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Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Madam President:)

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

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

                             Sincerely,

                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post Letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Significant Narcotics Traffickers Centered in Colombia appeared first on The White House.

Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Madam President:)

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

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

                             Sincerely,

                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post Letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Significant Narcotics Traffickers Centered in Colombia appeared first on The White House.

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

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

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

                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    October 11, 2024.

The post Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Significant Narcotics Traffickers Centered in Colombia appeared first on The White House.

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

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

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

                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    October 11, 2024.

The post Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Significant Narcotics Traffickers Centered in Colombia appeared first on The White House.

12:30 P.M. EDT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q    On — on the window.  Ten years —

ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  Yeah.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q    Why Milwaukee?  Why Milwaukee?

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

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

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

MS. SIMONS:  Thank you so much. 

ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  Thank you.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q    Will he campaign outside of Pennsylvania?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MS. SIMONS:  Yes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Okay?

Q    Thank you so much.

MS. SIMONS:  Thank you.

Q    Thanks, Emilie.

MS. SIMONS:  Thanks, guys.

12:52 P.M. EDT

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

12:30 P.M. EDT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q    On — on the window.  Ten years —

ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  Yeah.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q    Why Milwaukee?  Why Milwaukee?

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

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

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

MS. SIMONS:  Thank you so much. 

ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  Thank you.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q    Will he campaign outside of Pennsylvania?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MS. SIMONS:  Yes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Okay?

Q    Thank you so much.

MS. SIMONS:  Thank you.

Q    Thanks, Emilie.

MS. SIMONS:  Thanks, guys.

12:52 P.M. EDT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rawhide Event Center
Chandler, Arizona

6:15 P.M. MST

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good evening, Arizona!  (Applause.) 

All right.  Can we say thank you to Gerardo?  (Applause.)

Arizona!  (Applause.)  (Laughs.)  Oh, my goodness.  All right.  Okay.  All right.  (Applause.)  (Laughs.)  Thank you all.  Oh, my goodness.  (Applause.)

Okay.  All right.  Okay.  Okay.  Come on.  Come on.  We got some work to do.  We got some work to do.  We got some work to do.  (Applause.)  All right.  We got some work to do.  (Laughs.)

Well, let me just say, it is good to be back in Arizona.  (Applause.)  And thank you all.  There are so many — this is an extraordinary group of leaders, and I thank you all for the time that you have taken to be together —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  We love you, Kamala!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — for us to have this kind — I love you back.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)

I want to thank Governor Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community — (applause) — and to all the elected leaders here today.

Representative Gallego, who could not be with us, but, Arizona, let’s send him to the United States Senate.  (Applause.)  And let’s send former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez — (applause) — to the United States Congress.

And let me say, it means so much to be back with the Gila River Indian Community.  (Applause.)  Last summer, I became the first vice president of the United States to visit this Tribal nation.  (Applause.)  And I strongly believe that the relationship between Tribal nations and the United States is sacred — (applause) — and that we must — and that we must honor Tribal sovereignty — (applause); embrace our trust in treaty obligations — (applause); and ensure Tribal self-determination.  (Applause.)

And it is my promise: As president of the United States, I will defend those principles always.  (Applause.)

And before I continue, I will say a few words about Hurricane Milton, which has cut a path of devastation across Florida and follows closely, of course, on the heels of the damage caused by Hurricane Helene to communities across the Southeast.  I know, as you do, that our heart goes out to everyone who has been impacted by these storms.

Our administration has mobilized thousands of federal personnel across the region to work hand in hand with local and state officials to give folks the help they need.  I have spoken with state, local officials — both Republican and Democrat — to let them know we will be with you every step of the way as you recover and rebuild.  (Applause.)  That is who we are.  That is who we are.

So, moving forward, let me say that, Arizona, look, we have just 26 days until Election Day — (applause) — 26 days.  And we are nearing the home stretch. 

And this will be a very tight race until the very end.  And we are the underdog.  We are the underdog.

AUDIENCE:  Woof!  Woof!  Woof!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  (Laughs.)  So — so, we have some hard work ahead of us, but we like hard work.  (Applause.)  Hard work is good work.  And with your help, in 26 days, we will win.  (Applause.)  We will win.  We will win.

And y’all might have seen — y’all might have seen that just last night, Donald Trump officially ruled out any more debates. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Now, I think it’s a disservice to the voters.  (Applause.)  I also think it’s a pretty weak move.  (Applause.)

But even if he will not debate, the contrast in this election is already clear.  This election is about two very different vusions — two very different visions for our nation.  One, his, focused on the past; the other, ours, focused on the future — (applause) — including being focused on the issues that matter most to working families across America, like bringing down the cost of living, in- — (applause) — investing in small businesses and entrepreneurs.  (Applause.)

Do we have any small businesses in the house?  (Applause.)  Yeah.  Bless you.  Bless you. 

We believe in fighting to protect reproductive freedom.  (Applause.)  And we will always fight to keep our nation secure and honor our military service members.  (Applause.) 

These and so many others are the issues that matter to you and your families, which is why you have taken the time out of your very busy lives to be here this evening. 

But that is not what we hear from Donald Trump.  We don’t hear about these issues.  Instead, from Donald Trump, it’s the same old, tired playbook.  He has no plans — no plans for how he would address the needs of the American people.  He is only focused on himself.  (Applause.)

Well, folks, it’s time to turn the page.  (Applause.)  It’s time to turn the page.  And America is ready for a new way forward — (applause) — and ready for a new, optimistic generation of leadership for our country.  (Applause.)  Which is why — Arizona, which is why Democrats, Republicans, and independents are supporting our campaign — (applause) — because they know we need a president who works for all the American people — (applause) — all the American people, because we know we have so much more in common than what separates us.  (Applause.) 

And we are exhausted with those who would try and have us, as Americans, point fingers at each other.  We’re tired of that.  (Applause.)  Enough.  Enough.

And fighting on behalf of the American people has been the story of my entire career.  I’ve only had, in my career, one client: the people.  (Applause.)

As a young courtroom prosecutor, I stood up for women and children against predators.  (Applause.)  As attorney general of California, I took on the big banks — (applause) — delivered $20 billion for middle-class families who faced foreclosure.  I stood up for veterans and students being scammed — (applause) — being scammed by the big for-profit colleges.  I stood up for workers being cheated out of their wages.  I stood up for seniors facing elder abuse.  And it is my pledge to you, as president of the United States, I will always fight for all the American people — (applause) — for everyone.

And together, we will build a brighter future for our nation — (applause) — a future where we build, for example, what I call an “opportunity economy,” where everyone has the ability to compete and have a real chance to succeed. 

Under my economic plan, we will bring down the cost of housing.  Arizona, you know that’s an issue we need to deal with.  (Applause.)  We will help first-time homebuyers with their down payments with $25,000 down payment assistance.  (Applause.)

We will help entrepreneurs start and grow small businesses, knowing you are the backbone of America’s economy.  (Applause.)

We will expand health care in a way that makes Medicare cover home health care for seniors — (applause) — because we know it’s just not right that people have to spend down all their money to qualify for Medicaid to be able to take care of what is basically about dignity, when it comes to home health care.  (Applause.)  It’s about dignity. 

And so, part of my plan is to recognize you who are members of what we call the “sandwich generation” — (applause) — who are taking care of your young children and your parents at the same time — (applause) — knowing what that does in terms of the emotional, the physical, the mental burden that you are carrying just trying to take care of your family.  And we need to have policies in our country that see you and lift you up, knowing it is a matter of dignity and just what is right.  (Applause.)

We will lower the cost on everything from health care to groceries, taking on, for example, the issue of corporate price gouging.  I’ve done it before, and I’m going to do it again.  (Applause.)

We will give a tax cut to 100 million Americans, including $6,000 during the first year of your child’s life — (applause) — to help you be able to buy a crib or car seat or all the things you need at that critical stage of your child’s development. 

And all of this is to say, I will always put middle-class families first.  (Applause.)  I come from the middle class.  I come from the middle class, and I will never forget where I come from.  (Applause.)

Now, Donald Trump has a different plan. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Just google Project 2025.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And I continue to say, I can’t believe they put that in writing.  (Laughter.)  You know, they — they published it, they bound it, and they handed it out. 

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  They’re out of their minds!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  “They’re out of their minds.”  (Laughter.)

And it is a detailed, dangerous blueprint for what he will do if he is elected president again. 

Donald Trump will give billionaires and corporations massive tax cuts. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Cut Social Security and Medicare is what he would do.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And impose what I call a “Trump sales tax,” a 20 percent tax on everyday goods and necessities, which will cost — the economists have said — the average American family nearly $4,000 more a year. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

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

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Now, Arizona, I was a member of the United States Senate during that time — but during that time when he was president and kept trying to get rid of the Affordable Care Act.  And I’m going to tell you about one particular night, which has a direct connection to all of you. 

So, that one night, it was late, late, late in the night.  They were trying to get rid of the Affordable Care Act again, and it required one more vote to keep it intact, and that vote was the late, great John McCain.  (Applause.)  A great American, a war hero: John McCain.  And I’ll never forget that night. 

So, we’re all standing in the chamber, and we’re waiting.  And then, you know, in the Senate chamber, there are these big wooden doors, and it was like out of a movie.  (Laughter.)  The wooden doors broke open, and John McCain came walking into the well of the United States Senate — (applause) — and said, “No, you don’t.  No, you don’t.  No, you don’t.” 

But Donald Trump is trying to get rid of the Affordable Care Act still. 

And guess — here’s the thing.  He has no plan to replace it. 

AUDIENCE MEMBERS:  (Inaudible.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Oh, you watched the debate.  You watched the debate.  (Laughs.)  So, remember, he’s got, quote, “concepts of a plan.”  “Concepts.” 

Okay, so let’s think about that.  You know, I’ve said, because it’s true, he is an unserious man.  And the consequences of him ever being president again are brutally serious.

Because think about this: concept of a plan.  So, he’s basically going to threaten the health insurance of 45 million Americans based on a concept and take us back then to what?  To the time when insurance companies had the power to deny people with preexisting conditions. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Well, we are —

AUDIENCE:  Not going back!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — not going back.  (Applause.)

