President Trump Kicks Off Infrastructure Week
JUNE 6, 2017 AT 5:06 PM ET BY THE WHITE HOUSE
President Donald J. Trump has dedicated this week to addressing America's crumbling infrastructure. The President will be announcing his Administration’s infrastructure plans this week on Air Traffic Control, addressing the inland waterway system, and improving project efficiency.
On Monday, President Trump announced his plans to privatize the Nation’s air traffic control. Calling for the separation of Air Traffic Control from the Federal Aviation Administration will reduce congestion, flight times, and fuel usage, and will allow America to use and develop modern technology and communication equipment. This will improve safety and restore America’s role as a leader in aviation technology.
On Wednesday, President Trump will confront America’s failing inland waterway system. The waterway has relied primarily on federal funding, which has been insufficient in meeting operational demands of the system. The President’s new approach will empower state and local governments to make necessary improvements to our infrastructure.
On Thursday, a Governors and Mayors listening session will be held to ensure that the Administration’s policies on infrastructure align with the states’ specific needs. The session will cover issues such as rural infrastructure, permitting reform, transformative projects, drinking and wastewater, transportation, and energy.
To finish the week, the President will sign an executive order to improve the efficiency and timeliness of America’s infrastructure projects. The order will reduce the time it takes to permit a major infrastructure project, which could generate trillions of dollars in economic benefits.
For more information, follow along with @WhiteHouse and @POTUS.
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
June 06, 2017
President Donald J. Trump Signs H.R. 366 into Law
On Tuesday, June 6, 2017, the President signed into law:
H.R. 366, the "DHS Stop Asset and Vehicle Excess Act or the DHS SAVE Act," which requires the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to oversee and manage vehicle fleets throughout DHS; and imposes new requirements on DHS components regarding the management of those fleets.The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
June 06, 2017
Statement by the President on the Signing of H.R. 366
H.R. 366, the "DHS Stop Asset and Vehicle Excess Act," would assign responsibility for achieving optimal vehicle fleet size in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the Under Secretary for Management (the Under Secretary). I am pleased to sign this bill and applaud this legislative effort to eliminate waste. One provision of the bill, however, purports to require the Under Secretary to recommend budget rescissions to the Congress if the Under Secretary determines that DHS component heads have not taken adequate steps to achieve optimal vehicle fleet size in the previous fiscal year. My Administration, including the Under Secretary, will respectfully treat the provision in a manner consistent with Article II, section 3 of the Constitution, which provides the President the exclusive authority to "recommend" to the Congress spending "Measures" in such amounts and for such purposes "as he shall judge necessary and expedient." My Administration, including the Under Secretary, looks forward to working with the Congress to identify and implement proposals to eliminate wasteful spending.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE,
June 6, 2017.The White House
June 6, 2017.The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
June 06, 2017
Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Call with King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia
President Donald J. Trump spoke today with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia. The two leaders discussed the critical goals of preventing the financing of terrorist organizations and eliminating the promotion of extremism by any nation in the region. The President underscored that a united Gulf Cooperation Council is critical to defeating terrorism and promoting regional stability.The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
June 06, 2017
Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate
June 6, 2017
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
I am providing this supplemental consolidated report, prepared by my Administration and consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148), as part of my efforts to keep the Congress informed about deployments of U.S. Armed Forces equipped for combat.
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF UNITED STATES COUNTERTERRORISM EFFORTS
In furtherance of United States counterterrorism efforts, the United States continues to work with partners around the globe, with a particular focus on the U.S. Central and Africa Commands' areas of responsibility. In this context, the United States has deployed combat-equipped forces to enhance the counterterrorism capabilities and support the counterterrorism operations of our partners and allies. Specific information about counterterrorism deployments to select countries is provided below, and a classified annex to this report provides further information.
Military Operations against al-Qa'ida, the Taliban, and Associated Forces and in Support of Related United States Counterterrorism Objectives
Since October 7, 2001, U.S. Armed Forces, including Special Operations Forces, have conducted counterterrorism combat operations in Afghanistan against al-Qa'ida, the Taliban, and associated forces. Since August 2014, these operations have targeted the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which was formerly known as al-Qa'ida in Iraq. In support of these and other overseas operations, the United States has deployed combat-equipped forces to a number of locations in the U.S. Central, European, Africa, Southern, and Pacific Commands' areas of responsibility. Such operations and deployments have been reported previously, consistent with Public Law 107-40 and the War Powers Resolution, and operations and deployments remain ongoing. These operations, which the United States has carried out with the assistance of numerous international partners, have been successful in seriously degrading al-Qa'ida's capabilities. If necessary, in response to terrorist threats, I will direct additional measures to protect United States citizens and interests. It is not possible to know at this time the precise scope or the duration of the deployments of U.S. Armed Forces necessary to counter terrorist threats to the United States.
