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Following Hurricane Helene’s devastating impacts across the Southeast and Appalachia, the Biden-Harris Administration continues its robust Federal efforts to help communities recover and rebuild. The storm heavily impacted North Carolina, where the Administration continues to surge resources and assist families, business owners, farmers, and other impacted communities receive the support and assistance they need and deserve.

Federal disaster assistance for Hurricane Helene survivors has surpassed $474 million – including more than $86 million in housing and other types of assistance for survivors in North Carolina. Survivors can register for assistance at one of three Disaster Recovery Centers in Caldwell, McDowell, and Buncombe Counties, or on disasterassistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362, or via the FEMA app.

The Department of Defense continues to support search-and-rescue operations, route clearance, and commodities distribution across western North Carolina with 1,500 active-duty troops. The Department of Defense is also employing additional capabilities to assist with increasing situational awareness across the remote terrain of Western North Carolina. The Army Corps of Engineers continues missions supporting debris removal, temporary emergency power installation, infrastructure and water and wastewater assessments, and technical assistance. Over 2,000 North Carolina National Guard personnel along with over 200 Guardsmen from 15 States are conducting response operations in western North Carolina.

As response efforts continue in North Carolina, more than 1,250 FEMA staff remain on the ground, with more arriving daily. Nearly 400 Urban Search and Rescue personnel remain in the field helping people. These teams have rescued or supported over 3,200 survivors to date.  

Power has been restored to more than approximately 96 percent of customers, as a result of 10,000 utility personnel working around the clock. Cellular restoration also continues to improve, with more than 93 percent of cellular sites in service. FEMA is boosting response coordination by providing 40 Starlink units to ensure first responders can communicate with each other.

Commodity distribution, mass feeding, and hydration operations continue in areas of western North Carolina. FEMA continues to send commodity shipments and voluntary organizations are supporting feeding operations with bulk food and water deliveries coming via truck and aircraft. Mobile feeding operations are reaching survivors in heavily impacted areas, including three mass feeding sites in Buncombe, McDowell and Watauga counties. The Salvation Army has 20 mobile feeding units supporting this massive operation and has provided emotional and spiritual care to survivors. To date, the American Red Cross is engaging in targeted distribution of emergency supplies in low-income communities with high levels of minor or affected residential damage.

Additional recovery efforts in North Carolina include:

Supporting Infrastructure Recovery

As part of the robust, whole-of-government response to Hurricane Helene, the U.S. Department of Transportation is supporting response and recovery efforts in impacted communities in North Carolina. DOT personnel are on the ground in multiple locations of the state.

On October 5, the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced $100 million in Quick Release Emergency Relief funding to support North Carolina. The funding helps pay for the costs of immediate emergency work resulting from Hurricane Helene flood damage. Additional funding will flow to affected communities from the Emergency Relief program.

FHWA worked closely with North Carolina and other federal agencies to assess infrastructure damage, including supporting hundreds of bridge inspections and other critical infrastructure assessments across the Southeast. On October 8, FHWA Acting Administrator Kristin White visited the region with Governor Roy Cooper, North Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins and other federal, state and local officials and got a first-hand look at impacts from the storm and recovery efforts.   

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to work with partners in affected parts of North Carolina and Tennessee, as the national airspace steadily returned to normal operations.

The FAA Air Traffic Organization Technical Operations Team is on-site and leading communications restoration efforts at air traffic facilities. FAA also supported the North Carolina Air National Guard by providing advisory services at Rutherford County Airport and Avery County Airport.

The FAA worked with state and local governments, critical infrastructure owners and operators, and first responders to enable drones to support response and recovery. The FAA granted permission to allow Wing to temporarily conduct beyond visual line of sight drone package deliveries for Walmart’s pharmacy in western North Carolina, delivering essential items including prescription medicine, medical supplies, and medical equipment to hard-to-reach locations.

Additionally, President Biden’s approval of a Presidential Emergency Declaration for North Carolina affords the state a period of emergency regulatory relief from Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations, including flexibility around driving time for property- and passenger-carrying vehicles. This allows truck drivers to get essential supplies to affected areas in North Carolina. It may also provide opportunities for motorcoach buses to deliver relief teams to response locations and allow for the transport and evacuation of residents.

On October 10, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan joined Governor Cooper, Senator Tillis, Congressman Edwards and local officials to assess federal and state recovery efforts in response to Hurricane Helene. EPA and its state partners have made significant progress bringing drinking water and wastewater systems back online, including restoring service to more than 75 drinking water systems that serve approximately 260,000 people in the Asheville area. EPA is also providing technical assistance and drinking water testing to systems and private drinking water well owners across the Asheville area through their Mobile Drinking Water lab – giving residents clear data and confidence that their water is safe to drink. The lab is capable of testing 100 samples per day. Water utilities and private well owners must request sampling services through their local health departments. EPA will remain on the ground in North Carolina helping area residents as long as their assistance is needed.  

The Department of Energy’s Energy Response Organization remains activated to respond to storm impacts, and responders remain deployed to FEMA regional response coordination centers. Via the Electricity Sub-Sector Coordinating Council and Oil and Natural Gas Sub-Sector Coordinating Council, the Department of Energy has been coordinating continuously with energy sector partners on the ongoing Hurricane Helene response. As noted above, there are 10,000 line workers supporting power restoration efforts.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration continues to support post-disaster imagery flights following Hurricane Helene, already totaling over 68 flight hours during 20 flights, including over western North Carolina. This imagery not only supports FEMA and the broader response community, but the public at large.

Providing Financial Flexibilities to Homeowners and Taxpayers

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is providing a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) as well as foreclosures of mortgages to Native American borrowers guaranteed under the Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee program. Additionally, affected homeowners that have mortgages through Government-Sponsored Enterprises – including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – and the FHA are eligible to suspend their mortgage payments through a forbearance plan for up to 12 months.

HUD announced $3 million for the State of North Carolina to support people experiencing homelessness in communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. Funding from the Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing program will help residents and families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have needs that are not otherwise served or fully met by existing Federal disaster relief programs.

This summer, HUD launched a new streamlined process for requesting additional flexibility on existing grants after a disaster is declared. Recipients of annual HUD funding – including in North Carolina – may request waivers to unlock and accelerate the use of their funding for disaster response and recovery. With the updated waiver process, HUD is proactively issuing maximum flexibility to communities impacted by disasters. These flexibilities will expedite the recovery process, reduce administrative burden, and allow impacted jurisdictions to quickly tailor programs and activities to address the post disaster needs of their communities. The Disaster Assistance and Recovery Team within HUD’s Office of Housing Counseling continues to conduct focused meetings with housing counseling agencies in each state impacted by these disasters to discuss their unique response and recovery challenges and identify resources available to assist.

The Internal Revenue Service announced disaster tax relief for all individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. North Carolina taxpayers now have until May 1, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

Protecting Public Health

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared a Public Health Emergency for North Carolina to address the health impacts of Hurricane Helene. HHS’s Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) continues to provide medical support for Hurricane Helene, predominantly onsite in North Carolina. These ASPR personnel are deployed to support Hurricane Helene response operations, which include four Disaster Medical Assistance Teams and personnel from a Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT) in North Carolina. ASPR Health and Medical Task Forces and ASPR Disaster Medical Assistance Teams from the National Disaster Medical System are providing 24-hour surge support to three hospitals: Mission Hospital in Asheville, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, and Caldwell Memorial in Lenoir. To date, ASPR teams have seen nearly 1000 patients. ASPR will continue to work with federal, state, and local partners to prioritize medical assistance to other areas affected by Hurricane Helene as required and requested.  

Supporting Workers and Worker Safety

Working alongside the Department of Labor, the States of North Carolina has announced that eligible workers can receive federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance to compensate for income lost directly resulting from Hurricane Helene. And, through the Department of Labor’s innovative partnership with the U.S. Postal Service, displaced workers in North Carolina can now go to the post office in any other state and verify their ID for purposes of getting their benefits quickly.

Supporting Farmers and Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has put contingency plans and program flexibilities into place to ensure farmers, foresters and communities are able to get the support they need, such as by extending program signup opportunities, expediting crop insurance payments, and using waivers and emergency procedures to expedite recovery efforts on working lands. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service has issued flexibilities and waivers for North Carolina to ensure that food and nutritional assistance reaches those in need as soon as possible. In North Carolina, waivers have been issued to increase access to WIC products, replace benefits through Summer EBT, allow the purchase of hot foods through SNAP, and more.

Additionally, USDA is currently coordinating over 200 staff on the ground in North Carolina, including saw support teams and emergency road clearance teams, to help clear trees and debris, including in Waterville, Marion, Newton, and Weaverville.

Supporting Students and Student Loan Borrowers

The Department of Education has offered technical assistance to states and local educational agencies to support recovery efforts and shared critical resources, including those developed by other federal agencies and organizations, to support restoring the teaching and learning environment.

The Department’s office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) has flexibilities that are automatically available to affected institutions of higher education to help their continued management of the federal student aid programs. These flexibilities help schools if they need to adjust their academic calendars, such as due to unexpected closures, and also help students who may need to take a leave of absence. The flexibilities also help students avoid reductions in their federal aid due to any state or federal disaster assistance provided. FSA will also work with affected institutions that need help on other areas, such as paying credit balances. FSA has communicated with schools located in the areas impacted by Hurricane Helene. Those communications included existing Department guidance about how natural disasters impact schools and their administration of financial aid, resources, and links to FEMA disaster aid information. FSA’s communications also included a way for schools to share more information about the disaster impact on their campus and submit questions about administrative relief and flexibilities.

The Department is ensuring affected borrowers in areas impacted by the hurricanes can focus on their critical needs without needing to worry about missing their student loan payments. Direct Loan borrowers and federally-serviced FFEL borrowers in the affected area who miss their payments will be automatically placed into a natural disaster forbearance. During forbearance, payments are temporarily postponed or reduced, and interest is still charged. Thanks to regulations issued by the Biden-Harris Administration, months in this forbearance will count toward PSLF and IDR forgiveness. Direct Loan and federally serviced FEEL borrowers are not required to take an action but have the option to call their servicer if they wish to enroll in the forbearance proactively. Perkins loan borrowers should contact their loan holder to request natural disaster forbearance. 

