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This year, the homicide and violent crime rates have continued their rapid decline from their peaks during the last administration. According to new preliminary data submitted to the FBI, in the first half of this year, the homicide rate continued to fall at record speed, declining by 22.7%, while the violent crime rate fell by 10.3% to its lowest level since 1969. These record decreases follow the historic declines in crime in 2023, including the largest-ever decrease in the homicide rate. Communities across our country are safer now than when I took office.

Under the previous administration, we saw the biggest increase in murder rates on record. Vice President Harris and I moved swiftly to turn it around. We passed the American Rescue Plan – despite every Republican in Congress voting against it – which has helped deliver over $15 billion in public safety funding that enabled over 1,000 state, city, and county governments to avoid cuts to police budgets, invest in community violence interventions, and keep communities safe. And we have taken more action to get illegal guns off of our streets and out of dangerous hands than any Administration, including by signing into law the most significant gun violence prevention legislation in nearly 30 years which has expanded background checks and cracked down on gun traffickers. Last year, I established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, overseen by Vice President Harris, to accelerate this work.

Even among these historic declines, we can and must do more. That’s why, just this past week, Vice President Harris and I announced additional actions to combat machinegun conversion devices, improve school-based active shooter drills, and take other steps to reduce gun crime and save lives. I’ll continue to urge Congress pass my plan to fund 100,000 additional police officers, invest in community violence intervention programs, and make commonsense gun safety reforms, including banning assault weapons.

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     America’s young people are the future of our Nation.  Each of them deserves the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.  This National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month, we recommit to providing all youth with the resources and support they need to lead healthy lives and achieve their dreams.

     Addressing the opioid and overdose epidemic is a key priority of my Unity Agenda.  Preventing substance use before it starts is a crucial part of a comprehensive approach to addressing the overdose crisis.

     That is why, as President, I am taking bold action to help schools, families, and communities to prevent youth substance use and improve the well-being of our Nation’s youth.  Through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, my Administration made the largest investment in youth mental health ever, including $1 billion of funding to train and hire new school based mental health professionals across the country.  We are supporting substance use prevention training for school administrators and counselors and improving mental health and substance use screening tools so students can get the health services they need.  We have also made it easier for schools to leverage Medicaid to deliver mental health and substance use care to millions of children and youth.  And we are engaging youth as partners to develop and strengthen community strategies for youth to better educate and support their peers, working toward our shared goal of getting ahead of substance use before it starts.

     Over the past 3 years, we have made historic investments in strengthening local youth prevention and public awareness campaigns across the country.  Through our Drug-Free Communities Support Program, we are implementing prevention efforts in all 50 States, significantly reducing youth substance use in these communities.  Further, my Administration launched a social media campaign to educate youth on the dangers of fentanyl and the life-saving effects of opioid overdose reversal medications.  We also used this prevention content to prepare classroom resources for middle and high school students.  Together, we are emboldening our Nation’s youth with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed and empowered decisions.

     We are also taking aggressive action to reduce the supply of illicit drugs before they hit our streets.  Under my leadership, Federal law enforcement is keeping more deadly drugs out of our communities than ever before by stopping illicit fentanyl at ports of entry, prosecuting thousands of drug traffickers, sanctioning individuals and organizations involved in the global illicit drug trade, and engaging globally to disrupt drug trafficking organizations.

     We have made immense progress in preventing the use and misuse of substances and preventing youth from developing substance use disorders.  We are mobilizing communities to take action and stay informed, providing historic amounts of funding to prevent substance use and overdose, and focusing on what works — evidence-based policies, strategies, and programs.  Together with youth, parents, mentors, and leaders from all sectors of communities around our great Nation, we are working to ensure every young person is nurtured in a safe, supportive, thriving environment.  But to improve the lives of youth impacted by substance use and honor all the young lives tragically lost to an overdose, we can and must do more.  This month, we recommit to fulfilling our Nation’s duty to leave no one behind and extend support to those who need it.  America’s youth deserve nothing less than our unwavering commitment to their well-being.

     If you are struggling with substance use or just need someone to talk to, speak to a loved one or health care provider, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP or visit FindSupport.gov.  If you or someone you love is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, you can call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org for free, confidential crisis support.

     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 2024 as National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month.  Let us all take action to implement practice- and evidence-based prevention strategies and improve the health of our Nation.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of September, 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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      The arts and humanities bring people together and show us that we have more in common than we have differences — helping us see each other, understand one another, and unite in common cause.  Our artists and scholars embody the very spirit of America:  the drive to create and connect, the pursuit of excellence, and the boldness to be truthtellers and change seekers.  During National Arts and Humanities Month, we celebrate the artists and scholars who lift us up, speak to our souls, and shape who we are as a Nation.

     We are a great Nation, largely because of the power of the arts and humanities, which is stamped into the DNA of America.  My Administration is committed to continuing the longstanding tradition of supporting the arts and humanities — including promoting freedom of expression as a part of a healthy democracy — and has worked to ensure people across the Nation have access to the connection and economic opportunities they provide.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, when local venues like theaters and concert halls were struggling to stay open, we offered a lifeline of over $1 billion in funding.  In 2022, I also signed an Executive Order to advance the cultural vitality of our country and ensure that access to the arts and humanities is within reach of every American.  That included re-establishing the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH) and appointing the First Lady as an honorary chair and Lady Gaga and Bruce Cohen as co-chairs.  The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) recently celebrated the 10 recipients of the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, our Nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities.  The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) also launched ArtsHere, a $10 million grant pilot program expected to announce nearly 100 awards for projects by local arts organizations working in underserved communities.  And this year, the NEA — alongside policy experts at the White House, the Second Gentleman, and more — convened artists to demonstrate how the arts and humanities are critical infrastructure to our own well-being and the health of our democracy. 

     I believe deeply in the power of the arts and humanities to tell the story of our Nation and help guide our path toward a better Union.  That is why the First Lady and I have hosted countless events that brought artists and performers here to the White House — from movie screenings and poetry readings to musical performances and a Juneteenth concert on the South Lawn.  We have also honored a number of incredible artists and scholars by awarding the National Humanities Medals and National Medals of Arts and by hosting the Kennedy Center Honorees at the White House.  These events and honors are a reminder of the value the arts and humanities bring to our lives and our Nation.  

     Our Administration is working with artists and scholars to ensure that hate has no safe harbor in America.  As a part of our United We Stand Summit, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) launched a joint initiative with the NEA called Connecting Through Culture to leverage the arts and humanities against hate-motivated violence, promote civic engagement, and encourage cross-cultural understanding.  Building on the work of United We Stand, the PCAH, NEH, NEA, and IMLS also launched the Artists for Understanding initiative to bring together a diverse community of artists and humanitarians in the fight against hate.  And the NEH has worked to support humanities and research programs that capture the good, bad, and truth of our Nation.  From helping to document the oral histories of survivors and descendants of the Federal Indian Boarding School era to investing in programs that help protect and preserve America’s Black history through Historically Black Colleges and Universities and supporting cultural institutions in the Pacific Islands, we show our commitment to understanding and learning from our past so that we can work together to build a better future.

     Our Nation’s artists, librarians, scholars, and museum professionals make us feel our humanity, reminding us of all that is possible when we come together.  This month, may we celebrate American artists and scholars, who will always hold a special place in the soul of our Nation.  And may we recommit to supporting the arts and humanities, which make us a stronger and more prosperous 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 2024 as National Arts and Humanities Month.  I call on the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and celebrations.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of September, 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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  Domestic violence affects millions of Americans across our Nation with devastating consequences for survivors, families, and entire communities.  Everyone deserves to live free from the fear of violence, especially in their own home.  During National Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, we recommit to extending support and resources to all survivors, continuing to hold perpetrators accountable, and ensuring that our society is truly safe for everyone. 

     Just last month, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which I wrote and championed as a United States Senator.  It is one of the pieces of legislation of which I am most proud.  VAWA established a coordinated, nationwide response to gender-based violence, lifting social and legal burdens off survivors and onto perpetrators, where they belong.  It directed critical funding toward increasing resources for survivors, strengthened efforts to prevent and prosecute sexual assault, and funded rape crisis centers and shelters to support survivors.  It also created the Nation’s first-ever National Domestic Violence Hotline, which has provided millions of Americans with lifesaving support, answering its seven millionth contact this past year. 

     My Administration recognizes that there is still more work to do.  Between 30 and 40 percent of Americans are impacted by sexual abuse, physical violence, or stalking — including online — by an intimate partner throughout their lifetimes.  Over the years, I have spoken with countless brave survivors of domestic violence, who have shared the devastating toll this abuse takes on all aspects of their lives.  Their stories are also marked by a deep courage and resilience.  Above all, they have made clear that even one case of domestic violence is too many and goes against who we are as a Nation.

