Biden Bits: “Hard Truth”…

September 22, 2023 12:00 pm EDT Tiff Biden Tweets (Open Thread) Comments Off on Biden Bits: “Hard Truth”…
Biden Tweets Logo. Image by Lenny Ghoul.

It’s Friday…

President Biden’s public schedule for 09/22/2023:

10:00 AM
Presidential Daily Brief		The President receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
The White House Closed Press
1:30 PM
Press Briefing		Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Representative Lucy McBath
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
2:45 PM
Remarks		The President and The Vice President deliver remarks on gun safety
Rose Garden Open Press

Press Briefing @1:30 p.m. D.C., time:


White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention Tweets

From Friday…

From the White House…

President Joe Biden to Establish First-Ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, To Be Overseen by Vice President Kamala Harris

New office will focus on implementing executive and legislative action, including historic Bipartisan Safer Communities Act signed by President Biden, to end the scourge of gun violence in America

Tomorrow, President Biden will announce the establishment of the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention to reduce gun violence, which has ravaged communities across the country, and implement and expand upon key executive and legislative action which has been taken to save lives.

The new Office of Gun Violence Prevention will be overseen by Vice President Harris, who has been a been a key leader in the Biden-Harris Administration’s effort to end our nation’s gun violence epidemic. Stefanie Feldman, a longtime policy advisor to President Biden on gun violence prevention, will serve as Director of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, alongside leading gun violence prevention advocates Greg Jackson and Rob Wilcox, who will join the Administration as Deputy Directors of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
 
Statement from the President: “Every time I’ve met with families impacted by gun violence as they mourn their loved ones, and I’ve met with so many throughout the country, they all have the same message for their elected officials: ‘do something.’ It’s why, last year, I signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to keep guns out of dangerous hands, and have taken more executive action than any President in history to keep communities safe. But as I’ve said before – while these are important steps, they are just the first steps toward what is needed.
 
“That’s why I’m announcing additional steps forward, with the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, overseen by Vice President Harris, to build upon these measures and keep Americans safe. The Office will include Stefanie Feldman, who has capably led my Administration’s gun violence prevention efforts and been a trusted aide for more than a decade, alongside leading experts Greg Jackson and Rob Wilcox whose own lives and families have been touched by the tragedy of gun violence. They have turned their pain into purpose and dedicated their careers to being advocates for change – that important work will continue as they join my team in these new roles.”
 
“I’ll continue to urge Congress to take commonsense actions that the majority of Americans support like enacting universal background checks and banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. But in the absence of that sorely-needed action, the Office of Gun Violence Prevention along with the rest of my Administration will continue to do everything it can to combat the epidemic of gun violence that is tearing our families, our communities, and our country apart.”
 
Statement from the Vice President: “Every person and every child deserves the opportunity to fulfill their dreams and live up to their God-given potential. Every family, in every community, should have the freedom to live and to thrive. We know true freedom is not possible if people are not safe. This epidemic of gun violence requires urgent leadership to end the fear and trauma that Americans experience every day. The new Office of Gun Violence Prevention will play a critical role in implementing President Biden’s and my efforts to reduce violence to the fullest extent under the law, while also engaging and encouraging Congressional leaders, state and local leaders, and advocates to come together to build upon the meaningful progress that we have made to save lives. Our promise to the American people is this: we will not stop working to end the epidemic of gun violence in every community, because we do not have a moment, nor a life to spare.”

White House.gov. 09/21/2023.

About Stefanie Feldman:

Stefanie Feldman has worked for President Biden for more than a decade. She currently serves as Assistant to the President and White House Staff Secretary, and will now add the role of Director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention to her responsibilities. Previously, she served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor to the White House Domestic Policy Advisor, the National Policy Director for the Biden-Harris presidential campaign, the inaugural Policy Director for the Biden Institute at the University of Delaware’s Joseph R. Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. She started her career in various policy roles in the White House Office of the Vice President during the Obama-Biden Administration. After the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting in December 2012, she was part of the team that helped then-Vice President Biden develop executive actions and legislation to reduce gun violence. She holds a B.A. from Duke University and a J.D. from Yale Law School.

White House.gov. 09/21/2023.

About Greg Jackson:

Greg Jackson will serve as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Greg has been a gun violence prevention leader for over ten years. A survivor of gun violence, Greg has led Community Justice Action Fund, a national, survivor-led gun violence prevention organization focused exclusively on the impact to Black and brown communities. Greg has testified before Congress and has regularly appeared in an array of media outlets including Time, CNN, Vice News, The Problem with Jon Stewart, The Washington Post, MSNBC and “Price of Freedom” HBO Documentary. Greg holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia.

White House.gov. 09/21/2023.

