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On February 15, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of North Dakota and ordered Federal assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe winter storm and straight-line winds from December 25 to December 27, 2023.
 
Federal funding is available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm and straight-line winds in the counties of Barnes, Cass, Dickey, Grant, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele, Stutsman, and Traill.
 
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
 
Mr. James R. Stephenson of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. 
 
Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

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

On February 15, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of North Dakota and ordered Federal assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe winter storm and straight-line winds from December 25 to December 27, 2023.
 
Federal funding is available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm and straight-line winds in the counties of Barnes, Cass, Dickey, Grant, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele, Stutsman, and Traill.
 
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
 
Mr. James R. Stephenson of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. 
 
Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

###

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

Private Residence
San Francisco, California

(February 21, 2024)

3:56 P.M. PST
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  (Applause.)
 
Well, John and Ann and the boss here — (laughter) — she’s got the questions.  I don’t know what she’s going to ask me. 
 
First of all, thank you for doing this.  You know, the truth of the matter is I wouldn’t be standing here were it not for all of you.  And we would not have passed the — I — I do think we passed some really significant legislation — were it not for the Speaker, Nancy.  (Applause.)
 
A lot of you heard me say this before.  I’m not saying it just because I’m standing in front of you.  She is the best Speaker of the House, I think, there’s ever been.  (Applause.)
 
If you have her on your side, you won.  (Laughter.)  Thank God I was mostly on her side (inaudible).  (Laughter.)
 
Look, I — we’re going to have a little bit of — we’re going to have a discussion later on, and I’m going to answer some questions — or attempt to answer some questions.
 
And — but, you know, I think what you enabled us to get passed, in your leadership — I mean, the thing I think you all underestimate: It’s not just your intellectual leadership — and I mean this sincerely — the influence you have on your compatriots, the influence you have on your peers, the influence you have is consequential. 

People who didn’t even think there was a climate problem, you — because of you, thought it was.  You led.  They responded.  And it’s just a — just a gigantic difference.
 
And, you know, we can do a lot more.  We have to do a lot more.  I don’t think we’re anywhere near finished.  But I think we’re on the right track. 
 
And — and I’ll just be very blunt with you.  You know, I’m optimistic, because for the first time in this effort — and, by the way, I apologize for digressing, but I was involved in dealing with the climate issue starting way back when my parents lived in Scranton, Pennsylvania.  And my grandpop, who was a — who was a — the newspaper guy on the business side.  He was a — and we lived in this house on North Washington Avenue.  And they were all coal fired.
 
And he used to talk about how he didn’t like me going down to shovel coal into the furnace because he thought it was a problem.  I mean, this is in Scranton. 
 
And then when we moved — when — when coal died in Scranton, the business sort of shriveled up.  And there’s a bad joke: Everyone’s from Scranton; no one is in Scranton.
 
And we — we ended up moving where my dad had been raised until he was a junior in high school, in Wilmington, Delaware.  We moved to a little town called Claymont, Delaware.  And Claymont, Delaware, is right in that — you know that — that half circle that goes up, at the top of Delaware, into Pennsylvania and down to the Delaware River. 
 
And right across the line there is more oil refineries than anywhere, including in Houston, Texas.  And for the longest time, until — I guess it was probably — don’t hold me to the exact dates — but sometime in the late ‘80s, Delaware thought — was — had the worst environment of any state in the union in terms of the environment because all the wind was south and east. 
 
And so, these refineries — and I lived in this — we lived — and the school I went to, Archmere Academy, which is right on the line there, is literally a quarter mile from the Pennsylvania border in a place called, like, Marcus Hook and — and those places. 
 
And, you know, growing up, the vast majority of us ended up with — with asthma.  I mean, for real.  I have asthma.  I — and most of my friends.  It was one of the — there weren’t fences, but it was like the fence-line community. 
 
And so, I remember, we’d get up in the morning — when we moved down there, there was a thing called the Philadelphia Pike.  And the Philadelphia Pike preceded I-95 on the East Coast.  And the Philadelphia Pike was from Wilmington to Philadelphia, through this part of Southern — Southeastern Pennsylvania. 
 
And we — when we moved down, I went to a little Catholic school that was only about, I guess, probably a half a mile from where we moved to — a apartment complex we moved into.  It was easy enough to walk, but I was in third grade, and my daughter — my sister was in first grade.  And so, Mom used to drive us to school, to the parking lot, and then leave.
 
But every time the first frost would come, when it would come, we’d turn on the windshield wipers, and you’d get an oil slick.  Not a joke.  An oil slick.  And so, we became aware of the i- — the issue of pollution really starkly early on. 
 
Well, there’s still tens of thousands of people in America who get up and have a figurative or literal oil slick on their windows getting up.  And — and we were talking on the way out here, Nancy and I, and that is that — you know, this is — we’re doing this for our kids and our grandkids. 
 
This is the last — and there’s a existential threat: It is climate.  We have a crazy SOB like that guy Putin and others, and we always have to worry about nuclear conflict.  But the existential threat to humanity is climate. 
 
And so, you know, we’ve ended up being able to work together.  But it’s because you all have been so steadfast and — and influential and you put your money where your mouth is, that old saying goes.  You’ve — you’ve rallied people.  You’ve convinced people.  You’ve — you’ve made other people aware of what’s happening.
 
I notice the one thing — big thing that’s changed is — as Jeffrey knows — so we — he’s hanging out with me a lot, and I’m hanging with him a lot — we’re in a situation where, you know, we don’t have to convince people anymore there’s climate change.  The last three years have been a real example.  I don’t hear anybody saying it doesn’t exist anymore.
 
I’ve flown over this country in a helicopter more often — more forest fires and — and timber burned to the ground than comprises the entire state of Maryland.  That’s how much has burned to the ground.  We’re talking about making sure that we have — we — a billion trees get planted, to absorb.
 
And we’re — but because of you, everything is changing.  Because of you, even agricultural product — agricultural ideas are changing. 

We got a great Secretary of Agriculture, who, when we were running — (inaudible) was a former governor of Iowa — talked about how agriculture can be a major player in dealing with absorbing climate.
 
We’ve worked like the devil to make sure we’re working in terms of the Amazon.  The Amazon consumes more CO2 out of the atmosphere than we burn in — as much as we burn every day. 

So, there’s a lot of things we can do — a whole lot of things we can do and must do more of.
 
But the point, I guess, I want to make is that — I know I don’t look it; I’m only 40.  But — (laughter) — forgive me, Lord.  But, you know, I’ve been around a long time.  But I’ve never quite seen a crowd like this MAGA Republican crowd.  They seem to have very little, sort of, a moral compass on what is important to people. 

And — and so, what you’re doing in helping us here — and it’s not me.  I mean, it’s not like you got to like me.  What you’re doing here, though, is we got to prevent this other guy from being elected president. 

He’s made it absolutely clear: Everything you’ve done, everything we’ve done, he’s against.  So, my plea is not only to make sure we keep the White House so he can’t undo much of what was done, but we got to win the House and Senate.  We got to pick up the House and win more seats in the Senate to get the — what we have to get done.

And so, you know, the MAGA Republicans want to undo this all. 

And, by the way, Nancy and I have worked with Republicans for a long time.  A lot of Republicans, I’ve disagreed with, but they’ve been decent women and men.  They’ve had a — at least they’d had a — how can I say it? — a — an American moral center with what they were about.  But there doesn’t — that seems to be lost.
 
You listen to some of the things the — this fellow has been saying, like he’s comparing himself to Navalny and saying that he — because our country has become a communist country because it’s persecuting him, just like Navalny was persecuted.  I don’t know where the hell this comes from.  (Laughter.) 
 
No, I thi- — I mean, think — if I stood here — if I stood here 10, 15 years ago and said any of this, you’d all think I — I should be committed. 

(The President walks away from the podium.) 

No, I — I mean, think about it.  That ma- — it’s just astounding.  It astounds me the things that are being said.

This guy has been helping me bring — this guy right here, (inaudible) against the wall — he’s not a portrait — (inaudible).  (Laughter.)  But we’ve been going all over the country together.  And it just is — it’s just bizarre, the things that are being said.  (Inaudible) be done.

So, what you all are doing is i- — it’s not only saving the — the environment, you’re actually saving humanity.  And what you’ve done and you — and all the kids you’ve s- — encouraged nearby — my daughter — I have a daughter — I do have a daughter, but I have — I have five granddaughters. 

And — by the way, they’re crazy about me.  (Laughter.)  Every single day, I talk to them all and/or text with all of them, every single day. 

My number two granddaughter is named Finnegan Biden.  And she works for Bloomberg, and she works in the environmental side.  She’s the one that represents us — them in all the meetings all around the world.  And, you know, the — the number of young people who have (inaudible) what’s happening, again, because of all of you.

I’m talking too much.  I know we’re supposed to get to questions.

But the bottom line is: I can’t tell you how much not I owe you — and I do — but the country owes you.  Because without this organization, without you guys — not a joke — we wouldn’t be where we are.  And we got a long way to go.  I’m not saying it’s all over.  But I think we’ve made enormous progress.

But I’ve got — my mother, if she would — if my mother were here, she would be saying, “Hush up, Joey.  Hush up.”  (Laughter and applause.)

4:07 P.M. PST

The post Remarks by President Biden at a Campaign Reception | San Francisco, CA appeared first on The White House.

Private Residence
San Francisco, California

(February 21, 2024)

3:56 P.M. PST
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  (Applause.)
 
Well, John and Ann and the boss here — (laughter) — she’s got the questions.  I don’t know what she’s going to ask me. 
 
First of all, thank you for doing this.  You know, the truth of the matter is I wouldn’t be standing here were it not for all of you.  And we would not have passed the — I — I do think we passed some really significant legislation — were it not for the Speaker, Nancy.  (Applause.)
 
A lot of you heard me say this before.  I’m not saying it just because I’m standing in front of you.  She is the best Speaker of the House, I think, there’s ever been.  (Applause.)
 
If you have her on your side, you won.  (Laughter.)  Thank God I was mostly on her side (inaudible).  (Laughter.)
 
Look, I — we’re going to have a little bit of — we’re going to have a discussion later on, and I’m going to answer some questions — or attempt to answer some questions.
 
And — but, you know, I think what you enabled us to get passed, in your leadership — I mean, the thing I think you all underestimate: It’s not just your intellectual leadership — and I mean this sincerely — the influence you have on your compatriots, the influence you have on your peers, the influence you have is consequential. 

People who didn’t even think there was a climate problem, you — because of you, thought it was.  You led.  They responded.  And it’s just a — just a gigantic difference.
 
And, you know, we can do a lot more.  We have to do a lot more.  I don’t think we’re anywhere near finished.  But I think we’re on the right track. 
 
And — and I’ll just be very blunt with you.  You know, I’m optimistic, because for the first time in this effort — and, by the way, I apologize for digressing, but I was involved in dealing with the climate issue starting way back when my parents lived in Scranton, Pennsylvania.  And my grandpop, who was a — who was a — the newspaper guy on the business side.  He was a — and we lived in this house on North Washington Avenue.  And they were all coal fired.
 
And he used to talk about how he didn’t like me going down to shovel coal into the furnace because he thought it was a problem.  I mean, this is in Scranton. 
 
And then when we moved — when — when coal died in Scranton, the business sort of shriveled up.  And there’s a bad joke: Everyone’s from Scranton; no one is in Scranton.
 
And we — we ended up moving where my dad had been raised until he was a junior in high school, in Wilmington, Delaware.  We moved to a little town called Claymont, Delaware.  And Claymont, Delaware, is right in that — you know that — that half circle that goes up, at the top of Delaware, into Pennsylvania and down to the Delaware River. 
 
And right across the line there is more oil refineries than anywhere, including in Houston, Texas.  And for the longest time, until — I guess it was probably — don’t hold me to the exact dates — but sometime in the late ‘80s, Delaware thought — was — had the worst environment of any state in the union in terms of the environment because all the wind was south and east. 
 
And so, these refineries — and I lived in this — we lived — and the school I went to, Archmere Academy, which is right on the line there, is literally a quarter mile from the Pennsylvania border in a place called, like, Marcus Hook and — and those places. 
 
And, you know, growing up, the vast majority of us ended up with — with asthma.  I mean, for real.  I have asthma.  I — and most of my friends.  It was one of the — there weren’t fences, but it was like the fence-line community. 
 
And so, I remember, we’d get up in the morning — when we moved down there, there was a thing called the Philadelphia Pike.  And the Philadelphia Pike preceded I-95 on the East Coast.  And the Philadelphia Pike was from Wilmington to Philadelphia, through this part of Southern — Southeastern Pennsylvania. 
 
And we — when we moved down, I went to a little Catholic school that was only about, I guess, probably a half a mile from where we moved to — a apartment complex we moved into.  It was easy enough to walk, but I was in third grade, and my daughter — my sister was in first grade.  And so, Mom used to drive us to school, to the parking lot, and then leave.
 
But every time the first frost would come, when it would come, we’d turn on the windshield wipers, and you’d get an oil slick.  Not a joke.  An oil slick.  And so, we became aware of the i- — the issue of pollution really starkly early on. 
 
Well, there’s still tens of thousands of people in America who get up and have a figurative or literal oil slick on their windows getting up.  And — and we were talking on the way out here, Nancy and I, and that is that — you know, this is — we’re doing this for our kids and our grandkids. 
 
This is the last — and there’s a existential threat: It is climate.  We have a crazy SOB like that guy Putin and others, and we always have to worry about nuclear conflict.  But the existential threat to humanity is climate. 
 
And so, you know, we’ve ended up being able to work together.  But it’s because you all have been so steadfast and — and influential and you put your money where your mouth is, that old saying goes.  You’ve — you’ve rallied people.  You’ve convinced people.  You’ve — you’ve made other people aware of what’s happening.
 
I notice the one thing — big thing that’s changed is — as Jeffrey knows — so we — he’s hanging out with me a lot, and I’m hanging with him a lot — we’re in a situation where, you know, we don’t have to convince people anymore there’s climate change.  The last three years have been a real example.  I don’t hear anybody saying it doesn’t exist anymore.
 
I’ve flown over this country in a helicopter more often — more forest fires and — and timber burned to the ground than comprises the entire state of Maryland.  That’s how much has burned to the ground.  We’re talking about making sure that we have — we — a billion trees get planted, to absorb.
 