We are not going back.  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’re not going back.  We’re not going back, no.

AUDIENCE:  We are not going back!  We are not going back!  We are not going back!

THE VICE PRESIDENT: No, because — no, because we will move forward.  (Applause.) 

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

And we remember how we got here.  Donald Trump, when he was president, hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention —

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — that they would undo Roe, and they did as he intended.  And now more than one in three women in America lives in a state with a Trump abortion ban —

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — including right here in Arizona, 3.5 million women.  And many of these bans, like the one in this state, have no exceptions even for rape and incest.  It is immoral.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And I know we all know one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government should not be telling her what to do.  (Applause.)  Not the government.  If she chooses, she’ll talk with her priest or her pastor or her rabbi or her mam — imam, but not the government. 

So, Arizona, we need to fight this battle on every front.  And in this election, you have the chance on the state level to vote yes on Proposition 139 — (applause) — 139 — and protect your right to make your own health care decisions.

And then, when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom nationwide — (applause) — as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law.  (Applause.)  Proudly. 

But, look, in addition to that — you know, I’m traveling around the country, and across our nation, guys, we are witnessing a full-on attack on hard-won, hard-fought freedoms and rights, fundamental freedoms and rights, like the freedom to vote, the freedom to be safe from gun violence, the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride — (applause) — and the freedom to breathe clean air and drink clean water.  (Applause.) 

A topic that looms large here in Arizona, and I know that topic well.  I worked on drought resilience for years and helped secure historic resources for communities across the West to invest in water infrastructure, water recycling, and water storage.  And I promise you, as president, I will continue to invest in drought resilience so that communities like those across Arizona have what you need to thrive.  (Applause.) 

So, look, so much is on the line in this election.  Twenty-six days to go, and this is not 2016 or 2020.  The stakes are even higher, because, remember, a few months ago, the United States Supreme Court told the former president he is effectively immune from whatever he does in office. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Now, because you all know, just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails.  He who has vowed, if he were reelected, he’d be a dictator on day one —

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — who will weaponize the Department of Justice against his political enemies, and who has called for the, quote, “termination” of the Constitution of the United States of America. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And let — let us be clear, someone who suggests we should terminate the Constitution of the United States should never again stand behind the seal of the president of the United States of America.  (Applause.)  Never again. Never again.  Never again. 

So, it all comes down to this.  Generations of Americans before us have led the fight for freedom, and now the baton is in our hands.  The baton is now in our hands because we here know what is at stake, and we love our country.  We love our country.  (Applause.)  We love our country. 

And I do believe one of the highest forms of patriotism —

AUDIENCE:  USA!  USA!  USA!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  That’s right.  (Inaudible.)

And one of the highest forms, then, of patriotism, of the expression of our love of our country is to fight for the ideals of our country and to fight to realize the promise of America.  (Applause.) 

So, the election is in 26 days.  Here in Arizona, early voting has already started statewide.  (Applause.)  You can cast your ballot today or any day between now and November 5th.  (Applause.)  So, now is the time to make your plan to vote.  (Applause.)  And if you have received your ballot in the mail, please do not wait.  Fill it out today.  Return it in today.  (Applause.)  I think some of you have.  (Laughs.)

Because, folks, the election is here.  The election is here, and we’ve got to energize and organize and mobilize. 

And please, let’s always remember: Your vote is your voice, and your voice is your power.  (Applause.)

And so, Arizona, 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.  (Applause.) 

                          END                 6:41 P.M. MST

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Harry Reid International Airport
Las Vegas, Nevada

3:35 P.M. PDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Hi.  I wanted to just say it’s been great to be back in Las Vegas.  I’ve been here so many times over the years, and this has been a good trip.  I had some good time to meet with the Culinary Union members, who, of course, are part of the backbone of this great city. 

And I guess, by contrast, my opponent, Donald Trump, yet again, has trashed another great American city when he was in Detroit, which is just a further piece of evidence on a very long list of why he is unfit to be president of the United States.

And with that, I’m happy to take any questions you all have.

     Q    Madam Vice President —

     Q    Madam Vice President, you talked a lot about it being a starker contrast in this election, yet it’s still pretty close, and you talked to a number of undecided voters.  What is your message to them?  Are you surprised that there are so many who still say they’re undecided?  And what would you want them to know about what you believe is that stark contrast?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  It’s an election for president of the United States, and I intend to earn every vote.  And that’s why I’m here in Nevada, why I’m on my way to Arizona, why I’m traveling the country: to talk with folks, to listen with them, just as I’ve been doing during this visit here to Las Vegas.

And there are a lot of issues that people deserve to hear about, including, for example, my plan on what we’re going to do to build an opportunity economy in a way that will bring down prices but also invest in our small businesses, invest in our entrepreneurs, and invest in American industries.

So, this is a campaign, and it is only right that we earn the vote in order to win what is one of the most important, if not the most important, office in our land.

     Q    And when you say “stark contrast” what do you believe is (inaudible) —

     Q    Madam Vice President, on that contrast, new reporting came out suggests that Donald Trump, as a private citizen, made multiple phone calls to Vladimir Putin.  Were you aware of those calls?  And what’s your response to that reporting?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I’ve heard that reporting.  And let me tell you, that, on top of the further reporting, which is that, during the height of the pandemic, Donald Trump, as president of the United States, secretly sent COVID test kits to Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, an adversary, at a time when here in this town and across our country people were dying by the hundreds.  People were scrambling trying to find COVID tests, and the president of the United States secretly sent a bunch for the personal use of the president of Russia. 

We have so many examples of the fact that Donald Trump does not understand the importance of being president of the United States and commander in chief, whether it be what he does full time in demeaning members of our military, calling them “suckers” and “losers;” referring to a great American hero from the state I’m about to visit, who was a prisoner of war, as somehow undeserving of his admiration because he said he got caught.  We have examples of Donald Trump just constantly admiring dictators and autocrats, saying he wants to be a dictator on day one.

Let me tell you something: That’s a sign of the weakness of character that you would seek favor and flattery from dictators and put their needs over the needs of the American people.  And what more clear, most recent example can we have of that than giving COVID tests to the president of Russia when the people of America were dying every day and in need of those tests.

     Q    Madam Vice President, any comment on the air strikes in Lebanon?  Nearly two dozen people have been killed.  There was also some firing on U.N. peacekeepers there.  Any comment? 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I’ll say that — what I’ve been saying about this: We have got to reach a ceasefire both as it relates to what’s happening in Lebanon and, of course, Gaza.  We are working around the clock in that regard.

But we need these wars to end, and we’ve got to definitely de-escalate what is happening in the region, and we’re working on it. 

     (Cross-talk.)

     Q    Madam Vice President, I have a question.  As a Latina, I want to know, what do you have to tell Latinos like me who hear Donald Trump saying that that our genes are bad and that we are bad for the country?  I would like to know what you — what you have to say to those Latinos —

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

     Q    — who are undecided and want to know what you think about that rhetoric about us.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I think that, to your point, Donald Trump has shown himself to be someone who thrives on trying to divide us as a nation and — and demean people, call people names.  And that’s not the sign of the character in someone that we want as president of the United States. 

He — we — we have so much more in common than what separates us as Americans.  And it is, I think, in the best interest of everyone to have a leader who measures their strength not based on who they beat down but on who they lift up, and that’s the kind of president I intend to be.

     Thank you all.

                               END                 3:40 P.M. PDT

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Cox Pavilion
Las Vegas, Nevada

1:11 P.M. EDT

MR. ACEVEDO:  Madam Vice President, bienvenida.  Welcome.  (Applause.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.

MR. ACEVEDO:  Thank you again for doing this.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you.  

MR. ACEVEDO: (Speaks Spanish.)  (No translation provided.

Madam Vice President, again, thank you, and welcome. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  I’m very happy to be with you.  Thank you.  Thank you to everyone for taking the time to have this conversation.  Thank you.

MR. ACEVEDO:  Particularly this week, when we’re facing a — a national emergency.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.  So, the — well, let me start by — Enrique, thank you and Univision and everyone who is here for this conversation.  It is (inaudible) —

 MR. ACEVEDO:  Let me — let me grab a microphone.  I’m sorry they didn’t mic you. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah, no.  It’s okay.

MR. ACEVEDO:  We’ll fix it quickly.  Thank you.  Thank you, ma’am. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Again, I thank everyone for taking the time to be here this evening and for this important conversation.  And to Univision and Enrique, thank you. 

You mentioned the hurricanes.  I’ll start by speaking to all of the people who are living in the Southeast corridor who have been so devastated by Hurricane Helene, Milton.  And I cannot stress enough the work that we have been doing around the clock to make sure that the federal resources are on the ground, in partnership with state and local leaders, to do the work of giving people the relief they need so immediately, plus a commitment to helping people in the long term. 

I do think that the crisis that we have just experienced and the ongoing effects of it, because of these hurricanes, are yet another example of the importance of having leadership at a moment of crisis who understands their role and responsibility. 

I think for too long in our country, especially over the last several years, there has been a suggestion that, frankly, I think is quite backward, that suggests that the strength of a leader is based on who you beat down, instead of the real strength of a leader being who you lift up. 

And in this crisis, like in so many issues that affect the people of our country, I think it is important that leadership recognizes the dignity to which each person is entitled, that leadership is about understanding the importance of lifting people up, understanding that the character of our country is such that we are a people who have ambitions, aspirations, dreams, goals for ourselves and our families and are entitled to have a leader who then invests in that, as opposed to a leader who is constantly trying to divide the country and have people pointing their fingers at each other, demeaning people.

And that, frankly, is a big contrast in this election.  This election is taking place in 26 days, and I very much believe that the American people are being presented with two very different visions for our country. 

MR. ACEVEDO:  And we will — we’ll talk about those visions today.  (Inaudible) —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And I look forward to this conversation, because I do believe — and I’ll just close with this, and then, please —

MR. ACEVEDO:  Of course, ma’am.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — is that the two visions, simply put, are that one is about the future and the other is about the past and taking us backward.  And I do believe that the American people are ambitious and aspirational about an investment in the future in a way that we are optimistic while being clear-eyed. 

