Saturday, January 16, 2021

Text of a Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to the Southern Border of the United States

 

Office of the Press Secretary

NOTICE
 
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CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO THE SOUTHERN BORDER OF THE UNITED STATES
 
 

     On February 15, 2019, by Proclamation 9844, I declared a national emergency concerning the southern border of the United States to deal with the border security and humanitarian crisis that threatens core national security interests.  

     The ongoing border security and humanitarian crisis at the southern border of the United States continues to threaten our national security, including by exacerbating the effect of the pandemic caused by COVID-19.  The executive branch has taken steps to address the crisis, but further action is needed to address the humanitarian crisis and to control unlawful migration and the flow of narcotics and criminals across the southern border of the United States.

     For these reasons, the national emergency declared on February 15, 2019, and the measures adopted on that date to respond to that emergency, must continue in effect beyond February 15, 2021.  Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Proclamation 9844 concerning the southern border of the United States.

     This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

 
                               DONALD J. TRUMP
 

THE WHITE HOUSE,
    January 15, 2021.

Proclamation on Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, 2021

 

Office of the Press Secretary
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., FEDERAL HOLIDAY, 2021
 
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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
 
A PROCLAMATION
 
 
     On August 28, 1963, just a century after the Emancipation Proclamation, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led more than 200,000 Americans in a March on Washington in pursuit of jobs and freedom for all people.  Standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, he called on Americans "to sit down together at the table of brotherhood" and meet our promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all.  On that historic day, and throughout his life, Dr. King exemplified the quintessential American belief that we will leave a brighter, more prosperous future for our children.  Today, we honor and celebrate Dr. King, a giant of the civil rights movement whose nonviolent resistance to the injustices of his era -- racial segregation, employment discrimination, and the denial of the right to vote -- enlightened our Nation and the world.

     In the face of tumult and upheaval, Dr. King reminded us to always meet anger with compassion in order to truly "heal the hurts, right the wrongs and change society."  It is with this same spirit of forgiveness that we come together to bind the wounds of past injustice by lifting up one another regardless of race, gender, creed, or religion, and rising to the first principles enshrined in our founding documents.  Indeed, Dr. King described our Constitution and Declaration of Independence as promissory notes left by our Founding Fathers for "every American to fall heir."  His dream, rooted in the American Dream, was that our children might be "judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."  This dream, he hoped, would finally let freedom ring for all people.

     As Dr. King stated in 1961, at the heart of his dream is "equality of opportunity."  For Dr. King, the march toward civil rights is intertwined with economic empowerment.  My Administration has fully embraced this spirit, taking historic action to create jobs and uplift every community across our country and reaching the lowest unemployment rate for Black Americans ever recorded.  Through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, we created nearly 9,000 Opportunity Zones that have produced more than $75 billion in new investment in distressed neighborhoods.  My Administration has supported our Nation's incredible Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in several ways, including by establishing the President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs, reauthorizing more than $85 million in funding for them through the FUTURE Act, and allocating $930 million in higher education emergency relief through the CARES Act.  As President, I have fully committed to the educational and economic empowerment of minority communities and young people across our Nation -- and the progress we have made must continue into the future.

     It is clear now more than ever before that we can no longer allow the American Dream to be deferred for Black Americans.  However, in this march toward equality, we cannot permit any "creative protest to degenerate into physical violence."  As a student of nonviolence, Dr. King called on us not to "satisfy the thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred."  In the national effort to achieve freedom and equality, and in this shared love of country, we must endeavor with all our might to meet the promissory notes endowed to us by our Founding Fathers, as Dr. King fervently wished.

     With the same dream, faith, and hope championed by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we recommit to upholding his legacy and meeting our sacred obligation to protect the unalienable rights of all Americans.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 18, 2021, as the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday.  On this day, I encourage all Americans to recommit themselves to Dr. King's dream by engaging in acts of service to others, to their community, and to our Nation.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.
 
                               DONALD J. TRUMP

Proclamation on Religious Freedom Day, 2021

 

Office of the Press Secretary
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DAY, 2021
 
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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
 
A PROCLAMATION
 
 
     Faith inspires hope.  Deeply embedded in the heart and soul of our Nation, this transcendent truth has compelled men and women of uncompromising conscience to give glory to God by worshiping both openly and privately, lifting up themselves and others in prayer.  On Religious Freedom Day, we pledge to always protect and cherish this fundamental human right.

