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Tag Archives: president

A statement

03 Tuesday May 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

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abortion, Joe Biden, president, Roe v Wade, statement, Supreme Court, White House

Late last night an extensive U.S. Supreme Court draft majority opinion by Samuel Alito was leaked indicating the court will reverse Roe v Wade (1973).

Joe Biden (D) [2020 file photo].

Statement by President Joe Biden
MAY 03, 2022

We do not know whether this draft is genuine, or whether it reflects the final decision of the Court.

With that critical caveat, I want to be clear on three points about the cases before the Supreme Court.

First, my administration argued strongly before the Court in defense of Roe v. Wade. We said that Roe is based on “a long line of precedent recognizing ‘the Fourteenth Amendment’s concept of personal liberty’… against government interference with intensely personal decisions.” I believe that a woman’s right to choose is fundamental, Roe has been the law of the land for almost fifty years, and basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that it not be overturned.

Second, shortly after the enactment of Texas law SB 8 and other laws restricting women’s reproductive rights, I directed my Gender Policy Council and White House Counsel’s Office to prepare options for an Administration response to the continued attack on abortion and reproductive rights, under a variety of possible outcomes in the cases pending before the Supreme Court. We will be ready when any ruling is issued.

Third, if the Court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nation’s elected officials at all levels of government to protect a woman’s right to choose. And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November. At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law.

Apparently the U.S. Supreme Court has issued a statement, in high dudgeon, that the draft opinion is authentic.

Previously:

Stare decisis don’t mean shit (May 2, 2022)

Into the streets (May 2, 2022)

Gleeful handwringing (May 3, 2022)

It’s the GOP’s world, now you just get to live in it (May 3, 2022)

Into the streets, part 2 (May 3, 2022)

The third Senator from Virginia is upset that the President isn’t visiting his state today

08 Wednesday Dec 2021

Posted by Michael Bersin in Josh Hawley, social media, US Senate

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Fascist pig, Joe Biden, Josh Hawley, Kansas City, president, right wingnut, social media, The faux news Channel, Twitter, Virginia

“Faux News channel, fascist groupies” – protest sign, circa 2003- 2004.

It fits.

Today – retweeted by Josh Hawley (r):

Abigail Marone @abigailmarone
.@HawleyMO on Biden’s visit to Missouri: It reeks of desperation. It reeks of a politician who’s desperate to change the subject…

What his visit will really highlight in the state of Missouri is just how bad his policies have been.
[….]
12:46 PM · Dec 8, 2021

There was much hilarity in the comments:

Change what subject? What policies does Hawley object to and why?

Abby and Josh throw words to the wall and see what sticks.

Abigail, which pieces of the infrastructure bill does Josh specifically disagree with and why? Will he commit to visiting our city to discuss them with his constituents?

Does @HawleyMO know where Missouri is?

According to his map, it is located in Virginia.

Heh.

When’s the last time you visited KC, Josh?

When was the last time @HawleyMO was in MO? Let alone take questions from constituents?

Hey so when is @HawleyMO doing a townhall..in Missouri?

Now ask Hawley when was the last time he came to Missouri & had a town hall open to Missourians!

Zero specifics as usual…

The insurrectionist Josh who doesn’t even live in MO – that Josh?

Little Joshua is just mad because he’s hated in Kansas City and would never be welcomed here in the way President Joe Biden is.

Seriously? You’re blaming DECADES of decline under @MissouriGOP policies on Biden?

I cannot recall the last time .@HawleyMO has been in Missouri, visiting or actually living here. Grifter!

Josh couldn’t make a valid point if his life depended on it. What a moron.

Hawley’s comments reek of stupidity. Biden is the only one actively trying to improve the lives of your residents. What an embarrassment you are.

Josh Hawley (r) [2016 file photo].

There is a difference

20 Saturday Nov 2021

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

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Joe Biden, president, Thanksgiving, White House

Joe Biden (D) [2020 file photo].

Remarks by President Biden at Pardoning of the National Thanksgiving Turkey
NOVEMBER 19, 2021

SPEECHES AND REMARKS
Rose Garden

3:30 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: [….]

Since July — since July, they’ve been preparing the flock for this day. And I’m told the turkeys even listen to music to get used to the crowd noise. And they’ve interacted with children and visitors to get used to the — their visit to Washington.

And eventually, Peanut Butter and Jelly were selected
based on their temperament, appearance, and, I suspect, vaccination status. (Laughter.)

(Turkeys gobble.)

THE PRESIDENT: Oh, you see? (Laughter.) Yes, instead of getting basted, these two turkeys are getting boosted. (Laughter.)

(Turkeys gobble.)

[….]

A big difference.

About those polls

13 Wednesday Oct 2021

Posted by Michael Bersin in media criticism, meta

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CBS, CNN, Joe Biden, media criticism, meta, polling, president

Joe Biden (D) [2020 file photo].

CNN Poll: Most Democrats favor a bigger bill on social safety net and climate
By Jennifer Agiesta and Ariel Edwards-Levy, CNN
Updated 12:00 PM ET, Wed October 13, 2021

[….]

….President Joe Biden’s approval rating. In the new poll, 50% approve while 49% disapprove, largely unchanged from a CNN poll conducted in August and September….

The full report [pdf].

And:

CBS News Poll – October 6-8, 2021
Adults in the U.S.
Sample 2,054 Adults in the U.S.
Margin of Error ±2.6%
1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joe Biden is handling his job as president?
Approve 50%
Disapprove 50%
[….]

Joe Biden (D) [2014 file photo].

And then there’s the old media narrative….

“This is a pandemic of the unvaccinated.”

10 Friday Sep 2021

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

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Corona virus, COVID-19, Joe Biden, pandemic, president, vaccine

Joe Biden (D) [2020 file photo].

Yesterday:

Remarks by President Biden on Fighting the COVID-⁠19 Pandemic
SEPTEMBER 09, 2021
[….]
5:02 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Good evening, my fellow Americans. I want to talk to you about where we are in the battle against COVID-19, the progress we’ve made, and the work we have left to do.

And it starts with understanding this: Even as the Delta variant 19 [sic] has — COVID-19 — has been hitting this country hard, we have the tools to combat the virus, if we can come together as a country and use those tools.

If we raise our vaccination rate, protect ourselves and others with masking and expanded testing, and identify people who are infected, we can and we will turn the tide on COVID-19.

It will take a lot of hard work, and it’s going to take some time. Many of us are frustrated with the nearly 80 million Americans who are still not vaccinated, even though the vaccine is safe, effective, and free.

You might be confused about what is true and what is false about COVID-19. So before I outline the new steps to fight COVID-19 that I’m going to be announcing tonight, let me give you some clear information about where we stand.

First, we have cons- — we have made considerable progress in battling COVID-19. When I became President, about 2 million Americans were fully vaccinated. Today, over 175 million Americans have that protection.

Before I took office, we hadn’t ordered enough vaccine for every American. Just weeks in office, we did. The week before I took office, on January 20th of this year, over 25,000 Americans died that week from COVID-19. Last week, that grim weekly toll was down 70 percent.

And in the three months before I took office, our economy was faltering, creating just 50,000 jobs a month. We’re now averaging 700,000 new jobs a month in the past three months.

This progress is real. But while America is in much better shape than it was seven months ago when I took office, I need to tell you a second fact.

We’re in a tough stretch, and it could last for a while. The highly contagious Delta variant that I began to warn America about back in July spread in late summer like it did in other countries before us.

While the vaccines provide strong protections for the vaccinated, we read about, we hear about, and we see the stories of hospitalized people, people on their death beds, among the unvaccinated over these past few weeks.

This is a pandemic of the unvaccinated. And it’s caused by the fact that despite America having an unprecedented and successful vaccination program, despite the fact that for almost five months free vaccines have been available in 80,000 different locations, we still have nearly 80 million Americans
who have failed to get the shot.

And to make matters worse, there are elected officials actively working to undermine the fight against COVID-19. Instead of encouraging people to get vaccinated and mask up, they’re ordering mobile morgues for the unvaccinated dying from COVID in their communities. This is totally unacceptable.

Third, if you wonder how all this adds up, here’s the math: The vast majority of Americans are doing the right thing. Nearly three quarters of the eligible have gotten at least one shot, but one quarter has not gotten any. That’s nearly 80 million Americans not vaccinated. And in a country as large as ours, that’s 25 percent minority. That 25 percent can cause a lot of damage — and they are.

The unvaccinated overcrowd our hospitals, are overrunning the emergency rooms and intensive care units, leaving no room for someone with a heart attack, or pancreitis [pancreatitis], or cancer.

And fourth, I want to emphasize that the vaccines provide very strong protection from severe illness from COVID-19. I know there’s a lot of confusion and misinformation. But the world’s leading scientists confirm that if you are fully vaccinated, your risk of severe illness from COVID-19 is very low.

In fact, based on available data from the summer, only one of out of every 160,000 fully vaccinated Americans was hospitalized for COVID per day.

These are the facts.

