Category: The White House

Source: The White House

South Court Auditorium

Eisenhower Executive Office Building

11:23 A.M. EDT
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Well, thank you all for your patience. 
 
Secretary Raimondo, thank you.
 
Before we begin, I’d like to speak very briefly about today’s jobs report that was just been issued. 
 
We received more good news.  In August, the economy created 315,000 new jobs.  The great American jobs machine continues its comeback.  American workers are back to work, earning more, manufacturing more, and building an economy from the bottom up and the middle out.
 
But with today’s news, we have now created nearly 10 million new jobs since I took office.  Nearly 10 million jobs — the fastest growth in all of American history.
 
In August, we also saw that the share of Americans who are working in our economy went up.  Economists call that the “labor force participation rate.”
 
Working-age women are now, for the first time, back at work at rates not seen since before the pandemic.
 
Wages are up.  Unemployment remains near a 50-year low.  And, yesterday, we got that — we got data that showed that manufacturing orders were up but cost increases of supply chain items were beginning to ease. 
 
The week before that, we got data showing that price increases may be beginning to ease as well.
 
The bottom line is: Jobs are up.  Wages are up.  People are back to work.  And we are seeing some signs that inflation may be — may be — I’m not going to overpromise you — may be beginning to ease.
 
Couple that with the fact that gas prices have now fallen 80 straight days — the fastest decline in over a decade –
and the price at the pump is now $1.20 a gallon less than it was the beginning of summer.
 
America has some really good news going into Labor Day weekend.
 
But we’re also seeing something else critical to the backbone of the American economy: manufacturing.  Manufacturing is roaring back.
 
Since I took office, the economy has created 668,000 manufacturing jobs — the strongest manufacturing job recovery since the 1950s.
 
And just last week, we’ve seen major American companies — from First Solar to Corning to Micron — announce plans to invest tens of billions of dollars — tens of billions, that’s not a misstatement — tens of billions of dollars, expanding manufacturing in America.
 
We’ve seen major global companies –like Toyota and Honda — announce that they are choosing America to invest and build.
 
None of this is happening by accident.  These investments and this recovery are a direct result of my economic plan.  Some people gave up on American manufacturing.  Not me.  Not the Secretary.  Not the American people.
 
“Make It in America” is no longer just a slogan; it’s a reality in my administration. 
 
I’m committed to building an economy from the bottom up and the middle out.  You’ve heard me say that a thousand times.  But that’s what’s happening.  And that’s what we’re here to talk about today. 
 
Now, a big part of the American Rescue Plan that I signed once I — a month after we got in office — we were facing a once-in-a-century pandemic, historic joblessness, businesses struggling to stay open, remote learning for our children. 
 
But thanks to the American Rescue Plan, we have come a long way. We got vaccine shots in arms.  We helped people who needed it — it the most.  We kept teachers in the classrooms, cops on the beat, firefighters on the job — because the local communities didn’t have the money to pay for them.
 
And as a result, COVID no longer controls our lives.  More Americans are working than ever.  Businesses are growing.  Schools are open.  And today, we’re celebrating a signature program the American Rescue — of the American — within the American Rescue Plan that’s going to help communities that need it most.
 
Look, it’s called the Build Back Better Regional Challenge.  It’s centered around a vision that, as our economy recovers and modernizes, as science and technologies accelerate and change the nature of how we manufacture, we want workers and small businesses leading this transition — making sure they’re a part of it, not just being shunted aside — instead fearing that the transition will be leave them behind.  We’re going to help them get retrained and many other things. 
 
And thank — think — look, think of the 55-year-old small businessman who has been making a single screw — this is literally true — for a combustible engine for cars for decades.  He and his workers are worried.  Why?  Because we’re moving to high-tech electric vehicles.  We’re going to help them and their businesses with training and new technology to help them make parts for electric vehicles and lead the transition to a clean energy economy so they’re not left behind.
 
This is about investing in them, believing in them, helping them transition to a new world.  They can do these jobs, just like they did the ones they had before.  This is about jobs in their communities for them — not having to leave or not having to go on unemployment.
 
As new enterprises are created in the communities, they should have — they shouldn’t have to leave.  They should be the ones being able to fill in for those jobs. 
 
So we designed this program by thinking about people and places in a really important way.  And I know I got all of you up on the screen here in 21 different communities. 
 
This American Rescue Plan program invests $1 billion — a total of $3 [billion] — but $1 billion to create jobs and opportunity for people in the places where they live and where they’ve worked their entire careers so they don’t have to leave.
 
I know when folks hear such big numbers, they don’t think it’s — it’s for them.  But this is for them.  It is for them. 
 
Over 500 coalitions applied for these grants — from community organizations to philanthropies, to labor unions, to colleges and universities — all working together from every part of America.
 
That kind of interest is a testament to the need and enthusiasm for this type of investment.  I — it took — I take a look at this as a transition investment.
 
I’m so proud to announce 21 awardees, up on the screen here, who will each receive between $25 million and $65 million jobs to turn their plans into action.
 
And as Secretary Raimondo just said — and I guess I wasn’t supposed to start this off, was I?  Come to think of it.  All of a sudden, it dawned one me: I was supposed to let her speak first.  (Laughter.)
 
But estimate these projects are going to result in 100,000 jobs created or saved, over $7 billion in additional private sector investment in these 21 communities.
 
We want you to continue having good jobs in your community so you don’t have to leave, so your people in your communities are displa- — aren’t displaced.
 
The winners are all here up on the screen, and they’re going to empower communities in Pennsylvania, West Virginia —
 
Joe, is that you?  Is that Joe Manchin I see?
 
SENATOR MANCHIN:  I’m right here with you.
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Hey, Joe Joe.  Good to see you, man.  Thanks for what you’re doing.  A matter of a fact, you’re one of the guys that started this idea with me — what you needed — what you’re talking about needed — had happened in West Virginia. 
 
But anyway —
 
SENATOR MANCHIN:  And you kept your promise.
 
THE PRESIDENT:  They’re — they’re going to empower communities in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Louisiana to lead our nation’s transition to clean energy. 
 
They’re going to empower small manufacturers in Michigan, Kansas, North Carolina, El Paso, Texas — helping them modernize and become part of a supply chains for cutting-edge technologies, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, aerospace.
 
They’re going to empower agriculture workers in Fresno, California, and women in St. Louis, Missouri, pursuing manufacturing careers through quality job training and apprenticeships that lead to good-paying jobs.
 
And they are going to support entrepreneurship and small business creation from Native American communities in Montana and to Tulsa Greenwood neigh — to Tulsa’s Greenwood neighborhood, once known as the Black Wall Street, that I visited on the 100th Anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre.
 
Together, these projects are going to uplift underserved communities and include them as a key part of America’s economy for the 21st century.
 
We’re putting people who have been left behind in the past or couldn’t be — couldn’t have been lifted out of anything before.  They’re going to be part of this recovery.  They’re going to be the ones who are going to leading the way here.  They’re going to be the ones getting retrained for these jobs.  
 
Take the project in Georgia.  I’ve recently signed a number of laws that is going to bring manufacturing jobs back to America and to make sure the future is made in America — think of everything from electric vehicles to semiconductor chips.
 
Georgia Tech, one of the great research universities, is a leader in understanding how artificial intelligence can be used to strengthen almost any industry.
 
But too many folks, especially small manufacturers in Black communities or in rural — or rural communities in Georgia, can’t afford access to the knowledge and research to be able to capture these jobs, to be trained for them.
 
They can’t take advantage of all that technology that can make them — for them, all the difference between their businesses closing and thriving.  So, Georgia Tech partnered with HBCUs and — like Spelman College and Fort Valley State, and local community colleges.
 
With this grant, they’re going to take this technology on the road with a mobile training studios.  That’s basically a high-tech van that’s going to travel into underserved areas across Georgia to train a whole new generation of workers.
 
Technology experts will provide workers who are interested in four- to six-week hands-on training that can make all the difference in their employment.
 
Think of a poultry farmer who might never have had a chance to learn how to artificial — how artificial technology can help manage inventory or improve safety and quality while increasing their productivity.
 
Think of a family-owned paper manufacturer that could never have afforded trying out cutting-edge technologies, but now they’re going to be able to.
 
And they’re going to be able to grow their businesses.  And they can do it without ever leaving their home or their families.  This is a gamechanger.
 
Take the projections — the project in Manchester, New Hampshire.  And I’d tell you what: I heard so much from the — from the delegation in New Hampshire — from Maggie Hassan — anyway.  I won’t get into it.  But they — this has been one of the things they’ve been pushing for a long time — both senators and the congressman.  
 
Their goal is nothing short of becoming a global epicenter for the next generation of advanced medicine.  But to do it, they need world-class labs for clinical trials that will attract the most innovative bio-medicine companies in the — to locate and create jobs in New Hampshire.
 
I have to say that Senator Hassan and Shaheen, and Congressman Pappas: I hear you.  I hear you.  I hear you.  I know you’ve been talking about this a long time.  We’ve finally gotten it. 
 
And they’re going to need to bring struggling communities along in the process.
 
Because of this grant, Manchester is going to revitalize what was once one of the largest cotton textile plants in the world.
 
Right now, 100,000-square-foot mill building is empty and idle, but not for long.  Because of this grant, a coalition of city leaders and research and community organizations is going to transform that old mill into a modern marvel.  It’s going to house advanced science labs that are going to conduct groundbreaking clinical trials.
 
It’s going to be the place where they can test biotechnologies and test — and treatments that are going to save lives.  And the governor — the Republican governor is working on it — going to be there as well. 
 
For workers, small businesses, entrepreneurs in the Man- — in the Manchester area, it means opportunity.  It means jobs you can raise your family on in Manchester — not have to move.
 
Because of this American Rescue Plan grant, they’re going to be able to have access to cutting-edge technology and labs they never could have afforded before.  This is going to allow them to compete with anyone anywhere in the world, and make sure the supply-chain for these new medicines advances — the medical advances are built right here in America.  It matters. 
 
As you probably know, I could go on and on and speak about each of your communities here, but time won’t permit. 
 
I applaud every community that received the grant and that applied.  You’re the reason why I’m so optimistic for the future of our country.  I mean it. 
 
You’ve heard me say it many times before.  America is the only nation in the world that can be defined by a single word: possibilities.  There’s nothing but possibilities here.  That’s what this is about.
 
I want to thank you.  And now I’m — so I’m going to do what I should have done to begin with: Turn it over to the Secretary to begin this.  But we’ve already gone by it.
 
So, Madam Secretary, the floor is yours.
 
SECRETARY RAIMONDO:  Thank you, Mr. President.  I think the fact that the President jumped in there right away is a testament to how excited he is about this project.  He’s fired up, and he’s committed to it.  And that’s because he knows — he knows that we have to be investing in every community in America to help with the transition.
 
So, let me fill in a few of the blanks about how this program is going to work, and then we’re going to have a discussion with a handful of the 21 awardees. 
 
First of all, congratulations.  If you are one of the 21 here, you are the cream of the crop.  Your applications were fantastic.  And congratulations to each and every one of you. 
 
The President and I are so proud of you and just thrilled to be able to work with you. 
 
I have to thank you, Mr. President, for your leadership.  Everybody should know that this was the President’s idea. 
 
I mean, as he said, the American Rescue Plan was passed 17 months ago.  Three billion dollars of that came to the Commerce Department to do economic development.  And we decided to put $1 billion into this Build Back Better Regional Challenge, and it’s because the President directed me to make investments in communities to help communities revitalize themselves and get ready for the transitions in our economy.  Because he fundamentally said, “People want to work where they live, and they ought to be able to do that.”  And so, that’s what this is all about.

We believe every single American, no matter where you live, ought to have an opportunity to have a high-paying, family-supporting job in that community.  And that’s what this is all about.

So, let me fill in some of the blanks about the approach.  It’s a novel approach.  This is the first time ever the Department of Commerce has made such sizable investments in individual communities.

When we started, to be very honest, we weren’t sure — we weren’t sure if communities would apply and bring together coalitions and have the capacity to invest tens of millions of dollars.

