Speeches and Remarks

Augusta Utilities
Augusta, Georgia

3:13 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Mayor. 

And I am here in Augusta to — to thank all of the folks who are here on the ground doing this extraordinary work.  And, you know, I’ve been reading and hearing about the work you’ve been doing over the last few days.  And I think it really does represent some of the best of what we each know can be done, especially when we coordinate around local, state, and federal resources to meet the — the needs of people who must be seen and must be heard. 

These are very difficult times.  And in a moment of crisis, I think that really does bring out the best of who we are, and you each epitomize that important and good work.

So, I’m here to thank you and to listen.

And — and, Senator, I want to thank you for the work that you’ve been doing on behalf of the state, because I know you’ve been talking to me and the president and many others about making sure that the federal resources get to this beautiful state.

 So, thank you all.

 And, Mayor, I am now listening. 

                                 END               3:14 P.M. EDT

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Joint Base Andrews
Prince George’s County, Maryland

12:30 P.M. EDT

Q    Sir, do you have a view on automation with the dockworkers strike?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I — look, we’re going down to see what — the damage done.  I’m going to be going back again to other states.  But here’s the thing, this natural disaster is incredibly consequential.  The last thing we need on top of that is a man-made disaster: what’s going on at the ports.

We’re getting pushback already, and we’re hearing from the folks recently that they’re having trouble getting product they need because of the port strike. 

And, look, there’s a — there’s a consortium of mak- — basically six owners that control all the ports from all the way to the East Coast, down around the Gulf.  And — and they’ve made — they’ve made incredible profits — over 800 percent profit since the pandemic, and the owners are making tens of millions of dollars in this. 

The last thing they need is to profit off of this.  It’s time to — for them to sit at the table and get this strike done. 

Q    Will you be communicating with them directly about any of this?

THE PRESIDENT:  Oh, we have.  We have.  I haven’t personally, but we have. 

Q    Can you —

THE PRESIDENT:  Okay?

Q    Can you tell us anything about Iran and Israel’s possible —

THE PRESIDENT:  Yes.  Look —

Q    — retaliation?

THE PRESIDENT:  I called a meeting of the G7 today.  We’re working on a joint statement all of us agree on — from Japan to France to Germany to — et cetera.  And what we’re doing in that regard is we’re making it clear that there are things that have to be done.  And it’s — obviously, Iran has gone way out of — I mean, is way off board.  We’re going to — putting together a joint statement.  Hasn’t been done yet.  It will be done before too long, probably by the time we land.  And there’s going to be some sanctions imposed on Iran. 

Q    Sir, do — do you — sorry.  Do you have a view on the workers’ fight for restrictions on technology or automation for the dockworkers?

THE PRESIDENT:  No — look, they just need to sit down and talk, because I — remember, we negotiated a similar strike on the West Coast before, and they worked it out.  It’s time — they won’t even talk.  So, let’s get that done.

Q    Sir, and — sir — sir, can I ask you: What is your —

Q    Would you support an attack on the — would you support an attack on Iran’s nuclear sites by Israel?

THE PRESIDENT:  The answer is no.  And I think there’s things — we’ll be discussing with the Israelis what they’re going to do, but they — every- — all seven of us agree that they have a right to respond, but they should respond in proportion. 

Thank you. 

Q    Sir, could I ask you: What is your advice to Israel as far as how they should respond to this right now?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’ll leave that to — I’ll — we’re giving them that advice. 

Q    Okay.  When will you talk to Bibi?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I — we’ve been talking to Bibi’s people the whole time.  And it’s not necessary to talk to Bibi.  I’ll probably be talking to him relatively soon, my guess.

Thank you.

12:33 P.M. EDT

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Roosevelt Room

4:01 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Okay. Before I begin, I wanted to say a few words about Iran’s missile attack on Israel today.

At my direction, the United States military actively supported the defense of Israel, and we’re still assessing the impact. But based on what we know now, the attack appears to have been defeated and ineffective, and this is testament to Israeli military capability and U.S. military.

I’m also — it’s also a testament to intensive planning between the United States and Israel to anticipate and defend against the brazen attack we expected.

Make no mistake, the United States is fully, fully, fully supportive of Israel. And I just — I’ve been — spent the morning in the — and part of the afternoon in the Situation Room and meeting with my whole national security team and consulting with the Israelis indirectly, because — on — in terms of their impact on us.

And the national security team has been, as I said, in constant contact with Israeli officials and their counterparts. And is — and this is going to continue to be brought to me throughout the day.

We still have to share updates and — when we get them, and we will do that.

And now I want to turn to what we’re going to be talking about today: the damage done by this — this horrible hurricane.

My top priority — and I mean this sincerely, because we’ve been through a lot of these — my top priority is to ensure the communities devastated by this hurricane get the help and support they need as quickly as possible — as quickly as possible.

As we watched the storm from the Gulf region form, I also directed FEMA to redeploy a substantial number of assets and resources to ensure we were ready to deal with what we expected and to support all the folks in need.

We had over 1,000 federal personnel, including search and rescue teams, at the ready, on the ground before it hit.

Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama became the st- — staging ground for — for responders throughout the entire region, with 2.7 million meals, nearly 2 million liters of water ready to be distributed before the hurricane hit.

I immediately approved emergency declarations as soon as I received requests from the governors or the state officials.

Still, with all this preparation, this was a hurricane of unprecedented and historic proportions.

Over the past several days, I’ve been in regular contact with the governors, the mayors, the county officials on — on — in all the affected areas. That includes Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Virginia.

Now, in the storm’s wake, I’ve directed my team, including the leadership in key departments and agencies all across the government, to send every — and I mean this seriously — every available resource that we have at our disposal to the affected region. And that’s why we’re here today with the Cabinet and those acting in Cabinet but — because some are deployed already — the Department of Defense, Agriculture, HHS, Transportation, Energy, Homeland Security, EPA, Commerce, Small Business Association, and the U.S. Carmy the [Army] Corps of Engineers. We need to be all working together, and that’s what we’re going to talk about — that continued coordination we have going on.

I’ve been in frequent contact with the governors and other leaders in the impacted areas, and we have to jump-start this recovery process. People are scared to death. People wonder whether they’re going to make it.

We still haven’t heard from a whole lot of people. This is urgent. People have to know how to know how to get the information they need.

So, we’ll be there until this work is done. I’m go- — it’s going to cost — I predict to you; I don’t have a — a number — I think it’s going to cost billions of dollars to restore these areas to where they were before.

Until the work is done, we’re going to stay.

I’m going to — as I said, Congress needs to make sure that states have every available resource. And we have an obligation.

This is a storm of historic proportion. Nothing like this has happened in the region since the turn of the 20th century. I think the last was 1914, 1916, in that ran- — range.

So, that’s what we’re here to discuss: the detail of how we get all that’s needed. And it’s going to take a long time. It’s going to take a long haul to restore these communities.

And I’m going to be heading down — anyway. I’ll be in the region on Wednesday. And we’ve had people down there already. It’s just going to be real- — this is really consequential. Homes — come home and they’re just washed away; entire roads washed up; cliffs — I mean, it’s just devastating.

And so, we’re going to — it’s going to take a lot of work, a lot of coordination. And if this were the middle of the term, I’d be asking Congress for — to prepare to — they haven’t given me the money we need now for — for this — materials that we need for dealing with these devastating storms. It’s going to cost —

(A cell phone rings.)

That’s okay. It’s probably — is that the speaker calling me? (Laughter.) He said he’s in, right? (Laughter.) Anyway.

So, we’re going to — we’re going to now have our Cabinet meeting. And thank you all for being here.

Q Mr. President, on — on the Middle East, how are you advising Israel to respond?

Q How would — how would you like Israel to respond to Iran?

THE PRESIDENT: That’s an active discussion right now. We’ve got to get all the data straight. We’ve been in constant contact with the — with the Israeli government and our counterparts, and that’s — remains to be seen.

Q Thank you.

Q What is your message to Prime Minister Netanyahu, and have you spoken with him today?

THE PRESIDENT: I haven’t spoken with him. We’ve s- — we have spoken with all his people, and I’ll be talking to him. And my message will depend on what we fin- — finally conclude is needed.

Q What do you believe the consequences for Iran should be?

THE PRESIDENT: That remains to be seen.

Thank you.

4:07 P.M. EDT

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Josephine Butler Parks Center
Washington, D.C.

4:42 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, today, Iran launched approximately 200 ballistic missiles at Israel in a reckless and brazen attack.  I condemn this attack unequivocally. 

I am clear-eyed: Iran is a destabilizing, dangerous force in the Middle East, and today’s attack on Israel only further demonstrates that fact.

Earlier today, I was in the Situation Room with President Biden and our national security team as we monitored the attack in real time and ensured that the protection of U.S. personnel in the region is paramount.  I fully support President Biden’s order for the U.S. military to shoot down Iranian missiles targeting Israel, just as we did in April.

We are still assessing the impact, but initial indications are that Israel, with our assistance, was able to defeat this attack.  Our joint defenses have been effective, and this operation and successful cooperation saved many ic- — innocent lives.

As I have said, I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist militias.  My commitment to the security of Israel is unwavering. 

And let us be clear: Iran is not only a threat to Israel; Iran is also a threat to American personnel in the region, American interests, and innocent civilians across the region who suffer at the hands of Iran-based and -backed terrorist proxies.

We will never hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to defend U.S. forces and interests against Iran and Iran-backed terrorists.  And we will continue to work with our allies and partners to disrupt Iran’s aggressive behavior and hold them accountable.

Thank you.

                   END                     4:45 P.M. EDT

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11:12 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, folks. 

Good morning.

To state the obvious, over the weekend, we had devastating storms in the South.  I spoke with — for a couple hours with leaders yesterday affected by the hurricane and — Governor Kemp of Georgia, Governor Cooper of North Carolina, county officials in the Big Bend region of Florida, and other leaders in South Carolina and Tennessee about the broad and devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. 

It’s not just a catastrophic storm; it’s a historic history-making storm — the entire Southeast and Appalachia.  Damage from the hurricane stretches across at least 10 states.  Winds over 120 miles an hour in some places.  Storm surges up to 15 feet and record flooding. 

Communities are devastated.  Loved ones waiting, not sure if their loved ones are okay because they can’t contact them because there’s no cell phone connections.  Many more folks displaced with no idea when they’ll be able to be — return to their home, if ever — if there’s a home to return to.

So, we’re keeping our — we’re keeping them all in our prayers and all the lives lost — those particularly that are unaccounted for — there’s nothing like wondering, “Is my husband, wife, son, daughter, mother, father alive?” — and many more who remain without electricity, water, food, and communications and whose homes and businesses have washed away in an instant. 

I want them to know we are not leaving until the job is done. 

I also want you to know I’m committed to traveling to the impacted areas as soon as possible.  But I’ve been told that it’d be disruptive if I did it right now.  We will not do that at the risk of diverting or delaying any — any of the response assets needed to deal with this crisis.

My first responsibility is to get all the help needed to those impacted areas.  And I expect to be there — (coughs) — excuse me, I have a cold — I expect to be there later this week.

I and my team are in constant contact with the governors, mayors, and local leaders.  The head of FEMA, Deanne Griswell [Criswell], is on the ground now in Northern — in North Carolina.  She’s going to stay in Asheville and the Appalachia region for the foreseeable future.

There’s been reports of over 100 dead and — as a consequence of this storm, and there are reports of up 600 mil- — 600 people unaccounted for because they can’t be contacted.  God willing, they’re alive, but there is no way to contact them, again, because of the lack of cell phone coverage.

I’ve directed my team to provide every — every available resource as fast as possible to your communities to rescue, recover, and to begin rebuilding.

In addition to FEMA — it includes the Federal Communications Commission to help establish communications capability, the National Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Department of Defense are going to provide all the resources at its disposal to rescue and assist in clearing debris and delivering lifesaving supplies.

So far, that’s over 3,600 personnel deployed.  That number is growing by the day.

I quickly approved requests from governors of Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama for an emergency declaration.  And I approved additional requests for the governors of North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina and — for a disaster declaration to pay for — to pay for debris removal, provide financial assistance directly — directly to survivors.

FEMA and the Small Business Administration are there to help the residents whose homes and businesses were literally destroyed — washed away or blown away. 

And the federal search and rescue teams have been working side by side with state and local officials and partners in very treacherous conditions to find those who are missing, and they will not rest until everyone is accounted for. 

And I want to thank all the — all the first responders and everyone who has been working around the clock. 

One of the brave teams that’s volunteered to be there is from San Diego County Fire Department, set to travel all the way from California to North Carolina to help.  But on their way, they were in a — in a terrible car accident in Louisiana.  We pray for their full recovery, but it was a bad accident. 

We know there is more to do, and we will continue to surge resources, including food, water, communications, and lifesaving equipment. We’ll be there, as I said before, and I mean it, as long as it takes to finish this job.

Let me close with this.  As president, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating toll that disasters like this take on families and communities.  I’ve been on the ground at many divat- — disasters areas since I’ve been president — (coughs) — excuse me — and I’ve heard dozens of stories from survivors about how it feels to be left with nothing, not even knowing where or when to get back on track. 

