It’s Friday Eve…
President Biden’s public schedule for 09/07/2023:
| 10:00 AM | In-Town Pool Call Time The White House In-Town Pool |
| 3:45 PM | Out-of-Town Pool Call Time Joint Base Andrews Overhang Out-of-Town Pool |
| 4:45 PM Leaves the White House | The President departs the White House en route to Joint Base Andrews South Lawn Open Press |
| 5:05 PM Leaves Joint Base Andrews | The President departs Joint Base Andrews en route to Ramstein, Germany Joint Base Andrews |
| 7:00 PM Press Briefing | Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will gaggle aboard Air Force One en route to Ramstein, Germany (this is a refueling stop on his way to New Delhi, India). Joint Base Andrews |
During Tuesday’s White House press briefing, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan previewed the up coming G20 summit:
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan:
Thank you, Karine. And thanks to all of you for giving me the opportunity to be here today.
And Karine mentioned my patience. I’m going to test your patience for a moment because I’d like to take a few minutes at the top just to set the scene for the President’s upcoming trip to Delhi for the G20 and to Vietnam to elevate our partnership with Vietnam.
On Thursday, the President will travel to New Delhi, India, to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
On Friday, President Biden will participate in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi of the Republic of India.
And on Saturday and Sunday, the President will participate in the official sessions of the G20 Summit.
As the President heads to the G20, he is committed to working with emerging market partners to deliver big things together. That’s what we believe the world will see in New Delhi this weekend.
The United States’ commitment to the G20 hasn’t wavered, and we hope this G20 Summit will show that the world’s major economies can work together even in challenging times.
So, as we head into New Delhi, our focus is going to be on delivering for developing countries; making progress on key priorities for the American people, from climate to technology; and showing our commitment to the G20 as a forum that can actually, as I said before, deliver.
And thanks to the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and India’s presidency, we hope we’ll be able to do all of those things.
We’re also looking forward to warmly welcoming the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 — the newest permanent member. We believe that the African Union’s voice will make the G20 stronger.
Let me say a few more words, stepping back, about what the United States is bringing to the table as we head into this summit.
Here at home, President Biden has worked to rebuild the American economy, as you’ve all heard him say, from the bottom up and the middle out by making smart investments in the industries of the future while tackling climate change and empowering workers. And we believe that those investments are paying off.
We think countries around the world, too, can benefit from a similar type of approach and that we can help them as well by mobilizing investment to support them in tackling the challenges that they face.
And that’s one of our main focuses heading into the G20: delivering on an agenda of fundamentally reshaping and scaling up the multilateral development banks, especially the World Bank and the IMF.
We know that these institutions are some of the most effective tools that we have for mobilizing transparent, high-quality investment into developing countries. And that’s why the United States has championed the major effort that is currently underway to evolve these institutions so that they are up to the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Just last month, President Biden asked Congress for additional funds that would have the impact of increasing World Bank financing by more than $25 billion. And we’re working to make sure other partners follow our lead.
And at the G20, we have been leading an effort that we hope will see the G20 endorse this level of ambition and deliver a broader vision of multilateral development banks that are better, bigger, and more effective.
President Biden will also be calling on G20 members as leaders in the global economy to provide meaningful debt relief so that low- and middle-income countries can regain their footing after years of extreme stress.
He’ll be clear that the United States expects real progress on ongoing cases by the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings in Marrakech next month. And he will be clear that we need all G20 members to be constructive and at the table with no exceptions.
We’ll also be making progress on other key priorities from climate, to health, to digital technology, including commitments with respect to a more inclusive digital transformation and a responsible path and approach to AI development.
In addition, we’ll spotlight the progress that we’ve been making on the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment — or what we call “PGI.” We’ll have some announcements that we’re excited about.
Now, we know that there will be continued focus on how the G20 deals with Russia’s illegal and ongoing war in Ukraine. The reality is that Russia’s illegal war has had devastating social and economic consequences, and the poorest countries on the planet are bearing the brunt of that.
