Memorandum from the Physician to the President

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 8, 2019

Memorandum from the Physician to the President

THE WASHINGTON TIMES: “ICE, SHUT OUT OF BORDER TALKS, WARNS DEMOCRATS’ PLANS WOULD FREE THOUSANDS OF CRIMINALS”

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 8, 2019

THE WASHINGTON TIMES: “ICE, SHUT OUT OF BORDER TALKS, WARNS DEMOCRATS’ PLANS WOULD FREE THOUSANDS OF CRIMINALS” “If [the ICE Briefer] had been allowed to speak, he would have told them that the limits they’re pondering to immigrant detention, proposed by Democrats, would lead to 30,000 people being released back onto the streets, including thousands of migrants with criminal records.” ICE, shut out of border talks, warns Democrats’ plans would free thousands of criminals By Stephen Dinan and David Sherfinski The Washington Times February 7, 2019 A briefer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement stood outside the closed-door meeting Wednesday while negotiators working on a homeland security spending deal heard from border experts, who made their pitch for a border wall. The ICE briefer never made it in the room, an administration official said. If he had been allowed to speak, he would have told them that the limits they’re pondering to immigrant detention, proposed by Democrats, would lead to 30,000 people being released back onto the streets, including thousands of migrants with criminal records. … While most of the public focus in the negotiations has been on President Trump’s call for a border wall, the number of detention beds available to hold illegal immigrants is just as big of a sticking point — and perhaps even more critical to achieving Mr. Trump’s stated goal of cutting illegal immigration. “ICE was disappointed not to be able to address the conference committee directly,” the administration source told The Washington Times. Left outside the room, ICE has instead produced a briefing document for the negotiators. The document defends the president’s call for 52,000 detention beds and says both Democrats’ plan — cutting ICE to about 35,520 beds — and even Senate Republicans‘ proposal of about 40,520 beds would mean dangerous migrants would have to be set free. “Up to 30,000 releases of criminals, illegal aliens with criminal charges and recent border crossers” would not be held, ICE said. In some cases ICE would even be forced to break the law to release migrants deemed subject to “mandatory detention” by Congress, the briefing says. Not only would that cut down on deterrence of illegal immigration, but it would mean fewer criminals would be ousted from American communities, ICE argued. … There are one million migrants who have been ordered deported but who are still free in the U.S., ICE says. Homeland Security spokeswoman Katie Waldman said if Congress wants to cut into the current surge of illegal immigration, it must pony up for detention beds. “Without the necessary detention authority and sufficient funding for family beds to enable ICE to detain family units when they are ordered removed, ICE will still only be able to remove a very small percentage of family units, thereby increasing the pull factors and further contributing to the border crisis,” she said. … Read the full article here.

PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP’S HEALTHCARE ACTIONS TO EXPAND CHOICES AND LOWER COSTS ARE PRODUCING REAL RESULTS

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 8, 2019

PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP’S HEALTHCARE ACTIONS TO EXPAND CHOICES AND LOWER COSTS ARE PRODUCING REAL RESULTS “It’s time to give American families quality, reliable, affordable healthcare — and that’s what we are working very hard to do.” – President Donald J. Trump   PRODUCING REAL SAVINGS: President Donald J. Trump’s actions on healthcare are already delivering real results for families, businesses, and the American taxpayers.  The President has taken action to deliver better healthcare alternatives with lower prices. Three of these key actions include: eliminating the individual mandate penalty, expanding Association Health Plans (AHPs), and extending short-term, limited-duration plans. According to a new report by the President’s Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), these actions will create $453 billion in net benefits for consumers and taxpayers over ten years.  This equates to an average of $3,500 in net benefits per household over that time period.   FREEING AMERICANS FROM THE INDIVIDUAL MANDATE PENALTY: President Trump’s historic tax reform legislation removed the burdensome individual mandate tax penalty. Obamacare’s individual mandate coerced people into buying health insurance they did not want and burdened taxpayers because the plans are so heavily subsidized. The penalty imposed a sizable burden on families, especially lower-income families. Nearly 80 percent of households paying the penalty had annual income below $50,000. Based on Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projections, CEA estimates that eliminating the penalty will benefit 5 million consumers by letting them buy other plans, goods, or services. According to CBO, eliminating the individual mandate penalty will reduce taxpayer spending on the exchanges by $185 billion over the next 10 years. EXPANDING HEALTH COVERAGE OPTIONS: President Trump has expanded healthcare choices through Association Health Plans and short-term, limited duration plans.  CEA estimates that expanding AHPs and extending short-term health plans will each provide an $8 billion economic benefit per year.   CBO projected that more than 6 million people will enroll in these expanded coverage options, including one million who would otherwise be uninsured. Last year, the Administration introduced a second pathway for employers to join together to form Association Health Plans and provide more affordable health coverage to employees. A new report found that 28 AHPs have formed already, with more under development, and offer coverage similar to employer-based coverage. Some AHPs show up to 30 percent savings on premiums. The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce is in the process of signing up 500 employers for an AHP, which could save some employees more than $2,000 per year. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce is in the process of setting up a self-insured AHP that it expects may eventually enroll 800,000 people. President Trump’s Administration took action last year to expand short-term, limited-duration plans, giving Americans more access to plans that fit their needs.  Subject to State regulation, these plans can be offered for up to 364 days and renewed for up to 36 months after the Obama Administration limited them to 3 months. Short-term health plans are a particularly attractive option for the nearly 30 million uninsured people with gaps in employment, and those most hurt by rising premiums.   Short-term health plans typically cost less than half of the cost of Obamacare plans.

