7/19/2021

Afghanistan | July 19, 2021

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U.S., Afghanistan, Pakistan Uzbekistan create platform for regional cooperation

Jul 17 - ​The United States, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan formed a new diplomatic platform to support peace and stability in Afghanistan and foster regional trade and business ties, the State Department said Friday as U.S. troops continue their planned withdrawal from the country.
"The parties consider long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan critical to regional connectivity and agree that peace and regional connectivity are mutually reinforcing," it said in a statement. The parties agreed to meet in coming months.     source from
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on Senior Administration Delegation Trip to Uzbekistan

​JULY 17, 2021•STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

This week, the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, led a US delegation with representatives from the White House National Security Council, Department of Defense, and Department of State to a high-level international conference in Tashkent, Uzbekistan to promote security, prosperity, and regional connectivity between Central and South Asia and to strengthen cooperation with the United States.


Dr. Sherwood-Randall delivered opening remarks recognizing 30 years of partnership between the United States and the countries of Central Asia, as well as the U.S. Government’s commitment to realizing the region’s potential as a transit, trade, and energy hub. Dr. Sherwood-Randall emphasized the importance of infrastructure development that safeguards the environment and meets the highest international standards, consistent with the aims of the new G7-led Build Back Better World initiative.


She participated in a roundtable meeting of the C5+1 diplomatic platform for Central Asia, where member countries had the opportunity to discuss the significant challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and instability in Afghanistan, as well as the need to enhance regional cooperation on economic and security matters of shared interest. Members of the C5+1 issued a Joint Statement outlining their goals for further collaboration.

Dr. Sherwood-Randall had the opportunity to meet with the conference host, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and also held bilateral meetings with officials from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan to identify concrete opportunities to enhance security in the region, address humanitarian concerns, and increase vaccinations in order to stem the spread of Covid-19.  She was joined by U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and US Ambassador to Uzbekistan Daniel Rosenblum.  The delegation met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Afghan Foreign Minister Haneef Atmar to discuss the evolving security situation in Afghanistan, U.S. support for the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, and U.S. diplomatic support for a negotiated political settlement to the conflict.  The delegation also met with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to discuss regional security for Afghanistan and counterterrorism cooperation.

Related Articles:
Announcing the U.S. – Afghanistan – Uzbekistan – Pakistan Quad Regional Support for Afghanistan-Peace Process and Post Settlement

Joint Statement of the C5+1 on the International Conference “Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities”

Secretary-General's Message for 2021
(Jul 18, 2021) Video message by António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, on the occasion of Nelson Mandela International Day 2021.

Nelson Mandela International Day is an opportunity to reflect on the life and legacy of a legendary global advocate for dignity, equality, justice and human rights.


Each year, on this day, Nelson’s Mandela’s birthday, we pay tribute to this extraordinary man who embodied the highest aspirations of the United Nations and the human family.

Madiba’s calls for solidarity and an end to racism are particularly relevant today, as social cohesion around the world is threatened by division.

Societies are becoming more polarized, with hate speech on the rise and misinformation blurring the truth, questioning science and undermining democratic institutions.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made these ills more acute and rolled back years of progress in the global fight against poverty.


As always in times of crises, it is the marginalized and discriminated against who suffer the most, often while being blamed for problems they did not cause.

The pandemic has shown the vital importance of human solidarity and unity, values championed and exemplified by Nelson Mandela in his lifelong fight for justice.

No one is safe until all are safe. And each of us has a part to play.
Let us be inspired by Madiba’s message that each of us can make a difference in promoting peace, human rights, harmony with nature and dignity for all.

Let us all honour Madiba’s call to action and be empowered by his legacy.

Statement by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on Nelson Mandela International Day

JULY 18, 2021•STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

For the last 12 years, the world has celebrated July 18 as Nelson Mandela International Day to honor the memory of a truly transformative leader and to shine a light on the legacy of South Africa’s first President elected by its citizens of all races. Nelson Mandela fought apartheid, presided over a new, democratic constitution for all the people of South Africa, and showed the world the power of leadership that prioritized human dignity above all—that lifted up the rights of everyone rather than seeking to elevate oneself. Today, I join people around the world in commemorating and honoring Nelson Mandela’s extraordinary global legacy by renewing our commitment to root out systemic racism and to champion equity and equality for all people.

