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Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack En Route Tallahassee, FL

Whitehouse.gov Feed - Thu, 10/03/2024 - 14:03

Aboard Air Force One
En Route Tallahassee, Florida

11:20 A.M. EDT

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: All right, we can do this really quickly.

So, today, we’re going — we’re on our way to Florida and Georgia, where the president will s- — will further survey damage caused by Helene and meet with state and local leaders regarding ongoing response efforts.

The president will participate in an aerial tour of the affected areas on his way to Perry, Florida. On the ground, the president will then visit the Keaton Beach community and receive an — an operational briefing.

From there, the president will head to Valdosta, Georgia, followed by a visit to the f- — to the rural community of Ray City, where he will meet with residents and local business owners who are trying to move forward in the wake of this disaster.

The president spoke with Governor Kemp this morning to discuss disaster response operations and other — and offer further support as needed.

The president and his entire administration will continue to do everything in our power to help the people of Florida, Georgia, and every community affected by this storm.

Yesterday, we announced that the president approved 100 percent federal cost share for emergency response a- — activities in Florida and Georgia, as well as Tallahassee [Tennessee] and North Carolina. This means that the federal government will cover 100 percent of the costs associated with things like debris removal, first responders, search and rescue, shelters, and mass — and mass — and mass feeding.

This latest announcement builds the president’s previously approved requests for major disaster declarations from the governors of Florida and Georgia, which unlocked additional assistance for residents on their road to recovery.

As a result, the pres- — the Biden-Harris administration has provided nearly $4 million directly to individuals and families in need of critical financial assistance.

Still, we know there is more work to be done. And we will be here, doing that work, for as long as it takes.

As you can see, I have Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack standing next to me here to discuss what assistance the U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing to help people in Florida and Georgia, including farmers and rural communities.

And with that, go ahead, Mr. Secretary.

SECRETARY VILSACK: Okay, thanks very much.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Just hold on tight. (Laughs.)

SECRETARY VILSACK: Obviously at USDA, our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families who have been impacted by this storm. Our job, obviously, is to try to keep farms viable and operational, to basically get as much help as quickly as possible to as many people as possible.

Let me start by, first of all, recognizing the stress that a lot of the farmers are under and the important role that we think the Farm Stress line — Hotline provides for farmers who are in trouble. Going to give you one — a telephone number for folks to call if they’re feeling a little bit stressed out to get some help. It’s 883-381-7243. 883-381-7243. In addition to that Stress Line, obviously we’ve got a number of programs.

When people think of the Department of Agriculture, they normally think of the crop insurance programs and risk management tools. We’ve given instructions to our crop insurance carriers to expedite, as quickly as possible, the loss adjustments that are necessary to make payments. Many of these farmers, particularly in the Southeast, have exercised the additional coverage for hurricane and wind damage. We expect and anticipate under those coverages, hopefully, payments can be made within 30 days. That is consistent with the president’s instruction to try to get folks as much help as possible, as quickly as possible.

In addition to the risk management tool for crops, we have a variety of other programs — programs that help repair structures and fences, programs that help eliminate soil erosion, programs that help remove debris, programs that will pay for the loss of livestock. This is particularly true in Georgia, where you’ve got a lot of contract poultry facilities where poultry houses have been destroyed by the — by the — by the storm. So we’re going to be there to try to provide help and assistance to get those fact — get those folks back on their feet. Help with feed for livestock if you have to travel an extended distance to get feed because of the storm.

There are a lot of uninsured losses, and there are programs to make sure that those uninsured losses are also covered.

And also there are obviously damage to trees and forest in the area. We have programs to assist in that area as well.

So, that’s on the farm side.

We’re expediting — we’re — we’re sending search teams or will send search teams into the counties where we’ve seen the most damage and most impact so that the — the farmers can go into their county office, get the k- — help, assistance, and direction that they need to be able to make application for whatever program fits their — fits their need and their losses.

I want to also say that part of our job is obviously to coordinate with FEMA. We have over 190 folks from USDA that are currently at the regional center in Atlanta or in the D.C. headquarters working collaboratively with FEMA to make sure that we’re coordinating and collaborating.

I would also say that we’re investing in rural communities. When we get to the recovery stage after we’ve assessed damage and try to triage things, we’ll begin working with communities in terms of housing, housing repair, water and wastewater treatment facilities that need repair, electric lines that need repair. We’ll be there to provide help and assistance through programs.

And we also have, obviously, a food assistance responsibility. We’ve already provided these — these states with flexibility in terms of child nutrition programs and senior nutrition programs, in terms of the types of meals they can serve, and — and the location of those meals.

And obviously, any governor who requests disaster SNAP assistance will get it from the department as quickly as we possibly can get it.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: All right. We don’t have that much time. But go ahead, Darlene.

Q Could you talk a little bit about what is being done to — there was a story on the radio this morning about bananas being stuck at one of the ports. And, you know, th- — they only last so long. Is there anything being done to get food that’s stuck at ports out and — perhaps to places like Asheville that have been affected by the storm?

SECRETARY VILSACK: Well, the — a lot of what we’re talking about in terms of the ports are in containers. And so, it’s going to be difficult to get to the containers based on the fact that there’s a work stoppage there.

That’s why the president has urged the shippers, in particular, to focus on getting this thing resolved and making sure that the collective bargaining system works. That’s the most effective way of getting the bananas to wherever they need to go.

And hopefully, the shippers will come to the table, union will come to the table, collective bargaining will work, and we’ll get this thing resolved quickly.

Q Secretary Vilsack, you know, we’ve just gone through a period of pretty intense inflation that affected food prices. To what extent are you concerned that the kind of double whammy of the port strike and this — this really large-scale hurricane are going to exacerbate the kind of pressures on food prices that we saw that are just, you know, abating now?

SECRETARY VILSACK: The current food inflation rate at grocery stores is around 1 percent, which is about half the 20-year average. So, it is good to see that it has come down.

At this point, a short labor stoppage at — at the ports should have minimal impact and effect on prices. Obviously, if we’re talking about a longer situation of duration, that may have an impact. But at the end of the day, that’s why the president has been so forceful in suggesting people need to get to the table and then get — get this resolved.

This is the first strike in 50 years. These people know how to get to “yes.” They just need to get to “yes.”

Q Can you define —

Q Can you tell us what the impact has been —

Q I’m sorry, wait. Can you define, please, what you mean by “shorter” and “longer”?

SECRETARY VILSACK: Well, the hope would be that this thing ends tomorrow. All right? That would be short.

The re- — the reality is our assessment is, if this lasts a couple of weeks, we’re not talking about a significant disruption. If you get into months, then, obviously, that’s a situ- — a different situation, which we’ll cover it when — when and if that occurs.

Q Can you tell us what the impact on American farmers in terms of their exports? You know, how much runway is there for —

SECRETARY VILSACK: Most of our exports go through the West Coast. It’s about $90 million on a — on a daily basis —

MILITARY AIDE: I’m so sorry. We’re about to land, and it’s going to be a very quick stop.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Okay.

SECRETARY VILSACK: The — the biggest impact is on imports.

Q Karine —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I am so sorry, guys.

Q — very quickly on the student loan debt. There was a Georgia judge that just is letting it expire. Do you have any reaction to that? It’s —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I’m not going to — to get into that.

Q Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

I’m — it’s an ongoing matter, so I can’t get into that at this time. So, I’m just — I’m not going to get into the litigation.

Q Is he meeting with Kemp? Is he meeting with DeSantis while he’s there, please?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, a couple of things. DeSantis is not going to be there, but we have been in touch with his team. We understand that he has other areas to survey today, so — but we have been in touch with his team.

As you know, the president has been committed — a full — a full administration, all the agencies are han- — all hands on deck in trying to make sure that we deal with the — the devastation that we’re seeing. You saw the president yesterday in North Carolina and South Carolina, the vice president in Georgia. And now we’re going to Florida — Florida and Georgia ourselves.

And so, the governor can speak for his travel today, but he won’t be there. But, obviously, we’ve been in touch with his —

Q (Inaudible) about Governor Kemp as well?

Q (Inaudible.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Well, we — look, we — the president spoke to Governor Kemp this morning. He won’t be there, but we obviously are inviting them. They are welcome to join us. And we are doing everything that we can to make sure that we give — give some relief to folks on the ground, to Americans on the ground dealing with this disaster.

Q Has he spoken —

Q He spoke to Governor Kemp. Has he spoken to Governor DeSantis?

AIR FORCE ONE CREW MEMBER: If you could just please take your seats. (Inaudible.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Okay. Sorry, guys.

Q Has he spoken to DeSantis?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I don’t have a call to — to read out.

Q Has he spoken to Governor Kemp again today?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: We just spoke to Governor Kemp, as I said at the top.

I’m sorry, guys. We got to sit.

11:30 A.M. EDT

The post Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack En Route Tallahassee, FL appeared first on The White House.

Remarks by President Biden on Response and Recovery Efforts Following Hurricane Helene | Ray City, GA

Speeches and Remarks - Thu, 10/03/2024 - 13:49

Shiloh Pecan Farm
Ray City, Georgia

4:19 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody.  Hey, family.  How you doing?  Good to see you. 

Folks, a week ago, Hurricane Helene became one of the strongest hurricanes ever — ever to hit Florida and this part of Georgia.  Roofs ripped off the buildings; massive trees crashed into powerlines, setting off loss of heat — electricity; flooding wiped out homes.  We were just down in Florida to see homes that were — I mean, just wiped away.  Just — there was an entire island gone. 

Families — they lost everything including — including loved ones, including family members. 

And I know it isn’t the first time.  Just over a year ago, a major hurricane hit these same communities.  A couple months ago, Hurricane Debby did the same thing.  Three in a row.  Three in a row.  You’ve been through hell.  Three in a row. 

And I want you to know: I see you, I hear you, I grieve with you, and I promise you we have your back.  We’re going to stay until you’re restored. 

Earlier today, I was briefed by Florida officials on the damage, and I met with first responders who have been working nonstop to provide aid and support to survivors.  I did a walking tour of Keaton Beach with a bipartisan group of officials to survey what a 15-foot surge — 15-foot surge — some places it went as high as three stories — does to a coastal community. 

Then I came here to Georgia to meet all of you, to see firsthand how you’re doing as well, because we’re really in this together.  We’re — it’s separate states, but we’re the United States of America. 

I want to thank Governor Kemp, who I spoke with again this morning, and Senator Warnock, who is behind me; and Senator [Representative] Austin Scott, Representative Sanford Bishop — old friends.

In moments like this, it’s time to put politics aside.  Again, it’s not one state versus others; it’s the United States.

You know, there’s no Democrats or Republicans out here.  It’s what we do to make sure we are — restore the economy.  Only Americans are here.  And this been — I’ve been committed to being president for all of America. 

In fact, all the major bills we’ve gotten passed, from over a trillion-dollar bill relating to infrastructure to $368 billion bill on — on dealing with climate; a whole range of bills we got passed.  Well, guess what?  The fact of the matter is more money from those bills has been spent in red states — red states than in blue states — more in red states than blue states.  As I said, I — didn’t matter where it was or who needed help.  Not based on party.  Who needed help?

And I mean this sincerely.  Che- — check it out. 

Our job is to help as many people as we can — as many as we can.  And also, by the way, when you do that, I hope we begin to break down this rabid partisanship that exists.  I mean that sincerely.  There’s no rationale for it.  There’s no rationale for it. 

And so, it doesn’t matter who we help; it’s who’s needed help.  And, look, we’re going to help as many people as we can. 

That’s why, days before this storm hit, I pre-positioned extensive resources on the ground throughout the Southeast — extensively — first responders, search and rescue teams, food, water, ambulances. 