And we’re — but because of you, everything is changing.  Because of you, even agricultural product — agricultural ideas are changing. 

We got a great Secretary of Agriculture, who, when we were running — (inaudible) was a former governor of Iowa — talked about how agriculture can be a major player in dealing with absorbing climate.
 
We’ve worked like the devil to make sure we’re working in terms of the Amazon.  The Amazon consumes more CO2 out of the atmosphere than we burn in — as much as we burn every day. 

So, there’s a lot of things we can do — a whole lot of things we can do and must do more of.
 
But the point, I guess, I want to make is that — I know I don’t look it; I’m only 40.  But — (laughter) — forgive me, Lord.  But, you know, I’ve been around a long time.  But I’ve never quite seen a crowd like this MAGA Republican crowd.  They seem to have very little, sort of, a moral compass on what is important to people. 

And — and so, what you’re doing in helping us here — and it’s not me.  I mean, it’s not like you got to like me.  What you’re doing here, though, is we got to prevent this other guy from being elected president. 

He’s made it absolutely clear: Everything you’ve done, everything we’ve done, he’s against.  So, my plea is not only to make sure we keep the White House so he can’t undo much of what was done, but we got to win the House and Senate.  We got to pick up the House and win more seats in the Senate to get the — what we have to get done.

And so, you know, the MAGA Republicans want to undo this all. 

And, by the way, Nancy and I have worked with Republicans for a long time.  A lot of Republicans, I’ve disagreed with, but they’ve been decent women and men.  They’ve had a — at least they’d had a — how can I say it? — a — an American moral center with what they were about.  But there doesn’t — that seems to be lost.
 
You listen to some of the things the — this fellow has been saying, like he’s comparing himself to Navalny and saying that he — because our country has become a communist country because it’s persecuting him, just like Navalny was persecuted.  I don’t know where the hell this comes from.  (Laughter.) 
 
No, I thi- — I mean, think — if I stood here — if I stood here 10, 15 years ago and said any of this, you’d all think I — I should be committed. 

(The President walks away from the podium.) 

No, I — I mean, think about it.  That ma- — it’s just astounding.  It astounds me the things that are being said.

This guy has been helping me bring — this guy right here, (inaudible) against the wall — he’s not a portrait — (inaudible).  (Laughter.)  But we’ve been going all over the country together.  And it just is — it’s just bizarre, the things that are being said.  (Inaudible) be done.

So, what you all are doing is i- — it’s not only saving the — the environment, you’re actually saving humanity.  And what you’ve done and you — and all the kids you’ve s- — encouraged nearby — my daughter — I have a daughter — I do have a daughter, but I have — I have five granddaughters. 

And — by the way, they’re crazy about me.  (Laughter.)  Every single day, I talk to them all and/or text with all of them, every single day. 

My number two granddaughter is named Finnegan Biden.  And she works for Bloomberg, and she works in the environmental side.  She’s the one that represents us — them in all the meetings all around the world.  And, you know, the — the number of young people who have (inaudible) what’s happening, again, because of all of you.

I’m talking too much.  I know we’re supposed to get to questions.

But the bottom line is: I can’t tell you how much not I owe you — and I do — but the country owes you.  Because without this organization, without you guys — not a joke — we wouldn’t be where we are.  And we got a long way to go.  I’m not saying it’s all over.  But I think we’ve made enormous progress.

But I’ve got — my mother, if she would — if my mother were here, she would be saying, “Hush up, Joey.  Hush up.”  (Laughter and applause.)

4:07 P.M. PST

The post Remarks by President Biden at a Campaign Reception | San Francisco, CA appeared first on The White House.

Private Residence
San Francisco, California

5:52 P.M. PST

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

Jerry, for the longest time after being elected, I’d hear “Hail to the Chief” played, and I’d turn around and wonder: Where the hell was he?  (Laughter.)

Look, I want to thank Gordon and I want to thank George for that introduction and cohosting us tonight. 

And a special thanks to — and it was said twice tonight, but she can tell you I’ve been saying this for the last four years: the single best Speaker of the House of Representatives in American history.  (Applause.)  Nancy and Paul, your entire family are some of our dearest friends to Jill, me, and my family.  And Nance, thank you for everything. 

Thank you for — and — and, Jerry, I — it’s so good to see you.  Of all I was asked about — I guess about eight months ago, I was doing an interview and asked who was the most talented person I’ve ever dealt with.  And I think the most talented person at the moment I ever dealt with was you.  No, I mean that sincerely.  Because you — you had — you always had a vision that was clear and precise.  And any rate, and thanks for what you continue to do on the environment.  (Applause.)  (Inaudible.)

And Mike and Anna, thank you for all the legislation I’m getting credit for.  (Laughter.)  Well, you know, I may have introduced it, but you got it done.  You got it done for us. 

And — look, and thanks to all of you for your support. 

Folks, please continue to eat.  I’m used to not being taken seriously.  (Laughter.)  No, really, don’t — let’s keep this as informal as can be. 

The fact is that I’m getting pretty old, but I did not know Aristotle.  I was only kidding.  (Laughter.)

Look, folks, I think it’s fair to say we’ve been through one of the toughest periods in our nation’s history.  And I like to think about the future that it’s going to take to — to finish the job we started.  I think we got off to a pretty good start, but there’s a long way to go. 

And “finish the job” means beating Big Pharma again.  You know, if any of you have a prescription and you get in Air Force One — I can fly anywhere in the world.  And I can fly you to Toronto, to Paris, to London, to — and you’re going to pay 40 to 60 percent less for that same exact drug made by the same exact company. 

And so, it’s just — we’ve been fighting Big Pharma for a long, long time.  Any of you — you all know somebody who needs insulin for — for diabetes or other purposes.  And, you know, they’re paying up to 400 to 500 bucks a month.  Now they’re not going to pay more than $35 a month. 

It’s all about giving people an even chance.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Woo!

THE PRESIDENT:  No, I — no, I mean it.  I’m not looking for applause.  I’m looking for making the case that what we — there’s so much we can do. 

You know, and we — originally when I got it passed with the help of the people in this room, it affected everybody.  But then the Republicans turned it back and we had to reauthorize it and only for the elderly. 

But I want to make a point.  You know, not only does it lower prices for the elderly, those on Medicare and Medicaid, but it does something else.  It saves the United States of America $260 billion [$160 billion] over the next 10 years — $260 billion [$160 billion] in the legislation we passed, including limiting — limiting the price that any senior has to pay to $2,000 a year for all the drugs they consume. 

And you — many of you know, because you’re philanthropists who work on cancer: Some of these drugs are $10-, $12-, $14,000 a year.  But it not only saves the patient and access to the patient, but it saves the deficit — it reduces the deficit.  It doesn’t increase it. 

Lower drug prices for dozens of other me- — prescriptions are coming up in the bill we passed.  But it also saves taxpayers these exorbitant amounts they have to pay in taxes as well. 

Today, our MAGA friends are again promising to get rid of the Affordable Care Act that lowered — that — it’s the only thing that protects a lot of low-income people with a preexisting condition.  There’s no other way they can get insurance.  And we’re going to “finish the job,” meaning protecting and expanding the Affordable Care Act. 

It means protecting and strengthening Social Security and Medicare.  Republicans want to put it on a chopping block.  You may remember the last State of the Union I gave with that encounter with our friends on the — the Republicans on the floor, who I — one of the thing I got them to do spontaneously was get them to commit they weren’t going to try to lower it last — remember?  Remember that?  (Laughter.)  They were all booing.

Well, guess what?  Trump wants to do away with most of the historic action we’ve taken on climate.  I’ve been out here, met with a climate group and some of the — in California overall, but around the country, and many of you are involved in philanthropies that deal with global warming.  It is the only truly existential threat to humanity.  We have to gain control of it. 

And “finish the job” means that the Inflation Reduction Act get every — every single — every single element of it has to work for clean energy here in America.  And that’s what we’re doing.  We’re investing more in climate change than any country ever has in the history of the world and ever been introdu- — ever had occurred. 

So, “finish the job” means making housing affordable — more affordable and more accessible.  And it’s made programs on tax fairness by making sure the biggest corporations begin to pay their fair share. 

 You know, all the stuff we passed, as you recall, we’re give — we’re given credit by the presidential historians now.  Guess what?  We did it and still reduced the deficit by over a tril- — seven trillion dollars.  Because guess what? The fact of the matter is it saved money.  It didn’t cost money. 

But they’re at it again.  And the way we paid for it — we did a terrible thing: We raised the corporate tax to 15 percent.  (Laughter.)  Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.  (Laughter.)  And, by the way, that helped pay for the historic investments and reduced the deficit. 

But we’re not done.  The Trump tax cut that was not paid f- — not a penny of which was paid for of $2 trillion overwhelmingly benefited those in the top quarter percent, overwhelmingly — and super wealthy and the biggest corporations.  It exploded the deficit. 

You know, “finishing the job” means to get to — let the trust — the Trump tax cut, which expires this year, let it expire and provide a minimum tax for corporations.  Not — not (inaudible) — I’m not talking about the old 60 percent stuff.  Twenty-eight percent — twenty-eight percent would mean a gigantic change and give middle-class, hardworking folks a big effort — a big advantage. 

In addition to that, we’re in a situation where — you know, we now have — which is not a bad — I’m a capitalist,  although I — for 36 years, I was listed as the poorest man in Congress.  (Laughter.)  Not a joke.  I got a phone call, Jer, when I was campaigning for Pat Leahy in the — in the mid-‘90s. 

And I got a call — I called every night, as you all when you’re away and your kid is at home.  I called Jill, who was teaching school — my wife.  And I said, “How are you doing?”  And she said, “Fine.”  (Laughter.)  Okay, well, I’m in trouble.  I said, “What’s the matter?”  “Nothing.”

I said, “Jill, what’s the matter?”  She said, “Did you read today’s paper?” — meaning the Wilmington News Journal.  And I said, “They don’t have it up here, honey.”  And she said, “Well, top of the fold, ‘Biden, Poorest Man in Congress.’  Is that true?”  (Laughter.)  I swear to God, true story. 

But any rate, the point is that we now have — which — I’m a capitalist.  I’m all for people making as much money as they can fairly.  But just — just pay your fair share. 

Closing loophole — right now, there are a thousand billionaires in America.  It was 780 before the — before the — the recession — the recession.  It was a recession, but before the — we got in the — in the problem of the —

 AUDIENCE MEMBER:  The pandemic?

THE PRESIDENT:  — dealing with the pandemic.  And — and — but there are now a thousand of them.  They pay — you know what the average federal rate they pay?  8.2 percent tax — federal taxes.  If they just paid at 28 percent, it would generate another $400 billion in tax revenue over the next 10 years — $400 billion, 28 percent.

Most of you would trade that — wouldn’t you? — 28 percent. 

And guess what?  We’d be able to lift up long-term priorities like childcare, long-term care for the elderly at home — keeping them home, which I might add also generates economic growth and income.  It’s good for families, but it’s also really good for the economy. 

Trump and his MAGA friends are determined to take away our fundamental freedoms.  “Finish the job” means passing the John Lewis Voting Right Act.  I did what I could by — by executive order, but we need a national legislation to be passed. 

Trump brags about having overturned Roe v. Wade, taking away a woman’s freedom to choose.  Now reports show him supporting a national ban.  He doesn’t — not just the Supreme Court and let the states choose.  He wants to pass national legislation out of the Congress, which he has — would have the right to do if he could get the votes, to eliminate the right to choose.  I think he’s now said up to 16 weeks.  He keeps changing it. 

Well, I made it clear: If MAGA Republicans tried a national ban on the right to choose, I’m going to veto it.  (Applause.)  And if you reelect Kamala and me and we take back the House, we’re going to change the law so we have Roe v. Wade reinstalled in every single state in America.  (Applause.)  We have the power to do that.

No — no, I’m serious.  We can do that if we — so, not only thank you for helping me, but help the local officials, help congresspersons, help senators. 

Look, I kept my promises, you know, to — I said I’d appoint the first Black woman to the Supreme Court of the United States of America.  Well, I did.  (Applause.)  And, by the way, Ketanji Brown Jackson, she’s smarter than the rest of these guys.  (Laughter.)  She — and, by the way, she is truly impressive.  Mark my words.  She’s going to go down in history not just as the first Black woman, but one of the brightest and most informed. 

And, by the way, I didn’t realize this.  I kept appointing women to the appellate courts of the — of the circuit courts of appeal federally.  I’ve appointed more women to the federal appeals court and minorities than every other president in history combined — combined.  (Applause.)

And we — “finish the job” means getting more judges on the bench — more judges.  We’re up — we’re providing — we’re up to 174 [177].  And because one of the things we have to focus on is these local issues.  We’ve got to focus on making sure we have the judges on those — on the — on the circuit courts, on the — on the appellate courts, on — judges that we can appoint nationally and locally. 

Now, look, folks, all this progress matters to American people and positions us to win in 2024. 

And that brings me to my second point.  I’m not going to go much longer.  You know, we have a choice to make.  And to make a contrast, which I think is crystal clear: I’m often quoted as saying, “Don’t compare me to the Almighty.  Compare me to the alternative.”  Well, this alternative is a different breed of cat. 

REPRESENTATIVE PELOSI:  Don’t say that about cats.  (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT:  No, I’m — I know you know I’m —  I’m serious. 

Look, folks, all — all kidding aside.  You know, Jerry is a lot younger than me, but, you know — (laughter) — but — but the truth is, I’ve been a senator since 1972.  I got elected in ‘72.  And the prospect of — here — here’s what’s going on: I’ve served with real racists.  I served with Strom Thurmond.  I served with all these guys that — that have set terrible records on race.

But guess what?  These guys are worse.  These guys are worse.  These guys do not believe in basic democratic principles. 

You know, at least in the old days, you’d have Ted Kennedy in Judiciary Committee going at — at Jim Eastland.  And then, he’d go down in the Senate dining room and they’d have — they’d have — have lunch together. 

So, I got a phone call from Strom Thurmond’s wife when he was a hundred years old, dying at Walter Reed Hospital, saying “Joe…”  I said, “How’s Leader — how — how’s Strom?”  And she said, “Well, he’s — he’s on God’s time now, Joe.” 