About Rob Wilcox:

Robert Wilcox will also serve as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Previously, Rob served as the Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs at Everytown for Gun Safety. His tenure at Everytown has included advising policymakers at all levels of government, leading the organization’s federal advocacy efforts, and testifying before Congress. Previously, Wilcox worked at Brady, served on the Board of Directors of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, and practiced law at a firm in New York City. He holds a B.A. from Wesleyan University and a J.D. from Northwestern School of Law. His work honors his cousin Laura, who was shot and killed at nineteen, and is inspired by the tireless advocacy efforts of his Aunt Amanda and Uncle Nick.

White House.gov. 09/21/2023.

The Office of Gun Violence Prevention builds on historic actions taken by President Biden to end gun violence in our country: including signing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most significant legislative action in nearly 30 years aimed at doing so, and taking more meaningful executive action than any other president to make our schools, churches, grocery stores, and communities safer.
 
The Biden-Harris Administration has worked to implement the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most significant gun violence prevention legislation in nearly 30 years. This legislation is already saving lives by keeping guns out of the hands of individuals under 21 who are prohibited from purchasing firearms, empowering the Justice Department with new authorities to prosecute firearms traffickers, improving access to mental health services in our schools to help young people deal with the trauma and grief resulting from gun violence, and investing in community violence interventions.
 
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced dozens of executive actions to: keep especially dangerous weapons and repeat shooters off our streets; hold rogue gun dealers and gun traffickers accountable; provide law enforcement with the tools and resources they need to reduce gun violence; and address the root causes of gun violence.  Most recently, the Justice Department’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives – a critical leader in work to reduce gun violence – proposed a rule to reduce the number of guns sold without background checks and keep guns out of the hands of criminals.
 
President Biden continues to call on Congress to take additional action, including by:

White House.gov. 09/21/2023.
  • Banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines;
  • Requiring safe storage of firearms;
  • Requiring background checks for all gun sales;
  • Eliminating gun manufacturers’ immunity from liability; and
  • Enacting his Safer America Plan, which would put more police officers on our streets for accountable, community policing and invest in gun violence prevention and intervention.

President Biden and Vice President Harris Deliver Remarks on Gun Safety @2:45 p.m. D.C., time:


Climate Change/Inflation Reduction Act Tweets

From Thursday…

Inflation Reduction Act (08/16/2022).


Happy Anniversary Tweet

From Thursday…

About Americorps.gov; AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities.

via GIPHY


Meeting with President Zelenskyy Tweets

From Thursday…

The “video” is 11 seconds long. No sound, just the two leaders walking together.

From the White House…

Memorandum on Delegation of Authority Under Section 614(a)(1) and Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961:

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE

SUBJECT:       Delegation of Authority Under Section 614(a)(1) and Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 621 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA), I hereby delegate to the Secretary of State:

(1)  the authority under section 614(a)(1) of the FAA to determine whether it is important to the security interests of the United States to furnish approximately $128 million in assistance to Ukraine without regard to any provision of law within the purview of section 614(a)(1) of the FAA; and

(2)  the authority under section 506(a)(1) of the FAA to direct the drawdown of approximately $128 million in defense articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training, to provide assistance to Ukraine and to make the determinations required under such section to direct such a drawdown. 

You are authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

White House.gov. 09/21/2023.

Readout of President Biden’s Meeting President Zelenskyy of Ukraine:

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. hosted President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine at the White House today. President Biden reiterated that the United States will continue to support Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression for as long as it takes and hold Russia accountable for human rights abuses and war crimes.

The presidents and their advisors discussed Ukraine’s ongoing counteroffensive.  President Biden provided an update on forthcoming U.S. security assistance. He shared that the United States will announce a significant new package today, including more air defense capabilities to help Ukraine protect its people and critical infrastructure from Russian attacks both now and in the winter. The United States is also coordinating sustained deliveries of short range air defense systems like the Avenger, longer range air defense systems such as the HAWK, and hybrid systems that pair Western air defense interceptors with existing Ukrainian systems. He also shared that Abrams tanks will arrive in Ukraine next week. In addition, the United States is committed to bolstering Ukraine’s defensive capabilities in the long term, including through partnerships with Ukraine’s defense industrial base. To that end, the United States government will host a conference this fall that brings together U.S. defense industry, Ukrainian business leaders, and officials from both governments to explore options for joint ventures and co-production.

President Biden and President Zelenskyy discussed U.S. support to Ukraine’s energy sector and economic recovery. They talked about efforts to increase energy generation and transmission capacity, and welcomed their governments’ signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen Ukraine’s energy resilience.  President Biden introduced Special Representative for Ukraine’s Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker, who will focus on engaging the private sector, partner countries, and Ukrainian counterparts to align support for priority investments and reforms designed to improve the business climate. 

President Zelenskky shared his plans to address corruption in Ukraine. President Biden underscored the importance of strong, politically independent anti-corruption institutions, including the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor, and the High Anti-Corruption Court.

Finally, President Biden welcomed President Zelenskyy’s ongoing diplomatic effort to secure global support for a just and lasting peace.

