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On Friday, October 4, 2024, the President signed into law:

H.R. 6513, the “Confirmation Of Congressional Observer Access Act of 2024” or the “COCOA Act of 2024,” which requires States to provide designated congressional election observers with full access to observe all elements of the administration of congressional elections.

Thank you to Representatives Carey, Morelle, and Steil for their leadership.

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The post Press Release: Bill Signed: H.R. 6513 appeared first on The White House.

     Our Nation’s children deserve every opportunity to reach their biggest dreams — that begins with ensuring our families and children have the resources and support they need to stay healthy and strong.  On Child Health Day, we recommit to supporting families as they help their children to lead healthy lives.

     When we came into office, Vice President Harris and I promised to give families some well-deserved breathing room so that families could care for their children without worrying about how they were going to pay the bills.  That is why my American Rescue Plan expanded the Child Tax Credit, which reduced child poverty by nearly half across the Nation.  That law also made our Nation’s biggest investment in child care ever, keeping businesses open and hundreds of thousands of child care workers employed to care for children.  To lower health insurance costs, I signed the Inflation Reduction Act, saving millions of families $800 per year on their health insurance premiums.  And we strengthened the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program to provide home visits from trained professionals, who can offer prenatal care and postpartum support to new mothers and ensure their children’s health and well-being needs are met.  We launched the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA to help better support pregnant and postpartum moms.  We also modernized the Thrifty Food Plan for the first time in nearly five decades so that millions more families can afford nutritious foods.  We are working to reduce the amount of sodium in food to help prevent children from experiencing high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke later in life.  At the same time, we are working to secure free and healthy school meals for every child — beginning with setting a goal to deliver free school meals to nine million more children by 2032.

     My Administration is also working to ensure our youth have access to the mental health care they need, making the largest investment in mental health ever.  This includes over $2 billion in funding, including $1 billion through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, to help schools across the country train and hire new mental health counselors.  We made it easier for schools to leverage Medicaid to deliver health care, including mental health care, to millions of children and youth.  And we launched 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which anyone can call, text, or chat to be connected to a trained crisis counselor, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

      Americans deserve to live in a safe community, free from the threat of violence — and when it comes to our Nation’s children, one of our most fundamental responsibilities is keeping them safe.  In the United States, firearms are the leading cause of death for children.  It is unacceptable.  Children are exposed to violence and worry about school shootings happening to them, and this exposure and fear can lead to negative consequences for their school life, mental health, and more.  That is why I signed the most significant gun safety law in nearly 30 years and have announced dozens of gun safety executive actions, including one that will improve the active shooter drills that nearly all students undergo.  I also established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, overseen by Vice President Harris.  We have made significant progress, but we must do more.  I continue to call on the Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, require safe storage of firearms, enact universal background checks, and end immunity for gun manufacturers. 

     Our Administration is also making historic investments to tackle the climate crisis, which is essential to protecting our children’s futures.  Every child should be able to turn on the faucet at home or school and have access to safe, clean water — that is why, through my Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are working to replace every lead pipe in America.  My Inflation Reduction Act — the most significant investment in climate ever — is investing in air quality sensors so that we prevent communities from experiencing the harmful effects of pollution.  And we have recommitted to conserving 30 percent of all our Nation’s lands and waters by 2030 so that generations to come may enjoy them.

     Our children deserve to grow up in a country that cares about their health, happiness, and opportunities for success.  During Child Health Day, may we recommit to supporting our children and families so that they can thrive.  And may we continue to build a future where every child can reach their full potential. 

     The Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 18, 1928, as amended (36 U.S.C. 105), has called for the designation of the first Monday in October as Child Health Day and has requested that the President issue a proclamation in observance of this day.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Monday, October 7, 2024, as Child Health Day.  I call upon families, child health professionals, faith-based and community organizations, and governments to help ensure that America’s children stay safe and healthy.

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

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post A Proclamation on Child Health Day, 2024 appeared first on The White House.

     Our Nation’s children deserve every opportunity to reach their biggest dreams — that begins with ensuring our families and children have the resources and support they need to stay healthy and strong.  On Child Health Day, we recommit to supporting families as they help their children to lead healthy lives.

     When we came into office, Vice President Harris and I promised to give families some well-deserved breathing room so that families could care for their children without worrying about how they were going to pay the bills.  That is why my American Rescue Plan expanded the Child Tax Credit, which reduced child poverty by nearly half across the Nation.  That law also made our Nation’s biggest investment in child care ever, keeping businesses open and hundreds of thousands of child care workers employed to care for children.  To lower health insurance costs, I signed the Inflation Reduction Act, saving millions of families $800 per year on their health insurance premiums.  And we strengthened the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program to provide home visits from trained professionals, who can offer prenatal care and postpartum support to new mothers and ensure their children’s health and well-being needs are met.  We launched the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA to help better support pregnant and postpartum moms.  We also modernized the Thrifty Food Plan for the first time in nearly five decades so that millions more families can afford nutritious foods.  We are working to reduce the amount of sodium in food to help prevent children from experiencing high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke later in life.  At the same time, we are working to secure free and healthy school meals for every child — beginning with setting a goal to deliver free school meals to nine million more children by 2032.

     My Administration is also working to ensure our youth have access to the mental health care they need, making the largest investment in mental health ever.  This includes over $2 billion in funding, including $1 billion through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, to help schools across the country train and hire new mental health counselors.  We made it easier for schools to leverage Medicaid to deliver health care, including mental health care, to millions of children and youth.  And we launched 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which anyone can call, text, or chat to be connected to a trained crisis counselor, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

      Americans deserve to live in a safe community, free from the threat of violence — and when it comes to our Nation’s children, one of our most fundamental responsibilities is keeping them safe.  In the United States, firearms are the leading cause of death for children.  It is unacceptable.  Children are exposed to violence and worry about school shootings happening to them, and this exposure and fear can lead to negative consequences for their school life, mental health, and more.  That is why I signed the most significant gun safety law in nearly 30 years and have announced dozens of gun safety executive actions, including one that will improve the active shooter drills that nearly all students undergo.  I also established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, overseen by Vice President Harris.  We have made significant progress, but we must do more.  I continue to call on the Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, require safe storage of firearms, enact universal background checks, and end immunity for gun manufacturers. 

     Our Administration is also making historic investments to tackle the climate crisis, which is essential to protecting our children’s futures.  Every child should be able to turn on the faucet at home or school and have access to safe, clean water — that is why, through my Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are working to replace every lead pipe in America.  My Inflation Reduction Act — the most significant investment in climate ever — is investing in air quality sensors so that we prevent communities from experiencing the harmful effects of pollution.  And we have recommitted to conserving 30 percent of all our Nation’s lands and waters by 2030 so that generations to come may enjoy them.

     Our children deserve to grow up in a country that cares about their health, happiness, and opportunities for success.  During Child Health Day, may we recommit to supporting our children and families so that they can thrive.  And may we continue to build a future where every child can reach their full potential. 

     The Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 18, 1928, as amended (36 U.S.C. 105), has called for the designation of the first Monday in October as Child Health Day and has requested that the President issue a proclamation in observance of this day.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Monday, October 7, 2024, as Child Health Day.  I call upon families, child health professionals, faith-based and community organizations, and governments to help ensure that America’s children stay safe and healthy.

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

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post A Proclamation on Child Health Day, 2024 appeared first on The White House.

Every day that our police officers put on that shield and walk out the door, they put their lives at risk to ensure the rest of us are safe.  During National Community Policing Week, we honor police officers’ service and sacrifice, recommit to supporting them, and reaffirm that community policing practices that advance public trust are the gold standard for law enforcement.

In the first half of this year, according to preliminary data submitted to the FBI, the homicide rate continued to fall at record speed, declining by 22.7 percent, while the violent crime rate fell by 10.3 percent to its lowest level since 1969.  These record decreases follow the historic declines in crime in 2023, including the largest-ever decrease in the homicide rate.  The decreases are in no small part due to the hard work and courageous efforts of law enforcement across America. 

As President, public safety and crime reduction are top priorities for my Administration and me.  Since day one, my Administration has worked with law enforcement, mayors, and community leaders to do what we know works to keep people and communities safe.  Through my American Rescue Plan, we made the largest Federal investment toward public safety in our Nation’s history — delivering more than $15 billion in aid for local and State governments to keep law enforcement on the beat, retain and hire more police officers, pay overtime and bonuses, and expand benefits for disabled first responders.  States, counties, and cities have already invested that funding to make their communities safer, and we added billions more in grants through the Department of Justice to help cities invest in law enforcement and community violence interruption programs. 

I also know that being in law enforcement today is harder than ever — police are expected to respond to so many challenging situations, from drug overdoses and mental health crises to domestic violence, child abandonment, and more.  That is why my Administration has invested in increasing the number of crisis responders who work alongside police officers to respond to non-violent crimes.  We have made more investments in recruiting, retaining, and training officers.  I have called for funding that would put 100,000 more officers on the street who are trained in community policing.  Additionally, we need to invest more in technology and training to solve crimes faster and clear court backlogs, and we need more detectives to solve murders and more deputy United States Marshals to apprehend fugitives.

Police officers deal with unbelievable stress.  Every time an officer responds to a call, executes a warrant, or conducts a traffic stop, there is a tremendous risk:  the fear of ambush, the anxiety of not knowing what is behind that door, and the trauma of bearing witness to the most horrible tragedies imaginable.  That is why I have been laser-focused on providing officers with the mental health and wellness resources they need and deserve.  I also signed extended benefits for families of officers who have tragically died by suicide.

Our police officers are dedicated, honorable, and good people — they build trust with the communities they serve because they know that trust is the foundation of public safety.  Our communities are safer and stronger when our officers have the resources, training, and tools they need to do their jobs and walk the beat, getting to know the neighborhoods and the people they serve.  A lack of trust from the public means less public safety for all of us:  crimes do not get reported, witnesses do not come forward and cases do not get solved, victims suffer while perpetrators roam free, and justice goes undelivered.

When communities trust the police, crimes get solved faster.  That is why when Republicans blocked the passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021, a bill that the Vice President coauthored while in the Senate, we took action.  I signed a historic Executive Order to set the gold standard for law enforcement.  In part, it requires Federal law enforcement agencies to develop best practices that attract, support, and retain officers who are representative of the communities they are sworn to serve.  We have also made historic investments in proven strategies to interrupt and prevent violence in the first place, including using trusted messengers who are trained to disrupt violence.  At the same time, I signed the most significant gun safety law in nearly three decades and have taken more executive actions to stop the flow of illegal guns than any other administration in history. 

There is more work to be done.  My Safer America Plan calls on the Congress to invest $37 billion to support law enforcement and crime prevention.  The plan would fund 100,000 additional police officers, invest $5 billion in community violence interventions, and enact commonsense gun safety reforms, such as a universal background check requirement and a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

There is no greater responsibility than keeping our families, neighborhoods, and Nation safe. During National Community Policing Week, we reaffirm our commitment to choosing progress over politics when it comes to supporting our law enforcement and ensuring the safety of our communities.  We honor the heroism, bravery, and sacrifice of our police officers.  And may we recommit to upholding one of our Nation’s most fundamental values:  justice for all.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 6 through October 12, 2024, as National Community Policing Week.  I call upon law enforcement agencies, elected officials, and all Americans to observe this week by recognizing ways to improve public safety, build trust, and strengthen community-police relationships.

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

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post A Proclamation on National Community Policing Week, 2024 appeared first on The White House.

Every day that our police officers put on that shield and walk out the door, they put their lives at risk to ensure the rest of us are safe.  During National Community Policing Week, we honor police officers’ service and sacrifice, recommit to supporting them, and reaffirm that community policing practices that advance public trust are the gold standard for law enforcement.

In the first half of this year, according to preliminary data submitted to the FBI, the homicide rate continued to fall at record speed, declining by 22.7 percent, while the violent crime rate fell by 10.3 percent to its lowest level since 1969.  These record decreases follow the historic declines in crime in 2023, including the largest-ever decrease in the homicide rate.  The decreases are in no small part due to the hard work and courageous efforts of law enforcement across America. 

As President, public safety and crime reduction are top priorities for my Administration and me.  Since day one, my Administration has worked with law enforcement, mayors, and community leaders to do what we know works to keep people and communities safe.  Through my American Rescue Plan, we made the largest Federal investment toward public safety in our Nation’s history — delivering more than $15 billion in aid for local and State governments to keep law enforcement on the beat, retain and hire more police officers, pay overtime and bonuses, and expand benefits for disabled first responders.  States, counties, and cities have already invested that funding to make their communities safer, and we added billions more in grants through the Department of Justice to help cities invest in law enforcement and community violence interruption programs. 

I also know that being in law enforcement today is harder than ever — police are expected to respond to so many challenging situations, from drug overdoses and mental health crises to domestic violence, child abandonment, and more.  That is why my Administration has invested in increasing the number of crisis responders who work alongside police officers to respond to non-violent crimes.  We have made more investments in recruiting, retaining, and training officers.  I have called for funding that would put 100,000 more officers on the street who are trained in community policing.  Additionally, we need to invest more in technology and training to solve crimes faster and clear court backlogs, and we need more detectives to solve murders and more deputy United States Marshals to apprehend fugitives.

Police officers deal with unbelievable stress.  Every time an officer responds to a call, executes a warrant, or conducts a traffic stop, there is a tremendous risk:  the fear of ambush, the anxiety of not knowing what is behind that door, and the trauma of bearing witness to the most horrible tragedies imaginable.  That is why I have been laser-focused on providing officers with the mental health and wellness resources they need and deserve.  I also signed extended benefits for families of officers who have tragically died by suicide.

Our police officers are dedicated, honorable, and good people — they build trust with the communities they serve because they know that trust is the foundation of public safety.  Our communities are safer and stronger when our officers have the resources, training, and tools they need to do their jobs and walk the beat, getting to know the neighborhoods and the people they serve.  A lack of trust from the public means less public safety for all of us:  crimes do not get reported, witnesses do not come forward and cases do not get solved, victims suffer while perpetrators roam free, and justice goes undelivered.

When communities trust the police, crimes get solved faster.  That is why when Republicans blocked the passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021, a bill that the Vice President coauthored while in the Senate, we took action.  I signed a historic Executive Order to set the gold standard for law enforcement.  In part, it requires Federal law enforcement agencies to develop best practices that attract, support, and retain officers who are representative of the communities they are sworn to serve.  We have also made historic investments in proven strategies to interrupt and prevent violence in the first place, including using trusted messengers who are trained to disrupt violence.  At the same time, I signed the most significant gun safety law in nearly three decades and have taken more executive actions to stop the flow of illegal guns than any other administration in history. 

There is more work to be done.  My Safer America Plan calls on the Congress to invest $37 billion to support law enforcement and crime prevention.  The plan would fund 100,000 additional police officers, invest $5 billion in community violence interventions, and enact commonsense gun safety reforms, such as a universal background check requirement and a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

There is no greater responsibility than keeping our families, neighborhoods, and Nation safe. During National Community Policing Week, we reaffirm our commitment to choosing progress over politics when it comes to supporting our law enforcement and ensuring the safety of our communities.  We honor the heroism, bravery, and sacrifice of our police officers.  And may we recommit to upholding one of our Nation’s most fundamental values:  justice for all.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 6 through October 12, 2024, as National Community Policing Week.  I call upon law enforcement agencies, elected officials, and all Americans to observe this week by recognizing ways to improve public safety, build trust, and strengthen community-police relationships.

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

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post A Proclamation on National Community Policing Week, 2024 appeared first on The White House.

Redford Fire Department Station 1
Redford, Michigan

2:03 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Hi.  (Applause.) 

Oh, good afternoon, everybody.  Good afternoon.  Good afternoon.  It is my great honor to be with everybody this afternoon.

Matt, I want to thank you for your leadership and for all that you do for so many.

You know, everyone here, you all have chosen to live a life of service in the most extraordinary way.  And I’m so thankful to all of you — to Matt, for your leadership — and everybody here. 

And it is so good to be in the house of labor.  Thank you all.  (Applause.)  Thank you all.  Thank you all. 

And, you know, yours is a profession that is more than a profession.  It really is about a calling. 

You know, my — I was just telling Matt — my brother-in-law just retired as a firefighter in California.  So, for me, this is personal and it is professional.  I know what you guys do, and I know your character.  I know your families.  I know what it means for the whole community for you all to take on the lives that you have decided to live, and I’m so thankful to you.

You guys work long shifts with unpredictable hours in some of the most dangerous conditions.  You do so on behalf of people you’ve never met.  Sometimes, those people will never know your name, but because of what you do with such sincerity and the highest level of skill and professionalism, their lives are forever better.  And they always know and have the comfort of going to sleep at night knowing that should any tragedy come their way that you guys are out there and would be there.

It’s an extraordinary thing you do, and it’s a great gift that you have that you give.  And so, I am so thankful to you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

And, of course, I am thankful for the union that supports you and your right to all that you deserve in terms of the wages and the benefits that you so rightly have earned.  (Applause.)

And I also want to thank the other brothers and sisters from labor who are here from UAW — (applause); IBE- — IBEW; LIUNA.  Where are your orange T-shirts?  I know you’re here somewhere.  I thank you all, all of you. 

So, look, just yesterday, we saw another example of the power of collective bargaining — right? — when the longshoremen and the U.S. Maritime Alliance came together, ended a strike, and reached an agreement on a record wage.  Right?  (Applause.)  They did good.  They did good. 

And I say, everywhere I go, look, collective bargaining benefits everybody.  And you know the — the term — and I’m looking at our young leaders who are here.  I’m so glad you guys are here.  (Applause.)  So, collective bargaining, it’s really — it’s just a basic logical point. 

