Category: The White House

Source: The White House

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to attend the Inauguration of His Excellency William Samoei Arap Ruto on September 13, 2022, in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Honorable Katherine Tai, United States Trade Representative, will lead the delegation.

Members of the Presidential Delegation:

The Honorable Meg Whitman, United States Ambassador to the Republic of Kenya

The Honorable Colin Allred, United States Representative (D), Texas

The Honorable Mary Catherine Phee, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State

Dr. Monde Muyangwa, Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Africa, U.S. Agency for International Development

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Source: The White House

Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
National Harbor, Maryland

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Jaime, you give me hope.  (Applause.)  It is so good to see all of these leaders under one roof at one time.  I see so many friends. 
 
I want to thank you all.  And, Jaime, I want to thank you.  You’ve been such an incredible leader at a very, very significant and important time in our country.  And thank you for the passion and the drive and the inspiration that you give to this position and to all of us as Democrats.  Can we hear it up for Jaime Harrison?  (Applause.)  Thank you. 
 
So I do want to say that when we think about where we are today — and, to the DNC members, I want to thank you all, because you are the leaders who are making our promise real in this country.  And so, I thank you for that.
 
To the elected leaders who are here and the elected officials, especially the state and local officials, thank you for lifting up our communities. 
 
As Jaime said, I’ve been traveling the country, convening in particular our Democrats at the state level, because with so much of what has happened recently, their leadership is as, if not more, important than ever, in terms of you being on the ground — a recognizable face in the community — to remind people of all that is at stake and to give them a sense of optimism about our future.
 
To the young leaders who are here, I thank you.  You talked about a Harry Styles concert; that would be fun.  (Laughter.)  But thank you for all that you are doing.  I’ve met with so many of you, and you really are role models of what it means to understand the role of leadership that we all were born with, but it’s a matter of when you decide to turn it on.  And you all are doing that work. 
 
And to our labor leaders who are here, thank you for fighting on behalf of working people every day.  (Applause.)  As you know, I head up the Labor Council with Marty Walsh, Secretary of Labor.  And Joe Biden and I are very proud that we will be the most pro-union administration in the history of our country.  (Applause.)  Indeed. 
 
So, as Jaime said, we’ve got 59 days to go — 59.  And our work, your work is going to make all the difference because we know, Democrats, the stakes are so high.
 
As the President — as our President made clear in Philadelphia last week, the threats we face as a nation are great: threats to our freedom, threats to our very democracy.  And we need to speak truth about that. 
 
And so, today, we all, by coming together, reaffirm that we refuse to let extremist, so-called leaders dismantle our democracy.  (Applause.) 
 
We convene today to recommit to the fight for freedom.  Democrats, we here rise to meet this moment.  And we’ve done it before.  It wasn’t very long ago: 2020.  Under extremely difficult circumstances, the American people stood for their country and our democracy in one of the greatest expressions of patriotism: They voted. 
 
They dropped off their ballot with their kids in the backseat.  They took time off from work.  They found childcare in order to stand in line for hours. 
 
Democrats, in 2020, you reminded American voters of the stakes and, so importantly, you reminded — you reminded them that their vote matters and that they matter. 
 
And because of your work, more Americans voted than ever before, including a record number of younger voters. 
 
Because of your work, the American people delivered a Democratic Congress and sent Joe Biden and me to the White House.  (Applause.) 
 
And so, all of our progress since has proven that your work mattered.  In 2020, the American people put their trust in Democrats.  And over these last 18 months, Democrats have delivered. 
 
Let me rephrase that.  Over these last 18 months, Democrats have delivered big time.  (Applause.) 
 
And if there was any question about whether there’s a difference between the parties, well, over the last 18 months, it has become crystal clear: There is a big difference. 
 
We all know that American families have been struggling.  But while Republican Party leaders have gone on TV to opine about the situation, Democrats actually did something about it.  (Applause.) 
 
Think back, at the height of the pandemic, when Democrats provided emergency relief to the American people.  You know, not one Republican in Congress voted for the bill. 
 
We extended the Child Tax Credit; brought down, in the first year, child poverty in America by 40 percent.  We gave parents a tax cut of up to $8,000 for the cost of raising a child: medical supplies, school supplies.  And not one Republican in Congress voted with us. 
 