     When the Pilgrims first crossed the Atlantic Ocean more than 400 years ago in pursuit of religious freedom, their dedication to this first freedom shaped the character and purpose of our Nation.  Later, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, their deep desire to practice their religion unfettered from government intrusion was realized.  Since then, the United States has set an example for the world in permitting believers to live out their faith in freedom. 

     Over the past 4 years, my Administration has worked tirelessly to honor the vision of our Founders and defend our proud history of religious liberty.  From day one, we have taken action to restore the foundational link between faith and freedom and promote a culture of religious liberty.  My Administration has protected the rights of individual religious believers, communities of faith, and faith-based organizations.  We have defended religious liberty domestically and around the world.  For example, I signed an Executive Order Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty to ensure that faith-based organizations would not be forced to compromise their religious beliefs as they serve their communities.  This includes defending the rights of religious orders to care for the infirm and elderly without being fined out of existence for refusing to facilitate access to services that violate their faith. 

     We have also protected healthcare providers' rights not to be forced to perform procedures that violate their most deeply-held convictions.  Additionally, we have ended the misguided policies of denying access to educational funding to historically black colleges and universities because of their religious character and of denying loan forgiveness to those who perform public services at religious organizations.  Throughout this difficult year, we have continued these efforts, cutting red tape to ensure houses of worship and other faith-based organizations could receive Paycheck Protection Program loans on the same grounds and with the same parameters as any other entity.  We have also aggressively defended faith communities against overreach by State and local governments that have tried to shut down communal worship.  Together, we have honored the sanctity of every life, protected the rights of Americans to follow their conscience, and preserved the historical tradition of religious freedom in our country.

     While Americans enjoy the blessings of religious liberty, we must never forget others around the world who are denied this unalienable right.  Sadly, millions of people across the globe are persecuted and discriminated against for their faith.  My Administration has held foreign governments accountable for trampling -- in many cases, egregiously so -- on religious liberty.  In 2019, to shed light on this important issue, I welcomed survivors of religious persecution from 16 countries in the Oval Office, including Christians, Jews, and Muslims, and made history by standing before the United Nations General Assembly and calling on all nations of the world to stop persecuting people of faith.  The United States will never waver in these efforts to expand religious liberty around the world and calls on all nations to respect the rights of its citizens to live according to their beliefs and conscience.

     On Religious Freedom Day, we honor the vision of our Founding Fathers for a Nation made strong and righteous by a people free to exercise their faith and follow their conscience.  As Americans united in unparalleled freedom, we recommit to safeguarding and preserving religious freedom across our land and around the world.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 16, 2021, as Religious Freedom Day.  I call on all Americans to commemorate this day with events and activities that remind us of our shared heritage of religious liberty and that teach us how to secure this blessing both at home and around the world.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.
 
                               DONALD J. TRUMP

Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding the Designations of the UAE and the Kingdom of Bahrain as Major Strategic Partners of the United States

 

Office of the Press Secretary

Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding the Designations of the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain as Major Strategic Partners of the United States 

Today, we are announcing the designation of both the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain as “Major Security Partners” of the United States.  

 The designation as a “Major Security Partner” is a status unique to the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain.  It recognizes our exceptional security partnership—exemplified by their hosting thousands of United States Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines—and the commitment of each country to countering violent extremism across the region. Most notably, both countries have participated in numerous United States-led coalitions over the past 30 years.  

 Today’s decision demonstrates a new level of partnership between the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and the Kingdom Bahrain and represents an enduring commitment to economic and security cooperation. It also reflects their extraordinary courage, determination, and leadership in entering into the Abraham Accords. 

Statement from the Press Secretary on the Awarding of the Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander, to His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco

 

Office of the Press Secretary

Statement from the Press Secretary on the Awarding of the Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander, to His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco

Today, President Donald J. Trump awarded the Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander, to His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco.

The Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander, is a rarely-awarded, prestigious decoration that can only be bestowed by the President, typically to chiefs of state or heads of government of other countries.  Over his more than two decades of leadership, King Mohammed VI has advanced the deep and enduring partnership between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States across all domains.  His vision and personal courage—including his decision to resume ties with the State of Israel—have positively reshaped the landscape of the Middle East and North Africa and ushered in a new era of security and prosperity for both our countries and the world.

Morocco’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Highness Princess Lalla Joumala, accepted the award on behalf of the King in a private ceremony.

President Donald J. Trump Approves Colorado Disaster Declaration

 

Office of the Press Secretary

President Donald J. Trump Approves Colorado Disaster Declaration
 

Today, President Donald J. Trump declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Colorado and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires from September 6 to November 5, 2020.
 
Federal funding is available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the wildfires in the counties of Grand and Larimer.
 