Afghanistan. U.S. Armed Forces have transitioned the lead for security to Afghan security forces while striking significant blows against al-Qa'ida's leadership and preventing Afghanistan from being used to launch attacks against the United States. United States forces remain in Afghanistan for the purposes of, among other things, training, advising, and assisting Afghan forces; conducting and supporting counterterrorism operations against the remnants of core al-Qa'ida and against ISIS; and taking appropriate measures against those who directly threaten United States and coalition forces in Afghanistan or provide direct support to al-Qa'ida. The United States remains in an armed conflict, including against the Taliban, and active hostilities remain ongoing.
The mission to help train, advise, and assist the Afghan National Defense Security Forces and Afghan ministries and institutions continues through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)-led Resolute Support Mission. The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2189, dated December 12, 2014, which welcomed the Resolute Support Mission and underscored the importance of continued international support for the stability of Afghanistan.
The Force Management Level for U.S. Armed Forces in Afghanistan currently is 8,448. (The actual number of United States military personnel may exceed the Force Management Level due to certain forces being excluded from counting against the Force Management Level; for example, incoming and outgoing forces that overlap during rotations of units do not count against the Force Management Level.)
Iraq and Syria. As part of a comprehensive strategy to defeat ISIS, U.S. Armed Forces are conducting a systematic campaign of airstrikes and other necessary operations against ISIS forces in Iraq and Syria. U.S. Armed Forces are also conducting airstrikes and other necessary operations against al-Qa'ida in Syria. In Iraq, U.S. Armed Forces are advising and coordinating with Iraqi forces and providing training, equipment, communications support, intelligence support, and other support to select elements of the Iraqi security forces, including Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga forces. Additionally, United States forces are deployed to Syria to help coordinate United States operations with indigenous ground forces conducting operations against ISIS. The Force Management Level for U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq currently is 5,262. The Force Management Level for U.S. Armed Forces in Syria is 503. Actions in Iraq are being undertaken in coordination with the Government of Iraq, and in conjunction with coalition partners.
On May 18, 2017, United States forces participating in the defeat-ISIS mission near At Tanf, Syria, were threatened by forces believed to be supporting the Syrian government. After employing appropriate measures seeking to de-escalate the situation, United States forces struck the forces in response to the threat to United States personnel.
Yemen. The United States military continues to work closely with the Government of Yemen and regional partner forces to dismantle and ultimately eliminate the terrorist threat posed by al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). Our efforts since the last periodic update report have included a number of airstrikes and two raids against AQAP operatives and facilities.
Jordan. At the request of the Government of Jordan, approximately 2,850 United States military personnel are deployed to Jordan to support defeat-ISIS operations and the security of Jordan and to promote regional stability. These forces will remain in Jordan, in full coordination with the Government of Jordan, until the security situation becomes such that they are no longer needed.
Turkey. United States forces, including strike and combat support aircraft with associated United States military personnel, remain deployed to Turkey to support defeat-ISIS operations and to support the defense of Turkey, at the Turkish government's request.
East Africa Region. In Somalia, United States forces continue to counter the terrorist threat posed by al-Qa'ida and its Somalia-based associated force, al-Shabaab, and ISIS-Somalia. United States forces also advise, assist, and accompany regional forces, including Somali and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces, during counterterrorism operations. Additional United States forces are deployed to Kenya to support counterterrorism operations in East Africa.
Djibouti. United States forces continue to partner with Government of Djibouti authorities, which have permitted use of Djiboutian territory for basing of United States forces. United States forces remain deployed to Djibouti, including for purposes of posturing for counterterrorism and counter-piracy operations in the Horn of Africa and Arabian Peninsula and contingency support for embassy security augmentation in East Africa, as required.
Libya. United States forces conducted airstrikes –- beginning in May 2016 -- against ISIS targets in Libya, including in support of efforts by forces aligned with the Libyan Government of National Accord to recapture the city of Sirte from ISIS, until December 19, 2016. United States forces reinitiated airstrikes against ISIS targets south of Sirte for a limited period, from January 18 to January 19, 2017. These airstrikes were conducted at the request of and with the consent of the Government of National Accord.
