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The Biden-Harris Administration launched a new era in public-private partnerships, forging innovative, high-impact, and multisector partnerships to advance U.S. foreign policy and national security.

In one of his earliest national security memoranda, President Biden acknowledged that “government alone cannot solve the complex challenges the United States faces at home and abroad.  In addition to restoring bilateral and multilateral alliances, the United States must bring to bear the ideas, perspectives, and contributions of a diverse array of sub-national and non-governmental partners…”

In that spirit, the Biden-Harris Administration made unprecedented use of public-private partnerships to advance key interests on every continent and nearly every major issue.  Public-private partnerships have been a feature of nearly every major White House initiative.  These partnerships have helped us effectively engage in strategic competition – economic, military, ideological, and competition to shape the future of the international order – fostering global cooperation around shared threats and challenges, like climate change, pandemic prevention, and countering transnational criminal activity.

Beyond launching high-impact partnerships, the Biden-Harris Administration also made generational strides in building partnership capacity and fostering a partnership culture across the federal government.  This Administration spurred the creation of formal partnership offices in several federal agencies and the maturation of over a dozen more.  Public-private partnership is, for the first time, a tool that nearly all national security agencies are resourced and empowered to use. 

The Biden-Harris Administration’s expansive scope and scale of public-private partnerships has allowed us to be better positioned to outmaneuver our geopolitical competitors, while leading global efforts to tackle shared challenges.  This approach has and will continue to pay off for the American people. 

BY THE NUMBERS

• Leveraging Private Funding: Since FY 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration has leveraged or received commitments of more than $97 billion from private sector, philanthropy, and civil society partners.

• Launching New Partnerships: The Biden-Harris Administration established more than 1,400+ new partnerships programs, engaging more than 4,400+ distinct partners across private sector, philanthropy, and civil society. 

• Global Reach: Public-private partnerships with federal agencies are operating in communities across more than 130 countries.

FEATURED PARTNERSHIP AREAS

• Catalyzing High-Quality Infrastructure Investment: The Biden-Harris Administration has led the G7 to invest in low- and middle-income countries through the flagship initiative Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI).  Over the last three years, the United States alone has mobilized more than $80 billion towards PGI investments through federal financing, grants, and leveraged private sector contributions, including investments focused on the partner economies of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), and across sub-Saharan Africa.  This includes the development of food production and energy infrastructure in the Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor, the first open-access transcontinental rail network in Africa, and the Luzon Economic Corridor in the Philippines. 

• Driving Regional Entrepreneurship and Investment: The United States has led efforts to create diversified and resilient regional supply lines, as well as efforts to train an inclusive and diverse cohort of entrepreneurs.  The investor network component of the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP) is promoting a robust and inclusive entrepreneurial landscape in the Western Hemisphere by bridging investment gaps and connecting Latin American and Caribbean entrepreneurs with strategic investors, mentors, and resources, already having pledged $1.7 billion and deployed over $92 million.  The Biden-Harris Administration also partnered with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which is conducting competitiveness studies of APEP countries that will facilitate the establishment of integrated regional value chains in three critical areas: medical supplies, semiconductors, and critical minerals. 

• Global COVID Response: During the first and second Global COVID Summits, President Biden announced more than $2 billion in private and philanthropic sector commitments to support the global COVID response through vaccination efforts, concessionary pricing of therapeutics, vaccine awareness campaigns, and health worker support initiative.  Project Last Mile is continuing this work.

• Tackling the Climate Crisis: The Biden-Harris Administration has supplemented the investments of the Inflation Reduction Act with international partnerships to combat the climate crisis.  At COP26, President Biden released the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE) to help more than half a billion people in developing countries adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change.  The plan includes partnerships between private sector and the DFC to invest in climate resilience.  Since November 2022, 40 companies and partners have made voluntary commitments to build climate resilience around the world and these efforts will mobilize more than $3 billion in additional support to help people better manage the impacts of climate change.  

Promoting Rights and Opportunities for Women and Girls: The Biden-Harris Administration advanced gender equality globally, launching initiatives to increase women’s economic security, address gender-based violence, promote women’s participation in peace and security processes, and advance women’s leadership and human rights.  The Administration mobilized over $2 billion in private resources to close gender gaps online through the Women in the Digital Economy initiative and in green and blue sectors through the Women in the Sustainable Economy initiative.

• Building Regional Disaster Resilience: In addition to tackling the climate crises abroad, the Biden-Harris Administration is implementing strategies to ensure that states, counties, tribal lands, and U.S. territories are better prepared before natural disasters occur here at home.  FEMA alone has over 3,000 local partners across the United States and abroad in its work to prepare for, respond, recover from disasters.  This includes partnerships that provide investments in training for caregivers to plan for patient needs during a disaster; the launching of Community Disaster Resilience Zones (CDRZ) to help state and local authorities identify the most at risk and in-need communities to prioritize public and private resources; and increasing regional capacity for response and recovery activities during declared emergencies or disasters, through the Mission Ready Venues partnership.  This partnership with the National Football League authorizes large sports venues to serve as emergency shelters, staging areas, commodity distribution sites, evacuation pick up points, disaster recovery centers, mass vaccination and testing, temporary hospitals, and more. 

• Addressing Food Insecurity: Fostering public-private partnerships has been a critical tool of the Biden-Harris Administration in combatting global food insecurity and ensuring inclusive economic growth.  Feed the Future, the U.S. government’s flagship global hunger and food security initiative, has leveraged more than $6 billion in private sector commitments, mitigating the hunger crises for millions of people around the world.  Funding support to agribusiness entrepreneurs through the U.S.-African Union Strategic Partnership helps to diversify food supply markets.  Other efforts, like PGI, have helped mobilize over $1 billion in U.S. investments to spur inclusive economic growth, fund reliable roads, digital agriculture financing, food processing facilities, and irrigation projects in developing partner countries. 

• Providing a Beacon of Hope for Refugees and Welcoming Our Afghan Allies: The Biden-Harris Administration has rebuilt partnerships with refugee resettlement agencies, civil society, the private sector, faith communities, and veterans to continue the long tradition of the United States as a leader in refugee resettlement.  In FY 2024, this public-private partnership welcomed more than 100,000 refugees from around the world, the most in a single year in three decades.  The Administration has also partnered to welcome more Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders than all other administrations combined.  Building from whole-of-society efforts to welcome Afghan newcomers, the Administration created the Welcome Corps to enable ordinary Americans to sponsor refugees and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders into their communities.  The Department of State also formed a unique partnership with the #AfghanEvac Coalition to support the resettlement of our Afghan allies.

• Managing Regional Migration: Under the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, the Biden-Harris Administration has brought together 22 hemispheric partners behind a shared approach to advance safe, humane, and orderly migration.  Public-private partnerships have been critical to implementing the LA Declaration, which has helped leverage private sector and multilateral institutions to support efforts by host communities within Latin America and the Caribbean to stabilize and integrate millions of migrants.  The public-private partnership known as Central America Forward, launched in response to Vice President Harris’s Call to Action for Northern Central America, generated more than $5.2 billion in new commitments from more than 50 companies and organizations in support of inclusive economic growth in the region.  

• Digital Connectivity & Economic Growth Across the Global South: The Biden-Harris Administration has partnered with companies, philanthropies, and multinational development banks to accelerate the economic growth and digital connectivity of partners across the Global South.  As the 2023 APEC Host, the Administration generated $50 billion in new U.S. private sector investments into Indo-Pacific countries including nearly $25 billion to increase digital connectivity including sub-sea cables.  As part of her historic trip to Africa, Vice President Harris galvanized U.S., African, and global private sector investments for the Continent, including more than $7 billion in climate adaptation, resilience, and mitigation commitments and $1 billion in commitments to advance women’s economic security and close the gender digital divide in Africa. Building on these efforts, in May 2024 the Vice President launched two new public-private partnerships to advance digital access and inclusion in Africa.  Since 2021, the U.S. Government has helped close 1,882 deals across 42 countries for a total estimated value of $72.3 billion across Africa, including through Digital Transformation with Africa (DTA) Initiative, U.S.-Africa Clean-Tech Energy Network (CTEN), and the Africa Tech for Trade Alliance.

• Advancing American Competitiveness and Security Across Supply Chains & Tech: The Biden-Harris Administration has fundamentally revised the U.S. approach to technology and national security and recognizes that economic competitiveness and national security depend on our ability to build secure and sustainable supply chains for the technologies necessary to power our future.  Not only has this Administration made historic investments totaling $395 billion through the CHIPS and Science Act to secure U.S. global leadership in advanced technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI), but it has utilized partnerships with industry-leading technology companies to effectively out-compete other nations, increase our innovative capacity, and establish secure, high-tech supply chains.  The NSF launched the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Pilot and the National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes partnerships to support AI research to advance safe, secure and trustworthy AI, as well as the application of AI to challenges in healthcare and environmental and infrastructure sustainability.   Additionally, the United States, Japan, United Kingdom, France, and Canada- via the “Sapporo 5” partnership successfully mobilized over $5.6 billion in public and private investments to expand uranium enrichment services for the civil nuclear sector and build a peaceful nuclear energy supply chain free from Russian influence.

• Securing our Digital House: The Administration is locking America’s digital doors to threats of manipulation, scamming, theft, and disruption by malicious cyber actors, including by taking unprecedented action with the private sector to protect America’s critical infrastructure.  Public-private partnerships have provided grants and discounts on security products optimized for smaller hospitals and provided free and low-cost cybersecurity resources to school districts.  The Administration has launched the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark a voluntary certification and labeling program that raises the bar for cybersecurity across common consumer smart devices.  The USG has also partnered with the tech industry to fight cryptocurrency finance crime and ransomware, standing up a partnership for rapid tracing and interdiction under the Illicit Virtual Asset Notification (IVAN) program.

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On January 3, President Biden issued a National Security Memorandum to update policy guidance for the U.S. Government’s implementation of the Missile Technology Control Regime, or “MTCR.” These updates reflect a renewed U.S. commitment to nonproliferation, while advancing the President’s goals of strengthening allied defense capabilities, bolstering the U.S. defense industrial base, streamlining defense trade, and deterring adversaries. These policy changes will help the United States advance shared defense objectives with close allies, including the implementation of AUKUS, while maintaining a strong leadership role on nonproliferation and export control policy.

Since MTCR’s formation by the G7 nearly four decades ago, its membership has grown to 35 countries. The MTCR was developed to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons proliferation by limiting exports of missile delivery systems; in 1992, the MTCR expanded to focus on the proliferation of missiles for delivery of all types of weapons of mass destruction. The MTCR has been, and continues to be, one of the most successful multilateral nonproliferation regimes in effect today and a crucial element of the post-Cold War global nonproliferation regime. As the United States continues to advance the objectives of the MTCR established in 1987, it will consider how the strategic environment, advancement of missile technology, and access to technology exports have changed since 1987.

The NSM directs the interagency to provide increased flexibility for case-by-case review and facilitate support for certain MTCR Category I military missiles, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), and Space Launch Vehicle (SLV) systems to certain partners with strong export control systems.  While this support will encompass a wide range of activity, consistent with MTCR Guidelines, it will explicitly exclude transfers of complete production facilities that encompass all capabilities necessary to produce a Category I system independently.

The NSM establishes that the MTCR is not designed to impede national space programs or international cooperation in such programs as long as such programs could not contribute to delivery systems for WMD. In support of the U.S. Space Priorities Framework (USSPF) and the promotion of international cooperation in space, and in accordance with the MTCR Guidelines, transfers of MTCR Category I SLV related commodities, software, and technology will be considered on a case-by-case basis for select and vetted partner space programs and participation in international space programs, whether such programs are governmental or commercial in nature.

The NSM reaffirms the MTCR as an important mechanism and will continue to oppose missile programs of concern, and will maintain a general policy of not supporting the development or acquisition of MTCR Category I military missile systems (i.e., not SLVs by non-MTCR partners consistent with U.S. commitments under the MTCR Guidelines. The United States will also work to stem the flow of advanced dual-use technology or expertise to unauthorized parties, i.e., end-users and end-uses that pose an unacceptable risk of diversion to programs and activities of concern.

Additionally, the United States will use the MTCR, other multilateral nonproliferation regimes, and U.S. nonproliferation and export control laws, regulations, and policy to continue addressing regional proliferation challenges, disrupting proliferation networks, and addressing efforts to circumvent nonproliferation controls around the world. In implementing the MTCR, the United States will work to ensure the regime keeps pace with the evolution in missile technology, and prevents the transfer of technologies that would threaten the United States, allies, partners, and other countries around the world.

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The post FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Introduces New Guidance for Missile Technology Exports to Advance Nonproliferation Goals and Bolster Allied Defense Capabilities appeared first on The White House.

On January 3, President Biden issued a National Security Memorandum to update policy guidance for the U.S. Government’s implementation of the Missile Technology Control Regime, or “MTCR.” These updates reflect a renewed U.S. commitment to nonproliferation, while advancing the President’s goals of strengthening allied defense capabilities, bolstering the U.S. defense industrial base, streamlining defense trade, and deterring adversaries. These policy changes will help the United States advance shared defense objectives with close allies, including the implementation of AUKUS, while maintaining a strong leadership role on nonproliferation and export control policy.

Since MTCR’s formation by the G7 nearly four decades ago, its membership has grown to 35 countries. The MTCR was developed to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons proliferation by limiting exports of missile delivery systems; in 1992, the MTCR expanded to focus on the proliferation of missiles for delivery of all types of weapons of mass destruction. The MTCR has been, and continues to be, one of the most successful multilateral nonproliferation regimes in effect today and a crucial element of the post-Cold War global nonproliferation regime. As the United States continues to advance the objectives of the MTCR established in 1987, it will consider how the strategic environment, advancement of missile technology, and access to technology exports have changed since 1987.

The NSM directs the interagency to provide increased flexibility for case-by-case review and facilitate support for certain MTCR Category I military missiles, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), and Space Launch Vehicle (SLV) systems to certain partners with strong export control systems.  While this support will encompass a wide range of activity, consistent with MTCR Guidelines, it will explicitly exclude transfers of complete production facilities that encompass all capabilities necessary to produce a Category I system independently.

The NSM establishes that the MTCR is not designed to impede national space programs or international cooperation in such programs as long as such programs could not contribute to delivery systems for WMD. In support of the U.S. Space Priorities Framework (USSPF) and the promotion of international cooperation in space, and in accordance with the MTCR Guidelines, transfers of MTCR Category I SLV related commodities, software, and technology will be considered on a case-by-case basis for select and vetted partner space programs and participation in international space programs, whether such programs are governmental or commercial in nature.

The NSM reaffirms the MTCR as an important mechanism and will continue to oppose missile programs of concern, and will maintain a general policy of not supporting the development or acquisition of MTCR Category I military missile systems (i.e., not SLVs by non-MTCR partners consistent with U.S. commitments under the MTCR Guidelines. The United States will also work to stem the flow of advanced dual-use technology or expertise to unauthorized parties, i.e., end-users and end-uses that pose an unacceptable risk of diversion to programs and activities of concern.

Additionally, the United States will use the MTCR, other multilateral nonproliferation regimes, and U.S. nonproliferation and export control laws, regulations, and policy to continue addressing regional proliferation challenges, disrupting proliferation networks, and addressing efforts to circumvent nonproliferation controls around the world. In implementing the MTCR, the United States will work to ensure the regime keeps pace with the evolution in missile technology, and prevents the transfer of technologies that would threaten the United States, allies, partners, and other countries around the world.

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The post FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Introduces New Guidance for Missile Technology Exports to Advance Nonproliferation Goals and Bolster Allied Defense Capabilities appeared first on The White House.

Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Singapore, Bahrain, and Germany from January 13 to January 17.
 