And I [she] said, “I’m standing here at the nurse’s station with a doctor — his doctor.”  And she named the doctor.  I don’t remember the name.  “And he said he asked us to come out and call you.  Will you do his eulogy?” 

And I thought, “Holy God.”  I did his eulogy.  I started off by saying to my grandfather, Grandpa Finnegan, “Forgive me for what I’m about to do.”  (Laughter.)

But I told the truth.  Because by the time Strom left — he did terrible things.  But by the time he left, he had more African Americans on his staff than any other member of the United States Congress.  He voted to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act.  He finally — a lot of it broke through — a lot of it broke though. 

I’m not making it more than it was, but my point is: At least you could work with some of these guys. 

Time and again, Republicans show what the party of chaos and a party of division.  I don’t think any of you in this room — and you’re all sophisticated as hell about American politics.  Look at what they’re doing. 

The bipartisan immigration and border bill gets passed after far — almost five weeks of negotiation — Democrat and Republican.  It was a tough, tough deal.  And I said I would support the outcome.  Didn’t have all that I wanted in it, but it makes — there were some real problems.  They’re short about 2- — about 3,000 workers down there, from Border Patrol to a whole range — the judges and the rest. 

Well, you know, we — so we — so we get a bill.  And we — Dem- — Democrats and Republicans pass it.  And then Trump gets on the phone, I’m told.  I didn’t hear any of it.  He gets on the phone, and he says — he tells the House members that if you vote for this, I’m coming after you.  I don’t know that he u- — actually used the word “retribution,” but you’re going to be a problem. 

They changed their mind.  Why?  Because he said, “It will help Biden — it will help Biden if you do this.  If you help him solve the border problem, it’s going to cause me — so, don’t do it.” 

I don’t remember that happening before.  I don’t remember that happening before. 

And look at what they’re doing on national security.  The so-called supplemental bill, the one that has money for Israel, for Taiwan, for the U- — not for — dealing with what’s going on in Ukraine, et cetera — and Israel. 

Well, guess what?  You saw Trump.  You know, he is — he is incredible.  He stands there and he tells them — what he says is outrageous. 

He says that NATO — first of all, he doesn’t like NATO.  He wanted to pull out of it completely.  He has no notion of its importance.  It’s — it’s kept the world safe, in terms of world war, since — for 70 years. 

And he says to — he said: If, in fact, NATO members don’t pay their dues exactly what they say they’re going to pay when they pay it, he welcomed — you saw it on television — he welcomed Putin to invade that country, and we would do nothing. 

Bottom line: The Republican Party — and I never thought I’d say this before, because I’ve tried to work across the aisle — the Republican Party has to decide: Who do they serve?  Do they serve Donald Trump or do they serve the American people?  Are they here to solve problems or just weaponize these things into political attacks? 

I know the answer.  I’m here to serve the American people with what I do, just like all of you do when you serve.  When we make clear — when we make that clear, we win. 

Look at 2020, 2022, and 2023.  I was told when I made that speech running in 2020 at — at the Independence Hall about democracy being at stake — the press looked and said, “Well, what the hell is he talking about?  What — making this up.”   Well, 63 percent of the American people thought I was — it was true.  They — they got it.  We were supposed to get our rear-end kicked.  We won by 7 million votes — and we won. 

Well, guess what?  We’re in a same situation now.  The American people know our democracy is literally at stake — not hyperbole. 

I have spent a lot of time in foreign policy — my whole career.  I was chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.  And one of the reasons why Barack asked me to be vice president because of my background in foreign policy and knowing these world leaders.  I — I know them all, and I’ve known them — that doesn’t make me — I just meant I’ve been around a while.  I know them all. 

Well, guess what we did?  Before Kissinger died, I got a phone call — about 10 days before he passed away: Would I call?  And I called him.  And here’s what he said, Jer.  He said, “Not since Napoleon has Europe not looked over its shoulder at Russia and worried about its prospects until you guys came along.  You united NATO.  You expanded NATO.  And it’s changed the world.  It’s changed the world.”

Imagine what happens if this guy gets elected and steps out of NATO.  Imagine what that does. 

My first meeting with Putin after getting elected, he told me what he wanted to do and he made a lot of demands.  Anyway, I s- — said, “You want to” — he kept asking.  I said, “You want the — the — the Findalization [Finlandization] of NATO.  I’m telling you, you’re going get the NATOization of Finland if you keep this up.”  We expanded NATO with Finland and Sweden.  (Applause.)  No, I don’t need — 

But — but my point is — my point is that we have a ch- — we’re at one of those inflection points, as I said, where what we do in the next year or two is going to determine the fate of this country for the better part of the next four or five decades, just like the post-war era determined what the decade — next — the decades would be. 

And so, look, let me get to the final point.  We can’t take anything for granted.  Trump and his MAGA friends are dividing us, not uniting us.  If you notice, they have no platform.  You ever see a party that doesn’t have any platform going — no platform going into an election?  None. 

They’re dragging us back to the past, not leading us to the future; refusing to accept the results of a legitimate election; seeking, as Trump says, to “terminate” elements of the Constitution.  He talks about eliminating elements of the Constitution because of his congre- — his presidential power to do so. 

He’s — embraces political violence.  When was the last president since — since the Civil War that’s embraced violence?  He talks about it.  This is the guy who calls the January 6th insurrectionists “patriots” and says he’s going to for- — he’s going to pardon them.  Pardon them. 

The first meeting I was in Europe as — the G7, after I got elected.  And I sat down and we were talking about — I was with Macron, and I said, “America is back.”  There were six other heads of state.  And he said, “For how long?” 

And with that, the chair — the Chancellor of Germany looked at me and said, “Mr. President, what would you do if you picked up the paper tomorrow and the headline in the London Times was ‘A thousand people crash into Parliament, break down the — the doors to the House, and, in fact, stopped the — the recognition of a new Prime Minister’?” 

Imagine what we’d think.  Well, the rest of the world looks at us, wondering, “What the hell is going on?” 

Every major meeting I go to internationally — and I’ve gone — I’ve got go to fewer now because I got to spend more time home here.  But every one — Anna, I’m not exaggerating — as I walk out of the meetings, a head of state will find an excuse to come up close to me and grab my arm and say, “You’ve got to win.”  Not because I’m so special.  “You’ve got to win because my democracy is at stake if the other guy wins.”  Nine heads of state have done that with me.  Nine.

And this guy calls im- — immigrants — we have a problem with immigration.  We need an orderly process.  It’s out of control.  We can fix it.  The first bill I ever introduced was a bill on immi- — on — on the border, calling for more agents, more rational ways to deal with this issue. 

But what’s he call — he calls them “vermin” who are “poisoning the blood of our country” — his terms.  They’re threatening our democracy, according to him.

A Muslim ban — can’t come to the United States. 

We have to make it clear to America: We still believe, in America, in honesty, decency, some respect for one another.  We believe everybody deserves — the vast majority of Americans still believes everybody deserves a fair shot.  It leaves nobody behind.  Just gives — you give them a shot. 

My dad, who never got to go to college because of the war, but he got into Johns Hopkins and never was able to go.  My dad used to always say, “Joey, a job is about a lot more than a paycheck.  It’s about your dignity.  It’s about respect.  It’s about decency.  It’s about being able to look your kid in the eye and say, ‘Honey, it’s going to be okay,’ and mean it — and mean it.” 

Well, folks, we’re all been trained to give hate no harbor in America.  We made progress in three years than most presidents have taken eight years to do because of the help I’ve had in the Congress, but it all can be wiped out in this election. 

So, we have to stay focused on what we have to do to win.  We have to get out the vote.  We must keep the White House, we must keep the Senate, and we have to get back the House. 

And when we do that, we’re going to be able to do something few generations have be able to do, and historians will write it — I won’t be around to see it, but you — you guys will see it — that this generation of Americans saved democracy — saved democracy. 

That’s what this is — all at stake.  I — I don’t — I don’t think that’s hyperbole.  I don’t think it’s exaggeration: save democracy. 

We just have to — we just have to remind ourselves who we are, for God’s sake.  We’re the United States of America — the United States of America.  There’s not a damn thing we can’t do if we do it together. 

Think about it.  We’re the only nation in the history of the world that has come out of every crisis stronger than we went in.  That’s who we are.  That’s who we’ve been, for damn sake.  I really mean it. 

And it angers me so much the way these guys are working these days.  So, with the grace of God, the goodwill of the neighbors, and the crick not rising, as my grandfather would say, we got a shot. 

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

6:15 P.M. PST

The post Remarks by President Biden at Campaign Event | San Francisco, CA appeared first on The White House.

Private Residence
San Francisco, California

5:52 P.M. PST

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

Jerry, for the longest time after being elected, I’d hear “Hail to the Chief” played, and I’d turn around and wonder: Where the hell was he?  (Laughter.)

Look, I want to thank Gordon and I want to thank George for that introduction and cohosting us tonight. 

And a special thanks to — and it was said twice tonight, but she can tell you I’ve been saying this for the last four years: the single best Speaker of the House of Representatives in American history.  (Applause.)  Nancy and Paul, your entire family are some of our dearest friends to Jill, me, and my family.  And Nance, thank you for everything. 

Thank you for — and — and, Jerry, I — it’s so good to see you.  Of all I was asked about — I guess about eight months ago, I was doing an interview and asked who was the most talented person I’ve ever dealt with.  And I think the most talented person at the moment I ever dealt with was you.  No, I mean that sincerely.  Because you — you had — you always had a vision that was clear and precise.  And any rate, and thanks for what you continue to do on the environment.  (Applause.)  (Inaudible.)

And Mike and Anna, thank you for all the legislation I’m getting credit for.  (Laughter.)  Well, you know, I may have introduced it, but you got it done.  You got it done for us. 

And — look, and thanks to all of you for your support. 

Folks, please continue to eat.  I’m used to not being taken seriously.  (Laughter.)  No, really, don’t — let’s keep this as informal as can be. 

The fact is that I’m getting pretty old, but I did not know Aristotle.  I was only kidding.  (Laughter.)

Look, folks, I think it’s fair to say we’ve been through one of the toughest periods in our nation’s history.  And I like to think about the future that it’s going to take to — to finish the job we started.  I think we got off to a pretty good start, but there’s a long way to go. 

And “finish the job” means beating Big Pharma again.  You know, if any of you have a prescription and you get in Air Force One — I can fly anywhere in the world.  And I can fly you to Toronto, to Paris, to London, to — and you’re going to pay 40 to 60 percent less for that same exact drug made by the same exact company. 

And so, it’s just — we’ve been fighting Big Pharma for a long, long time.  Any of you — you all know somebody who needs insulin for — for diabetes or other purposes.  And, you know, they’re paying up to 400 to 500 bucks a month.  Now they’re not going to pay more than $35 a month. 

It’s all about giving people an even chance.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Woo!

THE PRESIDENT:  No, I — no, I mean it.  I’m not looking for applause.  I’m looking for making the case that what we — there’s so much we can do. 

You know, and we — originally when I got it passed with the help of the people in this room, it affected everybody.  But then the Republicans turned it back and we had to reauthorize it and only for the elderly. 

But I want to make a point.  You know, not only does it lower prices for the elderly, those on Medicare and Medicaid, but it does something else.  It saves the United States of America $260 billion [$160 billion] over the next 10 years — $260 billion [$160 billion] in the legislation we passed, including limiting — limiting the price that any senior has to pay to $2,000 a year for all the drugs they consume. 

And you — many of you know, because you’re philanthropists who work on cancer: Some of these drugs are $10-, $12-, $14,000 a year.  But it not only saves the patient and access to the patient, but it saves the deficit — it reduces the deficit.  It doesn’t increase it. 

Lower drug prices for dozens of other me- — prescriptions are coming up in the bill we passed.  But it also saves taxpayers these exorbitant amounts they have to pay in taxes as well. 

Today, our MAGA friends are again promising to get rid of the Affordable Care Act that lowered — that — it’s the only thing that protects a lot of low-income people with a preexisting condition.  There’s no other way they can get insurance.  And we’re going to “finish the job,” meaning protecting and expanding the Affordable Care Act. 

It means protecting and strengthening Social Security and Medicare.  Republicans want to put it on a chopping block.  You may remember the last State of the Union I gave with that encounter with our friends on the — the Republicans on the floor, who I — one of the thing I got them to do spontaneously was get them to commit they weren’t going to try to lower it last — remember?  Remember that?  (Laughter.)  They were all booing.

Well, guess what?  Trump wants to do away with most of the historic action we’ve taken on climate.  I’ve been out here, met with a climate group and some of the — in California overall, but around the country, and many of you are involved in philanthropies that deal with global warming.  It is the only truly existential threat to humanity.  We have to gain control of it. 

And “finish the job” means that the Inflation Reduction Act get every — every single — every single element of it has to work for clean energy here in America.  And that’s what we’re doing.  We’re investing more in climate change than any country ever has in the history of the world and ever been introdu- — ever had occurred. 

So, “finish the job” means making housing affordable — more affordable and more accessible.  And it’s made programs on tax fairness by making sure the biggest corporations begin to pay their fair share. 

 You know, all the stuff we passed, as you recall, we’re give — we’re given credit by the presidential historians now.  Guess what?  We did it and still reduced the deficit by over a tril- — seven trillion dollars.  Because guess what? The fact of the matter is it saved money.  It didn’t cost money. 

But they’re at it again.  And the way we paid for it — we did a terrible thing: We raised the corporate tax to 15 percent.  (Laughter.)  Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.  (Laughter.)  And, by the way, that helped pay for the historic investments and reduced the deficit. 

But we’re not done.  The Trump tax cut that was not paid f- — not a penny of which was paid for of $2 trillion overwhelmingly benefited those in the top quarter percent, overwhelmingly — and super wealthy and the biggest corporations.  It exploded the deficit. 

You know, “finishing the job” means to get to — let the trust — the Trump tax cut, which expires this year, let it expire and provide a minimum tax for corporations.  Not — not (inaudible) — I’m not talking about the old 60 percent stuff.  Twenty-eight percent — twenty-eight percent would mean a gigantic change and give middle-class, hardworking folks a big effort — a big advantage. 

In addition to that, we’re in a situation where — you know, we now have — which is not a bad — I’m a capitalist,  although I — for 36 years, I was listed as the poorest man in Congress.  (Laughter.)  Not a joke.  I got a phone call, Jer, when I was campaigning for Pat Leahy in the — in the mid-‘90s. 