Well, we got 529 submissions.  We went from 529 down to 60 finalists.  And then from those 60 finalists, we worked to get to the 21 who are with us today.  So, again, the fact that you are among the 21 — hats off to each and every one of you.

Here’s what makes this interesting: Everyone on this screen, of the 21, will be receiving between $25 million and $65 million to address regional economic challenges and to invest in revitalizing the economies of these communities.

So, that’s a lot of cheese, folks, to make big investments and revitalize your communities.  This was all bottoms up. 
 
We went to the community and said, “You tell us how to revitalize your community.  And you bring the community together — public sector, private sector, universities, philanthropy.  Get your community together and tell us what you need to invest.

The — so, as a result, this federal funding will be matched by more than $300 million of local investment and will leverage support from over 450 private sector and 27 labor unions or worker organizations.  We estimate that, together, this whole initiative will create or save over 100,000 jobs and over $7 billion of additional private investment will be catalyzed through the — each coalition’s efforts.

And as the President said, this is about growing industries that are critical to our future — clean energy, biotechnology, advanced mobility.  And it’s about saying to the small businesses and workers in these communities: We know the economy is transitioning.  We’re moving away from fossil fuels to clean energy.  We’re moving towards robotics, we’re moving towards a more digital economy, a more technical economy. 
 
And the point of it is: No one will be left behind, because we’re going to retrain workers, we’re going to retrain small businesses, and we’re going to light up abandoned buildings that may have once trained coal miners and today will train solar installers.  Abandoned manufacturing facilities that may have, you know, once made widgets will be, you know, lighted up for new advanced manufacturing in solar panels.

And so the important point here, and the President talks to us all the time about this, is that if you’re out there, you know, in — in Buffalo, and you drive by, every day, an abandoned industrial building, and you have a pit in your stomach, wondering, “Is there a place for me in a new economy?”  Or if you are someone who’s worked for 30 years at one of the “Big Three” auto companies and you only know how to work on a traditional auto car and you’re worried do you have the skills to transition to an electric vehicle economy, what we’re saying to you is: Yes.  Yes.

Because we’re going to retrain you.  We’re going to retrofit small businesses.  We’re going to do solar installations at industrial scale over abandoned coal mines.  And we’re going to make sure that as we transition, everyone is included and trained, and these small businesses are able to do this.

I’ll just end with a personal story, which I told to the President.  When we were designing this program, I had my father in mind.  My fath- — once upon a time, Rhode Island, where I’m from, was the jewelry manufacturing capital of the world. 

Everywhere you looked, jewelry manufacturing — low skill, but it was a good job.  My dad had one of those jobs at Bulova Watch until he was 56 years old and his job and all the other jobs went to China.  And he would so often say to us, “Gina, we were just left behind.  We weren’t retrained.”  He wanted to work.  He could work.  And he said, “Our leaders left us behind.”

So, what this is about is President Biden is committed to folks who have that anxiety, who’ve worked in old-line manufacturing, who’ve worked in the coal industry, who’ve worked in, you know, traditional combustion engine vehicles, and they’re feeling anxious.  And we’re saying, “We are going to be there for you to make sure you’re not left behind or left out, and we’re going to make investments in your community so you can work in the community where you and your family live.” 
 
So we’re excited and, quite honestly, I’m just very lucky that I get to work for a boss who gets this, because he gets it.  And every time we brief him, he says, “Secretary, don’t tell me how much money we’re spending.  Tell me what are we doing for the people of America.”  And that’s why this is so exciting. 
 
So, with that, we want to hear from you. 
 
Now, as the President said, if we had the time, we’d like to hear from every single one of you because these — every one of you has put together a phenomenal application.  But we don’t have the time, so we’re just going to hear from a couple of you and hope to have a free-flowing discussion. 
 
And I want to begin by calling on the Detroit Regional Partnership foundation.  Congratulations, you all are receiving $52.2 million, which is incredible.  We’d like to hear from you.  And I’d like to call on Maureen. 
 
Just tell us a little bit about how are you going to invest the $52 million.  What’s — what are the projects you’re doing?  And what does this mean for the small businesses in the supply chain in Detroit’s auto manufacturing industry?
 
MS. KRAUSS:  Good morning.  Thank you, Madam Secretary.  And good morning, Mr. President. 
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Good morning. 
 
MS. KRAUSS:  We are thrilled to join you here today from Detroit, the global epicenter of mobility. 
 
I want to introduce two of our partners who are with me today: Quentin Messer, Jr., who is the CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation; Ned Staebler, who is the CEO of TechTown Detroit. 
 
In addition, we have a large group of over 140 partners who are joining us virtually and who worked together for the successful application. 
 
We’re honored that the EDA has recognized that Detroit — the Detroit region is leading the transformation from internal combustion engine to electric vehicle.  The global epicenter of mobility — or GEM — is Detroit’s answer to the Build Back Better Regional Challenge.  Through an inclusive and equitable lens, GEM will help the Detroit region redefine every aspect of mobility, from the cutting-edge technology that most people in goods, to creating new quality jobs and readying new sites for business.  We are building an inclusive, prosperous 21st century with your help.
 
GEM’s vision is to accelerate economic growth by building on the region’s unrivaled mobility assets.  It will create a smart, secure, sustainable, and inclusive advanced mobility industry, starting with the transition to next generation electric, autonomous, and fully-connected vehicles.
 
This grant will fund six unique projects that will help the region and country maintain its global automotive leadership.
 
GEM will support workers, startup businesses, and small-to-medium-sized companies as they adapt to a new, high-tech advanced mobility industry. 
 
Led by one of the most diverse regions in the United States, GEM offers the opportunity to create a national model for equitable — equitable economic growth.  We are ready to help secure the nation’s advanced mobility leadership for generations to come.
 
Thank you again.  We welcome any questions.  And we also want to invite you, Mr. President and Madam Secretary, in two weeks to join us in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show where we can show you in person how we are leading the way.
 
THE PRESIDENT:  I’ll be there.
 
MS. KRAUSS:  Awesome.
 
THE PRESIDENT:  I’m a car guy.  (Laughs.)  As you kind of noticed.
 
Hey, look, I drive the Cabinet crazy and my staff crazy by asking them to give concrete examples that, if you walked up to somebody on the corner and said it, they could completely understand it.
 
One of the things that I — and this is pure Biden — I believe, and I’ve been saying for some time, that the next 10 to 15 years, more is going to change, in terms of technology and innovation, than has happened in the last 75 years.  I mean that sincerely.  Things are going to change so rapidly. 
 
That’s good if we’re going to compete in the world, but also is scary as hell for somebody who — like, we were talking on the way over to this building about how there’s hundreds of small companies supplying small parts to internal combustion engines.  And you were — you were giving me an example, Madam Secretary, of a bolt —
 
SECRETARY RAIMONDO:  A bolt.
 
THE PRESIDENT:  — one company provides that is not going to be useful in a — in an electric vehicle.  And so, what we’re going to do is train that — that company and the ownership of that company what parts they can contribute to to make that vehicle.
 
I’ll give you a concrete example.  Remember, when we were having the great difficulty — we still have some difficulty in the supply chain of items coming from Asia — and the shipping, the vast majority of it comes through the ports in San Diego and — and Los Angeles and those ports.  And the ports were asking for help all across the country for new technologies, new cranes, new movements, more robotics.
 
I said, “Okay, we’ll do it on one condition — that the people you have on the job now at the port are the people you train.  You give them the opportunity to man the new machinery.” Not a joke.
 
And one of the things I think this is — was so important about what we’re all talking about — all of you are talking about is — think of all the people who’ve been breaking their neck and doing well, doing things that really matter, who are going to become — what they’re doing is become — is going to become obsolete because of how things are changing, whether it’s a transition in the climate environment or whether it’s cla- — manufacturing or medicine, whatever it is.
 
And so, when you say you’re going to provide — we’re going to provide in-depth assessment — assessment and assistance to 65 firms through a supply chain transformation center, that can sound pretty abstract to a lot of people.  Give me an example of what you really mean — what this will really mean for a company and its workers in this supply chain trans- — transformation center.  What are you talking about?
 
MS. KRAUSS:  Absolutely, Mr. President, as you know, in our region, because you were very important here a few years ago in helping us make a transformation, we need to do it again.  We have a terrific, talented workforce and supply chain.  But we need to give them the skills that they need and the tools that they need.
 
So, one example is a company in a community in the Detroit region called Oxford.  It’s Barron Industries.  They’re a casting company, but they need help in making sure that they can produce the right parts with the right technology at the right speed with the right talent.  So they have been receiving assistance on marketing, on cybersecurity, on production techniques so that they can make the transition as rapidly as the OEMs are making it and they can stay an important part of that supply chain.

That also includes making sure that their employees have the skillsets — the upskilling that they need —  so that they can be successful and, as you say, included and staying here in our region to do those jobs.

SECRETARY RAIMONDO:  Mr. President, one of the things I love about what Maureen and her team is doing is that so often, we focus on the “Big Three” automakers, which is important, you know, for all the obvious reasons.  But what they’re doing is focused on the whole network of small suppliers — you know, the hundreds, if not thousands, of small family-owned suppliers to the “Big Three” and making sure that, as Maureen said, they have the new materials, the new technology, the new training so that they can continue to service as we move towards EVs.

And so I give you a lot of credit for getting into the supply chain.

THE PRESIDENT:  The last thing I’ll say — I could talk about this for a long time, but — (laughs) — going through two of the major American automobile plants for a long time, for an extended period of time, there was a lot of concern by the UAW about robotics and — and how that was going to displace workers when, in fact, being able to teach those folks how to use those robots, it increased productivity and doesn’t displace them is what’s really happening.

And so it’s all about — you can maintain the workforce, you can maintain the — increase the productivity, remain competitive internationally, and still get a lot done.

But at any rate, I — I — maybe with a — as my grandfather used to say, “With the grace of God, the goodwill of neighbors,” I’ll see you at the auto show.

MS. KRAUSS:  We welcome you.  Absolutely.

THE PRESIDENT:  All right.  Well —

SECRETARY RAIMONDO:  So, the mention of robotics is a perfect segue.  I’d love to turn it over to Stefani from the Southwestern Pennsylvania New Economy Coalition.  You all will be receiving $62.7 million.  I’d love to hear Stefani talk a little bit more about that.

To put this in perspective and to pick up on the point you just made, Mr. President, about robotics, Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh is, we all know, a world leader in robotics.  And a lot of jobs have been created right around CMU. 

But if you’re living in a coal community or a rural community outside of Pittsburgh, you might wonder, “How do I fit in?  How do I get a job, you know, with robotics and…”

THE PRESIDENT:  You go to the county executive, that’s what you do.

SECRETARY RAIMONDO:  Exactly.  (Laughter.)  That’s why he’s part of it.

So, that — so, that’s what these guys are doing.  So, we’ll turn it over to Stefani and the team, and maybe tell us a little bit about what you’re doing.

MS. PASHMAN:  Sure.  Thank you, Madam Secretary.  And yes, Mr. President, I am joined today by several of your friends — the county executive, Rich Fitzgerald; president of Carnegie Mellon University, Farnam Jahanian; and my colleague and the chief equity officer on the project, Majestic Lane.

And what I want to start off by saying is thank you for your vision.  And thank you very much, Madam Secretary, to your incredible team and for you in making that a reality.

What we have loved, in some ways, most about this project is that we get to do what we do best in Pittsburgh, which is collaborate and bring together what — we had 200 partners — in which (inaudible) in Pittsburgh to make words into action to deliver on your vision.

And so, through this amazing challenge, we are able to do exactly what you said, which is to look at those 3,000 manufacturers that are in counties like Indiana and Fayette and Greene and Washington and marry them with the over 100 robotics companies that birthed from Carnegie Mellon University and many of our other folks — to actually put them together to create the jobs and the technologies and the companies of the future.

And we’re doing that in a way that is building programs for people.  This is about people first: 14,000 workers, 750 companies that will fuel an entire new economy for us that we think won’t just be about Southwestern PA and not just the United States, but globally to redefine how we do business and how we keep jobs at home in our communities, as you so well described.

