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The President and First Lady are excited to continue the tradition of welcoming volunteer holiday decorators and volunteer holiday performers to help celebrate the holiday season at the White House. Starting today, applications are now open for those interested in volunteering for the 2024 holiday season.

The White House welcomes volunteer applicants from all U.S. states and territories, and encourages military-connected family members, educators, and students to apply. The deadline to submit a volunteer application to be a holiday decorator or holiday performer will be on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at 5:00 P.M. ET. Selected applicants will be notified on or after Sunday, October 13, 2024 at 5:00 P.M. ET.

All selected volunteers are responsible for their individual travel, accommodations, and personal expenses.

VOLUNTEER HOLIDAY DECORATOR APPLICATION

Those interested in volunteering to decorate the White House ahead of the holiday season may apply HERE. Please note each person must apply individually, and group applications will not be accepted. Holiday decorator volunteers must be over the age of 18 and must be available to be in Washington, D.C. the week of Sunday, November 24, 2024.

VOLUNTEER HOLIDAY PERFORMER APPLICATION

Performers and musical groups, including school bands, choirs, and holiday-themed entertainers, may apply HERE for the opportunity to perform during White House holiday tours. White House holiday tours range from Tuesday, December 3, 2024 to Saturday, December 21, 2024.

For any questions regarding application or process, please reach out to Volunteers@who.eop.gov.

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The post The White House Opens Volunteer Applications for the 2024 Holiday Season appeared first on The White House.

The President and First Lady are excited to continue the tradition of welcoming volunteer holiday decorators and volunteer holiday performers to help celebrate the holiday season at the White House. Starting today, applications are now open for those interested in volunteering for the 2024 holiday season.

The White House welcomes volunteer applicants from all U.S. states and territories, and encourages military-connected family members, educators, and students to apply. The deadline to submit a volunteer application to be a holiday decorator or holiday performer will be on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at 5:00 P.M. ET. Selected applicants will be notified on or after Sunday, October 13, 2024 at 5:00 P.M. ET.

All selected volunteers are responsible for their individual travel, accommodations, and personal expenses.

VOLUNTEER HOLIDAY DECORATOR APPLICATION

Those interested in volunteering to decorate the White House ahead of the holiday season may apply HERE. Please note each person must apply individually, and group applications will not be accepted. Holiday decorator volunteers must be over the age of 18 and must be available to be in Washington, D.C. the week of Sunday, November 24, 2024.

VOLUNTEER HOLIDAY PERFORMER APPLICATION

Performers and musical groups, including school bands, choirs, and holiday-themed entertainers, may apply HERE for the opportunity to perform during White House holiday tours. White House holiday tours range from Tuesday, December 3, 2024 to Saturday, December 21, 2024.

For any questions regarding application or process, please reach out to Volunteers@who.eop.gov.

###

The post The White House Opens Volunteer Applications for the 2024 Holiday Season appeared first on The White House.

The United States and the Dominican Republic share a strong partnership based on democratic values and historic people-to-people ties. On the occasion of the inauguration of President Luis Abinader for his second term as the president of the Dominican Republic tomorrow, President Joe Biden sent a senior Presidential Delegation led by Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to extend his heartfelt congratulations to the government and the people of the Dominican Republic. Furthermore, the Biden-Harris Administration commits to continuing our support to the Dominican Republic in the areas of economic growth, energy, security, health, and human rights, and promoting a more democratic, secure, and prosperous Western Hemisphere.  Here are some of the examples of the strength of our partnership:

INVESTING IN PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE TIES
 
Our two countries benefit from unique, shared bonds of friendship and community.  Millions of Dominicans enrich communities across the United States and more than 4 million U.S. citizens visit the Dominican Republic each year.    

• Investing in the Next Generation of Dominican Leaders:  Embassy Santo Domingo has a collective educational and cultural exchange program alumni community of 31,000 emerging Dominican leaders. The two leading exchange programs are the Fulbright Foreign Student program consisting of almost 900 alumni, and the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) with almost 1,000 alumni.
• English Language Education:  Embassy Santo Domingo has provided technical and funding support to bolster the Dominican government’s English language immersion program at the university level. Over 20,000 students learned advanced English thanks to this program.
• Peace Corps:  Since 1962, more than 5,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in the Dominican Republic.  Currently, 93 volunteers work throughout the country in primary and secondary schools promoting literacy, life skills, and business and work skills in their communities. 

PROMOTING INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH

The United States and the Dominican Republic are working together to promote inclusive economic growth, including through the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity, launched in 2023 by President Biden and 11 regional partners, and a wide range of development programs. 

• Open Skies Agreement:  The United States and Dominican Republic signed a historic Open Skies Agreement on August 2, 2024.  Once in effect, the Agreement will expand our strong economic and commercial partnership and create new opportunities for airlines, travel companies, and customers.
• U.S. International Development Finance Corporation Support:  The Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is providing a $200 million direct loan to Banco Popular Dominicano to support the institution’s lending to small businesses and women entrepreneurs – groups often underserved by traditional financial institutions. In addition, the DFC is providing a $42 million loan portfolio guaranty to Banreservas designed to support women entrepreneurs as well as small businesses and to promote green lending.
• The Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement:  This agreement, known as DR-CAFTA has created new economic opportunities by eliminating tariffs, opening markets, reducing barriers to services, and promoting transparency.  Various agencies within the United States have provided technical assistance to the Dominican Republic to address issues that arise under DR-CAFTA in areas including intellectual property, labor rights, the environment, and wildlife protection.
• Port of Manzanillo:  The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provided $1.3 million to support the planning process of the port in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  This project advised the Dominican government on port planning and project implementation, strengthening technical capacity to meet international standards and transparently tender approximately $2.5 billion in contracts for the port.  
• Youth Opportunities:  Through its $4.6 million Youth-Led Activity, USAID focuses on strengthening institutions and improving youth-friendly services to contribute to community resilience.  We seek to expand the economic opportunities for vulnerable youth from poor and marginalized neighborhoods to ensure that youth find economic and social opportunities that offer a way of life free from crime and violence. 
• Higher Education:  USAID works with ISA University, the Technology University of Santiago, and the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo to replicate and test access and retention best practices for youth from high-risk environments. This $4.3 million investment promotes higher education attainment for these youth, improving their economic prospects and social stability.   

INVESTING IN CLEAN ENERGY, CLIMATE RESILIENCE

Through the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030), the United States and the Dominican Republic will deepen technological cooperation, advance the clean energy transition, and address and mitigate the effects of the climate crisis.

• Clean Energy Transition:  The Department of Energy is supporting the Caribbean’s clean energy transition through the Energy Resilience and Security in the Caribbean Fund.  This $2.5 million fund is designed to provide the technical assistance necessary to implement clean energy solutions in the Caribbean in a broad range of sectors.
• Renewable Energy:  The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) works with the Dominican Republic’s Superintendent of Electricity to support the development of battery storage regulations.  USTDA assesses gaps in existing regulations and will create a regulatory roadmap for the deployment of energy storage technologies throughout the power system. The United States seeks to help the DR government reduce the cost and environmental impact of electricity generation.
• Energy Reform:  Through USAID’s $8.8 million regional Energy Sector Reform in the Dominican Republic, programming aims to increase distributed renewable energy generation, assess where smart-grid technologies can be deployed to provide energy more efficiently, and explore renewable energy generation.  As part of this work, USAID initiated the first in a series of energy cybersecurity training workshops in the Dominican Republic in December 2022. 
• Locally-Led Resilience:  USAID, through its $2.9 million Climate Adaptation Activity, aims to enhance environmental sustainability and resilience in the Dajabón region by improving natural resource management and adopting climate-smart agricultural practices. 
• Cleaner Oceans:  USAID’s solid waste reduction programming aims to decrease waste in communities and municipalities in the Dominican Republic, leading to cleaner oceans.  This $4.4 million activity supports municipalities to effectively manage, reduce, recycle and dispose of waste.
• Energy Transition Accelerator:  At the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December 2023, the U.S. Department of State, the Bezos Earth Fund, and the Rockefeller Foundation presented the core framework of the Energy Transition Accelerator (ETA) and welcomed the Dominican Republic’s announcement it would join the ETA as a pilot country.  The ETA is an innovative carbon finance platform aimed at catalyzing private capital to support ambitious just energy transition strategies in developing and emerging economies. 

HEALTH COLLABORATION AND FOOD SECURITY

The United States and Dominican Republic enjoy a longstanding partnership on health and food security, and our historic investment in the Dominican health and agricultural systems have impacted thousands of Dominican citizens.  

• President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Program:  The United States has invested over $270 million in the last 16 years to support the HIV response in the Dominican Republic through the PEPFAR program, implemented by USAID and Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  The PEPFAR platform has allowed for health collaboration beyond HIV, including the DR’s most recent designation as a global health security intensive support partner. 
• Food Security:  Since 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Foreign Agricultural Service has provided over $14 million in funding to support capacity building and training programs related to food security, such as the Safe Agriculture/Food Export (SAFE) project and the Trade Safe program. 
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food for Progress Program:  The Foreign Agriculture Service has an active five-year, $13.5 million Food for Progress Program, dubbed Trade Safe. It aims to strengthen the Dominican Republic’s sanitary and phytosanitary measures as well as strengthen the local food safety systems by supporting the implementation of science-and risk-based standards.  These standards support critical regulatory improvements to facilitate increased agricultural trade between both countries.
• Resilient Agriculture: A $2.7 million, two-year USAID project launched in February 2024 will directly address the spike in food prices, crude oil, and commodities—including fertilizers and other common agricultural inputs—due to supply chain disruptions.  The project aims to mobilize funding from the private sector and will benefit 1,500 farmers, 30 percent of them women and youth.

STRENGTHENING DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND RULE OF LAW

The United States supports the Abinader administration’s efforts to strengthen democratic institutions, combat corruption, and improve the rule of law, as we understand these are fundamental to the Dominican Republic’s economic transformation and social cohesion.

• Procurement Transparency:  USAID’s $3.1 million Procurement Transparency Activity, implemented by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development Program, works to improve transparency, efficiency, and competition in the Dominican government procurement system by making recommendations on international best practices.   
• Responsive Justice:  To improve citizen security, USAID is investing more than $9.5 million to strengthen the Dominican Republic’s existing justice system by—among other activities—helping improve criminal justice institutions’ performance; reducing crime and violence, root causes of conflict through people-centered approaches; and strengthening the government’s ability to provide legal services to vulnerable populations.

EXPANDING DEFENSE AND SECURITY COOPERATION

U.S.-Dominican defense and security ties serve as a cornerstone of our partnership.  The Department of Defense (DoD) continues to cooperate with the Dominican Republic on many shared priorities, including building Dominican domain awareness, countering drug trafficking and other forms of transnational organized crime, climate resilience, developing humanitarian assistance and disaster response capabilities, and building institutional capacity.  Defense and security ties serve as the cornerstone of our alliance.

As the United States and the Dominican Republic work to help enable a free and open Caribbean region, including through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), we celebrate advancements in our cooperation:

• Bilateral-Multilateral Training and Exercises:  DoD and the Dominican Armed Forces conduct subject-matter expert exchanges and key leader engagements together, in which they share best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures.  The Dominican and U.S. militaries also participate together in exercises, including CENTAM Guardian, Tradewinds, Fuerzas Comando (Commando Forces), and in security conferences promoting regional cooperation on topics such as human rights. 
• Armed Foreces Modernization:  The United States is facilitating the Dominican military’s acquisitions for modern platforms that will enhance the Dominican Armed Force’s capabilities and maintain their interoperability with U.S. and allied systems.  With the support of DoD, the Dominican Air Force established its National Southern Command at Barahona airport.
• International Military Education and Training:  DoD promotes education programs to strengthen the continued professionalism and effectiveness of the Dominican military, enabling the military to support Dominican law enforcement authorities in safeguarding citizen security and countering illicit trafficking.
• Citizen Security:  The State Department has provided comprehensive support to police transformation efforts in the Dominican Republic, including reformation of the police training curriculum to increase the focus on human rights; supporting human resource advising for career development; and providing major IT donations for data management, transparency and accountability.
• Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing:  The Treasury Department has provided technical assistance to strengthen efforts to combat money laundering and to counter terrorism financing in the Dominican Republic, and the Department of State has helped establish the country’s first Anti-Money Laundering Task Force.

ADVANCING RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND LABOR RIGHTS

The United States is committed to supporting the Dominican Republic to advance our shared values of freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights and labor rights. 