Just last month, when Democrats brought down healthcare costs, energy costs by passing the Inflation Reduction Act, again, not one Republican in Congress voted for the bill. 
 
For years, Big Pharma tried to pocket bigger profits by stopping Medicare from negotiating lower drug prices.  Well, Democrats — we said, “Enough.”  Because we know that it is not right in a civil nation that people go broke or bankrupt just to be able to get the prescription medication they need to live. 
 
And because of us, Democrats, Medicare now has the power to negotiate drug prices on behalf of 60 million Americans.  (Applause.)  Because we don’t put profits before people. 
 
And of course, Republican Party leaders strongly opposed us when we cancelled between $10,000 and $20,000 in student debt for millions of Americans.  (Applause.)  But we know what’s the right thing to do.
 
They say they care about crime.  Well, it was us who expanded background checks and passed the most significant gun violence law in 30 years.  (Applause.) 
 
They made promise after promise about investing in infrastructure.  You remember “Infrastructure Week.”  (Laughter.) 
 
Well, it was us — we led the way to the largest investment in our nation’s infrastructure in a generation.  (Applause.) 
 
They downplay — even deny — the impact of climate change as communities are literally on fire.  We made the largest investment to combat the climate crisis in history and deliver on environmental justice for people everywhere.  (Applause.)  And, yes, not one Republican voted with us.
 
We have paid for all of this without raising taxes on working people. (Applause.) 
 
And, you know, it’s interesting.  Republican Party leaders — well, they like to talk about fiscal responsibility.  We have done all of this and brought down the deficit by a record amount.  (Applause.) 
 
And let us not forget about our judiciary.  We are ensuring that our judiciary looks like America.  (Applause.)  Yes. 
 
We have confirmed more women to the federal courts than ever before — (applause) — including to the highest court in our land.  (Applause.)  Her name is Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.  (Applause.) 
 
So, Democrats, you know, I believe that when you know what you stand for, you know what to fight for.  So, let us remind the American people what Democrats stand for.  Let us remind the American people that we, as Democrats — we fight for the people, all the people.  Let us remind them, in this moment, that the stakes could not be higher. 
 
You know, right now, extremist so-called leaders are trumpeting the rhetoric of freedom while they restrict and systematically attempt to take away freedoms.
 
The United States Supreme Court just took a constitutional right that had been recognized from the people of America, from the women of America.  And now, these extremist, so-called leaders are passing laws to criminalize healthcare providers and punish women. 
 
They believe that government should make personal decisions for women — that government should make decisions for women about their own body. 
 
Well, we do not.  We trust women.  (Applause.)
 
And an important point to be made on that subject is on the subject of choice and what the Dobbs decision has done and what it means.  It’s an important point to acknowledge that you don’t have to abandon your faith or your beliefs to agree that the government should not be making that decision for her.  (Applause.)
 
And thank you, Kansas.  (Applause.)  You guys are here. 
 
Those extremist, so-called leaders claim we should return this issue to the voters in the states.  Well, isn’t that ironic?  Because some of the same people are the ones passing laws that intentionally make it more difficult for people in those states to vote, passing laws that ban drop boxes and restrict early voting — laws that make it illegal to give people food and water when they’ve been standing in line for hours; undemocratic laws; un-American laws. 
 
So again, in this moment, the stakes could not be higher.  And take a look — because I have — at which states — from which states are we seeing attacks on the freedom to vote, attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, attacks on women’s rights to make decisions about their own bodies.  Take a look at from where these attacks are happening, and you will then not be surprised to know that there’s quite a few of those states that are doing all three at the same time: Florida, Georgia, Texas.
 
And this November, those governors — well, they’re going to have to answer to the voters.  (Applause.)  As I travel to visit with all of you — travel all over our country, let me tell you: Folks know — they also know that elections matter up and down the ballot.  Right?
 
Because think about it.  As doctors are being criminalized, pay attention to those local county prosecutor races.  As big lies are being perpetrated, pay attention to those Secretary of State races.  In fact, in 11 states right now — in 11 states, Republican candidates for Secretary of State deny the results of the 2020 election.  Just consider: The very people who don’t trust elections want to be responsible for running them. 
 