SECRETARY RAIMONDO:  Thank you.  One of the things I love about this is — a lot of people when they hear “robotics” or they hear “autonomous technologies,” they hear, “I’m about to lose my job.”  And so, what Stephanie and the team are doing is saying quite the opposite.  This is going to create job opportunities for you, including in your rural community, not just in the neighborhood of CMU.

MS. PASHMAN:  Yeah, I so appreciate that question, Madam Secretary, because as you can imagine, as the birthplace and the leader in robotics, this is a question we tackle and think about extensively.

And I can start by telling you the data, which is we know that for every one job that may be displaced with robotics technology in a company, it’s creating at least 1.5 and sometimes more.

But what’s even more important and that we understand is for the companies that are actually growing and scaling in our midst — those 100 companies I talked about — many of them have upwards of 1,000 employees right now.  And those are middle-skill jobs.  Those are jobs where people are tinkering and building sensors and using the skills that you described, like your father had.  And that’s exactly what we’re trying to do here today.  And we’re doing it across industries like energy, like agriculture, like healthcare.

This is an incredible broad-based opportunity.  And what we even know more as we talk to those workers: They are more fulfilled.  They are actually enjoying their ability to use their creative skills, to customize sensors, to repair robots, to work in partnership with entrepreneurs in creating those actual technologies.

It’s a more fulfilling job.  It’s a higher-wage job.  It keeps them in communities.  And it actually allows them to have family-sustaining jobs where they were born and where they want to stay.
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Mr. President, at Carnegie Mellon — I had the honor of you showing me around Carnegie Mellon — it’s a great university for real; I’m not being solicitous.  Are you working with smaller outfits, like the community colleges in the region?  And talk to me about the — the sort of coordination between a great national university like yours and a community college in your community.

MR. JAHANIAN:  First of all, Mr. President, thank you very much for your leadership.  It’s good to be with you.

There are two aspects of it that I want to highlight.  On one hand, what we’re trying to do is to bring robotics and automation to small- and medium-sized enterprises.

As you alluded to, the digital transformation is taking place, and it’s really having a ripple effect across so many sectors of our economy.  So we’re bringing those technologies and know-how to agriculture, to construction, to energy, to healthcare, to manufacturing, mining, and transportation.

So that element — bringing those skills and technologies to small and medium enterprises to make them more competitive is extremely important.  It’s extremely important for the nation because we live in a global world.  So that’s one element of it.  

The second element that — that you alluded to has to do with upskilling and reskilling the workforce.  And in this case, we’re working with community colleges, we’re working on curriculum development, we’re working on various ways that we can bring along the workers and retrain them and upskill them to be ready for these new jobs that are going to be created.

It’s extremely important to recognize that as we adapt these new technologies in smaller and medium enterprises, we have the workforce that’s going to be ready to take those jobs. 

So, the coordination with community colleges, with labor unions, especially in our poor, urban areas, and, as Madam Secretary alluded to, the 11 counties that surround us is part of our mission and what we’re committed to.  Thank you again for the opportunity.

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, let me ask you: How is this going to play out on the political scene?  As a county executive, what are you going to be able to tell folks about what’s happening with this $62 billion — million dollars?

MR. FITZGERALD:  Well, thank you, Mr. President.  What we can tell people is: President Biden continues to invest in people and in jobs and in our future.

First of all, congratulations on another great jobs report.  I mean, we shouldn’t just go over that real quickly.  Ten million jobs in your — your year-and-a-half tenure is really unbelievable.  And a lot of them have been created right here in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

And as Stefani and President Jahanian have mentioned, it’s not just for the — for the robotics software engineer in Pittsburgh, it is for the small town in Westmoreland County and in Beaver County, the manufacturing facilities that are transitioning and the type of training that can happen throughout our community college but for families.

And I know you’ve talked about this all the time, and it’s so important: It’s about hope and for the future, for the next generation who are out there wondering what’s going to happen.  You mentioned the displacement that’s going to — you know, could happen and the changes over the next 10 to 15 years.  This doesn’t leave people behind.  And we appreciate that very, very much.

And by the way, we’re looking forward to seeing you on Monday on Labor Day.  You’re always here with us, and we’re looking forward to it.  We’re guaranteeing good weather, Mr.  President.  (Laughter.)
 
THE PRESIDENT:  All right.  (Laughs.)

    All right.  Sir, do you have anything you’d like to add about what’s going on in the community?
 
MR. LANE:  Well, sure.  I think what’s important about this is, you know, as you spoke to, Mr. President, often people think that robotics and AI are leaving people behind.  But we’re being really intentional, both demographically within our communities – people of color and women — and also in our rural communities about how do we connect people to inclusive career pathways but also actually connecting them up to business development opportunities in the robotics and AI industry, which traditionally, they may not have had access to.

So, what we’re really doing is being intentional about figuring out how do we make these connections and really making this an economy for all.

So, thank you, Mr. President.

THE PRESIDENT:  You know, one of the things, if I may —
having been a significant consumer of healthcare and having family members who needed serious healthcare, one of the things that I think, in the healthcare side, most docs will tell you that when people get a diagnosis that is very dire, they need really a navigator.  They need someone to help them know when to go to what appointment, what the appointments are for, how to — what — just explain what’s going on.
 
It seems to me, we need some navigators here.  And I’m wondering how you’re doing that.  I mean, you had someone — let’s say, there’s someone — we were doing this on a local Pittsburgh television station and someone listening is saying, “Well, I’d like to — I’d like to get trained.  I’d like…”
 
I mean, how — how are you reaching out to the community?  And do we have, essentially, whether — whatever they want to call them — “navigators” to say, “Look, here’s the way you can get into this.  This is what you do.”  Or are people going into those — those small businesses that are going to be eventually displaced because of technology — it’s going to be surpassed, and say, “This is what you…”
 
I mean, is there — is there thought about that?
 
MS. PASHMAN:  Absolutely, Mr. President.  Thank you for that question.  And that really is the spirit of — as I was talking about earlier — our project and the way our partners are coming together. 
 
So we have five projects that are woven together, each with incredible organizations that know how to actually be on the ground.  Most of our money is actually going out to neighborhoods and communities, so they can actually use the organizations that know their people, that know where the businesses are, that know where those individuals are that have to get into the jobs, where those people are that are ready for entrepreneurial opportunities. 
 
So, for example, it starts with our manufacturing extension partnership.  They know where those manufacturers are, and they understand their readiness to adopt technologies.  They will come together in a manufacturing hub with entrepreneurs who can help de-risk the prototyping and creation of products that can actually be deployed. 
 
We also have our lead accelerator entity in the region that’s creating a new model of startup factory with anchor makerspaces throughout the communities where we can identify opportunities to create new technologies that will be deployed into those companies. 
 
And taken all together, our workforce ecosystem, as Dr.  Jahanian described, will actually be connected by a web of workforce boards and other community organizations, including labor unions and other, at the neighborhood level who can then bring those curriculum partnerships — the workers — to the table for those jobs. 
 
So we’re really relying on, as I said, 200 entities and partners who know how to navigate and know where businesses are and know where the people are to make sure we have a marriage and an alignment that can propel this opportunity,
 
THE PRESIDENT:  One of the things I’ve raised — and I’ve not raised with the Secretary but I’ve raised you guys and everyone who is part of this grant effort: I think it’s useful — think — think about it — 25 years ago, 30 years ago, almost every high school had shop classes, where you learned how to work with your hands, where you learned — you could go and get — take carpentry or automobile.  And you know, just — just to get a sense. 
 
I really think we should be talking — and I don’t have a program, so — but I think we should be talking about — a little bit about how we let high school students know how things are changing and what may be available down the road.
 
And I know we’re supposed to — I’m — I know I’m taking this longer than I should.  But a guy who has been talking about transition for a long time with me has been Joe Manchin.  He’s — he lives, breathes, and eats West Virginia. 
 
But, Joe, what’s — how — how is this going to help — if it is — the West Virginia transition to a strengthened — not totally new, but a new economy?
 
SENATOR MANCHIN:  Yeah, well, Mr. President, you and I have spoken many times about this when you first came into office, even when you — was running at that time, about how West Virginians felt they were left behind. 
 
My wonderful state and all the great workers and the people in my state that worked hard and they’re very proud, they’ve done the heavy lifting for years and years and years.  And basically, they never complained.  And as things started changing and transitioning, there was nothing left for them. 
 
Twenty-one of our most effective counties are in southern West Virginia.  This is based around that, and it’s — it’s pumping into an area which is — we call “the Appalachian Climate Technology,” or the ACT Now Coalition, which is led by Brandon Dennison.  Brandon is here with us, and he’s done a tremendous job with his team and the Coalfield Development Corporation.
 
It’s basically reinventing — not just reinventing, but basically being able to meet the needs of the public as we transition to making sure that we can provide the services.  That’s what they’ve been doing for quite some time.
 
And this — this announcement here and this Rescue Plan — the American Rescue Plan continues to play benefits for West Virginia.  But, you know, also, your co-chair of Appalachian Regional Commission, Gayle Manchin, who I know very well — (laughter) — is very, very proud that Appalachia has gotten so much consideration and assistance. 
 
And you’re the first person, Mr. President — and with your most capable Secretary and our dear friend Gina Raimondo — directing it to the people that need it the most.  I think that’s what we’re here to say is thank you.  These 21 counties have great regional projects.
 
I have with us here on the panel — I have my dear friend, Amy Goodwin, the chairman — she’s the mayor of Charleston.  I have Steve Williams, a fellow colleague of mine; and he is the mayor of Huntington.  Our two largest cities. 
 
And we have with us also Stephanie Tyree.  She’s the West Virginian Hub director that works directly with these projects.
 
They can explain in detail what this is going to allow us to do.  And we’ve gotten this $62.8 million — one of the top awards, and we’re so proud of that — but the need is there.  And I can guarantee you, the investments will be made.
 
You and I have spoken many times about: You can spend money or you can invest money.  And we’re going to give you a return on this.  We’re going to give the taxpayers of the United States a return on their investment in West Virginia.  That’s what this is about.
 
And a reward based to the people who have done the heavy lifting to allow them to continue to transition.  Now with our — our Inflation Reduction Act, Mr. President, this leads — segues right into that because now it’s going to allow them to start focusing on a new — a complete new way of delivering the energy that this country is going to need.
 
Coal — all — we talked about all the cars.  And Debbie Stabenow and I talk about that a lot.  And I said, “Debbie, you wouldn’t have a car if it wasn’t for the coal and the steel that we produce to send you the material that you need to make the car.”  So we’re — we’re all hooked to the hip here. 
 
And as the transition goes on, the investments that are being made — the 48C Tax Credit — is going to put $4 billion on — additionally, back into coal-hit communities so we can diversify and attract more business there. 
 
So I just can’t tell you how much this means, Mr.  President.  And I’m just so proud to be part of this and also so proud of what the ARP has done — the American Rescue Plan.  And so excited to see what the Inflation Reduction Act is going to do. 
 
So many people don’t know how much is in there that’s going to trans- — transition their lives and transfer them into an economy that’s going to give them an awful lot of stability.  So we’re very proud.
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Well, Joe, thanks. 
 
I’d love to talk to every one of you, but I’m getting the sign here.  I better cut.  They’re going to — 
 
SENATOR MANCHIN:  I was afraid you were going to get the hook.  (Laughter.) 
 
THE PRESIDENT:  But — but — but, look —
 
SECRETARY RAIMONDO:  I was going to say, we could do this all day, but —
 
THE PRESIDENT:  The — the point — let me conclude by saying this: This is not going to waste money, what we’re talking about each of you doing; it’s going to grow the economies.  It’s going to keep us in a position where we are the most advanced economy in the world and where we bring along the people who have made this country.
 
You know, I joke — and I don’t want to — I shouldn’t get political, but — let me put it this way: The people who built the country are hardworking people who work with the sweat of their brow and their hands.  And — and they’ve — they’ve — they’re — they’re the ones that created the middle class.  And I think this going to enable that same group of people, like most of us were raised by, to be able to have an opportunity to continue to do well and to take us through this next phase. 
 