As he has done before, President Biden will call for a just and durable peace, one founded in respect for international law, principles of the U.N. Charter, the precepts of territorial integrity and sovereignty. And he will continue to emphasize that the United States will support Ukraine for as long as it takes to redeem these principles.
Last but not least — and this is important — you’ll see the United States will make it clear that we remain committed to the G20 as a critical forum for all of the major economies of the world to come together for global problem-solving.
At a moment when the international economy is suffering from historic and overlapping shocks, it’s more important than ever that we have a workin- — working forum with the world’s largest economies to deliver meaningful outcomes.
So, in a sign of that commitment, the United States is looking forward to hosting the G20 in 2026.
Now, turning briefly to Vietnam. On September 10th, the President will travel to Vietnam to meet with the General Secretary and Vietnam’s top leadership.
Building on President Biden’s string of diplomatic successes in the Indo-Pacific just this year, this visit is a remarkable step in the strengthening of our diplomatic ties, and it reflects the leading role that Vietnam will play in our growing network of partnerships in the Indo-Pacific as we look to the future.
For decades, the U.S. and Vietnam have worked to overcome a painful shared legacy of the Vietnam War, working hand in hand to promote reconciliation, with our service members and veterans lighting the way — work that is dear to the President’s heart, particularly in light of his close friendship with Senator John McCain.
As we survey common challenges on everything from the South China Sea to critical and emerging technologies, the United States and Vietnam will chart out a vision for facing the 21st century together with an elevated and energized partnership.
And finally, Vice President Harris will be traveling — is traveling, literally, as we speak — to Jakarta, Indonesia, to attend the U.S.-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit and to engage with leaders from across the Indo-Pacific from September 5th to September 7th.
Her upcoming visit will be her fourth visit to the Indo-Pacific in two years and her third visit to Southeast Asia. Vice President Harris has met with more than three dozen presidents and prime ministers from the Indo-Pacific.
And throughout her work, she has focused on strengthening alliances and partnerships, driving economic growth in the United States, and upholding international rules and norms.
At both summits, the Vice President will underscore the United States’ enduring commitment to the Indo-Pacific generally and to ASEAN centrality specifically. And we look forward to having her be able to report back to the President on those trips as the President embarks on his own trip to India and Vietnam.
I told you that I was going to test your patience a bit. I think I made good on my promise. So, with that, I’d be happy to take your questions.
Yeah.
White House.gov. 09/05/2023.
The YouTube is 1 hour and 10 minutes long. NSA Jake Sullivan begins his remarks at the 4 minute and 47 second mark. The date on the YouTube says 09/08/2023, but the expanded details say it was 09/05/2023…*Shrug*.
On 08/28/2023, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre issued the following statement:
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will travel to Hanoi, Vietnam on September 10, 2023. While in Hanoi, President Biden will meet with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and other key leaders to discuss ways to further deepen cooperation between the United States and Vietnam. The leaders will explore opportunities to promote the growth of a technology-focused and innovation-driven Vietnamese economy, expand our people-to-people ties through education exchanges and workforce development programs, combat climate change, and increase peace, prosperity, and stability in the region.
On Monday, September 11th, the President, Vice President, First Lady, and Second Gentleman will all mark the 22nd anniversary of the terror attacks on September 11th, 2001. The President will travel to Alaska to participate in a memorial ceremony with members of the military and their families. The Vice President and the Second Gentleman will participate in a commemoration ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York City. *The First Lady will lay a wreath at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial to honor the lives lost on September 11th.
White House.gov. 08/28/2023.
