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On Monday, December 23, 2024, the President signed into law:

H.R. 5009, the “Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025,” which authorizes fiscal year 2025 appropriations principally for Department of Defense programs and military construction, Department of Energy national security programs, Intelligence programs, and Department of State programs; specifies a military basic pay increase and other authorities relating to the U.S. Armed Forces; and provides authorities related to and makes other modifications to national security, foreign affairs, and other programs.

Thank you to Representatives Mike Rogers, Adam Smith, Bacon and Houlahan, and Senators Reed and Wicker, and many others for their leadership.

###

The post Press Release: Bill Signed: H.R. 5009 appeared first on The White House.

On Monday, December 23, 2024, the President signed into law:

H.R. 5009, the “Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025,” which authorizes fiscal year 2025 appropriations principally for Department of Defense programs and military construction, Department of Energy national security programs, Intelligence programs, and Department of State programs; specifies a military basic pay increase and other authorities relating to the U.S. Armed Forces; and provides authorities related to and makes other modifications to national security, foreign affairs, and other programs.

Thank you to Representatives Mike Rogers, Adam Smith, Bacon and Houlahan, and Senators Reed and Wicker, and many others for their leadership.

###

The post Press Release: Bill Signed: H.R. 5009 appeared first on The White House.

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

     Section 1.  Statutory Pay Systems.  The rates of basic pay or salaries of the statutory pay systems (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 5302(1)), as adjusted under 5 U.S.C. 5303, are set forth on the schedules attached hereto and made a part hereof:

     (a)  The General Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5332(a)) at Schedule 1;

     (b)  The Foreign Service Schedule (22 U.S.C. 3963) at Schedule 2; and

     (c)  The schedules for the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs (38 U.S.C. 7306, 7401, 7404; section 301(a) of Public Law 102–40) at Schedule 3.

     Sec. 2.  Senior Executive Service.  The ranges of rates of basic pay for senior executives in the Senior Executive Service, as established pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 5382, are set forth on Schedule 4 attached hereto and made a part hereof.

     Sec. 3.  Certain Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Salaries.  The rates of basic pay or salaries for the following offices and positions are set forth on the schedules attached hereto and made a part hereof:

     (a)  The Executive Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5311–5318) at Schedule 5;

     (b)  The Vice President (3 U.S.C. 104) and the Congress (2 U.S.C. 4501) at Schedule 6; and

     (c)  Justices and judges (28 U.S.C. 5, 44(d), 135, 252, and 461(a)) at Schedule 7.

     Sec. 4.  Uniformed Services.  The rates of monthly basic pay (37 U.S.C. 203(a)) for members of the uniformed services, as adjusted under 37 U.S.C. 1009, and the rate of monthly cadet or midshipman pay (37 U.S.C. 203(c)) are set forth on Schedule 8 attached hereto and made a part hereof.

     Sec. 5.  Locality-Based Comparability Payments. 

     (a)  Pursuant to section 5304 of title 5, United States Code, and my authority to implement an alternative level of comparability payments under section 5304a of title 5, United States Code, locality-based comparability payments shall be paid in accordance with Schedule 9 attached hereto and made a part hereof.

     (b)  The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement these payments and to publish appropriate notice of such payments in the Federal Register.

     Sec. 6.  Administrative Law Judges.  Pursuant to section 5372 of title 5, United States Code, the rates of basic pay for administrative law judges are set forth on Schedule 10 attached hereto and made a part hereof.

     Sec. 7.  Effective Dates.  Schedule 8 is effective January 1, 2025.  The other schedules contained herein are effective on the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

     Sec. 8.  Prior Order Superseded.  Executive Order 14113 of December 21, 2023 (Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay), is superseded as of the effective dates specified in section 7 of this order.

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    December 23, 2024.

The post Executive Order on Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay appeared first on The White House.

