President Biden in Brussels | Mar. 25, 2022

 MARCH 24, 2022

President Biden Holds News Conference in Brussels
​President Biden announced the United States would provide more than $1 billion in humanitarian aid to Ukraine during a press conference in Brussels after meeting with NATO allies. The president also announced the U.S. will welcome 100,000 Ukrainian refugees into the United States, and levy additional sanctions against 400 Russians. When asked if he believes Russia should be removed from the G-20, President Biden responded, “My answer is, yes. That depends on the G-20.”

President Biden Holds a Press Conference
Mar 25, 2022

Remarks by President Biden in Press Conference

MARCH 24, 2022•SPEECHES AND REMARKSNATO Headquarters

Brussels, Belgium
6:32 P.M. CET
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Good evening, everyone.  With all the press that’s here, you must be getting very tired.  Am I the 16th or 17th?  At any rate, all kidding aside, thank you for taking the time.

I — today marks one month since Russia began its carnage in Ukraine, the brutal invasion of Ukraine.  And we held a NATO summit the very next day.  At that time, my overwhelming objective, wanting that summit, was to have absolute unity on three key important issues among our NATO and European allies.

First was to support Ukraine with military and humanitarian assistance. 

Second was to impose the most significant — the most significant sanctions — economic sanction regime ever, in order to cripple Putin’s economy and punish him for his actions.

Third was to fortify the eastern flank of our NATO Allies, who were obviously very, very concerned and somewhat at — worried what would happen.

We accomplished all three of these.  And today, we’re determined to sustain those efforts and to build on them.

The United States has committed to provide over $2 billion in military equipment to Ukraine since I became President — anti-air systems, anti-armor systems, ammunition.  And our weapons are flowing into Ukraine as I speak.

And today, I’m announcing the United States have prepared to commit more than $1 billion in humanitarian assistance to help get relief to millions of Ukrainians affected by the war in Ukraine.

Many Ukrainian refugees will wish to stay in Europe, closer to their homes.  But we’ve also — will welcome 100,000 Ukrainians to the United States with a focus on reuniting families. 

And we will invest $320 million to bolster democratic resilience and defend human rights in Ukraine and neighboring countries.

We’re also coordinating with the G7 and the European Union on food security, as well as energy security, and I’ll have more to say about that tomorrow.

We’re also announcing new sanctions of more than 400 individuals and entities aligned with — in alignment with the European Union: more than 300 members of the Duma, oligarchs, and Russian defense companies that fuel the Russian war machine.

In addition to the 100,000 U.S. forces now stationed in Europe to defend NATO territory, NATO established, as you already know, four new battle groups in Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Slovakia to reinforce the eastern front.

Putin was banking on NATO being split.  In my early conversation with him in December and early January, it was clear to me he didn’t think we could sustain this cohesion.

NATO has never, never been more united than it is today.  Putin is getting exactly the opposite of what he intended to have as a consequence of going into Ukraine. 

​We built that same unity with our European — the European Union and with the leading democracies of the G7 — in the G7. 

So I want to thank you, and I’ll be now happy to take your questions.  Since there’s so many people out there, I’m going to — I’ve been given a list...     more 

MARCH 24, 2022
Senator Bennet Meeting with Supreme Court Nominee Judge Jackson
​Judiciary Committee member Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) meets with Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as confirmation hearings on her nomination conclude.

MARCH 24, 2022 | PART OF U.S. SENATEU.S. Senate
Senator Durbin on Nomination of Judge Jackson to Supreme Court
​Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the floor of the Senate in response to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) opposition to Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.

WATCH: Durbin and Cruz spar over release of pre-sentencing reports in Jackson cases​
Mar 24, 2022

As the Senate Judiciary Committee continued its Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on March 23, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said that he received a letter signed by 10 Republican members who voiced concerns over whether they have access to the same information that’s been given to Democrats and the White House. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., was the lone Republican on the committee who didn’t sign the letter.