And then, there’s D.C., where we need to hold on — and we will — hold on to the House of Representatives and expand our majority in the United States Senate.  (Applause.) 
 
And — and on that point, allow me to lay out two very real scenarios for you.  First, imagine — I don’t want to, but imagine if we lost our Democratic majority in the Congress. 
 
Republican Party leaders have made it clear: They want to ban abortion nationwide.  And they won’t stop there.  Justice Clarence Thomas said the quiet part out loud: Marriage equality will be on the line.  Contraception will be on the line.  Without a Democratic majority in Congress, who knows what other rights they will come after? 
 
Now, imagine a better future.  Imagine what we can do if we defend the five seats we need to hold on to the majority in the House.  Imagine what we can do if we protect and, better yet, expand our majority in the Senate.  Imagine.  (Applause.)
 
We can then fight to ensure every worker has paid family leave.  We can fight to ensure every family can afford childcare.  We can fight to ensure every childcare provider is paid fairly also.  (Applause.)
 
Because, you see, we have done a lot over these last 18 months, but we still have a lot more work that we’re ready to do. 
 
And, Democrats, with just two more seats in the Senate, we can codify Roe v Wade.  We can put the protections of Roe into law.  (Applause.)
 
With two more seats in the United States Senate, we can pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.  (Applause.)  Two more seats.  (Applause.)  That’s right.  Two more seats.
 
And, you know, our President — our President, Joe Biden, he’s been clear.  He’s kind of done with those archaic Senate rules that are standing in the way of those two issues.  He’s made that clear, and has said that that — he will not allow that to obstruct those two issues. 
 
And, you know, for me, as Vice President, I’m also president of the Senate.  And — (applause) — and in our first year in office, some of the historians here may know I actually broke John Adams’s record of casting the most tiebreaking votes in a single term.  (Laughs.)  How about that? (Applause.)  How about that?
 
And so, that being the case, I cannot wait to cast the deciding vote to break the filibuster on voting rights and reproductive rights.  I cannot wait.  (Applause.)  Fifty-nine days.  Fifty-nine days.
 
And here’s the good news — you all know it; I can feel the energy in the room — we’ve got momentum on our side.  Because again, if I may ask the Kansans in the room to stand so we can applaud what you did.  (Applause.)  Yeah.  Momentum. 
 
Look what happened in Kansas.  The people there — these leaders and so many joined together and protected reproductive rights in their state. 
 
Look what happened in New York’s Hudson Valley.  Remember, the pundits predicted a Republican victory, but the people elected a Democrat to Congress.  (Applause.)
 
Look what’s happening just last week in Alaska.  (Applause.)  How about that?  Mary Peltola is on her way to the United States House of Representatives.  (Applause.)  And by the way, it’s the first time a Democrat has won that seat in 50 years.  (Applause.)
 
So, in the next 59 days, it is up to all of us here to build on this momentum.  And each and every one of these days counts. 
 
And know that the majority of Americans are with us on so many of these issues.  Because we stand with the people, and we fight for the people, and we are committed to leading our nation forward, not back. 
 
So, to every American, let us say: If you believe in the right to privacy, in the promise of freedom and liberty, in the ideal of self-determination, then stand with Democrats.  If you believe in the promise of America, then stand with us. 
 
Because, you see, we do believe fundamental to America is to protect women’s rights.  Fundamental to America is to protect LGBTQ rights.  Fundamental to the strength of America is to fight for workers’ rights.  Fundamental to who America has always been and will be is to fight for immigrant justice.  Fundamental to having responsible policing is the point that if we want to be safer and treat all as equals, this is what we do. 
 
If we as a nation want to invest in small businesses that make America stronger, stand with us. 
 
If you want to build the middle class and expand opportunity for every American wherever they live — be it a big city, a suburb, or a small town — stand with us. 
 
This is a pivotal moment in our nation’s history.  And make no mistake: This election is how we rise to meet it.  (Applause.)
 
You all have heard me paraphrase Coretta Scott King so many times, and I’m about to do it again.  (Laughter.)  She said, “Struggle is a never-ending process, and freedom is never really won.  You earn it, and you win it in every generation.”  And today, I’m going to add a piece: and you earn it and you win it in every election.  (Applause.)
 