Mandela’s commitment to justice, peace, and democracy allowed him to build bridges that spanned the artificial lines and divisions that tear people apart. Through dialogue, partnership, and respect for the capacity of every individual, he helped deliver a rainbow nation of all South Africans that was able to grow and thrive—but the work he began is never finished. I extend my condolences to the families of the victims of recent violence in South Africa. South Africa’s efforts to heal divisions are Nelson Mandela’s legacy carried forward, and it is in this spirit we reiterate our unwavering support to equity, peaceful dialogue, and respect for the rule of law.

​On behalf of the people of the United States, we honor Nelson Mandela, and his vision for Africa and a brighter world.

7/17/2021

Facebook | July 17, 2021

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President Joe Biden's message to social media companies where vaccine misinformation has spread: 'They're killing people'
Biden: Social media ‘killing people’ with COVID misinformation

Misinformation about the virus and vaccines has spread on platforms including Facebook and Twitter.
Jul 17 - President Joe Biden has said that social media companies are “killing people” by failing to police misinformation on their platforms about COVID-19 vaccines.

​Biden’s comments came a day after US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared misinformation about the vaccines a threat to public health and as US officials advised that deaths and serious illness from the virus are almost entirely preventable because of the vaccines.

​Biden, asked if he had a message for platforms like Facebook where false or misleading information about the coronavirus vaccines has spread, told reporters on Friday:  “They’re killing people.”

“The only pandemic we have is among the unvaccinated,” he said...     more

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JULY 16, 2021
White House Daily Briefing
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki talked about the president’s agenda with reporters. She responded to a variety of questions including monitoring COVID-19 misinformation, vaccination efforts, spending negotiations, and troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. 

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, July 16, 2021

JULY 16, 2021PRESS BRIEFINGSJames S. Brady Press Briefing Room


MS. PSAKI:  Hi, everyone. 

Q    Hello.

MS. PSAKI:  Happy Friday.

Q    Happy Friday.

MS. PSAKI:  Brian Karem has got some sunglasses on.  Everybody is ready for the weekend.
Okay, I have a couple of items for all of you at the top.


​Last week, we launched the Supply Chain Disruption Task Force to monitor, engage, and act on current and emerging supply chain disruptions and bottlenecks. 

​This afternoon, the White House is hosting a convening of the Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force with Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge, Director of the National Economic Council Brian Deese, Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice, Council of Economic Advisers Chair Cecilia Rouse, and groups representing the full range of the homebuilding supply chain, from loggers and log- — and lumber contractors, labor leaders, realtors, and affordable housing advocates.

At this convening, these administration officials and key stakeholders will discuss strategies to address short-term supply chain disruptions in the homebuilding sector and how they can work together to address them.


I also wanted to note that yesterday, senior White House officials, led by Susan Rice and Julie Rodriguez, launched the Community Violence Intervention Collaborative announced by the President on June 23rd as part of his comprehensive plan to reduce gun crime...     more
The unprecedented online talks involving heads of state from the 21-nation Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group was called at short notice by New Zealand MANDEL NGAN
​Biden, Xi join APEC talks on pandemic response

Jul 17 - ​Washington has accused Beijing of lacking transparency about the origins of the pandemic, adding to existing tensions on issues such as trade tariffs and the treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

Ardern has signalled she wants greater powers for the World Health Organisation, as well as the establishment of cross-border systems to rapidly identify and respond to future pandemics.

The New Zealand leader has also pushed for improved vaccine cooperation internationally, arguing that runaway outbreaks of the Delta variant in Thailand and Indonesia show why it is a mistake for countries to simply prioritise inoculating their own populations.

A key plank of Ardern's plan is increased resources for the Covax programme, which was set up to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines but has struggled to secure enough doses for low-income nations.