Continuing to Survey Data

The Department of the Interior’s U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) continues working to measure river levels and flow, and repair streamgages that transmit critical data. USGS crews continue working to determine the extent of flooding by surveying for high-water marks. These flood-peak data and high-water marks are used to determine flood frequency and are critical in the design of infrastructure and in determining flood plain boundaries. USGS stood up a landslide response team that now includes 32 USGS scientists, 19 of which ware mapping landslides, to provide technical assistance to the North Carolina Geological Survey and Tennessee Geological Survey. Their work includes reconnaissance using satellite imagery, flights, and on-the-ground assessments to map landslides.

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MacDill Air Force Base
Tampa, Florida

12:35 P.M. EDT

Q    Mr. President, where was Governor DeSantis?  Did you speak with him while you were here?

THE PRESIDENT:  No, I didn’t. 

But I — by — by the way, I think we’re making real progress.  Everybody seems pretty happy with the way it’s going.  We’re not leaving.  We’re provi- — we’re going to — the next thing to do, we’re trying to make sure we get the money in there for small businesses; talking to the Congress to see if they can get the money quickly.  It’s important. 

So, you saw, I mean, Republicans and Democrats are happy with what we’re doing.  And so, we’re making progress.  We’re making progress.

Q    Sir, could you —

Q    On the THAAD.  Did you — wh- — why did you decide to give the permission for the THAAD to be deployed in Israel?

THE PRESIDENT:  To defend Israel.

Q    Any — any worries about it?

Q    Is the misinformation hurting FEMA’s ability to respond?

12:36 P.M. EDT

The post Remarks by President Biden Before Air Force One Departure | Tampa, FL appeared first on The White House.

Residential Area
St. Pete Beach, Florida

11:34 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, folks. 

I just met a number of the homeowners, been wiped out, and the — everything from the Coast Guard to the fire department.  It’s a hell of a deal.

I’m here in Florida for the second time in two weeks and — to survey the damage from another catastrophic storm: Hurricane Milton.  Thankfully, the storm’s impact was not as cataclysmic as had — we had predicted.  But on top of two [one] before it, it just keeps s- — seem we got to get — getting worse. 

And bu- — you know, but for some individuals, it was cataclysmic — all those folks who not only lost their homes but, more importantly, those folks who lost their lives, lost family members, lost all their personal belongings.  Entire neighborhoods were flooded, and millions — millions were without power.

Earlier this morning, I did an aerial tour of Saint Petersburg and the battered coastline.  I flew over Tropicana Field and — where the Tampa Bays play — Rays play, and the roof was almost completely off.  But thank God not many people were injured.

I spoke with first responders who’ve been working around the clock.  I also met with small-business owners here and homeowners who’ve taken a real beating — these back-to-back storms.  And they’re heartbroken and exhausted, and their expenses are piling up.

And I know from experience how devastating it is to lose your home.  Several years ago, my home was struck by lightning.  It didn’t all burn down, but we were out of the home for seven months while it was being repaired.  The thing I was most concerned about was not just the home; it was all those things, all those — all those pictures I saved, my — and my daughter had drawn when she was little, all the — all the family photographs, all the albums, all the things that really matter.  

Folks, the — the fact is that when you lose your wedding ring and the old photos of your children, family keepsakes, things that can’t be replaced — but sometimes, from my own experience, that’s the part that hurts the most.

And I’m standing next to the mayor of Pete’s Beach and the Chairwoman Peters.  Both their homes were damaged in Hurricane Milton.  The mayor’s home flooded, family vehicles washed away.  The county chair’s home had experienced significant damage in the past two storms previous.  They just finished rebuilding and settling back in, and now they have to do it all over again.   

Both their families lost precious personal belongings, but they’ve stepped up not only to look out for themselves but to help other families, help their neighbors.  You know, that’s the resilience of the people of West Florida.

And I want to thank them and all the public officials who suffered consequential losses because of the storm but who are out there doing things to help other people who had serious losses.  It matters.  The American people should know the sacrifices they’re making.

You know, they’ve been steadfast partners as well.  We’ve been in frequent contact.

And it’s in moments like this we come together to take care of each other, not as Democrats or Republicans but as Americans — Americans who need help and Americans who would help you if you were in the same situation.  We are one United States — one Unites States.

I also came here to talk about all the progress we have made together.  This is a whole-of-government effort, from state and local to FEMA to U.S. Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, the Energy Department, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Defense, just to name a few.

FEMA has delivered 1.2 million meals, over 300,000 liters of water, 2 million gallons of fuel.  And so far, we’ve installed 100 satellite terminals to restore communications in impacted areas so families can ton- — contact their loved ones to be sure everything is okay and be able to reach out for help as well.

Speaking of help, so far, we’ve opened 10 disaster recovery centers in Florida, with more to come, so people can have one stop to meet with officials, get the federal help they’re entitled to that’s available to them, such as direct, immediate financial aid and no [low-]interest payment loans, mortgage relief, and so much more.

You can also go online to DisasterAssistance.gov — DisasterAssistance.gov — or call 1-800-621-FEMA — F-E-M-A.

Yesterday, after I signed the major disaster declaration, more than 250,000 Floridians registered for help — 250,000 — the most in sin- — any — a single day ever in the history of this country — 250,000.

I know you’re concerned about the debris removal, and it’s obvious why.  We’re prioritizing debris removal and working with the state and local partners to clear roads, to get wreckage into — of the two hurricanes off properties, and so more folks can return home and businesses can receive much-needed deliveries of food, fuel, medicine, and other essentials.  That’s a priority for me.

Power has also been restored to over 2 million people in a matter of days.  And thanks to tens of thousands of power workers from 43 states and Canada working nonstop, even more people will have more power restored soon. 

Today, I’m proud to announce $612 million to six new cutting-edge projects to support communities impacted by Hurricane Helene and Milton.  That includes $47 million for Gainesville Regional Utilities and another $47 million for Florida Power & Light.

This funding will not only restore power, but it’ll make the region’s power system stronger and more capable and reduce the frequency and duration of power outages while extreme weather events become more frequent. 

In fact, we’ve been able to restore power quicker because of critical infrastructure investments were made both when I was vice president and president to harden the grid.  For folks at home, “the grid” means the electrical power system that transmits energy from the — where it’s produced in a power plant to where it’s used in homes and businesses. 

We’ve been hardening the grid, like b- — like burying transmission lines underground, replacing wood power poles with concrete or composite poles so they don’t snap in the wind.

Energy Secretary Granholm is here with me today leading this effort, and she’ll tell you more about it and other cutting-edge technologies on the grid in a moment.

Let me close with this.  I’m here to porsonally — personally say thank you to the brave first responders — and I don’t want to underestimate that — brave first responders, men and women in uniform, utility workers.  (Inaudible) look at the number that showed up from around the country — from Canada — California, Nebraska, all over the country — to come here to help. 

Men and women in uniform, as I said; health care personnel; neighbors helping neighbors; and so many more people.  This is all a team effort, folks.  You made a big difference.  And it’s saved lives.

But there’s much more to do, and we’re going to do everything we can to get power back into your homes, not only helping you recover but to help you build back stronger.

God bless you all.  And may God protect our first responders and protect our troops.

Now I’m going to turn this over to Secretary Granholm.  Madam Secretary. 

11:42 A.M. EDT

The post Remarks by President Biden on the Response to Hurricane Milton | St. Pete Beach, FL appeared first on The White House.

Yesterday, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Florida and ordered Federal aid to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Milton beginning on October 5, 2024, and continuing.

The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, and Volusia and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.

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

Federal funding is also available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in the counties of Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, and Volusia and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. For a period of 90 days of the State’s choosing within the first 120 days from the start of the incident period, assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program is authorized at 100 percent of the total eligible costs.

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

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

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

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

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

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To view the letter from the Physician to the Vice President, visit: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/VP-Harris-Health-Summary.pdf

# # #

The post Vice President Kamala Harris’s Current Health Summary appeared first on The White House.

Grayhawk Golf Club
Scottsdale, Arizona

12:12 P.M. MST

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Hi, everyone.  Good afternoon.  Please have a seat.  Good afternoon.  (Applause.)  Thank you. 

Thank you.  Thank you very much.  Thank you.  I appreciate you.  Thank you very much.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  (Applause.) 

Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  I’m touched.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  That means a lot.  Thank you, (inaudible).  (Applause.) 

Thank you.  Please, please, please have a seat.  I’m — I’m very touched and very honored.  And thank you, all leaders who are here. 

Mayor Giles, I thank you.  You’ve been an extraordinary friend.  And I really — I so appreciate the courage that you have shown to be so open and forward about the importance of us all working together, and your support has meant the world to me.  So, in front of all of the friends, I thank you very much for all you’ve done.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.

And former State Rep Shaw, I thank you as well.  Is sh- — I — there you are.  (Laughter.)  Thank you for all the support that you have given as well.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.

So, we are all here together because we love our country.  We love our country.  And I was talking with some folks recently about the importance of understanding the — the duality, frankly, that exists in terms of our democracy. 

You know, as your vice president, I have now met over 150 world leaders — presidents, prime ministers, chancellors, and kings — and when we, representing the United States, walk in those rooms, traditionally, we’ve been able to walk in those rooms chin up, shoulders back, with the earned and self-appointed authority to talk about the importance of democracies, rule of law.  But I say, to a room of role models, here’s the thing about being a role model: When you’re a role model, folks watch what you do to see if it matches up to what you say. 

And I tell you because I have traveled the country recently — including the many, many trips that I have taken over the last almost four years — but recently, in particular, where world leaders, allies have come up to me — we’re now on a first-name basis; I’ve met with so many of them so many times — and they have said to me, “Kamala, I hope you guys are going to be okay.”