     In 2022, I signed into law the reauthorization of VAWA that included its highest funding level to date, expanding protections to ensure that they reach the most vulnerable communities.  These funds will continue to strengthen the public health response for domestic violence survivors and their children, expand access to medical forensic examinations, and increase support for culturally specific resources in marginalized communities.  Additionally, Tribal courts now have jurisdiction over non-Native perpetrators of sexual assault, child abuse, stalking, sex trafficking, and assaults on Tribal lands.  And we are making sure that VAWA programs are implemented in rural communities across the Nation. 

     We all have a sacred duty to ensure that no one experiences abuse.  That is why my Administration is taking important steps to prevent domestic violence and protect survivors and their families.  We released the first-ever National Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, which laid out a Government-wide approach to prevent and address all forms of gender-based violence, including intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and stalking.  Knowing that domestic violence and gun violence are deeply interconnected, my Administration established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, which is overseen by the Vice President, who has spent her career combatting crimes against women and children.  And I signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — the most significant gun safety law in decades — which is helping to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and felons.  Last year, the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women awarded over $600 million in grants to address gender-based violence, and through the American Rescue Plan, we have directed an additional $1 billion in funding for rape crisis centers, culturally specific community support organizations, and other domestic violence and sexual assault services.

     We are also taking action to combat the growing threat of cybercrimes and online harassment.  We are increasing access to services and support for survivors of technology-facilitated gender-based violence and ensuring that law enforcement is better equipped to prevent, enforce, and prosecute cybercrimes, including technology abuse by an intimate partner.  Furthermore, the Vice President and I worked together to create a Federal task force that helped launch the first 24/7 national helpline for survivors of image-based abuse.  We are also directing Federal agencies to address sexual violence and sexual harassment in the workplace and in schools, and I have spearheaded historic military justice reforms to protect survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of gender-based violence in our military.

     I remain proud of the progress that has been made in recent decades to combat domestic violence and violence in all forms, but I know that there is more work to be done to ensure that every American is safe.  During National Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month and every month, we must lend our unwavering support to survivors and continue to call upon our fellow Americans to treat everyone with dignity and respect.  If you or someone you know is in need of support, immediate and confidential help is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline by visiting thehotline.org, calling 1-800-799-7233 (TTY 1-800-787-3224), or texting “START” to 88788.

     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 2024 as National Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.  I call upon our country to change the social norms that tolerate domestic violence, provide meaningful support to survivors, and express gratitude to those working diligently on prevention and response efforts.  Together, we can transform the country and build a Nation where all people live free from violence.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of September, 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 June 3, 2024, I signed Proclamation 10773 (Securing the Border).  That proclamation suspended and limited the entry of certain noncitizens into the United States across the southern border during times of high border crossings, and directed the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General to promptly consider issuing any instructions, orders, or regulations as might be necessary to address the circumstances at the southern border, including any additional limitations and conditions on asylum eligibility that they determined were warranted.  Following that direction, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General issued an interim final rule (IFR) that established a limitation on asylum eligibility for certain noncitizens who enter the United States across the southern border during times when Proclamation 10773 and the IFR are designed to be in effect, and revised certain procedures applicable to the expedited removal process to more swiftly apply consequences for irregular migration during those times for noncitizens who do not establish a lawful basis to remain.

     Those actions have already produced significant results.  Since Proclamation 10773 and the IFR went into effect, and as of the end of the last calendar month, the average number of encounters by the United States Border Patrol at our southwest border between ports of entry has decreased by 59 percent compared to the period after the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways rule began to apply on May 12, 2023, and before Proclamation 10773 and the IFR went into effect.  July and August 2024 were the lowest 2 months of encounters between ports of entry since September 2020.  While Proclamation 10773 and the IFR have been in effect, and for individuals encountered between southern border ports of entry as of the end of the last calendar month, the Department of Homeland Security has removed or returned 70 percent of single adults and family members, including more than 119,000 individuals to more than 140 countries; has more than tripled the percentage of noncitizens processed through expedited removal; and has decreased the percentage of noncitizens encountered at the southwest border who are released by United States Border Patrol pending their removal proceedings by 52 percent.

     Following the issuance of the IFR, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice (Departments) received and reviewed more than 1,000 comments.  Based on their review of those comments and their experience in implementing Proclamation 10773 and the IFR, the Departments have identified two issues related to the thresholds for determining when to apply the suspension and limitation on entry in Proclamation 10773 and the measures described in the IFR. 

     First, having closely monitored the 7-consecutive-calendar-day average of encounters following the issuance of Proclamation 10773 and the IFR, the Departments have assessed that the current threshold for discontinuing the suspension and limitation on entry in Proclamation 10773 and the measures described in the IFR could be reached following a short-term decrease in the number of encounters at the southern border that does not reflect a sustained decrease in the number of such encounters or an end to the border circumstances in which Proclamation 10773 and the IFR are designed to apply.  The Departments are currently considering regulatory action to address this issue as it relates to the measures described in the IFR.  With respect to Proclamation 10773, to ensure that the threshold to discontinue the suspension and limitation on entry reflects a sustained decrease in encounters, I have now determined that the suspension and limitation on entry in that proclamation should be discontinued only after the Secretary of Homeland Security has made a factual determination that there have been 28 consecutive calendar days in which the 7-consecutive-calendar-day average of encounters is less than 1,500. 

     Second, while Proclamation 10773 and the IFR excluded encounters of unaccompanied children from non-contiguous countries from the calculation of encounters, the Departments have assessed, based on their experience implementing Proclamation 10773 and the IFR, that this exclusion is unwarranted because processing such noncitizens is particularly resource-intensive for our frontline personnel at the southern border.  This experience indicates that excluding these noncitizens from the calculation yields inaccurate estimates of system capacity.  Again, the Departments are currently considering regulatory action to address this issue as it relates to the measures described in the IFR.  I have now concluded that in order to better achieve Proclamation 10773’s goal of enhancing our ability to address historic levels of migration and more efficiently process migrants arriving at the southern border, that proclamation should include unaccompanied children from both non-contiguous and contiguous countries in the calculation of encounters.  Consistent with section 3(b)(iii) of Proclamation 10773, any unaccompanied children will remain excepted from the suspension and limitation on entry pursuant to section 1 of Proclamation 10773.  

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(f) and 1185(a)) and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, hereby find that, absent the measures set forth in Proclamation 10773, as amended by this proclamation, the entry into the United States of persons described in section 1 of Proclamation 10773 under circumstances described in section 2 of Proclamation 10773, as amended by this proclamation, would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and that the entry of such persons should be subject to certain restrictions, limitations, and exceptions.  I therefore hereby proclaim the following:

     Section 1.  Amendment to Section 2(a) of Proclamation 10773.  Section 2(a) of Proclamation 10773 is amended to read as follows:

     “The Secretary of Homeland Security shall monitor the number of daily encounters and, subject to subsection (b) of this section, the suspension and limitation on entry pursuant to section 1 of this proclamation shall be discontinued at 12:01 a.m. eastern time on the date that is 14 calendar days after the Secretary makes a factual determination that there have been 28 consecutive calendar days of a 7-consecutive-calendar-day average of less than 1,500 encounters, not including encounters described in subsection 4(a)(iii) of this proclamation.”

     Sec. 2.  Revocation of Section 2(c) of Proclamation 10773.  Section 2(c) of Proclamation 10773 is revoked.

     Sec. 3.  Severability.  It is the policy of the United States to enforce this proclamation to the maximum extent possible to advance the interests of the United States.  Accordingly, if any provision of this proclamation, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this proclamation and the application of its provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby. 

     Sec. 4.  Effectiveness.  The amendments described in sections 1 and 2 of this proclamation shall be effective if and when there is in effect a final rule promulgated by the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General that amends the IFR entitled Securing the Border, 89 Fed. Reg. 48,710 (June 7, 2024), consistent with the amendments described in sections 1 and 2 of this proclamation.  If, due to court order, the final rule described in the prior sentence cannot be enforced insofar as it makes changes consistent with the amendment described in section 1 of this proclamation, then the amendment described in section 1 of this proclamation will no longer be in effect and section 2(a) of Proclamation 10773 shall continue to apply by its terms.  If, due to court order, the final rule described in the first sentence of this section cannot be enforced insofar as it makes changes consistent with the amendment described in section 2 of this proclamation, then the amendment described in section 2 of this proclamation will no longer be in effect and section 2(c) of Proclamation 10773 shall continue to apply by its terms.

     Sec. 5.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this proclamation shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

     (b)  This proclamation shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

     (c)  This proclamation is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this

twenty-seventh day of September, 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.

The post A Proclamation on Amending Proclamation 10773 appeared first on The White House.