Lake Chad Basin Region. United States military personnel in the Lake Chad Basin continue to provide a wide variety of support to African partners conducting counterterrorism operations in the region. In Niger, there are approximately 645 United States military personnel deployed to support these missions. In Cameroon, approximately 300 United States military personnel are also deployed, the bulk of whom are supporting United States airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations in the region. These forces are equipped with weapons for the purpose of providing their own force protection and security, and they will remain in Cameroon, with the consent of the Government of Cameroon, until their support is no longer needed.
Cuba. Combat-equipped forces, deployed since January 2002 to the Naval Base, Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, continue to conduct humane and secure detention operations for detainees held at Guantánamo Bay under the authority provided by the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40), as informed by the law of war. There were 41 such detainees as of the date of this report.
MILITARY OPERATIONS RELATED TO THE LORD'S RESISTANCE ARMY
Beginning in 2011, United States military personnel with appropriate combat equipment deployed to various countries in the central Africa region to serve as advisors to regional forces of the African Union Regional Task Force working to apprehend or remove Joseph Kony and other senior Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) leaders from the battlefield and to protect local populations. The United States military counter-LRA mission ended on April 26, 2017. United States military personnel remaining in Uganda, the Republic of South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic are conducting retrograde activities. The number of United States military personnel still deployed to those countries in the central Africa region is approximately 410.
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN SYRIA
As I previously reported, on April 6, 2017, at my direction, United States forces in the Mediterranean Sea operating beyond the territorial sea of any state struck the Shayrat military airfield in Syria. These strikes were in response to the chemical weapons attack on Syrian civilians in southern Idlib Province, Syria, on April 4, 2017.
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN EGYPT
Approximately 700 military personnel are assigned to or supporting the United States contingent of the Multinational Force and Observers, which have been present in Egypt since 1981.
MILITARY OPERATIONS RELATED TO THE SECURITY OF UNITED STATES CITIZENS AND PROPERTY IN SOUTH SUDAN
My predecessor previously reported the deployment of United States military personnel with appropriate combat equipment to South Sudan to support the security of United States citizens and property in South Sudan, including of our Embassy in Juba. That military mission ended in late January 2017.
UNITED STATES/NATO OPERATIONS IN KOSOVO
The United Nations Security Council authorized Member States to establish a NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) in Resolution 1244 on June 10, 1999. The original mission of KFOR was to monitor, verify, and, when necessary, enforce compliance with the Military Technical Agreement between NATO and the then-Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (now Serbia), while maintaining a safe and secure environment. Today, KFOR deters renewed hostilities in cooperation with local authorities, bilateral partners, and international institutions. The principal military tasks of KFOR forces are to help maintain a safe and secure environment and to ensure freedom of movement throughout Kosovo. The United States contribution to KFOR is approximately 660 United States military personnel out of the total strength of approximately 4,080 personnel.
I have directed the participation of U.S. Armed Forces in all of these operations pursuant to my constitutional and statutory authority as Commander in Chief and as Chief Executive (including the authority to carry out Public Law 107-40 and other statutes), as well as my constitutional and statutory authority to conduct the foreign relations of the United States. Officials of my Administration and I communicate regularly with the leadership and other Members of Congress with regard to these deployments and we will continue to do so.
Sincerely,
DONALD J. TRUMPThe White House
June 06, 2017
Substitute Amendment to H.R. 10 – Financial CHOICE Act of 2017
Substitute Amendment to H.R. 10 – Financial CHOICE Act of 2017
(Rep. Hensarling, R-TX)
(Rep. Hensarling, R-TX)
The Administration is committed to reforming the Nation's financial system. On February 3, 2017, the President signed Executive Order 13772, Core Principles for Regulating the United States Financial System. The Administration's Core Principles include: (1) preventing taxpayer-funded bailouts; (2) fostering economic growth; (3) making regulation efficient, effective, and appropriately tailored; and (4) restoring public accountability within Federal financial regulatory agencies.
