Statement by President Donald J. Trump on the Senate’s Failure to Advance the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act
LAW & JUSTICE
Issued on: January 29, 2018
Recently, when I addressed the 45th annual March for Life, I called on the Senate to pass the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, important legislation that would protect our most vulnerable. It is disappointing that despite support from a bipartisan majority of U.S. Senators, this bill was blocked from further consideration. Scientific studies have demonstrated that babies in the womb feel pain at twenty weeks. The vote by the Senate rejects scientific fact and puts the United States out of the mainstream in the family of nations, in which only 7 out of 198 nations, including China and North Korea, allow elective abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. We must defend those who cannot defend themselves. I urge the Senate to reconsider its decision and pass legislation that will celebrate, cherish, and protect life.
Remarks by President Trump at Lunch with Members of the United Nations Security Council
Issued on: January 29, 2018
State Dining Room
12:25 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much everyone. I’m honored to be joined by Secretary Tillerson, Ambassador Haley, General Kelly, and General McMaster to host a very distinguished group of United Nations Security Council ambassadors from all around the world.
Today, we will discuss our cooperation on a range of security challenges, including the denuking of North Korea, very importantly; countering Iran’s destabilization activities in the Middle East; ending the Syrian conflict; and confronting terrorism.
The success of the United Nations depends on the independent strength of its members. And these are very strong members; some of them are new to the Council.
We’re leading on the global stage to renew this founding principle of sovereignty. The United States has done a lot over the last year. I appreciate all of the congratulations. But on an economic front, a financial front, it’s been incredible what’s happened. It’s like a whole different place. It’s booming, and it’s going to continue because we have a long way to go. But it’s been doing really well.
So we appreciate — I think we’re taking the world along with us. We’re helping the world. That’s why some of the countries, or the many other countries throughout the world are doing much better because of what we’re doing.
So my administration is proud to work with you. We’ve already done a tremendous number of coalition-building, and the United Nations Security Council, in particular, is very important to us. The power and the respect that it has all over the world is very, very excellent.
But there’s much work that we have to, together, do. And earlier today, the ambassadors viewed a display of Iranian missiles and arms that the regime has transferred to its militant allies in Yemen. And later today, they’re going to view Syria atrocities exhibited at the Holocaust Museum. So they’ve seen the missiles from Iran, and they’re looking at some of the atrocities taking place in Syria.
We’ll also discuss what more we can do to defeat the Taliban. I don’t see any talking taking place. I don’t think we’re prepared to talk right now. It’s a whole different fight over there. They’re killing people left and right. Innocent people are being killed left and right. Bombing in the middle of children, in the middle of families — bombing, killing all over Afghanistan.
So we don’t want to talk with the Taliban. There may be a time, but it’s going to be a long time. We’re all out, and that’s taking place right now, and it’s a whole new front. And it’s a whole new set of principles that we’re being governed by.
When we see what they’re doing and the atrocities that they’re committing, and killing their own people, and those people are women and children — many, many women and children that are totally innocent — it is horrible.
So there’s no talking to the Taliban. We don’t want to talk to the Taliban. We’re going to finish what we have to finish. What nobody else has been able to finish, we’re going to be able to do it.
So thank you all very much, we appreciate it. And we’re going to have a tremendous discussion about that and other subjects. Thank you all for being here. We appreciate it. Thank you.
END
12:29 P.M. EST
Remarks by President Trump at Swearing-In Ceremony of Alex Azar as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services
Issued on: January 29, 2018
Oval Office
11:35 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: It’s a very special day for me, because we’ve been looking for this day for a long time. I’m thrilled to be here to administer the Oath of Office to America’s new Secretary of Health and Human Services, Mr. Alex Azar.
Come here, Alex. He’s going to get those prescription drug prices way down as a little bit of an extra, right? It’s going to come rocketing down.
Alex is joined today by his father, Alex. Thank you, congratulations. Of course, I’ll only say congratulations if he does a great job, right? (Laughter.) Which I know he will. Which I know he will.
MR. AZAR, SR.: No doubt.
THE PRESIDENT: We have no doubt, you’re right. I don’t either.
His wife Jennifer, his daughter Claire, his son Alex, his sister Stacy and her family, and his sister-in-law Beth and her husband, and numerous friends — thank you all for being here. We appreciate it and Alex appreciates it.
Upon taking his Oath of Office, Alex will take the helm of a department he has already served with tremendous distinction, first as General Counsel and later as Deputy Secretary. In both those roles, Alex was outstanding and an incredible public servant. People talk about him to this day. He was instrumental in improving the department’s operations and advancing its emergency response capabilities.
Alex knows inside and out the impact of government policy on patients, healthcare, and prices. As the former president of Lilly USA — big company, great company, and he did an incredible job — Alex brings invaluable private sector experience to complement his years of public service.
The Department of Health and Human Services has already achieved a great deal rolling back regulations that drive up healthcare costs, but we have a long way to go. A lot of people are very happy with the amount we’ve done already, but Alex is going to bring that to a big, brand-new level.
As our new Secretary, Alex will continue to implement the administrative and regulatory changes needed to ensure that our citizens get the affordable, high-quality care they deserve. He will help lead our efforts to confront the national emergency of addiction and death due to opioids. And I think we’re going to be very tough on the drug companies in that regard and very tough on doctors in that regard, because what’s going on is pretty incredible. And finally, put an end to this plague on the lives on families and communities. People go in for a minor operation into a hospital; they come out, they’re addicted to opioids. They’re addicted to drugs after a short period of time.