And I got a call — I called every night, as you all when you’re away and your kid is at home.  I called Jill, who was teaching school — my wife.  And I said, “How are you doing?”  And she said, “Fine.”  (Laughter.)  Okay, well, I’m in trouble.  I said, “What’s the matter?”  “Nothing.”

I said, “Jill, what’s the matter?”  She said, “Did you read today’s paper?” — meaning the Wilmington News Journal.  And I said, “They don’t have it up here, honey.”  And she said, “Well, top of the fold, ‘Biden, Poorest Man in Congress.’  Is that true?”  (Laughter.)  I swear to God, true story. 

But any rate, the point is that we now have — which — I’m a capitalist.  I’m all for people making as much money as they can fairly.  But just — just pay your fair share. 

Closing loophole — right now, there are a thousand billionaires in America.  It was 780 before the — before the — the recession — the recession.  It was a recession, but before the — we got in the — in the problem of the —

 AUDIENCE MEMBER:  The pandemic?

THE PRESIDENT:  — dealing with the pandemic.  And — and — but there are now a thousand of them.  They pay — you know what the average federal rate they pay?  8.2 percent tax — federal taxes.  If they just paid at 28 percent, it would generate another $400 billion in tax revenue over the next 10 years — $400 billion, 28 percent.

Most of you would trade that — wouldn’t you? — 28 percent. 

And guess what?  We’d be able to lift up long-term priorities like childcare, long-term care for the elderly at home — keeping them home, which I might add also generates economic growth and income.  It’s good for families, but it’s also really good for the economy. 

Trump and his MAGA friends are determined to take away our fundamental freedoms.  “Finish the job” means passing the John Lewis Voting Right Act.  I did what I could by — by executive order, but we need a national legislation to be passed. 

Trump brags about having overturned Roe v. Wade, taking away a woman’s freedom to choose.  Now reports show him supporting a national ban.  He doesn’t — not just the Supreme Court and let the states choose.  He wants to pass national legislation out of the Congress, which he has — would have the right to do if he could get the votes, to eliminate the right to choose.  I think he’s now said up to 16 weeks.  He keeps changing it. 

Well, I made it clear: If MAGA Republicans tried a national ban on the right to choose, I’m going to veto it.  (Applause.)  And if you reelect Kamala and me and we take back the House, we’re going to change the law so we have Roe v. Wade reinstalled in every single state in America.  (Applause.)  We have the power to do that.

No — no, I’m serious.  We can do that if we — so, not only thank you for helping me, but help the local officials, help congresspersons, help senators. 

Look, I kept my promises, you know, to — I said I’d appoint the first Black woman to the Supreme Court of the United States of America.  Well, I did.  (Applause.)  And, by the way, Ketanji Brown Jackson, she’s smarter than the rest of these guys.  (Laughter.)  She — and, by the way, she is truly impressive.  Mark my words.  She’s going to go down in history not just as the first Black woman, but one of the brightest and most informed. 

And, by the way, I didn’t realize this.  I kept appointing women to the appellate courts of the — of the circuit courts of appeal federally.  I’ve appointed more women to the federal appeals court and minorities than every other president in history combined — combined.  (Applause.)

And we — “finish the job” means getting more judges on the bench — more judges.  We’re up — we’re providing — we’re up to 174 [177].  And because one of the things we have to focus on is these local issues.  We’ve got to focus on making sure we have the judges on those — on the — on the circuit courts, on the — on the appellate courts, on — judges that we can appoint nationally and locally. 

Now, look, folks, all this progress matters to American people and positions us to win in 2024. 

And that brings me to my second point.  I’m not going to go much longer.  You know, we have a choice to make.  And to make a contrast, which I think is crystal clear: I’m often quoted as saying, “Don’t compare me to the Almighty.  Compare me to the alternative.”  Well, this alternative is a different breed of cat. 

REPRESENTATIVE PELOSI:  Don’t say that about cats.  (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT:  No, I’m — I know you know I’m —  I’m serious. 

Look, folks, all — all kidding aside.  You know, Jerry is a lot younger than me, but, you know — (laughter) — but — but the truth is, I’ve been a senator since 1972.  I got elected in ‘72.  And the prospect of — here — here’s what’s going on: I’ve served with real racists.  I served with Strom Thurmond.  I served with all these guys that — that have set terrible records on race.

But guess what?  These guys are worse.  These guys are worse.  These guys do not believe in basic democratic principles. 

You know, at least in the old days, you’d have Ted Kennedy in Judiciary Committee going at — at Jim Eastland.  And then, he’d go down in the Senate dining room and they’d have — they’d have — have lunch together. 

So, I got a phone call from Strom Thurmond’s wife when he was a hundred years old, dying at Walter Reed Hospital, saying “Joe…”  I said, “How’s Leader — how — how’s Strom?”  And she said, “Well, he’s — he’s on God’s time now, Joe.” 

And I [she] said, “I’m standing here at the nurse’s station with a doctor — his doctor.”  And she named the doctor.  I don’t remember the name.  “And he said he asked us to come out and call you.  Will you do his eulogy?” 

And I thought, “Holy God.”  I did his eulogy.  I started off by saying to my grandfather, Grandpa Finnegan, “Forgive me for what I’m about to do.”  (Laughter.)

But I told the truth.  Because by the time Strom left — he did terrible things.  But by the time he left, he had more African Americans on his staff than any other member of the United States Congress.  He voted to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act.  He finally — a lot of it broke through — a lot of it broke though. 

I’m not making it more than it was, but my point is: At least you could work with some of these guys. 

Time and again, Republicans show what the party of chaos and a party of division.  I don’t think any of you in this room — and you’re all sophisticated as hell about American politics.  Look at what they’re doing. 

The bipartisan immigration and border bill gets passed after far — almost five weeks of negotiation — Democrat and Republican.  It was a tough, tough deal.  And I said I would support the outcome.  Didn’t have all that I wanted in it, but it makes — there were some real problems.  They’re short about 2- — about 3,000 workers down there, from Border Patrol to a whole range — the judges and the rest. 

Well, you know, we — so we — so we get a bill.  And we — Dem- — Democrats and Republicans pass it.  And then Trump gets on the phone, I’m told.  I didn’t hear any of it.  He gets on the phone, and he says — he tells the House members that if you vote for this, I’m coming after you.  I don’t know that he u- — actually used the word “retribution,” but you’re going to be a problem. 

They changed their mind.  Why?  Because he said, “It will help Biden — it will help Biden if you do this.  If you help him solve the border problem, it’s going to cause me — so, don’t do it.” 

I don’t remember that happening before.  I don’t remember that happening before. 

And look at what they’re doing on national security.  The so-called supplemental bill, the one that has money for Israel, for Taiwan, for the U- — not for — dealing with what’s going on in Ukraine, et cetera — and Israel. 

Well, guess what?  You saw Trump.  You know, he is — he is incredible.  He stands there and he tells them — what he says is outrageous. 

He says that NATO — first of all, he doesn’t like NATO.  He wanted to pull out of it completely.  He has no notion of its importance.  It’s — it’s kept the world safe, in terms of world war, since — for 70 years. 

And he says to — he said: If, in fact, NATO members don’t pay their dues exactly what they say they’re going to pay when they pay it, he welcomed — you saw it on television — he welcomed Putin to invade that country, and we would do nothing. 

Bottom line: The Republican Party — and I never thought I’d say this before, because I’ve tried to work across the aisle — the Republican Party has to decide: Who do they serve?  Do they serve Donald Trump or do they serve the American people?  Are they here to solve problems or just weaponize these things into political attacks? 

I know the answer.  I’m here to serve the American people with what I do, just like all of you do when you serve.  When we make clear — when we make that clear, we win. 

Look at 2020, 2022, and 2023.  I was told when I made that speech running in 2020 at — at the Independence Hall about democracy being at stake — the press looked and said, “Well, what the hell is he talking about?  What — making this up.”   Well, 63 percent of the American people thought I was — it was true.  They — they got it.  We were supposed to get our rear-end kicked.  We won by 7 million votes — and we won. 

Well, guess what?  We’re in a same situation now.  The American people know our democracy is literally at stake — not hyperbole. 

I have spent a lot of time in foreign policy — my whole career.  I was chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.  And one of the reasons why Barack asked me to be vice president because of my background in foreign policy and knowing these world leaders.  I — I know them all, and I’ve known them — that doesn’t make me — I just meant I’ve been around a while.  I know them all. 

Well, guess what we did?  Before Kissinger died, I got a phone call — about 10 days before he passed away: Would I call?  And I called him.  And here’s what he said, Jer.  He said, “Not since Napoleon has Europe not looked over its shoulder at Russia and worried about its prospects until you guys came along.  You united NATO.  You expanded NATO.  And it’s changed the world.  It’s changed the world.”

Imagine what happens if this guy gets elected and steps out of NATO.  Imagine what that does. 

My first meeting with Putin after getting elected, he told me what he wanted to do and he made a lot of demands.  Anyway, I s- — said, “You want to” — he kept asking.  I said, “You want the — the — the Findalization [Finlandization] of NATO.  I’m telling you, you’re going get the NATOization of Finland if you keep this up.”  We expanded NATO with Finland and Sweden.  (Applause.)  No, I don’t need — 

But — but my point is — my point is that we have a ch- — we’re at one of those inflection points, as I said, where what we do in the next year or two is going to determine the fate of this country for the better part of the next four or five decades, just like the post-war era determined what the decade — next — the decades would be. 

And so, look, let me get to the final point.  We can’t take anything for granted.  Trump and his MAGA friends are dividing us, not uniting us.  If you notice, they have no platform.  You ever see a party that doesn’t have any platform going — no platform going into an election?  None. 

They’re dragging us back to the past, not leading us to the future; refusing to accept the results of a legitimate election; seeking, as Trump says, to “terminate” elements of the Constitution.  He talks about eliminating elements of the Constitution because of his congre- — his presidential power to do so. 

He’s — embraces political violence.  When was the last president since — since the Civil War that’s embraced violence?  He talks about it.  This is the guy who calls the January 6th insurrectionists “patriots” and says he’s going to for- — he’s going to pardon them.  Pardon them. 

The first meeting I was in Europe as — the G7, after I got elected.  And I sat down and we were talking about — I was with Macron, and I said, “America is back.”  There were six other heads of state.  And he said, “For how long?” 

And with that, the chair — the Chancellor of Germany looked at me and said, “Mr. President, what would you do if you picked up the paper tomorrow and the headline in the London Times was ‘A thousand people crash into Parliament, break down the — the doors to the House, and, in fact, stopped the — the recognition of a new Prime Minister’?” 

Imagine what we’d think.  Well, the rest of the world looks at us, wondering, “What the hell is going on?” 

Every major meeting I go to internationally — and I’ve gone — I’ve got go to fewer now because I got to spend more time home here.  But every one — Anna, I’m not exaggerating — as I walk out of the meetings, a head of state will find an excuse to come up close to me and grab my arm and say, “You’ve got to win.”  Not because I’m so special.  “You’ve got to win because my democracy is at stake if the other guy wins.”  Nine heads of state have done that with me.  Nine.

And this guy calls im- — immigrants — we have a problem with immigration.  We need an orderly process.  It’s out of control.  We can fix it.  The first bill I ever introduced was a bill on immi- — on — on the border, calling for more agents, more rational ways to deal with this issue. 

But what’s he call — he calls them “vermin” who are “poisoning the blood of our country” — his terms.  They’re threatening our democracy, according to him.

A Muslim ban — can’t come to the United States. 

We have to make it clear to America: We still believe, in America, in honesty, decency, some respect for one another.  We believe everybody deserves — the vast majority of Americans still believes everybody deserves a fair shot.  It leaves nobody behind.  Just gives — you give them a shot. 

My dad, who never got to go to college because of the war, but he got into Johns Hopkins and never was able to go.  My dad used to always say, “Joey, a job is about a lot more than a paycheck.  It’s about your dignity.  It’s about respect.  It’s about decency.  It’s about being able to look your kid in the eye and say, ‘Honey, it’s going to be okay,’ and mean it — and mean it.” 

Well, folks, we’re all been trained to give hate no harbor in America.  We made progress in three years than most presidents have taken eight years to do because of the help I’ve had in the Congress, but it all can be wiped out in this election. 

So, we have to stay focused on what we have to do to win.  We have to get out the vote.  We must keep the White House, we must keep the Senate, and we have to get back the House. 

And when we do that, we’re going to be able to do something few generations have be able to do, and historians will write it — I won’t be around to see it, but you — you guys will see it — that this generation of Americans saved democracy — saved democracy. 

That’s what this is — all at stake.  I — I don’t — I don’t think that’s hyperbole.  I don’t think it’s exaggeration: save democracy. 

We just have to — we just have to remind ourselves who we are, for God’s sake.  We’re the United States of America — the United States of America.  There’s not a damn thing we can’t do if we do it together. 

Think about it.  We’re the only nation in the history of the world that has come out of every crisis stronger than we went in.  That’s who we are.  That’s who we’ve been, for damn sake.  I really mean it. 

And it angers me so much the way these guys are working these days.  So, with the grace of God, the goodwill of the neighbors, and the crick not rising, as my grandfather would say, we got a shot. 

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

6:15 P.M. PST

The post Remarks by President Biden at Campaign Event | San Francisco, CA appeared first on The White House.

Private Residence
Beverly Hills, California

(February 20, 2024)

7:17 P.M. PST
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  (Applause.)
 
Please sit down.  I’m sure you’re standing up because you’re so bored of sitting down all this time.  (Laughter.) 
 
Leslie, thank you for that introduction. 
 
And a special thanks to — to Haim and Cheryl and opening their home to us.  And to — to Casey for co-hosting.  I wish them the quickest recovery. 
 
And thanks to all of you for your support and — including Congressman Brad Sherman.  Where are you, Brad?  (Applause.)  There you are.  You’ve come through one of the toughest periods in recent American history. 
 
Look, folks, you know, I wouldn’t wait this long for anybody except possibly — can you — what’s — what’s her name?  Jane Fonda.  (Laughter and applause.)  I wouldn’t do this for anybody else, Jane — wait this long. 
 
But thank you.  Thank you all very, very much. 
 
