to Ukrainians.

And so, he wanted to be, you know, thankful to him.  And so, that’s what you’re seeing on this trip.  He wanted to make this happen.  He asked his team to make this trip happen.

And so, look, we have a busy schedule.  We got a lot going on in next couple of days, next couple of weeks.  And so, we tried to fit this in, and this is what we were able to do in working with the German government as well to make this happen.

Q    Does the president, as the election hits its final two weeks, expect to get more aggressive in outreach and participation?  Is that maybe what you’re referencing, or what’s his thinking on that?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, you know I can’t speak to political trips or any- —

Q    But if —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  But wa- —

Q    — you could speak on his schedule.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, I — I’m just — want to get that out of there.  And so, look, the president is certainly looking at — looking forward to being out there and supporting the vice president.

I just want to be super mindful.  But he will — you’ll see him — you’ll see him hit the road.  You’ll see him hit the road, for sure.

That’s all I got. 

All right.  Thanks, everybody.  Sorry my voice is a little hoarse.

Q    Thanks, Karine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Thanks, everybody.

2:45 P.M. EDT

The post Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan En Route Berlin, Germany appeared first on The White House.

2:15 P.M. EDT

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  So, I’m just going to get straight to it.  

As you can see, I have the national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, here to talk to us about the trip but also the latest in the Middle East.

Jake, the floor is yours. 

MR. SULLIVAN:  So, I don’t know if you guys have heard because of the lack of Wi-Fi back here, but the IDF has confirmed the death of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader, and I’ll come to that in just a moment. 

But let me start by laying out what we hope to achieve over the course of the next 24 hours in Berlin.  This is the president’s first visit to Berlin as president, and he did not want his time in office to go by without going to the capital of one of — one of our most important partners and allies. 

Germany is a core Ally in NATO, a core partner in the G7.  They’ve been a core player in the Allied response to Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.  And the president is looking forward to having the opportunity to talk to the chancellor and other German officials about where we go from here in Ukraine; about developments in the Middle East, in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Israel; about how we align our respective approaches on the PRC; about how we align our industrial and innovation strategies; about artificial intelligence and the clean energy transition. 

He will also have the opportunity to meet with the prime minister of the UK and president of France.  The four leaders — Germany, France, UK, U.S. — will sit together to particularly focus on two issues.

One, the war in Ukraine and the pathway ahead, particularly in light of the fact that they’ve all had the opportunity to engage in person with President Zelenskyy over the course of the last few weeks and heard from him about where he sees things going.  So, this is an opportunity to consult on that.

And then, second, to talk about the ongoing and fast-moving developments across the Middle East region.

The president will see President Steinmeier.  He’ll spend one-on-one time with Chancellor Scholz.  He’ll spend time with his delegation — with Chancellor Scholz and his delegation. 

And then, of course, there’ll be this meeting among the four leaders in the afternoon, and there’ll be an opportunity for press statements with the chancellor and the president. 

So, that’s the plan for tomorrow.

Of course, this comes against the backdrop of a pretty significant — very significant day in the Middle East, and that is that Yahya Sinwar has been taken off the battlefield.  This is a murderous terrorist responsible for the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.  He has a lot of blood on his hands — Israeli blood, American blood, Palestinian blood — and the world is better now that he’s gone. 

President Biden has just put out a written statement sharing his thoughts and reactions to the death of Sinwar, and he looks forward to the opportunity soon, perhaps very shortly, to speak to Prime Minister Netanyahu to congratulate the IDF and the brave Israeli soldiers and security professionals who carried out the operation that killed Sinwar but also to talk about the way forward, because Sinwar was a massive obstacle to peace and the day after in Gaza.  And now that that obstacle has been removed, President Biden looks forward to talking to Prime Minister Netanyahu about how we secure the return of the hostages, an end to the war, and a move to the day after in Gaza — a Gaza where Hamas is no longer in power or control. 

So they’ll have the opportunity to have an initial conversation about that, but this truly is an opportunity we need to seize together to bring about a better day for the people of Gaza, the people of Israel, the people of the whole region.  And the United States is committed to doing everything in our power to help contribute to that. 

Last thing I will say is that from shortly after October 7th, President Biden dispatched special operations personnel and intelligence professionals to Israel to work side by side with their Israeli counterparts in the hunt for Hamas leaders, including Sinwar, and it was with American intelligence help that many of these leaders, including Sinwar, were hunted and tracked, were flushed out of their hiding places, and put on the run.  And, ultimately, this is a credit to the IDF for taking out Sinwar over the course of the last hours and days, but we’re proud of the support that the United States has given to the IDF all along the way. 