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

     Section 1.  Statutory Pay Systems.  The rates of basic pay or salaries of the statutory pay systems (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 5302(1)), as adjusted under 5 U.S.C. 5303, are set forth on the schedules attached hereto and made a part hereof:

     (a)  The General Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5332(a)) at Schedule 1;

     (b)  The Foreign Service Schedule (22 U.S.C. 3963) at Schedule 2; and

     (c)  The schedules for the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs (38 U.S.C. 7306, 7401, 7404; section 301(a) of Public Law 102–40) at Schedule 3.

     Sec. 2.  Senior Executive Service.  The ranges of rates of basic pay for senior executives in the Senior Executive Service, as established pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 5382, are set forth on Schedule 4 attached hereto and made a part hereof.

     Sec. 3.  Certain Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Salaries.  The rates of basic pay or salaries for the following offices and positions are set forth on the schedules attached hereto and made a part hereof:

     (a)  The Executive Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5311–5318) at Schedule 5;

     (b)  The Vice President (3 U.S.C. 104) and the Congress (2 U.S.C. 4501) at Schedule 6; and

     (c)  Justices and judges (28 U.S.C. 5, 44(d), 135, 252, and 461(a)) at Schedule 7.

     Sec. 4.  Uniformed Services.  The rates of monthly basic pay (37 U.S.C. 203(a)) for members of the uniformed services, as adjusted under 37 U.S.C. 1009, and the rate of monthly cadet or midshipman pay (37 U.S.C. 203(c)) are set forth on Schedule 8 attached hereto and made a part hereof.

     Sec. 5.  Locality-Based Comparability Payments. 

     (a)  Pursuant to section 5304 of title 5, United States Code, and my authority to implement an alternative level of comparability payments under section 5304a of title 5, United States Code, locality-based comparability payments shall be paid in accordance with Schedule 9 attached hereto and made a part hereof.

     (b)  The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement these payments and to publish appropriate notice of such payments in the Federal Register.

     Sec. 6.  Administrative Law Judges.  Pursuant to section 5372 of title 5, United States Code, the rates of basic pay for administrative law judges are set forth on Schedule 10 attached hereto and made a part hereof.

     Sec. 7.  Effective Dates.  Schedule 8 is effective January 1, 2025.  The other schedules contained herein are effective on the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

     Sec. 8.  Prior Order Superseded.  Executive Order 14113 of December 21, 2023 (Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay), is superseded as of the effective dates specified in section 7 of this order.

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    December 23, 2024.

The post Executive Order on Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay appeared first on The White House.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke today with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, head of the Interim Government of Bangladesh. Mr. Sullivan thanked Chief Adviser Yunus for his leadership of Bangladesh during a challenging period. Both leaders expressed their commitment to respecting and protecting the human rights of all people, regardless of religion. Mr. Sullivan re-iterated the United States’ support for a prosperous, stable, and democratic Bangladesh, and offered the United States’ continued support in meeting the challenges Bangladesh faces.

###

The post Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s Call with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh appeared first on The White House.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke today with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, head of the Interim Government of Bangladesh. Mr. Sullivan thanked Chief Adviser Yunus for his leadership of Bangladesh during a challenging period. Both leaders expressed their commitment to respecting and protecting the human rights of all people, regardless of religion. Mr. Sullivan re-iterated the United States’ support for a prosperous, stable, and democratic Bangladesh, and offered the United States’ continued support in meeting the challenges Bangladesh faces.

###

The post Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s Call with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh appeared first on The White House.

Today, President Biden announced that he is commuting the sentences of 37 individuals on federal death row. Those individuals will have their sentences reclassified from execution to life without the possibility of parole.

President Biden has dedicated his career to reducing violent crime and ensuring a fair and effective justice system. He believes that America must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level, except in cases of terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder – which is why today’s actions apply to all but those cases. When President Biden came into office, his Administration imposed a moratorium on federal executions, and his actions today will prevent the next Administration from carrying out the execution sentences that would not be handed down under current policy and practice.

