It’s Tuesday…
EXACTLY 300 HOURS UNTIL #CHRISTMAS!
— Your Christmas Countdown (@christmas_clock) December 12, 2023
👉 https://t.co/08kJVAWqc2 🎄🎅 pic.twitter.com/JZnOEOuxQJ
President Biden’s public schedule for 12/12/2023:
| 9:30 AM Presidential Daily Brief | The President receives the Presidential Daily Briefing The White House Closed Press |
| 10:00 AM | In-Town Pool Call Time The White House In-Town Pool |
| 10:50 AM Leaves the White House | The President departs the White House en route to a campaign reception in Washington, DC South Grounds In-Town Travel Pool |
| 11:45 AM Campaign Event | The President participates in a campaign reception Washington Restricted In-Town Travel Pool |
| 12:30 PM Leaves the White House | The President departs en route to the White House Washington In-Town Travel Pool |
| 12:40 PM Arrives at the White House | The President arrives at the White House South Grounds In-Town Travel Pool |
| 2:15 PM Bilateral Meeting | The President hosts a bilateral meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine Oval Office In-House Pool Spray |
| 4:15 PM Press Conference | The President participates in a press conference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine Indian Treaty Room Pre-Credentialed Media |
From the White House…
12/10/2023:
President Biden has invited President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine to the White House for a meeting on Tuesday, December 12 to underscore the United States’ unshakeable commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russia’s brutal invasion. As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, the leaders will discuss Ukraine’s urgent needs and the vital importance of the United States’ continued support at this critical moment.
White House.gov. 12/10/2023.
12/11/2023:
Press Gaggle by Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates and NSC Coordinator For Strategic Communications John Kirby En Route Philadelphia, PA; the YouTube is 16 minutes and 53 seconds long:
Snip:
MR. KIRBY: Thanks, Andrew. So, tomorrow, as you know, the President is welcoming President Zelenskyy to the White House for a series of discussions. And I believe President Zelenskyy will be doing some — (coughs) — excuse me — some other meetings in town with some key officials.
White House.gov. 12/11/2023.
We’re looking forward to this visit. It’s a chance for the President to get an update from President Zelenskyy about how things are going on the battlefront, but also to make it very clear to President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people that we’re going to continue to support them, particularly at this very difficult time.
As winter approaches, we’re seeing now increased missile and drone attacks by the Russian Armed Forces against civilian infrastructure. We expect that that will continue, particularly against energy infrastructure and as the Russian forces continue to try to take offensive action against the Ukrainians all along that front, but particularly in the East.
And obviously, the other — the other bit of context here is, of course, the — the negotiations on Capitol Hill about funding the President’s supplemental request. I think you’ll hear more from the President tomorrow in — in that context, but he’ll continue to make clear his — his case for why additional funding for Ukraine and Israel are vital to our own national security interests at this time.
And he’ll — he’ll keep urging the negotiations forward and urging compromise, where — with the goal of getting these — all these national security issues fully funded as — as we need. They’re all urgent. They’re all — they’re all important.
President Biden Participates in a Press Conference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine @4:15 p.m. D.C., time:
SAFER Grant Tweets
From Monday…
Today, I’m delivering remarks as Philadelphia receives a $22.4 million SAFER Grant award that will fund firefighters’ salary and benefits. https://t.co/sZ60S7LavM
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 11, 2023
The YouTube is 21 minutes and 52 seconds long. President Biden begins his remarks at the 13 minute and 35 second mark. His full remarks can be found here.
I’m proud to have signed a budget that provided millions to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and the SAFER Grant Program.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 11, 2023
It added 1,200 local firefighters to the field and provided millions for training, equipment, and firefighter health and safety resources.
I also signed a budget providing $360 million each for both the Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant Program and the SAFER Grant Program for hundreds of emergency response vehicles and thousands of protective equipment called “turnout gear.”
[snip]
And helped put almost 1,200 more local firefighters in the field and across the country.
White House.gov. 12/11/2023.
I’ve always been committed to putting more firefighters in the field and giving them the training and equipment they need to do their jobs.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 11, 2023
Being a firefighter isn’t just what you do – it’s who you are.
And we know that what protects firefighters is more firefighters. pic.twitter.com/PBQqAkCkxS
For my entire career, I’ve been committed to doing everything I can to put more firefighters in the field and to give you the training and equipment you need to do your jobs.