​Durbin affirmed that Republicans, Democrats and the White House are all privy to the same information.

He added that he is opposed to the letter’s request for pre-sentence reports from some of Jackson’s cases, which are typically filed under seal and “can contain highly sensitive personal information not just about the defendant, but about innocent third parties and victims.”

“I would not want it weighing on my conscience that we are turning over these pre-sentence reports to this committee — for the first time in history — and that information out of this or because it was released would somehow compromise or endanger any victim as a result of it,” Durbin added.

He emphasized that examining pre-sentencing reports is a “critical policy question” that goes far beyond Jackson’s nomination. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, responded to Durbin, saying that he wrote the letter in question.

He argued that Jackson herself said that members did not have the necessary information to assess her sentencing decisions in the absence of reports from the probation office.

Cruz added that he’s “confident” his fellow members would be willing to redact any personal information from victims within those reports, and said they have the statutory authority to make their request. Sen.

Mike Lee, R-Utah, also noted that it’s not unusual for members of the committee to review sensitive materials, and said that he and his colleagues would be happy to review redacted versions of the pre-sentencing reports.

“Not one of us wants to endanger anyone or render public information that is sensitive in nature,” Lee said, adding there are “abundant ways around that.”

But Durbin remained firm in his opposition to the release of those reports, adding that he doubts they would change any members’ mind in terms of how they plan to vote on Jackson’s nomination.

“I am not going to be party to turning over this information and endangering the life of an innocent person for a political quest to find more information,” Durbin said. “We have exhausted this topic, we’ve gone through it over and over again.

And I think this is a bridge too far for this committee.” Wednesday was senators’ final day to question Jackson, who was nominated by President Joe Biden in February to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.

If confirmed, she will be the first Black woman on the high court. On the final day of the hearings March 24, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear from friends and colleagues of Jackson about her temperament and approach to the law.

MARCH 24, 2022
President Biden Meeting with EU Council President
​President Biden met with EU Council President Charles Michel in Brussels ahead of a meeting on the war in Ukraine.

EU Summit: Boris Johnson left out in cold as bloc opens doors to Joe Biden

​The EU has snubbed Boris Johnson by leaving him out in the cold during today's EU summit - while extending an invite to US President Joe Biden.

Mar 24 - The EU summit is one of three key meetings of world leaders taking place in Brussels today - to discuss a "united" strategy to support Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion. Mr Johnson will play a key part in both the NATO and G7 summits. But the EU has snubbed the Prime Minister by blocking his attendance - despite inviting President Biden. There is speculation the Prime Minister's comments over the weekend comparing the war in Ukraine to Brexit played a role.     quoted from Express

​Francesca Edwards
Ukraine 'should look at Europe as its home'

Ukraine "should look at Europe as its home", says European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. 

​Metsola said: "Naturally this is a process, but today what we need is to make sure that the strongest message is maintained and is kept.”

She added that it would be a big mistake “if that was not what emerged from tonight.”

Francesca Edwards
'Putin's objective is to 'break up NATO'- Biden

President Biden has arrived at the European Council summit where he was greeted by President of the European Council Charles Michel. 

Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aim “since the beginning” has been to “break up NATO.”

He said: “His overwhelming objective is to demonstrate that democracies cannot function in the 21st century … and autocracies are going to rule."

He added that NATO, the G7 and the European Union are "vital" in the fight against Putin. 

Saint Patrick’s Day | Mar. 18, 2022

 MARCH 17, 2022President Biden Hosts Shamrock Bowl Presentation

​President Biden and first lady Jill Biden mark Saint Patrick’s Day with an East Room ceremony and presentation of the Shamrock Bowl.

WATCH LIVE: President Biden hosts White House Shamrock presentation celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day
March 17, 2022

Remarks by President Biden at the Presentation of the Shamrocks

​MARCH 17, 2022•SPEECHES AND REMARKSEast Room

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Well, Happy Saint Patrick’s Day, everyone.  It’s great to see you all here.  And last year, because of the pandemic, the Taoiseach and I had to hold our meeting virtually. 