On January 15, the Vice President will meet with leaders in Singapore and visit Changi Naval Base.  On January 16, the Vice President will meet with leaders in Manama, Bahrain and visit Naval Support Activity–Bahrain, the headquarters of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the U.S. 5th Fleet. On January 17, the Vice President will be in Spangdahlem, Germany to visit the U.S. Air Force 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base.
 
Throughout her trip, the Vice President will discuss the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris Administration over the past four years in each region, the U.S. partnership with the respective nations, the contributions of U.S. military forces to regional and global security, and the enduring national security interests of the United States. Throughout her events at U.S. military installations, the Vice President will also engage with U.S. servicemembers.
 
Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff will accompany the Vice President on the trip. During their travel, the Second Gentleman will engage with civil society, including religious leaders and families of servicemembers. 

# # #

The post Statement by Press Secretary Ernesto Apreza on Vice President Harris’ Travel to Singapore, Bahrain, and Germany appeared first on The White House.

Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Singapore, Bahrain, and Germany from January 13 to January 17.
 
On January 15, the Vice President will meet with leaders in Singapore and visit Changi Naval Base.  On January 16, the Vice President will meet with leaders in Manama, Bahrain and visit Naval Support Activity–Bahrain, the headquarters of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the U.S. 5th Fleet. On January 17, the Vice President will be in Spangdahlem, Germany to visit the U.S. Air Force 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base.
 
Throughout her trip, the Vice President will discuss the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris Administration over the past four years in each region, the U.S. partnership with the respective nations, the contributions of U.S. military forces to regional and global security, and the enduring national security interests of the United States. Throughout her events at U.S. military installations, the Vice President will also engage with U.S. servicemembers.
 
Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff will accompany the Vice President on the trip. During their travel, the Second Gentleman will engage with civil society, including religious leaders and families of servicemembers. 

# # #

The post Statement by Press Secretary Ernesto Apreza on Vice President Harris’ Travel to Singapore, Bahrain, and Germany appeared first on The White House.

Voluntary cybersecurity labeling program for wireless interconnected smart products, administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will help Americans make more informed decisions about the cybersecurity of products – from baby monitors to security systems – they bring into their homes.  

Today, the White House announced the launch of a cybersecurity label for internet-connected devices, known as the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, completing public notice and input over the last 18 months. During that time, FCC Commissioners decided in a bipartisan and unanimous vote to authorize the program and adopt final rules, as well as the trademarked, distinct shield logo that will be applied to products certified for the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark label. In December 2024, the FCC announced the conditional approval of 11 companies as Cybersecurity Label Administrators and the conditional selection of UL Solutions as the Lead Administrator.    

Americans have many “smart” wireless interconnected devices in their homes, from baby monitors to home security cameras to voice-activated assistants. These devices are part of Americans’ daily lives. But Americans are worried about the rise of criminals remotely hacking into home security systems to unlock doors, or malicious attackers tapping into insecure home cameras to illicitly record conversations. The White House launched this bipartisan effort to educate American consumers and give them an easy way to assess the cybersecurity of such products, as well as incentivize companies to produce more cybersecure devise, much as EnergyStar labels did for energy efficiency. Major electronics, appliance, and consumer product manufacturers, as well as retailers and trade associations, have been working to increase cybersecurity for the products they sell. The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program allows them to test products against established cybersecurity criteria from the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology via compliance testing by accredited labs, and earn the Cyber Trust Mark label, providing an easy way for American consumers to see the cybersecurity of products they choose to bring into their homes.  

Reacting to the program’s launch, leading companies are coming forward to express their support and to help educate American consumers about the new Cyber Trust Mark label.  

Michael Dolan, Senior Director, Head of Enterprise Privacy & Data Protection, Best Buy:  

“We see great potential in the US Cyber Trust Mark Program. It is a positive step forward for consumers and we are excited about the opportunity to highlight this program for our customers.”   

Steve Downer, Vice President, Amazon:  

“Amazon supports the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark’s goal to strengthen consumer trust in connected devices. We believe consumers will value seeing the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark both on product packaging and while shopping online. We look forward to collaborating with industry partners and the government on consumer education efforts and implementation strategies.” 

Justin Brookman, Director of Technology Policy, Consumer Reports:

“Consumer Reports is eager to see this program deliver a meaningful U.S. Cyber Trust Mark that lets consumers know their connected devices meet fundamental cybersecurity standards. The mark will also inform consumers whether or not a company plans to stand behind the product with software updates and for how long. While voluntary, Consumer Reports hopes that manufacturers will apply for this mark, and that consumers will look for it when it becomes available.”

The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark embodies public-private collaboration. It connects companies, consumers, and the U.S. government by incentivizing companies to build products securely against established security standards and gives consumers an added measure of assurance – through the label – that their smart device is cybersafe. The program is open for business in 2025: companies will soon be able to submit their products for testing to earn the label, companies like BestBuy and Amazon will be highlighting labeled products, and consumers can look for products bearing the Trust Mark on the shelves.  

For more information about the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, please visit the dedicated page on FCC.gov.  

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The post White House Launches “U.S. Cyber Trust Mark”, Providing American Consumers an Easy Label to See if Connected Devices are Cybersecure appeared first on The White House.

Voluntary cybersecurity labeling program for wireless interconnected smart products, administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will help Americans make more informed decisions about the cybersecurity of products – from baby monitors to security systems – they bring into their homes.  

Today, the White House announced the launch of a cybersecurity label for internet-connected devices, known as the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, completing public notice and input over the last 18 months. During that time, FCC Commissioners decided in a bipartisan and unanimous vote to authorize the program and adopt final rules, as well as the trademarked, distinct shield logo that will be applied to products certified for the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark label. In December 2024, the FCC announced the conditional approval of 11 companies as Cybersecurity Label Administrators and the conditional selection of UL Solutions as the Lead Administrator.    

Americans have many “smart” wireless interconnected devices in their homes, from baby monitors to home security cameras to voice-activated assistants. These devices are part of Americans’ daily lives. But Americans are worried about the rise of criminals remotely hacking into home security systems to unlock doors, or malicious attackers tapping into insecure home cameras to illicitly record conversations. The White House launched this bipartisan effort to educate American consumers and give them an easy way to assess the cybersecurity of such products, as well as incentivize companies to produce more cybersecure devise, much as EnergyStar labels did for energy efficiency. Major electronics, appliance, and consumer product manufacturers, as well as retailers and trade associations, have been working to increase cybersecurity for the products they sell. The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program allows them to test products against established cybersecurity criteria from the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology via compliance testing by accredited labs, and earn the Cyber Trust Mark label, providing an easy way for American consumers to see the cybersecurity of products they choose to bring into their homes.  

Reacting to the program’s launch, leading companies are coming forward to express their support and to help educate American consumers about the new Cyber Trust Mark label.  

Michael Dolan, Senior Director, Head of Enterprise Privacy & Data Protection, Best Buy:  

“We see great potential in the US Cyber Trust Mark Program. It is a positive step forward for consumers and we are excited about the opportunity to highlight this program for our customers.”   

Steve Downer, Vice President, Amazon:  

“Amazon supports the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark’s goal to strengthen consumer trust in connected devices. We believe consumers will value seeing the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark both on product packaging and while shopping online. We look forward to collaborating with industry partners and the government on consumer education efforts and implementation strategies.” 

Justin Brookman, Director of Technology Policy, Consumer Reports:

“Consumer Reports is eager to see this program deliver a meaningful U.S. Cyber Trust Mark that lets consumers know their connected devices meet fundamental cybersecurity standards. The mark will also inform consumers whether or not a company plans to stand behind the product with software updates and for how long. While voluntary, Consumer Reports hopes that manufacturers will apply for this mark, and that consumers will look for it when it becomes available.”

The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark embodies public-private collaboration. It connects companies, consumers, and the U.S. government by incentivizing companies to build products securely against established security standards and gives consumers an added measure of assurance – through the label – that their smart device is cybersafe. The program is open for business in 2025: companies will soon be able to submit their products for testing to earn the label, companies like BestBuy and Amazon will be highlighting labeled products, and consumers can look for products bearing the Trust Mark on the shelves.  

For more information about the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, please visit the dedicated page on FCC.gov.  

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The post White House Launches “U.S. Cyber Trust Mark”, Providing American Consumers an Easy Label to See if Connected Devices are Cybersecure appeared first on The White House.

4:31 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, thank you.  Thank you very much, Bette.  (Applause.)  Thank you.

I know in about 20 years, I’ll become a senior.  (Laughter.)  It’s hell turning 40, you know?  (Laughter.)

God bless you all.

Bette, thanks for that introduction and for all the work you’ve done for retired Americans.  It makes a gigantic difference.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

And, by the way, if you excuse what they in the Senate — they used to say in the Senate, “a point of personal privilege.”  She gave me a handwritten poem from her husband who wrote to me, saying I look like I’m 20.  (Laughter.)  So, thank him very well.  I’ll give him a call.  Thank you.

And thank you to the current and former members of Congress for being here today, particularly Susan Collins.  Susan, I hope it doesn’t hurt your reputation, my complimenting you.  (Laughter and applause.)  Sherrod Brown.  (Applause.)  Get up, Sherrod.  Stand.  And Abigail Spanberger.  Where’s Abigail?  Get up, Abigail.  (Applause.)

I also want to thank Leader Schumer and Representative Garret Graves.  Schumer is not here, is he?

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  No.

THE PRESIDENT:  All right.  And — and Garret couldn’t make it today either. 

But all of you have kept this bipartisan bill on track from the beginning to end.  And — and so did our great labor leaders here today.  I want to thank them.

You know, my dad taught me — and I mean this — my friends are tired of hearing me saying this: A job is a lot more than a paycheck.  It’s about your dignity.  It’s about respect.  It’s about your place in the community.  It’s about being able to look your kid in the eye and say, “Honey, it’s going to be okay,” and know there’s a real prospect that that’s going to happen.

The bill I’m signing today is about a simple proposition.  Americans who have worked hard all their lives to earn an honest living should be able to retire with economic security and dignity.  That’s the entire purpose of the Social Security system crafted by Franklin Delano Roosevelt nearly 90 years ago.

Social Security is the bedrock of financial security for retirees and survivors and for millions of Americans with disabilities.  But we’ve all heard the stories like the one that  Bette shared today.  Public-sector employees, teachers, nurses, maintenance workers, and more — many working second jobs beyond their public service, often just because they need it to make ends meet.

The law that existed denied millions of Americans access to the full Social Security benefits they earned by thousands of dollars a year.  That denial of benefits also applied to surviving spouses of public-service employees.  Benefits cut that cost them security and a little bit of dignity as well. 

Joining us today, Eliseo, a 17-year-old from Texas.  Where is Eliseo? 

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  He’s right here.

THE PRESIDENT:  Come here.  (Applause.) 

Eliseo — Eliseo is just around the corner from receiving Social Security.  (Laughter.) 

This guy walked 1,600 miles from Washington — from here to Wa- — from Texas to Washington, D.C., to support this bill.  (Applause.)  And he did it — he did it for his grandmother, a retired teacher who struggled to survive without the Social Security benefits she earned, and he thought it wasn’t right. 

But guess what?  Tomorrow is his birthday.  (Applause.)  We have a tradition in our household.  We’ve got to sing “Happy Birthday.”  Are you ready?

(The president leads the audience in singing “Happy Birthday” to Mr. Jimenez.)

All right.  (Applause.)  Eliseo, I and others here have one request.

MR. JIMENEZ:  Yes?

THE PRESIDENT:  When you’re president — (laughter) — and they say, “Joe Biden is in the outer office,” promise me you won’t say, “Joe who?”  (Laughter.)

Thank you, pal.  You did a good — your mom — grandmom would be proud.  (Applause.)

MR. JIMENEZ:  Thank you.  Thank you.  

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Go ahead.

Look, by s- — signing this bill we’re extending Social Security benefits for millions of teachers, nurses, and other public and so- — employees and their spouses and survivors.  That means an estimated average of $360 per month increase.  That’s a big deal in middle-class households like the one I grew up in and many of you did — and million- — for millions of Americans going forward. 

That’s not all.  Over two and a half million Americans are going to receive a lump-sum payment of thousands of dollars to make up for the shortfall in the benefits they should have gotten in 2024.  (Applause.)  It’s going to be a big deal. 

They’re going to begin receiving these payments this year.  And this is a big deal.  Someone once said, “This is a big deal.”  It’s a big deal.  (Laughter.) 

As — (laughter) — as the first president in more than 20 years to expand Social Security benefits, this victory is the culmination of a forty-eight — a four-year — excuse me, four [forty]-year fight to provide security for workers who dedicated their lives to their communities.  And I’m proud — I’m proud to have played a small part in this fight and get to sign it.

And thanks to Sherrod Brown and Richie Neal — Richie — (applause) — and other advocates in this room, one of the first things we did was to protect pensions for as many as 2 million union workers and retirees when we signed the Butch Lewis Act.  (Applause.)

It’s the most significant action to protect union pensions in 50 years.  And the Butch Lewis Act helped them in — helped them retire with dignity.

Look, just like the Social Security Fairness Act, when I’m si- — about to sign — what I’m signing today — when I came to office, I promised I’d always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.  I never thought anybody would have to make that promise to protect it, but we had to make that promise.  We still do.

I said repeatedly that if anyone tried to cut these programs, I’d stop them.  And that’s the promise we’ve kept, even in the face of proposals to cut and weaken these programs that millions of Americans count on. 

I know there’s a lot more work to do, by the way, to improve and expand benefits, including those who most are in need, to protect Social Security for the long term, and finally asking the wealthiest Americans to begin to pay their fair share so it’s able to be maintained, and so much more.

Folks, we could not have done this alone.  To the people in this room and the people around the country who did the work, who kept the faith, thank you, thank you, thank you. 

Our economy today is the strongest economy in the world.  We’ve got more to do, but it’s the strongest economy in the world because we have the best workers in the world.  We have the best workers in the — (applause) — we do.

And I might add, parenthetically, when I asked the — I went to South Korea to get the communications — excuse — to get Samsung to send back the chipmakers to the United States. 

We invented the damn things.  (Laughter.)  We used to have 40 percent of the market. 

And he said, “Yes.”  And I finally said — I said, “Why?”  This is the God’s truth.  The foreign leader of a major corporation said, “Because you have the best, most qualified workers in the world — union worker” — no, I’m serious — (applause) — “and because it’s the safest place in the world to invest.”

Look, let me close with this.  Today is a victory for the dignity of work and the dignity of workers — everyday people who build the middle class, who built this country.  We must never forget it.  We can’t forget who did it.

We just have to remember who we are.  For God’s sake, we’re the United States of America.  The United States — there’s nothing beyond our capacity if we set our mind to it and we do it together.

So, God bless you all.  May God protect our troops.  And now let’s sign this bill.  (Applause.)

(The president greets participants at the signing desk.)

THE PRESIDENT:  All right.  Who — we’ve got spots up here.  Come on.

SENATOR COLLINS:  We do.  This is so exciting. 

SECRETARY BECERRA:  Well done, Mr. President.

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, thank you.

Everybody knows that I like her so much, I’d hurt her reputation.  (Laughter.) 

Okay.  You ready?  Get set.  Go.  (Laughter.)

(The act is signed.)

All right.  (Applause.)

SECRETARY BECERRA:  Bette.  Bette.

(The president gives a pen to Ms. Marafino.) 

THE PRESIDENT:  Here you go, Bette.  (Applause.)  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

All right.  I know it’s going to be a long time for any of you to collect Social Security, like me, but it’s — let’s get going.  (Laughter.)

Thank you, thank you, thank you, everybody.  This is a good day.  (Applause.)

4:41 P.M. EST

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4:31 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, thank you.  Thank you very much, Bette.  (Applause.)  Thank you.

