Presidential Message on the 155th Anniversary of the Ratification of the 13th Amendment

 

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 6, 2020

Presidential Message on the 155th Anniversary of the Ratification of the 13th Amendment   Today, we celebrate the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery in our country.  One hundred and fifty-five years later, we remember the millions of souls unjustly subjected to the oppressive institution of slavery and recommit to pursuing the enduring promise of our Nation that all people have the God-given right to “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”   On December 6, 1865, Georgia became the 27th State to ratify the 13th Amendment, forever enshrining the end to slavery and all of its badges and incidents into our foundational governing document.  This landmark moment in the history of our country signaled the dawn of a new era in American society and marked the end of an evil injustice that stained our national character.  In the years since, African Americans have made monumental contributions to the culture and economy of our great Nation, fueling the success of our country and the fulfillment of its core values and promises.   The 13th Amendment denoted an end to a Nation divided between slave States and free States, a critical step toward realizing the long-known truth of the equality of all people.  Today, as we mark this milestone, we also remember the incredible sacrifices made in the years after ratification by so many patriots in pursuit of equality under the law.  We resolve to continue to work to strengthen the bonds of unity between all Americans.  In remembrance of the indomitable spirit of the men and women who toiled and died under the yoke of slavery, in honor of the soldiers who fought and died to free them, and in service to our founding ideals, we will continue to root out and destroy hate and injustice in order to more firmly secure the promise of our Nation for future generations.   The United States of America is the greatest country in the world because our history is one of constant progress toward the timeless principles of equality and justice.  As President Abraham Lincoln stated, the Founders always “meant to set up a standard maxim for a free society” for us to revere, look to, and strive for.  We are the Nation that abolished slavery, secured civil rights, defeated communism and fascism, and built the most fair, equal, and prosperous country in human history.  Today, we recommit to building on this progress and continuing our march as one people toward a freer and brighter future for all.

Statement by the President

 

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 5, 2020 STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT          Today, I have signed into law H.R. 8247, the "Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment (COMPACT) Act of 2020" (the "Act").  The Act amends various authorities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) related to transition assistance from military to civilian life, suicide prevention and care, and improvement in care and services for women veterans.       Two provisions of the Act (section 101(b)(2) and section 202(d)(2)(B)) purport to require the VA Secretary to evaluate whether additional legislative action is needed to implement or expand the programs related to information sharing and mental health education.  My Administration will treat these provisions in a manner consistent with Article II, section 3 of the Constitution, which provides the President the discretion to recommend to the Congress only "such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient."      In addition, Title II of the Act requires VA to establish or expand mental health services for eligible veterans and requires VA to provide or pay for eligible veterans to receive emergency suicide care at a VA facility or a facility outside of the department.  The Act, however, does not require the providers who might render such care to veterans to have any relationship with VA.  As a result, such providers may eventually try to seek payment from sources other than VA, including the veterans the Act seeks to protect.  My Administration will work to ensure that the operation of Title II meets the needs of our veterans.  Nevertheless, I call on the Congress to remain vigilant and prepared to act should additional legislation be required to meet any implementation challenges that may arise.                                 DONALD J. TRUMP THE WHITE HOUSE,     December 5, 2020.

Bill Announcement

 

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 5, 2020

On Saturday, December 5, 2020, the President signed into law:     H.R. 8247, the “Veterans Comprehensive, Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act of 2020 or the Veterans COMPACT Act of 2020,” which amends various VA authorities related to: transition assistance; suicide prevention; and improvement of care and services for women veterans.