It’s Wednesday…
President Biden’s public schedule for 08/30/2023:
| 10:00 AM Presidential Daily Brief | The President receives the Presidential Daily Briefing The White House Closed Press |
| 12:45 PM Press Briefing | Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre James S. Brady Press Briefing Room |
| 1:45 PM Remarks | The President delivers remarks on the whole-of-government response and recovery efforts on Maui, Hawaii and the ongoing response from the federal government to Hurricane Idalia Roosevelt Room In-House Pool Spray |
Press Briefing @12:45 p.m. D.C., time:
The White House posted…
President Biden announces $95 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to harden Hawaiʻi’s power grid and position the state to better withstand future storms
More than 1,000 Federal personnel are on the ground on Maui
to aid response effortsSince the onset of the unprecedented wildfires on Maui, Hawaiʻi, President Biden launched a whole-of-government effort to support survivors and affected communities, and as soon as Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green requested a Major Disaster Declaration, the President signed it. Today, as part of this commitment, President Biden is convening Cabinet and Agency officials who are supporting long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts on the ground – to discuss the work underway to support the people of Maui as they heal, rebuild, and recover over the long-term.
As President Biden made clear during his visit to Maui last week, the Biden-Harris Administration will do everything in its power to help Maui recover and rebuild from this tragedy. And throughout these efforts, the Administration will remain focused on respecting sacred lands, cultures, and traditions. The Administration will be there as long as it takes to complete response efforts.
As part of this commitment, President Biden is today announcing the Department of Energy is providing $95 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to harden Hawaiʻi’s electric grid, improve service, limit damage during future events, and help prevent failures in the future that could lead to severe events. The funding will help strengthen critical transmission lines, including two on Maui; harden poles supporting critical facilities such as hospitals, water facilities, emergency response, and military; replace wooden poles withfire-resistant material; deploy intelligent switches and materials to help reduce wildfire risk; remove hazard trees; and, relocate the Maui control center to a more secure and resilient location. This investment will help reduce the likelihood of outages, reduce restoration times following outages, reduce risk of wildfire events, and increase grid operational resilience.
Hundreds of personnel from across dozens of Federal departments and agencies continue working with state and local partners on the ground to assess ongoing needs and provide resources and personnel to support response efforts.
The Administration encourages individuals impacted by the disaster to register for Federal assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Additionally, as we work to provide communications to meet the needs of those impacted by the Hawaiʻi wildfires, FEMA has multiple language translations available.
Impacted individuals can also visit FEMA’s joint Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, located at 310 W. Ka’ahumanu Avenue, Kahului, Hawaiʻi or at the Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center, located at 91 Pukalani St., Makawao, Hawaiʻi, to speak personally with FEMA specialists, get assistance registering for disaster assistance, get in touch with voluntary organizations offering additional support services, and have access to other federal and state resources. The doors are open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. HST seven days a week.Here is an update on the Biden-Harris Administration’s coordinated federal response:
White House.gov. 08/30/2023.
- More than 1,000 federal personnel are on the ground on Maui assisting residents in their greatest time of need, including FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance teams who are reaching people where they are to help survivors register for assistance.
- To date, the Biden-Harris Administration has approved more than $16 million in assistance to 4,200 households.
- FEMA has made available more than 50,000 meals, 75,000 liters of water, 5,000 cots and 10,000 blankets and shelter supplies to the county government for distribution.
- Thanks to the significant partnership between the Hawaiʻi Fire Relief Housing program administered by the American Red Cross and funded by FEMA, all congregate shelters have been closed as more than 2,500 residents have successfully been moved into hotels. More than 350 Red Cross disaster responders are working in coordination with partners to ensure people receive help as quickly as possible.
- In the wake of the wildfires, President Biden made additional disaster funding available to the state of Hawaiʻi, unlocking the federal government’s ability to cover all eligible expenses for debris removal and emergency protective measures in Maui County and assistance for emergency protective measures for Hawaiʻi County. The President authorized the federal cost share to be increased from 75% to 100% for 30 days that the Governor selects within the first 120 days.
- More than 700 personnel from the Department of Defense and 119 members of the Coast Guard are actively participating in the coordinated response to the Western Maui Wildfire. They are assisting with fire suppression, searching debris for remains, distributing fuel, installing generators for emergency power, assisting portable water distribution support, providing grief counseling and emotional support, and providing additional life-sustaining support.