Because, you know, there’s that — I always — Joe and my colleagues in the Senate used to always kid me for — for quoting Irish poets, but —
 
”All is changed.  It’s changed utterly: A terrible beauty has been born,” as the Irish poet said.  And we’ve got to take advantage of it, and I think we can.  I really, genuinely think we can. 
 
And I look forward to meeting all of you at some point along the way.  And we’re going to continue to keep this moving because there’s $3 billion total in this, and it’s going to grow the economy.  Everybody is better off. 
 
When you grow the economy, everybody from the local drugstore to the — to the local supermarket to the local church — everything grows.  And that’s what this is about. 
 
Anyway, thank you all. 
 
SECRETARY RAIMONDO:  Thank you, Mr. President.
 
SENATOR MANCHIN:  If I can say one thing to you, Mr.  President? 
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Yes. 
 
SENATOR MANCHIN:  Thank you for not forgetting and not leaving anybody behind.  I can’t tell you how much this means to our hardworking people in West Virginia. 
 
And they are truly appreciative — the families are — to be able to stay where they love and they — and their heritage and their roots are.  So many of them had to leave.  You’ve given them that opportunity.  And you didn’t forget, and you kept that promise.  And I appreciate it. 
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Well, Joe, remember I’m from hard-coal country: Scranton.  (Laughter.)  All right? 
 
Okay, anyway, thank you all so very, very much.  And thank you, Madam Secretary. 
 
SECRETARY RAIMONDO:  Congratulations.  Congratulations, everybody.  And we’re excited to work with you to make all of this a huge success. 
 
And thank you, Mr. President. 
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Thanks.  All right.  (Applause.)
 
Q    Mr. President, do you consider — Mr. President, do you consider all Trump supporters to be a threat to the country?
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Come on.  Look, guys. 
 
Q    Just, Mr. —
 
THE PRESIDENT:  You keep trying to make that case.  I don’t consider any Trump supporter a threat to the country. 
 
I do think anyone who calls for the use of violence, fails to condemn violence when it’s used, refuses to acknowledge when an election has been won, insists upon changing the way in which the rules — you count votes — that is a threat to democracy.  Democracy.
 
And everything we stand for — everything we stand for rests on the platform of democracy. 
 
When people voted for Donald Trump and support him now, they weren’t voting for attacking the Capitol.  They weren’t voting for overruling an election.  They were voting for a philosophy he put forward. 
 
So I am not talking about anything other than: It is inappropriate — and it’s not only happening here, but other parts of the world — where there’s a failure to recognize and condemn violence whenever it’s used for political purposes, failure to condemn the — the — an attempt to manipulate electoral outcomes, a failure to acknowledge when elections were won or lost.
 
Thank you.
 
12:15 P.M. EDT

Source: The White House

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

12:29 P.M. EDT 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Good afternoon, everybody.  Okay.

So, I’m pleased to announce that on Friday, September 16th, President Biden will welcome South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to the White House.  The leaders, building — the leaders, building on their productive call in April and the U.S.-South Africa Strategic Dialogue in August, will reaffirm the importance of our enduring partnerships and discuss opportunities to deepen cooperation on trade and investment, infrastructure, climate and energy, and health.  We look forward to a productive visit. 

President Biden’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Ambassador Mike Hammer, will travel to Ethiopia starting this weekend to engage on the crisis in northern Ethiopia.  Special Envoy Hammer will convey that all parties should halt military operations and engage in peace talks. 

He — we condemn Eritrea’s reentry into the conflict, the continuing TPLF offensive outside of Tigray, and the Ethiopian government’s airstrikes. 

There is no military solution to the conflict.  Prior to renewed hostilities, we were encouraged by five months of humanitarian truce, and are now deeply concerned about the seizure of humanitarian assistance of military use. 

All parties should exercise restraint.  And we urge de-escalation by all actors, particularly so that there can be a resumption of humanitarian relief and basic services to all parties in need. 

Last but not least, I also wanted to share some very sad news to report for the press team.  This is the final day of our good friend and invaluable colleague Alexandra LaManna’s detail with us.

As you know, we have rotating details from different agencies.  Alexandra succeeded Brittany Kaplan at a pivotal time, coming to us from Treasury and taking the lead for the press team on our response to the Supreme Court overturning Roe v.  Wade, as well as the ensuing attacks on women’s fundamental rights from elected Republicans in Congress and also all over the country. 

Her expertise on economic issues has also been a huge asset for us in the Press Office.  We’re going to miss her talent, her smarts, her sense of — her sense of strategy, her sense of humor, and her work ethic, which speaks to how lucky we have been to have her on our team. 

We’re going miss you, Alex. 

Okay.  With that, want to take us away?

Q    Sure.  A couple on the water crisis in Mississippi.  Last night, the President said, quote, “We’ve offered every single thing available to Mississippi and the governor has to act.” 

Can you elaborate on that a little bit?  What does the President think Governor Reeves has to do now that he has not yet done regarding the crisis?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, let me just say a couple of — a couple of things that give you — give you all an update. 

So FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is in Jackson, Mississippi, today to assess the ongoing emergency response operations.  She will be joined by Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu and other federal officials. 

I know she will be providing an update from the ground a little bit later today.  FEMA, EPA, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continue to deploy personnel to support the state’s emergency response and identify longer-term solutions to improve the infrastructure. 

As far as water distribution goes — I know some folks had questions about that — FEMA has a number of personnel on site in the State Emergency Operations Center and is coordinating with the Mississippi Emergency Management Team to ensure that everyone has access to water. 

As you know, the President took immediate action to approve the governor’s emergency declaration request and directed his team to surge assistance to Mississippi.  The President and the Vice President both spoke with the mayor of Jackson this week.  And that’s the — that’s the update of where we are.

Again, we are determined to continue to provide all of the the assistance — needed assistance for the people of the state of Mississippi and specifically for the people of Jackson as they go through this really tough time on the ground. 

So we’re going to continue to do the work. 

Q    But what did he mean by saying the governor has to act?  And so, he issued the emergency declaration, obviously, but what more should Governor Reeves be doing that the White House clearly thinks he’s not doing at this point?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, look, I mean, as you know, there is — there’s funding that we’ve provided through the American Rescue Plan for upgrades across the stra- — across the state, which is about $450 million.  The city has allocated 250- — $20 million, pardon me, of its ARP funds for water and sewer infrastructure needs.  And there is about $30.9 million through the EPA’s revolving loan funds for treatment and distribution system improvements for Jackson — Jackson available right now. 

So the state has the $75 million this year, through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to provide clean and safe — and safe water this year, with a total of $429 million available to the state over the next five years. 

So, we’re looking across the federal government to see what else we can do.  But, you know, again, this — this administration, we’re committed.  The emergency that we’re currently seeing in Jackson shows how long-deteriorating water infrastructure can quickly turn into an emergency, as Mayor Lumumba said, and this is a result of decades of underinvestment.  So that is why the President is making this a priority. 

So, look, there’s funding there that the state can tap into for infrastructure needs — a bipartisan funding law — infrastructure law that the President worked very hard on, and Congress did as well, to make sure we deal with these types of long-term issues. 

And so, we think that, you know — that should be happening, that should be moving forward. 

Q    Can you talk about why the President has not spoken directly with Governor Reeves at this point?  You mentioned he’s spoken with the mayor; so has the Vice President.  But why has that communication between President Biden and Governor Reeves not happened at this point?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, look, as I said, the FEMA administrator spoke to the governor this week, and the President has spoken to the mayor of Jackson.  The conversations are happening.  There’s communication.

As you mentioned in your question, the governor did ask for our federal assistance, took that — took the official step, doing the declaration.  And we responded.  We surged the emergency funding — or emergency resources, I should say — to the state of Mississippi — Jackson, Mississippi, in particular, because of the urgent need that they have. 

And we’ll — we’ll keep you abreast if there’s any conversation that is coming in the upcoming days or, you know, that may be happening. 

But we’ll hear from the FEMA administrator later today.  But right now, as you just stated, there just has not been a call.

Q    Hey, Karine, the President last night argued very forcefully that democracy is under assault.  But what kind of concrete actions does he actually plan to take, given that he described this essentially as a fairly existential threat to the American republic?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, as — as you also heard from the President yesterday, he believes we’re at an inflection point.  And so — so that’s an important thing, why he wanted to make sure he gave that speech.  But you also heard the President express optimism — right? — about the future of America, which was something that was important for him to deliver to the American people, that he believes there’s nothing — there’s isn’t nothing we can — we can’t do.  Right? 

He believes that we can do everything — anything, as — as a country.  And then, we have seen throughout our history, America has made its greatest progress out of the darkest times.  We see that for — before. 

One way, of course we can do that is by making our voices heard.  And he said that.  He said that the American people have a choice. 

And — but it wasn’t just a policy speech.  Obviously, the President believes that we can make great progress out of the darkest moments.  And he calls on all Americans, regardless of which aisle — side of the aisle you sit on, regardless which ideology that you may follow, regardless of the political persuasion, to unite around democracy. 

And he thought it was an important message — again, an inflection point.  And that was the message that he delivered, again, giving people a choice and saying to folks, “We need to come together and make sure our voices are heard.”

Q    So, other than urging Americans to vote and make their voices heard, the President has no plan to confront this threat that he described very forcefully last night?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, it’s not the first time he’s confronted — confronted or spoke about this threat.  This is — he’s done it multiple times at multiple stages during the last three years — during his campaign a couple of times as well, during his administration.  And he’ll continue to lift that up when he feels it’s needed. 

But what the President did last night was incredibly powerful.  It was clear.  It was concise.  It was steadfast, which is — and he did it prime time, as you all know, to the American people, speaking directly to them, that this is a time for us to come together. 

Q    Right.  But what I’m asking is if there’s any action behind his words. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, the action is making your voices heard.  That is a powerful action.  We have seen it across time, we have seen it throughout our American history that making your voices heard actually can change — actually can change the direction of a country. 

So, I would say that is the most powerful tool that we have as a country right now. 

Q    And I know you guys have addressed this to certain extent, but because you’re behind the podium, if you could address the criticisms and the questions about why the President delivered what sounded very much like a politically charged speech as an official White House event, taxpayer-funded, with two Marines in uniform, in particular, flanking him and visible on camera throughout the speech. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I’ll take your first question.  Look, the way we see it here — and I would argue, the way many Americans across the country see it is standing up for democracy is not political, denouncing political violence is not political, defending rights and freedom is not political, making clear that the challenges facing the nation is not political.  We don’t call any of that political.  We see that as leadership.  And we see that as presidential.

To your question about the Marines.  Look, the President gave an important speech last night — a critical speech, in an — at an inflection point.  And, you know, our democracy, our values — our values that are — are values that our men and women who protect us every day and fight for every day believe in as well. 

The presence of the Marines at the speech was intended to demonstrate the deep and abiding respect the President has for these services — service members, to these ideals and the unique role our independent military plays in defending our democracy, no matter which party is in power — again, no matter which power — party is in power. 

And it is not abnormal.  It is actually normal for Presidents from either side of the aisle to give speeches in front of members of the military, and including President Donald Rea- — Ronald Reagan, President George H.W. Bush.  It is not an unusual sight or is not an unusual event to have happen. 

I’m going to — I’m going to move around.  You’ve asked three questions. 

Q    Just to follow up —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No.  You’ve asked — you’ve asked three questions. 

Q    Well, you didn’t answer the first question until —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I did. 

Q    — three follow-ups.  So —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No.  No, no, no, I answered the first question.  You just — you know, I had to just dive in a little bit more, but I certainly answered it because I said, “Making your voices heard is a powerful tool.”  I answered it the first time you asked. 

I’m going to go around. 

Go ahead, Nancy. 