One of the things that I think about and weighs on me sometimes is I hope we, as Americans, really understand how important we are to the world.  We are so important to the world.  Those people who fight for democracy, who fight for freedom, who fight for a life in which they can have opportunity, they hold us up and they hold us out as a model. 

And that, as much as anything, is at stake right now in this election.  And I know I’m speaking to a group of people who know that and know that well. 

You know, I was raised to believe that hard work is important, it is important to look out for each other, it is important to understand that the vast majority of u- — of us have so much more in common than what separates us. 

I was raised in a community of folks who understood that when we stand together, when we look for commonality, that’s when we thrive. 

And part of what we know has been happening in the last several years in our country is there’s some powerful forces that are trying to divide us as Americans, would have us and cheer us on if we point fingers at one another. 

There’s this kind of backward thinking coming from some folks that suggests that the measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you beat down, instead of what we know, which is the real measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you lift up.  That’s strength.  (Applause.)

But — but truly, like i- — but — but I mean that intentionally.  It’s not only good and right.  That’s strength. 

Because that’s part of what is the perversion of what some people are suggesting, as though it is a sign of weakness to have empathy, to have some level of concern and care about the suffering of other people and then take it upon oneself to do something about that that is about lifting the condition of your fellow human being. 

So, when we think about what’s at stake in this election — whoa, it’s packed with some stuff.  (Laughter.)  It’s packed with some fundamental stuff — (applause) — I say rather articulately.  (Laughs.)  There’s so much at stake. 

Mayor, you mentioned John McCain.  Okay.  So, I’ll tell you, I was in the United States Senate for about four years, and — and I worked with John McCain.  And so, I’ll tell you, so there was this — we were on a committee together.  And, you know, these committee rooms in the United States Senate, they’re very grand and — and very impressive.  And John McCain was on one side of the dais; I was on the other — horseshoe. 

And he’s going after me.  He’s going after me.  We’re having some conversation.  I think it was about one of the nominees.  This — this was during President Trump’s years.  He’s going after me, and I’m going back after him.  (Laughter.)  I’m going back after him.  And that was it.  And this is what the public saw. 

And then I step onto the floor of the well of the Senate later that day — we had votes — and I passed by John McCain, and he looks at me and he says, “Kid, come over here.”  (Laughter.)  “You’re going to make a great senator.”  (Laughter and applause.)  True story.  True story.  True story.

That was John McCain.  That was John McCain. 

I was talking about him last night at a rally, right?  John McCain, who — you know, we didn’t agree on everything, but, man, I mean, what about an incredible American hero?  (Applause.) 

Again, strength — strength — right? — we know what the former president said about John McCain; I’m not going to repeat it here — but strength.

John McCain stood on principle.  He stood on a belief in the — in the importance of — of patriotism, of sacrifice, of what we stand for as a country. 

And part of what I talked about at a rally last night is — I — I shared with the folks in the room: I was there on the Senate floor, way into the middle of the night, when it was yet another attempt of the former president to get rid of the Affordable Care Act, which, as we know, has been literally a lifesaver for people, right?  (Applause.)  What it has done to no longer allow preexisting conditions to be the reason that an insurance company can’t give you assistance.  Right?

And you all may have seen it.  I was there on the floor that night, and we were all standing around because whether or not the Affordable Care Act would continue to be relied on one vote.  And we were all standing on the floor.  And, of course, I had voted to keep it going.  And — and I say this, and it sounds like it’s out of a movie, but this is how I experienced it.

On the flo- — floor with my colleagues in the Senate well — it was late into the night, and they — in the Senate, they had the — you walk onto the Senate floor, and there are these big, wooden ornate doors.  And those ornate doors opened — (laughter) — and John McCain came out. 

And he went to the floor, and he said, “No, you don’t.”  (Applause.)  He said, “No, you don’t.”  “No, you don’t take away health care for millions of people.” 

And that is but one example of an individual that we all respect who put country before party in terms of what they thought was right.  I am honored to have the endorsement of Jeff Flake, someone I also worked with — (applause) — again, putting country before party.

And so, I say all of that to say that those are examples that are situated right here in this beautiful state of Arizona, a tradition that everyone, and all of us, I will say, stand on. 

And then, of course, most recently, what Maricopa did in terms of the clerk refusing to participate in the intention to undo the will of the people in a free and fair election.  The people of this state have always shown extraordinary courage to stand up for the principles upon which we as a country were founded.  And I thank you for that.  I thank you for that.

I know we are going to win this election, and it is not going to be easy.  There are forces at play that are making us, as-  — as Americans, I think, call into question certain fundamentals that we have always taken for granted, that is part of our pride: freedom — freedom — freedom from the government making decisions about a person’s body, a woman’s body; freedom to just be; freedom over matters of heart and home, I like to say; fundamental principles around the importance of rule of law, whether we should actually be concerned and have a question — a legitimate question in an election for president of the United States, the commander in chief, of whether they will abide by the oath.  (Applause.) 

But imagine — imagine.  That’s a legitimate question we are asking.  It’s not rhetorical.  It’s a legitimate question we are asking.

He who said that he would, quote, “terminate” the Constitution of the United States.  He who said he would be a dictator on day one.  He who intends to weaponize the Department of Justice against his political enemies — take away the independence of the Department of Justice and put in place loyalists.

Fundamental notions about who and what we are as a democracy are at play in this election.  And you all, each of you, have had the courage to say, hey, we may not agree on every single thing — that’s also what a democracy looks like — but foundational, first principles cannot be in question, not for the sake of our children, not for the sake of our future and well-being, not for the sake of our standing in the world.

And so, I tell you all this to just reaffirm that we — we share not only a concern but a commitment to our country and what’s most important about, in a moment of crisis — dare I say, I think this is one — do we stand together as Americans being our first identity and come together around these issues?

And I — I’m going to actually announce — we have press in the room — that I have decided also — not only will I have a Republican in my Cabinet, but I’m also going to — I — I was talking to my team about it.  I want to create some structure around the following, which is: I love good ideas.  Wherever they come from, I love good ideas.  (Applause.)  Right?

And so, part of what I intend to do, Mayor, and put some structure around is creating a bipartisan council of advisers who can then give feedback on policy as we go forward.  Because here’s the thing I also understand and feel strongly about: In order for us as America to maintain our status as the strongest democracy in the world, we need a healthy two-party system.  We have to have a healthy two-party system.  (Applause.)  We have to.  It’s in the best interest of all of us.  It’s in the best interest of all of us. 

You know, the way that I like to lead — I bring folks in my office all the time, and they know I don’t want any “yes” people.  I want people to come in and, first of all, be prepared.  (Laughter.)  Yeah, no time to waste.  But come in and then let’s — let’s, as I often say, kick the tires on ideas.  Because the best ideas will survive those kinds of challenges, and the best ideas will then be most relevant to the American people, most in- — effective to the American people. 

And so, I’m going to create a bipartisan council so we can put some structure around exactly this point and do the work that is important. 

And then I’m — I’m just going to close with this.  You know, again, I think on the fundamentals, we have more in common than what separates us, including across faiths. 

So, I know there are mem- — a lot of members of the LDS community here, and you may or may not know my pastor actually spoke at the 100th birthday of President Nelson.  (Applause.)  Yeah.  Yeah. 

And I just — and that wasn’t a plan as part of this.  It just is.  And — and I just think if we think in our lives and in what we know, there are so many examples of that point.  We have so much more in common than what separates us, especially on the fundamentals. 

And so, with that, I say that I am committed to all of you to be a president for all Americans and to work as we must — together — again, knowing we have so much more in common than what separates us.  And on the biggest and most important issues, I think we know that this is a fight that is not against something as much as it is a fight that is for something.  (Applause.)

Thank you. 

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

                          END                 12:28 P.M. MST

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     America’s children deserve every opportunity to live fulfilling and healthy lives, and nutritious meals are key components in building those lives.  During National School Lunch Week, we reaffirm that the health and well-being of our Nation’s children are a national priority.  We recommit to doing everything we can to end child hunger.  And we celebrate school nutrition professionals, who do the critical work of planning, preparing, and serving nutritious school meals to more than 30 million students each day.

      Healthy school lunches benefit our Nation’s students and their families.  Fueled by a good lunch, students can better focus in the classroom and be set up for success throughout the rest of their day.  Free and reduced-price school meals provide families with some breathing room.  And for families that live in areas where there are no grocery stores with healthy food options nearby, school meals can be a lifeline — offering children reliable, nutritious meals.

     My Administration is committed to putting a healthy school lunch within reach of all our Nation’s children, no matter their family’s income.  That is why we are giving more schools the option to make free school meals available to every student, and we published a final rule updating nutrition standards for school meals to improve children’s health.  For the first time since 1975, we modernized the Thrifty Food Plan, making a healthy diet more affordable for the millions of families with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.  These actions are a part of our national strategy to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases by 2030.  That plan includes the goal of expanding access to healthy, free school meals to nine million more kids — working toward a future where every kid has access to one.  We also hosted the first White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in over 50 years.  Since then, we have galvanized over $10 billion in external commitments dedicated to ending hunger and reducing diet-related diseases in children and families across the country.  Furthermore, we are giving schools the resources they need to purchase food from local farmers and ranchers and cook meals from scratch — giving kids healthier options and powering our rural economy.

     My Administration is taking steps to ensure our Nation’s children and families do not go hungry and can afford healthy food.  This year my Administration launched SUN Bucks — also referred to as Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer — to provide families with money to buy groceries when school is out, reaching an estimated 21 million children.  My American Rescue Plan expanded the Child Tax Credit, slashing child poverty by nearly 50 percent and helping keep food on the table for millions of families during the pandemic.  I continue to call on the Congress to restore the enhanced Child Tax Credit to ensure families have the money they need to feed and care for their kids.

     During National School Lunch Week, we recognize how important school lunches are to kids and families alike and recommit to expanding access to healthy, free school meals to support the health of the next generation.  And we thank all the school staff, school nutrition professionals, educators, and school leaders, whose tireless work nourishes the future leaders of our Nation. 