How you doing, pal?  We got all the Irish here today.  (Laughter.)

And this is the first year we’ve had to make some last-minute adjustments as well.  Sadly, the Taoiseach and Ms. Martin are not able to join us today, but they both sent their love and their message for this occasion.

And I spoke with the Taoiseach at length this morning, and we had a virtual meeting — bilateral meeting.  He is feeling well.  And I share his disappointment that we weren’t able to have our meetings in person as we had planned.

This year marks the 70th year of Ireland sending shamrocks to the White House and — to celebrate the friendship between our nations and the bond — the bond that has been strengthened by generations of Irish Americans. 

Apparently, President Truman was away when the Irish ambassador dropped off the first bowl of shamrocks in — and that’s why I just removed his bust from my office.  (Laughter.)  That’s a joke.  That’s a joke.  That’s a joke.  (Laughter.)  I didn’t do that.  I didn’t do that.  (Laughter.)  I’m sure he would have been there had he known.  (Laughter.)     more

MARCH 17, 2022
White House Daily Briefing
​White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki held a briefing to discuss the administration’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and other priorities. Topics discussed included the president’s upcoming call with Chinese President Xi, COVID-19 precautions, and negotiations over the Iran nuclear deal.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, March 17, 2022

​MARCH 17, 2022•PRESS BRIEFINGS

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

MS. PSAKI:  Hi, everyone.  Sorry, I think I jumped the two-minute gun.  I was just excited to see you all on St. Patrick’s Day. 

Okay, a couple of items for all of you at the top.  Today, we wanted to highlight the strong unemployment claim data out this morning.  In a little over a year, President Biden has brought the American labor market back to one of its strongest positions in history, driving a robust recovery from the economic catastrophe he inherited. 

The number of new jobless claims Americans filing for unemployment for the first time fell below the pre-pandemic average in 2019.  And the number of Americans who have been receiving unemployment benefits for more than a week fell to the lowest level since 1970. 

Three hundred thousand fewer Americans are receiving unemployment claims now than before the pandemic.  That means more Americans are getting back to work and fewer are drawing governmental — government benefits.  

As we’ve said many times, the data can be volatile week to week or month to month, so it’s important to focus on the broader trends.  And those trends show remarkable progress across our economy over the last year, including the fastest year of job growth in U.S. history with 7.4 million jobs created and unemployment down to 3.8 percent. 

I also wanted to mark another historic milestone of 500 million vaccines that we have distributed to the world — an unprecedented campaign reaching 113 countries, something that has never been done before.  

We did not get here by accident.  This is a testament to the same whole-of-government effort we applied domestically, navigating logistical, legal, and regulatory processes to get lifesaving vaccines across the world.    more

MARCH 17, 2022
​Friends of Ireland Luncheon
President Biden spoke on his Irish heritage while delivering remarks at the annual Friends of the Ireland luncheon hosted by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) at the U.S. Capitol. He also addressed Ireland’s support for the people of Ukraine and the impact Irish immigrants, and those from other countries, have had in the United States. 

Remarks by President Biden at the Annual Friends of Ireland Luncheon

MARCH 17, 2022•SPEECHES AND REMARKS

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you very much, Nancy.  That was very kind.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Thanks.

Father, before I begin — bless me, Father, for I’m about to sin.  (Laughter.)  I — well, I just want you to know, I may be Irish, but I’m not stupid.  I married Dominic Giacoppa’s daughter.  (Laughter.)  Okay?  (Inaudible.)

Look, thank you very much, Nancy, for that very gracious and very over-the-top introduction.  I appreciate it very much. 
You know, I just got off the — on the way up, before I came up here, I was on the Zoom, as we say, with the Taoiseach for about 45 minutes.  And he is — he’s looking well, he feels well.  He’s tested positive, but he feels well.  He looks good.  And he wanted to — I know the Ambassador is here to bring his regards, but he is — he’s really sorry he can’t be here, and he was looking forward to it, as was his wife.

