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.
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.
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.
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•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.
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.
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."
Within 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
