Biden Bits: “I Don’t Blame Them”…

It’s Monday…

President Biden’s public schedule for 09/25/2023:

9:00 AM Presidential Daily Brief	The President receives the Presidential Daily Briefing The White House Closed Press
9:45 AM	In-Town Pool Call Time The White House In-Town Pool
10:30 AM Met With Pacific Island Forum Leaders	The President hosts a meeting with Pacific Islands Forum leaders for the U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Summit East Room In-House Pool Spray
11:40 AM Took a Photo	The President participates in a family photo with Pacific Islands Forum leaders South Portico Open Press
1:30 PM Press Briefing	Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
3:00 PM Meets with President Board of Advisors	The President hosts a meeting with the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities; The Vice President participates Roosevelt Room In-House Pool Spray

U.S.–Pacific Islands Forum Summit Tweet

From Monday…

Tune in as I host a meeting with Pacific Islands Forum leaders for the U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Summit. https://t.co/h30ReVIpFH

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 25, 2023

From the White House…

Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials to Preview the U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Summit (09/22/2023 released on 09/25/2023).

Statement by President Biden on the Recognition of the Cook Islands and the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations

Today, I am proud to announce that the United States recognizes the Cook Islands as a sovereign and independent state and will establish diplomatic relations between our two nations. 

The United States has a long history of cooperation with the Cook Islands—dating back to World War II when the U.S. military built airport runways in the northernmost atoll Penrhyn and in Aitutaki. Today’s announcement will enable us to expand the scope of this enduring partnership as we seek to tackle the challenges that matter most to our peoples’ lives—from countering illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, to combatting climate change, to building inclusive economic growth, to advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and beyond.

The United States plans to work closely with the Cook Islands, the Pacific Islands Forum, and the Pacific Community to bolster Pacific regionalism. Together, we intend to align the objectives of the United States’ first-ever Pacific Partnership Strategy with the Pacific’s own priorities as embodied in the Pacific Islands Forum 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. And, the United States looks forward to participating in the upcoming PIF Leaders’ Summit to support Pacific voices, Pacific choices, and the Pacific way. 

The history and the future of the Pacific Islands and the United States are inextricably linked. The United States’ recognition of the Cook Islands, and the establishment of diplomatic relations will not only strengthen the ties between our nations, it will help ensure that our shared future is more secure, more prosperous, and more free—for our people and people around the world.

White House.gov. 09/25/2023.

Statement by President Biden on the Recognition of Niue and the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations

Today, I am proud to announce that the United States recognizes Niue as a sovereign and independent state and will establish diplomatic relations between our two nations.

Niue plays a critical and constructive role in the Pacific, including supporting the region’s sustainable development, security, and marine protection and ocean conservation. Today’s announcement will enable us to deepen our cooperation with Niue on these challenges and more—from tackling the climate crisis, to protecting maritime borders and marine resources, to building sustainable economic growth, to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

The United States plans to work closely with Niue, the Pacific Islands Forum, and the Pacific Community to bolster Pacific regionalism. Together, we intend to align the objectives of the United States’ first-ever Pacific Partnership Strategy with the Pacific’s own priorities as embodied in the Pacific Islands Forum 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. And, the United States looks forward to participating in the upcoming PIF Leaders’ Summit to support Pacific voices, Pacific choices, and the Pacific way. 

Since day one of my Administration, I have been committed to being an active and engaged partner in the Pacific. Last year, I launched our first-ever national strategy dedicated to the Pacific Islands. I appointed the first US Envoy to the Pacific Islands Forum. We held the first US-Pacific Islands Summit. And today we are meeting with the full Pacific Islands Forum at the White House for the first time. Today’s recognition of Niue—and the establishment of diplomatic relations—will not only further strengthen our bonds in the region, it will help forge the shared future we seek—one of greater security, prosperity, and dignity for all.

White House.gov. 09/25/2023.

President Biden Hosts a Meeting with Pacific Islands Forum Leaders (replay):

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

White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention Tweets

From Friday…

The Vice President and I have officially announced the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Listen in: https://t.co/s0rhq1p1y6

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 22, 2023

The YouTube is 24 minutes and 54 seconds long. President Biden begins his remarks at the 10 minute and 55 second mark. President Biden’s remarks can be found here. Remarks by Vice President Harris can be found here.

It’s time to again ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

And let me be very clear:

If members of Congress refuse to act, then we need to elect new members of Congress who will act.

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 22, 2023

We’re not stopping here. Again, it’s — I’ll say it again. I’m not going to be quiet until we get it done: It’s time again to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. (Applause.)

[snip]

And let me be very clear: If members of the Congress refuse to act, then we’ll need to elect new members of Congress that will act. (Applause.) Democrat or Republican.

White House.gov. 09/22/2023.