Before Helene had made landfall, I also immediately improved [approved] emergency declarations your governor and others asked for and — so all of us could focus on the first responders and standing up emergency operations centers. That was the focus.

And yesterday, I approved governor’s req- — Governor Kemp’s request for a federal government to cover 100 percent — 100 percent of the cost for debris removal, emergency protective measures for three months — 100 percent.  I must tell you, your senator had a little bit to do with that when he called me —

SENATOR WARNOCK:  Thank you.

THE PRESIDENT:  —  beforehand.

But all kidding aside, we’re doing the same for Florida as well, as well as we’re doing for North Carolina. 

Folks, this is going to pay for the urgent work to clear the mud, remove the downed trees, provide temporary housing. 

And on top of this, the Department of Agriculture — and I have with me th- — the secretary of Agriculture today — is on the ground to support farmers, ranchers, and small businesses impacted by this storm. 

And FEMA teams are knocking — literally knocking on doors to register folks so they can receive assistance to buy what they urgently need, from prescription drugs, if they lost everything —

For example, I was just down in — in Florida.  One home — what people really worry the most about is not just losing their home, it’s they lose everything that mattered to them.  They move — they — they — they, you know, lose that picture of their mom and their dad when they were kids.  They look — I mean, all things that are personal.  They look at — at family jewelry, the ring that was — the engagement ring, all those things.

And there was one rescuer who said there was a young family who had — their entire — their entire home was lifted up and taken out into basically what we’d call a bayou — it’s not a bayou, but it’s flat space on — out in the middle of a marsh.  They went out there to cut a road through with their vehicles that they got out there.  They went in, and all they wanted to was re- — just receive — get back what they — they lost.  They lost their home, but they were mor- — even more concerned about the personal things that mattered so much to the families.

And so, this is going to pay, as I said, this 100 percent to clear all the things that are — needed to be cleared. 

And on top of this, the Department of Agriculture is on the ground supporting ranchers, farmers, and small businesses.  And, as I said, the FEMA teams are knocking on doors to register people so they can receive assistance.

Think of all the people out there throughout the country, here in the Southeast, that have lo- — they need prescriptions filled; they don’t have the money.  They’ve lost everything.  They don’t have any way to — to fill their prescriptions.  Or baby formula — they can’t afford it.  They don’t know where to get it — how to get it.

And so, we’re registering folks so they can receive this assistance and buyers — needed things they badly need.

This direct assistance is now being delivered — it’s being now, directly, with more to come. 

But, folks, this entire project is going to cost billions of dollars — not tens of thousands, not millions, not a billion — billions of dollars, because it comes through — it goes through so many states.

You know, and Congress has an obligation, to me — it seems to me to ensure that states have the resources they need. 

Let me close with this.  I’m standing here beside Buck, the owner of this pecan farm.  This afternoon, we — we talked — we got a chance to talk a little bit, and he showed me what he lost — talked about what he lost — and his dad — acres of orchards wiped out, trees uprooted, debris everywhere.  Decades of progress gone in a single instant.  But through it all, Buck hasn’t lost hope. 

In fact, he reminds me of another Georgia farmer who just turned 100 years old.  President Jimmy Carter once said, “Tremendous progress can be made if we persevere through difficult challenges.”  This is a difficult challenge we’re facing.  This storm is extremely difficult for our country. 

To all the first responders, police officers, and volunteers who ran toward danger; to all the survivors and families who had their lives and livelihoods torn apart: We’ve got to get — we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us. 

I was with — as I said, I was down in Florida today, and a gentleman walked and he handed me a small pamphlet, a book that his wife had just written about how they lost their son.  Their son died last time out in their home.  You know, a lot of people are in real trouble. 

But I want you know, as I said, we see you, we’re with you, and we’re going to preserve and persevere to get through all of this. 

Because, folks, this is the United States of America.  (Inaudible) we’re the United States of America.  And there’s not a damn thing we can’t get done — nothing beyond our capacity when we work together and put politics aside. 

So, God bless you all. 

And now it’s my honor to introduce Buck, who’s going to say a few words.  Buck, the podium is yours.

(The program continues.)

Q    Mr. President, Speaker Johnson has said a supplemental can wait until after the election.  What kind of timeline do you have in mind, sir? 

THE PRESIDENT:  We can’t wait.  We can’t wait.  People need help now.

Thank you.

Q    Mr. President, some South Georgia counties are still needing approval.  Will that get approved? 

THE PRESIDENT:  Yes.

Q    Yes?

THE PRESIDENT:  We’re going through the process.  It approves almost everything that’s been put forth.  I imagine every country in this state will be funded.

Q    Every county.  Thank you.

4:38 P.M. EDT   

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Remarks by President Biden Before Marine One Departure

Speeches and Remarks - Thu, 10/03/2024 - 11:06

South Lawn

9:30 A.M. EDT

Q    Mr. President, can the country afford the port strike?  Can the country afford these ships to stay off (inaudible)?

THE PRESIDENT:  I think we’re making progress on that.

Q    How much progress, sir?

THE PRESIDENT:  We’ll find out soon.

Q    What kind of sanctions —

Q    Any updates on —

Q    What kind of sanctions are you considering on Iran?  What kind of sanctions are you considering?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’ll tell them before I tell you.

Q    Did Tim Walz lose the debate?

Q    Any updates on the hostages — on the hostages in Gaza, sir?

Q    Did Tim Walz lose the debate?

THE PRESIDENT:  No, he didn’t.  And, by the way, the other guy lost the debate.  He misrepresented everything, including — anyway, I —

Q    Sir — the hostages in Gaza, sir.  The hostages in Gaza.  Do you have any updates on them?

THE PRESIDENT:  Not — not right now.

(Cross-talk.)

Q    Would you support Israel striking Iran’s oil facilities, sir?

THE PRESIDENT:  We’re in discussion of that.  I think — I think that would be a little — anyway.

Q    Do you believe that Donald Trump was acting as a private candidate and not as president when he sought to overturn the 2020 election, as Jack Smith laid out in his filing?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’ll let Jack Smith make that case.

(Cross-talk.)

Q    (Inaudible) response to the retaliation?  Will you let Israel retaliate?  What are the plans to allow Israel to strike back against Iran?

THE PRESIDENT:  First of all, we don’t allow Israel.  We advise Israel.  And there’s nothing going to happen today.  We’ll talk about that later.

Q    G20 and APEC Summits next month.  Is it a good chance to sit down with President Putin to discuss international security?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m sorry?

Q    G20 and APEC Summits next month.  Is it a good chance to discuss international security and Ukraine with Putin?

THE PRESIDENT:  I doubt whether Putin will show up.

Q    Are you surprised the race between Harris and Trump is so close right now?  Are you surprised?

THE PRESIDENT:  No, I’m not.  It always gets this close.  She’s going to do fine.

9:32 A.M. EDT

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Remarks by President Biden Before Marine One Departure

Whitehouse.gov Feed - Thu, 10/03/2024 - 11:06

South Lawn

9:30 A.M. EDT

Q    Mr. President, can the country afford the port strike?  Can the country afford these ships to stay off (inaudible)?

THE PRESIDENT:  I think we’re making progress on that.

Q    How much progress, sir?

THE PRESIDENT:  We’ll find out soon.

Q    What kind of sanctions —

Q    Any updates on —

Q    What kind of sanctions are you considering on Iran?  What kind of sanctions are you considering?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’ll tell them before I tell you.

Q    Did Tim Walz lose the debate?

Q    Any updates on the hostages — on the hostages in Gaza, sir?

Q    Did Tim Walz lose the debate?

THE PRESIDENT:  No, he didn’t.  And, by the way, the other guy lost the debate.  He misrepresented everything, including — anyway, I —

Q    Sir — the hostages in Gaza, sir.  The hostages in Gaza.  Do you have any updates on them?

THE PRESIDENT:  Not — not right now.

(Cross-talk.)

Q    Would you support Israel striking Iran’s oil facilities, sir?

THE PRESIDENT:  We’re in discussion of that.  I think — I think that would be a little — anyway.

Q    Do you believe that Donald Trump was acting as a private candidate and not as president when he sought to overturn the 2020 election, as Jack Smith laid out in his filing?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’ll let Jack Smith make that case.

(Cross-talk.)

Q    (Inaudible) response to the retaliation?  Will you let Israel retaliate?  What are the plans to allow Israel to strike back against Iran?

THE PRESIDENT:  First of all, we don’t allow Israel.  We advise Israel.  And there’s nothing going to happen today.  We’ll talk about that later.

Q    G20 and APEC Summits next month.  Is it a good chance to sit down with President Putin to discuss international security?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m sorry?

Q    G20 and APEC Summits next month.  Is it a good chance to discuss international security and Ukraine with Putin?

THE PRESIDENT:  I doubt whether Putin will show up.

Q    Are you surprised the race between Harris and Trump is so close right now?  Are you surprised?

THE PRESIDENT:  No, I’m not.  It always gets this close.  She’s going to do fine.

9:32 A.M. EDT

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PRESIDENTIAL PERMIT AUTHORIZING SOUTHWEBB BRIDGE COMPANY LLC TO CONSTRUCT, MAINTAIN, AND OPERATE A VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN BORDER CROSSING NEAR LAREDO, TEXAS, AT THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO

Presidential Actions - Thu, 10/03/2024 - 11:00

     By virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States of America (the “President”), I hereby grant permission, subject to the conditions set forth herein, to Southwebb Bridge Company LLC (the “permittee”) to construct, maintain, and operate a vehicular and pedestrian crossing located on the United States border with Mexico in Laredo, Texas, as described in the “Presidential Permit Application Laredo 4/5 International Bridge” dated March 15, 2022 (“March 15, 2022, Application”), by the permittee to the Secretary of State and determined to be complete on June 6, 2024, in accordance with 33 U.S.C. 535d and associated procedures.
 
    The term “Border facilities” as used in this permit consists of the bridge, its approaches, and any land, structures, installations, or equipment appurtenant thereto located on the United States side of the international boundary between the United States and Mexico in the proposed project site located approximately 12.6 miles south/southeast of the City of Laredo, Texas, approximately 3.0 miles west of U.S. Highway 83, approximately 4.4 miles southwest of Texas State Highway Loop 20, approximately 10.5 miles southwest of State Highway 359, and approximately 10.6 miles south of Interstate Highway 35.
 
     This permit is subject to the following conditions:
 
     Article 1.  The Border facilities herein described and all aspects of their operation are subject to all the conditions, permissions, and requirements of this permit and any subsequent Presidential amendment to it.  The construction, maintenance, and operation of the Border facilities shall be in all material respects as described in the March 15, 2022, Application.
 
     Article 2.  The standards for and the manner of construction, maintenance, and operation of the Border facilities are subject to inspection by the representatives of appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies.  The permittee shall grant officers and employees of such agencies that are duly authorized and performing their official duties free and unrestricted access to said Border facilities.
 
     Article 3.  The permittee shall comply with all applicable Federal laws and regulations regarding the construction, maintenance, and operation of the Border facilities.
 
     Article 4.  (1)  The permittee shall take or cause to be taken all appropriate measures to mitigate adverse impacts on or disruption of the human environment in connection with the construction, maintenance, and operation of the Border facilities.  Mitigation measures are those that avoid, minimize, or compensate for adverse impacts.
 
     (2)  The permittee shall hold harmless and indemnify the United States for any claimed or adjudged liability arising out of construction, maintenance, and operation of the Border facilities, including environmental contamination from the release, threatened release, or discharge of hazardous substances or hazardous waste.
 
     (3)  The permittee is responsible for obtaining any required Federal, State, and local permits, approvals, and authorizations prior to commencing construction activities.  The permittee shall implement the mitigation identified in any environmental decision documents prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and Federal permits, including stormwater permits and permits issued in accordance with section 402 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1342).  The permittee shall comply with applicable Federal, State, and local environmental laws.
 