The substitute amendment to H.R. 10, the Financial CHOICE Act, reflects the Administration's Core Principles in several key respects. It aims to eliminate taxpayer bailouts, simplify regulation, hold financial regulators accountable, and foster economic growth by facilitating capital formation. In particular, H.R. 10 would allow well-capitalized banking organizations to opt out of certain regulatory requirements, affirm the President's authority to remove the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at will, subject the CFPB to the congressional appropriations process, require broader use of cost-benefit analysis by financial regulators, and provide regulatory relief for community financial institutions. The Administration supports these provisions, and looks forward to working with Congress to undo additional mandates from the Dodd-Frank law that unnecessarily raise costs and limit choices for consumers.
The Administration's on-going review of financial regulation, including the reviews of the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to Executive Order 13772, may yield additional views with respect to other provisions of H.R. 10.
The Administration thanks Chairman Jeb Hensarling for his leadership on the important issues addressed by the Financial CHOICE Act. The Administration supports passage of the substitute amendment to H.R. 10 as a necessary and important step in moving financial reform legislation through the Congress. Upon passage, the Administration looks forward to working with the Senate on arriving at a final piece of legislationThe White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
June 06, 2017
Seventeen Nominations Sent to the Senate Today
NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:
Brian Allen Benczkowski, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Attorney General, vice Leslie Ragon Caldwell.
David Steele Bohigian, of Missouri, to be Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, vice Mimi
E. Alemayehou.
Steven Gill Bradbury, of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Department of Transportation, vice Kathryn B. Thomson, resigned.
Annie Caputo, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the term of five years expiring June 30,
2022, vice William Charles Ostendorff, term expired.
Robert Charrow, of Maryland, to be General Counsel of the Department of Health and Human Services, vice William B. Schultz.
Carlos G. Muñiz, of Florida, to be General Counsel, Department of Education, vice James Cole, Jr.
Peter Louis Oppenheim, of Maryland, to be Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs, Department of Education,
vice Julius Lloyd Horwich.
Joseph Otting, of Nevada, to be Comptroller of the Currency for a term of five years, vice Thomas J. Curry, term expired.
Stephen Parente, of Minnesota, to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services, vice Richard G. Frank.
David P. Pekoske, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, vice Peter V. Neffenger.
Richard V. Spencer, of Wyoming, to be Secretary of the Navy, vice Raymond Edwin Mabus, Jr.
Charles Douglas Stimson, of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Department of the Navy, vice Paul Luis Oostburg Sanz.
Kristine L. Svinicki, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the term of five years expiring June 30,
2022. (Reappointment)
Elizabeth Erin Walsh, of the District of Columbia, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United
States and Foreign Commercial Service, vice Arun Madhavan Kumar.
Ray Washburne, of Texas, to be President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, vice Elizabeth L. Littlefield.
Owen West, of Connecticut, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense, vice Michael D. Lumpkin.
David Wright, of South Carolina, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the term of five years expiring June 30,
2020, vice Jeffery Martin Baran, resigned.
Brian Allen Benczkowski, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Attorney General, vice Leslie Ragon Caldwell.
David Steele Bohigian, of Missouri, to be Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, vice Mimi
E. Alemayehou.
Steven Gill Bradbury, of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Department of Transportation, vice Kathryn B. Thomson, resigned.
Annie Caputo, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the term of five years expiring June 30,
2022, vice William Charles Ostendorff, term expired.
Robert Charrow, of Maryland, to be General Counsel of the Department of Health and Human Services, vice William B. Schultz.
Carlos G. Muñiz, of Florida, to be General Counsel, Department of Education, vice James Cole, Jr.
Peter Louis Oppenheim, of Maryland, to be Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs, Department of Education,
vice Julius Lloyd Horwich.
Joseph Otting, of Nevada, to be Comptroller of the Currency for a term of five years, vice Thomas J. Curry, term expired.
Stephen Parente, of Minnesota, to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services, vice Richard G. Frank.
David P. Pekoske, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, vice Peter V. Neffenger.
Richard V. Spencer, of Wyoming, to be Secretary of the Navy, vice Raymond Edwin Mabus, Jr.
Charles Douglas Stimson, of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Department of the Navy, vice Paul Luis Oostburg Sanz.
Kristine L. Svinicki, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the term of five years expiring June 30,
2022. (Reappointment)
Elizabeth Erin Walsh, of the District of Columbia, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United
States and Foreign Commercial Service, vice Arun Madhavan Kumar.
Ray Washburne, of Texas, to be President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, vice Elizabeth L. Littlefield.
Owen West, of Connecticut, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense, vice Michael D. Lumpkin.
David Wright, of South Carolina, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the term of five years expiring June 30,
2020, vice Jeffery Martin Baran, resigned.