I am here to tell every single survivor in these impacted areas that we will be there with you as long as it takes. 

For the sake of yourselves — excuse me — (coughs) — and your families, I urge everyone — everyone returning to their communities and homes to listen to the local officials and follow all safety instructions.  Take this seriously.  Please be safe. 

Your nation has your back, and the Biden-Harris administration will be there until the job is done.

God bless you all.  And I’m thinking of those that are still wondering where your loved ones are.

Thank you.

Q    Will you need to pass a supplemental to help the people in the Southeast, Mr. President?

THE PRESIDENT:  Say again.

Q    Will you need to ask Congress for a supplemental to help the people —

THE PRESIDENT:  That’s my estim- — my expectation, yes.

Q    Do you know roughly how much you — you’re thinking at this point?

THE PRESIDENT:  Not yet.  It’s been — this is a historic storm.  It’s devastating.  They’ve not seen anything like this before.  And some of them were back-to-back; there were three storms in a row.  So, it’s really, really devastating.

Q    Would you consider asking Congress to come back for a special session to pass the supplemental?

THE PRESIDENT:  That is something I may have to request, but no decision has been made yet.

Q    Do you have a sense of where you’ll go when you are able to go, sir?

THE PRESIDENT:  Yes.  I told the governor of — of North Carolina I’d go down.  And I — and I expect to be down there by Wednesday or Thursday if it would be clear for me to go. 

You guys who travel with me know there’s an entourage that’s — that is — can be disruptive.

Q    Is it a mistake for — for President Trump to be down there today in Georgia?  Is that disruptive?

THE PRESIDENT:  I — I don’t have any idea.

Q    On another issue on the other side of the world, in the Middle East.  It’s our understanding —

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m going to stick with this.

Q    What’s that?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m going to stick with this subject.  But go ahead.  I — I have — a thousand Olympians —

Q    Well, it’s just the fact that Israel may be now launching a limited operation into Lebanon.  Are you aware of that?  Are you comfortable with their plans, as best you know them?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m more aware than you might know, and I’m comfortable with them stopping.  We should have a ceasefire now.

Thank you.

Q    And Mr. President — Mr. President —

Q    Do you expect Iran to retaliate?

Q    On the hurricane, Mr. President.  Why weren’t you and Vice President Harris here in Washington commanding this this weekend?

THE PRESIDENT:  I was commanding.  I was on the phone for at least two hours yesterday and the day before as well.  I commanded.  It’s called a telephone. 

Q    Is it —

THE PRESIDENT:  I had all of my security people.

11:19 A.M. EDT

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FEMA Headquarters
Washington, D.C.

5:02 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  (Addressing FEMA staff.)  Thank you, thank you, thank you.   (Applause.)  I — thank you all.  (Applause.)

I — I am actually here to — to applaud you, so — and then — but the way we have apparently set this up is I’m going to speak to the press.  And I’m sorry, I’m going to have my back to you for a moment, but then I’m going to visit with you and — because I really am here to thank you all.  I know how everyone here has been working around the clock, as you always do in moments like this.

So, I’m going to address the press, and then we’re going to have a conversation. 

(Addressing the press.)  Okay.  Okay.  Hi. 

So, good afternoon to everyone. 

Deputy Administrator Hooks, I thank you and — and everyone here for their leadership. 

As I — as I said briefly, I know who is here.  I know what you each do.  And you are so selfless in the way that you serve our country and, in particular, at times like this, people who are just so desperately in need of help, support, and just knowing that the resources are going to be expedited to them as they need it in their most vulnerable situation — when their families have been at risk, where their homes may have been destroyed, where they lack just basic, essential needs.  You all do that work around the clock as though these are your family members.  I know how you work, and I know how hard you work. 

So, I am here mostly to thank you all for all that you do, everyone who is here and everyone who is on the ground in the region at the moment. 

And I am here to also talk about where we are based on the briefings I have been receiving over the last couple of days.  I have received regular briefings on the impact of Hurricane Helene, including from Administrator Criswell.  And over the past 24 hours, I have spoken with Governor Kemp of Georgia, Governor Cooper of North Carolina, and many local officials. 

I have shared with them that we will do everything in our power to help communities respond and recover, and I’ve shared with them that I plan to be on the ground as soon as possible — but as soon as possible without disrupting any emergency response operations, because that must be the highest priority and the first order of business. 

The devastation from Hurricane Helene is immense.  Millions of Americans are without power.  Thousands of families have lost their homes.  Entire neighborhoods have been destroyed.  Major roads have been blocked or damaged, leaving entire towns inaccessible at this very moment.  Already, nearly 100 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds more are missing. 

The destruction we have seen in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia is heartbreaking. 

In coordination with state and local officials, President Biden and I will continue to make sure that communities have the support and the resources that they need not only to respond to this storm and its immediate aftermath but also the resources they will need to recover.

So far, more than 3,300 federal personnel are on the ground to assist with recovery efforts.  They are deploying food, water, and generators.  And we continue to work with teams on the ground to restore water and power as quickly as possible.

To everyone who has been impacted by this storm and to all of those of you who are rightly feeling overwhelmed by the destruction and the loss, our nation is with you.  And President Biden and I and all of the folks behind me are with you.  We will continue to do everything we can to help you recover and to help you rebuild, no matter how long it takes. 

And I do believe the true character of a nation is revealed in moments of hardship. 

Over the past few days, our nation has endured some of the worst destruction and devastation that we have seen in quite some time, and we have responded with our best — with the best folks who are on the ground and here doing the kind of work that is about rising to a moment of crisis to do everything we can to lift up folks who deserve to be seen and heard. 

Communities have been coming together.  People are checking in on their neighbors.  Families are opening their doors to strangers in need.  And as they always do, our first responders are working around the clock, putting their own lives at risk to keep our communities safe. 

Moments like this remind us we have so much more in common than what separates us.  And the true measure of our leadership — each one of us — is based on lifting other folks up, knowing how we can make a difference. 

So, I thank everyone for rising to this moment.  And I thank you all here for the work that you each do. 

May God bless you.  And may God bless the United States of America. 

Thank you all very much.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

(The vice president speaks with a FEMA staff member.)

I’m going to move this microphone.  (Laughter.)

(Addressing FEMA staff.)  Hey, guys.  I’m going to do the tour right now, but I — I really do mean what I said.  I know the work that you all are doing, and it is so critically important.

The people on the ground right now — you know, we know that communications are still down for so many people, which means that they don’t know necessarily what is being done right now by all of you to help them.  But I know, based on what you all historically have done, that the folks on the ground who have been impacted, I’m sure, have faith that you all are here right now as you are and that they know, in their hearts, that you all are working around the clock, as you’ve been. 

And I know it takes a lot out of you.  And you’re seeing a lot of pain.  You’ve seen the destruction.  You’re seeing the damage.  And it’s the work that you all have dedicated your lives to doing.  So, I just wanted to come by, truly, to say thank you to all of you, because it takes a lot out of you. 

And when you’re interacting with folks who are on the ground and need help, you know, they look in your eyes to see: Is — is everything going to be okay?  And sometimes you’re not sure, right?  But you do everything you can to make sure everything is going to be okay.  And that’s a strength that you uniquely have when you do this kind of work that you all do. 

So, thank you for all that you are doing.  Let’s keep it up.  I know we have many, many hours ahead of important and critical work, but you guys are just the best of anything that we could hope for in our country. 

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

END                  5:09 P.M. EDT

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Mexico City, Mexico

Thank you, Ambassador.

It’s wonderful to be here representing the United States with so many of you.

Buenas tardes.

As we gather this evening, our hearts are with everyone who has been affected by the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Joe and his team have mobilized a full federal response to save lives and help survivors.

The head of FEMA is on the ground, and we are sparing no resources to help the areas in need. Please keep those families and the first responders in your prayers.

The Mexican-American author Sandra Cisneros once said of the impact of her writing: “It is transmitting light, but I was just the conduit for that light, not the source. I am fortunate and blessed to be the flute, but I recognize and acknowledge I am not the music.”

Being a conduit of light and culture, this is diplomacy at its best.

And when I look around, I see her words come to life in all of you.

Because each of you, in your own way, channels the light and music—the hope and talent and vision—of one nation to the other.

Few country-to-country relationships are as consequential to Americans’ daily lives as that of the United States and Mexico.

I am honored to be with you tonight to celebrate the strength of the relationship between our countries—at such a historic moment.

Ambassador Salazar, thank you for welcoming us to your home. Over the past three years, Joe and I have seen your steady, thoughtful leadership to strengthen our ties with Mexico. We’re grateful to you, Hope, and your beautiful family for your service.

Thank you to the incredibly talented dancers for their performance earlier, and for sharing that vibrant piece of Mexican tradition with us.

And a special thanks to the entire team at the Embassy, including so many staff members who are from Mexico. Every day, you reinforce the connections between our two countries. We’re grateful for your dedication to the U.S. Mission.

There’s something special in the air this evening. I felt it as soon as I landed—a crackle of excitement to see the inauguration of the first woman president of Mexico.

As President-elect, Dr. Sheinbaum, has noted, she didn’t arrive to this historic moment alone. She said: “We all arrived, with our heroines who gave us our homeland, with our ancestors, our mothers, our daughters and our granddaughters.”

Tomorrow, those generations of women will arrive together at the Legislative Palace to see her take the oath of office.

Joe and I—and so many Americans—wish her well and look forward to her leadership.

Under Dr. Sheinbaum’s presidency, I know that we will continue to build a more prosperous, safe, and democratic region. And take the next steps in our U.S.-Mexico partnership.

We are all part of that work.

Together, we can be the conduit for the light of our two nations, illuminating the path toward even brighter tomorrows, lifting up each other and the world.

###

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South Lawn

12:01 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, hello, hello!  (Applause.) 

If I didn’t say this, my dad would come down from heaven and you know what — (laughter): Please excuse my back while I’m speaking.  I apologize.  (Laughter.)

Folks, hello, Team USA!  (Applause.)

You got a few fans out there on the South Lawn.  (Laughter.)  (Applause.)  Yeah, let’s hear you.  (Applause.)  Let’s hear the South Lawn.  (Applause.)

Paul, thank you to the introduction.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  USA!  USA!

THE PRESIDENT:  You got it, kid.  (Laughter.)  You got it.

And, Paul, for your incredible courage.  Adrina, I thank you.  I [don’t] doubt you’ll be representing Team USA one day as well.  I think it’s going to happen.

Paul, along with Torri, thank you for representing your fellow Olympians and Paralympians.  But, Torri, let me say, this is not my house; this is your house.  This is your house.  (Applause.)  That’s the God’s truth: Team USA’s house.  (Applause.)  I’m just a temporary resident.  It’s only a couple months left.  (Laughter.)

But thank you to all your family and friends who support these incredible athletes. 

Torri’s dad said it best, only in America — (applause) — only in America do we believe anything is possible.

I spent close to 100 hours alone with Xi Jinping of China.  He asked me — when I was in the Tibetan Plateau with him, when I was vice president, he said, “Can you define America for me?”  It’s the God’s truth.  And I said, “Yes, in one word.”  He looked at me.  I said, “Possibilities.”

We’re the only nation that thinks anything is possible when we di- — set mind to do it.  That’s what all of you embody.

On behalf of the entire nation and thousands of fans here today, thank you.  Thank you for representing the very best of America.  (Applause.)

And because I’m president and I cause commotion when I go places — (laugher) — they wouldn’t let me go the Olympics.  But I watched it all.  Jill, my wife, went to the Olympics.  (Applause.)  Guess what?  I was supposed to be introducing at the inauguration of the president of Mexico, who is a fine woman — I’m going to be seeing her shortly — but I said I’m staying here and meeting you guys.  (Applause.)  She’s going to represent the United States.  She’s in Mexico.  (Laughs.)

But she was able to say hi to many of you this morning before you left.  I said, “Where were you this morning?  I was looking for you.”  She said, “I was out saying hello to the Olympians.”  (Laughter.)

Now, as you know, she led the U.S. delegation to Paris.  All she did when she came back home — I mean this from the bottom of my heart — was talk about how amazing you all are, talk about the amazing resilience, the courage, and the commitment, and your loyalty to one another.

My staff would have their TVs on watching you as I was trying to get briefed on national security.  (Laughter.)  But in fairness, I had the TV on in the Oval Office as well.  (Laughter.)

We felt so much pride, and I’m honored to welcome 400 athletes from (inaudible) — USA — Team USA today here at the capital.  (Applause.)  Part of a nation so vast, so diverse, and so talented, it’s like no other country on Earth.

Two hundred and thirty total medals win — won at this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games to finish the top of overall medal count, period.  (Applause.)

When you competed, it wasn’t just you in the spotlight.  You re- — you represented all the people who sacrificed for you, as was mentioned earlier, just as you’ve sacrificed yourselves — early hours, long days, intense training, sometimes overcoming extreme disappointment.

For many of you, you hold down multiple jobs to fund your dreams.