As this year's APEC host, she has already ordered officials to work on expediting the trade of Covid-19 vaccines and medical material across the region.

​But Ardern this week played down expectations of major announcements from Friday's meeting, saying it was primarily an opportunity to bring leaders together to collectively discuss current challenges.     quoted from

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Rochelle Walensky, CDC director, says places with high percentages of vaccinated individuals are ‘generally faring well’
Top US health official warns of ‘pandemic of the unvaccinated’

Facebook hits back at Biden after he accuses platform of ‘killing people’ by spreading misinformation

Jul 17 - The US is experiencing a “pandemic of the unvaccinated”, the head of the country’s top public health agency warned, as new coronavirus cases have jumped 70 per cent in the past week.

More than 33,000 infections were reported across the US on Thursday, Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a press briefing on Friday morning.

That boosted the seven-day average of new cases to about 26,300 a day, from a rate of roughly 15,500 a week ago.

“This is becoming a pandemic of the unvaccinated,” Walensky said.

“We are seeing outbreaks of cases in parts of the country that have low vaccination coverage because unvaccinated people are at risk.”

Communities that have a higher share of fully vaccinated residents are “generally faring well”, she said, but health officials at federal and state levels have increasingly been pointing to high proportions of new Covid-19 hospitalisations and deaths among unvaccinated individuals.

​ “We know that 99.5 per cent of people who are in the hospital are people who are unvaccinated, and people who are dying of Covid are unvaccinated,” Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, said on Friday. “The data is very clear,”

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Treating the Unvaccinated


Although the number of new cases remains far below the peak of the pandemic, the latest increase has raised concerns that new restrictions may once again be needed to keep healthcare systems from being overwhelmed, especially as the pace of vaccinations slows.

After a blistering start, the US’s inoculation campaign has lost momentum, with some people afraid or unwilling to get the jab despite plentiful supply.

The Biden administration has also expressed concern that vaccine hesitancy is being fuelled by misinformation shared on social media platforms, prompting a public spat with Facebook. Asked about the social network’s role on Friday, Joe Biden said: “They’re killing people . . . The only pandemic we have is among the unvaccinated and they’re killing people.” The US president’s comments came a day after the White House criticised social media groups for failing to clamp down on so-called misinformation superspreaders.

Facebook hit back at the president’s remarks on Friday in an unusually strident statement, saying that it would “not be distracted by accusations which aren’t supported by the facts”.

It added: “The fact is that more than 2bn people have viewed authoritative information about Covid-19 and vaccines on Facebook . . . more than 3.3m Americans have also used our vaccine finder tool. The facts show that Facebook is helping save lives. Period.” In a follow-up statement, a Facebook official accused the White House of “looking for scapegoats for missing their vaccine goals”. 

“In private exchanges the surgeon general [Dr Vivek Murthy] has praised our work, including our efforts to inform people about Covid-19. 

They knew what they were doing,” the official said.  The US has fully vaccinated 48.3 per cent of its population, according to the CDC.

The rate of doses administered nationally dropped from a daily average of more than 3.4m in mid-April to about 421,000 a day in the week ended July 10. Four states — Florida, Texas, California and Missouri — accounted for more than 40 per cent of new coronavirus cases in the US over the past week, according to Jeff Zients, the White House’s coronavirus task force co-ordinator. Florida alone accounted for one in five new infections over the past week.


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​In Mississippi, unvaccinated individuals made up 94 per cent of new Covid cases, 87 per cent of hospitalisations and 93 per cent of deaths this week, according to Thomas Dobbs, the state’s top health officer. Mississippi has the lowest level of vaccine coverage in the US, with just 33.6 per cent of its residents fully vaccinated.

​Arkansas, Missouri, Florida, Nevada and Louisiana are all averaging more than 20 new cases per 100,000 people a day, according to the CDC, compared to a national average of almost eight, although vaccination rates in those states were now increasing, Zients said. The rise in cases has also been linked to the highly transmissible Delta variant of Covid-19, which now accounts for more than half of new infections, according to the CDC.