Promise kept. pic.twitter.com/JZcgFh8DSx

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 22, 2023

The 9 second video features Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL) no voice over just text on the screen and music:

POV: Your generation marched, organized and even ran for Congress to bring about overdue action on gun violence reforms.

[Rep. Frost (D-FL) steps on his phone and cuts to him standing in the Oval Office with the President and Vice President]

POV: And your President and Vice President listened.

Because of the survivors, families, advocates, and young people who protested, organized, voted, ran for office, and marched for their lives –

I am proud to announce the creation of the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention in our history. pic.twitter.com/ru6rNM1Dhv

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 22, 2023

And because of all of you here today, all across the country, survivors, families, advocates — especially young people who demand our nation do better to protect all; who protested, organized, voted, and ran for office, and, yes, marched for their lives — I’m proud to announce the creation of the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention — the first office in our history. (Applause.)

White House.gov. 09/22/2023.

From Sunday…

The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention is going to save lives. pic.twitter.com/UpoKx7a3LH

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 24, 2023

The video is 1 minute and 36 seconds long.

Look, while we push — we push for Congress to do more, we’re going to centralize, accelerate, and intensify our work to save more lives more quickly.

That’s why this new White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention — it’s what it’s designed to do. It will drive and coordinate a government and a nationwide effort to reduce gun violence in America.

And it will be overseen by an incredible vice president, who understands this — (applause) — more than any vice president has. No, really. That’s not hyperbole. That’s a fact. She’s been on the frontlines of this issue her entire career as a prosecutor, as an attorney general, and as a United States senator. Her deep experience will be invaluable for this office.

[snip]

An office — and the office will have four primary responsibilities:

First, to expedite the implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and the executive actions already announced. And I mean it: We’re going to fully implement it.

Second, coordinate more support for survivors, families, and communities affected by gun violence, including mental health care, financial assistance — the same way FEMA responds to natural disasters. (Applause.) The same way. And it helps folks recover and rebuild and alter. Look, folks, shootings are the ultimate superstorm, ripping through communities.

Third, identify new executive actions we can take within our legal authority to reduce gun violence.

And fourth, expand our coalition of partners in states and cities across America because we do have partners to get more — we need more state and local help to get these laws passed locally as well — and to strengthen our laws and give us more hope.

Folks, to be clear, none of these steps alone is going to solve the entirety of the gun violence epidemic. None of them. But together, they will save lives. (Applause.) And it’s going to help — it will help rally the nation with a sense of urgency and seriousness of purpose.

White House.gov. 09/22/2023.

UAW Tweet

From Friday…

Tuesday, I’ll go to Michigan to join the picket line and stand in solidarity with the men and women of UAW as they fight for a fair share of the value they helped create.

It’s time for a win-win agreement that keeps American auto manufacturing thriving with well-paid UAW jobs.

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 22, 2023

UAW President Shawn Fain on Friday during a livestream update “invited” President Biden to join the picket line in support…

Shawn Fain said: We invite and encourage everyone who supports our cause to join us on the picket line from our friends and families all the way up to the President of the United States, we invite you to join us in our fight.

“Bidenomics” versus “MAGAnomics” Tweets

From Saturday…

In 2020, 55 of the largest corporations paid zero in income tax. Under the law I passed, they'll have to pay a minimum tax of 15%.

Congressional Republicans’ plan is to cut taxes for the wealthy and big corporations.

Mine prioritizes tax breaks for folks who actually need them.

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 23, 2023

Bidenomics is about making smart investments in American infrastructure, supply chains, manufacturing, and clean energy.

And it's working.

On my watch we’ve created more than 13 million new jobs, including 800,000 manufacturing jobs.

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 23, 2023

From Sunday…

It's like House Republicans want to keep their MAGAnomics budget a secret.

I don’t blame them.

If my plan eliminated thousands of Head Start slots, slashed education funding, cut funds for law enforcement, and raised housing costs – you wouldn't hear me advertising it either.

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 24, 2023

Where MAGAnomics plans to hollow out the main streets of our nation, Americans have filed 10.5 million new business applications in my first two years.

That’s the largest number ever on record in a two-year period. pic.twitter.com/mmgQmS2rM6

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 24, 2023

My Administration’s investments in infrastructure are investments in communities.

Seeing shovels in the ground and cranes going up restores pride and inspires Americans to get in the game.

Stories like Mark’s demonstrate we’re all in this together. pic.twitter.com/Uipw7cq4kh

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 24, 2023

We pay more for prescription drugs than any other major economy in the world.

But when we passed the Inflation Reduction Act – with no help from the other team – we beat Big Pharma.

And it’s already making a difference. pic.twitter.com/V181tIHlNA

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 24, 2023

From Monday…

Let me break down the key difference between Bidenomics and MAGAnomics.

House Republicans think massive corporations and the wealthiest Americans need a tax break.