So, in 59 days, we will determine the future of our nation.  And in these 59 days then, let’s leave it all on the field.  Because when we fight, we win.  (Applause.)
 
God bless you all.  God bless America.  Thank you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)
 
                          END

Source: The White House

Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
National Harbor, Maryland

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Hello, my sorors!  (Applause.)  Oh, please have a seat.  Please have a seat.  Oh, I’m so — I’m just so happy that we were able to make this work.  (Applause.)
 
I know all the work that everyone has been doing over these last few days, starting with Thursday.  I’ve been hearing about all the good work, because, of course, ours is a sorority that is about service to all mankind.  (Applause.)
 
And I just want to thank everybody for what you do.  I mean, ours is sisterhood that, of course, was founded on service and on understanding the power of — in that mission, the power of sisterhood — the power of reminding ourselves and each other that we are in this together; that we are not alone; and that with the community of sisterhood, we have so many capacities to have an extraordinary impact on so many people.
 
And I am so proud to be a member of this sorority.  I am so proud.  (Applause.)  And I’ll tell you — you know, and I — I go to different states.  And actually — and, you know, I’ve, so far, as Vice President, actually met with and directly talked with, by phone or in person, over 100 heads of foreign states — presidents, prime ministers, kings.
 
And I say that to say that wherever I go — if I’m traveling in the United States, but even when I have traveled abroad — we got sorors everywhere.  (Laughter.)  Everywhere.
 
Sometimes, my staff who might not know — oh, there we go — now everybody can hear me.  Sometimes people around me will say, “You know, ma’am, there’s a group of people…” — (laughter).  “There’s a group of people — and they’re all wearing pink and green — who would like to meet with you.”  And then, of course, I (inaudible).  (Laughter.)
 
But truly, I’m here — can you all hear me if I don’t use that?  So, I’m — let’s turn that off.  There we go.
 
I was across the way to give a speech about the state of our nation right now.  And there’s so much at stake right now.  There is so much about what we stand for that gets decided by elected officials.  We have a midterm coming up in 59 days, and there is so much at stake that you all know. 
 
And so, I ask that we continue to serve in every way that we do, including encouraging people to use their voice through their vote, understanding that their voice matters, that they matter, and that they have a right to order what they want in their lives through the use of their voice with their vote.  (Applause.)
 
And for the women of America in particular right now, so much is on the line. 
 
So, I would ask that in the spirit of sisterhood and the spirit of the great work of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, that we continue to organize community on every level, including around the importance of what our ancestors and the women who helped found our sorority fought for way back in the day, which includes the right to vote. 
 
And I’ll close by telling you: I — I shared with some folks — so, many of you may know my aunt was actually Basileus in Oakland, California, when I — (applause).  And when I — and she went to Howard University.
 
And so, when I was growing up, when I was in high school, as we do with the children in our lives, she put me to work.  (Laughter.)  And so, I was her assistant, and I had to sort through all her documents, which, when she was Basileus, were all pink and green.  (Laughter.)
 
And one time, the sorority then hosted Norma E. Boyd.  And I met Ms. Boyd before I was a member of the sorority, when I was a very young girl.  And Ms. Boyd gave me her book, “A Love that Equals My Labors” — which I have.  She signed it to me.
 
And when I think then about the traditions of our sorority, as exemplified by the founders and by everyone in this room, I know that the future of our nation is bright because we are a collection of committed, dedicated people — (applause) — who, through our sisterhood, understand the promise of our nation and our ability to reach it.
 
And so, again, I thank you all on such a personal level, but also as your Vice President.  (Applause.)
 
                          END
 

Source: The White House

Johnson Space Center
Houston, Texas

1:31 P.M. CDT
 
THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good morning, everyone.  Please have a seat.  Good afternoon.
 
Madam Director, thank you for that very kind introduction and for your work. 
 
I am thrilled to be here.  I am thrilled to be here. 
 
But, for our director, I want to thank you for your leadership.  You have been an inspiration to so many. 
 