Walensky’s warning comes as some US counties and cities have brought back pandemic-era guidelines to guard against further outbreaks, particularly those linked to the Delta variant. Los Angeles on Thursday announced it would reinstate its mask mandate this weekend, requiring individuals to again wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

The decision comes barely a month after the county, alongside the rest of California, lifted the restriction on June 15 for fully vaccinated residents. Chicago this week placed restrictions on unvaccinated travellers from Missouri and Arkansas, which are hotspots for the Delta variant.

7/16/2021

Angela Merkel | July 16, 2021

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Biden, Merkel discuss controversial pipeline during White House meeting

Jul. 16 - German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday became the first European leader to meet President Biden at the White House, where they discussed the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline that will go from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea.

Biden has shared his concerns over the pipeline, which is nearly complete, saying it will make Europe more reliant on Russian gas and puts Russia in a position where it can place pressure on Ukraine. During their joint press conference on Thursday, Merkel said the "idea is and remains that Ukraine remains a transit country for natural gas, that Ukraine just as any other country in the world has a right to territorial sovereignty." Germany, she added, will take action "should Russia not respect this right of Ukraine that it has as a transit country."


They both agreed that Russia can't be allowed to weaponize energy. "We stand together and will continue to stand together to defend our eastern flank allies at NATO against Russian aggression," Biden said. The leaders also spoke about the coronavirus pandemic, with Biden saying he has asked the head of his coronavirus task force for an idea of when Europeans might be able to freely travel again to the U.S.

​Merkel is the second-longest-serving chancellor in German history, and will not be seeking re-election in September. Biden told Merkel that "on a personal note, I will miss seeing you at our summits. I truly will." He praised the "cooperation" between Germany and the United States, saying it is "strong and we hope to continue that, and I'm confident that we will." Merkel agreed, adding, "I value the friendship."     source from

JULY 15, 2021
President Biden and German Chancellor Merkel Hold News Conference
President Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held a joint news conference at the White House. Topics addressed included U.S-Germany relations, global COVID-19 vaccine distribution, climate change, Russia’s Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, and relations with China. During the news conference, President Biden was asked about the current political situations in Haiti and Cuba. The president responded, in part, by saying, “Communism is a failed system--universally failed system. I don’t see socialism as a very useful substitute.” Following the event, the president and first lady were scheduled to host a private dinner for Chancellor Merkel in the State Dining Room.

Remarks by President Biden and Chancellor Merkel of the Federal Republic of Germany in Press Conference

JULY 15, 2021SPEECHES AND REMARKS

​East Room
 
PRESIDENT BIDEN: Thank you all. Please have a seat. Today, it’s been my great honor — and I mean that — to welcome a dear friend back to the White House.
 
And before I say anything else, Chancellor Merkel, I want to express to you and to the people of Germany my sincere condolences and the condolences of the American people for the devastating loss of life and the destruction due to the flooding over the past 24 hours in Germany and neighboring countries. It’s a tragedy, and our heart goes out — our hearts go out to the families who’ve lost loved ones.

 
Chancellor Merkel has been here frequently over the past 16 years. Matter of fact, she knows the Oval Office as well as I do. But all kidding aside, through — though this administration — she’s been there for four years — for four Presidents.
 
But I want to take a moment to acknowledge the historic nature of her chancellorship. First woman chancellor in German history. The first chancellor from the former East Germany. And now, the second largest — longest-serving chancellor since Helmut Kohl. Here’s an exemplary life of groundbreaking service to Germany and, I might add — and I mean it from the bottom of my heart — to the world.
 
On behalf of the United States, thank you, Angela, for your career of strong, principled leadership. And thank you for speaking out for what is right and for never failing to defend human dignity...  
   more
The US president has hosted Angela Merkel at the White House for the final time before she steps down as chancellor
Joe Biden bids Angela Merkel farewell as he hosts the German chancellor for the final time

Jul 16 - Welcoming Angela Merkel to the White House for a final time, President Joe Biden renewed his concerns to the German chancellor Thursday about a major, nearly complete Russia-to-Germany gas pipeline but said they agreed Russia must not be allowed to use energy as a weapon.