*Following her COVID-19 positive test it is unclear at this time if the First Lady will able to lay the wreath on 9/11*
SAVE Plan Tweet
From Wednesday…
From the Department of Education…
The U.S. Department of Education today announced more than 4 million student loan borrowers are enrolled in the Biden-Harris Administration’s new Saving on A Valuable Education (SAVE) income-driven repayment (IDR) plan, including those who were transitioned from the previous Revised-Pay-As-You-Earn (REPAYE) plan. Additionally, the Department has received more than 1.6 million IDR applications through StudentAid.govsince July 30, and nearly one million of those applications are for the SAVE plan, the most affordable IDR plan ever.
“Millions of borrowers are already benefitting from enrollment in the SAVE plan, and I’m thrilled to see so many Americans submitting applications every day so that they, too, can take advantage of the most affordable student loan repayment plan in history,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “From Day One of this Administration, President Biden has focused on reducing the burden of student loan debt on working families, and we are not stopping now. Enrollment is quick and easy, and we are working relentlessly to get the word out to borrowers about how millions can reduce their monthly student loan bills and save over a thousand dollars a year by enrolling in SAVE.”
Under the SAVE Plan, a single borrower who makes less than about $15 an hour will not have to make any payments, and borrowers earning above that amount would save more than $1,000 a year on their payments compared to other IDR plans. The SAVE Plan also ensures that borrowers never see their balance grow due to unpaid interest as long as they keep up with their payments. The new IDR application allows borrowers to have their income accessed securely from the Internal Revenue Service so they do not need to re-certify their income or re-apply for IDR plans every year.
“The new application is easy and quick. Most people only need about 10 minutes to complete it,” said Federal Student Aid Chief Operating Officer Richard Cordray. “Borrowers can get their monthly payment calculated in real time, and they can choose to have their IDR application recertified automatically each year.”
Borrowers applying for the SAVE plan or other IDR plans will see their new payment amount before submitting their application, and it will be displayed on their servicer’s website when their first bill is sent. Most borrowers who apply for the SAVE Plan can expect their next payment to reflect their SAVE amount. Servicers will place borrowers in a forbearance if they need more time to process their application. After borrowers apply, they can check the status of their application by visiting their account dashboard on StudentAid.gov. Borrowers can also use Loan Simulator to calculate student loan payments across other repayment plans and choose a loan repayment option that best meets their needs and goals.
The Department and its servicers have reached out directly to nearly 30 million borrowers to invite them to use the new IDR application to apply for the SAVE Plan. This outreach is part of the Department’s robust campaign to provide information and resources to borrowers to support them. The Department has also been in direct touch with 43 million borrowers and will continue to coordinate with servicers and outside partners to provide additional high-quality communications with specific, actionable information directly to borrowers to make sure every borrower has the information they need to make the best repayment decision for themselves. In addition, the Department has instituted a 12-month on-ramp to protect borrowers from the harshest consequences of missed, partial, or late payments.
The Department has also begun a nationwide outreach campaign called “SAVE on Student Debt” in collaboration with leading grassroots organizations. “SAVE on Student Debt” is leveraging strategic partnerships across public, private, and nonprofit sectors to make sure borrowers know the supports available to them as they return to repayment and can they take full advantage the SAVE Plan and other available benefits and debt forgiveness programs.
The SAVE Plan builds on the work the Biden-Harris Administration has already done to improve the student loan program and make higher education more affordable. The Biden-Harris Administration has already approved more than $117 billion in targeted relief for 3.4 million student loan borrowers, including:
ED.gov. 09/05/2023.
- $39 billion for 804,000 borrowers through fixing historical inaccuracies in the IDR payment count system for borrowers who earned forgiveness;
- $45.7 billion for 662,000 public servants through improvements to Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF);
- $10.5 billion for 491,000 borrowers who have a total and permanent disability; and
- $22 billion for nearly 1.3 million borrowers who were cheated by their schools, saw their schools precipitously close, or are covered by related court settlements.
The Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to making college more affordable and ensuring student debt is not a roadblock to attaining a college degree or credential, or planning for the future. The Administration has made the largest increase to Pell Grants in a decade and has charted a course to double the maximum Pell Grant and make community college free to enhance college affordability and reduce unnecessary student debt. The Administration is also holding institutions accountable for unaffordable debts and recently proposed regulations that would set standards for earnings and debt outcomes for career programs while enhancing transparency for all programs to give students the information they need to make informed choices.