You know, the good spirits and feelings, as well, that exist on St. Patrick’s Day seems to be one of those few times and not — well, not — I shouldn’t say “a few” — we should have more times like this where Democrats and Republicans get together, and we actually not only agree on one thing, but we remind ourselves we actually like each other.  (Laughs.)  And it’s a useful thing.  (Applause.)  And, I —     more
​

MARCH 17, 2022
​President Biden Meets with Taoiseach of Ireland
President Biden applauded the Taoiseach of Ireland, Prime Minister Micheál Martin, for his country’s condemnation of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine during a virtual meeting at the White House. The Prime Minister, who was unable to attend in person after a COVID-19 diagnosis, said “I think it’s extremely important that we keep this unity of purpose,” while discussing Russia’s aggression. President Biden also touched on climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the contributions of Irish immigrants to the United States. 

Readout of President Biden’s Virtual Meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin of Ireland

MARCH 17, 2022•STATEMENTS AND RELEASES
​
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met virtually today with Taoiseach Micheál Martin of Ireland, upholding a longstanding White House tradition on St. Patrick’s Day that symbolizes the deep ties and historic partnership between our countries. The President expressed regret that he and the Taoiseach were unable to meet in person and wished him a speedy recovery. The leaders discussed the coordinated international response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war in Ukraine, including the imposition of significant economic costs on Russia and the provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine who are displaced by the conflict. They welcomed the growing trade and investment ties between our countries, as well as our close cooperation on shared global challenges, including through the United Nations Security Council.  The leaders also underscored their enduring commitment to the Good Friday Agreement (also known as the Belfast Agreement) and the importance of preserving political and economic stability in Northern Ireland.

After the bilateral meeting, the President attended the traditional St. Patrick’s Day Speaker’s Lunch on Capitol Hill, hosted by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. In the evening, the President and the First Lady will host at the White House the presentation of the shamrocks, a gesture of friendship and goodwill between the United States and Ireland that dates back to 1952.

White House Summit: Developing a Bold Decadal Vision for Commercial Fusion Energy
Mar 18, 2022
Watch as the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) hosts a summit on Developing a Bold Decadal Vision for Commercial Fusion Energy. This summit will convene fusion energy leaders from government, industry, academia, and other stakeholder groups to showcase progress made and have inclusive conversations about an updated fusion strategy. The event is led by White House and DOE leaders, including: - Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Secretary of Energy - Gina McCarthy, National Climate Advisor - Dr. Alondra Nelson, Head of OSTP and Deputy Assistant to the President - Brenda Mallory, Chair of Council on Environmental Quality - Dr. Geraldine Richmond, DOE Under Secretary for Science and Innovation - Shalanda Baker, DOE Secretarial Advisor on Equity and Deputy Director for Energy Justice in the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity - Dr. Sally Benson, OSTP Deputy Director for Energy and Chief Strategist for the Energy Transition Fusion – the same reaction that powers the sun – has the potential to be a game-changing technology to help us achieve net-zero by 2050, protect national security, and enhance U.S. technology leadership. Decades of public investment, rapid growth in private investment, and major recent scientific advances suggest that now is the time to quickly move toward demonstrating commercial fusion energy.

White House Summit: Developing a Bold Decadal Vision for Commercial Fusion Energy
​
Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM ET

Watch live as the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) host a summit on Developing a Bold Decadal Vision for Commercial Fusion Energy. This summit will convene fusion energy leaders from government, industry, academia, and other stakeholder groups to showcase progress made and have inclusive conversations about an updated fusion strategy.

See the full agenda below or download it here . The event will be livestreamed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUknjLH4HEo.

Fusion – the same reaction that powers the sun – has the potential to be a game-changing technology to help us achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, increase energy security, and enhance U.S. technology leadership. Decades of public investment, billions of dollars of new private investment, and major recent scientific advances suggest that now is the time to move boldly to accelerate development of commercial fusion energy.
 