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of His Excellency Sebastian Kurz, Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 8, 2019

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of His Excellency Sebastian Kurz, Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria   On February 20, 2019, President Donald J. Trump will welcome Chancellor Sebastian Kurz of the Republic of Austria, Europe’s youngest head of government, to the White House.  The President and the Chancellor look forward to revitalizing the bilateral relationship between the United States and Austria, and exploring new avenues for transatlantic cooperation.  Together, the United States and Austria will look to address both global conflicts and those in the European neighborhood, promote economic prosperity, and strengthen energy security.  The two leaders will meet for a private conversation, followed by an expanded bilateral meeting.

Statement from the Press Secretary

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 8, 2019 Statement from the Press Secretary   Today, President Donald J. Trump announced the members of an official United States delegation to China to discuss the trade relationship between the two countries. United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin travel to Beijing for principal-level meetings that will take place from February 14 through February 15, 2019. These meetings will be preceded by deputy-level negotiations that will begin on February 11, 2019, led by Deputy United States Trade Representative Jeffrey Gerrish. Official delegation members also include United States Trade Representative Chief Agricultural Negotiator Gregg Doud, Department of the Treasury Under Secretary for International Affairs David Malpass, Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney, Department of Commerce Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Gilbert Kaplan, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council and Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs Clete Willems, and Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy Steven Winberg. The delegation will be accompanied by additional senior officials from the White House, the Office of the United States Trade Representative, and the Departments of State, the Treasury, Agriculture, Commerce, and Energy.

CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT DANIEL RUNDE: “TIME FOR THE WORLD TO GET BEHIND DAVID MALPASS FOR WORLD BANK PRESIDENT"

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 8, 2019 CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT DANIEL RUNDE: “TIME FOR THE WORLD TO GET BEHIND DAVID MALPASS FOR WORLD BANK PRESIDENT” “Given that the U.S. has put forward a strong candidate, now would be the time for Japan, Europe, and other allied countries of the United States to come forward and support candidate Malpass.” Time for the world to get behind David Malpass for World Bank president By Daniel Runde The Hill February 5, 2019 The U.S. is proposing Undersecretary of the U.S. Treasury, David Malpass, as its nominee for the World Bank presidency. Malpass is a strong pick and meets the qualifications that the Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank put forward, which are quoted below: “a proven track record of leadership; experience of managing large organizations with international exposure, and a familiarity with the public sector; the ability to articulate a clear vision of the World Bank Group’s development mission; a firm commitment to and appreciation for multilateral cooperation; and, effective and diplomatic communication skills, impartiality and objectivity in the performance of the responsibilities of the position.” Malpass meets these qualifications and there are a number of reasons why shareholders should support him. First, Malpass has the management and leadership experience for the job. The Undersecretary of the U.S. Treasury is a big job in the American system of government, where he oversees hundreds of staff. Previously, he had a successful career on Wall Street even creating his own company, Encima Global, and served in senior leadership jobs in the Reagan and Bush ‘41 administrations. He has a clear vision of how countries create prosperity and in doing so, eliminate poverty. Second, Malpass has a strong understanding of what the World Bank can do and believes in the World Bank’s mission. … Third, Malpass has a deep understanding of international affairs and the world. He speaks Spanish, French, and Russian and has served in high-level economic and foreign policy roles. Furthermore, he understands the power of markets and the role of governments. He understands that “America first” does not mean America alone. He believes in the potential of multilateral institutions. Fourth, Malpass has been involved in public life — including politics — and that is a good thing. … Being active in public life should be seen as a positive for Malpass. Fifth, although the capital increase was approved, the World Bank still needs to collect on the U.S. commitment. David Malpass’ relationships with the Trump administration and with Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. Congress will be important. … Sixth, David Malpass broadly supports the vision of the World Bank including its environmental priorities. … The World Bank is an important institution and is often underappreciated and misunderstood in Washington D.C. It’s clear that David Malpass understands what the World Bank is and what it can do. Given that the U.S. has put forward a strong candidate, now would be the time for Japan, Europe, and other allied countries of the United States to come forward and support candidate Malpass. Read the full op-ed here.