Borrowers can view more resources and tools that help them find the right repayment plan for their current circumstances at StudentAid.gov/restart. More information about SAVE is available at StudentAid.gov/save.
ED.gov. 09/05/2023.
State by State Data on SAVE Enrollment:
Borrowers Enrolled in SAVE
| Location | Borrower Count |
| Alaska | 6,300 |
| Alabama | 63,500 |
| Arkansas | 38,500 |
| Arizona | 87,200 |
| California | 331,600 |
| Colorado | 78,500 |
| Connecticut | 39,300 |
| District of Columbia | 13,100 |
| Delaware | 12,300 |
| Florida | 291,100 |
| Georgia | 178,600 |
| Hawaii | 11,000 |
| Iowa | 39,900 |
| Idaho | 25,100 |
| Illinois | 142,100 |
| Indiana | 89,500 |
| Kansas | 35,000 |
| Kentucky | 60,300 |
| Louisiana | 63,800 |
| Massachusetts | 66,700 |
| Maryland | 75,600 |
| Maine | 18,800 |
| Michigan | 143,600 |
| Minnesota | 73,900 |
| Missouri | 82,300 |
| Mississippi | 45,300 |
| Montana | 13,800 |
| North Carolina | 144,300 |
| North Dakota | 7,500 |
| Nebraska | 22,400 |
| New Hampshire | 15,600 |
| New Jersey | 92,300 |
| New Mexico | 25,000 |
| Nevada | 35,300 |
| New York | 212,800 |
| Ohio | 181,400 |
| Oklahoma | 45,100 |
| Oregon | 61,500 |
| Pennsylvania | 170,200 |
| Puerto Rico | 26,200 |
| Rhode Island | 12,000 |
| South Carolina | 81,600 |
| South Dakota | 10,700 |
| Tennessee | 91,800 |
| Texas | 345,800 |
| Utah | 30,000 |
| Virginia | 104,800 |
| Vermont | 7,500 |
| Washington | 74,800 |
| Wisconsin | 70,100 |
| West Virginia | 22,800 |
| Wyoming | 5,100 |
| All Other Locations | 46,500 |
| TOTAL | 4,069,800 |
ILWU and PMA Tweets
From Wednesday…
The YouTube is 10 minutes and 51 seconds long. His full remarks can be found here.
In a plot twist the below tweet was sent prior to the live remarks but connects with those live remarks…
America is now one of the strongest job-creation — going through one of the strongest job-creation periods in our nation’s history. And it’s no accident.
I came determined to build an economy, as I said before, from the middle out and the bottom up. Because everyone does well when the middle class does well, and the wealthy do very well.
And, look, to invest in American workers, who are the backbone of the country, makes sense to me. The labor contracts we celebrate today prove that.
White House.gov. 09/06/2023.
And with this contract, dock workers at those 29 Pacific ports will get a pay benefit and working conditions that I believe they deserve, and, apparently, it was agreed upon. That includes a guaranteed 32 percent pay increase over a six-year period. It also includes a one-time bonus for the dockworkers’ exceptional efforts during the pandemic — during the pandemic. And it matters.
White House.gov. 09/06/2023.
And today, thanks to the American workers, including the longshore workers and truckers and rail workers, America’s supply chains are operating smoothly again.
With this agreement, they are being paid what they deserve, and goods are moving quickly and efficiently across the country.
White House.gov. 09/06/2023.
Cancelling Oil and Gas Leases Tweet
From Wednesday…
From the U.S. Department of the Interior…
Biden-Harris Administration Takes Major Steps to Protect Arctic Lands and Wildlife in Alaska
The Biden-Harris administration today announced significant steps to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Arctic Refuge) and more than 13 million acres in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). These bold actions to protect the Arctic region build on President Biden’s historic conservation and climate agenda, which already includes protecting more than 21 million acres of public lands and waters across the nation, and securing the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate action in history.