So, I’m honored to be here to have this conversation, and I look forward to any questions.  Thank you.

     MR. ACEVEDO:  Thank you so much.

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you. 

     MR. ACEVEDO:  Muchas gracias.

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.

MR. ACEVEDO:  And our thoughts and prayers, of course, are — are with the families affected, the people living in the affected area, like Ramiro.  Ramiro Gonzalez, our first question, he’s in construction.  He lives in Tampa. 

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Okay.

     MR. ACEVEDO:  His home is there.  (Speaks Spanish.)

     Q    (Speaks Spanish.) 

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  I spent the night watching the news about Hurricane Milton.

     Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  We had another hurricane just two weeks ago —

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

     MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  — Helene.

     Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  I’ve heard rumors that the administration didn’t do enough in terms of relief for families affected by Helene.  What would your administration do differently in the case of Milton?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Well, first of all, thank you for the question.  And I hope your family is okay —

     Q    They are.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — and your home is okay. 

     Q    Yes, they are, ma’am.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Okay.  So, there has been a lot of mis- and disinformation about what we have been doing over the last two weeks and what we are going to do going forward.  And I have to stress that this is not a time for people to play politics. 

You know, I started my career as a prosecutor, and when I worked doing that job of my goal of keeping people safe, I never asked a witness or a victim of crime, “Are you a Republican?  Are you a Democrat?”  The only question I ever asked is, “Are you okay?”

And sadly, we have seen, over the last two weeks since Hurricane Helene, and now in the immediate aftermath of Milton, where people are playing political games, suggesting that — that resources and support is only going to certain people based on a political agenda.  And this is just not accurate. 

I have been working over the course of the last couple of years — not even a couple of years; my whole career — but couple of weeks with people on the ground in Georgia, in North Carolina, in Florida, in the Southeast corridor — Republicans, Democrats — to work in getting relief that is about bringing FEMA resources on the ground, reminding people that they are entitled to relief.  Don’t listen to anyone who says that you’re not entitled.

Doing the work — I was just on a — a secure meeting today with the president, with the secretary of Defense, with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, with the head of the Coast Guard, with the general representing NORTHCOM, talking about how the federal, state, and local governments are working together for the benefit of the people on the ground. 

Another piece of work that I’ve been doing — it’s based on my years of being an attorney general in California — is telling those corporations and those companies that, during crisis and emergencies, jack up prices — and I’ve seen it happen before — that we’re watching them.  And at a moment of — of desperation for these individuals and families, whether it be to be able to get temporary shelter at a hotel, for gas prices, for even airline tickets, that we’ll be watching, if they’re jacking up prices, to make sure there’ll be serious consequence.  And that’s the kind of work I will do going forward. 

I have spent my career — the vast majority of my career concerning myself with the safety and well-being of people.  And I promise you and I pledge to, as president, I will continue to do that. 

You have a right to know that your government and its leaders are putting you first and not themselves. 

     Q    Thank you, Madam Vice President.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you. 

MR. ACEVEDO:  Gracias, Ramiro.  Our next question is over here.  Yvette Castillo, she lives here in Vegas.  (Speaks Spanish.)  She wants to share a personal story, Madam Vice President.

     Q    Hi.  Buenas noches, Vicepresidenta —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.

     Q    — Harris.  (Speaks Spanish.)  You and I have something in common.  We both lost our mother. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Aw —

     Q    And I’m an American citizen, born to two Mexican parents.  They were here before I was even born.  They have worked their whole lives.  But with the way immigration laws change over time, I was only able to help my dad get his legal status squared away but not my mom’s.  My mom passed away just six weeks ago. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Oh, I’m so sorry. 

     Q    And she was never, ever able to get the type of care and service that she needed or deserved.  (Cries.)  Sorry. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Take your time.  Take your time. 

     Q    So, my question for you is: What are your plans or do you have plans to support that subgroup of immigrants who have been here their whole lives or most of them and have to live and die in the shadows?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I’m so sorry for you. 

     Q    Thank you.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  You must remember your mother as she lived.  I have enou- — I have enough of a feeling about your strength that it probably comes from her to know she would want you to remember her as she lived and not as she died.  Okay?

     Q    Mm-hmm.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, let’s take it one step at a time. 

Your parents were here for years, it sounds like.  And your father was able to earn his pathway to citizenship, but your mother was not.  And I’m going to assume it’s because part of the problem is that we do have a broken immigration system, including it being the case that even though, when we were elected in 2020, and the first bill we offered Congress — before we did the bipartisan infrastructure bill, before we did the work on gun safety, before we did the work on investing in chips and science — the first bill we offered within hours of taking the oath was a bill to fix the immigration system, including creating a comprehensive earned pathway to citizenship for hardworking people.  And it was not taken up. 

And now we look at a situation where people are suffering.  The reality is that, in terms of having access to health care, had your mother been able to gain citizenship, she would have been entitled to health care that may have alleviated her suffering and yours. 

And this is one example of the fact that there are real people who are suffering because of an inability to put solutions in front of politics. 

I mean, an example of this on immigration policy is that, as it relates to what we need to do to strengthen our border, a bipartisan group of members of Congress, including one of the most conservative members of the United States Senate, came together with one of the strongest border security bills we’ve had in decades. 

And it included 1,500 more border agents to go to the border to help those hardworking folks who are working around the clock.  The border agents supported the bill.  It included more resources to stem the flow of fentanyl, which is killing people of every background in every region of our country.  It would have allowed us to have more resources to take on transnational criminal organizations.  I have prosecuted transnational criminal organizations, from the Guadalajara Cartel to the Sinaloa Cartel.

And Donald Trump found out about that bill, realized it would be a solution, and told them not to put it on the floor for a vote, because he would prefer to run on a problem instead of fixing a problem. 

And, again, Enrique, we were talking about it.  Wh- — in terms of real leadership, real leadership is about solving problems on behalf of the people. 

 And I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through.  I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through.  And, you know, my mother came to the United States at the age of 19.  She was by herself — came alone by herself.  She raised my sister and me — Maya.  And I know what it is like to have a hardworking mother who loves you and to lose that.  But I know that her spirit is alive.  I know her spirit is alive. 

And will you tell me her name?  And let’s speak her name. 

     Q    Maria Dolore- — (voice breaks) — sorry.  Maria Dolores Figueroa. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Maria Dolores?

     Q    Mm-hmm.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Okay.  We speak her name.  Okay?

     Q    Yes.  Thank you.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  All right.

MR. ACEVEDO:  Muchas gracias, Yvette.  Thank you so much, Madam Vice President. 

We have Francisco Medina here with me.  (Speaks Spanish.)  He comes from San Diego, California, and has a question about access to health care.  (Speaks Spanish.)  Gracias, Francisco.

     Q    Very nice to meet you.  Thank you for being here. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Of course.

     Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  I have an injury in my knee.

     Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  I work for the Department of Defense, and supposedly we have very good health care.

     Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  But the time to see a specialist are just simply ridiculous. 

     Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

MR. ACEVEDO:  Dos años?

     Q    Dos años.  (Speaks Spanish.)

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  Finally, after two years, I was able to get an MRI.

     Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  But I had to wait for a month to start rehab.

     Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  So, I went across the border to Tijuana, Mexico, and in less than 45 minutes, I was already seeing in a specialist and having rehab.

     Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

 MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  What’s your plan to improve the health care system?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, are you fe- — I hope you’re feeling better now.  I’m sorry it took so long for you to get the su- — the support you needed. 

I firmly and deeply believe that access to health care is a right and should be a right and not just a privilege of those who can afford it or have access to it easily.  It should be something that we make accessible to all people. 

 Again, it gets back to my earlier point.  It’s about the dignity of people and about the importance of doing what we can as leaders to alleviate suffering.  Right? 

 You know, when I — when I say earlier about what I think is backwards in terms of this thinking that it’s a sign of strength to beat people down, part of the backward nature of those kinds of thinking is to suggest that empathy — right? — is somehow a weakness — empathy, meaning to have some level of care and concern about the suffering of other people and then do something to lift that up. 

 A lot of the work that I have done over the years, including as vice president now for almost four years, has been to address what we need to do to strengthen our health care system, whether it be what we do to strengthen the Affordable Care Act to make sure more people have coverage, to what we have done, which is we finally have capped the cost of insulin, for example, at $35 a month. 

I don’t know if this is interactive enough, if I can ask anyone: Raise your hand if you have a family member with diabetes.  I — right?  And seniors and what — Latinos are 70 percent more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes.  And so, when we capped the cost of insulin at $35 a month, what that means is it — it’s the story I hear constantly, including recently, from a woman here in Las Vegas, which is finally her mother can afford to fill her prescription for insulin instead of trying to make it last for a longer period of time, even though that’s going to lead to her health condition worsening. 

The work we have done has been about capping the cost of prescription medication for seniors at $2,000.  My intention, as president of the United States, is to now make that available not just for seniors but for everyone.  The work that we must do is about understanding health care is a right and should not just be a privilege of those who have access to it. 

 Again, this is an election.  That’s why we’re here, because we have an election coming up.  There’s a big contrast between me and Donald Trump. 

When he was president of the United States, he and his friends 60 times tried to get rid of the Affordable Care Act.  You remember what it was like before the Affordable Care Act?  Preexisting conditions — when an insurance company could deny you access to health care for a preexisting condition, which could include asthma — your child has asthma; a survivor of breast cancer; diabetes.  I mean, some would argue being a woman was a preexisting condition under that plan.  Tried to get rid of it. 

I — I urge everyone to look up Project 2025, which is his plan if he is elected president again.  Google it.  And you’ll see the plan that he has that includes getting rid of Medicare, Social Security, and all of those things that are to the benefit of, again, the basic dignity of all people and, in particular, working people. 

Look, I come from the middle class.  My mother was a working woman who raised me and my sister.  My mother was able to finally af- — she saved up to be able to afford to buy a home by the time I was a teenager. 

