It’s Friday…
President Biden’s public schedule for 04/19/2024:
| 9:00 AM Presidential Daily Brief | The President receives the President’s Daily Brief South Grounds In-Town Travel Pool |
| 12:00 PM Remarks | The President delivers remarks at the IBEW Construction and Maintenance Conference In-Town Travel Pool |
| 1:25 PM Arrives at the White House | The President arrives at the White House South Grounds In-Town Travel Pool |
| 1:30 PM Press Briefing | Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre James S. Brady Press Briefing Room |
| 4:00 PM | Out-of-Town Pool Call Time Out-of-Town Pool |
| 5:10 PM Leaves the White House | The President departs the White House en route to Wilmington, Delaware South Lawn Open Press |
| 6:05 PM Arrives in Wilmington | The President arrives in Wilmington, Delaware |
President Biden Delivers Remarks at the IBEW Construction and Maintenance Conference @noon D.C., time:
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre @1:30 p.m. D.C., time:
National Security Supplemental Package Tweet
From Thursday…
The national security supplemental package will get urgent aid to Ukraine as they face continued bombardment from Russia.
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 18, 2024
I urge Congress to pass this package as soon as possible and show the world that America stands with our friends.
From the White House…
04/17/2024:
Statement from President Joe Biden on the House’s National Security Supplemental:
I strongly support this package to get critical support to Israel and Ukraine, provide desperately needed humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, and bolster security and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Israel is facing unprecedented attacks from Iran, and Ukraine is facing continued bombardment from Russia that has intensified dramatically in the last month.
The House must pass the package this week and the Senate should quickly follow. I will sign this into law immediately to send a message to the world: We stand with our friends, and we won’t let Iran or Russia succeed.
Statement from President Joe Biden on the House’s National Security Supplemental. 04/17/2024.
NEW — some clarity on Congress this weekend. 10:30 rule vote today
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) April 19, 2024
SATURDAY votes will begin around 1pm on foreign aid package. pic.twitter.com/rD0SYxWE0L
RULE is adopted pic.twitter.com/RY56l1i8QT
— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) April 19, 2024
Sanctions and Export Controls Tweet
From Thursday…
Iran recently launched one of the largest missile and drone attacks the world has ever seen against Israel.
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 18, 2024
Together with our allies and partners, the U.S. defended Israel, helping defeat this attack.
And today, we're holding Iran accountable with sanctions and export controls.
From the White House…
04/18/2024:
Statement from President Joe Biden on Iran Sanctions
Less than a week ago, Iran launched one of the largest missile and drone attacks the world has ever seen against Israel. Together with our allies and partners, the United States defended Israel. We helped defeat this attack. And today, we are holding Iran accountable—imposing new sanctions and export controls on Iran.
Statement from President Joe Biden on Iran Sanctions. 04/18/2024.
The sanctions target leaders and entities connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran’s Defense Ministry, and the Iranian government’s missile and drone program that enabled this brazen assault. As I discussed with my fellow G7 leaders the morning after the attack, we are committed to acting collectively to increase economic pressure on Iran. And our allies and partners have or will issue additional sanctions and measures to restrict Iran’s destabilizing military programs.
During my Administration, the United States has sanctioned over 600 individuals and entities—including Iran and its proxies, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Kataib Hezbollah. And we will keep at it. I’ve directed my team, including the Department of the Treasury, to continue to impose sanctions that further degrade Iran’s military industries.
Let it be clear to all those who enable or support Iran’s attacks: The United States is committed to Israel’s security. We are committed to the security of our personnel and partners in the region. And we will not hesitate to take all necessary action to hold you accountable.
From the Treasury Department…
04/18/2024:
Opening statement:
Today, in response to Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel on April 13, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is targeting 16 individuals and two entities enabling Iran’s UAV production, including engine types that power Iran’s Shahed variant UAVs, which were used in the April 13 attack. These actors work on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), its UAV production arm, Kimia Part Sivan Company (KIPAS), and other Iranian manufacturers of UAVs and UAV engines. OFAC is also designating five companies in multiple jurisdictions providing component materials for steel production to Iran’s Khuzestan Steel Company (KSC), one of Iran’s largest steel producers, or purchasing KSC’s finished steel products. Iran’s metals sector generates the equivalent of several billion dollars in revenue annually, with the majority coming from steel exports.