Dover Air Force Base
Dover, Delaware

2:38 P.M. EDT

Q    Mr. President, will you deploy more U.S. troops to the Middle East?

THE PRESIDENT:  No.

Q    Mr. President, has Netanyahu gone too far?

Q    Any comment on the strikes in Yemen, Mr. President?

THE PRESIDENT:  Spoke with both sides at the outset of the strike.  We support the collective bargaining effort.  I think they’ll settle the strike.

Q    Are you going to talk to Netanyahu?  Are you going to talk to Prime Minister Netanyahu?  Do you have any- — anything to say to him?

THE PRESIDENT:  Yes.  I will be talking to him, and I’ll tell you what I say to him when I talk to him.

Q    Yes, sir.

Q    Do you have any words for the victims of the hurricane?

THE PRESIDENT:  Yes, it’s tragic.  As a matter of fact, they’re trying to get the exact number.  My FEMA adviser is on the ground in Florida right now.  There’s a distinction between the numbers that FEMA has used and the ones used by — by the locals.

So, it’s — it really is amazing.  You saw the photographs.  It’s stunning.

Q    So many —

THE PRESIDENT:  But — but it really is.

Q    So  many — so — such a wide area.

THE PRESIDENT:  And we — we gave — are giving them all the — all — everything we have.  Were on the ground ahead of time.  So, we’re working hard.

Q    Are there any more resources the federal government could be giving them?

THE PRESIDENT:  No.  We’ve given them — we have preplanned a significant amount of it, even though they didn’t ask for it yet — had — hadn’t asked for it yet.

Q    Mr. President, will you intervene in the dockworkers strike if they go on strike on Tuesday?

THE PRESIDENT:  No.

Q    Why not?

THE PRESIDENT:  Because there’s collective bargaining, and I don’t believe in Taft-Hartley.

Q    Can all-out — can an all-out war in the Middle East be avoided?

THE PRESIDENT:  It has to be.  We — we really have to avoid it.

We’ve already taken precautions relative to our embassies and personnel who want to leave, and — but we’re not there yet, but we’re working like hell with the French and many others to (inaudible).

Thank you.

Q    Thank you, sir.

2:41 P.M. EDT

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For too long, millions of Americans have faced the impossible choice of paying for their prescription drugs or being able to afford other basic needs. While Big Pharma made record profits, Americans footed the bill for the industry’s price hikes. Not anymore. Thanks to my Inflation Reduction Act, companies that increase the price of prescription drugs faster than inflation now must provide a rebate to Medicare.

Today, our Administration is announcing that starting in October, seniors and people with disabilities enrolled in Medicare will pay less for 54 Part B prescription drugs. That means more money will go back into the pockets of people with Medicare – including some of the 822,000 seniors and people with disabilities who use these drugs annually to treat conditions like cancer, osteoporosis, and pneumonia, and some seniors will save more than $3,800 per day. And last month, for the first time ever, Medicare negotiated lower prices on the first 10 prescription drugs selected for negotiation – some of the most expensive and commonly used medications. Starting in 2025, out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs will be capped at $2,000 for Medicare beneficiaries.

These lower costs are only possible because of the Inflation Reduction Act, which passed with the leadership of Democrats in Congress, and with Vice President Harris casting the tie-breaking vote in the Senate – without a single Republican voting for it. While Republicans in Congress try to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act which would mean high drug costs for seniors, Vice President Harris and I will keep fighting to ensure all Americans can pay less for prescription drugs. 

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JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE
Los Angeles, California

4:37 P.M. PDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, L.A.  (Applause.)  Oh, it’s good to be home.  (Laughs.)  Thank you all.  Oh, my goodness.  Thank you all.  (Applause.)

Thank you, everybody.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  (Applause.)

Okay, come on.  We have work to do.  We have work to do.

Please have a seat.  We have — we have work to do.  Thirty-seven days.  (Applause.)

Thank you, everyone.  Oh, it’s good to be with so many friends, and I’ve known so many of you my whole career. 

I — I mean, I look around this room, and there are people who have been with me on this journey every step of the way, and I’m so thankful to all of you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Truly.

And you who have been providing so much encouragement, I just — I thank you so very much. 

And I especially want to thank the members of Congress who are here, including Senator Alex Padilla — (applause), Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar.  (Applause.)  And all the state and local leaders who are here today, I thank you all so much.  (Applause.)  

All right, so let’s get to business.  Let’s get to business. 

Okay, let’s start by level setting.  Okay, let’s level set.  Thirty-seven days.  (Applause.)  Thirty-seven days. 

And I know who’s here, and so many of us have been involved every four years.  And every four years we say, “This is the one.”  This here is the one.  (Applause.)  This is the one.  This is the one. 

This is probably the most important election in our lifetime and probably one of the most important in the life of our country.  And you have all heard me say it many times before: Look, this election is — and I think is increasingly becoming clear, this election is about two very different visions for our nation.  And we see that contrast every day on the campaign trail.  Just consider the last two weeks. 

In the last two weeks I was in Georgia to highlight the dangerous consequences of Trump abortion bans.  In fact, some of them were highlighted during an event that I did with Oprah Winfrey.  You may have heard the stories — (applause) — but tragic, tragic, tragic stories: a mother talking about her daughter who, because of the ban in Georgia, she ended up dying.  Right?  Tragic stories.

In the last couple of weeks — well, actually, many times I’ve been to Pennsylvania, most recently in Pittsburgh to lay out my vision for our economy.  And then, just a couple days ago, I was in Arizona to present my plan for what we need to do to strengthen our border. 

Meanwhile, Donald Trump —

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thirty-seven days.  (Laughter and applause.)

But from him, we’ve seen the same old show.  We just see the same old, tired show from the same old, tired playbook that we have heard for years with no plan on how he would address the needs of the American people. 

And that is why I am convinced that — as I travel around our country and meet folks from every walk of life, I am convinced and they seem to be convinced that it is time to turn the page.  (Applause.)  It is time to turn the page on what we’ve been getting from that side.  And I think America is ready to chart a new way forward and ready for a new generation of leadership that is optimistic about what we can do together — (applause) — what we can do together.

And I think that’s why Democrats and Republicans and independents are supporting our campaign, because they want a president who works for all the American people.  (Applause.)

And you all know me.  My entire career has been about fighting for the people.  (Applause.)  When I was a young prosecutor in Oakland, as a — as courtroom lawyer, as the elected district attorney of San Francisco, I stood up for women and children against predators who abused them.  As attorney general of California for two terms, I defended communities that were being poisoned by polluters and Big Oil.  I stood up for veterans and students being scammed by for-profit colleges — (applause) — for workers who were being cheated out of the wages they were due, for seniors who were facing elder abuse.

And many of you were actually with me and — and supported me in those fights.  And together, then, we have always stood for what we understand to be important about dignity, about fairness, about equality, about doing the right thing.  And together again, then, we stand fighting for our future.

And as Americans planned for that future, one of the biggest issues — you hear it on the evening news — one of the biggest priorities, frankly, is about our economy. 

And so, we will build together what I call and have named an “opportunity economy.”  (Applause.)  We will do so as a new generation of leadership.  With a sense of optimism, we will tap into the ambition and the aspirations and the dreams of the American people.  (Applause.)  An opportunity economy where everyone can compete and has a real chance to succeed; where middle-class families have security and stability; and all Americans, regardless of who they are, where they start, can build wealth for themselves and their children. 

I will bring together labor, small businesses, founders, and innovators and major companies — (applause) — because, as I said in Pittsburgh last week, I am, yes, both a devout public servant and I am a capitalist.  (Applause.)  I believe an active partnership between government and the private sector is one of the most effective ways to fully unlock economic opportunity.  (Applause.)

I also believe that unions help build the middle class and that — (applause) — every worker should have the right to join a union. 

I believe that to build a strong economy, we must also engage those who create most of the jobs in America. 

I have also pledged that building a strong middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency — (applause) — because we know that when America’s middle class is strong, America is strong.  (Applause.)

And to support the middle class, one of the first things we must do is lower costs.  Under my plan, more than 100 million Americans will get a middle-class tax break, including $6,000 for new parents during the first year of a child’s life — (applause) — because the vast majority of parents have a natural desire to parent their children well.  They want for everything for their children but don’t always necessarily have the resources to achieve that goal.  And I was raised to believe that the children of the community are the children of the community, and we have a collective responsibility to support everything we can to ensure they are nurtured and well taken care of.  (Applause.)

And we will also go after the biggest drivers of costs for the middle class, including housing, grocery prices, and prescription drugs, and we will work to bring those costs down.  (Applause.)

To build an opportunity economy, we need to invest in American innovation and entrepreneurship, including by making it easier to start a new business.  (Applause.)  So, as president, I will make the start-up deduction 10 times richer and raise it from $5,000 to $50,000.  (Applause.)  Because here’s the deal.  In 2024, there is nary a small business who can actually get started on only $5,000. 