I know in about 20 years, I’ll become a senior.  (Laughter.)  It’s hell turning 40, you know?  (Laughter.)

God bless you all.

Bette, thanks for that introduction and for all the work you’ve done for retired Americans.  It makes a gigantic difference.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

And, by the way, if you excuse what they in the Senate — they used to say in the Senate, “a point of personal privilege.”  She gave me a handwritten poem from her husband who wrote to me, saying I look like I’m 20.  (Laughter.)  So, thank him very well.  I’ll give him a call.  Thank you.

And thank you to the current and former members of Congress for being here today, particularly Susan Collins.  Susan, I hope it doesn’t hurt your reputation, my complimenting you.  (Laughter and applause.)  Sherrod Brown.  (Applause.)  Get up, Sherrod.  Stand.  And Abigail Spanberger.  Where’s Abigail?  Get up, Abigail.  (Applause.)

I also want to thank Leader Schumer and Representative Garret Graves.  Schumer is not here, is he?

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  No.

THE PRESIDENT:  All right.  And — and Garret couldn’t make it today either. 

But all of you have kept this bipartisan bill on track from the beginning to end.  And — and so did our great labor leaders here today.  I want to thank them.

You know, my dad taught me — and I mean this — my friends are tired of hearing me saying this: A job is a lot more than a paycheck.  It’s about your dignity.  It’s about respect.  It’s about your place in the community.  It’s about being able to look your kid in the eye and say, “Honey, it’s going to be okay,” and know there’s a real prospect that that’s going to happen.

The bill I’m signing today is about a simple proposition.  Americans who have worked hard all their lives to earn an honest living should be able to retire with economic security and dignity.  That’s the entire purpose of the Social Security system crafted by Franklin Delano Roosevelt nearly 90 years ago.

Social Security is the bedrock of financial security for retirees and survivors and for millions of Americans with disabilities.  But we’ve all heard the stories like the one that  Bette shared today.  Public-sector employees, teachers, nurses, maintenance workers, and more — many working second jobs beyond their public service, often just because they need it to make ends meet.

The law that existed denied millions of Americans access to the full Social Security benefits they earned by thousands of dollars a year.  That denial of benefits also applied to surviving spouses of public-service employees.  Benefits cut that cost them security and a little bit of dignity as well. 

Joining us today, Eliseo, a 17-year-old from Texas.  Where is Eliseo? 

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  He’s right here.

THE PRESIDENT:  Come here.  (Applause.) 

Eliseo — Eliseo is just around the corner from receiving Social Security.  (Laughter.) 

This guy walked 1,600 miles from Washington — from here to Wa- — from Texas to Washington, D.C., to support this bill.  (Applause.)  And he did it — he did it for his grandmother, a retired teacher who struggled to survive without the Social Security benefits she earned, and he thought it wasn’t right. 

But guess what?  Tomorrow is his birthday.  (Applause.)  We have a tradition in our household.  We’ve got to sing “Happy Birthday.”  Are you ready?

(The president leads the audience in singing “Happy Birthday” to Mr. Jimenez.)

All right.  (Applause.)  Eliseo, I and others here have one request.

MR. JIMENEZ:  Yes?

THE PRESIDENT:  When you’re president — (laughter) — and they say, “Joe Biden is in the outer office,” promise me you won’t say, “Joe who?”  (Laughter.)

Thank you, pal.  You did a good — your mom — grandmom would be proud.  (Applause.)

MR. JIMENEZ:  Thank you.  Thank you.  

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Go ahead.

Look, by s- — signing this bill we’re extending Social Security benefits for millions of teachers, nurses, and other public and so- — employees and their spouses and survivors.  That means an estimated average of $360 per month increase.  That’s a big deal in middle-class households like the one I grew up in and many of you did — and million- — for millions of Americans going forward. 

That’s not all.  Over two and a half million Americans are going to receive a lump-sum payment of thousands of dollars to make up for the shortfall in the benefits they should have gotten in 2024.  (Applause.)  It’s going to be a big deal. 

They’re going to begin receiving these payments this year.  And this is a big deal.  Someone once said, “This is a big deal.”  It’s a big deal.  (Laughter.) 

As — (laughter) — as the first president in more than 20 years to expand Social Security benefits, this victory is the culmination of a forty-eight — a four-year — excuse me, four [forty]-year fight to provide security for workers who dedicated their lives to their communities.  And I’m proud — I’m proud to have played a small part in this fight and get to sign it.

And thanks to Sherrod Brown and Richie Neal — Richie — (applause) — and other advocates in this room, one of the first things we did was to protect pensions for as many as 2 million union workers and retirees when we signed the Butch Lewis Act.  (Applause.)

It’s the most significant action to protect union pensions in 50 years.  And the Butch Lewis Act helped them in — helped them retire with dignity.

Look, just like the Social Security Fairness Act, when I’m si- — about to sign — what I’m signing today — when I came to office, I promised I’d always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.  I never thought anybody would have to make that promise to protect it, but we had to make that promise.  We still do.

I said repeatedly that if anyone tried to cut these programs, I’d stop them.  And that’s the promise we’ve kept, even in the face of proposals to cut and weaken these programs that millions of Americans count on. 

I know there’s a lot more work to do, by the way, to improve and expand benefits, including those who most are in need, to protect Social Security for the long term, and finally asking the wealthiest Americans to begin to pay their fair share so it’s able to be maintained, and so much more.

Folks, we could not have done this alone.  To the people in this room and the people around the country who did the work, who kept the faith, thank you, thank you, thank you. 

Our economy today is the strongest economy in the world.  We’ve got more to do, but it’s the strongest economy in the world because we have the best workers in the world.  We have the best workers in the — (applause) — we do.

And I might add, parenthetically, when I asked the — I went to South Korea to get the communications — excuse — to get Samsung to send back the chipmakers to the United States. 

We invented the damn things.  (Laughter.)  We used to have 40 percent of the market. 

And he said, “Yes.”  And I finally said — I said, “Why?”  This is the God’s truth.  The foreign leader of a major corporation said, “Because you have the best, most qualified workers in the world — union worker” — no, I’m serious — (applause) — “and because it’s the safest place in the world to invest.”

Look, let me close with this.  Today is a victory for the dignity of work and the dignity of workers — everyday people who build the middle class, who built this country.  We must never forget it.  We can’t forget who did it.

We just have to remember who we are.  For God’s sake, we’re the United States of America.  The United States — there’s nothing beyond our capacity if we set our mind to it and we do it together.

So, God bless you all.  May God protect our troops.  And now let’s sign this bill.  (Applause.)

(The president greets participants at the signing desk.)

THE PRESIDENT:  All right.  Who — we’ve got spots up here.  Come on.

SENATOR COLLINS:  We do.  This is so exciting. 

SECRETARY BECERRA:  Well done, Mr. President.

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, thank you.

Everybody knows that I like her so much, I’d hurt her reputation.  (Laughter.) 

Okay.  You ready?  Get set.  Go.  (Laughter.)

(The act is signed.)

All right.  (Applause.)

SECRETARY BECERRA:  Bette.  Bette.

(The president gives a pen to Ms. Marafino.) 

THE PRESIDENT:  Here you go, Bette.  (Applause.)  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

All right.  I know it’s going to be a long time for any of you to collect Social Security, like me, but it’s — let’s get going.  (Laughter.)

Thank you, thank you, thank you, everybody.  This is a good day.  (Applause.)

4:41 P.M. EST

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As Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate Christmas, Jill and I send our warmest greetings for a day of joy and reflection. We join Orthodox Christians in giving thanks for the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ and the hope and love He brought to our world.

Today, we pray for Orthodox Christians who are suffering around the world due to war, conflict, deprivation, and oppression. They, like all human beings, are created in the image of God, and deserve safety and security, dignity and respect. We will continue to advocate for these core principles, including religious freedom, and on this day, we keep these communities close to our hearts.

Scripture reminds us: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Orthodox Christians help bring hope and healing to countless communities here at home and around the world. We are deeply grateful for their contributions, and join our fellow Christians in prayers for peace and justice for all God’s children in the year ahead.

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The post Statement from President Joe Biden on Orthodox Christmas appeared first on The White House.

As Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate Christmas, Jill and I send our warmest greetings for a day of joy and reflection. We join Orthodox Christians in giving thanks for the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ and the hope and love He brought to our world.

Today, we pray for Orthodox Christians who are suffering around the world due to war, conflict, deprivation, and oppression. They, like all human beings, are created in the image of God, and deserve safety and security, dignity and respect. We will continue to advocate for these core principles, including religious freedom, and on this day, we keep these communities close to our hearts.

Scripture reminds us: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Orthodox Christians help bring hope and healing to countless communities here at home and around the world. We are deeply grateful for their contributions, and join our fellow Christians in prayers for peace and justice for all God’s children in the year ahead.

###

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The last time I visited Ottawa, I said that the United States chooses to link our future with Canada because we know that we’ll find no better ally, no closer partner, and no steadier friend. The same can be said of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

When I became President, he was the first foreign leader I spoke with. I spoke to him yesterday and expressed my appreciation for his partnership over the years.  Together, we’ve tackled some of the toughest issues our nations faced in decades, from the COVID-19 pandemic, to climate change, to the scourge of fentanyl. We’ve stood together with the people of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression to defend our nations’ most sacred value: freedom. And we have made generational investments to strengthen our supply chains and rebuild our economies from the bottom up and middle out—establishing North America as the most economically competitive region in the world. 

Over the last decade, Prime Minister Trudeau has led with commitment, optimism, and strategic vision. The U.S.-Canada alliance is stronger because of him. The American and Canadian people are safer because of him. And the world is better off because of him.

I am proud to call him my friend. And I will be forever grateful for his partnership and leadership. 

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The last time I visited Ottawa, I said that the United States chooses to link our future with Canada because we know that we’ll find no better ally, no closer partner, and no steadier friend. The same can be said of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

When I became President, he was the first foreign leader I spoke with. I spoke to him yesterday and expressed my appreciation for his partnership over the years.  Together, we’ve tackled some of the toughest issues our nations faced in decades, from the COVID-19 pandemic, to climate change, to the scourge of fentanyl. We’ve stood together with the people of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression to defend our nations’ most sacred value: freedom. And we have made generational investments to strengthen our supply chains and rebuild our economies from the bottom up and middle out—establishing North America as the most economically competitive region in the world. 

Over the last decade, Prime Minister Trudeau has led with commitment, optimism, and strategic vision. The U.S.-Canada alliance is stronger because of him. The American and Canadian people are safer because of him. And the world is better off because of him.

I am proud to call him my friend. And I will be forever grateful for his partnership and leadership. 

###

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President Biden has now conserved more lands and waters than any President in history and has created the largest corridor of protected lands in the lower 48 states, the Moab to Mojave Conservation Corridor

Surrounded by canyon walls in the Eastern Coachella Valley, today President Biden will sign proclamations creating the Chuckwalla National Monument and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument, which together will protect 848,000 acres of lands in California of scientific, cultural, ecological, and historical importance. These two new national monuments add to President Biden and Vice President Harris’s record-setting environmental legacy, including of having conserved more lands and waters, deployed more clean energy, and made more progress in cutting climate pollution and advancing environmental justice than any previous administration.

Since taking office, President Biden has swiftly advanced the most ambitious conservation agenda in U.S. history, setting and pursuing a bold goal to conserve at least 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030 through the America the Beautiful initiative. President Biden became the first sitting U.S. President to visit the Amazon Rainforest, where he signed a proclamation designating International Conservation Day and announced that the U.S. has surpassed his goal of providing $11 billion per year in international climate financing. With today’s designations and yesterday’s actions to protect the East and West coasts and the Northern Bering Sea from offshore oil and natural gas drilling, President Biden has now protected 674 million acres of U.S. lands and waters.

In addition to setting the high-water mark for most lands and waters conserved in a presidential administration, establishing the Chuckwalla National Monument in southern California is President Biden’s capstone action to create the largest corridor of protected lands in the continental United States, covering nearly 18 million acres stretching approximately 600 miles. This new Moab to Mojave Conservation Corridor protects wildlife habitat and a wide range of natural and cultural resources along the Colorado River, across the Colorado Plateau, and into the deserts of California. It is a vitally important cultural and spiritual landscape that has been inhabited and traveled by Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples since time immemorial.

The Moab to Mojave Conservation Corridor stretches from Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southwestern Utah, to which President Biden restored protections in 2021; through Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument in Arizona and Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada, both established by President Biden in 2023; and reaches the deserts and mountains of southern California that are being protected with today’s designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument.  

Both the Chuckwalla National Monument and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument, which is located in northern California’s mountainous interior, will protect clean water for communities, honor areas of cultural significance to Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples, and enhance access to nature. Today’s announcements follow years of work by Tribal Nations, Indigenous peoples, community leaders, conservation organizations, renewable energy companies, utilities, local businesses, state and local officials, and members of Congress who have worked to ensure that future generations can experience, learn from, and enjoy these irreplaceable resources.

President Biden’s legacy also includes signing into law the largest climate and clean energy investments ever made by any country, including record support for climate-resilient communities and disaster mitigation. These investments, together with hundreds of executive actions taken by the Biden-Harris Administration, have put the U.S. in a strong position to cut climate pollution over 50% by 2030 and over 60% by 2035 compared to 2005 levels. Communities are feeling the benefits of these investments and actions, which have created more than 330,000 new clean energy jobs, saved 3.4 million American families $8.4 billion on home clean energy upgrades, and tackled toxic pollution in communities previously left behind.

Establishing Chuckwalla National Monument

The Chuckwalla National Monument will protect and preserve more than 624,000 acres of lands in southern California that hold extraordinarily diverse ecological, cultural, and historical value. By designating this new national monument, President Biden is enhancing outdoor access for nearby communities, preserving critical habitat for imperiled and rare species, and ensuring the ancestral homelands and sacred cultural legacies of the region’s Tribal Nations endure for generations to come – all while demonstrating that clean energy and conservation can go hand in hand. The monument will be managed by the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management.

The new monument will protect the ancestral homelands and cultural landscapes of the Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, Mojave, Quechan, and Serrano Nations, and other Indigenous peoples. The monument boundary includes five distinct areas that together encompass sacred sites, ancient trails, historic properties, cultural areas, religious sites, petroglyphs, geoglyphs, and pictographs, honoring and safeguarding the cultural and spiritual value inherent with these lands. Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples in the region lived, used, and traveled through the areas protected by the monument, including the southern edge of a travel route that stretched north and east through what are now the Avi Kwa Ame and Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monuments.

Located just south of Joshua Tree National Park, the Chuckwalla National Monument will be at the confluence of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, showcasing an awe-inspiring landscape of mountain ranges, meandering canyons and washes, dramatic rock formations, palm oases, and desert-wash woodlands. Its natural wonders include the Painted Canyon of Mecca Hills, where visitors can wind through towering rock walls and marvel at the landscape’s dramatic geologic history, and Alligator Rock, a ridge that has served as a milestone for travelers for millennia. The region is also home to more than 50 rare species of plants and animals, including the desert bighorn sheep, Agassiz’s desert tortoise, and the iconic Chuckwalla lizard, from which the monument gets its name. The new monument will enhance the connectivity of wildlife habitat and safeguard clean water for more than 40 million people by protecting the Colorado River region, while providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities for historically underserved communities in the Coachella Valley.

Today’s monument designation is the latest way that the Biden-Harris Administration is showing how conservation and clean energy can go hand in hand. The monument upholds the balance of natural and cultural resource protection and renewable energy development that a wide range of stakeholders forged for the region through the Department of the Interior’s 2016 Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP). The new national monument will allow the construction and expansion of electric transmission and distribution within the monument to transport clean energy to western cities. Additionally, the designation is consistent with the continued development of renewable energy projects sited in the DRECP’s Development Focus Areas, many of which are near or adjacent to the monument.   