Look, folks, I’m going to try to — I’m going to shorten what I was going to say in the interest of your sanity and a little bit of time. 
 
I’d like to talk about the future and what it means to finish the job. 
 
Folks, “finish the job” means beating Big Pharma again to keep lowering drug prices across the entire country.  We made insulin drop from about $40 — $400 a month to about $35 — not — you can’t charge more than $35 for seniors on Medicare.  We wanted to make it for everyone, but Republicans blocked it.  (Applause.)  
 
“Finishing the job” means $35 insulin for everyone with diabetes, lowering drug prices for dozens of other prescriptions, and, by the way, saving — saving the federal government — reducing the debt over 10 years by $260 billion.  It reduces the debt.  (Applause.)   It means that the — Medicare is not paying those prices. 
 
Trump and his MAGA friends have promised again to get rid of the Affordable Care Act, the law that provides millions — millions of Americans with preexisting condition the opportunity to have insurance.  They wouldn’t have it without that.
 
“Finish the job” means protecting and expanding the Affordable Care Act.  It means protecting and strengthening So- — Social Security and Medicare that our MAGA Republicans — not all — this — by the way, let me — I should say at the outset: This is not your father’s Republican Party.  This a different party.  And I mean that sincerely.  There’s a lot of really, really fine members of Congress that are Republicans that I disagree with, but we’re friends and they play it straight. 
 
But look, they want to put Medicare and they want to put Social Security on the chopping block. 
 
Trump wants to do away with the most historic action ever on climate. 
 
“Finishing the job” means implementing the Inflation Reduction Act at every — every level and building a clean energy future here in America.  That’s what it’s all about. 
 
And, by the way, you all know in California there’s no global warming.  (Laughter.)  This is like it — this is what it’s like every year, right?
 
Look, folks, finish the job means making housing more affordable and accessible. 
 
We’ve made progress — (applause) — we’ve made progress on tax fairness, making sure the biggest corporations pay their fair share with a minimum corporate tax of 15 percent, and that’s not even enough. 
 
By the way, I c- — in case you wonder, I know a little about corporations.  I come from a state that has more corporations incorporated than every other state in America combined, and I represented it for 36 years.  I think they should be able to function to make money but not — they should pay their taxes.  
 
They also helped pay for our historic investments to help reduce the federal deficit.  We’ve — but we’re — but we’re not done.
 
Trump’s $2 trillion tax cut, which is about to expire, overwhelmingly helped the very, very wealthiest of us but not the vast majority of the American people. 
 
“Finishing the job” means getting rid of Trump’s tax cut, closing loopholes.  You know, we have a thousand billionaires now in America after — since the — a thousand.  You know what the average federal tax they pay: 8.3 percent.  Who want — ra- — raise your hand if you only want to pay 8.3 percent.  (Laughter.)
 
But all — but all kidding aside, if we just charge them 28 percent, which is not even getting into the highest category, it’s $400 billion over 10 years in additional revenue.  (Applause.)
 
But, folks, look — look, we have to plan for the long term: paying for our priorities like childcare, long-term healthcare, and so much more.  It’s good for families and it’s also good for the economy.  The economy grows when more women are able to work because there’s someone able to take care of their children.
 
Trump and his MAGA friends are determined to take away your fundamental freedoms.  They attack the right to vote you — have your vote counted.  “Finish the job” means the John Lewis Voting Rights Act should be passed — (applause) — should be passed.
 
Donald Trump continues to amaze me.  He brags about overturning Roe v. Wade, taking away a woman’s freedom to choose.  Now reports show he supports a national ban on the right to choose across the board, every state — not leave it to the states — every state. 
 
I’m determined to restore Roe v. Wade.  Let me make it clear.  (Applause.)  And if MAGA Republicans pass a national ban on the right to choose, I will veto it.  (Applause.)  And if re-elected — me and Kamala — and we take back the House and a bigger majority in the Senate, we’re going to finish the job.  We’re going to restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land again.  We can do that. 
 
And I keep my promise — I kept it to appoint the first Black woman to the Supreme Court of the United States of America.  (Applause.)  I’ve appointed more Black women to the federal courts of appeals than every other president combined in all of American history.  (Applause.) 
 
“Finish the job” means getting more judges on the bench across the board. 
 
All the progress matters from the American people in the positions — to put us in a position to win in 2024. 
 
And that brings me to my second point: I have to make a constant — and we have to contrast the choices between Trump and me.  We’ve got to make them crystal clear. 
 
Time and again, Republicans show they’re a party of chaos and di- — disunion.  They’ll shout about the problems, but there’s nothing they sh- — they offer about them.  Think about it.  They have no platform.  I’m — not a joke.  They have no platform. 
 
Look at what they’re doing with the bipartisan immigration and border bill.  We worked — I put together — we put together a group of Democrats and Republicans in the Senate and the House.  And we worked on this for five mo- — four months, and we came up with an answer. 
 
The first bill I ever introduced in the United States Senate — in the Congress as President was an immigration bill to provide them the means to be able to have enough judges, enough — enough Border Patrol, enough — down the line, they don’t have it — enough technology to be able to — to be able to determine whether fentanyl is being hidden, et cetera. 
 
We get a bill, and — and guess what?  It passes.  It passes — I mean, it — it gets a consensus in the Senate.  And guess what happens?  After making this issue for years, the House Republicans and the new Leader took a two-week vacation instead of actually getting it done. 
 
Why?  Because Donald Trump literally was on the phone telling them: If you vote for this legislation, giving the authority to really make progress at the border and give all the means necessary to control the border, then you’re my — I don’t know what he exactly said — you’re going to be my retribution.  But that’s the kind of language he uses. 
 
Look at what they’re doing with the national security supplemental bill that provides assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and the Palestinian people: nothing.  Not a single thing.  Why?  Because that’s what Donald Trump tells them to do. 
 
The same guy who said if an Ally didn’t pay their dues, he would encourage Russia to, quote, “do whatever the hell they want.”  A former American president — can you imagine him saying that — the president of the United States? 
 
But you see it all on television.  I don’t even have to tell you about it anymore.  It’s constantly on television, the things he’s saying.
 
When Putin — this fierce opposition to — anyway, I shouldn’t get going.  (Laughter.)
 
But, look, when Navalny died last week and the world holds Putin responsible, Trump fails to even condemn him.  It’s outrageous. 
    
Bottom line is Republicans have to decide: Who do they serve, Donald Trump or the American people?  Because that’s where it is right now.  Are they here to solve problems or just weaponize them for political attacks? 
 
I know my answer.  I’m here — I’m here to serve the American people.  And let me make it very clear, we — if we make that clear to all the American people, we’re going to win.  Just look at 20- — (applause) — 2020: They told us we weren’t going to win when I talked about democracy was at stake.  2020: We won, notwithstanding the fact we only did it by 7 million votes.  (Laughter and applause.) 
 
2022 was going to be the red wave, remember? 
 
For the best year for an off year for an incumbent president ever.  2023: We won every contested major race in the country.  (Applause.) 
 
So, folks, when voters have a choice between what we stand for what Trump and his MAGA Republicans stand for, we win. 
 
And that gets me to my final point.  We can’t take anything for granted.  In 2020, I ran because I thought everything this country stood for, everything we believed in, everything that made America “America” was at risk. 
 
I’d made a speech in Independence Hall — I made several of them saying democracy was at stake.  The press said, “What’s he talking about democracy for?”  Well, guess what?  Sixty-five percent of the American people thought I was right, because they worry about it being at risk. 
 
I think people thought I was being hyperbolic at the time.  “Joe, what do you mean, ‘Democracy is at risk’?  What do you mean, ‘We’re in the battle for the soul of America’?”  Well, people don’t say that anymore. 
 
Trump and his MAGA friends are driving us not — and dividing us every step of the way, not uniting us; dragging us back to the past, not leading us to the future; refusing to accept the results of a legitimate election; seeking, as Trump says, to “terminate” — his word — “terminate” elements of the United States Constitution; embracing political violence; calling January 6th insurrectionists “patriots.”  He called these guys “patriots,” and he says he’s going to pardon them if he wins.  Calling immigrants “vermin” who “poison the blood of our country,” threatening our very democracy.
 
Well, folks, we have to make clear that we stand with the truth, and we’re going to defeat him and his lies.  We must make clear in America that we still believe in honesty, decency, respect.  We believe that we’re all created equal and deserve to be treated equal.  We haven’t lived up to that.  We’ve never walked away from it, though.  (Applause.)
 
Look, folks, we leave nobody behind.  We believe everyone deserves a — just a fair shot.  And we give hate no safe harbor.  We believe in America.
 
Folks, the stakes couldn’t be higher.  They’re the highest they’ve ever been.  We’ve made more progress in three years than most presidents have made in eight years, because of the help of all of you.  I wouldn’t be standing here without you. 
 
But it can all be wiped out in this election.  So, we have to stay focused on what we have to do to win.  We have to get out the vote.  We have to keep the White House.  We have to increase the numbers in the Senate.  And we have to take back the House.  (Applause.)
 
And when we do that, we’ll look back and say something few generations are able to say: We saved American democracy when it was at risk.  I think it really is literally that — that consequential. 
 
Look, folks, we got to remember who the hell we are.  We are the United States of America.  There’s nothing, nothing, nothing we’ve ever failed to do when we set our mind to it and did it together.  So Go- — well — (laughter).  So, we got to move again.  We got to move in a way that — and I think the American people are ready for it. 
 
And, by the way, I know I’m only 40 years old — (laughter) — times two.  And — but, you know, the only thing I do know is that I may not run as fast as I used to, I may not be able to play flanker back for Delaware again but (inaudible).  But I tell you what — I tell you what: I’ve been around long enough to know what’s going on.  I’ve been around long enough to hopefully, with age, have a little bit of wisdom about how we can get things done. 
 
And so far, with your help, we’ve gotten a lot done.  The vast majority of presidential historians — Democrat, Republican, conservative, and liberal — have pointed to the success you’ve allowed this administration to have.  It’s real. 
 
We have the finest economy in the world.  We got a lot more work to do — a lot more work to do.  But things are beginning to move.  We can’t slow down now. 
 
As I said, I’ve been doing this a long time.  And the fact of the matter is — and I say this from the bottom of my heart: I’ve never been more optimistic about America’s chances.  Never. 
 
Every single world leader that I’ve known, and I’ve known all of them — literally all of them the last 40 years — every single one, when I attend international meetings now — not a joke — grabs my arm and says, “You’ve got to win.  You’ve got to win because my democracy is at stake.” (Applause.) 
 
And it’s not about me.  It’s about America keeping its commitments.  It’s about America keeping its commitments.  And we’re going to — we’re going to do it. 
 
Again, I’m sorry to keep you waiting so long.  And I’m sorry to speak as long as I did.  But there’s a lot we can do together.  A lot.  And I really mean it: I am truly optimistic. 
 
You know, my dad used to say, “Joey, a job is about a lot more than a paycheck.  It’s about your dignity.  It’s about respect.  It’s about being able to look your kid in the eye and say, ‘Honey, it’s going to be okay,’ and mean it — and mean it.” 
 
Just give them a chance.  The vast majority of people are just looking for a chance.  And I think that’s what the economy we put together is doing: giving them a chance.  We have the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years.  And so, I won’t go through the — (applause) — but the point is —
 
Madeleine Albright wrote a book about America before she passed away.  She said America is the essential country.  Many of you travel the world.  We are the essential country.  Name me another country that has the potential capacity to keep the free world free, to hold the nations together as we’ve done. 
 
This is the United States of America.  There’s nothing, nothing, nothing beyond our capacity. 
 
Thanks for your patience.  (Applause.)  (Inaudible.)  Thank you.  And God bless our troops.  Thank you.
 
7:33 P.M. PST

The post Remarks by President Biden at a Campaign Reception | Beverly Hills, CA appeared first on The White House.

Private Residence
Beverly Hills, California

(February 20, 2024)

7:17 P.M. PST
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  (Applause.)
 
Please sit down.  I’m sure you’re standing up because you’re so bored of sitting down all this time.  (Laughter.) 
 
Leslie, thank you for that introduction. 
 
And a special thanks to — to Haim and Cheryl and opening their home to us.  And to — to Casey for co-hosting.  I wish them the quickest recovery. 
 
And thanks to all of you for your support and — including Congressman Brad Sherman.  Where are you, Brad?  (Applause.)  There you are.  You’ve come through one of the toughest periods in recent American history. 
 
Look, folks, you know, I wouldn’t wait this long for anybody except possibly — can you — what’s — what’s her name?  Jane Fonda.  (Laughter and applause.)  I wouldn’t do this for anybody else, Jane — wait this long. 
 
But thank you.  Thank you all very, very much. 
 
Look, folks, I’m going to try to — I’m going to shorten what I was going to say in the interest of your sanity and a little bit of time. 
 
I’d like to talk about the future and what it means to finish the job. 
 
Folks, “finish the job” means beating Big Pharma again to keep lowering drug prices across the entire country.  We made insulin drop from about $40 — $400 a month to about $35 — not — you can’t charge more than $35 for seniors on Medicare.  We wanted to make it for everyone, but Republicans blocked it.  (Applause.)  
 
“Finishing the job” means $35 insulin for everyone with diabetes, lowering drug prices for dozens of other prescriptions, and, by the way, saving — saving the federal government — reducing the debt over 10 years by $260 billion.  It reduces the debt.  (Applause.)   It means that the — Medicare is not paying those prices. 
 
Trump and his MAGA friends have promised again to get rid of the Affordable Care Act, the law that provides millions — millions of Americans with preexisting condition the opportunity to have insurance.  They wouldn’t have it without that.
 
“Finish the job” means protecting and expanding the Affordable Care Act.  It means protecting and strengthening So- — Social Security and Medicare that our MAGA Republicans — not all — this — by the way, let me — I should say at the outset: This is not your father’s Republican Party.  This a different party.  And I mean that sincerely.  There’s a lot of really, really fine members of Congress that are Republicans that I disagree with, but we’re friends and they play it straight. 
 
But look, they want to put Medicare and they want to put Social Security on the chopping block. 
 
Trump wants to do away with the most historic action ever on climate. 
 
“Finishing the job” means implementing the Inflation Reduction Act at every — every level and building a clean energy future here in America.  That’s what it’s all about. 
 