[snip]
Because being a firefighter isn’t just what you do, it’s who you are. It’s who the hell you are. And we know that’s what produces firefighters. And the only thing that protects firefighters is more firefighters.
[snip]
Let me say it again: The only thing that protects firefighters is more firefighters. Good equipment, obviously — but more firefighters.
White House.gov. 12/11/2023.
In the wake of Philly’s tragic Fairmount fire, my team encouraged the city to apply for a new SAFER grant to bring the rest of the decommissioned companies back in service.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 11, 2023
As a result, this city just got $22 million to fund salary and benefits for 72 firefighters. pic.twitter.com/B5c9YXVnsH
In the wake of the Fairmont — tragic Fairmount fire, my team worked with city officials and the mayor to help get them to apply for a new SAFER Grant to bring the rest of the decommissioned companies back into service, including Ladder 1.
As a result, the city just got an additional $22 million to fund salaries and benefits for 72 firefighters.
White House.gov. 12/11/2023.
CHIPS and Science Act Preliminary Agreement Tweet
From Monday…
My Administration has announced the first CHIPS preliminary agreement with BAE Systems for a $35 million award made possible by our investment in chip manufacturing.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 11, 2023
It will support national security priorities and spur local investment.
And it’s only the first of many to come.
From the U.S. Department of Commerce…
12/11/2023:
U.S. Department of Commerce Outlines Potential Funding of Approximately $35 Million in Support of U.S. Defense Capabilities, Including F-35 Fighter Jet Program
Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce and BAE Systems Electronic Systems, a business unit of BAE Systems, Inc., have signed a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) to provide approximately $35 million in federal incentives under the CHIPS and Science Act to support the modernization of the company’s Microelectronics Center, a mature-node production facility in Nashua, New Hampshire. The project will replace aging tools and quadruple the production of chips necessary for critical defense programs including the F-35 fighter jet program.
The Department’s PMT with BAE Systems, Inc., marks the beginning of the next phase of implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act, a key part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.
“We have been clear since day one that the CHIPS for America Program is about advancing our national security and strengthening domestic supply chains, all while creating good jobs supporting long-term U.S. economic growth. As national security becomes as much about the chips inside of our weapons systems as the weapons systems themselves, this first CHIPS announcement shows how central semiconductors are to our national defense,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we have reached preliminary terms to make a substantial investment in New Hampshire’s expanding defense industrial base, which will help make our country and supply chains more secure and bolster the economy of the Granite State.”“This announcement delivers on President Biden’s commitment to restoring American leadership on semiconductors, advancing our national security, and creating good family-sustaining jobs here in New Hampshire and around the country,” said Director of the National Economic Council Lael Brainard.
“This announcement of the PMT with BAE Systems, Inc., demonstrates our vision for the CHIPS for America program to ensure that we have a robust production capacity for the chips vital to U.S. national security,” said Under Secretary of Commerce of Commerce for Standards and Technology Dr. Laurie E. Locascio. “This is the first of many announcements that will enhance our nation’s manufacturing capacity and create new jobs and opportunities in communities across the country.”
“Microelectronics are at the heart of the technology and products we make for our defense and aerospace customers—from next-generation aircraft and satellites to military-grade GPS and secure communications,” said Tom Arseneault, president and CEO of BAE Systems, Inc. “This funding will help modernize our Microelectronics Center and fulfill the promise of the CHIPS and Science Act by increasing our capacity to serve national defense programs, growing our technical workforce, and helping to strengthen the nation’s onshore supply chain. This initiative is the result of a strong partnership with federal, state, and local government.”
As explained in the Department’s first Notice of Funding Opportunity, the Department may offer applicants a PMT on a non-binding basis after satisfactory completion of the merit review of a full application. The PMT outlines key terms for a CHIPS incentives award, including the amount and form of the award. After the PMT is signed, the Department begins a comprehensive due diligence process on the proposed project and other information contained in the application. After satisfactory completion of the due diligence phase, the Department may enter into final award documents with the applicant. Terms of the final award documents are subject to negotiations with the applicant and may differ from the terms of the PMT.
President Biden signed the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act into law in August 2022, which is a critical part of revitalizing American semiconductor manufacturing to create jobs, strengthen supply chains, protect national security, and advance U.S. competitiveness.
In a little more than a year since the CHIPS Act was signed into law, the Department has moved quickly to create the CHIPS Program Office and the CHIPS R&D Office and has built a team that represents decades of experience across industry and government. In February 2023, the Department released the first Notice of Funding Opportunity for commercial manufacturing facilities, and then opened it to include large supply chain projects. The Department also released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for smaller semiconductor supply chain projects and expects to launch the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) in the near future.