So here’s where we stand: The path ahead, even with the Delta variant, is not nearly as bad as last winter. But what makes it incredibly more frustrating is that we have the tools to combat COVID-19, and a distinct minority of Americans –supported by a distinct minority of elected officials — are keeping us from turning the corner. These pandemic politics, as I refer to, are making people sick, causing unvaccinated people to die.

We cannot allow these actions to stand in the way of protecting the large majority of Americans who have done their part and want to get back to life as normal.

As your President, I’m announcing tonight a new plan to require more Americans to be vaccinated, to combat those blocking public health.

My plan also increases testing, protects our economy, and will make our kids safer in schools. It consists of six broad areas of action and many specific measures in each that — and each of those actions that you can read more about at WhiteHouse.gov. WhiteHouse.gov.

The measures — these are going to take time to have full impact. But if we implement them, I believe and the scientists indicate, that in the months ahead we can reduce the number of unvaccinated Americans, decrease hospitalizations and deaths, and allow our children to go to school safely and keep our economy strong by keeping businesses open.

First, we must increase vaccinations among the unvaccinated with new vaccination requirements. Of the nearly 80 million eligible Americans who have not gotten vaccinated, many said they were waiting for approval from the Food and Drug Administration — the FDA. Well, last month, the FDA granted that approval.

So, the time for waiting is over. This summer, we made progress through the combination of vaccine requirements and incentives, as well as the FDA approval. Four million more people got their first shot in August than they did in July.

But we need to do more. This is not about freedom or personal choice. It’s about protecting yourself and those around you — the people you work with, the people you care about, the people you love.

My job as President is to protect all Americans.

So, tonight, I’m announcing that the Department of Labor is developing an emergency rule to require all employers with 100 or more employees, that together employ over 80 million workers, to ensure their workforces are fully vaccinated or show a negative test at least once a week.

Some of the biggest companies are already requiring this: United Airlines, Disney, Tysons Food, and even Fox News.

The bottom line: We’re going to protect vaccinated workers from unvaccinated co-workers. We’re going to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by increasing the share of the workforce that is vaccinated in businesses all across America.

My plan will extend the vaccination requirements that I previously issued in the healthcare field. Already, I’ve announced, we’ll be requiring vaccinations that all nursing home workers who treat patients on Medicare and Medicaid, because I have that federal authority.

Tonight, I’m using that same authority to expand that to cover those who work in hospitals, home healthcare facilities, or other medical facilities –- a total of 17 million healthcare workers.

If you’re seeking care at a health facility, you should be able to know that the people treating you are vaccinated. Simple. Straightforward. Period.

Next, I will sign an executive order that will now require all executive branch federal employees to be vaccinated — all. And I’ve signed another executive order that will require federal contractors to do the same.

If you want to work with the federal government and do business with us, get vaccinated. If you want to do business with the federal government, vaccinate your workforce.

And tonight, I’m removing one of the last remaining obstacles that make it difficult for you to get vaccinated.

The Department of Labor will require employers with 100 or more workers to give those workers paid time off to get vaccinated. No one should lose pay in order to get vaccinated or take a loved one to get vaccinated.

Today, in total, the vaccine requirements in my plan will affect about 100 million Americans –- two thirds of all workers.

And for other sectors, I issue this appeal: To those of you running large entertainment venues — from sports arenas to concert venues to movie theaters — please require folks to get vaccinated or show a negative test as a condition of entry.

And to the nation’s family physicians, pediatricians, GPs — general practitioners –- you’re the most trusted medical voice to your patients. You may be the one person who can get someone to change their mind about being vaccinated.

Tonight, I’m asking each of you to reach out to your unvaccinated patients over the next two weeks and make a personal appeal to them to get the shot. America needs your personal involvement in this critical effort.

And my message to unvaccinated Americans is this: What more is there to wait for? What more do you need to see? We’ve made vaccinations free, safe, and convenient.

The vaccine has FDA approval. Over 200 million Americans have gotten at least one shot.

We’ve been patient, but our patience is wearing thin. And your refusal has cost all of us. So, please, do the right thing. But just don’t take it from me; listen to the voices of unvaccinated Americans who are lying in hospital beds, taking their final breaths, saying, “If only I had gotten vaccinated.” “If only.”

It’s a tragedy. Please don’t let it become yours.

The second piece of my plan is continuing to protect the vaccinated.

For the vast majority of you who have gotten vaccinated, I understand your anger at those who haven’t gotten vaccinated. I understand the anxiety about getting a “breakthrough” case.

But as the science makes clear, if you’re fully vaccinated, you’re highly protected from severe illness, even if you get COVID-19.

In fact, recent data indicates there is only one confirmed positive case per 5,000 fully vaccinated Americans per day.

You’re as safe as possible, and we’re doing everything we can to keep it that way — keep it that way, keep you safe.

That’s where boosters come in — the shots that give you even more protection than after your second shot.

Now, I know there’s been some confusion about boosters. So, let me be clear: Last month, our top government doctors announced an initial plan for booster shots for vaccinated Americans. They believe that a booster is likely to provide the highest level of protection yet.

Of course, the decision of which booster shots to give, when to start them, and who will give them, will be left completely to the scientists at the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control.

But while we wait, we’ve done our part. We’ve bought enough boosters — enough booster shots — and the distribution system is ready to administer them.

As soon as they are authorized, those eligible will be able to get a booster right away in tens of thousands of site across the — sites across the country for most Americans, at your nearby drug store, and for free.

The third piece of my plan is keeping — and maybe the most important — is keeping our children safe and our schools open. For any parent, it doesn’t matter how low the risk of any illness or accident is when it comes to your child or grandchild. Trust me, I know.

So, let me speak to you directly. Let me speak to you directly to help ease some of your worries.

It comes down to two separate categories: children ages 12 and older who are eligible for a vaccine now, and children ages 11 and under who are not are yet eligible.

The safest thing for your child 12 and older is to get them vaccinated. They get vaccinated for a lot of things. That’s it. Get them vaccinated.

As with adults, almost all the serious COVID-19 cases we’re seeing among adolescents are in unvaccinated 12- to 17-year-olds — an age group that lags behind in vaccination rates.

So, parents, please get your teenager vaccinated.

What about children under the age of 12 who can’t get vaccinated yet? Well, the best way for a parent to protect their child under the age of 12 starts at home. Every parent, every teen sibling, every caregiver around them should be vaccinated.

Children have four times higher chance of getting hospitalized if they live in a state with low vaccination rates rather than the states with high vaccination rates.

Now, if you’re a parent of a young child, you’re wondering when will it be — when will it be — the vaccine available for them. I strongly support an independent scientific review for vaccine uses for children under 12. We can’t take shortcuts with that scientific work.

But I’ve made it clear I will do everything within my power to support the FDA with any resource it needs to continue to do this as safely and as quickly as possible, and our nation’s top doctors are committed to keeping the public at large updated on the process so parents can plan.

Now to the schools. We know that if schools follow the science and implement the safety measures — like testing, masking, adequate ventilation systems that we provided the money for, social distancing, and vaccinations — then children can be safe from COVID-19 in schools.

Today, about 90 percent of school staff and teachers are vaccinated. We should get that to 100 percent. My administration has already acquired teachers at the schools run by the Defense Department — because I have the authority as President in the federal system — the Defense Department and the Interior Department — to get vaccinated. That’s authority I possess.

Tonight, I’m announcing that we’ll require all of nearly 300,000 educators in the federal paid program, Head Start program, must be vaccinated as well to protect your youngest — our youngest — most precious Americans and give parents the comfort.

And tonight, I’m calling on all governors to require vaccination for all teachers and staff. Some already have done so, but we need more to step up.

Vaccination requirements in schools are nothing new. They work. They’re overwhelmingly supported by educators and their unions. And to all school officials trying to do the right thing by our children: I’ll always be on your side.

Let me be blunt. My plan also takes on elected officials and states that are undermining you and these lifesaving actions. Right now, local school officials are trying to keep children safe in a pandemic while their governor picks a fight with them and even threatens their salaries or their jobs. Talk about bullying in schools. If they’ll not help — if these governors won’t help us beat the pandemic, I’ll use my power as President to get them out of the way.

The Department of Education has already begun to take legal action against states undermining protection that local school officials have ordered. Any teacher or school official whose pay is withheld for doing the right thing, we will have that pay restored by the federal government 100 percent. I promise you I will have your back.

The fourth piece of my plan is increasing testing and masking. From the start, America has failed to do enough COVID-19 testing. In order to better detect and control the Delta variant, I’m taking steps tonight to make testing more available, more affordable, and more convenient. I’ll use the Defense Production Act to increase production of rapid tests, including those that you can use at home.

While that production is ramping up, my administration has worked with top retailers, like Walmart, Amazon, and Kroger’s, and tonight we’re announcing that, no later than next week, each of these outlets will start to sell at-home rapid test kits at cost for the next three months. This is an immediate price reduction for at-home test kits for up to 35 percent reduction.