The two discussed — though made no apparent headway — on differences over the Nord Stream 2 pipeline during a largely friendly farewell visit for Merkel as she nears the end of a political career that has spanned four American presidencies.


“On a personal note, I must tell you I will miss seeing you at our summits,” Biden said as he stood by Merkel, the second-longest serving chancellor in Germany's history, at a late afternoon White House press conference. "I truly will.”

Merkel, who had a famously difficult relationship with former President Donald Trump, showed her ease and familiarity with Biden, who has long been a fixture in international politics, repeatedly referring to him as "Dear Joe”...     more

JULY 15, 2021
White House Daily Briefing
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy joined Press Secretary Jen Psaki for the White House briefing to announce a new campaign against COVID-19 misinformation. “Today we live in a world where misinformation poses an imminent and insidious threat to our nation’s health,” said the surgeon general. “Simply put, health misinformation has cost us lives.” Other topics included the White House’s response to protests in Cuba, spending bill negotiations, and combating ransomware attacks. 

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki and Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, July 15, 2021

JULY 15, 2021PRESS BRIEFINGS

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
 
MS. PSAKI: Hi, everyone. We have another special guest today. Doesn’t sing as well as our guest from yesterday — (laughter) — but very knowledgeable.
 
SURGEON GENERAL MURTHY: Definitely don’t ask me to sing.

 
MS. PSAKI: (Laughs.) Today, we have a special guest, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. The Surgeon General has been one of our leading voices on public health in the administration, in particular around the COVID-19 response.
 
Today, he published an advisory on health misinformation as an urgent public health crisis, and he is here to talk more about this issue and take a few of your questions.
 
With that, I will turn it over.
 
SURGEON GENERAL MURTHY: Hello, everyone. How are you?
 
Q  Good, thank you.
 
SURGEON GENERAL MURTHY: It’s nice to see you all today. And thank you, Jen, for that very kind introduction.
 
As all of you know, we’ve come a long way in our fight against COVID-19, and we’ve come a long way thanks to the efforts of many, many people across communities in the United States....     more


US, Germany will continue to stand together to support Ukraine - Biden

Jul 16 - U.S. President Joe Biden has said that the United States and Germany will continue to stand together to support Ukraine, its reforms, and the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Ukrainian citizens.He said this at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Washington on Thursday, July 15, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"We agree on the importance of further integrating the Western Balkans into the European — into European institutions and in our continued support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as the continued importance of reforms in the support of their Euro-Atlantic aspirations," Biden said.

He said that the United States and Germany would continue to stand together to defend their Eastern Flank allies at NATO against Russian aggression.

Biden also mentioned the Russian gas pipeline being built in the Baltic Sea.


"I reiterated my concerns about Nord Stream 2. Chancellor Merkel and I are absolutely united in our conviction that Russia must not be allowed to use energy as a weapon to coerce or threaten its neighbors," he said.

He also said that today, Germany and the United States were launching a climate and energy partnership "to support energy security and the development of sustainable energy, sustainable energy technologies, and emerging economies, including in Central Europe and Ukraine."     source from


7/15/2021

Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework | July 15, 2021

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Popstar Olivia Rodrigo visits White House, promotes COVID-19 youth vaccination at press briefing

​The 18-year-old singer influences the younger demographic as her songs address teenage grievances like heartbreak and parallel parking

Jul 15 - Teen pop star Olivia Rodrigo was looking happy and healthy at the podium of Wednesday’s White House press briefing to promote coronavirus vaccinations for young Americans.


The "Drivers License" singer met with President Joe Biden and Dr. Anthony Fauci and became the latest celebrity to assist in the administration’s vaccination efforts. Rodrigo spoke about vaccinating those who were apprehensive before joining Press Secretary Jen Psaki in addressing reporters on the matter.

Rodrigo began her short speech stating how "humbled" she felt to be chosen as an advocate for the cause.

"I am beyond honored and humbled to be here today to help spread the message about the importance of youth vaccination," she said. "I’m in awe of the work President Biden and Dr. Fauci have done and was happy to help lend my support to this important initiative." 