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 13 through October 19, 2024, as National School Lunch Week.  I call upon all Americans to recognize and commemorate all those who operate the National School Lunch Program with activities that raise awareness of the steadfast efforts in support of the health and well-being of our Nation’s children.

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

                        JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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Roosevelt Room

1:21 P.M. EDT
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Well, folks, Kamala and I have just received a briefing from senior leaders across our administration from Hurricane Helene and — and Hurricane Milton.  And to state the obvious, I’m sure you feel the same way, our heart goes out to all those folks who — who’ve lost not only personal property but their homes and some lost lives — and grieving after the aftermath of the — the tornados, brutal winds, record downpours, and historic flooding. 
 
I must have spoken in the last three days to 50 to 75 members of the — in Cali- — from North Carolina all the way down to Florida, talking to mayors and county executives and — anyway, it’s just — it’s amazing what’s going on. 
 
And, you know, this is the third major storm — third major storm to hit California — I mean, excuse me, Florida, in three months.  And experts estimate that as — and it’s early — early estimates — it could be more; it could be less — but estimates that it’s caused damages around $50 billion from Hurricane Milton alone — just alone, $50 billion.
 
And I want everyone in the impacted areas to know we’re going to do everything we can to let you — help you pick back up the pieces and get back to where you were. 
 
We’ve been in constant contact, calling and reaching out to over 40 state and local officials, as I said, and they — they need — we have to give them a little bit of hope.  I mean, some of you have been through crises.  You know the one thing you wonder about when things are really bad is, is there hope?  Is — is anybody coming?  What’s going to happen?  And that’s what — that’s what’s happening right now.  State and local officials are — are doing everything they can to help these folks recover.
 
At my request, the primary focus of today’s briefing has been on the power restoration and debris removal, because there are urgent needs. 
 
Milton left over 3 million people without power, but with the dedication of 50,000 powerline workers — 50,000 powerline workers from 43 states and the country of — and Canada have stepped up and come down to help and to restore — they’ve already restored power to 1 million people so far. 
 
And, by the way, if you ever watch these guys and women climb these poles in the middle of nowhere, this is — anyway, they’re — they’re risking this while they’re doing this work. 
 
And I’ve — we just spoke to the CEOs of the public and private electric utilities to thank them for surging their — their restoration crews to people urgently needing power, even in the communities they don’t serve.  That’s one of the points: A lot of these folks are going into the communities they have — they don’t serve at all and just volunteering.  And the energy sector is real. 
 
And, by the way, our secretary, Jennifer Granholm, of Energy, is — she calls it a “mini NATO,” a — a commitment to mutual assistance and another shining example of Americans — literally someone — when push comes to shove, they stand up and take care of one another.
 
We’re going to continue to prioritize this effort until everyone is reconnected and back online. 
 
We’ve been able to get this work done quicker because of critical infrastructure investments we’ve made, but when I was vice president — both when I was vice president and since I’ve been president to harden the grid — the grid — you all know it, but “the grid” meaning, for your listeners, the electric power grid that transmits power — harden the grid by incorporating innovative technologies like burying transmission lines underground, replacing wood power poles with concrete power poles that don’t snap in the wind. 
 
To reduce the impact of extreme weather and climate change, we have to continue making these investments.  We were just talking about it with the utility companies and with our team here and with — with the secretary. 
 
You know, over the years, the past several years, Florida has taken the money, back when we — I got when we were vice president — when I was vice president, to invest in putting these lines underground.  It costs a hell of a lot more to put the lines underground than it does up in the air, but — up to six times more or seven times more — but it makes sense, be- –and anybody who says, “We don’t want to spend the money,” think of the three storms.  Ev- — after every damn storm, it’ll wipe out the power grid; you’ve got to rebuild it.  And so, if you can keep it so it’s not wiped out, it makes a long-term savings.
 
And the other thing that’s a big deal is debris removal.  FEMA and the Corps of Engineers and the Florida National Guard are now on the ground helping the state clear debris — debris to reopen roads and critical ports as well. 

I mean, s- — you’ve seen the pictures.  Some of you have been there.  You see wh- — for example, in North Carolina, where half a mountain comes down and the bridge rolls into the water, and you’ve got — you’ve got piles.  I mean, you — you see at the end of a — end of a river in a cul-de-sac.  I mean, piles are three, four, five feet high with all kinds of debris in there.  It’s going to take a lot of time and money to remove it.
 
But the Army Corps and the Florida National Guard in Florida are on the ground helping clear this debris and reopen the roads.  A- — and so, we can make — they have to do it for other reasons, to make critical deliveries of food, water, and tarps and lifesaving supplies.
 
The Coast Guard is leading the effort to reopen the Port of Tampa, which you — as you all know, because we’ve — everybody’s been covering it and they’ve done a good job of doing it — covering it because it’s a port that delivers a lot of — a lot of fuel that goes into the region and goods that are necessary.  It’s critical for the economy of the region.
 
And — and, again, let me say that the misinformation out there is not only just disgusting, but it — it’s dangerous and it’s misleading.  And, again, the first thing it does — and I mean this sincerely.  I don’t — a lot of you have been through these crises, some of you personally.  But people desperately want hope — “Tell me it’s going to be okay.”  “Tell me it’s going to be okay.”  And they’re in real trouble, a lot of them.
 
And to hear this malarkey you’re hearing from some of the people we — I won’t even get into, but — I’ll lose my temper. 
 
But, anyway, the truth is we’re providing all the resources that are needed.
 
Let me close with this.  I want to thank you again to our brave first responders, powerline workers, state and local officials, and neighbors helping neighbors and so many more. 
 
Look, it’s a team effort.  I know that sounds corny, but it really is a team effort and everybody in the game here.
 
We — we’re looking at it very seriously, and we’re working together.  And it’s made a big difference.  I think we’ve saved lives — not me, but we, all of those folks out in the field have saved lives.   
 
But there’s more to do, and we’re going to do everything in my power to get it done.  And the fact of the matter is that we’re in a situation where — well —
 
SECRETARY GRANHOLM:  She’s (inaudible) —
 
THE PRESIDENT:  I — I know.  I’m going to go to the vice president in a second. 
 
The — she — she’s my boss here.  (Laughter.)  (Inaudible.)
 
SECRETARY GRANHOLM:  I wasn’t sure if you saw it.  (Laughs.)
 
THE PRESIDENT:  We’re — we’re going to be —
 
THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Mr. President —
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Wa- — hang on one second, Madam Vice President.
 
THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Sure.  (Laughs.)
 
THE PRESIDENT:  We’re going to — we’re going to be going to the Congress.  We’re going to need a lot of help, going to need a lot more money as we — as we identify specifically how much is needed.
 
So, I’m just telling everybody now.  I don’t want to hear the — this is going to be the end of it. 
 
So — and so, with that, I’ll le- — I’ll yield to the president — I mean, the vice president.  (Laughter.)
 
THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Mr. President.  And thank you to all of the men and women represented at the agencies that are represented by the members of the president’s Cabinet for the work that they’ve been doing around the clock.
 
In the wake of Hurricane Milton, we have, of course, witnessed widespread devastation.  Homes and neighborhoods have been severely damaged.  Millions of people are without power and thousands without clean water.
 
To the people of Florida, and — you must know — and to the — all of those in the region, our nation is with you.  We see your incredible strength and resilience, and we are working around the clock to keep you safe.  We continue to coordinate resources with local and state authorities, including food, water, medical supplies, and generators, and we will continue to work with the teams on the ground to restore water and power as quickly as possible.
 
In the coming days and weeks, President Biden and I will make sure that the communities that are there on the ground and have been affected will have the resources they need not only to respond to the storm but also to recover.  And we will continue to keep communities in Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, and across the Southeast — ensured that they will recover from Hurricane Helene.
 
Finally, I will say once again, as Secretary Mayorkas and I have discussed, to any company or individual that is using this crisis to jack up prices through illegal fraud or price gouging, whether it be at the gas pump, the airport, or the hotel counter, we will be monitoring, and there will be a consequence.
 
The bottom line is this.  We are in this for the long haul, and the support and the coordination between federal, state, and local authorities and leaders has been extraordinary and will continue for as long as it takes.
 
I thank you all.
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.
 
(Cross-talk.)
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Holler louder.  Holler louder.  I can’t hear you. 
 
Q    Mr. President, are you worried about —
 
Q    The misinformation that you’ve been talking about that you’re so worried about?  Do you —
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Say again.
 
Q    The misinformation that you’ve been —
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Yes.
 
Q    — talking about related to this hurricane and the recovery efforts.  Do you think it’s temporary, or do you think and worry that this might be a permanent state of being for this country?
 
THE PRESIDENT:  I think it’s a permanent state of being for some extreme people, but I don’t think it’s what the country is about.  It’s — we’re — we’re breaking through it.  We’re breaking through with the truth. 
 
And if you’ve noticed — and I’ve really been proud of — I’ve been on the phone, talking with a lot of Republican mayors and governors.  They’re standing up saying this is — not — not Joe Biden, but conservative, hardcore Republican governors, hardcore Republican mayors standing up and saying, “It’s got to stop.  It’s got to stop.”
 
And — and I — I believe it’s — there’s nothing permanent about it.  I am pleased that more Americans are coming together in a purely voluntary way.  I mean, this is who the hell we are.  When America is in trouble, we all jump in and try to help, help your neighbor.  And that’s ma- — bas- — basically what’s happening. 
 
But what — the thing that bothers me the most is there’s a lot of people who get caught in these crises who are basically alone — you know, widowers, wi- — widowers, people in hospitals, people who are all by themselves.  And they don’t know — and they lose contact, and they get — and they just get scared to death — scared to death.  And — anyway.
 
So, I think it’s a — I think those who have been spreading these lies to try to undermine the opposition are going to pay a price for it.
 
Q    Mr. President, are you worried about this effect —
 
Q    But do you think Donald Trump is singularly to blame for all of this?
 
THE PRESIDENT:  No, he’s not singularly — but he’s just the biggest mouth.
 