We’ll also expand — expand free testing at 10,000 pharmacies around the country. And we’ll commit — we’re committing $2 billion to purchase nearly 300 million rapid tests for distribution to community health centers, food banks, schools, so that every American, no matter their income, can access free and convenient tests. This is important to everyone, particularly for a parent or a child — with a child not old enough to be vaccinated. You’ll be able to test them at home and test those around them.

In addition to testing, we know masking helps stop the spread of COVID-19. That’s why when I came into office, I required masks for all federal buildings and on federal lands, on airlines, and other modes of transportation.

Today — tonight, I’m announcing that the Transportation Safety Administration — the TSA — will double the fines on travelers that refuse to mask. If you break the rules, be prepared to pay.

And, by the way, show some respect. The anger you see on television toward flight attendants and others doing their job is wrong; it’s ugly.

The fifth piece of my plan is protecting our economic recovery. Because of our vaccination program and the American Rescue Plan, which we passed early in my administration, we’ve had record job creation for a new administration, economic growth unmatched in 40 years. We cannot let unvaccinated do this progress — undo it, turn it back.

So tonight, I’m announcing additional steps to strengthen our economic recovery. We’ll be expanding COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan programs. That’s a program that’s going to allow small businesses to borrow up to $2 million from the current $500,000 to keep going if COVID-19 impacts on their sales.

These low-interest, long-term loans require no repayment for two years and be can used to hire and retain workers, purchase inventory, or even pay down higher cost debt racked up since the pandemic began. I’ll also be taking additional steps to help small businesses stay afloat during the pandemic.

Sixth, we’re going to continue to improve the care of those who do get COVID-19. In early July, I announced the deployment of surge response teams. These are teams comprised of experts from the Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC, the Defense Department, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency — FEMA — to areas in the country that need help to stem the spread of COVID-19.

Since then, the federal government has deployed nearly 1,000 staff, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, into 18 states. Today, I’m announcing that the Defense Department will double the number of military health teams that they’ll deploy to help their fellow Americans in hospitals around the country.

Additionally, we’re increasing the availability of new medicines recommended by real doctors, not conspir- — conspiracy theorists. The monoclonal antibody treatments have been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization by up to 70 percent for unvaccinated people at risk of developing sefe- — severe disease.

We’ve already distributed 1.4 million courses of these treatments to save lives and reduce the strain on hospitals. Tonight, I’m announcing we will increase the average pace of shipment across the country of free monoclonal antibody treatments by another 50 percent.

Before I close, let me say this: Communities of color are disproportionately impacted by this virus. And as we continue to battle COVID-19, we will ensure that equity continues to be at the center of our response. We’ll ensure that everyone is reached. My first responsibility as President is to protect the American people and make sure we have enough vaccine for every American, including enough boosters for every American who’s approved to get one.

We also know this virus transcends borders. That’s why, even as we execute this plan at home, we need to continue fighting the virus overseas, continue to be the arsenal of vaccines.

We’re proud to have donated nearly 140 million vaccines over 90 countries, more than all other countries combined, including Europe, China, and Russia combined. That’s American leadership on a global stage, and that’s just the beginning.

We’ve also now started to ship another 500 million COVID vaccines — Pfizer vaccines — purchased to donate to 100 lower-income countries in need of vaccines. And I’ll be announcing additional steps to help the rest of the world later this month.

As I recently released the key parts of my pandemic preparedness plan so that America isn’t caught flat-footed when a new pandemic comes again — as it will — next month, I’m also going to release the plan in greater detail.

So let me close with this: We have so- — we’ve made so much progress during the past seven months of this pandemic. The recent increases in vaccinations in August already are having an impact in some states where case counts are dropping in recent days. Even so, we remain at a critical moment, a critical time. We have the tools. Now we just have to finish the job with truth, with science, with confidence, and together as one nation.

Look, we’re the United States of America. There’s nothing — not a single thing — we’re unable to do if we do it together. So let’s stay together.

God bless you all and all those who continue to serve on the frontlines of this pandemic. And may God protect our troops.

Get vaccinated.

5:28 P.M. EDT

Joe Biden (D) [2014 file photo].

An adult in the room

16 Wednesday Jun 2021

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

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Joe Biden, president, Summit, Trump

“…I don’t know about you, I never anticipated, notwithstanding no matter how persuasive President Trump was, that we’d have people attacking and breaking down the doors of the United States Capitol. I didn’t think that would happen. I didn’t think we’d — I’d see that in my lifetime. But it’s reinforced what I’ve always known and what I got taught by my political science professors and by the senior members of the Senate that I admired when I got there: that every generation has to re-establish the basis of its fight for democracy. I mean, for real, literally have to do it…”

No surprise here.

Joe Biden (D) [2020 file photo].

Today, in Geneva, Switzerland, via the White House:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2021

Remarks by President Biden Before Air Force One Departure

Geneva Airport
Geneva, Switzerland

8:21 P.M. CEST

THE PRESIDENT: I owe my last question an apology. I shouldn’t have — I shouldn’t have been such a wise guy with the last answer I gave.

Anyway, thanks for being here. And most of you have been here the whole route. I really do think — not me, but I think we, the country, has put a different face on where we’ve been and where we’re going. And I feel good about it. I feel —

You know, one of things that I think, understandably, there was a good deal of skepticism about: would the G7 sign on and give America back it’s, sort of, leadership role. I think it did. It wasn’t me, but it meant they’re glad America is back. They’re glad America is back, and they acted that way.

And then, when we went to NATO, I think it was the same thing. We had really good meetings there and real response, as well as the EU. I didn’t get one single person — not one of the world leaders said to us anything other than thanking me for arranging a meeting with Putin. And I thought, quite frankly, I was in a much better position to represent the West, after the previous three meetings with Putin, that — knowing that the rest of the West was behind us. And so, I think — so I owe them all a debt of gratitude.

Q Mr. President, since you’re now heading home, can I just ask you briefly about two domestic issues?

THE PRESIDENT: I’m not sure I can answer them, but —

Q If you could. First would be this fate of the infrastructure bill. There’s now a bipartisan group that has a new offer. Have you had time to review it?

THE PRESIDENT: I haven’t seen it. No, I — I’m not being — I honestly haven’t seen it. I don’t know what the details are. I know that my Chief of Staffs thinks there’s some room that there may be a means by which to get this done. And I know that Schumer and Nancy have moved forward on a reconciliation provision as well. So I’m still hoping we could put together the two bookends here.

Q And the second issue is: Yesterday — or earlier this week, Mitch McConnell said that if Republicans were to take back the Senate in 2022, he did not see a way that you could get a Supreme Court justice confirmed. Do you have a response to that?

THE PRESIDENT: Uh —

Q This would be next year.

THE PRESIDENT: No, I know. I know. The answer is: Mitch is — Mitch has been nothing but “no” for a long time. And I’m sure he means exactly what he says, but we’ll see.

Q Mr. President, did you talk with President Putin about the Iran nuclear deal?

THE PRESIDENT: Yes.

Q Did you make — find a way? What did you discuss, and did you find a way to make some progress?

THE PRESIDENT: It was about how we would jointly work, and I’m not going to discuss what we discussed.

Q Mr. President, Kaitlan’s question that you answered at the very end there, that you came over to talk about, I think at the heart of it was this question of whether or not you seem overly optimistic, given that — what we all listened to President Putin essentially say the same, old things that he’s said forever. He — you know, rejecting all responsibility for all that stuff.

And I guess the question that she was trying to get, and maybe you could take another stab at it, is: What concrete evidence do you have from these three — three plus hours that suggest that any movement has been made?

And I don’t — I don’t mean that to be — I’m not — it’s not meant to be a — (inaudible) —

THE PRESIDENT: No, no, no. No. I know, but you’re all —

Q — (inaudible) question.

THE PRESIDENT: Look, to be a good reporter, you got to be negative. You got to have a negative view of life — okay? — it seems to me, the way you all — you never ask a positive question.

Why, in fact, having agreement — we’ll find out. We have an agreement to work on a major arms control agreement.

I started on working on arms control agreements back all the way during the Cold War. If we could do one when the Cold War, why couldn’t we do one now? We’ll see. We will see whether or not it happens.

But what do you — I mean, the thing that always amazes me about the questions — and I apologize for having been short on this before.

If you were in my position, would you say, “Well, I don’t think, man, anything is going to happen. This is going to be really rough. I think it’s going to really be bad”? You’d guarantee nothing happens. You’d guarantee nothing happens.

And so, so far —

Q So, there’s a value to —

THE PRESIDENT: There’s a value to being realistic and put on an optimistic front, an optimistic face.

Look, you all said the same thing about the, you know, what was going to happen when we had the first meeting of the — of — of the seven. “Oh, Biden — they’re not going to — they’re not going to buy Biden’s stuff. They’re really not really…”

Any of you find that? Did that happen? Any of it? A little bit? Just a little sliver of it?

When I went to meet with NATO — “Oh boy, they’re not going to be happy. They’re all going to be against Biden meeting with Putin. They’re not going to want that.” Did you hear a single, solitary syllable?

Now, what would have happen if I had said, before I went into those negotiations, “You know, I think it’s going to be really hard. I think it’s going to be really difficult. I’m not so optimistic about — I don’t see anybody really changing”?