Establishing Sáttítla Highlands National Monument

The Sáttítla Highlands National Monument in northern California will encompass over 224,000 acres of exceptionally varied habitat, including parts of the Modoc, Shasta-Trinity, and Klamath National Forests. The Sáttítla Highlands include the ancestral homelands of and are sacred to the Pit River Tribe and Modoc Peoples. Many other Tribes and Indigenous peoples in the region, including the Karuk, Klamath, Shasta, Siletz, Wintu, and Yana, hold deep connections to this area. This designation honors the sacred cultural value of these lands, while protecting the area’s rich ecological, scientific, and historical significance. The monument will be managed by the Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service.

At the new monument’s core sits the Medicine Lake Volcano, a massive dormant volcano covering an expanse roughly 10 times that of Mount St. Helens in Washington. The region’s dramatic volcanic history has fostered an equally dramatic landscape, dotted with cinder cones, volcanic craters, spatter cones, and hundreds of cave-like lava tubes – including Giant Crater, the longest known lava tube system in the world, which originates within Sáttítla. These unique geologic features shaped a landscape in contrast between stark unvegetated lava fields interspersed with islands of relict forest communities, and lush, verdant forests that offer exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities. The volcanic geology and other features – in particular the obsidian deposits that were shaped into blades and other tools – are central to the spiritual beliefs and cultural practices of its Indigenous peoples. 

This otherworldly and spectacular landscape is home to many rare, vulnerable, and culturally important flora and fauna, such as the northern spotted owl, the Cascades frog, the long-toed salamander, and the sugarstick, a parasitic plant associated with the roots of old-growth conifers. Much of the rain that falls on the area filters through the porous volcanic rock recharging underground aquifers that are essential for protecting and storing clean water for Northern California communities. The protection of the Sáttítla Highlands conserves a diverse array of natural and scientific resources, ensuring that the cultural, historical, and scientific values of this area, shaped by its volcano, endure for the benefit of all Americans.

Both national monuments only reserve federal lands, not State or private lands. The proclamations establishing the monuments will not affect valid existing rights and will allow a range of other activities, including hazardous fuels reduction in the forests of the Sáttítla Highlands and military training in both national monuments.

Biden-Harris Administration Conservation Accomplishments

Today’s announcements are a capstone to four years of historic conservation progress. Highlights from the Biden-Harris Administration’s conservation accomplishments include:

• Launching the America the Beautiful initiative, a call-to-action to conserve, restore, protect, and connect at least 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030 for the benefit of all people through locally led, community-designed, and partnership-driven conservation and restoration work. In addition to driving the historic conservation of 674 million acres of lands and waters, the America the Beautiful initiative has fostered a vast, long-lasting network of partners working toward this national goal. Today, the Administration issued the fourth America the Beautiful annual report, detailing the conservation accomplishments across federal agencies in 2024. To support projects that conserve, restore, protect, and connect wildlife habitats and ecosystems while improving community resilience and access to nature, the Administration also launched the America the Beautiful Challenge, a public-private grant program that has awarded more than $352 million in grants to date. Additionally, the Administration launched Conservation.gov, which is home to the American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas, an innovative tool that offers users the ability to access a wide range of scientific information on biodiversity, climate change impacts, and equity.
• Launching the America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge, which established national goals to protect, restore, and reconnect 8 million acres of wetlands and 100,000 miles of rivers and streams by 2030. More than 235 States, Tribes, interstate organizations, cities, small businesses, private sector partners, nonprofits, and local communities have signed on to the Challenge by committing to advance their own policies and strategies for conserving and restoring America’s freshwater systems.

• Securing historic protections in Alaska, including 13.3 million acres in the western Arctic and 28 million acres across the state, which are vital to the subsistence economy of Alaska Native people and rural communities and contain important fish and wildlife habitat. These protections followed President Biden’s action to withdraw approximately 2.8 million acres of the Beaufort Sea, ensuring the entire U.S. Arctic Ocean is off limits to new oil and gas leasing, as well as restoring protections for the Tongass National Forest to safeguard nearly 10 million acres of roadless areas in southeastern Alaska. Further,  the Biden-Harris Administration rejected the proposed Ambler Road project, which would have traversed 211 miles of significant wildlife habitat and pristine waters that are vital for the subsistence activities of Tribal communities along the iconic Brooks Range in north central Alaska.
• Protecting 15 national monuments, including the establishment of ten new national monuments, the expansion of two existing national monuments, and the restoration of three more. President Biden’s protection of national monuments through his authorities under the Antiquities Act have safeguarded a total of nearly 9 million acres of federal lands and waters. These new national monuments conserve the special, unique lands, histories, and sacred sites that represent our nation. Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument in Arizona and Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada honor the sacred, culturally important lands for Indigenous communities who have stewarded the landscape for millennia. Camp Hale – Continental Divide National Monument in Colorado and the Castner Range National Monument in Texas expand contiguous wildlife habitat, increase outdoor access, and honor our nation’s veterans. The Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument in Illinois and Mississippi, the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument in Illinois, the Frances Perkins National Monument in Maine, and the Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument in Pennsylvania help ensure our national park sites tell a more complete story of our nation. Expanding the San Gabriel Mountains and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monuments in California adds unparalleled value to these already beloved places and enhances outdoor access to nearby underserved and disadvantaged communities. In 2021, President Biden also restored the Bears Ears National Monument, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.
• Establishing three National Marine Sanctuaries and a new national estuarine research reserve. This includes the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary off the central California coast, which holds deep cultural and historical significance to the region’s Indigenous Peoples and will be managed with the active involvement of Tribes and Indigenous communities, inclusive of Indigenous Knowledge, values, and traditions. The Lake Ontario and Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuaries celebrate our nation’s maritime heritage, and the Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve protects part of Long Island Sound and the Thames and Connecticut Rivers.  

• Protecting American’s ocean and coasts from offshore oil and natural gas drilling, including more than 625 million acres across the entire U.S. Atlantic coast, the eastern Gulf of Mexico off Florida’s coast; the Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California; additional portions of the Northern Bering Sea in Alaska; and the entire U.S. Arctic Ocean. 

• Advancing Tribal co-stewardship of federal lands through a joint secretarial order between the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Commerce, resulting in a historic 400 co-stewardship and co-management agreements between Tribal Nations and federal land management agencies. These agreements strengthen the role of Tribal communities on their ancestral homelands, allowing for improved stewardship of public lands, waters, and wildlife. The Biden-Harris Administration also released a first-of-its kind guidance to federal agencies on the inclusion and recognition of Indigenous Knowledge in federal research, policy, and decision-making.
  
  
• Protecting the health and resilience of forests by issuing an Executive Order on Strengthening the Nation’s Forests, Communities, and Local Economies and completing the first-ever inventory of mature and old-growth forests, which will help foster forest conservation and enhance forest resilience to climate change.

• Restoring wild salmon, steelhead, and other native fish in the Columbia River Basin in partnership with Pacific Northwest Tribes and States. Implemented through a historic agreement, this work will also facilitate the development of Tribally sponsored clean energy production and provide stability for communities that depend on the Columbia River System. The Administration committed more than $1 billion to the effort, which will, among other things, be used to restore freshwater habitat. The Administration also restored salmon to the Klamath River Basin for the first time in over 100 years.

• Protecting the nation’s special places from damage from oil and gas drilling and hard rock mining, including Bristol Bay in Alaska; the Boundary Waters in Minnesota; Chaco Canyon and Placitas Area in New Mexico; the Pactola Reservoir in the Black Hills of South Dakota; and the Thompson Divide in Colorado. The Administration also initiated public processes to protect the Pecos Watershed in New Mexico and the Ruby Mountains in Nevada. By protecting these lands from the risks posed by drilling and mining, the Biden-Harris Administration is keeping these iconic landscapes intact for future generations to explore, learn from, and cherish.

• Creating six new national wildlife refuges, including the Everglades to Gulf Conservation Area in southwest Florida, the Wyoming Toad Conservation Area in Wyoming, the Paint Rock River National Wildlife Refuge in Tennessee, the Lost Trail Conservation Area in Montana, and the Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland. The Administration has also announced the expansion of several existing national wildlife refuges, which will allow for the voluntary conservation of up to 1.13 million acres of important wildlife habitat.   

• Advancing nature-based solutions to combat climate change, including byreleasing the Nature-Based Solutions Roadmap and accompanying Resource Guide. The Administration also began the first-ever National Nature Assessment and Natural Capital Accounting and invested over $1 billion in Urban and Community Forestry Program grants to plant and maintain trees, combat extreme heat and climate change, and improve access to nature in cities, towns, and suburbs where people live, work, and play. These efforts will allow us to better understand and recognize the full value of nature, allowing for more effective conservation efforts.

• Issuing a new Public Lands Rule to guide the balanced management of America’s public lands. In developing these critical reforms, the Department of the Interior recognized conservation as an essential component of its management of our country’s public lands, which will result in increased protection of clean water and wildlife habitat; the restoration of degraded lands and waters; and a more informed decision-making process, based on science, data, and Indigenous Knowledge. In parallel, the Biden-Harris Administration approved 45 renewable energy projects on public lands, exceeded the goal to permit 25 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2025, and issued a final Renewable Energy Rule that will incentivize developers to continue responsibly developing solar and wind projects on public lands – efforts that all simultaneously advance conservation and clean energy goals. 

• Launching the American Climate Corps, a groundbreaking workforce training and service initiative that has put thousands of young people to work in good-paying jobs in clean energy, conservation, and resilience. Across the country, American Climate Corps members are working on projects to tackle the climate crisis, including restoring coastal ecosystems, strengthening urban and rural agriculture, investing in clean energy and energy efficiency, improving disaster and wildfire preparedness, and more. The American Climate Corps is giving a diverse new generation of young people the tools to fight the impacts of climate change today and the skills to join the clean energy and climate-resilience workforce of tomorrow.

• Financing the largest debt-for-nature deal in U.S. history through a transaction supported by the U.S. International Development Financing Corporation (DFC) that will generate $460 million to conserve terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems in the Ecuadorian Amazon, while resulting in more than $800 million in debt relief for Ecuador. This is the fifth major debt-for-nature swap – an arrangement that allows sovereigns to repurchase debt at a discount in exchange for policy and investment commitments to conservation – executed during the Biden-Harris Administration. These transactions have been catalyzed by more than $3.5 billion in political risk insurance and have supported debt sustainability and nature in Belize, Ecuador (Amazon and Galápagos), Gabon, and El Salvador. President Biden helped pioneer the concept for these transactions during his time in the Senate – and since then, they have protected nearly 70 million acres of forests and sacred marine ecosystems worldwide, such as the Galápagos Marine Reserve and the Belize Barrier Reef.

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Today’s final rule will remove $49 billion in unpaid medical bills from the credit reports of 15 million Americans. In addition, the Vice President is announcing that States and Localities have already Eliminated Over $1 Billion in Medical Debt Thanks to Biden-Harris Administration Support 

Today, Vice President Harris announced a final rule by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. This rule will reduce the burden of medical debt and ensure that patients are not denied access to credit for home mortgages, car loans, or small business loans due to unpaid medical bills.
 
Further, Vice President Harris announced that states and localities have leveraged American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to support the elimination of over $1 billion in medical debt for more than 700,000 Americans. These actions build on the Vice President’s call to action for states to reduce the burden of medical debt, including by directly purchasing the debt from providers and third parties. Overall, jurisdictions are on track to eliminate roughly $15 billion in medical debt for up to nearly 6 million Americans.
 
“No one should be denied economic opportunity because they got sick or experienced a medical emergency. That is why President Biden and I cancelled over $1 billion in medical debt – part of our overall plan to forgive $7 billion by 2026 – with support from our American Rescue Plan, legislation that I advanced with my tie-breaking vote in the Senate. We also reduced the burden of medical debt by increasing pathways to forgiveness and cracking down on predatory debt collection tactics,” said Vice President Harris. “Today, we are building on this meaningful work by announcing an unprecedented final rule that will make it so medical debt is no longer included in your credit score. This will be lifechanging for millions of families, making it easier for them to be approved for a car loan, a home loan, or a small-business loan. As someone who has spent my entire career fighting to protect consumers and lower medical bills, I know that our historic rule will help more Americans save money, build wealth, and thrive.”
 
More than 100 million Americans struggle with medical debt. Medical debt is the largest source of debt in collections, making up a larger proportion of debt tradelines than credit cards, utilities, and auto loans. However, medical debt is not like other forms of debt because it is often the result of unavoidable medical complications and medical bills often contain significant errors, such as inflated or duplicative charges and fees for services never received or already paid. Reducing the burden of medical debt has been a key priority in President Biden and Vice President Harris’s effort to lower cost for American families.
 
Removing Medical Debt from Consumer Credit Reports
 
The CFPB is finalizing a rule that will remove medical debt from the credit reports of more than 15 million Americans, raising their credit scores by an estimated average of 20 points and leading to the approval of approximately 22,000 additional mortgages every year. Under the CFPB rule, there will be zero Americans with medical debt listed on their credit reports, down from 46 million in 2020. CFPB’s research indicates that medical bills are poor predictors of an individual’s ability to repay a loan and that medical bills are often confusing and erroneous. In March 2022, the CFPB released a report estimating that medical bills made up $88 billion of reported debts on credit reports. After the March 2022 report, the three largest credit reporting agencies announced that they would no longer include paid medical debts, unpaid medical debts less than a year old, and medical debt under $500 from credit reporting. Despite these voluntary changes, 15 million Americans still have $49 billion in outstanding medical bills in collections appearing in the credit reporting system. Today’s action will remove these outstanding $49 billion in unpaid medical bills from the credit reports of the remaining 15 million impacted Americans.
 
Vice President Harris’s Call to Action, Leveraging Federal Funds to Eliminate Medical Debt
 
In June 2024, Vice President Harris called on states, local governments, and health care providers to take action to reduce the burden of medical debt. States and localities have responded to this call by directly relieving debt and launching innovative programs to improve their health systems. Thanks to the President Biden and Vice President Harris’s American Rescue Plan, states, counties, and cities have already eliminated more than an estimated $1 billion in medical debt for over 750,000 Americans, including:

• Cook County, Illinois has eliminated over $382 million in medical debt for over 210,000 residents.
• New Jersey has eliminated $220 million in medical debt for over 120,00 residents.
• Cleveland, Ohio has eliminated nearly $137 million in medical debt for over 130,000 residents.
• Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio partnered to eliminate over $87 million in medical debt for over 140,000 residents.
• New Orleans, Louisiana has eliminated nearly $70 million in medical debt for 75,000 residents.
• St. Paul, Minnesota has eliminated $40 million in medical debt for over 30,000 residents.
• Washington, DC has eliminated $42 million in medical debt for over 60,000 residents.
• Connecticut has eliminated $30 million in medical debt for 23,000 residents.
• Wayne County, Michigan has eliminated $27 million in medical debt for more than 46,000 residents.
• Oakland County, Michigan has eliminated $9 million in medical debt for more than 14,000 residents.

These and other jurisdictions are on track to eliminate an estimated up to $7 billion in medical debt for nearly 3 million Americans by the end of 2026 thanks to ARP-supported efforts.