Border Agents Just Apprehended Convicted Child Molesters and an MS-13 Member at the Texas Border Where There's No Barrier “U.S. Border Patrol agents said Thursday that they apprehended several illegal immigrants at the southern border in Texas, in places where there are no physical barrier walls to deter illegal crossings,” Eddie Scarry reports in the Washington Examiner. “Among those caught crossing into the U.S. were a Mexican man with a previous conviction in Georgia for child molestation, a Honduran man with a record in North Carolina showing a conviction for ‘Indecent Liberties with Child,’ and another Honduran male with a Florida record that identified him as a member of the violent MS-13 gang.” Click here to continue reading. “President Trump signed a new initiative Thursday to help bring economic security to 50 million women around the world by 2025, calling it a ‘historic step,’” Dave Boyer reports for The Washington Times. Led by Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump, the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative, or W-GDP, is the first-ever whole-of-government approach focused on advancing women’s global economic empowerment. Throughout the 20th century, infrastructure was essential to growing America into one of the most powerful economies in the world. In Fox News, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao writes that it’s time for both Democrats and Republicans to join with President Trump to fund infrastructure improvements. “Today, aging and insufficient infrastructure threatens to impede America’s economic growth and impact quality of life in many areas.” “Ford Motor Company announced Thursday it will invest $1 billion at two Chicago factories to handle production of three new SUVs. The company said in a news release that work on the assembly and stamping plants will begin in March and is expected to be completed by spring,” Brett Samuels reported in The Hill. “The expansion will result in 500 new full-time jobs, bringing total employment at the factories on the city's southeast side to 5,800.” In The Associated Press, Darlene Superville reports that First Lady Melania Trump “thanked youth anti-drug advocates Thursday for ‘choosing to step up and be part of the solution’ for reducing drug abuse and addiction.” The First Lady told attendees of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s youth leadership forum that “you are our greatest agents for change.”

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY ALEX AZAR: “HOW TEAM TRUMP IS BRINGING DRUG PRICES DOWN

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 8, 2019

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY ALEX AZAR: “HOW TEAM TRUMP IS BRINGING DRUG PRICES DOWN” “The president is going to keep charging ahead with delivering better care at more transparent, lower prices. That’s what it looks like to put American patients first, and that’s what he will deliver.”   How Team Trump is bringing drug prices down  Alex Azar New York Post February 7, 2019 President Trump has exposed the dirty secret of drug pricing: There is a shadowy third player in the transaction between patients and their pharmacists: middlemen who have taken a big kickback from the drug manufacturer, which may or may not be reflected in patients’ out-of-pocket costs. As Americans heard Tuesday in the State of the Union Address, the president is committed to improving fairness and transparency in health care. These back-door deals in health care undermine his vision for drug pricing and are completely unacceptable. We have already gotten started. Last week, the Trump administration proposed what could be the single biggest change to the way Americans’ drugs are priced at the pharmacy counter, ever. Under the president’s plan, the current system of kickbacks to middlemen would be replaced with transparent, up-front discounts, delivered directly to patients. ... There are other benefits to bringing this new transparency to drug markets. As it is, drug companies regularly raise prices on many medications, because the higher prices allow them to make larger kickback payments, in the form of rebates, to the drug plans that decide which drugs are covered by insurance. Without these kickbacks, the single biggest incentive to raise prices every year will be eliminated, and prices can come down. Eliminating today’s kickbacks will also open up more choice and competition for patients. Today, kickbacks are used by drug companies to ward off competition, depriving patients of options they may have never known about. ... More broadly, Americans ought to know the price of a health care service, and what they’re going to owe out-of-pocket, before they get that service. The president has required hospitals, for the first time ever, to post their standard set of charges online. ... The president is going to keep charging ahead with delivering better care at more transparent, lower prices. That’s what it looks like to put American patients first, and that’s what he will deliver. Read the full op-ed here.