And, by the way, we need to do more to support all of our Team USA al- — athletes.  (Applause.)  You’re parents.  You’re caretakers.  And 28 of you have also worn a uniform representing our country and one of our armed forces.  (Applause.)

As your commander in chief, I say thank you for your service, wherever the hell you are.  (Laughter and applause.)  We owe you.  That’s not hyperbole.  We owe you.

Yes, you’ve sacrificed, but you look at — you have to look at who you lift up.  Your families wept with joy, filled with pride.  Your hometowns honor you.  And to your fellow Americans, most of whom have never known — you’ve never known, you’ve become their heroes — their heroes. 

How many stu- — how many parents talk to their kids who are having difficulty and say, “You can do this.  You can overcome anything”?  I think we underestimate how much you do, what incentives you provide for people.  You know, they see you and they begin to believe in themselves. 

And, by the way, I told her, when she’s president of the United States — (laughter and applause) — and they say, “Joe Biden is in the waiting,” she promised me she won’t say “Joe who?”  (Laughter.)

Whether this was your first time at the Games or the peak of a distinguished career, your legacy is one of discipline, success, joy, and loyalty to one another.  And that legacy is part of something bigger than yourselves: It’s about your country, the greatest sports nation in the history of the world.  (Applause.)

In the next few years, we get to showcase to the world from our own backyard.  (Applause.) 

The World Cup in 2026, hosted by the United States of America.  (Applause.) 

And the Los Angeles Summer Games in ‘28. (Applause.)  I won’t be president.  They can’t stop me from going there then.  (Laughter.)  That will include distinctly Amer- — distinctly American sports for the first time: flag football, lacrosse — and making their return — baseball and softball.  (Applause.) 

And the Salt Lake City Winter Games of 2034.  (Applause.)  It matters. 

Let me close with this.  Last May, I awarded the nation’s highest honor, an Presidential Medal of Freedom, to the late Jim Thorpe. 

(Inaudible) hold for a moment, my grandfather, Ambrose Finnegan, was an All-American in college at Santa Clara.  And he was — always talked sports all the time in Scranton.  He always talked about Jim Thorpe.  I mean it sincerely.  And why — why we didn’t pay enough attention, why we didn’t honor one of the greatest la- — athletes in American history.  The first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal; world record settler in the — settler [setter] in the decathlon — (applause); world-class football, baseball, and basketball player.  Put simply, the greatest ever. 

And his legacy wasn’t just cemented by example of his power but by the power of his example.  (Applause.)

He overcame vile racism and shameful bigotry, and he broke barriers.  Just like his given name, Bright Path — that was his name, Bright Path — he led a way for future generations. 

And now it’s your turn — your turn to take the torch from those before you, to run the race to the fullest, and then pass the torch to those who follow.  I know something about that. 

Look, folks, Kamala and I had a wonderful time leading this U.S. del- — delegation. (Applause.) 

We know the power of sports to empi- — empower and bring us together. 

There’s nothing like the simple truth that’s already been stated: only in America.  And it’s a great honor to represent our nation and to hear those letters: USA.  USA.  USA.

AUDIENCE:  USA!  USA!  USA! 

THE PRESIDENT:  I mean it.

Folks, I’ve never been more optimistic about our future, and I mean that.  We just have to remember who the hell we are.  We’re the United States of America.  (Applause.)  And I mean this from the bottom of my heart: There is nothing we can’t do when we do it together — nothing.

God bless you all.  May God protect our troops.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you’ve done.  (Applause.)

12:11 P.M. EDT

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Via Teleconference

11:44 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Hey, Sean.  Thanks for that introduction, pal.  We go back a long way, you and I.  And we go back — look, the fact is the building trades have been a significant part of my career my whole career — all 800 years of it. 

Hey, look, good morning, tradeswomen of North America and Chair Vicki O- — O’Leary; and I want to talk — Brandon Bishop, the secretary; and Liz Shuler, my AFL-CIO president.  You’ve always had my back.  I never forget it. 

Julie Su, my acting secretary of Labor, is in the crowd.  She just spoke.  I got to hear her, even though I’m up in — up northeast. 

Look, I kept my commitment.  I have an administration that looks like America.  That includes having more women senior role — in senior roles than at any time in — ever, starting with the amazing vice president, Kamala Harris. 

And together, we’re proud to have most pro-union administration in American history. 

I know this simple truth: Wall Street didn’t build America.  You know damn well they didn’t build the middle class.  Unions built the middle class.  Unions built the middle class.

And we’re beginning to thrive.  In fact, I asked the secretary of Treasury to — to study what my — I was getting criticized that — my being so supportive of unions was going to cost money. 

Well, guess what?  When unions do well, the studies shows, all Americans — all — union and non-union — do better.  It’s a big reason why our economy is the strongest in the world. 

It comes down to something my dad used to — that Dad taught me.  He said, “Joey, a job is about a lot more than a paycheck.”  You’ve heard me say this before.  “It’s about your dignity.  It’s about your place in the community.  It’s about being able to look your kid in the eye and say ‘Honey, everything is going to be okay’ and mean it.”

That’s why Kamala and I are so damn proud to have the greatest job creation record of any single presidential term: nearly 16 million new jobs so far, 800,000 manufacturing jobs, and over 300,000 more women in manufacturing than when I took office. 

Where the hell is it written to say we can’t lead the world in manufacturing?  We are leading, and we will continue to. 

The economy has also created 848,000 construction jobs, a record 8.2 million jobs across the construction industry, including over 100,000 more women in construction.  And construction is booming. 

That’s not all.  We’ve achieved the lowest unemployment rate for women in 70 years.  We narrowed the gender pay gap.  And there are more women, especially mothers, in the workforce than ever before. 

And here’s how we’re making that progress.  My predecessor promised “Infrastructure Week” every week for four years, and he never build a damn thing, literally. 

Well, with your support, we’re going to have Infrastructure Decade.  We — we provided well over a trillion dollars for infrastructure in America.

And Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — we’re investing over 5 — so far — just so far, 50,000 projects have been designated across America so far, modernizing our roads, bridges, ports, airports, clean water systems, affordable high-speed Internet, and so damn much more. 

It’s creating tens of thousands of good jobs for the building trades.  You’re literally building back America.  And we’re just getting started.

When I signed the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, which is the most significant laws ever for climate and clean energy, science and innovation, so far, it’s not only generated what we put in — remember the criticism of “Biden put in too much federal money”?  “He shouldn’t be making that debt.”  Well, guess what?  It’s attracting nearly $1 trillion in private-sector investment in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, clean energy, and more here in America, creating tens of thousands of good-paying building trades jobs.

And these are construction jobs now.  And in the future, they’re going to maintain these factories.  They’re going to be needed for a long time. 

In fact, construction of new factories has more than doubled.  Clean energy workers are joining unions at the highest rate level in all of American history. 

And guess what?  With your support, I signed an executive order to make — make sure large federal construction projects are pro- — are pro-labor; they’re project- — they have project labor agreements; and that contractors, subcontractors, unions are all put in place before the construction begins so we know exactly who’s going to get paid what.  These agreements make sure construction is top-notch, on time, on task, and on budget. 

Buy America has been the law of the land for — since the 1930s.  And to tell you the truth, no one paid attention.  I didn’t even realize it was written into the law until about 12 years ago — 15 years ago, when we were deciding whether — how labor would have a fair shot of organizing. 

But it said, when you send me money as a president, you — I should use that money to build or buy — we use American labor and American products, whatever that I’m spending that money for.

Past administrations, including my predecessor, failed to Buy America.  Not anymore.  Federal projects helping build American roads, bridges, highways will be made with American products, built by American workers, creating good-paying jobs, instead of doing what they did: send the job overseas for cheaper labor and bring home the product, which costs more. 

In fact, we’re requiring these kinds of jobs to pay Davis-Bacon prevailing wage for jobs that don’t require a college degree and jobs you can raise a family on.  And these increase — and this is going to increase wages for more than a million construction workers. 

I also signed an executive order strengthening the pipeline for good jobs. 

In fact, we expanded the register- — and Julie Su just spoke about it — registered apprenticeships, resulting in hiring of a million apprenticeships since I came to office.  Remember they wanted to keep making private?

Under my administration, the number of women in apprenticeships has increased by nearly 50 percent.  And a lot of folks don’t realize it, but apprenticeship is like earning a college degree.  I’ve urged — I’ve urged Sean and all the labors leaders: Let them know the reason why people are hiring us, want us is because you’re the best-trained workers in the world.  And when you — when you go through an apprentice program, it’s like earning a college degree. 

An apprentice is you train for four to five years before you get full — before you’re re- — recognized for your trade.  These were — you’re some of the best workers in the world.

And I’ve always believed the National Labor Relations Board should be pro-labor.  National Labor Relations Board.  Pro-labor.  That’s why one of the most significant things we’ve done is appointed National Labor Relations Board members who — that actually believe in unions and believe in the right to organize. 

Remember what Trump did?  Trump appointed union busters on that board. 

Also, we made incredible progress and we know there’s more to do to support women’s economic security. 

All around the country, local governments are using dollars from my Invest in America agenda for — to fund childcare — to fund childcare, requiring, for example, semiconductor companies applying for new federal subsidies to make sure that all their workers have access to affordable childcare. 

I recently signed an executive order encouraging even more federal agencies to prioritize projects that provide affordable childcare and other benefits the workers need. 

I signed into law the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and the PUMP Act, giving pregnant and postpartum workers long-overdue protections, and so much more.

I’d go on, except I know you have to — they’re going to shut down that parade if I don’t make this shorter. 

And that’s a stark contrast to my predecessor.  You know, do you think he has any idea about the work you do every day?  Hell, with regard to picket lines, he’d rather cross one than — instead of walking one. 

But Kamala and I have no problem walking in it.  We did.  And we’ll always walk alongside you, the union workers who built this country. 

Let me close with this.  Two years ago, Jill and I invited an ironworker from Cincinnati to be our guest at the State of the Union.  She joined her local union more than 20 years ago, working her way up.  The job helped her raise a family.  The career gave her pride in her community.  Her union is known as the “Cowboys in the Sky” because they built Cincinnati’s skyline.

And because of the historic investments we’re making, she’s going to be working 10 stories over the Ohio River, building a new billion-dollar bridge — literally building a bridge of — to American dreams.  That’s all of you. 

I spent my whole career believing in unions.  I’m honored to be considered the most pro-union president ever, and I make no apologies for that. 

I’m here to tell you that if you care about increasing the strength of unions, if you care about hardworking people who just want a fair shot, if you think about the dignity of work, look at the record of the Biden-Harris administration, we’re providing a woman can — we’re proving it. 

And I’ve raised this — I was raised from the time I can remember: A woman can do anything a man can do.  That’s how I was raised by my mom and by my family.  That includes being president of the United States of America.

And I’ve never been more optimistic about America’s future.  We just have to remember who we are.  We’re the United States of America, damn it.  There’s nothing beyond our capacity when we work together, and we’re working together. 

So, God bless you all.  And God protect our troops. 

I’m sorry to go so fast, but you got to get out there and let them see who you are.  Thank you. 

11:53 A.M. EDT

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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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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.

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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Cochise College Douglas Campus
Douglas, Arizona

5:08 P.M. MST

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon.  Hi, everyone.  Hi.  Good afternoon.  (Applause.) 

Can we please applaud Theresa and her extraordinary courage?  Please, can we applaud her extraordinary courage?  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

Please have a seat, everyone.  Thank you.  It’s good to be back in Arizona.  (Applause.)  It is good to be back in Arizona. 

Thank you all.  Thank you so very much.  (Applause.)

AUDIENCE:  Kamala!  Kamala!  Kamala!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you. 
    
     AUDIENCE:  Kamala!  Kamala!  Kamala!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Thank you.  I appreciate — thank you so very much.

I — I just want to, for a moment, speak about Theresa.  We — we had some time together backstage.  And, you know, I think that in moments of crisis, such as the fentanyl crisis, there are people who, through their suffering and their pain, rise with courage in such a selfless way to be a voice for others with the anticipation and the hope and the hard work of hoping that their story will be the reason other people don’t have that story. 

And you sharing your story about Jacob and your advocacy on why we have to stop this scourge is so incredibly important.  And, again, I applaud Theresa, and I know we all do.  (Applause.)  And our need to stop this issue is one of the reasons that we are all here together today. 

I also want to thank the extraordinary elected officials who are here.

Senator Mark Kelly, who came with me.  (Applause.)   He had — and his extraordinary wife, Gabby Giffords, traveled with me from Washington, D.C. to be here.  And Senator Kelly has been talking with me for quite some time about the importance of this visit.  And so, I thank you in front of all of our friends for your work.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.

Attorney General Kris Mayes, who just tore up the floor up.  (Applause.)  She is, you know, one of — well, I’m going to talk a bit about it in a minute, but some of the work that — that I have done in my career as attorney general and watching her do the work that she has done as attorney general really does emphasize the importance of having the right leader at the right time in the right place, and that’s who she is.  (Applause.)

Mayor Huish, I thank you for the warm welcome.  We’ve spent some time together.  You’ve shared with me the needs of your community.  (Applause.)  And I thank you for your leadership as well.