White House.gov. 09/21/2023.

Remarks by President Biden and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine Before Bilateral Meeting; the YouTube is 4 minutes and 9 seconds long:

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Mr. President, it’s an honor to welcome you back to the White House and to the Oval Office. 
 
And earlier this week at the U.N. General Assembly, I made it clear that — that no nation can be truly secure in the world if, in fact, we don’t stand up and defend the freedom of Ukraine from facing this Russian brutality and aggression.
 
That’s why we brought together a coalition of more than 50 countries — more than 50 countries to help Ukraine defend itself, and it’s critical. 
 
And that’s why, together with our partners in Ukraine, we have provided humanitarian aid as well as tens of millions of people with food, clean water, and so much more.
 
And that’s why — that’s why we’ve begun the process of formalizing our long-term commitment to Ukraine’s security, alongside the G7 and with other partners.
 
And that’s why we support a just and lasting peace, one that respects Ukrainian sovereignty and its territorial integrity.
 
Mr. President, the brave people of Ukraine — and that’s not hyperbole; the people of Ukraine have shown enormous bravery —  enormous bravery — have inspired the world — literally inspired the world with their determination to defend these principles.
 
And together with our partners and allies, the American people are determined to see to it that we do all we can to ensure the world stands with you, and that is our overwhelming objective right now.
 
So, welcome, welcome.
 
PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY:  Thank you so much.
 
PRESIDENT BIDEN:  We have much to talk about.
 
PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY:  Thank you so much, Mr. President — such warm and strong words to all the Ukrainians from — from you.  Thank you.  Appreciate it.
 
I’m glad to meet you.  It’s already the third time this year.  Thank you for the invitation.  Our regular dialogue has proved that our countries are really, truly allies and strategic friends.  And we greatly appreciate the vital assistance provided by the United States to Ukraine to combat Russian terror — really, terror.
 
Today, I’m in Washington to strengthen our coalition to defend Ukrainian children, our families, our homes, freedom, and democracy in the world. 
 
And I started my day in the U.S. Congress to thank its members and to people of America for all the big, huge support.
 
I’ve felt trust between us, and it’s allowed us to have a frank and constructive dialogue, Mr. President.  And this trust and support I felt from both chambers and both parties.  I’m grateful for this.
 
Then, with the First Lady, I honored innocent victims of September 11 Memorial in Pentagon.  All those who — tragedy — death — who died on American Airlines Flight 77.  It’s very important to all in the world to remember the victims of terror and value everyone who fights with it.
 
And now, I look forward, Mr. President, to our discussion for the benefit of our nations and the world. 
 
When it comes to weapons, we will discuss everything, with a special emphasis on air defense.  And just to say that — especially this day — one year ago, we had — we made a big exchange of prisoners — war prisoners and journalists.
 
And it was on this day when we got and brought home defenders of Azovstal.  And also citizens of the United States — not — that we — we did it — Alexander Drueke and Andrew Tai Huynh, both from — both from Alabama. 
 
Thank you, Mr. President.
 
PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Thank you. 
 
Thank you all very much.
 
(Cross-talk.)
 
Q   Mr. Zelenskyy, are you — aren’t you concerned that you’re losing Poland over the grain export dispute?  Are you concerned that you’re losing a friend?
 
PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY:  Our friends with Poland?  Our friends, we are very thankful to Polish people, Polish society for all of — for their support. 
 
That’s it.  Thank you.

White House.gov. 09/21/2023.

Remarks by President Biden and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine After Expanded Bilateral Meeting; the YouTube is 8 minutes and 39 seconds long.


Shade Tweet

From Thursday…

Axios explains; Why it matters: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has struggled for weeks to find a solution that can garner enough Republican support to pass on the floor. After momentary optimism following Wednesday night’s 2.5-hour conference meeting, the House GOP has again reverted to dysfunction.

  • Earlier Thursday, five GOP hardliners sank a vote to open debate on a Pentagon funding bill for the second time in three days — underscoring the depth of McCarthy’s crisis.
  • “This is a whole new concept of individuals that just want to burn the whole place down. It doesn’t work,” McCarthy told reporters after the Pentagon bill went up in flames.

The big picture: Lawmakers are largely in agreement that a government shutdown is inevitable in two weeks time.

  • If Republicans somehow manage to coalesce around a short-term spending plan, they’ll still need to engage in bipartisan negotiations with the Democratic-led Senate.
  • Senate Democratic leaders have already declared the GOP’s conservative proposals dead on arrival, though this hasn’t stopped hardliners from agitating for even deeper spending cuts.

Good times…


Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute 46th Annual Gala Tweet

From Friday…

Last night, President Biden delivered remarks @ the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute 46th Annual Gala. The YouTube is 17 minutes and 38 seconds long. The White House has not upload the transcript of those remarks, yet.


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About Tiff 2558 Articles
Member of the Free Press who is politically homeless and a political junkie.