Q    Mr. President, will you ask —
 
Q    Mr. President, have you spoken to Speaker Johnson —
 
THE PRESIDENT:  No, I haven’t —
 
Q    — on calling Congress back?
 
THE PRESIDENT:  — but we’re going to — I’ve spoken to Republicans who want to speak to Speaker Johnson.  And I think Speaker Johnson is going to get the message that he’s got to step up, particularly for small businesses. 
 
Q    Do you plan to meet with DeSantis in Florida?
 
THE PRESIDENT:  I — I’ve spoken to him.  If he’s a- — if he’s available, yeah.  He’s been very cooperative.  I’ve had no — we’ve had — we got on very, very well. 
 
(Cross-talk.)
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Let me —
 
Q    Are you as- — are you asking Israel to stop hitting U.N. peacekeepers?
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Absolutely, positively. 
 
Q    What — what about nuclear —
 
Q    Mr. President, will you — will you approve Mr. Trump’s request to use military aircraft in the final stages of the campaign?
 
THE PRESIDENT:  I’m sorry?
 
Q    Will you approve Mr. Trump’s request to use military aircraft in the final stages of the campaign?
 
THE PRESIDENT:  As long as he doesn’t ask for F-15s.  No, I’m being facetious. 
 
Look, I’ve told the department to give him every — every single thing he needs for his — at any other — as — as he were a sitting president, give all that needs.  If it fits within that category, that’s fine.  But if it doesn’t, he shouldn’t.

1:34 P.M. EDT

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     This Blind Americans Equality Day, we honor the immense contributions of blind and low vision Americans, who help power our economy and push our Nation forward.  And we recommit to ensuring every blind and low vision person in this country has a fair shot at the American Dream.

     Throughout my decades in public service, I have strived to build an America that works for all Americans.  It is why I was proud to co-sponsor the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act — a civil rights law that banned discrimination against people with disabilities in many areas of public life.  I remain proud of its lasting legacy today.  However, there is still more to do to ensure that blind and low vision Americans have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.  From transportation to online job applications, public services are too often designed in ways that are inaccessible for people with disabilities.  And less than half of blind or low vision Americans are employed.

     My Administration is committed to ensuring blind and low vision Americans have equal opportunities.  To that end, I signed an Executive Order to prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the Federal Government and to identify the barriers faced by job applicants and employees with disabilities.  We are also requiring Federal agencies to prioritize website accessibility so the Government can truly deliver for all Americans.  These are important steps toward making the Federal Government the gold standard for fair, accessible, and decent practices in the workplace.  Furthermore, my Administration is ensuring that blind and low vision Americans hired by the Federal Government are paid a fair wage.  That is why we ended the use of unfair sub‑minimum wages in Federal contracts.  At the same time, we are working to increase hiring for people with disabilities in every sector by helping governments, businesses, and nonprofits access Federal funds to hire more disabled Americans.  

     I am also working to make public spaces more accessible for blind and low vision Americans.  Through my Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are investing $1.75 billion — the largest amount ever — in making transit and rail stations more accessible.  The General Services Administration also adopted the United States Access Board’s new guidelines to ensure people with disabilities have access to the over 300,000 Federal Government buildings.  And the National Institutes of Health designated people with disabilities as a population with health disparities, opening up new research opportunities that will focus on health issues and unmet needs for blind and low vision Americans.

     This Blind Americans Equality Day, may we recommit to advancing accessibility and opportunities for blind and low vision Americans, who do so much for our Nation and deserve every opportunity to thrive. 

     By joint resolution approved on October 6, 1964 (Public Law 88-628, as amended), the Congress authorized October 15 of each year as “White Cane Safety Day,” which is recognized today as “Blind Americans Equality Day,” to honor the contributions of blind and low vision Americans.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 15, 2024, as Blind Americans Equality Day.  I call upon all the people of the United States — including all government officials, educators, and volunteers — to mark this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

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

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On October 27, 2006, by Executive Order 13413, the President declared a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States constituted by the situation in or in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has been marked by widespread violence and atrocities that continue to threaten regional stability.  The President took additional steps to address this national emergency in Executive Order 13671 of July 8, 2014.

     The situation in or in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States.  For this reason, the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13413 of October 27, 2006, as amended by Executive Order 13671 of July 8, 2014, must continue in effect beyond October 27, 2024.  Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency with respect to the situation in or in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared in Executive Order 13413, as amended by Executive Order 13671.

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

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    October 11, 2024.

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Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Madam President:)

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date.  In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to the situation in or in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared in Executive Order 13413 of October 27, 2006, as amended by Executive Order 13671 of July 8, 2014, is to continue in effect beyond October 27, 2024.

The situation in or in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has been marked by widespread violence and atrocities that continue to threaten regional stability, continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States.  Therefore, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13413, as amended by Executive Order 13671, with respect to the situation in or in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

                              Sincerely,

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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Teleconference

11:07 A.M. MST

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Douglas.  Thank you, my darling husband. 

And I want to thank you in front of all of the friends for all of the leadership that you have shown and the inspiration that you have given so many and, in particular, our young people.  Many of you may know, Doug has been visiting everything from summer camps to youth organizations and reminding our young leaders of the importance of their pride and their strength, especially at moments like this.  So, thank you, Doug.

And it is wonderful to be with so many friends during the High Holidays.  And my wish, of course, for everyone is that you have a good New Year ahead and an easy fast.

Now, I know this year, as Ilan said, the High Holidays come at a particularly difficult time. 

And earlier this week, of course, we marked the one year since the brutal Hamas terrorist attack on October 7.  And I know it has just rekindled what has been an enduring and deep fear among Jews not just in Israel but in the United States and around the world.

And I know how the existence of a secure, democratic homeland for the Jewish people means so much for Jews and all of us, regardless of where they live.

I will never forget October 7, and the world must never forget.  And we all must work to ensure nothing like the horrors of that day can ever happen again.

To that end, as president, it is my pledge that I will always ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself from Iran and Iran-backed terrorists.  And I will always support Israel’s right to defend itself.  My commitment to the security of Israel is unwavering.

And this — as Doug has said, as Ilan knows — has been a lifelong commitment, starting, as many of you know, when I was a young girl and collected donations on behalf of the Jewish National Fund to plant trees for Israel.  Many of you probably recall those little blue boxes.

And, as president, I will always work to ensure the safety and security of the people of Israel and Jewish people here in the United States and around the world. 

When it comes to the war in Gaza, we have seen so much suffering and pain over the past year, and it is time to bring the conflict to an end.  And I am working to ensure it ends such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, freedom, and self-determination. 

We are not giving up on a ceasefire and hostage deal.  We cannot.  And I will never stop fighting for the release of all the hostages, including, of course, the seven American citizens, living and deceased, who are still held.  We are fighting for them every day.  As Ilan and Doug have mentioned, I have met and spent time with their families.  And we cannot and will not rest until all the hostages are home. 

We know Hamas is not the only threat Israel faces.  On October 8, Hezbollah began launching rockets at Israel, and the Houthis in Yemen began targeting Israeli cities. 

And what is the common thread?  Well, we all know: Iran, which has now also directly attacked Israel twice.

I am clear-eyed.  Iran is a destabilizing and dangerous force. 

When Donald Trump was president, he let Iran off the hook.  After Iran and its proxies attacked U.S. bases and American troops, Trump did nothing.  And he pulled out of the nuclear deal without any plan, leading to an unconstrained Iranian nuclear program. 

On the other hand, our administration struck Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria when they attacked American troops, and we are the first administration to ever directly defend Israel. 

On April 13, I joined President Biden and our national security team for more than five hours as we and a coalition of nations that we brought together responded to Iran’s unprecedented attack.  And then, of course, last week, on October 1st, I was in the Situation Room for more than three hours coordinating in real time with our military leadership as our forces intercept milsi- — missiles over the skies of Israel. 

Make no mistake, as president, I will never hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to defend American forces and interests from Iran and Iran-backed terrorists, and I will never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon. 

Diplomacy is my preferred path to that end, but all options are on the table. 

And let’s be clear.  Donald Trump is not only a threat on the world stage.  As we have seen a rise in antisemitism in our own country, Trump has espoused dangerous and hateful antisemitic tropes, creating fear and division.  He praised some of the neo-Nazi marchers in Charlottesville as, quote, “very fine people.”  He reportedly said Hitler did some, quote, “good things.” 

I have spent my entire career fighting antisemitism.  I prosecuted hate crimes as a district attorney.  I continued this work as attorney general of California, where I published an annual report on hate crimes to ensure that policymakers and law enforcement respond with a sense of urgency and an understanding of the ubiquity of the problem. 

And as vice president, I am proud to be implementing the first-ever National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism, which, of course, Doug was an extraordinary leader in making sure would be created. 

And as president, I will do everything in my power to combat antisemitism whenever and wherever we see it. 

On the topic of antisemitism, I know, across the country, many Jewish parents, grandparents are worried for their children who are on college campuses.  And I know many Jewish students have feared attending class in recent months. 

As we know, in a democracy, everyone has a right to make their voices heard.  I believe in the freedom of speech.  I also believe there is no place for hate or violence in our country. 

When individuals participate in calls to violence and harassment against Jews, that is antisemitism, and I condemn it.  When Jews are targeted because of their beliefs or identity and when Israel is singled out because of anti-Jewish hatred, that is antisemitism, and I condemn it. 

     Each university must ensure all students and faculty are safe and secure on campus. 

In the United States of America, we can and we must ensure people can peacefully make their voices heard, while we also stand up for the rule of law and stand up against hate, and this is a priority for me. 

     In conclusion, I will say, everyone, I believe, should have the freedom to practice their religion and express their faith and the freedom to be safe from violence and fear.  In many ways, that is what we are fighting for in this election. 

     Ours is a fight for freedom, like the freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body, like the freedom to be safe from gun violence, like the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride. 

     So, to the friends gathered, I know part of the reason we are on this call together is we love our country.  And I do believe it is the highest form of patriotism, of an expression of love for our country to fight for the ideals of our country. 