• Combating Trafficking in Persons:  With over $1 million in funding from the State Department, the United States continues to support “RD SIN TRATA,” a program that aims to reduce the risk of trafficking and the revictimization of survivors by building the capacity of the Dominican Government and civil society to prevent, protect and prosecute trafficking cases and increase access to trauma-informed and victim-centered standard operating procedures for specialized shelter staff.
• Supporting Women and Care Workers: The USAID-funded Together We Care Project is working to promote better working conditions and social protections for care workers, address gender inequities in the health workforce, and formalize the domestic care economy. 
• Advancing LGBTQI+ Rights:  USAID’s $2.3 million “Being LGBTQI In the Caribbean” activity strengthens the professional and institutional capacities of civil society organizations and individual activists dedicated to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) equality within the Caribbean.

REGIONAL LEADERSHIP

• Summit of the Americas:  The United States and the Dominican Republic joined other governments to achieve bold hemispheric commitments on health and resilience, sustainability, digital transformation, the clean energy transition, and democratic governance at the Ninth Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles in 2022.  The United States looks forward to supporting the Dominican Republic’s agenda for the Tenth Summit of the Americas that the Dominican Republic will host in Punta Cana in 2025.
• The Alliance for Development and Democracy:  The Dominican Republic, together with Costa Rica and Panama, launched the ADD in 2021 as a new multilateral forum to promote stronger democracy and deeper commercial and economic integration.  Ecuador joined the group in 2022, and the four countries have collaborated with the United States to strengthen supply chains and improve economic competitiveness.
• Improved Stability in Haiti:  The United States and the Dominican Republic have worked together to improve stability in Haiti, including through garnering diplomatic support for the United Nations-authorized Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti, working collaboratively with the Caribbean Community, and supporting trade preferences for Haiti’s manufacturing sector.

###

The post Fact Sheet: Celebrating the Strength of the United States-Dominican Republic Partnership appeared first on The White House.

The United States and the Dominican Republic share a strong partnership based on democratic values and historic people-to-people ties. On the occasion of the inauguration of President Luis Abinader for his second term as the president of the Dominican Republic tomorrow, President Joe Biden sent a senior Presidential Delegation led by Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to extend his heartfelt congratulations to the government and the people of the Dominican Republic. Furthermore, the Biden-Harris Administration commits to continuing our support to the Dominican Republic in the areas of economic growth, energy, security, health, and human rights, and promoting a more democratic, secure, and prosperous Western Hemisphere.  Here are some of the examples of the strength of our partnership:

INVESTING IN PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE TIES
 
Our two countries benefit from unique, shared bonds of friendship and community.  Millions of Dominicans enrich communities across the United States and more than 4 million U.S. citizens visit the Dominican Republic each year.    

• Investing in the Next Generation of Dominican Leaders:  Embassy Santo Domingo has a collective educational and cultural exchange program alumni community of 31,000 emerging Dominican leaders. The two leading exchange programs are the Fulbright Foreign Student program consisting of almost 900 alumni, and the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) with almost 1,000 alumni.
• English Language Education:  Embassy Santo Domingo has provided technical and funding support to bolster the Dominican government’s English language immersion program at the university level. Over 20,000 students learned advanced English thanks to this program.
• Peace Corps:  Since 1962, more than 5,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in the Dominican Republic.  Currently, 93 volunteers work throughout the country in primary and secondary schools promoting literacy, life skills, and business and work skills in their communities. 

PROMOTING INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH

The United States and the Dominican Republic are working together to promote inclusive economic growth, including through the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity, launched in 2023 by President Biden and 11 regional partners, and a wide range of development programs. 

• Open Skies Agreement:  The United States and Dominican Republic signed a historic Open Skies Agreement on August 2, 2024.  Once in effect, the Agreement will expand our strong economic and commercial partnership and create new opportunities for airlines, travel companies, and customers.
• U.S. International Development Finance Corporation Support:  The Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is providing a $200 million direct loan to Banco Popular Dominicano to support the institution’s lending to small businesses and women entrepreneurs – groups often underserved by traditional financial institutions. In addition, the DFC is providing a $42 million loan portfolio guaranty to Banreservas designed to support women entrepreneurs as well as small businesses and to promote green lending.
• The Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement:  This agreement, known as DR-CAFTA has created new economic opportunities by eliminating tariffs, opening markets, reducing barriers to services, and promoting transparency.  Various agencies within the United States have provided technical assistance to the Dominican Republic to address issues that arise under DR-CAFTA in areas including intellectual property, labor rights, the environment, and wildlife protection.
• Port of Manzanillo:  The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provided $1.3 million to support the planning process of the port in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  This project advised the Dominican government on port planning and project implementation, strengthening technical capacity to meet international standards and transparently tender approximately $2.5 billion in contracts for the port.  
• Youth Opportunities:  Through its $4.6 million Youth-Led Activity, USAID focuses on strengthening institutions and improving youth-friendly services to contribute to community resilience.  We seek to expand the economic opportunities for vulnerable youth from poor and marginalized neighborhoods to ensure that youth find economic and social opportunities that offer a way of life free from crime and violence. 
• Higher Education:  USAID works with ISA University, the Technology University of Santiago, and the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo to replicate and test access and retention best practices for youth from high-risk environments. This $4.3 million investment promotes higher education attainment for these youth, improving their economic prospects and social stability.   

INVESTING IN CLEAN ENERGY, CLIMATE RESILIENCE

Through the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030), the United States and the Dominican Republic will deepen technological cooperation, advance the clean energy transition, and address and mitigate the effects of the climate crisis.

• Clean Energy Transition:  The Department of Energy is supporting the Caribbean’s clean energy transition through the Energy Resilience and Security in the Caribbean Fund.  This $2.5 million fund is designed to provide the technical assistance necessary to implement clean energy solutions in the Caribbean in a broad range of sectors.
• Renewable Energy:  The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) works with the Dominican Republic’s Superintendent of Electricity to support the development of battery storage regulations.  USTDA assesses gaps in existing regulations and will create a regulatory roadmap for the deployment of energy storage technologies throughout the power system. The United States seeks to help the DR government reduce the cost and environmental impact of electricity generation.
• Energy Reform:  Through USAID’s $8.8 million regional Energy Sector Reform in the Dominican Republic, programming aims to increase distributed renewable energy generation, assess where smart-grid technologies can be deployed to provide energy more efficiently, and explore renewable energy generation.  As part of this work, USAID initiated the first in a series of energy cybersecurity training workshops in the Dominican Republic in December 2022. 
• Locally-Led Resilience:  USAID, through its $2.9 million Climate Adaptation Activity, aims to enhance environmental sustainability and resilience in the Dajabón region by improving natural resource management and adopting climate-smart agricultural practices. 
• Cleaner Oceans:  USAID’s solid waste reduction programming aims to decrease waste in communities and municipalities in the Dominican Republic, leading to cleaner oceans.  This $4.4 million activity supports municipalities to effectively manage, reduce, recycle and dispose of waste.
• Energy Transition Accelerator:  At the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December 2023, the U.S. Department of State, the Bezos Earth Fund, and the Rockefeller Foundation presented the core framework of the Energy Transition Accelerator (ETA) and welcomed the Dominican Republic’s announcement it would join the ETA as a pilot country.  The ETA is an innovative carbon finance platform aimed at catalyzing private capital to support ambitious just energy transition strategies in developing and emerging economies. 

HEALTH COLLABORATION AND FOOD SECURITY

The United States and Dominican Republic enjoy a longstanding partnership on health and food security, and our historic investment in the Dominican health and agricultural systems have impacted thousands of Dominican citizens.  

• President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Program:  The United States has invested over $270 million in the last 16 years to support the HIV response in the Dominican Republic through the PEPFAR program, implemented by USAID and Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  The PEPFAR platform has allowed for health collaboration beyond HIV, including the DR’s most recent designation as a global health security intensive support partner. 
• Food Security:  Since 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Foreign Agricultural Service has provided over $14 million in funding to support capacity building and training programs related to food security, such as the Safe Agriculture/Food Export (SAFE) project and the Trade Safe program. 
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food for Progress Program:  The Foreign Agriculture Service has an active five-year, $13.5 million Food for Progress Program, dubbed Trade Safe. It aims to strengthen the Dominican Republic’s sanitary and phytosanitary measures as well as strengthen the local food safety systems by supporting the implementation of science-and risk-based standards.  These standards support critical regulatory improvements to facilitate increased agricultural trade between both countries.
• Resilient Agriculture: A $2.7 million, two-year USAID project launched in February 2024 will directly address the spike in food prices, crude oil, and commodities—including fertilizers and other common agricultural inputs—due to supply chain disruptions.  The project aims to mobilize funding from the private sector and will benefit 1,500 farmers, 30 percent of them women and youth.

STRENGTHENING DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND RULE OF LAW

The United States supports the Abinader administration’s efforts to strengthen democratic institutions, combat corruption, and improve the rule of law, as we understand these are fundamental to the Dominican Republic’s economic transformation and social cohesion.

• Procurement Transparency:  USAID’s $3.1 million Procurement Transparency Activity, implemented by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development Program, works to improve transparency, efficiency, and competition in the Dominican government procurement system by making recommendations on international best practices.   
• Responsive Justice:  To improve citizen security, USAID is investing more than $9.5 million to strengthen the Dominican Republic’s existing justice system by—among other activities—helping improve criminal justice institutions’ performance; reducing crime and violence, root causes of conflict through people-centered approaches; and strengthening the government’s ability to provide legal services to vulnerable populations.

EXPANDING DEFENSE AND SECURITY COOPERATION

U.S.-Dominican defense and security ties serve as a cornerstone of our partnership.  The Department of Defense (DoD) continues to cooperate with the Dominican Republic on many shared priorities, including building Dominican domain awareness, countering drug trafficking and other forms of transnational organized crime, climate resilience, developing humanitarian assistance and disaster response capabilities, and building institutional capacity.  Defense and security ties serve as the cornerstone of our alliance.

As the United States and the Dominican Republic work to help enable a free and open Caribbean region, including through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), we celebrate advancements in our cooperation:

• Bilateral-Multilateral Training and Exercises:  DoD and the Dominican Armed Forces conduct subject-matter expert exchanges and key leader engagements together, in which they share best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures.  The Dominican and U.S. militaries also participate together in exercises, including CENTAM Guardian, Tradewinds, Fuerzas Comando (Commando Forces), and in security conferences promoting regional cooperation on topics such as human rights. 
• Armed Foreces Modernization:  The United States is facilitating the Dominican military’s acquisitions for modern platforms that will enhance the Dominican Armed Force’s capabilities and maintain their interoperability with U.S. and allied systems.  With the support of DoD, the Dominican Air Force established its National Southern Command at Barahona airport.
• International Military Education and Training:  DoD promotes education programs to strengthen the continued professionalism and effectiveness of the Dominican military, enabling the military to support Dominican law enforcement authorities in safeguarding citizen security and countering illicit trafficking.
• Citizen Security:  The State Department has provided comprehensive support to police transformation efforts in the Dominican Republic, including reformation of the police training curriculum to increase the focus on human rights; supporting human resource advising for career development; and providing major IT donations for data management, transparency and accountability.
• Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing:  The Treasury Department has provided technical assistance to strengthen efforts to combat money laundering and to counter terrorism financing in the Dominican Republic, and the Department of State has helped establish the country’s first Anti-Money Laundering Task Force.

ADVANCING RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND LABOR RIGHTS

The United States is committed to supporting the Dominican Republic to advance our shared values of freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights and labor rights. 

• Combating Trafficking in Persons:  With over $1 million in funding from the State Department, the United States continues to support “RD SIN TRATA,” a program that aims to reduce the risk of trafficking and the revictimization of survivors by building the capacity of the Dominican Government and civil society to prevent, protect and prosecute trafficking cases and increase access to trauma-informed and victim-centered standard operating procedures for specialized shelter staff.
• Supporting Women and Care Workers: The USAID-funded Together We Care Project is working to promote better working conditions and social protections for care workers, address gender inequities in the health workforce, and formalize the domestic care economy. 
• Advancing LGBTQI+ Rights:  USAID’s $2.3 million “Being LGBTQI In the Caribbean” activity strengthens the professional and institutional capacities of civil society organizations and individual activists dedicated to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) equality within the Caribbean.

REGIONAL LEADERSHIP

• Summit of the Americas:  The United States and the Dominican Republic joined other governments to achieve bold hemispheric commitments on health and resilience, sustainability, digital transformation, the clean energy transition, and democratic governance at the Ninth Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles in 2022.  The United States looks forward to supporting the Dominican Republic’s agenda for the Tenth Summit of the Americas that the Dominican Republic will host in Punta Cana in 2025.
• The Alliance for Development and Democracy:  The Dominican Republic, together with Costa Rica and Panama, launched the ADD in 2021 as a new multilateral forum to promote stronger democracy and deeper commercial and economic integration.  Ecuador joined the group in 2022, and the four countries have collaborated with the United States to strengthen supply chains and improve economic competitiveness.
• Improved Stability in Haiti:  The United States and the Dominican Republic have worked together to improve stability in Haiti, including through garnering diplomatic support for the United Nations-authorized Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti, working collaboratively with the Caribbean Community, and supporting trade preferences for Haiti’s manufacturing sector.