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
 
Robert J. Fenton, Acting Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Jon K. Huss as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. 
 
Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

Trump Administration Issues 75th Annual Economic Report of the President

 

Office of the Press Secretary

Trump Administration Issues 75th Annual Economic Report of the President
 

Today, the President’s Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) released its 75th annual Economic Report of the President, codifying the leadership of President Trump and encapsulating the historic efforts the United States made during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report details the steadfast commitment to put America First, promote a strong middle class, and oversee two economic recoveries that have vastly exceeded expectations. The pillars of this movement—fair and reciprocal trade, tax reform, and extensive deregulation—have provided a framework for enduring American prosperity, and now exist as proof that the pro-growth policies of this Administration and the decisive response to the pandemic ameliorated the potential for severe and prolonged economic hardship.
 
“Since taking office, rather than apologize for America, I have stood up for America. From day one of my Presidency, I have put America First, and I have fought for the American worker harder than anyone ever has.”   
–President Donald J. Trump


Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding the National Security Presidential Memorandum on Research and Development Security

 

Office of the Press Secretary

Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding the National Security Presidential Memorandum on Research and Development Security

Today, President Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum on Securing United States Government-Supported Research and Development. This Presidential action strengthens the protections of United States Government-supported research and development (R&D) against foreign government interference and exploitation.

The open and collaborative nature of the United States R&D enterprise underpins America’s innovation capacity, science and technology (S&T) leadership, economic competitiveness, and national security. Today’s action by President Trump ensures that Government-supported research can occur in an open environment and foster new discoveries for the benefit of our Nation while also protecting intellectual capital, discouraging research misappropriation, and ensuring the responsible management of United States taxpayer dollars.

America must remain the world’s leader in S&T during this era of great power competition, and today’s signing builds on the long and successful history of actions taken by President Trump to protect American technology from adversaries. This whole-of-government approach to R&D security will protect America’s technology and innovation advantage.  Whether in trade, military cooperation, or S&T research, President Trump refuses to let other countries take advantage of America.
 

Text of a Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate

 

Office of the Press Secretary

January 14, 2021
 

Dear Madam Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
 
In accordance with section 1012(a) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 683(a)), I herewith report 73 rescissions of budget authority, totaling $27.4 billion. 
 
The proposed rescissions affect programs of the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, the Interior, Justice, Labor, State, and the Treasury, as well as the African Development Foundation, the Commission of Fine Arts, the Corporation for National and Community Service, the District of Columbia, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Inter-American Foundation, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities, the National Gallery of Art, the Peace Corps, the Presidio Trust, the United States Agency for International Development, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.  
 
The details of these rescissions are set forth in the enclosed letter from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. 

 
                             Sincerely,
 
 
                             DONALD J. TRUMP

Executive Order on Encouraging Buy American Policies For The United States Postal Service

  

Office of the Press Secretary

EXECUTIVE ORDER

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ENCOURAGING BUY AMERICAN POLICIES FOR THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE 


 

    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

    Section 1.  Policy.  As expressed in Executive Order 13788 of April 18, 2017 (Buy American and Hire American), Executive Order 13858 of January 31, 2019 (Strengthening Buy American Preferences for Infrastructure Projects), and Executive Order 13881 of July 15, 2019 (Maximizing Use of American-Made Goods, Products, and Materials), it is the policy of the United States to buy American and to maximize, consistent with law, the use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States.

    Sec. 2.  Definitions.  As used in this order: 

    (a)  "Buy American" means all policies that require, or provide a preference for, the purchase or acquisition of goods, products, or materials produced in the United States, including iron, steel, and manufactured goods; and

    (b)  "Buy American Laws" means all statutes, regulations, rules, and Executive Orders relating to Federal procurement or Federal grants -- including those that refer to "Buy America" or "Buy American" -- that require, or provide a preference for, the purchase or acquisition of goods, products, or materials produced in the United States, including iron, steel, and manufactured goods.

    Sec. 3.  Purpose.  (a)  In certain competitive procurements, the United States Postal Service (USPS) currently applies its own Buy American domestic procurement preferences similar to Buy American Laws implemented across executive departments and agencies.  Under such circumstances, and as expressed in section 2-36 of the USPS Supplying Principles and Practices (SPP), USPS procurement policies state that:  

        (i)   When the relative importance of price is more important than the other evaluation factors, 6 percent is added to the proposed price of the non-qualifying end product and this adjusted price is used for evaluation; and

        (ii)  An end product qualifies as manufactured in the United States if the cost of its components mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States exceeds 50 percent of the cost of all its components, similar to domestic content requirements under the Buy American Laws.