This historic clemency action builds on the President’s record of criminal justice reform. The President has issued more commutations at this point in his presidency than any of his recent predecessors at the same point in their first terms. Earlier this month, the President announced clemency for approximately 1,500 Americans – the most ever in a single day – who have shown successful rehabilitation and a commitment to making communities safer. This included sentence commutations for nearly 1,500 individuals who were placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and who have successfully reintegrated into their families and communities, as well as 39 pardons for individuals who were convicted of non-violent crimes. President Biden is also the first President ever to issue categorical pardons to individuals convicted of simple use and possession of marijuana, and to former LGBTQI+ service members convicted of private conduct because of their sexual orientation.

The President’s criminal justice record has transformed individual lives and positively impacted communities, especially historically marginalized communities. In the coming weeks, the President will take additional steps to provide meaningful second chances and continue to review additional pardons and commutations.

###

Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. is commuting the sentences of the following 37 individuals to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole:

                      NameReg. No.SHANNON WAYNE AGOFSKY06267-045 
BILLIE JEROME ALLEN 
26901-044 
AQUILIA MARCIVICCI BARNETTE 
12599-058 
BRANDON LEON BASHAM 
98940-071 
ANTHONY GEORGE BATTLE 
11451-056 
MEIER JASON BROWN 
11364-021 
CARLOS DAVID CARO 
37786-079 
WESLEY PAUL COONCE, JR. 
30011-039 
BRANDON MICHAEL COUNCIL 
63961-056 
CHRISTOPHER EMORY CRAMER 
10422-081 
LEN DAVIS 
24325-034 
JOSEPH EBRON 
08655-007 
RICKY ALLEN FACKRELL 
12324-081 
EDWARD LEON FIELDS, JR.
 04136-063CHADRICK EVAN FULKS16617-074 
MARVIN CHARLES GABRION, II 
09184-055 
EDGAR BALTAZAR GARCIA 
28132-177 
THOMAS MOROCCO HAGER 
08596-007 
CHARLES MICHAEL HALL 
03766-036 
NORRIS G. HOLDER 
26902-044 
RICHARD ALLEN JACKSON 
16669-058 
JURIJUS KADAMOVAS 
21050-112 
DARYL LAWRENCE 
66476-061 
IOURI MIKHEL 
23675-112 
RONALD MIKOS 
20716-424 
JAMES H. ROANE, JR. 
32923-083 
JULIUS OMAR ROBINSON 
26190-177 
DAVID ANTHONY RUNYON 
57997-083 
RICARDO SANCHEZ, JR. 
75820-004 
THOMAS STEVEN SANDERS 
15967-043 
KABONI SAVAGE 
58232-066 
MARK ISAAC SNARR 
11093-081 
REJON TAYLOR 
41070-074 
RICHARD TIPTON 
32922-083 
JORGE AVILA TORREZ 
16054-084 
DANIEL TROYA 
75817-004 
ALEJANDRO ENRIQUE RAMIREZ UMAÑA 
23077-058

The post FACT SHEET: President Biden Commutes the Sentences of 37 Individuals on Death Row appeared first on The White House.

Today, President Biden announced that he is commuting the sentences of 37 individuals on federal death row. Those individuals will have their sentences reclassified from execution to life without the possibility of parole.

President Biden has dedicated his career to reducing violent crime and ensuring a fair and effective justice system. He believes that America must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level, except in cases of terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder – which is why today’s actions apply to all but those cases. When President Biden came into office, his Administration imposed a moratorium on federal executions, and his actions today will prevent the next Administration from carrying out the execution sentences that would not be handed down under current policy and practice.