###

The post Fact Sheet: Celebrating the Strength of the United States-Dominican Republic Partnership appeared first on The White House.

Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Madam President:)

I am pleased to transmit to the Congress, pursuant to subsections 123 b. and 123 d. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2153(b), (d)) (the “Act”), the text of an Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Singapore Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (the “Agreement”).

I am also pleased to transmit my written approval, authorization, and determination concerning the Agreement and an unclassified Nuclear Proliferation Assessment Statement (NPAS) concerning the Agreement.  In accordance with section 123 of the Act, a classified annex to the NPAS, prepared by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, summarizing relevant classified information, will be submitted to the Congress separately.  The joint memorandum submitted to me by the Secretaries of State and Energy and a letter from the Chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission stating the views of the Commission are also enclosed.  An addendum to the NPAS containing a comprehensive analysis of the export control system of the Republic of Singapore with respect to nuclear-related matters, including interactions with countries of proliferation concern and the actual or suspected nuclear, dual-use, or missile-related transfers to such countries, pursuant to section 102A(w) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3024(w)), is being submitted separately by the Director of National Intelligence. 

The Agreement has been negotiated in accordance with the Act and other applicable law.  In my judgment, it meets all applicable statutory requirements and will advance the nonproliferation and other foreign policy interests of the United States of America.

The Agreement contains all of the provisions required by subsection 123 a. of the Act.  It provides a comprehensive framework for peaceful nuclear cooperation with the Republic of Singapore based on a mutual commitment to nuclear nonproliferation.  It would permit the transfer of material, equipment (including reactors), components, and information for peaceful nuclear purposes.  It would not permit the transfer of Restricted Data or sensitive nuclear technology.  Any special fissionable material transferred could only be in the form of low enriched uranium, with the exception of small quantities of material for use as samples, standards, detectors, or targets, or for such other purposes as the parties may agree. 

Through the Agreement, the Republic of Singapore would affirm its intent to rely on existing international markets for nuclear fuel services rather than acquiring sensitive nuclear technology (i.e., for enrichment and reprocessing), and the United States would affirm its intent to support those international markets to ensure a reliable supply of low enriched uranium fuel to the Republic of Singapore.

The Agreement has a term of 30 years, although it can be terminated by either party on 1 year’s advance written notice.  In the event of termination or expiration of the Agreement, key nonproliferation conditions and controls will continue in effect as long as any material, equipment, or components subject to the Agreement remain in the territory of the party concerned or under its jurisdiction or control anywhere, or until such time as the parties agree that such material, equipment, or components are no longer usable for any nuclear activity relevant from the point of view of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.

The Republic of Singapore strongly supports the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction and has consistently reiterated its commitment to nonproliferation.  The United States and the Republic of Singapore have fostered a close relationship on strategic trade and interdiction issues.  The Republic of Singapore is a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and has concluded a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol thereto with the IAEA.  The Republic of Singapore is a State Party to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone.  A more detailed discussion of the Republic of Singapore’s domestic civil nuclear activities and its nuclear nonproliferation policies and practices is provided in the NPAS and its classified annex.

I have considered the views and recommendations of the interested departments and agencies in reviewing the Agreement and have determined that its performance will promote, and will not constitute an unreasonable risk to, the common defense and security.  Accordingly, I have approved the Agreement and authorized its execution and urge that the Congress give it favorable consideration. 

This transmission shall constitute a submittal for purposes of both subsections 123 b. and 123 d. of the Act.  My Administration is prepared to immediately begin the consultations with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, as provided in subsection 123 b.  Upon completion of the 30 days of continuous session review provided for in subsection 123 b., the 60 days of continuous session review provided for in subsection 123 d. shall commence.

                              Sincerely,

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post Letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate on the Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Singapore Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy appeared first on The White House.

Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Madam President:)

I am pleased to transmit to the Congress, pursuant to subsections 123 b. and 123 d. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2153(b), (d)) (the “Act”), the text of an Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Singapore Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (the “Agreement”).

I am also pleased to transmit my written approval, authorization, and determination concerning the Agreement and an unclassified Nuclear Proliferation Assessment Statement (NPAS) concerning the Agreement.  In accordance with section 123 of the Act, a classified annex to the NPAS, prepared by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, summarizing relevant classified information, will be submitted to the Congress separately.  The joint memorandum submitted to me by the Secretaries of State and Energy and a letter from the Chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission stating the views of the Commission are also enclosed.  An addendum to the NPAS containing a comprehensive analysis of the export control system of the Republic of Singapore with respect to nuclear-related matters, including interactions with countries of proliferation concern and the actual or suspected nuclear, dual-use, or missile-related transfers to such countries, pursuant to section 102A(w) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3024(w)), is being submitted separately by the Director of National Intelligence. 

The Agreement has been negotiated in accordance with the Act and other applicable law.  In my judgment, it meets all applicable statutory requirements and will advance the nonproliferation and other foreign policy interests of the United States of America.

The Agreement contains all of the provisions required by subsection 123 a. of the Act.  It provides a comprehensive framework for peaceful nuclear cooperation with the Republic of Singapore based on a mutual commitment to nuclear nonproliferation.  It would permit the transfer of material, equipment (including reactors), components, and information for peaceful nuclear purposes.  It would not permit the transfer of Restricted Data or sensitive nuclear technology.  Any special fissionable material transferred could only be in the form of low enriched uranium, with the exception of small quantities of material for use as samples, standards, detectors, or targets, or for such other purposes as the parties may agree. 

Through the Agreement, the Republic of Singapore would affirm its intent to rely on existing international markets for nuclear fuel services rather than acquiring sensitive nuclear technology (i.e., for enrichment and reprocessing), and the United States would affirm its intent to support those international markets to ensure a reliable supply of low enriched uranium fuel to the Republic of Singapore.

The Agreement has a term of 30 years, although it can be terminated by either party on 1 year’s advance written notice.  In the event of termination or expiration of the Agreement, key nonproliferation conditions and controls will continue in effect as long as any material, equipment, or components subject to the Agreement remain in the territory of the party concerned or under its jurisdiction or control anywhere, or until such time as the parties agree that such material, equipment, or components are no longer usable for any nuclear activity relevant from the point of view of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.

The Republic of Singapore strongly supports the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction and has consistently reiterated its commitment to nonproliferation.  The United States and the Republic of Singapore have fostered a close relationship on strategic trade and interdiction issues.  The Republic of Singapore is a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and has concluded a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol thereto with the IAEA.  The Republic of Singapore is a State Party to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone.  A more detailed discussion of the Republic of Singapore’s domestic civil nuclear activities and its nuclear nonproliferation policies and practices is provided in the NPAS and its classified annex.

I have considered the views and recommendations of the interested departments and agencies in reviewing the Agreement and have determined that its performance will promote, and will not constitute an unreasonable risk to, the common defense and security.  Accordingly, I have approved the Agreement and authorized its execution and urge that the Congress give it favorable consideration. 

This transmission shall constitute a submittal for purposes of both subsections 123 b. and 123 d. of the Act.  My Administration is prepared to immediately begin the consultations with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, as provided in subsection 123 b.  Upon completion of the 30 days of continuous session review provided for in subsection 123 b., the 60 days of continuous session review provided for in subsection 123 d. shall commence.

                              Sincerely,

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post Letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate on the Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Singapore Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy appeared first on The White House.

10:15 A.M. EDT

MODERATOR:  Hey, everyone.  Thanks for joining.  Kirby has a few words here at the top, and then we’ll get through as many questions as we can.  Thanks.

MR. KIRBY:  Hey, folks.  Good morning.  Talks are moving forward today in Doha.  President Biden directed Director Burns and Brett McGurk to participate for the United States.  They’re on the ground right now working with representatives from Israel, Qatar, and Egypt.  Qatar and Egypt are, in turn, mediating with Hamas.  The resumption of these talks is an important step. 

And in the lead-up to this meeting, we’d already narrowed some gaps.  Today, we are focused on the details of the implementation of the agreement.  There remains a lot of work to do, given the complexity of the agreement.  We do not anticipate coming out of these talks today with a deal.  In fact, I’d expect the talks to continue into tomorrow.  This is vital work.  The remaining obstacles can be overcome, and we must bring this process to a close.  We need to see the hostages released, relief for Palestinian civilians in Gaza, security for Israel, and lower tensions in the region.  And we need to see those things as soon as possible. 

So today is a promising start, and we’ll have more to say over the course of the day and into tomorrow as things move forward. 

And with that, we can take some questions.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our first question will go to Aamer with the AP.

Q    Hey, yeah, thank you for that.  One just follow-up on the talks in Doha.  Can you detail how long the talks went on today?  Are they still ongoing today?

And then secondly, on Ukraine: Are there any signs that Russia is shifting troops from Ukraine?  I’m sorry — yeah, shifting troops from Ukraine to deal with the Ukraine operation in Kursk?  And if so, is there any sense of how significant the troop movements are?  Thanks.

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, Aamer, I don’t know for sure whether the talks are ongoing as we speak now.  You know, with the time difference, they could be — they could — well, actually, I take that back.  They are just starting.  I was just passed a note that, in fact, they are just starting.  So the talks are just starting there in Doha.  So, I apologize for my stammer. 

And on the second question about Russia shifting, we have seen some Russian units being redirected from operations in and around Ukraine to the Kursk area.  But these are just early reports that we’re seeing.  I can’t say with certainty how many or how many more may go or what their intentions would be, but we have begun to see some Russian units being reapplied to the Kursk area.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Steve with Reuters.

Q    John, what is the main obstacle to getting a hostage ceasefire deal?

MR. KIRBY:  I don’t know that I could identify just one, Steve.  I think it’s important to remember what we’re doing right now.  And the details we’re working out are details of implementation.  It’s not that we’re having a debate over the framework of the deal.  We’re at a point now where the framework is generally accepted.  And where the gaps are are in the execution of the deal, the individual muscle movements that go with putting the deal in place. 

And I know I’m talking around it, and I know that’s not helpful.  I know what you want to know is what are the hang-ups, what are the details of implementation that are still being hashed out.  And I’m just not going to get into that.  But I do think it’s important to put this into some context.  Look, we’re talking about specific implementing measures of the deal that still need to be agreed to. 

So, what — our team is hoping for some constructive talks here today.  And as I said earlier in my opening statement, we expect that those talks will continue into tomorrow.

Q    And just to follow up on Aamer’s second question, will Ukraine have the capability to hold Russian territory?

MR. KIRBY:  I simply am not qualified to answer that question.  I can’t and won’t speak for Ukrainian military operations.  And I certainly am in no position to — since I’m not going to speak for what their intent ultimately is, I can’t speak to their ability to achieve whatever objective they’re trying to achieve.  So I really just need to leave it at that. 

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Molly with ABC. 

Q    Hey.  Thanks so much for holding the call.  Does the administration have any response to the dual American — Russian-American citizen who was sentenced to 12 years in prison for her donation to a Ukrainian charity?

MR. KIRBY:  I think the way we would describe this sentence of 12 years is vindictive cruelty.  I mean, we’ve spoken out about her case before, when she was charged and arrested.  The sentence just proves all the more that there’s no real system of justice coming out of Moscow. 

So we’re going to continue to seek consular access to her, of course.  And we’re going to continue, as we have been, trying to work for her release. 

But to your answer to your question, it’s nothing less than just vindictive cruelty.  We’re talking about 50 bucks to try to alleviate the suffering of the people of Ukraine.  And to call that treason is just absolutely ludicrous.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Nick with PBS.

Nick, you should be —

Q    Thanks, Sam.  Thanks, John.  Oops, sorry.  I guess — thank you. 

John, I know you don’t want to go into detail, so let me just give you some variables and ask you to comment in general.  You know, the Israelis have been focusing on control of the Philadelphi Corridor.  They’ve been focusing on movement from the south to the north, the nature of, you know, who gets released in the first round and how many Palestinians they get to (inaudible).  Do you believe that the Israelis have added new conditions over the last month? 

And just to put a point on your opening statement: Given Hamas’s public statements, do you believe that Hamas’s engagement with today’s negotiation is any different at all from its previous engagements — previous engagements with previous negotiation dates?  Thanks.

MR. KIRBY:  I’m just not going to get into the details of what’s being negotiated, and I will just say a couple of things. 