And, by the way, you all know in California there’s no global warming.  (Laughter.)  This is like it — this is what it’s like every year, right?
 
Look, folks, finish the job means making housing more affordable and accessible. 
 
We’ve made progress — (applause) — we’ve made progress on tax fairness, making sure the biggest corporations pay their fair share with a minimum corporate tax of 15 percent, and that’s not even enough. 
 
By the way, I c- — in case you wonder, I know a little about corporations.  I come from a state that has more corporations incorporated than every other state in America combined, and I represented it for 36 years.  I think they should be able to function to make money but not — they should pay their taxes.  
 
They also helped pay for our historic investments to help reduce the federal deficit.  We’ve — but we’re — but we’re not done.
 
Trump’s $2 trillion tax cut, which is about to expire, overwhelmingly helped the very, very wealthiest of us but not the vast majority of the American people. 
 
“Finishing the job” means getting rid of Trump’s tax cut, closing loopholes.  You know, we have a thousand billionaires now in America after — since the — a thousand.  You know what the average federal tax they pay: 8.3 percent.  Who want — ra- — raise your hand if you only want to pay 8.3 percent.  (Laughter.)
 
But all — but all kidding aside, if we just charge them 28 percent, which is not even getting into the highest category, it’s $400 billion over 10 years in additional revenue.  (Applause.)
 
But, folks, look — look, we have to plan for the long term: paying for our priorities like childcare, long-term healthcare, and so much more.  It’s good for families and it’s also good for the economy.  The economy grows when more women are able to work because there’s someone able to take care of their children.
 
Trump and his MAGA friends are determined to take away your fundamental freedoms.  They attack the right to vote you — have your vote counted.  “Finish the job” means the John Lewis Voting Rights Act should be passed — (applause) — should be passed.
 
Donald Trump continues to amaze me.  He brags about overturning Roe v. Wade, taking away a woman’s freedom to choose.  Now reports show he supports a national ban on the right to choose across the board, every state — not leave it to the states — every state. 
 
I’m determined to restore Roe v. Wade.  Let me make it clear.  (Applause.)  And if MAGA Republicans pass a national ban on the right to choose, I will veto it.  (Applause.)  And if re-elected — me and Kamala — and we take back the House and a bigger majority in the Senate, we’re going to finish the job.  We’re going to restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land again.  We can do that. 
 
And I keep my promise — I kept it to appoint the first Black woman to the Supreme Court of the United States of America.  (Applause.)  I’ve appointed more Black women to the federal courts of appeals than every other president combined in all of American history.  (Applause.) 
 
“Finish the job” means getting more judges on the bench across the board. 
 
All the progress matters from the American people in the positions — to put us in a position to win in 2024. 
 
And that brings me to my second point: I have to make a constant — and we have to contrast the choices between Trump and me.  We’ve got to make them crystal clear. 
 
Time and again, Republicans show they’re a party of chaos and di- — disunion.  They’ll shout about the problems, but there’s nothing they sh- — they offer about them.  Think about it.  They have no platform.  I’m — not a joke.  They have no platform. 
 
Look at what they’re doing with the bipartisan immigration and border bill.  We worked — I put together — we put together a group of Democrats and Republicans in the Senate and the House.  And we worked on this for five mo- — four months, and we came up with an answer. 
 
The first bill I ever introduced in the United States Senate — in the Congress as President was an immigration bill to provide them the means to be able to have enough judges, enough — enough Border Patrol, enough — down the line, they don’t have it — enough technology to be able to — to be able to determine whether fentanyl is being hidden, et cetera. 
 
We get a bill, and — and guess what?  It passes.  It passes — I mean, it — it gets a consensus in the Senate.  And guess what happens?  After making this issue for years, the House Republicans and the new Leader took a two-week vacation instead of actually getting it done. 
 
Why?  Because Donald Trump literally was on the phone telling them: If you vote for this legislation, giving the authority to really make progress at the border and give all the means necessary to control the border, then you’re my — I don’t know what he exactly said — you’re going to be my retribution.  But that’s the kind of language he uses. 
 
Look at what they’re doing with the national security supplemental bill that provides assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and the Palestinian people: nothing.  Not a single thing.  Why?  Because that’s what Donald Trump tells them to do. 
 
The same guy who said if an Ally didn’t pay their dues, he would encourage Russia to, quote, “do whatever the hell they want.”  A former American president — can you imagine him saying that — the president of the United States? 
 
But you see it all on television.  I don’t even have to tell you about it anymore.  It’s constantly on television, the things he’s saying.
 
When Putin — this fierce opposition to — anyway, I shouldn’t get going.  (Laughter.)
 
But, look, when Navalny died last week and the world holds Putin responsible, Trump fails to even condemn him.  It’s outrageous. 
    
Bottom line is Republicans have to decide: Who do they serve, Donald Trump or the American people?  Because that’s where it is right now.  Are they here to solve problems or just weaponize them for political attacks? 
 
I know my answer.  I’m here — I’m here to serve the American people.  And let me make it very clear, we — if we make that clear to all the American people, we’re going to win.  Just look at 20- — (applause) — 2020: They told us we weren’t going to win when I talked about democracy was at stake.  2020: We won, notwithstanding the fact we only did it by 7 million votes.  (Laughter and applause.) 
 
2022 was going to be the red wave, remember? 
 
For the best year for an off year for an incumbent president ever.  2023: We won every contested major race in the country.  (Applause.) 
 
So, folks, when voters have a choice between what we stand for what Trump and his MAGA Republicans stand for, we win. 
 
And that gets me to my final point.  We can’t take anything for granted.  In 2020, I ran because I thought everything this country stood for, everything we believed in, everything that made America “America” was at risk. 
 
I’d made a speech in Independence Hall — I made several of them saying democracy was at stake.  The press said, “What’s he talking about democracy for?”  Well, guess what?  Sixty-five percent of the American people thought I was right, because they worry about it being at risk. 
 
I think people thought I was being hyperbolic at the time.  “Joe, what do you mean, ‘Democracy is at risk’?  What do you mean, ‘We’re in the battle for the soul of America’?”  Well, people don’t say that anymore. 
 
Trump and his MAGA friends are driving us not — and dividing us every step of the way, not uniting us; dragging us back to the past, not leading us to the future; refusing to accept the results of a legitimate election; seeking, as Trump says, to “terminate” — his word — “terminate” elements of the United States Constitution; embracing political violence; calling January 6th insurrectionists “patriots.”  He called these guys “patriots,” and he says he’s going to pardon them if he wins.  Calling immigrants “vermin” who “poison the blood of our country,” threatening our very democracy.
 
Well, folks, we have to make clear that we stand with the truth, and we’re going to defeat him and his lies.  We must make clear in America that we still believe in honesty, decency, respect.  We believe that we’re all created equal and deserve to be treated equal.  We haven’t lived up to that.  We’ve never walked away from it, though.  (Applause.)
 
Look, folks, we leave nobody behind.  We believe everyone deserves a — just a fair shot.  And we give hate no safe harbor.  We believe in America.
 
Folks, the stakes couldn’t be higher.  They’re the highest they’ve ever been.  We’ve made more progress in three years than most presidents have made in eight years, because of the help of all of you.  I wouldn’t be standing here without you. 
 
But it can all be wiped out in this election.  So, we have to stay focused on what we have to do to win.  We have to get out the vote.  We have to keep the White House.  We have to increase the numbers in the Senate.  And we have to take back the House.  (Applause.)
 
And when we do that, we’ll look back and say something few generations are able to say: We saved American democracy when it was at risk.  I think it really is literally that — that consequential. 
 
Look, folks, we got to remember who the hell we are.  We are the United States of America.  There’s nothing, nothing, nothing we’ve ever failed to do when we set our mind to it and did it together.  So Go- — well — (laughter).  So, we got to move again.  We got to move in a way that — and I think the American people are ready for it. 
 
And, by the way, I know I’m only 40 years old — (laughter) — times two.  And — but, you know, the only thing I do know is that I may not run as fast as I used to, I may not be able to play flanker back for Delaware again but (inaudible).  But I tell you what — I tell you what: I’ve been around long enough to know what’s going on.  I’ve been around long enough to hopefully, with age, have a little bit of wisdom about how we can get things done. 
 
And so far, with your help, we’ve gotten a lot done.  The vast majority of presidential historians — Democrat, Republican, conservative, and liberal — have pointed to the success you’ve allowed this administration to have.  It’s real. 
 
We have the finest economy in the world.  We got a lot more work to do — a lot more work to do.  But things are beginning to move.  We can’t slow down now. 
 
As I said, I’ve been doing this a long time.  And the fact of the matter is — and I say this from the bottom of my heart: I’ve never been more optimistic about America’s chances.  Never. 
 
Every single world leader that I’ve known, and I’ve known all of them — literally all of them the last 40 years — every single one, when I attend international meetings now — not a joke — grabs my arm and says, “You’ve got to win.  You’ve got to win because my democracy is at stake.” (Applause.) 
 
And it’s not about me.  It’s about America keeping its commitments.  It’s about America keeping its commitments.  And we’re going to — we’re going to do it. 
 
Again, I’m sorry to keep you waiting so long.  And I’m sorry to speak as long as I did.  But there’s a lot we can do together.  A lot.  And I really mean it: I am truly optimistic. 
 
You know, my dad used to say, “Joey, a job is about a lot more than a paycheck.  It’s about your dignity.  It’s about respect.  It’s about being able to look your kid in the eye and say, ‘Honey, it’s going to be okay,’ and mean it — and mean it.” 
 
Just give them a chance.  The vast majority of people are just looking for a chance.  And I think that’s what the economy we put together is doing: giving them a chance.  We have the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years.  And so, I won’t go through the — (applause) — but the point is —
 
Madeleine Albright wrote a book about America before she passed away.  She said America is the essential country.  Many of you travel the world.  We are the essential country.  Name me another country that has the potential capacity to keep the free world free, to hold the nations together as we’ve done. 
 
This is the United States of America.  There’s nothing, nothing, nothing beyond our capacity. 
 
Thanks for your patience.  (Applause.)  (Inaudible.)  Thank you.  And God bless our troops.  Thank you.
 
7:33 P.M. PST

The post Remarks by President Biden at a Campaign Reception | Beverly Hills, CA appeared first on The White House.

Culver City Julian Dixon Library
Culver City, California

1:18 P.M. PST

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

Well, Dr. Saint-Paul, thank you very much for that introduction.  But, you know, you’re — you’re like thousands of others who — who took out loans for undergraduate school and graduate school and — because you wanted to serve your community, and you have.

But, in the meantime, that $90,000 you borrowed grew to $145,000, even though you kept paying on a monthly basis.

Folks, I’m happy to have been able to forgive these loans because when we realize and relieve Americans of their student debt, they’re free to chase their dreams.

And, Doc, you’ve got one of your dreams: your baby girl.  And a — and by the way, an awful lot of people with student debt are putting off whether they can have a child, whether they can — a whole range of basic, basic, fundamental issues.

And, Mayor Bass, thank you for your partnership and, more importantly for me, your friendship.

And I want to thank the Culver City Mayor.  Where are you, Mayor?

MAYOR MCMORRIN:  Right here.

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

It’s great to — and it’s great to be joined by members of Congress: Alex in the Senate and Sydney in the House.  I really appreciate you being here.  It’s a busman’s holiday for you guys to come hear another public official speak, but thank you.

And I know our great Vice President sends her love to all her California friends.  She constantly — all I hear about is California, you know?  (Laughter.)  No, I’m glad to be here.  When I was vice president, all I heard about was Chicago, you know?  (Laughter.)  But I’m making — trying to make sure they hear about Delaware, but it ain’t working yet.  (Laughter.)

Look, Kamala and I ran to lead this country.  We made a commitment to fix our broken student loan system.  That was one of the things we both talked about in the beginning.  Because while a college degree is still a ticket to a better life, that ticket is too expensive.   And too many Americans are still saddled with unsustainable debt in exchange for a college degree.

So, there was a student loan program to be able to afford a college degree, but a lot of people didn’t take advantage of it.  What — and I wanted to make sure they did.

The ability to repay, though, has become so burdensome, a lot of people can’t even repay.  And they try.  They — they don’t miss payments.  They work like the devil every month to pay their bills.  But even if they pay their loans, their debt increases.  It doesn’t diminish because of interest rates.

And I thought I’d — make a lot more sense to relieve student debt for families and it would grow our economy. 

Well, there’s a — were existing programs in the law.  To fix and adjust the programs, we had — we had to change them to make people actually — make them available for — make people eligible.  And that’s what I’ve done when the Supreme Court said I couldn’t go ahead and relieve all the debt.

It helps everyone, not just the people whose debt is relieved.  But when people with student debt are re- — student debt relieved, they buy homes, they start businesses, they contribute.  They engage in the community in ways they weren’t able to before.  That actually grows the economy.  It grows the economy.

That’s why my — my administration is taking significant action to provide student debt relief to so many borrows — borrowers that — many of whom didn’t know they were — they were able to get relief, and do it as quickly and as — as possible.

Look, early in my term, I announced a major plan to provide millions of working families with debt relief for their college student debt.  Tens of millions of people in debt were literally about to be canceled — their debts.  But my MAGA Republican friends in the Congress, elected officials, and special interests stepped in and sued us.  And the Supreme Court blocked it.  They blocked it.

But that didn’t stop me.  I announced we were going to pursue alternative paths for student debt relief for as many borrowers as possible.  And that’s the effort that’s been underway the last two years.

I fixed what’s called the “SAVE Plan.”  It existed, but I fixed it to make it the most affordable repayment plan ever.

Before I took office, student borrowers had to pay 10 percent of their discretionary income on a monthly basis.  If they made less than — if they didn’t have enough to do that, they were able to not have to pay that month, but the interest continued.  A lot of people don’t have the means to do that, though.

Under my SAVE Plan, we’re cutting in half to 5 percent the undergraduate borrowers — what undergraduate borrowers have to pay after their living expenses are accounted for.

That means no one with an undergraduate loan, whether it’s a community college or a four-year college, will have to pay more than 5 percent of their discretionary income to repay those loans starting in July.  And that’s income after you pay the ne- — for necessities like food and housing. 

Already 7.5 million Americans have enrolled in this so-called SAVE Plan.  And there’s more than 4 million of those borrowers had their monthly payments drop to zero if they’re living paycheck to paycheck, below a certain level.