I know everyone has ambition, works hard, has aspirations, but doesn’t necessarily have all the resources that other people have.  Access to health care should not be a function of how much money you have in your back pocket. 

That’s how I think about the health care system, including what we need to do to make sure that someone like you, who has dedicated yourself to our country and your work, has access and doesn’t have to go to another country to get what you need. 

     Q    Gracias. 

     MR. ACEVEDO:  Gracias.

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you. 

     MR. ACEVEDO:  Gracias, Francisco. 

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.

     MR. ACEVEDO:  Thank you, Madam Vice President. 

Over a million disability applications are stuck in our Social Security system.  And Martha Rodriguez has a question about that. 

     (Speaks Spanish).

     Q    Good evening —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good evening. 

     Q    — Vice President Harris.  My name is Martha.  I’m 62 years old and currently homeless.  In 2020, I had a heart attack.  Then I got diagnosed with long COVID, which will disable me for the rest of my life. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

     Q    I lost my job, my income.  I had no choice but to apply for Social Security disability.  It’s been three years I’ve been waiting for a decision.  Because of no income, I lost everything.  I have no health insurance.  I can’t get medical treatment that I need.  And my question for you is: How will you help the disabled people —

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

     Q    — so that they can get insurance —

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

     Q    — and make America great again?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I’m so sorry for everything you’ve been through.  Your point about long COVID, finally — I was actually part of pushing to make sure that long COVID is now recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act.  So, it is now recognized as being a disability for the purposes of allowing you and people who have long COVID to be eligible for disability benefits.  And that’s a very big point.

As it relates to disability rights as a general matter, it’s something I’ve worked on for years.  The point just being very simple, frankly, which is that all people, regardless of disability, should have equal access to housing, to job opportunities, to education, and, again, to dignity.  And there’s still a lot of work that we have to do in that regard. 

What we have to do in terms of also making sure that somebody who experiences an acute illness does not lose everything is still work we have to do.  Part of the work that I have been doing and intend to do as president includes, for example, dealing with the issue of medical debt.  So, this is a big issue, which is people, through no fault of their own, experience a serious illness, and then they acquire all these bills and debt. 

Right now, the system is that that medical debt can be used against your credit score — your credit score.  Everybody knows their credit score.  It’s like — kind of like you know your weight, you know your credit score, right? 

So, your credit score, as we know, will determine your eligibility for everything from a small-business loan to whether you qualify for a lease on an apartment.  The unfairness of it — and this is what I intend to change — is that medical debt is not a measure of how responsible you are with money.  It’s about the fact that you experienced an emergency for which you did not plan because you did not invite it, and then it works against people’s ability to do things like get an apartment. 

So, there are a number of issues that I think you’re raising around how we have to see the full person and understand how one thing connects to another, because, as you have explained, a health issue that then results in an issue about, literally, housing and whether you are unhoused; an issue that is about what you qualify in terms of benefits, again, to be able to live with dignity and have a — a quality of life to which you are entitled after what I can tell are years of working hard. 

     Q    I worked for 45 years before I got sick, and to be waiting so long —

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

     Q    And all they can say is it’s because of the pandemic. 

     MR. ACEVEDO:  Thank you so much, Martha.

     Q    Pandem- — thank you. 

     MR. ACEVEDO:  Thank you. 

     Q    I hope you address this. 

     MR. ACEVEDO:  Gracias.

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I will, and I’ll remember your story. 

     Q    Thank you.

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Okay?

MR. ACEVEDO:  Thank you, Martha.  Thank you, Madam Vice President. 

Our next question comes over here from Mario Sigbaum.  He was born in Uruguay but became a U.S. citizen 28 years ago.  He lives in California.  Mario, (speaks Spanish).

     Q    Sí.

     MR. ACEVEDO:  Tu pregunta, por favor.

     Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

     MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  I’m reg- — registered as an independent.

     Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

     MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  I voted Democrat and Republican, but I’m confused right now.

     Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

     MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  You became a candidate without going through the primary sort of caucus, like it usually happens.

     Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

     MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  I’m right now leaning towards Trump, but I haven’t made a decision.  I’m also concerned about the way I feel President Biden was pushed aside.

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Oh. 

     Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

     MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  I think it’s extraordinary circumstances, given how close we are to the election. 

     (Speaks Spanish.)  (Laughs.)  The question, Mario.

     Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

     MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  How do you respond to this process and how you —

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Sure.  And —

     MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  — how you got the candidacy?

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  First of all, thank you for being so candid and allowing me to answer the question.  Thank you.

President Biden made a decision that I think history will show was probably one of the most courageous that a president could make, which is he decided to put country above his personal interest.  And he made that decision.  He very — within that same period of time, supported my candidacy and urged me to run.  He and I have been partners for the last four years as his vice president to — to him as the president.

And I am honored to have earned the Democratic nomination.  I am honored to have the endorsement of people from every walk of life.  You will probably find that I probably have a bigger coalition of people who couldn’t seem to be more different than each other, who have come together around my candidacy — from 200 Republicans who worked with and for both Presidents Bush, John McCain, Mitt Romney; including Liz Cheney, the former congresswoman, and her father, the former vice president, Dick Cheney, who is supporting me; former members — very esteemed members, including generals, of the national security community.  I have the endorsement and support of Alberto G- — Gonzales, most recently, who, of course, was attorney general. 

I have the support of people from every background, and I believe this is the reason why: It is incredibly important — and I know you and I can see you are a patriot — that we have the president of the United States who honors the oath that they take to support the Constitution of the United States. 

There is a huge contrast in this election.  Donald Trump has said he will be a dictator on day one.  Many people come from backgrounds and countries of origin, and we know what that means when you’re talking about someone who wants to be president of the United States and wants to be a dictator and what that means in terms of taking freedoms from their people. 

Donald Trump has said he would weaponize the Department of Justice against his political enemies.  I urge you to look at Project 2025, and you will see.  He will strip the Department of Justice of its independence and put in and hire across the board, instead of career public servants, his people, who are his loyalists. 

Donald Trump said he would — and I’m using a quotation — “terminate” the Constitution of the United States.  Imagine.  The Constitution of the United States, which guarantees the Fourth Amendment against unreasonable search and seizure by a government on you; the Fifth Amendment; the Sixth Amendment. 

So, I believe that the stakes right now are extraordinarily high and potentially — some might say, historians have said — unprecedented.  And so, maybe the whole situation, including your point, is a bit unprecedented, but this is an unusual time, where we are literally having a choice, as the American people, about choosing a path either that is about rule of law, democracy, or something that is about admiring dictators and autocracy. 

Did you see the most recent report about the COVID — we talked about COVID — the COVID test?  The most recent report: Donald Trump, according to that report, during the height of COVID — I’m sure there are people here who have family members or friends who died, and he secretly shipped off COVID tests to Vladimir Putin of Russia, when people by the hundreds were dying every day. 

D- — President Biden and I would work on it, because disproportionately Latinos and African Americans were dying. 

So, I present that to you, sir, to say this is an extraordinary time.  It’s an extraordinary time.  And what is being presented to the voters of America right now is a real choice and a real difference — so fundamental.  This is not about a debate on trickle-down economic theory.  It’s literally about: Do we support our democracy and the Constitution of the United States, or are we going to go on the path of somebody who is a sore loser and lost the election in 2020 and tried to have a violent mob undo it?  A violent mob that attacked the United States Capitol, that injured 140 uniformed law enforcement officers — some died — to undo the will of the American people in a free and fair election. 

And I think, frankly, sir, that is why some former Trump supporters are supporting me.  I think January 6th, for a lot of people, was just a bridge too far.  It was just one step too far. 

So, I hope to earn your vote, and I thank you for your candor.  Thank you. 

MR. ACEVEDO:  Gracias, Mario. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.

MR. ACEVEDO:  Thank you, Madam Vice President. 

We’re going to try to get to as many questions as possible.  We’re just going to take a quick break.

(Speaks Spanish.)

(Commercial break.)

(Speaks Spanish.)

We’re back.  And, Madam Vice President, our next question comes from Arizona — from Yuma, Arizona, Carlos Garcia.

(Speaks Spanish.)

Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

     MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  I come from Yuma, Arizona.  And, as you know, your opponent has accused you of allowing the border to be out of control, as well as undocumented immigration.

     Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

     MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  I’ve seen Border Patrol agents exhausted from working long hours.  I’ve seen fear in my community, as well as the borders are closed for us living across the border and inside.

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

     Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

     MR. ACEVEDO:  Border crossings, I should correct. 

(Interpreting.)  What would you do differently from what’s been done in the Biden administration to make sure that the border is secure and orderly?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, and thank you for the question.  And I was just recently in Arizona, at the border. 

Let me start with this.  Perhaps what distinguishes me from at least a couple of people: I was the top law enforcement officer of the biggest state in this country, California, that is also a border state.  I have taken on transnational criminal organizations.  I have taken on crim- — transnational criminal organizations that traffic in guns, drugs, and human beings, and I have prosecuted them. 

I led a bipartisan group of attorneys general — American attorneys general to Mexico City to work with Mexican attorneys general to combine intelligence and resources to prosecute those cases, including what was going south as well as what was coming north. 

So, I will put my record up against anyone in terms of the work I have always done and will always do to ensure we have a secure border, which is why I also mention, then, in the context of an earlier question, the point about the border security bill. 

So, I was just in Arizona at the border.  I spoke with the Border Patrol leaders there.  They are wor- — to your point, they’re working around the clock, and they need more support.  Fifteen hundred more border agents would have gone to the border — except Donald Trump got in the way of that bill — many months ago, which would mean those many months of more resources going to help those very agents you are talking about; many months of what could have been happening right now in terms of putting resources into fentanyl and stopping the flow of fentanyl, which we know is killing people every day in America; the trafficking issue — and, again, work I have done and care deeply about. 

So, my pledge to you is that, by the grace of God, and hopefully with your support as well, when I am elected president, I will bring back that border security bill, and I will sign it into law and do the work of focusing on what we must do to have a orderly and humane pathway to earned citizenship for hardworking people.  I think it is a false choice for people who would say you do one or the other.  I believe we must do both.  I believe we can do both.