It is truly an honor to be with so many leaders here today.  I’ve had the chance to visit with quite a few of you this morning.  And I will tell you — each and every one of you and our panelists: You inspire me and you inspire our nation.  And by extension, you inspire the world.  So, thank you all for what you do. 
 
And to the members of our administration, the members of Congress who are here, private sector leaders, international partners, and, of course, my fellow Americans: Thank you and welcome to the second convening of our National Space Council.
 
So, 60 years ago next week, just up the road at Rice University, President John F. Kennedy delivered an address on the future of the American space program.
 
At the time, the space race with the Soviet Union was well underway.  And while our nation had made many discoveries and achieved many milestones in the years before — at the time, America was at real risk of falling behind.
 
And so, to the assembled thousands and to the entire world, President Kennedy made a vow: Before the end of the decade, America would do what no nation had done before, we would set foot on the Moon.
 
Because of the vision of President Kennedy; because of the commitment of President Johnson — a champion of the American space program since his days in the United States Senate; and because of the hard work and ingenuity of thousands of Americans, our nation, in fact, did achieve that goal.
 
In the decades since, America has orbited Mercury, landed rovers on Mars, and flown by Pluto.  We have looked back on our Earth from billions of miles away.  And we have built a telescope powerful enough to observe our universe as it was billions of years ago.  Imagine. 
 
For generations, with our allies and partners around the globe, America has led our world in the exploration and use of space. 
 
And I do believe that our leadership has been guided by a set of fundamental principles — cooperation, security, ambition, and public trust — which is the recognition, of course, that space can and must be protected for the benefit of all people.
 
Today, as was the case 60 years ago, our nation’s leadership in space is critical to our economic prosperity, to our scientific and technological progress, and, in a time of increasing great power rivalry, to our national security.
 
So the mission of this council is to preserve and promote American leadership in space, to synchronize our nation’s civil and commercial and national security space activities so that America may continue to use space to improve the lives of people in our nation and throughout our world.
 
Last year, at the first meeting of the National Space Council, we identified three priorities essential to that mission:
 
First, expanding our STEM workforce.  And I’ve invited some students here today because they truly are the future of our leadership on that level. 
 
Second, a priority is addressing the climate crisis.
 
And third, promoting international rules and norms to govern space activities.
 
Today, the business of our work is for the council to report on the work that has occurred since our last meeting across these areas.  We will, today, also discuss the work yet ahead — the work we must still do to continue to move forward.  In particular, the work we must do to build a skilled, technical space workforce; to advance human space exploration; and to establish rules for novel commercial space activities.
 
First: Building our skilled technical workforce.  So, last week, with many of you, I had the honor to visit the Kennedy Space Center.  There, I met some of the people who are building the future of the American space program.
 
And as you might expect, these were engineers; literally, rocket scientists; astronauts; and programmers.  And they were also welders, machinists, and electricians.
 
Today, the space industry employs tens of thousands of skilled technical workers.  Even so, there are thousands more jobs for technical workers — good-paying jobs that often do not require a four-year degree but are essential to our space program.  And these jobs are just waiting to be filled. 
 
Last year, I called on private sector leaders to help our nation address, then, this workforce need.  And, today, I’m proud to say over a dozen commercial space companies are answering that call.
 
In fact, next month, these companies will kick off three regional pilot training programs: one in Florida, one on the Gulf Coast, and one in Southern California.  This coalition of companies will partner with our community colleges, with our technical schools, and our unions to help workers learn the skills they need to take on the new jobs that are being created in the space industry and to help our nation lead the way in space. 
 
So that brings me to our second area of focus, and a focus of our meeting for today as well, which is advancing human space exploration.  Soon, for the first time in half a century, America will go back to the Moon.
 
The Artemis Program will return American astronauts to the Lunar surface, in- — yes.  (Applause.)  Yes.  And as Madam Director mentioned, the — it will include the first woman and person of color. 
 
And think about it: So, when we went before, indeed, with pride, we planted our flag.  It was rather temporary that visit.  With the Artemis Program, it’s not just to visit but to live and to work on the Moon.  Think about that.
 
The Artemis Program — (applause) — yes.  The Artemis Program will establish the first space station in lunar orbit and the first lunar basecamp where astronauts will train for the first mission to Mars.
 