So, here’s what it means.  It means that in any negotiation, you want the outcome to be fair.  Right?  We all want fairness, right?  Everybody wants fairness — or should. 

So, here’s the thing about collective bargaining.  If you want the outcome to be fair, you got to realize, if you’re requiring the one worker to negotiate against the big entity, do we really think that the outcome is going to be fair?  Probably not.  But if you let the workers together, as the collective, then negotiate against the big entity, it’s more likely that the outcome will be fair.  

That’s the basic point of collective bargaining.  That’s the basic point of why we want our unions to be able to do their work on behalf of workers every day, because we know when union wages go up, everyone’s wages go up.  (Applause.)  Yeah. 

And when union workplaces are safer, all workplaces are safer.  (Applause.) 

And the bottom line is: When unions are strong, America is strong.  (Applause.)  And our unions have always fought to make our nation, then, more equal, more fair, and more free. 

And in this election, in 32 days, everything we have fought for is on the line. 

This election is about two very different visions for our nation: one that is focused on the past, and ours that is focused on the future. 

We fight for a future where we protect the fundamental freedom to organize.  We fight for a future where workers, all workers, are treated with dignity and respect; a future where we tap into the ambition and the aspirations of the American people and build what I call an “opportunity economy” so that every American has an opportunity to buy a home, start a business, build wealth — intergenerational wealth for their family. 

Over the last three and a half years, our nation has seen historic small-business creation as an example of that focus. 

In Michigan alone, we have seen more than 500,000 new small-business applications.  And when I am president, I plan to build on that progress and that success, including by raising the start-up deduction — tax deduction for small businesses from $5,000 for — to $50,000 to help more entrepreneurs start a small business. 

I’ll tell you guys, my sister and I were raised by our mother, who worked very hard, and we lived on an apartment above a daycare center.  And it was run by and owned by the woman that we called our second mother, who lived two houses down.  She was a small-business owner, and her name was Ms. Shelton. 

And I grew up as a child knowing about who our small businesses are, right?  They’re leaders in the community.  They’re civic leaders.  They hire locally.  They train.  And so, that’s one of the reasons I’m focused on small businesses as part of how we lift up the middle class in America’s economy.

We need to also build more housing in America.  Housing is too expensive. 

My mother saved up for years, until I was a teenager, when she was able to buy our first home. 

And right now, we have a serious housing shortage in America, and that’s part of what is driving up costs.  And so, we are going to cut red tape, we’re going to work with the private sector, and we’ll build 3 million new homes by the end of my first term — (applause) — including — including providing first-time homebuyers with a $25,000 down payment assistance so they can just get their foot literally in the door to be able to invest in the American dream — (applause) — which not everyone has access to these days.

We need to lower the cost of living, because, look, our economy, while we’re making good progress — just this morning, in fact, we got a solid jobs report: over 250,000 jobs created last month, unemployment fell.  And just a few weeks ago, the Federal Reserve cut down interest rates, which is going to be great for a lot of folks.  But there’s still more work we need to do. 

Prices for everyday things like groceries are still too high.  You know it, and I know it.

And so, we have a plan to lower costs on everything from health care to groceries, including what I’ve done in my career as attorney general, which is we got to take on corporate price gouging. 

We got to take on what we need to do to understand that if you want to grow the middle class, we need more middle-class tax cuts.  And the tax cut that is part of my plan will give a tax cut to 100 million Americans. 

We need to expand Child Tax Credit, and I will do that to expand it to $6,000 so that for the first year of a child’s life, their parents have the resources that they need to be able to buy a crib or a car seat, and in that very critical stage of their child’s development, just be able to do more than get by but be able to get ahead. 

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

And we know we cannot have a strong middle class without American manufacturing. 

Over the last three and a half years, we brought manufacturing back to America.  We created 730,000 manufacturing jobs and announced the opening of more than 20 new auto plants in the United States.  And we did it by investing in American industry and American workers.

And I want to make sure that America, not China, wins the competition for the 21st century.  (Applause.)

So, under my plan, we will invest in the industries that built America, like steel, iron, and the great American auto industry — (applause) — yeah — so we can ensure that the next generation of breakthroughs, from advanced batteries to electric vehicles, are not only invented but built right here in America by American union workers.  (Applause.)

So, the election is in 32 days, and Americans have a big choice to make.  And I think it’s very important, then, to point out Donald Trump has a very different approach than mine. 

And let’s be real about who Donald Trump is.  Let’s be real.  This is a time for real talk. 

He was handed $400 million on a silver platter and filed for bankruptcy six times.  This is a man who has only ever fought for himself.  This is a man who has been a union buster his entire career, who has called union leaders, quote, “Dues Sucking” people.  And as president, he did not lift a finger to save the pensions of millions of American workers. 

We did.  We did.  (Applause.)

This is a man who sold promise after promise to American workers but never delivered, who said he supports so-called right-to-work laws “100 percent.”  Those are his words. 

He who joked and laughed about firing striking workers.  You remember that? 

AUDIENCE:  Yes.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Who rolled back labor standards and made it easier for companies that break labor laws to get federal contracts. 

And Donald Trump is a man who tried to cut funding for our first responders, including SAFER grants for firefighters. 

So, brothers and sisters, as we stand here in a house of labor, we will not be fooled.  We will not be gaslighted.  Donald Trump’s track record is a disaster for working people, and he’s trying to gaslight people all over our country.  But we know the facts and we know the truth: He is an existential threat to America’s labor movement.  Just look at his track record to know. 

He said he was the only one who could bring back America’s manufacturing jobs — Michigan knows what I’m about to say — then America lost nearly 200,000 manufacturing jobs when he was president, including tens of thousands of jobs in Michigan.  And those losses started before the pandemic, so we’re clear, making Donald Trump one of the biggest losers of manufacturing jobs in American history.  (Applause.)

And recall his record — his track record for the auto industry.  He promised workers in Warren that the auto industry would, quote, “not lose one plant” during his presidency.  Then American automakers announced the closure of six auto plants when he was president, including General Motors in Warren and Stellantis in Detroit.  Thousands of Michigan autoworkers lost their jobs. 

And now he is making the same empty promises to the people of Michigan that he did before, hoping you will forget how he let you down.  But we know, if he wins again, it will be more of the same. 

Everything he intends to do is spelled out in Project 2025.  If reelected, he intends to launch a full-on attack on unions and the freedom to organize.  He will ban public-sector unions, roll back workplace safety protections, and appoint a union buster to run the Department of Labor.

And on top of that, Donald Trump will give billionaires and the biggest corporations massive tax cuts like he did last time. 

He will cut Social Security and Medicare 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 — which will cost the average American over $4,000 a year more. 

And if that weren’t enough, he intends to end the Affordable Care Act.  And even after he tried to repeal it time and time again when he was president, he still has no plan to replace it. 

Did you guys see the debate?  (Laughter and applause.)  “Concepts of a plan.”  He has “concepts of a plan.”  (Laughter.)  Come on. 

And, you know, I’ve said many times he is an unserious human — (laughter) — but the consequence of him is quite serious, because think about that: “concepts of a plan.” 

So, he’s going to threaten the health care and health coverage of 45 million people in America based on a concept — think about that — to take us back to when insurance companies could deny people with preexisting conditions.  You remember what that was like?

So, look, I’m here to say, and I think we all know: It’s time to turn the page.  It’s time to turn the page.  (Applause.)  We’re not going back. 

America is ready to chart a new way forward, because we are not going back. 

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  No, we’re not.  We’re not going back.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  No, we’re not.

And so, it all comes down to this.  We are here together because we know what is at stake.  And we are here together — and I’m looking at the young leaders — because we love our country.  We love our country.  (Applause.)  Yes, we do.  We love our country.

And I do believe it is the highest form of patriotism to then fight for the ideals of our country and to fight to realize the promise of America. 

We have 32 days to get this done, and we know this is going to be a very tight race until the very end.  And we are the underdog, so we have some hard work ahead of us.  But I know who’s here.  We like hard work.  Hard work is good work.  Hard work is good work.  (Applause.)

And we know what we stand for, so we know what to fight for.  We stand for opportunity, we stand for dignity, and we stand for the future.

And so, we know when we fight —

AUDIENCE:  We win!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — we win. 

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

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

END                 2:20 P.M. EDT

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

Redford Fire Department Station 1
Redford, Michigan

2:03 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Hi.  (Applause.) 

Oh, good afternoon, everybody.  Good afternoon.  Good afternoon.  It is my great honor to be with everybody this afternoon.

Matt, I want to thank you for your leadership and for all that you do for so many.

You know, everyone here, you all have chosen to live a life of service in the most extraordinary way.  And I’m so thankful to all of you — to Matt, for your leadership — and everybody here. 

And it is so good to be in the house of labor.  Thank you all.  (Applause.)  Thank you all.  Thank you all. 

And, you know, yours is a profession that is more than a profession.  It really is about a calling. 

You know, my — I was just telling Matt — my brother-in-law just retired as a firefighter in California.  So, for me, this is personal and it is professional.  I know what you guys do, and I know your character.  I know your families.  I know what it means for the whole community for you all to take on the lives that you have decided to live, and I’m so thankful to you.

You guys work long shifts with unpredictable hours in some of the most dangerous conditions.  You do so on behalf of people you’ve never met.  Sometimes, those people will never know your name, but because of what you do with such sincerity and the highest level of skill and professionalism, their lives are forever better.  And they always know and have the comfort of going to sleep at night knowing that should any tragedy come their way that you guys are out there and would be there.

It’s an extraordinary thing you do, and it’s a great gift that you have that you give.  And so, I am so thankful to you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

And, of course, I am thankful for the union that supports you and your right to all that you deserve in terms of the wages and the benefits that you so rightly have earned.  (Applause.)

And I also want to thank the other brothers and sisters from labor who are here from UAW — (applause); IBE- — IBEW; LIUNA.  Where are your orange T-shirts?  I know you’re here somewhere.  I thank you all, all of you. 

So, look, just yesterday, we saw another example of the power of collective bargaining — right? — when the longshoremen and the U.S. Maritime Alliance came together, ended a strike, and reached an agreement on a record wage.  Right?  (Applause.)  They did good.  They did good. 

And I say, everywhere I go, look, collective bargaining benefits everybody.  And you know the — the term — and I’m looking at our young leaders who are here.  I’m so glad you guys are here.  (Applause.)  So, collective bargaining, it’s really — it’s just a basic logical point. 

So, here’s what it means.  It means that in any negotiation, you want the outcome to be fair.  Right?  We all want fairness, right?  Everybody wants fairness — or should. 

So, here’s the thing about collective bargaining.  If you want the outcome to be fair, you got to realize, if you’re requiring the one worker to negotiate against the big entity, do we really think that the outcome is going to be fair?  Probably not.  But if you let the workers together, as the collective, then negotiate against the big entity, it’s more likely that the outcome will be fair.  

That’s the basic point of collective bargaining.  That’s the basic point of why we want our unions to be able to do their work on behalf of workers every day, because we know when union wages go up, everyone’s wages go up.  (Applause.)  Yeah. 

And when union workplaces are safer, all workplaces are safer.  (Applause.) 

And the bottom line is: When unions are strong, America is strong.  (Applause.)  And our unions have always fought to make our nation, then, more equal, more fair, and more free. 

And in this election, in 32 days, everything we have fought for is on the line. 

This election is about two very different visions for our nation: one that is focused on the past, and ours that is focused on the future. 

We fight for a future where we protect the fundamental freedom to organize.  We fight for a future where workers, all workers, are treated with dignity and respect; a future where we tap into the ambition and the aspirations of the American people and build what I call an “opportunity economy” so that every American has an opportunity to buy a home, start a business, build wealth — intergenerational wealth for their family. 

Over the last three and a half years, our nation has seen historic small-business creation as an example of that focus. 

In Michigan alone, we have seen more than 500,000 new small-business applications.  And when I am president, I plan to build on that progress and that success, including by raising the start-up deduction — tax deduction for small businesses from $5,000 for — to $50,000 to help more entrepreneurs start a small business. 

I’ll tell you guys, my sister and I were raised by our mother, who worked very hard, and we lived on an apartment above a daycare center.  And it was run by and owned by the woman that we called our second mother, who lived two houses down.  She was a small-business owner, and her name was Ms. Shelton. 

And I grew up as a child knowing about who our small businesses are, right?  They’re leaders in the community.  They’re civic leaders.  They hire locally.  They train.  And so, that’s one of the reasons I’m focused on small businesses as part of how we lift up the middle class in America’s economy.

We need to also build more housing in America.  Housing is too expensive. 

My mother saved up for years, until I was a teenager, when she was able to buy our first home. 

And right now, we have a serious housing shortage in America, and that’s part of what is driving up costs.  And so, we are going to cut red tape, we’re going to work with the private sector, and we’ll build 3 million new homes by the end of my first term — (applause) — including — including providing first-time homebuyers with a $25,000 down payment assistance so they can just get their foot literally in the door to be able to invest in the American dream — (applause) — which not everyone has access to these days.

We need to lower the cost of living, because, look, our economy, while we’re making good progress — just this morning, in fact, we got a solid jobs report: over 250,000 jobs created last month, unemployment fell.  And just a few weeks ago, the Federal Reserve cut down interest rates, which is going to be great for a lot of folks.  But there’s still more work we need to do. 

Prices for everyday things like groceries are still too high.  You know it, and I know it.

And so, we have a plan to lower costs on everything from health care to groceries, including what I’ve done in my career as attorney general, which is we got to take on corporate price gouging. 

We got to take on what we need to do to understand that if you want to grow the middle class, we need more middle-class tax cuts.  And the tax cut that is part of my plan will give a tax cut to 100 million Americans. 

We need to expand Child Tax Credit, and I will do that to expand it to $6,000 so that for the first year of a child’s life, their parents have the resources that they need to be able to buy a crib or a car seat, and in that very critical stage of their child’s development, just be able to do more than get by but be able to get ahead. 

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

And we know we cannot have a strong middle class without American manufacturing. 

Over the last three and a half years, we brought manufacturing back to America.  We created 730,000 manufacturing jobs and announced the opening of more than 20 new auto plants in the United States.  And we did it by investing in American industry and American workers.

And I want to make sure that America, not China, wins the competition for the 21st century.  (Applause.)

So, under my plan, we will invest in the industries that built America, like steel, iron, and the great American auto industry — (applause) — yeah — so we can ensure that the next generation of breakthroughs, from advanced batteries to electric vehicles, are not only invented but built right here in America by American union workers.  (Applause.)

So, the election is in 32 days, and Americans have a big choice to make.  And I think it’s very important, then, to point out Donald Trump has a very different approach than mine. 

And let’s be real about who Donald Trump is.  Let’s be real.  This is a time for real talk. 

He was handed $400 million on a silver platter and filed for bankruptcy six times.  This is a man who has only ever fought for himself.  This is a man who has been a union buster his entire career, who has called union leaders, quote, “Dues Sucking” people.  And as president, he did not lift a finger to save the pensions of millions of American workers. 

We did.  We did.  (Applause.)

This is a man who sold promise after promise to American workers but never delivered, who said he supports so-called right-to-work laws “100 percent.”  Those are his words. 

He who joked and laughed about firing striking workers.  You remember that? 

AUDIENCE:  Yes.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Who rolled back labor standards and made it easier for companies that break labor laws to get federal contracts. 

And Donald Trump is a man who tried to cut funding for our first responders, including SAFER grants for firefighters. 

So, brothers and sisters, as we stand here in a house of labor, we will not be fooled.  We will not be gaslighted.  Donald Trump’s track record is a disaster for working people, and he’s trying to gaslight people all over our country.  But we know the facts and we know the truth: He is an existential threat to America’s labor movement.  Just look at his track record to know. 

He said he was the only one who could bring back America’s manufacturing jobs — Michigan knows what I’m about to say — then America lost nearly 200,000 manufacturing jobs when he was president, including tens of thousands of jobs in Michigan.  And those losses started before the pandemic, so we’re clear, making Donald Trump one of the biggest losers of manufacturing jobs in American history.  (Applause.)

And recall his record — his track record for the auto industry.  He promised workers in Warren that the auto industry would, quote, “not lose one plant” during his presidency.  Then American automakers announced the closure of six auto plants when he was president, including General Motors in Warren and Stellantis in Detroit.  Thousands of Michigan autoworkers lost their jobs. 

And now he is making the same empty promises to the people of Michigan that he did before, hoping you will forget how he let you down.  But we know, if he wins again, it will be more of the same. 

Everything he intends to do is spelled out in Project 2025.  If reelected, he intends to launch a full-on attack on unions and the freedom to organize.  He will ban public-sector unions, roll back workplace safety protections, and appoint a union buster to run the Department of Labor.

And on top of that, Donald Trump will give billionaires and the biggest corporations massive tax cuts like he did last time. 

He will cut Social Security and Medicare 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 — which will cost the average American over $4,000 a year more. 

And if that weren’t enough, he intends to end the Affordable Care Act.  And even after he tried to repeal it time and time again when he was president, he still has no plan to replace it. 

Did you guys see the debate?  (Laughter and applause.)  “Concepts of a plan.”  He has “concepts of a plan.”  (Laughter.)  Come on. 

And, you know, I’ve said many times he is an unserious human — (laughter) — but the consequence of him is quite serious, because think about that: “concepts of a plan.” 

So, he’s going to threaten the health care and health coverage of 45 million people in America based on a concept — think about that — to take us back to when insurance companies could deny people with preexisting conditions.  You remember what that was like?