The way negotiations work is that you start with some text on a piece of paper, and both sides work on that text.  Usually both sides make amendments to that text.  You cycle it back around again, you have some more discussions about the amendments, and that leads to even more discussions, and on and on you go.

And both sides have had the opportunity to look at the texts that either side recommended and make amendments and changes and suggestions as negotiations pursued.  And here we are today, with the central framework being agreed to and negotiating on the details. 

So, I’m just not going to get into the business of saying, “On this date, this person or this side added this or took that out or wanted to change that.”  This is the business of negotiating, and the last thing I’m going to do is prejudice that process by getting into the details. 

I hear what you’re saying, and I’ve seen the press reports about who wants this and who wants that, and I’m just not going to play in that game right now, not when we’re as close as we certainly hope to be today. 

And then, your second question on Hamas’s participation:  So, in the past, it has worked very similar to how it’s working in Doha today, where mediators will sit and discuss, work things out, and then those mediators will be in touch with Hamas, and then the Hamas leaders in Doha then communicate directly with Mr. Sinwar for final answers. 

So the process that is playing out in Doha is very much in keeping with the process that has played out in the past.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Andrea Mitchell with NBC. 

Q    Hi there.  Thank you very much.  John, can you comment on criticism from Defense Minister Gallant and many in the Israeli war cabinet, as well as other Israeli officials in the military, that they have accomplished their goals, their obtainable goals in Gaza, and that the stated position of the Prime Minister is both not realistic and, you know, counterproductive, echoed by many U.S. officials, as we talk about these negotiations?  And on some of the recent civilian attacks, which have hit civilians, widely criticized, where Israel has still not justified some of the deaths that we’ve seen recently. 

And in terms of — let me just ask you also on Ukraine, if you don’t mind.  Do you think that Vladimir Putin is going to, you know, react and retaliate?  Do you have any sense from the movement of troops that there is going to be some massive attack in response to what is clearly a huge embarrassment to him?  Thank you.

MR. KIRBY:  Okay, there’s a lot there.  Let me take them in turn. 

The last thing that I’m going to do, and the last thing I want to do, is insert myself into internal Israeli politics or the machinations of the war cabinet over there.  That’s not my place.  It would be inappropriate for me to go there. 

I’ll just say a couple of things. 

Number one, it is without doubt that the Israeli Defense Forces have brought down significant blows on Hamas and their military capability.  They have killed, I mean, thousands of Hamas fighters.  They have decimated their leadership ranks at all levels, from tactical to operational to strategic, where senior leaders have been taken off the battlefield.  And Hamas is a military organization as well as a terrorist network, and what has given them purchase in the past was their ability to move and act and plan and organize and resource like an army.  And the Israelis have done an effective job at dramatically reducing their military capacity and capability. 

I won’t go so far as to say that they’ve eliminated the military threat that Hamas poses to the safety and security of Israel.  There are still fighters alive and fighting.  There are still tunnels that they use to move about and to store arms and ammunition, and they still have resources available to them.  But there has been a tremendous amount of pressure put on Hamas.  And from a military perspective, they have definitely achieved the vast majority of their objectives. 

Hamas is not, however, just a military organization.  It is also an ideology, an ideology which still does not believe in the existence of the State of Israel; an ideology which continues to persist in the warped idea that what happened on the 7th of October ought to be able to happen again. 

So we’re going to continue again to make sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against that threat, at the same time doing everything we can, as I alluded to in my opening statement, to get this ceasefire in place, which can give us six weeks of calm, at least in phase one, to get hostages home, to get the fighting to stop so that there are no innocent civilians put in the crossfire anymore, and that humanitarian assistance can get to so many people that are still desperately in need of it. 

And it doesn’t mean we’re going to stop talking to the Israelis about what more they need to do to limit civilian casualties, to better deconflict with aid organizations, and to be more precise and discriminate as they continue to go after the military targets that they’re going after.

Q    Do you expect, John, that, as they did last time in November, Hezbollah and even the Houthis would observe a six-week ceasefire — or a ceasefire, let’s just say — if one were negotiated for Gaza?

MR. KIRBY:  The ceasefire would be between Hamas and Israel.  I can’t speak for what other groups might do or not do as a result of that.  I would — I’d go back on — in terms of Hezbollah, you know, we still haven’t seen signs that Hezbollah wants to jump in with both feet here and start a new war on a second front at this time.  Now, that doesn’t mean that there’s not still a threat from Hezbollah.  Of course, there is.  They continue to fire rockets into northern Israel, and certainly we’re monitoring and watching for any participation they might want to partake in should Iran decide to attack Israel in retaliation.  But I can’t speak for what either group might or might not do. 

They have both said — I would remind, though, the leaders of Hezbollah and the leaders of Houthis have said they want to see a ceasefire.  And they have, in their own ways, said that — or tried to justify the attacks that they have perpetrated on Israel as tied to a ceasefire; you know, that that’s why they’re doing it, to try to force a ceasefire.  So one would conclude from that that, should there be a ceasefire in Gaza, that given their public pronouncements of that being a goal and an objective, that they would likewise observe it.  But, you know, we’d have to see.

And on Putin: Difficult to say.  All I can tell you is that we have seen some units being reapplied and sent to that area.  But it’s not clear right now how many are eventually going to go and what their military mission is going to be.  So, I just — I know it’s not a very satisfactory answer, but it’s an honest one.  We’re watching this closely, but we can’t say with certainty exactly what Mr. Putin is going to do. 

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to David Sanger with the New York Times.

Q    Thanks.  John, you alluded to the other factor in here, which is whether Iran goes ahead with some kind of an attack, either directly or indirectly.  So, can you bring us up on your thinking?  It’s now been, what, nearly three weeks since the killing of the Hamas leader in Tehran.  We haven’t seen a reaction.  Obviously, you’ve been sending lots of messages to the Iranians.  Are you getting any kind of response back?  Do you have any sense of whether they’ve made a political decision to go ahead; whether they are considering the effects on the talks underway in Doha here?  What’s your read?

And then I have a Ukraine question for you when you’re done. 

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, hey.  I want to be careful that I don’t get into intelligence assessments in too great of detail, David.  We obviously are watching this very, very closely, as you might expect.  As you also rightly noted, we have been messaging Iran through our counterparts and people that have direct diplomatic relations with Iran.  And of course, we have our own ways of doing that, through other vehicles, as you know.

And our messages have been consistent: We don’t want to see an escalation here, and we would like to prevent the outcome of them attacking — Iran. 

In addition to all that intense diplomacy, as you know, we’ve also made moves with defense capabilities, ships, aircraft, other military capabilities to make sure that should Iran choose to go forward with some sort of an attack on Iran [Israel], that we’re ready for it — to defend ourselves, our facilities, and our people, but also to defend Israel.  And we are constantly looking at that posture as well to make sure that it matches up to what the potential attack could be. 

We have to take seriously the rhetoric coming out of Tehran, and the rhetoric coming out of Tehran has been pretty aggressive in terms of what their intent is.  We have to take that seriously. 

So I can’t sit here and tell you for sure that there’s been a decision to change their mind.  And I can’t tell you for sure, if they attack, what that is going to look like or even when it would occur.  As I said earlier, a few days ago we had information, which we continue to have that information, that an attack could come with little or no warning, and certainly could come in coming days.  And we have to be ready for it. 

But the messaging effort continues and will continue, because what we’re really after is de-escalation and trying to prevent this.

Q    My Ukraine question is this: At other moments in time when Putin has been embarrassed or performing badly, we’ve seen him make nuclear threats.  And you remember October 2022 and that whole period of time when there was concern about that.  Are you hearing, seeing anything that indicates similar distress on his part?

MR. KIRBY:  Well, I reckon that if he’s moving troops over there, he’s got some level of concern about what’s going on.  I don’t know whether that qualifies as distress or not, but he certainly is reacting, at least in some way, to what’s happening in the Kursk Oblast.  But we haven’t seen or heard any escalatory rhetoric, particularly around nuclear weapons, in recent days.  So I think —

Q    None of the signs that you saw in October 2022?

MR. KIRBY:  No, sir.  And the other thing I’d say is that not only have we not seen or heard that kind of rhetoric, we haven’t seen or heard anything that would cause us to change our own strategic deterrent posture or calculus.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Aurelia with AFP.

Q    Hi, and thank you so much for doing this.  John, I was wondering whether you could elaborate on something the President said.  He said that this Ukrainian offensive in Russia was causing a dilemma for Putin.  So if you could, like, expand on that. 

And a second question: Can you comment on this report in the Wall Street Journal saying that senior Ukrainian officials approved the sabotage operation against the Nord Stream pipeline?  Thank you so much.

MR. KIRBY:  I’m not going to comment on the Wall Street Journal reporting on this.

On your first question, I’ve kind of already addressed it.  I mean, look, Mr. Putin and the Russians have had to make adjustments, and we see signs that they are trying to reinforce themselves in and around the Kursk area as a result of Ukrainian operations there.  And doing that means you’re taking assets that were in one place doing one thing, and now they have to go do another.  And that’s — you know, that certainly presents a dilemma in the decision-making process. 

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Alex Ward with the Wall Street Journal.

Q    Yeah, thanks, John.  I have two quick questions.  One is, do you have any — I know we talked about Iran a little bit.  Do you have any indications about this attack still?  I mean, I know, you know, officials keep saying, you know, “We don’t know” or anything like that, but maybe there’s some more clarity in recent hours. 

And relatedly, if there was — if you have any indication that maybe Iran is waiting to see how these ceasefire talks would go. 

And then second, the other ceasefire talks, the ones in Sudan, where it looked like neither party — warring party — showed up, I’m wondering if the administration is planning any moves to make sure that those sides actually get chatting to stop that civil war.  Thank you.

MR. KIRBY:  We’re still very focused on getting both sides in Sudan back to the table and to come to meaningful agreements about laying their arms down and doing the right thing for the people of Sudan.  So, diplomatically, we are very much engaged in that and have every interest in trying to get those talks back on — or getting them started, I should say.

On your first question, I kind of already answered it, Alex.  I don’t know that I can say anything — or would say anything differently about — you know, about what we anticipate. 

I mean, as I said earlier, even this morning, we have to take the rhetoric seriously.  We know that Iran has made some preparations.  We believe that, should they choose to attack, that they could do it with little or no notice and that it could come — it could come soon. 

But we obviously would like to prevent that outcome, which is why, in my answer to David’s questions, you know, we’re involved in — continue to be involved in some pretty intensive diplomacy to try to keep this situation from escalating.  We don’t want it to come to that.  If it does come to that, we got to be ready, and we believe we are, but we’re going to try as hard as we can through diplomacy to try to prevent it.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Juan with La W.

Q    Thank you, John.  Given that it’s clear for the U.S. that Edmundo Gonzalez won the election — I’m talking about Venezuela — when will the U.S. formally recognize him as the victor?  And is it true that the U.S. has offered Nicolas Maduro something like amnesty to facilitate that transition of power in Venezuela?  Thank you.

MR. KIRBY:  Nope, it is not true that there’s been amnesty offered to Mr. Maduro.  And what we want to see is we want to see the actual vote tallies, the data, and we haven’t seen that yet.  So we still need to see that. 

We do believe that Mr. Gonzalez won the majority of votes.  We believe that through a number of ways and a number of sources.  What’s really definitive is the actual voting data.  And the fact that Mr. Maduro won’t release that data, certainly, I think, speaks to what must be his concern about the transparency that that would — the results that that would transparently display. 

So I’ve got nothing on — nothing more in terms of recognition to talk about.  We want to see the data.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Neria with Channel 13 Israel.

Q    Hi, Kirby.  Thank you so much for doing this.  And thank you, Sam.  I’m wondering if you have any new information about the possible Iranian attack to tell us.  We’ve been talking in the past few days about the possibility of an attack in the next few days.  What does the U.S. do in order to try to deter Iran today from this attack?  Because we’ve seen the submarine and the Raptors that were sent to the Middle East.  Are you doing anything more?

And do you still have that same exact assessment of a few days ago, or do you feel like Iran is more deterred than before?

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, I mean, again, I’ve kind of already answered this one.  We’re still working very hard diplomatically to prevent that outcome, to prevent there being an attack, but we also have to be ready for one.  And I would tell you that we believe we are.

We have devoted more capability to the region — air and sea, particularly.  And Secretary Austin even modified that posture over the weekend by speeding up the Lincoln and announcing a guided missile submarine to the region.  Force posture is a pretty dynamic thing, and we’ll adjust it as necessary.  I don’t have any changes to speak to today, and if there were to be any, that would come from the Pentagon, rightly. 

But we’re constantly looking at the situation and making sure that, you know, that we’ve got what we need in place should there be an attack.