This historic clemency action builds on the President’s record of criminal justice reform. The President has issued more commutations at this point in his presidency than any of his recent predecessors at the same point in their first terms. Earlier this month, the President announced clemency for approximately 1,500 Americans – the most ever in a single day – who have shown successful rehabilitation and a commitment to making communities safer. This included sentence commutations for nearly 1,500 individuals who were placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and who have successfully reintegrated into their families and communities, as well as 39 pardons for individuals who were convicted of non-violent crimes. President Biden is also the first President ever to issue categorical pardons to individuals convicted of simple use and possession of marijuana, and to former LGBTQI+ service members convicted of private conduct because of their sexual orientation.

The President’s criminal justice record has transformed individual lives and positively impacted communities, especially historically marginalized communities. In the coming weeks, the President will take additional steps to provide meaningful second chances and continue to review additional pardons and commutations.

###

Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. is commuting the sentences of the following 37 individuals to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole:

                      NameReg. No.SHANNON WAYNE AGOFSKY06267-045 
BILLIE JEROME ALLEN 
26901-044 
AQUILIA MARCIVICCI BARNETTE 
12599-058 
BRANDON LEON BASHAM 
98940-071 
ANTHONY GEORGE BATTLE 
11451-056 
MEIER JASON BROWN 
11364-021 
CARLOS DAVID CARO 
37786-079 
WESLEY PAUL COONCE, JR. 
30011-039 
BRANDON MICHAEL COUNCIL 
63961-056 
CHRISTOPHER EMORY CRAMER 
10422-081 
LEN DAVIS 
24325-034 
JOSEPH EBRON 
08655-007 
RICKY ALLEN FACKRELL 
12324-081 
EDWARD LEON FIELDS, JR.
 04136-063CHADRICK EVAN FULKS16617-074 
MARVIN CHARLES GABRION, II 
09184-055 
EDGAR BALTAZAR GARCIA 
28132-177 
THOMAS MOROCCO HAGER 
08596-007 
CHARLES MICHAEL HALL 
03766-036 
NORRIS G. HOLDER 
26902-044 
RICHARD ALLEN JACKSON 
16669-058 
JURIJUS KADAMOVAS 
21050-112 
DARYL LAWRENCE 
66476-061 
IOURI MIKHEL 
23675-112 
RONALD MIKOS 
20716-424 
JAMES H. ROANE, JR. 
32923-083 
JULIUS OMAR ROBINSON 
26190-177 
DAVID ANTHONY RUNYON 
57997-083 
RICARDO SANCHEZ, JR. 
75820-004 
THOMAS STEVEN SANDERS 
15967-043 
KABONI SAVAGE 
58232-066 
MARK ISAAC SNARR 
11093-081 
REJON TAYLOR 
41070-074 
RICHARD TIPTON 
32922-083 
JORGE AVILA TORREZ 
16054-084 
DANIEL TROYA 
75817-004 
ALEJANDRO ENRIQUE RAMIREZ UMAÑA 
23077-058

The post FACT SHEET: President Biden Commutes the Sentences of 37 Individuals on Death Row appeared first on The White House.

A resilient and secure supply of foundational semiconductors is critical to U.S. national and economic security.  These semiconductors are essential to key sectors of the U.S. economy, powering cars, medical devices, critical infrastructure, key aerospace and defense systems, and the goods and services we rely on every day.

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) routinely engages in non-market policies and practices, as well as industrial targeting, of the semiconductor industry that enables PRC companies to significantly harm competition and create dangerous supply chain dependencies in foundational semiconductors.  

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is taking additional action to protect American workers and businesses from the PRC’s unfair trade practices in the semiconductor sector and support a healthy domestic industry for foundational semiconductors. 

These actions include:

Launching a Section 301 investigation to examine the PRC’s targeting of foundational semiconductors.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is launching a Section 301 investigation to examine the PRC’s targeting of foundational semiconductors (also known as legacy or mature node chips) for dominance and the impact on the U.S. economy.

In addition, the investigation will initially assess the impact of the PRC’s acts, policies, and practices on the production of silicon carbide substrates or other wafers used as inputs into semiconductor fabrication.