- The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Honolulu Division is assisting the Maui Police Department with their efforts to locate and identify those who are missing or may be victims of the wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii, by helping collect DNA samples from family members. Family members are encouraged to visit family assistance centers in Maui to provide a DNA sample or reach out to the FBI at (808) 566-4300 or to HN-COMMAND-POST@ic.fbi.gov for guidance.
- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has deployed 48 responders, 25 remote personnel, and 51 contractors who are assisting with public works and engineering support, which includes installing 20 generators for temporary emergency power, planning to execute debris collection and removal, and scoping potential requirements for temporary construction of critical public facilities such as schools, fire and police stations.
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has deployed more than 130 responders to Maui following the Hawaiʻi wildfires and has a full incident command team on the ground working closely with FEMA and other federal, state, and local partners. The agency’s efforts are focused on monitoring air and water quality and identifying, removing, and safely disposing of household hazardous materials and disaster debris to protect residents from environmental and health hazards. This is the critical step in the recovery process before the clearing of non-hazardous debris. EPA’s response efforts while on Maui are guided by its cultural resources and historic properties plan that the agency developed with the Maui County cultural leaders and Hawaiʻi State Historic Preservation Division. This plan is helping responders across the entire federal family identify, protect, and properly handle cultural resources, which were significantly impacted during the wildfire.
- The Department of the Interior (DOI) is supporting firefighting and search and rescue operations while working to protect natural and cultural resources on Maui in coordination with federal and state partners. DOI personnel are also assisting with assessment and recovery operations, working to determine impacts to wildlife habitats — including coral reefs — as well as assessing the potential for debris-flow and ash sediment run-off. The Department is in close contact with Native Hawaiian leaders and organizations to coordinate the availability of services, information, and culturally sensitive opportunities for engagement and healing.
- The Department of Energy (DOE) is announcing a $95 million grant through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to harden Hawaiʻi’s electric grid. Additionally, DOE has deployed emergency responders to support the Federal response to the wildfires on Maui. DOE is working closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, and the Hawaiʻi Office of Emergency Management.
- The Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is providing enhanced monitoring of the areas affected by the wildfires using high-resolution monitoring tools to detect potential flood threats due to increased runoff potential from burn scar areas. Additionally, the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), through FirstNet – a public-private partnership between the First Responder Network Authority and AT&T – is providing wireless high-speed Internet connectivity and voice communications for first responders and emergency management. FirstNet used its resilient deployable assets such as Cell on Light Trucks (COLTS) and other deployable assets to restore or enhance cellular coverage for 10 locations on Maui. The Maui Police Department, Hawaii State agencies, and Federal and State Urban Search and Rescue teams are all using FirstNet for critical communications in response to this devastating wildfire.
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) has deployed responders from ASPR, including experts from their Victim Identification Center team to assist Maui County with victim identification. ASPR also deployed a portable morgue unit to help with processing human remains and additional personnel to bolster mental health staff and resources available at Lahaina Comprehensive Health Center. In addition, ASPR activated the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program, a federal program that helps people in a federally-identified disaster area who do not have health insurance get the prescription drugs, vaccinations, medical supplies, and equipment that they need. Secretary Becerra also issued a Public Health Emergency shortly after the President’s disaster declaration, giving CMS health care providers and suppliers greater flexibility in meeting emergency health needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries on the ground. HHS’ Disaster Distress Helpline – 1-800-985-5990 – is available to provide immediate counseling to anyone affected by the wildfires.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience has 61 staff on the ground in Hawaiʻi and more are being phased in. Survivors and businesses who register for FEMA assistance will also be eligible for low-interest disaster loans. SBA has approved more than $13 million in federal disaster loans for Hawaiʻi businesses and residents impacted by wildfires. To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, survivors must first register with FEMA. SBA continues to operate the Disaster Business Recovery Center (BRC) for survivors of the Maui wildfires and is part of the multi-agency presence at the DRCs. Information and details on the location of the business recovery center and disaster recovery centers are available by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955. These Centers provide services to survivors including homeowners, renters, and small business owners seeking financial assistance. The SBA Disaster Business Recovery Center is located at Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corporation, Maui Research Technology Center, Building #A, Ste. 119 (Conference Room), 590 Lipoa Pkwy, Kihei, HI 96753.