I want to stress again that, you know, we don’t have a lot of certainty here, so it’s not exactly clear whether there’ll be one.  We hope there won’t be.  It’s not clear, if there is one, when it would come.  It could come, as I said earlier, with little or no notice.  Certainly, we have to be ready for that in the coming days. 

And I’ll tell you something else.  It’s not exactly clear, if there’s going to be one, what it’s going to look like, what scope is it going to entail.  Is it going to be the same size as what they threw at Israel in April?  Smaller?  Bigger?  We don’t have a firm sense of it — which is why, again, we’re working so hard on the diplomatic front to see if we can forestall it.  And if we can’t, working so hard on the military front to make sure we’re ready for it and that Israel is ready for it. 

So, I don’t know that I can say much more than that.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  We have time for one more question, which will go to Jihan with The National.

Q    Thank you.  Thank you, Kirby.  Thank you, Sam.  I wanted to ask about — does this administration have a position on Israel maintaining control on Gaza’s southern border, or within Gaza, in the short or long term, post war?

MR. KIRBY:  We’ve talked about this before.  Look, we all recognize that, you know, whenever the war actually ends, permanently ends, that there’s probably going to be some sort of a transition period here, or IDF may have some security responsibilities.  But what that looks like, I can’t speak to in any great clarity. 

What we’re focused on right now is getting a ceasefire deal in place, getting those hostages home, getting six weeks of calm, and all the parameters that the ceasefire deal lays out in terms of military activity and military presence.  That’s really what our goal is right now.

Q    And another question on — President Mahmoud Abbas said that he plans on visiting Gaza.  Has this visit been coordinated in any way with this administration?  And is this part of — I mean, is the Palestinian Authority involved in the talks at this stage?

MR. KIRBY:  You mean the ceasefire talks?

Q    Yes.

MR. KIRBY:  No.  The Palestinian Authority is not involved in the ceasefire talks.  And I’m going to have to get back to you on this trip to Gaza.  This is the first I’m hearing of that.  So, I —

Q    Yeah, he said it earlier today, and I was wondering if that was part of — I mean, how would this be (inaudible).

MR. KIRBY:  No, I wouldn’t read into that as being part of the ceasefire talks.  I’m pretty comfortable with that, but — saying that.

But in terms of whether we were aware of it or in any way coordinated it, I’d have to get back to you on that.  This is the first I’m hearing of it, and I don’t want to speculate.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  That is all the time we have today.  As always, if we weren’t able to get to you, feel free to reach out to our distro and we’ll try to get back as soon as we can.  Thanks.

10:50 A.M. EDT

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10:15 A.M. EDT

MODERATOR:  Hey, everyone.  Thanks for joining.  Kirby has a few words here at the top, and then we’ll get through as many questions as we can.  Thanks.

MR. KIRBY:  Hey, folks.  Good morning.  Talks are moving forward today in Doha.  President Biden directed Director Burns and Brett McGurk to participate for the United States.  They’re on the ground right now working with representatives from Israel, Qatar, and Egypt.  Qatar and Egypt are, in turn, mediating with Hamas.  The resumption of these talks is an important step. 

And in the lead-up to this meeting, we’d already narrowed some gaps.  Today, we are focused on the details of the implementation of the agreement.  There remains a lot of work to do, given the complexity of the agreement.  We do not anticipate coming out of these talks today with a deal.  In fact, I’d expect the talks to continue into tomorrow.  This is vital work.  The remaining obstacles can be overcome, and we must bring this process to a close.  We need to see the hostages released, relief for Palestinian civilians in Gaza, security for Israel, and lower tensions in the region.  And we need to see those things as soon as possible. 

So today is a promising start, and we’ll have more to say over the course of the day and into tomorrow as things move forward. 

And with that, we can take some questions.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our first question will go to Aamer with the AP.

Q    Hey, yeah, thank you for that.  One just follow-up on the talks in Doha.  Can you detail how long the talks went on today?  Are they still ongoing today?

And then secondly, on Ukraine: Are there any signs that Russia is shifting troops from Ukraine?  I’m sorry — yeah, shifting troops from Ukraine to deal with the Ukraine operation in Kursk?  And if so, is there any sense of how significant the troop movements are?  Thanks.

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, Aamer, I don’t know for sure whether the talks are ongoing as we speak now.  You know, with the time difference, they could be — they could — well, actually, I take that back.  They are just starting.  I was just passed a note that, in fact, they are just starting.  So the talks are just starting there in Doha.  So, I apologize for my stammer. 

And on the second question about Russia shifting, we have seen some Russian units being redirected from operations in and around Ukraine to the Kursk area.  But these are just early reports that we’re seeing.  I can’t say with certainty how many or how many more may go or what their intentions would be, but we have begun to see some Russian units being reapplied to the Kursk area.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Steve with Reuters.

Q    John, what is the main obstacle to getting a hostage ceasefire deal?

MR. KIRBY:  I don’t know that I could identify just one, Steve.  I think it’s important to remember what we’re doing right now.  And the details we’re working out are details of implementation.  It’s not that we’re having a debate over the framework of the deal.  We’re at a point now where the framework is generally accepted.  And where the gaps are are in the execution of the deal, the individual muscle movements that go with putting the deal in place. 

And I know I’m talking around it, and I know that’s not helpful.  I know what you want to know is what are the hang-ups, what are the details of implementation that are still being hashed out.  And I’m just not going to get into that.  But I do think it’s important to put this into some context.  Look, we’re talking about specific implementing measures of the deal that still need to be agreed to. 

So, what — our team is hoping for some constructive talks here today.  And as I said earlier in my opening statement, we expect that those talks will continue into tomorrow.

Q    And just to follow up on Aamer’s second question, will Ukraine have the capability to hold Russian territory?

MR. KIRBY:  I simply am not qualified to answer that question.  I can’t and won’t speak for Ukrainian military operations.  And I certainly am in no position to — since I’m not going to speak for what their intent ultimately is, I can’t speak to their ability to achieve whatever objective they’re trying to achieve.  So I really just need to leave it at that. 

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Molly with ABC. 

Q    Hey.  Thanks so much for holding the call.  Does the administration have any response to the dual American — Russian-American citizen who was sentenced to 12 years in prison for her donation to a Ukrainian charity?

MR. KIRBY:  I think the way we would describe this sentence of 12 years is vindictive cruelty.  I mean, we’ve spoken out about her case before, when she was charged and arrested.  The sentence just proves all the more that there’s no real system of justice coming out of Moscow. 

So we’re going to continue to seek consular access to her, of course.  And we’re going to continue, as we have been, trying to work for her release. 

But to your answer to your question, it’s nothing less than just vindictive cruelty.  We’re talking about 50 bucks to try to alleviate the suffering of the people of Ukraine.  And to call that treason is just absolutely ludicrous.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Nick with PBS.

Nick, you should be —

Q    Thanks, Sam.  Thanks, John.  Oops, sorry.  I guess — thank you. 

John, I know you don’t want to go into detail, so let me just give you some variables and ask you to comment in general.  You know, the Israelis have been focusing on control of the Philadelphi Corridor.  They’ve been focusing on movement from the south to the north, the nature of, you know, who gets released in the first round and how many Palestinians they get to (inaudible).  Do you believe that the Israelis have added new conditions over the last month? 

And just to put a point on your opening statement: Given Hamas’s public statements, do you believe that Hamas’s engagement with today’s negotiation is any different at all from its previous engagements — previous engagements with previous negotiation dates?  Thanks.

MR. KIRBY:  I’m just not going to get into the details of what’s being negotiated, and I will just say a couple of things. 

The way negotiations work is that you start with some text on a piece of paper, and both sides work on that text.  Usually both sides make amendments to that text.  You cycle it back around again, you have some more discussions about the amendments, and that leads to even more discussions, and on and on you go.

And both sides have had the opportunity to look at the texts that either side recommended and make amendments and changes and suggestions as negotiations pursued.  And here we are today, with the central framework being agreed to and negotiating on the details. 

So, I’m just not going to get into the business of saying, “On this date, this person or this side added this or took that out or wanted to change that.”  This is the business of negotiating, and the last thing I’m going to do is prejudice that process by getting into the details. 

I hear what you’re saying, and I’ve seen the press reports about who wants this and who wants that, and I’m just not going to play in that game right now, not when we’re as close as we certainly hope to be today. 

And then, your second question on Hamas’s participation:  So, in the past, it has worked very similar to how it’s working in Doha today, where mediators will sit and discuss, work things out, and then those mediators will be in touch with Hamas, and then the Hamas leaders in Doha then communicate directly with Mr. Sinwar for final answers. 

So the process that is playing out in Doha is very much in keeping with the process that has played out in the past.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Andrea Mitchell with NBC. 

Q    Hi there.  Thank you very much.  John, can you comment on criticism from Defense Minister Gallant and many in the Israeli war cabinet, as well as other Israeli officials in the military, that they have accomplished their goals, their obtainable goals in Gaza, and that the stated position of the Prime Minister is both not realistic and, you know, counterproductive, echoed by many U.S. officials, as we talk about these negotiations?  And on some of the recent civilian attacks, which have hit civilians, widely criticized, where Israel has still not justified some of the deaths that we’ve seen recently. 

And in terms of — let me just ask you also on Ukraine, if you don’t mind.  Do you think that Vladimir Putin is going to, you know, react and retaliate?  Do you have any sense from the movement of troops that there is going to be some massive attack in response to what is clearly a huge embarrassment to him?  Thank you.

MR. KIRBY:  Okay, there’s a lot there.  Let me take them in turn. 

The last thing that I’m going to do, and the last thing I want to do, is insert myself into internal Israeli politics or the machinations of the war cabinet over there.  That’s not my place.  It would be inappropriate for me to go there. 

I’ll just say a couple of things. 

Number one, it is without doubt that the Israeli Defense Forces have brought down significant blows on Hamas and their military capability.  They have killed, I mean, thousands of Hamas fighters.  They have decimated their leadership ranks at all levels, from tactical to operational to strategic, where senior leaders have been taken off the battlefield.  And Hamas is a military organization as well as a terrorist network, and what has given them purchase in the past was their ability to move and act and plan and organize and resource like an army.  And the Israelis have done an effective job at dramatically reducing their military capacity and capability. 

I won’t go so far as to say that they’ve eliminated the military threat that Hamas poses to the safety and security of Israel.  There are still fighters alive and fighting.  There are still tunnels that they use to move about and to store arms and ammunition, and they still have resources available to them.  But there has been a tremendous amount of pressure put on Hamas.  And from a military perspective, they have definitely achieved the vast majority of their objectives. 

Hamas is not, however, just a military organization.  It is also an ideology, an ideology which still does not believe in the existence of the State of Israel; an ideology which continues to persist in the warped idea that what happened on the 7th of October ought to be able to happen again. 

So we’re going to continue again to make sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against that threat, at the same time doing everything we can, as I alluded to in my opening statement, to get this ceasefire in place, which can give us six weeks of calm, at least in phase one, to get hostages home, to get the fighting to stop so that there are no innocent civilians put in the crossfire anymore, and that humanitarian assistance can get to so many people that are still desperately in need of it. 

And it doesn’t mean we’re going to stop talking to the Israelis about what more they need to do to limit civilian casualties, to better deconflict with aid organizations, and to be more precise and discriminate as they continue to go after the military targets that they’re going after.

Q    Do you expect, John, that, as they did last time in November, Hezbollah and even the Houthis would observe a six-week ceasefire — or a ceasefire, let’s just say — if one were negotiated for Gaza?

MR. KIRBY:  The ceasefire would be between Hamas and Israel.  I can’t speak for what other groups might do or not do as a result of that.  I would — I’d go back on — in terms of Hezbollah, you know, we still haven’t seen signs that Hezbollah wants to jump in with both feet here and start a new war on a second front at this time.  Now, that doesn’t mean that there’s not still a threat from Hezbollah.  Of course, there is.  They continue to fire rockets into northern Israel, and certainly we’re monitoring and watching for any participation they might want to partake in should Iran decide to attack Israel in retaliation.  But I can’t speak for what either group might or might not do. 

They have both said — I would remind, though, the leaders of Hezbollah and the leaders of Houthis have said they want to see a ceasefire.  And they have, in their own ways, said that — or tried to justify the attacks that they have perpetrated on Israel as tied to a ceasefire; you know, that that’s why they’re doing it, to try to force a ceasefire.  So one would conclude from that that, should there be a ceasefire in Gaza, that given their public pronouncements of that being a goal and an objective, that they would likewise observe it.  But, you know, we’d have to see.