So, look, I’m here to say, and I think we all know: It’s time to turn the page.  It’s time to turn the page.  (Applause.)  We’re not going back. 

America is ready to chart a new way forward, because we are not going back. 

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  No, we’re not.  We’re not going back.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  No, we’re not.

And so, it all comes down to this.  We are here together because we know what is at stake.  And we are here together — and I’m looking at the young leaders — because we love our country.  We love our country.  (Applause.)  Yes, we do.  We love our country.

And I do believe it is the highest form of patriotism to then fight for the ideals of our country and to fight to realize the promise of America. 

We have 32 days to get this done, and we know this is going to be a very tight race until the very end.  And we are the underdog, so we have some hard work ahead of us.  But I know who’s here.  We like hard work.  Hard work is good work.  Hard work is good work.  (Applause.)

And we know what we stand for, so we know what to fight for.  We stand for opportunity, we stand for dignity, and we stand for the future.

And so, we know when we fight —

AUDIENCE:  We win!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — we win. 

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

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

END                 2:20 P.M. EDT

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The President and First Lady will continue the tradition of welcoming members of the public to tour the White House Gardens and South Grounds. This fall, tours of the White House Gardens will be available to the public from 10:00 a.m. ET to 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 12 and Sunday, October 13.
 
These tours are free and open to members of the public; however, a timed ticket is required for all attendees, regardless of age. The National Park Service (NPS) will distribute free, timed tickets outside the White House Visitor Center, located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, each day of the tour beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET. Timed tickets will be distributed, one ticket per person, on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
Once attendees have received their tickets, the South Lawn entry point for everyone will be located on 15th St, NW between E Street, NW and Constitution Avenue, NW, near the Boy Scout Memorial. The ADA entrance will be located at 15th Street, NW and Alexander Hamilton Place, NW.

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The post The White House Announces 2024 Fall Garden Tours appeared first on The White House.

The President and First Lady will continue the tradition of welcoming members of the public to tour the White House Gardens and South Grounds. This fall, tours of the White House Gardens will be available to the public from 10:00 a.m. ET to 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 12 and Sunday, October 13.
 
These tours are free and open to members of the public; however, a timed ticket is required for all attendees, regardless of age. The National Park Service (NPS) will distribute free, timed tickets outside the White House Visitor Center, located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, each day of the tour beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET. Timed tickets will be distributed, one ticket per person, on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
Once attendees have received their tickets, the South Lawn entry point for everyone will be located on 15th St, NW between E Street, NW and Constitution Avenue, NW, near the Boy Scout Memorial. The ADA entrance will be located at 15th Street, NW and Alexander Hamilton Place, NW.

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The post The White House Announces 2024 Fall Garden Tours appeared first on The White House.

Today the White House released visitor log records generated in June 2024. This set includes 90,735 records, bringing the total number of records posted to 1,653,271

These records were posted pursuant to the White House’s policy to voluntarily disclose visitor log records. This release is consistent with the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to becoming the first administration to post visitor log records from its first full year in office.

To learn more about the policy, read our voluntary disclosure policy. To view visitor log records, view our disclosure page.

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The post June 2024 Visitor Logs Records Posted appeared first on The White House.

Today the White House released visitor log records generated in June 2024. This set includes 90,735 records, bringing the total number of records posted to 1,653,271

These records were posted pursuant to the White House’s policy to voluntarily disclose visitor log records. This release is consistent with the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to becoming the first administration to post visitor log records from its first full year in office.

To learn more about the policy, read our voluntary disclosure policy. To view visitor log records, view our disclosure page.

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The post June 2024 Visitor Logs Records Posted appeared first on The White House.

2:06 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Hey, folks.  My name is Joe Biden.  (Laughter.)

Q    Welcome to the briefing room.

Q    Welcome, Mr. President. 

Q    We’ve been waiting for you. 

THE PRESIDENT:  Welcome to the swimming pool.

Q    Finally.  This is — this is great.

THE PRESIDENT:  Hey, look, folks, good afternoon.  The past two days have gotten some — we’ve gotten very good news about the American economy. 

Just yesterday, shipping carriers, after some discussion, and the International Longshoreman’s Union came to an agreement to keep their ports in the East Coast and Gulf ports open.  We averted what could have become a major crisis for the country.  And a tentative agreement, which includes record wage increases for dockworkers and shows the importance of collective bargaining and represents, I think, critical progress toward a strong contract. 

I especially want to thank the carriers, the port operators, and the longshoreman’s union for reaching this agreement at a time when the nation has experienced such terrible devastation from Hurricane Helene.  It was truly a service to the American people for all the parties to come together and to respond to our request to keep the ports open. 

I was determined to — to avert a crisis at this moment, because it’s a critical moment.  If we didn’t do this now, we’d have a real problem.  

I also want to thank my White House team for the work — they worked around the clock to bring the parties together. 

But, today, I — we got more incredible news.  Although the strength of the American economy is a — it’s about the strength of the American economy.  The new jobs report, as you all know and you’ve been reporting, created 250,000 jobs in September.  The expectation was for 150,000 jobs in September, which is — far exceeds that number.  Not only the previous two months — but not only that, the previous two months was revised up 150,000 — 75,000 jobs. 

And from the very beginning, we were told time and again that the polices we were pursuing — we’d put forward weren’t –weren’t going to work, make things worse, including some of the other team who are still saying they’re going to make things worse.  But we’ve proven them wrong.

You know, we were told our American — we’ve — we were told our American Rescue Plan was too big and it would crowd out private investment.  We proved them wrong.  It vaccinated a nation and got immediate economic relief to people in need. 

When I came to office determined to end trickle-down economics and to grow the economy from the middle out and the bottom up — I know you’re tired of hearing me say that over and over again, but that was the policy; it remains the policy — because when you do that, everyone does well.  When the middle class grows, the nation is stronger.  And the nation is stronger when there is a strong union movement as well. 

We were told it wouldn’t work, but I was also determined to do what was ignored for much too long.  Presidents have been authorized since the ‘30s to be able to spend the money given by Congress — to spend the money on hiring American workers and using American product where they were available.  And that’s what we did.  

We were told that was going to be a big problem, but all the money we — I was authorized to spend by the Congress has gone to building a mi- — to — gone to hiring American workers and using American products.  We were told it wasn’t going to be — I — we were told that was going to be a big problem, but it’s working. 

We were also told that our historic laws to invest in America and all Americans would crowd out private-sector investment.  Well, that was proven wrong too.

We’ve attracted nearly $1 trillion since we’ve come to office in private-sector investment from domestic and foreign companies investing in America — in America.  And not this stuff with sh- — shipping jobs overseas for cheaper labor and bringing back a product to America.  We’re building it here and sending it overseas.  And look at the results across the board.

Unemployment is back down 4- — to 4.1 percent.  And every month f- — that Vice President Harris and I have been in office, we’ve been — there’s been — we’ve created jobs every single month. 

The nation has now created 16 million jobs since I’ve come to office, more jobs created in a single presidential term than at any time in American history. 

Our GDP shows our economy grew at — at 10 percent under my administration.  Unemployment reached the lowest level in 50 years. 

We were also told inflation couldn’t come down without massive job losses or sending the economy into economic recession. 

Once again, the outside experts were wrong.  Inflation has come way down.  Wages have gone up, growing faster than prices.  The interest rates are down.  A record 19 million new business applications have been filed for.  The stock market continues to reach new heights. 

We’ve got more work to do though to keep getting — keep — to keep getting prices down, like more affordable housing, extending what I’ve done for seniors and lowering prescription drug costs by letting Medicare negotiate the prices — make sure that’s available to everyone. 

And, by the way, what we’ve done so far — just what we’ve brought down the prices for seniors under Medicare, it saved the taxpayers billions of dollars — billions of dollars.  Saved the taxpayers billions of dollars.  That’s important to note because they don’t have to pay the exorbitant and ratio- — irrational prices that these companies are charging.

The simple fact is we’ve gone from an economy in crisis to literally having the strongest economy in the world.  And — but we got — we — we got more work to do.  We’ve got more work to do to deal the — the things I’ve just mentioned.  And we’re going to have to deal with unforeseen costs of what this — this hu- — this hurricane is going to cost.  It’s going to cost a lot of money, and I’m going to probably have to ask the Congress before we leave for more money to deal with some of those problems, but that remains to be seen. 

I’ll take a few questions before I turn it over to —

Q    Mr. President —

THE PRESIDENT:  You pick out the questions.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Oh, okay.  Yes, sir.  (Laughter.)  Yes, sir. 

Go ahead, Josh. 

Q    Thanks again for doing this, Mr. President.  Two questions.  The first, Florida Senator Marco Rubio described today’s jobs report as having “fake numbers.”  What do you make of that?  And how worried are you that many Americans are hearing that the jobs numbers aren’t real? 

THE PRESIDENT:  Look, I’m going to be very careful here.  If you notice anything the MAGA Republicans don’t like, they call “fake.”  Anything.  The job numbers are what the job numbers are.  They’re real.  They’re sincere.  They’re — what we are. 

But — and, by the way, just look at how the EU talks about us, how they’d like to have an economy like ours.  Let’s talk about the rest of the world looks at us and what we’re doing. 

So, I — well, I don’t want to get going. 

Q    And — and then, secondly, could you clarify some of your comments yesterday with regard to strikes on Iranian oil facilities?  What did you mean by them, given some of the reactions we’re seeing in the market?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, look, the Israelis have not concluded how they’re — what they’re going to do in terms of a strike.  That’s under discussion.  I think there are — if I were in their shoes, I’d be thinking about other alternatives than striking oil fields. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Weijia.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  Thank you so much, Mr. President, for being here. 

This week, Senator Chris Murphy said, “It’s certainly a possibility that the Israeli government is not going to sign any diplomatic agreement prior to the election,” which is what you have been calling for for so long, “potentially to try to influence the result.” 

Do you agree?  Do you have any worries that Netanyahu may be trying to influence the election, and that’s why he has not agreed to a diplomatic solution?

THE PRESIDENT:  No administration has helped Israel more than I have.  None.  None.  None.  And I think Bibi should remember that. 

And whether he’s trying to influence the election, I don’t know, but I’m not counting on that.

Q    You’ve said many times recently that you want to speak to him, that you plan to —

THE PRESIDENT:  No, I didn’t say “plan to.”  I didn’t say “want to.”

Q    You don’t want to?

THE PRESIDENT:  No, I didn’t say that.  You’re making it sound like I’m seeking an inv- — speak- — I’m assuming when they make their judgment of how they’re going to respond, we will then have a discussion. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Selina.

Q    Thank you.

Q    Thank you, Mr. President, for being here.  What are you advising the Israelis to do in terms of their retaliation to Iran?  And at this point, you still haven’t spoken to Netanyahu.  Is it fair to say that you have little personal influence over what he decides to do?

THE PRESIDENT:  No.  Look, our — our teams are in contact 12 hours a day.  They’re constantly in contact.  I’ve already had my presidential daily brief.  We’ve already had interface between our military, our — the diplomats.  It’s in constant contact. 

They are trying to figure out — this is High Holidays as well.  They’re not going to make a decision immediately.  And so, we’re going to wait to see what they — when they want to talk. 

Q    But over the past few months, they’ve consistently defied your administration’s own advice.  So, do you believe that the Israelis are going to listen to the advice you’re giving them?

THE PRESIDENT:  What I know is the plan that I put together received the support of the U.N. Security Council and the vast majority of our allies around the world as a way to bring this to an end. 

One of — look, the Israelis have every right to respond to the vicious attacks on them not just from the Iranians but from the — everyone from Hezbollah to the Houthis to — anyway.  And — but the fact is that they have to be very much more careful about dealing with civilian casualties.

Q    So, how should they respond?  You expressed concerns about attacks on Iranian oil facilities.  How should they respond?

THE PRESIDENT:  That’s between me and them.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  We got to move on.  Go ahead, Tam.

Q    The election is a month away.  One, I’d like to know how you’re feeling about how this election is going.  And then, also, do you have confidence that it will be a free and fair election and that it will be peaceful?

THE PRESIDENT:  Two separate questions.

Q    Very much.

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m confident it’ll be free and fair.  I don’t know whether it will be peaceful. 

The things that Trump has said and the things that he said last time out when he didn’t like the outcome of the election were very dangerous. 

If you notice — I — I noticed that the vice-presidential Republican candidate did not say he’d accept the outcome of the election.  And they haven’t even accepted the outcome of the last election.  So, I’m — I’m concerned about what they’re — what they’re going to do.

Q    Are you making any preparations?  Getting security briefings related to domestic security?

THE PRESIDENT:  I always get those briefings.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  We got to move on.  Go ahead, Akayla.  And we have — do a couple more.

Q    Hi.  Hi, Mr. President.  When are you considering imposing sanctions on Iran?  And would you include oil in those sanctions?

THE PRESIDENT:  That’s som- — that’s be- — that’s under consideration right now, the whole thing.  I’m not going to discuss that out loud.

Q    And just on your comments yesterday on the port strike.  You said by “the grace of God,” it’s going to hold.  Is there any reason you think that this —

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, there’s more to do.

Q    — this temporary suspension —

THE PRESIDENT:  It’s a month from now, and there’s more to do in terms of everything from the whole notion of me- — me- — excuse me — mechanization of the ports and the like.  There’s more to more to re- — more to resolve.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Danny.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Thank you, Mr. President.  Last night, you said that there’s still a lot to do to avoid an all-out war in the Middle East.  I mean, firstly, aren’t we pretty close to that definition already?  And — and, secondly, what — what can you really do to stop that happening?

THE PRESIDNET:  There’s a lot we are doing.  The main thing we can do is try to rally the rest of the world and our allies into participating, like the French are, in — in Lebanon and other places to tamp this down.  And — but when you have proxies as irrational as Hezbollah and the Houthis and — it’s a — it’s a hard thing to determine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Toluse.

THE PRESIDENT:  I’ve got to go, kid.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I know.  I know.  (Laughter.)  He’s telling me, “I got to go.”

THE PRESIDENT:  I said I’d take a couple questions.  (Laughter.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right. 

Q    We’ll take (inaudible) —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  You’re the la- — you’re the last one, Toluse.

THE PRESIDENT:  I think she’s decreasing her credibility.  (Laughter.)

Q    First — first time in four years; you have to take some more.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Toluse, you’re going to be the last one.

Q    Thank you, Mr. President.  Thank you for — for spending some time here with us.  There have obviously been a number of crises that the country has been facing over the past several days with the hurricane, with port strike, with the situation in the Middle East.  Can you talk about how your vice president, who is running for the presidency, has worked on these crises and what role she has played over the past several

days?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, she’s — I’m in constant contact with her.  She’s aware of where — we all — we’re singing from the same song sheet.  We — she helped pass the l- — all the laws that are being employed now.  She was a major player in everything we’ve done, including passage of legislation, which we were told we could never pass.  And so, she’s been — and her — her staff is interlocked with mine in terms of all the things we’re doing.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right, sir.  Thank you, sir.

(Cross-talk.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  It’s up to you, sir.  (Laughs.)

(Cross-talk.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Totally up to you, sir.

(Cross-talk.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  All right.  Go ahead.  Go ahead.  Go ahead.  Go ahead.

(Cross-talk.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, Nandita.  Nandita.

Sir — sir — no.  No.  Sir — I didn’t call on you, sir.  I didn’t call on you.  Nandita.

Q    Pope Francis is calling for a day of —

Q    Thank you.  Thank you, Karine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Nandita. 

Q    — prayer —

Q    Mr. President —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go, Nandita.

Q    — and fasting.  What’s —

Q    Mr. President —

THE PRESIDENT:  On Pope Francis —

Q    Yeah.

THE PRESIDENT:  — calling for a day of prayer and fasting —

Q    A day of prayer and fasting this Monday, October 7th.  You reaction, sir?

THE PRESIDENT:  I will prayer and fast.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  That’s —

(Cross-talk.)

Q    Mr. President, what is acceptable to you in terms of Israel’s response?  How long are you okay with Israel bombing Lebanon?  What is acceptable to you?

Q    Mr. President —

(Cross-talk.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right, guys.  That’s it.  Thank you, everybody. 

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Thank you, Mr. President.  Thank you, sir.

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.

(Cross-talk.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Thank you, every- — thank you, sir.

Q    Mr. President, on Ukraine.  Have you made a decision on long-range weapons?

Q    Do you re- — want to reconsider dropping out of the race?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m back in.  (Laughter.)

Q    What made you want to come here today, Mr. President?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right, everybody.

Q    Thank — thank you, Mr. President.

Q    Thank you. 

Q    Please come back. 

Q    Thank you, Karine.

Q    Karine, can we do that again?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No.  (Laughter.)

You hear- — you heard I was already told that.  (Laughs.) 

Q    So, that’s why we were late? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, are we always on — any — always on time?  (Laughter.)  I — I could call myself out for that.

All right, everybody.  Thank you so much.  Thank you, Mr. President.

Okay.  So, this week, the United States has faced a — a number of competing challenges, from tensions in the Middle East, to a port strike that threatened our nation’s supply chains, to a historic hurricane that washed away entire communities.

Moments like these underscore the importance of American leadership and resolve, and they show what is possible when we come together.

Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, we were able to successfully protect our allies, ensure the viability of critical supplies, stand up for good-paying union jobs, and get resources to people impacted by the storm in North Carolina and beyond.

In the Middle East, the president showed that our ironclad support for Israelis’ security is not just a talking point; it saves lives.  Prior to Iran’s attack on Israel, the president convened his national security team in the Situation Room to monitor developments in real time, ensure we were prepared to assist in Israelis’ defense, and protect U.S. personnel in the region.