And the same way when I met with the EU. “The EU is not going to like the way Biden is operating.”

Q But this is Vladimir Putin. I mean, can you be optimistic about his change?

THE PRESIDENT: Sure, it’s Vladimir Putin. But, look, it was also — I don’t want to compare him to Putin, but it was — the French President said he will never go for more money for NATO. Guess what? He’s agreed.

Every — I mean, look, guys, I’m going to drive you all crazy because I know you want me to always put a negative thrust on things, particularly in public, and negotiate in public.

I don’t have to trust somebody — we didn’t have to trust somebody to get START II. It wasn’t a about our trust — “Well, I trust the Russians. I can tell, man, they’re really — they’re — I can look in his eye, and they’re really very, very truthful.” It’s not that at all.

You have to figure out what the other guy’s self-interest is. Their self-interest. I don’t trust anybod- — look, I’ve got to get in the plane, but I’ll say it — you’ll hear me say this more than once.

Q It’s your plane. You can go when you want. (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, no, but — no, but here’s the thing: Folks, I — I don’t see any benefit ever to begin a negotiation as — and, I mean, you’re the brightest people in the country. You’re the most informed people on detail. I’m not being solicitous; you are. But it makes no sense for me to negotiate with you. It makes no sense for me to tell you what I’m about to do. It makes — not because I want to hide anything from you. Why would I telegraph that?

Q Did he do anything that surprised you, sir?

AIDE: Sir, we need to go. Sir, we really have to go.

Q Was there any moment that you were really surprised by?

AIDE: Sir — thank you, guys. Thank you, guys.

THE PRESIDENT: No, I wasn’t surprised because I was convinced that — let me choose my words. Russia is in a very, very difficult spot right now. They are being squeezed by China. They want desperately to remain a major power. You all are writing about, not illegitimately, “Biden already gave Putin what he wants: legitimacy, standing in the world stage with the President of the United States.” They desperately want to have — be relevant.

They have — and they don’t want to be known as, as some critics have pointed and said, you know, the “Upper Volta with nuclear weapons.” It matters. And I found it matters to almost every world leader — no matter where they’re from — how they’re perceived, their standing in the world. It matters to them. It matters to them in terms of their support at home as well.

And so I think that there is — I’m trying to think how to shorten this so I can get in the plane.

I’m of the view that, in the last three to five years, the world has reached a fundamental inflection point about what it’s going to look like 10 years from now. I mean it literally. It’s not hyperbole. It’s not like I’m trying to pump it up. I think it’s a genuine reality.

And so each of the countries in — around the world, particularly those who had real power at one time or still do, are wondering: What — how do I maintain and sustain our leadership in the world? That’s what the United States is going through right now. How do we sustain us being the leading, the most powerful, and most democratic country in the world? A lot is going on.

I don’t know about you, I never anticipated, notwithstanding no matter how persuasive President Trump was, that we’d have people attacking and breaking down the doors of the United States Capitol. I didn’t think that would happen. I didn’t think we’d — I’d see that in my lifetime. But it’s reinforced what I’ve always known and what I got taught by my political science professors and by the senior members of the Senate that I admired when I got there: that every generation has to re-establish the basis of its fight for democracy. I mean, for real, literally have to do it.

And I’ve never seen, including during — since the Civil War, such an outward assault on voting rights. I mean, just a flat assault. I didn’t anticipate that happening four years ago, but it’s happening now.

So, there’s a lot at stake. Each of the countries, we have our own concerns and problems, but we still — as long as I’m President, we are going to stick to the notion that we’re open, accountable, and transparent. And I think that’s an important message to send the world.

Thank you all so much.

8:31 P.M. CEST

There’s a definite difference from his immediate predecessor.

Bad combover. Check. Too long red tie. Check. Orange spray tan. Check. Tiny hands. Check. Cluelessness. Check…

President Joe Biden – Address to the Joint Session of Congress – April 28, 2021

28 Wednesday Apr 2021

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

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Joe Biden, Joint Session of Congress, president

Joe Biden (D) [2020 file photo].

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2021

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by President Biden
Address to a Joint Session of Congress

The Capitol

Madame Speaker.

Madame Vice President.

No president has ever said those words from this podium, and it’s about time.

The First Lady.

The Second Gentleman.

Mr. Chief Justice.

Members of the United States Congress and the Cabinet – and distinguished guests.

My fellow Americans.

While the setting tonight is familiar, this gathering is very different – a reminder of the extraordinary times we are in.

Throughout our history, Presidents have come to this chamber to speak to the Congress, to the nation, and to the world.

To declare war. To celebrate peace. To announce new plans and possibilities.

Tonight, I come to talk about crisis — and opportunity.

About rebuilding our nation — and revitalizing our democracy.

And winning the future for America.

As I stand here tonight — just one day shy of the 100th day of my administration.

100 days since I took the oath of office, lifted my hand off our family Bible, and inherited a nation in crisis.

The worst pandemic in a century.

The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

The worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War.

Now, after just 100 days, I can report to the nation: America is on the move again.

Turning peril into possibility. Crisis into opportunity. Setback into strength.

Life can knock us down.

But in America, we never stay down.

In America, we always get up.

And today, that’s what we’re doing: America is rising anew.

Choosing hope over fear. Truth over lies. Light over darkness.

After 100 Days of rescue and renewal, America is ready for takeoff.

We are working again. Dreaming again. Discovering again. Leading the world again.

We have shown each other and the world: There is no quit in America.

100 days ago, America’s house was on fire.

We had to act.

And thanks to the extraordinary leadership of Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer – and with the overwhelming support of the American people – Democrats, Independents, and Republicans – we did act.

Together — we passed the American Rescue Plan.
One of the most consequential rescue packages in American history.

We’re already seeing the results.

After I promised 100 million COVID-19 vaccine shots in 100 days – we will have provided over 220 million COVID shots in 100 days.

We’re marshalling every federal resource. We’ve gotten the vaccine to nearly 40,000 pharmacies and over 700 community health centers.

We’re setting up community vaccination sites, and are deploying mobile units into hard-to-reach areas.

Today, 90% of Americans now live within 5 miles of a vaccination site.

Everyone over the age of 16, everyone – is now eligible and can get vaccinated right away.

So get vaccinated now.

When I was sworn in, less than 1% of seniors were fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

100 days later, nearly 70% of seniors are fully protected.

Senior deaths from COVID-19 are down 80% since January. Down 80%.

And, more than half of all adults in America have gotten at least one shot.

At a mass vaccination center in Glendale, Arizona, I asked a nurse what it’s like.

She looked and said every shot feels like a dose of hope.

A dose of hope for the educator in Florida who has a child who suffers from an auto-immune disease.

She wrote to me that she was worried about bringing the virus home.

When she got vaccinated, she sat in her car and just cried.

Cried out of joy, cried out of relief.

Parents are seeing smiles on their kids’ faces as they go back to school because teachers and school bus drivers, cafeteria workers have been vaccinated.

Grandparents hugging their children and grandchildren instead of pressing their hands against a window to say goodbye

It means everything to both of them.

There’s still more work to do to beat this virus. We can’t let our guard down now.

But tonight, I can say because of you — the American people – our progress these past 100 days against one of the worst pandemics in history is one of the greatest logistical achievements our country has ever seen.

What else have we done these first 100 days?

We kept our commitment and we are sending $1,400 rescue checks to 85% of all American households.

We’ve already sent more than 160 million checks out the door.

It’s making a difference.

For many people, it’s making all the difference in the world.

A single mom in Texas wrote to me.

She said when she couldn’t work, this relief check put food on the table
and saved her and her son from eviction.

A grandmother in Virginia told me she immediately took her granddaughter to the eye doctor — something she put off for months because she didn’t have the money.

One of the defining images of this crisis has been cars lined up for miles waiting for a box of food to be put in the trunk.

Did you ever think you’d see that in America?

That’s why the American Rescue Plan is delivering food and nutrition assistance to millions of Americans facing hunger – and hunger is down sharply already.

We’re also providing:
Rental assistance to keep people from being evicted from their homes. Providing loans to keep small businesses open and their employees on the job.

During these 100 days, an additional 800,000 Americans enrolled in the Affordable Care Act because I established a special sign up period to do that.

We’re making one of the largest one-time investments ever in improving health care for veterans.

Critical investments to address the opioid crisis.

And, maybe most importantly, thanks to the American Rescue Plan, we are on track to cut child poverty in America in half this year.

In the process, the economy created more than 1.3 million new jobs in 100 days.

More new jobs in the first 100 days than any president on record.

The International Monetary Fund is now estimating our economy will grow at a rate of more than 6% this year.

That will be the fastest pace of economic growth in this country in nearly four decades.

America is moving. Moving forward. And we can’t stop now.

We’re in a competition with China and other countries to win the 21st Century.

We have to do more than just build back. We have to build back better.

Throughout our history, public investments and infrastructure have transformed America.

The transcontinental railroad and interstate highways united two oceans and brought us into a totally new age of progress.