Q    Thank you.  Oh, thanks so much, Karine.  Just on the Treasury Department’s oil price cap, I’m wondering: Will the President be making any personal appeals to world leaders to jump on this Russian oil price cap policy? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So let me just give you a couple of things at the top because this is a really important first step.  And so, we’re moving from exploring a price cap on Russian oil to gaining an agreement with G7 nations, making up 50 percent of the global economy to implement one. 

A global price cap will help us accomplish our two goals.  The first one is: significantly reduce Putin’s biggest source of revenue for his war chest. 

Number two: ensure that oil continues to flow into the market at lower prices and supply meets demand. 

The impact of our efforts to implement a price cap is already bearing fruit.  Reports show that Russia is already offering steep discounts — as much as 30 percent — and long-term contracts to some countries.  This also demonstrates that Russia is planning to continue supplying its oil and willing to swallow bigger discounts. 

A price cap will give more countries better leverage to strike bargain with — deals with Russia.  We will fur- — we will further work in the coming — upcoming weeks to determine the price cap level; release further information, including technical guidance for market participation; and announce our coalition partners as well. 

A price cap on Russia — on Russian oil is a powerful tool — one part of the tool in our agenda to put downward — to put downward pressure on global energy prices in a way that will benefit consumers in the U.S. and globally.  And we are determined to implement this policy in a way that achieves those goals. 

We’re going to let folks who are working on this continue the work. 

This was, again, a very big step forward.  And we’ll have more in the upcoming days. 

As you know, this is something that the Treasury is leading — but U.S. Treasury is leading.

Q    But is the President himself going to ask world leaders to sign onto this?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, here’s the thing: The President started this conversation, as you know, in Europe when we were in Germany at the G7.  So this is part of the President’s leadership.  He moved this forward.  He started this conversation. 

Now, the Treasury and our — our administration is going to continue to have those conversations.  When I — we’ll have more — clearly.  We always share more. 

If the President is going to put out a statement, we’ll let you know.

Go ahead.

Q    Where does the President think the line should be drawn for having members of the military who could be perceived as being part of stagecraft for an address?

The former President was criticized for using military many different times in many different settings.  And you’re right, there have been other instances and other Presidents where members of the military — especially here at the White House.  But to be at a location in Pennsylvania where the Marines are not normally stationed, where does the President see the line for having members of the military included?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I — I just want to be very clear: You know, as you know, the President was at Independence Hall.  And you know the history.  I’m just going to — I’m going to repeat it, but I know you know the history.  Which is where some of our — some of our — the documents of some of our most critical rights and freedoms were debated and were drafted. 

And so, being at Independence Hall for this President — and you — you followed this President.  You know how he thinks, and you know how — you know, how he is — as an elected official.  He believes that it is important for him to speak very loudly — to have, actually, the loudest voice when it comes to our democracy. 

And so, for him, this was not a political speech.  This was an opportunity in primetime to talk directly to the American people, and to be very clear — clear — with a clear voice to talk about what is happening in our country today. 

And it was about our values as a country, about our democracy as a country.  And so, that is what the President wanted to convey. 

And he believes the men and women who wear the uniform and protect us every day, protect this country every day — that’s what they fight for as well. 

And so, this was an opportunity, as he’s having this conversation, of leveling — right? — of a level conversation with the American people to do that. 

So, I just want to — that’s really the best way that I can explain how the President was thinking about this last night. 

You know, when it comes to — you know, when it comes to the soul of the nation, this is something that the President has talked about, as I mentioned, for years.  He has seen where we are headed as a country.  He has been concerned where our democracy is going. 

And again, he took this opportunity to directly speak to the American people, understanding — understanding that the Marines who were standing behind him are — you know, are men and women who believe in our democracy as well, who fight for it every day. 

So that’s — that’s the thinking that I can give you behind that. 

Q    On the Mississippi issue, briefly — just following up on the other question.  Is there some tens- — some tension between the President and Governor Reeves?  Because this is obviously an ongoing health concern, a day-to-day lifestyle concern, a real crisis for people in Mississippi.  And the President seemed to be pointed in his comments — there hasn’t been leader-to-leader direct communication.

Is something getting in the way of the President and the governor speaking to each other?  And is that necessary to further any assistance or progress on this issue?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, look, it’s not necessary to further any progress in this situation.

FEMA director is on the ground today — who lead — who is part of the agencies that, if anything, leads the effort when it comes to natural disasters that we’re seeing.  In this case, it is an infrastructure issue that we’re see- — we’re seeing in Jackson, Mississippi. 

And we’re also going to have — we have EPA officials on the ground as well. 

So it’s not necessary to have a leader-leader conversation.  The federal government is going to do its job because of — the President has, you know, has put —

Q    But it is typical when there’s a crisis in a state regardless of party, regardless of personal relationships.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  And you’re right.  Regardless of party.  You’re absolutely right.  We’ve gone to Republican governors who — other Republican governors who are in a state and have delivered emergency assistance many times, sadly, during these last 18 months because —

Q    So has a call been attempted and not been welcomed or —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No, I don’t have a call to preview.  I don’t have to call to read out to you at this time.

I can tell you that, regardless of a call, the President, as I just laid out with an update, is determined to help the people of Mississippi, in particular the people of Jackson, as they’re dealing with this incredibly tough time.

We have provided funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  We have provided funding through the American Rescue Plan that is going to, we believe, start the process of really dealing with an infrastructure issue that exists in Jackson, Mississippi.

And we have said — I was asked about this yesterday — we — we are looking at all options to ensure that the people of Jackson have access to clean — to clean, safe drinking water.  So that work is going to continue regardless if there’s a call or not. 

And because the President — he says this all the time; you’ve heard him say this — he’s a — he’s the President for all Americans.  And he’s going to make sure that we do everything that we can for the people in Mississippi.

Okay.  Go ahead.

Q    Thank you.  Thank you, Karine.  I have a question about Jackson, and then also just following up on the speech yesterday.  First, with Jackson: So FEMA has — you’ve talked a lot about the infrastructure funding — FEMA basically has two climate resilience programs that received a boost from that infrastructure bill, one of them being BRIC.  Jackson hasn’t, in the past two years, filed applications for that program — still hasn’t now. 

Has the administration asked the state whether or not those applications were blocked, or just asked why those applications haven’t gone through yet?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So I’ll say this: That is a question for FEMA.  The FEMA director is going to be on the ground today.  And I’m sure those many conversations will come up about ways that we can help the city of Jackson.

She’s going to — we’re — you all are going to hear from her directly today.  So I will leave it to her to answer that specific question, because you’re asking about a specific program that I clearly don’t have any information on it at this time.

But, you know, the FEMA — the FEMA director — Director Criswell — is very good at her job.  We have seen what she’s been able to make happen over the last 19 months.  And so, we have confidence that she will get to the bottom and be as helpful as she can be, as we can be on the ground.

Q    More broadly, just these smaller, poorer communities tend to not be able to hire the staff, don’t have the infrastructure to actually navigate through this climate resilient system and get federal funding often.  Years show this, you know, when you go back and look at reporting as well. 

So I wonder: What — what actual kind of stick does the administration have to — and since so much of the power is with the states — that this funding actually gets to communities that need it after these (inaudible)?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I spoke to this a little bit yesterday and I’ll talk about it now.  You know, we have put a real emphasis on making it easier for state and local governments to access the federal — federal savings.  Because when we talk about the President’s economic plan, when we talk about lifting people from the bottom up and — and — and out — you know, out, it is — has that, in the middle of it, equity. 

And you saw that in his response to — also to his COVID response and making sure that equity was at the center of that.  And everything that you see from the American Rescue Plan, from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, from everything that we have dealt with as we talk about the economy, we want to make sure we do not leave anybody behind.

And so, one of the reasons we’ve asked every state to appoint a state infrastructure coordinator to help streamline communications and information flow — so one of the other — one of the other administration officials who are — is on the ground is Mitch Landrieu, who runs that team.  And so, he’ll be on the ground.  He’ll be having those conversation.  And so having that coordinator is incredibly important as we engage directly with, again, state and local governments and Tribal governments as well to help them quickly assess — access the necessary technical assistance and capacity to underserved communities, to your point.

So we have also partnered with not-for-profits.  That’s another way that we have found a way to assist communities in access- — accessing and deploying these federal infrastructure funding, including Bloomberg Philanthropies, Emerson Collective, Ford Foundation, so — and so many more people that we are partnering in ways so that folks under- — in underserved communities could get that funding.

So our goal, again, is to help local, state, Tribal, and territorial governments navigate and access and deploy infrastructure resources that will build a better community and a better America.

So, again, there’s a coordinator that is connected to getting that Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  You know, you’re going to hear from Mitch Landrieu, you’re going to hear from Criswell — Director Criswell — Administrator Criswell, who are both down there today.  And we will hear a lot more on what we can do as an administration.

Q    And I just have a follow on the speech yesterday, just to follow up on this point.  Noting that — that rhetoric and delivering speeches can — I understand the, kind of, inspiration — the inspirational kind of motivational factor there.

But just, frankly, can the American people expect any sort of policy rollout underlying the speech yesterday in the days ahead to actually address the threat to democracy?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, I think what the President was trying to do at this moment, and we’ve seen this before, is give Americans a choice.  How do we move forward in this time, in this inflection point? 

And one of the ways that we have seen time and time again in history is making sure people have their voices heard.  And that comes in many different ways.

And he believes, as President, it is important for him to be very clear and direct, and to fight the hardest for our democracy.  And so, that is what you saw.  You saw a very strong message from the President.

It was clear what he was saying to the American people.  It’s time to, you know, take a stance.  It’s time to take action.  And — and we also see that.  We see that from polling about what the American people are anxious about.  What they care about is our democracy.  So it is not unusual.  It is something that we have seen over the last several weeks.

And so, you know, the President is going to continue to have those conversations, and he’s going to continue to make sure that he makes that clear.

Q    But what’s the administration’s action, besides telling people to go vote?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, I think we should not underestimate what that — what that can do — the power of the bully pulpit, the power of the President, and that — and that action that he took last night and what that could make happen, what that — what — the — what that could lead to.  And we’ve seen that in the past.

This is not unusual — right? — to have a — a — to have a speech like this and to encourage people to act, to send a message so that — you know, so that the American people understand what is happening in this country.

And so, again, the President se- — believes that it is his job to level with the American people about threats he sees to our nation and our values.  And that’s what you heard from him last night.  And we believe it did — it indeed resonated.

And so, again, this is something that he’s going to continue to do.  It is a powerful message that was delivered by the President. 

I’m going to continue.  Go ahead.  Go ahead.

Q    Yeah, thank you, Karine.  Isn’t a speech in which the President concludes by saying, “Vote, vote, vote,” inherently political?  He wasn’t referring to voting for any candidates.  He was — he wasn’t saying, “Vote for Dr. Oz.”  He was saying, “Vote to reject the MAGA forces.”  I mean, isn’t that a political speech?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  We don’t think it’s a political speech.  When I was here yesterday, I actually said that he would mention voter participation and getting folks out there to make your voices heard.  I said that at the podium yesterday when I was asked what this speech was going to be all about.

And, look, that is the most powerful tool — the most powerful tool that Americans have is to make sure their voices are heard.  It is.  It is the most powerful action that an American voter — an American can take.  And so, that is what he is asking the American people to do.

I’m going to continue.  I’m going to continue because you’re — I’ve asked — I’ve answered that question a few times. 

Q    Well, I was going to a different topic —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  Go to a different topic.

Q    Looking ahead to the Labor Day events that the President has — one in Pittsburgh, one in Milwaukee — will the President be speaking at those events?  And is he going to be continuing the message we heard yesterday or talking more of an economic theme?  What should we expect from the President on those days?  And will he be appearing with the respective Senate candidates — Fetterman and Mandela Barnes in Wisconsin?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I don’t want to get ahead of what the President is going to say.  As you — as you just mentioned, he’ll be in Wisconsin and in Pennsylvania on Monday for the Labor Day activities that he’ll be participating in.

I’m sure we will be hearing from the President.  Don’t want to get ahead of what he will say.  And we’ll have more to share on who will be attending, as we normally do.  I don’t have anything to share at this time.

Okay.  Go ahead.

