Politics

Joint Statement by United States Secretary of Homeland Security Mayorkas and European Union Commissioner for Internal Market Breton Release Date: January 30, 2024 WASHINGTON – Marking the one-year anniversary of their 2023 Joint Statement, United States Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas and European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton released the following updated joint statement on the cooperation between the United States and the European Union in the field of cyber resilience: “We strongly welcome the close cooperation between the United States and the European Union to secure our people, critical infrastructure, and businesses against detrimental cyber activities.…

Our immigration system has been broken for decades. That is why President Biden and I have spent the last three years putting forward solutions to fix it and address the root causes of migration. On the first day of our Administration, we sent a comprehensive immigration reform bill to Congress that included an increase in funding for border security and a pathway to citizenship for immigrants, such as Dreamers who have been here for years. We have partnered with countries in the Western Hemisphere to address global pressures that are forcing people from their homes, and worked with the private sector to…

Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland traveled to Kyiv, Ukraine on January 31. While there, she met with senior Ukrainian government officials to reiterate the United States’ enduring support for Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in the face of Putin’s brutal war. The Acting Deputy Secretary also visited a USAID-funded wounded veteran rehabilitation center where she saw and heard first-hand accounts of both the tragic toll of nearly two-years of fighting, and the heroic bravery of the Ukrainian people who are determined to win the fight for their future. Official news published at https://www.state.gov/acting-deputy-secretary-of-state-nulands-travel-to-ukraine/

The Biden-Harris Administration strongly supports the bipartisan agreement announced in the Senate that would address a number of pressing national security issues. President Biden has repeatedly said he is willing to work in a bipartisan way to secure the border and fix our broken immigration system. From his first day in office, he has called on Congress to act and over the course of several months, his administration has worked with a bipartisan group of Senators on important reforms and necessary funding. This agreement, if passed into law, would be the toughest and fairest set of reforms to secure the…

U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Dr. Geeta Rao Gupta will travel to Bogotá, Colombia from January 31-February 3.  The Ambassador will meet with government officials, civil society leaders, international partners, and other gender equality champions. To further advance the United States’ and Colombia’s shared commitment to promoting gender equality and the global Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, Ambassador Rao Gupta and Vice Foreign Minister of Colombia Elizabeth Taylor will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on February 1 to support the launch of Colombia’s Women, Peace and Security Center of Excellence.  This Center will coordinate existing WPS efforts and…

Readout of Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas’ Meeting with the National Council of Textile Organizations Release Date: January 30, 2024 Earlier today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas met virtually with members of the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO). The Council’s members are large and small companies alike that employ thousands of American workers and create jobs for people throughout the United States and the region. NCTO members shared with Secretary Mayorkas the tremendous harm and distress that the textile industry is suffering at the hands of unscrupulous individuals and entities who create an unfair market…

Yesterday, senior Biden-Harris Administration officials convened a meeting with manufacturers of RSV immunizations for infants, including Sanofi and AstraZeneca, to receive an update on supply, and to underscore the need for manufacturers to continue efforts to meet current and projected demand through the commercial market. This meeting follows several in-person and virtual meetings, including last month when manufacturers announced the availability of hundreds of thousands of additional doses at the urging of the administration, including 230,000 additional doses, which providers and states will begin to be able to order starting next week. Parents of infants under eight months can speak…

Acting Special Coordinator for the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) Helaina Matza will travel to Brasilia and Sao Paulo January 16-18 to advance ongoing PGI-led efforts to facilitate strategic infrastructure investments in critical minerals, clean hydrogen, clean energy infrastructure, and e-mobility. PGI is working to expand its global economic corridor approach and identify quality, sustainable infrastructure opportunities in the Western Hemisphere. While in Brazil, Acting Special Coordinator Matza will meet with government officials as well as private sector partners to discuss potential infrastructure projects and financing. Official news published at https://www.state.gov/acting-special-coordinator-for-the-partnership-for-global-infrastructure-and-investment-matzas-travel-to-brazil/

Groton, CT *** Thank you, Commander Low. I’m grateful to you and the entire leadership team for the warm welcome this evening. I also know that we have your amazing Senator here. He’s working every day in Washington for Connecticut’s military and veteran families. Dick– Joe and I are thankful for your partnership. And to all of the local elected leaders here, thank you for taking the time to join us. The USS Delaware is family. I first felt that connection more than 10 years ago, when it was announced that I would be this boat’s sponsor. The USS Delaware…

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today in Davos, Switzerland. They discussed the importance of continued global assistance to support Ukraine as it fights for its freedom and sovereignty. They also spoke about efforts to support Ukraine’s economic resilience and recovery, including through private sector investment. The three additionally discussed ongoing anti-corruption reform efforts to bolster Ukraine’s economic recovery and continue its trajectory towards Euro-Atlantic integration. Secretary Blinken and National Security Advisor Sullivan strongly reiterated the United States’ enduring support for Ukraine and its territorial integrity in the…