Under the president’s leadership, the United States successfully defended Israel an- — from Iran’s missiles, standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of Israel.

On the home front, the president and his team brought union workers, ocean carriers, and port operators to the table to — successfully to resolve a strike that threatened U.S. supply chains and the economic progress this president has made to lower prices for the American people.

And in the Southwest United States — Southeast, pardon me, United States, the administration pre-positioned 1,500 federal personnel, along with critical resources like food, water, and fuel, to ensure that communities in the path of Hurricane Helene were prepared ahead of the storm. 

Now, we are getting more resources into the hardest-hit communities every day, and we have provided over $45 million directly to individuals and families to help them recover.

And a wide range of bipartisan officials, including the governors of every affected state, are working together with us and have praised the federal response. 

These response- — responses underscore why leadership matters.  The president’s leadership in this moment helps to save lives, pra- — protect critical alliances, and ensure that our economy remains strong.  But more importantly, it proves that nothing is beyond America’s capacity when we do it together.

And really quickly, because I know you all a- — asked for this.  This is the week ahead.  Next week, the president will travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to discuss his administration’s work to replace lead pipes in the state and across the country through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  This law is investing historic resources into our communities and creating good-paying jobs.

The president will also be traveling to Philadelphia for a campaign engagement. 

He will also travel to Germany and Angola to underscore the enduring strength and importance of two strategic bilateral relationships in addressing a comprehensive range of global stra- — challenges.  The value of strong alliances and partnerships in the defense of freedom and democracy has never resonated more in Europe, Africa, and beyond.

President Biden has made revitalizing our international alliances and partnerships a key priority, recognizing that today’s challenges require global perspectives and shared responses.

Those are the details I am able to share with — for now, but certainly, we will have more in the upcoming days. 

And finally, n- — finally, we have Lael Bran- — Brai- — Brainard — (laughs) — our national economic adviser to the president.  She’s going to provide more information on how the president helped reopen our ports, as well as the strong job market economy report that we saw today, showing that more than 250,000 jobs this — this September under the president — President Biden.

MS. BRAINARD:  Well, thanks, Karine.  And it’s good to see everybody today.

It is a good day for American workers and families.  We saw more than 250,000 new jobs created in the month of September.  We saw unemployment back down to 4.1 percent at a time when inflation is back down to pre-pandemic levels.

The East Coast and Gulf ports are opening back up, and dockworkers are getting back to work on the basis of a strong tentative agreement on wages and a contract extension between the International Longshoreman’s Association and the United St- — States Maritime Alliance.

Just a week ago, the negotiation had totally stalled out.  The union and employers had not spoken to each other for months.  The last time a wage offer had been put on the table was in the middle of 2023.

The president and the vice president directed us to get the parties back to the table to reach a good deal.  We worked around the clock to help them find common ground. 

And the president was clear throughout that process on three things: We needed to get the union and the employers back to the table on the basis of a strong progress on wages so nothing would get in the way of hurricane recovery; Taft-Hartley was off the table because collective bargaining works; and workers should share in the large profits of the ocean carriers, particularly after those dockworkers sacrificed so much to keep goods moving for the American public during the pandemic.

And as a result of the hard work that I undertook along with Secretary Buttigieg, [Acting] Secretary Su, a number of people in the White House.  We are seeing dockworkers get a fair share of the industry’s record returns.  We’re seeing ports opening so consumers and businesses can get what they need.  And we don’t expect to see any effects on our economy or for consumers, businesses, and farmers because we have strong supply chains that we built in the wake of the pandemic. 

The president and the vice president have consistently supported the collective bargaining process.  When employers and workers come to the table, they find a good outcome. 

That’s a vastly different approach from previous administrations that might have busted unions and rolled back worker protections. 

And finally, I would simply say that the data that we’re seeing, the data we saw last week confirms that our economy is delivering for workers. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  I’m going to take a couple of questions. 

Go ahead, Selina.

Q    Thank you so much for being here.  Would you say at this point that the U.S. has achieved a soft landing?  And if not, at what point will we be there?

MS. BRAINARD:  Yeah, I would say that, look, we have seen unemployment — the lowest average unemployment rate of any administration in 50 years, and we have seen inflation come back down to pre-pandemic levels. 

That is exactly the kind of growth that you would want to see.  Growth has actually been revised up.  It’s been above 3 percent over the last year, and we’re continuing to see very resilient consumers.  So, yes, that’s exactly the kind of Goldilocks results that you would want to see.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Josh.

Q    Thanks again for doing this.  If I could ask about an otherwise strong jobs report.  You still have manufacturing employment dip by 7,000.  What do you think is happening in the manufacturing sector right now?  Is this response to higher rates, or are you seeing something else going on?

MS. BRAINARD:  Yeah, so I think if you look more broadly across the administration, you have seen manufacturing jobs growing by more than 700,000, in contrast to the previous administration that actually saw manufacturing job losses even before the pandemic. 

And I think the right way to think about this — because we have so much new investment dollars from the Investing in America agenda, the right way to think about it is to look at construction and manufacturing jobs together.  And there, what we’ve seen is continued growth. 

That construction workforce is hard at work with factory construction that is multiples of the previous administrations.  That construction of factories is going to turn into the manufacturing jobs of the future. 

So, we see that investment in today’s economy, whether it be in chip manufacturing or clean energy, that is going to result in tomorrow’s manufacturing jobs.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.

Q    Thank you, Karine. 

Just after the last Fed rate cut, do you think the administration has won its fight against inflation?

MS. BRAINARD:  So, I would say, if you look at the data on inflation, it is now back down to pre-pandemic levels.  Don’t forget, nobody said that could happen with a strong labor market.  I think people just really need to go back and see some of the predictions.  Nobody thought we could have the strongest recovery in our peer economies — strongest on jobs, strongest on growth — and get inflation down as fast as we did. 

And so, that just shows that the president’s investments and the focus on supply chains has really worked. 

Q    And then just a follow-up on the consumer confidence

numbers.  I mean, there was, you know, an upward revision in August, but now it’s down in September.  I’m just sort of wondering if you can comment on that.

MS. BRAINARD:  Yeah, so I think the most recent Michigan sentiment numbers actually are showing strength.  And, you know, if you look at what consumers are talking about, they’re talking about good jobs, good job opportunities.  And we’ve seen a lot of people moving into new sectors with better wages, and there is now a lot more confidence that interest rates are coming down, inflation is down, and that’s going to enable consumers to feel more confident about investing in some of those bigger-ticket items.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  Just a couple more. 

Go ahead.

Q    Thank you.  On the jobs report, the data also showed that the employment picture in July and August was also brighter than previously thought.  For Americans who are concerned about the rate that they may pay on their mortgage or their car that they might buy, what do you see that doing to the path of interest rates going forward?

MS. BRAINARD:  You know, I think that we are now in a part of the recovery where inflation is back down, and that’s really what is going to determine whether interest rates continue to fall.  And market interest rates have remained low.  Mortgage rates have come all the way down close to 6 percent.  We anticipate, because inflation is back down, that that will continue to show through to market rates.

Q    And on the hurricane that ravaged the Southeast, what are your early indications of how that could impact economic growth and the jobs picture in November, with so many in that region out of work?

MS. BRAINARD:  Yeah, so we do think normally with a hurricane of this size, with the devastation that it has caused in many communities, that it will affect the employment statistics for that month.  But what we know is that, generally, you see the economy overall bouncing back very quickly and the growth numbers really becoming sort of strong pretty rapidly because of all that rebuilding activity that we are committed to. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Jacqui.

Q    That was my —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Oh, okay.

Q    — on interest rates.  Yeah.  (Laughter.) 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.

Q    How concerned are you right now about the instability

in the Middle East and its impact on oil prices?

MS. BRAINARD:  Yeah, so, it is something that we track very closely.  Obviously, prices at the pump right now, $3.18 on average — not that I track it closely, but that is today’s number — (laughter) — and below $3 in many states.  We believe that global markets are well supplied, and continue to expect that in the U.S., we’ll continue to see those low gas prices. 

And of course, we have really effective ways of addressing some of those geostrategic volatility.  We’ve used it in the past.  We have the capacity to use it again. 

So, right now, markets are very well supplied, and we anticipate them to remain so. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right, last question to — oh — 

Q    Yeah, I’ll —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No, I — I can go to Gerren too.  (Laughs.)  Go ahead. 

Q    Thanks.  A federal judge in Missouri issued an injunction blocking the president’s student loan program hours after a judge in Georgia allowed it to advance.  What is the White House’s message to this dizzying legal battle?  And that was lifted up as an economic policy to, particularly, closing the racial wealth gap.  And what is your message to Black and brown Americans who are really relying on this relief?

MS. BRAINARD:  Yeah.  So, student loan debt relief is so important for so many young people who are trying to build wealth, particularly for people who are first generation, to be able to invest in small businesses, to invest in starting a family, to invest in a house for the first time.  So, we are going to continue to work to deliver that debt relief to so many students who deserve it. 

I do want to say that we have 5 million Americans who have already received debt relief.  And, you know, you can go on TikTok and other social media platforms and see their testimonials what a difference it makes in their lives.  And that is why the president, vice president going to continue working so hard to deliver.  

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Awesome.  Thank you so much, Lael.

MS. BRAINARD:  Thank you.

Q    More Americans are food insecure.

MS. BRAINARD:  Thank you. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Thank you.  Thank you so much. 

Q    Could you address food insecurity?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I appreciate it. 

Q    The numbers are rising —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Thank you, thank you.

Q    — according to the USDA.  Food insecurity numbers? 

Maybe, Karine, if you could address it?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No.  Not — not right now.

Q    Food insecurity?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — I’m — I’m not talking to you, sir.

Q    Okay.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m just not.  It would be nice if you would be less disrespectful in the room.

Q    I’m just asking questions.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Inappropriately. 

Okay.  Go ahead, Josh.  I don’t know if — maybe you guys are done with me.  Maybe I can walk out.  (Laughs.)  You guys got — you guys got all the best.  (Laughs.)  You guys got all the best. 

Go ahead, Josh.

Q    So, if we were to, like, zoom out —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — President Biden came in here today. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    He’s going to be with Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey this week.  Then he goes to Germany and Angola.  He said he’s singing from the same song sheet as vice president Kamala Harris on the campaign.  How does he see his public role in the next few weeks as we get closer to the election?  What does — what’s he trying to achieve?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — look —

Q    And how’s he thinking about it?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I think he’s doing his job as president, right?  I think that’s the most important thing.  I mean, I started off at the top, at least of this — this part of the program, where I said that we’ve had three major events happen this week.  And what did the president do?  What did the vice president do?  They worked shoulder and shoulder to deal with these major events. 

Now we see a deal with the port — a negotiated deal with the ports.  Obviously, it — it — that collective bargaining is extended until January 15th, which is incredibly important, especially in the midst of a hurricane that we saw — this historic hurricane that we just saw — Hurricane Helene. 

We s- — we see what’s happening in the Middle East.  The president and the vice president continue to have diplomatic conversations, if you will, to deal — to de-escalate, to deal with what we’re seeing in — in that — in the region.

And the hurricane.  You saw the — the vice president in — in Georgia; the president in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, himself, and also in North — also in Florida, pardon me. 

And so, I think what you’re going to see is him continuing to do his job, working closely with the vice president. 

Look, before Hurricane Helene, President Biden was planning to campaign this week, and you heard — you heard me say he’s going to go to Pennsylvania.  He’s going to go to Wisconsin next week.  And so, we have — you know, we — we have — you all have covered how much of a whirlwind week this has been. 

And so, the president is going to be president.  He’s going to be commander in chief.  And obviously, he’s going to be supporting his vice president. 

I can’t speak specifically about the campaign because of — we do respect the Hatch Act here — at least for myself, as a federal employee, and many of us here. 

And so, look, he’s going to continue to — to do the work that he’s doing.  We saw strong jobs numbers.  That’s one of the reasons he came out.  He came out because he wanted to talk about that.  He wanted to talk about what we have seen this week.

And so — and so, look, we’re going to continue to doing the work, and I think that’s what the American people want to see. 

Go ahead, Selina.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  So, former President Donald Trump threatened to revoke the legal status of Haitian migrants.

What is the president’s reaction to that?  This is something that the former president had tried to do during his own administration. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, here’s the fact.  The fact is they are here legally, right?  That is the fact.  TPS, that’s what it gives you.  And honestly, I wouldn’t take legal advice from the former president.  I don’t know.  That’s not something I would do. 

Go ahead.

Q    And how concerned is the administration about the economic impact of Hurricane Helene?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, as you can see, we have been working around the clock.  The president directed his team very early on to work around the clock to make sure that the states who were — that were affected, the states that he’s visited and the vice president has visited over the past couple of days, got everything that they need.  And we — and we did that by pre-positioning — pre-positioning some of the personnel — about 1,500 federal personnel — to do that. 

What we are doing: We’re going to make sure — obviously, we’re going to always monitor any of the economic impact.  But we’re going to continue to make sure that we are dealing — we are focused on lifesaving and life-sustaining efforts.  That’s the focus that we’re going to have here. 

And we’re going to continue to monitor.  But obviously, reacting and providing the needs of the states right now, of the — of citizens who are living in those states is probably the most key and most important.  And continue to call on Congress to move forward with additional funding. 

As you know, in the CR there was a robust ask for funding — for disaster funding, and that didn’t make it in the bipartisan CR.  And so, we got to get that done.  And we’re going to continue to have conversations with Congress.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Nandita.

Q    Karine, I tried asking the president this —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Nandita, I’ve called on you, like, three times today.  (Laughter.)  I know some folks in the back are just going to be like, “Yeah.” 

Q    I appreciate it.  I appreciate it.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So — yeah.

Q    I tried asking President Biden —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  (Laughs.)

Q    (Inaudible.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I hear you, Kimberly.  I hear you.

Go ahead.

Q    What is acceptable to the U.S. in terms of Israel’s response, right?  How long is the U.S. comfortable with Israel bombing Lebanon?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — I know you guys are going to ask this question every which way, and I totally understand that.  We are having conversations, discussions.  We’re in contact with the Israelis on — on what’s next. 

We have been very clear there will be consequences.  You saw the joint statement with the G7.  There’s going to be consequences.  There’s going to be sanctions.  And I’m not going to preview those sanctions from here. 

But we have always said Israel has the right to defend itself.  And we — and you saw just on Tuesday night — and not just Tuesday night, in April — how — how much we are prepared to defend and protect Israel, because that is our ironclad commitment. 

I’m not going to get into pu- — into diplomatic conversations in — in the public here.

Q    And there was a report that quotes U.S. officials saying the White House wants to take advantage of the massive blow to Hezbollah’s leadership and infrastructure to push for a new Lebanese president in the coming days.  Can you comment on that?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m not going to comment on that.  I’m not going to comment on sources or reporting out there.  That is — that is not something I’m going to speak to, sourcing that I can’t even verify from here. 

Go ahead.

Q    Thank you.  On the port strike reaching a tentative agreement.  The White House and several officials were involved in — in the 90-day extension of those talks.  I’m wondering what the significance of that timeline is and whether the election being five weeks away played any role in it?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, this is about the right thing to do for workers.  Many of those workers put their lives at risk during the pandemic.  We have always said collective bargaining is — works.  We believe it works.  And we have seen — we have seen parties reach a fair agreement when you put — when you have — when they come in — come to the table and — in good faith and do that collective bargaining.  This is what’s important. 

It was important to this president to get this done.  This is not about an election.  This is about what is the right thing to do for the American people.  This is the right thing to do for — for workers, again, who — who deserve higher wages, who deserve benefits. 

And so, the president is proud to have been able to do that.  His team — obviously, with his team, in the dir- — and he directed his team to do this.  And so, now collective bargaining is going to continue, and we’ll see where we are in the next couple of — couple of months. 

But this is not about politics for this president.  He — and you have seen that in the last three and a half years when we’ve been in these types of situation where there was negotiation, and we have been very, very clear: collective bargaining and supporting workers.

Q    On congressional funding.  You mentioned some of the items that were lacking in the short-term funding bill that Republicans had put forth.  I’m wondering if the president has spoken with any members of the Big Four in Congress to bring those concerns to them directly. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I don’t have any conversations to speak to that the president has had with members of Congress. 

I mean, you saw him on the road.  He was able — you saw him in a bipartisan way on the road in North Carolina, South Carolina, in Georgia, and — and Florida.  And he — you saw him with Republican congressional members and governors and Republican — and Democratic congressional members and also governors.  And you saw that bipartisanship. 

I’m certainly not going to get into any private conversations that they have had.  But we will continue to speak to congressional leadership and members about getting that extra funding.  It is important.  They need to act.  They need to act. 

AIDE:  Karine, you (inaudible).

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.  Go ahead.

Q    Hey, thanks, Karine.  Can you talk about how President Biden will be marking Monday’s one-year anniversary of the October 7th attack on Israel?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, obviously, it’s going to be a painful — a painful day for — for many, including for — for all of us here.  And so, we will have more to share on how we will be commemorating that devastating day that we saw a year ago.  Don’t have anything to share at this time. 

Q    And — and, secondly, this was President Biden’s first time — correct? — to the press briefing room —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — since he’s —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yep.

Q    What — why not —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  And you’re welcome. 

Q    Yeah.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  You’re welcome.  I know you’re — I know this —

Q    I know.  I know.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I know the way — the way this question is going to go.

Q    We appreciate it.  I —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  It’s going to be great.  It’s going to be great.  (Laughs.)

Q    Let’s — let’s do it again.