And if we’re going to talk about building the next generation of leadership, we’ve got to be current about the problems that people are facing and deal with them. 

We also must increase, and I will continue to work on increasing, access to capital for small businesses that want to expand.  (Applause.) 

And as a proud daughter of California — (applause) — I know the power of American innovation.  And so, as president, I will ensure that we lead the world in the industries of the future and that America wins the competition for the 21st century.

Included in that, we will invest in biomanufacturing and aerospace, expand clean energy innovation and manufacturing, and invest in the factory towns and workers who built our country and have long been overlooked.  (Applause.) 

And we must make sure that good-paying jobs are available to all Americans, not just those with college degrees.  (Applause.)  And let us recognize the value of additional paths such as apprenticeships and technical programs.  (Applause.) 

And so, it is my pledge: As president, I will eliminate degree requirements for half a million federal jobs — (applause) — because I understand that requiring a certain degree, a college degree, does not necessarily speak to a job candidate’s skill and experience.  (Applause.)  And we must honor and actually value the skill of the job and the skill required to do the job.  And so, when we are doing that — and I do that with federal jobs — I’m going to look at all of you in the private sector and say, “I challenge you to make a similar commitment.”

And Donald Trump has a different plan.  (Laughter.)

You know, I’ve said this before, and you may have heard me say it, but in many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man, but the consequences of putting him back in the White House are extremely serious — extremely serious.  (Applause.)

Just look at Project 2025, which — I mean, google it if you have some time or don’t have anything else to do.  (Laughter.)  But I would urge you to know what’s in it, and I’ll talk a little bit about it. 

And, by the way, for those of you who are familiar with Project 2025, can you believe they put that thing in writing?  (Laughter.)  I mean, they put it in writing, they published it, they actually bound it, and star- — and handed it out.  (Laughter.)  But it’s detailed and it’s dangerous. 

Donald Trump intends to cut Social Security and Medicare.  He wants to impose what I call a “Trump sales tax,” because it — he’s — what he’s talking about is a 20 percent tax on everyday basic necessities, which will cost, as economists have measured — (sound system stops working) — there we go — (laughter and applause) — which will cost the average family nearly $4,000 a year.

The top economists in our country, many of them, have reviewed our plans and compared them.  Goldman Sachs says my plan would grow our economy and his plan would shrink it.  Sixteen Nobel Prize-winning economists say he would reignite inflation.  Moody’s assessed he would ignite a recession by the middle of next year. 

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

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Some of you may have seen the debate.  (Laughter and applause.)  Yeah.  So, I’m trying to get another one — trying to get another debate — trying, but — trying to get that other debate, but we’ll see.  (Laughter.) 

But — but you’ll remember: What he said at the debate was he has — on the Affordable Care Act, remember what he said?  He has “concepts of a plan.”  Concepts.  (Laughter.)  And, again, yes, we understandably laugh at that, but think about the seriousness of the consequence. 

So, basically, he’s going to threaten the health insurance of 45 million Americans based on a concept, which would mean taking us back to when insurance companies could deny people health coverage for preexisting conditions.  Remember what that was like?  Children with asthma.  Someone who survived breast cancer.  A — a grandparent with diabetes. 

So, look, as I say everywhere I go — and I am traveling our country — I say, and — and the crowds are pretty big.  (Applause.)  And — (laughs) — and so, so what I say and — and people repeat, everywhere I go: We are not —

AUDIENCE:  Not going back!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — going back.

We are not going back, because ours is truly a fight for the future.

And it is a fight for freedom, like the freedom to vote, the freedom to be safe from gun violence — (applause) — the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride — (applause) — and the freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body and not have her government tell her what to do.  (Applause.)  So much is at stake.

And to all the leaders who are here, help me to remind folks — many remember, but it’s important for everyone to know — how we got here.

On that point, Donald Trump hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court — the Court of Thurgood and RBG — selected them to overturn the protections of Roe v. Wade, and they did as he intended. 

And now, in more than 20 states in our country, there are Trump abortion bans, many with no exceptions even for rape or incest, which means that they’re basically telling a survivor of a crime of a violation to their body that they have no right to make a decision about what happens to their body next.  That is immoral.  It’s immoral.  (Applause.)

But that being one of the many examples of why elections matter.  Elections matter.  (Applause.)

And I’m going to tell you, when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom — (applause) — as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law — (applause) — will proudly sign it into law.

So, so much is on the line in this election.  So much is on the line.  And this is not 2016 or 2020.  It’s different for many reasons, but a very important reason among them is what the Supreme Court did just a few months ago.  The Supreme Court basically told the former president that he is effectively immune no matter what he does in the White House. 

Now let’s put this in context.  This is a man who has openly vowed to be a dictator on day one; who has talked about — even recently — how he would weaponize the Department of Justice against his political enemies; and has called for, quote, the “termination” of the Constitution of the United States.  Just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  He’s a felon!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Well, the courts are going to take care of that piece.  (Laughter and applause.) 

We’ll take care of November.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)  We’ll take care of November. 

But all of this is to say that we are here together because we know the stakes.  And we are here together because we love our country.  We love our country.  (Applause.)  And I do believe it is one of the highest forms of patriotism to fight for the ideals of our country — (applause) — and to fight to realize the promise of America — the promise of America. 

So, the election is in 37 days, and early voting and vote by mail has already started in some states, including Michigan, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.  (Applause.)  So — so the election is pretty much here. 

And let me be clear, we are going to win. (Applause.)   We

are going to win.  We are going to win.  (Applause.)  Yes, we will.  Yes, we will.  Yes, we will.

And — and we also have our work cut out for us, okay?  This race is as close as it could be.  This race is as close as it could be.  And we are the underdog, friends.  We are the underdog, and I’m running like the underdog.  We are the underdog.

And our campaign, with all of your help and support, is doing the work we need to do on the airwaves, on voter education.  I know many people here have been do- — phone banking — (applause) — and thank you.  And — and we’re doing this work together in every county of every battleground state.

And here’s what we’re finding: The more people hear about our plans, the more they rally around our campaign. 

So, we, I know, are here together because we are all prepared to leave it all on the field.  And your support is absolutely critical to the work we have in front of us. 

The leaders in this room have done so much already, and I’m going to ask you for a little more.  (Laughter.)  Here’s what I’m going to ask you: You are each — you are all part of very large networks — I know who’s here — and you’re trusted and you are opinion leaders.  Well, I didn’t mean the television networks, but, yeah, that too I guess.  (Laughs.)  But networks of — of organizations and folks. 

And so, I ask you this, in addition to everything you’ve done: Please do activate your networks and tell your friends and your neighbors about what is at stake.  Let them know why you support this campaign, why you have taken so much time out of your busy lives to be here.  And let them know that we need their help in the next 37 days.  Let them know. 

And for you, join our team in battleground states and help folks register folks to vote and get them out to the polls.  Let’s sign up and sign folks up to make more phone calls.  And let’s remind them that this is a fight for our freedom and our future. 

And I’ve been sharing with some friends, also, here’s how I think about our campaign: We know the stakes.  We’re prepared to work hard.  And our highest imperative, which we will achieve, is to win.  And let’s think about our campaign in the next 37 days also in the context of the power that we have to build community and to build coalitions. 

You know, there’s been so much about these last several years and — yes, and it’s why people want to turn the page, but these forces that have been trying to divide us and have people point fingers at each other — you know, these forces that would — they’re so wrongheaded and suggest that the measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you beat down instead of what we know: The real measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you lift up.  (Applause.)

So, let’s continue to do what we know is also about strengthening our country, our neighborhoods, our communities every step of the way over these next many days. 

And — and let’s remember, we — we stand on the shoulders of folks who, for generations, have fought for freedom and fought for our rights and liberties.  (Applause.)  And — and now the baton is in our hands.  Now the baton is in our hands. 

So, I’ll close by saying what I say at every rally, which is this: We know what we stand for, and that’s why we know what to fight for.  And when we fight —

AUDIENCE:  We win!

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

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

Thank you all.  (Applause.)

END                 5:04 P.M. PDT

The post Remarks by Vice President Harris at a Political Event | Los Angeles, CA appeared first on The White House.

World Market Center
Las Vegas, Nevada

7:51 P.M. PDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Hey, Las Vegas.  (Applause.)

Good evening, Nevada.  (Applause.)  Good evening.  Good evening.  Good evening.  (Applause.)  (Inaudible.)

Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

Thank you all.  Thank you, thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you, everyone.  Thank you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

And can we please hear it for Captain Quintero?  (Applause.)

Oh, thank you all.  Thank you, everyone.  Oh, it is so wonderful to be back in Nevada.  Thank you all.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

And happy Hispanic Heritage Month to everyone.  (Applause.)