And to all the elected and community leaders here today, thank you for taking the time out of your busy lives to be here this afternoon. 

Before I begin, I do want to say a few words about Hurricane Helene.  I spoke this morning with our FEMA Administrator Criswell, and President Biden and I, of course, will continue to monitor the situation closely. 

We have mobilized more than 1,500 federal personnel to support those communities that have been impacted.  We have food, water, and generators that are ready for deployment, and — (applause) — we are working to restore power for — for millions of people who currently are experiencing outages. 

And I just want to stress — and for the — the press that is here, to those who are watching — the storm continues to be dangerous and deadly, and lives have been lost, and the risk of flooding still remains high.  So, I continue to urge everyone to please continue to follow guidance from your local officials until we get past this moment.  So, thank you all.

And — and now I’ll speak about, in particular, the people who are here today and why we are gathered here together today. 

So, Arizona, I think you all know, and this is why you are here, there are consequential issues at stake in this election, and one is the security of our border. 

The United States is a sovereign nation, and I believe we have a duty to set rules at our border and to enforce them, and I take that responsibility very seriously. 

We are also a nation of immigrants.  The United States has been enriched by generations of people who have come from every corner of the world to contribute to our country and to become part of the American story, and so we must reform our immigration system to ensure that it works in an orderly way, that it is humane, and that it makes our country stronger.  (Applause.)

So, I’ve just come from visiting the border and the port of entry in Douglas.  I spoke with dedicated agents from Border Patrol and Customs officers who every day see the overflow of commercial traffic through the port.  These men and women who work there and at other places along our southern border help keep our nation secure, and they need more resources to do their jobs, which is why we have and are in the process of investing half a billion dollars to modernize and expand the port of entry here in Douglas — (applause) — and why last December I helped raise the rate of overtime pay for border agents — (applause) — and also why I strongly supported the comprehensive border security bill written last year — written last year, as you know, by a bipartisan group of senators, including one of the most conservative members of the United States Congress. 

That bill would have hired 1,500 more border agents and officers.  It would have paid for 100 inspection machines to detect fentanyl that is killing tens of thousands of Americans every year.  It would have allowed us to more quickly and effectively remove those who come here illegally.  And it would have increased the number of immigration judges and asylum officers. 

 It was the strongest border security bill we have seen in decades.  It was endorsed by the Border Patrol union, and it should be in effect today, producing results in real time right now for our country.  (Applause.)

But Donald Trump tanked it.  He picked up the phone and called some friends in Congress and said, “Stop the bill.”  Because, you see, he prefers to run on a problem instead of fixing a problem.  (Applause.)  And the American people deserve a president who cares more about border security than playing political games and their personal political future.  (Applause.)

And so, even though Donald Trump tried to sabotage the border security bill, it is my pledge to you that as president of the United States, I will bring it back up and proudly sign it into law.  (Applause.)

And let me say, the issue of border security is not a new issue to me.  I was attorney general of a border state for two terms.  I saw the violence and chaos that transnational criminal organizations cause and the heartbreak and loss from the spread of their illicit drugs. 

I walked through tunnels that traffickers used to smuggle contraband into the United States.  I’ve seen tunnels with walls as smooth as the walls of your living room, complete with lighting and air conditioning, making very clear that it is about an enterprise that is making a whole lot of money in the trafficking of guns, drugs, and human beings. 

And my knowledge on how they work comes from the fact that I have prosecuted transnational criminal organizations who traffic in guns, drugs and human beings. 

My team and I broke up a heroin trafficking ring in the Bay Area with ties to Mexican cartels.  We took down a gang working with the Sinaloa Cartel to traffic methamphetamine into the United States.  We seized millions of dollars’ worth of cocaine from the Guadalajara cortel — Cartel and broke up a drun- — a drug trafficking operation, including pill mills and so-called recovery centers that were pushing opioids with deadly results. 

As attorney general of California, it was 10 years ago that I brought a bipartisan group of American attorneys general and led that group to travel to Mexico City to meet with Mexican attorneys general to address this issue and, in particular, to increase intelligence sharing on gang activity.  All of which allowed us to prosecute more human traffickers. 

And I started, as attorney general, the first comprehensive report in the state of California analyzing transnational criminal organizations and the threats they pose to public safety and to the economy. 

So, stopping transnational criminal organizations and strengthening our border is not new to me, and it is a long-standing priority of mine.  I have done that work, and I will continue to treat it as a priority when I am elected president of the United States.  (Applause.)

And it is my pledge to you, understanding how solutions get formed, that I will reach across the aisle and I will embrace commonsense approaches and new technologies to get the job done, because I know transnational gangs coming across the border, trafficking in guns, drugs, and human beings, could care less who somebody voted for in the last election.  (Applause.)  They could care less. 

They’ve got one goal in mind, and it is therefore critically important that anybody who calls themselves a leader would work with other leaders for commonsense solutions, understanding the pain and the suffering that Americans are experiencing if we don’t work together to fix these problems. 

And look, I — transnational gangs, one of the things I know about them, they are always innovating.  So, to disrupt them, we must do the same, and that means, again, working together in real time, grounded on finding commonsense approaches, not just about some rhetoric at a rally but actually doing the work of fixing a problem.  (Applause.)

And as president, I won’t only bring back the border security bill that Donald Trump tanked; I will do more to secure our border. 

To reduce illegal border crossings, I will take further action to keep the border closed between ports of entry.  Those who cross our borders unlawfully will be apprehended and removed and barred from reentering for five years.  We will pursue more severe criminal charges against repeat violators.  And if someone does not make an asylum request at a legal point of entry and instead crosses our border unlawfully, they will be barred from receiving asylum.

While we understand that many people are desperate to migrate to the United States, our system must be orderly and secure, and that is my goal.  (Applause.)  And that is my goal. 

Securing our border also means addressing the flow of fentanyl into our communities.  Fentanyl is a scourge on our country.  The nature of it as a drug is such that it is highly addictive and it is highly lethal, so much so that using it one time only can be fatal.  I have met far too many families, parents, loved ones who have lost a family member, a child to fentanyl, and their grief is heartbreaking.

And the devastation caused by fentanyl is being felt from rural communities to big cities.  It’s impacting communities across our country, regardless of where they are geographically, politically, or any other demographic you cl- — you choose to talk about.  It’s a scourge in our country, and we have to take it seriously.  And as president, I will make it a top priority to disrupt the flow of fentanyl coming into the United States.  (Applause.)

And I know everyone here understands that most of the fentanyl in America comes from two cartels based in Mexico.  Most often, they are smuggling it through vehicles at legal ports of entry, like the one I visited today. 

The fact is, border officers don’t have enough resources and are only able to search a fraction of the vehicles that pass through their checkpoints.  This is unacceptable.  They need the resources to do their jobs.  And as we could have done with that border security bill, I will surge support to law enforcement agencies on the front lines — more personnel, more training, and more technology, including 100 new inspection systems that can detect fentanyl hidden in vehicles.  And we will make sure that our ports of entry, including airports and seaports, have additional state-of-the-art technology to detect fentanyl and the chemical tools used to make it. 

I will also double the resources for the Department of Justice to extradite and prosecute transnational criminal organizations and the cartels.  (Applause.)  Yes. 

I will ensure that we target the entire global fentanyl supply chain, because we must materially and sustainably disrupt the flow of illicit fentanyl coming into our country. 

My approach takes into account also that the precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl are by and large made in China and then shipped to Mexican cartels and trafficked right here into the United States. 

Our administration demanded that China crack down on the companies that make those chemicals, and it has started to happen, but they need to do more.  And as president, I will hold them to their commitment to significantly reduce the flow of precursor chemicals coming from China.  (Applause.)  Yeah.

And all of this to say, we must tackle this issue from every angle, because our highest charge must be to protect the lives of our people.  It must be to understand the pain and to have the courage to know that the solutions are at hand if we focus on fixing a problem instead of running on a problem.  (Applause.)

And on this issue, writ large, we must ensure that our country remains strong and competitive, which includes fixing our broken immigration system.  (Applause.) 

And let me be clear, I reject the false choice — I reject the false choice that suggests we must either choose between securing our border or creating a system of immigration that is safe, orderly, and humane.  We can and we must do both.  (Applause.)  We must do both.

And we need clear, legal pathways for people seeking to come into our country — (applause) — and we must make our current system work better. 

For example, it can take years for asylum claims to be decided.  Well, this is a problem we can solve, including by hiring more asylum officers and expanding processing centers in people’s home countries.  (Applause.)  And as president, I will work with Congress to create, at long last, a pathway to citizenship for hardworking immigrants who have been here for years — (applause) — for years and deserve to have a system that works. 

I also have in mind our DREAMers.  I have met — (applause) — I have met with so many of our DREAMers throughout my career.  They who have grown up in the United States, were educated here, pay taxes here, serve in our military, and contribute to our communities every day.  They are American in every way, but still, they do not have an earned pathway to citizenship.  And this problem has gone unsolved, at this point now, for decades.

The same goes for farm workers who ensure that we have food on our tables — (applause) — and who sustain our agricultural industry, and they, too, have been in legal limbo for years because politicians have refused to come together to fix our broken immigration system. 

Well, as president, I will put politics aside to fix our immigration system and find solutions — solutions to problems which have persisted for far too long.  (Applause.)  For far too long, we have all known this is not working as it can and as it should.

And so, as I said at the beginning, these issues are highly consequential for our nation, and the contrast in this election is clear.  It is a choice between commonsense solutions and the same old political games.

In the four years that Donald Trump was president, he did nothing to fix our broken immigration system.  He did not solve the shortage of immigration judges.  He did not solve the shortage of border agents.  He did not create lawful pathways into our nation.  He did nothing to address an outdated asylum system and did not work with other governments in our hemisphere to deal with what clearly is also a regional challenge.  (Applause.)

As overdoses went up during his presidency, he fought to slash funding for the fight against fentanyl.  And what did he do instead?  Well, let’s talk about that.  He separated families.  He ripped toddlers out of their mother’s arms, put children in cages, and tried to end protections for DREAMers. 

He made the challenges at the border worse.  And he is still — and he is still fanning the flames of fear and division. 

And let me be clear, that is not the work of a leader.  That is not the work of a leader, and that is, in fact, I think we all believe, an abdication of leadership.  (Applause.)

And so, on behalf of all across our nation who want to see these problems solved, I say we cannot accept Donald Trump’s failure to lead.  We should not permit scapegoating instead of solutions.

And let’s see what’s happening.  Let’s not permit scapegoating instead of solutions or rhetoric instead of results. 

As your president, I will protect our nation’s sovereignty, secure our border, and work to fix our broken — broken system of immigration, and I will partner with Democrats, Republicans and independents to do it.  (Applause.) 

Arizona, it is time for us to turn the page on the ugly battles that have characterized our politics, and it is time to move forward together to achieve real solutions that make our country stronger. 

And I know we can get this done.  I know we have the will.  I know we have the courage.  I know the solutions are at hand, and I know we are ready.  (Applause.) 

And so, with all of that, I say, thank you. 

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

                        END                5:33 P.M. MST

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Dover Air Force Base
Dover, Delaware

2:50 P.M. EDT

Q    Mr. President, did you — do you support Israel’s decision to try to kill Nasrallah?

THE PRESIDENT:  We’re still gathering information.  I can tell you the United States had no knowledge of or participation in the IDF action.  We’re ga- — we’re gathering more information.  I’ll have more to say when we have more information. 

Q    You say you support Israel’s decision —

THE PRESIDENT:  I — 

Q    — to defend itself.  Do you support what they did today with the strikes in Beirut?

THE PRESIDENT:  We have to get more detail.  I don’t know enough to answer that question.

Thank you.

Q    Are you worried about escalation?

Q    On U.S. Steel, sir.  On U.S. Steel.  The timeline has been pushed back three months.  Some are interpreting that that you might changing your mind about how you feel about that deal.  Do you have any comment about how you feel about that deal?

THE PRESIDENT:  No, I don’t — I haven’t changed my mind.  (Inaudible.)

Q    Sir, how concerned are you about escalation right now in Lebanon?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m always concerned about that.  I’m always concerned about that.

Q    And your reading on the hurricane: How bad does it look down there right now?

THE PRESIDENT:  It looks bad.  At least 25 people dead.  There’s still rising waters.  We don’t have enough information yet.  There’s one dam in North Carolina that’s also in question.

2:51 P.M. EDT

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East Room

As Prepared for Delivery

SECOND GENTLEMAN DOUGLAS EMHOFF: Good morning, everyone.

On behalf of President Biden, the First Lady, and my wife, Vice President Harris: congratulations to the 2023 Major League Soccer Champions, Columbus Crew, and welcome to the White House.

To all the members of Congress and other distinguished guests: thank you for joining us and for the work you do every day. It’s great to be with all of you.

As Second Gentleman, I’ve traveled to Columbus, Ohio a couple times. And one thing I learned during my travels is just how big of a sports town Columbus is – with loyal ride or die fans to the Crew.

I’ve always loved soccer. I grew up playing a lot of sports as a kid. And at my Jewish Summer camp, I was voted “Most Athletic.”