"It’s important to have conversations with friends and family members including all communities to get vaccinated and actually get to a vaccination site which you can do more easily than ever before given how many sites we have and how easy it is to find them at vaccines.gov"...     more

JULY 14, 2021
White House Daily Briefing
​Actress and singer Olivia Rodrigo joined White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki to discuss the importance of getting youth vaccinated against COVID-19. Ms. Psaki also discussed other topics on the president’s agenda including infrastructure, Cuba, and getting Afghan interpreters out of the country ahead of a complete U.S. withdrawal.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, July 14, 2021

JULY 14, 2021PRESS BRIEFINGS

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

MS. PSAKI:  Hi, everyone.  All right.  So I have a special guest with me today.  Joining us in the briefing room is actress and multiplatinum recording singer/songwriter, Olivia Rodrigo, who traversed red lights and stop signs to see us.  If you know her music, you’ll get that dad joke there.  And we just want to thank you for using your platform and your voice for elevating the important issue of young people getting vaccinated. 

She’s here today to meet with the President and Dr. Fauci later this afternoon, but she agreed to come say a quick hello to all of you first. 

With that, I’ll turn it over to you, Olivia.
 

MS. RODRIGO:  Hi.  First, I want to say I am beyond honored and humbled to be here today to help spread the message about the importance of youth vaccination.  I’m in awe of the work President Biden and Dr. Fauci have done, and was happy to help lend my support to this important initiative...     more 

JULY 14, 2021
​President Biden Meets with Governors and Mayors on Infrastructure
President Biden met with a bipartisan group of the nation’s governors and mayors to discuss infrastructure. When asked about the deal, President Biden said they have an agreement and “it will be paid for.”

Remarks by President Biden Before a Meeting with Bipartisan Governors and Mayors to Discuss the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework

JULY 14, 2021SPEECHES AND REMARKS

Roosevelt Room
 
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we’re going to talk about infrastructure and how we’re going to have to widen this room so you all can get in. (Laughter.)
 
I want to thank you for being here, all of you, to discuss an issue that has been always bipartisan for the longest time. When I got here 180 years ago, it was a bipartisan issue.

 
Mayors and governors more than anyone else knows what it means to be accountable to people, and you have to solve problems every single day in your communities. And — and there’s no — there are no Democratic roads or Republican bridges.
 
But — you know, but there are families in need of shorter commute times, safer commutes; kids that need to be able to drink clean drinking water that doesn’t have lead in it; and communities need to have reliable transit systems...     more

Readout of the President’s Discussion with the Senate Democratic Caucus

JULY 14, 2021STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

​This afternoon the President thanked the Senate Democratic Caucus for the groundbreaking work they had done to reach the budget resolution agreement announced last night, and highlighted that it would grow the middle class, generate strong economic growth, and create millions of jobs. 

He also touted the benefits of the historic bipartisan infrastructure framework that forms the other half of his domestic economic agenda, describing how he’s travelling the country and making a case about it and that polling data show the framework resonating strongly with voters in both parties.

The President credited the Senators for their successful work to pass the American Rescue Plan, noting that economic experts have cited it as a leading cause for the record job creation that has taken place since he took office and the doubling of the rate of economic growth in forecasts. And he described the Build Back Better agenda as a follow on to the Rescue Plan, to ensure that we’re rebuilding a stronger, more inclusive and more resilient middle class. 

He emphasized that what tied the economic policies they are working on together was that they were built from the bottom up, with a recognition for the role that a good job plays in peoples’ lives, the rising costs families have had to bear from child care, elder care, and tuition, and the fact that when working and middle class families do well, everyone does well.

He also discussed how the means for funding these critical investments is popular with the American people, who know that the wealthiest individuals and corporations often pay a lower tax bill than teachers and firefighters.


The President repeatedly hit on how the effects of climate change are undeniable, and that the public is demanding action that the budget resolution will deliver. And he also spoke to the urgent need to overcome anti-voter laws, especially in a time when autocracies are trying to undermine democracy around the world.      source from