And our nation is also leading the way in human space exploration closer to home.
 
For over two decades, astronauts aboard the International Space Station have advanced scientific progress.  In fact, I was — I was honored to speak with three of them this morning from here, of course.  NASA has used the station’s unique microgravity environment to develop new treatments for cancer and rare genetic diseases.
 
And when I spoke with them this morning, they talked about how their work is helping us fight the climate crisis.  They’re work is increasing the productivity of our farms and slowing the effects of aging.  So our administration and we all gathered today are committed to continuing that work, which is why last year, our administration announced that we would extend our commitment to the International Space Station through 2030. (Applause.)
 
And that being said, we are aware that the International Space Station will not remain operational forever — that we all know — which is why NASA is working with the private sector to develop the first generation of commercial space stations.
 
And as we will discuss more today, our administration remains committed to making sure that NASA maintains the capacity to conduct cutting-edge research in space, which brings me then to our final area of focus: establishing rules for novel commercial space activities.
 
Today, private space companies have capabilities that would have been difficult to imagine even a decade ago.  Today, private companies can dock satellites in orbit.  They can capture and move space debris out of the way of our satellites and space stations.  And soon, they will be able to repair and even build new structures while in orbit. 
 
These novel activities will enable America’s continued leadership in space.  But because these capabilities are so new, few rules currently exist to ensure that they are conducted safely, effectively, and sustainably, which is why, in consultation with civil and commercial stakeholders, our administration is currently developing the first rules as a framework for novel space activities.
 
These rules will promote innovation and enable competition.  They will reinforce the sources of America’s global strength, such as our innovation and our industrial capacity.  These rules will be flexible enough to cover space activities that have not yet even been imagined.  And they will help ensure that our nation remains a global role model for the responsible use of space.
 
All of this, then, is part of our administration’s larger vision for space.  As I explained last year: As activity in space grows, we must also establish international rules and norms to reaffirm the rights of, and demand responsibility from, all space-faring nations.
 
Since our last meeting, eight new nations have signed on to the Artemis Accords, which establish clear norms for civil space exploration, bringing the total number of signatories to 21.
 
This April, I announced that our nation would not conduct destructive, direct-ascent, anti-satellite missile testing.
 
And later this month, the United States will introduce a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly to call on other nations to make the same commitment.
 
And here is my final point: Much has changed since our nation first set our sights on the Moon six decades ago.  We have traveled billions of miles into the unknown, and we have learned many great and profound truths about our universe.
 
And yet, in a very real sense, we have only just begun our journey into space.  There is so much we still don’t know and so much we still haven’t done.  Space remains a place of undiscovered and unrealized opportunity.
 
So, our task then and our responsibility, dare I say, is to work together to guide humanity forward into this new frontier and to make real the incredible potential of space for all people.
 
May God bless you.  And may God bless America.  Thank you all.  (Applause.)
 
                         END            1:47 P.M. CDT
 

Source: The White House

Dear Madam Speaker: (Dear Madam President:)

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date.  In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to Ethiopia that was declared in Executive Order 14046 of September 17, 2021, is to continue in effect beyond September 17, 2022.

The situation in and in relation to northern Ethiopia, has been marked by activities that threaten the peace, security, and stability of Ethiopia and the greater Horn of Africa region — in particular, widespread violence, atrocities, and serious human rights abuse, including those involving ethnic-based violence, rape and other forms of gender-based violence, and obstruction of humanitarian operations — continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  Therefore, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14046 with respect to Ethiopia.

                               Sincerely,  

                               JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

Source: The White House

Across America, local news outlets are reporting on the Biden-Harris Administration’s launch of a website that, for the first time, provides a live dashboard to help communities see extreme weather and other hazards from climate change they are facing, while also providing maps projecting how each community could be impacted in the future. The new Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation portal will help state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments and leaders better track real-time impacts and access federal resources for long-term planning.  

Yesterday, Administration officials joined Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to announce this new website, which provides accessible and interactive tools on extreme heat, drought, wildfires, flooding, and other climate impacts. 