     Article 5.  The permittee shall immediately notify the President or the President’s designee of any decision to transfer custody and control of the Border facilities or any part thereof to any executive department or agency (agency) of the United States Government.  Said notice shall identify the transferee agency and seek the approval of the President for the transfer of the permit.  In the event of approval by the President of such transfer, this permit shall remain in force and effect, and the Border facilities shall be subject to all the conditions, permissions, and requirements of this permit and any amendments thereof.  The permittee may transfer ownership or control of the Border facilities to a non-Federal entity or individual only upon the prior express approval of such transfer by the President, which approval may include such conditions, permissions, and requirements that the President, in the President’s discretion, determines are appropriate and necessary for inclusion in the permit, to be effective on the date of transfer.
 
     Article 6.  The permittee is responsible for acquiring and maintaining any right-of-way grants or easements, permits, and other authorizations as may become necessary or appropriate.  To ensure the safe operation of the Border facilities, the permittee shall maintain them and every part of them in a condition of good repair and in compliance with applicable law and use of best management practices.
 
     Article 7.  To the extent authorized by law, and consistent with any Donation Acceptance Agreements (DAAs) already executed with the permittee under the Donation Acceptance Authority found in 6 U.S.C. 301a and section 559 of title V of division F of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (Public Law 113-76), as amended, as continued by 6 U.S.C. 301b, the permittee shall provide to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Commissioner) of the Department of Homeland Security and the heads of any other relevant agencies, at no cost to the United States, suitable inspection facilities, infrastructure improvements, equipment, and maintenance, as set forth in the DAAs.  Nothing in this permit obligates such agencies to provide a particular level of services or staffing for such inspection facilities or for any other aspect of the port of entry associated with the Border facilities.
 
     Article 8.  Before beginning design activities, the permittee shall fulfill requirements associated with the following conditions, as refined by the relevant agencies below and as consistent with applicable law:

     (1)  Obtain the concurrence of the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico;

    (2)  Provide a plan for the approval of the Commissioner detailing how the permittee will fund the necessary staffing by U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the Border facilities upon commencement of operations and thereafter;

    (3)  Provide a plan for the approval of the Administrator of General Services (Administrator) and the Commissioner detailing how the permittee will fund the necessary operations and maintenance costs for the Border facilities upon commencement of operations and thereafter;

    (4)  Provide a plan for the approval of the Administrator and the Commissioner detailing how the permittee will fund construction, outfitting (furniture, fixtures, and equipment to include information technology and necessary inspection technologies), technology integration, and outyear refresh of said program elements for the Border facilities detailed in their March 15, 2022, Application; and

    (5)  Provide a plan for the approval of the Secretary of Transportation detailing construction and funding of commercial motor vehicle inspection facilities and detailing how the permittee will ensure the necessary funding for appropriate Department of Transportation staffing and operations and maintenance costs for the Border facilities upon commencement of operations and thereafter.

     Relevant agencies will coordinate with the permittee to further refine the above conditions, as necessary, within 1 year of permit issuance.
 
     Article 9.  The permittee shall not initiate construction until the Department of State has provided notification to the permittee that the Department of State has completed its exchange of diplomatic notes with the Government of Mexico regarding authorization.  The permittee shall provide written notification to the President or the President’s designee at the time that the construction authorized by this permit begins, at the time as such construction is completed, interrupted, or discontinued, and at other times as may be requested by the President.
 
     Article 10.  Upon request, the permittee shall provide appropriate information to the President or the President’s designee with regard to the Border facilities.  Such requests could include requests for information concerning current conditions, environmental compliance, mitigation, or anticipated changes in ownership or control, construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of the Border facilities.
 
     Article 11.  The permittee shall file any applicable statements and reports required by applicable Federal law in connection with the Border facilities.
 
     Article 12.  The permittee shall make no substantial change inconsistent with the March 15, 2022, Application to the Border facilities, in the location of the Border facilities, or in the operation authorized by this permit, unless such changes have been approved by the President.  The President may terminate, revoke, or amend this permit at any time at the President’s sole discretion.  The permittee’s obligation to implement any amendment to this permit is subject to the availability of funds.  If the permittee permanently closes the Laredo 4/5 International Bridge and it is no longer used as an international crossing, then this permit shall terminate, and the permittee may manage, utilize, or dispose of the Border facilities in accordance with applicable authorities.  This permit shall continue in full force and effect for only so long as the permittee continues the operations hereby authorized. 
 
     Article 13.  This permit shall expire 5 years from the date of its issuance if the permittee has not commenced construction of the Border facilities by that date.
 
     Article 14.  This permit is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, have hereunto set my hand this third 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 PRESIDENTIAL PERMIT AUTHORIZING SOUTHWEBB BRIDGE COMPANY LLC TO CONSTRUCT, MAINTAIN, AND OPERATE A VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN BORDER CROSSING NEAR LAREDO, TEXAS, AT THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO appeared first on The White House.

PRESIDENTIAL PERMIT AUTHORIZING SOUTHWEBB BRIDGE COMPANY LLC TO CONSTRUCT, MAINTAIN, AND OPERATE A VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN BORDER CROSSING NEAR LAREDO, TEXAS, AT THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO

Whitehouse.gov Feed - Thu, 10/03/2024 - 11:00

     By virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States of America (the “President”), I hereby grant permission, subject to the conditions set forth herein, to Southwebb Bridge Company LLC (the “permittee”) to construct, maintain, and operate a vehicular and pedestrian crossing located on the United States border with Mexico in Laredo, Texas, as described in the “Presidential Permit Application Laredo 4/5 International Bridge” dated March 15, 2022 (“March 15, 2022, Application”), by the permittee to the Secretary of State and determined to be complete on June 6, 2024, in accordance with 33 U.S.C. 535d and associated procedures.
 
    The term “Border facilities” as used in this permit consists of the bridge, its approaches, and any land, structures, installations, or equipment appurtenant thereto located on the United States side of the international boundary between the United States and Mexico in the proposed project site located approximately 12.6 miles south/southeast of the City of Laredo, Texas, approximately 3.0 miles west of U.S. Highway 83, approximately 4.4 miles southwest of Texas State Highway Loop 20, approximately 10.5 miles southwest of State Highway 359, and approximately 10.6 miles south of Interstate Highway 35.
 
     This permit is subject to the following conditions:
 
     Article 1.  The Border facilities herein described and all aspects of their operation are subject to all the conditions, permissions, and requirements of this permit and any subsequent Presidential amendment to it.  The construction, maintenance, and operation of the Border facilities shall be in all material respects as described in the March 15, 2022, Application.
 
     Article 2.  The standards for and the manner of construction, maintenance, and operation of the Border facilities are subject to inspection by the representatives of appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies.  The permittee shall grant officers and employees of such agencies that are duly authorized and performing their official duties free and unrestricted access to said Border facilities.
 
     Article 3.  The permittee shall comply with all applicable Federal laws and regulations regarding the construction, maintenance, and operation of the Border facilities.
 
     Article 4.  (1)  The permittee shall take or cause to be taken all appropriate measures to mitigate adverse impacts on or disruption of the human environment in connection with the construction, maintenance, and operation of the Border facilities.  Mitigation measures are those that avoid, minimize, or compensate for adverse impacts.
 
     (2)  The permittee shall hold harmless and indemnify the United States for any claimed or adjudged liability arising out of construction, maintenance, and operation of the Border facilities, including environmental contamination from the release, threatened release, or discharge of hazardous substances or hazardous waste.
 
     (3)  The permittee is responsible for obtaining any required Federal, State, and local permits, approvals, and authorizations prior to commencing construction activities.  The permittee shall implement the mitigation identified in any environmental decision documents prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and Federal permits, including stormwater permits and permits issued in accordance with section 402 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1342).  The permittee shall comply with applicable Federal, State, and local environmental laws.
 
     Article 5.  The permittee shall immediately notify the President or the President’s designee of any decision to transfer custody and control of the Border facilities or any part thereof to any executive department or agency (agency) of the United States Government.  Said notice shall identify the transferee agency and seek the approval of the President for the transfer of the permit.  In the event of approval by the President of such transfer, this permit shall remain in force and effect, and the Border facilities shall be subject to all the conditions, permissions, and requirements of this permit and any amendments thereof.  The permittee may transfer ownership or control of the Border facilities to a non-Federal entity or individual only upon the prior express approval of such transfer by the President, which approval may include such conditions, permissions, and requirements that the President, in the President’s discretion, determines are appropriate and necessary for inclusion in the permit, to be effective on the date of transfer.
 
     Article 6.  The permittee is responsible for acquiring and maintaining any right-of-way grants or easements, permits, and other authorizations as may become necessary or appropriate.  To ensure the safe operation of the Border facilities, the permittee shall maintain them and every part of them in a condition of good repair and in compliance with applicable law and use of best management practices.
 
     Article 7.  To the extent authorized by law, and consistent with any Donation Acceptance Agreements (DAAs) already executed with the permittee under the Donation Acceptance Authority found in 6 U.S.C. 301a and section 559 of title V of division F of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (Public Law 113-76), as amended, as continued by 6 U.S.C. 301b, the permittee shall provide to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Commissioner) of the Department of Homeland Security and the heads of any other relevant agencies, at no cost to the United States, suitable inspection facilities, infrastructure improvements, equipment, and maintenance, as set forth in the DAAs.  Nothing in this permit obligates such agencies to provide a particular level of services or staffing for such inspection facilities or for any other aspect of the port of entry associated with the Border facilities.
 
     Article 8.  Before beginning design activities, the permittee shall fulfill requirements associated with the following conditions, as refined by the relevant agencies below and as consistent with applicable law:

     (1)  Obtain the concurrence of the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico;

    (2)  Provide a plan for the approval of the Commissioner detailing how the permittee will fund the necessary staffing by U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the Border facilities upon commencement of operations and thereafter;

    (3)  Provide a plan for the approval of the Administrator of General Services (Administrator) and the Commissioner detailing how the permittee will fund the necessary operations and maintenance costs for the Border facilities upon commencement of operations and thereafter;

    (4)  Provide a plan for the approval of the Administrator and the Commissioner detailing how the permittee will fund construction, outfitting (furniture, fixtures, and equipment to include information technology and necessary inspection technologies), technology integration, and outyear refresh of said program elements for the Border facilities detailed in their March 15, 2022, Application; and

    (5)  Provide a plan for the approval of the Secretary of Transportation detailing construction and funding of commercial motor vehicle inspection facilities and detailing how the permittee will ensure the necessary funding for appropriate Department of Transportation staffing and operations and maintenance costs for the Border facilities upon commencement of operations and thereafter.

     Relevant agencies will coordinate with the permittee to further refine the above conditions, as necessary, within 1 year of permit issuance.
 
     Article 9.  The permittee shall not initiate construction until the Department of State has provided notification to the permittee that the Department of State has completed its exchange of diplomatic notes with the Government of Mexico regarding authorization.  The permittee shall provide written notification to the President or the President’s designee at the time that the construction authorized by this permit begins, at the time as such construction is completed, interrupted, or discontinued, and at other times as may be requested by the President.
 
     Article 10.  Upon request, the permittee shall provide appropriate information to the President or the President’s designee with regard to the Border facilities.  Such requests could include requests for information concerning current conditions, environmental compliance, mitigation, or anticipated changes in ownership or control, construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of the Border facilities.
 
     Article 11.  The permittee shall file any applicable statements and reports required by applicable Federal law in connection with the Border facilities.
 