Q    Hey, Karine.  Thank you.  On social media companies.  Did the administration give Twitter and Facebook talking points over flagging what the President describes as mis- — misinformation?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Talk — say that one more time.

Q    Yeah, did — has the administration helped Twitter and Facebook with talking points about what the administration believes is misinformation?  Or how much coordination is there between the administration and social media companies?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I don’t have anything to share with you on that.  I’m not going to comment on that at this time.

Q    Okay.  Because the attorney generals from Missouri and Louisiana said there’s a “vast censorship enterprise across a multitude of federal agencies.”

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, I’m just not going to comment at this time.

Q    On another topic then, so, under this President, under President Biden, you saw student test scores have come — gone backwards; inflation has gone the wrong direction; workers real wages have come down.  You know, we’re seeing programs — spending on programs and promises that at some point in the future, the transition will be over.  What — in the last 20 months, where’s the progress?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, as far as the economy — as you know, the jobs report came out today.  You heard from the President as he was giving remarks at his event just now on the American Rescue Plan, the Build Back Better Challenge dealing with 21 cities.  And you heard from some of the folks who received the grant today, which is an important tool.  It’s going to change lives in Detroit; in Greenwood, Oklahoma; in areas that really need it. 

And so that is, again, another important piece of the American Rescue Plan that only Democratic — Democrats voted for.  And also, the American Rescue Plan helped turn the economy back on.  And that’s why we have seen the success of the — of our economic success this past year.

And you’ve asked me this — you know, I know you follow economy.  But, look —

Q    But inflation still outpaces wages.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, here, let me just talk about — let me talk about the report a little bit, because there’s some good stuff in here that kind of touches on what you just asked me. 

So, as you know, the good news is: In August, the economy created 315,000 jobs, which is important.  We have created nearly 10 thousand — million jobs since President Biden took office, which is the fastest job growth in history.

So you’re asking me, where’s the success?  Here it is.  Wait.  Let me finish.

Q    Added back, most of those jobs.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Wait.  Wait. 

Q    Two hundred and forty thousand were created.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Hold on.  Hold on.  Let me — let me — the share of Americans who are working, because that’s part of the question that you just asked me — what economists call the
“labor force participation rate” — went up, and that’s important. 

And for the first time, working age women — this is in the job report that we just saw today — are now back at work at rates not seen since before the pandemic.

So the bottom line is: Jor- — Jobs are up.  Wages are up.  People are back to work.  And we are seeing some hopeful signs that inflation may be beginning to ease.  We saw that in July.  Right?  From July to August, we saw that inflation was starting to ease.  And you’re talking about education.

When the President walked in to this administration, schools were closed, businesses were closed.  And a lot of that is because we were in the pandemic, but not just that.  It was so mismanaged by the last administration that we had to get to work to make sure that we opened up the schools, which we were able to do.  Nearly all schools were opened in the first six months.  Getting small businesses back open.  And that was the work that —

Q    But states like Florida and, at first, New York held off.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  That were — that was the work because of this President and Democrats.  The American Rescue Plan helped do that.  And it was mismanaged — what we saw by the last President, what — the way that he was handling the economy, the way they were handling COVID and getting shots in arms, making sure that people were able to get back to work.  That is just a fact.

And so, that is — is there a lot of — is there more work to be done?  Of course, to bring down inflation.  Absolutely. That’s one of the reasons the President works so hard to get the gas prices to come down.  That’s one of the reasons we work so hard to get the Inflation Reduction Act so we can bring down cost of prescription drugs.

So, all of these things took work and it took leadership.

All right, I’m going to keep going.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Can you talk a little bit about — more about COVID, particularly what the White House is doing to make sure that Congress passes the COVID funding package, you know, considering last time it didn’t work out?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So — so, as you know, there remains a pressing need for additional funding for our COVID-19 response. 

In March, to your point, we requested that Congress provide supplemental COVID-19 funding and repeatedly warned that without congressional action, we would be forced to make difficult tradeoffs and reallocate existing funding to meet pressing needs.  That is precisely what happened.

The most recently, for example, because of congressional inaction, the lack of additional funding has prevented us from adequately replenishing our national stockpile, at-home — the at-home tests, which ends today, forced us to suspend sending a free test to Americans and leaves our democr- — domestic testing capacity diminished for a potential fall surge.

So while we have made tremendous progress in our ability to protect against and treat COVID-19, we must stay on our — on our front foot, and that requires additional resources. 

So the updated funding request is for $22.4 billion to meet immediate short-term domestic needs, including testing, accelerating the research and development of next-generation vaccines and therapeutics, prepare for future variants, and support the global response to COVID-19.

So, again, this funding is vital.  We’re going to continue to work with Congress.  We feel that we have the time — some time to make that happen.  And so, that is — in order to continue our progress and build on our progress, we’re going to continue to fight for that funding.

Q    Is there anything, though, that the White House is kind of doing differently to try to, kind of, change the outcome?  I mean, what makes you think that there will be a different outcome?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, we think that we — we think that there is, like last year — we were confident that Congress can reach a funding agreement, just like we did last year.  So this is not new.

And but with one month until the end of the fiscal year, it’s clear that Congress will first need to pass a short-term continuing resolution to keep the federal government running and provide the time needed to reach an agreement on a fully — on a full-year funding bill.

So, we did it last year.  And so, we’re confident that Congress could do it again.

Go ahead.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  At this hour, there’s a report that Gina McCarthy, the President’s Climate Advisor, is stepping down.  Is there anything more you can tell us about that?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yes, she is stepping down.  Gina is — is indeed leaving us.  She, as you know, has been a leader in what we have seen as one of the largest investments in dealing with climate change.

She is a — not the first time that she’s been in an administration, and we are very sad to lose her.  We will have more to share, I’m sure, in an upcoming — in the upcoming hours. 

But just to give a little bit of Gina, she’s a public service — has a extended decades across local and state and federal government, including as EPA Administrator in the Obama-Biden administration.  And she returned — she returned to public service recognizing the unique moment and eager to support the President at the beginning of this administration, especially as she sought to launch the first-ever Climate Policy Office and 20 — 21-plus agency task force to advance a whole-of-government approach to the climate crisis.

And so, we’ll have more to share.  But, yes, that is something that I can confirm.

Q    I want to ask you about something else.  Yesterday, the Defense Department released a pretty disturbing report on the number of sexual assault incidents in the military.  This report indicated an increase in, in particular, female servicemembers, who said that they have experienced unwanted sexual contact, and a decrease in the women who say that they trust the system to protect their privacy, trust the system to safe — ensure their safety, and trust the system to treat them with dignity and respect. 

Has the President been presented with this report?  And does he have confidence in the Defense Department’s leadership to address these concerns?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I can tell you that the President — this is a priority for the President, as you know.  You’ve heard from him about this before.  One sexual assault is one too many.  And the President has been clear about making sure we implement real change to — to rid our ranks of this crime. 

That is why he signed an executive order in January 2022 making sexual harassment a named military offense, and it’s why his fiscal year ’23 budget request proposed $940 million for sexual assault prevention and response programs, including $479 million and more than 2,400 personnel to implement the recommendations of the Independent Review Commission. 

And for the first time in military history, beginning in December of next year, investigations and prosecutions of sexual assault and harassment will be taken out of the chain of command and placed in the hands of the independent special counsel.

We understand there’s more work to do, of course.  And as this new data demonstrates, addressing the scourge of sexual assault in the military will continue to be a priority for the Department of Defense and this administration, and we’re going to continue to do the work.

I’m going to take — I’m going to take one more question because we actually have to go.

Q    Thank you.  I just wanted to follow up on the oil price cap.  Could you say when that will be unveiled?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I can say this: You know, we believe the price cap will be successful in our goals of substantially curbing Russia’s main source of revenue and lowering energy costs because it offers multiple ways to achieve our goals.

As far as any timing or timeline, as I said moments ago that the U.S. Treasury will have more on that, so I’d point you to them.  But we do believe this is an important big step forward.

Q    Quickly, on the Iran deal.  Are the main sticking points the closure of the IAEA probe and some kind of guarantees for foreign companies that if the U.S. were to leave the deal again, there would be like a wind-down period for contracts?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, let me just give you a little bit on the status of this.  So, you know, we have taken a deliberate and principled approach to these negotiations from the start.  And, you know, if — if Iran is prepared to comply with this — with its commitments under the 2015 deal, then we are prepared to do the same.

And so, you know, that’s going to be our focus.  As it — as it relates to the IAEA investigations, the safeguards, our position is crystal clear.  Iran needs to answer — it’s crystal clear the investigations are not political.  They are not leverage or bargaining chips.

Once the IAEA Director General reports to the Board of Governors that the outstanding issues have been clarified and resolved, we expect them to come to — come off the board’s agenda, and not before.

We are unbending in our support for the IAEA’s independence.  There should not be any conditional –conditionality between reimplementation of the JCPOA and investigations related to Iran’s legal obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.  And, of course, it would be preferable to return to the JCPOA without any open safeguard issues.  The power to achieve that is fully in Iran’s hands.

I’ll take one from the back.

(Cross-talk by reporters.)

Q    Karine, can I ask you a quick follow-up on Ethiopia?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m not sure if I have any more on Ethiopia.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  President Biden — President Biden laid out last night the problems that the country is facing: divisions, extremism, polarization.  What is his message to adversaries who — around the world — who are looking at this and trying to leverage the division in the country, and also allies who are dismayed at the state of democracy in the U.S.?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So it’s the same message he has sent to the world since before January 6, about sacrosanct democratic norms and the importance of standing up for democracy as authoritarianism rises around the world.  And so, the same message.  Nothing is new.

This is opposite of partisan and about values — much, much bigger, much bigger, much higher than that.  And that’s — and that’s him working to strengthen democracy in the world.  That’s what he’s going to continue to do.

Thanks, everybody.

1:11 P.M. EDT

Source: The White House

Vice President’s Ceremonial Office
Eisenhower Executive Office Building

2:25 P.M. EDT
 
VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS:  Well, Mr. Vice President, welcome.  It is my honor to receive you and to — to talk with you today about many important matters that face Nigeria and the United States and our partnership and what we are committed to doing together.
 
There is a strong relationship between the United States and Nigeria.  As I was explaining to the Vice President, there are hundreds of thousands of Nigerian Americans and Nigerians here in the United States, and so many who have made significant contributions to the United States, be it as entrepreneurs, as innovators, to film and music.
 
And Nigeria, without any question, is leading on so many important issues and some of the most important issues of our time.
 
When we look at the issue of the climate crisis, Mr. Vice President, you have been an extraordinary leader on this issue.  And I know this is something that you feel very strongly about, and you’ve been very adamant about the role Nigeria can play in addressing this crisis that faces us all. 
 
And I congratulate you, for example, on your Energy Transition Plan —
 
VICE PRESIDENT OSINBAJO:  Thank you. 
 
VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS:  — which I know pledges carbon-neutral energy by 2060.  Ambitious goals, but important goals.  And under your leadership, I have no question that they will be achieved.
 
Today, we will also discuss the urgent issue that affects the continent of Africa and the world, which is the issue of food insecurity.  As you know, the United States has committed $7 billion in food security and humanitarian assistance to African countries over the past year alone.
 
Nigeria has also been an important partner in upholding the international rules-based order, whether it is tackling the democratic backsliding that we’ve been seeing in West Africa or standing up for Ukraine at the United Nations. 
 
The United States remains committed to supporting free and fair elections in Nigeria next February — elections which we have confidence will be peaceful and reflect the will of the people. 
 
And, of course, we do feel very strongly, as I know you do, that Nigeria is and must remain a bastion of democracy for West Africa.
 
More broadly, Africa’s leadership is key to confronting all of the global challenges we face.  And to that end, Nigeria is key. 
 
So we look forward to strengthening our partnership.  I bring you greetings from President Joe Biden.  I was just with him.  And he and I remain committed to strengthening our relationship with Nigeria and with Africa as a continent as a whole.  And we also look forward to hosting you in December at the summit here in Washington. 
 