Q    I would have preferred a further question, but that’s all — that’s all right.  (Laughter.)  But real quick: Why not — why didn’t he come in the three and a half years before? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I —

Q    Why —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, he came today.  And you got to see him.

Q    Yes.  Yeah, but —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  And you were here. 

Q    — you know, I mean, he had the opportunity —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Aw, man.  Come on.

Q    All right.  All right.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Come on.  He was here.  He took your questions.  And he —

Q    It seemed like he wanted to stay a little bit longer.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — (laughter) —

Q    Every Friday?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  He is — he is — every Friday?  (Laughter.)  Friday — Friday with the POTUS.  Friday with the POTUS.  We —

Q    I’ll bring ice cream.  Bring ice cream.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, no, you guys got to bring the ice cream.  You guys got to bring the ice cream. 

(Cross-talk.)

Okay.  I’m going to do a couple more.  Go ahead.  I haven’t called on you.  Go ahead.  Go ahead.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  I want to go back to Haitians and the TPS.  But first, you know, it was — it’s another week of misery in Haiti. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    There was this report from the World Food Programme describing acute hunger.  What more can the U.S. do to improve the situation in Haiti?  And conc- — if there’s no improvement, is it conceivable that the TPS for Haitians will never be lifted?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, on your last question, I’ll do that first — the last part of your question, I’ll do that first.  I — we — I can’t predetermine what TPS status is going to be.  It’s not something that I can do from here.  Obviously, as you know, that is a decision with DHS and the State Department.  They decide TPS and the best way to move forward.  So, I’m not going to get into a hypothetical about that.

But as it relates to Haiti more broadly and to the question of instability and what’s happening, look, despite that — despite the instability that continues, the recent deployment, as you know, of MSS mission is a unique opportunity to build a foundation of security and bring hope to Haitians that deserve to live their lives free of violence. 

And so, to that end, the United States has delivered well over $300 million to support the MSS mission, while urging the international to community — community to support that — that mission as well.  The United States will continue to hold those undermining Haiti’s institutions and committing serious human rights abuses accountable.  That is our commitment. 

We are committed to doing our part both to address immediate security needs and invest in Haiti’s long-term successes.  We stand with the people of Haiti and will continue supporting their aspirations of more security, certainly democratic and prosperous future.  That is our commitment, and we’ll continue to support the mission. 

Go ahead, Michael.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  It seems as if the president has spoken with pretty much every governor in the affected —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  He has.  He has.  That was affected in the region.

Q    But has he spoken with Governor DeSantis of Florida?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Touché.  Good point.  So — (laughter).  Touché. 

So — and I think we read out that he spoke to the governor of Tennessee on our way back from — back from our trip to Florida and Georgia yesterday. 

I don’t have a — a conversation to read out with the Florida — the governor of Florida.  But what I can say is that we have been in touch.  Our team has been in touch with local officials on the ground.  We are committed to providing what is needed in the state, obviously, to those who were affected in the state, and are committed — our commitment is clear.  The president has always said it doesn’t matter if you’re in a red state or a blue state; he’s a president for all Americans.  And that’s — continues to be, certainly, his commitment. 

Go ahead.

AIDE:  Last one.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I know.  I’m getting — I’m getting pulled.  But go ahead.  Then I’ll come back to you.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  The president seemed to suggest that he is asking — or he seems to be suggesting that Israel should consider other alternatives, rather than attacking Iranian oil facilities.  But should Israel make such an attack, how is the administration preparing for an Iranian retaliation on the Strait of Hormuz that would disrupt oil supply and disrupt oil prices globally?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, also as the president said, we continue to have these discussions.  I’m not going to get into hypotheticals Israel — about Israel’s response to Tues- — Tuesday — Tuesday night attacks. 

What I will say is that we understand that they are still determining what exactly they will do.  That is something that we understand. 

I’m just not going to prejudge.  I’m not going to get ahead of anything, and the discussions to continue.

Q    But can we say that the administration is preparing for that possibility?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — I’m just not going to get — I’m not going to speculate.  They’re still — I’m — I’m telling you, they’re — still haven’t decided what their next steps are going to be. 

Q    Okay.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So that’s what I’m saying to you.  That’s what we understand.  I don’t have anything else beyond that.

Q    And on Angola — on the President’s trip, Karine.  Amnesty International is criticizing the administration’s, quote, “silence” on human rights violations in Angola ahead of the president’s visit, calling out the administration’s focus on private-sector investment to counter China.  This is obviously in reference to the Lobito Corridor.  Do you have a response?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, I mean, I — we get this question — this type of question about human rights violations any time he meets, he travels and if that’s going to come up.  The president, as you know, has never shied away from direct conversation about human rights and democracy in any conversation, and I could expect that he will do the same in this upcoming trip. 

And so, I don’t have anything beyond that, but the president has never shied away from that.  Never shied away.

Go ahead.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  Does the administration have any concerns about how the — the aftermath of this storm could impact the vote, whether it’s talking to the Postal Service about mail-in ballots that may not be getting to people or impacting the infrastructure in these critical states?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, we are go- — using every available resources to help this com- — the community respond.  That’s what we’re going to do and recover from this disaster.  That is our commitment.  That’s what you’ve heard from this president. That’s what you heard from the FEMA administrator and so many others in the president’s administration, and certainly that means ensuring that Americans’ have — voices are heard this November.  And so, that is our commitment.  We want to make sure that people’s voices are heard. 

And so, any specifics on where the infrastructure is and what that looks like, certainly, I would have to refer you to the state election officials on — on those and — and cybersecurity and infrastructure and all of those pieces — on what that looks like for them.  But — but —

Q    Have any of the states voiced concerns to the administration?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — well, I cannot speak to that.  I have not heard of that. 

But look, our commitment, again, is to make sure that the resources available so that community can respond to recovery and also get back on their feet and deal with this disaster.  We want to make sure — we want to make sure that Americans’ voices are heard this — this November. 

That is im- — important and so — but certainly that is something that state elected officials can speak to more directly, but we’re going to try and make sure they get back on — back on that.

And I haven’t called on you yet.  Go ahead.

Q    Thank you. 

Q    Former President Trump is accusing the Biden administration of using FEMA funding to support undocumented migrants.  How is the White House responding to that?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:   I mean, it’s just categorically fla- — false.  It is not true.  It is a false statement.  And look, the fact of the matter is — I think the Washington Post fact-checker did a piece and the headline recently, just moments ago, not too long ago, and the headline was “No, Biden didn’t take FEMA relief money to use — to use on migrants – but Trump did.”

I’ll leave it there. 

Q    And a quick follow-up —

Q    Karine?  Karine? 

Q    — on that?  A follow on — 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yep.  Yep.  Yep.   

Q    Secretary Mayorkas had said earlier this week that he was concerned that FEMA didn’t have enough funding until the end — for the rest of the hurricane season.  Now that President Biden has seen the damage firsthand in the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia — we heard him say at the podium he may have to call Congress back from recess — what exactly is he waiting for to be able to make that call?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — look, here’s the thing: We put forth a pretty substantial, robust — I mentioned this moments ago — to be part of the CR.  We were disappointed that it was not part of the CR.  And if congressional Republicans were serious — if they were really, truly serious — about doing something for the communities that was impacted by Hurricane Helene, they would join us in calling for additional funding.  This is what we’ve been doing.  And so, if they’re serious, they would get to — to work and get that done. 

Just like in the — with the border, if they were serious about the border, they wouldn’t vote against their own bipartisan proposal that they worked with us on — they’re against it now; they weren’t — they would move it forward.  It would actually start fixing the broken system that we’re seeing right now. 

And, you know, they can — if they really want to help us in dealing what we’re seeing, whether it’s at the border or getting more funding for disaster monies that’s going to be needed to get into the communities, they should be serious.  Congressional Republicans need to get serious here, and they’re just not.

Go ahead, Akayla.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Just a quick question on the port strike suspension.  Is the White House going to continue to be in touch with ILA to sort of support those negotiations as they continue?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I think, look, there’s congressional — congressional — collective bargaining continues.  I think that’s really important.  That’s what we’re seeing, and that’s what we want to continue to see.  And so, we will be in touch as necessary. 

But I think what’s important is they came up with an agreement.  That’s because of this president’s leadership.  And the way to get this done is getting col- — is continuing that collective bargaining, and we believe that certainly works. 

Thanks, everybody.  All right.  Have a great weekend. 

Q    Thank you. 

2:55 P.M. EDT

The post Press Briefing by President Biden, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, and National Economic Adviser Lael Brainard appeared first on The White House.

2:06 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Hey, folks.  My name is Joe Biden.  (Laughter.)

Q    Welcome to the briefing room.

Q    Welcome, Mr. President. 

Q    We’ve been waiting for you. 

THE PRESIDENT:  Welcome to the swimming pool.

Q    Finally.  This is — this is great.

THE PRESIDENT:  Hey, look, folks, good afternoon.  The past two days have gotten some — we’ve gotten very good news about the American economy. 

Just yesterday, shipping carriers, after some discussion, and the International Longshoreman’s Union came to an agreement to keep their ports in the East Coast and Gulf ports open.  We averted what could have become a major crisis for the country.  And a tentative agreement, which includes record wage increases for dockworkers and shows the importance of collective bargaining and represents, I think, critical progress toward a strong contract. 

I especially want to thank the carriers, the port operators, and the longshoreman’s union for reaching this agreement at a time when the nation has experienced such terrible devastation from Hurricane Helene.  It was truly a service to the American people for all the parties to come together and to respond to our request to keep the ports open. 

I was determined to — to avert a crisis at this moment, because it’s a critical moment.  If we didn’t do this now, we’d have a real problem.  

I also want to thank my White House team for the work — they worked around the clock to bring the parties together. 

But, today, I — we got more incredible news.  Although the strength of the American economy is a — it’s about the strength of the American economy.  The new jobs report, as you all know and you’ve been reporting, created 250,000 jobs in September.  The expectation was for 150,000 jobs in September, which is — far exceeds that number.  Not only the previous two months — but not only that, the previous two months was revised up 150,000 — 75,000 jobs. 

And from the very beginning, we were told time and again that the polices we were pursuing — we’d put forward weren’t –weren’t going to work, make things worse, including some of the other team who are still saying they’re going to make things worse.  But we’ve proven them wrong.

You know, we were told our American — we’ve — we were told our American Rescue Plan was too big and it would crowd out private investment.  We proved them wrong.  It vaccinated a nation and got immediate economic relief to people in need. 

When I came to office determined to end trickle-down economics and to grow the economy from the middle out and the bottom up — I know you’re tired of hearing me say that over and over again, but that was the policy; it remains the policy — because when you do that, everyone does well.  When the middle class grows, the nation is stronger.  And the nation is stronger when there is a strong union movement as well. 

We were told it wouldn’t work, but I was also determined to do what was ignored for much too long.  Presidents have been authorized since the ‘30s to be able to spend the money given by Congress — to spend the money on hiring American workers and using American product where they were available.  And that’s what we did.  

We were told that was going to be a big problem, but all the money we — I was authorized to spend by the Congress has gone to building a mi- — to — gone to hiring American workers and using American products.  We were told it wasn’t going to be — I — we were told that was going to be a big problem, but it’s working. 

We were also told that our historic laws to invest in America and all Americans would crowd out private-sector investment.  Well, that was proven wrong too.

We’ve attracted nearly $1 trillion since we’ve come to office in private-sector investment from domestic and foreign companies investing in America — in America.  And not this stuff with sh- — shipping jobs overseas for cheaper labor and bringing back a product to America.  We’re building it here and sending it overseas.  And look at the results across the board.

Unemployment is back down 4- — to 4.1 percent.  And every month f- — that Vice President Harris and I have been in office, we’ve been — there’s been — we’ve created jobs every single month. 

The nation has now created 16 million jobs since I’ve come to office, more jobs created in a single presidential term than at any time in American history. 

Our GDP shows our economy grew at — at 10 percent under my administration.  Unemployment reached the lowest level in 50 years. 

We were also told inflation couldn’t come down without massive job losses or sending the economy into economic recession. 

Once again, the outside experts were wrong.  Inflation has come way down.  Wages have gone up, growing faster than prices.  The interest rates are down.  A record 19 million new business applications have been filed for.  The stock market continues to reach new heights. 

We’ve got more work to do though to keep getting — keep — to keep getting prices down, like more affordable housing, extending what I’ve done for seniors and lowering prescription drug costs by letting Medicare negotiate the prices — make sure that’s available to everyone. 

And, by the way, what we’ve done so far — just what we’ve brought down the prices for seniors under Medicare, it saved the taxpayers billions of dollars — billions of dollars.  Saved the taxpayers billions of dollars.  That’s important to note because they don’t have to pay the exorbitant and ratio- — irrational prices that these companies are charging.

The simple fact is we’ve gone from an economy in crisis to literally having the strongest economy in the world.  And — but we got — we — we got more work to do.  We’ve got more work to do to deal the — the things I’ve just mentioned.  And we’re going to have to deal with unforeseen costs of what this — this hu- — this hurricane is going to cost.  It’s going to cost a lot of money, and I’m going to probably have to ask the Congress before we leave for more money to deal with some of those problems, but that remains to be seen. 

I’ll take a few questions before I turn it over to —

Q    Mr. President —

THE PRESIDENT:  You pick out the questions.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Oh, okay.  Yes, sir.  (Laughter.)  Yes, sir. 

Go ahead, Josh. 

Q    Thanks again for doing this, Mr. President.  Two questions.  The first, Florida Senator Marco Rubio described today’s jobs report as having “fake numbers.”  What do you make of that?  And how worried are you that many Americans are hearing that the jobs numbers aren’t real? 

THE PRESIDENT:  Look, I’m going to be very careful here.  If you notice anything the MAGA Republicans don’t like, they call “fake.”  Anything.  The job numbers are what the job numbers are.  They’re real.  They’re sincere.  They’re — what we are. 

But — and, by the way, just look at how the EU talks about us, how they’d like to have an economy like ours.  Let’s talk about the rest of the world looks at us and what we’re doing. 

So, I — well, I don’t want to get going. 

Q    And — and then, secondly, could you clarify some of your comments yesterday with regard to strikes on Iranian oil facilities?  What did you mean by them, given some of the reactions we’re seeing in the market?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, look, the Israelis have not concluded how they’re — what they’re going to do in terms of a strike.  That’s under discussion.  I think there are — if I were in their shoes, I’d be thinking about other alternatives than striking oil fields. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Weijia.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  Thank you so much, Mr. President, for being here. 

This week, Senator Chris Murphy said, “It’s certainly a possibility that the Israeli government is not going to sign any diplomatic agreement prior to the election,” which is what you have been calling for for so long, “potentially to try to influence the result.” 

Do you agree?  Do you have any worries that Netanyahu may be trying to influence the election, and that’s why he has not agreed to a diplomatic solution?

THE PRESIDENT:  No administration has helped Israel more than I have.  None.  None.  None.  And I think Bibi should remember that. 

And whether he’s trying to influence the election, I don’t know, but I’m not counting on that.

Q    You’ve said many times recently that you want to speak to him, that you plan to —

THE PRESIDENT:  No, I didn’t say “plan to.”  I didn’t say “want to.”

Q    You don’t want to?

THE PRESIDENT:  No, I didn’t say that.  You’re making it sound like I’m seeking an inv- — speak- — I’m assuming when they make their judgment of how they’re going to respond, we will then have a discussion. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Selina.

Q    Thank you.

Q    Thank you, Mr. President, for being here.  What are you advising the Israelis to do in terms of their retaliation to Iran?  And at this point, you still haven’t spoken to Netanyahu.  Is it fair to say that you have little personal influence over what he decides to do?

THE PRESIDENT:  No.  Look, our — our teams are in contact 12 hours a day.  They’re constantly in contact.  I’ve already had my presidential daily brief.  We’ve already had interface between our military, our — the diplomats.  It’s in constant contact. 

They are trying to figure out — this is High Holidays as well.  They’re not going to make a decision immediately.  And so, we’re going to wait to see what they — when they want to talk. 

Q    But over the past few months, they’ve consistently defied your administration’s own advice.  So, do you believe that the Israelis are going to listen to the advice you’re giving them?

THE PRESIDENT:  What I know is the plan that I put together received the support of the U.N. Security Council and the vast majority of our allies around the world as a way to bring this to an end. 

One of — look, the Israelis have every right to respond to the vicious attacks on them not just from the Iranians but from the — everyone from Hezbollah to the Houthis to — anyway.  And — but the fact is that they have to be very much more careful about dealing with civilian casualties.

Q    So, how should they respond?  You expressed concerns about attacks on Iranian oil facilities.  How should they respond?

THE PRESIDENT:  That’s between me and them.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  We got to move on.  Go ahead, Tam.

Q    The election is a month away.  One, I’d like to know how you’re feeling about how this election is going.  And then, also, do you have confidence that it will be a free and fair election and that it will be peaceful?

THE PRESIDENT:  Two separate questions.

Q    Very much.

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m confident it’ll be free and fair.  I don’t know whether it will be peaceful. 

The things that Trump has said and the things that he said last time out when he didn’t like the outcome of the election were very dangerous. 

If you notice — I — I noticed that the vice-presidential Republican candidate did not say he’d accept the outcome of the election.  And they haven’t even accepted the outcome of the last election.  So, I’m — I’m concerned about what they’re — what they’re going to do.

Q    Are you making any preparations?  Getting security briefings related to domestic security?

THE PRESIDENT:  I always get those briefings.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  We got to move on.  Go ahead, Akayla.  And we have — do a couple more.

Q    Hi.  Hi, Mr. President.  When are you considering imposing sanctions on Iran?  And would you include oil in those sanctions?