     Article 12.  The permittee shall make no substantial change inconsistent with the March 15, 2022, Application to the Border facilities, in the location of the Border facilities, or in the operation authorized by this permit, unless such changes have been approved by the President.  The President may terminate, revoke, or amend this permit at any time at the President’s sole discretion.  The permittee’s obligation to implement any amendment to this permit is subject to the availability of funds.  If the permittee permanently closes the Laredo 4/5 International Bridge and it is no longer used as an international crossing, then this permit shall terminate, and the permittee may manage, utilize, or dispose of the Border facilities in accordance with applicable authorities.  This permit shall continue in full force and effect for only so long as the permittee continues the operations hereby authorized. 
 
     Article 13.  This permit shall expire 5 years from the date of its issuance if the permittee has not commenced construction of the Border facilities by that date.
 
     Article 14.  This permit is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, have hereunto set my hand this third 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 PRESIDENTIAL PERMIT AUTHORIZING SOUTHWEBB BRIDGE COMPANY LLC TO CONSTRUCT, MAINTAIN, AND OPERATE A VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN BORDER CROSSING NEAR LAREDO, TEXAS, AT THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO appeared first on The White House.

Statement from President Joe Biden on the Occasion of an Agreement between the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom on the Status of the Chagos Archipelago

Statements and Releases - Thu, 10/03/2024 - 06:30

I applaud the historic agreement and conclusion of the negotiations between the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom on the status of the Chagos Archipelago. It is a clear demonstration that through diplomacy and partnership, countries can overcome long-standing historical challenges to reach peaceful and mutually beneficial outcomes. This agreement affirms Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, while granting the United Kingdom the authority to exercise the sovereign rights of Mauritius with respect to Diego Garcia. 

Diego Garcia is the site of a joint U.S.-UK military facility that plays a vital role in national, regional, and global security. It enables the United States to support operations that demonstrate our shared commitment to regional stability, provide rapid response to crises, and counter some of the most challenging security threats we face. The agreement secures the effective operation of the joint facility on Diego Garcia into the next century.

We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Mauritius and the United Kingdom in upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific.

###

The post Statement from President Joe Biden on the Occasion of an Agreement between the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom on the Status of the Chagos Archipelago appeared first on The White House.

Statement from President Joe Biden on the Occasion of an Agreement between the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom on the Status of the Chagos Archipelago

Whitehouse.gov Feed - Thu, 10/03/2024 - 06:30

I applaud the historic agreement and conclusion of the negotiations between the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom on the status of the Chagos Archipelago. It is a clear demonstration that through diplomacy and partnership, countries can overcome long-standing historical challenges to reach peaceful and mutually beneficial outcomes. This agreement affirms Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, while granting the United Kingdom the authority to exercise the sovereign rights of Mauritius with respect to Diego Garcia. 

Diego Garcia is the site of a joint U.S.-UK military facility that plays a vital role in national, regional, and global security. It enables the United States to support operations that demonstrate our shared commitment to regional stability, provide rapid response to crises, and counter some of the most challenging security threats we face. The agreement secures the effective operation of the joint facility on Diego Garcia into the next century.

We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Mauritius and the United Kingdom in upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific.

###

The post Statement from President Joe Biden on the Occasion of an Agreement between the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom on the Status of the Chagos Archipelago appeared first on The White House.

Remarks by President Biden Before an Operational Briefing on the Impacts of Hurricane Helene | Raleigh, NC

Speeches and Remarks - Wed, 10/02/2024 - 22:05

5:05 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Gov.  Good afternoon, everyone.

I don’t have to tell this group that Hurricane Helene has been a storm literally of historic proportions.  The damage is still being assessed but — and many people are still unaccounted for. 

So, I’m here to say the United States, the nation has your back.  The nation has your back.  We’re not leaving until you’re back on your feet completely.

You know, we’re in a situation where earlier this morning I met with state and local police in Greenville, South Carolina.  Then I took an aerial tour of western North Carolina to survey the damage.  And I came here in Raleigh to receive a briefing from all of you and — who have been working nonstop to provide the support that you need and the survivors need. 

You know, it goes — my heart goes out to everyone who has experienced the unthinkable loss.  But we’re here for you. 

And I want to thank Republican governor of South Carolina and the Democratic governor of North Carolina and all of the elected officials who’ve focused on the task at hand.  In a moment like this, we put politics aside.  At least we should put it all aside, and we have here.  There are no Democrats or Republicans; there are only Americans.  And our job is to help as many people as we can as quickly as we can and as thoroughly as we can. 

You know, that’s why even before the storm hit, I directed the entire federal government to use every possible resource to help communities across the nation — across the region get ready.  We deployed over 1,000 first responders throughout the Southeast.  I immediately approved emergency declarations as soon as I received the requests from your governors.  And today, I approved the request of Governor Cooper for the federal government to cover 100 percent — 100 percent of all the costs for debris removal, emergency protective measures for six months — all the costs.  (Applause.)

Well, this — this really matters.

There are 70 North Carolinians who are dead and 100 more who are unaccounted for.  And much of Asheville is underwater. 

It was — I’ve flown over an awful lot of storm-damaged areas since I’ve been president.  Matter of fact, most of — many of them forest fires.  And I — we’ve — with — the FEMA director and I have flown over more — more forest that’s been taken down to the ground because of fires and a whole range of other reasons than makes up the entire state of Maryland.  And — and so, I’ve seen a lot.

But we’re looking at Asheville and just imagining what it must have been like sitting along those rivers and streams as all that rain came down.  What, 19 inches of rain?  Something like that.  An incredible amount of rain.  Watching homes — you could see homes that are moved from — clearly from one side of the river, down the river, to another side of the river.

And I can only imagine what it’s like to have been in one of those homes.  And much of Asheville was underwater.  Much of it was underwater.  What a beautiful, beautiful part of the country.  I’ve been to Asheville before.  It’s a magnificent part of Appalachia.  Much of it was underwater.

Communities like Chimney Rock are reduced to piles of wood and debris.  I mean, that’s — you look down, that’s what you see, as we flew over in the — circled in the helicopter. 

And this is going to pay for — this will pay for the urgent work we need to clear landslides, to provide shelters, and supply food and medicine. 

But today, I’m also directing the Department of Defense to move up 1,000 soldiers to reinforce North Carolina’s National Guard, because they need additional assistance.  These soldiers are out of Fort Liberty here in — right here in North Carolina and are available for responsive operations starting today — starting today. 

They’re going to spend — they’re going to speed up the delivery of lifesaving supplies like food, water, and medicine to isolated communities over what the Pentagon calls “the last tactical mile” — “the last tactical mile.”

Simply put, we’ve got the capabilities to get the job done, and we’re going to get it done as fast as possible.

I’ve also directed the development of Starlink sa- — a deployment of Starlink satellites.  Fifty — fifty are in place right now and more are going to be put in place so people in places like Canton can call for help and reach the ones that love — loved ones who they’re not sure whether anybody on the other end of that phone because there’s no cell service. 

And on top of this, FEMA teams are offering free temporary housing and hotel rooms for eligible residents.  They’re continuing to send helicopters and trucks to deliver hundreds of thousands of meals and liters of water in communities every single day. 

And they’re — and they’re knocking — literally knocking on doors and visiting shelters to register folks so they can receive assistance to buy the urgent needs that they have because they’ve lost everything, like prescriptions and baby formula and essentials.  This is a direct assistance that is being delivered here today, not — not later but today. 

And so — but, folks, it’s going to take — cost us billions of dollars.  It’s going to cost billions of dollars to deal with this storm and all the — all the communities affected.  And Congress has an obligation to ensure the storts — the — the states have the resources they need. 

Let me close with this.  Nobody can deny the impact of climate crisis anymore.  At least I hope they don’t.  They must be brain-dead if they do.  Scientists report that with warming oceans powering more intense rains, storms like Helene are getting stronger and stronger.  Not going to get — they’re not going to get less; they’re going to get stronger.

Today, in North Carolina, I saw the impacts of that fury: massive trees uprooted; homes literally swept off their foundations, swept down rivers; you know, families that are heartbroken. 

But there are also neighbors helping neighbors.  That’s the other thing we were talking about coming over here in a — in an automobile.  It’s amazing when people step up when people are in need, because they’re neighbors.  I think we underestimate that. 

That’s why one of the things I did with all the — all I put in place in terms of everything from the Recovery Act on down is that we have actually invested more funding under my administration in the so-called red states than blue states, because the need was greater; they’re larger states with larger territories. 

Because this — everyone — this is about America.  It’s not about one state or another, Democrat or Republican.  It’s about America. 

Volunteers, first responders are standing side by side, people leaning on each other to pick up the pieces that are left over.  And that’s the best of America. 

I — I firmly believe — and I’m saying this, saying this, saying it for three years — there’s nothing beyond our capacity to do — nothing, nothing, nothing.  This is the United States of America, for God’s sake.  Whenever we work together, we’ve never failed to get something done. 

So, I thank everyone who has been working tirelessly and cold, wet, and hungry to — to get the job done.  And Kamala and I are here until the end. 

And I want to — God bless you all. 

And I’d like to turn it now over to Director Will Ray. 


5:13 P.M. EDT

The post Remarks by President Biden Before an Operational Briefing on the Impacts of Hurricane Helene | Raleigh, NC appeared first on The White House.

Remarks by President Biden Before an Operational Briefing on the Impacts of Hurricane Helene | Raleigh, NC

Whitehouse.gov Feed - Wed, 10/02/2024 - 22:05

5:05 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Gov.  Good afternoon, everyone.

I don’t have to tell this group that Hurricane Helene has been a storm literally of historic proportions.  The damage is still being assessed but — and many people are still unaccounted for. 

So, I’m here to say the United States, the nation has your back.  The nation has your back.  We’re not leaving until you’re back on your feet completely.

You know, we’re in a situation where earlier this morning I met with state and local police in Greenville, South Carolina.  Then I took an aerial tour of western North Carolina to survey the damage.  And I came here in Raleigh to receive a briefing from all of you and — who have been working nonstop to provide the support that you need and the survivors need. 

You know, it goes — my heart goes out to everyone who has experienced the unthinkable loss.  But we’re here for you. 

And I want to thank Republican governor of South Carolina and the Democratic governor of North Carolina and all of the elected officials who’ve focused on the task at hand.  In a moment like this, we put politics aside.  At least we should put it all aside, and we have here.  There are no Democrats or Republicans; there are only Americans.  And our job is to help as many people as we can as quickly as we can and as thoroughly as we can. 

You know, that’s why even before the storm hit, I directed the entire federal government to use every possible resource to help communities across the nation — across the region get ready.  We deployed over 1,000 first responders throughout the Southeast.  I immediately approved emergency declarations as soon as I received the requests from your governors.  And today, I approved the request of Governor Cooper for the federal government to cover 100 percent — 100 percent of all the costs for debris removal, emergency protective measures for six months — all the costs.  (Applause.)

Well, this — this really matters.

There are 70 North Carolinians who are dead and 100 more who are unaccounted for.  And much of Asheville is underwater. 

It was — I’ve flown over an awful lot of storm-damaged areas since I’ve been president.  Matter of fact, most of — many of them forest fires.  And I — we’ve — with — the FEMA director and I have flown over more — more forest that’s been taken down to the ground because of fires and a whole range of other reasons than makes up the entire state of Maryland.  And — and so, I’ve seen a lot.

But we’re looking at Asheville and just imagining what it must have been like sitting along those rivers and streams as all that rain came down.  What, 19 inches of rain?  Something like that.  An incredible amount of rain.  Watching homes — you could see homes that are moved from — clearly from one side of the river, down the river, to another side of the river.

And I can only imagine what it’s like to have been in one of those homes.  And much of Asheville was underwater.  Much of it was underwater.  What a beautiful, beautiful part of the country.  I’ve been to Asheville before.  It’s a magnificent part of Appalachia.  Much of it was underwater.

Communities like Chimney Rock are reduced to piles of wood and debris.  I mean, that’s — you look down, that’s what you see, as we flew over in the — circled in the helicopter. 