- SBA is also conducting outreach to businesses throughout Maui County to take advantage of the Physical damage and Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, and staff are working with survivors where they are by conducting outreach in state-run Family Assistance Centers and door-to-door campaigns.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service approved waivers, including those that will allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households in Hawaiʻi, including on Maui, to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through September 14; allow package size flexibility for those using the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program through October 31 so they have more options to purchase what is available; and allow parents or guardians to pick up meals for children at grab ‘n go sites. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has deployed a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team, as well as a National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) team to Hawaiʻi. The BAER team will analyze and map the impacts of the fire to watersheds, including the potential for runoff and debris flows to carry hazardous materials, and support state and local staff in assessing post-fire watershed conditions and post-fire slope stability issues. The NIMO team will be the central point of coordination for those implementing USDA response and recovery programs on the ground in Hawai’i.
- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced last weeka $1.3 million funding allocation to help communities on Maui in the wake of the wildfires through the department’s new Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) program, a rapid response program to address homelessness by filling in federal assistance gaps in communities hit by disasters. RUSH funding is available to help communities provide outreach, emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, and other assistance to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness who are in a disaster affected area but who cannot access all services provided by FEMA programs.
- Additionally, HUD is providing a 90-day relief from foreclosures of Federal Housing Administration-insured mortgages and home equity conversion mortgages. Homeowners affected by the disaster should contact their mortgage or loan servicer immediately. They can also call the FHA Resource Center at 1-800-304-9320 for additional information and visit the FHA Disaster Relief site to learn more about disaster relief options for FHA homeowners. HUD also released regulatory and administrative waivers to help communities accelerate their recovery. This includes funding for housing rehabilitation and reconstruction, homebuyer programs replacing disaster damaged residences, infrastructure improvements and assistance to people at risk of homelessness. HUD has assigned experienced Disaster Technical Assistance providers that will be available remotely and, on the ground, to support local leaders help communities and families that were experiencing homelessness before the devastating fires and those that may require homeless services because of the fires.
- The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has created a disaster and emergencies guide to handling finances, including resources to help impacted residents recover, such as tackling housing issues, protecting your finances, dealing with property damage, managing your bills, and asking for help from financial companies like banks, credit cards and other lenders. If residents are having trouble with a financial company, they can submit a complaint online or by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372).
- The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has made available $3 million, the full amount of “quick release” Emergency Relief (ER) funds requested by the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT), to offset costs associated with traffic management services in the wake of the wildfires. Additionally, DOT currently has three temporary flight restrictions in place to help facilitate search and rescue missions and has worked with major U.S. airlines that serve Kahului Airport to promote flexible travel policies.
- The Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF), a partnership between FEMA and Smithsonian Institution, is working through the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency to ensure that museums and cultural heritage sites are incorporated into FEMA preliminary damage assessments to anticipate needs associated with long-term recovery planning.
President Biden Delivers Remarks on Maui and Hurricane Idalia Response @1:45 p.m. D.C., time:
Eliot-Hine Middle School Tweet
From Tuesday…
The video is 1 minute and 7 seconds long. The first 6-ish seconds is a bunch of 8th graders cheering the Biden’s during their visit to Eliot-Hine Middle School, in D.C..
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden:
What you probably don’t know about teachers, is that no matter how long you’ve been teaching, the night before you can barely sleep because you’re so excited. [She asked the teachers present] Isn’t that true? [they say that’s very true]. Yeah. Because we love our students. So, if you’re going through tough times or you know, maybe you’re struggling a little bit at math, you know you can go to your teachers, you can trust your teachers. We are always here for you. [She asked the teachers present] Right? [they say absolutely] So, I want to thank the teachers for what they do. [applause].
@POTUS twitter. 08/29/2023; recorded 08/28/2023.
President Biden (:40):
[Student asked “how does it feel to be president?] You don’t feel any different. Because it’s what you know it’s important what you’re doing. But the most important thing, and I’m not joking about this, the single most important thing in America is you. You guys. You’re the ones who are going to make a difference to what happens in this country–for real. So believe in yourself. Believe in yourself.
@POTUS twitter. 08/29/2023; recorded 08/28/2023.
Lowering Health Care Costs Retweet/Tweets
From Tuesday…
The YouTube is 24 minutes and 52 seconds long. President Biden’s remarks begin at the 7 minute and 15 second mark. His full remarks can be found here.