This plan is the most generous repayment program ever, and today we’re doing it even faster and quicker than ever before.

I’m proud to announce our SAVE plan.  We are immediately canceling the debt loans for over 150,000 borrowers nearly six months ahead of schedule.

Starting today, we are canceling student debt for borrowers who are enrolled in the SAVE Plan and have been paying student loans for as little as 10 years.  If they took less than tw- — if they borrowed less than $2,000, it’s forgiven — they — $12,000, excuse me, it’s for- — the loan is forgiven.

This action will be a huge help to graduates of community college and borrowers with smaller loans, putting them back on track faster for debt forgiveness than ever before. 

And this builds on other progress I’ve made in canceling student debt for close to 4 million Americans through various actions. 

For example, we fixed what was called the Public Service Loan program — Loan Forgiveness program, which was designed to make sure that school teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, social workers, public servants get their student loans forgiven if they make payments for 10 years in a row and the 10 years of public service at the same time.

When I took office, there were 7,000 public servants who had taken advantage of this program and had them forgiven, but thanks to the reforms we made in the program, now there are nearly 800,000 have had their debts forgiven — 800,000.  (Applause.) 

Look, let me close with this.  This is — kind of relief can be life-changing for individuals and for their families.  And it’s good for the economy as a whole.

By freeing millions of Americans from the crushing debt of student loan programs, it means they can finally get on with their lives instead of getting — their lives being put on hold.  They can think about buying a house, starting a home, starting a family, having a family future that they can enjoy, or saving for the family’s future — saving and being able to put away a little bit of money.

I’m proud to have been able to give borrowers, like so many of you, the relief you earned.  I promise you I’m never going to stop fighting for hardworking American families. 

 So, if you qualify, you’ll be hearing from me shortly.  Thousands of people per month are eligible — about 25,000 a month are eli- — or every two months — it will be paid at a 50,000 basis — but are eligible for relief, and they’ll be getting a letter from me letting them know they’re qualified.  And when they get that letter, your debt is going to be forgiven.

Look, folks, and it’s also helping you who don’t go to college.  It’s not just — you know, people say to me sometimes, “Well, Joe, that’s great, you’re helping people get into college, but how about all those hardworking people you grew up with in the neighborhood?  How about all those folks in labor unions?  How about all those hardworking people that work with their hands, why should they…”

Well, just today, my Labor Department announced 200 — this is not the student loan program, but $200 million in grants for registered — registered apprenticeship programs around the country — while you can learn a skilled trade and lead to good-paying jobs.

You know, everybody thinks if you’re an electrician, you — you say, “I want to be electrician,” and you’re all — you got to go to school, basically.  These apprenticeship programs are four and five years before you qualify to have a license.  They work like hell to get these licenses. 

And guess what?  If you work with your hands, you ought to be able to make a decent living.  And that’s why they’re doing it now with my prop- — my — my position on organized labor.

So, it matters.  All of this matters.

My dad used to say, “Joey, a — a paycheck is about more than — a job is about more than a paycheck.  It’s about your dignity.  It’s about opportunity.  It’s about being able to look your kid in the eye and say, ‘Honey, it’s going to be okay.  You got a chance.’” 

That’s all we’re doing — and people are taking advantage of it — giving people a chance, a fighting chance to make it, because no one who’s willing to work hard in America should be denied the opportunity to have that chance.

And so, I — how many of you had student loans forgiven here? 

All right.  (Laughter.) 

I tell you what, how about anybody over $10,000?  $30,000?  $50,000?

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Next month.

THE PRESIDENT:  Next month?  Okay. 

Anyway.  Seriously, thank you. 

And people have to understand: You not only did the right thing by busting your neck and going back to school and doing as well as you did in school, but you’re breaking your neck for people.  You’re doing it through programs that benefit the society — benefit the American people. 

Just like I got criticized not long ago for being too favorable on organized labor and unions.  Well, they’re the best workers in the world.  They’re the most qualified technicians in the — no, they really are.  They really are.  

And — (applause) — and the economy is growing.  It’s growing — jobs, income — across the board.  We have the most advanced economy of any major nation in the world.

We’ve got a lot more to do, but with the help of all of you college graduates who — who have paid off your student loans now, I’m confident we’re going to get it all done.

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

Q    Do you worry this will get shut down in court?

THE PRESIDENT:  I don’t have a worry at all.

1:29 P.M. PST

The post Remarks by President Biden on the Saving on a Valuable Education Plan | Culver City, CA appeared first on The White House.

Culver City Julian Dixon Library
Culver City, California

1:18 P.M. PST

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

Well, Dr. Saint-Paul, thank you very much for that introduction.  But, you know, you’re — you’re like thousands of others who — who took out loans for undergraduate school and graduate school and — because you wanted to serve your community, and you have.

But, in the meantime, that $90,000 you borrowed grew to $145,000, even though you kept paying on a monthly basis.

Folks, I’m happy to have been able to forgive these loans because when we realize and relieve Americans of their student debt, they’re free to chase their dreams.

And, Doc, you’ve got one of your dreams: your baby girl.  And a — and by the way, an awful lot of people with student debt are putting off whether they can have a child, whether they can — a whole range of basic, basic, fundamental issues.

And, Mayor Bass, thank you for your partnership and, more importantly for me, your friendship.

And I want to thank the Culver City Mayor.  Where are you, Mayor?

MAYOR MCMORRIN:  Right here.

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

It’s great to — and it’s great to be joined by members of Congress: Alex in the Senate and Sydney in the House.  I really appreciate you being here.  It’s a busman’s holiday for you guys to come hear another public official speak, but thank you.

And I know our great Vice President sends her love to all her California friends.  She constantly — all I hear about is California, you know?  (Laughter.)  No, I’m glad to be here.  When I was vice president, all I heard about was Chicago, you know?  (Laughter.)  But I’m making — trying to make sure they hear about Delaware, but it ain’t working yet.  (Laughter.)

Look, Kamala and I ran to lead this country.  We made a commitment to fix our broken student loan system.  That was one of the things we both talked about in the beginning.  Because while a college degree is still a ticket to a better life, that ticket is too expensive.   And too many Americans are still saddled with unsustainable debt in exchange for a college degree.

So, there was a student loan program to be able to afford a college degree, but a lot of people didn’t take advantage of it.  What — and I wanted to make sure they did.

The ability to repay, though, has become so burdensome, a lot of people can’t even repay.  And they try.  They — they don’t miss payments.  They work like the devil every month to pay their bills.  But even if they pay their loans, their debt increases.  It doesn’t diminish because of interest rates.

And I thought I’d — make a lot more sense to relieve student debt for families and it would grow our economy. 

Well, there’s a — were existing programs in the law.  To fix and adjust the programs, we had — we had to change them to make people actually — make them available for — make people eligible.  And that’s what I’ve done when the Supreme Court said I couldn’t go ahead and relieve all the debt.

It helps everyone, not just the people whose debt is relieved.  But when people with student debt are re- — student debt relieved, they buy homes, they start businesses, they contribute.  They engage in the community in ways they weren’t able to before.  That actually grows the economy.  It grows the economy.

That’s why my — my administration is taking significant action to provide student debt relief to so many borrows — borrowers that — many of whom didn’t know they were — they were able to get relief, and do it as quickly and as — as possible.

Look, early in my term, I announced a major plan to provide millions of working families with debt relief for their college student debt.  Tens of millions of people in debt were literally about to be canceled — their debts.  But my MAGA Republican friends in the Congress, elected officials, and special interests stepped in and sued us.  And the Supreme Court blocked it.  They blocked it.

But that didn’t stop me.  I announced we were going to pursue alternative paths for student debt relief for as many borrowers as possible.  And that’s the effort that’s been underway the last two years.

I fixed what’s called the “SAVE Plan.”  It existed, but I fixed it to make it the most affordable repayment plan ever.

Before I took office, student borrowers had to pay 10 percent of their discretionary income on a monthly basis.  If they made less than — if they didn’t have enough to do that, they were able to not have to pay that month, but the interest continued.  A lot of people don’t have the means to do that, though.

Under my SAVE Plan, we’re cutting in half to 5 percent the undergraduate borrowers — what undergraduate borrowers have to pay after their living expenses are accounted for.

That means no one with an undergraduate loan, whether it’s a community college or a four-year college, will have to pay more than 5 percent of their discretionary income to repay those loans starting in July.  And that’s income after you pay the ne- — for necessities like food and housing. 

Already 7.5 million Americans have enrolled in this so-called SAVE Plan.  And there’s more than 4 million of those borrowers had their monthly payments drop to zero if they’re living paycheck to paycheck, below a certain level.

This plan is the most generous repayment program ever, and today we’re doing it even faster and quicker than ever before.

I’m proud to announce our SAVE plan.  We are immediately canceling the debt loans for over 150,000 borrowers nearly six months ahead of schedule.

Starting today, we are canceling student debt for borrowers who are enrolled in the SAVE Plan and have been paying student loans for as little as 10 years.  If they took less than tw- — if they borrowed less than $2,000, it’s forgiven — they — $12,000, excuse me, it’s for- — the loan is forgiven.

This action will be a huge help to graduates of community college and borrowers with smaller loans, putting them back on track faster for debt forgiveness than ever before. 

And this builds on other progress I’ve made in canceling student debt for close to 4 million Americans through various actions. 

For example, we fixed what was called the Public Service Loan program — Loan Forgiveness program, which was designed to make sure that school teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, social workers, public servants get their student loans forgiven if they make payments for 10 years in a row and the 10 years of public service at the same time.

When I took office, there were 7,000 public servants who had taken advantage of this program and had them forgiven, but thanks to the reforms we made in the program, now there are nearly 800,000 have had their debts forgiven — 800,000.  (Applause.) 

Look, let me close with this.  This is — kind of relief can be life-changing for individuals and for their families.  And it’s good for the economy as a whole.

By freeing millions of Americans from the crushing debt of student loan programs, it means they can finally get on with their lives instead of getting — their lives being put on hold.  They can think about buying a house, starting a home, starting a family, having a family future that they can enjoy, or saving for the family’s future — saving and being able to put away a little bit of money.

I’m proud to have been able to give borrowers, like so many of you, the relief you earned.  I promise you I’m never going to stop fighting for hardworking American families. 

 So, if you qualify, you’ll be hearing from me shortly.  Thousands of people per month are eligible — about 25,000 a month are eli- — or every two months — it will be paid at a 50,000 basis — but are eligible for relief, and they’ll be getting a letter from me letting them know they’re qualified.  And when they get that letter, your debt is going to be forgiven.

Look, folks, and it’s also helping you who don’t go to college.  It’s not just — you know, people say to me sometimes, “Well, Joe, that’s great, you’re helping people get into college, but how about all those hardworking people you grew up with in the neighborhood?  How about all those folks in labor unions?  How about all those hardworking people that work with their hands, why should they…”

Well, just today, my Labor Department announced 200 — this is not the student loan program, but $200 million in grants for registered — registered apprenticeship programs around the country — while you can learn a skilled trade and lead to good-paying jobs.

You know, everybody thinks if you’re an electrician, you — you say, “I want to be electrician,” and you’re all — you got to go to school, basically.  These apprenticeship programs are four and five years before you qualify to have a license.  They work like hell to get these licenses. 

And guess what?  If you work with your hands, you ought to be able to make a decent living.  And that’s why they’re doing it now with my prop- — my — my position on organized labor.

So, it matters.  All of this matters.

My dad used to say, “Joey, a — a paycheck is about more than — a job is about more than a paycheck.  It’s about your dignity.  It’s about opportunity.  It’s about being able to look your kid in the eye and say, ‘Honey, it’s going to be okay.  You got a chance.’” 

That’s all we’re doing — and people are taking advantage of it — giving people a chance, a fighting chance to make it, because no one who’s willing to work hard in America should be denied the opportunity to have that chance.

And so, I — how many of you had student loans forgiven here? 

All right.  (Laughter.) 

I tell you what, how about anybody over $10,000?  $30,000?  $50,000?

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Next month.

THE PRESIDENT:  Next month?  Okay. 

Anyway.  Seriously, thank you. 

And people have to understand: You not only did the right thing by busting your neck and going back to school and doing as well as you did in school, but you’re breaking your neck for people.  You’re doing it through programs that benefit the society — benefit the American people. 

Just like I got criticized not long ago for being too favorable on organized labor and unions.  Well, they’re the best workers in the world.  They’re the most qualified technicians in the — no, they really are.  They really are.  

And — (applause) — and the economy is growing.  It’s growing — jobs, income — across the board.  We have the most advanced economy of any major nation in the world.

We’ve got a lot more to do, but with the help of all of you college graduates who — who have paid off your student loans now, I’m confident we’re going to get it all done.

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

Q    Do you worry this will get shut down in court?

THE PRESIDENT:  I don’t have a worry at all.

1:29 P.M. PST

The post Remarks by President Biden on the Saving on a Valuable Education Plan | Culver City, CA appeared first on The White House.

On March 1, 1996, by Proclamation 6867, a national emergency was declared to address the disturbance or threatened disturbance of international relations caused by the February 24, 1996, destruction by the Cuban government of two unarmed, United States-registered civilian aircraft in international airspace north of Cuba.  On February 26, 2004, by Proclamation 7757, the national emergency was expanded to deny monetary and material support to the Cuban government.  On February 24, 2016, by Proclamation 9398, and on February 22, 2018, by Proclamation 9699, the national emergency was further modified based on continued disturbances or threatened disturbances of the international relations of the United States related to Cuba.  The Cuban government has not demonstrated that it will refrain from the use of excessive force against United States vessels or aircraft that may engage in memorial activities or peaceful protest north of Cuba.

     Further, the unauthorized entry of any United States-registered vessel into Cuban territorial waters continues to be detrimental to the foreign policy of the United States because such entry could facilitate a mass migration from Cuba.  It continues to be United States policy that a mass migration from Cuba would endanger United States national security by posing a disturbance or threatened disturbance of the international relations of the United States.

     Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing the national emergency with respect to Cuba and the emergency authority relating to the regulation of the anchorage and movement of vessels set out in Proclamation 6867, as amended by Proclamation 7757, Proclamation 9398, and Proclamation 9699.

     This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,    
February 21, 2024.