Commerce.gov. 12/11/2023.
From BAE Systems, Inc…
12/11/2023:
The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced approximately $35 million in initial funding for BAE Systems to modernize the Microelectronics Center (MEC) in Nashua, New Hampshire. This is the first funding announcement as part of the CHIPS and Science Act, which was designed to strengthen American manufacturing, supply chains, and national security. Modernizing BAE Systems’ microelectronics center helps support this vision and the continued development and manufacturing of cutting-edge technology to serve customers’ missions.
BAE Systems’ MEC is an 110,000-square-foot, Department of Defense (DoD)-accredited, semiconductor chip fabrication and foundry facility that produces technology for DoD applications. The MEC develops advanced semiconductor technologies beyond those available commercially to meet demanding military requirements. It is one of the only domestic defense-centric six-inch Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) wafer foundries.
“Microelectronics are at the heart of the technology and products we make for our defense and aerospace customers—from next-generation aircraft and satellites to military-grade GPS and secure communications,” said Tom Arseneault, president and CEO of BAE Systems, Inc. “This funding will help modernize our Microelectronics Center and fulfill the promise of the CHIPS and Science Act by increasing our capacity to serve national defense programs, growing our technical workforce, and helping to strengthen the nation’s onshore supply chain. This initiative is the result of a strong partnership with federal, state, and local government.”
“We have been clear since day one that the CHIPS for America Program is about advancing our national security and strengthening domestic supply chains, all while creating good jobs supporting long-term U.S. economic growth. As national security becomes as much about the chips inside of our weapons systems as the weapons systems themselves, this first CHIPS announcement shows how central semiconductors are to our national defense,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, we have reached preliminary terms to make a substantial investment in New Hampshire’s expanding defense industrial base, which will help make our country and supply chains more secure and bolster the economy of the Granite State.”
Local and state commitments contributed to the funding application. As a result, both the state of New Hampshire and the City of Nashua are offering workforce incentives through Nashua Community College (NCC). The state of New Hampshire will provide tuition assistance for NCC’s microelectronics bootcamp and the Nashua City Council is providing funds to establish a new clean room training course at NCC.
“This critical funding from the CHIPS and Science Act—which I was proud to help pass—will help BAE Systems’ Microelectronics Center in Nashua modernize their facility and ensure our military continues to have access to American-made semiconductor technology,” said U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, chair of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Department of Commerce. “These modernization efforts will strengthen New Hampshire’s integral role in the nation’s defense manufacturing industry for years to come.”
“New Hampshire is a hub for innovation-based businesses and entrepreneurs,” said U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan. “We worked to pass the CHIPS and Science Act to build a stronger economy and protect our national security, and the agreement announced today on modernizing BAE Systems’ Microelectronics Center in Nashua is a yet another way this law will ensure that the United States remains a global leader in advanced technology.”
“I’m thrilled to see these resources from the CHIPS and Science Act heading to BAE Systems in Nashua,” said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. “When we passed this legislation in 2022, this is exactly the kind of project we envisioned. I look forward to seeing the modernized Microelectronics Center and the positive impact it will have on our state, our economy, and our national security.”
“I’m thrilled BAE Systems has received this funding to modernize their microelectronics facility,” said Congressman Chris Pappas. “On-shoring our production of semiconductors and new investments in technology development strengthen our national defense, all while creating good paying jobs in New Hampshire’s growing tech industry. I remain committed to supporting our local manufacturers and workforce so that New Hampshire remains a great place to live and work.”
“Our world-class high-tech manufacturers located here in New Hampshire help lead one of the most vibrant state economies in the country,” said New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) Commissioner Taylor Caswell. “Not only is BAE Systems an international powerhouse and our largest employer in this space, but they are also a true team player right here in New Hampshire. I could not be happier for them to be recognized by the Department of Commerce through this impressive funding.”
“I believe BAE Systems’ project is exactly why the CHIPS Act was enacted. The CHIPS Act provides funding we can leverage to create good high-paying jobs within the semiconductor industry,” said Jim Donchess, Mayor of Nashua, New Hampshire. “Thank you to Lucille Jordan at the Nashua Community College for partnering with BAE Systems to implement a workforce-training program within this burgeoning industry. I am grateful to our Federal Congressional delegation for their leadership on this project and Nashua’s Board of Aldermen for committing local funding to help bring this project to fruition.”
