JANUARY 20, 2022
President Biden Meets with Science and Technology Advisers Council
President Biden met with the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The president talked about the important role science and technology have played in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.
President Biden met with the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The president talked about the important role science and technology have played in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.
Remarks by President Biden Before Meeting with the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
JANUARY 20, 2022•SPEECHES AND REMARKSSouth Court Auditorium
4:12 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you, Eric. As you know that — when I was running for this office this time, I would talk about PCAST and people would look at me like, “What in the hell is he talking about?” And then I’d explain what I meant. And we — it wasn’t particularly active the last four years, but science is back — (laughs) — back in vogue.
And I want to welcome everyone here today with me in the President’s Council on Advisors on Science and Technology — so-called PCAST. But first and foremost, I want to thank the co-chairs Dr. Lander, Dr. Arnold, and Dr. Zuber, you know, and the entire council — all of you — for your willingness to serve.
You know, it’s no secret that I’m a big fan of this council. I would say, parenthetically, I used to — when we were in the — in the Obama administration, we’d have our meetings with PCAST, and we’d be down in the library, and they’d make a presentation. I’d say, “Can I stick around, ask a few questions?” And three hours later, they’d be pulling me out because I had so many questions.
But, you know, I often say that America can be defined — and I mean this sincerely — I was in — on the Tibetan Plateau with — I think that’s where it was — with President Xi of China. And — absolutely a true story. And we had been traveling — I traveled 17,000 miles with him here in the United States and then in China.
And president — the president wanted me to get to know him because we knew he would be the next president. And President Hu was then President and — but it wasn’t appropriate for the President of the United States to be spending all that time with the Vice President, so I spent a lot of time with him.
And we had a lot of conversations. I think — I don’t know that’s true — but I’m told I’ve spent more time with him in person and on the telephone than any other world leader. And we were — we’d have these conversations. And I’d have an interpreter, and he’d have one — simultaneous interpreting. And we’d talk, and we’d have all these meetings.
And, as I said, we were sitting there, and he said — he looked at me, he said, “Can you define America for me?” And I said, “Yes. In one word: Possibilities. Possibilities.” Unlike any other country in the world, we’re — we’re just — we’re organized on the notion that anything is possible. And that’s the very spirit that this — animates this council... more
JANUARY 20, 2022•SPEECHES AND REMARKSSouth Court Auditorium
4:12 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you, Eric. As you know that — when I was running for this office this time, I would talk about PCAST and people would look at me like, “What in the hell is he talking about?” And then I’d explain what I meant. And we — it wasn’t particularly active the last four years, but science is back — (laughs) — back in vogue.
And I want to welcome everyone here today with me in the President’s Council on Advisors on Science and Technology — so-called PCAST. But first and foremost, I want to thank the co-chairs Dr. Lander, Dr. Arnold, and Dr. Zuber, you know, and the entire council — all of you — for your willingness to serve.
You know, it’s no secret that I’m a big fan of this council. I would say, parenthetically, I used to — when we were in the — in the Obama administration, we’d have our meetings with PCAST, and we’d be down in the library, and they’d make a presentation. I’d say, “Can I stick around, ask a few questions?” And three hours later, they’d be pulling me out because I had so many questions.
But, you know, I often say that America can be defined — and I mean this sincerely — I was in — on the Tibetan Plateau with — I think that’s where it was — with President Xi of China. And — absolutely a true story. And we had been traveling — I traveled 17,000 miles with him here in the United States and then in China.
And president — the president wanted me to get to know him because we knew he would be the next president. And President Hu was then President and — but it wasn’t appropriate for the President of the United States to be spending all that time with the Vice President, so I spent a lot of time with him.
And we had a lot of conversations. I think — I don’t know that’s true — but I’m told I’ve spent more time with him in person and on the telephone than any other world leader. And we were — we’d have these conversations. And I’d have an interpreter, and he’d have one — simultaneous interpreting. And we’d talk, and we’d have all these meetings.
And, as I said, we were sitting there, and he said — he looked at me, he said, “Can you define America for me?” And I said, “Yes. In one word: Possibilities. Possibilities.” Unlike any other country in the world, we’re — we’re just — we’re organized on the notion that anything is possible. And that’s the very spirit that this — animates this council... more
Biden Issues a New Warning to Russia Over Invading Ukraine
Jan. 21 - U.S. President Joe Biden said Thursday that any Russian troop movements across Ukraine’s border would constitute an invasion and that Moscow would “pay a heavy price” for such an action.
It was the latest White House effort to clear up comments Biden made a day earlier when he suggested that a “minor incursion” by Russia into Ukrainian territory could result in a more measured response by the United States and allies.
Facing an avalanche of criticism from Republican lawmakers and Ukrainian officials that Biden’s comments had invited limited military action by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Biden sought to clarify his remarks at the start of a meeting at the White House focused on domestic policy.