Universal public school and college aid opened wide the doors of opportunity.

Scientific breakthroughs took us to the Moon and now to Mars, discovered vaccines, and gave us the Internet and so much more.

These are the investments we make together, as one country, and that only government can make.

Time and again, they propel us into the future.

That’s why I proposed The American Jobs Plan — a once-in-a-generation investment in America itself.

The largest jobs plan since World War II.

It creates jobs to upgrade our transportation infrastructure. Jobs modernizing roads, bridges and highways. Jobs building ports and airports, rail corridors and transit lines. It’s clean water.

Today, up to 10 million homes and more than 400,000 schools and child care centers have pipes with lead in them, including for drinking water.
A clear and present danger to our children’s health.

The American Jobs Plan creates jobs replacing 100% of the nation’s lead pipes and service lines so every American, so every child – can turn on the faucet and be certain to drink clean water.

It creates jobs connecting every American with high-speed internet, including 35% of rural Americans who still don’t have it.

This will help our kids and businesses succeed in a 21st Century economy.

And I am asking the Vice President to help lead this effort.

It creates jobs by building a modern power grid.

Our grids are vulnerable to storms, hacks, and catastrophic failures – with tragic results as we saw in Texas and elsewhere during winter storms.

The American Jobs Plan will create jobs to lay thousands of miles of transmission lines needed to build a resilient and fully clean grid.

The American Jobs Plan will help millions of people get back to their jobs and their careers.

2 million women have dropped out of the workforce during this pandemic, too often because they couldn’t get the care they need for their family, their children.

800,000 families are on a Medicaid waiting list right now to get homecare for their aging parent or loved one with a disability.

This plan will help these families and create jobs for our caregivers with better wages and better benefits.

For too long, we have failed to use the most important word when it comes to meeting the climate crisis.

Jobs. Jobs.

For me, when I think about climate change, I think jobs.

The American Jobs Plan will put engineers and construction workers to work building more energy efficient buildings and homes.

Electrical workers installing 500,000 charging stations along our highways.

Farmers planting cover crops, so they can reduce carbon dioxide in the air and get paid for doing it.

There’s no reason the blades for wind turbines can’t be built in Pittsburgh instead of Beijing.

No reason why American workers can’t lead the world in the production of electric vehicles and batteries.

The American Jobs Plan will create millions of good paying jobs – jobs Americans can raise their families on.

And all the investments in the American Jobs Plan will be guided by one principle: “Buy American.”

American tax dollars are going to be used to buy American products made in America that create American jobs.

The way it should be.

Now – I know some of you at home are wondering whether these jobs are for you.

You feel left behind and forgotten in an economy that’s rapidly changing.

Let me speak directly to you.

Independent experts estimate the American Jobs Plan will add millions of jobs and trillions of dollars in economic growth for years to come.

These are good-paying jobs that can’t be outsourced.

Nearly 90% of the infrastructure jobs created in the American Jobs Plan do not require a college degree.

75% do not require an associate’s degree.

The American Jobs Plan is a blue-collar blueprint to build America.

And, it recognizes something I’ve always said.

Wall Street didn’t build this country. The middle class built this country. And unions build the middle class.

And that’s why I’m calling on Congress to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize Act – the PRO Act — and send it to my desk to support the right to unionize.

By the way – let’s also pass the $15 minimum wage.

No one should work 40 hours a week and still live below the poverty line.

And we need to ensure greater equity and opportunity for women.

Let’s get the Paycheck Fairness Act to my desk for equal pay.

It’s long past time.

Finally, the American Jobs Plan will be the biggest increase in non-defense research and development on record.

We will see more technological change in the next 10 years – than we saw in the last 50 years.

And we’re falling behind in that competition.

Decades ago we used to invest 2% of our GDP on research and development.

Today, we spend less than 1%.

China and other countries are closing in fast.

We have to develop and dominate the products and technologies of the future: advanced batteries, biotechnology, computer chips, and clean energy.

The Defense Department has an agency called DARPA – the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency – that’s there to develop breakthroughs to enhance our national security – which led to the internet and GPS and so much more.

The National Institutes of Health, the NIH – should create a similar Advanced Research Projects Agency for health.

To develop breakthroughs – to prevent, detect, and treat diseases like Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and cancer.

This is personal to so many of us.
I can think of no more worthy investment. And I know of nothing that is more bipartisan.

Let’s end cancer as we know it. It’s within our power

Investments in jobs and infrastructure like the ones we’re talking about have often had bipartisan support.

Vice President Harris and I meet regularly in the Oval Office with Democrats and Republicans to discuss the American Jobs Plan.

And I applaud a group of Republican Senators who just put forward their proposal.

So, let’s get to work.

We welcome ideas.

But, the rest of the world isn’t waiting for us. Doing nothing is not an option.

We can’t be so busy competing with each other that we forget the competition is with the rest of the world to win the 21st Century.

To win that competition for the future, we also need to make a once-in-a-generation investment in our families – in our children.

That’s why I’m introducing the American Families Plan tonight, which addresses four of the biggest challenges facing American families today.

First, access to a good education.

When this nation made 12 years of public education universal in the last century, it made us the best-educated and best-prepared nation in the world.

But the world is catching up. They are not waiting.

12 years is no longer enough today to compete in the 21st Century.

That’s why the American Families Plan guarantees four additional years of public education for every person in America – starting as early as we can.

We add two years of universal high-quality pre-school for every 3- and 4- year-old in America.

The research shows that when a young child goes to school—not day care—they are far more likely to graduate from high school and go on to college.

And then we add two years of free community college.

And we will increase Pell Grants and investment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal colleges, and minority-serving institutions.

Jill is a community college professor who teaches today as First Lady.

She has long said any country that out-educates us is going to outcompete us – and she’ll be leading this effort.

Second, the American Families plan will provide access to quality, affordable child care.

We guarantee that low- to middle-income families will pay no more than 7% of their income for high-quality care for children up to the age of 5.

The most hard-pressed working families won’t have to spend a dime.

Third, the American Families Plan will finally provide up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave.

No one should have to choose between a job and paycheck or taking care of themselves and a loved one – a parent, spouse, or child.

And fourth, the American Families Plan puts money directly into the pockets of millions of families.

In March we expanded a tax credit for every child in a family.

Up to a $3,000 Child Tax Credit for children over 6 — and $3,600 for children under 6.

With two parents, two kids, that’s up to $7,200 in your pocket to help take care of your family.

This will help more than 65 million children and help cut child poverty in half this year.

Together, let’s extend the Child Tax Credit at least through the end of 2025.

The American Rescue Plan lowered health care premiums for 9 million Americans who buy their coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

Let’s make that provision permanent so their premiums don’t go back up.

In addition to my Families Plan, I will work with Congress to address –
this year – other critical priorities for America’s families.

The Affordable Care Act has been a lifeline for millions of Americans –protecting people with pre-existing conditions, protecting women’s health.

And the pandemic has demonstrated how badly it is needed.

Let’s lower deductibles for working families on the Affordable Care Act, and let’s lower prescription drug costs.

We all know how outrageously expensive they are.

In fact, we pay the highest prescription drug prices in the world right here in America – nearly three times as much as other countries.

We can change that.

Let’s do what we’ve always talked about.

Let’s give Medicare the power to save hundreds of billions of dollars by negotiating lower prices for prescription drugs.

That won’t just help people on Medicare – it will lower prescription drug costs for everyone.

The money we save can go to strengthen the Affordable Care Act – expand Medicare coverage and benefits – without costing taxpayers one additional penny.

We’ve talked about it long enough – Democrats and Republicans.

Let’s get it done this year.

This is all about a simple premise: Health care should be a right, not a privilege in America.

So how do we pay for my Jobs and Family Plans?

I’ve made clear that we can do it without increasing deficits.

Let’s start with what I will not do.

I will not impose any tax increases on people making less than $400,000 a year.

It’s time for corporate America and the wealthiest 1% of Americans to pay their fair share.

Just pay their fair share.

A recent study shows that 55 of the nation’s biggest corporations paid zero in federal income tax last year.

No federal taxes on more than $40 billion in profits.

A lot of companies evade taxes through tax havens from Switzerland to Bermuda to the Cayman Islands.

And they benefit from tax loopholes and deductions that allow for offshoring jobs and shifting profits overseas.

That’s not right.

We’re going to reform corporate taxes so they pay their fair share – and help pay for the public investments their businesses will benefit from.

And, we’re going to reward work, not wealth.

We take the top tax bracket for the wealthiest 1% of Americans –
those making $400,000 or more – back up to 39.6%.
We take the top tax bracket for the wealthiest 1% of Americans – those making $400,000 or more – back up to 39.6%.

That’s where it was when George W. Bush became president.

We’re going to get rid of the loopholes that allow Americans who make more than $1 million a year pay a lower rate on their capital gains than working Americans pay on their work.

This will only affect three tenths of 1% of all Americans.

And the IRS will crack down on millionaires and billionaires who cheat on their taxes.

That’s estimated to be billions of dollars.

Look, I’m not out to punish anyone.

