My Administration's whole-of-government response to the impacts of Hurricane Helene continues.

Here's an update: As of today, I've ordered 1,500 active-duty troops to move into Western North Carolina to assist with response and recovery efforts – in addition to more than 7,000 federal personnel.

This support supplements more than 6,100 National Guardsmen helping support the response.

Today, I met with federal, state, and local officials to receive an operational briefing around the needs of Florida communities in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

I also provided some updates of our own: Yesterday, I approved 100% percent federal cost share for emergency response activities in FL, GA, NC, and TN.

This will cover the costs for the work to remove debris; surge additional first responders and search and rescue teams; set up shelters; and provide food and water.

In the time since Russia launched its assault, Ukraine has won the battle of Kyiv, reclaimed over half of its seized territory, and safeguarded its independence.

And they continue to defend their freedom.

Today, I'm announcing a surge in assistance to help Ukraine win this war. I've directed the @DeptofDefense to allocate all of its remaining security assistance funding that has been appropriated for Ukraine by the end of my term in office.

On a hot summer day 61 years ago, hundreds of thousands of Americans descended on our nation's capital to march and hear a preacher’s timeless dream:

An America of equal opportunity for all.

I’m proud that my Administration has worked every day to bring us closer to that dream. Every student deserves access to a high-quality education, no matter your race or ethnicity.

That's why, on my watch, we've clarified schools’ civil rights obligations, fought against book bans that erase history, and invested in school diversity and equal access to higher ed.

Two years ago, I signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law after Kamala cast the tie-breaking vote.

Folks, I'm so proud of all the ways this law has already started transforming the lives of hardworking American families.

Let me name a few: Just yesterday, we announced that – for the first time ever – Medicare successfully negotiated lower drug prices.

All told, it's going to save millions of seniors and Americans with disabilities over $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket expenses in the first year alone.

I’m tired of seeing hardworking Americans get played for suckers.

Today, I’m announcing a series of actions to crack down on how big corporations – through paperwork, hold times, and scams – add hassles to Americans’ daily lives.

Here are a few actions my Administration is taking: We’re making it easier to cancel subscriptions and memberships.

You shouldn’t have to navigate a maze just to cancel unwanted subscriptions and recurring payments.

The FTC is hard at work finalizing its “Click to Cancel” rule that it proposed to make this process a requirement.

It's been a year since the Supreme Court struck down my Administration's plan to get 40 million Americans life-changing student debt relief.
 
It’s simple: Republican elected officials and special interests couldn’t bear the thought of hardworking folks getting relief, so they sued. One path closed that day, but I promised you that my Administration would use every tool at our disposal to relieve the burden of student loan debt so it doesn’t keep you from reaching your dreams.
 
Since then, we've approved debt relief for 4.75million Americans through various actions.
 
And we're not stopping there.

Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana.

So today, the @TheJusticeDept is taking the next step to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug under federal law.

Here's what that means: @TheJusticeDept Right now, marijuana has a higher-level classification than fentanyl and methamphetamine – the two drugs driving America's overdose epidemic.

That just doesn't add up.

A budget that invests in all of America and all Americans.

Tomorrow evening at 9 PM ET, I'll deliver my State of the Union address.

Here's what that means. The State of the Union isn't just a speech – it's my report to you, the American people.

You hired me to get the job done, build an economy that works for working people, and make life better for families.

Tomorrow, I'll update you on our progress and lay out the path ahead.

Last month, a court in Alabama put access to some fertility treatments at risk for families who are desperately trying to get pregnant.

The disregard for women’s ability to make these decisions for themselves and their families is outrageous and unacceptable. This comes as women are being turned away from emergency rooms and forced to travel hundreds of miles for health care, while doctors fear prosecution for providing an abortion.

2023 was a year spent working to get hardworking families more breathing room, growing our economy from the middle out and bottom up, and fighting for every American’s freedoms. Our Administration worked to lower costs by granting Medicare the ability to negotiate lower drug prices, capping Insulin at $35 for seniors, and helping millions save on insurance.

We also took on hidden junk fees and made internet more affordable for 22 million households.

America was founded on the principle of equal justice under law — our criminal justice system can and should reflect this core value that makes our communities safer and stronger.

That’s why I’m announcing additional steps to make the promise of equal justice a reality. First, I’m commuting the sentences of 11 people who are serving disproportionately long sentences for non-violent drug offenses.

All of them would have been eligible to receive significantly lower sentences if they were charged with the same offense today.

This year, my team and I visited 12 countries over the course of eight trips.

Together, we strengthened bilateral friendships, worked with countries everywhere to improve the lives of all people, and upheld the United States' promises to ourselves, and the world. From Kyiv to Tel Aviv, we stood up for democracies around the world.

Because with democracy, everything is possible. And without it, nothing is.

It's up to us to cherish it, defend it, and strengthen it.

I don’t look at the economy through the eyes of Wall Street or Park Avenue. I look at it through the eyes of the people I grew up with in Scranton, PA, and Claymont, DE.

Here's how we've been lowering costs so hardworking Americans get the breathing room they deserve: Junk fees may not matter to the wealthy, but they matter to working Americans.

We've cracked down on hidden junk fees to lower the cost of everyday living.

Now you’ll notice differences this holiday season with more upfront pricing.

Jill, who is a life-long educator, has an expression: “Any nation that out-educates us is going to out-compete us.”

I’m committed to expanding access to quality education for all Americans, and we’ve made big progress this year.

Here’s how: We’ve approved over a total of $132 billion in student debt cancellation for 3.6 million Americans through various actions.

Getting student loan debt relief to borrowers that need it is about extending the power of possibilities to every American, not just those at the top.

I welcome the deal to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas during its brutal assault against Israel on October 7th.

I'm gratified that these brave souls, who have endured an unspeakable ordeal, will be reunited with their families once this deal is fully implemented. I thank Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar and President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt for their critical partnership in reaching this deal. And I appreciate Prime Minister Netanyahu's commitment in supporting an extended pause to ensure this deal can be fully carried out.

For weeks, I've been speaking with Israel’s leaders about the importance of humanitarian pauses in the fighting to get civilians to safety, support the freeing of hostages, and increase the flow of food, water, and medicine into Gaza.

Here's the latest on those conversations: As of today, there will be two humanitarian passages that will allow people to flee hostile areas in Gaza.

And they’ve already enabled thousands to reach safety.

I vowed to strengthen Medicare for the millions of Americans that have paid into this program from their very first paycheck.

And today, as Medicare open enrollment starts, seniors will see the progress we’ve made lowering health care costs as they choose their 2024 plans. Thanks to actions we've taken, starting January 1, 2024:

1. Seniors and other Part D enrollees with high drug spending will have their out-of-pocket drug costs capped.

As we continue to account for the horrors of the terrorist assault against Israel this weekend and the hundreds of civilians murdered, we are seeing the immense scale and reach of this tragedy.

Sadly, we now know that at least 11 American citizens were among those killed. It’s heart-wrenching.

These families have been torn apart by inexcusable hatred and violence, and my heart goes out to every family impacted.

The pain these families have endured, the enormity of their loss, and the agony of those still awaiting information is unfathomable.

Every American is guaranteed a better future when women and girls can reach their full potential.