Thank you.  Thank you all.  It’s good to be back, and I want to thank everyone for all that you do. 

I know we have some extraordinary elected leaders here, and I want to thank them for their incredible work and friendship.  It is good to be with all the leaders who are here, including Representative Susie Lee, who is here — (applause); Steven Horsford — (applause); Dina Titus — (applause); the great General Ford — (applause); Senator Catherine Cortez Masto — (applause); Senator Jacky Rosen, who we’re going to send back to the United States Senate.  (Applause.)

Thank you, everyone, and all the local leaders here.  There are so many leaders here.  It is good to be back with you.  (Applause.)

Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

And wait a minute.  We also tonight have here some of the Vegas Raiders, who won their game tonight. (Applause.)  Thank you.  Congratulations.  Oh, congratulations.  You came right from the game.  Congratulations.

Give them an applause, right?  (Applause.)  Well done.  Well done.  Well done.

So, in all seriousness, everyone, before I begin, I want to say a few words about Hurricane Helene.  And please have a seat if you’re able. 

I want to talk about Hurricane Helene for a moment, and I know that everyone here sends their thoughts and prayers for the folks who have been so devastated by that hurricane and the ensuing events in Florida, in Georgia, the Carolinas, and other impacted states.  And we know that so many have been impacted; some have died.

But I want to thank everyone for doing everything you can to think about them.  Send them your thoughts.  Send them your prayers. 

I want to thank the first responders who have done so much.  (Applause.) 

And we will stand with these communities for as long as it takes to make sure that they are able to recover and rebuild. 

Earlier today, I received an operational briefing from FEMA Director Criswell.  More than 3,300 federal personnel have been mobilized.  We are deploying food, water, and generators and working to restore water and power.  (Applause.)

And the president and I have told state and local leaders we will provide whatever help they need in the days and weeks ahead. 

And so, I thank you all for sending your best wishes to everyone there.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

So, Las Vegas, we have 37 days until the election.  (Applause.)  Thirty-seven days.  And we know this will be a tight race until the very end. 

And let’s level set.  We are the underdog.  We are the underdog, and we have some hard work ahead. 

But here’s the thing.  We like hard work.  Hard work is good work.  Hard work is good work.  (Applause.)

And with your help, we will win in November.  (Applause.)  Yes, we will.  Yes, we will.  Yes, we will. 

AUDIENCE:  We will win!  We will win!  We will win!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We will win.

AUDIENCE:  We will win!  We will win!  We will win!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We will win.

AUDIENCE:  We will win!  We will win!  We will win!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We will win.

And here’s why — and here’s why — and here’s why: Because we here know that this election is about two very different visions for our nation.  And the contrast, I think, was quite clear in our debate.

Did you all see the debate?  (Applause.)  You saw — you saw the debate.  You saw the debate.  Yeah, yeah.

And in two days, I know we will cheer on Coach Walz when he debates J.D. Vance.  (Applause.)  Yeah. 

But listen, also, their debate should not be the last word.  I’m trying to debate Donald Trump again and — (applause) — I think he should debate again.  The American people have a right to hear us discuss the issues.  And as you say here in Las Vegas, I’m all in.  I’m all in — (applause) — even if my opponent is ready to fold, so there you go.

But you will remember, in our first debate, I talked about issues like bringing down the cost of living, investing in small businesses, protecting reproductive freedom — (applause) — and keeping our nation secure.  (Applause.)

But from Donald Trump, well, it was the same old, tired playbook — same old, tired playbook — with no plan on how he would address the needs of the American people. 

Well, folks, it’s time to turn the page.  (Applause.)  It’s time to turn the page. 

America is ready to chart a new way forward — (applause) — ready for a new and optimistic generation of leadership — (applause) — which is why Democrats, Republicans, and independents are supporting our campaign, because we know we need a president who works for all the American people.  (Applause.)

Enough of the division.  Enough of the hate.  We are all in this together.  (Applause.) 

And you all know, for my entire career, I’ve only had one client: the people.  The people.  (Applause.) 

From being a young courtroom prosecutor in Oakland, I stood up for women and children against predators.  (Applause.)  As attorney general of California, I took on the big banks — (applause) — and delivered $20 billion for middle-class families who faced foreclosure.  (Applause.)  I stood up for veterans and students being scammed by for-profit colleges — (applause) — for workers who were being cheated out of their wages.  (Applause.)

And I pledge to you, as president, I will fight for all Americans.  And together, we will build a brighter future for our nation.  (Applause.)

We will build a future that includes thinking about our economy in a way that it is about lifting everyone up.  We will build what I call an “opportunity economy” so that every American has an opportunity to own a home, to build wealth, to start a business.  (Applause.)

And let me tell you, I love our small businesses, of which I’ve met so many right here in Vegas.  (Applause.)

You know, growing up, our mother worked very long hours, and so, my sister Maya and I would go over two doors down to Ms. Shelton’s house.  She — we called her our second mother.  And Ms. Shelton was a small-business owner.  So, I know, since I was a young child, who our small businesses are, who our small-business owners are. 

Small businesses are the backbone of America’s economy.  (Applause.)  I know that.  I know that.  And Latina small-business owners are the fastest growing segment of our economy.  (Applause.)

 So, my plan is about tapping into that ambition, those aspirations, those dreams, those incredible ideas, that strong work ethic that people have, also understanding not everybody gets handed $4 million on a silver platter and files for bankruptcy six times. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, my plan is about saying we’ve got to help entrepreneurs, startups out, and I will give a $50,000 tax deduction to help entrepreneurs start their small businesses.  (Applause.)  Because right now, that tax deduction is $5,000.  Can’t nobody start a small business in 2024.  So, we’re going — we are going to make it something what — where it is doable to lift folks up. 

We also need to build more housing in America.  (Applause.)  My mother saved up for years, until I was a teenager, when she was able to buy our first home.  And right now, a serious housing shortage is part of what is driving up cost.  So, we will cut the red tape and work with the private sector to build 3 million new homes — (applause) — and provide first-time home buyers with $25,000 down-payment assistance — (applause) — so you can just get your foot in the door.  You’ll do the rest.

 And we must lower the cost of living, because while our economy is doing well by many measures, prices for everyday things like groceries are still too high.  You know it, and I know it. 

So, I have a plan that includes lowering costs on everything from health care to groceries, including I will take on the corporate price gouging that we know — (applause) — has resulted in jacking prices up, often around tragedies and emergencies. 

 We will give a tax cut to 100 million more Americans, including $6,000 during the first year of a child’s life — (applause) — knowing that the vast majority of our young parents have a natural desire to parent their children well but not always the resources to do it.  And that $6,000 in extending and expanding the Child Tax Credit will help buying a crib, buying a car seat, doing the things that are so critical in that first phase of life.

 I will also make sure good-paying jobs are available to all Americans, not only those with college degrees.  (Applause.)  Because we need to recognize the value of additional paths, such as apprenticeships and technical programs.  (Applause.)  And so, as president, part of how I’m going to push this forward is I will get rid of unnecessary degree requirements for federal jobs — (applause) — understanding that having a college degree is not the only measure of the skills and experience of a worker.  (Applause.)  And when we do that with the federal workforce, I’m coming to ask the private sector — challenge you to do the same.  (Applause.)

So, all of this is to say I will always put the middle class and working families first.  I come from the middle class, and I will never forget where I come from.  (Applause.)  Never.
    
Now, Donald Trump has a different plan.

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.  Just google “Project 2025.”

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Which, I have to say, I still can’t believe they put that thing in writing.  (Laughter.)  They printed it up.  They bound it.  They handed it out.  Just google it.  It is a detailed and dangerous blueprint for what he would do if he were elected again as president. 

Donald Trump will give billionaires and corporations massive tax cuts again —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — cut Social Security and Medicare —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — and impose what I call a “Trump sales tax,” which would be a 20 percent tax on everyday basic necessities —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — which economists have measured would cost the average family nearly 4,000 more dollars a year in everyday expenses. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

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

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

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

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

So, here’s the thing, though.  We can laugh about many things, but the consequences of this are quite serious — quite serious.  Because think about it: He’s going to threaten health coverage and health insurance for 45 million people in our country based on a concept and take us back to when insurance companies could deny people with preexisting conditions.  You remember what that was like?

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

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

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

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We’re not going back.  We — we will move forward and — (applause) — and we will take on the biggest issues facing our nation. 

We have talked about the economy.  We have talked about what we can do in terms of investing in the ambition, the aspirations of our country.  We will take on the issue of immigration.  We will take on a number of issues.

On the subject of immigration, we must have comprehensive immigration reform — (applause) — with strong border security and an earned pathway to citizenship — (applause) — including for hardworking immigrants who have been here for years, including our DREAMers — (applause) — including our DREAMers. 