But I will not add to the tax burden of the middle class of this country.

They’re already paying enough.

What I’ve proposed is fair. It’s fiscally responsible.

It raises the revenue to pay for the plans I’ve proposed that will create millions of jobs and grow the economy.

When you hear someone say that they don’t want to raise taxes on the wealthiest 1% and on corporate America – ask them: whose taxes are you going to raise instead, and whose are you going to cut?

Look at the big tax cut in 2017.

It was supposed to pay for itself and generate vast economic growth.

Instead it added $2 trillion to the deficit.

It was a huge windfall for corporate America and those at the very top.

Instead of using the tax savings to raise wages and invest in research and development – it poured billions of dollars into the pockets of CEOs.

In fact, the pay gap between CEOs and their workers is now among the largest in history.

According to one study, CEOs make 320 times what their average workers make.

The pandemic has only made things worse.

20 million Americans lost their jobs in the pandemic – working- and middle-class Americans.

At the same time, the roughly 650 Billionaires in America saw their net worth increase by more than $1 Trillion.

Let me say that again.

Just 650 people increased their wealth by more than $1 Trillion during this pandemic.

They are now worth more than $4 Trillion.

My fellow Americans, trickle-down economics has
never worked.

It’s time to grow the economy from the bottom up and middle-out.

A broad consensus of economists – left, right, center – agree that what I’m proposing will help create millions of jobs and generate historic economic growth.

These are among the highest value investments we can make as a nation.

I’ve often said that our greatest strength is the power of our example – not just the example of our power.

And in my conversations with world leaders – many I’ve known for a long time – the comment I hear most often is: we see that America is back – but for how long?

My fellow Americans, we have to show not just that we are back, but that we are here to stay.

And that we aren’t going it alone – we’re going to be leading with our allies.

No one nation can deal with all the crises of our time alone – from terrorism to nuclear proliferation to mass migration, cybersecurity, climate change – and as we’re experiencing now, pandemics.

There’s no wall high enough to keep any virus away.

As our own vaccine supply grows to meet our needs – and we are meeting them – we will become an arsenal of vaccines for other countries – just as America was the arsenal of democracy in World War 2.

The climate crisis is not our fight alone, either.

It’s a global fight.

The United States accounts for less than 15% of carbon emissions.

The rest of the world accounts for 85%.

That’s why – I kept my commitment to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement on my first day in office.

And I kept my commitment to convene a climate summit right here in America, with all of the major economies of the world – from China and Russia to India and the European Union in my first 100 days.

I wanted the world to see that there is consensus that we are at an inflection point in history.

And the consensus is if we act, we can save the planet – and we can create millions of jobs and economic growth and opportunity to raise the standard of living for everyone in the world.

The investments I’ve proposed tonight also advance a foreign policy that benefits the middle class.

That means making sure every nation plays by the same rules in the global economy, including China.

In my discussion with President Xi, I told him that we welcome the competition – and that we are not looking for conflict.

But I made absolutely clear that I will defend American interests across the board.

America will stand up to unfair trade practices that undercut American workers and industries, like subsidies for state-owned enterprises and the theft of American technologies and intellectual property.

I also told President Xi that we will maintain a strong military presence in the Indo—Pacific just as we do with NATO in Europe – not to start conflict – but to prevent conflict.

And, I told him what I’ve said to many world leaders – that America won’t back away from our commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms.

No responsible American president can remain silent when basic human rights are violated. A president has to represent the essence of our country.

America is an idea – unique in the world.

We are all created equal. It’s who we are. We cannot walk away from that principle.

With regard to Russia, I made very clear to President Putin that while we don’t seek escalation, their actions have consequences.

I responded in a direct and proportionate way to Russia’s interference in our elections and cyber—attacks on our government and businesses – and they did both of those things and I did respond.

But we can also cooperate when it’s in our mutual interests.

As we did when we extended the New START Treaty on nuclear arms – and as we’re working to do on the climate crisis.

On Iran and North Korea’s nuclear programs that present a serious threat to America’s security and world security – we will be working closely with our allies to address the threats posed by both of these countries through diplomacy and stern deterrence.

And American leadership means ending the forever war in Afghanistan.

We have the greatest fighting force in the history of the world.

And I’m the first President in 40 years who knows what it means to have had a child serving in a warzone.

Today we have service members serving in the same war as their parents once did.

We have service members in Afghanistan who were not yet born on 9/11.

War in Afghanistan was never meant to be a multi—generational undertaking of nation—building.

We went to Afghanistan to get the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11.

We delivered justice to Osama Bin Laden and we degraded the terrorist threat of al Qaeda in Afghanistan.

After 20 years of American valor and sacrifice, it’s time to bring our troops home.

Even as we do, we will maintain an over—the—horizon capability to suppress future threats to the homeland.

But make no mistake – the terrorist threat has evolved beyond Afghanistan since 2001 and we will remain vigilant against threats to the United States, wherever they come from.

Al Qaeda and ISIS are in Yemen, Syria, Somalia, and other places in Africa and the Middle East and beyond.

And, we won’t ignore what our own intelligence agencies have determined – the most lethal terrorist threat to the homeland today is from white supremacist terrorism.

And my fellow Americans, we must come together to heal the soul of this nation.

It was nearly a year ago before her father’s funeral, when I spoke with Gianna Floyd, George Floyd’s young daughter.

As I knelt down to talk to her so we could talk eye—to—eye, she said to me, “Daddy changed the world.”

After the conviction of George Floyd’s murderer, we can see how right she was – if we have the courage to act.

We have all seen the knee of injustice on the neck of Black America.

Now is our opportunity to make real progress.

Most men and women in uniform wear their badge and serve their communities honorably.

I know them. I know they want to help meet this moment as well.

My fellow Americans, we have to come together.

To rebuild trust between law enforcement and the people they serve.

To root out systemic racism in our criminal justice system.

And to enact police reform in George Floyd’s name that passed the House already.

I know the Republicans have their own ideas and are engaged in productive discussions with Democrats.

We need to work together to find a consensus.

Let’s get it done next month, by the first anniversary of George Floyd’s death.

The country supports this reform.
Congress should act.

We have a giant opportunity to bend to the arc of the moral universe toward justice.

Real justice.

And with the plans I outlined tonight, we have a real chance to root out systemic racism that plagues American life in many other ways.

A chance to deliver real equity.

Good jobs and good schools. Affordable housing. Clean air and clean water.

Being able to generate wealth and pass it down through generations.

Real opportunities in the lives of more Americans – Black, white, Latino, Asian American, Native American.

I also want to thank the Senate for voting 94—1 to pass the COVID—19 Hate Crimes Act to protect Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders from the vicious hate crimes we’ve seen this past year – and for too long.

I urge the House to do the same and send that legislation to my desk as soon as possible.

I also hope Congress can get to my desk the Equality Act to protect the rights of LGBTQ Americans.

To all the transgender Americans watching at home – especially the young people who are so brave – I want you to know that your president has your back.

And another thing.

Let’s reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, which has been law in this country for 27 years since I first wrote it.

It will close the so—called “boyfriend” loophole to keep guns out of the hands of abusers.

It’s estimated that more than 50 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner – every month in America.

Pass it and save lives.

And I need not tell anyone this, but gun violence is an epidemic in America.

Our flag at the White House was still flying at half—staff for the 8 victims of the mass shooting in Georgia, when 10 more lives were taken in a mass shooting in Colorado.

In the week between those mass shootings, more than 250 other Americans were shot dead.

250 shot dead.

I know how hard it is to make progress on this issue.

In the 1990s, we passed universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons and high—capacity magazines that hold 100 rounds that can be fired in seconds.

We beat the NRA. Mass shootings and gun violence declined.

But in the early 2000’s, that law expired and we’ve seen the daily bloodshed since.

More than two weeks ago in the Rose Garden, surrounded by some of the bravest people I know – the survivors and families who lost loved ones to gun violence – I laid out several steps the Department of Justice is taking to end this epidemic.

One of them is banning so—called “ghost guns.”

They are homemade guns built from a kit that includes the directions on how to finish the firearm.

The parts have no serial numbers, so when they show up at a crime scene, they can’t be traced.

The buyers of ghost gun kits aren’t required to pass a background check.

Anyone from a criminal to a terrorist could buy this kit and, in as little as 30 minutes, put together a lethal weapon.

But not anymore.

I will do everything in my power to protect the American people from this epidemic of gun violence.

But it’s time for Congress to act as well.

We need more Senate Republicans to join with the overwhelming majority of their Democratic colleagues, and close loopholes and require background checks to purchase a gun.

And we need a ban on assault weapons and high—capacity magazines again.

Don’t tell me it can’t be done. We’ve done it before … and it worked.

Talk to most responsible gun owners, most hunters – they’ll tell you there’s no possible justification for having 100 rounds – 100 bullets – in a weapon.

They will tell you that there are too many people today who are able to buy a gun, but who shouldn’t be able to.

These kinds of reasonable reforms have the overwhelming support of the American people – including many gun owners.