In addition to directly relieving debt, states and localities have responded to Vice President Harris’s call by launching innovative programs to improve their health systems. For instance, North Carolina recently announced that all of the state’s 99 eligible hospitals have committed to participate in medical debt relief program that will eliminate up to $4 billion in existing medical debt for nearly 2 million low-and middle-income North Carolinians.  The program also ensures that hospitals have policies in place to reduce the chance individuals will end up in debt in the first place. North Carolina’s program utilizes a novel approach, where hospital systems become eligible for enhanced Medicaid reimbursements under the State Directed Payments Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program by implementing policies that:

• Relieve all medical debt deemed uncollectible dating back to Jan. 1, 2014, for any individuals not enrolled in Medicaid with incomes at or below at least 350% of the federal poverty level (FPL) or for whom total debt exceeds 5% of annual income.  
• Relieve all unpaid medical debt dating back to Jan. 1, 2014, for individuals who are enrolled in Medicaid.  
• Sets a charity care floor in the state that provides discounts on medical bills of between 50-100% for patients with incomes at or below 300% FPL, with the amount of the discount varying based on the patient’s income.
• Automatically enroll people into financial assistance, known as charity care, by implementing a policy for presumptively determining individuals eligible for financial assistance through a streamlined screening and income validation approach. 
• Not sell any medical debt for consumers with incomes at or below 300% FPL to debt collectors. 
• Not report a patient’s debt covered by these policies to a credit reporting agency.

Preventing the Accumulation of Medical Debt Through Increased Oversight

Today’s announcements build on efforts by the Biden-Harris Administration to reduce the burden of medical debt, including:

• The Internal Revenue Service announced new steps to ensure that non-profit hospitals provide free and reduced-price care for patients that need it, as is required by law. This includes issuing new guidance in the coming months to clarify the obligations of tax-exempt hospitals  to offer and publicize financial assistance policies and committing to prioritizing enforcement actions against tax-exempt hospitals that violate these responsibilities.
• The CFPB issued an Advisory Opinion and Consumer Advisory clarifying the responsibilities of debt collectors to confirm that debts are accurate, valid, and substantiated before engaging in collection actions and explaining to consumers what actions they can take when they suspect that they have been improperly billed or if they have had improper or illegal collection actions taken against them.
• The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) implemented a streamlined process to make it easier and faster for lower-income veterans to get their VA medical debt forgiven, already providing relief to over 10,000 veterans and saved them more than $10 million in copay debt.
• The Department of Defense has proposed a rule aimed at providing financial relief for civilians receiving medical care at military medical treatment facilities (MTFs).  If finalized as proposed, this rule would implement fee reductions through a sliding scale discount program as well as catastrophic cap waivers.  Through these measures, the DoD aims to significantly reduce the financial burden on patients while maintaining high-quality care.
• The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) validated and approved the use of VantageScore 4.0, along with FICO 10T, for the underwriting of mortgages by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, marking the first time that a credit score that excludes medical debt has been approved for mortgage underwriting of Enterprise loans.
• The Small Business Administration (SBA) is taking steps to reduce the role of medical debt in the underwriting of loans for its flagship 7(a) guaranteed loan program, including revising its lender Standard Operating Procedures and Lender Match tool to discourage consideration of medical debt.
• The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued memorandum M-22-17 to direct agencies to reduce the impact of medical debt in the underwriting of Federal credit programs, helping to spur the actions by VA, FHFA, and SBA listed above.
• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Department of the Treasury issued a joint request for information seeking comment on the prevalence, nature, and impact of medical payment products.
• CMS and CFPB issued guidance clarifying protections against inappropriate patient billing and costs for the approximately 8 million low-income Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program. 
• The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury have prioritized implementing surprise billing protections, preventing 1 million surprise medical bills every single month.
• As a part of the Inflation Reduction Act, President Biden capped the cost of insulin at $35 for a month’s supply of each covered insulin and capped out-of-pocket prescription drug costs at $2,000 in 2025 for seniors and others with Medicare. Thanks to the $3500 cap, nearly 1.5 million Medicare enrollees saved nearly $1 billion on prescription drugs in just the first half of 2024. Since taking these actions, President Biden has called on Congress to expand the cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs to cover all Americans.
• President Biden has called on states to close the Medicaid coverage gap and create new pathways to health coverage by expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
• Secretary Becerra directed HHS to evaluate how providers’ billing practices impact access and affordability of care and the accrual of medical debt. HHS, CFPB, and the Treasury Department requested information and data on medical bill collection practices, lawsuits against patients, financial assistance, financial product offerings, and 3rd party contracting or debt buying practices. HHS, for the first time, considered weighing this information in their funding decisions.
• The CFPB and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a joint letter affirming that nursing homes that participate in Medicare and Medicaid are prohibited from forcing a resident’s family or friends to assume responsibility for the cost of care as a condition of admission or continued stay in the facility.
• HHS is collecting evidence and data to inform future actions by adding new questions on medical debt to Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey and Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, two of the most important sources of data on health care in the United States.
• HHS released a set of frequently asked questions clarifying that hospitals have the ability to provide relief to uninsured and underinsured patients who cannot afford their hospital bills and to Medicare beneficiaries who cannot afford their Medicare cost.
• The Biden-Harris Administration issued a final rule that protects consumers from junk health insurance and makes sure Americans aren’t scammed into low-quality coverage that leaves consumers on the hook for thousands of dollars in medical bills.
• CMS is soliciting comment on how hospital-based personnel who help consumers enroll in Marketplace coverage could connect consumers to hospital financial assistance programs designed to reduce medical debt.
• The White House convened state and local leaders to discuss initiatives to further lower health care costs and reduce the burden of medical debt, including addressing medical payment products, unfair debt collection practices, surprise billing and facility fees, and charity care.

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President Biden has now conserved more lands and waters than any President in history and has created the largest corridor of protected lands in the lower 48 states, the Moab to Mojave Conservation Corridor

Surrounded by canyon walls in the Eastern Coachella Valley, today President Biden will sign proclamations creating the Chuckwalla National Monument and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument, which together will protect 848,000 acres of lands in California of scientific, cultural, ecological, and historical importance. These two new national monuments add to President Biden and Vice President Harris’s record-setting environmental legacy, including of having conserved more lands and waters, deployed more clean energy, and made more progress in cutting climate pollution and advancing environmental justice than any previous administration.

Since taking office, President Biden has swiftly advanced the most ambitious conservation agenda in U.S. history, setting and pursuing a bold goal to conserve at least 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030 through the America the Beautiful initiative. President Biden became the first sitting U.S. President to visit the Amazon Rainforest, where he signed a proclamation designating International Conservation Day and announced that the U.S. has surpassed his goal of providing $11 billion per year in international climate financing. With today’s designations and yesterday’s actions to protect the East and West coasts and the Northern Bering Sea from offshore oil and natural gas drilling, President Biden has now protected 674 million acres of U.S. lands and waters.

In addition to setting the high-water mark for most lands and waters conserved in a presidential administration, establishing the Chuckwalla National Monument in southern California is President Biden’s capstone action to create the largest corridor of protected lands in the continental United States, covering nearly 18 million acres stretching approximately 600 miles. This new Moab to Mojave Conservation Corridor protects wildlife habitat and a wide range of natural and cultural resources along the Colorado River, across the Colorado Plateau, and into the deserts of California. It is a vitally important cultural and spiritual landscape that has been inhabited and traveled by Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples since time immemorial.

The Moab to Mojave Conservation Corridor stretches from Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southwestern Utah, to which President Biden restored protections in 2021; through Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument in Arizona and Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada, both established by President Biden in 2023; and reaches the deserts and mountains of southern California that are being protected with today’s designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument.  

Both the Chuckwalla National Monument and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument, which is located in northern California’s mountainous interior, will protect clean water for communities, honor areas of cultural significance to Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples, and enhance access to nature. Today’s announcements follow years of work by Tribal Nations, Indigenous peoples, community leaders, conservation organizations, renewable energy companies, utilities, local businesses, state and local officials, and members of Congress who have worked to ensure that future generations can experience, learn from, and enjoy these irreplaceable resources.

President Biden’s legacy also includes signing into law the largest climate and clean energy investments ever made by any country, including record support for climate-resilient communities and disaster mitigation. These investments, together with hundreds of executive actions taken by the Biden-Harris Administration, have put the U.S. in a strong position to cut climate pollution over 50% by 2030 and over 60% by 2035 compared to 2005 levels. Communities are feeling the benefits of these investments and actions, which have created more than 330,000 new clean energy jobs, saved 3.4 million American families $8.4 billion on home clean energy upgrades, and tackled toxic pollution in communities previously left behind.

Establishing Chuckwalla National Monument

The Chuckwalla National Monument will protect and preserve more than 624,000 acres of lands in southern California that hold extraordinarily diverse ecological, cultural, and historical value. By designating this new national monument, President Biden is enhancing outdoor access for nearby communities, preserving critical habitat for imperiled and rare species, and ensuring the ancestral homelands and sacred cultural legacies of the region’s Tribal Nations endure for generations to come – all while demonstrating that clean energy and conservation can go hand in hand. The monument will be managed by the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management.

The new monument will protect the ancestral homelands and cultural landscapes of the Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, Mojave, Quechan, and Serrano Nations, and other Indigenous peoples. The monument boundary includes five distinct areas that together encompass sacred sites, ancient trails, historic properties, cultural areas, religious sites, petroglyphs, geoglyphs, and pictographs, honoring and safeguarding the cultural and spiritual value inherent with these lands. Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples in the region lived, used, and traveled through the areas protected by the monument, including the southern edge of a travel route that stretched north and east through what are now the Avi Kwa Ame and Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monuments.

Located just south of Joshua Tree National Park, the Chuckwalla National Monument will be at the confluence of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, showcasing an awe-inspiring landscape of mountain ranges, meandering canyons and washes, dramatic rock formations, palm oases, and desert-wash woodlands. Its natural wonders include the Painted Canyon of Mecca Hills, where visitors can wind through towering rock walls and marvel at the landscape’s dramatic geologic history, and Alligator Rock, a ridge that has served as a milestone for travelers for millennia. The region is also home to more than 50 rare species of plants and animals, including the desert bighorn sheep, Agassiz’s desert tortoise, and the iconic Chuckwalla lizard, from which the monument gets its name. The new monument will enhance the connectivity of wildlife habitat and safeguard clean water for more than 40 million people by protecting the Colorado River region, while providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities for historically underserved communities in the Coachella Valley.

Today’s monument designation is the latest way that the Biden-Harris Administration is showing how conservation and clean energy can go hand in hand. The monument upholds the balance of natural and cultural resource protection and renewable energy development that a wide range of stakeholders forged for the region through the Department of the Interior’s 2016 Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP). The new national monument will allow the construction and expansion of electric transmission and distribution within the monument to transport clean energy to western cities. Additionally, the designation is consistent with the continued development of renewable energy projects sited in the DRECP’s Development Focus Areas, many of which are near or adjacent to the monument.   

Establishing Sáttítla Highlands National Monument

The Sáttítla Highlands National Monument in northern California will encompass over 224,000 acres of exceptionally varied habitat, including parts of the Modoc, Shasta-Trinity, and Klamath National Forests. The Sáttítla Highlands include the ancestral homelands of and are sacred to the Pit River Tribe and Modoc Peoples. Many other Tribes and Indigenous peoples in the region, including the Karuk, Klamath, Shasta, Siletz, Wintu, and Yana, hold deep connections to this area. This designation honors the sacred cultural value of these lands, while protecting the area’s rich ecological, scientific, and historical significance. The monument will be managed by the Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service.

At the new monument’s core sits the Medicine Lake Volcano, a massive dormant volcano covering an expanse roughly 10 times that of Mount St. Helens in Washington. The region’s dramatic volcanic history has fostered an equally dramatic landscape, dotted with cinder cones, volcanic craters, spatter cones, and hundreds of cave-like lava tubes – including Giant Crater, the longest known lava tube system in the world, which originates within Sáttítla. These unique geologic features shaped a landscape in contrast between stark unvegetated lava fields interspersed with islands of relict forest communities, and lush, verdant forests that offer exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities. The volcanic geology and other features – in particular the obsidian deposits that were shaped into blades and other tools – are central to the spiritual beliefs and cultural practices of its Indigenous peoples. 

This otherworldly and spectacular landscape is home to many rare, vulnerable, and culturally important flora and fauna, such as the northern spotted owl, the Cascades frog, the long-toed salamander, and the sugarstick, a parasitic plant associated with the roots of old-growth conifers. Much of the rain that falls on the area filters through the porous volcanic rock recharging underground aquifers that are essential for protecting and storing clean water for Northern California communities. The protection of the Sáttítla Highlands conserves a diverse array of natural and scientific resources, ensuring that the cultural, historical, and scientific values of this area, shaped by its volcano, endure for the benefit of all Americans.

Both national monuments only reserve federal lands, not State or private lands. The proclamations establishing the monuments will not affect valid existing rights and will allow a range of other activities, including hazardous fuels reduction in the forests of the Sáttítla Highlands and military training in both national monuments.

Biden-Harris Administration Conservation Accomplishments

Today’s announcements are a capstone to four years of historic conservation progress. Highlights from the Biden-Harris Administration’s conservation accomplishments include:

• Launching the America the Beautiful initiative, a call-to-action to conserve, restore, protect, and connect at least 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030 for the benefit of all people through locally led, community-designed, and partnership-driven conservation and restoration work. In addition to driving the historic conservation of 674 million acres of lands and waters, the America the Beautiful initiative has fostered a vast, long-lasting network of partners working toward this national goal. Today, the Administration issued the fourth America the Beautiful annual report, detailing the conservation accomplishments across federal agencies in 2024. To support projects that conserve, restore, protect, and connect wildlife habitats and ecosystems while improving community resilience and access to nature, the Administration also launched the America the Beautiful Challenge, a public-private grant program that has awarded more than $352 million in grants to date. Additionally, the Administration launched Conservation.gov, which is home to the American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas, an innovative tool that offers users the ability to access a wide range of scientific information on biodiversity, climate change impacts, and equity.
• Launching the America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge, which established national goals to protect, restore, and reconnect 8 million acres of wetlands and 100,000 miles of rivers and streams by 2030. More than 235 States, Tribes, interstate organizations, cities, small businesses, private sector partners, nonprofits, and local communities have signed on to the Challenge by committing to advance their own policies and strategies for conserving and restoring America’s freshwater systems.

• Securing historic protections in Alaska, including 13.3 million acres in the western Arctic and 28 million acres across the state, which are vital to the subsistence economy of Alaska Native people and rural communities and contain important fish and wildlife habitat. These protections followed President Biden’s action to withdraw approximately 2.8 million acres of the Beaufort Sea, ensuring the entire U.S. Arctic Ocean is off limits to new oil and gas leasing, as well as restoring protections for the Tongass National Forest to safeguard nearly 10 million acres of roadless areas in southeastern Alaska. Further,  the Biden-Harris Administration rejected the proposed Ambler Road project, which would have traversed 211 miles of significant wildlife habitat and pristine waters that are vital for the subsistence activities of Tribal communities along the iconic Brooks Range in north central Alaska.
• Protecting 15 national monuments, including the establishment of ten new national monuments, the expansion of two existing national monuments, and the restoration of three more. President Biden’s protection of national monuments through his authorities under the Antiquities Act have safeguarded a total of nearly 9 million acres of federal lands and waters. These new national monuments conserve the special, unique lands, histories, and sacred sites that represent our nation. Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument in Arizona and Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada honor the sacred, culturally important lands for Indigenous communities who have stewarded the landscape for millennia. Camp Hale – Continental Divide National Monument in Colorado and the Castner Range National Monument in Texas expand contiguous wildlife habitat, increase outdoor access, and honor our nation’s veterans. The Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument in Illinois and Mississippi, the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument in Illinois, the Frances Perkins National Monument in Maine, and the Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument in Pennsylvania help ensure our national park sites tell a more complete story of our nation. Expanding the San Gabriel Mountains and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monuments in California adds unparalleled value to these already beloved places and enhances outdoor access to nearby underserved and disadvantaged communities. In 2021, President Biden also restored the Bears Ears National Monument, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.
• Establishing three National Marine Sanctuaries and a new national estuarine research reserve. This includes the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary off the central California coast, which holds deep cultural and historical significance to the region’s Indigenous Peoples and will be managed with the active involvement of Tribes and Indigenous communities, inclusive of Indigenous Knowledge, values, and traditions. The Lake Ontario and Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuaries celebrate our nation’s maritime heritage, and the Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve protects part of Long Island Sound and the Thames and Connecticut Rivers.  