For years, Big Pharma blocked this. They kept prescription drug prices high to increase their profits. They extended patents on existing drugs to suppress fair competition instead of innovating, playing games with pricing so they could charge whatever they can.
But this is — finally, finally, finally, we had enough votes, by a matter of one, to beat Big Pharma. Well, we did it. (Applause.)
White House.gov. 08/29/2023.
On too many nights, too many Americans lay in bed staring at the ceiling, worrying what will happen if their spouse gets sick, if their child gets sick, or if something else happens to them.
[snip]
Well, you know, that’s tough enough. But imagine when you have lifesaving drugs you need to keep you alive. Do you have enough insurance? Can you afford your medical bills? Do you have to sell the house in order to pay for everything?
For all of you out there, I get it and millions of Americans get it. And I promise you: I’m going to have your back, and I’ll never stop fighting for you on this issue, nor will Kamala. Nor will Kamala. (Applause.)
White House.gov. 08/29/2023.
You know, and today I’m proud to announce that Medicare has selected the first 10 additional drugs for negotiation under the Inflation Reduction Act — 10 additional. Drugs that treat everything from heart failure, blood clots, diabetes, kidney disease, arthritis, blood cancers, Crohn’s disease, and so much more.
[snip]
That’s why these negotiations matter. Reducing the cost of these 10 additional drugs alone will help more than 9 million Americans.
White House.gov. 08/29/2023.
The White House posted…
60th Anniversary of the March on Washington Tweet
From Tuesday…
The video clip is 1 minute and 56 seconds long.
President Biden:
Kamala and I wanted to convene this incredible group of civil rights leaders for a simple reason: to thank them; and to tell them what they tell us — we know we got a lot more work to do; and also remind them that what they do matters more than I think they even appreciate how — just how consequential it is.
[snip]
And as I’ve said to the country, we can’t let hate prevail. And it’s on the rise. It’s not — not diminishing.
Silence, I believe — as we’ve all said many times — silence is complicity. We’re not going to remain silent.
White House.gov. 08/28/2023.
Vice President Harris (:22):
Her remarks are not included in the White House posted transcript or the White House posted YouTube…
There is an antidote to this, I’m sure of it. It will be rooted in our courage like those who 60 years ago, marched and stood. There is an opportunity in front of us to embark on the next era of who we are as a country in the midst of these full-on and intentional attacks.
@POTUS twitter. Posted 08/29/2023; recorded 08/28/2023.
Martin Luther King III (:43):
How do we create a culture of nonviolence? How do we create a culture of love? How do we create a culture of inclusion? I mean, dad and mom, were talking about dignity and respect of every person no matter who they were. I remember one of dad’s quotes was, we can be like thermometers or thermostats. And what he said is, you know, a thermometer is a great device, but all it does is record. We can sort of record history or we can become thermostats and regulate what happens in our nation through a nonviolent meaning and message.
@POTUS twitter. Posted 08/29/2023; recorded 08/28/2023.
Rev. Dr. Bernice King (1:20):
I’ll never forget what my mother said to me several years before she passed. She said, “Baby, the darkest hour is always before the dawn.” Yes dark, yes bad. But there’s going to be a dawn. I am–we are all made up of previous generations. And if they can overcome, we can too. So no matter how dark it gets, we are going to see that dawn if we remain vigilant.
@POTUS twitter. Posted 08/29/2023; recorded 08/28/2023.
Bilateral Meeting Tweet
From Tuesday…
Bilateral meeting pool spray YouTube is 3 minutes and 27 seconds long.
Their full remarks:
PRESIDENT BIDEN: Well, Mr. President, it’s great to welcome you back to the White House. It’s great to be by your side again.
White House.gov. 08/29/2023.
And I — just over a year ago, in California, we stood together with partners across the region for the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, and you’ve done an incredible job since then. You’ve been a great partner.
I want to thank you on the — for making that declaration possible and for your leadership on the migration challenges that — that we face every single day.
But today, I also want to thank you for deepening our security cooperation. That’s one of my objectives today and, I hope, yours — including dealing with organized crime.
And as we discussed, our work through the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity to help grow our economies from the bottom up and the middle out, not just the top down.