See the White House Fact Sheet on Developing a Bold Decadal Vision for Commercial Fusion Energy here...     more

MARCH 17, 2022
​Secretary of State Blinken Holds News Conference
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a briefing with the press that he agreed with President Biden that war crimes have been committed in Ukraine. “Intentionally targeting civilians is a war crime. After all the destruction of the past three weeks, I find it difficult to conclude that the Russians are doing otherwise,” said the secretary. He went on to discuss Russia’s potential use of chemical warfare, the impact of sanctions on Russia, additional military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and recent attacks on journalists.

Secretary Antony J. Blinken at a Press Availability

​REMARKS TO THE PRESS
ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE
PRESS BRIEFING ROOM
WASHINGTON, D.C.
MARCH 17, 2022

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Good afternoon, everyone.
Three weeks ago, Russia launched its unprovoked war on Ukraine.
With every day that passes, the numbers of civilians, including children, killed and wounded continues to climb.
Russia continues to attack civilian sites, including – this week alone – a hospital, three schools, a boarding school for visually impaired kids in the Luhansk region of Ukraine.
Yesterday Russian forces bombed a theater in Mariupol, where hundreds of people had been taking shelter.
The word “children” had been written in Russian in giant white letters on the pavement outside the building, so that you could know from the air that there were children inside.
Russian forces also opened fire on 10 civilians in who were waiting in line for bread.
These incidents join a long list of attacks on civilian – not military – locations across Ukraine, including apartment buildings, public squares, and, last week, a maternity hospital in Mariupol.
I doubt that any of us who saw those images will ever forget them.
We’ve seen Russia use similar tactics before in Grozny and Aleppo.  They stepped up their bombardment with the goal of breaking the will of the people.
Yesterday President Biden said that, in his opinion, war crimes have been committed in Ukraine.
Personally, I agree.
Intentionally targeting civilians is a war crime.
After all the destruction of the past three weeks, I find it difficult to conclude that the Russians are doing otherwise.
The consequences of Moscow’s war are being felt around the world – in rising food costs, concerns about fuel supplies, more broadly in worries about how this war will affect the global economy and the fight against COVID-19.
These are serious issues that the global community urgently needs to address.  This war is making that much more difficult.
In this way, Russia’s actions are having an impact on every person on the planet, wherever they live...     more

DNC Winter Meeting | Mar. 11, 2022

 Biden rejects Republican criticism of his energy policy

Mar. 10-  President Joe Biden on Thursday rejected Republican accusations that he is holding back production of oil in the United States amid a ban on Russian oil imports that is helping drive up the cost of gasoline.

​In remarks to the winter meeting of the Democratic National Committee, Biden said Americans are feeling the pain at the pump from a spike in gas prices because of Russia's war on Ukraine but "they know that as painful as the price is today, the costs are going to be higher if we do not act now" against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

​The United States has imposed several rafts of sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine two weeks ago, including Biden on Tuesday imposing an immediate ban on Russian oil and other energy imports.

Republicans have accused Biden of slowing energy production as he tries to turn the United States toward greener policies and that this is a chief factor in rising prices.

Biden blamed the spike on "Putin's price hikes" and that oil companies need no incentive to produce more.

"The CEOs of major oil companies have said they'll increase investment and production. They have the capacity to do it," he said.

He also warned against profiteering in a time of war.

"In this time of war, it's not a time of profit. It's time for reinvesting in America," said Biden.

Democrats are searching for a way to hold on to control of the U.S. Congress in November congressional elections.

The party holding the White House in the first congressional elections after a presidential election typically loses seats. Republicans say they are confident about making gains.