PRC semiconductors often enter the U.S. market as a component of finished goods. This Section 301 investigation will examine a broad range of the PRC’s non-market acts, policies, and practices with respect to the semiconductor sector, including to the extent these semiconductors are incorporated as components into downstream products for critical industries like defense, automotive, medical devices, aerospace, telecommunications, and power generation and the electrical grid. 

Awarding and catalyzing billions of dollars in semiconductor manufacturing projects across the country.

The Biden-Harris Administration has championed efforts to ensure more chips are made in America by American workers, in particular through CHIPS and Science Act funding, which allocates at least $2 billion for mature semiconductors.  This was a key part of President Biden’s vision for renewing American economic leadership and a vibrant American industrial base.

The United States is investing across the semiconductor supply chain—including the upstream materials critical to chip manufacturing such as silicon carbide and wafers.  To date, the Department of Commerce has catalyzed billions of dollars in private sector investments that will serve the American auto and defense industries, including the Texas Instruments projects in Texas and Utah, the GlobalFoundries projects in Vermont and New York, and the Bosch project in California.  Many of these investments also include supply agreements with customers across critical infrastructure industries to maximize the predictability, volume, and quality of domestically manufactured chips needed to power complex technology.  These investments are compounded and sustained by this Administration’s 48D Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit, which will provide up to a 25% tax incentive for the manufacturing of semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and wafer production.

Reducing national security risks in federal supply chains.

Semiconductors are key components of U.S. critical infrastructure that have many military applications. It is vital that federal agencies procure secure and trusted chips. 

To clean up federal procurement of semiconductors, the Biden-Harris Administration is:

• Implementing a statutory provision in the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2023 that prohibits executive agencies from procuring or obtaining products and services that include chips from certain Chinese fabs and other entities of concern.
• Releasing a Request for Information (RFI) to gauge the best ways for government contractors to scale up their use of domestically manufactured chips, particularly for critical infrastructure.  The RFI intends to solicit commercial ideas from industry that may inform future policymaking in support of the government-wide effort to leverage existing manufacturing capacity.
• Issuing guidance to help the Federal Government – the world’s largest buyer – organize its demand for domestic semiconductors so that agencies can mitigate the risk posed by undue dependence on foreign manufacturing, limited competition, and possible higher manufacturing costs.  This effort includes agencies developing strategies to dual or multiple source semiconductors, increasing transparency for critical infrastructure supply chains, and providing the government’s demand for the products and services that use these chips.

Prioritizing supply chain resilience and bolstering our toolkit to address non-market policies and practices.

President Biden made supply chain resilience a Day One priority in his Administration.  The first-ever U.S. Government Quadrennial Supply Chain Review, published on December 19, provides an in-depth assessment of the United States’ critical supply chains, actions taken over the last four years to make each supply chain more resilient, and necessary steps to increase U.S. resilience in the future. 

The Review includes a comprehensive strategy to respond to non-market policies and practices because they pose a significant challenge in critical industries covered in the supply chain report.  The strategy details the types of comprehensive action necessary to combat non-market policies and practices, including procurement policies. 

Working with our partners around the world to strengthen cooperation on semiconductor supply chains and address shared concerns about China’s unfair practices.

Semiconductor supply chains are critical not only to the United States but to all of our allies and partners.  The Biden-Harris Administration has closely consulted with allies and partners on promoting economic resilience and addressing the PRC’s non-market practices in the semiconductor supply chain, including through the following efforts:

• The State Department launched the CHIPS and Science Act’s International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund, which has thus far partnered with eight countries – Costa Rica, Panama, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Kenya, the Philippines, and Mexico – to promote semiconductor supply chain development, security, and diversification.
• The Department of Commerce announced the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Agreement Relating to Supply Chain Resilience with 13 diverse partner countries across the Indo-Pacific, led by the United States, to coordinate more resilient supply chains for semiconductors and other industries.
• Within the G7, the United States has championed efforts to bolster economic resilience and address harmful market distortions and global excess capacity in key sectors resulting from non-market policies and practices.   This led to the establishment of mechanisms to jointly monitor and respond to these detrimental practices, including in the semiconductor sector.  