• Protecting American’s ocean and coasts from offshore oil and natural gas drilling, including more than 625 million acres across the entire U.S. Atlantic coast, the eastern Gulf of Mexico off Florida’s coast; the Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California; additional portions of the Northern Bering Sea in Alaska; and the entire U.S. Arctic Ocean. 

• Advancing Tribal co-stewardship of federal lands through a joint secretarial order between the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Commerce, resulting in a historic 400 co-stewardship and co-management agreements between Tribal Nations and federal land management agencies. These agreements strengthen the role of Tribal communities on their ancestral homelands, allowing for improved stewardship of public lands, waters, and wildlife. The Biden-Harris Administration also released a first-of-its kind guidance to federal agencies on the inclusion and recognition of Indigenous Knowledge in federal research, policy, and decision-making.
  
  
• Protecting the health and resilience of forests by issuing an Executive Order on Strengthening the Nation’s Forests, Communities, and Local Economies and completing the first-ever inventory of mature and old-growth forests, which will help foster forest conservation and enhance forest resilience to climate change.

• Restoring wild salmon, steelhead, and other native fish in the Columbia River Basin in partnership with Pacific Northwest Tribes and States. Implemented through a historic agreement, this work will also facilitate the development of Tribally sponsored clean energy production and provide stability for communities that depend on the Columbia River System. The Administration committed more than $1 billion to the effort, which will, among other things, be used to restore freshwater habitat. The Administration also restored salmon to the Klamath River Basin for the first time in over 100 years.

• Protecting the nation’s special places from damage from oil and gas drilling and hard rock mining, including Bristol Bay in Alaska; the Boundary Waters in Minnesota; Chaco Canyon and Placitas Area in New Mexico; the Pactola Reservoir in the Black Hills of South Dakota; and the Thompson Divide in Colorado. The Administration also initiated public processes to protect the Pecos Watershed in New Mexico and the Ruby Mountains in Nevada. By protecting these lands from the risks posed by drilling and mining, the Biden-Harris Administration is keeping these iconic landscapes intact for future generations to explore, learn from, and cherish.

• Creating six new national wildlife refuges, including the Everglades to Gulf Conservation Area in southwest Florida, the Wyoming Toad Conservation Area in Wyoming, the Paint Rock River National Wildlife Refuge in Tennessee, the Lost Trail Conservation Area in Montana, and the Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland. The Administration has also announced the expansion of several existing national wildlife refuges, which will allow for the voluntary conservation of up to 1.13 million acres of important wildlife habitat.   

• Advancing nature-based solutions to combat climate change, including byreleasing the Nature-Based Solutions Roadmap and accompanying Resource Guide. The Administration also began the first-ever National Nature Assessment and Natural Capital Accounting and invested over $1 billion in Urban and Community Forestry Program grants to plant and maintain trees, combat extreme heat and climate change, and improve access to nature in cities, towns, and suburbs where people live, work, and play. These efforts will allow us to better understand and recognize the full value of nature, allowing for more effective conservation efforts.

• Issuing a new Public Lands Rule to guide the balanced management of America’s public lands. In developing these critical reforms, the Department of the Interior recognized conservation as an essential component of its management of our country’s public lands, which will result in increased protection of clean water and wildlife habitat; the restoration of degraded lands and waters; and a more informed decision-making process, based on science, data, and Indigenous Knowledge. In parallel, the Biden-Harris Administration approved 45 renewable energy projects on public lands, exceeded the goal to permit 25 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2025, and issued a final Renewable Energy Rule that will incentivize developers to continue responsibly developing solar and wind projects on public lands – efforts that all simultaneously advance conservation and clean energy goals. 

• Launching the American Climate Corps, a groundbreaking workforce training and service initiative that has put thousands of young people to work in good-paying jobs in clean energy, conservation, and resilience. Across the country, American Climate Corps members are working on projects to tackle the climate crisis, including restoring coastal ecosystems, strengthening urban and rural agriculture, investing in clean energy and energy efficiency, improving disaster and wildfire preparedness, and more. The American Climate Corps is giving a diverse new generation of young people the tools to fight the impacts of climate change today and the skills to join the clean energy and climate-resilience workforce of tomorrow.

• Financing the largest debt-for-nature deal in U.S. history through a transaction supported by the U.S. International Development Financing Corporation (DFC) that will generate $460 million to conserve terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems in the Ecuadorian Amazon, while resulting in more than $800 million in debt relief for Ecuador. This is the fifth major debt-for-nature swap – an arrangement that allows sovereigns to repurchase debt at a discount in exchange for policy and investment commitments to conservation – executed during the Biden-Harris Administration. These transactions have been catalyzed by more than $3.5 billion in political risk insurance and have supported debt sustainability and nature in Belize, Ecuador (Amazon and Galápagos), Gabon, and El Salvador. President Biden helped pioneer the concept for these transactions during his time in the Senate – and since then, they have protected nearly 70 million acres of forests and sacred marine ecosystems worldwide, such as the Galápagos Marine Reserve and the Belize Barrier Reef.

###

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Today’s final rule will remove $49 billion in unpaid medical bills from the credit reports of 15 million Americans. In addition, the Vice President is announcing that States and Localities have already Eliminated Over $1 Billion in Medical Debt Thanks to Biden-Harris Administration Support 

Today, Vice President Harris announced a final rule by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. This rule will reduce the burden of medical debt and ensure that patients are not denied access to credit for home mortgages, car loans, or small business loans due to unpaid medical bills.
 
Further, Vice President Harris announced that states and localities have leveraged American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to support the elimination of over $1 billion in medical debt for more than 700,000 Americans. These actions build on the Vice President’s call to action for states to reduce the burden of medical debt, including by directly purchasing the debt from providers and third parties. Overall, jurisdictions are on track to eliminate roughly $15 billion in medical debt for up to nearly 6 million Americans.
 
“No one should be denied economic opportunity because they got sick or experienced a medical emergency. That is why President Biden and I cancelled over $1 billion in medical debt – part of our overall plan to forgive $7 billion by 2026 – with support from our American Rescue Plan, legislation that I advanced with my tie-breaking vote in the Senate. We also reduced the burden of medical debt by increasing pathways to forgiveness and cracking down on predatory debt collection tactics,” said Vice President Harris. “Today, we are building on this meaningful work by announcing an unprecedented final rule that will make it so medical debt is no longer included in your credit score. This will be lifechanging for millions of families, making it easier for them to be approved for a car loan, a home loan, or a small-business loan. As someone who has spent my entire career fighting to protect consumers and lower medical bills, I know that our historic rule will help more Americans save money, build wealth, and thrive.”
 
More than 100 million Americans struggle with medical debt. Medical debt is the largest source of debt in collections, making up a larger proportion of debt tradelines than credit cards, utilities, and auto loans. However, medical debt is not like other forms of debt because it is often the result of unavoidable medical complications and medical bills often contain significant errors, such as inflated or duplicative charges and fees for services never received or already paid. Reducing the burden of medical debt has been a key priority in President Biden and Vice President Harris’s effort to lower cost for American families.
 
Removing Medical Debt from Consumer Credit Reports
 
The CFPB is finalizing a rule that will remove medical debt from the credit reports of more than 15 million Americans, raising their credit scores by an estimated average of 20 points and leading to the approval of approximately 22,000 additional mortgages every year. Under the CFPB rule, there will be zero Americans with medical debt listed on their credit reports, down from 46 million in 2020. CFPB’s research indicates that medical bills are poor predictors of an individual’s ability to repay a loan and that medical bills are often confusing and erroneous. In March 2022, the CFPB released a report estimating that medical bills made up $88 billion of reported debts on credit reports. After the March 2022 report, the three largest credit reporting agencies announced that they would no longer include paid medical debts, unpaid medical debts less than a year old, and medical debt under $500 from credit reporting. Despite these voluntary changes, 15 million Americans still have $49 billion in outstanding medical bills in collections appearing in the credit reporting system. Today’s action will remove these outstanding $49 billion in unpaid medical bills from the credit reports of the remaining 15 million impacted Americans.
 
Vice President Harris’s Call to Action, Leveraging Federal Funds to Eliminate Medical Debt
 
In June 2024, Vice President Harris called on states, local governments, and health care providers to take action to reduce the burden of medical debt. States and localities have responded to this call by directly relieving debt and launching innovative programs to improve their health systems. Thanks to the President Biden and Vice President Harris’s American Rescue Plan, states, counties, and cities have already eliminated more than an estimated $1 billion in medical debt for over 750,000 Americans, including:

• Cook County, Illinois has eliminated over $382 million in medical debt for over 210,000 residents.
• New Jersey has eliminated $220 million in medical debt for over 120,00 residents.
• Cleveland, Ohio has eliminated nearly $137 million in medical debt for over 130,000 residents.
• Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio partnered to eliminate over $87 million in medical debt for over 140,000 residents.
• New Orleans, Louisiana has eliminated nearly $70 million in medical debt for 75,000 residents.
• St. Paul, Minnesota has eliminated $40 million in medical debt for over 30,000 residents.
• Washington, DC has eliminated $42 million in medical debt for over 60,000 residents.
• Connecticut has eliminated $30 million in medical debt for 23,000 residents.
• Wayne County, Michigan has eliminated $27 million in medical debt for more than 46,000 residents.
• Oakland County, Michigan has eliminated $9 million in medical debt for more than 14,000 residents.

These and other jurisdictions are on track to eliminate an estimated up to $7 billion in medical debt for nearly 3 million Americans by the end of 2026 thanks to ARP-supported efforts.

In addition to directly relieving debt, states and localities have responded to Vice President Harris’s call by launching innovative programs to improve their health systems. For instance, North Carolina recently announced that all of the state’s 99 eligible hospitals have committed to participate in medical debt relief program that will eliminate up to $4 billion in existing medical debt for nearly 2 million low-and middle-income North Carolinians.  The program also ensures that hospitals have policies in place to reduce the chance individuals will end up in debt in the first place. North Carolina’s program utilizes a novel approach, where hospital systems become eligible for enhanced Medicaid reimbursements under the State Directed Payments Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program by implementing policies that:

• Relieve all medical debt deemed uncollectible dating back to Jan. 1, 2014, for any individuals not enrolled in Medicaid with incomes at or below at least 350% of the federal poverty level (FPL) or for whom total debt exceeds 5% of annual income.  
• Relieve all unpaid medical debt dating back to Jan. 1, 2014, for individuals who are enrolled in Medicaid.  
• Sets a charity care floor in the state that provides discounts on medical bills of between 50-100% for patients with incomes at or below 300% FPL, with the amount of the discount varying based on the patient’s income.
• Automatically enroll people into financial assistance, known as charity care, by implementing a policy for presumptively determining individuals eligible for financial assistance through a streamlined screening and income validation approach. 
• Not sell any medical debt for consumers with incomes at or below 300% FPL to debt collectors. 
• Not report a patient’s debt covered by these policies to a credit reporting agency.

Preventing the Accumulation of Medical Debt Through Increased Oversight

Today’s announcements build on efforts by the Biden-Harris Administration to reduce the burden of medical debt, including:

• The Internal Revenue Service announced new steps to ensure that non-profit hospitals provide free and reduced-price care for patients that need it, as is required by law. This includes issuing new guidance in the coming months to clarify the obligations of tax-exempt hospitals  to offer and publicize financial assistance policies and committing to prioritizing enforcement actions against tax-exempt hospitals that violate these responsibilities.
• The CFPB issued an Advisory Opinion and Consumer Advisory clarifying the responsibilities of debt collectors to confirm that debts are accurate, valid, and substantiated before engaging in collection actions and explaining to consumers what actions they can take when they suspect that they have been improperly billed or if they have had improper or illegal collection actions taken against them.
• The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) implemented a streamlined process to make it easier and faster for lower-income veterans to get their VA medical debt forgiven, already providing relief to over 10,000 veterans and saved them more than $10 million in copay debt.
• The Department of Defense has proposed a rule aimed at providing financial relief for civilians receiving medical care at military medical treatment facilities (MTFs).  If finalized as proposed, this rule would implement fee reductions through a sliding scale discount program as well as catastrophic cap waivers.  Through these measures, the DoD aims to significantly reduce the financial burden on patients while maintaining high-quality care.
• The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) validated and approved the use of VantageScore 4.0, along with FICO 10T, for the underwriting of mortgages by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, marking the first time that a credit score that excludes medical debt has been approved for mortgage underwriting of Enterprise loans.
• The Small Business Administration (SBA) is taking steps to reduce the role of medical debt in the underwriting of loans for its flagship 7(a) guaranteed loan program, including revising its lender Standard Operating Procedures and Lender Match tool to discourage consideration of medical debt.
• The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued memorandum M-22-17 to direct agencies to reduce the impact of medical debt in the underwriting of Federal credit programs, helping to spur the actions by VA, FHFA, and SBA listed above.
• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Department of the Treasury issued a joint request for information seeking comment on the prevalence, nature, and impact of medical payment products.
• CMS and CFPB issued guidance clarifying protections against inappropriate patient billing and costs for the approximately 8 million low-income Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program. 
• The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury have prioritized implementing surprise billing protections, preventing 1 million surprise medical bills every single month.
• As a part of the Inflation Reduction Act, President Biden capped the cost of insulin at $35 for a month’s supply of each covered insulin and capped out-of-pocket prescription drug costs at $2,000 in 2025 for seniors and others with Medicare. Thanks to the $3500 cap, nearly 1.5 million Medicare enrollees saved nearly $1 billion on prescription drugs in just the first half of 2024. Since taking these actions, President Biden has called on Congress to expand the cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs to cover all Americans.
• President Biden has called on states to close the Medicaid coverage gap and create new pathways to health coverage by expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
• Secretary Becerra directed HHS to evaluate how providers’ billing practices impact access and affordability of care and the accrual of medical debt. HHS, CFPB, and the Treasury Department requested information and data on medical bill collection practices, lawsuits against patients, financial assistance, financial product offerings, and 3rd party contracting or debt buying practices. HHS, for the first time, considered weighing this information in their funding decisions.
• The CFPB and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a joint letter affirming that nursing homes that participate in Medicare and Medicaid are prohibited from forcing a resident’s family or friends to assume responsibility for the cost of care as a condition of admission or continued stay in the facility.
• HHS is collecting evidence and data to inform future actions by adding new questions on medical debt to Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey and Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, two of the most important sources of data on health care in the United States.
• HHS released a set of frequently asked questions clarifying that hospitals have the ability to provide relief to uninsured and underinsured patients who cannot afford their hospital bills and to Medicare beneficiaries who cannot afford their Medicare cost.
• The Biden-Harris Administration issued a final rule that protects consumers from junk health insurance and makes sure Americans aren’t scammed into low-quality coverage that leaves consumers on the hook for thousands of dollars in medical bills.
• CMS is soliciting comment on how hospital-based personnel who help consumers enroll in Marketplace coverage could connect consumers to hospital financial assistance programs designed to reduce medical debt.
• The White House convened state and local leaders to discuss initiatives to further lower health care costs and reduce the burden of medical debt, including addressing medical payment products, unfair debt collection practices, surprise billing and facility fees, and charity care.

# # #

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The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

Good afternoon.  It’s great to be back in New Delhi.

And thank you, Eric, for that gracious introduction. President Biden has been lucky to have you here representing the United States.

I also want to thank everyone here at IIT Delhi for such a warm welcome.

***

In 1949, Prime Minister Nehru went on a now-famous tour of the United States.

His goal was to understand how new technologies and innovations could strengthen his then-young nation.