Later on in life, I was a proud soccer dad for my kids.

First, I was their coach. Then, I became a referee. I had a lot of fun wearing that yellow outfit with the whistle, short shorts, and big socks. Though I think my kids didn’t enjoy that part as much.

And these days, I’m still a massive fan who gets up early to watch the sport.

Last year, I led the Presidential Delegation to the Opening Ceremony of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. And just a couple months ago, I had the honor of representing the United States at the Closing Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where I watched the U.S. women’s national Soccer team take home the gold.

Now, I get to join you all for today’s celebration.

Columbus Crew is a team that exemplifies excellence.

Since 1996, you’ve won 9 major trophies.

During the 2023 regular season, you were the top-scoring team in MLS for the first time in the club’s history.

In Round One of the playoffs, you beat Atlanta in three hard-fought games.

In the Conference Semis, you shut out Orlando on the road.

In the Conference Finals, you capped a legendary comeback against your Cincinnati rivals and came back from 2-0 down at the half to win 3-2 in extra time.

Before the Championship match, Coach Nancy, you shared an important lesson with your team. You reminded them that you have one virtue in life: courage.

“Without courage, you can’t do anything.”

Courage is exactly what you showed in that championship match. You played brave: taking risks, attacking early and often, and relying on each other.

And it paid off.

By the end of the game, you were champions once again, for your second MLS Cup in four years.

You’re not only champions on the field. You’re leaders off the field, too. Through the Columbus Crew’s community efforts, you are:

Developing new fields for kids to play soccer;

Providing equipment to help more kids pick up the sport;

And combating chronic absenteeism in Ohio with the Stay in the Game initiative.

Through your work and dedication, you have made the Central Ohio community – and our entire nation – incredibly proud.

Part of why I love sports so much is that it unifies us.

As we all know, we have way more in common than what divides us. There is a lot of hate and division out there at this moment. But sports bring people – and our country – together.

That’s what each of you do every day. You inspire people across our nation, and you lift them up with a sense of joy and community. You show them what true leadership looks like.

This is something Coach Nancy knows a thing or two about.

Right before the MLS Cup Final, Coach Nancy showed all of you pictures of yourselves as kids.

He reminded you — his team — to play with the same joy you did when you were young and helped to lighten the mood before a high-pressure match.

Coach – in only two seasons as head coach for the Crew, you are already making your mark. You are setting an example for coaches across our nation and around the world.

So, Columbus Crew, congratulations once again, on your championship. And good luck on the remainder of the 2024 season.

Now, please join me in welcoming Coach Nancy.

###

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Vice President’s Ceremonial Office
Eisenhower Executive Office Building

3:46 P.M. EDT

VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS:  Well, President Zelenskyy, it is good to see you again.  This is our seventh visit together.  And welcome back to Washington, D.C.

As I have made clear on our six previous meetings and throughout Putin’s brutal aggression and war against Ukraine, my support for the people of Ukraine is unwavering. 

I have been proud to stand with Ukraine.  I will continue to stand with Ukraine.  And I will work to ensure Ukraine prevails in this war. 

To be safe, secure, and prosperous, the United States must continue to fulfill our long-standing role of global leadership.  We must stand with our allies and our partners.  We must des- — defend our democratic values and stand up to aggressors.  And we must stand for international order, rules, and norms.  Each one of these principles is at stake in Ukraine, and that is why Ukraine’s fight matters to the people of America. 

The Ukrainian people are bravely defending their homes and their homeland, their freedom, and their democracy against a brutal dictator, and the American people know well the meaning of freedom, of independence, and the importance of rule of law.  These ideals are central to who we are as Americans, and some of the most important moments in our history have come when we stood up to aggressors like Putin just as we must today. 

Indeed, standing with our friends and defending our ideals against tyranny has helped make America the most powerful and prosperous nation in the world.  Putin’s aggression is not only an attack on the people of Ukraine, it is also an attack on fundamental principles such as sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

 International rules and norms are not some abstract notion.  They provide order and stability in our world.  They support American security and American prosperity.  And when they are threatened anywhere, they are threatened everywhere. 

History has shown us if we allow aggressors like Putin to take land with impunity, they keep going.  And Putin could set his sights on Poland, the Baltic states, and other NATO Allies.  We also know that other would-be aggressors around the world are watching to see what happens in Ukraine.  If Putin is allowed to win, they will become emboldened.  And history reminds us and history is so clear in reminding us: The United States cannot and should not isolate ourselves from the rest of the world.  Isolation is not insulation. 

 So, then, the United States supports Ukraine not out of charity but because it is in our strategic interest.  We will continue to provide the security assistance Ukraine needs to succeed on the battlefield, as demonstrated by President Biden’s significant announcement earlier today.

I’ve been proud to work alongside President Biden and the 50-nation coalition we have built up to allow Ukraine to defend itself.  Thanks to this coalition and the skill and the bravery of the Ukrainian people, along with your courageous leadership, President Zelenskyy, Ukraine has stood up to Russia’s aggression, and today Kyiv stands free and strong. 

President Zelenskyy, I am clear: Putin started this war, and he could end it tomorrow if he simply withdrew his troops from Ukraine’s sovereign territory.  Of course, he has demonstrated no intention of doing that.  Instead, he continues to assault civilian infrastructure and terrorize the people of Ukraine.

In Switzerland, in June, along with 90 other nations at the Uka- — at the Ukraine peace conference, I told you that the United States shares your vision for the end of this war, an end based on the will of the people of Ukraine and the U.N. Charter, and that m- — we must work with the international community se- — to secure a just and lasting peace.  And I told world leaders there: Nothing about the end of this war can be decided without Ukraine. 

However, in candor, I share with you, Mr. President, there are some in my country who would instead force Ukraine to give up large parts of its sovereign territory, who would demand that Ukraine accept neutrality, and would require Ukraine to forego security relationships with other nations.  These proposals are the same of those of Putin.  And let us be clear: They are not proposals for peace.  Instead, they are proposals for surrender, which is dangerous and unacceptable.

So, President Zelenskyy, I look forward to our discussion today, and I will continue to work with you to ensure Ukraine prevails in this conflict and remains a free, democratic, and independent nation. 

Welcome back, again. 

PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY:  Thank you so much.  Madam Vice President, thanks for invitation.  Happy to see you.

Dear journalists, I want to especially thank you for your participation in the peace summit.  And, really, it was very important, and we remember it.  The format was successful.  We are preparing the second one. 

And now, we have to end this war.  We need a just peace, and we must protect our people — Ukrainian families, Ukrainian children, and everyone — from Putin’s evil.  And we are grateful to America for supporting Ukraine all along. 

And we’ll have an important meeting today, right after I talked to President Biden about the plan of victory, and I will share some details of the plan with Vice President Harris.  It’s crucial for us to — to be fully understandable and to work in a full coordination with the United States. 

And this morning, I talked also to — to the congressmen, both chambers, both parties.  And I am thankful for their bipartisan support.  We believe this war can be won and just peace can be close only with a — with the United States. 

Madam Vice President, this is our — you said seventh meeting?

VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS:  Seventh.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY:  Yeah, and it’s not last.  And the third meeting — as far as I remember, the third meeting this year. 

VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS:  Yes.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY:  Thank you.  And I want to inform you about the latest developments on the battlefield, of course, and about Ukraine’s actions in the Kursk region, on what has been achieved and the ambitions ahead.

Today, we have a new strong support package, as you said, and we have common view on the things that need to be done.  We have to keep pressure on Russia to stop the war and to make truly lasting and just peace.  It’s a top priority for us and for other freedom-loving nations to achieve not a freezing but real — real peace for us. 

So, we need to keep sanctions against Russia strong, and we need to use the proceeds from immobilized Russian assets to protect Ukraine — our people, our cities, our front line — from Russian evil.  And, of course, we must work hard to bring all Russian war criminals to justice. 

And one more thing.  I want to inform Madam Vice President about the latest Russian missile and the Shaheds attacks against Ukrainian energy infrastructure.  We need to urgently strengthen Ukraine’s air defense to save thousands of lives and reduce Russian terror to zero. 

It’s achievable. 

Thank you, again.  Thanks, America.  Thanks to you, Madam Vice President. 

Slava Ukraini.

VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS:  Thank you.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY:  Thank you so much.

VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS:  It’s good to see you.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY:  Good to see you too.

                   END                     3:55 P.M. EDT

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East Room

5:13 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everyone. Good afternoon. (Applause.) Thank you, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Please have a seat. Please have a seat.

Sari, you are extraordinary. You are right, I have been traveling our country for many years meeting with extraordinary heroes, and you are really an extraordinary leader. And when I look at you, I know the future of our country is bright. Thank you, Sari. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

And all of the — all of the leaders here — survivors, family membered [members], loved ones — thank you all for the work that you do and the voice that you carry for so many who are not in this room right now but deserve to be seen, deserve to be known, deserve to be heard. I thank you all for all that you do to sacrifice your time and your hearts to give what you give to so many.

And so, it is good to be with everyone, including our extraordinary president, Joe Biden. (Applause.)

And, you know, I have — I have the great blessing and fortune to work alongside our president. And wherever we are together, whether the cameras are in the room or not, he cares about the American people. He loves the American people. And he — in his leadership, so much of his leadership is always about fighting for the dignity of all people and understanding the pain that many might experience and what we must do as leaders to alleviate that pain.

And I thank you, Mr. President, for all that you are. (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And to all the members of Congress who are here, all of the leaders who are here, I thank you.

So, before I begin, I will say a few words about Hurricane Helene. So, the president and I, of course, are monitoring the case and the situation closely, and we urge everyone who is watching at this very moment to take this storm very seriously and please follow the guidance of your local officials.

And President Biden and I, of course, will continue to work closely with state and local officials to ensure that everyone is safe and to protect communities before, during, and after the storm.

So, with that, I will return to the subject at hand.

I believe the right to be safe is a civil right — (applause) — and that the people of America have a right, then, to live, work, worship, and learn without fear of violence, including gun violence.

And yet our nation is experiencing an epidemic of gun violence. I’m telling a bunch of leaders who know. Today, one in five Americans has a family member that was killed by gun violence. Gun violence is now the number one cause of the death of children in America — not car accidents, not cancer — gun violence — the number one cause of death for the children of America.

And this is the result of many, many issues, including mass shootings and school shootings that are too frequently occurring in our nation. And it is, of course, the result of everyday gun violence, which occurs in cities and neighborhoods and towns across our nation.

And we know that the prevalence of this violence causes trauma that is far too often undiagnosed and untreated, which means that the effect of it is from that moment and lingers for a lifetime if we don’t take seriously what are the seen and visible and unseen injuries that result from this violence.

Over the years, I have held the hands of far too many mothers and fathers to try and comfort them after their child was killed by gun violence.

And let us all agree: It does not have to be this way. We know — (applause) — we have in our possession, we know how to stop these tragedies. And it is a false choice to suggest you are either in favor of the Second Amendment or you want to take everyone’s guns away. (Applause.) I am in favor of the Second Amendment, and I believe we need to reinstate the assault weapons ban — (applause) — and pass universal background checks, safe storage laws, and red flag laws. (Applause.)

When we took office, we promised to take on the crisis of gun violence. And we passed, under the president’s leadership, the first major gun safety law in nearly 30 years, a bipartisan law which includes an historic investment to address the trauma caused by gun violence.

We are hiring 14,000 new mental health counselors in public schools across our nation. (Applause.) We need to hire more. We need to hire more. But it is the single-largest investment in student mental health in history.

And for as much as we have accomplished, more must be done. We need more leaders — we need more leaders like the leaders in this room — in Congress who have the courage to take action, to stand up to the gun lobby, and to put the lives of our children first.

Last week — (applause) — last week, I met with young leader. Her name is Natalie. She is a 15-year-old student at Apalachee High School and a survivor of gun violence. When we met, Natalie was still wearing bandages. And she is extraordinarily brave.

And so, on behalf of her, on behalf of all the survivals — all the survivors that we have lost, let us continue to fight to end the epidemic of gun violence and to keep our communities and our children safe.

And now — (applause) — and now, it is my great honor to introduce a leader and a friend who understands the urgency of this crisis. He is a mayor who knows firsthand what it is like to lose a loved one to gun violence and to see his community shaken by tragedy. A dear friend who is not only a local leader but a national leader, please welcome Mayor Randall Woodfin. (Applause.)

MAYOR WOODFIN: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, thank you.

Thank you, everyone. And thank you for the introduction, Madam Vice President.

As stated, my name is Randall Woodfin. I am honored to serve as mayor of the city of Birmingham, Alabama. I want you all to know that I am not here representing myself. I am here representing the 200,000 residents I serve.

Gun violence — gun violence is very — what I would say, very personal to me because I know the scream of a mother when her child is killed. I know that because I heard it from the voice of my own mother when my brother was killed by gun violence.

I know that scream. I heard that scream again this past Saturday as the lives of 4 people were stolen and 17 other victims were shot during the horrific mass shooting in Birmingham.

