Politics

Designating Elements of Milorad Dodik’s Patronage Network

Designating Elements of Milorad Dodik’s Patronage Network

The United States condemns the persistent efforts of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik to erode the regional peace frameworks that have brought stability and security to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).  Today, we are designating two individuals and seven entities that provide major sources of revenue for Dodik ’s patronage network and enable his corruption. U.S.-designated Milorad Dodik has used his official position to accumulate personal wealth through companies linked to himself and to his son, Igor Dodik.  For instance, in 2024, Igor and Milorad exercised their control over senior BiH government officials to manipulate the draft BiH state budget so…
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Readout of Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Secretary Canegallo’s Participation in the LA Declaration on Migration and Protection Ministerial

Readout of Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Secretary Canegallo’s Participation in the LA Declaration on Migration and Protection Ministerial

Readout of Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Secretary Canegallo’s Participation in the LA Declaration on Migration and Protection Ministerial Release Date: May 9, 2024 From May 6-7, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Secretary Kristie Canegallo joined Secretary of State Antony Blinken, White House National Security Council’s Marcela Escobari, and USAID Acting Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean Michael Camilleri in Guatemala City, Guatemala to represent the United States Government at the third Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection Ministerial. Over the course of the last two years, the Los Angeles Declaration has…
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Readout of White House Meeting on Expanding Access to Free Community College

Readout of White House Meeting on Expanding Access to Free Community College

This week, the Biden-Harris Administration convened state leaders to discuss efforts to expand free community college programs across the country and prepare their workforce for good jobs. State leaders shared how lowering costs for community college students has increased enrollment rates and access to postsecondary education. Several state leaders highlighted how they have used funds from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan as a key source for building and expanding community college promise programs. Officials from the Domestic Policy Council and Office of the First Lady spoke to the Administration’s commitment to expanding access to free community college. Community colleges are…
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U.S. Department of State Awards Accelerator Grants to OneBeat Exchange Alumni to Solve Community Challenges

U.S. Department of State Awards Accelerator Grants to OneBeat Exchange Alumni to Solve Community Challenges

As part of the U.S. Department of State’s Global Music Diplomacy Initiative to elevate music as a tool to promote peace and democracy, the Department recently awarded 10 small grants to alumni of the OneBeat international music exchange, as part of the OneBeat Accelerator program. OneBeat is a leading multinational music exchange program of the U.S. Department of State that brings together musicians from around the world to unlock the power of creative collaboration and open a gateway to civic discourse and cross-cultural understanding. Musicians collaborate on new music and develop strategies to address shared challenges that have a positive…
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Readout of White House Meeting on Expanding Access to Free Community College

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan at U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Commencement Address

Tomb Field, New York Good morning. I must admit that it is daunting to stand in front of a sign that says “Acta Non Verba” – deeds not words – and then come up here and offer you a bunch of words. But I will do my best. Vice Admiral Nunan. Deputy Secretary Trottenberg. General Smith. Rear Admiral Phillips. Congressman Souzzi. Friends, family, and faculty. And most importantly, the midshipmen of the Class of 2024. Congratulations! It is an honor be here with the newest generation of Kings Pointers. I did not time that flyover, but I’ll take it. To…
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Expanding Passport Agencies Across the United States

Expanding Passport Agencies Across the United States

More Americans can travel abroad today than at any time in our history.  In 1990, only five percent of Americans had a passport.  Today, that number is 48 percent.  In Fiscal Year 2023, the Department of State issued over 24 million passport books and cards – more than ever before.  To better serve the growing number of Americans seeking U.S. passports, the Department is taking steps to establish six new passport agencies.  These offices – which will open in Salt Lake City, UT; Kansas City, MO; Orlando, FL; Charlotte, NC; San Antonio, TX; and Cincinnati, OH – reflect our commitment to provide prompt customer services…
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Readout of White House Meeting on Expanding Access to Free Community College

Statement from National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan Announcing Support for Ukrainian Children’s Education Following Russian Attacks

Russia is waging a war not just against the Ukrainian military, but also against the Ukrainian people.  On May 23, 2024, a Russian strike destroyed the Faktur-Druk printing house in Kharkiv, one of the largest printing houses in Europe. This is part of Russia’s ongoing destruction of printing houses in Kharkiv and elsewhere in Ukraine. Kharkiv’s printing houses produce a significant percentage of all books in Ukraine, including textbooks for Ukrainian children. By striking these printing houses, Russia is attacking Ukraine’s education system. We will not let Russia succeed.  Today, we are announcing that the United States government, through USAID, is providing assistance to…
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Expanding Passport Agencies Across the United States

Breaking the Cycle of Sexual Violence in Conflict

The United Nations reported a 50 percent increase in verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence from 2022 to 2023.  It is clear that everyone in the international community must do more to prevent and respond to all forms of gender-based violence, including by promoting access to immediate and long-term comprehensive services and fully funding and making accessible survivor-centered humanitarian assistance.  We owe it to victims and survivors to support trauma-informed approaches to justice and accountability, including transitional justice measures.  We must hold perpetrators accountable and condemn sexual violence wherever and whenever it occurs, and we must prevent conflict-related sexual violence…
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DHS Announces Proposed Rule and Other Measures to Enhance Security, Streamline Asylum Processing

DHS Announces Proposed Rule and Other Measures to Enhance Security, Streamline Asylum Processing

DHS Announces Proposed Rule and Other Measures to Enhance Security, Streamline Asylum Processing Release Date: May 9, 2024 WASHINGTON – As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s continued efforts to enhance the security of our border and deliver more timely consequences for those encountered who do not have a legal basis to remain in the United States, today the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would allow statutory bars to asylum to be applied much earlier in the process. Even though the number of migrants who are…
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Readout of White House Meeting on Expanding Access to Free Community College

Remarks by Vice President Harris at a Campaign Event

University of Maryland College Park, Maryland 11:56 A.M. EDT THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Kate Cox!  (Applause.)  Isn’t she extraordinary?  And what good news.  Just extraordinary, Kate.  As I said to you and your husband backstage, you really have been so courageous and such a leader in this movement.  You know, I — I shared with Kate that — and please have a seat if — if there are chairs.  (Laughter.)  They have chairs.  (Laughs.)  I said to Kate that, you know, I think, in moments of crisis, that the universe has a way of revealing the heroes among us who show…
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