So, with that, I’d be happy to take your questions.

Q    Jake —

Q    Can you say anything — well, go ahead.  I’m sorry. 

Q    Jake, thanks so much for doing this.  You kind of implied that Sinwar had been an obstacle to hostage release and ceasefire.  How big an obstacle is that?  And does this give you additional hope now of a ceasefire and possibly a hostage release?  How should we process this?

MR. SULLIVAN:  I didn’t just imply it; I stated it explicitly. 

At various points along the way, Sinwar was more interested in causing mayhem and chaos and death than in actually trying to achieve a ceasefire and hostage deal.  And we repeatedly saw moments where it was him, in particular, who stood in the way of making progress towards a ceasefire and hostage deal.  Now, there were other obstacles too along the way, but he was certainly a critical one. 

And, yes, I think his removal from the battlefield does present an opportunity to find a way forward that gets the hostages home, brings the war to an end, brings us to a day after.  That’s something we’re going to have to talk about with our Israeli counterparts.

Of course, there are still other Hamas actors who need to be brought to justice, and there are hostages, including Americans, being held by terrorists.  We’re going to have to deal with all of that, but we believe there is a renewed opportunity right now that we would like to seize.

Yeah.

Q    Do you assess this as being the cutting off of the head of the Hydra, or what — what’s your assessment of Hamas’ capabilities from now on?  Is there going to be a mop up?  And what — what would you recommend the Israelis do?

MR. SULLIVAN:  Sinwar was a critical figure operationally, militarily, and politically for Hamas.  He had, in fact, consolidated control of both the political and military wing under his singular leadership in — in recent weeks and months.  And so, this is a very significant event.

But what exactly it means for the future of Hamas as an organization, it’s early days yet.  We will have to see.

What we do know is that the broad military structure, the battalions of Hamas have been systematically dismantled.  We do know that Hamas does not pose the kind of threat to Israel that it posed on October 7th or anything close to it.  We also know that there are still Hamas terrorists wielding guns and holding hostages and harboring a desire to continue to attack Israel and attack others. 

And so, we’re going to have to sort through all of that.  But this is an incredibly significant blow to Hamas.  It is the removal of someone who, as I said, was unique in the consolidation of the control of the Hamas apparatus under his command.  And now we will have to work to ensure that his death actually does deal the kind of long-term blow to Hamas that all of us would like to see.

Q    Can you give —

Q    Do you get the sense that Netanyahu is done now, that he’s — he’s reached his objectives?  You just laid out the decimation of Hamas — 

MR. SULLIVAN:  No, his critical objective that — has not been reached.  That objective is the return of the hostages, including American hostages.  So, from the United States’ perspective, we now need to work with Israel, with Qatar and Egypt, with others — and this is something we’ll discuss with our European partners as well — to secure the release of those hostages.  We’d like to see that happen.

Q    You referenced U.S. intel.  To what extent did that play a role in this particular operation? 

MR. SULLIVAN:  This operation was an IDF operation.  I’m not here to overclaim or — or try to take credits for something where the credit belongs to them. 

But the Americans — the special operations personnel, the intelligence professionals — they also deserve our thanks for the work that they did alongside the IDF over the course of many months to help create the kind of counterterrorism pressure in Gaza that put a lot of these guys on the run.  And Sinwar was plainly on the run (inaudible).

Q    Earlier this — earlier this week, Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin sent letters to their counterparts threatening legal action if the humanitari- — humanitarian situation in Gaza doesn’t improve.  Can you give us a sense of what that legal option would be and if there are any deadlines or specific actions that the president will raise with Prime Minister Netanyahu about that today?

MR. SULLIVAN:  The letter speaks for itself.  I think a lot of the headlines were breathless and overblown.  We have had an ongoing dialogue with Israel for months now about improving the humanitarian situation.  We have had previous communications that looked quite similar and that generated positive momentum towards opening crossings and getting more aid in.  We’ve had, actually, constructive back-and-forth with our Israeli counterparts over the last few days in response to our requests, and we expect that we’ll see progress on the ground. 

One thing that has unfolded this week is — is the reopening of some of the crossings that had been closed in the north and trucks going in.  We need to see that sustained and expanded as we go forward, among the other requests in that letter. 

But I’d — and I’d — just the other point I would make here is that it’s — it was a private diplomatic communication.  It was a serious, substantive laydown.  It’s part of our ongoing work and partnership with Israel.  And having it all out there in the open, leaked in the way that it was, I think, was highly unfortunate.  And I’ll leave it at that.

Q    Can you give us a sense of what the president will say in this conversation with Netanyahu?  Will he push for an accelerated timeline for a ceasefire?  Will he say, you

know, kind of, “Now you achieved the main direct- — main objective and we should move forward on — on other things,” or push for humanitarian aid?

MR. SULLIVAN:  I’m going to let the president speak to the prime minister before I preview what he’s going to say in the press on the record, but we’ll try to give you a good sense of both what the president is thinking and what he’s communicating to the prime minister at the appropriate time.

Q    To — to what extent do you think this success with Sinwar might embolden Netanyahu when it comes to retaliating against Iran?  Or do you see them as totally unrelated?  And what are your conversations right now with them in terms of restraint — or whatever you want to call it — when the president has thoughts about what the target should be when they hit back?

MR. SULLIVAN:  We’ve had very constructive communications with the Israelis about how they’re thinking about responding to the attack on October 1st.  Those conversations will continue. 

I can’t speculate as to the psychology of the prime minister based on what happened today.  What I can say is that the logic of deterrence, the logic of a response to a salvo of 200 ballistic missiles — nothing in the Middle East is unrelated, but that is a distinct logic from the killing of Sinwar today.

Q    Jake, going back to the trip.  What message will President Biden give his fellow leaders about America’s place in the world, given the uncertainty around our upcoming election?

MR. SULLIVAN:  Say that again.

Q    What reassurance will President Biden give his fellow leaders about America’s place in the world, given the uncertainty about our upcoming presidential election?

MR. SULLIVAN:  What President Biden can do is what he’s done for four years, which is lay out his vision of America’s place in the world and point the way forward based on what he thinks are in America’s national security interests and in the interests of our close allies. 

Beyond that, he can’t speak for anyone else and doesn’t intend to.

Q    Is there any —

Q    Does this change your calculus on whether Israel can come to the table on a ceasefire by the end of the year?

MR. SULLIVAN:  I’m sorry?

Q    Your calculus on whether a ceasefire could be reached by the end of the year.

MR. SULLIVAN:  I have long since given up on making predictions or drawing timelines.  All I can say is that we see an opportunity now that we want to seize to try to secure the release of the hostages, and we’re going to work at that as rapidly as we possibly can.

Q    Give- — given the situation, would the president reconsider possibly holding a press conference during his time in Berlin?  It would be good to hear from him firsthand on how he thinks about this and the situation in Ukraine. 

MR. SULLIVAN:  I will note for the record there are heads nodding.  (Laughter.)  I’ll also note for the record that that is a really fascinating way to bring the press into the middle of a world historical event.  So — (laughter) — and I’ll leave it at that.

Q    I’ll follow up on that.  The president talks about democracy as being a key part of his administration, of his vision for America that you just referenced.  Why would he not take questions from the press at what was originally going to be a state visit to Germany?  I don’t understand.

MR. SULLIVAN:  It’s fascinating how you guys can — (laughs) — make this the story.

Q    It’s not the story.  It’s just a question. 

MR. SULLVIAN:  I mean, honestly, I think invoking democracy and suggesting that President Biden is somehow insufficiently committed to it because of the structure of his press engagement on one day in Germany is a bit ludicrous. 

Q    I can ask a Germany question.  So, a lot of the moves that President Biden has made both domestically and internationally have been characterized as “Trump-proofing” the — the, you know, U.S. government for a future Trump presidency. 

How do you feel about that characterization?  I’m talking about moves like bringing NATO under — forgive me, it’s too complicated to explain, but you know what I’m talking about. 

So, do you think he’s Trump-proofing?

MR. SULLIVAN:  I — I don’t like characterizations like that because they’re inherently political.

Q    So, what is he doing, then?

MR. SULLIVAN:  What the president is trying to do is to make our commitment to Ukraine sustainable and institutionalized for the long term.  And every other ally agreed that that was the responsible thing to do. 

The la- —

Q    (Inaudible) necessarily reduced U.S. role, is that the idea?

MR. SULLIVAN:  Not at all.  The basic logic was what the president laid out at the Washington Summit this summer, which is the communiqué said Ukraine’s place, Ukraine’s future, is in NATO.  There is work to do to get from here to there, including reforms and security conditions being met. 

So, the question is, how do you build a bridge from where we are now to Ukraine’s eventual membership in NATO?  And the answer to that question was the set of deliverables in Washington, including the institutionalization of the security support apparatus for Ukraine.  That is what we were trying to accomplish, and that’s what we believe we did accomplish.

Q    Jake, on Iran.  Can you confirm and elaborate on reporting that President Biden directed the NSC to warn Iran that any attempt on President Trump’s life would be seen as an act of war?

MR. SULLIVAN:  I will tell you that President Biden has taken this issue with the utmost seriousness.  He asked to be updated on it regularly.  He gives us direction for how to respond to it regularly and in a very serious and consequential way.  We are following his directives and implementing them.  And I’m not going to get into specifics on what that looks like.

Q    Jake, what about these reports that President Trump and President Putin have had seven conversations?  Are you worried about this?  Are you worried about any sort of backdoor conversations President Trump is having with leaders?

MR. SULLIVAN:  I do not know if that’s true or not, but obviously that would raise red flags if it were true. 

Q    Another one on — since you just said Putin.  There’s been reporting in Germany that Chancellor Scholz said he would be open to speaking with President Putin ahead of the G20 if asked — sort of various ways he said it.  Have you guys talked about this?  Has he told President Biden about this?  Do you think this would be a good idea to do a leader-level conversation with President Putin at this time?

MR. SULLIVAN:  That has not come up between the chancellor and the president.  You know, I was just in Germany at the end of last week with my German counterpart.  That — the question of a call to Putin didn’t come up.  So, I think that’s a question better put to the chancellor. 

Q    The official who briefed us yesterday about the Germany trip on the — on the phone mentioned that the Ramstein meeting would be rescheduled.  Does that mean the president will be going back to Ramstein at some point, or what — what did that mean?

MR. SULLIVAN:  We will hold a leaders-level Ramstein meeting virtually in November.

Q    One more.  On the frozen assets deal — the Russian frozen assets.  What’s the progress on that there?  I assume this comes up in the conversations.  Is there a plan B if the EU doesn’t figure out a sanctions regime?

MR. SULLIVAN:  I’m feeling very good about the progress that we’ve made on the G7 commitment to mobilize $50 billion from the proceeds of the Russian sovereign assets by the end of the year.  We intend to meet that commitment, and we intend to make a contribution — the United States.  The EU, obviously, has announced that it’s prepared to make a contribution.  So are other partners.  So, from my perspective, at this point, everything is on track. 

Q    Is there any update on when the president might talk to President Xi?

MR. SULLIVAN:  No.

Thank you, guys. 

Q    Thank you.

Q    Who you — wait, who are you rooting for in the playoffs, World Series?

MR. SULLIVAN:  I’m a Minnesota Twins fan, so I can’t root for the Guardians, but I definitely can’t root for the Yankees.

I don’t know.

Q    What about the Dodgers and Mets?

MR. SULLIVAN:  Yeah, I’m watching, but actually I don’t — I’ve not clearly determined who I’d prefer to win.  But, yeah, Dodgers or Mets. 

Q    Can you swing back and talk to us off the record later?

MR. SULLIVAN:  Sure. 

Q    Great.

Q    Thanks.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I don’t know.  Is there any real thing — anything else to discuss?  Let me t- —

Q    The only thing I would say is we disagree with the suggestion that democracy and speaking — and taking questions from the press is “ludicrous.” 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  Noted.

Q    I would argue that our stories allow the president to have a relationship with the world, not just with other leaders, and the ability to talk openly will help that. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  Noted.  Noted. 

Let’s move on.

So, just want to talk about an announcement.  This is domestic, obviously, going to go to the — to that space.  I just wanted to touch on an announcement very quickly.

And so, today, the Biden-Harris administration announced an additional $4.5 billion in student debt cancelation for over 60,000 public service workers, bringing the total number of public — of public service workers who have had their student debt canceled under the Biden-Harris administration to over 1 million people. 

One such example is Kelly, a kindergarten teacher in Rhode Island, who had been paying off her student loans for a decade.  After the student let her know that her debt had been canceled, she tol- — after the president, pardon me — she told us that after 12 years of marriage, she might be able to take the honeymoon she never had.

The president — the president’s administration made it a priority to fix the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.  Prior to our administration, only 7,000 public service workers had received relief since the program was established in 2007. 

Thanks to the work of the Biden-Harris administration, as of today, 1 million teachers, nurses, firefighters, service members, first resp- — responders, and — and more who — who pursued careers in public service have gotten the relief they deserve. 

The relief brings the total loan forgiveness approved by the Biden-Harris administration — administration to over $175 billion for nearly 5 million Americans.  And while — meanwhile, our Republicans elected officials have repeatedly attempted to block student debt relief. 

President Biden and Vice President Harris remain committed to making education affordable for all Americans. 

With that, what else do you guys have for me?

Q    I have a question. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Sure.

Q    Did President Biden talk to Vice President Harris ahead of this trip to see if she had any message for the world leaders or to get her input on what the situation should be going forward? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  As you know, the president and the vice president talk regularly.  I don’t have a specific call to — to read out, but I think you can see the last almost four years of the — what we’ve been able to do, what the president has been able to do on the world stage, certainly has been in partnership with the vice president.  I know that she supports his trip and everything that he’s — he’s trying to do tomorrow in the — in the short trip that we have in — in Germany.

I just don’t have anything to read out as a call specifically on this trip.

Q    Is the president or the administration facing pressure from allies to get something done after the election but before he is out of office?  There’s been some talks that Zelenskyy — you know, whether that’s accelerating a push for Ukraine into NATO or — or other funding things for Ukraine?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, you’re talking about the victory plan.  Certainly, I’m going to let the Ukr- — Ukrainians speak to their victory plan as it relates to that question about NATO. 

Look, I think — I think what you have seen from this president, from this administration — obviously, including the vice president — is how much we have stand behind — next to, if you will — with Ukrainians and how they’re trying to beat back the aggression that we’ve seen from Russia.  And you have not just seen us standing there.  You’ve seen this president take action, and — which is why you see NATO much stronger than it was, and that’s why you see 50 countries have gotten behind Ukraine.  And you heard us — you heard us lay out yesterday an additional assistance package that we have provided to Ukrainians. 

And so, we’re going to have to continue — we’re going to continue having conversations with the Ukrainians on what they need on the battlefield and how else we can be helpful to them. 

As it relates to their victory plan — as it relates to what’s next, I’m certainly going to let the Ukrainians speak directly about that. 

Obviously, the president has had a conversation with the president, President Zelenskyy, on that plan.  I just don’t have anything beyond that, and I’m not — certainly, I’m not going to get into hypotheticals from here. 

Q    The president at the funeral yesterday had a — what looked like a spirited conversation with former President Obama.  Did you talk to him about what they discussed?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No, it’s been kind of busy the last couple hours on the plane, as you can imagine. 

Look, I’ll — I’ll say this.  The president really very much looked — appreciated being there at the — at the funeral of Ethel Kennedy, who he saw as someone who was incredible and had a — was an incredible force, obviously, in her life, during her — her years.  And what he wanted to do is — was to lift up — lift her up and speak to her accomplishment and what she meant to him — not just to him but to her family and to the country.  So, he appreciated doing that. 

And we have said many times the president and — and president — and former President Biden [Obama] — they have a very close relationship.  They’ve had one for a long time, obviously, as he served as his vice president.

I don’t have anything else to — to share on that.  I have not had this conversation with the president.  Obviously, we’ve been pretty busy these past couple of hours on the plane. 

Q    Do you know if the president was able to watch any of the Fox News interview that Vice President Harris did?  And does —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yes, he —

Q    — did he talk to you about how — how she did? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, he was able to — to catch that.  And he saw her performance, her interview as strong.  And I think what you saw and what — and this is what he believes — is that you saw why Americans and people want to see her continuing to fight for them.  And that’s what he saw last night.  That’s what we all saw — many of us saw.  So, I think she was strong and incredibly impressive in that interview. 

Q    Karine, does the president believe that his vice president would be a markedly different leader?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, look, he talked about this on Tuesday when he was in Philly, and he — and I talked a little bit about this as well, just reit- — really reiterating what the president shared, which is that, look, she’s going to be essentially her own person, right?  She is going to have her own direction, her own view of how to move forward. 

And he did that, right?  He was loyal to President Obama when he was vice president, but he cut his own path.  And so, that’s what he expects from the vice president to do. 

So, nothing — nothing new.  That’s what he expects her to do — to have her own path, to have — to build on — certainly, to build on the economic successes that we have seen and continuing the — the work that we’ve been able to do. 

But she’s going to cut her own path.  He was very clear about that a couple days ago.

Q    Karine —

Q    But on student loans — you talked about the PSLF 1 million, a huge achievement for those borrowers — what’s your message for the other 40 million-plus borrowers who’ve been caught up in a lot of legal limbo over the past three years?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, I’ll — I’ll say this.  You know, I’m not going to speak to the legal — the legal components of this.  There are legal matters that are happening, so they are ongoing.  So, I’m not going to speak to that. 