And my pledge to you is to work on that.  The solutions are at hand.  We need the political will. 

And I thank you for the question. 

Q    Thank you. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you. 

MR. ACEVEDO:  Thank you, Carlos.  Gracias, Carlos.  And thank you, Madam Vice President. 

Our next question is over here.  Jesús Aispuro is voting for the first time —

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Oh.

     MR. ACEVEDO:  in November.  (Speaks Spanish).

Q    So, good — good evening.  My name is Jesús.  So, it’s been a couple years since I’ve gone out of college, and in that time, I actually met a lot of people, a lot of classmates — a lot of classmates that became friends.  And, yeah, one thing that — that happened in that time is a lot of them were talking, feeling this theme of fear.  And a lot of them — a lot of these classmates were actual DREAMers.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

Q    And, you know, they had to live day by day and —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

Q    — you know, have that — that fear in them. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

Q    So, my question to you is, how would you get these students under DACA the opportunity and citizenship to — to continue?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  And congratulations on being a first-time voter.  That’s wonderful.  Your voice is your vote.  And this is, again, part of the point of a democracy.  As long as we can hold on to a democracy, each individual has the ability and the power to determine the course of our country through your vote and so many other ways. 

So, our DREAMers — this is, again, a very big example of what the price is to pay for a broken immigration system.  Our DREAMers, who you know — and they are friends, classmates, former classmates of yours — children who — who came very young to the United States, who have worked hard, who have built up a productive life, who are in universities, who are working in Fortune 500 companies, who are serving in our military — serving in our military, prepared to die for the sake of our country and what we stand for. 

And one of the biggest problems with failure to have a — a comprehensive plan for immigration is that we have not given them the pathway to earn their right to citizenship.  And that is — again, that is one of the priorities for me, frankly, in terms of my motivation for what I know we must do.  And they’re afraid.  They’re constantly worried. 

I mean, there are court cases still where these young people — you know, now we’re looking at millennials, some of them — right? — but who are still afraid.  I — it pains me.  I know many of them who are still afraid somebody might come knocking on their door. 

And I just think it’s important that we recognize who this population of young people are and agree that they have been so productive; they are prepared to do what is necessary by law.  And I think it’s — I think it should compel us to agree they should not have to live in fear but should have an ability to be on a pathway to earn their citizenship. 

So, it is one of my priorities.  And I’ve worked on this in terms of DREAMers for many, many years, and I’ll continue to fight for them. 

And thank you for the question.  Thank you. 

MR. ACEVEDO:  Gracias, Jesús. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you. 

MR. ACEVEDO:  Gracias, vicepresidenta.  Thank you so much. 

     We’re going to take a quick break again.  (Speaks Spanish.) 

(Commercial break.)

(Speaks Spanish.) 

     Madam Vice President, our next question comes from Wendy Solares.  Wendy lives in Los Angeles.  Her parents are Mexican.  (Speaks Spanish.)

Q    Buenas noches, vicepresidenta. (Speaks Spanish.) 

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  I come as a mother.  It’s my husband, my five daughters, and my parents living — living with us at home. 

Q    Sí. (Speaks Spanish.)

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  I’ve watched on the news that the cost of life has improved, but when I go to the grocery store, prices are up. 

Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  So, we went from spending $200 to over $350 in groceries.

Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  The same goes for utilities like —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Water.

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  — water and energy and clothes.

Q    Sí.  (Speaks Spanish.)

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  I am a middle-class working woman, and you said we’re ambitious, but it’s hard to maintain that ambition when the conditions are so — so hard, so challenging. 

Q    Yes.  (Speaks Spanish.) 

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  How are you going to make sure that the cost of life doesn’t destroy the — the middle class?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you for the question.  And your point — listen, I know prices are too high still.  You know prices are too high still.  And we have to deal with it. 

Here’s how I feel about it.  Again, you’ve heard my story.  I — I come from the working class.  I’m never going to forget where I come from.  And part of what we have to do is build what I call an opportunity economy, where people have the opportunity, like you have described, for you to be able to work hard and your five daughters have an opportunity to then do what they and what you aspire for them to be able to do without having to worry about just getting by.  I want you to be able to get ahead. 

So, here’s my plan.  It includes what we need to do to bring down the cost of, for example, groceries.  One of the issues I’m going to be taking on is price gouging, which is these corporations and companies who jack up prices unnecessarily, usually around people who are desperate.  It’s going to be about bringing down the cost of living. 

For example, part of my plan is to expand the Child Tax Credit so that young families will get $6,000 during the first year of their child’s life to help them be able to buy a crib, a car seat, the clothes, the things that they need during that critical stage of their child’s development. 

Housing — from Los Angeles — you know, I live in Los Angeles too.  Okay.  So, L.A. — all over the country, we know we have a housing shortage, and it’s jacking up the price of housing, both for buying and renting. 

Part of my plan is to work with the private sector.  Listen, I’m a capitalist.  I believe in the — the strength of the private sector to create jobs and to work with government to strengthen the economy.  Part of my plan is to work with developers and builders to build 3 million more housing before the end of my first term. 

And my plan is to give first-time homebuyers a $25,000 down payment assistance to be able to just get their foot in the door to buy a home, which is the source, as you know, of intergenerational wealth.  When you have a home, when you have home ownership, that’s how you build up capital and equity that you can use then for other purposes. 

My plan includes small businesses. 

You know, so, growing up, we lived on — we lived in an apartment above a childcare center, which was owned by the woman that helped my mother raise us.  We called her our second mother.  She was a small-business owner. 

I know who our small businesses are, and they are — they are business leaders.  They are civic leaders.  They are community leaders.  They hire locally.  They mentor.  And they need more support. 

Small businesses are part of the backbone of America’s economy.  Part of my plan is for start-up small businesses — the — the tax deduction right now is $5,000, to extend it to $50,000 knowing what that will mean to tap into the ambition and the aspirations that people have; knowing that — unlike my opponent, who got handed $400 million on a silver tray and filed for bankruptcy six times — most people don’t have that access to the wealth that is necessary for them to start a small business, but when they do, it’s to their economic benefit as well as the economic benefit of the community. 

So, these are just some of my plans.  But there’s another one that’s more specific to, I think, your circumstance, and it’s about also dealing with the sandwich generation.  This is what we call people, like how you have described your life — people who are raising young children and taking care of their elder parents, and so they call it the sandwich generation because they’re kind of in between. 

And, you know, when my mother was sick, I took care of her.  And it’s — and I hope your parents are — are well and healthy, but when you are taking care of someone who is older — and for my mother, I mean, that meant trying to cook what — she had a taste for eating.  It meant trying to give her soft enough clothes that wouldn’t irritate her skin, make her try to laugh, you know, then bring a smile to her face. 

And taking care of someone in that situation, it — it takes a lot out of people.  And if you are raising young children at the same time and if you want to work, it’s almost impossible to do it all.  And so many people in that situation are having to leave the workforce — jobs they may love — because there’s no way they can do it all. 

So, here’s my plan — and I just made an announcement about it — to allow Medicare to cover the cost of home health care for seniors.  Medicare now doesn’t do it.  Now the situation is that that family or that individual would have to almost go broke and lose everything to apply for Medicaid.  I’m saying, no, this is a matter of dignity.  It’s born out of a personal experience.  Let’s Medicare cover that so that you can have the home care that allows your — your parents to stay with you or stay in their own home and have the dignity of doing that, but have somebody there who you don’t have to break your savings, who can be there to prepare a meal for them or help them put on their sweater. 

So, these are some of my plans, and the way I think about it is all of this is about building opportunity for people and, in particular, the middle class.  Seeing people as a whole human being, knowing that when you just lift up a little bit of the — the weight, people thrive and we all benefit.  And so, that’s how I think about the economy. 

But we — we got to bring down prices, but we’re still — the — the last numbers — just today, I think it was — inflation is now down to 2.4.  So, the — you know, we call it the macroeconomic numbers are looking good, but it still doesn’t change the experience you’re having at the grocery store, and we still need to deal with that. 

MR. ACEVEDO:  Gracias. 

Q    Thank you.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you.

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Speaks Spanish.) 

     We’re going to make a quick break.  

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Okay.

MR. ACEVEDO:  We’re on our last segment.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Okay.

MR. ACEVEDO:  We’re going to try to get to as many questions as possible.  (Speaks Spanish.) 

(Commercial break.) 

(Speaks Spanish.)  We’re back.  Madam Vice President, we have our next question over here.  Cristian Galván comes from Wisconsin and has a question about reproductive health.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah. 

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Speaks Spanish.)

Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  As a woman, which is the biggest pride in my life, I have a daughter.  I would like to ask you, what difference would it make if you become the first female president, and what laws would you enact to make sure abortion is regularizado — regular- — regularized?

     That’s the term she used. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.  Thank you. 

     So, we are in a situation right now where there are at least 20 states that have Trump abortion bans, because when Donald Trump was president of the United States, he hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention that they would undo the protections of Roe v. Wade. 

     They did as he intended, and now in these states, we see bans that criminalize doctors and nurses — in Texas, up to prison and life for a doctor or nurse; laws that make no exception for rape or incest, which means you’re 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, which is immoral. 

And what I know is, I think most people believe that we should agree you don’t have to abandon your faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government should not be telling her what to do with her body.  If she chooses, she will talk with her priest, her pastor, her rabbi, her imam, but not the government telling people what to do with their own body.  And I feel very strongly about this.

Our daughter is going to have fewer rights than my mother-in-law in this year of our Lord 2024.  And when we talk about what makes for what is right and what is wrong, I think we agree that there are certain decisions, especially over heart and home, that the government should just not be making for us, that we can make them for ourselves.  And so, I feel very strongly about this.

And I’ll tell you, there are probably many people here and watching who rightly have made a decision that they do not believe in abortion.  The point that I am making is not about changing their mind about what’s right for them or their family, it’s simply saying the government shouldn’t be making this decision. 

And the other point I would make is this: What I’m learning as I travel the country on this issue is that people are realizing they may — some who feel firmly about abortion — that they are against it — didn’t realize that what’s happening because of these laws and what Donald Trump did includes that people who are trying to get in vitro fertilization treatment, IVF, are finding it more difficult or being denied. 