And this is going to pay for — this will pay for the urgent work we need to clear landslides, to provide shelters, and supply food and medicine. 

But today, I’m also directing the Department of Defense to move up 1,000 soldiers to reinforce North Carolina’s National Guard, because they need additional assistance.  These soldiers are out of Fort Liberty here in — right here in North Carolina and are available for responsive operations starting today — starting today. 

They’re going to spend — they’re going to speed up the delivery of lifesaving supplies like food, water, and medicine to isolated communities over what the Pentagon calls “the last tactical mile” — “the last tactical mile.”

Simply put, we’ve got the capabilities to get the job done, and we’re going to get it done as fast as possible.

I’ve also directed the development of Starlink sa- — a deployment of Starlink satellites.  Fifty — fifty are in place right now and more are going to be put in place so people in places like Canton can call for help and reach the ones that love — loved ones who they’re not sure whether anybody on the other end of that phone because there’s no cell service. 

And on top of this, FEMA teams are offering free temporary housing and hotel rooms for eligible residents.  They’re continuing to send helicopters and trucks to deliver hundreds of thousands of meals and liters of water in communities every single day. 

And they’re — and they’re knocking — literally knocking on doors and visiting shelters to register folks so they can receive assistance to buy the urgent needs that they have because they’ve lost everything, like prescriptions and baby formula and essentials.  This is a direct assistance that is being delivered here today, not — not later but today. 

And so — but, folks, it’s going to take — cost us billions of dollars.  It’s going to cost billions of dollars to deal with this storm and all the — all the communities affected.  And Congress has an obligation to ensure the storts — the — the states have the resources they need. 

Let me close with this.  Nobody can deny the impact of climate crisis anymore.  At least I hope they don’t.  They must be brain-dead if they do.  Scientists report that with warming oceans powering more intense rains, storms like Helene are getting stronger and stronger.  Not going to get — they’re not going to get less; they’re going to get stronger.

Today, in North Carolina, I saw the impacts of that fury: massive trees uprooted; homes literally swept off their foundations, swept down rivers; you know, families that are heartbroken. 

But there are also neighbors helping neighbors.  That’s the other thing we were talking about coming over here in a — in an automobile.  It’s amazing when people step up when people are in need, because they’re neighbors.  I think we underestimate that. 

That’s why one of the things I did with all the — all I put in place in terms of everything from the Recovery Act on down is that we have actually invested more funding under my administration in the so-called red states than blue states, because the need was greater; they’re larger states with larger territories. 

Because this — everyone — this is about America.  It’s not about one state or another, Democrat or Republican.  It’s about America. 

Volunteers, first responders are standing side by side, people leaning on each other to pick up the pieces that are left over.  And that’s the best of America. 

I — I firmly believe — and I’m saying this, saying this, saying it for three years — there’s nothing beyond our capacity to do — nothing, nothing, nothing.  This is the United States of America, for God’s sake.  Whenever we work together, we’ve never failed to get something done. 

So, I thank everyone who has been working tirelessly and cold, wet, and hungry to — to get the job done.  And Kamala and I are here until the end. 

And I want to — God bless you all. 

And I’d like to turn it now over to Director Will Ray. 


5:13 P.M. EDT

The post Remarks by President Biden Before an Operational Briefing on the Impacts of Hurricane Helene | Raleigh, NC appeared first on The White House.

Remarks by Vice President Harris on Response and Recovery Efforts Following Hurricane Helene | Augusta, GA

Speeches and Remarks - Wed, 10/02/2024 - 21:57

Meadowbrook Neighborhood
Augusta, Georgia

4:35 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, I’m here in Augusta to, first and foremost, thank the federal, state, and local leaders.  Mayor, I want to thank you for your leadership, in particular, on the ground.

I am here to personally take a look at the devastation, which is extraordinary, and it is — and particularly devastating in terms of the loss of life that this community has experienced, the loss of normalcy, and the loss of critical resources. 

And so, I’m here today to — to thank all of those who are working to get folks the support and the relief that they so desperately need and so rightly deserve.  And — and that includes the fact that still, in this community, up to 60 percent of the residents here do not have power.  Many have been without running water for at least a couple of days now.  Many are — have water but no hot water.

I was just talking with one of the members of the community and her daughter who lost her husband.  And — and there is real pain and trauma that has resulted because of this — this hurricane and what has happened in terms of the aftermath of it. 

I do want to acknowledge and thank the first responders, who have been extraordinary.  Having met with them, they are the kind of folks that are the heroes in moments of crisis who do extraordinary work that is about lifting up other people.

As it relates in particular to the leaders who are here and doing that work, including the first responders, most of them, as it relates to the local folks, are folks who have personally and their families have personally experienced loss and devastation.  And yet they leave their home, leave their family to go to centers like where I was earlier to do the work of helping perfect strangers. 

And it really does highlight the nobility of the kind of work that these public servants have dedicated themselves to, which can be, in moments of crisis like this, so selfless in the way that they do that work.

The president and I have been paying close attention from the beginning to what we need to do to make sure the federal resources hit the ground as quickly as possible, and that includes what was necessary to make sure that we provided direct federal assistance.  And that work has been happening. 

I want to thank the governor for his leadership and his close coordination with the federal government, with our administration.  And I want to thank the local leaders for, together, creating a task force-like response, knowing that we are at our best when we work together and coordinate resources, coordinate our communications to the maximum effect for the community that has been impacted.

And the federal relief and assistance that we have been providing has included FEMA providing $750 for folks who need immediate needs being met, such as food, baby formula, and the like.  And you can apply now. 

For anyone who is watching this, who has been affected, there are FEMA personnel who are going door — door to door to interact personally with folks, especially those who do not have electricity.  But also, that — that aid, — if you have electricity, can be applied for online, and I encourage people to do that.  FEMA will just basically verify your address, and then the process should take hold. 

FEMA is also providing tens of thousands more dollars for folks to help them be able to deal with home repair, to be able to cover a deductible when and if they have insurance, and also hotel costs. 

Today, I’m also announcing that the president has approved the governor’s request for 100 percent federal reimbursement of local costs. 

And, Mayor, as you have pointed out, the — the burden to local governments, including state — the state government, is — is pretty immense.  And so, by announcing today and — and making the dedicated resources to cover 100 percent of local costs will have a huge impact on our ability to get relief to people as quickly as possible. 

And that will include, for example, what the federal government will do to reimburse local and state governments around issues like debris removal, which you can see just up and down this street, much less in other areas of the state and in the region, this is a big issue.  I was speaking with one of the residents of the community who needs that big tree removed so she can actually get to work and — and make sure that her child is able to get to school when the schools reopen.  So, this is a very big part of the recovery process. 

That money of the federal reimbursement will also help with emergency services that are now being provided by the state so that they can be reimbursed and then have the resources to keep providing those emergency services. 

Also, we will be covering the local government costs for food, wa- — water, and shelter — again, resources that are desperately needed by the members of this community. 

And so, my final point to the — to the residents of this community and — and the region is that we are here for the long haul.  There is the work that we have done together that was the immediate response — well, preparation for and then the immediate response after.  But there’s a lot of work that’s going to need to happen over the coming days, weeks, and months.  And the coordination that we have dedicated ourselves to will be long-lasting to get families, to get residents, to get neighborhoods back up and running. 

And — and my last point is this.  I think that in these moments of hardship, one of the beauties about who we are as a country is — is people really rally together and show the best of who they are in moments of crisis.  And we have seen that throughout the region where communities are coming together; where — where people are helping perfect strangers; where they are providing food, wa- — water, shelter for their neighbors, and that neighbor may be somebody they’ve never met before but are doing the work of helping each other out. 

And I think it really highlights the fact that the vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us and that the best of — the strength of who we are is we come to each other’s aid in a time of need. 

So, I thank everyone for doing that kind of work every day.

And with that, there is more work to be done.  Thank you all.  Thank you.  Thank you.

Q    Do you have an update on the death toll, Madam Vice President, or on people who are missing?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I — I did receive updates in terms of what’s happening in the state.  And — and so far, the number looks to be 33.  The — the mayor was just sharing with me —

PARTICIPANT:  Seven in Ri- — Augusta-Richmond County alone.  Seven.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Seven alone in August-Richmond County.  So, the numbers are coming in.  And part of the challenge of being accurate at this moment is that there are still so many areas that are remote, also rural areas, areas that are not easily accessible.  So, the assessment of the damage is being done across the board.  And, of course, the — the highest priority is to locate and determine individuals, people who are in need and making sure we’re getting to them as quickly as possible. 

     Thank you. 
    

                             END                4:44 P.M. EDT

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Remarks by Vice President Harris on Response and Recovery Efforts Following Hurricane Helene | Augusta, GA

Whitehouse.gov Feed - Wed, 10/02/2024 - 21:57

Meadowbrook Neighborhood
Augusta, Georgia

4:35 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, I’m here in Augusta to, first and foremost, thank the federal, state, and local leaders.  Mayor, I want to thank you for your leadership, in particular, on the ground.

I am here to personally take a look at the devastation, which is extraordinary, and it is — and particularly devastating in terms of the loss of life that this community has experienced, the loss of normalcy, and the loss of critical resources. 

And so, I’m here today to — to thank all of those who are working to get folks the support and the relief that they so desperately need and so rightly deserve.  And — and that includes the fact that still, in this community, up to 60 percent of the residents here do not have power.  Many have been without running water for at least a couple of days now.  Many are — have water but no hot water.

I was just talking with one of the members of the community and her daughter who lost her husband.  And — and there is real pain and trauma that has resulted because of this — this hurricane and what has happened in terms of the aftermath of it. 

I do want to acknowledge and thank the first responders, who have been extraordinary.  Having met with them, they are the kind of folks that are the heroes in moments of crisis who do extraordinary work that is about lifting up other people.

As it relates in particular to the leaders who are here and doing that work, including the first responders, most of them, as it relates to the local folks, are folks who have personally and their families have personally experienced loss and devastation.  And yet they leave their home, leave their family to go to centers like where I was earlier to do the work of helping perfect strangers. 

And it really does highlight the nobility of the kind of work that these public servants have dedicated themselves to, which can be, in moments of crisis like this, so selfless in the way that they do that work.

The president and I have been paying close attention from the beginning to what we need to do to make sure the federal resources hit the ground as quickly as possible, and that includes what was necessary to make sure that we provided direct federal assistance.  And that work has been happening. 

I want to thank the governor for his leadership and his close coordination with the federal government, with our administration.  And I want to thank the local leaders for, together, creating a task force-like response, knowing that we are at our best when we work together and coordinate resources, coordinate our communications to the maximum effect for the community that has been impacted.

And the federal relief and assistance that we have been providing has included FEMA providing $750 for folks who need immediate needs being met, such as food, baby formula, and the like.  And you can apply now. 

For anyone who is watching this, who has been affected, there are FEMA personnel who are going door — door to door to interact personally with folks, especially those who do not have electricity.  But also, that — that aid, — if you have electricity, can be applied for online, and I encourage people to do that.  FEMA will just basically verify your address, and then the process should take hold. 

FEMA is also providing tens of thousands more dollars for folks to help them be able to deal with home repair, to be able to cover a deductible when and if they have insurance, and also hotel costs. 

Today, I’m also announcing that the president has approved the governor’s request for 100 percent federal reimbursement of local costs. 

And, Mayor, as you have pointed out, the — the burden to local governments, including state — the state government, is — is pretty immense.  And so, by announcing today and — and making the dedicated resources to cover 100 percent of local costs will have a huge impact on our ability to get relief to people as quickly as possible. 