President Biden recognizes the benefits for our workers and businesses from strong alliances and a rules-based international trade system based on fair competition.  The Biden-Harris Administration will continue to collaborate with allies and partners on this critical issue in the coming days and weeks.  

###

The post FACT SHEET: President Biden Takes Action to Protect American Workers and Businesses from China’s Unfair Trade Practices in the Semiconductor Sector appeared first on The White House.

I’ve dedicated my career to reducing violent crime and ensuring a fair and effective justice system.

Today, I am commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 individuals on federal death row to life sentences without the possibility of parole. These commutations are consistent with the moratorium my Administration has imposed on federal executions, in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder.

Make no mistake: I condemn these murderers, grieve for the victims of their despicable acts, and ache for all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable loss.

But guided by my conscience and my experience as a public defender, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Vice President, and now President, I am more convinced than ever that we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level. In good conscience, I cannot stand back and let a new administration resume executions that I halted.

###

The post Statement from President Joe Biden on Federal Death Row Commutations appeared first on The White House.

A resilient and secure supply of foundational semiconductors is critical to U.S. national and economic security.  These semiconductors are essential to key sectors of the U.S. economy, powering cars, medical devices, critical infrastructure, key aerospace and defense systems, and the goods and services we rely on every day.

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) routinely engages in non-market policies and practices, as well as industrial targeting, of the semiconductor industry that enables PRC companies to significantly harm competition and create dangerous supply chain dependencies in foundational semiconductors.  

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is taking additional action to protect American workers and businesses from the PRC’s unfair trade practices in the semiconductor sector and support a healthy domestic industry for foundational semiconductors. 

These actions include:

Launching a Section 301 investigation to examine the PRC’s targeting of foundational semiconductors.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is launching a Section 301 investigation to examine the PRC’s targeting of foundational semiconductors (also known as legacy or mature node chips) for dominance and the impact on the U.S. economy.

In addition, the investigation will initially assess the impact of the PRC’s acts, policies, and practices on the production of silicon carbide substrates or other wafers used as inputs into semiconductor fabrication.

PRC semiconductors often enter the U.S. market as a component of finished goods. This Section 301 investigation will examine a broad range of the PRC’s non-market acts, policies, and practices with respect to the semiconductor sector, including to the extent these semiconductors are incorporated as components into downstream products for critical industries like defense, automotive, medical devices, aerospace, telecommunications, and power generation and the electrical grid. 

Awarding and catalyzing billions of dollars in semiconductor manufacturing projects across the country.

The Biden-Harris Administration has championed efforts to ensure more chips are made in America by American workers, in particular through CHIPS and Science Act funding, which allocates at least $2 billion for mature semiconductors.  This was a key part of President Biden’s vision for renewing American economic leadership and a vibrant American industrial base.

The United States is investing across the semiconductor supply chain—including the upstream materials critical to chip manufacturing such as silicon carbide and wafers.  To date, the Department of Commerce has catalyzed billions of dollars in private sector investments that will serve the American auto and defense industries, including the Texas Instruments projects in Texas and Utah, the GlobalFoundries projects in Vermont and New York, and the Bosch project in California.  Many of these investments also include supply agreements with customers across critical infrastructure industries to maximize the predictability, volume, and quality of domestically manufactured chips needed to power complex technology.  These investments are compounded and sustained by this Administration’s 48D Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit, which will provide up to a 25% tax incentive for the manufacturing of semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and wafer production.

Reducing national security risks in federal supply chains.

Semiconductors are key components of U.S. critical infrastructure that have many military applications. It is vital that federal agencies procure secure and trusted chips. 