And on Putin: Difficult to say.  All I can tell you is that we have seen some units being reapplied and sent to that area.  But it’s not clear right now how many are eventually going to go and what their military mission is going to be.  So, I just — I know it’s not a very satisfactory answer, but it’s an honest one.  We’re watching this closely, but we can’t say with certainty exactly what Mr. Putin is going to do. 

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to David Sanger with the New York Times.

Q    Thanks.  John, you alluded to the other factor in here, which is whether Iran goes ahead with some kind of an attack, either directly or indirectly.  So, can you bring us up on your thinking?  It’s now been, what, nearly three weeks since the killing of the Hamas leader in Tehran.  We haven’t seen a reaction.  Obviously, you’ve been sending lots of messages to the Iranians.  Are you getting any kind of response back?  Do you have any sense of whether they’ve made a political decision to go ahead; whether they are considering the effects on the talks underway in Doha here?  What’s your read?

And then I have a Ukraine question for you when you’re done. 

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, hey.  I want to be careful that I don’t get into intelligence assessments in too great of detail, David.  We obviously are watching this very, very closely, as you might expect.  As you also rightly noted, we have been messaging Iran through our counterparts and people that have direct diplomatic relations with Iran.  And of course, we have our own ways of doing that, through other vehicles, as you know.

And our messages have been consistent: We don’t want to see an escalation here, and we would like to prevent the outcome of them attacking — Iran. 

In addition to all that intense diplomacy, as you know, we’ve also made moves with defense capabilities, ships, aircraft, other military capabilities to make sure that should Iran choose to go forward with some sort of an attack on Iran [Israel], that we’re ready for it — to defend ourselves, our facilities, and our people, but also to defend Israel.  And we are constantly looking at that posture as well to make sure that it matches up to what the potential attack could be. 

We have to take seriously the rhetoric coming out of Tehran, and the rhetoric coming out of Tehran has been pretty aggressive in terms of what their intent is.  We have to take that seriously. 

So I can’t sit here and tell you for sure that there’s been a decision to change their mind.  And I can’t tell you for sure, if they attack, what that is going to look like or even when it would occur.  As I said earlier, a few days ago we had information, which we continue to have that information, that an attack could come with little or no warning, and certainly could come in coming days.  And we have to be ready for it. 

But the messaging effort continues and will continue, because what we’re really after is de-escalation and trying to prevent this.

Q    My Ukraine question is this: At other moments in time when Putin has been embarrassed or performing badly, we’ve seen him make nuclear threats.  And you remember October 2022 and that whole period of time when there was concern about that.  Are you hearing, seeing anything that indicates similar distress on his part?

MR. KIRBY:  Well, I reckon that if he’s moving troops over there, he’s got some level of concern about what’s going on.  I don’t know whether that qualifies as distress or not, but he certainly is reacting, at least in some way, to what’s happening in the Kursk Oblast.  But we haven’t seen or heard any escalatory rhetoric, particularly around nuclear weapons, in recent days.  So I think —

Q    None of the signs that you saw in October 2022?

MR. KIRBY:  No, sir.  And the other thing I’d say is that not only have we not seen or heard that kind of rhetoric, we haven’t seen or heard anything that would cause us to change our own strategic deterrent posture or calculus.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Aurelia with AFP.

Q    Hi, and thank you so much for doing this.  John, I was wondering whether you could elaborate on something the President said.  He said that this Ukrainian offensive in Russia was causing a dilemma for Putin.  So if you could, like, expand on that. 

And a second question: Can you comment on this report in the Wall Street Journal saying that senior Ukrainian officials approved the sabotage operation against the Nord Stream pipeline?  Thank you so much.

MR. KIRBY:  I’m not going to comment on the Wall Street Journal reporting on this.

On your first question, I’ve kind of already addressed it.  I mean, look, Mr. Putin and the Russians have had to make adjustments, and we see signs that they are trying to reinforce themselves in and around the Kursk area as a result of Ukrainian operations there.  And doing that means you’re taking assets that were in one place doing one thing, and now they have to go do another.  And that’s — you know, that certainly presents a dilemma in the decision-making process. 

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Alex Ward with the Wall Street Journal.

Q    Yeah, thanks, John.  I have two quick questions.  One is, do you have any — I know we talked about Iran a little bit.  Do you have any indications about this attack still?  I mean, I know, you know, officials keep saying, you know, “We don’t know” or anything like that, but maybe there’s some more clarity in recent hours. 

And relatedly, if there was — if you have any indication that maybe Iran is waiting to see how these ceasefire talks would go. 

And then second, the other ceasefire talks, the ones in Sudan, where it looked like neither party — warring party — showed up, I’m wondering if the administration is planning any moves to make sure that those sides actually get chatting to stop that civil war.  Thank you.

MR. KIRBY:  We’re still very focused on getting both sides in Sudan back to the table and to come to meaningful agreements about laying their arms down and doing the right thing for the people of Sudan.  So, diplomatically, we are very much engaged in that and have every interest in trying to get those talks back on — or getting them started, I should say.

On your first question, I kind of already answered it, Alex.  I don’t know that I can say anything — or would say anything differently about — you know, about what we anticipate. 

I mean, as I said earlier, even this morning, we have to take the rhetoric seriously.  We know that Iran has made some preparations.  We believe that, should they choose to attack, that they could do it with little or no notice and that it could come — it could come soon. 

But we obviously would like to prevent that outcome, which is why, in my answer to David’s questions, you know, we’re involved in — continue to be involved in some pretty intensive diplomacy to try to keep this situation from escalating.  We don’t want it to come to that.  If it does come to that, we got to be ready, and we believe we are, but we’re going to try as hard as we can through diplomacy to try to prevent it.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Juan with La W.

Q    Thank you, John.  Given that it’s clear for the U.S. that Edmundo Gonzalez won the election — I’m talking about Venezuela — when will the U.S. formally recognize him as the victor?  And is it true that the U.S. has offered Nicolas Maduro something like amnesty to facilitate that transition of power in Venezuela?  Thank you.

MR. KIRBY:  Nope, it is not true that there’s been amnesty offered to Mr. Maduro.  And what we want to see is we want to see the actual vote tallies, the data, and we haven’t seen that yet.  So we still need to see that. 

We do believe that Mr. Gonzalez won the majority of votes.  We believe that through a number of ways and a number of sources.  What’s really definitive is the actual voting data.  And the fact that Mr. Maduro won’t release that data, certainly, I think, speaks to what must be his concern about the transparency that that would — the results that that would transparently display. 

So I’ve got nothing on — nothing more in terms of recognition to talk about.  We want to see the data.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Neria with Channel 13 Israel.

Q    Hi, Kirby.  Thank you so much for doing this.  And thank you, Sam.  I’m wondering if you have any new information about the possible Iranian attack to tell us.  We’ve been talking in the past few days about the possibility of an attack in the next few days.  What does the U.S. do in order to try to deter Iran today from this attack?  Because we’ve seen the submarine and the Raptors that were sent to the Middle East.  Are you doing anything more?

And do you still have that same exact assessment of a few days ago, or do you feel like Iran is more deterred than before?

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, I mean, again, I’ve kind of already answered this one.  We’re still working very hard diplomatically to prevent that outcome, to prevent there being an attack, but we also have to be ready for one.  And I would tell you that we believe we are.

We have devoted more capability to the region — air and sea, particularly.  And Secretary Austin even modified that posture over the weekend by speeding up the Lincoln and announcing a guided missile submarine to the region.  Force posture is a pretty dynamic thing, and we’ll adjust it as necessary.  I don’t have any changes to speak to today, and if there were to be any, that would come from the Pentagon, rightly. 

But we’re constantly looking at the situation and making sure that, you know, that we’ve got what we need in place should there be an attack.

I want to stress again that, you know, we don’t have a lot of certainty here, so it’s not exactly clear whether there’ll be one.  We hope there won’t be.  It’s not clear, if there is one, when it would come.  It could come, as I said earlier, with little or no notice.  Certainly, we have to be ready for that in the coming days. 

And I’ll tell you something else.  It’s not exactly clear, if there’s going to be one, what it’s going to look like, what scope is it going to entail.  Is it going to be the same size as what they threw at Israel in April?  Smaller?  Bigger?  We don’t have a firm sense of it — which is why, again, we’re working so hard on the diplomatic front to see if we can forestall it.  And if we can’t, working so hard on the military front to make sure we’re ready for it and that Israel is ready for it. 

So, I don’t know that I can say much more than that.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  We have time for one more question, which will go to Jihan with The National.

Q    Thank you.  Thank you, Kirby.  Thank you, Sam.  I wanted to ask about — does this administration have a position on Israel maintaining control on Gaza’s southern border, or within Gaza, in the short or long term, post war?

MR. KIRBY:  We’ve talked about this before.  Look, we all recognize that, you know, whenever the war actually ends, permanently ends, that there’s probably going to be some sort of a transition period here, or IDF may have some security responsibilities.  But what that looks like, I can’t speak to in any great clarity. 

What we’re focused on right now is getting a ceasefire deal in place, getting those hostages home, getting six weeks of calm, and all the parameters that the ceasefire deal lays out in terms of military activity and military presence.  That’s really what our goal is right now.

Q    And another question on — President Mahmoud Abbas said that he plans on visiting Gaza.  Has this visit been coordinated in any way with this administration?  And is this part of — I mean, is the Palestinian Authority involved in the talks at this stage?

MR. KIRBY:  You mean the ceasefire talks?

Q    Yes.

MR. KIRBY:  No.  The Palestinian Authority is not involved in the ceasefire talks.  And I’m going to have to get back to you on this trip to Gaza.  This is the first I’m hearing of that.  So, I —

Q    Yeah, he said it earlier today, and I was wondering if that was part of — I mean, how would this be (inaudible).

MR. KIRBY:  No, I wouldn’t read into that as being part of the ceasefire talks.  I’m pretty comfortable with that, but — saying that.

But in terms of whether we were aware of it or in any way coordinated it, I’d have to get back to you on that.  This is the first I’m hearing of it, and I don’t want to speculate.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  That is all the time we have today.  As always, if we weren’t able to get to you, feel free to reach out to our distro and we’ll try to get back as soon as we can.  Thanks.

10:50 A.M. EDT

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President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. today announced the full designation of the Presidential Delegations to Paris, France to attend the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and events of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

The Honorable Tammy Duckworth, United States Senator, will lead the delegation to the Opening of the Paralympic Games. The Opening Ceremony will take place on August 28, 2024.

Members of the Presidential Delegation:

The Honorable Denise Campbell Bauer, U.S. Ambassador to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco

The Honorable Tanya Bradsher, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Ms. Claudia Gordon, Chair, National Council on Disability

Mr. Brad Snyder, three-time Paralympian, six-time Paralympic gold medalist, Men’s Para Swimming and Para Triathlon, and retired U.S. Navy EOD Officer

The Honorable Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, will lead the delegation to the Closing of the Paralympic Games. The Closing Ceremony will take place on September 8, 2024.

Members of the Presidential Delegation:

The Honorable Denise Campbell Bauer, U.S. Ambassador to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco

The Honorable Danté Q. Allen, Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education

Ms. Sara Minkara, U.S. Special Advisor on International Disability Rights, U.S. Department of State

Mrs. Muffy Davis, International Paralympic Committee Governing Board Member, three-time Paralympian, and seven-time Paralympic medalist, Alpine Skiing and Cycling

###

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President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. today announced the full designation of the Presidential Delegations to Paris, France to attend the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and events of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

The Honorable Tammy Duckworth, United States Senator, will lead the delegation to the Opening of the Paralympic Games. The Opening Ceremony will take place on August 28, 2024.

Members of the Presidential Delegation:

The Honorable Denise Campbell Bauer, U.S. Ambassador to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco

The Honorable Tanya Bradsher, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Ms. Claudia Gordon, Chair, National Council on Disability

Mr. Brad Snyder, three-time Paralympian, six-time Paralympic gold medalist, Men’s Para Swimming and Para Triathlon, and retired U.S. Navy EOD Officer

The Honorable Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, will lead the delegation to the Closing of the Paralympic Games. The Closing Ceremony will take place on September 8, 2024.

Members of the Presidential Delegation:

The Honorable Denise Campbell Bauer, U.S. Ambassador to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco

The Honorable Danté Q. Allen, Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education

Ms. Sara Minkara, U.S. Special Advisor on International Disability Rights, U.S. Department of State

Mrs. Muffy Davis, International Paralympic Committee Governing Board Member, three-time Paralympian, and seven-time Paralympic medalist, Alpine Skiing and Cycling

###

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Prince George’s Community College
Largo, Maryland

2:33 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Hey, Maryland!  (Applause.)

Thank you, Joe.  Thank you, Joe.

AUDIENCE:  Thank you, Joe!  Thank you, Joe!  Thank you, Joe!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Joe!  Thank you, Joe!