And that will include, for example, what the federal government will do to reimburse local and state governments around issues like debris removal, which you can see just up and down this street, much less in other areas of the state and in the region, this is a big issue.  I was speaking with one of the residents of the community who needs that big tree removed so she can actually get to work and — and make sure that her child is able to get to school when the schools reopen.  So, this is a very big part of the recovery process. 

That money of the federal reimbursement will also help with emergency services that are now being provided by the state so that they can be reimbursed and then have the resources to keep providing those emergency services. 

Also, we will be covering the local government costs for food, wa- — water, and shelter — again, resources that are desperately needed by the members of this community. 

And so, my final point to the — to the residents of this community and — and the region is that we are here for the long haul.  There is the work that we have done together that was the immediate response — well, preparation for and then the immediate response after.  But there’s a lot of work that’s going to need to happen over the coming days, weeks, and months.  And the coordination that we have dedicated ourselves to will be long-lasting to get families, to get residents, to get neighborhoods back up and running. 

And — and my last point is this.  I think that in these moments of hardship, one of the beauties about who we are as a country is — is people really rally together and show the best of who they are in moments of crisis.  And we have seen that throughout the region where communities are coming together; where — where people are helping perfect strangers; where they are providing food, wa- — water, shelter for their neighbors, and that neighbor may be somebody they’ve never met before but are doing the work of helping each other out. 

And I think it really highlights the fact that the vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us and that the best of — the strength of who we are is we come to each other’s aid in a time of need. 

So, I thank everyone for doing that kind of work every day.

And with that, there is more work to be done.  Thank you all.  Thank you.  Thank you.

Q    Do you have an update on the death toll, Madam Vice President, or on people who are missing?

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I — I did receive updates in terms of what’s happening in the state.  And — and so far, the number looks to be 33.  The — the mayor was just sharing with me —

PARTICIPANT:  Seven in Ri- — Augusta-Richmond County alone.  Seven.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Seven alone in August-Richmond County.  So, the numbers are coming in.  And part of the challenge of being accurate at this moment is that there are still so many areas that are remote, also rural areas, areas that are not easily accessible.  So, the assessment of the damage is being done across the board.  And, of course, the — the highest priority is to locate and determine individuals, people who are in need and making sure we’re getting to them as quickly as possible. 

     Thank you. 
    

                             END                4:44 P.M. EDT

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President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Amends North Carolina Disaster Declaration

Presidential Actions - Wed, 10/02/2024 - 18:33

Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. made additional disaster assistance available to the State of North Carolina by authorizing an increase in the level of federal funding for emergency work undertaken in the State of North Carolina as a result of Tropical Storm Helene beginning on September 25, 2024, and continuing.

Under the President’s order today, the Federal funds for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance has been increased to 100 percent of the total eligible costs for 180 days from the start of the incident period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE  FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

###

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President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Amends North Carolina Disaster Declaration

Whitehouse.gov Feed - Wed, 10/02/2024 - 18:33

Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. made additional disaster assistance available to the State of North Carolina by authorizing an increase in the level of federal funding for emergency work undertaken in the State of North Carolina as a result of Tropical Storm Helene beginning on September 25, 2024, and continuing.

Under the President’s order today, the Federal funds for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance has been increased to 100 percent of the total eligible costs for 180 days from the start of the incident period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE  FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

###

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

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Amends Georgia Disaster Declaration

Presidential Actions - Wed, 10/02/2024 - 18:27

Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. made additional disaster assistance available to the State of Georgia by authorizing an increase in the level of Federal funding for emergency work undertaken in the State of Georgia as a result of Hurricane Helene beginning on September 24, 2024, and continuing.

Under the President’s order today, Federal funds for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, has been increased to 100 percent of the total eligible costs for 90 days from the start of the incident period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE  FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

###

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President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Amends Georgia Disaster Declaration

Whitehouse.gov Feed - Wed, 10/02/2024 - 18:27

Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. made additional disaster assistance available to the State of Georgia by authorizing an increase in the level of Federal funding for emergency work undertaken in the State of Georgia as a result of Hurricane Helene beginning on September 24, 2024, and continuing.

Under the President’s order today, Federal funds for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, has been increased to 100 percent of the total eligible costs for 90 days from the start of the incident period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE  FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

###

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President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Amends Florida Disaster Declaration

Presidential Actions - Wed, 10/02/2024 - 18:23

Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. made additional disaster assistance available to the State of Florida by authorizing an increase in the level of Federal funding for emergency work undertaken in the State of Florida as a result of Hurricane Helene beginning on September 23, 2024, and continuing.

Under the President’s order today, Federal funds for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, has been increased to 100 percent of the total eligible costs for 90 days from the start of the incident period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE  FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

###

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

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Amends Florida Disaster Declaration

Whitehouse.gov Feed - Wed, 10/02/2024 - 18:23

Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. made additional disaster assistance available to the State of Florida by authorizing an increase in the level of Federal funding for emergency work undertaken in the State of Florida as a result of Hurricane Helene beginning on September 23, 2024, and continuing.

Under the President’s order today, Federal funds for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, has been increased to 100 percent of the total eligible costs for 90 days from the start of the incident period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE  FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

###

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

Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas En Route Greenville, SC

Press Briefings - Wed, 10/02/2024 - 17:41

1:16 P.M. EDT

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  I just have a couple things at the top, and then I’ll turn it over.

So, we’re headed to South Carolina and North Carolina, where the president will meet with state and local leaders and personally survey the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.

In South Carolina, the president will engage with first responders and state and local officials.

In North Carolina, he will take an aerial tour of areas in western North Carolina that were impacted by the storm.

Today, the president announced that he is directing the Department of Defense to deploy up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers to support the delivery of food to communities impacted by the storm.

And I can announce that tomorrow, the president will visit impacted communities in Florida and Georgia.

In North Carolina and South Carolina and across the affected areas, the Biden-Harris administration has remained focused on using every tool available to help people and their communities begin their road to recovery and rebuilding.

In fact, President Biden recently approved an additional major disaster declaration for Virginia, unlocking more resources to provide survivors with direct disaster assistance.

To date, more than $10 million has been provided directly to those affected by Hurricane Helene.

As the president said yesterday, we will be there until the work is done.

And now I’m going to turn it over to the Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas, who is going to speak to the federal response — update on federal response.

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  Good afternoon. 

So, the — the president has expressed his need as a commander in chief to see firsthand the impacts on the ground.

This is not the first trip that I’ve taken with the president for that purpose.  We were in Mayfield, Kentucky, together.  He has said there is no substitute for interacting with the individuals, with the victims of these extreme weather events, and that is why he’s taking this trip.

He has directed me and every member of the Cabinet to devote the full force of our personnel and our resources to the assistance of the victims of Hurricane Helene, which is really of historic strength.

I can provide you with some data, if you would find — find that helpful.  Unfortunately, I forgot my glasses.  But I will say that — remember something about the data: It changes every hour because we are continuing to pour resources in every hour.  But what the data will do is give you a — a good understanding of the magnitude of the federal response.  It’s really quite breathtaking.

So, more than 4,800 personnel from across the federal workforce are deployed, more than 1,000 of whom are from FEMA.  We have shipped over 8.8 million meals, more than 7.4 million — million liters of water, 150 generators, and more than 225,000 tarps to the region.

As of today, search and rescue teams have conducted nearly 1,500 structural evaluations and hundreds of rescues and evacuations.  And additionally, of course, federal search and rescue teams are deployed.

The — the status of the federal response is dependent on the conditions on the ground.  So, in certain areas that are remote, mountainous, and that have been hit hard, we’re still in search and rescue.  In others, we are already in response and recovery mode.  It varies according to the — the demographics of the — and topography.

Voluntary organizations, World Central Kitchen is deployed — are supporting mass feeding operations with bulk food and water deliveries coming via truck and aircraft delivery.  Some of these areas are remote.  We are doing airdrops and the like.  We’re getting assistance from the Department of Defense and other resources.  The Salvation Army is deployed.  The National Guard is deployed.  I think — I think it’s almost 6,000 members of the National Guard are deployed across the six states.  And our FEMA administrator, Deanne Criswell, is on the ground. 

I think that gives you a good sense of the magnitude of the operation. 

You should know that in — in the six impacted states, we had declared emergency — emergencies — emergency declaration prior to Helene hitting.  We had pre-positioned assets.  And, as Karine mentioned, the president, upon request of the particular states — I think it’s five now; I’ll — I can confirm that — has declared major disaster declarations. 

Q    Is there — what are you doing speci- — you mentioned sending water, but what are you doing as far as getting the drinking water back online in — in places like the president is seeing?

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  For that, I would turn to Michael Regan, the EPA administrator.  I — I think, in South Carolina, he mentioned there are two systems that are not fully operational, but that’s South Carolina specific.  But I — I would have to defer to — to Michael Regan.

Q    Talk to us a little about how confident you’re feeling in the amount of funding right now.  The president mentioned that he needs — was thinking about bringing Congress back to pass more funding.  Is that something you think might still need to happen?

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  We — we are meeting the immediate needs with the money that we have.  We are expecting another hurricane hitting.  We do not have the funds.  FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the season and what — what is imminent.

Q    So, does the president want lawmakers to return to Washington?

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  I would defer to the — to the president for — for the timing of that.  But we have, of course, made a significant request of Congress with respect to stable funding for the Federal Emergency Management Administration, which should not be a political issue.  This is something that Americans need desperately.

Q    (Inaudible.)

Q    Can you talk a little bit about — I’m sorry — how the rol- — like, how the role of climate change comes into the request for more funding — you know, the — the sort of revamping of the entire FEMA operation to begin with?

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  This is — let’s — let’s speak factually.  The severity and frequency of extreme weather events have only increased.  It is an impact of climate change.

When — I — I mentioned Mayfield, Kentucky, a small town that was absolutely decimated by a tornado of unprecedented strength and length.  And we — I remember one of the factories in that small community, people had gone into a safe room that was built precisely for extreme weather, and that safe room was decimated because the building codes of yesterday are not equipped for the extreme weather events of today and tomorrow.

Q    The president spoke to us on the tarmac about how the dockworkers strike is playing into this.  D- — could you give us a sense, one, if the — the strike is slowing down the response at all, and whether the companies involved are at all profiting off of the misery that’s taking place on the ground?

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  I cannot answer the — the second question.  I am not that attuned to the dynamics of the strike.  I’ll leave that to the experts who- — whose portfolio covers that.

But I will tell you that we are not short of supplies right now with respect to the delivery of goods to the people in need.  Are — we are — we are not seeing adverse impacts from that strike with respect to our response to Hurricane Helene.

Q    The president has a very active travel schedule over the next couple of days, with North Carolina and then Florida and Georgia as well.  Is there any sense that he’s kind of playing catch-up after the initial criticism over the weekend and the fact that Donald Trump got down to Georgia on Monday?

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  Oh, absolutely not.  What — what I said yesterday and I’ll repeat — this is a very, very important point: The president is focused on being there for people without disrupting the emergency operations.  What he does not want to do is in any way impair or impede the rescue that we are providing. 

And so, he’s been in close touch with local and state officials to determine when is the right time to visit so that the visit is productive and not counterproductive.  And he has responded accordingly, according to the guidance that he’s received, and that’s why he’s traveling today and tomorrow.

Q    And is there any update on the estimate of how much this is going to cost the federal government and how much you would be seeking from Congress for help?

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  So, as I mentioned, we have the immediate needs right now.  On a continuing resolution, we have funds, but that is not a stable source of supply, if you will.

This is a multibillion-dollar, multiyear recovery.  The magnitude of it —

Q    Did you say million or billion?

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  Billion.

Q    Okay.

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  Multibillion-dollar undertaking and a multiyear undertaking.  We have — we have towns that have disappeared, literally. 