The approximately $35 million in funding will be coupled with ongoing investment in modernization and R&D by BAE Systems. The funding will help purchase new, more efficient manufacturing tools to mitigate supply chain risk, increase production capacity, and reduce time-to-build product. The increased efficiency will enable a scale-up in production to meet increasing demand for DoD technology and provide critical microelectronics to non-defense industries including satellite communications, and test and measurement equipment markets.
BAE Systems.com. 12/11/2023.
President Biden’s full statement:
America invented semiconductors – the computer chips that are the size of the tip of your finger and power everything from cell phones to cars to our most advanced weapons systems and satellites. But over time, the United States went from producing nearly 40% of the world’s chips to just over 10%, undermining America’s national security and making our economy vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions. My CHIPS and Science Act aimed to change that – and already, we are revitalizing America’s leadership in semiconductors, strengthening our supply chains, protecting national security, and advancing American competitiveness as a result of the law and our Investing in America agenda. To date, companies have announced over $230 billion in planned investments in semiconductors and electronics since I took office.
Today marks a key milestone for our implementation of this historic law, as the Department of Commerce announced its first preliminary agreement with BAE Systems, Inc. for a CHIPS incentive award of approximately $35 million. When finalized, this award will modernize an aging facility to quadruple its production capacity for chips that are essential to our national security, including for use in F-35 fighter jets, that are produced in Nashua, New Hampshire by American workers. It will advance our national security goals, and it will spur local investment and job creation.
Today’s announcement is the first step of many to come. Over the coming year, the Department of Commerce will award billions more to make more semiconductors in America, invest in research and development capabilities to keep America at the forefront of new technologies, strengthen our national security, and create good-paying jobs.
White House.gov. 12/11/2023.
From Congress.gov…
08/09/2022:
- CHIPS and Science Act (08/09/2022).
Hanukkah Holiday Reception Tweets
From Monday…
Doug and I are gathering in the White House to celebrate Hanukkah, the timeless story of miracles.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 12, 2023
Tonight, we are reminded to hold on to the miracles of hope and faith.
Because when we do, no night is so dark that we can’t find the light.
Join us: https://t.co/c8UQ7MIUlc
The YouTube is 15 minutes and 21 seconds long. President Biden begins his remarks at the 5 minute and 22 second mark. His full remarks have not been posted at this time.
Jewish Americans embody what the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks said:
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 12, 2023
“A people whose capacity for joy cannot be destroyed is itself indestructible.”
Rallying with pride, unity, and even joy in the face of pain – just like the Hanukkah candles that defiantly burned miraculously. pic.twitter.com/34ppL7o4M7
High-Speed Rail Tweet
From Tuesday…
When you see shovels in the ground and people hard at work on these projects, I hope you feel something that really matters.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 12, 2023
Pride in America.
Pride in knowing we can get big things done when we work together. pic.twitter.com/1ubNWcZxmR
Remarks by President Biden on Investing in America | Las Vegas, NV; The YouTube is 30 minutes and 4 seconds long.
Let me close with this. When we see shovels in the ground and people hard at work on these projects, I hope you feel something that really matters — at least where I come from in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Claymont, Delaware; it used to be a big steel town — pride — pride in America, pride in knowing we can get big things done when we work together.
From the White House…
12/08/2023:
12/09/2023:
- Remarks by President Biden on Investing in America | Las Vegas, NV; The YouTube is 30 minutes and 4 seconds long.
From Congress.gov.
11/15/2021:
Education Tweets
From Tuesday…
We’ve approved over a total of $132 billion in student debt cancellation for 3.6 million Americans through various actions.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 12, 2023
Getting student loan debt relief to borrowers that need it is about extending the power of possibilities to every American, not just those at the top.
We see HBCU excellence every day in America.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 12, 2023
But we all know that HBCUs don’t have the same endowments and funding as other major colleges and universities.
That’s why we’ve invested $7 billion in HBCUs. pic.twitter.com/XlFDvuRONc
The young people of America today are the most involved, the most generous, and the least prejudiced generation in American history.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 12, 2023
They’re one of many reasons that I’ve never been more optimistic about America’s prospects – and we’re investing in their future.
From the White House…
08/22/2023; SAVE Plan:
09/25/2023; HBCU:
- Remarks by President Biden and Vice President Harris Before Meeting with the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities; The YouTube is 16 minutes and 40 seconds long.
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