But I think what you can take away from what this president has — trying to do, when Republicans have continued to block him, in promising to give Americans a little bit of breathing room, to make sure that Americans who have — borrows [borrowers] who have loans and — and are squeezed by those loans are not able to, you know, buy a home, start a family.

The president was very attuned to that and very clear that he wanted to give them an opportunity — an opportunity to really, you know, be able to — to start that life that they wanted.  And so, he’s been trying to do that, even though he’s been blocked and — and Republicans have gotten in the way. 

I think you can see over the past — certainly, the past six months, the president continuing to try to take actions to — to make sure he kept his commitment to Americans who, again, need a little bit of breathing room.

So, I’m not going to speak to the legal matter, but I think this announcement today shows his commitment to public service workers, right?  I talked about firefighters, nurses.  I talked about police officers, who put so much on the line, who give so much for — for everybody, for folks who need their assistance and their help, and wanted to give them that opportunity to really be able to — to move on economically in what they want to accomplish for themselves and for their family.

All right.  Anything else?

Q    On the —

Q    So —

Q    Sorry.  Go ahead.

Q    Sorry.

Now going back to the funeral for a minute.  Did he speak with Speaker Emeritus Pelosi?  And also, she was not seen at the Italian American celebration, when she’s been front and center in the past.  Was she not invited?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — I don’t have anything to share with you on that.  I didn’t talk to the president about that at all.  But what you saw — obviously, you saw the president and the former president, Pres- — President Obama, connect, have a moment together.  The president m- — very much looked forward to that.  I just don’t have anything on Nancy Pelosi.

Q    Just —

Q    I noticed he didn’t recognize her when he recognized the other two presidents at the funeral.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, he wanted it — I can say this.  He wanted it to be, you know — to — to be very focused on the family.  He wanted it to be, you know, brief and — and very poignant.  And that’s what his focus was yesterday on his remarks.

Q    On the trip.  Obviously, this is a abbreviated agenda from, you know, the Ramstein summit —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — and other things.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    But can you explain to us, what’s the reason that it’s so short?  Why do we have to get out of Germany at 4:00 p.m. tomorrow?  Is there a reason on the German chancellor’s schedule why we have to —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I mean —

Q    Regardless of the press conference, there was also talk about maybe doing a Holocaust memorial situation.  What’s —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No, I totally understand what — totally — as you — let’s step back for a second. 

The reason that the president had to postpone his trip was because Hurricane Milton was coming, and it was — it was forecast to be a historical hurricane, and the president wanted to be in the States to deal with the response and what was needed, certainly, by the impacted region, for what folks on the ground really needed.

And so, that’s why we postponed the trip.  We said that we wanted to certainly get that back on the books.  We were able to do it — to your point, a truncated version, but it is a robust schedule.  And we were able to work with the Germans and to be able to get done what we can on this trip.

I mean, the president has a busy schedule.  He does.  There’s a lot going on in the next couple days, couple weeks.

Q    But he has to get back to the States for something in particular —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, we’ll —

Q    — that we don’t know about?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  We’re certainly going to share with you what the — his — the next couple of days of his schedule is going to look like.  But he wanted to — and I said this yesterday in the briefing room.  He wanted to thank the chancellor for his partnership, for his leadership as well with Ukraine.  Outside of the U.S., U- — the U- — German is the second — have provided the second-most resources, assistance to Ukrainians.

And so, he wanted to be, you know, thankful to him.  And so, that’s what you’re seeing on this trip.  He wanted to make this happen.  He asked his team to make this trip happen.

And so, look, we have a busy schedule.  We got a lot going on in next couple of days, next couple of weeks.  And so, we tried to fit this in, and this is what we were able to do in working with the German government as well to make this happen.

Q    Does the president, as the election hits its final two weeks, expect to get more aggressive in outreach and participation?  Is that maybe what you’re referencing, or what’s his thinking on that?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, you know I can’t speak to political trips or any- —

Q    But if —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  But wa- —

Q    — you could speak on his schedule.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, I — I’m just — want to get that out of there.  And so, look, the president is certainly looking at — looking forward to being out there and supporting the vice president.

I just want to be super mindful.  But he will — you’ll see him — you’ll see him hit the road.  You’ll see him hit the road, for sure.

That’s all I got. 

All right.  Thanks, everybody.  Sorry my voice is a little hoarse.

Q    Thanks, Karine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Thanks, everybody.

2:45 P.M. EDT

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