ADDRESSING MASS MIGRATION THROUGH THE SOUTHERN BORDER OF THE UNITED STATES

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 7, 2019

ADDRESSING MASS MIGRATION THROUGH THE SOUTHERN BORDER OF THE UNITED STATES - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION       In Proclamation 9822 of November 9, 2018 (Addressing Mass Migration Through the Southern Border of the United States), I found that our immigration and asylum system is in crisis as a consequence of the mass migration of aliens across the border between the United States and Mexico (southern border).  Accordingly, pursuant to sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 1182(f) and 1185(a), respectively), I found that the unlawful entry of aliens through that border is detrimental to the interests of the United States and suspended and limited entry of such aliens.  I exempted from the scope of Proclamation 9822 any alien who entered the United States at a port of entry and properly presented for inspection, as well as any lawful permanent resident of the United States.     Section 2(d) of Proclamation 9822 directed the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Homeland Security jointly to submit to me a recommendation on whether an extension or renewal of the suspension and limitation on entry in Proclamation 9822 is in the interests of the United States.  Those officials have now jointly recommended extending the suspension and limitation for an additional 90 days.     As that recommendation reflects, the problem of large numbers of aliens traveling through Mexico to enter our country unlawfully or without proper documentation has not materially improved, and indeed in several respects has worsened, since November 9, 2018.  An average of approximately 2,000 inadmissible aliens continue to enter the United States each day at our southern border.  And large, organized groups of aliens continue to travel through Mexico towards the United States with the reported intention to enter the United States unlawfully or without proper documentation.     The ability of the United States to address those problems has also been hampered by a nationwide injunction issued by a United States District Judge in the Northern District of California.  That injunction currently prevents the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security from implementing an interim final rule that would render any alien who enters the country in contravention of a proclamation limiting or suspending entry at the southern border, including Proclamation 9822, ineligible to be granted asylum.  The United States is appealing that injunction.  Should the injunction be lifted, aliens who enter the United States unlawfully through the southern border in contravention of this proclamation will be ineligible to be granted asylum under that interim final rule.     As President, I must act to protect the national interest, and to maintain an effectively functioning asylum system for legitimate asylum seekers who demonstrate that they have fled persecution and warrant the many special benefits associated with being granted asylum.  In view of the foregoing circumstances, and the joint recommendation from the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, I have determined to extend the suspension and limitation, as set forth below, on entry into the United States through the southern border established by Proclamation 9822.     NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the INA, hereby find that, absent the measures set forth in this proclamation, the entry into the United States of persons described in section 1 of this proclamation would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and that their entry should be subject to certain restrictions, limitations, and exceptions.  I therefore hereby proclaim the following:      Section 1.  Suspension and Limitation on Entry.  The entry of any alien into the United States across the international boundary between the United States and Mexico is hereby suspended and limited, subject to section 2 of this proclamation.  That suspension and limitation shall expire 90 days after the date of this proclamation or the date on which an agreement permits the United States to remove aliens to Mexico in compliance with the terms of section 208(a)(2)(A) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1158(a)(2)(A)), whichever is earlier.      Sec. 2.  Scope and Implementation of Suspension and Limitation on Entry.  (a)  The suspension and limitation on entry pursuant to section 1 of this proclamation shall apply only to aliens who enter the United States after the date of this proclamation.      (b)  The suspension and limitation on entry pursuant to section 1 of this proclamation shall not apply to any alien who enters the United States at a port of entry and properly presents for inspection, or to any lawful permanent resident of the United States.      (c)  Nothing in this proclamation shall limit an alien entering the United States from being considered for withholding of removal under section 241(b)(3) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1231(b)(3)) or protection pursuant to the regulations promulgated under the authority of the implementing legislation regarding the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, or limit the statutory processes afforded to unaccompanied alien children upon entering the United States under section 279 of title 6, United States Code, and section 1232 of title 8, United States Code.     (d)  No later than 75 days after the date of this proclamation, the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall jointly submit to the President, through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, a recommendation on whether an extension or renewal of the suspension or limitation on entry in section 1 of this proclamation is in the interests of the United States.     Sec. 3.  Interdiction.  The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall continue to consult with the Government of Mexico regarding appropriate steps -- consistent with applicable law and the foreign policy, national security, and public-safety interests of the United States -- to address the approach of large groups of aliens traveling through Mexico with the intent of entering the United States unlawfully, including efforts to deter, dissuade, and return such aliens before they physically enter United States territory through the southern border.     Sec. 4.  Severability.  It is the policy of the United States to enforce this proclamation to the maximum extent possible to advance the interests of the United States.  Accordingly:     (a)  if any provision of this proclamation, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this proclamation and the application of its other provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby; and     (b)  if any provision of this proclamation, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid because of the failure to follow certain procedures, the relevant executive branch officials shall implement those procedural requirements to conform with existing law and with any applicable court orders.     Sec. 5.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this proclamation shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:         (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or        (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.      (b)  This proclamation shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.      (c)  This proclamation is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third.                              DONALD J. TRUMP