Saving lives — saving lives should not be partisan. Saving lives should not be Democrat or a Republican thing. (Applause.) Saving lives, everyone — saving lives shouldn’t even be political. Saving lives is the most American thing we can do together. (Applause.)

And so, we have been working with our U.S. attorney, with the Justice Department to get machine gun conversions, like Glock switches, off our city streets. But still, my community — and I imagine other communities — are still finding the use of these devices at crime scene after crime scene.

And so, that is why I am grateful to our president — that is why I’m so grateful to our vice president as well — who today are taking more action to help people not only in Birmingham but across our country. Today, we work to loosen the grip that gun violence has on our communities.

I know firsthand what it means to have a president who is not only a partner but a friend to a community and cities. The Biden-Harris administration is making historic and transformative investments in our neighborhoods but, most importantly, in our people.

Instead of being overlooked, I am happy to stand on this stage and tell you we have a president who not only sees us but truly believes in us.

And that is why it is my honor to introduce President Joe Biden, who has been a true friend to Birmingham, Alabama. (Applause.)

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

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

AUDIENCE MEMBER: We love you, Joe!

THE PRESIDENT: (Inaudible.) Thank you.

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

THE PRESIDENT: Please have a seat. That was very nice of you all. Thank you very much. (Laughter.)

Mayor Woodfin, thank you for your introduction — (laughter) — and, quite frankly, for your extraordinary leadership in Birmingham. You know, through your love for your brother, you’re helping ensure that he and all the victims of gun violence di- — have not died in vain.

May I ask a question? How many of you in this audience have lost someone in the family to gun violence?

I know from experience what a loss is. That this is bittersweet. We want us to be doing this, but it brings back the very moment it happened, no matter how long it — since it’s occurred. You’re here, and you remember — you remember the first time you heard my son, my daughter, my mother, my father, my brother, my sister — somebody you lost. I know the feeling in a different context, and it’s heartbreaking.

So, thank you for the courage to be here. I know — I know the intensity of your feelings. But thank you, because it really does require you to relive the moment it occurred, and that’s tough. And I don’t think people who haven’t been the loss of someone through an accident or through violence fully understands it until it happens. And I hope that it doesn’t happen to the rest of you in any circumstance.

So, thank you for — Sari, for sharing your story and your classmates’, your teachers’, your friends’ in Parkland. You know, an extraordinary courage, it inspires the nation. And we stand with you, for real.

Quite frankly, you inspired me when I met many of you after that tragedy.

Before I begin, let me speak to our preparedness and — very briefly for the Hurricane Helena. We’re expecting a catastrophic storm, winds and flooding throughout the Southeast, starting in Florida right now. Kamala and I have been briefed and spent many hours with FEMA, including recently.

Ambassador Griswell [Criswell] is on the scene tomorrow. I’ve directed FEMA to work with the state partners to take proactive measures to ensure the communities in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, and other states have the support and the resources they need. That includes improving prelandfall emergency declaration requests from the governors of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Alabama.

At my direction, more than 1,000 federal personnel have already been deployed to those areas. We have search and rescue teams, medical teams, power restoration teams, generators, water, food on the ground and ready to support families throughout the coming days.

But let me say this. Everyone needs to take it seriously — extremely seriously. The potential storm surge is well beyond the immediate path of the hurricane. It could be significant and deadly.

You know, for you and your family’s sake, I urge everyone in and near the path of the hurricane to listen to local officials and follow evacuation orders and been — when told to do so.

Remember two years ago — just two years ago — 150 people were killed when the surge was only 14 feet. Now the surge is expected to be up to 20 feet — 20 feet. So, take this seriously.

I have — from the bottom of my heart, please take it seriously, anybody listening to this. And — because — anyway. The tendency is to say, “I can do this,” but you can’t. Twenty-foot storm surge — you can’t.

Folks, now for the reason we’re here today. I want to thank Vice President Harris and members of our Cabinet, members of the Congress, including Birmingham’s extraordinary congresswoman, Terri Sewell. Terri, stand up. Stand up. (Applause.)

I want to thank Congressman Mike Thompson. Mike, stand up. (Applause.)

And a good friend and one of the brightest people I know, Jamie Raskin. Jamie, stand up. (Applause.)

And Congressman Maxwell Frost, who started by organizing opposition to gun violence and is now the youngest member of Congress. (Applause.) Even when I was the second-youngest senator in history, I never had that much hair. (Laughter.)

And Representative Lucy McBath, whose son Jordan was killed by gun violence. (Applause.) Thanks, Lucy. Thanks for being here. I know events like this are difficult.

Look, folks, I want to thank you for the courage. And I also want to thank the chiefs of police and sheriffs, to all the advocates and allies, and especially to the survivors and families, many of whom I’ve met with. Jill and I have gotten to know some of you very well over the years. Thank you for being here.

With absolute courage, you have turned your pain into purpose — that’s what it’s all about, turning your pain into purpose — your loss into determination, your anger into commitment and the power in — (a child in the audience cries) — of a movement of saving lives.

That’s okay. Babies rule in my house. (Laughter and applause.) Don’t worry about it.

This past Monday, the FBI reased — released data showing how crime is down in America. The year before we came to the presidency, we saw the biggest increase in murder rates on record.

Last year, we saw the largest decrease in murder rates nationwide in recent history — (applause) — thanks to guys like you wearing those uniforms. The homicide rate in 2023 was 16 percent below the year before we became president and vice president. In the first half of 2024, in large cities across the country, homicide rate dropped another 17 percent. Last year, we also saw the lowest rates of all violent crime in more than 50 years. Murder, rape, aggravated assault, robbery all dropped, along with burglary, property crime. It matters.

And together, we’re making clear: If we want to talk about reducing crime and violence in America, you need to talk about guns in America — (applause) — you need to talk about guns.

You just heard Kamala cite the statistics all Americans should be ashamed of. Guns are the number one — hard to believe — they’re the number one killer of children in America — more than any other cause: accidents, ca- — more than any other cause. It’s almost in- — in- — unbelievable to think that’s — it’s sick.

Last year, after another school shooting, my predecessor said it — just said, like some mem- — members of Congress say, just go — just “get over it.”

I’m going to be very blunt. Secretary [Senator] Vance of Ohio has called these shootings “facts of life.”

Who the hell do these people think they are? (Applause.) I mean it.

Think about it. The only industry that is ex- — exempted by law from being investigated and being dealt with is the gun industry. Imagine had that be the case with the tobacco industry, what cancer would be li- — I mean this sincerely. Think about this.

This time last year, we stood in the Rose Garden to launch the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention in our nation’s history. (Applause.)

I look around the room, and I see survivors, like our former magnificent congresswoman, who is always out there fighting. Thank you, Gabby. Thank you, Gabby.

And, you know, it’s staffed by gun violence survivors and experts, overseen by our incredible vice president. The purpose is to drive and coordinate the government in a nationwide effort to reduce gun violence in America.

Over the past year, we’ve made tremendous progress: more background checks required for firearms sold at gun shows [and] online; a new interagency response team to support communities after mass shootings.

And I’ve been to all but three mass shootings in — in the United States of America and spent time with surviving families, many of whom I see here in this audience. Because it’s important to raise up what’s happening.

The most comprehensive federal guide ever on safe gun storage of firearms. The first-ever surgeon general’s advisory declaring gun violence to be a public health crisis. (Applause.)

And, by the way, parenthetically, as I travel the world with other world leaders, they ask, “Do you really have a pub- — do you cite that you have a public health crisis with gun violence?”

Well, today, I’m proud to announce a new executive order that’s going to — two additional things.

First, the executive order will establish a new federal task force on emerging firearm threats.

Previously, my administration took action to crack down on private manufacturers of firearms, including kits of so-called “ghost guns.” This is probably the only audience that knows what ghost guns are. They don’t have to have a serial number. When guns don’t have serial numbers, it’s hard for them to track back to the shooter and hold them accountable when something happens.

But today, we’re taking the next step. Our new task force will address 3D printed firearms. And — and for those listening — everybody in this room knows what that is — but they actually can produce a plastic firearm with a 3D printer. That mag- — you know, and magnetometers can’t detect these, or they don’t have a serial number.

This task force is also going to tackle machine gun conversion devices that were mentioned by the mayor, devices that illegally turn semiautomatic weapons, and including handguns, into fully automatic machine guns that can fire up to 20 bullets in tw- — in 1 sec- — in 2 seconds — 20 in 2 seconds.

These devices are already illegal under federal law and can be made on a 3D printer for just 40 cents in less than 30 minutes and sold for as little as $20. But local law enforcement in cities across the country tell me the streets are flooded with machine gun conversion devices — isn’t that right, Captain? —

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Yes, sir.

THE PRESIDENT: — because the parts are small, cheap, and easy to make. The impact of these devices is devasting.

Just this weekend, a machine gun conversion device was found at the scene of a mass shooting in Birmingham. I can tell you, over 100 shell casings — 100 shell casings were found, including 4 killed and 18 injured and a community shattered.

Enough.

Within 90 days of — our task force will send me a ri- — a risk assessment and a strategy to address these emerging firearm threats. It’s about se- — it’s about sending a clear message to — (a child in the audience cries).

Don’t worry about the babe. It’s okay. (Laughter.) Really.

Sending a clear message to local law enforcement and cities all across the country: We’re here to help, and together, we can save lives.

Look, the second part of this executive order relates to active shooter drills in schools. You know, it’s a good thing, but people don’t — you all understand, many of you in here — but the psychological impact that has on a child.

You know, I’m old enough we used to have drills for — you know, duck and cover for nuclear devices. But guess what? Now we’re talking about kids know what’s happening.

Kamala just talked about the worry of parents and the stress and fear students have when they’re told to participate in active school shooter drills. The lack of guidance today on how to prepare students while minimizing the trauma of active shooter drills is — it’s unacceptable.

So, today, I’m directing the members of my Cabinet to return to me within 110 days with resources and information for schools to improve active shooter drills, minimizes harm, create age-appropriate content, and communicate with parents before and after these drills happen so they know what’s going on. (Applause.)

Folks, we — we just have to do better, and we can do better.

But that’s not all. Today, my administration is also announcing a whole series of new actions to address gun violence. We’re releasing a new tool with resources to help schools communicate with parents about safety of storing firearms in their homes. (Applause.)

And, by the way, I, along with Dianne Feins [Feinstein], was the guy that passed the first assault weapons ban. And here’s the deal: It was amazing — amazing how many of those gun violence occurred with those fire- — when they were outlawed, what — with the — with these firearms were a consequence of a parent not being responsible with the guns they own, or in a recent case — I won’t get into because it’s under litiga- — a parent who provided an assault weapon to a young child.

It’s been found that when school administrators communicate with parents about safe storage of firearms in their homes, it motivates parents to act.

We’re awarding $135 million on top of the $238 million we’ve already awarded last year to 48 states for crisis intervention — (applause) — including tools like red flag laws. I’m going to say — be very personal here. My son was attorney general — it was the first state in the nation to institute that statewide. (Applause.)

Removing — temporarily removing firearms from those who are a danger to themselves and others.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Yes.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Right.

THE PRESIDENT: Well, it’s important.

We’re awarding an additional $85 million to 30 community violence intervention programs on top of the $200 million we’ve already invested in these programs. (Applause.)

As you all know, these local intervention programs stop shootings before they happen, utilizing trusted messengers, community members, leaders to work directly with people at risk who are the most vulnerable to gun violence.

And, folks, all these new actions build on historic steps we’ve already taken since I took office to address gun violence in America.

Through the American — American Rescue Plan — which, by the way, not a single one of the opposition voted for — (laughter) — I don’t say that for political re- — I say that to make sure people understand it’s not costless to do — do that — helped deliver more than $15 billion — the largest investment ever in public safety. Let me say it again: All my opponents — all our opponents voted against the largest funding ever in public sa- — safety.

I also announced a dozens executive orders to reduce gun violence, more than any of my predecessors.

And with your help, we passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most significant gun violence [legislation] in 30 years. (Applause.) And so many things because we had a first-rate prosecutor who had — (applause) — no — who has incredible experience dealing with this. Among many things, it strengthened background checks for anyone under the age of 21 seeking to purchase a firearm.

Since we implemented the background check system last year, we’ve kept almost 1,000 guns out of the hands of people under the age of 21. But, folks, the law also invests over $1 billion, the largest one-time ever investment ever, in seeking to deal with mental health issues in our schools — (applause) — to help them deal with the grief and trauma of gun violence and other traumatic experiences.

We spent a lot of time — didn’t we? — with those kids. Afraid to go back to school. Not an unusual thing to be concerned about if you’ve sat there and you’re — the kid sitting next to at your desk gets shot and killed.

My former Senate deputy chief of staff is here with me today — Roger Harrison — sitting in the back there. He founded an organization that does outreach programs for middle and high school students dealing with mental health issues, and many others around the country are doing similar things.

We still have more to do, but the steps we’ve taken so far in reducing gun violence and saving lives are real. But we have to keep going. There’s so much more we have to do.

I think it’s time to reinstate the assault weapons ban and high-capacity magazines. (Applause.)

When I was a senator and I introduced the first effort to ban them, those weapons, I literally was walking through the swamps of eastern — the Northeast Cor- — excuse me, in southern Delaware, down in the area where the r- — where the swamps and rivers are. There was a guy fishing, and he looked at and me and he said, “Biden, what the hell you going to take my gun for? Why are you going to take my assault weapon?” He was fishing. And I said — (laughter) — true story. And I said, “You need that?” And he said, “Yeah.” (Laughter.) I said, “You must be one hell of a lousy shot.” (Laughter.) “And I don’t see a lot of dear running around here wearing Kevlar vests.” (Laughter.) He said, “Well, that’s not” — “Well, why do you have it?” “Well, I hunt.” “You hunt? Like hell.” (Laughter.)

Look, it’s time we establish universal background checks — (applause) — universal — and require safe storage of firearms. (Applause.) I mean it. Start holding parents accountable for being negligent. (Applause.)

By the way, if you pulled up here — wherever you parked here — and left your key in your car, and a student steals the car and gets in an accident, you are held responsible. Why in the hell would not that be the case if you leaved a gun case open? (Applause.) No, I mean it.

And I’ve been fighting for this. I’m going to continue after I leave this office: End immunity for the gun industry. End it. End it. End it. (Applause.)

Look, folks, I taught constituted law for years — constitutional law. Never was the Second Amendment meant to be absolute. Back when it was passed, you could not own a cannon. (Laughter.) No, well I’m not jo- — I’m not joking. People are like, “The — you know, the — the — the liberty of America is — is watered with the blood of patriots.” Like hell. (Laughter.) I’m serious. Think about it. Think about it. It was never absolute — never, never, never, never.

It’s time we increase funding for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives — (applause) — and other law enforcement agencies that deal with crime and solve crimes faster.

We get a lot of heat from the other guy — she get a lot of heat from the other guy, talking about “We’re not helping” –we’re the ones funding cops.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yes, we are.

THE PRESIDENT: We’re the ones funding these things.

It’s time to increase funding to help victims in crime and support community groups helping hun- — and hurting — people hurting from gun violence. No, I really mean it. (Applause.)

Unfortunately, my predecessor and a lot of congressional other people oppose all these steps to reduce gun violence. Instead, they tried to stop the crackdown on ghost gun kits, by the way. You kn- — know, that’s a real big deal to them. “We can’t deny the Second Amendment right to” — oh, give me a break. (Laughter.)

If they got their way, criminals could traffic guns and commit crimes.

Congressional — our opponents are trying to defund the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. There’s an amendment to defund the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. “Bless me, Father,” as we say in my church.

They attack the FBI and want to abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives — by the way, that’s out — written out — which is responsible for fighting gun crimes.

Folks, you can’t be pro-law enforcement and be anti-FBI and ATF. It’s outrageous. (Applause.)

Well, that’s why we’re here today and why this is so important. We need your help in fighting and standing up to the gun lobby, gun manufacturers, the politicians who oppose commonsense gun legislation.

Because whether you’re a Democrat or Republican or independent, we all want our families to be safe. We drop families off at the house of worship or a child at a mall or a movie theater or a school — we don’t have to worry about whether it was — that’s the last time we’ll see them. No, I — I mean, think about. Think about it. We all want our kids to have the freedom to learn how to read and write in schools instead of duck and cover.

Let me close with this. I know how difficult this work is, particularly for someone who’s been through the tragedies of consequences of it. But I also have no illusions about the champions and heroes in this fight, including all of you. I really don’t.

Look at what you’ve already done. Look at the movement you’ve built. Look at the elected officials standing alongside me in — that are here today.

Listen to the young people speaking out. That’s the power of your loved ones and their memory. (Applause.) And that’s the power of this movement. That’s the power of America.

We just have to keep going, have — have faith in who we are.

Ladies and gentlemen, we’re the United States of America. There is nothing beyond our capacity — nothing, nothing, nothing. I mean that. I swear to God.

I know I look like I’m only 40, but I’m 100 years old. (Laughter and applause.) I’ve been around a long time.

I really mean it. There’s nothing beyond our capacity. We’re the only nation in the world — as a student of history, I can tell you — that’s come out of every crisis stronger than we went in. And we’ve got to come out stronger now.

Now, I’m going to sign this executive order.

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

(The president moves to signing desk.)

All right. What I’m about to sign is “Combating Emerging Firearms Threats and Improving School-Based Active-Shooter Drills.” I never thought I’d have to sign something like this, but we do.

MR. GUTTENBERG: And we thank you.

MS. GIFFORDS: Thank you.

(The executive order is signed.)

MS. GIFFORDS: Bravo. (Applause.)

(The president gives a pen to Representative McBath.)

(The executive order is signed.)

THE PRESIDENT: Keep it going, boss. (Laughter.)

(The president gives a pen to the vice president.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. (Applause.)

5:51 P.M. EDT

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Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that an emergency exists in the State of Georgia and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Helene beginning on September 24, 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.

Public Assistance (Category B) emergency protective measures, including to direct Federal assistance will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding for the counties of Atkinson, Baker, Banks, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Crisp, Dawson, Decatur, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Echols, Fannin, Forsyth, Franklin, Gilmer, Grady, Habersham, Hall, Irwin, Jackson, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Lumpkin, Macon, Miller, Mitchell, Pickens, Pulaski, Quitman, Rabun, Randolph, Schley, Seminole, Stephens, Stewart, Sumter, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Towns, Turner, Union, Webster, White, Wilcox, and Worth.

Public Assistance (Category B) emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding for the counties of Appling, Bacon, Baldwin, Barrow, Bartow, Bibb, Bleckley, Brantley, Burke, Butts, Camden, Carroll, Catoosa, Charlton, Chattahoochee, Chattooga, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, Coweta, Crawford, Dade, DeKalb, Dodge, Douglas, Elbert, Emanuel, Fayette, Floyd, Fulton, Glascock, Glynn, Gordon, Greene, Gwinnett, Hancock, Haralson, Harris, Hart, Heard, Henry, Houston, Jasper, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Lamar, Laurens, Lincoln, Madison, Marion, McDuffie, Meriwether, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Murray, Muscogee, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Peach, Pierce, Pike, Polk, Putnam, Richmond, Rockdale, Screven, Spalding, Talbot, Taliaferro, Taylor, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Troup, Twiggs, Upson, Walker, Walton, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wheeler, Whitfield, Wilkes, and Wilkinson.

Public Assistance (Category B) emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding for the counties of Bryan, Bulloch, Candler, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Tattnall.

Mr. Kevin A. Wallace, Sr. 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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Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

3:31 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:   Good afternoon, everyone.  Good afternoon.  (Applause.)  Hi. 

Well, it’s good to be back in Pittsburgh.  Thank you all.  Thank you.  Thank you. 

Please have a seat.  Please have a seat. 

Andrea, thank you so very much for — for that beautiful introduction and for your leadership.  It really is my honor to be with you today.  Thank you.

And thank you to Risa and the Economic Club of Pittsburgh for hosting us today. 

And I also want to thank Mayor Gainey for being here.  (Applause.)  Mayor, you greet me each time I come to Pittsburgh.  I thank you so very much for that and — and your leadership.  Thank you.

So, hello, friends.  Let’s get started.  (Applause.)  Okay.

So, we gather at a moment of great consequence.  In this election, I believe we have an extraordinary opportunity to make our middle class the engine of America’s prosperity, to build a stronger economy where everyone everywhere has a chance to pursue their dreams and aspirations, and to ensure that the United States of America continues to out-innovate and outcompete the world. 

Over the past three and a half years, we have taken major steps forward to recover from the public health and economic crisis we inherited.  Inflation has dropped faster here than the rest of the developed world.  Unemployment is near record low levels.  We have created almost 740,000 manufacturing jobs, including 650 at the batty- — battery manufacturing plant over in Turtle Creek.  (Applause.)  And we have supported another 15,000 jobs at Montgomery Locks.  (Applause.)

So, these are local, great examples of the work that we have achieved thus far. 

And last week, for the first time, of course, in four and a half years, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates, which will make it just a little easier for families to buy a home or a car or just pay down their credit card bill. 

But let’s be clear.  For all these positive steps, the cost of living in America is still just too high.  You know it, and I know it.  And that was true long before the pandemic hit. 

Many Americans who aspire to own a home are unable to save enough for a down payment on a house and starting to think that maybe homeownership is just outside of their reach.  Folks who live in factory towns and in rural communities who have lost jobs are wondering if those jobs will ever come back.  Many Americans are worried about how they’ll afford the prescription medication they depend on. 

All of this is happening at a time when many of the biggest corporations continue to make record profits, while wages have not kept up pace. 

I understand the pressures of making ends meet.  I grew up in a middle-class family, and while we were more fortunate than many, I still remember my mother sitting at that yellow Formica table late at night, cup of tea in hand, with a pile of bills in front of her, just trying to make sure that she paid them off by the end of the month, like so many Americans just trying to make it all work.

Every day, millions of Americans are sitting around their own kitchen tables and facing their own financial pressures because, over the past several decades, our economy has grown better and better for those at the very top and increasingly difficult for those trying to attain, build, and hold on to a middle-class life. 

In many ways, this is what this election is all about.  The American people face a choice between two fundamentally very different paths for our economy.  I intend to chart a new way forward and grow America’s middle class.  Donald Trump intends to take America backward to the failed policies of the past. 

He has no intention to grow our middle class.  He’s only interested in making life better for himself and people like himself: the wealthiest of Americans. 

You can see it spelled out in his economic agenda, an agenda that gives trillions of dollars in tax cuts to billionaires and the biggest corporations while raising taxes on the middle class by almost $4,000 a year, slashing overtime pay, throwing tens of millions of Americans off of health care, and cutting Social Security and Medicare. 

In sum, his agenda would weaken the economy and hurt working people and the middle class.  You see, for Donald Trump, our economy works best if it works for those who own the big skyscrapers, not those who actually build them, not those who wire them, not those who mop the floors.  (Applause.)

Well, I have a very different vision.  I have a very different vision for our economy.  I believe we need to grow our middle class and make sure our economy works for everyone, for people — (applause) — like the people in the neighborhood where I grew up and the hardworking Americans I meet every day across our nation. 

So, I call my vision the “opportunity economy,” and it’s about making sure — (applause) — everyone can find a job and more — and more.  Because, frankly, having a job, I believe, in our ambition and aspiration should be baseline, and we should aspire and have the ambition and plan to do more. 

 I want Americans and families to be able to not just get by but be able to get ahead — (applause) — to thrive — be able to thrive.  I don’t want you to have to worry about making your monthly rent if your car breaks down.  I want you to be able to save up for your child’s education, to take a nice vacation from time to time.  I want you to be able to buy Christmas presents for your loved ones without feeling anxious when you’re looking at your bank statement.  I want you to be able to build some wealth not just for yourself but also for your children and your grandchildren — intergenerational wealth.  (Applause.)

And here’s the thing.  Here’s the thing.  Here’s the beauty of it all.  We know how to build an economy like that.  We do know how to unlock strong, shared economic growth for the American people.  History has shown it time and again: When we invest in those things that strengthen the middle class — manufacturing, housing, health care, education, small businesses, and our communities — we grow our economy and catalyze the entire country to succeed. 

I have pledged that building a strong middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency.  And the reason — (applause) — but let me tell you, the reason is not about politics, and it’s not about ideology.  From my perspective, it’s just common sense.  (Applause.)  It’s just common sense.  It’s actually what works.  When the middle class is strong, America is strong.  And we can build a stronger middle class.

The American economy — we know this here — the American economy is the most powerful force for innovation and wealth creation in human history.  We just need to move past the failed policies that we have proven don’t work, and like generations before us, let us be inspired by what is possible. 

As president, I will be grounded in my fundamental values of fairness, dignity, and opportunity.  And I promise you, I will be pragmatic in my approach.  I will engage in what Franklin Roosevelt called “bold, persistent experimentation.”  (Applause.)  Because I believe we shouldn’t be constrained by ideology and, instead, should seek practical solutions to problems, realistic assessments of what is working and what is not, applying metrics to our analysis, applying facts to our analysis, and stay focused, then, not only on the crises at hand but on our big goals, on what’s best for America over the long term. 

And part of being pragmatic means taking good ideas from wherever they come.  Listen, you all know my career.  Andrea shared it with you.  I am a devout public servant.  (Laughs.)  I also know the limitations of government. 

I’ve always been and will always be — and be clear about this — I’ve always been and will always be a strong supporter of workers and unions.  (Applause.)  And I — I also believe we need to engage those who create most of the jobs in America. 

Look, I am a capitalist.  I believe in free and fair markets.  (Applause.)  I believe in consistent and transparent rules of the road to create a stable business environment.  And I know the power of American innovation. 

 I’ve been working with entrepreneurs and business owners my whole career, and I believe companies need to play by the rules — (applause) — respect the rights of workers and unions, and abide by fair competition.  And if they don’t, I will hold them accountable. 