To clean up federal procurement of semiconductors, the Biden-Harris Administration is:

• Implementing a statutory provision in the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2023 that prohibits executive agencies from procuring or obtaining products and services that include chips from certain Chinese fabs and other entities of concern.
• Releasing a Request for Information (RFI) to gauge the best ways for government contractors to scale up their use of domestically manufactured chips, particularly for critical infrastructure.  The RFI intends to solicit commercial ideas from industry that may inform future policymaking in support of the government-wide effort to leverage existing manufacturing capacity.
• Issuing guidance to help the Federal Government – the world’s largest buyer – organize its demand for domestic semiconductors so that agencies can mitigate the risk posed by undue dependence on foreign manufacturing, limited competition, and possible higher manufacturing costs.  This effort includes agencies developing strategies to dual or multiple source semiconductors, increasing transparency for critical infrastructure supply chains, and providing the government’s demand for the products and services that use these chips.

Prioritizing supply chain resilience and bolstering our toolkit to address non-market policies and practices.

President Biden made supply chain resilience a Day One priority in his Administration.  The first-ever U.S. Government Quadrennial Supply Chain Review, published on December 19, provides an in-depth assessment of the United States’ critical supply chains, actions taken over the last four years to make each supply chain more resilient, and necessary steps to increase U.S. resilience in the future. 

The Review includes a comprehensive strategy to respond to non-market policies and practices because they pose a significant challenge in critical industries covered in the supply chain report.  The strategy details the types of comprehensive action necessary to combat non-market policies and practices, including procurement policies. 

Working with our partners around the world to strengthen cooperation on semiconductor supply chains and address shared concerns about China’s unfair practices.

Semiconductor supply chains are critical not only to the United States but to all of our allies and partners.  The Biden-Harris Administration has closely consulted with allies and partners on promoting economic resilience and addressing the PRC’s non-market practices in the semiconductor supply chain, including through the following efforts:

• The State Department launched the CHIPS and Science Act’s International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund, which has thus far partnered with eight countries – Costa Rica, Panama, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Kenya, the Philippines, and Mexico – to promote semiconductor supply chain development, security, and diversification.
• The Department of Commerce announced the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Agreement Relating to Supply Chain Resilience with 13 diverse partner countries across the Indo-Pacific, led by the United States, to coordinate more resilient supply chains for semiconductors and other industries.
• Within the G7, the United States has championed efforts to bolster economic resilience and address harmful market distortions and global excess capacity in key sectors resulting from non-market policies and practices.   This led to the establishment of mechanisms to jointly monitor and respond to these detrimental practices, including in the semiconductor sector.  

President Biden recognizes the benefits for our workers and businesses from strong alliances and a rules-based international trade system based on fair competition.  The Biden-Harris Administration will continue to collaborate with allies and partners on this critical issue in the coming days and weeks.  

###

The post FACT SHEET: President Biden Takes Action to Protect American Workers and Businesses from China’s Unfair Trade Practices in the Semiconductor Sector appeared first on The White House.

I’ve dedicated my career to reducing violent crime and ensuring a fair and effective justice system.

Today, I am commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 individuals on federal death row to life sentences without the possibility of parole. These commutations are consistent with the moratorium my Administration has imposed on federal executions, in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder.

Make no mistake: I condemn these murderers, grieve for the victims of their despicable acts, and ache for all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable loss.

But guided by my conscience and my experience as a public defender, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Vice President, and now President, I am more convinced than ever that we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level. In good conscience, I cannot stand back and let a new administration resume executions that I halted.

###

The post Statement from President Joe Biden on Federal Death Row Commutations appeared first on The White House.

Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Madam President:)

In accordance with section 21304 of the American Relief Act, 2025 (H.R. 10545; the “Act”), I hereby designate as emergency requirements all funding (including the transfer and repurposing of funds) so designated by the Congress in the Act pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as outlined in the enclosed list of accounts.