I think it's time working people saw some relief. And the wealthiest started paying their fair share.

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 25, 2023

From the White House…

Extreme House Republicans’ Chaos Is Marching America Toward a Shutdown That Would Jeopardize Vital Nutrition Assistance for Nearly 7 Million Vulnerable Moms and Young Children

With less than one week before the end of the fiscal year, extreme House Republicans are playing partisan games with peoples’ lives and marching our country toward a government shutdown that would have damaging impacts across the country—including putting vital nutrition assistance at risk for nearly 7 million women and children who rely on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)—a program that serves nearly half of babies born in this country.
 
During an Extreme Republican Shutdown, women and children who count on WIC would soon start being turned away at grocery store counters, with a federal contingency fund drying up after just a few days and many states left with limited WIC funds to operate the program.
 
And the reason food assistance for these families is at risk is extreme House Republicans’ continued efforts to slash funding for vital programs, including WIC, rather than work in a bipartisan manner to keep the government open and address emergency needs for the American people. House Republicans have turned their backs on the bipartisan budget deal that a large majority of them voted for just a few months ago and proposed a continuing resolution (CR) that makes devastating cuts to programs that millions of hardworking Americans count on. While House Republicans continue to debate what CR to advance, they have consistently refused to include the Administration’s request for additional WIC funding that’s needed to ensure the program can serve every eligible pregnant woman, new mother, and infant and young child. Without the Administration’s funding request, states could soon be forced to institute waiting lists for WIC, causing mothers and children to lose access to the vital nutrition assistance.
 
Below is a state-by-state breakdown of the number of women and children at risk of losing critical nutrition assistance under an Extreme Republican Shutdown:

White House.gov. 09/25/2023.

State	Total WIC Recipients	Women	Children	Infants
Alabama	111,999	25,295	57,863	28,841
Alaska	18,484	4,000	10,492	3,992
Arizona	139,765	28,879	79,639	31,247
Arkansas	65,272	15,798	32,185	17,289
California	972,418	206,282	587,139	178,997
Colorado	87,752	19,916	49,214	18,622
Connecticut	47,236	9,990	25,609	11,637
Delaware	20,313	4,169	11,480	4,664
District of Columbia	11,718	2,959	5,668	3,091
Florida	421,294	97,869	225,544	97,881
Georgia	220,842	50,801	112,601	57,440
Hawaii	26,205	5,692	15,027	5,486
Idaho	30,766	6,718	17,607	6,441
Illinois	167,903	38,009	85,775	44,119
Indiana	148,179	33,280	80,497	34,402
Iowa	58,126	12,274	32,493	13,359
Kansas	47,399	10,471	26,197	10,731
Kentucky	119,884	24,169	68,821	26,894
Louisiana	96,890	26,232	42,030	28,628
Maine	18,356	3,693	10,605	4,058
Maryland	123,101	28,417	66,963	27,721
Massachusetts	125,921	24,995	76,851	24,075
Michigan	207,728	41,195	122,044	44,489
Minnesota	108,420	23,009	63,057	22,354
Mississippi	62,788	14,199	30,750	17,839
Missouri	90,913	22,650	44,217	24,046
Montana	14,107	3,010	8,035	3,062
Nebraska	36,949	7,703	21,699	7,547
Nevada	52,976	11,585	29,239	12,152
New Hampshire	13,599	2,554	8,550	2,495
New Jersey	166,841	36,534	95,921	34,386
New Mexico	36,719	9,273	18,229	9,217
New York	418,084	89,717	241,198	87,169
North Carolina	268,687	59,030	151,473	58,184
North Dakota	10,299	2,093	6,086	2,120
Ohio	179,262	42,341	93,119	43,802
Oklahoma	72,703	17,548	36,385	18,770
Oregon	78,764	16,951	47,164	14,649
Pennsylvania	177,335	39,331	97,269	40,735
Puerto Rico	92,752	19,050	52,847	20,855
Rhode Island	17,866	3,999	9,897	3,970
South Carolina	94,370	20,887	50,341	23,142
South Dakota	13,929	2,846	7,929	3,154
Tennessee	133,284	33,278	66,218	33,788
Texas	786,686	215,305	382,817	188,564
Utah	41,383	9,427	22,551	9,405
Vermont	10,975	2,168	6,905	1,902
Virginia	127,124	26,170	72,538	28,416
Washington	130,962	28,584	76,470	25,908
West Virginia	37,292	7,592	21,313	8,387
Wisconsin	91,070	18,466	53,500	19,104
Wyoming	7,484	1,745	4,028	1,711

The laws that = “Bidenomics”…

American Rescue Plan (03/11/2021).
Bipartisan Infrastructure Act (11/15/2021).
Inflation Reduction Act (08/16/2022).
CHIPS and Science Act (08/09/2022).