Read below for a sample of coverage:

Northwest News Network: Biden administration launches website to provide real-time climate data, predict future scenarios
The website, known as Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation, or CMRA, will help community leaders better plan for climate-related hazards, officials said. The website and corresponding maps streamline the federal government’s data at the national-level down to the census tract-level. Maps and charts show various climate hazards and potential future conditions under low- and high-emission scenarios for heat-trapping greenhouse gasses.

The Sacramento Bee: As climate change throttles California, new U.S. tool lets people see the long-term impact

The Biden Administration on Thursday unveiled a new website intended to provide localities, agencies and individuals with a clear look at the current and future impacts of climate change. The announcement comes on the heels of a historic heat wave in California, amid a drought that is devastating the western states, and after a summer that saw extreme flooding in many parts of the country.

Arizona PBS: Climate tool brings the bad news; advocates hope that brings good outcomes
“We are spending tens of millions of dollars on climate resilience … and this tool will help me understand where are the most effective places to put these dollars,” [Phoenix Mayor Kate] Gallego said Thursday.

Idaho Capital Sun: New government tool shows Idaho and other states’ climate-related risks, projections

The web-based tool, called Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation, contains information about current climate trends and projections through 2099, including risks such as expected revenue losses, annual number of dry days and consecutive wet days, and average daily minimum and maximum temperatures.

KATU ABC Oregon: New national climate resilience tool predicts natural disaster likelihood
Benton County Emergency Manager Bryan Lee said the tool can be useful locally to help inform emergency managers on what risk models to take into consideration. “We can use this tool to help us develop our hazard risk assessments and then again just use that data out there, use the science out there from a reputable source to then use in our emergency plans,” he said. The tool also points out whether municipalities have building code restrictions in place based on their area’s risk.

KRCR ABC California: Extreme heat, drought and wildfires; White House introduces new climate mapping tool

The Assessment Tool serves to provide a glimpse at what is possible in the future under two different emissions scenarios. You can enter an address, and a large dashboard pops up, allowing you to explore the change of various important measures of climate impacts. You can explore this data for any individual census tract, county or tribal land. Benjamin Preston of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy noted that this is one of the first times that we are able to summarize climate information for these tribal lands.

New Mexico Political Report: New online portal shows climate change impacts

A new website launched this week is intended to help people visualize how climate change is impacting their communities and to help communities plan for and respond to climate change. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ administration announced the new Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation portal on Thursday.

Route Fifty: A New Tech Tool to Help Communities Confront Climate Risks
Besides climate data, the portal identifies disadvantaged communities that could be eligible for programs like Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to direct federal resources to areas disproportionately harmed by climate change and other environmental problems. 

“We wanted to build a portal that is science-based, pulling together the best data on impacts that communities have historically faced, what is happening right now, and perhaps most importantly, what the future may hold,” said David Hayes, special assistant to the president for climate policy, during a press conference on Thursday.  

Fast Company: These maps show how climate change affects your city in real time—and what will happen in the future

One map shows current extreme heat, wildfires, droughts, plus inland and coastal flooding. If you type a city or address into a separate assessment tool on the site, it shows current risks by census tract, and then spells out future hazards under two scenarios: What happens if greenhouse gas emissions quickly drop, and what will happen if they remain high. In Miami, for example, a map shows how much more of the coastline will go underwater in a high-emissions scenario. The dashboard also shows how much extreme heat and other hazards are likely to increase in each scenario. The site also includes links to help cities find federal grants to build more resilient infrastructure.

Source: The White House

     On September 17, 2021, by Executive Order 14046, I declared a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the situation in and in relation to northern Ethiopia.
     The situation in and in relation to northern Ethiopia, which has been marked by activities that threaten the peace, security, and stability of Ethiopia and the greater Horn of Africa region — in particular, widespread violence, atrocities, and serious human rights abuses, including those involving ethnic-based violence, rape and other forms of gender-based violence, and obstruction of humanitarian operations — continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  For this reason, the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14046 of September 17, 2021, must continue in effect beyond September 17, 2022.  Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14046 with respect to Ethiopia.
     This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

                               JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,
    September 9, 2022.