So with that, welcome, again.  And I look forward to our discussion.  Please.
 
VICE PRESIDENT OSINBAJO:  Thank you.  Thank you very much.  I’m grateful, Vice President Kamala Harris, for receiving me here at the White House.  And my visit is an opportunity to reaffirm the close ties that exist between our countries.
 
The United States has been a longstanding partner and friend of Nigeria.  And even as long ago as independence, you know, the United States has been a very firm supporter of all of our aspirations, especially our economic and social development ambitions.  The United States has always been with us.
 
We also most appreciate the firm support that we’ve received from the U.S., especially in our fight against terrorism within our borders and in the Sahel, and, of course, the very timely donation of vaccines — 4 million vaccines — as we battled the COVID-19 pandemic.  And that, of course, was extremely useful.
 
But in addition to, as you pointed out, our shared commitment to democracy and the international rules-based system —
 
VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS:  Yes.

VICE PRESIDENT OSINBAJO:  — we very strongly believe that, you know, in the coming years we will need to work together again on so many global challenges.  They are as varied and as — and they come up very frequently now — from promoting peace and security to tackling global health issues and climate change and, of course, economic adversity.
 
I must also congratulate you, of course, on the Inflation Reduction Act.  And —
 
VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS:  Thank you.

VICE PRESIDENT OSINBAJO:  And I think, in particular, it’s historic, especially for those of us who are paying attention to all the issues on climate change.  The climate change component is really ambitious.  And we think that it shows U.S. leadership in this — in the era of climate change.  And we’re all excited to queue up behind the U.S. and see that we get many of these objectives on the way.
 
On our part, and you pointed this out already, the Nigerian government launched our Energy Transition Plan just last week.  And this plan is important for us because, for us, we see energy, especially the climate crisis, as two existential issues: one, of course, the crises; the second is the energy poverty and the energy crisis for us —
 
VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS:  Yes.

VICE PRESIDENT OSINBAJO:  — in our part of the world.
 
So, while we look forward to the 2060 carbon neutrality goal, we are also hoping that within that period — even within a shorter period — we’re actually looking at 2030 — we’ll deal with issues of energy poverty.  And so, we’re anxious to get all the support we can.  And in the last few days, I’ve been talking to quite a few of the agencies here — the World Bank; USAID; in fact, the Treasury Secretary yesterday also.  And they’ve all been very positive, you know, and shown indications that they will be very helpful indeed.
 
So I think that we look forward to, in the coming years and months, to even greater collaboration and stronger ties between our countries to create a fairer, more prosperous, and perhaps a greener, also, and freer nation — and nations and the world.  You know?
 
Thank you very much, again, for hosting me.  And this is a great honor indeed.  Thank you.
 
VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS:  Thank you, Mr. Vice President.  Thank you.  And welcome, again.   
 
                             END                2:32 P.M. EDT

Source: The White House

Biden Administration will facilitate air shipment of approximately 1.5 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents of Kendamil infant formula from September 1 to 5

Today, President Biden is announcing that his Administration is sourcing four flights, facilitated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), for Operation Fly Formula to transport Kendamil baby formula from England to New York, NY via flights from September 1 to 5. These four deliveries will include in total approximately 101,335 pounds of Kendamil EU Organic First Infant Milk Stage 1, the equivalent of approximately 1.5 million 8-ounce bottles. The product will be available at Target stores nationwide. Parents and pediatricians can learn more about Kendamil infant formula at https://us.kendamil.com and compare its nutritional content per 100kcal with other leading baby formula brands at https://us.kendamil.com/pages/compare-kendamil.

In May, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the agency is exercising enforcement discretion so that Kendamil can export additional infant formula into the U.S., including Kendamil EU Classic First Infant Milk Stage 1 and Kendamil EU Organic First Infant Milk Stage 1. Kendamil plans to export approximately 58 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents to the U.S. market under Operation Fly Formula. 

President Biden launched Operation Fly Formula to speed up the import of infant formula and start getting more formula to stores as soon as possible. Under Operation Fly Formula, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the General Services Administration (GSA), and the Department of Defense (DOD) are partnering to pick up overseas infant formula that meets U.S. health and safety standards, so it can get to store shelves faster. By September 5, Operation Fly Formula will have transported more than 85 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents to the U.S.

In addition, the Biden Administration has taken a number of other important actions to ensure there is enough safe infant formula for families, including invoking the Defense Production Act, entering into a consent agreement between the FDA and Abbott Nutrition to reopen the company’s Sturgis facility, and issuing FDA guidance so that major formula manufacturers can safely import formula that is not currently being produced for the U.S. market. Details of our actions can be found at whitehouse.gov/formula.

###

Source: The White House

Vice President Kamala Harris met today with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo of Nigeria in Washington.  Vice President Harris affirmed the enduring strategic partnership between the United States and Nigeria.  The two leaders recognized the strong cultural ties between the American and Nigerian people, noting the remarkable vibrancy of the Nigerian diaspora.

Vice President Harris underscored the importance of Nigerian leadership to tackle shared global challenges.  Vice President Harris reiterated the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to address the global food crisis, noting that the United States has committed more than $7 billion in food security and humanitarian assistance to African countries since last October. 

Vice President Harris welcomed Vice President Osinbajo’s commitment to free and fair elections in 2023 and emphasized that next year’s vote would be an important milestone for Nigeria’s democracy, the largest in Africa.  She noted strong U.S. support for a credible, transparent, secure, and safe electoral process, including by advancing our longstanding partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission and Nigerian civil society with $25 million in elections support. Vice President Harris informed Vice President Osinbajo that the Biden-Harris Administration will provide an additional $2 million to help support a safer and more secure elections environment. She also thanked Vice President Osinbajo for Nigeria’s leadership in working to reverse recent democratic backsliding in West Africa. 

Vice President Harris welcomed the Government of Nigeria’s recent launch of its Energy Transition Plan and applauded Vice President Osinbajo’s leadership for just energy transitions in Africa.  In line with the Biden-Harris Administration’s U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa, the two leaders committed to working closely to support Nigeria’s energy access and energy security goals, as well as our shared global climate goals. 

The Vice Presidents also discussed Nigeria’s complex security challenges and affirmed our cooperation to counter terrorism.  Vice President Harris noted the importance of strengthening public trust in law enforcement institutions and highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to support police reform. To that end, she informed Vice President Osinbajo that the Biden-Harris Administration will commit an additional $5 million to support police and criminal justice reform in Nigeria. The two leaders also discussed the deteriorating security environment in the Sahel and agreed to continue to work together to address terrorism in the region. 

In support of the United States’ strong bilateral relationship with Nigeria, Vice President Harris shared that the Administration intends to commit up to $627 million in bilateral assistance over the coming year, subject to congressional approval. 

Vice President Harris noted that she and President Biden look forward to welcoming Nigeria’s delegation to the December U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, DC.

Source: The White House

Biden Administration facilitated air shipment of 5 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents of Danone Aptamil Gold Plus routine infant formula on August 29 and September 2

Today, President Biden is announcing that his Administration has sourced two flights, facilitated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), for Operation Fly Formula to transport Danone Aptamil Gold Plus infant formula from New Zealand to, Chicago, Illinois on August 29 and September 2. These deliveries will include approximately 333,338 pounds of Aptamil Gold Plus, the equivalent of 5 million 8-ounce bottles. These products will be distributed through retailers.

In May, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the agency is exercising enforcement discretion so that Danone can export additional infant formula, including Neocate Infant DHA/ARA and Aptamil First Infant Milk Stage 1. Danone plans to export a total of approximately 39 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents from across its brands into the U.S. market, which also includes their Aptamil baby formula from Ireland and New Zealand.

President Biden launched Operation Fly Formula to speed up the import of infant formula and start getting more formula to stores as soon as possible. Under Operation Fly Formula, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the General Services Administration (GSA), and the Department of Defense (DOD) are partnering to pick up overseas infant formula that meets U.S. health and safety standards, so it can get to store shelves, hospitals and home health care providers faster. To date, Operation Fly Formula has transported over 83 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents to the U.S.

In addition, the Biden Administration has taken a number of other important actions to ensure there is enough safe infant formula for families, including invoking the Defense Production Act, entering into a consent agreement between the FDA and Abbott Nutrition to reopen the company’s Sturgis facility, and issuing FDA guidance so that major formula manufacturers can safely import formula that is not currently being produced for the U.S. market. Details of our actions can be found at whitehouse.gov/formula.

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Source: The White House

WASHINGTON – Today, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to serve as key leaders in his administration: 

• Richard L. Revesz, Nominee for Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, U.S Office of Management and Budget
• Nickolas H. Guertin, Nominee for Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development, and Acquisition), U.S. Department of Defense
• Gene Rodrigues, Nominee for Assistant Secretary of Energy (Office of Electricity), U.S. Department of Energy
• Danté Quintin Allen, Nominee for Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education
• George P. Kent, Nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Estonia
• Donna Ann Welton, Nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
• Roger Israel Zakheim, Nominee for Member of the United States Institute of Peace

Richard L. Revesz, Nominee for Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, U.S. Office of Management and Budget

Richard L. Revesz, the AnBryce Professor of Law and Dean Emeritus at the New York University (NYU) School of Law, is one of the nation’s leading voices in the fields of environmental and regulatory law and policy. He has published ten books and more than 80 articles in major law reviews and journals advocating for protective and rational climate change and environmental policies, and examining the institutional contexts in which regulatory policy is made. Revesz founded the Institute for Policy Integrity, a think tank and advocacy organization that promotes desirable public policies for the environment, public health, and consumers. Revesz is also the Director of the American Law Institute, a leading independent organization in the United States producing scholarly work to clarify, modernize, and otherwise improve the law.

As Dean of NYU Law School from 2002 to 2013, Revesz increased the size of the full-time faculty by more than 30 percent, recruiting 46 new full-time professors and building the leading faculty groups in many significant areas of law. He raised a record-breaking $550 million to support the law school’s core initiatives and used a significant portion of these resources to enhance the law school’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Revesz designed and launched the AnBryce Scholarship Program, which gives full-tuition scholarships and institutional support to first generation college students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Revesz was born in Argentina, learned English as a second language, and immigrated to the United States when he was 17. He graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University, earned a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and received a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School, where he was editor-in-chief of the Yale Law Journal. Following clerkships with Chief Judge Wilfred Feinberg of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and Justice Thurgood Marshall of the U.S. Supreme Court, Revesz joined the NYU Law School faculty in 1985.

Nickolas H. Guertin, Nominee for Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development, and Acquisition), U.S. Department of Defense

Nickolas H. Guertin is the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He serves as the senior advisor to the Secretary of Defense on operational and live fire testing, and evaluation of Department of Defense weapon systems. He has an extensive four-decade combined military and civilian career in submarine operations, ship construction and maintenance, development and testing of weapons, sensors, combat management products including the improvement of systems engineering, and defense acquisition. Most recently, he has performed applied research for government and academia in software-reliant and cyber-physical systems at Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute.

Over his career, he has been in leadership roles of organizational transformation, improving competition, application of modular open system approaches, as well as prototyping and experimentation. He has also researched and published extensively on software-reliant system design, testing, and acquisition. He received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington and an M.B.A. from Bryant University. He is a retired Navy Reserve Engineering Duty Officer. Guertin is also Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certified in Program Management and Engineering, and is also a registered professional engineer (mechanical). Guertin is involved with his community as a Committee Chair and Merit Badge Counselor for a Scouts B.S.A. troop as well as being an avid amateur musician. He hails from Redding, Connecticut, and is a resident of McLean, Virginia, with his wife Maria and their 15-year-old twin children.

Gene Rodrigues, Nominee for Assistant Secretary of Energy (Office of Electricity), U.S. Department of Energy

Gene Rodrigues is a nationally-recognized expert in clean energy policy and programs with over 30 years of professional experience in the field. Rodrigues is a Vice President in the Energy, Environment and Infrastructure practice at ICF, a global advisory and digital services provider. Prior to joining ICF, Rodrigues garnered 23 years of industry experience at Southern California Edison (SCE), one of the nation’s largest electric utilities. During his tenure at SCE, he represented the company in regulatory proceedings and held leadership positions over the company’s portfolio of demand-side management programs and policies, which helped to ensure the provision of affordable, reliable, and resilient electric service for over 15 million people in Southern California. 