UN General Assembly Tweet

From Saturday…

The world is depending on the United Nations to master our challenges and prove ourselves capable of forging a better future for humankind. pic.twitter.com/QSV6W1WVTM

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 23, 2023

The video is 55 seconds long.

Remarks by President Biden at the United Nations General Assembly Leaders’ Reception | New York, NY (09/19/2023):

Folks, our world stands at an inflection point, where the decisions we make now are going to determine our future for decades to come. 

We need you to help us set the course on a more stable and secure path.  We need to continue tackling the challenges that most affect people’s lives, from conflict to climate change to corruption and beyond.

 [snip]

He wrote a poem called “The Cure at Troy.”  And it seems appropriate tonight.  He said, “History says, don’t hope on this side of the grave.  But then, once in a lifetime, that longed-for tidal wave of justice rises up, and hope and history rhyme.”

Ladies and gentlemen, this is an age where we can once more make hope and history rhyme if we stick together, where together and only together can we can bend the arc of history in a better direction.

Like our forebearers all those years ago, the world is not only waiting on us, it’s depending on us to master our challenges, to prove ourselves capable of forging a better future for humankind — one of greater dignity, opportunity, and security for all.

White House.gov. 09/19/2023.

Climate Change Tweet

From Saturday…

We have a duty to our economy, the young people in this nation, and future generations to act boldly and continue taking the most aggressive action on climate in history. pic.twitter.com/hYxmqulPMz

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 23, 2023

See the Inflation Reduction Act law link above…

Hidden Fees Tweet

From Saturday…

Concert tickets are hard enough to get, you shouldn’t have to pay surprise service fees on top of that.

My Administration is working to crack down on those junk fees, so you know what you are paying for up front.

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 24, 2023

I have been trying to find a place that streams concerts. That’s a streaming service I’d likely pay for…

2023 Phoenix Awards Dinner Tweet

From Saturday…

Join the Vice President and me as we deliver remarks at the 2023 Phoenix Awards Dinner. https://t.co/ufTbPemrQP

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 24, 2023

The YouTube is 34 minutes and 29 seconds long. Their full remarks can be found here.

Yom Kippur Tweet

From Sunday…

As Jewish communities in the United States, Israel, and around the world observe Yom Kippur, Jill and I extend our best wishes on this sacred and solemn holiday.

We wish you a meaningful and easy fast. May we all be sealed in the Book of Life.

G’mar Chatimah Tova.

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 24, 2023

His full statement:

As Jewish communities in the United States, Israel, and around the world observe Yom Kippur, Jill and I extend our best wishes on this sacred and solemn holiday.
 
Jewish tradition holds that from the time the Book of Life is opened on Rosh Hashanah, until the gates close on Yom Kippur, our fate hangs in the balance. From the powerful Kol Nidre service, to the haunting Neilah prayer, and until the piercing sound of the final shofar blast, worshippers are given an opportunity to humbly atone for past misdeeds, repair broken relationships, and commit to doing better in the future.
 
The blessing of Yom Kippur is that it is not just a day of reflection, repentance, and reverence – but a day of transformation, forgiveness, and hope. God invites us to write a new chapter in the story of our lives, and in the life of our nation. As the High Holidays conclude, let us all summon the courage to make the changes required to bridge the gap between the world we see and the world we seek.
 
On behalf of my family and my entire Administration, we wish you a meaningful and easy fast. May we all be sealed in the Book of Life.
 
G’mar Chatimah Tova.

White House.gov. 09/24/2023.

Meeting with President Zelenskyy Tweet

From Sunday…

Right now, we face a moment where basic principles like sovereignty, territorial integrity, and universal human rights are being tested.

We must stand up — we owe it to ourselves, to each other, and to generations to come. pic.twitter.com/L4XdWfSyHR

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 25, 2023

The video is 50 seconds long.

Remarks by President Biden and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine Before Bilateral Meeting (09/21/2023)

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.

[snip]

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.

White House.gov. 09/21/2023.

Writers Strike Tweet

From Monday…

I applaud the WGA and AMPTP for reaching a tentative agreement that will allow writers to return to telling the stories of our nation, our world, and all of us.

All workers – including writers, actors, and autoworkers – deserve a fair share of the value they helped create.

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 25, 2023

His full statement:

I applaud the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers for reaching a tentative agreement that will allow writers to return to the important work of telling the stories of our nation, our world – and of all of us. This agreement, including assurances related to artificial intelligence, did not come easily. But its formation is a testament to the power of collective bargaining. There simply is no substitute for employers and employees coming together to negotiate in good faith toward an agreement that makes a business stronger and secures the pay, benefits, and dignity that workers deserve. I urge all employers to remember that all workers – including writers, actors, and autoworkers – deserve a fair share of the value their labor helped create.  

White House.gov. 09/25/2023.

This is an Open Thread.