Q    Can you — either one of you just tell us a little bit about what — what the president is going to see?  I know we said western North Carolina, but will we fly over Asheville?  What — where are we headed?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, we’re definitely, as I stated, western — doing an aerial tour of western North Carolina.  He’ll be able to see a little bit of Asheville.  We’ll certainly have more for you when we get on the ground. 

But, look, I think this is really important.  And I — and to, I think, your question, Danny — the reason why we are on top of this, as the president has been throughout his three and a half years and taking this very seriously — when — when the secretary started talking to you all, he talked about being commander in chief — the president takes this very, very seriously.

And we pre-positioned.  We — you — you heard the administrator from FEMA.  She came to the briefing room on Thursday, hours before the hurricane actually hit, because we wanted to send a message to Americans, to folks who were in the region to please listen to law enforcement, but also lay out there were 1,500 personnel on the ground — FEMA personnel on the ground being ready to really take this on. 

And so, as the secretary said, the president is going down today.  He’s going to be in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia and Florida, as I said.  But he — we also did it at the direction of the folks on the ground. 

So, yes, there may be other leaders who decided to go a couple days ago, but we actually did it a way that we know that we were not taking away resources from emergency operations.  And I think that’s what’s important here. 

And you’ve seen that be- — the — the secretary talked about Kentucky.  There’s been other — we’ve been to Florida a couple times — right? — with what we have seen over the past couple of years with — with natural disasters. 

And so, this is a president that is going to take this seriously.  He’s going to see for himself and thank, obviously, the — the emergency workers on the ground.  And so, this is — this is what we do as president.  This is what we do.  This is what he does, and our secretary.

Q    Just on the funding.  You know, we have two months left in hurricane season.  Can you just characterize a little bit — if you don’t get more funding, how much trouble are we in if another big storm hits?  Does that translate —

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  Well —

Q    — into lives lost?

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  Well, there — there are a couple things.  It’s very important to note that even though we’re on a continuing resolution, we — we do — can obtain spend-fast funds so that we can dip into funds that are slated for the duration of the year to meet immediate needs.  So, we — we are meeting the moment. 

But that doesn’t speak about the future and the fact, as I mentioned earlier, that these extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and severity, and we have to be funded for the sake of the American people.  This is not a political issue. 

Q    Karine, how is the president continuing to get updates about the Middle East while he’s traveling today?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, let’s —

Q    Let me —

Q    Sorry.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Let’s let — so we —


Q    One more —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  — because he has to go back to be with the president.

Q    (Inaudible) about the fuel shortages that is being done right now? 

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  I’m sorry?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  The fuel shortages.

Q    Fuel shortages.

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  Of — that people are suffering.  So, we — look, there are — there are different types of challenges that people victimized by this historic hurricane are — are suffering: fuel, potable water in certain areas, power, communications.  And we are meeting each of those challenges with the full force of the federal government as well as our state and local partners. 

So, if you take a look at power, at the — at the height of this hurricane, 5.1 million people were without power.  We have delivered power — when I say “we,” the collective “we” — the public-private partnership — to 3.6 or 3.8 million of those individuals.  And so — and we are continuing to pour resources and efforts in. 

Q    Do you think North Carolina was properly prepared for the impact of the flooding?

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  They were prepared, but they were as prepared — and this is something we have to take stock of when we speak of preparation.  Preparation doesn’t necessarily mean preventing suffering when you are speaking of extreme weather events of historic magnitude.  You have people in rural areas, difficult-to-access areas, and when — when a force of this strength pours through, it’s going to have a calamitous impact. 

And the — the question is: Have they done everything that they can?  Have they followed the instructions of local officials?  And that is what is key. 

And I should say it is very important, if you don’t mind, to — to communicate the means of accessing relief.  People have an 800 number to call.  That’s 800-621-FEMA.  They can access relief at DisasterAssistance.gov, or they can use the FEMA app.

And for those people who do not have communications, we are actually going to them.  We are in shelters.  We are going door to door as we increase access to remote areas.

Q    Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

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

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  Thank you, Karine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Thank you.  Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

Q    Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  So, to answer your question — I do want to hit one more thing.  But to answer your question, as you know, yesterday, the president was being regularly updated on what was happening in the Middle East.  He’s going to continue to do that.  We always say: The president is president wherever he is.  And so, that’s going to continue. 

He spent, as you — also, speaking of yesterday, he spent hours in the Situation Room.  And so, this is something he is monitoring very, very closely, and he will certainly be able to do that on this trip. 

Just a couple of things — because I do want to it- — reiterate something that he’s talked about — at the top.

Look, the president is calling on USMX and the owners of these foreign carrier- — carriers it represents to come to the table and put forward a fair offer to the longshoremen now.

This should be easy for them to resolve.  We’re recovering from a hurricane, and they need to do so as soon as possible.  They’ve made hundreds of billions in record profits since the pandemic — profits up as much as 800 percent.  These workers kept our ports open during the pandemic.  Their work is essential as communities recover from the hurricane — from Hurricane Helene.  Now is the time for these foreign carrier owners to negotiate a fair contract. 

So, we just want to make that really clear.

Go ahead.

Q    Are there — are there any plans at the moment for the president to speak with Netanyahu directly?


MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  He — he talked about this.  We don’t have anything to read out to you.  But he also said — the president said this, and Jake Sullivan said this at the podium — they have been in regular communication with — with our — with Jake’s Isra- — Israeli counterparts throughout the last couple of days — almost daily, obviously — since almost a year now.

And so, that will continue.  And when we have a call to — to speak to or to announce, we certainly will do that.  Don’t have —

(Cross-talk.)

Q    Clarification on —

Q    Oh, sorry.  (Inaudible.)

Q    It’s okay.  Don’t worry.  The — a clarification, though, on Iran.  So, the president was saying that he was expecting sanctions.  I wondered if — if there was discussion about how Israel should respond to Iran, particularly given, you know, the — the type of the — the missile strike and the fact that they’re — they’re saying they’re done now with it.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So — so, two things there.  Look, as it relates to any response from Israel, we’re having conversations with them.  We’re having discussions.  I’m not going to prejudge.  I’m not going to get ahead of that.  And as the president st- — stated, that he did have a conversation — he joined a call with the G7, and they discussed Iran’s unacceptable attack against Israel and to coordinate on a response to that — to this attack, including new sanctions, as you just mentioned, Colleen.

President Biden and the G7 unequivocally condemned Iran’s attack against Israel.  President Biden expressed the United States’ full solidarity and support to Israel and its people and reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s security.

There is going to be a joint statement, as the president mentioned.  I don’t want to get ahead of that.  And certainly, you’ll have all that information.

Q    Karine, what new sanctions?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Not — I said I’m not going to get ahead of that.

Q    Are —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m going to let — I’m going to let the joint statement —

Q    And are you —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  — from — from the G7 —

Q    Are you counseling restraint in those conversations with Israel?  Are you saying —


MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m — I’m not —

Q    — “Whatever you do” —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  We’re — we’re having discussions. Certainly not going to prejudge.  I’m not going to get ahead of it.  But we are having discussions with re- —

Q    What’s your advice though?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m not going to share th- — I’m not going to be doing that out on — on Air Force One.  We’re going to have those discussions — those private discussions.  And not going to get ahead of those discussions or prejudging.

Q    And is Israel’s limited — so-called limited incursion into Lebanon delivering the results that they wanted?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  You would have to speak to — you would have to speak to Israel directly and IDF.

Q    What’s your judgment?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  You’d have to speak to them directly, because it is their — it is their operation.


Q    Does the president think Tim Walz won the debate?  (Laughter.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, what I can say is the president watched — caught some of the debate.  And, as you know — and I’m going to be really mindful, because it’s a debate, 2024.  As you know, been covering and focusing on this trip.  During this trip, he’s been focused on this.  Obviously, this was a historic hurricane that hit this region, but he and — he and the vice president and the entire team are working hard to the response to — to Helene.  And so, he — he was able to — he was able to — to manage to catch some of it.  But I haven’t spoken to him in detail about it.

Q    I think the president said on the tarmac that he had not directly spoken to the dock strikers or any of the companies.  Is that going to change?


MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I don’t have anything to preview at this time, but this president basically answered the question pretty directly.  I don’t have anything else to share.

All right, guys.  Okay.  All right.

Q    Thanks, Karine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Thanks, everybody.

Q    Appreciate it.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  See you on the ground.

Okay.  Be careful.  It’s very, very bumpy.

1:36 P.M. EDT

The post Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas En Route Greenville, SC appeared first on The White House.

Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas En Route Greenville, SC

Whitehouse.gov Feed - Wed, 10/02/2024 - 17:41

1:16 P.M. EDT

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  I just have a couple things at the top, and then I’ll turn it over.

So, we’re headed to South Carolina and North Carolina, where the president will meet with state and local leaders and personally survey the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.

In South Carolina, the president will engage with first responders and state and local officials.

In North Carolina, he will take an aerial tour of areas in western North Carolina that were impacted by the storm.

Today, the president announced that he is directing the Department of Defense to deploy up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers to support the delivery of food to communities impacted by the storm.

And I can announce that tomorrow, the president will visit impacted communities in Florida and Georgia.

In North Carolina and South Carolina and across the affected areas, the Biden-Harris administration has remained focused on using every tool available to help people and their communities begin their road to recovery and rebuilding.

In fact, President Biden recently approved an additional major disaster declaration for Virginia, unlocking more resources to provide survivors with direct disaster assistance.

To date, more than $10 million has been provided directly to those affected by Hurricane Helene.

As the president said yesterday, we will be there until the work is done.

And now I’m going to turn it over to the Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas, who is going to speak to the federal response — update on federal response.

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  Good afternoon. 

So, the — the president has expressed his need as a commander in chief to see firsthand the impacts on the ground.

This is not the first trip that I’ve taken with the president for that purpose.  We were in Mayfield, Kentucky, together.  He has said there is no substitute for interacting with the individuals, with the victims of these extreme weather events, and that is why he’s taking this trip.

He has directed me and every member of the Cabinet to devote the full force of our personnel and our resources to the assistance of the victims of Hurricane Helene, which is really of historic strength.

I can provide you with some data, if you would find — find that helpful.  Unfortunately, I forgot my glasses.  But I will say that — remember something about the data: It changes every hour because we are continuing to pour resources in every hour.  But what the data will do is give you a — a good understanding of the magnitude of the federal response.  It’s really quite breathtaking.

So, more than 4,800 personnel from across the federal workforce are deployed, more than 1,000 of whom are from FEMA.  We have shipped over 8.8 million meals, more than 7.4 million — million liters of water, 150 generators, and more than 225,000 tarps to the region.

As of today, search and rescue teams have conducted nearly 1,500 structural evaluations and hundreds of rescues and evacuations.  And additionally, of course, federal search and rescue teams are deployed.

The — the status of the federal response is dependent on the conditions on the ground.  So, in certain areas that are remote, mountainous, and that have been hit hard, we’re still in search and rescue.  In others, we are already in response and recovery mode.  It varies according to the — the demographics of the — and topography.

Voluntary organizations, World Central Kitchen is deployed — are supporting mass feeding operations with bulk food and water deliveries coming via truck and aircraft delivery.  Some of these areas are remote.  We are doing airdrops and the like.  We’re getting assistance from the Department of Defense and other resources.  The Salvation Army is deployed.  The National Guard is deployed.  I think — I think it’s almost 6,000 members of the National Guard are deployed across the six states.  And our FEMA administrator, Deanne Criswell, is on the ground. 

I think that gives you a good sense of the magnitude of the operation. 

You should know that in — in the six impacted states, we had declared emergency — emergencies — emergency declaration prior to Helene hitting.  We had pre-positioned assets.  And, as Karine mentioned, the president, upon request of the particular states — I think it’s five now; I’ll — I can confirm that — has declared major disaster declarations. 

Q    Is there — what are you doing speci- — you mentioned sending water, but what are you doing as far as getting the drinking water back online in — in places like the president is seeing?