THE PRESIDENT:  That’s som- — that’s be- — that’s under consideration right now, the whole thing.  I’m not going to discuss that out loud.

Q    And just on your comments yesterday on the port strike.  You said by “the grace of God,” it’s going to hold.  Is there any reason you think that this —

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, there’s more to do.

Q    — this temporary suspension —

THE PRESIDENT:  It’s a month from now, and there’s more to do in terms of everything from the whole notion of me- — me- — excuse me — mechanization of the ports and the like.  There’s more to more to re- — more to resolve.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Danny.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Thank you, Mr. President.  Last night, you said that there’s still a lot to do to avoid an all-out war in the Middle East.  I mean, firstly, aren’t we pretty close to that definition already?  And — and, secondly, what — what can you really do to stop that happening?

THE PRESIDNET:  There’s a lot we are doing.  The main thing we can do is try to rally the rest of the world and our allies into participating, like the French are, in — in Lebanon and other places to tamp this down.  And — but when you have proxies as irrational as Hezbollah and the Houthis and — it’s a — it’s a hard thing to determine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Toluse.

THE PRESIDENT:  I’ve got to go, kid.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I know.  I know.  (Laughter.)  He’s telling me, “I got to go.”

THE PRESIDENT:  I said I’d take a couple questions.  (Laughter.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right. 

Q    We’ll take (inaudible) —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  You’re the la- — you’re the last one, Toluse.

THE PRESIDENT:  I think she’s decreasing her credibility.  (Laughter.)

Q    First — first time in four years; you have to take some more.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Toluse, you’re going to be the last one.

Q    Thank you, Mr. President.  Thank you for — for spending some time here with us.  There have obviously been a number of crises that the country has been facing over the past several days with the hurricane, with port strike, with the situation in the Middle East.  Can you talk about how your vice president, who is running for the presidency, has worked on these crises and what role she has played over the past several

days?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, she’s — I’m in constant contact with her.  She’s aware of where — we all — we’re singing from the same song sheet.  We — she helped pass the l- — all the laws that are being employed now.  She was a major player in everything we’ve done, including passage of legislation, which we were told we could never pass.  And so, she’s been — and her — her staff is interlocked with mine in terms of all the things we’re doing.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right, sir.  Thank you, sir.

(Cross-talk.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  It’s up to you, sir.  (Laughs.)

(Cross-talk.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Totally up to you, sir.

(Cross-talk.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  All right.  Go ahead.  Go ahead.  Go ahead.  Go ahead.

(Cross-talk.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, Nandita.  Nandita.

Sir — sir — no.  No.  Sir — I didn’t call on you, sir.  I didn’t call on you.  Nandita.

Q    Pope Francis is calling for a day of —

Q    Thank you.  Thank you, Karine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Nandita. 

Q    — prayer —

Q    Mr. President —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go, Nandita.

Q    — and fasting.  What’s —

Q    Mr. President —

THE PRESIDENT:  On Pope Francis —

Q    Yeah.

THE PRESIDENT:  — calling for a day of prayer and fasting —

Q    A day of prayer and fasting this Monday, October 7th.  You reaction, sir?

THE PRESIDENT:  I will prayer and fast.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  That’s —

(Cross-talk.)

Q    Mr. President, what is acceptable to you in terms of Israel’s response?  How long are you okay with Israel bombing Lebanon?  What is acceptable to you?

Q    Mr. President —

(Cross-talk.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right, guys.  That’s it.  Thank you, everybody. 

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Thank you, Mr. President.  Thank you, sir.

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.

(Cross-talk.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Thank you, every- — thank you, sir.

Q    Mr. President, on Ukraine.  Have you made a decision on long-range weapons?

Q    Do you re- — want to reconsider dropping out of the race?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m back in.  (Laughter.)

Q    What made you want to come here today, Mr. President?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right, everybody.

Q    Thank — thank you, Mr. President.

Q    Thank you. 

Q    Please come back. 

Q    Thank you, Karine.

Q    Karine, can we do that again?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No.  (Laughter.)

You hear- — you heard I was already told that.  (Laughs.) 

Q    So, that’s why we were late? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, are we always on — any — always on time?  (Laughter.)  I — I could call myself out for that.

All right, everybody.  Thank you so much.  Thank you, Mr. President.

Okay.  So, this week, the United States has faced a — a number of competing challenges, from tensions in the Middle East, to a port strike that threatened our nation’s supply chains, to a historic hurricane that washed away entire communities.

Moments like these underscore the importance of American leadership and resolve, and they show what is possible when we come together.

Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, we were able to successfully protect our allies, ensure the viability of critical supplies, stand up for good-paying union jobs, and get resources to people impacted by the storm in North Carolina and beyond.

In the Middle East, the president showed that our ironclad support for Israelis’ security is not just a talking point; it saves lives.  Prior to Iran’s attack on Israel, the president convened his national security team in the Situation Room to monitor developments in real time, ensure we were prepared to assist in Israelis’ defense, and protect U.S. personnel in the region.

Under the president’s leadership, the United States successfully defended Israel an- — from Iran’s missiles, standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of Israel.

On the home front, the president and his team brought union workers, ocean carriers, and port operators to the table to — successfully to resolve a strike that threatened U.S. supply chains and the economic progress this president has made to lower prices for the American people.

And in the Southwest United States — Southeast, pardon me, United States, the administration pre-positioned 1,500 federal personnel, along with critical resources like food, water, and fuel, to ensure that communities in the path of Hurricane Helene were prepared ahead of the storm. 

Now, we are getting more resources into the hardest-hit communities every day, and we have provided over $45 million directly to individuals and families to help them recover.

And a wide range of bipartisan officials, including the governors of every affected state, are working together with us and have praised the federal response. 

These response- — responses underscore why leadership matters.  The president’s leadership in this moment helps to save lives, pra- — protect critical alliances, and ensure that our economy remains strong.  But more importantly, it proves that nothing is beyond America’s capacity when we do it together.

And really quickly, because I know you all a- — asked for this.  This is the week ahead.  Next week, the president will travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to discuss his administration’s work to replace lead pipes in the state and across the country through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  This law is investing historic resources into our communities and creating good-paying jobs.

The president will also be traveling to Philadelphia for a campaign engagement. 

He will also travel to Germany and Angola to underscore the enduring strength and importance of two strategic bilateral relationships in addressing a comprehensive range of global stra- — challenges.  The value of strong alliances and partnerships in the defense of freedom and democracy has never resonated more in Europe, Africa, and beyond.

President Biden has made revitalizing our international alliances and partnerships a key priority, recognizing that today’s challenges require global perspectives and shared responses.

Those are the details I am able to share with — for now, but certainly, we will have more in the upcoming days. 

And finally, n- — finally, we have Lael Bran- — Brai- — Brainard — (laughs) — our national economic adviser to the president.  She’s going to provide more information on how the president helped reopen our ports, as well as the strong job market economy report that we saw today, showing that more than 250,000 jobs this — this September under the president — President Biden.

MS. BRAINARD:  Well, thanks, Karine.  And it’s good to see everybody today.

It is a good day for American workers and families.  We saw more than 250,000 new jobs created in the month of September.  We saw unemployment back down to 4.1 percent at a time when inflation is back down to pre-pandemic levels.

The East Coast and Gulf ports are opening back up, and dockworkers are getting back to work on the basis of a strong tentative agreement on wages and a contract extension between the International Longshoreman’s Association and the United St- — States Maritime Alliance.

Just a week ago, the negotiation had totally stalled out.  The union and employers had not spoken to each other for months.  The last time a wage offer had been put on the table was in the middle of 2023.

The president and the vice president directed us to get the parties back to the table to reach a good deal.  We worked around the clock to help them find common ground. 

And the president was clear throughout that process on three things: We needed to get the union and the employers back to the table on the basis of a strong progress on wages so nothing would get in the way of hurricane recovery; Taft-Hartley was off the table because collective bargaining works; and workers should share in the large profits of the ocean carriers, particularly after those dockworkers sacrificed so much to keep goods moving for the American public during the pandemic.

And as a result of the hard work that I undertook along with Secretary Buttigieg, [Acting] Secretary Su, a number of people in the White House.  We are seeing dockworkers get a fair share of the industry’s record returns.  We’re seeing ports opening so consumers and businesses can get what they need.  And we don’t expect to see any effects on our economy or for consumers, businesses, and farmers because we have strong supply chains that we built in the wake of the pandemic. 

The president and the vice president have consistently supported the collective bargaining process.  When employers and workers come to the table, they find a good outcome. 

That’s a vastly different approach from previous administrations that might have busted unions and rolled back worker protections. 

And finally, I would simply say that the data that we’re seeing, the data we saw last week confirms that our economy is delivering for workers. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  I’m going to take a couple of questions. 

Go ahead, Selina.

Q    Thank you so much for being here.  Would you say at this point that the U.S. has achieved a soft landing?  And if not, at what point will we be there?

MS. BRAINARD:  Yeah, I would say that, look, we have seen unemployment — the lowest average unemployment rate of any administration in 50 years, and we have seen inflation come back down to pre-pandemic levels. 

That is exactly the kind of growth that you would want to see.  Growth has actually been revised up.  It’s been above 3 percent over the last year, and we’re continuing to see very resilient consumers.  So, yes, that’s exactly the kind of Goldilocks results that you would want to see.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Josh.

Q    Thanks again for doing this.  If I could ask about an otherwise strong jobs report.  You still have manufacturing employment dip by 7,000.  What do you think is happening in the manufacturing sector right now?  Is this response to higher rates, or are you seeing something else going on?

MS. BRAINARD:  Yeah, so I think if you look more broadly across the administration, you have seen manufacturing jobs growing by more than 700,000, in contrast to the previous administration that actually saw manufacturing job losses even before the pandemic. 

And I think the right way to think about this — because we have so much new investment dollars from the Investing in America agenda, the right way to think about it is to look at construction and manufacturing jobs together.  And there, what we’ve seen is continued growth. 

That construction workforce is hard at work with factory construction that is multiples of the previous administrations.  That construction of factories is going to turn into the manufacturing jobs of the future. 

So, we see that investment in today’s economy, whether it be in chip manufacturing or clean energy, that is going to result in tomorrow’s manufacturing jobs.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.

Q    Thank you, Karine. 

Just after the last Fed rate cut, do you think the administration has won its fight against inflation?

MS. BRAINARD:  So, I would say, if you look at the data on inflation, it is now back down to pre-pandemic levels.  Don’t forget, nobody said that could happen with a strong labor market.  I think people just really need to go back and see some of the predictions.  Nobody thought we could have the strongest recovery in our peer economies — strongest on jobs, strongest on growth — and get inflation down as fast as we did. 

And so, that just shows that the president’s investments and the focus on supply chains has really worked. 

Q    And then just a follow-up on the consumer confidence

numbers.  I mean, there was, you know, an upward revision in August, but now it’s down in September.  I’m just sort of wondering if you can comment on that.

MS. BRAINARD:  Yeah, so I think the most recent Michigan sentiment numbers actually are showing strength.  And, you know, if you look at what consumers are talking about, they’re talking about good jobs, good job opportunities.  And we’ve seen a lot of people moving into new sectors with better wages, and there is now a lot more confidence that interest rates are coming down, inflation is down, and that’s going to enable consumers to feel more confident about investing in some of those bigger-ticket items.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  Just a couple more. 

Go ahead.

Q    Thank you.  On the jobs report, the data also showed that the employment picture in July and August was also brighter than previously thought.  For Americans who are concerned about the rate that they may pay on their mortgage or their car that they might buy, what do you see that doing to the path of interest rates going forward?

MS. BRAINARD:  You know, I think that we are now in a part of the recovery where inflation is back down, and that’s really what is going to determine whether interest rates continue to fall.  And market interest rates have remained low.  Mortgage rates have come all the way down close to 6 percent.  We anticipate, because inflation is back down, that that will continue to show through to market rates.

Q    And on the hurricane that ravaged the Southeast, what are your early indications of how that could impact economic growth and the jobs picture in November, with so many in that region out of work?

MS. BRAINARD:  Yeah, so we do think normally with a hurricane of this size, with the devastation that it has caused in many communities, that it will affect the employment statistics for that month.  But what we know is that, generally, you see the economy overall bouncing back very quickly and the growth numbers really becoming sort of strong pretty rapidly because of all that rebuilding activity that we are committed to. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Jacqui.

Q    That was my —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Oh, okay.

Q    — on interest rates.  Yeah.  (Laughter.) 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.

Q    How concerned are you right now about the instability

in the Middle East and its impact on oil prices?

MS. BRAINARD:  Yeah, so, it is something that we track very closely.  Obviously, prices at the pump right now, $3.18 on average — not that I track it closely, but that is today’s number — (laughter) — and below $3 in many states.  We believe that global markets are well supplied, and continue to expect that in the U.S., we’ll continue to see those low gas prices. 

And of course, we have really effective ways of addressing some of those geostrategic volatility.  We’ve used it in the past.  We have the capacity to use it again. 

So, right now, markets are very well supplied, and we anticipate them to remain so. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right, last question to — oh — 

Q    Yeah, I’ll —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No, I — I can go to Gerren too.  (Laughs.)  Go ahead. 

Q    Thanks.  A federal judge in Missouri issued an injunction blocking the president’s student loan program hours after a judge in Georgia allowed it to advance.  What is the White House’s message to this dizzying legal battle?  And that was lifted up as an economic policy to, particularly, closing the racial wealth gap.  And what is your message to Black and brown Americans who are really relying on this relief?

MS. BRAINARD:  Yeah.  So, student loan debt relief is so important for so many young people who are trying to build wealth, particularly for people who are first generation, to be able to invest in small businesses, to invest in starting a family, to invest in a house for the first time.  So, we are going to continue to work to deliver that debt relief to so many students who deserve it. 

I do want to say that we have 5 million Americans who have already received debt relief.  And, you know, you can go on TikTok and other social media platforms and see their testimonials what a difference it makes in their lives.  And that is why the president, vice president going to continue working so hard to deliver.  

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Awesome.  Thank you so much, Lael.

MS. BRAINARD:  Thank you.

Q    More Americans are food insecure.

MS. BRAINARD:  Thank you. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Thank you.  Thank you so much. 

Q    Could you address food insecurity?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I appreciate it. 

Q    The numbers are rising —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Thank you, thank you.

Q    — according to the USDA.  Food insecurity numbers? 

Maybe, Karine, if you could address it?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No.  Not — not right now.

Q    Food insecurity?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — I’m — I’m not talking to you, sir.

Q    Okay.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m just not.  It would be nice if you would be less disrespectful in the room.

Q    I’m just asking questions.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Inappropriately. 

Okay.  Go ahead, Josh.  I don’t know if — maybe you guys are done with me.  Maybe I can walk out.  (Laughs.)  You guys got — you guys got all the best.  (Laughs.)  You guys got all the best. 

Go ahead, Josh.

Q    So, if we were to, like, zoom out —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — President Biden came in here today. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    He’s going to be with Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey this week.  Then he goes to Germany and Angola.  He said he’s singing from the same song sheet as vice president Kamala Harris on the campaign.  How does he see his public role in the next few weeks as we get closer to the election?  What does — what’s he trying to achieve?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — look —

Q    And how’s he thinking about it?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I think he’s doing his job as president, right?  I think that’s the most important thing.  I mean, I started off at the top, at least of this — this part of the program, where I said that we’ve had three major events happen this week.  And what did the president do?  What did the vice president do?  They worked shoulder and shoulder to deal with these major events. 

Now we see a deal with the port — a negotiated deal with the ports.  Obviously, it — it — that collective bargaining is extended until January 15th, which is incredibly important, especially in the midst of a hurricane that we saw — this historic hurricane that we just saw — Hurricane Helene. 

We s- — we see what’s happening in the Middle East.  The president and the vice president continue to have diplomatic conversations, if you will, to deal — to de-escalate, to deal with what we’re seeing in — in that — in the region.

And the hurricane.  You saw the — the vice president in — in Georgia; the president in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, himself, and also in North — also in Florida, pardon me. 

And so, I think what you’re going to see is him continuing to do his job, working closely with the vice president. 

Look, before Hurricane Helene, President Biden was planning to campaign this week, and you heard — you heard me say he’s going to go to Pennsylvania.  He’s going to go to Wisconsin next week.  And so, we have — you know, we — we have — you all have covered how much of a whirlwind week this has been. 

And so, the president is going to be president.  He’s going to be commander in chief.  And obviously, he’s going to be supporting his vice president. 

I can’t speak specifically about the campaign because of — we do respect the Hatch Act here — at least for myself, as a federal employee, and many of us here. 

And so, look, he’s going to continue to — to do the work that he’s doing.  We saw strong jobs numbers.  That’s one of the reasons he came out.  He came out because he wanted to talk about that.  He wanted to talk about what we have seen this week.

And so — and so, look, we’re going to continue to doing the work, and I think that’s what the American people want to see. 

Go ahead, Selina.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  So, former President Donald Trump threatened to revoke the legal status of Haitian migrants.

What is the president’s reaction to that?  This is something that the former president had tried to do during his own administration. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, here’s the fact.  The fact is they are here legally, right?  That is the fact.  TPS, that’s what it gives you.  And honestly, I wouldn’t take legal advice from the former president.  I don’t know.  That’s not something I would do. 

Go ahead.

Q    And how concerned is the administration about the economic impact of Hurricane Helene?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, as you can see, we have been working around the clock.  The president directed his team very early on to work around the clock to make sure that the states who were — that were affected, the states that he’s visited and the vice president has visited over the past couple of days, got everything that they need.  And we — and we did that by pre-positioning — pre-positioning some of the personnel — about 1,500 federal personnel — to do that. 