And if anyone has a question about that, just look at my record as attorney general.  (Applause.)  Look at my record in California, taking on the big banks for predatory lending — (applause); taking on big health care companies for conspiring to jack up prices — (applause); taking on a big for-profit college for scamming veterans and students. 

At the same time, I believe that most companies are working hard to do the right thing by their customers and the employees who depend on them, and we must work with them to grow our economy.  I believe an active partnership between government and the private sector is one of the most effective ways to fully unlock economic opportunity.  (Applause.)

And that is what I will do when I am president.  I will target the major barriers to opportunity and remove them.  We will identify commonsense solutions to help Americans buy a home, start a business, and build wealth, and we will adopt them.

So, let’s start, then, with the first pillar of an opportunity economy, which is lowering costs.  So, I made that our top priority for obvious reasons, because if we want the middle class to be the growth engine of our economy, we need to restore basic economic security for middle-class families.  To that end, the most practical thing we can do right now is to cut taxes for middle-class families and individuals.  (Applause.)  And that’s what we will do.

Under my plan, more than 100 million Americans will get a middle-class tax break that includes $6,000 for new parents during the first year of their child’s life — (applause) —

to help families cover everything from car seats to cribs.  We’ll also cut the cost of childcare and eldercare — (applause) — and finally give all working people access to paid leave, which will help everyone caring for children, caring for aging parents, and that sandwich generation, which is caring for both.  (Applause.)

So, I have a personal experience with caregiving.  I remember being there for my mother when she was diagnosed with cancer — cooking meals for her, taking her to her appointments,

just trying to make her comfortable, figuring out which clothes were soft enough that they wouldn’t irritate her, and telling her stories to try and make her laugh.  I know caregiving is about dignity.  It really is.

And when we lower the costs and ease the burdens people face, we will not only make it then easier for them to meet their obligations as caregivers, we will also make it more possible for them to go to work and pursue their economic aspirations.  And when that happens, our economy as a whole grows stronger.

Now, middle-class tax cuts are just the start of my plan.  We will also go after the biggest drivers of cost for the middle class and work to bring them down.  And one of those — some would argue, one of the biggest — is the cost of housing.

So, here’s what we will do.  We will cut the red tape that stops homes from being built and take on, in addition, corporate landlords who are hiking rental prices.  (Applause.)  And we will work with builders and developers to construct 3 million new homes and rentals for the middle class because increasing the housing supply will help drive down the cost of housing.  (Applause.)

We will also help first-time homebuyers just get their foot in the door with a $25,000 down payment assistance.  (Applause.)

Because the goal is clear: Let’s help more Americans afford to buy a home, which we know is a critical step in their ability to grow their wealth and intergenerational wealth. 

And we will work to reduce other big costs for middle-class families.  We will take on bad actors who exploit emergencies and drive up grocery prices by enacting the first-ever federal ban on corporate price gouging.  (Applause.)  I had the experience of dealing with that when I was attorney general. 

We will take on Big Pharma and cap the cost of prescription drugs for all Americans — (applause) — just like we did for our seniors.

Now, by contrast, Donald Trump has no intention of lowering costs for the middle class.  In fact, his economic agenda would actually raise prices. 

And, listen, that’s not just my opinion.  A survey of top economists by the Financial Times and the University of Chicago found that by an overwhelming 70 to 3 percent margin, my plan would be better for keeping inflation low.  (Applause.)  Objective economists have been very clear.

The second pillar of an opportunity economy is investing in American innovation and entrepreneurship.  So, for the last century, the United States of America has been a beacon around the world.  And as your vice president now for almost four years, I’ve been traveling the world, meeting with world leaders, meeting with foreign leaders, meeting with business people in various countries with which we have partnership.  And I will tell you, America remains a beacon for what it means to inspire and invest in innovation not only for our ability to come up with some of the most breakthrough ideas but also our ability to turn those ideas into — into some of the most consequential innovations the world has ever known.

I believe the source of our success is the ingenuity, the dynamism, and enterprising spirit of the American people.  To paraphrase — (applause).  Yes, it is.  It’s our nature.  It’s our nature.

To paraphrase Warren Buffett: Since the founding of our nation, there has been no incubator for unleashing human potential like America.  And we need to guard that spirit.  (Applause.)  We have to guard that spirit.  Let it always inspire us.  Let it always be the source of our optimism, which is that spirit that is so uniquely American.

And let that then inspire us by helping us to be inspired to solve the problems that so many face, including our small-business owners. 

So, as I travel the country, what I hear time and again from those who own small businesses and those who aspire to start them is that too often an entrepreneur has a great idea — not too often; that’s good — and they have the willingness to take the risk, but they don’t have access to the capital that they need to make it real. 

And as Andrea said, not everybody was handed on a silver platter $400 million and then filed for bankruptcy six times.  (Applause.)  Oh, I said that.  (Laughs.)  Right?  I sa- — I actually said that.

Well, we can make it easier.  We can make it easier for our small businesses to access capital.  On average, it costs about $40,000 to start a new business.  But currently, the tax deduction for start-ups is only $5,000.  So, currently for start-up costs, the tax deduction is $5,000. 

Well, in 2024, it is almost impossible to start a business on $5,000, which is why, as president, I will make the start-up deduction 10 times richer and we will raise it from $5,000 to $50,000 — (applause) — tax deduction and provide low- and no-interest loans to small businesses that want to expand, all of which will help achieve our ambitious, some would say — but that’s okay; let’s be ambitious — our ambitious goal of 25 million new small-business applications by the end of my first term.  (Applause.)  I know this is very achievable.

And for anyone here who is a small-business owner, works for a small business, or has a small business in your life, you understand what I’m talking about in terms of when we build up our small businesses, what that does to entire communities to lift them up economically, civically, culturally, and in every way.

Small businesses, the point being, help drive our economy, and they create — (applause) — they create nearly 50 percent of private-sector jobs, and they strengthen our middle class. 

And if we can harness the entrepreneurialism of the American people and unlock the full potential of aspiring founders and small-business owners, I am optimistic that no one will be able to outpace us.  (Applause.)

By contrast, Donald Trump, when he was president, has been described by one of the nation’s leading experts on small businesses in a piece he published in a major paper as not being good for small business.  In fact, the title — (laughs) — the title — wait, because I’m burying the lede right now.  (Laughter.)  One of the leading experts on small businesses published a piece in one of the major newspapers, and the title — I’m going to quote — “Does Donald Trump Hate Small Businesses?”  (Laughter.)  And their answer was yes.  (Laughter.)  Their answer was yes. 

Because at the same time that Donald Trump was giving a tax cut to big corporations and billionaires, he tried to slash programs for small businesses and raise borrowing costs for them.  Instead of making it easier, he actually made it more difficult for them to access capital.  And that’s not surprising, because Donald Trump just does not prioritize small businesses.  He does not seem to value, frankly, the essential role they play. 

But, look, when I look at small-business owners, I see some of the heroes of our economy — not only entrepreneurs but, as I said, civic leaders, community leaders, part of the glue that holds communities together.

The third pillar of our opportunity economy is leading the world in the industries of the future and making sure America, not China, wins the competition for the 21st century.  (Applause.)

One of the recurring themes in American history is that when we make an intentional effort to invest in our industrial strength, it leads to extraordinary prosperity and security,

not only for years but for generations. 

Think of Alexander Hamilton having the foresight to build the manufacturing capabilities of our new nation.  Think of Lincoln and the transcontinental railroad.  Think of Eisenhower and the Interstate Highway System; Kennedy committing America to win the space race and spurring innovation across our society.

From our earliest days, America’s economic strength has been tied to our industrial strength, and the same is true today.

So, I will recommit the nation to global leadership in the sectors that will define the next century.  We will invest in biomanufacturing and aerospace; remain dominant in AI and quantum computing, blockchain and other emerging technologies; expand our lead in clean energy innovation and manufacturing —  (applause) — so the next generation of breakthroughs from advanced batteries to geothermal to advanced nuclear are not just invented but built here in America by American workers.  (Applause.)

And we will invest in the industries that, for example, made Pittsburgh the “Steel City” by offering — (applause) — tax credits for expanding good union jobs in steel and iron and manufacturing communities like here in Mon Valley.  (Applause.)

And across all these industries of the future, we will prioritize investments for strengthening factory towns — this is so important — for strengthening factory towns; retooling existing factories; hiring locally and working with unions, because no one who grows up in America’s greatest industrial or agricultural centers should be abandoned.

And understand what that means for real people — people we know, people we care about.  We don’t have to abandon a strength we’ve known to achieve a strength that we plan.  (Applause.)

And here’s what else we will do when I am president.  We will double the number of registered apprenticeships by the end of my first term.  (Applause.)  Because I almost made it — a goal of mine — I — I am — I think I am going to fall short, but trying to visit every IBEW Local in America — (laughter) — because I’m going to tell you, those apprenticeship programs, those are tough-duty, man — and women and everyone.  (Laughter.)  They’re tough-duty. 

I mean, talk about the skills that are about engineering and science and math and just the most highly skilled folks who are in those apprenticeships and teaching there. 

And so, one of the things we must do, understanding that and understanding the nature of that part of our educational system, is let’s eliminate degree requirements while increasing skills development.  (Applause.)  And let’s start with something I can do as president — was ensure that we do that for the half a million of federal jobs that are within our ability to make it so — (applause) — showing what is possible and then challenging the private sector to make a similar commitment to emphasizing skills and not just degrees.  (Applause.)

And we will reform our tax laws to make it easier for businesses to let workers share in their company’s success.  And I will challenge the private sector to do more to lift up workers through equity, profits, and benefits so more people can share in America’s success and prosperity.  (Applause.)

And not only must we build the industries of the future in America, we must also build them faster.  You know, there’s a time for patience, and there’s a time for impatience.  That’s not in Ecclesiastics [Ecclesiastes], but — but — (laughter). 

Just went off script for a minute, Mayor.  (Laughter.)

But the simple truth is, in America, it takes too long and it costs too much to build.  Whether it’s a new housing development, a new factory, or a new bridge, projects take too long to go from concept to reality.  It happens in blue states, it happens in red states, and it’s a national problem. 

And I will tell you this.  China is not moving slowly.  They’re not.  And we can’t afford to, either.  If we are to compete, we can’t afford to, either. 

As president, if things are not moving quickly, I will demand to know why, and I will act.  I will work with Congress, workers and businesses, cities and states, community groups and local leaders to reform permitting, to cut red tape, and get things moving faster.  Because, look, as I said, patience may be a virtue but not when it comes to job creation or America’s competitiveness. 

Many of you know — the Empire State Building, you know how long it took to build that?  One year.  The Pentagon, you know how long that took?  Sixteen months. 

No one can tell me we can’t build quickly in our country.  (Applause.)  I’ve got empirical evidence. 

Now, look, my opponent, Donald Trump, well, he makes big promises on manufacturing.  Just yesterday, he went out and promised to bring back manufacturing jobs.  And if that sounds familiar, it should.  In 2016, he went out and made that very same promise about the Carrier plant in Indianapolis.  You’ll remember Carrier then offshored hundreds of jobs to Mexico under his watch. 

And it wasn’t just there.  On Trump’s watch, offshoring went up and manufacturing jobs went down across our country and across our economy.  All told, almost 200,000 manufacturing jobs were lost during his presidency, starting before the pandemic hit, making Trump one of the biggest losers ever on manufacturing.  (Applause.)

Donald Trump also talked a big game on our trade deficit with China, but it is far lower under our watch than any year of his administration.  While he constantly got played by China, I will never hesitate to take swift and strong measures when China undermines the rules of the road at the expense of our workers, our communities, and our companies, whether it’s flooding the market with steel, inferior or at all; unfairly subsidizing shipbuilding; or hurting our small businesses with counterfeits. 

Recall Donald Trump actually shipped advanced semiconductor chips to China, which helps them upgrade their military.  Understand the impact of these so-called policies that really are not about a plan for strengthening our prosperity or our security. 

I will never sell out America to our competitors or adversaries.  (Applause.)  Never.  Never.

And I will always make sure we have the strongest economy and the most lethal fighting force anywhere in the world.  (Applause.)

So, at this pivotal moment, we have an extraordinary opportunity to chart a new way forward, one that positions the United States of America and all of us who are blessed to call this home for success and prosperity in the 21st century. 

You know, there is an old saying that the best way to predict the future is to invent it.  Well, that is the story of the Steel City.  (Applause.)  That is the story of the Steel City, the city that helped build the middle class, birth America’s labor movement, empower the rise of American manufacturing, and the city where Allen Newell and Herbert Simon launched the first AI research hub at Carnegie Mellon — (applause) — and created entirely new fields like machine learning.  And Carnegie Mellon is now home to the largest university robotics center in America.  (Applause.)

So, the proud heritage of Pittsburgh I so strongly believe reveals the character of our nation, a nation that harnesses the ambitions, the dreams, and the aspirations of our people; seizes the opportunities before us because we see them, because we believe in them; and then invents the future. 

That is what we have always done, and that is what we must now do.  And I know we will. 

I thank you all for inviting me. 

May God bless you.  And may God bless the United States of America. 

Thank you all.  (Applause.)

                        END                4:11 P.M. EDT

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