The details of this action are set forth in the enclosed memorandum from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

                              Sincerely,



                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post Letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate on the Designation of Funding as Emergency Requirements in Accordance with Section 21304 of the American Relief Act, 2025 appeared first on The White House.

Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Madam President:)

In accordance with section 21304 of the American Relief Act, 2025 (H.R. 10545; the “Act”), I hereby designate as emergency requirements all funding (including the transfer and repurposing of funds) so designated by the Congress in the Act pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as outlined in the enclosed list of accounts.

The details of this action are set forth in the enclosed memorandum from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

                              Sincerely,



                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post Letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate on the Designation of Funding as Emergency Requirements in Accordance with Section 21304 of the American Relief Act, 2025 appeared first on The White House.

The bipartisan funding bill I just signed keeps the government open and delivers the urgently needed disaster relief that I requested for recovering communities as well as the funds needed to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge. 

This agreement represents a compromise, which means neither side got everything it wanted. But it rejects the accelerated pathway to a tax cut for billionaires that Republicans sought, and it ensures the government can continue to operate at full capacity.

That’s good news for the American people, especially as families gather to celebrate this holiday season.

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The post Statement from President Joe Biden on the Bipartisan Government Funding Bill appeared first on The White House.

The bipartisan funding bill I just signed keeps the government open and delivers the urgently needed disaster relief that I requested for recovering communities as well as the funds needed to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge. 

This agreement represents a compromise, which means neither side got everything it wanted. But it rejects the accelerated pathway to a tax cut for billionaires that Republicans sought, and it ensures the government can continue to operate at full capacity.

That’s good news for the American people, especially as families gather to celebrate this holiday season.

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The post Statement from President Joe Biden on the Bipartisan Government Funding Bill appeared first on The White House.

The United States extends our deepest condolences to the people of Germany grieving the terrible attack at a Christmas market yesterday in Magdeburg, Germany.  No community—and no family—should have to endure such a despicable and dark event, especially just days before a holiday of joy and peace.  My team has been in close touch with German officials.  We’ve made it clear that the United States stands ready to offer all available resources and assistance if needed.  And while this situation remains under investigation, make no mistake:  the United States will always stand with our Allies against violent terror.  In the coming days, we will keep all those injured or killed—and their beloved families—close in our hearts.

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The post Statement from President Joe Biden on Attack on Magdeburg Christmas Market appeared first on The White House.

The United States extends our deepest condolences to the people of Germany grieving the terrible attack at a Christmas market yesterday in Magdeburg, Germany.  No community—and no family—should have to endure such a despicable and dark event, especially just days before a holiday of joy and peace.  My team has been in close touch with German officials.  We’ve made it clear that the United States stands ready to offer all available resources and assistance if needed.  And while this situation remains under investigation, make no mistake:  the United States will always stand with our Allies against violent terror.  In the coming days, we will keep all those injured or killed—and their beloved families—close in our hearts.

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The post Statement from President Joe Biden on Attack on Magdeburg Christmas Market appeared first on The White House.

On Saturday, December 21, 2024, the President signed into law:

H.R. 10545, the “American Relief Act, 2025”, which provides fiscal year 2025 appropriations to Federal agencies through March 14, 2025, for continuing projects and activities of the Federal Government; provides disaster relief appropriations and economic assistance to farmers; extends the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018; and extends several expiring authorities. 

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The post Press Release: Bill Signed: H.R. 10545 appeared first on The White House.

On Saturday, December 21, 2024, the President signed into law:

H.R. 10545, the “American Relief Act, 2025”, which provides fiscal year 2025 appropriations to Federal agencies through March 14, 2025, for continuing projects and activities of the Federal Government; provides disaster relief appropriations and economic assistance to farmers; extends the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018; and extends several expiring authorities. 

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The post Press Release: Bill Signed: H.R. 10545 appeared first on The White House.