So for nearly a month, he traveled all across America. From businesses in New York and San Francisco, to family farms around Chicago and Madison, to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

And that visit at MIT helped inspire the establishment of India’s own IIT system, which not only ignited a new era of science and technology innovation for a new nation –

but also ignited a partnership in science and technology between the United States and India. 

Indeed, the United States was the first foreign partner to collaborate with India’s IITs, when nine leading U.S. universities helped build the Indo-American research program at IIT Kanpur.

Some years later, Prime Minister Nehru would observe – at an IIT convocation, in fact —something prescient for our own era.  He said, and I quote:

“the time has now come when the engineer plays an infinitely greater role than anybody else…because the major work of the country today deals with…engineering schemes of various types…and the administrator who is completely ignorant of engineering does not help much in administering.”

Something quite similar could of course be said today…about governments racing to keep pace with concurrent revolutions in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, space, quantum, and other fields.

So it is fitting in many ways that today, seven decades later and in this moment of technological transformation, India and the United States are taking our partnership to the next frontier—together.

And—if we can get it right—I believe this partnership will be the most consequential of the 21st century.

For both the United States and India, our partnership is key to our own growth — and jobs — at home …

It is critical for stability and security in the Indo-Pacific …

And, increasingly, it will bring prosperity to like-minded friends around the world, especially emerging economies.

And so, we are deeply invested in India’s success and, I believe, India in ours.

Over 1,000 American companies are operating in India.

Over $50 billion in foreign direct investment flowed into India from the United States, and Indian private sector investment in the United States recently surpassed that of China – investments that, by some estimates, are generating over 400,000 U.S. jobs.

And over 300,000 Indian students are studying in the United States. In fact, our international students come from India more than any other country in the world.

And for all our work together, in many ways, we’re just getting started.

When President Biden came into office, he made clear that America’s domestic strength and our international position were inherently linked. 

And that in an era of intense geopolitical competition, we needed to re-invest in our domestic industrial base and our innovation economy to strengthen our advantages abroad. 

But he was also clear that this approach was not one we could pursue on our own.  We would need to do it together with our allies and partners.

Because by building trusted supply chains, jointly investing in emerging technologies, and leveraging our respective advantages, we would all emerge in a stronger position.

There is nowhere we have proved the theory of that case more clearly than in the U.S.-India relationship.

Over the past four years, we’ve joined hands to halt a pandemic and bring vaccines to the world; we’ve launched initiatives on jet engines, semiconductors, and clean energy; and in a few months’ time, we will come together to put an Indian astronaut into space.  

These are remarkable achievements, and we made them by harnessing the remarkable innovation of the American and Indian people.

I had the chance to see some of that collaboration here at IIT Delhi just a few moments ago, when I met with some impressive young entrepreneurs who are designing everything from AI-enabled robotics to military-grade sensors…

…ventures that I’m proud to say are being supported by the United States through partnerships with New York University, the U.S. National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Space Force.

And that’s what I’d like to say more about today: How we’ve taken the U.S.-India partnership to a fundamentally new level over the last four years, with innovation at its core, and how that is playing out bilaterally, regionally, and globally.

***

First, we started by transforming our technology partnership.

When President Biden came into office, he knew that “Make in India” and “Made in America” are complementary, not incompatible, precepts.

That’s why, in 2022, our Administration launched the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies with India.

The fundamental premise of iCET is that, in an era of renewed geopolitical competition, the United States and India must collaborate on the development, diffusion, and protection of critical technologies—from artificial intelligence to biotechnology, and beyond.

That is our responsibility as the world’s largest democracies. As two of the fastest-growing and largest economies. And as leading Indo-Pacific powers.

And—as we mark the second anniversary of iCET this month—we’ve proven just how impactful this deepened collaboration can be across both of our economies, and both of our innovation ecosystems.

Just look at Vikram Solar, which announced plans last year for a $1.5 billion investment in solar manufacturing here in the United States.

Or Bharat Forge, which in 2021 opened the first U.S. greenfield aluminum forging plant in over 15 years.

At the same time, U.S. companies looking for more resilience in both their markets and supply chains are shifting out of China and expanding to India.

Take, for example, Apple’s significant investment in Indian production. Within the next couple of years, over a quarter of all iPhones in the world will be made right here in India.

Or Ford’s recent expansion in Chennai—which will add thousands of jobs in Tamil Nadu.

And I want to take a moment to talk about our supply chains specifically.

The United States, India, and other partners have all been reminded—abruptly and sharply—that we cannot ignore the ways in which interdependencies can be weaponized against us.

We’ve seen countries lose access to critical minerals that support our clean energy and electronics industries.

We’ve seen companies struggling to compete against China’s predatory industrial strategies in chips, clean energy, and other emerging technologies.

And, of course, we’ve seen repeated attacks on industries tied to our critical infrastructure, which is heightening the risks not only of cyber espionage, but of destructive sabotage.

That’s why—as we launched iCET—both President Biden and Prime Minister Modi made it a priority to invest in national programs that are spurring production in sectors that had become overly reliant on China.

These include the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act, the India Semiconductor Mission, and India’s Production-Linked Incentive program in areas such as biopharmaceuticals.

The benefits of those programs are already flowing to both of our countries.

Micron was the first, not just American, but first global company to partner with India’s Semiconductor Mission, investing hundreds of millions of dollars in new semi-conductor packaging facilities that will establish India as a new hub in the global chip ecosystem.

India and the United States have joined hands with Japan, the ROK, and Europe to establish a new Biopharmaceutical Supply Chain Consortium—the “Bio-5”—that will reduce dependence on single-source suppliers supply chains.

We are poised to expand these efforts into new sectors—most notably, commercial space exploration.  In fact, as we speak, U.S. companies are providing support for a SpaDeX [Spay-Dex] satellite docking experiment that will enable new Indian missions to the moon.    

And as a result of new updates to our missile technology control export policies that President Biden signed out just last week—and which I’m glad to announce publicly for the first time today—our commercial and civil space partnership is set for lift off.

***

Second, as we’ve strengthened our technology partnership—we started delivering for the Indo-Pacific region  as well.  

Take, for example, the U.S.-India defense partnership.  The growth of our defense partnership over the past two decades has been nothing short of remarkable.

Just consider, twenty-five years ago, the United States and India had no defense trade relationship at all.

No frameworks for information sharing or logistics cooperation.

No major military exercises to train alongside each other.

Today, the United States is not just selling defense systems to India. We are making them here in India. And the United States has become the top destination for Indian defense exports.

We launched a first-of-its kind defense initiative—INDUS X—that is awarding American and Indian start-ups the funding to more rapidly bring new technologies forward to our militaries.

On top of this—in the past two years alone—the Biden administration has approved technology proposals that would enable India to become the first global producer of Stryker combat vehicles, a leading producer of advanced munitions systems, and the first foreign producer of cutting-edge maritime systems.

We announced a ground-breaking initiative to enable India to manufacture jet engines that will power India’s future indigenous fighter fleet.

And even more work is underway – in aviation, sensing, undersea — that will come to fruition soon.

So many of these initiatives have the potential to extend beyond the United States and India, to eventually help countries across the Indo-Pacific region upgrade their defensive capabilities as well.

Because that’s another goal that unites us: to ensure a more free, more secure, more prosperous, and more resilient Indo-Pacific region.

And stronger U.S. and Indian defense cooperation is already enabling security across the region.

Through the multinational Combined Maritime Forces Coalition—of which India is now a full-time member—we are combatting piracy and trafficking at sea.

Through Exercise Malabar, the United States, India, Australia, and Japan are training to more rapidly respond to natural disasters across the Indo-Pacific.

And through historic agreements that allow U.S. Navy vessels to seek repair and maintenance in Indian shipyards in Kochi, Mumbai, and soon Chennai, the United States can more readily train and operate with countries across the Indian Ocean region.

At a time when we’re seeing dangerous provocations in the air and at sea—

The proliferation of destabilizing technologies—

And countries attempting to change the status quo by force—

Our cooperation—in technology, in defense, and beyond—is a pillar of stability in the Indo-Pacific.

***

And frankly, it goes beyond the Indo-Pacific. Which brings me to the third area: delivering for the world.

Nowhere is this more evident than clean and affordable technologies.

The U.S. Development Finance Corporation is engaged in path-breaking partnerships with Indian companies to localize and scale solar manufacturing. 

This includes investing nearly $1 billion in solar panel manufacturing in Tamil Nadu, and providing support for leading Indian manufacturers, like Tata Power Renewables. 

And in the past year, we concluded a new initiative on clean energy supply chains that lays out a path for our countries to deploy clean energy across Africa and to work with African partners on high-impact solar and electric vehicle projects.

And we’re not stopping with clean energy. Our technology partnership is delivering affordable public goods in numerous ways.

That is why we launched a new U.S.-India Global Digital Development Partnership that will leverage both government and private sector resources to deploy safe and responsible digital technologies with like-minded partners around the world.

And through the Quad, we announced plans to deliver Open RAN technology, AI-driven agricultural solutions, and cutting-edge satellite data to developing economies.

And at the G20 in Delhi in September of 2023, we announced the launch of the India-Middle East Economic Corridor, an ambitious initiative linking India, the Middle East and Europe with a sea-and-rail corridor and fiber and energy connections. 

That was just a few weeks before October 7.  But we have continued to nurture the vision, and I have personally engaged the key countries and key leaders to keep making progress. 

I have also talked to the incoming administration about the enormous opportunity to deliver growth and integration – and a high-standard alternative to what Beijing is offering.

The bottom line of all of these efforts is that the potential of this partnership is boundless.

***

But I hasten to add: it is not inevitable.

Over the years, people have referred to the United States and India as “natural” partners.

And in many ways, that’s true. Our democracies our linked. Our companies are linked. Our universities are linked. And more than anything else, our people our linked.

But the U.S.-India partnership that we have built together is not one that just naturally sprang into existence.  All of our linkages have been necessary, but at the same time, insufficient.

The partnership we have built is one of intention, of choice. One of determination, of leadership. And, frankly, one of perseverance and grit.

Look at the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement concluded by President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, may he rest in peace.

Or India’s designation as a Major Defense Partner of the United States in 2016.

Or President Biden and Prime Minister Modi’s decision to manufacture advanced jet engine technology and explore space together.

None of these were “natural” occurrences.

Step-by-step we have worked to build trust. To build habits of cooperation. And to move our partnership past what Prime Minister Modi has called our “hesitations of history.”

Which brings me to another historic step forward on that journey.

Although former President Bush and former Prime Minister Singh laid out a vision of civil-nuclear cooperation twenty years ago, we have yet to fully realize it.

But as we work to build clean energy technologies, to enable growth in artificial intelligence, and to help U.S. and Indian energy companies unlock their innovation potential, the Biden administration determined it was time to take the next major step in cementing this partnership.

So today I can announce that the United States is now finalizing the necessary steps to remove longstanding regulations that have prevented civil nuclear cooperation between India’s leading nuclear entities and U.S. companies.

This is a statement of confidence in the progress we have made—and will continue to make—as strategic partners, and as countries who share a commitment to peaceful nuclear cooperation. 

And it is the result of India’s open and transparent engagement with our Administration over the course of the past four years, which has enabled this new chapter to move forward.

Of course, none of this has been easy.

We’ve both had to navigate our share of turbulence. Legacy relationships. Tensions over trade, as well as human rights and rule of law, at home and abroad.

But we have navigated these issues together, with our eye on the long game. And our ability to do so reflects the deep and enduring resilience between the United States and India—across generations, across administrations, and “across the aisle.”

***

This leads to my parting thoughts: where do we go from here?

I am deeply proud of the work the United States and India have done together under iCET to shape the technologies of the future. And I’m proud that we are passing the baton off the next Administration in an even stronger position.

But there is still much more to be done.

Looking forward, it will not be enough for the United States and India to simply collaborate in building the critical technologies of the future.

We also need to work together to shape the diffusion, protection, and rules that govern those technologies.

We have already begun this work in domains such as space, where India’s decision to join the Artemis Accords is allowing us to establish a common set of principles around civilian space exploration.

We will need to continue to drive similar efforts in other spheres, such as the employment of artificial intelligence and advanced biotechnologies—both of which will have enormous consequences in every facet of life.

As we see more and more new technologies diverted to unfriendly actors, theUnited States and India will also need to ensure that valuable dual-use technologies don’t fall into the wrong hands.

This means aligning our export control systems. Looking at trade measures to protect our industrial strategies against overcapacity. Better securing our supply chains. And reviewing outbound and inbound investments in sensitive sectors.

As we take these steps, we need to expand the work we’re doing to leverage American and Indian innovation to help the world – especially emerging economies – to enable equitable growth across the globe.

And finally, our partnership can be most effectively sustained – and can only reach its full potential – if we each live up to the values that lie at the core of our democracies.  Respect for the rule of law that creates the conditions for dynamic growth. Respect for pluralism and tolerance that powers innovation.  And the protection of basic freedoms that unleash the human spirit. 

I say this not as a skeptic, but as someone who fully believes the United States and India can realize those aspirations.  These are basic truths about how our democracies will grow and flourish.

***

So let me close with this.

This is likely the last trip overseas I will lead as National Security Advisor.

And I cannot think of a better way to end my tenure in the White House–visiting India on my final overseas visit to mark the advances we have made together over the past four years: this is a shared and historic achievement, and a cornerstone of the Biden administration’s foreign policy legacy.

We’ve had to deal with challenging moments.  We’ve had to work to resolve difficult issues.

But being here at IIT Delhi with the young technologists and entrepreneurs and policymakers who will take this generational project forward,

I have every reason to be believe that within the next decade we’ll see:

American and Indian firms working together to build the next generation of semi-conductor technologies.

American and Indian astronauts conducting cutting-edge research and space exploration together.

American and Indian researchers contributing to a new explosion in lifesaving vaccines.

American and Indian engineering students developing new innovations together right here at IIT Delhi.

And American and Indian leaders propelling our partnership – and our future – toward what the American statesman-scientist Vannevar Bush called “the endless frontier” that we haven’t yet imagined.

Thank you again for having me here.  I cannot wait to see what all of you, and so many other young people across our nations, achieve in the years ahead.

###

The post Remarks of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan A New Frontier for the U.S.-India Partnership appeared first on The White House.

The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

Good afternoon.  It’s great to be back in New Delhi.

And thank you, Eric, for that gracious introduction. President Biden has been lucky to have you here representing the United States.

I also want to thank everyone here at IIT Delhi for such a warm welcome.

***

In 1949, Prime Minister Nehru went on a now-famous tour of the United States.

His goal was to understand how new technologies and innovations could strengthen his then-young nation.

So for nearly a month, he traveled all across America. From businesses in New York and San Francisco, to family farms around Chicago and Madison, to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

And that visit at MIT helped inspire the establishment of India’s own IIT system, which not only ignited a new era of science and technology innovation for a new nation –

but also ignited a partnership in science and technology between the United States and India. 

Indeed, the United States was the first foreign partner to collaborate with India’s IITs, when nine leading U.S. universities helped build the Indo-American research program at IIT Kanpur.

Some years later, Prime Minister Nehru would observe – at an IIT convocation, in fact —something prescient for our own era.  He said, and I quote:

“the time has now come when the engineer plays an infinitely greater role than anybody else…because the major work of the country today deals with…engineering schemes of various types…and the administrator who is completely ignorant of engineering does not help much in administering.”

Something quite similar could of course be said today…about governments racing to keep pace with concurrent revolutions in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, space, quantum, and other fields.

So it is fitting in many ways that today, seven decades later and in this moment of technological transformation, India and the United States are taking our partnership to the next frontier—together.

And—if we can get it right—I believe this partnership will be the most consequential of the 21st century.

For both the United States and India, our partnership is key to our own growth — and jobs — at home …

It is critical for stability and security in the Indo-Pacific …

And, increasingly, it will bring prosperity to like-minded friends around the world, especially emerging economies.

