What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
December 5 Recap
The president issued a statement on the loss of eight American service members when their aircraft crashed off the coast of Japan last week during a routine training mission.
A press gaggle was given by Principle Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton on board Air Force One en route to Boston, Massachusetts. Ms. Dalton commented on the United States organizing a second flight to get much-needed assistance into Gaza with 36,000 pounds of food assistance and medical supplies airlifted by DOD at USAID’s request. A U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft delivered the items to Egypt, where they will be transported via ground into Gaza and distributed by U.N. agencies. She also spoke regarding the critical milestone of 160 successful Senate confirmations, two-thirds of whom are women and two-thirds of whom are people of color. She also took questions from the press on the issues of funding Ukraine’s continued fight against Russian aggression, funding for the US border, and President Biden’s continued efforts to lower health care costs.
President Biden issued a letter to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate regarding a continued agreement with the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The letter affirmed The 2023 FPA (Agreement) would maintain oversight and accountability for United States taxpayer funds provided to support essential government services by preserving an oversight role for the Joint Economic Management Committee (JEMCO) and United States Government control of the same, while giving the FSM a greater voice on the JEMCO.
The president also issued a letter to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate regarding an updated agreement with the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI). The 2023 Amended Compact would obligate the United States to provide $1.6 billion over 20 years in grant assistance and $700 million in new Compact Trust Fund contributions. The 2023 FPA would maintain oversight and accountability for United States taxpayer funds provided to support essential government services. The 2023 TFA would restructure the current Compact Trust Fund to provide either sector support or distributions to eligible recipients. New contributions to the Compact Trust Fund would be directed to support extraordinary needs distributions for people in the RMI.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica to advance bilateral cooperation on promoting inclusive economic growth and climate-resilient infrastructure, combating transnational criminal organizations and the trafficking of illicit drugs and firearms, and promoting regional security under Plan Secure Jamaica. During the meeting, National Security Advisor Sullivan thanked Prime Minister Holness for his steadfast support for a Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti and Jamaica’s leadership in facilitating an inclusive political dialogue among Haitian society.
President Biden transmitted to the U.S. Congress five agreements related to the Compacts of Free Association, signed by the Department of State, with the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). The Biden Administration is working closely with the U.S. Congress to enact legislation to allow for the implementation of these five agreements, which will fulfill our commitments and strengthen our enduring relationships with our Compact of Free Association partner nations. Read the five agreements.
President Biden gave remarks at a Westin Boston Seaport District Hotel campaign event in Boston, Massachusetts. He began with an update on the conflict between Israel and Hamas, and then spoke on the upcoming 2024 election and warned of the dangers of a second Trump administration:
”But let’s be clear about what’s at stake in 2024. Donald Trump and his MAGA Republicans are determined to destroy American democracy. And, again, I say it the second time. I believe that with every fiber of my being. And the former President makes no bones about it.
Don’t take my word for it. Listen to what he’s actually saying these days. He’s saying it out loud. He says, “2024 is the final battle.” He goes on to say, “I am your retribution.” He talks about, quote, “We’re a failing nation.” He goes on to say — and these are all quotes — “Either they win or we win. And if they win, we no longer have a country.”
Read President Biden’s full remarks.
The president gave remarks at a second campaign event at a private residence in Weston, Massachusetts. He spoke of his long relationship with Israel, including meeting Prime Minister Golda Meir and his 50-year friendship with Benjamin Netenyahu, to preface his and the United States commitment to Israel and peace in the region:
“And in my view, and I know a lot of you have real interest in Israel. We can — I could do the whole speech — my whole talk about Israel, but I’m just going to end by saying: I’ve been working with a number of people in and out of government to figure out what after — what after Gaza. And I think the only ultimate solution is a two-state solution. I’ve been — I’ve had that view for a long, long time.”
He continued his remarks on the nation’s economic rebound and reaffirmed his resolve to win a second term. Read the full remarks.
Principle Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton
Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica
