It’s Tuesday…
President Biden’s public schedule for 04/16/2024:
| 10:00 AM | In-Town Pool Call Time The White House In-Town Pool |
| 10:30 AM Presidential Daily Brief | The President and The Vice President receive the President’s Daily Brief Oval Office Closed Press |
| 11:00 AM | Out-of-Town Pool Call Time Joint Base Andrews Overhang Out-of-Town Pool |
| 11:55 AM Leaves the White House | The President departs the White House en route to Joint Base Andrews South Lawn Open Press |
| 12:15 PM Leaves Joint Base Andrews | The President departs Joint Base Andrews en route to Scranton, Pennsylvania Joint Base Andrews Out-of-Town Pool |
| 12:30 PM Press Gaggle | Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre will gaggle aboard Air Force One en route to Scranton, Pennsylvania Joint Base Andrews Out-of-Town Pool |
| 1:00 PM Arrives in Scranton | The President arrives in Scranton, Pennsylvania Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport, Avoca, PA Open Press |
| 2:00 PM Campaign Event | The President participates in a campaign event Scranton, PA Open Press |
| 5:40 PM Campaign Event | The President participates in a campaign event Scranton, PA Open Press |
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre Gaggle Aboard Air Force One En Route to Scranton, PA
Tax Day Tweet
From Monday…
It’s filing day, America!
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 15, 2024
Head to https://t.co/KUxmBYiWMe right now to see if you’re eligible to file your taxes for free. pic.twitter.com/LCHVG7ENjZ
From the White House…
04/15/2024:
The President and Vice President release their 2023 tax returns, setting new record for transparency:
Today, the President and First Lady released their 2023 federal income tax return. After restoring the bipartisan tradition of sharing presidential tax returns with the public, President Biden has now shared a total of 26 years of tax returns with the country. Once again demonstrating his commitment to being transparent with the American people, President Biden has released the most tax returns of any commander-in-chief while in office.
The President and Vice President release their 2023 tax returns, setting new record for transparency. 04/15/2024.
President Biden believes that all occupants of the Oval Office should be open and honest with the American people, and that the longstanding tradition of annually releasing presidential tax returns should continue unbroken.
The President and First Lady filed their income tax return jointly and reported federal adjusted gross income of $619,976. They paid $146,629 in federal income tax, and their 2023 effective federal income tax rate is 23.7 percent.
The President and First Lady also reported contributions of $20,477 to 17 different charities. Among those gifts to charity was a $5,000 contribution to the Beau Biden Foundation, a public charity dedicated to ensuring that all children are free from the threat of abuse. They also donated to St. Joseph on the Brandywine, their home parish, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and the National Fraternal Order of Police Foundation, among other charities.
The President and First Lady also released their Delaware income tax return and reported paying $30,908 in Delaware income tax. The First Lady also released her Virginia income tax return and reported paying $3,549 in Virginia income tax.
View the President and First Lady’s tax returns here.
The Vice President and the Second Gentleman also released their 2023 federal income tax return, as well as state income tax returns for California and the District of Columbia. Including today’s release, the Vice President has published 20 years of tax returns.
The Vice President and the Second Gentleman reported federal adjusted gross income of $450,299. They paid $88,570 in federal income tax, amounting to a 2023 effective federal income tax rate of 19.7 percent. They also paid $15,167 in California income tax, and Mr. Emhoff paid $11,599 in District of Columbia income tax. They contributed $23,026 to charity in 2023.
View the Vice President and Second Gentleman’s tax returns here.
Bilateral Meetings Tweets
From Monday…
Today, I met with Prime Minister Sudani of Iraq for a wide-ranging conversation on our vision for a broad, multifaceted relationship.
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 15, 2024
The conversation ranged from regional stability and expanding opportunities for Iraqi families to reinforcing Iraq’s sovereignty and security. pic.twitter.com/9OAD8IgeHv
From the White House…
04/15/2024:
Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Mohammed Shyaa al-Sudani of the Republic of Iraq Before Bilateral Meeting; the YouTube is 12 minutes and 2 seconds long.
Joint Statement from the Leaders of the United States and the Republic of Iraq:
Today, the President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden Jr., welcomed the Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, Mohammed Shia’a Al-Sudani, to the White House. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the enduring strategic partnership between Iraq and the United States and discussed their visions for comprehensive bilateral cooperation under the 2008 U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement. The President and Prime Minister agreed on the importance of working together to advance regional stability and reinforce and respect Iraqi sovereignty, stability, and security.
President Biden and Prime Minister Sudani affirmed that a diversified and growing Iraqi economy, integrated with the region and the global economic system, is the foundation for lasting stability in the region and prosperity for the Iraqi people. The two leaders exchanged views on how political, economic, and security cooperation between the United States and Iraq could advance shared goals, including the development of a strong and stable Iraqi nation that promotes peace and progress throughout the broader Middle East.