And I was attorney general of a border state.  I prosecuted transnational criminal organizations who traffic in guns, drugs, and human beings.  And as president, I will double the resources for the Department of Justice to go after those transnational cartels — (applause) — and take action to stop the flow of fentanyl coming into our country, which is destroying entire communities.  (Applause.)

These are serious problems, and we know Donald Trump won’t solve them. 

When he was president, he did nothing to fix our immigration system.  (Applause.)  And earlier this year, we had a chance to pass the toughest bipartisan border security bill in decades, and Donald Trump tanked the bill because he thought that that bill, if passed, would have hurt him, and he’d prefer to run on a problem instead of fixing a problem.  That’s not the kind of president we want.

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  As president, he cruelly separated families and plans to do it again. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And he continues to fan the flames of fear and division. 

Look, we need a president who cares more about solving problems than playing political games and demeaning people full

time.  (Applause.)  We’re tired of that.  We’re — we’re done with that.

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

And we remember how we got here.  Donald Trump hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court — the court of Thurgood and RBG —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — so that they would do as they did and overturn the protections of Roe v. Wade.  And now one in three women in America lives in a state with a Trump abortion ban —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — many with no exceptions, even for rape and incest.  It is immoral.  Immoral. 

And let us agree, one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government shouldn’t be telling her what to do.  (Applause.)  If she chooses, she will talk with her priest, her pastor, her rabbi, her imam, but not the government telling her what to do with her body.  (Applause.)  Come on.

 And with Jacky Rosen back in the United States Senate — (applause) — when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom, as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law.  (Applause.)  Proudly sign it into law.

 And, Nevada, you know I’m traveling all over our country.  Across our nation, we are witnessing a full-on assault on other hard-fought, hard-won freedoms and rights, like the freedom to vote, the freedom to join a union, the freedom to breathe clean air and drink clean water, the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride — (applause) — and the freedom to be safe from gun violence — (applause) — which after 1 October  Nevada proved that smart gun safety laws are just common sense.  (Applause.)

So, look, generations before us, generations of America led the fight for freedom, and the baton — well, it’s now in our hands.  It’s now in our hands.  (Applause.) 

 And it all comes down to this.  We are here together.  You came out on a Sunday evening.  We are here together because we know what is at stake, and we are here together because we love our country.  We love our country.  We love our country.  (Applause.)

     AUDIENCE:  USA!  USA!  USA!

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  That’s right.  That’s right.

     AUDIENCE:  USA!  USA!  USA!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And I do believe — I do believe that one of the highest forms of patriotism that we could show is to then fight for the ideals of our country.  That’s what this is about.  It is a fight to realize the promise of America.  (Applause.)

 And I know the people of Nevada; you are Battle Born.  You are Battle Born.  (Applause.)  Yes, you are.  And we are all ready for the work ahead.  Thirty-seven days.  (Applause.)  Thirty-seven days.

And here in Nevada, every voter will receive a ballot in the mail, and in-person early voting starts October 19th.  (Applause.) 

So, now is the time to make your plan for how you are going to vote.  Okay?  And I’d ask you to start making your plan now for how you are going to vote.  And if you choose to vote by mail, do not wait.  Fill out your battl- — ballot, sign it, and send it back right away.  (Applause.)  Okay?  And tell your neighbors.

Because, folks, the election is here — (applause) — and we need to energize and organize and mobilize.  And remember, your vote is your voice.  Your voice is your power.  Don’t ever let anybody take your power from you.  Never.  (Applause.)  Never.  Don’t let anybody silence you ever. 

 So, Las Vegas, today, I ask you, are you ready to make your voices heard?  (Applause.)

     Do we believe in freedom?  (Applause.)

     Do we believe in opportunity?  (Applause.)

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

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

     And when we fight —

     AUDIENCE:  We win!

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — we win.

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

                             END               8:18 P.M. PDT

The post Remarks by Vice President Harris at a Campaign Event | Las Vegas, NV appeared first on The White House.

Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of South Carolina and ordered Federal aid to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Helene beginning on September 25, 2024, and continuing.

The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Aiken, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Lexington, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, and Spartanburg.

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 also is 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 Aiken, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, and Spartanburg.

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

Mr. Brett H. Howard 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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MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE

SUBJECT:       Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(3) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 621 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA), I hereby delegate to the Secretary of State the authority under section 506(a)(3) of the FAA to direct the drawdown of up to $567 million in defense articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training, to provide assistance to Taiwan.

You are authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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Under President Biden and Vice President Harris’s leadership, the Administration is continuing to provide robust and well-coordinated Federal support for the ongoing response and recovery efforts to Hurricane Helene’s impacts. The President and Vice President are closely monitoring these efforts and receive regular updates from their teams.
 
At the President’s direction, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell visited Florida over the weekend to assess damage alongside local and state officials. She continued surveying damage today in parts of Georgia before she moves into North Carolina on Monday.

Earlier this evening, Administrator Criswell and Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall briefed President Biden on the ongoing impacts of Hurricane Helene in multiple states, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, and Virginia. Administrator Criswell also updated the President on Federal actions to support response and recovery.  

The President directed Administrator Criswell to determine what more can be done to accelerate support to those who are having the most difficult time accessing assistance in isolated communities. He also advised the FEMA Administrator that as soon as it will not disrupt emergency response operations, he intends to travel this week to impacted communities.

Additionally, the Federal government is closely monitoring an additional weather disturbance in the Caribbean Sea that has the potential to form into another storm in the coming week. Residents throughout the Gulf Coast should remain alert, listen to local officials, and make additional preparations as needed.
 
Additional Federal response actions include:
 
Approving Major Disaster Declarations
 
Yesterday, President Biden approved Major Disaster declarations for the states of Florida and North Carolina, allowing survivors to immediately access funds and resources to jumpstart their recovery. People in 17 counties in Florida and 25 counties in North Carolina, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, can now apply for assistance with FEMA. People can apply in three ways: online by visiting disasterassistance.gov, calling 1-800-621-3362 or on the FEMA App.
 
FEMA assistance in Florida and North Carolina may include upfront funds to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula, and other emergency supplies. Funds may also be available to repair storm-related damage to homes and personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay.
 
Emergency declarations were also approved for Florida, North Carolina Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama. Under an emergency declaration, FEMA provides direct Federal support to states for life saving activities and other emergency protective measures, such as evacuation, sheltering, and search and rescue.
 
Supporting On-The-Ground Response Efforts
 
As of today, more than 3,300 personnel from across the Federal workforce are deployed and supporting Hurricane Helene response efforts across the impacted states. This includes the most experienced incident management teams to help identity Federal resources to address unmet needs, as well as Urban Search and Rescue personnel using high water rescue equipment for rescue missions across the region. 
 
At least 50,000 personnel from 31 states and the District of Columbia and Canada are responding to power outages and working around the clock throughout parts of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina to restore power to those communities that can receive power. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is moving generators and additional power generation assets into the hardest hit areas of South and North Carolina as flood waters recede and debris removal allows. As of this afternoon, approximately 2.3 million customers are without power, down from the region-wide peak of 4.6 million on September 27.
 
Additional Interagency Support Efforts
 
Together with state and local partners, the Federal government is actively supporting Hurricane Helene response efforts and is coordinating requests for Federal assistance.

• FEMA distribution centers are fully stocked and ready to provide commodities and equipment to any impacted state, as required.
  
• FEMA is trucking dozens of trailers containing food and water in North Carolina to support the State as they start to set up care-sites for survivors.
  
• FEMA is also working with the Federal Communications Commission and private sector telecommunications partners to deploy emergency mobile communications assets while they work to restore network services, particularly in remote areas.
  
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a Public Health Emergency for Florida and Georgia, giving health care providers and suppliers greater flexibility in meeting emergency health needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. About 200 medical responders are in Florida, Alabama, and North Carolina, along with medical equipment and supplies, to help ensure the delivery of health care services following the landfall of Hurricane Helene.
  
• Twenty-four federal Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces are deployed across the affected regions. Roughly 1,302 Urban Search and Rescue personnel are assisting in the impacted areas. Together with local and state responders, teams have rescued and supported over 1,400 of people across the impacted area.
  
• The U.S. Coast Guard has thousands of personnel working on response efforts and are conducting post-storm assessments to support the rapid reopening of impacted ports.
  
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deployed teams for temporary emergency power, debris removal, and infrastructure assessment, including for dams throughout the region.
  
• The Environmental Protection Agency has personnel on the ground who are offering technical assistance and guidance on water systems, debris management, and maintaining critical public health and environmental protections in place as storm impacts are assessed.
  
• The U.S. Small Business Administration deployed more than 50 personnel to support survivors and small businesses as they recover from the hurricane.
  