     Election Day is in 25 days, and early voting is already starting in some states.  So, let’s, please, in the spirit of the holidays and in the spirit of this moment, let’s please use these next 25 days to continue the work of building community and building coalitions.  Let’s remind each other we have so much more in common than what separates us. 

     And let’s implement that spirit by also texting our friends, family members, and neighbors to make sure they know the stakes and to make sure they know their power in this moment. 

     And as we continue to energize, organize, and mobilize, let us know that we are all in this together, in this fight for our democracy, for our country. 

     And as I always say, when we fight, we win. 

     Thank you all.  And please take care. 

Thank you. 

                               END                 11:16 A.M. MST

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On October 1, Iran launched a ballistic missile attack against Israel.  This attack targeted Israel’s most populated city, Tel Aviv, and could have killed hundreds if not thousands of innocent people.  Fortunately, the attack was defeated and rendered ineffective thanks to the U.S. military working in partnership with Israeli Defense Forces.  Following that reckless attack, we made clear that Iran would face severe consequences.  We have since consulted with allies and partners, including a call between the President and his G7 counterparts, and today the Departments of the Treasury and State have announced new and significant measures to more effectively target Iran’s energy trade.  The new designations today also include measures against the “Ghost Fleet” that carries Iran’s illicit oil to buyers around the world. These measures will help further deny Iran financial resources used to support its missile programs and provide support for terrorist groups that threaten the United States, its allies, and partners.  

President Biden has consistently confronted Iran‘s destabilizing actions and will continue to do so.  Under the Biden-Harris administration, the United States has not lifted a single sanction on Iran and has designated over 700 individuals and entities connected to the full range of Iran’s destabilizing activities and support for terrorism across the Middle East and globally.  Today’s announcement has been coordinated with allies and partners, many of whom will announce their own measures to hold Iran accountable for its attack over the coming days.

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President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to attend the Inauguration of His Excellency Prabowo Subianto on October 20, 2024, in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The Honorable Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, will lead the delegation.

Members of the Presidential Delegation:

The Honorable Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir, United States Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia

The Honorable Don Graves, Deputy Secretary of Commerce, U.S. Department of Commerce

Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Department of Defense

The Honorable Daniel J. Kritenbrink, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State

The Honorable Mira Rapp-Hooper, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for East Asia and Oceania, National Security Council, The White House

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     On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we honor Indigenous peoples’ strength, courage, and resilience.  We celebrate the vast contributions of Indigenous communities to the world.  And we recommit to respecting Tribal sovereignty and self-determination and working to usher in a new era of our Nation-to-Nation relationships.

     The history of America’s Indigenous peoples is marked by perseverance, survival, and a deep commitment to and pride in their heritage, right to self-governance, and ways of life.  Since time immemorial, Indigenous peoples have built and sustained powerful Tribal Nations, cultivated rich cultures, and established vibrant communities.  And their discoveries and knowledge still benefit us today.  But because of our Nation’s failed policies of the past, generations of Native peoples have faced cruelty, violence, and intimidation.  They were forced to leave their homelands, prohibited from speaking their own languages and practicing their sacred traditions, and forced into assimilation.  Indigenous lives were lost, livelihoods were ripped away, and communities were fundamentally altered.  Despite the trauma and turmoil, Indigenous peoples have persisted and survived.  Their stories are testaments to the bravery and resolve of generations to preserve their heritage, cultures, and identities for those to come after them. 

     Today, Indigenous peoples lead in every way, share their histories, and strengthen their communities.  They are also stewarding lands and waters, growing our shared prosperity, and celebrating the good of our Nation while pushing us to tell the full truth of our history.  Indigenous peoples have long served in the United States military, fighting for democracy.  And Indigenous communities continue to be an integral part of the fabric of the United States, contributing so much to our shared prosperity.

     I remain committed to writing a new and better chapter in our history.  To make this new era of self-determination a reality, we must honor the solemn promises the United States made to fulfill our trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations and work together to rebuild Tribal economies and institutions. 

     From day one, I have worked to include Indigenous voices at the table in all we do.  I have appointed Native Americans to lead across the Federal Government, including the Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland — America’s first Native American Cabinet secretary — and so many others serving in key roles in my Administration.  I was proud to re-establish the White House Council on Native American Affairs to help coordinate policy.  Together, we have taken historic steps to improve the consultation process between Federal agencies and Tribal Nations.  

     I also believe that Tribal Nations know best what is right for their communities, and they do better when they make their own decisions.  That is why I signed an Executive Order to respect the Nation-to-Nation relationship by ensuring Federal agencies respect the autonomy of tribes, cutting red tape so Tribal leaders can deliver for their communities.  At the same time, we are strengthening the Buy Indian Act so that Federal agencies get more goods and services from Native-owned businesses.  These initiatives will help grow Tribal economies while respecting Tribal sovereignty and Tribal Nations’ right to build a future on their own terms. 

     Since I came into office, the Federal Government has made record investments in Tribal Nations.  My American Rescue Plan -‑ the largest direct Federal investment in Tribal Nations ever — helped provide COVID-19 vaccinations to Tribal communities and got our economy going again.  My Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is the single biggest investment in Tribal roads, bridges, water, high-speed internet, electricity, irrigation, environmental cleanup, and more.  My Inflation Reduction Act is the biggest investment in fighting climate change ever, anywhere in the history of the world.  It is helping Tribal communities lead in the transition to clean energy and mitigate the impact of droughts, wildfires, and rising sea levels that threaten Native lives and precious homelands.  My Administration has also provided increased resources to fight the opioid epidemic and expand access to crisis care in Tribal communities.  Given that Native American women are two times more likely to die of pregnancy-related causes than White women, my Administration has taken significant steps to improve maternal health.  And my Administration also secured the first-ever advance funding for the Indian Health Service so hospitals can plan ahead, order supplies, and hire doctors.
 
     When my Administration reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act in 2022, we included historic provisions to reaffirm Tribal sovereignty and expand Tribal jurisdiction in cases where outside perpetrators harm members of their Nation.  And recognizing the ties of Indigenous peoples across North America, I supported a Trilateral Working Group with Canada and Mexico to ensure Indigenous women and girls in all three countries can live free from violence. 

     My Administration is also preserving important ancestral Tribal lands and waters.  I have protected and conserved more than 42 million acres of our Nation’s lands and waters.  I established, expanded, or restored 11 national monuments — including Bears Ears National Monument, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Avi Kwa Ame National Monument, Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, and others containing sites considered sacred to Tribal Nations.  We are advancing the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, which stretches along 116 miles of California coastline and has been home to coastal, ocean-going Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples for tens of thousands of years.  My Administration has also signed over 190 co-stewardship or co-management agreements with Tribes, and we are working to sign more.

     On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we recognize that it is hard work to heal the wrongs of the past and to change course and move forward, but together, nothing is beyond our capacity.  May we take pride in the progress we have made to establish a new era of Tribal sovereignty and Indigenous self-determination — one grounded in dignity, respect, and friendship.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 14, 2024, as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.  I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.  I also direct that the flag of the United States be displayed on all public buildings on the appointed day in honor of our diverse history and the Indigenous peoples who contribute to shaping this Nation.

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

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     Today, we celebrate the proud heritage of Italian Americans in our Nation, whose contributions and character have shaped our country’s soul.

     I believe we are the only Nation in the world with a heart and soul that draws from old and new.  For some Italian-American families, the stories they share about their ancestors’ lives in this country stretch back generations.  They are stories about immigrants who left everything behind to sail across an ocean and chase the American Dream for the hope of a brighter future.  They are stories about ancestors who helped build this country and found America’s middle class — and their traditions and recipes still bring joy to their families today.  They are stories of Italian-American artists, laborers, lawmakers, and leaders who never gave up on the idea of America.  And for many Italian Americans, the story of Christopher Columbus’ voyage crossing the Atlantic from the Spanish port of Palos de la Frontera on behalf of Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand II remains a source of pride.  But no matter if their families arrived here centuries ago or only recently, Italian Americans’ courage, strength, and character are woven into the rich tapestry of our country.

     For many Italian Americans, the lives of their ancestors in this country were not always easy.  In addition to the challenges of starting life in a new land, they also faced discrimination.  Columbus Day was founded by President Benjamin Harrison in 1892 in response to the horrific, xenophobic attack that took the lives of 11 Italian Americans the year before.  In the face of hate, Italian Americans persisted — advancing our Nation and challenging us to live up to our highest values. 

     My Administration also recognizes that Italian Americans are a source of strength in our country’s unshakeable alliance, strategic partnership, and deep friendship with Italy.  The ties between our countries are founded on our shared values and principles:  democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights.  Both of our nations take pride in standing with the brave people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russia’s illegal aggression.

     Today, may we honor the history and heritage of Italian Americans and all that they have done to help realize the full promise of America for generations.

     In commemoration of Christopher Columbus’ historic voyage 532 years ago, the Congress, by joint resolution of April 30, 1934, and modified in 1968 (36 U.S.C. 107), as amended, has requested the President proclaim the second Monday of October of each year as “Columbus Day.”

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 14, 2024, as Columbus Day.  I direct that the flag of the United States be displayed on all public buildings on the appointed day in honor of our diverse history and all who have contributed to shaping this Nation.

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

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Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Madam President:)

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date.  In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to significant narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia declared in Executive Order 12978 of October 21, 1995, is to continue in effect beyond October 21, 2024. 

The circumstances that led to the declaration of a national emergency on October 21, 1995, have not been resolved.  The actions of significant narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States and to cause an extreme level of violence, corruption, and harm in the United States and abroad.  For this reason, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 12978 with respect to significant narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia.

                             Sincerely,

                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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     On October 21, 1995, by Executive Order 12978, the President declared a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States constituted by the actions of significant narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia and the extreme level of violence, corruption, and harm such actions cause in the United States and abroad. 

     The actions of significant narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States and cause an extreme level of violence, corruption, and harm in the United States and abroad.  For this reason, the national emergency declared in Executive Order 12978 of October 21, 1995, must continue in effect beyond October 21, 2024.  Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency with respect to significant narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia declared in Executive Order 12978. 