What people aren’t realizing is because of these laws, women are having miscarriages in parking lots.  Women are being — I know I’ve met women who wanted to have a baby; they — with their husband — go then, out of an emergency because they’re having a miscarriage, to a hospital and denied care because the doctors there are concerned they may be put in jail.  I’ve met a couple of them who developed sepsis because they were denied care because of these laws. 

So, as president of the United States — and if I am elected as the first woman president of the United States — I will proudly sign back into law the protections of Roe v. Wade, which basically just says it’s the person’s decision, not the government’s decision.  That, in essence, is what’s behind my position. 

MR. ACEVEDO:  Gracias, Cristian.

Q    Thank you. 

MR. ACEVEDO:  Thank you so much.  Our last question, Teresa, please go ahead. 

Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  I would like to ask you something more personal, putting politics aside.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.  Sure.

Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  How do you value people who you don’t agree with?

Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  I think in Washington there are many.  (Laughter.)

Q    (Speaks Spanish.)

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Interpreting.)  Could you mention three virtues of President Donald Trump?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, thank you for the question.  (Laughter.) 

I — let me start with this.  I — I — basic — based on a life experience, I know that the vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us.  And part of what pains me is the approach that, frankly, Donald Trump and some others have taken, which is to suggest that it’s us versus them, whoever that may be, and having Americans point fingers at each other, using language that’s about belittling people and calling them names and meant to make them afraid and — and live in fear. 

     I don’t think that’s healthy for our nation, and I don’t admire that.  And, in fact, I’m quite critical of it coming from someone who wants to be president of the United States. 

I think he — I think Donald Trump loves his family, and I think that’s very important.  I think family is one of the most important things that we can prioritize. 

But I don’t really know him, to be honest with you.  I only met him one time, on the debate stage.  I’d never met him before, so I don’t really have much more to offer you.  (Laughter.) 

But with the — with the remaining time I have — (laughs) —

MR. ACEVEDO:  Yes, ma’am.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — one of the things that occurred to me in terms of the previous question, I invite anyone who’s interested in my policy perspective to go on to KamalaHarris.com.  It’s my website, and you’ll see I have 80 pages of — of my policies as it relates to the economy, health care — we talked about that — and so many other things. 

And I invite anyone, if you’re interested in more detail, please go there to see that.

MR. ACEVEDO:  Thank you so much.  Madam Vice President —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.

MR. ACEVEDO:  — thank you so much for this time, and thank you so much for having this —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you.

MR. ACEVEDO:  — historic conversation with undecided Latino voters. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you.

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Speaks Spanish.)

Thank you, again, for responding to their questions.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you all.   

MR. ACEVEDO:  (Speaks Spanish.)  (No translation provided.)

Good night.  Thank you so much. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you so much.  Thank you again.

MR. ACEVEDO:  Thank you, Madam Vice President.  (Applause.)

                        END                2:12 P.M. PDT

The post Remarks by Vice President Harris in a Univision Town Hall with Enrique Acevedo appeared first on The White House.

Rawhide Event Center
Chandler, Arizona

6:15 P.M. MST

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good evening, Arizona!  (Applause.) 

All right.  Can we say thank you to Gerardo?  (Applause.)

Arizona!  (Applause.)  (Laughs.)  Oh, my goodness.  All right.  Okay.  All right.  (Applause.)  (Laughs.)  Thank you all.  Oh, my goodness.  (Applause.)

Okay.  All right.  Okay.  Okay.  Come on.  Come on.  We got some work to do.  We got some work to do.  We got some work to do.  (Applause.)  All right.  We got some work to do.  (Laughs.)

Well, let me just say, it is good to be back in Arizona.  (Applause.)  And thank you all.  There are so many — this is an extraordinary group of leaders, and I thank you all for the time that you have taken to be together —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  We love you, Kamala!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — for us to have this kind — I love you back.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)

I want to thank Governor Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community — (applause) — and to all the elected leaders here today.

Representative Gallego, who could not be with us, but, Arizona, let’s send him to the United States Senate.  (Applause.)  And let’s send former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez — (applause) — to the United States Congress.

And let me say, it means so much to be back with the Gila River Indian Community.  (Applause.)  Last summer, I became the first vice president of the United States to visit this Tribal nation.  (Applause.)  And I strongly believe that the relationship between Tribal nations and the United States is sacred — (applause) — and that we must — and that we must honor Tribal sovereignty — (applause); embrace our trust in treaty obligations — (applause); and ensure Tribal self-determination.  (Applause.)

And it is my promise: As president of the United States, I will defend those principles always.  (Applause.)

And before I continue, I will say a few words about Hurricane Milton, which has cut a path of devastation across Florida and follows closely, of course, on the heels of the damage caused by Hurricane Helene to communities across the Southeast.  I know, as you do, that our heart goes out to everyone who has been impacted by these storms.

Our administration has mobilized thousands of federal personnel across the region to work hand in hand with local and state officials to give folks the help they need.  I have spoken with state, local officials — both Republican and Democrat — to let them know we will be with you every step of the way as you recover and rebuild.  (Applause.)  That is who we are.  That is who we are.

So, moving forward, let me say that, Arizona, look, we have just 26 days until Election Day — (applause) — 26 days.  And we are nearing the home stretch. 

And this will be a very tight race until the very end.  And we are the underdog.  We are the underdog.

AUDIENCE:  Woof!  Woof!  Woof!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  (Laughs.)  So — so, we have some hard work ahead of us, but we like hard work.  (Applause.)  Hard work is good work.  And with your help, in 26 days, we will win.  (Applause.)  We will win.  We will win.

And y’all might have seen — y’all might have seen that just last night, Donald Trump officially ruled out any more debates. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Now, I think it’s a disservice to the voters.  (Applause.)  I also think it’s a pretty weak move.  (Applause.)

But even if he will not debate, the contrast in this election is already clear.  This election is about two very different vusions — two very different visions for our nation.  One, his, focused on the past; the other, ours, focused on the future — (applause) — including being focused on the issues that matter most to working families across America, like bringing down the cost of living, in- — (applause) — investing in small businesses and entrepreneurs.  (Applause.)

Do we have any small businesses in the house?  (Applause.)  Yeah.  Bless you.  Bless you. 

We believe in fighting to protect reproductive freedom.  (Applause.)  And we will always fight to keep our nation secure and honor our military service members.  (Applause.) 

These and so many others are the issues that matter to you and your families, which is why you have taken the time out of your very busy lives to be here this evening. 

But that is not what we hear from Donald Trump.  We don’t hear about these issues.  Instead, from Donald Trump, it’s the same old, tired playbook.  He has no plans — no plans for how he would address the needs of the American people.  He is only focused on himself.  (Applause.)

Well, folks, it’s time to turn the page.  (Applause.)  It’s time to turn the page.  And America is ready for a new way forward — (applause) — and ready for a new, optimistic generation of leadership for our country.  (Applause.)  Which is why — Arizona, which is why Democrats, Republicans, and independents are supporting our campaign — (applause) — because they know we need a president who works for all the American people — (applause) — all the American people, because we know we have so much more in common than what separates us.  (Applause.) 

And we are exhausted with those who would try and have us, as Americans, point fingers at each other.  We’re tired of that.  (Applause.)  Enough.  Enough.

And fighting on behalf of the American people has been the story of my entire career.  I’ve only had, in my career, one client: the people.  (Applause.)

As a young courtroom prosecutor, I stood up for women and children against predators.  (Applause.)  As attorney general of California, I took on the big banks — (applause) — delivered $20 billion for middle-class families who faced foreclosure.  I stood up for veterans and students being scammed — (applause) — being scammed by the big for-profit colleges.  I stood up for workers being cheated out of their wages.  I stood up for seniors facing elder abuse.  And it is my pledge to you, as president of the United States, I will always fight for all the American people — (applause) — for everyone.

And together, we will build a brighter future for our nation — (applause) — a future where we build, for example, what I call an “opportunity economy,” where everyone has the ability to compete and have a real chance to succeed. 

Under my economic plan, we will bring down the cost of housing.  Arizona, you know that’s an issue we need to deal with.  (Applause.)  We will help first-time homebuyers with their down payments with $25,000 down payment assistance.  (Applause.)

We will help entrepreneurs start and grow small businesses, knowing you are the backbone of America’s economy.  (Applause.)

We will expand health care in a way that makes Medicare cover home health care for seniors — (applause) — because we know it’s just not right that people have to spend down all their money to qualify for Medicaid to be able to take care of what is basically about dignity, when it comes to home health care.  (Applause.)  It’s about dignity. 

And so, part of my plan is to recognize you who are members of what we call the “sandwich generation” — (applause) — who are taking care of your young children and your parents at the same time — (applause) — knowing what that does in terms of the emotional, the physical, the mental burden that you are carrying just trying to take care of your family.  And we need to have policies in our country that see you and lift you up, knowing it is a matter of dignity and just what is right.  (Applause.)

We will lower the cost on everything from health care to groceries, taking on, for example, the issue of corporate price gouging.  I’ve done it before, and I’m going to do it again.  (Applause.)

We will give a tax cut to 100 million Americans, including $6,000 during the first year of your child’s life — (applause) — to help you be able to buy a crib or car seat or all the things you need at that critical stage of your child’s development. 

And all of this is to say, I will always put middle-class families first.  (Applause.)  I come from the middle class.  I come from the middle class, and I will never forget where I come from.  (Applause.)

Now, Donald Trump has a different plan. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Just google Project 2025.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And I continue to say, I can’t believe they put that in writing.  (Laughter.)  You know, they — they published it, they bound it, and they handed it out. 

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  They’re out of their minds!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  “They’re out of their minds.”  (Laughter.)

And it is a detailed, dangerous blueprint for what he will do if he is elected president again. 