The post Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Cuba and of the Emergency Authority Relating to the Regulation of the Anchorage and Movement of Vessels appeared first on The White House.

On March 1, 1996, by Proclamation 6867, a national emergency was declared to address the disturbance or threatened disturbance of international relations caused by the February 24, 1996, destruction by the Cuban government of two unarmed, United States-registered civilian aircraft in international airspace north of Cuba.  On February 26, 2004, by Proclamation 7757, the national emergency was expanded to deny monetary and material support to the Cuban government.  On February 24, 2016, by Proclamation 9398, and on February 22, 2018, by Proclamation 9699, the national emergency was further modified based on continued disturbances or threatened disturbances of the international relations of the United States related to Cuba.  The Cuban government has not demonstrated that it will refrain from the use of excessive force against United States vessels or aircraft that may engage in memorial activities or peaceful protest north of Cuba.

     Further, the unauthorized entry of any United States-registered vessel into Cuban territorial waters continues to be detrimental to the foreign policy of the United States because such entry could facilitate a mass migration from Cuba.  It continues to be United States policy that a mass migration from Cuba would endanger United States national security by posing a disturbance or threatened disturbance of the international relations of the United States.

     Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing the national emergency with respect to Cuba and the emergency authority relating to the regulation of the anchorage and movement of vessels set out in Proclamation 6867, as amended by Proclamation 7757, Proclamation 9398, and Proclamation 9699.

     This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,    
February 21, 2024.

The post Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Cuba and of the Emergency Authority Relating to the Regulation of the Anchorage and Movement of Vessels appeared first on The White House.

Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Madam President:)

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date.  In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to Cuba that was declared on March 1, 1996, in Proclamation 6867, as amended by Proclamation 7757 on February 26, 2004, Proclamation 9398 on February 24, 2016, and Proclamation 9699 on February 22, 2018, is to continue in effect beyond March 1, 2024.

There remains a need to continue this national emergency, based on a disturbance or threatened disturbance of the international relations for the United States related to Cuba.  The unauthorized entry of any United States-registered vessel into Cuban territorial waters continues to be detrimental to the foreign policy of the United States.

The unauthorized entry of vessels subject to the jurisdiction of the United States into Cuban territorial waters is currently a violation of Federal law.  Further, the unauthorized entry of United States-registered vessels into Cuban territorial waters continues to be detrimental to United States foreign policy and counter to the purpose of Executive Order 12807, which is to ensure, among other things, safe, orderly, and legal migration.  The possibility of large-scale unauthorized entries of United States-registered vessels into Cuban territorial waters would disturb the international relations of the United States regarding Cuba by allowing for or providing the means to facilitate a mass migration of Cuban nationals and threatening our national security.

Therefore, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency with respect to Cuba and the emergency authority relating to the regulation of the anchorage and movement of vessels set out in Proclamation 6867, as amended by Proclamation 7757, Proclamation 9398, and Proclamation 9699.

                             Sincerely,

                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post Letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Cuba and of the Emergency Authority Relating to the Regulation of the Anchorage and Movement of Vessels appeared first on The White House.

Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Madam President:)

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date.  In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to Cuba that was declared on March 1, 1996, in Proclamation 6867, as amended by Proclamation 7757 on February 26, 2004, Proclamation 9398 on February 24, 2016, and Proclamation 9699 on February 22, 2018, is to continue in effect beyond March 1, 2024.

There remains a need to continue this national emergency, based on a disturbance or threatened disturbance of the international relations for the United States related to Cuba.  The unauthorized entry of any United States-registered vessel into Cuban territorial waters continues to be detrimental to the foreign policy of the United States.

The unauthorized entry of vessels subject to the jurisdiction of the United States into Cuban territorial waters is currently a violation of Federal law.  Further, the unauthorized entry of United States-registered vessels into Cuban territorial waters continues to be detrimental to United States foreign policy and counter to the purpose of Executive Order 12807, which is to ensure, among other things, safe, orderly, and legal migration.  The possibility of large-scale unauthorized entries of United States-registered vessels into Cuban territorial waters would disturb the international relations of the United States regarding Cuba by allowing for or providing the means to facilitate a mass migration of Cuban nationals and threatening our national security.

Therefore, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency with respect to Cuba and the emergency authority relating to the regulation of the anchorage and movement of vessels set out in Proclamation 6867, as amended by Proclamation 7757, Proclamation 9398, and Proclamation 9699.

                             Sincerely,

                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post Letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Cuba and of the Emergency Authority Relating to the Regulation of the Anchorage and Movement of Vessels appeared first on The White House.

Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Madam President:)
 
Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date.  In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to Libya declared in Executive Order 13566 of February 25, 2011, and expanded in Executive Order 13726 of April 19, 2016, is to continue in effect beyond February 25, 2024.
 
Libyans confront ongoing instability originating from actions Colonel Muammar Qadhafi, his government, and close associates took against the people of Libya in 2011.  Civil conflict in Libya will continue until Libyans resolve their political divisions and foreign military intervention ends.  Because many of these divisions relate to access to resources, a serious risk remains that, if not protected, Libyan state assets will be misappropriated by parties determined to undermine the ongoing United Nations peace process, including former members of the Qadhafi government, members of the Qadhafi family, or Qadhafi’s close associates.  The diversion of these resources could prolong and deepen the current instability in Libya, which benefits ISIS and other terrorist groups that pose a serious threat to the national security of the United States and the security of regional partners.  We run the risk of military escalation if sanctions do not remain in effect, particularly since those who reject dialogue and obstruct and undermine Libya’s democratic transition remain interested in exploiting the wealth of the Libyan people to advance their narrow self‑interest and perpetuate conflict in the country.
 
The situation in Libya continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, and we need to protect against the diversion of assets or other abuse by persons hindering Libyan national reconciliation, including Qadhafi’s family and associates.  Therefore, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13566 with respect to Libya.
 
                                        Sincerely,
 
 
 
                                        JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
 

The post Letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Libya appeared first on The White House.

Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Madam President:)
 
Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date.  In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to Libya declared in Executive Order 13566 of February 25, 2011, and expanded in Executive Order 13726 of April 19, 2016, is to continue in effect beyond February 25, 2024.
 
Libyans confront ongoing instability originating from actions Colonel Muammar Qadhafi, his government, and close associates took against the people of Libya in 2011.  Civil conflict in Libya will continue until Libyans resolve their political divisions and foreign military intervention ends.  Because many of these divisions relate to access to resources, a serious risk remains that, if not protected, Libyan state assets will be misappropriated by parties determined to undermine the ongoing United Nations peace process, including former members of the Qadhafi government, members of the Qadhafi family, or Qadhafi’s close associates.  The diversion of these resources could prolong and deepen the current instability in Libya, which benefits ISIS and other terrorist groups that pose a serious threat to the national security of the United States and the security of regional partners.  We run the risk of military escalation if sanctions do not remain in effect, particularly since those who reject dialogue and obstruct and undermine Libya’s democratic transition remain interested in exploiting the wealth of the Libyan people to advance their narrow self‑interest and perpetuate conflict in the country.
 
The situation in Libya continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, and we need to protect against the diversion of assets or other abuse by persons hindering Libyan national reconciliation, including Qadhafi’s family and associates.  Therefore, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13566 with respect to Libya.
 
                                        Sincerely,
 
 
 
                                        JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
 

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  On February 25, 2011, by Executive Order 13566, the President declared a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701‑1706) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the actions of Colonel Muammar Qadhafi, his government, and close associates, which took extreme measures against the people of Libya, including by using weapons of war, mercenaries, and wanton violence against unarmed civilians.  In addition, there was a serious risk that Libyan state assets would be misappropriated by Qadhafi, members of his government, members of his family, or his close associates if those assets were not protected.  The foregoing circumstances, the prolonged attacks, and the increased numbers of Libyans seeking refuge in other countries from the attacks caused a deterioration in the security of Libya and posed a serious risk to its stability.

     On April 19, 2016, the President signed Executive Order 13726, which expanded the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13566.  The President found that the ongoing violence in Libya, including attacks by armed groups against Libyan state facilities, foreign missions in Libya, and critical infrastructure, as well as human rights abuses, violations of the arms embargo imposed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1970 (2011), and misappropriation of Libya’s natural resources threaten the peace, security, stability, sovereignty, democratic transition, and territorial integrity of Libya, and thereby constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.

     The situation in Libya continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, and measures are needed to protect against the diversion of assets or other abuses by members of Qadhafi’s family, their associates, and other persons hindering Libyan national reconciliation.

     For this reason, the national emergency declared on February 25, 2011, and expanded on April 19, 2016, must continue in effect beyond February 25, 2024.  Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13566.

     This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.


                                           JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.



THE WHITE HOUSE,
    February 21, 2024.

The post Press Release: Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With National Emergency With Respect to Libya appeared first on The White House.

  On February 25, 2011, by Executive Order 13566, the President declared a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701‑1706) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the actions of Colonel Muammar Qadhafi, his government, and close associates, which took extreme measures against the people of Libya, including by using weapons of war, mercenaries, and wanton violence against unarmed civilians.  In addition, there was a serious risk that Libyan state assets would be misappropriated by Qadhafi, members of his government, members of his family, or his close associates if those assets were not protected.  The foregoing circumstances, the prolonged attacks, and the increased numbers of Libyans seeking refuge in other countries from the attacks caused a deterioration in the security of Libya and posed a serious risk to its stability.

     On April 19, 2016, the President signed Executive Order 13726, which expanded the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13566.  The President found that the ongoing violence in Libya, including attacks by armed groups against Libyan state facilities, foreign missions in Libya, and critical infrastructure, as well as human rights abuses, violations of the arms embargo imposed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1970 (2011), and misappropriation of Libya’s natural resources threaten the peace, security, stability, sovereignty, democratic transition, and territorial integrity of Libya, and thereby constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.

     The situation in Libya continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, and measures are needed to protect against the diversion of assets or other abuses by members of Qadhafi’s family, their associates, and other persons hindering Libyan national reconciliation.

     For this reason, the national emergency declared on February 25, 2011, and expanded on April 19, 2016, must continue in effect beyond February 25, 2024.  Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13566.

     This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.


                                           JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.



THE WHITE HOUSE,
    February 21, 2024.

The post Press Release: Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With National Emergency With Respect to Libya appeared first on The White House.

Today, White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack are traveling to Tarboro, North Carolina to launch the Investing in Rural America Regional Event Series to highlight investments from the Biden-Harris Administration in rural America. The Regional Event Series will continue throughout this year, building on the Administration’s Investing in Rural America Event Series in late 2023, and kicks off as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s fourth Investing in America tour this month, where Cabinet and Administration officials are fanning out across the country highlighting the impact of the President’s agenda. 

During today’s visit, White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden and Secretary Vilsack will visit Edgecombe Community College and announce over $770 million in new investments that will benefit more than 1 million people living in rural communities. This investment will support 216 projects in 45 states, Puerto Rico, and the Northern Mariana Islands to bring high-speed internet; clean, safe water; other critical infrastructure; and economic growth to rural communities as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. This investment includes:

• $51.7 million to expand access to high-speed internet for people in rural areas through the Reconnect Program and the Broadband Technical Assistance Program. USDA will begin accepting applications on March 22, 2024 for its fifth round of funding for the ReConnect Program to connect millions of people in rural America to affordable high-speed internet.
• $644.2 million to help 158 rural cooperatives and utilities provide clean drinking water and sanitary wastewater systems for 578,000 people in rural areas.
• $76.6 million for projects in underserved communities participating in the Rural Partners Network, which is transforming the way the federal government partners with rural communities by putting federal employees on the ground to help rural communities access federal resources. This investment will support 32 projects that expand access to jobs, business opportunities, quality health care, clean water and renewable energy. Tarboro, NC is part of the Rural Partners Network.

As a part of the Regional Event Series, Senior Administration Officials will travel to rural communities across the country throughout this year to highlight how the President’s Investing in America agenda is ensuring rural Americans do not have to leave their hometowns to find opportunity. Next month, White House Senior Advisor and Director of the Office of Public Engagement Steve Benjamin will travel to New Mexico to participate in a Rural Partners Network Forum and highlight how the President is investing in rural America.

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The post FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Launches Investing in Rural America Regional Event Series to Highlight How the President is Delivering for Rural Communities appeared first on The White House.

Today, White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack are traveling to Tarboro, North Carolina to launch the Investing in Rural America Regional Event Series to highlight investments from the Biden-Harris Administration in rural America. The Regional Event Series will continue throughout this year, building on the Administration’s Investing in Rural America Event Series in late 2023, and kicks off as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s fourth Investing in America tour this month, where Cabinet and Administration officials are fanning out across the country highlighting the impact of the President’s agenda. 

During today’s visit, White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden and Secretary Vilsack will visit Edgecombe Community College and announce over $770 million in new investments that will benefit more than 1 million people living in rural communities. This investment will support 216 projects in 45 states, Puerto Rico, and the Northern Mariana Islands to bring high-speed internet; clean, safe water; other critical infrastructure; and economic growth to rural communities as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. This investment includes:

• $51.7 million to expand access to high-speed internet for people in rural areas through the Reconnect Program and the Broadband Technical Assistance Program. USDA will begin accepting applications on March 22, 2024 for its fifth round of funding for the ReConnect Program to connect millions of people in rural America to affordable high-speed internet.
• $644.2 million to help 158 rural cooperatives and utilities provide clean drinking water and sanitary wastewater systems for 578,000 people in rural areas.
• $76.6 million for projects in underserved communities participating in the Rural Partners Network, which is transforming the way the federal government partners with rural communities by putting federal employees on the ground to help rural communities access federal resources. This investment will support 32 projects that expand access to jobs, business opportunities, quality health care, clean water and renewable energy. Tarboro, NC is part of the Rural Partners Network.

As a part of the Regional Event Series, Senior Administration Officials will travel to rural communities across the country throughout this year to highlight how the President’s Investing in America agenda is ensuring rural Americans do not have to leave their hometowns to find opportunity. Next month, White House Senior Advisor and Director of the Office of Public Engagement Steve Benjamin will travel to New Mexico to participate in a Rural Partners Network Forum and highlight how the President is investing in rural America.

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The post FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Launches Investing in Rural America Regional Event Series to Highlight How the President is Delivering for Rural Communities appeared first on The White House.