​Biden said if Democrats do not hold on to Congress "it's going to be a sad, sad two years" until the 2024 presidential election.     Source from Reuters

MARCH 10, 2022
​President Biden Delivers Remarks at DNC Winter Meeting
President Biden touted his accomplishments for the American people thus far in his presidency but stressed there’s more work to be done and urged all Democrats to vote in the upcoming midterm elections. This call to head to the polls came during remarks at the Democratic National Committee’s winter meeting in Washington, DC. President Biden said Democrats must retain control of Congress so that the democratic agenda can continue forward. He warned if Democrats lose, it would be a “sad” final two years of his presidency.

JUST IN: 'Republicans Are Playing A Game': Biden Delivers Remarks On Oil At DNC Winter Meeting
Mar 11, 2022
Thursday, President Biden delivered remarks on Ukraine, oil prices and price gouging at DNC winter meeting.

Remarks by President Biden at the Democratic National Committee’s Winter Meeting

MARCH 10, 2022•SPEECHES AND REMARKSWashington Hilton
Washington, D.C.

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, hello, hello.  (Applause.)  Great to see you all.

AUDIENCE:  Joe!  Joe!  Joe!

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  (Applause.)  Please, sit down.  Thank you so much.

Jaime just gave my speech, so thank you.  (Laughter.)

Thank you, Jaime, for that introduction and for all you’ve done for the party.  And thank all of the leaders of the DNC and the staff. 

Look, to all of you today, there are so, so many friends here tonight.  And if I mentioned every one by name, we’d be here all night.  But let me start by saying thank you.  Thank you.

And excuse me, as we used to say in the Senate, a point of personal privilege, I want to say thank you to the Delaware delegation.  They brung me to the — (applause) — stand up.  The Delaware folks, stand up.  (Applause.)

Betsy Maron, Chair of the Party.  Coby Owens, Vice Chair.  Sean Finnigan, staff for the House of Representatives.  And my good friend to Beau, Sarah McBride, who used to work for Beau.  And Molly Magarik as well.  And a great friend — Brian McGlinchey, who’s basically family.  And Bonnie Wu, a Director of Tom Carper’s office; most importantly, she helped my son Beau get elected to Attorney General, so she has a place in the heart of every Biden.  (Applause.)

Look, coming out of the State of the Union, we are in the strongest position we’ve been in in months.  We have a record — a record to be proud of; an agenda that addresses the biggest concerns here in America, in people’s lives; the message that resonates.

​And now — now what we have to do is we have to sell it with confidence, clarity, conviction, and repetition.  (Applause.)
Folks, on Ukraine, Putin was counting on a divided NATO, a divided West, and, quite frankly, a divided America.  But he got none of that.

In fact, he’s now facing a more united, energized, resolute NATO and the West than he ever, ever imagined.  (Applause.)  And he’s failed to divide Democrats and Republicans.

But we need to be honest with the American people: The battle for freedom has its costs here at home, as well.  People already — already feeling Putin’s price hikes at the pump.

​I think the American people know how important this fight is.  I think they know that as painful as the price is today, the costs are going to be higher if we do not act now to deal with this tyrant.

So let me be clear on the facts: We are increasing oil production with a record productivity.  By the end of the year, we will have produced more oil than any time in the last number of years...     more

MARCH 10, 2022
President Biden Meets with Colombian President
​President Biden holds a bilateral meeting with Colombian President Iván Duque Márquez at the White House.

Remarks by President Biden and President Duque of the Republic of Colombia Before Bilateral Meeting

MARCH 10, 2022•SPEECHES AND REMARKSCabinet Room

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Welcome, folks.  I’m honored to welcome President Duque here today.  He’s my friend.  We’ve known each other for a long while.  And we were reminiscing about how far back we go and — and how he — he knew Beau when — he met Beau when he was here.  
And as you know, Mr. President, I’ve been deeply engaged with the relationship with Colombia for a long time, going back more than 20 years to that old Plan Colombia.  And, in fact, we first met visiting Bogota, I think it was 2018 --
PRESIDENT DUQUE:  Yes.
PRESIDENT BIDEN:  — you and I.