Energy and Environment
President Biden applauded Iraq’s progress towards energy self-sufficiency, and the two leaders discussed Prime Minister Sudani’s interest in future opportunities for cooperation to ensure Iraq becomes self-sufficient by 2030, with help from U.S. companies. President Biden affirmed continued U.S. support for Iraq’s efforts to modernize its energy sector, reduce methane emissions, improve public health, more reliably provide electricity for the Iraqi people, and complete the electrical grid connections with neighboring countries, including the ongoing efforts to connect Iraq’s grid with Jordan and GCC countries. The two leaders discussed future plans to develop Iraq’s resources in a manner that ensures all Iraqis benefit from their country’s natural wealth, consistent with Iraq’s constitution.
Prime Minister Sudani and President Biden affirmed the importance of ensuring Iraqi oil can reach international markets and expressed their desire to reopen the Iraq-Turkiye Pipeline.
Regional Integration and Political Cooperation
President Biden reaffirmed U.S. support for Iraq in strengthening relations with the international community and states of the region to ensure security, stability, and enhanced prosperity for its peoples. President Biden pledged continued U.S. support for greater economic integration of Iraq with the Middle East region.
President Biden and Prime Minister Sudani discussed their shared view that the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) is integral to Iraq’s overall prosperity and stability. In that vein, the President commended the Prime Minister’s and Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) efforts to reach durable agreements that resolve longstanding challenges, including the recent arrangement to pay two months of KRG civil servant salaries, and encouraged continued progress. The President also affirmed U.S. support for strengthening democracy in Iraq, including free, fair, and transparent regional elections in the IKR.
Economy and Finance
President Biden and Prime Minister Sudani discussed Iraq’s progressive efforts to reform the financial and banking sector to connect Iraq to the international economy and increase trade while shielding the Iraqi people from the harmful impacts of corruption and money-laundering. Through 2023 and 2024, banks in Iraq have expanded their correspondent relationships with international financial institutions to enable trade financing, with the majority of trade finance now occurring through these channels. The two leaders affirmed the importance of these and other measures to improve the investment climate in Iraq to attract foreign capital and promote economic growth. The United States and Iraq commit to strengthen their cooperation to achieve greater transparency and collaboration against money-laundering, financing terrorism, fraud, corruption, and sanctionable activity that could undermine the integrity of both countries’ financial systems. The two sides also committed to support the Central Bank of Iraq to fully wind down the wire auction mechanism by the end of 2024 and transition to direct correspondent relationships between Iraqi and international banks, a transformation that will connect Iraqi people and businesses with the international economy.
The Lasting Defeat of ISIS
President Biden and Prime Minister Sudani discussed their commitment to a stable and secure Iraq. They agreed that Iraq’s security forces must be able to ensure that ISIS can never again reconstitute inside Iraq to threaten the Iraqi people, the region, or the international community, including the United States. President Biden reiterated his belief that a strong Iraq, capable of self-defense, is critical to regional stability and committed to bolstering the capabilities of security forces across all of Iraq to secure the country’s territory and people.
Nearly ten years after establishing the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, the two leaders discussed the Coalition’s successes in both Iraq and Syria, where all Iraqi security forces including in Kurdistan were critical to the territorial defeat of ISIS. Both leaders paid tribute to the sacrifices made by Iraqi, United States, and other friendly countries’ military personnel serving side-by-side as partners during the historic campaign against ISIS, as well as the civilians killed by ISIS, including the massacres at Camp Speicher, Mount Sinjar, and Hit. Prime Minister Sudani emphasized the national effort that was required to defeat ISIS and discussed his affirmative agenda to continue rebuilding Iraq and restore its position as an engine of stability and growth for the broader Middle East. President Biden noted that the enduring defeat of ISIS would help ensure Iraq’s, the region’s, and the world’s security in the future, as well as its ability to fulfill the Iraqi people’s aspirations to develop economically, attract foreign investment, and provide regional leadership.
Enduring Bilateral Security Cooperation
President Biden and Prime Minister Sudani also discussed the natural evolution of the global D-ISIS Coalition in light of the significant progress that has been made in ten years. The two leaders expressed their commitment to the ongoing Higher Military Commission (HMC) process and its results, and the three working groups that will assess: the continued threat from ISIS, operational and environmental requirements, and bolstering Iraq’s security force capabilities. The two leaders affirmed they would review these factors to determine when and how the mission of the Global Coalition in Iraq would end, and transition in an orderly manner to enduring bilateral security partnerships, in accordance with Iraq’s Constitution and the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement.
The leaders further affirmed their intent to convene later this year the U.S.-Iraq Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue (JSCD) for talks on the future of the bilateral security partnership.