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

                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    October 11, 2024.

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12:30 P.M. EDT

MS. SIMONS:  All right.  Good morning, everyone.  Given the projected trajectory and strength of Hurricane Milton, President Biden is postponing his upcoming trip to Germany and Angola in order to oversee preparations for and response to Hurricane Milton, in addition to the ongoing response to the impacts of Hurricane Helene.

The president was briefed again this morning by his team, and as Karine said yesterday, FEMA and other federal agencies continue to actively pre-position lifesaving resources in advance of the storm, including temporary power teams, swiftwater rescue teams, and search and rescue teams. 

FEMA has two staging bases stocked with 20 million meals and 40 million liters of water to deploy as needed. 

Currently, nearly 900 staff are already in the region, including over 440 specifically deployed for Helene recovery. 

Yesterday, FEMA Administrator Criswell was on the ground in Tampa.  Today, she is back in North Carolina.  So, we maintain our focus on both storms.

And yesterday evening, as we read out, the president had separate calls with Governor DeSantis and Tampa Mayor Castor to discuss efforts for Helene recovery and preparations for Milton.  He asked them to please keep directly in touch with him if they need anything.

And to anyone in Milton’s path, this storm will be catastrophic.  We urge you to listen to local officials, especially if you are told to evacuate.

And onto today’s trip.  Today, the president is traveling to Milwaukee, along with all of us, where he will announce that the EPA is issuing a final rule that will require drinking water systems nationwide to replace lead service lines within 10 years.  He’s also announcing that the EPA is investing an additional $2.6 billion for drinking water upgrades and lead pipe replacements funded by President Biden’s landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

This comes as part of our work to sprint through the finish and deliver on our historic Investing in America agenda. 

To talk a little bit more today about the announcement, here is EPA Administrator Regan. 

ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  Well, thank you all.  Let me tell you, this is a very exciting day.  This is something that President Biden talked to me on day one.  He came to this administration with the promise of a 100 percent lead-free future for every family and every child in this country.  And today, I’m proud to announce that this rule will mandate that every single utility in this country identify the sources of lead service lines and remove them within the 10-year window. 

We’re also announcing $2.6 billion will be flowing simultaneously along with this announcement. 

I’ll take a step back and say that in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, $26 billion dedicated to drinking water, $15 billion specifically aimed at eradicating lead service lines.  Between those bill dollars and this regulation, the president is really accomplishing his goal and keeping his promise.

Q    On — on the window.  Ten years —

ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  Yeah.

Q    — this is very ambitious, and there’s obviously a lot, a lot of pipes that need to be replaced in this country.  But how do you get that done?  And is there a worry that, you know, it’s not just one administration that you — you’re going to have to go through; it’s at least two to get to this goal.  How — is there a concern that not just one Republican administration could out — could undo this but perhaps two?  Like, why should Americans be confident that this is actually going to get done?

ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  Well, listen, in my conversations, I have to tell you, I would hope that both Republicans and Democrats would want to remove lead and lead service lines from impacting our children.  We know that it causes learning impairments, you know, heart disease.  We know that they’re — oh, with this rule, we’ll save or prevent over 900,000 low birth weight. 

So, you know, listen, it’s — it’s a bipartisan issue.  Everyone wants this lead out.  That’s the first thing. 

The second thing is that many of these cities are already moving forward.  Just under the president’s watch over the last three and a half years, over 367,000 lead pipes have been removed.  We know that this rule will get 99 percent of all of the cities who say they can step up and can do this, especially with the bill funding. 

So, we believe it can get done.  The cities have indicated that they want to get it done.  No one wants to roll back this rule or roll back these health protections, especially given that it’s tied to Bipartisan Infrastructure Law money.  So, we feel confident. 

By the way, the rule is legally durable.  It’s scientifically sound, well within the four corners of the Clean Water Act.  We feel very confident that it’s legally durable, scientifically sound, and that there are resources flowing to help these mayors and these county commissioners and these local governments all over the country. 

Q    In retrospect, is there any wish that you guys started earlier on this and actually the implementation?

ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  This is a very complicated rule.  We started on day one.  It’s taken us some time to really put the rule in place.  We had to roll back a rule that the Trump administration put in place that was not as protected.  So, we had to do that due diligence in the process and put forward a legally sound, scientifically relevant rule.

And, listen, by the way, let me — let me just say that we’ve also, through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, given a lot of cities the resources to specifically identify where these lead service lines are. 

So, the identification process has occurred.  States feel confident.  Now it’s time to govern.

Q    During the administration’s contacts with these local officials, are you seeing any pushback or hesitance to jump on board and take this money and — and redo these water lines?  Or is everyone sort of, you know, gung ho, and as soon as the money is available, they’re going to start with these projects? 

ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  You know, everyone that I’ve engaged with is ready to go.  Obviously, there was some apprehension in the beginning about the timeline and the level of aggressiveness.  We have worked with our stakeholders to smooth out those wrinkles. 

And, again, 99 percent of the cities and states are saying that they can do what this rule is asking them to do.  For that very small portion that will need some assistance, we will work with them on the timeline.  We will also work to prioritize resources to keep them in the game. 

Q    Are — are you guys working with private-sector companies or matching private-sector companies with these local officials to make sure the plans and the build-outs can get accomplished as soon as possible?

ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  Absolutely.  There’s a lot of public and private partnerships happening right now.  We know that many of these water systems are complicated.  We are creating, through these investments, a lot of good-playing — -paying union jobs to come in and eradicate these pipelines. 

So, the public-private partnership is very strong, and we’ll continue to move forward together. 

Q    Just one more quick one.  Is the partnership — part of that partnership, does that involve contracting at the federal level, or is all — that all happening at the state and local level?

ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  It’s all happening at the state and local level.  The state and local level have all the autonomy.  We’re not being paternalistic.  We have some guidelines.  We’re giving them the resources.  This rule gives them the rules for the road, and they’re ready to hit the ground running. 

Q    Why Milwaukee?  Why Milwaukee?

ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  You know, Milwaukee has some of the most heart-wrenching stories that I’ve witnessed, the vice president has witnessed, the president has witnessed.  We’ve been here time and time again.  I’ve traveled to Milwaukee previously with the vice president.  It’s full circle for many of us. 

One of the first stories we heard was a mother named Deanna and her son, Aidan, who was lead poisoned.  We’ve held roundtables here. 

Milwaukee is an excellent example of a city who is ready to go, who has demonstrated that they can meet the timeline, who’s put the resources in place, and has the local advocacy on the ground that is partnering with the government along with the private sector.  It’s a great example of how we can do this together. 

MS. SIMONS:  Thank you so much. 

ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  Thank you.

Q    Emilie, with the president — with the president canceling his trip to Germany and to Angola, does he still have plans to get to Africa before the end of his term?

MS. SIMONS:  So, as he said before departing the White House, he does hope to make that trip to Africa.  He really wants to continue — and the whole essence of the trip was to underscore our commitment to our partners in Africa, and especially because Sub-Saharan Africa is such an important global leader. 

So, I don’t have any additional.  This has happened this morning, but we will keep you posted.

Q    On the Middle East.  Hezbollah’s deputy leader has said he supports attempts to secure a truce and, for the first time, did not mention the end of the war in Gaza as a precondition for halting the combat on the Israel-Lebanon border.  Do you see this as an opening for a ceasefire?  Have you spoken to Israel about these comments?  And — and what are you hearing from Israeli counterparts?

MS. SIMONS:  So, we continue to have discussions with the Israelis about their response to the earlier attacks last week.  I’m not going to get ahead of those discussions, as this is their operation.  I hear the new statements that you’re saying from the Hezbollah leader. 

And what we understand right now is that what they’ve been working on is efforts to destroy Hezbollah infrastructure.  This is in line with Israel’s right to defend its citizens. 

I think we are all eager for a ceasefire, speaking from the United States.  And along with our G7 leaders, we put out a statement last week about the need for peace in the region so people can return safely to their homes.  So, we definitely are continuing to urge that from our side. 

Q    And have you gotten any assurances from Israel that they will not target Iran’s nuclear or oil facilities? 

MS. SIMONS:  This is their operation.  We continue to have discussions with them about their response, but I won’t get ahead of that.

Q    Hey, Em.  On Israel.  There was a report in Axios this morning that a U.S. official said that they had sort of lost trust with Israel in — in conveying their planned activities.  There’s also Bob Woodward’s book in which he — which the president reportedly used some language to describe Prime Minister Netanyahu that we might normally hear at a Phillies game instead — (laughs) — of in the Oval Office.

So, I’m wondering: Do you agree with that assessment, that the trust has broken down between the U.S. and Israel?  And are you taking any steps to try to get it back on track at this crucial period?

MS. SIMONS:  The commitment that we have to the State of Israel is ironclad.  The relationship between Netanyahu and the president goes back decades.  They can have very honest and straightforward conversations with each other. 

Just yesterday, President Biden spoke with President Herzog on the anniversary of October 7th and spoke about a range of issues, including the need for peace and what the Israeli people have been through in this past year and also what the Palestinian people have been through and the hope for peace in the coming months. 

Q    So, their relationship is fine, or — or are those — and those reports are incorrect, or — 

MS. SIMONS:  The relationship between the United States and the State of Israel is as strong as ever. 

Q    Just to follow up on the storm as well.  The — in addition to the trip to Africa, the president was going to Germany and had meetings with a number of top allies, including in Ramstein with President Zelenskyy.  Is that going to be rescheduled, or will a different U.S. — you know, the secretary of Defense or State go in the president’s stead?  Do you have any update on that?

MS. SIMONS:  Yeah.  So, for this weekend, given the trip was pulled down today, we’re still working through exactly how the Ramstein engagement may play out.  Our commitment to Ukraine was a big piece of this, and that is unwavering, including the security and financial announcements that come along with that.  That is not going anywhere.

     And we are committed to the transatlantic alliance.  It’s a huge reason why we were going to Germany.  I know the president said that he’s hoping to connect with Scholz today, so hopefully we’ll have more to read out soon. 