And I’m proud that we’ve been able to work together during my first year of my administration and to continue strengthening what I consider to be — and I’ve said many times over the years — the essential partnership we need in this hemisphere.
Colombia is the linchpin, in my view, to the whole hemisphere — north and south.  I really mean it.  And — and it’s an essential partnership.

​And I want to thank you for immediately condemning Russia’s unjustifiable invasion and the atrocities they are committing in Ukraine, and calling for the withdrawal of Russian troops.  Not everyone in the hemisphere or anywhere else has done that, and I want to thank you for that.

It’s not just a threat to Europe and Ukraine, but it’s a threat to the international peace and stability.  And so, Colombia — Colombia’s voice is making it clear that you share our view and that there’s a lot more at stake than just the immediate undertaking. 

The American people and the entire world have rallied to support the Ukrainian people.  We have donated, thus far, a billion dollars in security assistance and more shipments of defensive equipment are on the way as I speak.  We’re coordinating deliveries of anti-armor and anti-air capabilities with a wide range of our allies and — and partners, and we’re providing tens of thousands of tons of humanitarian needs, from food, water, and medicine.

And Vice President Harris, today, is in Poland, where she announced that we’ll be contributing another $53 million to the

World Food Programme and other humanitarian organizations to support those displaced from their homes.  And she also announced the delivery of Patriot missile battery to support our NATO Allies in Poland.

And our economic sanctions are crippling the Russian economy right now.  The ruble has lost half its value.  It now would take literally almost 200 rubles to equal $1 because of how it’s been so damaging.  

The ruble is — any — we cut off U.S. imports of Russian oil and gas, targeting the main artery of Russia’s economy.  

And last night, the House of Representatives passed a bill that included more than $13 billion in Ukrainian assistance.  

And the United States and the people around the world are going to continue to support the Ukrainian people, I believe, as they defend their country.  Ukraine will never, never be a victory for Putin.

Now, I’ve said for a long time, Colombia is the keystone to our shared efforts to build a hemisphere that is prosperous, secure, and democratic.  And we talked about the struggle of democracies in the 21st century.  

And I want to thank you, Mr. President, for your leadership on issues that matter to everyone in this region: combating the pandemic, advancing health security, taking on the climate crisis with urgency and genuine ambition, and for welcoming refugees from Venezuela and working toward an orderly, secure, and humane way to tackle the unprecedented levels of migration...      more

MARCH 10, 2022
​Hearing on Russia Weaponizing Energy in War
The Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee holds a hearing on weaponizing energy in the Russian-Ukraine war.

Sen. Manchin calls on oil companies to ‘put production before profits’
W.Va. Democrat says Biden should end pause on drilling permits

Mar. 10 - Sen. Joe Manchin III urged the U.S. energy industry on Thursday to focus less on the profits it’s likely raking in amid record-high gasoline prices and prioritize pumping new oil into a market that is being overpowered by demand.

​“I’m calling on the industry — and the shareholders — to invest and put production before profits,” the West Virginia Democrat and chairman of the Senate Energy Committee said during a hearing on Russia weaponizing its energy.

Russia’s war against Ukraine and the U.S. decision to ban Russian energy imports have sent prices at the pump soaring into record territory. The cost of unleaded regular fuel continues to set records every day, with the national average at $4.32 per gallon on Thursday, according to the automobile owners club AAA.

Seeking to blunt criticism, the Biden administration has pointed to some 9,000 onshore drilling permits for federal leases on public land that have not yet been tapped into by private drilling companies.

“We need you to ramp up on those existing leases and with those existing permits because that’s the fastest thing we can do,” Mr. Manchin said, directing his remarks at oil companies.

However, the centrist Democrat said that President Biden plays a vital role in the process. Mr. Manchin called on Mr. Biden to lift a pause on issuing new permits and leases amid a legal battle over the cost of climate change.
“But the industry also needs signals from the administration that they will support oil and gas development and production,” he said.