What we are doing: We’re going to make sure — obviously, we’re going to always monitor any of the economic impact.  But we’re going to continue to make sure that we are dealing — we are focused on lifesaving and life-sustaining efforts.  That’s the focus that we’re going to have here. 

And we’re going to continue to monitor.  But obviously, reacting and providing the needs of the states right now, of the — of citizens who are living in those states is probably the most key and most important.  And continue to call on Congress to move forward with additional funding. 

As you know, in the CR there was a robust ask for funding — for disaster funding, and that didn’t make it in the bipartisan CR.  And so, we got to get that done.  And we’re going to continue to have conversations with Congress.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Nandita.

Q    Karine, I tried asking the president this —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Nandita, I’ve called on you, like, three times today.  (Laughter.)  I know some folks in the back are just going to be like, “Yeah.” 

Q    I appreciate it.  I appreciate it.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So — yeah.

Q    I tried asking President Biden —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  (Laughs.)

Q    (Inaudible.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I hear you, Kimberly.  I hear you.

Go ahead.

Q    What is acceptable to the U.S. in terms of Israel’s response, right?  How long is the U.S. comfortable with Israel bombing Lebanon?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — I know you guys are going to ask this question every which way, and I totally understand that.  We are having conversations, discussions.  We’re in contact with the Israelis on — on what’s next. 

We have been very clear there will be consequences.  You saw the joint statement with the G7.  There’s going to be consequences.  There’s going to be sanctions.  And I’m not going to preview those sanctions from here. 

But we have always said Israel has the right to defend itself.  And we — and you saw just on Tuesday night — and not just Tuesday night, in April — how — how much we are prepared to defend and protect Israel, because that is our ironclad commitment. 

I’m not going to get into pu- — into diplomatic conversations in — in the public here.

Q    And there was a report that quotes U.S. officials saying the White House wants to take advantage of the massive blow to Hezbollah’s leadership and infrastructure to push for a new Lebanese president in the coming days.  Can you comment on that?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m not going to comment on that.  I’m not going to comment on sources or reporting out there.  That is — that is not something I’m going to speak to, sourcing that I can’t even verify from here. 

Go ahead.

Q    Thank you.  On the port strike reaching a tentative agreement.  The White House and several officials were involved in — in the 90-day extension of those talks.  I’m wondering what the significance of that timeline is and whether the election being five weeks away played any role in it?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, this is about the right thing to do for workers.  Many of those workers put their lives at risk during the pandemic.  We have always said collective bargaining is — works.  We believe it works.  And we have seen — we have seen parties reach a fair agreement when you put — when you have — when they come in — come to the table and — in good faith and do that collective bargaining.  This is what’s important. 

It was important to this president to get this done.  This is not about an election.  This is about what is the right thing to do for the American people.  This is the right thing to do for — for workers, again, who — who deserve higher wages, who deserve benefits. 

And so, the president is proud to have been able to do that.  His team — obviously, with his team, in the dir- — and he directed his team to do this.  And so, now collective bargaining is going to continue, and we’ll see where we are in the next couple of — couple of months. 

But this is not about politics for this president.  He — and you have seen that in the last three and a half years when we’ve been in these types of situation where there was negotiation, and we have been very, very clear: collective bargaining and supporting workers.

Q    On congressional funding.  You mentioned some of the items that were lacking in the short-term funding bill that Republicans had put forth.  I’m wondering if the president has spoken with any members of the Big Four in Congress to bring those concerns to them directly. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I don’t have any conversations to speak to that the president has had with members of Congress. 

I mean, you saw him on the road.  He was able — you saw him in a bipartisan way on the road in North Carolina, South Carolina, in Georgia, and — and Florida.  And he — you saw him with Republican congressional members and governors and Republican — and Democratic congressional members and also governors.  And you saw that bipartisanship. 

I’m certainly not going to get into any private conversations that they have had.  But we will continue to speak to congressional leadership and members about getting that extra funding.  It is important.  They need to act.  They need to act. 

AIDE:  Karine, you (inaudible).

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.  Go ahead.

Q    Hey, thanks, Karine.  Can you talk about how President Biden will be marking Monday’s one-year anniversary of the October 7th attack on Israel?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, obviously, it’s going to be a painful — a painful day for — for many, including for — for all of us here.  And so, we will have more to share on how we will be commemorating that devastating day that we saw a year ago.  Don’t have anything to share at this time. 

Q    And — and, secondly, this was President Biden’s first time — correct? — to the press briefing room —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — since he’s —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yep.

Q    What — why not —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  And you’re welcome. 

Q    Yeah.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  You’re welcome.  I know you’re — I know this —

Q    I know.  I know.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I know the way — the way this question is going to go.

Q    We appreciate it.  I —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  It’s going to be great.  It’s going to be great.  (Laughs.)

Q    Let’s — let’s do it again.

Q    I would have preferred a further question, but that’s all — that’s all right.  (Laughter.)  But real quick: Why not — why didn’t he come in the three and a half years before? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I —

Q    Why —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, he came today.  And you got to see him.

Q    Yes.  Yeah, but —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  And you were here. 

Q    — you know, I mean, he had the opportunity —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Aw, man.  Come on.

Q    All right.  All right.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Come on.  He was here.  He took your questions.  And he —

Q    It seemed like he wanted to stay a little bit longer.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — (laughter) —

Q    Every Friday?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  He is — he is — every Friday?  (Laughter.)  Friday — Friday with the POTUS.  Friday with the POTUS.  We —

Q    I’ll bring ice cream.  Bring ice cream.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, no, you guys got to bring the ice cream.  You guys got to bring the ice cream. 

(Cross-talk.)

Okay.  I’m going to do a couple more.  Go ahead.  I haven’t called on you.  Go ahead.  Go ahead.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  I want to go back to Haitians and the TPS.  But first, you know, it was — it’s another week of misery in Haiti. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    There was this report from the World Food Programme describing acute hunger.  What more can the U.S. do to improve the situation in Haiti?  And conc- — if there’s no improvement, is it conceivable that the TPS for Haitians will never be lifted?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, on your last question, I’ll do that first — the last part of your question, I’ll do that first.  I — we — I can’t predetermine what TPS status is going to be.  It’s not something that I can do from here.  Obviously, as you know, that is a decision with DHS and the State Department.  They decide TPS and the best way to move forward.  So, I’m not going to get into a hypothetical about that.

But as it relates to Haiti more broadly and to the question of instability and what’s happening, look, despite that — despite the instability that continues, the recent deployment, as you know, of MSS mission is a unique opportunity to build a foundation of security and bring hope to Haitians that deserve to live their lives free of violence. 

And so, to that end, the United States has delivered well over $300 million to support the MSS mission, while urging the international to community — community to support that — that mission as well.  The United States will continue to hold those undermining Haiti’s institutions and committing serious human rights abuses accountable.  That is our commitment. 

We are committed to doing our part both to address immediate security needs and invest in Haiti’s long-term successes.  We stand with the people of Haiti and will continue supporting their aspirations of more security, certainly democratic and prosperous future.  That is our commitment, and we’ll continue to support the mission. 

Go ahead, Michael.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  It seems as if the president has spoken with pretty much every governor in the affected —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  He has.  He has.  That was affected in the region.

Q    But has he spoken with Governor DeSantis of Florida?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Touché.  Good point.  So — (laughter).  Touché. 

So — and I think we read out that he spoke to the governor of Tennessee on our way back from — back from our trip to Florida and Georgia yesterday. 

I don’t have a — a conversation to read out with the Florida — the governor of Florida.  But what I can say is that we have been in touch.  Our team has been in touch with local officials on the ground.  We are committed to providing what is needed in the state, obviously, to those who were affected in the state, and are committed — our commitment is clear.  The president has always said it doesn’t matter if you’re in a red state or a blue state; he’s a president for all Americans.  And that’s — continues to be, certainly, his commitment. 

Go ahead.

AIDE:  Last one.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I know.  I’m getting — I’m getting pulled.  But go ahead.  Then I’ll come back to you.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  The president seemed to suggest that he is asking — or he seems to be suggesting that Israel should consider other alternatives, rather than attacking Iranian oil facilities.  But should Israel make such an attack, how is the administration preparing for an Iranian retaliation on the Strait of Hormuz that would disrupt oil supply and disrupt oil prices globally?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, also as the president said, we continue to have these discussions.  I’m not going to get into hypotheticals Israel — about Israel’s response to Tues- — Tuesday — Tuesday night attacks. 

What I will say is that we understand that they are still determining what exactly they will do.  That is something that we understand. 

I’m just not going to prejudge.  I’m not going to get ahead of anything, and the discussions to continue.

Q    But can we say that the administration is preparing for that possibility?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — I’m just not going to get — I’m not going to speculate.  They’re still — I’m — I’m telling you, they’re — still haven’t decided what their next steps are going to be. 

Q    Okay.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So that’s what I’m saying to you.  That’s what we understand.  I don’t have anything else beyond that.

Q    And on Angola — on the President’s trip, Karine.  Amnesty International is criticizing the administration’s, quote, “silence” on human rights violations in Angola ahead of the president’s visit, calling out the administration’s focus on private-sector investment to counter China.  This is obviously in reference to the Lobito Corridor.  Do you have a response?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, I mean, I — we get this question — this type of question about human rights violations any time he meets, he travels and if that’s going to come up.  The president, as you know, has never shied away from direct conversation about human rights and democracy in any conversation, and I could expect that he will do the same in this upcoming trip. 

And so, I don’t have anything beyond that, but the president has never shied away from that.  Never shied away.

Go ahead.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  Does the administration have any concerns about how the — the aftermath of this storm could impact the vote, whether it’s talking to the Postal Service about mail-in ballots that may not be getting to people or impacting the infrastructure in these critical states?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, we are go- — using every available resources to help this com- — the community respond.  That’s what we’re going to do and recover from this disaster.  That is our commitment.  That’s what you’ve heard from this president. That’s what you heard from the FEMA administrator and so many others in the president’s administration, and certainly that means ensuring that Americans’ have — voices are heard this November.  And so, that is our commitment.  We want to make sure that people’s voices are heard. 

And so, any specifics on where the infrastructure is and what that looks like, certainly, I would have to refer you to the state election officials on — on those and — and cybersecurity and infrastructure and all of those pieces — on what that looks like for them.  But — but —

Q    Have any of the states voiced concerns to the administration?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — well, I cannot speak to that.  I have not heard of that. 

But look, our commitment, again, is to make sure that the resources available so that community can respond to recovery and also get back on their feet and deal with this disaster.  We want to make sure — we want to make sure that Americans’ voices are heard this — this November. 

That is im- — important and so — but certainly that is something that state elected officials can speak to more directly, but we’re going to try and make sure they get back on — back on that.

And I haven’t called on you yet.  Go ahead.

Q    Thank you. 

Q    Former President Trump is accusing the Biden administration of using FEMA funding to support undocumented migrants.  How is the White House responding to that?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:   I mean, it’s just categorically fla- — false.  It is not true.  It is a false statement.  And look, the fact of the matter is — I think the Washington Post fact-checker did a piece and the headline recently, just moments ago, not too long ago, and the headline was “No, Biden didn’t take FEMA relief money to use — to use on migrants – but Trump did.”

I’ll leave it there. 

Q    And a quick follow-up —

Q    Karine?  Karine? 

Q    — on that?  A follow on — 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yep.  Yep.  Yep.   

Q    Secretary Mayorkas had said earlier this week that he was concerned that FEMA didn’t have enough funding until the end — for the rest of the hurricane season.  Now that President Biden has seen the damage firsthand in the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia — we heard him say at the podium he may have to call Congress back from recess — what exactly is he waiting for to be able to make that call?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — look, here’s the thing: We put forth a pretty substantial, robust — I mentioned this moments ago — to be part of the CR.  We were disappointed that it was not part of the CR.  And if congressional Republicans were serious — if they were really, truly serious — about doing something for the communities that was impacted by Hurricane Helene, they would join us in calling for additional funding.  This is what we’ve been doing.  And so, if they’re serious, they would get to — to work and get that done. 

Just like in the — with the border, if they were serious about the border, they wouldn’t vote against their own bipartisan proposal that they worked with us on — they’re against it now; they weren’t — they would move it forward.  It would actually start fixing the broken system that we’re seeing right now. 

And, you know, they can — if they really want to help us in dealing what we’re seeing, whether it’s at the border or getting more funding for disaster monies that’s going to be needed to get into the communities, they should be serious.  Congressional Republicans need to get serious here, and they’re just not.

Go ahead, Akayla.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Just a quick question on the port strike suspension.  Is the White House going to continue to be in touch with ILA to sort of support those negotiations as they continue?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I think, look, there’s congressional — congressional — collective bargaining continues.  I think that’s really important.  That’s what we’re seeing, and that’s what we want to continue to see.  And so, we will be in touch as necessary. 

But I think what’s important is they came up with an agreement.  That’s because of this president’s leadership.  And the way to get this done is getting col- — is continuing that collective bargaining, and we believe that certainly works. 

Thanks, everybody.  All right.  Have a great weekend. 

Q    Thank you. 

2:55 P.M. EDT

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President Joe Biden called President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico today to congratulate her on her historic inauguration as the first woman to serve as President of Mexico.  The President thanked President Sheinbaum for warmly welcoming First Lady Jill Biden and the Presidential Delegation to her inauguration.  The two leaders reaffirmed the deep ties between the United States and Mexico and emphasized their commitment to continuing the strong and collaborative partnership that will advance prosperity and security in both countries. 

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Dort Financial Center
Flint, Michigan

5:58 P.M. EDT

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

Oh.  Oh, it’s good to be back in Michigan.  (Applause.)  Hey, everyone. 

Can we hear it for Eric Price?  (Applause.)

Oh, it’s good to be back in Michigan.  Thank you all so very much.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Thank you so very much. 

And, Eric Price, thank you for your leadership of UAW 651, and all the work that you do.  (Applause.)And I want to thank all the leaders who are here.  This is — I mean, this is — we’ve got thousands of leaders who are here, and I thank them — (applause) — including all our friends in labor: Shawn Fain, April Verrett — (applause); all of the incredible elected leaders, starting with the Governor Whitmer, who is amazing and is my friend — my dear friend — (applause); Mayor Neeley; Senator Stabenow; Senator Peters; Representative Slotkin, who we will elect to the United States Senate.  (Applause.) 

And did you all see Magic Johnson?  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)  Remember his number: 32?  Today we got 32 days until the election.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.) 

 So, 32 days — 32 days. 

AUDIENCE MEMBERS:  (Inaudible.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Okay.  We got some business to do.  We got some business to do. 

All right.  Thirty-two days.  And we know we will do it.  (Applause.)  And — and this is going to be a very tight race until the very end.  This is going to be a very tight race until the very end.  We are the underdog, and we know we have some hard work ahead. 

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

And with your help, in November, we will win.  We will win.  (Applause.)  We are not playing around. 

 So, listen, we know this election is about two very different visions for our nation: one focused on the past, and ours, which is focused on the future.  (Applause.)  We are fighting for a future where we tap into the ambitions and the aspirations of the American people and build what I call an “opportunity economy” so every American has an opportunity to own a home, build wealth, start a business.  (Applause.)

And I’m going to speak about small — do we have small-business owners in the house right here?  (Applause.)  Right? 

Okay.  So, on the economy, I’m just going to spend a minute on small businesses.  So — so — because let me tell you.  So, growing up, our mother often worked very long hours, and so my sister, Maya, and I, we would go over to Ms. Shelton’s house.  Ms. Shelton was from Louisiana, and we called her our second mother.  And Ms. Shelton was a small-business owner. 

And so, from being a child, I know who our small-business owners are.  They are community leaders, civic leaders.  They mentor.  They hire locally.  They build up the community.  They are part of the fabric of the community.  (Applause.)  And small-business owners are the backbone of America’s economy.  (Applause.)

So, in my plan to build an opportunity economy, one of the things I will do is raise the start-up deduction from $5,000 to $50,000 to help entrepreneurs start their small business.  (Applause.) 

You heard Eric talk about it.  We need to build more housing in America.  (Applause.)  You know, my mother saved up for years to buy our first homes.  I was a teenager by the time she saved up enough to do that.  And right now, we know there’s a serious housing shortage in our country, and it is part of what is driving up costs. 

So, we will cut the red tape and work with the private sector to build 3 million new homes and provide first-time homebuyers with a $25,000 down payment assistance — (applause) — so you can just literally get your foot in the door, and you’ll handle the rest. 

We need to lower the cost of living.  Look, our economy is making good progress.  Just this morning, we got a solid jobs report, right?  (Applause.)  Over 250,000 jobs created last month; unemployment fell; and just a few weeks ago, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates, which helps.  (Applause.) 

But there’s still more we need to do.  Prices for everyday things like groceries are still too high.  You know it and I know it.  And I have a plan on lowering costs on everything from health care to groceries, including taking on corporate price gouging.  (Applause.) 

Because as attorney general, I saw what happens where — there are few of them; they don’t — not everybody but those who take advantage of desperate people — in particular, in the middle of an emergency — and there needs to be consequence.  (Applause.)

I will give a tax cut to 100 million Americans, including $6,000 extending and expanding the Child Tax Credit, so during the first year of a child’s life — (applause) — young parents have the support they need to be able to buy a car seat, to buy a crib, to take care of their child during that first year of their life, knowing it’s about setting them on a path to do everything they have a natural desire to do.

 And, look, let me — I say all this to say: I will always put the middle class and working families first.  I come from the middle class, and I will never forget where I come from.  (Applause.)  I will never forget where I come from. 

