Politics

FACT SHEET: President Biden Highlights Allentown, Lehigh Valley, and Pennsylvania’s Economic Comeback
28 Jan

FACT SHEET: President Biden Highlights Allentown, Lehigh Valley, and Pennsylvania’s Economic Comeback

Politics
New data shows Biden-Harris Administration has three strongest years on record for new business applications, as Bidenomics and the President’s Investing in America agenda support good jobs and spur investments in Allentown Today, President Biden will visit small businesses in the Allentown area of Pennsylvania that are at the heart of his plan to support communities too often left behind. Allentown, a historic steel town, was hollowed out by failed trickle-down economics. Under President Biden, Allentown is experiencing an economic comeback. Driven by President Biden’s agenda to grow the economy from the middle out and the bottom up, communities like…
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Secretary Blinken and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Before Their Meeting
28 Jan

Secretary Blinken and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Before Their Meeting

Politics
SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Well, first of all, thank you.  It’s so good to see you, as always.  And very simply, for the United States, the European Union is the partner of first resort, not last resort, as we are working together around the world on some of the most acute challenges – whether it’s the conflict between Israel and Hamas; whether it’s the Russian aggression against Ukraine; whether it’s the challenging situation in Haiti – many economic opportunities and issues as well.  One of the things that we’re most grateful for is this incredibly close collaboration between the United States and the…
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Statement from President Joe Biden on Early Student Debt Cancellation for Borrowers Enrolled in SAVE
26 Jan

Statement from President Joe Biden on Early Student Debt Cancellation for Borrowers Enrolled in SAVE

Politics
From Day One of my Administration, I vowed to fix the student loan system and make sure higher education is a pathway to the middle class – not a barrier to opportunity. Already, my Administration has cancelled student debt for 3.6 million Americans through various actions – delivering lifechanging relief to students and families, and we created the most affordable student loan repayment plan ever: the SAVE plan. I am proud that my Administration is implementing one of the most impactful provisions of the SAVE plan nearly six months ahead of schedule. Starting next month, borrowers enrolled in SAVE who…
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Secretary Blinken to Participate in a Conversation Hosted by Thomas Friedman
26 Jan

Secretary Blinken to Participate in a Conversation Hosted by Thomas Friedman

Politics
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will participate in a moderated conversation hosted by Thomas Friedman of The New York Times at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. local/4:00 a.m. EST.    Official news published at https://www.state.gov/secretary-blinken-to-participate-in-a-conversation-hosted-by-thomas-friedman/
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Statement from President Joe Biden on Early Student Debt Cancellation for Borrowers Enrolled in SAVE
24 Jan

Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials and Senior Military Official on Developments in the Middle East

Politics
Via Teleconference 8:15 P.M. EST MODERATOR:  Hello, everyone.  Thanks so much for joining us tonight for the call.  As a reminder, this call is on background. Joining us tonight we have [senior administration official], who will be referred to as a senior administration official, as well as [senior military official], who will be referred to as a senior military official. We’ll have our speakers deliver some remarks at the top, and then we’ll take some of your questions.  This call is not under any embargo but it is on background. So with that, I’ll turn it over to [senior administration official]. SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Great,…
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Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Rwandan President Kagame
24 Jan

Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Rwandan President Kagame

Politics
Today, Secretary Antony J. Blinken met with Rwandan President Paul Kagame on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. They discussed how to advance efforts to ease tensions in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Secretary reiterated the need for all actors to take concrete steps to resolve the situation. Official news published at https://www.state.gov/secretary-blinkens-meeting-with-rwandan-president-kagame/
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Statement from President Joe Biden on Early Student Debt Cancellation for Borrowers Enrolled in SAVE
22 Jan

Statement from NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on Secretary Gina Raimondo’s Participation in the Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to the Philippines

Politics
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. today announced he will send a Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to Manila, Philippines March 11-12, 2024 to enhance U.S. companies’ contributions to the Philippines’ innovation economy, connective infrastructure, clean energy transition, critical minerals sector, and the food security of its people. The mission will be led by Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and will reinforce the Philippines as a key hub for regional supply chains and high-quality investment. President Biden’s announcement follows on his commitment to Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to advance U.S.-Philippines economic ties and internationally recognized labor rights. ### Official news…
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Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with European Commission President von der Leyen
22 Jan

Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with European Commission President von der Leyen

Politics
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today in Davos, Switzerland. Secretary Blinken and President von der Leyen discussed the importance of continued international assistance for Ukraine as it fights to defend its freedom and independence. They also addressed the urgent need to increase humanitarian assistance for Palestinian civilians in Gaza, prevent further spread of the conflict, secure the release of all hostages, ensure the Hamas attacks of October 7 can never happen again, and advance a pathway for a Palestinian state. The Secretary…
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Statement from President Joe Biden on Early Student Debt Cancellation for Borrowers Enrolled in SAVE
20 Jan

A Proclamation on Religious Freedom Day, 2024

Politics
     The constitutional right to practice our faiths peacefully and openly is a core tenet of our democracy and helps us fulfill one of our highest aspirations as a Nation:  to be a citadel of liberty and a beacon of freedom.  On Religious Freedom Day, we renew our pledge to protect that right by ensuring each person of any faith or belief can live out the deepest convictions of their conscience with dignity and respect.      Like so many Americans, faith has sustained me throughout my life — serving as a reminder of both our collective purpose and…
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Secretary Blinken’s Remarks at a World Economic Forum Event: Treating Soil as a Precious Resource
20 Jan

Secretary Blinken’s Remarks at a World Economic Forum Event: Treating Soil as a Precious Resource

Politics
SECRETARY BLINKEN:  John, thank you very much. (Applause.) Thank you.  Thank you.  Good afternoon.  John, my old friend, thank you very, very much.  And as always, here, it’s particularly good to be with leaders from across government, business, civil society.  So when you think about soil, the U.S. Secretary of State is probably not the first person who comes to mind.  (Laughter.)  But the truth is soil is literally at the root of many pressing national security challenges that we face. You all know this, and we know this increasingly with every passing day: without good soil, crops fail, prices rise,…
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