Donald Trump will give billionaires and corporations massive tax cuts. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Cut Social Security and Medicare is what he would do.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And impose what I call a “Trump sales tax,” a 20 percent tax on everyday goods and necessities, which will cost — the economists have said — the average American family nearly $4,000 more a year. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

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

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Now, Arizona, I was a member of the United States Senate during that time — but during that time when he was president and kept trying to get rid of the Affordable Care Act.  And I’m going to tell you about one particular night, which has a direct connection to all of you. 

So, that one night, it was late, late, late in the night.  They were trying to get rid of the Affordable Care Act again, and it required one more vote to keep it intact, and that vote was the late, great John McCain.  (Applause.)  A great American, a war hero: John McCain.  And I’ll never forget that night. 

So, we’re all standing in the chamber, and we’re waiting.  And then, you know, in the Senate chamber, there are these big wooden doors, and it was like out of a movie.  (Laughter.)  The wooden doors broke open, and John McCain came walking into the well of the United States Senate — (applause) — and said, “No, you don’t.  No, you don’t.  No, you don’t.” 

But Donald Trump is trying to get rid of the Affordable Care Act still. 

And guess — here’s the thing.  He has no plan to replace it. 

AUDIENCE MEMBERS:  (Inaudible.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Oh, you watched the debate.  You watched the debate.  (Laughs.)  So, remember, he’s got, quote, “concepts of a plan.”  “Concepts.” 

Okay, so let’s think about that.  You know, I’ve said, because it’s true, he is an unserious man.  And the consequences of him ever being president again are brutally serious.

Because think about this: concept of a plan.  So, he’s basically going to threaten the health insurance of 45 million Americans based on a concept and take us back then to what?  To the time when insurance companies had the power to deny people with preexisting conditions. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Well, we are —

AUDIENCE:  Not going back!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — not going back.  (Applause.)

We are not going back.  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’re not going back.  We’re not going back, no.

AUDIENCE:  We are not going back!  We are not going back!  We are not going back!

THE VICE PRESIDENT: No, because — no, because we will move forward.  (Applause.) 

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

And we remember how we got here.  Donald Trump, when he was president, hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention —

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — that they would undo Roe, and they did as he intended.  And now more than one in three women in America lives in a state with a Trump abortion ban —

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — including right here in Arizona, 3.5 million women.  And many of these bans, like the one in this state, have no exceptions even for rape and incest.  It is immoral.

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And I know we all know one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government should not be telling her what to do.  (Applause.)  Not the government.  If she chooses, she’ll talk with her priest or her pastor or her rabbi or her mam — imam, but not the government. 

So, Arizona, we need to fight this battle on every front.  And in this election, you have the chance on the state level to vote yes on Proposition 139 — (applause) — 139 — and protect your right to make your own health care decisions.

And then, when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom nationwide — (applause) — as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law.  (Applause.)  Proudly. 

But, look, in addition to that — you know, I’m traveling around the country, and across our nation, guys, we are witnessing a full-on attack on hard-won, hard-fought freedoms and rights, fundamental freedoms and rights, like the freedom to vote, the freedom to be safe from gun violence, the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride — (applause) — and the freedom to breathe clean air and drink clean water.  (Applause.) 

A topic that looms large here in Arizona, and I know that topic well.  I worked on drought resilience for years and helped secure historic resources for communities across the West to invest in water infrastructure, water recycling, and water storage.  And I promise you, as president, I will continue to invest in drought resilience so that communities like those across Arizona have what you need to thrive.  (Applause.) 

So, look, so much is on the line in this election.  Twenty-six days to go, and this is not 2016 or 2020.  The stakes are even higher, because, remember, a few months ago, the United States Supreme Court told the former president he is effectively immune from whatever he does in office. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Now, because you all know, just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails.  He who has vowed, if he were reelected, he’d be a dictator on day one —

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — who will weaponize the Department of Justice against his political enemies, and who has called for the, quote, “termination” of the Constitution of the United States of America. 

AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And let — let us be clear, someone who suggests we should terminate the Constitution of the United States should never again stand behind the seal of the president of the United States of America.  (Applause.)  Never again. Never again.  Never again. 

So, it all comes down to this.  Generations of Americans before us have led the fight for freedom, and now the baton is in our hands.  The baton is now in our hands because we here know what is at stake, and we love our country.  We love our country.  (Applause.)  We love our country. 

And I do believe one of the highest forms of patriotism —

AUDIENCE:  USA!  USA!  USA!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  That’s right.  (Inaudible.)

And one of the highest forms, then, of patriotism, of the expression of our love of our country is to fight for the ideals of our country and to fight to realize the promise of America.  (Applause.) 

So, the election is in 26 days.  Here in Arizona, early voting has already started statewide.  (Applause.)  You can cast your ballot today or any day between now and November 5th.  (Applause.)  So, now is the time to make your plan to vote.  (Applause.)  And if you have received your ballot in the mail, please do not wait.  Fill it out today.  Return it in today.  (Applause.)  I think some of you have.  (Laughs.)

Because, folks, the election is here.  The election is here, and we’ve got to energize and organize and mobilize. 

And please, let’s always remember: Your vote is your voice, and your voice is your power.  (Applause.)

And so, Arizona, 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.  (Applause.) 

                          END                 6:41 P.M. MST

The post Remarks by Vice President Harris at a Campaign Event | Chandler, AZ appeared first on The White House.

Ethel Kennedy was an American patriot, a fighter for justice, and an extraordinary force for good.
 
A national and global leader, Ethel Kennedy used her voice to advocate for the causes she cared most about—from human rights around the world to conservation and gun safety. Guided by a deep sense of faith and an abiding optimism, she fought for over five decades to build a stronger nation and a better world.
 
Ethel was a leader of courage, and a reminder to all of us that from great loss can come great purpose. Her legacy will inspire people around the world for generations to come.
 
Doug and I send our love and our prayers to the Kennedy family. 
 

# # #

The post Statement from Vice President Kamala Harris on the Passing of Ethel Kennedy appeared first on The White House.

Ethel Kennedy was an American patriot, a fighter for justice, and an extraordinary force for good.
 
A national and global leader, Ethel Kennedy used her voice to advocate for the causes she cared most about—from human rights around the world to conservation and gun safety. Guided by a deep sense of faith and an abiding optimism, she fought for over five decades to build a stronger nation and a better world.
 
Ethel was a leader of courage, and a reminder to all of us that from great loss can come great purpose. Her legacy will inspire people around the world for generations to come.
 
Doug and I send our love and our prayers to the Kennedy family. 
 

# # #

The post Statement from Vice President Kamala Harris on the Passing of Ethel Kennedy appeared first on The White House.

Before Hurricane Milton made landfall, the Federal government pre-staged personnel and resources to ensure a robust and immediate response effort could begin once the storm passed. Following Hurricane Milton’s impact on Florida, the Biden-Harris Administration is working alongside State and local officials to carry out life-saving response efforts. As conditions on the ground begin to improve, first responders have begun assessing damage and assisting communities. The top response priorities include search and rescue, power restoration, route clearance, and debris clean-up.

President Biden and Vice President Harris have been regularly briefed about the initial impacts of Hurricane Milton, as well as the Federal government’s ongoing support to State and local officials for their rescue and response efforts. This morning, President Biden spoke to Governor Ron DeSantis and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell about the initial impacts of Hurricane Milton. The President reiterated that he will provide any Federal support the State needs to speed response and recovery.

President Biden directed FEMA to immediately open disaster recovery centers across the impacted communities so there are one-stop-shops for residents to learn about all the Federal support that is available to them and apply for assistance in person.

Additionally, the Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration authorized Florida Power and Light to fly large drones to quickly assess the damage to the power grid, so ground crews can restore power more quickly.

The President directed Coast Guard and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to assess how fast they can re-open the Port of Tampa to get fuel, food, water, and basic goods flowing into the area again.

More than 50,000 workers from 42 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada already are dedicated to the power restoration efforts, beginning that work as soon as it was safe to do so. Additionally, three U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Temporary Power teams are staged in the region to provide temporary power to critical facilities, such as hospitals.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has been on the ground in Florida since last night, and today she surveyed the damage alongside her State and local counterparts. She will continue working closely with them to determine any unmet needs. She is joined on the ground by more than 1,000 Federal responders.

Since last night, the President has spoken with numerous Florida officials, including: Senator Rick Scott; Representatives Gus Bilirakis, Kathy Castor, and Anna Paulina Luna; Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward; Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson; Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings; Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer; Pasco County Chair Ron Oakley; and Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert. The President told each of them to call him directly if they need additional assistance on rescue, response, and recovery efforts. The President also emphasized that he will be with them and their communities before, during, and after the storm. The Vice President has also spoken to officials from impacted areas.

These urgent efforts are in addition to the expansive Federal response and recovery efforts underway across the Southeast and Appalachia following Hurricane Helene.

###

The post FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Supports Life-Saving and Life-Sustaining Response Efforts following Hurricane Milton appeared first on The White House.

Before Hurricane Milton made landfall, the Federal government pre-staged personnel and resources to ensure a robust and immediate response effort could begin once the storm passed. Following Hurricane Milton’s impact on Florida, the Biden-Harris Administration is working alongside State and local officials to carry out life-saving response efforts. As conditions on the ground begin to improve, first responders have begun assessing damage and assisting communities. The top response priorities include search and rescue, power restoration, route clearance, and debris clean-up.

President Biden and Vice President Harris have been regularly briefed about the initial impacts of Hurricane Milton, as well as the Federal government’s ongoing support to State and local officials for their rescue and response efforts. This morning, President Biden spoke to Governor Ron DeSantis and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell about the initial impacts of Hurricane Milton. The President reiterated that he will provide any Federal support the State needs to speed response and recovery.

President Biden directed FEMA to immediately open disaster recovery centers across the impacted communities so there are one-stop-shops for residents to learn about all the Federal support that is available to them and apply for assistance in person.

Additionally, the Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration authorized Florida Power and Light to fly large drones to quickly assess the damage to the power grid, so ground crews can restore power more quickly.

The President directed Coast Guard and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to assess how fast they can re-open the Port of Tampa to get fuel, food, water, and basic goods flowing into the area again.