Mr. Manchin also urged the Biden administration to turn its attention toward oil production in the Gulf of Mexico and a global investment in fossil fuel infrastructure, such as pipelines and export terminals.     source from The Washington Time

MARCH 10, 2022
White House Daily Briefing
​White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said “we should have our eyes open” with regards to the possibility of Russia using chemical and biological weapons against Ukraine. Her comments came during her daily briefing with reporters. Also discussed included COVID-19 funding, Ukraine’s request for fighter jets, negotiations with Iran, American detainees in Venezuela, inflation and energy prices. 

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, March 10, 2022

​MARCH 09, 2022•PRESS BRIEFINGS
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

MS. PSAKI:  Hi, everyone.  Okay, I don’t want to disappoint you, but I have no toppers today.  (Laughter.)  Sorry to disappoint all of you.

Darlene, would you like to kick us off?

Q    Yes, ma’am.  Thank you.  I wanted to follow up on your tweet yesterday about being on the lookout for Russia to use chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine and possibly creating false-flag operations to use them. 

What is the evidence to back that up beyond what you said in the tweet that it’s a “pattern” from Russia?  Is there more to this than it just being a pattern with them?

MS. PSAKI:  Well, they have a large biological and chemical weapons program, so it’s a pattern.  But they also have the capacity.

While I’m not going to get into specific intelligence, we look at all of those factors.  And we also know, and one of the reasons — one of the — the main issue that prompted my Twitter thread yesterday was that Russia has a history also of inventing outright lies like this, which is the suggestion that the United States has a chemical and biological weapons program, or Ukraine does, that they’re operating.  Russia is the one — is the country that has a chemical and biological weapons program.

​So the objective was to make clear the inaccuracy of the information, the misinformation they’re trying to put out, and make clear to the world that they not only have the capacity, they have a history of using chemical and biological weapons, and that, in this moment, we should have our eyes open for that possibility...     more

U.S. plans to revoke Russia favored trade status as White House warns Putin may seize companies' assets

Mar. 11 - President Biden will announce Friday that the U.S., the European Union and the G7 countries will move to revoke Russia's "most favored nation" trade status over its invasion of Ukraine, a source familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.

Mr. Biden's move comes as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have called on him to revoke what is formally known as "permanent normal trade relations" with Russia. It would allow the U.S. and allies to impose tariffs on Russian imports.
Meanwhile, on Thursday night, White House press secretary Jen Psaki tweeted that the Biden administration is receiving reports that "Russia may be considering seizing the assets of U.S. and international companies that have announced plans to suspend operations in Russia or to withdraw from the Russian market."

She said that the possible Russian retaliation would "ultimately result in even more economic pain for Russia" and "compound the clear message to the global business community that Russia is not a safe place to invest and do business."

W​ithin the past few days, companies such as Starbucks, McDonald's, Hilton Worldwide Hotels, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo., have announced changes to their operations in Russia. Psaki reiterated Thursday night that each company had made its decision independent of the U.S. government.

"We stand with American companies who are making tough decisions regarding the future of their Russian operations," Psaki wrote.

On Capitol Hill, the Senate approved a $1.5 trillion bill, which includes a $13.6 billion emergency package of military and humanitarian aid for besieged Ukraine and its European allies, 68-31. 

"We promised the Ukrainian people they would not go at it alone in their fight against Putin," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said just before the vote. "And once we pass this funding in a short while, we will keep that promise."

The bill now heads to Mr. Biden's desk, and he is likely to sign it.

On the ground in Ukraine, a convoy of Russian forces outside of Kyiv appeared to dissolve, according to satellite images obtained by the AP. Ukrainian forces, as well as reported food and fuel shortages, slowed the convoy's advance. 
However, Russian forces continue to launch airstrikes on swaths of the country, including coastal towns.

Leaders from across the world are expected to convene on Friday morning after Russia hastily called a U.N. Security Council meeting to discuss in open debate what it called "the military biological activities of the US on the territory of Ukraine" — leading the Biden administration to immediately denounce it as a "false flag effort."     source from CBS News