Source: The White House

      Consistent with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1622(d), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency previously declared on September 14, 2001, in Proclamation 7463, with respect to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the continuing and immediate threat of further attacks on the United States.
      Because the terrorist threat continues, the national emergency declared on September 14, 2001, and the powers and authorities adopted to deal with that emergency must continue in effect beyond September 14, 2022.  Therefore, I am continuing in effect for an additional year the national emergency that was declared on September 14, 2001, with respect to the terrorist threat. 
      This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

                               JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,
September 9, 2022

Source: The White House

Dear Madam Speaker: (Dear Madam President:)

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1622(d), provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date.  Consistent with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register the enclosed notice, stating that the emergency declared in Proclamation 7463 with respect to the terrorist attacks on the United States of September 11, 2001, is to continue in effect for an additional year.

The terrorist threat that led to the declaration on September 14, 2001, of a national emergency continues.  For this reason, I have determined that it is necessary to continue in effect after September 14, 2022, the national emergency with respect to the terrorist threat.

                               Sincerely,  

                               JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

Source: The White House

Via Teleconference

Johnson Space Center
Houston, Texas

10:14 A.M. CDT
 
THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon.  Can you hear me?
 
DR. LINGREN:  Madam Vice President, we have you loud and clear.  It’s great to see you at JSC and an honor to speak with you from the International Space Station. 
 
THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I am so excited to be with you all as Vice President, as the head of the Space Council, and as an American who is a space nerd.  I’m so thrilled to be with each one of you.  And thank you for your excellence.  Thank you for your service. 
 
How are you guys doing?
 
DR. LINGREN:  We’re — we’re doing great.  We are fellow space nerds.  And we really appreciate you and the Space Council and everyone there — the support that you all have for the human spaceflight program. 
 
THE VICE PRESIDENT:  You know, I’ve invited some students to join us today.  And we’ve been talking with folks, of course, around the country about what you all are doing.
 
Can you share, for those who have not been on the International Space Station: How does it impact your view of Earth when you’ve had that experience?  Does it change your view of Earth and your perception of who we are who live on Earth?
    
MR. HINES:  Well, ma’am, that’s a — that’s a great question.  I think it’s something that we all share up here.  You know, one of the unique perspectives that we have here is to see Earth in its entirety.  You know, we orbit the Earth.  We see 16 sunrises and sunsets every day. 
 
And we look down and we see a world with no borders.  We see — and we see and work with people that are, you know, from all different backgrounds and things like that. 
 
So, our perspective up here is that we’re all part of one team, we all work towards one common purpose, and that when we set — set our minds towards — towards those kinds of goals, we can accomplish anything. 
 
So it is really phenomenal to be up here.  And it is great looking down on the Earth.  You do realize how fragile it is and how much we have to take care of it as well. 
 
And so, it is just really a privilege to be up here and — and just really an honor. 
 
THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Lessons for all of us.  We’re all in this together, aren’t we?  But you can see that when you’re in space — that we on Earth are all in this together. 
 
And I appreciate your point about the fragility of this beautiful Earth of ours and the need therefore to take care of it.  
 
Tell us what you are learning on the Space Station that is helping us be smarter around how we take care of Earth.
 
DR. WATKINS:  Yeah, absolutely.  You know, first, Madam Vice President, it’s an honor and privilege to be speaking with you today. 
 
But yes, we are honored and privileged to be able to use the International Space Station as a testbed and as a laboratory to be able to learn lessons that we can apply to Earth. 
 
So, things like learning how to grow plants without soil and being able to use that back on Earth to help with food security; thinking about — learning about how cells age — immune cells age while we’re up here and thinking about how we can help with immune cell aging back on Earth.
 
There are so many different aspects of what we do up here that can be applied to making Earth a better place. 
 
THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And everything you spoke of is about life — isn’t it? — and what we can do through food, through the growth of agriculture that feeds the species and the population, but also what we can do to improve the condition of human life in terms of sickness and what we can do and discover in terms of treatment that really is so exciting. 
 
What — I have — I’m going to have a bunch of students with me today.  What would you tell them to — and share with them to encourage them to continue with their studies in a way that they would either one day be on the International Space Station or could be here on Earth working with these incredible professionals I’m around right now to facilitate the work you all are doing in space?  What’s your advice for our students?
 
(The teleconference connection to the International Space Station passes out of range.)
 
                          END                 10:18 A.M. CDT