    (b)  Executive Order 13881 required the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FAR Council) to consider proposing new rules in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), title 48, Code of Federal Regulations, to strengthen Buy American preferential price differentials and domestic content requirements.  To ensure consistency across the Federal Government as a whole and to further promote my Administration's Buy American policy goals, USPS is strongly encouraged to consider similar changes to its Buy American domestic procurement preferences. 

    Sec. 4.  Encouraged Rules.  Within 90 days of the date of the FAR Council's issuance of any final rule discussed in section 2 of Executive Order 13881, the United States Postmaster General is encouraged to consider: 

    (a)  An amendment or amendments to the applicable sections of the SPP to conform with the FAR provisions regarding price differentials when the relative importance of price is more important than the other evaluation factors; and

    (b)  An amendment or amendments to the applicable sections of the SPP to conform with the FAR provisions regarding when materials shall be considered to be of foreign origin.

    Sec. 5.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

        (i)    the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; 

        (ii)   the authority granted by law to the USPS, its officers, or its Board of Governors; or

        (iii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

    (c)  This order 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.



                        DONALD J. TRUMP

 

THE WHITE HOUSE,
    January 14, 2021.

Proclamation on the Continuation of Facilitating Positive Adjustment to Competition from Imports of Large Residential Washers

 

Office of the Press Secretary
TO CONTINUE FACILITATING POSITIVE ADJUSTMENT TO COMPETITION FROM IMPORTS OF LARGE RESIDENTIAL WASHERS

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION


 
    1.  On January 23, 2018, pursuant to section 203 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (the "Trade Act") (19 U.S.C. 2253), I issued Proclamation 9694, which imposed a safeguard measure for a period of 3 years plus 1 day comprising both a tariff-rate quota (TRQ) on imports of large residential washers (washers) provided for in subheadings 8450.11.00 and 8450.20.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) and a TRQ on covered washer parts provided for in subheadings 8450.90.20 and 8450.90.60 of the HTS.  I exempted covered imports from Canada and certain designated beneficiary countries under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) from the application of the measure.

    2.  On May 16, 2019, I issued Proclamation 9887, which removed Turkey from the list of GSP beneficiary countries, and modified the safeguard measure so that imports from Turkey were no longer excluded.  On May 31, 2019, I issued Proclamation 9902, which removed India from the list of GSP beneficiary countries, and modified the safeguard measure so that imports from India were no longer excluded.  

    3.  On August 7, 2019, the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) issued its report pursuant to section 204(a)(2) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2254(a)(2)), on the results of its monitoring of developments with respect to the domestic washers industry (ITC, Large Residential Washers:  Monitoring Developments in the Domestic Industry, No. TA-204-013).  After taking into account the information provided in the ITC's report and receiving a petition from the representative of the majority of the domestic industry, I determined that the domestic industry had begun to make positive adjustment to import competition but that, despite that adjustment, increased imports of washers at peak times of the year impaired the effectiveness of the action I proclaimed in Proclamation 9694.   On January 23, 2020, pursuant to sections 204(b)(1)(B) and 204(b)(2) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2254(b)(1)(B) and (b)(2)), I issued Proclamation 9979 to modify the action I took in Proclamation 9694 by allocating on a quarterly basis, within-quota quantities of 1.2 million units during the third year of the action, beginning February 7, 2020.

    4.  On December 8, 2020, in response to a petition by the representatives of the domestic industry, the ITC issued its determination and report pursuant to section 204(c) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2254(c)), finding that the safeguard measure I imposed continues to be necessary to prevent or remedy the serious injury to the domestic industry, and that there is evidence that the domestic industry is making a positive adjustment to import competition (ITC, Large Residential Washers:  Extension of Action, No. TA-201-076 (Extension)).

    5.  Section 203(e)(1)(B) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2253(e)(1)(B)) authorizes the President, after receiving an affirmative determination from the ITC pursuant to section 204(c) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2254(c)), to extend the effective period of any action taken under section 203 of the Trade Act if the President determines that the action continues to be necessary to prevent or remedy the serious injury and there is evidence that the domestic industry is making a positive adjustment to import competition. 