And — because our nations are not only united by the challenges we face, but we’re united — what I’ve found with you, Mr. President, is we’re united by the vision we share — by the vision we share. A vision for a future of greater opportunity and freedom and equality and, quite frankly, dignity — dignity for all our people.
So, Mr. President, thank you again for being here. Looking forward to our conversation today. We’ve got a lot to talk about. And I think things are going to — nothing but better.
PRESIDENT CHAVES: May I, Mr. President?
PRESIDENT BIDEN: Please.
PRESIDENT CHAVES: Thank you very much, President Biden, for the people of Costa Rica. It’s a great honor to be discussing with the leader of the United States of America.
I agree fully with your vision — the vision of the people of this great country, where prosperity should be shared widely — generated and shared widely. And that we have challenges to the generation of that prosperity and the quality of life of our people, including security.
And the moves that the United States is making to make the supply chains safe to keep your economic prosperity going, uninterrupted by other outside events, I think, is something that Costa Rica is proud to be part of. Thank you for being — making us part of the CHIPS Act arrangements.
And I can affirm you, Mr. President, that Costa Rica has been and shall remain one of the strongest allies in the world regarding your economic and security interests that are our own.
So, it’s a great pleasure to be here, sir.
PRESIDENT BIDEN: I’m looking forward to our discussion.
PRESIDENT CHAVES: Thank you very much. Thank you very much.
Q: Mr. President, your message to the people in Florida about the hurricane — the hurricane in Florida, Mr. President?
I spoke with the governor last night. We’re providing everything that he possibly needs. We’re in constant contact.
I had the director of FEMA in here today earlier talking about it. It’s — there is going to be — I think we’re worried about the — the surge — the ocean surge. We don’t know exactly yet. It’s hour-to-hour we’re watching this.
And — but I told the governor that — and the mayor and — the regions that are likely to be hit first — that we’re there as long as it takes. We’re going to make sure they have everything they need.
Thank you.
White House.gov. 08/29/2023.
Readout of President Joe Biden’s Meeting with President Rodrigo Chaves Robles of Costa Rica
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met with President Rodrigo Chaves Robles of Costa Rica at the White House today to expand the partnership between the United States and Costa Rica.
White House.gov. 08/29/2023.
During the meeting, the leaders committed to drive inclusive, equitable, and sustainable growth in the region through the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity. Within this context, they reiterated their commitment to build a more resilient, diversified, secure, and sustainable global semiconductor value chain in the Americas, including with support from a recently announced partnership under the CHIPS Act. They also discussed ways to deepen our bilateral trade relationship, with a view to promoting sustainable and resilient supply chains.
The two leaders reaffirmed our commitment to advance the goals outlined in the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection. In support of these efforts and to stabilize flows and offer opportunities to migrants and refugees, the Department of State is contributing more than $12 million through international organization partners in Costa Rica. President Biden also recognized Costa Rica’s continued cooperation in regional efforts to promote safe, orderly, and regular migration, including through the Safe Mobility Office, which aims to provide an alternative to migrants relying on smugglers by facilitating access to lawful pathways to the United States and other countries, reducing irregular migration. In addition, the Department of Homeland Security announced a Joint Statement of Cooperation establishing the framework to include Costa Rica among the Global Entry foreign country partners.
The Presidents also committed to deepen bilateral security cooperation to combat organized crime and the accompanying rise in violence and corruption. The United States, through the Department of State, will support new projects to strengthen Costa Rica’s law enforcement and justice sector institutions and combat transnational organized crime, narcotics trafficking, and corruption. Key projects will include up to $24 million in programmatic support for enhanced police and Coast Guard stations; strengthening Costa Rica’s National Police Academy; expanding the citizen security crime prevention program, Sembremos Seguridad; and increasing support to Costa Rica’s Air Surveillance Service.
President Biden and President Chaves also discussed bilateral cybersecurity cooperation, including progress in Costa Rica’s building of a national cybersecurity operations center, supported by U.S. cybersecurity assistance, as announced in March. President Biden also commended Costa Rica’s commitment to using trusted providers in its upcoming 5G tender and auctions.
Both Presidents reaffirmed their commitment to continuing people-to-people ties. In support of these efforts, the State Department will fund new programs for women entrepreneurs and access to higher education for African-descendant and indigenous students in the province of Limón, as well as English language programs across Costa Rica.
This is an Open Thread.