We have to get the prices of prescription drugs way down and unravel the tangled web of special interests that are driving prices up for medicine and for really hurting patients. And we’re going to get that done. That’s going to be so important.
You look at other countries — they pay a fraction for the exact same drug. The exact same pill, in an identical box from the same factory, costs us much more — many times more than it does in other countries. And nobody knows that process better than Alex. And we’re going to get that done because it’s very unfair to our country. Neighboring countries pay a tiny fraction of what we pay for the same exact pill made in the same location.
And, Alex, I know there is no one more capable, qualified, and committed than you to overcoming these incredible challenges. So important. And I will say this: Prescription drug prices is going to be one of the big things. And whenever I speak to Alex, I speak to him about that, I think, prior to anything else.
MR. AZAR: Yes.
THE PRESIDENT: And I know you can do it. You know the system and you can do it, because it’s wrong.
So now I’ll ask Vice President Pence to formally administer the oath. And again, I just want to congratulate Alex and his family, and God bless you all. He’s got a very important job to do, so thank you. Thank you for giving him to us. And we’ll give him the chance, but you gave him to us, and we appreciate it very much. Thank you. Thank you.
MR. AZAR: Thank you, Mr. President. (Applause.)
(The oath is administered.)
SECRETARY AZAR: What an honor it is today to become the 24th Secretary of Health and Human Services, here in the United States. Only in America, the grandchild and great-grandchild of immigrants from Lebanon, from the Ukraine, from England, Switzerland, gets to have that opportunity.
Mr. President, thank you so much for the confidence that you have bestowed upon me and the incredible department you have entrusted me with.
Mr. Vice President, thank you for your many years of friendship and for administrating the oath today.
And to my family, to Jennifer, and the rest of my family, thank you for all of the many years of support and for the years of support coming. It’s going to be tough but we’ll do well with it.
I’d also lke to thank the 79,000 men and women of HHS, who it is now my great honor to lead. I know these people, I know this team, and the deep commitment that they have to the mission of HHS to enhance and protect the wellbeing and health of all Americans.
That is a solemn charge. It is a charge that I am committed to. And as you heard from the President today, it is a charge that includes his personal direction to me that we have to tackle the scourge of the opiate crisis, and we will bring down prescription drug prices.
I look forward to that mission, to the work ahead, and now it’s time to get to work. Thank you all very much. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, everybody.
Q Mr. President, how’s the speech going? How’s the State of the Union coming
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I hope it’s going to be good. We worked on it hard; covered a lot of territory, including our great success with the markets and with the tax cut. It’s a big speech — an important speech.
We cover immigration. For many years — for many, many years they’ve been talking immigration and never got anything done. We’re going to get something done, we hope. It’s got to be bipartisan, because the Republicans really don’t have the votes to get it done in any other way. So it has to be bipartisan. But hopefully the Democrats will join us, or enough of them will join us, so we can really do something great for DACA and for immigration, generally.
But it’s going to be, I think, a very important speech on trade. The world has taken advantage of us on trade for many years. And as you probably noticed, we’re stopping that. We’re stopping it cold. And we have to have reciprocal trade. It’s not a one-way deal anymore.
So we have a lot of things to discuss, and we’ll be discussing them. And I hope you enjoy it.
And thank you all very much. See you tomorrow night.
Q Are you going to bring Senator Schumer down here again?
THE PRESIDENT: We might.
END
11:43 A.M. EST
Gary Cohn: “Trump Shared a Vision of Economic Progress in Davos”
ECONOMY & JOBS
Issued on: January 29, 2018
Growth is back, and millions of Americans are personally reaping the benefits.
Trump shared a vision of economic progress in Davos
By Gary Cohn
CNN
January 28, 2018
…
At this year’s event, President Donald J. Trump shared with major business and political leaders from around the world his vision for and optimism in the American economy. They can once again look to the United States as one of the most competitive and lucrative places to invest in the world, because “America is open for business.”
Many people heard President Trump’s message that he will always put America first — just as all leaders must put their own citizens first.
Because he spent the last year putting America first, our economy is now resurgent. Massive tax cuts, deregulation, pro-growth energy policies and stronger trade practices are finally lifting the American economy out of a long period of stagnation. Growth is back, and millions of Americans are personally reaping the benefits.
For example, since we passed tax reform a little over a month ago, more than 255 companies (and counting) have announced significant new benefits — including bonuses, higher wages, and better retirement options — that benefit at least 3 million workers around the country.
…
Since taking office, President Trump has taken the principles of his America First vision to many corners of the globe. If this year’s World Economic Forum participants truly heed the President’s call and work together, this year’s meeting will not only have been meaningful — it also will be a moment of truly positive change for our world.Read the full op-ed here.
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sarah Sanders
Issued on: January 29, 2018
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
1:50 P.M. EST
MS. SANDERS: Good afternoon. Over the weekend, the White House released a framework for responsible immigration reform that will protect our people, put the interests of American workers first, and provide a permanent solution to DACA.
Our framework includes four pillars: border security, including the wall; DACA legalization; ending extended-family chain migration; and eliminating the visa lottery, moving us toward a merit-based system of immigration. We look forward to working with Congress to pass and sign legislation that addresses each of these four pillars.
Looking ahead to tomorrow, as you know, the President will deliver his first State of the Union Address. The theme of the address is, “Building a safe, strong, and proud America,” which is exactly what the President has worked to do during his first year in office.
I don’t want to get ahead of what the President will say during his remarks, but it will obviously be must-watch TV, but I do want to make an announcement about one of the most important traditions: the guests who will be sitting in the First Lady’s Box. I’ll name a few of those individuals and little bit about them.