And we know we cannot have a strong middle class without American manufacturing.  So, over the last three and a half years, we have brought manufacturing back to America, creating 730,000 manufacturing jobs.  (Applause.)  We announced the opening of more than 20 new auto plants in the United States.  (Applause.)  And we did it by investing in American industry and American workers.  (Applause.)

 And I will make sure that America — not China — wins the competition for the 21st century — (applause) — which is why, under my plan, we will invest in the industries that built America, like steel, iron, and the great American auto industry.  I see you, Shawn.  (Applause.)   

And we will ensure that the next generation of breakthroughs, from advanced batteries to electric vehicles, are not only invented but built right here in America by American union workers.  (Applause.) 

And, Michigan, let us be clear: Contrary to what my opponent is suggesting, I will never tell you what kind of car you have to drive.  (Applause.)  But here’s what I will do.  I will invest in communities like Flint — (applause) — Flint, which helped build the auto industry and the UAW.  (Applause.) 

We will retool existing factories, hire locally, and work with unions to create good-paying jobs, including jobs that do not require a college degree — (applause) — because we understand a college degree is not the only measure of whether a worker has skills and experience to get the job done.  (Applause.) 

In fact, part of my plan is to outline all of the federal jobs that should not require a college degree and make that clear.  And when I’m elected, I’m going to challenge the private sector to take on the same approach.  (Applause.)

     And then there’s Donald Trump. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, Donald Trump has a very different approach.  So, Donald Trump makes big promises, and he always fails to deliver.  (Applause.) 

He said he was the only one who could bring back America’s manufacturing jobs.  Remember that? 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And then America lost nearly 200,000 manufacturing jobs when he was president —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — including — including tens of thousands of jobs in Michigan.  And those losses started before the pandemic, making Donald Trump one of the biggest losers — (applause) — of manufacturing jobs in American history.

And his track record for the auto industry was a disaster.  He promised workers in Warren that the auto industry would, I’ll quote, “not lose one plant” during his presidency.  And then American automakers announced the closure of six auto plants when he was president.

We need a medic over here.  We need a medic over here.  Right here.

Okay.  Can everyone part so the medic can come through, please?  Let’s — let’s let the medic through.  (Applause.)

     AUDIENCE MEMBER:  He’s okay.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Okay.  He’s okay?  Okay.  Okay.  He’s okay.  All right.  We’re good.  We got each other.  (Applause.)  Good.  Good.  Good.

So, remembering, again, what Donald Trump talked about versus what he did.  Then automakers — American automakers announced the closure of six plants when he was president, including General Motors in Warren and Stellantis in Detroit.

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thousands of Michigan autoworkers lost their jobs.  And when it came to building the cars of the future, Donald Trump sat on the sidelines and let China dominate.

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And then he talked down to American workers, saying we can’t compete with Chinese workers. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

 THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And make no mistake, Donald Trump is no friend of labor.  He encouraged automakers to move their plants out of Michigan so they could pay their workers less. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And when the UAW went on strike to demand higher wages that they deserved, Donald Trump went to a nonunion shop — don’t forget — and he attacked the UAW.  And he said striking and collective bargaining don’t make, quote, “a damn bit of difference.” 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Remember how he’s talked about striking workers, that you should fire them.  That’s how he talks about union labor.  That’s how he talks about workers. 

But, Flint, we know — we know: Strong unions mean higher wages, better health care, and greater dignity — (applause) — for union members and for everyone.  (Applause.) 

 And on top of all of that, Donald Trump signed a $2 trillion tax cut that mostly went to the wealthy and big corporations, not to working people.

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And now he is making the same empty promises to the people in Michigan that he did before.  But we will not be fooled.  We will not be gaslighted.  Donald Trump’s track record is a disaster for working people.  (Applause.)

And if he wins again, it will be more of the same.  Check this out.  Two days ago, his running mate — maybe you saw that. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  No, but — how about that Tim Walz, by the way?  (Applause.)  (Laughs.)  That’s right.  That’s right. 

So, two days ago, Donald Trump’s running mate suggested that if Trump wins, he might let the Grand River assembly plant in Lansing close down —

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — the same plant that our administration helped save earlier this year, along with 650 union jobs.  (Applause.) 

Michigan, we together fought hard for those jobs.  And you deserve a president who won’t put them at risk.  (Applause.)

And for anybody watching, you know, if you want to learn more about Donald Trump’s plans, just google Project 2025. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  It is a detailed and dangerous blueprint for what he will do if he is elected president.  Donald Trump will give billionaires and corporations massive tax cuts, attack unions, cut Social Security and Medicare, and impose a Trump sales tax — a 20 percent tax on everyday basic necessities, which will cost the average pam- — family nearly $4,000 a year. 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

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

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — even after he tried to repeal it time and time again when he was president and still has no plan to replace it. 

     AUDIENCE MEMBERS:  Concepts of a plan!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  You watched the debate.  You watched the debate.  You saw that.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)  He said —

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

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  He said he, quote, has “concepts of a plan” — concepts. 

Now, you know, I have said that I do believe he is an unserious man.  And the consequences — and the consequences of him being president again are absolutely, critically serious. 

Because, think about it.  Even on health care, he has a concept of a plan.  So, he’s going to threaten the health insurance of 45 million people in our country based on a concept? 

     AUDIENCE:  Booo —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  To take us back — do you remember that? — when insurance companies could deny people with preexisting conditions?  Remember what that was like?

     Well, Michigan, we are not —

     AUDIENCE:  Going back!

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — going back.  We are not going back.  (Applause.)  We’re 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 are not going back.  No. 

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

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Because we will move forward.  Ours is a fight for the future.  (Applause.)  Ours is a fight for the future, and ours is a fight for freedom — (applause) — like the fundamental freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body and not have her government tell her what to do.  (Applause.) 

     And these 32 days out from the election, it’s important that we remind people how we got here.  Donald Trump handpicked three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention that they would overturn Roe v. Wade, and they did.  And now more than one in three women in America lives in a state with a Trump abortion ban, many with no exceptions even for rape and incest, which is immoral. 

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

     And here’s what I want to say.  Look, and that’s not our only battle.  Across our nation, we are witnessing a full-on assault on other hard-fought, hard-fon — -won freedoms and rights, like the freedom to vote — (applause); the freedom to be safe from gun violence — (applause); the freedom to join a union — (applause); the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride — (applause); and the freedom to breathe clean air and drink clean water.  (Applause.) 

     Flint — you know all too well, Flint, that clean water should be a right for everyone, not just for the people who can afford it.  (Applause.)  And as president, I will continue to work with communities like Flint to ensure you not only have clean water but the opportunity to recover economically and thrive.  (Applause.)

     So, Michigan, it all comes down to this.  We are all here together because we know what is at stake, and we love our country.  (Applause.)  We love our country.  We love our country. 

     AUDIENCE:  USA!  USA!  USA!

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  We love our country.

     AUDIENCE:  USA!  USA!  USA!

     THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And because we love our country, we know it is one of the highest forms of patriotism to then fight for the ideals of our country and to fight to realize the promise of America.  That’s what this is about.  (Applause.)  That’s what this is about. 

     So, Election Day is in 32 days.  (Applause.)  And already nearly 2 million ballots are in the hands of Michigan voters alone.  (Applause.) 

     So, if you have received your ballot, please do not wait.  Fill it out and return it today.  Early voting starts statewide on October 26th, and now is the time to make your plan to vote, because, folks, the election is here.  The election is here.  (Applause.)

     And we need to energize, organize, and mobilize.  (Applause.)  And remember: Your vote is your voice, and your voice is your power.  (Applause.)

     So, Flint, today I ask: 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                     6:25 P.M. EDT

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

     In the face of incredibly dangerous fires, Americans have always met the moment — whether it is the first responders rushing in to keep everyone safe or the neighborhoods that come together to rebuild from the rubble.  During Fire Prevention Week, we encourage all Americans to learn more about fire safety.  We recommit to preventing fires before they occur and supporting families affected by fires.  And we extend our gratitude to the firefighters and first responders whose extraordinary bravery saves lives.

     As President, I have seen the devastating toll fires take on families across the country.  I have met with families who lost their homes and small business owners who lost their livelihoods to fires.  I have met with firefighters who saved lives while risking their own — some had fought massive wildfires when they had never been trained for that before.  This year, more than 1,400 people, including 43 firefighters, lost their lives to fires.  And thousands of acres of land have been burned by wildfires — in total, more acres have been burned than the size of some States. 

     With climate change, these fires will only get more ferocious, deadly, and costly.  But my Administration is doing everything we can to fight the climate crisis and keep people safe.  That is why I have made the most significant climate investment anywhere in the world.  Through my Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are investing billions of dollars to strengthen our early wildfire detection programs, prevent and mitigate drought, and — in the event of a wildfire — restore and rehabilitate ecosystems.  At the same time, my Inflation Reduction Act is putting us on the path to cut America’s carbon emissions in at least half by 2030 with historic investments in green manufacturing, clean energy, and climate-smart agriculture.

     My Administration is also committed to ensuring firefighters have the resources and support they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.  That is why, in my first months as President, I invested $350 billion from the American Rescue Plan to help States and cities keep first responders, including firefighters, on the job.  The law also increased Federal firefighting grants by $300 million, paying for hundreds of emergency response vehicles, thousands of sets of turnout gear, critical cancer research, and more local firefighters in the field.  The Department of Labor proposed a rule that would substantially update protections for emergency response workers, including firefighters, for the first time in more than four decades.  Further, I am proud to have increased the Federal firefighter minimum wage to $15 an hour — a first step toward giving firefighters the pay they deserve.  And we have launched new programs to recruit, retain, and train Federal firefighters.  I also signed the Fire Grants and Safety Act, directing millions of dollars to fire stations and communities across the country so they can prevent fires and mitigate the damage if they do occur.

     We are also committed to advancing public safety and uplift Fire Prevention Week’s theme of “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!”  Smoke alarms are essential to ensuring you and your family can leave home quickly in the event of a fire.  Make sure to install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every floor of the house.  Once a month, remember to test your smoke alarm by pressing the test button.  And replace smoke alarms either every 10 years or if they stop responding when tested. 

     The First Lady and I remain in awe of the heroism and courage of our firefighters and all the communities who have come together to rebuild in the wake of devastating fires — we truly are a good Nation because we are a good people.  During Fire Prevention Week, we honor our first responders and firefighters for keeping us safe.  We recommit to supporting all Americans rebuilding their lives after a fire.  And we spread awareness about smoke alarms and fire safety.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 6 through October 12, 2024, as Fire Prevention Week.  I call on all Americans to participate in this observance with appropriate programs and activities and by renewing their efforts to prevent fires and their tragic consequences.

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


                               JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post A Proclamation on Fire Prevention Week, 2024 appeared first on The White House.

     In the face of incredibly dangerous fires, Americans have always met the moment — whether it is the first responders rushing in to keep everyone safe or the neighborhoods that come together to rebuild from the rubble.  During Fire Prevention Week, we encourage all Americans to learn more about fire safety.  We recommit to preventing fires before they occur and supporting families affected by fires.  And we extend our gratitude to the firefighters and first responders whose extraordinary bravery saves lives.

     As President, I have seen the devastating toll fires take on families across the country.  I have met with families who lost their homes and small business owners who lost their livelihoods to fires.  I have met with firefighters who saved lives while risking their own — some had fought massive wildfires when they had never been trained for that before.  This year, more than 1,400 people, including 43 firefighters, lost their lives to fires.  And thousands of acres of land have been burned by wildfires — in total, more acres have been burned than the size of some States. 

     With climate change, these fires will only get more ferocious, deadly, and costly.  But my Administration is doing everything we can to fight the climate crisis and keep people safe.  That is why I have made the most significant climate investment anywhere in the world.  Through my Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are investing billions of dollars to strengthen our early wildfire detection programs, prevent and mitigate drought, and — in the event of a wildfire — restore and rehabilitate ecosystems.  At the same time, my Inflation Reduction Act is putting us on the path to cut America’s carbon emissions in at least half by 2030 with historic investments in green manufacturing, clean energy, and climate-smart agriculture.

     My Administration is also committed to ensuring firefighters have the resources and support they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.  That is why, in my first months as President, I invested $350 billion from the American Rescue Plan to help States and cities keep first responders, including firefighters, on the job.  The law also increased Federal firefighting grants by $300 million, paying for hundreds of emergency response vehicles, thousands of sets of turnout gear, critical cancer research, and more local firefighters in the field.  The Department of Labor proposed a rule that would substantially update protections for emergency response workers, including firefighters, for the first time in more than four decades.  Further, I am proud to have increased the Federal firefighter minimum wage to $15 an hour — a first step toward giving firefighters the pay they deserve.  And we have launched new programs to recruit, retain, and train Federal firefighters.  I also signed the Fire Grants and Safety Act, directing millions of dollars to fire stations and communities across the country so they can prevent fires and mitigate the damage if they do occur.

     We are also committed to advancing public safety and uplift Fire Prevention Week’s theme of “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!”  Smoke alarms are essential to ensuring you and your family can leave home quickly in the event of a fire.  Make sure to install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every floor of the house.  Once a month, remember to test your smoke alarm by pressing the test button.  And replace smoke alarms either every 10 years or if they stop responding when tested. 

     The First Lady and I remain in awe of the heroism and courage of our firefighters and all the communities who have come together to rebuild in the wake of devastating fires — we truly are a good Nation because we are a good people.  During Fire Prevention Week, we honor our first responders and firefighters for keeping us safe.  We recommit to supporting all Americans rebuilding their lives after a fire.  And we spread awareness about smoke alarms and fire safety.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 6 through October 12, 2024, as Fire Prevention Week.  I call on all Americans to participate in this observance with appropriate programs and activities and by renewing their efforts to prevent fires and their tragic consequences.

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


                               JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post A Proclamation on Fire Prevention Week, 2024 appeared first on The White House.

     In 1683, 13 families left the only home they had ever known to flee religious persecution and start new lives in America, establishing the first German settlement just outside Philadelphia.  On German-American Day, we celebrate the history, culture, and countless contributions of our Nation’s 40 million German Americans.

     The hard work, achievements, and sacrifices of German Americans have shaped the very idea of America.  German-American immigrants established some of our Nation’s earliest and most extensive newspapers, advancing the role of the free press in America.  German-American scholars and writers, scientists and musicians, and leaders in every sector are the source of some of America’s best ideas and most exciting possibilities.  And today, German Americans are not only a proud part of our country’s character, but they also tie us closer to Germany and its people.

     My Administration is committed to growing the friendship, allyship, and partnership between Germany and the United States.  This month, I will be traveling to Germany to meet with their leaders and coordinate on shared priorities like securing democracy around the world, countering antisemitism and other forms of hatred, and advancing cooperation on economics, trade, and technology.  We will also continue to stand together to support the brave people of Ukraine in their defense against Russian aggression.

     Today, may we celebrate the culture and bonds German Americans have built over the hundreds of years they have called this country home.  Together, may we recommit to fighting for a better future, full of new possibilities for our Nation.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 6, 2024, as German-American Day.  I urge all Americans to celebrate the rich and varied history of German Americans and remember the many contributions they have made to our Nation.

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


                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post A Proclamation on German-American Day, 2024 appeared first on The White House.

     In 1683, 13 families left the only home they had ever known to flee religious persecution and start new lives in America, establishing the first German settlement just outside Philadelphia.  On German-American Day, we celebrate the history, culture, and countless contributions of our Nation’s 40 million German Americans.

     The hard work, achievements, and sacrifices of German Americans have shaped the very idea of America.  German-American immigrants established some of our Nation’s earliest and most extensive newspapers, advancing the role of the free press in America.  German-American scholars and writers, scientists and musicians, and leaders in every sector are the source of some of America’s best ideas and most exciting possibilities.  And today, German Americans are not only a proud part of our country’s character, but they also tie us closer to Germany and its people.

     My Administration is committed to growing the friendship, allyship, and partnership between Germany and the United States.  This month, I will be traveling to Germany to meet with their leaders and coordinate on shared priorities like securing democracy around the world, countering antisemitism and other forms of hatred, and advancing cooperation on economics, trade, and technology.  We will also continue to stand together to support the brave people of Ukraine in their defense against Russian aggression.

     Today, may we celebrate the culture and bonds German Americans have built over the hundreds of years they have called this country home.  Together, may we recommit to fighting for a better future, full of new possibilities for our Nation.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 6, 2024, as German-American Day.  I urge all Americans to celebrate the rich and varied history of German Americans and remember the many contributions they have made to our Nation.

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


                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post A Proclamation on German-American Day, 2024 appeared first on The White House.

Today, we received good news for American workers and families with more than 250,000 new jobs in September and unemployment back down at 4.1%.  With today’s report, we’ve created 16 million jobs, unemployment remains low, and wages are growing faster than prices. Under my Administration, unemployment has been the lowest in 50 years, a record 19 million new businesses have been created, and inflation and interest rates are falling. And we’re seeing the power of collective bargaining to lift up workers’ wages—including the progress made by dockworkers on record wages with carriers, and port operators and the reopening of East Coast and Gulf ports.

Make no mistake: We have more to do to lower costs and expand opportunity. Congress should pass our plan to build millions of new homes, expand prescription drug price caps, empower workers and protect the right to organize, and cut taxes for hardworking families. Congressional Republicans have a different plan—more giant tax cuts for billionaires and big corporations, ending the Affordable Care Act, undermining workers by cutting overtime and making it harder to organize, and imposing a national sales tax that would raise costs by nearly $4,000 per year. While they put billionaires first, we’ll keep fighting to grow the middle class.

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