More than 50,000 workers from 42 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada already are dedicated to the power restoration efforts, beginning that work as soon as it was safe to do so. Additionally, three U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Temporary Power teams are staged in the region to provide temporary power to critical facilities, such as hospitals.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has been on the ground in Florida since last night, and today she surveyed the damage alongside her State and local counterparts. She will continue working closely with them to determine any unmet needs. She is joined on the ground by more than 1,000 Federal responders.

Since last night, the President has spoken with numerous Florida officials, including: Senator Rick Scott; Representatives Gus Bilirakis, Kathy Castor, and Anna Paulina Luna; Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward; Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson; Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings; Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer; Pasco County Chair Ron Oakley; and Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert. The President told each of them to call him directly if they need additional assistance on rescue, response, and recovery efforts. The President also emphasized that he will be with them and their communities before, during, and after the storm. The Vice President has also spoken to officials from impacted areas.

These urgent efforts are in addition to the expansive Federal response and recovery efforts underway across the Southeast and Appalachia following Hurricane Helene.

###

The post FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Supports Life-Saving and Life-Sustaining Response Efforts following Hurricane Milton appeared first on The White House.

The East Room

As we come together today, our hearts are breaking for the communities upended by yet another devastating hurricane.
 
Families waiting for news of loved ones, of homes, of the places where their kids took their first steps, where they got married, where they built their lives.
 
Maybe some of you know someone who’s been in the path of one of these storms.
 
We grieve with you. And we stand with you. President Biden and Vice President Harris are making sure the affected areas have every resource they need.
 
Welcome to the White House!
 
I’m grateful to Congresswoman McIver for joining us to honor these girls.
 
And we have some of the incredible girls from our first group of honorees with us. Thank you for coming back and supporting this year’s class. 

Today, we say proudly, for all to hear, that girls are powerful. And that no one is too young to lead.

Last year, I worked with the White House Gender Policy Council to create this event—to honor you, the next generation creating change right now.
 
Our world isn’t always kind.
 
And when you’re young—in middle school hallways and at high school lunch tables—it can feel like life is happening to you, like people are telling you what to think and who to be.
 
Don’t let them.
 
Each of you has a way of seeing life that no one else does—a perspective you add to every conversation, to every choice you make. And every time you show up as your true self—with your boldness, with your insight, with your questions—you shape our world.

That’s what this years’ honorees did. They didn’t wait for life to happen to them. They stepped forward—spent their weekends and hours after school to make our world kinder, fairer, and filled with more possibility.
 
You show us that girls can do anything, can be leaders and scientists, writers and entrepreneurs, advocates for change, and, of course, president!
 
I teach writing and English at a community college not far from here.
 
At the end of the school year, teachers hope our students feel changed. I know I do. But what you might not know is that you—all of you—you change your teachers too. My students’ perspectives challenge me and shape me.
 
To the young girls in the audience, that’s true in your classrooms too. The conversations you have stay with your teachers and classmates long after the bell rings or summer break begins.
 
You’re already changing the world, even though you might not realize it.
 
Every time you tell us who you are, with the words you write, with the hours you dedicate to something you believe in.
 
When you accept someone else for being themselves.
 
When you’re not afraid to follow your curiosity and share what you’ve learned.
 
It isn’t always easy, but it’s important.
 
And that bravery is what we need in the face of our, at times, unkind world. It’s how we unlock new ideas, come up with innovations that might seem impossible to someone else.
 
The earth is brighter because of you. Keep filling it with your ideas and your hard work, leading us toward the future you want to see.
 
Thank you.
 
***
 
Thank you all for the important work you’re doing. You’re already leading the next generation forward. Can we get another round of applause for our honorees?
 
And Karine, I’m grateful to you for taking the time to join us today.
 
To the middle-schoolers in the audience, to all the girls leading change, there’s something I want to point out to you.
 
It’s the people in this room.
 
They’re leaders of non-profits and tech companies. Military families and public servants. Elected officials from across the country. And they’re girls, just like you.
 
They’re all here for you. To support you.
 
They believe in you. And so do I. And so do your President and Vice President.
 
Hold on to that unique perspective you have. And as you look to the future, know that you will never be alone. This community will be right there beside you.
 
There’s power when we come together.
 
A power to hold each other up, even when we want to crumble, to heal one another, to share our inner strength. To create lasting change.
 
So, if you’ve ever wondered, “Can I—one person, one girl—can I make a difference?”
 
Standing here, among all these incredible women and girls, we have an answer: Yes, you can!
 
Let this community be a light we all carry inside us for the days to come, connecting us across generations, so the confidence of girlhood can become the courage of womanhood.
 
Now, please enjoy the reception.

###

The post Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill Biden at the 2024 Girls Leading Change Celebration appeared first on The White House.

The East Room

As we come together today, our hearts are breaking for the communities upended by yet another devastating hurricane.
 
Families waiting for news of loved ones, of homes, of the places where their kids took their first steps, where they got married, where they built their lives.
 
Maybe some of you know someone who’s been in the path of one of these storms.
 
We grieve with you. And we stand with you. President Biden and Vice President Harris are making sure the affected areas have every resource they need.
 
Welcome to the White House!
 
I’m grateful to Congresswoman McIver for joining us to honor these girls.
 
And we have some of the incredible girls from our first group of honorees with us. Thank you for coming back and supporting this year’s class. 

Today, we say proudly, for all to hear, that girls are powerful. And that no one is too young to lead.

Last year, I worked with the White House Gender Policy Council to create this event—to honor you, the next generation creating change right now.
 
Our world isn’t always kind.
 
And when you’re young—in middle school hallways and at high school lunch tables—it can feel like life is happening to you, like people are telling you what to think and who to be.
 
Don’t let them.
 
Each of you has a way of seeing life that no one else does—a perspective you add to every conversation, to every choice you make. And every time you show up as your true self—with your boldness, with your insight, with your questions—you shape our world.

That’s what this years’ honorees did. They didn’t wait for life to happen to them. They stepped forward—spent their weekends and hours after school to make our world kinder, fairer, and filled with more possibility.
 
You show us that girls can do anything, can be leaders and scientists, writers and entrepreneurs, advocates for change, and, of course, president!
 
I teach writing and English at a community college not far from here.
 
At the end of the school year, teachers hope our students feel changed. I know I do. But what you might not know is that you—all of you—you change your teachers too. My students’ perspectives challenge me and shape me.
 
To the young girls in the audience, that’s true in your classrooms too. The conversations you have stay with your teachers and classmates long after the bell rings or summer break begins.
 
You’re already changing the world, even though you might not realize it.
 
Every time you tell us who you are, with the words you write, with the hours you dedicate to something you believe in.
 
When you accept someone else for being themselves.
 
When you’re not afraid to follow your curiosity and share what you’ve learned.
 
It isn’t always easy, but it’s important.
 
And that bravery is what we need in the face of our, at times, unkind world. It’s how we unlock new ideas, come up with innovations that might seem impossible to someone else.
 
The earth is brighter because of you. Keep filling it with your ideas and your hard work, leading us toward the future you want to see.
 
Thank you.
 
***
 
Thank you all for the important work you’re doing. You’re already leading the next generation forward. Can we get another round of applause for our honorees?
 
And Karine, I’m grateful to you for taking the time to join us today.
 
To the middle-schoolers in the audience, to all the girls leading change, there’s something I want to point out to you.
 
It’s the people in this room.
 
They’re leaders of non-profits and tech companies. Military families and public servants. Elected officials from across the country. And they’re girls, just like you.
 
They’re all here for you. To support you.
 
They believe in you. And so do I. And so do your President and Vice President.
 
Hold on to that unique perspective you have. And as you look to the future, know that you will never be alone. This community will be right there beside you.
 
There’s power when we come together.
 
A power to hold each other up, even when we want to crumble, to heal one another, to share our inner strength. To create lasting change.
 
So, if you’ve ever wondered, “Can I—one person, one girl—can I make a difference?”
 
Standing here, among all these incredible women and girls, we have an answer: Yes, you can!
 
Let this community be a light we all carry inside us for the days to come, connecting us across generations, so the confidence of girlhood can become the courage of womanhood.
 
Now, please enjoy the reception.

###

The post Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill Biden at the 2024 Girls Leading Change Celebration appeared first on The White House.

Senator Tim Johnson was a tenacious fighter for the people of South Dakota.
 
Throughout his career—as a member of the South Dakota legislature, as the state’s sole representative in the U.S. House of Representatives, and as a U.S. Senator—he brokered compromise and advanced commonsense solutions that improved the lives of South Dakotans and all Americans.
 
Senator Johnson secured support for critical water infrastructure that delivered clean water to communities across South Dakota, including Native reservations and rural communities across the state. He played a vital role in passing the Affordable Care Act, which delivered high-quality, affordable health care to millions of Americans, including tens of thousands of South Dakotans. And as Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, he championed community banks and housing finance reforms to help ensure that rural communities across the nation have the support they need to access safe and affordable housing.
 
His life and legacy will be felt by generations of South Dakotans and all Americans to come. Doug and I send our prayers to his wife, Barbara, and the entire Johnson family.
 

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The post Statement from Vice President Kamala Harris on the Passing of Former U.S. Senator Tim Johnson appeared first on The White House.

Senator Tim Johnson was a tenacious fighter for the people of South Dakota.
 
Throughout his career—as a member of the South Dakota legislature, as the state’s sole representative in the U.S. House of Representatives, and as a U.S. Senator—he brokered compromise and advanced commonsense solutions that improved the lives of South Dakotans and all Americans.
 
Senator Johnson secured support for critical water infrastructure that delivered clean water to communities across South Dakota, including Native reservations and rural communities across the state. He played a vital role in passing the Affordable Care Act, which delivered high-quality, affordable health care to millions of Americans, including tens of thousands of South Dakotans. And as Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, he championed community banks and housing finance reforms to help ensure that rural communities across the nation have the support they need to access safe and affordable housing.
 
His life and legacy will be felt by generations of South Dakotans and all Americans to come. Doug and I send our prayers to his wife, Barbara, and the entire Johnson family.
 

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The post Statement from Vice President Kamala Harris on the Passing of Former U.S. Senator Tim Johnson appeared first on The White House.