South Lawn Q Mr. President, are you feeling momentum, sir, for Build Back Better now? Are you feeling momentum? THE PRESIDENT: I'm always optimistic. Q Okay. THE PRESIDENT: It's going to be - it's going to be a tough fight. And it ain't over yet, as they say, as the old expression goes. But I...
Max Cleland was an American hero whose fearless service to our nation, and to the people of his beloved home state of Georgia, never wavered. As a 25-year-old serving in the 1st Cavalry Division of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, Max lost both of his legs and his right arm in a grenade...
Q: Following the coup d'état in Sudan, might you reconsider your promise to cancel Sudan's debt? A: France has supported the democratic transition process in Sudan since early 2019 and has been a staunch partner of that country in every area in which we cooperate. The process of canceling the Sudanese debt was part of that. I want to remind you that it was launched as part of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, as agreed at the Paris Conference on Sudan on May 17, in (...)
For nearly 3 decades, the Berlin Wall stood as a physical symbol of the Cold War, dividing democratic West Berlin from communist East Berlin. Today, we remember the East Germans who escaped and those who died attempting to attain a life of freedom. We recognize the irrepressible human spirit that no wall could contain, which fueled the...
Qatar has conducted another evacuation operation between Kabul and Doha. As a result, 39 Afghan men and women who were at high risk because of their work in the cultural and legal fields and the media, or because of their cooperation with France, were placed under protection. Early next week, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs will organize their transfer to France. France wishes to thank the Qatari authorities for their crucial assistance, which has made it possible to evacuate (...)
In light of the seriously troubling human rights situation in Belarus, 34 participating States in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), including France, invoked the Vienna Mechanism against that country. Under this mechanism, Belarus must answer a series of questions on the implementation of its human rights commitments - commitments undertaken by the organization's 57 participating States. This decision was taken in the wake of Belarus's failure to implement the (...)
President Biden has made combatting the climate crisis a central priority of his Administration, including throughout his legislative agenda. Climate change is already impacting almost every aspect of life in the United States. Extreme heat waves, catastrophic wildfires, and severe drought are taking American lives and livelihoods. In the last year alone, extreme weather has...
France utterly condemns the attempted assassination of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi at his home on the morning of Sunday 7 November. France fully supports the democratic process in Iraq, marked by the recent, satisfactory organization of a general election by the Iraqi Government. In this context, France rejects any kind of destabilization of the country, violence and intimidation. France stands alongside the Iraqi authorities and people and calls for restraint and (...)
Q: Would France support postponing the Libyan elections for a few months? A: Holding presidential and legislative elections is vital to stability and political reconciliation in Libya and corresponds to the will of the Libyan people as expressed by the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum, endorsed by the UN Security Council. The transition's progress on the security and political fronts is what makes it possible. With the international community's support, the Libyan High National Election (...)
France is sending a search mission to Nepal today to find our three compatriots who were swept away by an avalanche in late October. This extraordinary operation organized by the Crisis and Support Center of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of France in Katmandu will be carried out by the Gendarmerie Nationale. The operation will be conducted by a 14-person team that includes 10 gendarmes from various High Mountain Gendarmerie Platoons (PGHM), the Mountain (...)
France condemns in the strongest possible terms the attack carried out on November 2 near Banibangou in the Tillaberi region of western Niger, which killed several dozen civilians. It offers its condolences to the victims' families and to the Nigerien people. Along with all the partners of the Coalition for the Sahel, France stands with Niger to combat terrorism and protect the people by supporting Nigerien defense and security forces and by supporting authorities' efforts to restore basic (...)
Clément Beaune, Minister of State for European Affairs, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is traveling to Portugal today. There he will meet with Ana Paula Zacarias, the Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs; they will discuss French-Portuguese bilateral relations, and particularly the "cultural season" that will run simultaneously in both countries from February to October 2022. They will also address the challenge of ocean conservation ahead of the One (...)
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 1:07 P.M. EST MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Hi, everybody. Wow. This is all for Pete. I know. I know, it's all for - we like to call him "Secretary Mayor Pete." (Laughs.) All right, good afternoon, everyone. Good to see everybody. Joining us today, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who - surprise, surprise - is here to talk about the...
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is urging countries to keep up the momentum on the fight against climate change in the week ahead at the COP26 summit.
South Lawn 3:31 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Well, good afternoon, everyone. It's an honor. It's an honor to host the 2021 NBA championship - the champions, the Milwaukee Bucks. (Applause.) I - congratulations to team owners Marc and Wes and Jamie and Mike. And to two dear, dear friends, Ted and Mary Kellner - you won't...
Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics Daleep Singh led a U.S. delegation to Ghana and Senegal to discuss the infrastructure needs within these countries and around the region. Singh was joined by Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Alexia Latortue and U.S. International Development Finance Corporation's (USAID) Deputy Assistant Administrator for...
Cyber threats are a concern for every American, every business regardless of size, and every community. Since the earliest days of my Administration, cybersecurity has been a core priority as we have marshaled a comprehensive national effort, as well as broad international coordination, to protect our people and critical infrastructure, our allies, and our interests....
What Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, orchestrated today was a pantomime election that was neither free nor fair, and most certainly not democratic. The arbitrary imprisonment of nearly 40 opposition figures since May, including seven potential presidential candidates, and the blocking of political parties from participation rigged the outcome well...
Tonight, I will travel to France at the invitation of President Macron to build on our Administration's progress strengthening our alliances and partnerships in Europe and around the world. During my visit, I will join leaders at the Paris Peace Forum to address the rising inequality that has been exacerbated by the pandemic. To promote...
I strongly condemn the terrorist attack targeting the residence of Iraqi Prime Minister al-Kadhimi. I am relieved the Prime Minister was not injured and commend the leadership he has shown in calling for calm, restraint, and dialogue to protect the institutions of the state and strengthen the democracy Iraqis so richly deserve. The perpetrators of...
Today, Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation's infrastructure and competitiveness. For far too long, Washington policymakers have celebrated "infrastructure week" without ever agreeing to build infrastructure. The President promised to work across the aisle to deliver results and rebuild our crumbling infrastructure. After the...
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 3:04 P.M. EDT MS. JEAN-PIERRE: All right, everyone. Happy Friday. Q Happy Friday. (Laughter.) MS. JEAN-PIERRE: It's been a long week. It's been a long week. Okay, I got a couple toppers for all. So, President Biden's economic plan is working. And thanks to his Rescue Plan and our successful vaccine program, America...
State Dining Room 9:59 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, folks. Well, finally: Infrastructure Week. (Laughter.) I'm so happy to say that: Infrastructure Week. (Laughs.) Folks, yesterday - I don't think it's an exaggeration to suggest that we took a monumental step forward as a nation. We learned that our economy created 5.6 million jobs...
I am urging all members to vote for both the rule for consideration of the Build Back Better Act and final passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill tonight. I am confident that during the week of November 15, the House will pass the Build Back Better Act. ###
Tonight, we took a monumental step forward as a nation. The United States House of Representatives passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a once-in-generation bipartisan infrastructure bill that will create millions of jobs, turn the climate crisis into an opportunity, and put us on a path to win the economic competition for the 21st...