In the Arctic Refuge, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has authorized the cancellation of the remaining seven oil and gas leases issued by the previous administration in the Coastal Plain. The leases were suspended in June 2021 following the issuance of Secretary’s Order (S.O.) 3401, which identified “multiple legal deficiencies in the underlying record supporting the leases.”
In addition, the Department today proposed new regulations for the NPR-A that would ensure maximum protection for the more than 13 million acres of Special Areas in the reserve, while supporting subsistence activities for Alaska Native communities. The proposed rule, previewed in March 2023, adds to President Biden’s actions to protect millions of acres of lands and waters in the Arctic, including withdrawing approximately 2.8 million acres of the Beaufort Sea, ensuring the entire United States Arctic Ocean is off limits to new oil and gas leasing.
“With climate change warming the Arctic more than twice as fast as the rest of the planet, we must do everything within our control to meet the highest standards of care to protect this fragile ecosystem,” said Secretary Haaland. “President Biden is delivering on the most ambitious climate and conservation agenda in history. The steps we are taking today further that commitment, based on the best available science and in recognition of the Indigenous Knowledge of the original stewards of this area, to safeguard our public lands for future generations.”
DOI.gov. 09/06/2023.
Lease Cancellations in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Following passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (Tax Act), the previous Administration held an oil and gas lease sale in the Arctic Refuge’s Coastal Plain on January 6, 2021, and issued 10-year leases on nine tracts covering more than 430,000 acres. On January 21, 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order 13990, directing the Department to review oil and gas leasing in the Refuge, “[i]n light of the alleged legal deficiencies underlying the program.” S.O. 3401 directed a new, comprehensive analysis of the potential environmental impacts of the Coastal Plain Leasing Program. Since that time, two of the issued leases have been canceled and refunded at the request of the lessees. The remaining seven leases held by the sole lessee covered 365,000 acres in the Coastal Plain.
The Secretary of the Interior has the authority to cancel or suspend oil and gas leases issued in violation of a statute or regulation. The draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) released today by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) developed information supporting the Department’s determination that the 2021 lease sale was seriously flawed and based on a number of fundamental legal deficiencies, including: insufficient analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act, including failure to adequately analyze a reasonable range of alternatives and properly quantify downstream greenhouse gas emissions; and failure to properly interpret the Tax Act. Accordingly, Secretary Haaland has determined that the leases issued by the previous administration in the Arctic Refuge shall be cancelled.
DOI.gov. 09/06/2023.
Protections in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska
Extending from the northwest slope of the Brooks Range to the Arctic Coast, the NPR-A encompasses roughly 23 million acres of public land managed by the BLM. Tribal Nations have occupied lands now within the NPR-A since time immemorial, and over 40 Indigenous communities continue to rely on subsistence activities in the reserve, harvesting caribou, shore and waterbirds, and many other fish and wildlife species, with many communities subsisting primarily from food harvested from the NPR-A.
Under the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act (NPRPA) of 1976, Congress directed the BLM to balance oil and gas development with the management and protection of sensitive landscapes – known as Special Areas – and surface resources across the reserve. The proposed rule is designed to assure maximum protection of Special Areas, as authorized under the NPRPA. The proposed rule would require that protections for Special Areas remain in place for as long as the values and characteristics in those areas are present, ensuring the durability of the protections into the future. The proposed rule also would require the BLM to review and gather public input – at least every five years – on whether existing special areas should be expanded, whether new special areas should be designated, and whether additional resources within special areas should be identified for protection. Upon finalization of the proposed rule, the Administration will follow this proposed process to inform the creation or expansion of additional special areas in the NPR-A.