AUDIENCE:  Thank you, Joe!  Thank you, Joe!  Thank you, Joe!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Well, that about says exactly what has to be said right now: Thank you, Joe. 

And with that, the president of the United States of America, Joe Biden.  (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT:   Hey, everybody.  It’s good to be back in Maryland.  (Applause.)  The Biden family started in Baltimore — (pronounced in an accent.) — not Baltimore, Baltimore.  (Pronounced in an accent.)  (Laughter.)

Anyway, look, you’re very polite to stick around to say hi to us.  We know there was an overflow crowd. 

One of the things I want to say to you is — we didn’t talk about it all, and we’re going to take just three minutes — our democracy is literally hanging —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Vice President Harris, will you denounce the genocide —

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

Thank you, Joe!  Thank you, Joe!  Thank you, Joe!

THE PRESIDENT:   Folks, look, the reason we’re such an incred- —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)

AUDIENCE:  Thank you, Joe!  Thank you, Joe!  Thank you, Joe!

THE PRESIDENT:  Folks, you know, we’ve talked a lot about prescription drugs, but I want to say one thing about this election.  We are the most unique country in the world, and that’s not hyperbole. 

We’re the only country — every country is organized based on race, religion, ethnicity.  We’re the only country in the world based on an idea — not a joke — an idea. 

The idea was that we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men and women are created equal, endowed — and so on.  That’s n-

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Including Palestinians?

THE PRESIDENT:  And it’s —

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE PRESIDENT:  Yes, including Palestinians.  Including Palestinians.  Including the ones involved in our (inaudible). 

But here’s the deal.  Here —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)

AUDIENCE:  Thank you, Joe!  Thank you, Joe!  Thank you, Joe!

THE PRESIDENT:  I’ll — I’ll be happy to answer your questions, okay? 

Look, folks, here’s the deal.  The guy that Kamala is running against this time and I ran against last time, he has no sense of who we are.  I’m not joking.  I’m not joking. 

What holds this country together with our great diversity, are the institutions — the institutions.  That’s our democracy: the courts, the system that we have, the presidency, the — the Congress.  And these powers matter.  They matter and they balance everything out. 

We’re the most diverse country in the history of America and the world.  (Applause.)  No, no, no, we — we are.  And it is our strength — is our strength, but they’re trying to turn this into a race war.  They’re trying to turn this into a war about who you are, what your ethnicity is, what your background is.  And it’s not who we are.

And the rest — and one other thing I want to say to you — didn’t talk about it at all, and I’m only going to talk about three minutes now.  One of the things that we can’t — reason we cannot let Kamala lose — I mean, she must win — is this.  (Applause.) 

Folks — folks, look, here’s the deal.  Here’s the deal. I can promise you: I’ve known — and as you can, I’m a — I know I’m a young man.  I know I look like I’m 40, but I’m a little older.  (Laughter.)

I — I, literally, personally know every major world leader.  I’ve known them for a long time.  I was chairman of Foreign Relations Committee.  I was vice president.  That’s why Barack wanted me as vice president for eight years.  I — I — that’s what I’ve done.  And it’s —

And, look, he —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

(Cross-talk.)

THE PRESIDENT:  Look — look — look — look —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Please stop sending money (inaudible)!

(Cross-talk.)

THE PRESIDENT:  Folks, this guy wants to break down NATO.  This guy wants to break our alliances.  This guy wants to go it alone.  It makes no sense what he’s talking about.  He is a danger.

And I don’t know a single major world leader who is not a dictator —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT:  — who’s — who’s not a dictator, who, in fact —

(Cross-talk.)

— who, in fact, every major conference I attend — not a joke — as I’m walking out — this is not a joke — a world leader, whoever it is, whatever country, will grab my arm and say, “You’ve got to win” — this is when I was running — mean- — meaning, “He’s got to lose,” because they’re scared to death of what he’ll do.  Scared to death how he’s going to break up the world. 

We finally put it together.  NATO is stronger than it has ever been and so on.

So, my point is: There’s so much at stake here.  And how can we be the strongest nation in the world without the best education system in the world, without the best infrastructure in the world, without the most — the best criminal justice system in the world?  How — how can that be?

And that’s what we’re putting together.  Kamala did that and — the two of us, along with the help of the governor and many other governors.

So, folks, look, this really matters.  It really, really matters.

And, by the way, don’t get too angry at the Palestinians.  Because what’s happening —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)  (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT:  But — no, no, no, no, look, the Palestinian found —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT:  No, we’re talking about health care, but that’s — we’re talking about international health care.  There’s an awful lot of folks we’re trying to get help to.  And the Israelis are helping to try to get it there, as the Palestinians — most are.

The only people the Palestinians dislike more than some of the Israelis are Hamas. 

And as we speak, my team is in Doha right now with a make-it-or-break-it piece of legislation the three of us have introduced.  (Applause.)  There must be peace.

Anyway, thank you very, very much.  I’m going to turn it over.

Vote, vote, vote, vote, vote.  (Applause.)

2:39 P.M. EDT

The post Remarks by President Biden and Vice President Harris to Overflow Crowd | Largo, MD appeared first on The White House.

When I think of combatting the climate crisis, I think of good-paying jobs for American workers. According to a new report released this week, in the two years since I signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, companies have announced more than 330,000 new clean energy jobs. Many of these jobs are good-paying, union jobs that do not require a college degree, including electricians, construction workers, and mechanics working on innovative clean energy projects. Thanks to my Administration’s policies, these new jobs are driving a manufacturing boom and lowering costs for families by increasing access to affordable, clean energy—including wind and solar energy.

Despite this progress, House Republicans want to take our country backward and have voted dozens of times to repeal these transformative policies—even though more than half of these jobs are being created in their districts. I will continue fighting for American families by lowering utility bills and increasing access to good-paying, union jobs.

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The post Statement from President Joe Biden on New Clean Energy Jobs appeared first on The White House.

When I think of combatting the climate crisis, I think of good-paying jobs for American workers. According to a new report released this week, in the two years since I signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, companies have announced more than 330,000 new clean energy jobs. Many of these jobs are good-paying, union jobs that do not require a college degree, including electricians, construction workers, and mechanics working on innovative clean energy projects. Thanks to my Administration’s policies, these new jobs are driving a manufacturing boom and lowering costs for families by increasing access to affordable, clean energy—including wind and solar energy.

Despite this progress, House Republicans want to take our country backward and have voted dozens of times to repeal these transformative policies—even though more than half of these jobs are being created in their districts. I will continue fighting for American families by lowering utility bills and increasing access to good-paying, union jobs.

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The post Statement from President Joe Biden on New Clean Energy Jobs appeared first on The White House.

New prices are expected to save millions of seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs in the first year of the program alone

For far too long, Americans have paid more for their prescription drugs than any developed nation. Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is delivering on its promise to lower out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors and save money for Americans. That’s because Medicare has the power to negotiate prescription drug prices for the first time in history thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law by President Biden with Vice President Harris casting the tie-breaking vote. Because Medicare is now able to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for seniors and people with disabilities, American taxpayers are expected to save $6 billion on prescription drug costs, and people enrolled in Medicare are expected to save $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs in 2026 alone. President Biden and Vice President Harris took on Big Pharma and won, and now millions of seniors and others on Medicare will soon see their drug costs go down on some of the most common and expensive prescription drugs that treat heart disease, cancer, diabetes, blood clots, and more.

HHS Announces Negotiated Prices for Medicare Drugs

HHS has reached agreements with all participating manufacturers on new negotiated, lower drug prices for the first 10 drugs selected for the Medicare drug price negotiation program. After manufacturers have steadily increased the list prices of all 10 of these drugs since they went on the market, these new prices will cut the list price of these drugs between 38 and 79 percent.

The new prices will go into effect for people with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage in 2026:

Drug NameCommonly Treated ConditionsNumber of Medicare Enrollees Who Used the Drug in 2023Drug List Price in 2023 for 30-day SupplyNegotiated Price for 2026 for 30-day SupplySavings (%)EliquisPrevention and treatment of blood clots3,928,000$521$231$290 (-56%)JardianceDiabetes; Heart failure; Chronic kidney disease1,883,000$573$197$376 (-66%)XareltoPrevention and treatment of blood clots; Reduction of risk for patients with coronary or peripheral artery disease1,324,000$517$197$320 (-62%)JanuviaDiabetes843,000$527$113$414 (-79%)FarxigaDiabetes; Heart failure; Chronic kidney disease994,000$556$178.50$377.50 (-68%)EntrestoHeart failure664,000$628$295$333 (-53%)EnbrelRheumatoid arthritis; Psoriasis; Psoriatic arthritis48,000$7,106$2,355$4,751 (-67%)ImbruvicaBlood cancers17,000$14,934$9,319$5,615 (-38%)StelaraPsoriasis; Psoriatic arthritis; Crohn’s disease; Ulcerative colitis23,000$13,836$4,695$9,141 (-66%)Fiasp; Fiasp FlexTouch; Fiasp PenFill;
NovoLog; NovoLog FlexPen; NovoLog PenFillDiabetes785,000$495$119$376 (-76%)

Source: CMS, https://www.cms.gov/files/document/fact-sheet-negotiated-prices-initial-price-applicability-year-2026.pdf

These ten drugs are among those with highest total spending in Medicare Part D. If the negotiated prices had been in effect during 2023, Medicare would have saved an estimated $6 billion. When the negotiated prices go into effect in 2026, people enrolled in Medicare Part D are estimated to save $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs.

Millions of Part D enrollees that depend on these treatments to treat life-threatening conditions including diabetes, heart failure, and cancer are also expected to see lower out-of-pocket costs for these drugs. For example, a Medicare enrollee who takes Stelara for their arthritis and pays $3,459 on their drug today for a 30-day supply would pay only $1,174 in 2026. Many seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare who take these drugs will also benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act’s $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket spending, which will be fully in effect in 2025, saving 19 million beneficiaries an average of $400 per year, in addition to these savings from the negotiated drug prices.

More drugs will be selected each year as part of Medicare’s drug price negotiation program. Medicare will select up to 15 additional drugs covered under Part D for negotiation in 2025, up to an additional 15 Part B and D drugs in 2026, and up to 20 drugs every year after that.

Building on Progress Lowering Health Care Costs

Every day, millions of Americans are saving money on health care costs because of the Biden-Harris Administration’s actions.

• People with Medicare are saving an average of $70 in out-of-pocket costs on vaccines like shingles and Tdap because President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act made recommended vaccines free for beneficiaries, including the 10.3 million enrollees who received a free vaccine in 2023.
• All 3.4 million Medicare Part D enrollees who filled an insulin prescription in 2023 had their insulin costs capped at $35 per month, saving some seniors hundreds of dollars for a month’s supply.
• Some seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries taking drugs covered under Part B for which manufacturers have hiked prices faster than inflation are saving up to $4,593 in lower coinsurance this quarter thanks to the new Medicare inflation rebates.
• Starting this year, Part D enrollees no longer pay 5% co-insurance when they reach the catastrophic phase of their benefit and have their out-of-pocket drug costs capped at about $3,500. In just the first quarter of 2024, over 260,000 people benefited from this cap.
• Millions of American are saving an average of about $800 per year on health insurance premiums because of savings from the American Rescue Plan that the Inflation Reduction Act extended, helping drive the nation’s uninsured rate to historic lows under the Biden-Harris Administration.

Check out the Biden-Harris Administration’s Savings Explorer to see how some of the Administration’s policies are helping Americans save money on annual expenses – from health care to junk fees, grocery costs and more.

Continuing to Lower Prescription Drug Costs

People with Medicare will continue to see their prescription drug costs go down as more provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act go into effect next year. Nearly 19 million seniors and other Part D beneficiaries are projected to save $400 per year on prescription drugs when the out-of-pocket cap drops to $2,000 in 2025, and 1.9 million enrollees with the highest drug costs will save an average of $2,500 per year. And the lower prices negotiated for the high-spend drugs announced today will go into effect in 2026.

The President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2025 builds on this success by significantly increasing the pace of negotiation, bringing more drugs into negotiation sooner after they launch, expanding the $2,000 out-of-pocket prescription drug cost cap beyond Medicare and into the commercial market, and other steps to build on the Inflation Reduction Act drug provisions. The Budget also includes proposals to curb inflation in prescription drug prices and extends the $35 cost-sharing cap for monthly prescriptions of insulin to the commercial market to lower drug costs for all Americans.

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The post FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Announces New, Lower Prices for First Ten Drugs Selected for Medicare Price Negotiation to Lower Costs for Millions of Americans appeared first on The White House.