• The U.S. Department of Energy has responders deployed across the region and are closely monitoring power, fuel, and supply chain interruptions.
  
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency has deployed personnel to the impacted region to extend much-needed emergency credit to farmers and agriculture producers who lost crops and livestock.

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Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that an emergency exists in the Commonwealth of Virginia and ordered Federal assistance to supplement Commonwealth, tribal, and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Post-Tropical Cyclone Helene beginning on September 25, 2024, and continuing.

The President’s action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the counties of Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe and the City of Galax.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.  Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding. 

Mr. Timothy S. Pheil of FEMA has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.

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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Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
San Francisco, California

3:16 P.M. PDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon!  (Applause.)  Oh, good afternoon, everyone.  Good afternoon.  (Applause.)

Oh, it’s good to be home!  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)  Oh, it’s good to be home. 

Thank you all.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

Okay.  Come on.  We have work to do.  Everybody, sit down.  (Laughs.)

     Oh, my goodness.  Oh, it really is good to be home and to see so many friends.  My goodness.  I have known, I mean, most of the people here my entire career.  You all are such a big part of my journey, every step of the way.  (Applause.)  Oh, goodness.   Thank you.  And always providing encouragement and support.  I thank you all so very much.

And I especially want to thank our current and future member of Congress, Lateefah Simon — (applause) — where is she? — who is going to follow in the great footsteps of an extraordinary national and international leader, our own Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi.  (Applause.)  There she is. 

And to all the incredible state and local leaders who are here today, all the leaders who are here, I thank you so, so very much.  It is truly good to be home. 

So, all right, we know how to get to work, so let us level set: 38 days.  (Applause.)  Thirty-eight days.  And a lot of us have been doing this for a while.  And every four years we say, “This is the one.”  Well, this here is the one.  (Applause.)  This is the one.

This is probably the most important election of our lifetime and one of the most important elections in the lifetime of our nation.  (Applause.)

And as many of you have heard me say, in this cycle, I do believe that this election is about two very different visions for our nation, and we see that contrast every day on the campaign trail. 

Consider, for example, the last two weeks.  I’ve been to Georgia in the last — I’ve been many, many times, but in the last two weeks to highlight the dangerous consequences of Trump abortion bans.  And some of you may have heard the most recent stories coming out of Georgia.

I recently did an event with Oprah Winfrey where a — a mother talked about the death of her daughter because of the abortion ban in Georgia.

I traveled to Pennsylvania to lay out my vision for our economy and talk about what I know that we here in California understand to be so much opportunity and we have so much optimism about what we have yet to do, and that being the thing that fuels us in terms of knowing how we can strengthen our economy. 

I was recently in Arizona — just yesterday, actually — (laughter) — long days — (laughs) — (applause) — long days — to present my plan for how we strengthen the border.

Meanwhile, from Donald Trump, it’s been the same old, tired show, the same tired playbook we have heard for years with no plan for how he would address the needs of the American people.  And that is why I am convinced — and the people I meet across America, I do believe, are convinced — that it is time to turn the page.  It is time to turn the page.  (Applause.)

America is ready to chart a new way forward.  America is ready for a new generation of leadership that is optimistic about what we can do together.  And I do believe that is why Democrats and Republicans and independents are supporting our campaign, because they want a president who works for all the American people.  (Applause.)

And I have had the blessing and good fortune to work with a lot of people who are here.  And you know me; we have worked together for years.  My entire career, I have fought for the people, whether it was at the beginning of my career as a courtroom prosecutor in Oakland and then elected district attorney of San Francisco — (applause) — where I stood up for women and children against predators who abused them. 

As attorney general of California, I defended communities that were being poisoned by polluters and Big Oil.  I stood up for veterans and students being scammed by big for-profit colleges, for workers who were being cheated out of the wages they were due, for seniors who have faced elder abuse. 

Many of you were with me during those fights.  And so, together, we stand again in a fight for our future.  And we fight for a future where, for example, we can build what I call an “opportunity economy” — (applause) — where everyone can compete and has a real chance to succeed; where middle-class families have security and stability, and all Americans, regardless of who they are or where they start, can build wealth for themselves and their children. 

To build that opportunity economy, I will bring together labor with small businesses and founders and innovators and major companies, because, as I said this week in Pittsburgh, I am both a devout public servant and a capitalist.

I believe — (applause) — and I believe unions helped build the middle class and that every worker should have a right to join a union.  (Applause.)

I believe in active partnership between government and the private sector, and that it is one of the most effective ways to fully unlock economic opportunity. 

And I believe that to build a strong economy, we must engage those who create most of the jobs in America. 

I have also pledged that building a strong middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency — (applause) — because we here know that when the middle class of America is strong, America is strong.  (Applause.) 

And to support the middle class, the first thing we must do is lower costs.  Under my plan, more than 100 million Americans will get a middle-class tax break, which includes a $6,000 tax credit — a child tax credit for new parents during the first year of a child’s life to help them buy a crib or a car seat during that most fundamental period of their child’s development — (applause) — because we know the vast majority of parents have a desire to parent their children well but not always the resources to do it. 

And I know the folks here who also understand that our approach is always going to be that the children of the community are the children of the community.  (Applause.)

We will go after the biggest drivers of costs for the middle class, including housing, grocery prices, and prescription drugs to bring those costs down.  (Applause.) 

And to build an opportunity economy, we need to invest in American innovation and entrepreneurship, including by making it easier to start a new business.  (Applause.)  And we have a whole lot of folks who are start-ups, who are small businesses who are here who understand exactly what I’m talking about and why it is important.  (Applause.)

So, part of my plan is, as president, I will make the startup deduction 10 times richer and raise it from $5,000 to $50,000.  (Applause.)  Because what we all know is, in 2024, it is nearly impossible that anyone would be able to start up a small business with just a $5,000 tax deduction. 

My intention is to increase access to capital for small businesses that want to expand, understanding that when they have access to the resources that can feed their natural ambition, their hard-work ethic, their — their desire and dream to actually create, innovate, and strengthen their community, we should give them that access, understanding not everybody was handed $400 million on a silver platter and then filed for bankruptcy six times.  (Applause.)

And as a proud daughter of California, I know the power — (applause) — I know the power of American innovation.  And as president, I will ensure that we lead the world, then, in every way, including in the industries of the future, and that America wins the competition for the 21st century. 

And so, we will be intentional about investing in biomanufacturing and aerospace; remain dominant in AI, quantum computing, blockchain, digital assets, and other emerging technologies; expand clean energy innovation and manufacturing — (applause); and invest — and invest in factory towns and workers — workers who help build our country and deserve to be seen — (applause) — and deserve the resources to build the next generation of our economy.

And let’s make sure that this work, then, is about not only investing in what we can do to build but investing in workers.  That is a big part of how I think about all this. 

And so — (applause) — I say these things to give you a few examples of a very different perspective that we bring to what we can do building the future of America and my opponent. 

Because you see, and I think everyone here knows, Donald Trump has a very different plan.  And in many ways, he is an unserious man.  He is.  (Applause.)  He is an unserious man.  However, the consequences of putting him back in the White House are extremely serious — extremely serious.  (Applause.)

Look, for example, at Project 2025.

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  By the way, Nancy, sometimes I think about this: I can’t believe they put that thing in writing.  (Laughter.)  I mean, they not only put it in writing, they published it.  They bound it, published it, and passed it out.  (Laughter.)  Google it.  (Laughter.)  Because what you’re going to find is that there’s a whole agenda that my opponent, the former president, has.

He intends to cut Social Security and Medicare.  Now understand what that means.  Understand how many seniors in our country have as their only income their Social Security benefits.  Understand what that would mean — Medicare, what that does to give people dignity in terms of making the prescription medication a doctor has required they take to alleviate their pain, to make that affordable.

And he wants to impose what I call a “Trump sales tax,” a 20 percent tax on everyday basic necessities, which economists have analyzed and have determined it will cost the average family nearly $4,000 more per year. 

And top economists have reviewed both of our plans and compared them.  Goldman Sachs says my plan would grow our economy and his plan would shrink it.  Sixteen Nobel Prize-winning economists say he would reignite inflation.  And Moody’s has assessed he would ignite a recession by the middle of next year. 

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

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —
    
THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And some of you may have watched the debate.  And so — (applause) — I’m trying to get another one, by the way.  I’m trying to get another debate.  I really am.  (Laughs.)  Trying.

But on the issue of the Affordable Care Act — back to the — the consequences that are at stake.  At the debate, he said — about getting — trying to get rid of the Affordable Care Act, he said — well, he has “concepts of a plan” to replace it.

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  “Concepts.”  “Concepts of a plan.” 