OFAC is also sanctioning three subsidiaries of Iranian automaker Bahman Group, which have continued to materially support the IRGC and other entities designated pursuant to counterterrorism authorities, including Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). Bahman Group itself is being concurrently designated for owning these entities.
Concurrent with this action, the United Kingdom is imposing sanctions targeting several Iranian military organizations, individuals and entities involved in Iran’s UAV and ballistic missile industries.
Treasury Targets Iranian UAV Program, Steel Industry, and Automobile Companies in Response to Unprecedented Attack on Israel. 04/18/2024.
On Thursday evening our time Israel conducted an airstrike on Iran, this morning our time Tehran is downplaying the strike according to Reuters–Tehran has indicated they have no plans to retaliate.
Investing in America/Economy Tweets
From Thursday…
Because of our investments in America and American workers, we’re in a stronger position than ever to win the economic competition of the 21st century.
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 18, 2024
Semi-related to…
Remarks by President Biden on New Actions to Protect U.S. Steel and Shipbuilding Industry from China’s Unfair Practices | Pittsburgh, PA; the YouTube is 24 minutes and 54 seconds long.
The bottom line is that I want fair competition with China, not conflict, and we’re in a stronger position to win the economic competition of the 21st century against China or anyone else because we’re investing in America and American workers again, finally. (Applause.)
Remarks by President Biden on New Actions to Protect U.S. Steel and Shipbuilding Industry from China’s Unfair Practices. 04/17/2024.
On my watch, unemployment has been below 4% for the longest stretch in more than 50 years.
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 18, 2024
Unemployment is low hovering around 3.9 percent…
Aprils job report will be released on 05/03/2024.
Care Workers Tweet
From Thursday…
In the United States of America, no one should choose between caring for a parent who raised them, a child who depends on them, or a paycheck that they need.
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 18, 2024
Remarks by President Biden on the Care Economy | Washington, D.C.; the YouTube is 18 minutes and 51 seconds long.
In the United States of America, no one — no one should choose between caring for a parent who’s raised them, a child who depends on them, or a paycheck that they need. (Applause.) That’s not why it should be — the way it should be.
Remarks by President Biden on the Care Economy | Washington, D.C.. 04/09/2024.
Alaska’s Arctic Land Tweets
From Friday…
America’s natural wonders and public lands are our nation’s heart and soul.
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 19, 2024
Here's the latest on my Administration's work to fight like hell to protect them:
We’ve now protected 41 million acres of American lands and waters since I took office – putting my Administration on a track to conserve more than any president in history.
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 19, 2024
Since I took office, my Administration has protected 41 million acres of America's natural wonders.
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 19, 2024
Head to https://t.co/4nPQOVjqZh to get the latest information, tools, resources, and opportunities to support land and water conservation projects in your neighborhood. pic.twitter.com/dJrGypsfV2
Statement from President Joe Biden on Protecting Alaska’s Arctic Lands, Waters, and Wildlife:
Alaska’s majestic and rugged lands and waters are among the most remarkable and healthy landscapes in the world, sustaining a vibrant subsistence economy for Alaska Native communities. These natural wonders demand our protection. I am proud that my Administration is taking action to conserve more than 13 million acres in the Western Arctic and to honor the culture, history, and enduring wisdom of Alaska Natives who have lived on and stewarded these lands since time immemorial. From safeguarding sacred lands near the Grand Canyon to protecting Alaskan treasures, my Administration has conserved more than 41 million acres of lands and waters. But as the climate crisis imperils communities across the country, more must be done. My Administration will continue to take ambitious action to meet the urgency of the climate crisis, protect America’s lands and waters, and fulfill our responsibility to the next generation of Americans.
Statement from President Joe Biden on Protecting Alaska’s Arctic Lands, Waters, and Wildlife. 04/19/2024.
“New” from the White House…
04/18/2024:
- Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby En Route Philadelphia, PA; the YouTube is 6 minutes and 25 seconds long.
- Remarks by President Biden at a Campaign Event | Philadelphia, PA; the YouTube is 32 minutes and 43 seconds long.
- Statement from National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Helicopter Crash in Kenya; Kenya’s Chief of Defense Forces General Francis Ogolla died on Thursday, after the helicopter he was in crashed shortly after takeoff. CNN says nine other members of the military were also killed while two others survived the crash.
This is an Open Thread.