New prices are expected to save millions of seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs in the first year of the program alone

For far too long, Americans have paid more for their prescription drugs than any developed nation. Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is delivering on its promise to lower out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors and save money for Americans. That’s because Medicare has the power to negotiate prescription drug prices for the first time in history thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law by President Biden with Vice President Harris casting the tie-breaking vote. Because Medicare is now able to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for seniors and people with disabilities, American taxpayers are expected to save $6 billion on prescription drug costs, and people enrolled in Medicare are expected to save $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs in 2026 alone. President Biden and Vice President Harris took on Big Pharma and won, and now millions of seniors and others on Medicare will soon see their drug costs go down on some of the most common and expensive prescription drugs that treat heart disease, cancer, diabetes, blood clots, and more.

HHS Announces Negotiated Prices for Medicare Drugs

HHS has reached agreements with all participating manufacturers on new negotiated, lower drug prices for the first 10 drugs selected for the Medicare drug price negotiation program. After manufacturers have steadily increased the list prices of all 10 of these drugs since they went on the market, these new prices will cut the list price of these drugs between 38 and 79 percent.

The new prices will go into effect for people with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage in 2026:

Drug NameCommonly Treated ConditionsNumber of Medicare Enrollees Who Used the Drug in 2023Drug List Price in 2023 for 30-day SupplyNegotiated Price for 2026 for 30-day SupplySavings (%)EliquisPrevention and treatment of blood clots3,928,000$521$231$290 (-56%)JardianceDiabetes; Heart failure; Chronic kidney disease1,883,000$573$197$376 (-66%)XareltoPrevention and treatment of blood clots; Reduction of risk for patients with coronary or peripheral artery disease1,324,000$517$197$320 (-62%)JanuviaDiabetes843,000$527$113$414 (-79%)FarxigaDiabetes; Heart failure; Chronic kidney disease994,000$556$178.50$377.50 (-68%)EntrestoHeart failure664,000$628$295$333 (-53%)EnbrelRheumatoid arthritis; Psoriasis; Psoriatic arthritis48,000$7,106$2,355$4,751 (-67%)ImbruvicaBlood cancers17,000$14,934$9,319$5,615 (-38%)StelaraPsoriasis; Psoriatic arthritis; Crohn’s disease; Ulcerative colitis23,000$13,836$4,695$9,141 (-66%)Fiasp; Fiasp FlexTouch; Fiasp PenFill;
NovoLog; NovoLog FlexPen; NovoLog PenFillDiabetes785,000$495$119$376 (-76%)

Source: CMS, https://www.cms.gov/files/document/fact-sheet-negotiated-prices-initial-price-applicability-year-2026.pdf

These ten drugs are among those with highest total spending in Medicare Part D. If the negotiated prices had been in effect during 2023, Medicare would have saved an estimated $6 billion. When the negotiated prices go into effect in 2026, people enrolled in Medicare Part D are estimated to save $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs.

Millions of Part D enrollees that depend on these treatments to treat life-threatening conditions including diabetes, heart failure, and cancer are also expected to see lower out-of-pocket costs for these drugs. For example, a Medicare enrollee who takes Stelara for their arthritis and pays $3,459 on their drug today for a 30-day supply would pay only $1,174 in 2026. Many seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare who take these drugs will also benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act’s $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket spending, which will be fully in effect in 2025, saving 19 million beneficiaries an average of $400 per year, in addition to these savings from the negotiated drug prices.

More drugs will be selected each year as part of Medicare’s drug price negotiation program. Medicare will select up to 15 additional drugs covered under Part D for negotiation in 2025, up to an additional 15 Part B and D drugs in 2026, and up to 20 drugs every year after that.

Building on Progress Lowering Health Care Costs

Every day, millions of Americans are saving money on health care costs because of the Biden-Harris Administration’s actions.

• People with Medicare are saving an average of $70 in out-of-pocket costs on vaccines like shingles and Tdap because President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act made recommended vaccines free for beneficiaries, including the 10.3 million enrollees who received a free vaccine in 2023.
• All 3.4 million Medicare Part D enrollees who filled an insulin prescription in 2023 had their insulin costs capped at $35 per month, saving some seniors hundreds of dollars for a month’s supply.
• Some seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries taking drugs covered under Part B for which manufacturers have hiked prices faster than inflation are saving up to $4,593 in lower coinsurance this quarter thanks to the new Medicare inflation rebates.
• Starting this year, Part D enrollees no longer pay 5% co-insurance when they reach the catastrophic phase of their benefit and have their out-of-pocket drug costs capped at about $3,500. In just the first quarter of 2024, over 260,000 people benefited from this cap.
• Millions of American are saving an average of about $800 per year on health insurance premiums because of savings from the American Rescue Plan that the Inflation Reduction Act extended, helping drive the nation’s uninsured rate to historic lows under the Biden-Harris Administration.

Check out the Biden-Harris Administration’s Savings Explorer to see how some of the Administration’s policies are helping Americans save money on annual expenses – from health care to junk fees, grocery costs and more.

Continuing to Lower Prescription Drug Costs

People with Medicare will continue to see their prescription drug costs go down as more provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act go into effect next year. Nearly 19 million seniors and other Part D beneficiaries are projected to save $400 per year on prescription drugs when the out-of-pocket cap drops to $2,000 in 2025, and 1.9 million enrollees with the highest drug costs will save an average of $2,500 per year. And the lower prices negotiated for the high-spend drugs announced today will go into effect in 2026.

The President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2025 builds on this success by significantly increasing the pace of negotiation, bringing more drugs into negotiation sooner after they launch, expanding the $2,000 out-of-pocket prescription drug cost cap beyond Medicare and into the commercial market, and other steps to build on the Inflation Reduction Act drug provisions. The Budget also includes proposals to curb inflation in prescription drug prices and extends the $35 cost-sharing cap for monthly prescriptions of insulin to the commercial market to lower drug costs for all Americans.

###

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Every American should be able to access the health care they need no matter their income or wealth. That is why President Biden and I fought to lower the costs of health care with our Inflation Reduction Act, transformational legislation that I was proud to cast the tie-breaking vote on in the Senate. During the two years since President Biden signed this landmark bill into law, we have cut prescription drug costs, capped the cost of insulin at $35 a month, and lowered premiums for seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare – helping millions of families get the care they deserve.

Today, we are building on our work to lower costs and increase access to affordable prescription drugs by announcing that the Biden-Harris Administration has reached agreements with all participating manufacturers to lower prices for the first 10 drugs selected for the Medicare price negotiation program – from those that treat cancer to those that treat diabetes, heart disease, and blood clots. Thanks to our historic work to allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices, millions of Americans who rely on these drugs will save on their out-of-pocket costs. While people enrolled in Medicare are expected to save $1.5 billion in 2026 alone, American taxpayers will also save an estimated $6 billion.

Today’s announcement will be lifechanging for so many of our loved ones across the nation, and we are not stopping here. Additional prescription drugs will be selected each year as part of our Medicare drug price negotiation program. This includes up to 15 additional drugs covered under Medicare Part D for negotiation in 2025, up to an additional 15 Part B and Part D drugs in 2026, and up to 20 drugs every year after that.

From my time as Attorney General of California and a U.S. Senator, I have consistently worked to lower the costs of prescription drugs and fought to protect patients. As Attorney General, I held Big Pharma accountable for their deceptive and illegal practices. The record-breaking settlements that I won – for the people – amounted to more than $7 billion against pharmaceutical companies for their unsafe and unfair tactics. President Biden and I will never stop fighting for the health, wellbeing, and financial stability of the American people.

# # #

The post Statement from Vice President Kamala Harris on Lower Prescription Drug Prices appeared first on The White House.

Every American should be able to access the health care they need no matter their income or wealth. That is why President Biden and I fought to lower the costs of health care with our Inflation Reduction Act, transformational legislation that I was proud to cast the tie-breaking vote on in the Senate. During the two years since President Biden signed this landmark bill into law, we have cut prescription drug costs, capped the cost of insulin at $35 a month, and lowered premiums for seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare – helping millions of families get the care they deserve.

Today, we are building on our work to lower costs and increase access to affordable prescription drugs by announcing that the Biden-Harris Administration has reached agreements with all participating manufacturers to lower prices for the first 10 drugs selected for the Medicare price negotiation program – from those that treat cancer to those that treat diabetes, heart disease, and blood clots. Thanks to our historic work to allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices, millions of Americans who rely on these drugs will save on their out-of-pocket costs. While people enrolled in Medicare are expected to save $1.5 billion in 2026 alone, American taxpayers will also save an estimated $6 billion.

Today’s announcement will be lifechanging for so many of our loved ones across the nation, and we are not stopping here. Additional prescription drugs will be selected each year as part of our Medicare drug price negotiation program. This includes up to 15 additional drugs covered under Medicare Part D for negotiation in 2025, up to an additional 15 Part B and Part D drugs in 2026, and up to 20 drugs every year after that.

From my time as Attorney General of California and a U.S. Senator, I have consistently worked to lower the costs of prescription drugs and fought to protect patients. As Attorney General, I held Big Pharma accountable for their deceptive and illegal practices. The record-breaking settlements that I won – for the people – amounted to more than $7 billion against pharmaceutical companies for their unsafe and unfair tactics. President Biden and I will never stop fighting for the health, wellbeing, and financial stability of the American people.

# # #

The post Statement from Vice President Kamala Harris on Lower Prescription Drug Prices appeared first on The White House.

For years, millions of Americans were forced to choose between paying for medications or putting food on the table, while Big Pharma blocked Medicare from being able to negotiate prices on behalf of seniors and people with disabilities. But we fought back – and won.

Today, for the first time in history, my Administration is announcing that Medicare has reached agreements on new, lower prices with the manufacturers of all 10 drugs selected for the first round of drug price negotiation. When these lower prices go into effect, people on Medicare will save $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs for their prescription drugs and Medicare will save $6 billion in the first year alone. It’s a relief for the millions of seniors that take these drugs to treat everything from heart failure, blood clots, diabetes, arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and more – and it’s a relief for American taxpayers.

This historic milestone is only possible because of the Inflation Reduction Act, which passed with the leadership of Democrats in Congress, and with Vice President Harris casting the tie-breaking vote in the Senate – without a single Republican voting for it. We showed that major progress can be made for the American people when we work together to take on special interests, even as Big Pharma continues to go to court to try to block lower prices for consumers. But the Vice President and I are not backing down. We will continue the fight to make sure all Americans can pay less for prescription drugs and to give more breathing room for American families.

###

The post Statement from President Joe Biden on Lower Prescription Drug Prices appeared first on The White House.

For years, millions of Americans were forced to choose between paying for medications or putting food on the table, while Big Pharma blocked Medicare from being able to negotiate prices on behalf of seniors and people with disabilities. But we fought back – and won.

Today, for the first time in history, my Administration is announcing that Medicare has reached agreements on new, lower prices with the manufacturers of all 10 drugs selected for the first round of drug price negotiation. When these lower prices go into effect, people on Medicare will save $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs for their prescription drugs and Medicare will save $6 billion in the first year alone. It’s a relief for the millions of seniors that take these drugs to treat everything from heart failure, blood clots, diabetes, arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and more – and it’s a relief for American taxpayers.

This historic milestone is only possible because of the Inflation Reduction Act, which passed with the leadership of Democrats in Congress, and with Vice President Harris casting the tie-breaking vote in the Senate – without a single Republican voting for it. We showed that major progress can be made for the American people when we work together to take on special interests, even as Big Pharma continues to go to court to try to block lower prices for consumers. But the Vice President and I are not backing down. We will continue the fight to make sure all Americans can pay less for prescription drugs and to give more breathing room for American families.

###

The post Statement from President Joe Biden on Lower Prescription Drug Prices appeared first on The White House.

President Biden spoke today with President José Raúl Mulino of Panama to congratulate him on a successful start to his new administration and emphasize our strong commitment to advancing the United States-Panama partnership based on shared democratic values.  The two leaders discussed joint efforts to address the challenges stemming from irregular migration through Panama, including the regularization of migrant populations and increased humane enforcement efforts. 

President Biden recognized President Mulino as a valued ally in advancing safe, orderly and humane migration throughout the hemisphere, and thanked him for the important steps that his government has taken in this regard so soon after his July 1 inauguration.  President Biden and President Mulino also discussed their shared concerns about the serious flaws that accompanied the vote-counting process following Venezuela’s July 28 election.  President Biden thanked President Mulino for his effort to advance democracy in both Panama and the hemisphere, including Panama’s efforts to mobilize regional support to restore democratic norms in Venezuela and condemn political repression.

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The post Readout of President Biden’s Call with President José Raúl Mulino of Panama appeared first on The White House.