Statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on NICA v. Becerra

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When President Biden came into office, he vowed to lower health care costs for American families. By passing the Inflation Reduction Act, the President and Congressional Democrats finally allowed Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for seniors – while every single Republican in Congress voted to keep health care costs high, even for their own constituents. Yesterday’s decision in the Western District of Texas is an important step in this Administration’s defense of the law.  Despite Big Pharma’s attempts to block prescription drug negotiation, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is moving forward with their critical work to negotiate for lower drug prices for the first ten drugs selected for the negotiation program. Millions of seniors take these drugs every year for conditions ranging from diabetes to heart disease,…
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Readout of President Biden’s Meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan

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President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today with His Majesty King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan at the White House. Both leaders acknowledged the 75 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Jordan and the enduring partnership and friendship between our two countries.  The President and King Abdullah II discussed the latest developments in Gaza and affirmed their commitment to work together to produce an enduring end to the crisis. Both remain committed to achieving a durable, lasting peace to include a two-state solution for the Palestinian people with Israel’s security guaranteed. Both President Biden and King Abdullah II reiterated their shared commitment to facilitating the increased, sustained delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians in Gaza. President Biden thanked His Majesty for Jordan’s…
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Readout of Dominican Day Diaspora Event

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Last week, the White House Office of Public Engagement convened over 100 Latino leaders for Dominican Day at the White House. This event consisted of a policy briefing for local and state officials and a reception to celebrate the Dominican-American culture. During the briefing, participants discussed how the Biden-Harris Administration has advanced economic opportunity for the Latino community through their economic recovery agenda, including the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act. The participants highlighted President Biden’s accomplishments for the Latino community, including growing economic opportunity, tackling student debt, expanding access to higher education, and efforts to enhance access to resources and funding for communities most at need. Biden-Harris Administration officials committed to continuing to work with community leaders to deliver on…
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FACT SHEET: Lowering Home Energy Costs Through President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act

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A majority of Americans support programs to lower energy bills and expand clean energy into homes Through President Biden’s historic Investing in America agenda, the Biden-Harris Administration is cutting costs for hardworking American families in every corner of the country. One of the largest costs for many Americans is heating, cooling, and powering their homes—with the lowest-income families spending upwards of 30% of their income on energy bills. The Inflation Reduction Act has already spurred a clean energy boom, contributing to more than $360 billion in private sector clean energy announcements since President Biden took office. Clean energy deployment from both the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is projected to cut electricity rates by as much as 9 percent by 2030. In addition, the Inflation Reduction Act establishes several consumer-focused programs through tax credits and…
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Readout of President Biden’s Call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel

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President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke this morning with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. The President reaffirmed our shared goal to see Hamas defeated and to ensure the long-term security of Israel and its people.  The President and the Prime Minister discussed ongoing efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas.  The President emphasized the need to capitalize on progress made in the negotiations to secure the release of all hostages as soon as possible. He also called for urgent and specific steps to increase the throughput and consistency of humanitarian assistance to innocent Palestinian civilians.  And he reaffirmed his view that a military operation in Rafah should not proceed without a credible and executable plan for ensuring the safety of and support for the…
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Readout of White House Community Violence Awareness Week and Culminating Ceremony

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Today, the Vice President and the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) hosted Community Violence Intervention leaders from across the country to recognize their efforts in reducing and preventing violence, and ultimately, saving lives. Community Violence Intervention programs are a key piece of the President’s Safer America Plan, with some behavioral science-informed CVI programs proven to reduce violence by close to 50%. The event at the White House included a recognition of including a recognition of the inaugural graduating cohort of the University of Chicago Crime Lab’s Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA), which provides Community Violence Intervention (CVI) leaders with the skills and resources they need to improve their organizations and support their mission to prevent and reduce gun violence and save lives in communities disproportionately harmed by the direct and indirect…
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Statement from NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson Marking the Two-Year Anniversary of the Indo-Pacific Strategy

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Sunday, February 11, 2024 marks the second anniversary of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. Over the past two years, we have made historic progress in advancing an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, the United States has never been in a stronger position in the Indo-Pacific. In the two years since we have launched the Indo-Pacific Strategy, we have reinvested and revitalized our alliances and partnerships and taken them to new heights. We have deepened and elevated alliances with Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Australia, the Philippines, and Thailand. We upgraded our bilateral relationships with Vietnam and Indonesia, and our partnership with ASEAN. We have expanded our partnership with India in unprecedented ways. We have surged our efforts in the…
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Readout of President Joe Biden’s Meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany

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President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. welcomed Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany to the White House today to continue their close coordination on shared priorities.  President Biden and Chancellor Scholz reaffirmed their resolute support for Ukraine in its struggle against Russia’s war of aggression.  The President commended Germany’s exemplary contributions to Ukraine’s self-defense, and Chancellor Scholz emphasized the significance of sustained U.S. support.  The leaders discussed efforts to prevent regional escalation in the Middle East, and reaffirmed their commitment to Israel’s right to self-defense consistent with international law.  They also underscored the imperative to protect civilians in Gaza and increase deliveries of life-saving humanitarian assistance.  The two exchanged views on setting the conditions for a durable peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike, which includes the establishment of a Palestinian state with Israel’s security guaranteed.  President Biden and Chancellor Scholz discussed the upcoming NATO Summit in Washington and…
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Statement from NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on U.S. Unwavering Support for Ecuador

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Over the past few weeks, the NSC has been coordinating U.S. Government support for the people of Ecuador in the wake of increased violence.  This week, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Todd D. Robinson led a joint Department of State and Department of Justice delegation to Ecuador to highlight the United States’ continued commitment to supporting Ecuador in its fight against transnational criminal organizations.  Assistant Secretary Robinson announced INL funding for the construction of the Ecuadorian Coast Guard Academy, a renovated canine veterinary clinic, a renovated office for the corruption prosecution unit, and eight mobile border units to support an elite border task force.  He also helped launch a joint National Police-Coast Guard operational unit in Guayaquil, which will increase information sharing and operational coordination on Ecuador’s waterways.  Assistant Secretary Robinson’s visit to Ecuador reflects the United States’…
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President Biden Announces Willie L. Phillips, Jr. as Chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

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WASHINGTON – Today, President Joe Biden announced Willie L. Phillips, Jr. as Chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). FERC is an independent agency that regulates the interstate transmission of natural gas, oil, electricity, and other energy projects. As the Biden Administration works to tackle the climate crisis, advance environmental justice, and create a clean electricity grid by 2035, FERC will maintain an important role in spurring access to reliable, affordable carbon-free energy moving across the country. Willie L. Phillips Jr., Chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Willie L. Phillips has served as a FERC Commissioner since November 17, 2021 and as Acting Chair since January 3, 2023. Willie is an experienced regulatory attorney combining over 20 years of legal expertise as a utility regulator, in private practice,…
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