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  For that, I would turn to Michael Regan, the EPA administrator.  I — I think, in South Carolina, he mentioned there are two systems that are not fully operational, but that’s South Carolina specific.  But I — I would have to defer to — to Michael Regan.

Q    Talk to us a little about how confident you’re feeling in the amount of funding right now.  The president mentioned that he needs — was thinking about bringing Congress back to pass more funding.  Is that something you think might still need to happen?

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  We — we are meeting the immediate needs with the money that we have.  We are expecting another hurricane hitting.  We do not have the funds.  FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the season and what — what is imminent.

Q    So, does the president want lawmakers to return to Washington?

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  I would defer to the — to the president for — for the timing of that.  But we have, of course, made a significant request of Congress with respect to stable funding for the Federal Emergency Management Administration, which should not be a political issue.  This is something that Americans need desperately.

Q    (Inaudible.)

Q    Can you talk a little bit about — I’m sorry — how the rol- — like, how the role of climate change comes into the request for more funding — you know, the — the sort of revamping of the entire FEMA operation to begin with?

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  This is — let’s — let’s speak factually.  The severity and frequency of extreme weather events have only increased.  It is an impact of climate change.

When — I — I mentioned Mayfield, Kentucky, a small town that was absolutely decimated by a tornado of unprecedented strength and length.  And we — I remember one of the factories in that small community, people had gone into a safe room that was built precisely for extreme weather, and that safe room was decimated because the building codes of yesterday are not equipped for the extreme weather events of today and tomorrow.

Q    The president spoke to us on the tarmac about how the dockworkers strike is playing into this.  D- — could you give us a sense, one, if the — the strike is slowing down the response at all, and whether the companies involved are at all profiting off of the misery that’s taking place on the ground?

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  I cannot answer the — the second question.  I am not that attuned to the dynamics of the strike.  I’ll leave that to the experts who- — whose portfolio covers that.

But I will tell you that we are not short of supplies right now with respect to the delivery of goods to the people in need.  Are — we are — we are not seeing adverse impacts from that strike with respect to our response to Hurricane Helene.

Q    The president has a very active travel schedule over the next couple of days, with North Carolina and then Florida and Georgia as well.  Is there any sense that he’s kind of playing catch-up after the initial criticism over the weekend and the fact that Donald Trump got down to Georgia on Monday?

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  Oh, absolutely not.  What — what I said yesterday and I’ll repeat — this is a very, very important point: The president is focused on being there for people without disrupting the emergency operations.  What he does not want to do is in any way impair or impede the rescue that we are providing. 

And so, he’s been in close touch with local and state officials to determine when is the right time to visit so that the visit is productive and not counterproductive.  And he has responded accordingly, according to the guidance that he’s received, and that’s why he’s traveling today and tomorrow.

Q    And is there any update on the estimate of how much this is going to cost the federal government and how much you would be seeking from Congress for help?

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  So, as I mentioned, we have the immediate needs right now.  On a continuing resolution, we have funds, but that is not a stable source of supply, if you will.

This is a multibillion-dollar, multiyear recovery.  The magnitude of it —

Q    Did you say million or billion?

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  Billion.

Q    Okay.

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  Multibillion-dollar undertaking and a multiyear undertaking.  We have — we have towns that have disappeared, literally. 

Q    Can you — either one of you just tell us a little bit about what — what the president is going to see?  I know we said western North Carolina, but will we fly over Asheville?  What — where are we headed?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, we’re definitely, as I stated, western — doing an aerial tour of western North Carolina.  He’ll be able to see a little bit of Asheville.  We’ll certainly have more for you when we get on the ground. 

But, look, I think this is really important.  And I — and to, I think, your question, Danny — the reason why we are on top of this, as the president has been throughout his three and a half years and taking this very seriously — when — when the secretary started talking to you all, he talked about being commander in chief — the president takes this very, very seriously.

And we pre-positioned.  We — you — you heard the administrator from FEMA.  She came to the briefing room on Thursday, hours before the hurricane actually hit, because we wanted to send a message to Americans, to folks who were in the region to please listen to law enforcement, but also lay out there were 1,500 personnel on the ground — FEMA personnel on the ground being ready to really take this on. 

And so, as the secretary said, the president is going down today.  He’s going to be in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia and Florida, as I said.  But he — we also did it at the direction of the folks on the ground. 

So, yes, there may be other leaders who decided to go a couple days ago, but we actually did it a way that we know that we were not taking away resources from emergency operations.  And I think that’s what’s important here. 

And you’ve seen that be- — the — the secretary talked about Kentucky.  There’s been other — we’ve been to Florida a couple times — right? — with what we have seen over the past couple of years with — with natural disasters. 

And so, this is a president that is going to take this seriously.  He’s going to see for himself and thank, obviously, the — the emergency workers on the ground.  And so, this is — this is what we do as president.  This is what we do.  This is what he does, and our secretary.

Q    Just on the funding.  You know, we have two months left in hurricane season.  Can you just characterize a little bit — if you don’t get more funding, how much trouble are we in if another big storm hits?  Does that translate —

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  Well —

Q    — into lives lost?

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  Well, there — there are a couple things.  It’s very important to note that even though we’re on a continuing resolution, we — we do — can obtain spend-fast funds so that we can dip into funds that are slated for the duration of the year to meet immediate needs.  So, we — we are meeting the moment. 

But that doesn’t speak about the future and the fact, as I mentioned earlier, that these extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and severity, and we have to be funded for the sake of the American people.  This is not a political issue. 

Q    Karine, how is the president continuing to get updates about the Middle East while he’s traveling today?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, let’s —

Q    Let me —

Q    Sorry.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Let’s let — so we —


Q    One more —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  — because he has to go back to be with the president.

Q    (Inaudible) about the fuel shortages that is being done right now? 

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  I’m sorry?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  The fuel shortages.

Q    Fuel shortages.

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  Of — that people are suffering.  So, we — look, there are — there are different types of challenges that people victimized by this historic hurricane are — are suffering: fuel, potable water in certain areas, power, communications.  And we are meeting each of those challenges with the full force of the federal government as well as our state and local partners. 

So, if you take a look at power, at the — at the height of this hurricane, 5.1 million people were without power.  We have delivered power — when I say “we,” the collective “we” — the public-private partnership — to 3.6 or 3.8 million of those individuals.  And so — and we are continuing to pour resources and efforts in. 

Q    Do you think North Carolina was properly prepared for the impact of the flooding?

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  They were prepared, but they were as prepared — and this is something we have to take stock of when we speak of preparation.  Preparation doesn’t necessarily mean preventing suffering when you are speaking of extreme weather events of historic magnitude.  You have people in rural areas, difficult-to-access areas, and when — when a force of this strength pours through, it’s going to have a calamitous impact. 

And the — the question is: Have they done everything that they can?  Have they followed the instructions of local officials?  And that is what is key. 

And I should say it is very important, if you don’t mind, to — to communicate the means of accessing relief.  People have an 800 number to call.  That’s 800-621-FEMA.  They can access relief at DisasterAssistance.gov, or they can use the FEMA app.

And for those people who do not have communications, we are actually going to them.  We are in shelters.  We are going door to door as we increase access to remote areas.

Q    Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

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

SECRETARY MAYORKAS:  Thank you, Karine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Thank you.  Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

Q    Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  So, to answer your question — I do want to hit one more thing.  But to answer your question, as you know, yesterday, the president was being regularly updated on what was happening in the Middle East.  He’s going to continue to do that.  We always say: The president is president wherever he is.  And so, that’s going to continue. 

He spent, as you — also, speaking of yesterday, he spent hours in the Situation Room.  And so, this is something he is monitoring very, very closely, and he will certainly be able to do that on this trip. 

Just a couple of things — because I do want to it- — reiterate something that he’s talked about — at the top.

Look, the president is calling on USMX and the owners of these foreign carrier- — carriers it represents to come to the table and put forward a fair offer to the longshoremen now.

This should be easy for them to resolve.  We’re recovering from a hurricane, and they need to do so as soon as possible.  They’ve made hundreds of billions in record profits since the pandemic — profits up as much as 800 percent.  These workers kept our ports open during the pandemic.  Their work is essential as communities recover from the hurricane — from Hurricane Helene.  Now is the time for these foreign carrier owners to negotiate a fair contract. 

So, we just want to make that really clear.

Go ahead.

Q    Are there — are there any plans at the moment for the president to speak with Netanyahu directly?


MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  He — he talked about this.  We don’t have anything to read out to you.  But he also said — the president said this, and Jake Sullivan said this at the podium — they have been in regular communication with — with our — with Jake’s Isra- — Israeli counterparts throughout the last couple of days — almost daily, obviously — since almost a year now.

And so, that will continue.  And when we have a call to — to speak to or to announce, we certainly will do that.  Don’t have —

(Cross-talk.)

Q    Clarification on —

Q    Oh, sorry.  (Inaudible.)

Q    It’s okay.  Don’t worry.  The — a clarification, though, on Iran.  So, the president was saying that he was expecting sanctions.  I wondered if — if there was discussion about how Israel should respond to Iran, particularly given, you know, the — the type of the — the missile strike and the fact that they’re — they’re saying they’re done now with it.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So — so, two things there.  Look, as it relates to any response from Israel, we’re having conversations with them.  We’re having discussions.  I’m not going to prejudge.  I’m not going to get ahead of that.  And as the president st- — stated, that he did have a conversation — he joined a call with the G7, and they discussed Iran’s unacceptable attack against Israel and to coordinate on a response to that — to this attack, including new sanctions, as you just mentioned, Colleen.

President Biden and the G7 unequivocally condemned Iran’s attack against Israel.  President Biden expressed the United States’ full solidarity and support to Israel and its people and reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s security.

There is going to be a joint statement, as the president mentioned.  I don’t want to get ahead of that.  And certainly, you’ll have all that information.

Q    Karine, what new sanctions?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Not — I said I’m not going to get ahead of that.

Q    Are —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m going to let — I’m going to let the joint statement —

Q    And are you —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  — from — from the G7 —

Q    Are you counseling restraint in those conversations with Israel?  Are you saying —


MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m — I’m not —

Q    — “Whatever you do” —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  We’re — we’re having discussions. Certainly not going to prejudge.  I’m not going to get ahead of it.  But we are having discussions with re- —

Q    What’s your advice though?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m not going to share th- — I’m not going to be doing that out on — on Air Force One.  We’re going to have those discussions — those private discussions.  And not going to get ahead of those discussions or prejudging.

Q    And is Israel’s limited — so-called limited incursion into Lebanon delivering the results that they wanted?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  You would have to speak to — you would have to speak to Israel directly and IDF.

Q    What’s your judgment?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  You’d have to speak to them directly, because it is their — it is their operation.


Q    Does the president think Tim Walz won the debate?  (Laughter.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, what I can say is the president watched — caught some of the debate.  And, as you know — and I’m going to be really mindful, because it’s a debate, 2024.  As you know, been covering and focusing on this trip.  During this trip, he’s been focused on this.  Obviously, this was a historic hurricane that hit this region, but he and — he and the vice president and the entire team are working hard to the response to — to Helene.  And so, he — he was able to — he was able to — to manage to catch some of it.  But I haven’t spoken to him in detail about it.

Q    I think the president said on the tarmac that he had not directly spoken to the dock strikers or any of the companies.  Is that going to change?


MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I don’t have anything to preview at this time, but this president basically answered the question pretty directly.  I don’t have anything else to share.

All right, guys.  Okay.  All right.

Q    Thanks, Karine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Thanks, everybody.

Q    Appreciate it.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  See you on the ground.

Okay.  Be careful.  It’s very, very bumpy.

1:36 P.M. EDT

The post Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas En Route Greenville, SC appeared first on The White House.

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