The country supports reform, and the Congress should act.

This shouldn’t be a Red vs. Blue issue. It’s an American issue.

And here’s what else we can do.

Immigration has always been essential to America.

Let’s end our exhausting war over immigration.

For more than 30 years, politicians have talked about immigration reform and done nothing about it.

It’s time to fix it.

On day one of my Presidency, I kept my commitment and I sent a comprehensive immigration bill to Congress.

If you believe we need a secure border – pass it.

If you believe in a pathway to citizenship – pass it.

If you actually want to solve the problem – I have sent you a bill, now pass it.

We also have to get at the root of the problem of why people are fleeing to our southern border from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador.

The violence. The corruption. The gangs. The political instability. Hunger. Hurricanes. Earthquakes.

When I was Vice President, I focused on providing the help needed to address these root causes of migration.

It helped keep people in their own countries instead of being forced to leave.

Our plan worked.

But the last administration shut it down.

I’m restoring the program and asked Vice President Harris to lead our diplomatic efforts.

I have absolute confidence she will get the job done.

Now, if Congress won’t pass my plan – let’s at least pass what we agree on.

Congress needs to pass legislation this year to finally secure protection for the Dreamers – the young people who have only known America as their home.

And, permanent protections for immigrants on temporary protected status who come from countries beset by man—made and natural made violence and disaster.

As well as a pathway to citizenship for farmworkers who put food on our tables.

Immigrants have done so much for America during the pandemic – as they have throughout our history.

The country supports immigration reform.

Congress should act.

And if we are to truly restore the soul of America – we need to protect the sacred right to vote.

More people voted in the last presidential election than ever before
in our history – in the middle of one of the worst pandemics ever.

That should be celebrated. Instead it’s being attacked.

Congress should pass H.R. 1 and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and send them to my desk right away.

The country supports it.

Congress should act.

As we gather here tonight, the images of a violent mob assaulting this Capitol—desecrating our democracy—remain vivid in our minds.

Lives were put at risk. Lives were lost. Extraordinary courage was summoned.

The insurrection was an existential crisis—a test of whether our democracy could survive.

It did.

But the struggle is far from over. The question of whether our democracy will long endure is both ancient and urgent.

As old as our Republic. Still vital today.

Can our democracy deliver on its promise that all of us – created equal in the image of God – have a chance to lead lives of dignity, respect, and possibility?

Can our democracy deliver on the most pressing needs of our people?

Can our democracy overcome the lies, anger, hate and fears that have pulled us apart?

America’s adversaries – the autocrats of the world – are betting it can’t.

They believe we are too full of anger and division and rage.

They look at the images of the mob that assaulted this Capitol as proof that the sun is setting on American democracy.

They are wrong. And we have to prove them wrong.

We have to prove democracy still works.

That our government still works – and can deliver for the people.

In our first 100 Days together, we have acted to restore the people’s faith in our democracy to deliver.

We’re vaccinating the nation. We’re creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. We’re delivering real results people can see and feel in their own lives.

Opening the doors of opportunity. Guaranteeing fairness and justice.

That’s the essence of America.
That’s democracy in action.

Our Constitution opens with the words, “We the People”.

It’s time we remembered that We the People are the government. You and I.

Not some force in a distant capital. Not some powerful force we have no control over.

It’s us. It’s “We the people.”

In another era when our democracy was tested, Franklin Roosevelt reminded us—In America: we do our part.

That’s all I’m asking. That we all do our part.

And if we do, then we will meet the central challenge of the age by proving that democracy is durable and strong.

The autocrats will not win the future.

America will.

The future will belong to America.

I stand here tonight before you in a new and vital hour in the life of our democracy and our nation.

And I can say with absolute confidence: I have never been more confident or more optimistic about America.

We have stared into an abyss of insurrection and autocracy — of pandemic and pain — and “We the People” did not flinch.

At the very moment our adversaries were certain we would pull apart and fail.

We came together.

United.

With light and hope, we summoned new strength and new resolve.

To position us to win the competition for the 21st Century.

On our way forward to a Union more perfect. More prosperous. More just.

As one people. One nation. One America.

It’s never been a good bet to bet against America.

And it still isn’t.

We are the United States of America.

There is nothing – nothing – beyond our capacity – nothing we can’t do – if we do it together.

May God bless you all.

May God protect our troops.

###

Joe Biden (D) [2020 file photo].

President Joe Biden (D): for the win

06 Saturday Mar 2021

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

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Tags

American Rescue Plan Act 0f 2021, Joe Biden, president

Joe Biden (D) [2014 file photo].

This afternoon, at the White House:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2021

Remarks by President Biden on the Senate Passage of the American Rescue Plan

State Dining Room

2:05 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon. It’s a good day today. You know, when we took office 45 days ago, I promised the American people that help was on the way. Today, I can say we’ve taken one more giant step forward in delivering on that promise that help is on the way.

I want to thank — start off by thanking the Vice President, but I want to thank all of the senators who worked so hard to reach a compromise to do the right thing for the American people during this crisis and voted to pass the American Rescue Plan. It obviously wasn’t easy, it wasn’t always pretty, but it was so desperately needed — urgently needed.

Also, I also need to say a few words about the Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who I spoke with many times on this and again this morning. I served in the Senate, as you all know, for many years. I’ve never seen anyone work as skillfully, as ably, as patiently, with determination, to deliver such a consequential piece of legislation that was so urgently needed as the American Rescue Plan.

Chuck Schumer — Senator Chuck Schumer, when the country needed you most, you led, Chuck, and you delivered. Neither I nor the country will ever forget that. And it’s not a moment too soon. I’ve been talking about the urgency of this need.

For — for over a year, the American people were told they were on their own. They were seeing — we’ve seen how hard that has been on so many Americans. As of last night, 519,064 lives lost to the virus. That many empty chairs this morning — the breakfast table — gone. More than four hundred [thousand] small businesses closed unnecessarily. Millions of people out of work through no fault of their own. I want to emphasize that: through no fault of their own. Food bank lines stretching for miles. Did any of you ever you’d see that in America, in cities all across this country? Families facing the threat of eviction.

This nation has suffered too much for much too long. And everything in this package is designed to relieve the suffering and to meet the most urgent needs of the nation and put us in a better position to prevail, starting with beating this virus and vaccinating the country.

The resources in this plan will be used to expand and speed up manufacturing and distribution of vaccines so we can get every single American vaccinated sooner than later. I believe by — we’ll have enough by the end of — by the middle of May to vaccinate. It’s going to take longer to take longer to get it in their arm, but that’s how much vaccine we’ll have.

Because of all the funding, we’ll be able to hire more vaccinators, set up more vaccination sites to get the country in a place to get back to normal. This plan will get checks out the door, starting this month, to the American people who so desperately need the help, many of whom are lying in bed at night, staring at the ceiling, wondering, “Will I lose my job, if I haven’t already? Will I lose my insurance? Will I lose my home?”

Over 85 percent of American households will get direct payments of $1,400 per person. For a typical middle-class family of four — husband and wife working, making $100,000 a year total, with three kids — they’ll get $5,600 — I mean, with two kids — will get $5,600, and it’ll be on the way soon.

That means the mortgage can get paid. That means the child can stay in community college. That means maintaining the health insurance you have. It’s going to make a big difference
in so many of lives in this country.

Unemployment benefits will be extended for 11 million Americans who have lost their jobs and who, last night, again were lying in bed, just thinking, “My lord, I’m going to lose my unemployment insurance in a week or so.” It was about to expire.

Schools are going to have the resources they need to open safely. States and local governments that have lost tens of thousands of essential workers will be — have the resources they need available to them, to those laid-off police officers, firefighters, teachers, and nurses they can rehire. These are essential personnel.

Look, the American Rescue Plan lowers healthcare premiums. Food and nutrition assistance. It’s hard to believe that 24 million adults and 11 million children, as I speak, in the United States suffer from food insecurity. That means, simply, they don’t have enough food to eat. Did you ever imagine in the United States of America, you’d see lines, literally miles long — kids — folks in their automobiles, waiting for a box of food to be put in their trunk. I stood in line, handing out food. The people coming up never, ever, ever thought they’d be in that position.

This helps families who are behind on their rent and their mortgage payments so they aren’t thrown out of their homes.

Look, the bottom line is this: This plan puts us on the path to beating the virus. This plan gives those
families who are struggling the most the help and the breathing room they need to get through this moment. This plan gives small businesses in this country a fighting chance to survive.

And one more thing: This plan is historic. Taken altogether, this plan is going to make it possible to cut child poverty in half. Let me say that again — it’s significant, historic: It will cut child poverty in half.

There’s much more to this bill, but, for now, let me make one final point. When I was elected, I said we were going to get the government out of the business of battling on Twitter and back in the business of delivering for the American people, of making a difference in their lives, giving everyone a chance — a fighting chance, of showing the American people that their government can work for them. And passing the American Rescue Plan will do that.