Strategic and Enduring Partnership
President Biden and Prime Minister Sudani renewed their commitment to bilateral partnership for the benefit of their two nations and decided to expand cooperation in all areas discussed in the Higher Coordinating Committee (HCC) meetings co-chaired by the U.S. Secretary of State and Iraqi Minister of Planning. The two leaders affirmed their intent to continue their consultations on a shared vision for comprehensive, productive partnership to advance common goals.
Joint Statement from the Leaders of the United States and the Republic of Iraq. 04/15/2024.
I met with Prime Minister Fiala to celebrate the Czech Republic’s 25th anniversary in NATO and our defense partnership.
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 16, 2024
We discussed support for Ukraine because Czechs know Putin’s ambitions don’t end there.
Together, we’re committed to bolstering freedom for people everywhere. pic.twitter.com/uoAmsaiol0
From the White House…
04/15/2024:
- Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Petr Fiala of the Czech Republic Before Bilateral Meeting; the YouTube is 6 minutes and 20 seconds long.
Readout of President Biden’s Meeting with Prime Minister Petr Fiala of the Czech Republic
President Biden welcomed Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala to the White House today. President Biden congratulated the Czech Republic, a stalwart Ally, on celebrating 25 years in NATO and on the recent passage of legislation requiring it to spend at least 2 percent of its GDP on defense. The leaders reaffirmed their iron-clad commitment to the NATO Alliance, which makes us all safer. President Biden also welcomed the Czech decision earlier this year to purchase 24 U.S. F-35s, a $4.5 billion deal that contributes to U.S. jobs, bolsters the Czech Republic’s defense modernization, and deepens the U.S.-Czech defense relationship.
The leaders underscored their unwavering support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s brutal invasion. They also coordinated on challenges in the Middle East. The two condemned the blatant and unprecedented attacks against Israel by Iran and its proxies. They also discussed Israel’s right to self-defense against the threats it faces in accordance with international law and efforts to expand humanitarian aid to Gaza. The leaders also spoke about the U.S.-Czech energy security relationship, deepening strategic ties, and shared democratic values. President Biden and Prime Minister Fiala also announced their countries’ intent to sign a memorandum of understanding on countering foreign information manipulation that will help defend democratic institutions from foreign disinformation.
Readout of President Biden’s Meeting with Prime Minister Petr Fiala of the Czech Republic.
Semiconductor Tweet
From Monday…
In 2022, I traveled to Samsung’s campus in the Republic of Korea; today, I’m announcing a preliminary agreement between Samsung and @CommerceGov to bring advanced semiconductor manufacturing and R&D to Texas.
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 15, 2024
That means $40+ billion and 21,500 jobs are headed our way. pic.twitter.com/6EMYovXUQg
Statement from President Joe Biden on CHIPS and Science Act Preliminary Agreement with Samsung:
I signed the CHIPS and Science Act to restore U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and ensure America’s consumers, businesses, and military maintain access to the chips that underpin our modern technology. But well before the law was passed, I was working to address our supply chain vulnerabilities. This included my trip to the Republic of Korea (ROK), where I visited Samsung’s Pyeongtaek campus to see one of the largest semiconductor manufacturing facilities in the world.
Now, nearly two years later, I’m pleased to announce a preliminary agreement between Samsung and the Department of Commerce to bring Samsung’s advanced semiconductor manufacturing and research and development to Texas. This announcement, will unleash over $40 billion in investment from Samsung, and cement central Texas’s role as a state-of-the-art semiconductor ecosystem, creating at least 21,500 jobs and leveraging up to $40 million in CHIPS funding to train and develop the local workforce. These facilities will support the production of some of the most powerful chips in the world, which are essential to advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and will bolster U.S. national security.
Today’s announcement of Samsung’s investment in the United States is another example of how my Investing in America agenda and the U.S.-ROK Alliance is creating opportunity in every corner of the country.
Statement from President Joe Biden on CHIPS and Science Act Preliminary Agreement with Samsung. 04/15/2024.
Campaign to Save the Affordable Connectivity Program Tweet
From Tuesday…
Congressional Republicans call my Affordable Connectivity Program – the plan responsible for getting 23 million households affordable internet – 'wasteful.'
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 16, 2024
Tell that to the mom who used to park outside a restaurant so her child could get online and do homework.
Good luck with getting anything done in this R majority Congress…
I just told Mike Johnson in conference that I’m cosponsoring the Motion to Vacate that was introduced by @RepMTG.
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) April 16, 2024
He should pre-announce his resignation (as Boehner did), so we can pick a new Speaker without ever being without a GOP Speaker.
“New” from the White House…
04/15/2024:
04/16/2024:
This is an Open Thread.