Over his professional career, Rodrigues has also held leadership positions in industry nonprofit organizations, including most recently as a member of the board of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, as the Chair of the board for the California Efficiency & Demand Management Council, and as Chair of the Outreach Committee for the bipartisan Alliance to Save Energy’s Active Efficiency initiative. Previously, Gene also served as the Chair of the Consortium for Energy Efficiency and on the boards of the China-US Energy Efficiency Alliance and California’s Low-Income Oversight Board. In recognition of his industry leadership, in 2012 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented Gene with its Climate Leadership Award for individual leadership. Gene is a graduate of University of California, Hastings College of the Law, and of Northern Arizona University. He and his wife make their home in Manhattan Beach, California.

Danté Quintin Allen, Nominee for Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education

Danté Allen currently serves as the Executive Director for CalABLE, California’s qualified federal ABLE Act savings and investment program for people with disabilities. Allen has led CalABLE since its launch in 2018 and has grown the program’s reach with more than 8,000 active accounts with nearly $80 million in assets under management. During its three years in operation, CalABLE has become the fastest growing ABLE program in the United States. Prior to joining CalABLE, Allen has also served as a communications leader in the public and private sector. Allen served in the California Department of Public Health’s newly formed Office of Health Equity as a Senior Communications Officer, and also at Kaiser Permanente, where he served as the Communications Director for the organization’s senior operations executive.

Born with Spina bifida, Allen is a fulltime wheelchair user. Allen is a staunch proponent of disability rights and equity. He has been a champion in advocating for the awareness of the reduction of healthcare and financial disparities especially among people of color and people with disabilities. He serves as a board member for Resources for Independent Living, Sacramento, a nonprofit that supports the needs of people with disabilities to live as independently as possible. He has also contributed in leadership roles in employee resource groups for people with disabilities throughout his career. Allen received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Davis and a Master’s degree at The University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Journalism and Communication.

George P. Kent, Nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Estonia

George P. Kent, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counselor, most recently served as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the European and Eurasian Bureau at the U.S. Department of State. Previously, he was Deputy Chief of Mission in Kyiv, Ukraine. Prior to that, Kent was the Senior Anti-Corruption Coordinator in the State Department’s European Bureau. He has also served as Director for Europe and Asia in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement. Since joining the Foreign Service in 1992, Kent has served in U.S. Diplomatic Missions in Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Warsaw, Poland; Bangkok, Thailand (twice), and Kyiv, Ukraine (twice). Other State Department assignments include Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Operations Center Watch Officer, and Thai desk officer. Kent holds an A.B. from Harvard in Russian History and Literature, an M.A. from Johns Hopkins’ SAIS, and an M.S. from the National Defense University’s Eisenhower School. He speaks Ukrainian, Russian, and Thai. Kent is a Kirby Simon Fund Trustee.

Donna Ann Welton, Nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

Donna Ann Welton, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counselor, currently serves as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Programs and Operations for the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. Prior to that, she was Assistant Chief of Mission in Kabul, Afghanistan, after three years serving as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki, Finland, where she served over eighteen months as Chargé d’affaires, ad interim. Earlier, she was on detail to the Department of Defense as the Acting Director for Southeast Asia in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Policy). Welton began her career with the United States Information Agency, serving in the Republic of Korea as the Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer in Seoul and as American Center Director in Daegu, then as American Center Director in Fukuoka, Japan, before returning to graduate school. She then worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and at the American Federation of Arts in New York. Welton returned to the Foreign Service at the Department of State in 2000, serving in public diplomacy positions in Tokyo and Nagoya, Japan, Washington, and Jakarta, Indonesia. Welton also served as Consul General in Sapporo, Japan. She then took over as Counselor for Public Affairs in Kabul, followed by service at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations as Deputy Director of Communications and Public Affairs. Welton also served as Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. Welton earned her A.B. from Yale University and holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College. She speaks Japanese fluently, and also speaks Korean, Indonesian, German, some Dari, and Finnish.

Roger Israel Zakheim, Nominee for Member of the United States Institute of Peace

Roger Zakheim is Director of the Reagan Institute in Washington, D.C., which promotes the legacy of President Reagan by advancing the timeless principles of individual liberty, national security, economic opportunity, global democracy, and national pride. Zakheim serves on the Board of Directors of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) and on the Board of Directors of Marvell Government Solutions, the federal business unit of Marvell Technology, Inc. Zakheim previously served as a Commissioner on the Commission on the National Defense Strategy of the United States established by Congress in 2017, and is a former Visiting Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Prior to joining the Reagan Institute in 2018, Zakheim was a Partner at Covington & Burling LLP, where he led the firm’s Public Policy and Government Affairs practice group.

Zakheim’s government experience includes serving as General Counsel and Deputy Staff Director on the U.S. House Armed Services Committee. In this role, Zakheim managed the passage of the annual National Defense Authorization Act. Zakheim also served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense during the George W. Bush Administration. Zakheim frequently speaks and writes on national security and defense issues. His views have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Politico, National Public Radio, Fox News, CNN, The Atlantic, National Review, and other media outlets. Zakheim received his B.A. from Columbia University and holds an M. Phil in International Relations from Cambridge University, and a Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law. He lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with his wife Tamar and five children.

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Source: The White House

Presidential Determination
No.        2022-22        

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE
THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY

SUBJECT:       Continuation of the Exercise of Certain Authorities Under               the Trading With the Enemy Act

Under section 101(b) of Public Law 95-223 (91 Stat. 1625; 50 U.S.C. 4305 note), and a previous determination on September 7, 2021 (86 FR 50831, September 10, 2021), the exercise of certain authorities under the Trading With the Enemy Act is scheduled to expire on September 14, 2022.

I hereby determine that the continuation of the exercise of those authorities with respect to Cuba for 1 year is in the national interest of the United States.

Therefore, consistent with the authority vested in me by section 101(b) of Public Law 95-223, I continue for 1 year, until September 14, 2023, the exercise of those authorities with respect to Cuba, as implemented by the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 515.

The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to publish this determination in the Federal Register.

                           JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

Source: The White House

President Biden is announcing one new nominee to serve as U.S. Attorneys and two new nominees to serve as U.S. Marshal in Mississippi. These are officials who will be indispensable to upholding the rule of law as top federal law enforcement officials.

These individuals were chosen for their devotion to enforcing the law, their professionalism, their experience and credentials, their dedication to pursuing equal justice for all, and their commitment to the independence of the Department of Justice.

The President has now announced 57 nominees to serve as U.S. Attorneys, and 17 nominees to serve as U.S. Marshals.

U.S. Attorney Announcement

• Todd Gee: Nominee for United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi

Todd Gee has served as Deputy Chief of the Public Integrity Section of the United States Department of Justice since 2018. Mr. Gee previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Columbia from 2007 to 2015. He as previously Chief Counsel from 2006 to 2007 and Counsel and Senior Policy Advisor from 2005 to 2006 for the Committee on Homeland Security in the United States House of Representatives. Mr. Gee served as a law clerk for United States Magistrate Judge Janice M. Stewart in the District of Oregon from 2003 to 2005.  Mr. Gee received his J.D. from Tulane Law School in 2003 and his B.A. from the George Washington University in 1999.  He was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

U.S. Marshal Announcements

• Michael Purnell: Nominee for United States Marshal for the Northern District of Mississippi

Michael Purnell has served as Lieutenant and Executive Officer of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol since 2020. Mr. Purnell has held various other roles with the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol, including as Master Sergeant and Supervisor for the Motor Carrier Safety Division from 2019 to 2020; State Trooper from 2008 to 2019; Master Sergeant in the Enforcement Division from 2004 to 2008; Investigator and Master Sergeant from 2000 to 2004; and Trooper from 1996 to 2000.  From 1993 to 1995, he was a Correctional Officer with the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Mr. Purnell received his B.A. from Jackson State University in 1993.

• Dale Bell: Candidate for United States Marshal for the Southern District of Mississippi

Dale Bell is a professional protection officer for a private security service in Hernando, Mississippi. Mr. Bell previously held several roles in the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, including as Major and Commander of the Special Response Team from 2012 to 2021; Lieutenant and Central Region Supervisor from 2009 to 2012; and as a Master Sergeant from 1998 to 2009. Mr. Bell began his law enforcement career as a Corrections Deputy for the Hinds County, Mississippi Sheriff’s Department from 1995 to 1998.

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Source: The White House

     American workers have built our communities, laid the foundation for our democracy, and powered the engine of our prosperity.  From the factory hands who forged an Arsenal of Democracy and helped beat back fascism during World War II, to the immigrants who assembled the transcontinental railroad that connected America’s coasts, to the health care professionals and first responders who mobilized selflessly during the pandemic to save countless lives, American workers have guided us through our most difficult moments and delivered some of our Nation’s greatest triumphs.
     Unions have been the voice of American workers, guiding their path to power as a major force in our society.  Unions fought for higher wages and family-supporting benefits, established vital health and safety standards, secured an 8-hour work day, eradicated child labor, guarded against discrimination and harassment, and bargained for every worker’s fair share of economic prosperity.  They give workers a say in critical decisions affecting their lives and livelihoods and play a transformative role in shaping the future of our democracy.  The middle class built America, and unions built the middle class.  When organized labor wins, families win.  We all win.
     I said from the start that I would be the most pro-worker and pro-union President in American history, and I am keeping that promise.  When I took office, I put money in the pockets of hardworking Americans with the American Rescue Plan, offering families much-needed breathing room.  I have now enacted a bold, long-term economic agenda that will lead to historic investments in our Nation and our workers:  the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act.  My economic agenda is a once-in-a-generation blueprint to rebuild America, outcompete every other economy in the world, and create thousands of good-paying and clean-manufacturing jobs.  We are putting plumbers, pipefitters, electrical workers, steel workers, and so many others to work on a range of projects — from rebuilding our infrastructure to manufacturing semiconductors, electric vehicles, wind turbines, and solar panels.  Many of these jobs will be union jobs.
     This is just the beginning.  To give workers more power and raise wages, I signed an Executive Order calling for a ban on unfair non-compete agreements that hinder people from building on their experience to take new jobs in their industries.  I created a White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment with the aim of identifying new ways the executive branch can facilitate the organizing of workers.  I also appointed a former union president and card-carrying union member to serve this country as the Secretary of Labor.
     Still, there is more we can do.  I believe every worker should have a free and fair choice to organize and bargain collectively with their employer without coercion or intimidation.  That is why I called on the Congress to finally pass the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act and the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, which will make it easier for private-sector, State, and local government workers to join a union and bargain collectively.
     As our economy recovers and rebuilds, we must build it from the bottom up and the middle out — not the top down — so everyone benefits.  Our Nation continues to fall short of its promise to deliver equal opportunity to workers of color and women, among others, and we can do more to ensure that good-paying jobs are accessible to everyone.  Only when all workers have a strong voice in their wages, benefits, and job treatment can we start to change how we value their labor.  Only then can we begin to reward work and not just wealth.
     I have had the honor of meeting workers of every stripe.  I have visited longshore workers in California, firefighters in Colorado, transit workers in New Jersey, welders in Wisconsin, and teachers in Virginia, among many others.  I also welcomed frontline worker-organizers into the Oval Office.  Whenever I meet members of America’s labor community — dedicated women and men who derive purpose from their work — I am reminded of something my father used to tell me: “A job is about more than a paycheck — it is about dignity and respect.”
     This Labor Day, let us honor those trailblazers who have fought for the rights of working people.  Let us stand in solidarity with all workers and strengthen their ability to organize and bargain with employers.  Let us give thanks to all of America’s workers who build this Nation and pave our future.
     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 5, 2022, as Labor Day.  I call upon all public officials and people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that honor the energy and innovation of working Americans.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
second day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-seventh.

                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.