And, you know, it may sound strange, but a lot of senators and congressmen I want to thank, but I really want to thank the American people for making all of this possible. You say, “Well, how do they make it possible?” Well, quite frankly, without the overwhelming bipartisan support of the American people, this would not have happened. Your elected officials heard you. Overwhelming public support — every public opinion poll shows overwhelming support for this plan. And for the last weeks, it’s shown that. Every public opinion poll shows the people want this, they believe it’s needed, and they believe it’s urgent.

And now this bill returns to the House of Representatives, which has done a great job from the beginning, where I hope it will find quick passage so it can be sent to my desk to be signed into law.

By passing the American Rescue Plan, we’ll have heeded the voice of the American people, not ignored their voices. By passing this plan, we will have delivered real, tangible results for the American people and their families, and they’ll be able to see and know and feel the change in their own lives. And by passing this plan, we’ll have proved that this government, this democracy can still work. What has to be done — it’ll improve people’s lives.

And one more thing: The vast majority of economists — left, right, and center — from Wall Street to the — to the private — private economic polling initiatives — the economists — as I’ve said, left, right, and center — say, “In addition to the needs the people have, we need this to grow the economy.” That if we haven’t spent this money and recreated the kind of incentive for people to be able to make a good living, that we’d be in real trouble.

This will create millions of new jobs — it’s estimated over 6 million new jobs by itself; increase the Gross Domestic Product by a trillion dollars; put our nation in a position to out-compete the rest of the world — because the rest of the world is moving, particularly China; and to know that as tough as this moment is, there are brighter days ahead. There really are.

As I’ve said before, it’s never a good bet to bet against America. It’s never been a good bet to bet against the American people. We are America. We’re going to get there. We’re going to remain the leading economy in the world and going to be the most successful economy in the world because of you, the American people.

Thank you, and God bless you all. May God protect our troops. Thank you.

Q Mr. President, why do you think you didn’t get a single Republican vote, and what does the drama of the last 24 hours, including with Senator Manchin, tell you about the next four years?

THE PRESIDENT: They’re going to be good. I’m going to succeed. We’re going to succeed moving forward.

Look, the American people strongly support what we’re doing. That’s the key here. And that’s going to continue to seep down through the public, including from our Republican friends. There’s a lot of Republicans who came very close. They’ve got a lot of pressure on them. I still haven’t given up on getting their support.

Thank you.

Q (Inaudible) the compromises?

THE PRESIDENT: Pardon?

Q Your message to House Democrats who were frustrated with some of the compromises in the Senate bill, particularly —

THE PRESIDENT: They’re not frustrated. Bernie Sanders said this is the most progressive bill he’s ever seen passed since he’s been here. And the compromises were all compromises that didn’t affect the substance and the essence of what the bill is. Going from $300 — from $400 to $300, to the unemployment excess. Well, it got extended until September. The end result is the essentially about the same. And so, I don’t think any of the compromises have in any way fundamentally altered the essence of what I put in the bill in the first place.

Thank you.

2:14 P.M. EST

Excellent. We all win.

Previously:

The people you pay $174,000.00 a year believe that all billionaires are in desperate need of their help and that you haven’t suffered enough (March 6, 2021)

A real president

13 Saturday Feb 2021

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Donald Trump, impeachment, Joe Biden, president

Joe Biden (D) [2014 file photo].

Statement by President Joe Biden on the Senate Vote in the Trial of Donald Trump
FEBRUARY 13, 2021 • STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

It was nearly two weeks ago that Jill and I paid our respects to Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, who laid in honor in the Rotunda after losing his life protecting the Capitol from a riotous, violent mob on January 6, 2021.

Today, 57 Senators – including a record 7 Republicans – voted to find former President Trump guilty for inciting that deadly insurrection on our very democracy. The Senate vote followed the bipartisan vote to impeach him by the House of Representatives. While the final vote did not lead to a conviction, the substance of the charge is not in dispute. Even those opposed to the conviction, like Senate Minority Leader McConnell, believe Donald Trump was guilty of a “disgraceful dereliction of duty” and “practically and morally responsible for provoking” the violence unleashed on the Capitol.

Tonight, I am thinking about those who bravely stood guard that January day. I’m thinking about all those who lost their lives, all those whose lives were threatened, and all those who are still today living with terror they lived through that day. And I’m thinking of those who demonstrated the courage to protect the integrity of our democracy – Democrats and Republicans, election officials and judges, elected representatives and poll workers – before and after the election.

This sad chapter in our history has reminded us that democracy is fragile. That it must always be defended. That we must be ever vigilant. That violence and extremism has no place in America. And that each of us has a duty and responsibility as Americans, and especially as leaders, to defend the truth and to defeat the lies.

That is how we end this uncivil war and heal the very soul of our nation. That is the task ahead. And it’s a task we must undertake together. As the United States of America.

###

Joe Biden (D) – campaigning

01 Friday May 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

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Tags

campaign, Joe Biden, president

The campaign continues.

Joe Biden (D) [2020 file photo].

From a press pool report of a Biden Campaign virtual fundraiser with Obama Administration and Campaign alumni held this afternoon.

On the COVID-19 pandemic:

“Our job isn’t just to win this election or implement a plan to end this crisis. Those are just the table stakes. Getting back to where we were in January 2017 isn’t enough. This crisis is shining a really bright light on the inequities and failures that plague our society. That’s a devastating, devastating problem that’s playing out in the cruelest ways. But it’s also an opportunity. We need an overwhelming moral response to meet this moment and to heal the fissures in our society to address those inequities. I want to get us through this immediate crisis to resurrect America in a way that reflects our values. I think it’s a moral imperative that from this moment we rebuild our nation, our economy, our health care system, our education system, our justice system, our energy system, everything in a way that truly brings everybody along, leaves no one behind, no community behind. That’s the idea at the heart of this campaign. And that’s a tall order. I know.”

On Donald Trump:

“Donald Trump is–Can I say politely?–just about the worst possible person to handle a crisis like this. He seemed completely overwhelmed by it. He doesn’t have a team, the temperament or, quite frankly, the moral authority to take it on. And frankly, he doesn’t put a high enough value on American lives to make this fight and make the right calculations, the right choices. To tell the truth. His priorities are elsewhere and it shows.”

On talking to Obama about running mates:

“What he said when talking about to me about vice president, who I should think about etc. and how I should go about it, he made the point, he said, ‘Find people who can make up for what you don’t have as much experience in doing.’”

More on the COVID-19 pandemic:

“When I announced, I said I’m running to restore the soul of America. Well, let me tell you, we’re seeing the soul of America. Look at all those people. Look at all those ordinary people risking their lives. And some lose their lives to care for everybody else without asking what your race, religion, ethnicity, without asking where you’re from. Just stepping up, stepping up and doing it in circumstances where they know they’re putting their lives at risk because they don’t have a proper protective gear.”

On the right wingnut astroturf at the Michigan capitol building:

“Can you imagine? Can you imagine any former Republican president, I’m talking from Reagan and the two Bushes condoning people in the state capital, carrying AR 15s and semi-automatic weapons?” he said, noting he saw a swastika in one of the photos. “Can you imagine any former president not condemning that to try to intimidate a governor, the legislature? And the responsibility of meeting that threat falls to us.”

On Tara Reade:

“Your trust and faith has always meant a great deal to me. So first, let me say unequivocally, this claim is simply not true. It did not happen. Now, my knowledge that it isn’t true does nothing to shake my belief that women have to be able to be heard and that all the claims be taken seriously. It isn’t enough just to simply take my word for it and to dismiss it out of hand. Frankly, that shouldn’t be enough for anyone, because we know that this sort of approach is exactly how the culture of abuse has been allowed to fester for so long.

So I’m heartened to see it, although it’s painful sometimes, that by and large journalists are doing what they’re supposed to do. They’re going out there listening to the allegations. They’re taking it seriously and they’re investigating it. And they’re talking with folks who were there at the time, scrutinizing personnel records, examining the evolution of the claims, looking into the culture of our office. And I’m not concerned about what they might find, because I know the truth of the matter. I know that this claim has no merit. But as a candidate for president, I’m accountable to the American people. And I welcome that accountability and the scrutiny of the press as well.

Those of you who know me know that my entire life from public service and motivated by one issue above all else, identifying and eliminating the abuse of power, whatever form it takes. It’s why I wrote the Violence Against Women Act in the first place as a senator. It’s why I consider it my proudest achievement. As vice president, I worked with many of you making these issues a priority, elevating the Office of Violence Against Women at the Justice Department, starting with the It’s On US campaign to make sure college campuses are stable, engaging men and recognizing that sexual assault was their problem, too. And they had to step up and step in. They had a duty to speak out. Our country has made incredible strides and it’s been gratifying to see the change because we were fighting for what it was. It was a pretty lonely cause to begin with, and has taken on added urgency with Donald Trump now trying to roll back the progress we’ve made in our lives and on our culture. So I want to promise you as president, I will not for one second back off my life’s work of making every part of America, from campuses to military bases to boardrooms to family homes to digital space, places of safety and security for all women, free from abuse, free from the abuse of power.”

In stark contrast to Donald Trump (r).

Joe Biden (D) [2020 file photo].

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