And so, we are deeply invested in India’s success and, I believe, India in ours.

Over 1,000 American companies are operating in India.

Over $50 billion in foreign direct investment flowed into India from the United States, and Indian private sector investment in the United States recently surpassed that of China – investments that, by some estimates, are generating over 400,000 U.S. jobs.

And over 300,000 Indian students are studying in the United States. In fact, our international students come from India more than any other country in the world.

And for all our work together, in many ways, we’re just getting started.

When President Biden came into office, he made clear that America’s domestic strength and our international position were inherently linked. 

And that in an era of intense geopolitical competition, we needed to re-invest in our domestic industrial base and our innovation economy to strengthen our advantages abroad. 

But he was also clear that this approach was not one we could pursue on our own.  We would need to do it together with our allies and partners.

Because by building trusted supply chains, jointly investing in emerging technologies, and leveraging our respective advantages, we would all emerge in a stronger position.

There is nowhere we have proved the theory of that case more clearly than in the U.S.-India relationship.

Over the past four years, we’ve joined hands to halt a pandemic and bring vaccines to the world; we’ve launched initiatives on jet engines, semiconductors, and clean energy; and in a few months’ time, we will come together to put an Indian astronaut into space.  

These are remarkable achievements, and we made them by harnessing the remarkable innovation of the American and Indian people.

I had the chance to see some of that collaboration here at IIT Delhi just a few moments ago, when I met with some impressive young entrepreneurs who are designing everything from AI-enabled robotics to military-grade sensors…

…ventures that I’m proud to say are being supported by the United States through partnerships with New York University, the U.S. National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Space Force.

And that’s what I’d like to say more about today: How we’ve taken the U.S.-India partnership to a fundamentally new level over the last four years, with innovation at its core, and how that is playing out bilaterally, regionally, and globally.

***

First, we started by transforming our technology partnership.

When President Biden came into office, he knew that “Make in India” and “Made in America” are complementary, not incompatible, precepts.

That’s why, in 2022, our Administration launched the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies with India.

The fundamental premise of iCET is that, in an era of renewed geopolitical competition, the United States and India must collaborate on the development, diffusion, and protection of critical technologies—from artificial intelligence to biotechnology, and beyond.

That is our responsibility as the world’s largest democracies. As two of the fastest-growing and largest economies. And as leading Indo-Pacific powers.

And—as we mark the second anniversary of iCET this month—we’ve proven just how impactful this deepened collaboration can be across both of our economies, and both of our innovation ecosystems.

Just look at Vikram Solar, which announced plans last year for a $1.5 billion investment in solar manufacturing here in the United States.

Or Bharat Forge, which in 2021 opened the first U.S. greenfield aluminum forging plant in over 15 years.

At the same time, U.S. companies looking for more resilience in both their markets and supply chains are shifting out of China and expanding to India.

Take, for example, Apple’s significant investment in Indian production. Within the next couple of years, over a quarter of all iPhones in the world will be made right here in India.

Or Ford’s recent expansion in Chennai—which will add thousands of jobs in Tamil Nadu.

And I want to take a moment to talk about our supply chains specifically.

The United States, India, and other partners have all been reminded—abruptly and sharply—that we cannot ignore the ways in which interdependencies can be weaponized against us.

We’ve seen countries lose access to critical minerals that support our clean energy and electronics industries.

We’ve seen companies struggling to compete against China’s predatory industrial strategies in chips, clean energy, and other emerging technologies.

And, of course, we’ve seen repeated attacks on industries tied to our critical infrastructure, which is heightening the risks not only of cyber espionage, but of destructive sabotage.

That’s why—as we launched iCET—both President Biden and Prime Minister Modi made it a priority to invest in national programs that are spurring production in sectors that had become overly reliant on China.

These include the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act, the India Semiconductor Mission, and India’s Production-Linked Incentive program in areas such as biopharmaceuticals.

The benefits of those programs are already flowing to both of our countries.

Micron was the first, not just American, but first global company to partner with India’s Semiconductor Mission, investing hundreds of millions of dollars in new semi-conductor packaging facilities that will establish India as a new hub in the global chip ecosystem.

India and the United States have joined hands with Japan, the ROK, and Europe to establish a new Biopharmaceutical Supply Chain Consortium—the “Bio-5”—that will reduce dependence on single-source suppliers supply chains.

We are poised to expand these efforts into new sectors—most notably, commercial space exploration.  In fact, as we speak, U.S. companies are providing support for a SpaDeX [Spay-Dex] satellite docking experiment that will enable new Indian missions to the moon.    

And as a result of new updates to our missile technology control export policies that President Biden signed out just last week—and which I’m glad to announce publicly for the first time today—our commercial and civil space partnership is set for lift off.

***

Second, as we’ve strengthened our technology partnership—we started delivering for the Indo-Pacific region  as well.  

Take, for example, the U.S.-India defense partnership.  The growth of our defense partnership over the past two decades has been nothing short of remarkable.

Just consider, twenty-five years ago, the United States and India had no defense trade relationship at all.

No frameworks for information sharing or logistics cooperation.

No major military exercises to train alongside each other.

Today, the United States is not just selling defense systems to India. We are making them here in India. And the United States has become the top destination for Indian defense exports.

We launched a first-of-its kind defense initiative—INDUS X—that is awarding American and Indian start-ups the funding to more rapidly bring new technologies forward to our militaries.

On top of this—in the past two years alone—the Biden administration has approved technology proposals that would enable India to become the first global producer of Stryker combat vehicles, a leading producer of advanced munitions systems, and the first foreign producer of cutting-edge maritime systems.

We announced a ground-breaking initiative to enable India to manufacture jet engines that will power India’s future indigenous fighter fleet.

And even more work is underway – in aviation, sensing, undersea — that will come to fruition soon.

So many of these initiatives have the potential to extend beyond the United States and India, to eventually help countries across the Indo-Pacific region upgrade their defensive capabilities as well.

Because that’s another goal that unites us: to ensure a more free, more secure, more prosperous, and more resilient Indo-Pacific region.

And stronger U.S. and Indian defense cooperation is already enabling security across the region.

Through the multinational Combined Maritime Forces Coalition—of which India is now a full-time member—we are combatting piracy and trafficking at sea.

Through Exercise Malabar, the United States, India, Australia, and Japan are training to more rapidly respond to natural disasters across the Indo-Pacific.

And through historic agreements that allow U.S. Navy vessels to seek repair and maintenance in Indian shipyards in Kochi, Mumbai, and soon Chennai, the United States can more readily train and operate with countries across the Indian Ocean region.

At a time when we’re seeing dangerous provocations in the air and at sea—

The proliferation of destabilizing technologies—

And countries attempting to change the status quo by force—

Our cooperation—in technology, in defense, and beyond—is a pillar of stability in the Indo-Pacific.

***

And frankly, it goes beyond the Indo-Pacific. Which brings me to the third area: delivering for the world.

Nowhere is this more evident than clean and affordable technologies.

The U.S. Development Finance Corporation is engaged in path-breaking partnerships with Indian companies to localize and scale solar manufacturing. 

This includes investing nearly $1 billion in solar panel manufacturing in Tamil Nadu, and providing support for leading Indian manufacturers, like Tata Power Renewables. 

And in the past year, we concluded a new initiative on clean energy supply chains that lays out a path for our countries to deploy clean energy across Africa and to work with African partners on high-impact solar and electric vehicle projects.

And we’re not stopping with clean energy. Our technology partnership is delivering affordable public goods in numerous ways.

That is why we launched a new U.S.-India Global Digital Development Partnership that will leverage both government and private sector resources to deploy safe and responsible digital technologies with like-minded partners around the world.

And through the Quad, we announced plans to deliver Open RAN technology, AI-driven agricultural solutions, and cutting-edge satellite data to developing economies.

And at the G20 in Delhi in September of 2023, we announced the launch of the India-Middle East Economic Corridor, an ambitious initiative linking India, the Middle East and Europe with a sea-and-rail corridor and fiber and energy connections. 

That was just a few weeks before October 7.  But we have continued to nurture the vision, and I have personally engaged the key countries and key leaders to keep making progress. 

I have also talked to the incoming administration about the enormous opportunity to deliver growth and integration – and a high-standard alternative to what Beijing is offering.

The bottom line of all of these efforts is that the potential of this partnership is boundless.

***

But I hasten to add: it is not inevitable.

Over the years, people have referred to the United States and India as “natural” partners.

And in many ways, that’s true. Our democracies our linked. Our companies are linked. Our universities are linked. And more than anything else, our people our linked.

But the U.S.-India partnership that we have built together is not one that just naturally sprang into existence.  All of our linkages have been necessary, but at the same time, insufficient.

The partnership we have built is one of intention, of choice. One of determination, of leadership. And, frankly, one of perseverance and grit.

Look at the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement concluded by President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, may he rest in peace.

Or India’s designation as a Major Defense Partner of the United States in 2016.

Or President Biden and Prime Minister Modi’s decision to manufacture advanced jet engine technology and explore space together.

None of these were “natural” occurrences.

Step-by-step we have worked to build trust. To build habits of cooperation. And to move our partnership past what Prime Minister Modi has called our “hesitations of history.”

Which brings me to another historic step forward on that journey.

Although former President Bush and former Prime Minister Singh laid out a vision of civil-nuclear cooperation twenty years ago, we have yet to fully realize it.

But as we work to build clean energy technologies, to enable growth in artificial intelligence, and to help U.S. and Indian energy companies unlock their innovation potential, the Biden administration determined it was time to take the next major step in cementing this partnership.

So today I can announce that the United States is now finalizing the necessary steps to remove longstanding regulations that have prevented civil nuclear cooperation between India’s leading nuclear entities and U.S. companies.

This is a statement of confidence in the progress we have made—and will continue to make—as strategic partners, and as countries who share a commitment to peaceful nuclear cooperation. 

And it is the result of India’s open and transparent engagement with our Administration over the course of the past four years, which has enabled this new chapter to move forward.

Of course, none of this has been easy.

We’ve both had to navigate our share of turbulence. Legacy relationships. Tensions over trade, as well as human rights and rule of law, at home and abroad.

But we have navigated these issues together, with our eye on the long game. And our ability to do so reflects the deep and enduring resilience between the United States and India—across generations, across administrations, and “across the aisle.”

***

This leads to my parting thoughts: where do we go from here?

I am deeply proud of the work the United States and India have done together under iCET to shape the technologies of the future. And I’m proud that we are passing the baton off the next Administration in an even stronger position.

But there is still much more to be done.

Looking forward, it will not be enough for the United States and India to simply collaborate in building the critical technologies of the future.

We also need to work together to shape the diffusion, protection, and rules that govern those technologies.

We have already begun this work in domains such as space, where India’s decision to join the Artemis Accords is allowing us to establish a common set of principles around civilian space exploration.

We will need to continue to drive similar efforts in other spheres, such as the employment of artificial intelligence and advanced biotechnologies—both of which will have enormous consequences in every facet of life.

As we see more and more new technologies diverted to unfriendly actors, theUnited States and India will also need to ensure that valuable dual-use technologies don’t fall into the wrong hands.

This means aligning our export control systems. Looking at trade measures to protect our industrial strategies against overcapacity. Better securing our supply chains. And reviewing outbound and inbound investments in sensitive sectors.

As we take these steps, we need to expand the work we’re doing to leverage American and Indian innovation to help the world – especially emerging economies – to enable equitable growth across the globe.

And finally, our partnership can be most effectively sustained – and can only reach its full potential – if we each live up to the values that lie at the core of our democracies.  Respect for the rule of law that creates the conditions for dynamic growth. Respect for pluralism and tolerance that powers innovation.  And the protection of basic freedoms that unleash the human spirit. 

I say this not as a skeptic, but as someone who fully believes the United States and India can realize those aspirations.  These are basic truths about how our democracies will grow and flourish.

***

So let me close with this.

This is likely the last trip overseas I will lead as National Security Advisor.

And I cannot think of a better way to end my tenure in the White House–visiting India on my final overseas visit to mark the advances we have made together over the past four years: this is a shared and historic achievement, and a cornerstone of the Biden administration’s foreign policy legacy.

We’ve had to deal with challenging moments.  We’ve had to work to resolve difficult issues.

But being here at IIT Delhi with the young technologists and entrepreneurs and policymakers who will take this generational project forward,

I have every reason to be believe that within the next decade we’ll see:

American and Indian firms working together to build the next generation of semi-conductor technologies.

American and Indian astronauts conducting cutting-edge research and space exploration together.

American and Indian researchers contributing to a new explosion in lifesaving vaccines.

American and Indian engineering students developing new innovations together right here at IIT Delhi.

And American and Indian leaders propelling our partnership – and our future – toward what the American statesman-scientist Vannevar Bush called “the endless frontier” that we haven’t yet imagined.

Thank you again for having me here.  I cannot wait to see what all of you, and so many other young people across our nations, achieve in the years ahead.

###

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St. Louis Cathedral
New Orleans, Louisiana

6:51 P.M. CST

THE PRESIDENT:  Your Excellency, Archbishop Aymond; members of the clergy representing Christian, Jewish, Muslim faiths across the board, thank you for what you’re doing. 

Governor Landry, Representatives Carter and Fields, Mayor Cantrell, and all elected officials and members of the community. 

Most of all, the families and loved ones of those we lost in this horrific act of terrorism last Wednesday.

I know events like this are hard when the shock and pain is still so very raw. 

My wife, Jill, and I are here to stand with you, to grieve with you, to pray with you, and let you know you are not alone.  The rest of the nation is looking at you as well.

It’s not the same, but we know what it’s like to lose a piece of our soul — the anger, the emptiness, the black hole that seems to be sucking you into your chest, the sense of loss, the questions of faith in your soul.

I know it’s been five days staring at that empty chair in the kitchen, around the kitchen table, and not hearing the voice.

You think of the birthdays, the anniversaries, the holidays to come without them. 

You think of everything — everyday things, the small things, the details you’ll miss the most.  The morning coffee you shared together.  The bend of his smile.  The perfect pitch of her laugh.

The rest of America has learned about them as well.

Students who dreamed of becoming engineers or nurses.Star athletes who worked on Wall Street or helped coach small children.  Warehouse managers.  Bluegrass fan.  Cook, engaged to be married.  A single mom just promoted at work and teaching her young son to read.

They came from different states, even different country.

They were children who had dinner with their parents besur- — before joining their friends on New Year’s Eve.

Some even ran toward the chaos to try to help save others.

We remember them.

Today, we also stand with the 35 people who were injured in the attack, and we think of the brave responders and law enforcement officers — officials who risked their lives to stop the terror and save others, including two of those officers that I met tonight, injured in the firefight.  Now, thankfully, both are recovering and are home.

I’ve directed my team to make every resource available to federal, state, and local law enforcement to complete this investigation quickly and do whatever else we can.

The French Quarter is also home to so many people.  We will support everyone who lives there, all the people of New Orleans as they heal.

And if there’s one thing we know, New Orleans defines strength and resilience.  You define it.  Whether it’s in the form of this atta- — from this attack or hurricanes or superstorms, this city and its people get back up.

That’s the spirit of America as well.

Let me close with this.  To the families left behind, we know from some experience it’s hard.  But I promise you, the day will come when the memory of your loved one — you pass that park, open that closet door, smell that fragrance, just remember that laugh — when the memory of your loved one will bring a smile to your lips before a tear to your eye.

It will take time, but I promise you — I promise you, it will come.  It will take time.  My prayer is that that day comes sooner rather than later.  But it will come.  And when it does, you my — may you find purpose in your pain to live the life worthy of the one you lost.

From the hymn based on the 91st Psalm in my church, “May He raise you up on eagle’s wings and bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you — hold you in the palm of His hand.”

God bless you all.  And may God protect our troops.  God bless you.  (Applause.)

6:57 P.M. CST

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