The proposed rule would protect 13 million acres encompassed by the existing Special Areas by limiting future oil and gas leasing and industrial development in the Teshekpuk Lake, Utukok Uplands, Colville River, Kasegaluk Lagoon, and Peard Bay Special Areas – places collectively known for their globally significant intact habitat for wildlife, including grizzly and polar bears, caribou and hundreds of thousands of migratory birds. The rule would establish an outright prohibition on any new leasing in 10.6 million acres, more than 40 percent of the NPR-A.
The proposed rule would raise the bar for development throughout the NPR-A by establishing clear guidelines that are consistent with provisions of the current management plan for the reserve, the NPR-A Integrated Activity Plan (IAP). This current management plan for the reserve was put in place in 2022, and effectively reversed the previous administration’s IAP that sought to expand oil and gas leasing and development in the NPR-A and reduce protections for the Special Areas.
The proposed rulemaking would help protect subsistence uses throughout the NPR-A, responding to Alaska Native communities who have relied on the land, water and wildlife to support their way of life for thousands of years. It also advances the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to strengthening the role of Tribal governments in the management of public lands by encouraging the BLM to explore co-stewardship opportunities with Tribes for the Special Areas.
DOI.gov. 09/06/2023.
Seeking Public Comment
There will be a 45-day public review and comment period on the draft SEIS for the Coastal Plain. In developing the draft, the BLM and FWS engaged with a wide variety of stakeholders and used the best available data and science, including Indigenous Knowledge. For additional information, go to BLM’s eplanning page.
The proposed NPR-A rule and map of the five NPR-A Special Areas as delineated in the 2022 IAP, are available for preview. A forthcoming publication of the proposed rule in the Federal Register will open a 60-day public comment period. During that time, the BLM will host in-person meetings in communities on the North Slope, as well as virtual public meetings to discuss the proposed rule. Details of those opportunities will be made available soon.
DOI.gov. 09/06/2023.
President Biden’s full statement:
Alaska is home to many of America’s most breathtaking natural wonders and culturally significant areas. As the climate crisis warms the Arctic more than twice as fast as the rest of the world, we have a responsibility to protect this treasured region for all ages. Canceling all remaining oil and gas leases issued under the previous administration in the Arctic Refuge and protecting more than 13 million acres in the Western Arctic will help preserve our Arctic lands and wildlife, while honoring the culture, history, and enduring wisdom of Alaska Natives who have lived on these lands since time immemorial. From day one, I have delivered on the most ambitious climate and conservation agenda in our country’s history. But there is more to do, and my administration will continue to take bold action to meet the urgency of the climate crisis and to protect our lands and waters for generations to come.
White House.gov. 09/06/2023.
Medal of Honor Tweet
From Thursday…
Remarks by President Biden at Presentation of the Medal of Honor to Army Captain Larry L. Taylor
LIEUTENANT COLONEL HUGHES:
Attention to orders.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3rd, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant Larry L. Taylor, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.
White House.gov. 09/05/2023.
President Biden (:16):
June 18th, 1968, it was pitch black — no moon, no stars, no light beyond the glow of Lieutenant Taylor’s cockpit controls — when he heard a whisper come in through his radio, “We’re surrounded. We’re surrounded.” That’s what he heard.
The call had come from a four-man Army patrol unit just northeast of Saigon, a unit that included Sergeant David Hill.
[snip]
On his last try, he learned that any attempt to save the men had been called off. The rescue heli- — helicopter was not coming.
Instead, Lieutenant Taylor received a direct order: “Return to base.” His response was just as direct: “I’m getting my men out.” “I’m getting my men out.”
Lieutenant Taylor would perform the extraction himself, a maneuver never before accomplished in a Cobra.
Remember, the Cobra was only — a gunship only. It had no cabin for passengers. But that was the least of his problems.
[snip]
When duty called, Larry did everything — did everything to answer. And because of that, he rewrote the fate of four families for generations to come.
That’s valor. That’s valor.
White House.gov. 09/05/2023.
This is an Open Thread.