“I’ve been absolutely clear with President Putin,” Biden said. “He has no misunderstanding: Any, any assembled Russian units move across the Ukrainian border, that is an invasion,” said Biden, adding that an invasion would be met with a “severe and coordinated economic response.”
His comments came as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken prepared to meet Friday in Geneva with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in a high-stakes bid to ease tensions that appears likely to fail.
Biden said the U.S. was preparing for Russia to take action that fell outside the parameters of conventional warfare... source from Time
Related Story:
Jan. 21 - U.S. President Joe Biden said Thursday that any Russian troop movements across Ukraine’s border would constitute an invasion and that Moscow would “pay a heavy price” for such an action.
It was the latest White House effort to clear up comments Biden made a day earlier when he suggested that a “minor incursion” by Russia into Ukrainian territory could result in a more measured response by the United States and allies.
Facing an avalanche of criticism from Republican lawmakers and Ukrainian officials that Biden’s comments had invited limited military action by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Biden sought to clarify his remarks at the start of a meeting at the White House focused on domestic policy.
“I’ve been absolutely clear with President Putin,” Biden said. “He has no misunderstanding: Any, any assembled Russian units move across the Ukrainian border, that is an invasion,” said Biden, adding that an invasion would be met with a “severe and coordinated economic response.”
His comments came as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken prepared to meet Friday in Geneva with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in a high-stakes bid to ease tensions that appears likely to fail.
Biden said the U.S. was preparing for Russia to take action that fell outside the parameters of conventional warfare... source from Time
Related Story:
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‘A-Team’ turnover in the Biden administration: A return to normalcy
Jan. 20 - Over the course of its first year, President Biden’s team faced several well-documented challenges—but staffing the White House was not one of them. Although he had a truncated transition due to the General Services Administration’s unwillingness to “ascertain” that Joe Biden had won the election, a record breaking 1,136 appointees were sworn in on Inauguration Day. This study focuses primarily, but not exclusively, on turnover in the president’s “A-Team,” defined as senior executive-office positions that do not require Senate confirmation.[1]
During the first year, some level of turnover is expected and reflective of a new White House adapting and adjusting to the demands of governing. Too much turnover, however, inhibits a president’s ability to govern and may be a symptom of a larger problem in the new administration. The Biden administration’s first-year turnover was one of the lowest of the past six administrations and may reflect the influence of experience and a professional transition operation.[2] Having worked in the White House enables a new staff to avoid the pitfalls that plague those without that valuable experience. Additionally, prioritizing staff recruitment during the transition can lay a foundation for a stable environment.
APPROACH: HOW TO THINK ABOUT STAFF TURNOVER
What counts as turnover, and why does it matter? For the purposes of this study, turnover refers to a vacancy created through promotion, resignation, or firing. Any of these movements introduce inefficiency as they require resources (hiring, vetting, and training) and likely increase the workload for those who remain. Staff members move on for a variety of reasons, and the impact of a high-level departure varies a great deal. Senior advisors who possess a close relationship with the chief executive are often irreplaceable, while those who deal with the press, Congress, or interest groups, for example, are more easily replaced. Nevertheless, those who serve on the A-Team are, by definition, critical participants in the presidency, such that any departure has an impact on White House operations... more from Brookings
Jan. 20 - Over the course of its first year, President Biden’s team faced several well-documented challenges—but staffing the White House was not one of them. Although he had a truncated transition due to the General Services Administration’s unwillingness to “ascertain” that Joe Biden had won the election, a record breaking 1,136 appointees were sworn in on Inauguration Day. This study focuses primarily, but not exclusively, on turnover in the president’s “A-Team,” defined as senior executive-office positions that do not require Senate confirmation.[1]
During the first year, some level of turnover is expected and reflective of a new White House adapting and adjusting to the demands of governing. Too much turnover, however, inhibits a president’s ability to govern and may be a symptom of a larger problem in the new administration. The Biden administration’s first-year turnover was one of the lowest of the past six administrations and may reflect the influence of experience and a professional transition operation.[2] Having worked in the White House enables a new staff to avoid the pitfalls that plague those without that valuable experience. Additionally, prioritizing staff recruitment during the transition can lay a foundation for a stable environment.
APPROACH: HOW TO THINK ABOUT STAFF TURNOVER
What counts as turnover, and why does it matter? For the purposes of this study, turnover refers to a vacancy created through promotion, resignation, or firing. Any of these movements introduce inefficiency as they require resources (hiring, vetting, and training) and likely increase the workload for those who remain. Staff members move on for a variety of reasons, and the impact of a high-level departure varies a great deal. Senior advisors who possess a close relationship with the chief executive are often irreplaceable, while those who deal with the press, Congress, or interest groups, for example, are more easily replaced. Nevertheless, those who serve on the A-Team are, by definition, critical participants in the presidency, such that any departure has an impact on White House operations... more from Brookings