Q    Will he talk to the other European leaders and — and President Zelenskyy who are planning to attend or just Chancellor Scholz?

MS. SIMONS:  Our team throughout this morning has been in touch with a variety of officials from the different countries to inform them that due to the strength of the hurricane, we had to change our plans

Q    Could I — if I could just follow on Justin on the Woodward aspect of the — the Bibi rel- — revelation and the very rough language that the president allegedly used?  One, are you — did that — did that happen, or are you saying it didn’t happen?

And then, more broadly, is — how is that helpful at, like, this time?  Is th- — is there any concern that that’s going to further, you know, hurt the relationship at a critical time? 

MS. SIMONS:  Well, first of all, when it comes to the Woodward book, there are plenty of books that are being written about this administration and others.  That’s normal.  We’re not going to comment on each anecdote that may come out of different reporting.

On specific — about the relationship between the president and Netanyahu, they have a long-term relationship.  They have a very honest and direct relationship.  And I don’t have a comment on those specific anecdotes. 

Q    Emilie, can you talk a little bit about the president’s conversations with Governor DeSantis related to the storm?  You said earlier that they had a good conversation.  Can you tell us a little bit more about that and — and if it came up about whether or not he’s going to speak with the vice president, or his public comments to that?

MS. SIMONS:  Yes.  Last night, President Biden spoke with Governor DeSantis and he spoke with Tampa Mayor Castor ahead of landfall for Milton and also about the ongoing recovery efforts with Helene.  It was a very productive conversation.  It was expressed that the state has what it needs, the city has what it needs, but that it is going to be catastrophic, and everyone needs to heed local warnings. 

One thing that we are hearing continuously about the storm is debris removal and the issues relating to the debris left by Helene and what the risk can be as winds pick up because of Milton. 

So, to that point, FEMA is supporting the state of Florida to expedite the removal of debris from Hurricane Helene in the Tampa region in advance of Hurricane Milton’s landfall.  There’s a few ways we’re doing this: We are surging additional resources to get as much debris picked up as possible, management sites are open 24 hours a day, and contracted trucks are now collecting debris around the clock. 

The governor of Florida has additionally activated 4,000 state active-duty National Guard, many of whom are going to help with that debris removal. 

Q    They didn’t discuss anything about the vice president’s outreach to the governor?

MS. SIMONS:  So, the president and the governor kept their conversation to the storm at hand.  I know that the vice president’s office has been in touch with various local officials, as our team has as well, from the city all the way up the state and back down.  So, we’re all going to continue that important engagement. 

Q    And just one other one on a different topic.  Elon Musk, again, was joking in a recent interview or a conversation with Tucker Carlson about the assassination — or hypothetical assassination of Vice President Harris.  And after that, former Congressman Adam Kinzinger, among others, noted that this is a person who happens to be the largest contractor with the Defense Department, who the government — who just has billions of dollars in federal contracts.  And Congressman Kinzinger said that that should be reconsidered, that some of those contracts should be revoked, because no member — no person with ties to the Pentagon, no serviceman, would be allowed to say those things. 

Does the administration have any response to that, or are there any reviews that may come as far as those contracts based on the things that Elon Musk is saying? 

MS. SIMONS:  I’m not going to get into any hypotheticals about government contracts.  But what I can say is that we take rhetoric very seriously.  Want to be mindful of any comments about assassinations or attempted.  This is a — these are volatile words.  But I don’t have comments on government contracts.

Q    Emilie, just back to the hurricane.  North Carolina is weighing loosening absentee ballot restrictions for people in the western part of the state who are obviously impacted by flooding, and the mailing system is out of whack still.  Does the president support states this close to the election changing their electoral rules, one, to allow those people to vote, but just looking back on all of the chaos we saw in 2020, both before and after the election?

MS. SIMONS:  We know that people are facing a variety of obstacles in everyday life, including in voting.  Karine spoke to this from the podium yesterday.  We would direct you to state and local officials about their own state and local voting rules.  But we know that this is an issue that folks are facing in a variety of states this close to an election.

Q    And then, total change of topics.  How closely is the president following these hacks of U.S. telecom companies?

MS. SIMONS:  The president has been made aware of these reported intrusions into U.S. telecom companies.  Congress has also been briefed. 

I would refer you to FBI and CISA, who are looking into this. 

Q    Just a quick follow-up.  Is there any indication that Beijing is involved in this, or are these independent actors?

MS. SIMONS:  I would refer you to FBI and CISA. 

The U.S. government has warned many times about the risk posed by PRC state-sponsored cyber actors, but I would refer you to the FBI.

Q    Dr. Biden’s office today announced that she’s going to be visiting five battleground states in the coming weeks.  The president has been in Pennsylvania.  Why — why aren’t we seeing the president in more battleground states?  How much of this is about scheduling?  How much of it is — this about that he just can’t be an effective surrogate in these places outside his home — or his birth state?

MS. SIMONS:  I need to be mindful of the Hatch Act when it comes to the campaign and the election.  But we are going to continue traveling to very important states around the country. 

Today, we’re traveling to Wisconsin.  We’ll be in Pennsylvania later. 

I’ll let the first lady’s office speak to her travel, especially as it relates to being a surrogate or the campaign.

But in the next few weeks, you will see us continue to travel across the country.

Q    Will he campaign outside of Pennsylvania?

MS. SIMONS:  You will continue seeing us travel the country, as we are today, to very important states.  Everyone is important.  But I have to be mindful of campaign — campaign talk.  But we’re excited to go to Wisconsin today, and we’ll be in Pennsylvania later.

Q    I’ll just ask one on Russia.  What does the White House make of the revelation in the new Woodward book that Trump has spoken to Putin several times since leaving office?  Are there national security concerns around this?

MS. SIMONS:  So, once again, when it comes to the book, I’m not going to comment on the specific antidote — anecdotes that are coming out.  It’s very common for books to be written about this administration and others, so I’ll leave others to speak to that. 

Meanwhile, we have a continued commitment to President Zelenskyy and doing everything that we can to support Ukraine in their unprovoked aggression from Russia.

Q    But do you have concerns about Trump speaking to Putin several times since leaving office?

MS. SIMONS:  I don’t have a specific comment on that.

Q    I — I guess I just wanted to follow or push a little bit on that.  It is a national security concern.  We — we have one president at a time, right?  Why are we having multiple — a former president talking to foreign leaders that were — in pretty tense times?

MS. SIMONS:  President Biden has been crystal clear about his views of Putin as a dictator.  He’s made that clear repeatedly and whenever asked. 

There are — I — I won’t get into the former president’s engagements with president — with Putin, both when he was president when — sorry, when Trump was president and today. 

But we are focused on doing everything that we can to secure our relationship with Ukraine and ensure they have everything they need to continue to fight against Russia’s aggression.

Q    Is the administration aware that the — the calls were happening?

MS. SIMONS:  I don’t have anything further to say on the Woodward anecdotes.

Q    Can I ask one last one on the hurricane response?

MS. SIMONS:  Yes.

Q    The president canceled his trips to Germany and Africa.  Is it fair to assume that he won’t be traveling to Delaware at all this weekend?

MS. SIMONS:  I do not have any weekend travel to purview — to preview.  We are — just as the storm updates are continuing to roll in, we are taking this hour by hour, day by day, making sure that every city, every impacted community and family has what they need to get through this storm. 

The president is the president wherever he goes, so we will keep you posted.

Q    Would he like the vice president to stick around Washington to help him with — handle the storm?

MS. SIMONS:  I would refer you to her team for the vice president’s schedule.

Q    I was asking you about, would he like her?

MS. SIMONS:  Would he like her?  They are in close contact.  They’re both in touch with the various impacted states and their relevant governments and local state leaders.  So, they’re continuing to do the job on behalf of those who may be affected.

Q    One more quick one, Emilie.  Does the president have a plan B to stop the proliferation of ghost guns and other related tech should the Supreme Court rule against them in this challenge that started today?

MS. SIMONS:  So, while I can’t comment on pending cases before the Court, what I can say broadly is that we know ghost guns are the weapon of choice for many gun traffickers because they are very difficult for law enforcement to trace and are available without a background check. 

In 2021, there were approximately 20,000 suspected ghost guns reported to the ATF.  That’s a 1,000 percent increase compared to 2017. 

So, our administration remains committed to stopping illegal manufacturers and sale of kits and parts that can easily be made into functional ghost guns.

Q    Does the president — is he confident those rules and executive actions he took are legally sound?

MS. SIMONS:  We stand by the Justice Department’s rulemaking to do this.

Okay?

Q    Thank you so much.

MS. SIMONS:  Thank you.

Q    Thanks, Emilie.

MS. SIMONS:  Thanks, guys.

12:52 P.M. EDT

The post Press Gaggle by Senior Deputy Press Secretary Emilie Simons and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan en Route Milwaukee, WI appeared first on The White House.

On October 10, Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer met with Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso of Papua New Guinea in Washington, DC.  They discussed the deepening cooperation between the United States and Papua New Guinea as exemplified by the establishment of the inaugural U.S.-PNG Strategic Partnership Dialogue. Mr. Finer noted the status of new and ongoing projects being undertaken by the United States in cooperation with Papua New Guinea, including building a humanitarian assistance/disaster relief warehouse in Lae, connecting 19,000 Papua New Guinean households to electricity over the last three months under the Papua New Guinea Electrification Partnership, the $26 million flagship Peace Project under the U.S Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability, and U.S. assistance to the Government of Papua New Guinea in resolving the ongoing fuel crisis.

Mr. Finer and Mr. Rosso reaffirmed the value and opportunities generated by our deepening partnership and discussed areas of potential future collaboration in education, people-to-people ties, resource conservation, access to banking services, and defense, especially where enabled by the U.S.-PNG Defense Cooperation Agreement. They agreed to be in touch over the coming weeks to continue the progress of the maturing relationship.

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The post Readout of Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer’s Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso of Papua New Guinea appeared first on The White House.