So, again, the serious nature of this is as follows: He’s going to threaten the health insurance of 45 million people in our country based on a concept — based on a concept — which would take us back to a time when insurance companies could deny people with preexisting conditions.  You remember what that was like for so many people?  A child with asthma.  A survivor of breast cancer.  A grandparent with diabetes.  The consequences are brutally serious. 

And as I say, then, everywhere I go — and I’m traveling our country — as I say everywhere, and often the rallies, which are quite a nice size — (laughter and applause) — what I say and they repeat back is “We are not going back.”  (Applause.) 
We are not going back.  We are not going back. 

Because truly, ours is a fight for the future, and it is a fight for freedom, like the freedom to vote, the freedom to be safe from gun violence — (applause) — the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride — (applause) — and the freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body and not have her government tell her what to do.  (Applause.)

And on that point, let’s remind folks of how we got here.  Donald Trump hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention that they would undo the protections of Roe v. Wade, and they did as he intended.  And now, in more than 20 states in our country, there are Trump abortion bans. 

One in three women lives in a state with a — a Trump abortion ban, many with no exceptions even for rape and incest, which is immoral to tell a survivor — (applause) — of a crime, a — a violation of her body that she has no right to decide what happens to her body next.  It’s immoral. 

 So, all of that to say, elections matter.  Elections matter.  (Applause.)  And when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law.  (Applause.)  I will proudly sign it into law.  Proudly.

Thirty-eight days.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)  Thirty-eight days. 

So — so, what we know, which is why we’re all here together, is so much is on the line in this election.  And let us also remember this is not 2016 and it is not 2020 for many reasons, including because a few months ago, the United States Supreme Court basically told the former president that he is and would be effectively immune from anything he did in the White House. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  But think about what this is.  Think — but think about — think about this. 

So, whereas before, at least, there was some threat of accountability and consequence, and now there is essentially an explicit — explicit — direction that there will be no consequence. 

Let’s put this in context.  This is a man who has vowed he would be a dictator on day one.  He said he would weaponize the Department of Justice against his political enemies.  He has called for, I quote, “the termination of the Constitution of the United States.”  Just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails. 

All of this is at stake, and that is why we are here together.  And we are here together because we love our country.  We love our country.  We love our country.  (Applause.)  And I do believe — I believe it is the highest form of patriotism to fight, then, for the ideals of our country and fight to realize the promise of America.  And that’s what this is about. 

Election Day is in 38 days.  And early voting and vote by mail have already started in some states, including Michigan, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.  So, the election is kind of here.  Okay?  And I’ll share with the friends some notes from the field. 

This race is as close as it could possibly be.  Okay?  This race is as close as it could possibly be.  This is a margin-of-error race.  I know there is a lot of enthusiasm, and we see what is possible.  This is a margin-of-error race.  And we are the underdog, and I am running like the underdog, because I do believe we are the underdog in this race.  Okay?  And our campaign is doing the work we need to do on the airwaves and voter education in — in every county of every battleground state.  And the more that people hear about our plans, the more they rally around our campaign. 

So, we are leaving it all on the field.  And your support and what you have done today and every day leading up and, I know, what you’re going to do over the next 38 days is absolutely critical to all we have achieved so far and all we will achieve. 

The leaders in this room have done so much already, and — (laughter) — I’m going to ask for a little bit more.  (Applause.)  Which is this — which is this — which is this: You are all part of — each one of you are part of large networks.  And I ask you, then, to activate those networks and tell your friends and your colleagues and your neighbors about what’s at stake.  Tell them why you took the time to be here today and what’s at stake for you. 

Reach out to people you know.  Talk to strangers at the grocery store.  It’s okay.  They’ll be fine.  They’ll like you.  (Laughter.)  

But I think that in these last many years, there’s something that’s been happening where people have been made to feel that they might be alone, and — and people are desperate for connections.  I was saying to some of the friends, in this campaign, our highest imperative is we must win.  There’s no question.  But what I really would like is, in the process of winning, that we be intentional about building community and building coalitions.  Let’s do that.  Let’s do that.  (Applause.)

Let’s remind people that in spite of these forces that are trying to divide us as a nation, in spite of these forces that would have us pointing fingers at each other, let’s remind people that the vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us.  That’s our power and that’s our strength.  (Applause.)

And so, that’s what I — I ask of you to do more.  And let them know also how close this race is and how they can make a difference.  And tell them we need their help also in the next 38 days.  And — and to everyone here, I just thank you so much. 

For anyone who wants, join our team in battleground states.  Help people in terms of what we’re doing to register folks to vote and getting them to the polls.  What you can do — even from home, anywhere you want, in your car, wherever — to — to make phone calls and sign folks up, that’s making a difference.  We’ve got a whole effort coming out of California where people are making calls to battleground states.  It’s really make a di- — making a difference. 
    
And please remind people, ultimately, that this fight is for our freedom and for our future.  And, you know, folks, generations before us have fought for all of this stuff, and the baton is now in our hands.  The baton is now in our hands.  (Applause.)
    
     And so, as I say at every rally, when we fight —

     AUDIENCE:  We win!

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

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

     We will win!  We will win!  (Applause.)

                                 END                3:41 P.M. PDT

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Today, 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 Helene beginning on September 23, 2024, and continuing.

The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor, and Wakulla.

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 Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor, and Wakulla.

Finally, Federal funding is also 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.

###

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

Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of North Carolina and ordered Federal aid to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Tropical Storm Helene beginning on September 25, 2024, and continuing.

The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

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 also is available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

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

Mr. Thomas J. McCool 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.

###

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

My heart goes out to everyone impacted by the devastation unleashed by Hurricane Helene. Doug and I are thinking of those who tragically lost their lives and we are keeping all those who loved them in our prayers during the difficult days ahead.

President Biden and I remain committed to ensuring that no community or state has to respond to this disaster alone. Federal personnel are on the ground to support families that have been impacted so that critical resources like food, water, and generators are available. We have also approved emergency declarations for Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee – making resources and funding available to maximize our coordinated response efforts at the local, state, and federal levels.
 
As we continue to respond and as communities recover, our administration will remain in constant contact with state and local officials. I have been briefed by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and will continue to receive regular updates.
 

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The post Statement from Vice President Harris on Hurricane Helene appeared first on The White House.

Hassan Nasrallah was a terrorist with American blood on his hands. Across decades, his leadership of Hezbollah destabilized the Middle East and led to the killing of countless innocent people in Lebanon, Israel, Syria, and around the world. Today, Hezbollah’s victims have a measure of justice.

I have an unwavering commitment to the security of Israel. I will always support Israel’s right to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. 

President Biden and I do not want to see conflict in the Middle East escalate into a broader regional war. We have been working on a diplomatic solution along the Israel-Lebanon border so that people can safely return home on both sides of that border. Diplomacy remains the best path forward to protect civilians and achieve lasting stability in the region.

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The post Statement by Vice President Harris on the Death of Hassan Nasrallah appeared first on The White House.

I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by Hurricane Helene across the Southeast. As the storm continues to track north, Vice President Harris and I remain focused on life-saving and life-sustaining response and recovery efforts. I am being regularly briefed by my team on the ongoing response efforts, and my Administration is in constant contact with state and local officials to ensure communities have the support and resources they need. At my direction, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is traveling throughout the Southeast to assess the damage alongside other state and local officials.

The road to recovery will be long, but know that my Administration will be with you every step of the way. We’re not going to walk away. We’re not going to give up. As we turn toward recovery efforts, we will make certain that no resource is spared to ensure that families, businesses, schools, hospitals, and entire communities can quickly begin their road to rebuilding. Jill and I are praying for those who lost loved ones from Hurricane Helene, and for those whose homes, businesses, and communities were impacted by this terrible storm.

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The post Statement from President Joe Biden on Hurricane Helene appeared first on The White House.

Hassan Nasrallah and the terrorist group he led, Hezbollah, were responsible for killing hundreds of Americans over a four-decade reign of terror.  His death from an Israeli airstrike is a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians.

The strike that killed Nasrallah took place in the broader context of the conflict that began with Hamas’s massacre on October 7, 2023.  Nasrallah, the next day, made the fateful decision to join hands with Hamas and open what he called a “northern front” against Israel.

The United States fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and any other Iranian-supported terrorist groups.  Just yesterday, I directed my Secretary of Defense to further enhance the defense posture of U.S. military forces in the Middle East region to deter aggression and reduce the risk of a broader regional war.

Ultimately, our aim is to de-escalate the ongoing conflicts in both Gaza and Lebanon through diplomatic means.  In Gaza, we have been pursuing a deal backed by the UN Security Council for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.  In Lebanon, we have been negotiating a deal that would return people safely to their homes in Israel and southern Lebanon.  It is time for these deals to close, for the threats to Israel to be removed, and for the broader Middle East region to gain greater stability.

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The post Statement from President Joe Biden on the Death of Hassan Nasrallah appeared first on The White House.