    6.  Pursuant to section 203(e)(1)(B) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2253(e)(1)(B)), I have determined that the action continues to be necessary to prevent or remedy the serious injury to the domestic washers industry and there is evidence that the domestic washers industry is making a positive adjustment to import competition, and I have further determined to extend the safeguard measure proclaimed in Proclamation 9694, as modified, as follows:

    (a)  continuation of the tariff-rate quota on imports of washers described in paragraph 1 of this proclamation for an additional period of 2 years, with unchanging within-quota quantities, annual reductions in the rates of duties entered within those quantities in the fourth and fifth years, and annual reductions in the rates of duty applicable to goods entered in excess of those quantities in the fourth and fifth years; and

    (b)  continuation of the tariff-rate quota on imports of covered washer parts described in paragraph 1 of this proclamation for an additional period of 2 years, with increasing within-quota quantities and annual reductions in the rates of duty applicable to goods entered in excess of those quantities in the fourth and fifth years.

    7.  As provided in Proclamation 9694, as modified by Proclamations 9887 and 9902, this safeguard measure shall apply to imports from all countries, except for products of Canada and except as provided in paragraph 8 of this proclamation.

    8.  As I further provided in Proclamation 9694, as modified by Proclamations 9887 and 9902, this safeguard measure shall not apply to imports of any product described in paragraph 1 of this proclamation of a developing country that is a Member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), as listed in subdivision (b)(2) of Note 17 in the Annex to this proclamation, as long as such country's share of total imports of the product, based on imports during a recent representative period, does not exceed 3 percent, provided that imports that are the product of all such countries with less than 3 percent import share collectively account for not more than 9 percent of total imports of the product.  If I determine that a surge in imports of a product described in paragraph 1 of this proclamation of a developing country that is a WTO Member results in imports of that product from that developing country exceeding either of the thresholds described in this paragraph, the safeguard measure shall be modified to apply to such product from such country.  In addition, if I determine within 60 days of the date of this proclamation, as a result of consultations between the United States and other WTO Members pursuant to Article 12.3 of the WTO Agreement on Safeguards, that it is necessary to modify the terms of extension of the safeguard measure, or to terminate the safeguard measure, I shall proclaim the corresponding modification or termination within 40 days of the date of my determination.

    9.  As I further provided in Proclamation 9694, the in quota quantity in each year under the tariff-rate quota described in subparagraph (a) of paragraph 6 of this proclamation shall be allocated on a quarterly basis as provided for in Proclamation 9979.

    10.  Section 604 of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2483) authorizes the President to embody in the HTS the substance of the relevant provisions of that Act, and of other acts affecting import treatment, and actions thereunder, including the removal, modification, continuance, or imposition of any rate of duty or other import restriction.

    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, acting under the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including but not limited to sections 203, 204, and 604 of the Trade Act, do proclaim that:

    (1)  In order to extend the measure applicable to imports of washers and covered parts described in paragraph 1 of this proclamation, subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTS is modified as set forth in the Annex to this proclamation.  Any merchandise subject to the safeguard measure that is admitted into United States foreign trade zones on or after 12:01 a.m., eastern standard time, on February 8, 2021, must be admitted as "privileged foreign status" as defined in 19 C.F.R. 146.41, and will be subject upon entry for consumption to any tariffs or quantitative restrictions related to the classification under the applicable HTS subheading.

    (2)  Imports of washers and covered washer parts that are the product of Canada shall continue to be excluded from the safeguard measure extended by this proclamation, and such imports shall not be counted toward the tariff-rate quota limits that trigger the over-quota rates of duty.

    (3)  Except as provided in clause (4) below, imports of washers and covered washer parts that are the product of WTO Member developing countries, as listed in subdivision (b)(2) of Note 17 in the Annex to this proclamation, shall continue to be excluded from the safeguard measure extended by this proclamation, and such imports shall not be counted toward the tariff-rate quota limits that trigger the over-quota rates of duties.

    (4)  If, after the extension proclaimed herein is in effect, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) determines that:
(a)  the share of total imports of the product of a country listed in subdivision (b)(2) of Note 17 in the Annex to this proclamation exceeds 3 percent; 

    (b)  imports of the product from all listed countries with less than 3 percent import share collectively account for more than 9 percent of total imports of the product; or

    (c)  a country listed in subdivision (b)(2) of Note 17 in the Annex to this proclamation is no longer a developing country for purposes of this proclamation;
the USTR is authorized, upon publication of a notice in the Federal Register, to revise subdivision (b)(2) of Note 17 in the Annex to this proclamation to remove the relevant country from the list or suspend operation of that subdivision, as appropriate.

    (5)  If, after the extension proclaimed herein is in effect, the USTR determines that the out-of-quota quantity in units of covered washer parts entered under the tariff lines in chapter 99 enumerated in the Annex to this proclamation has increased by an unjustifiable amount and undermines the effectiveness of the safeguard measure, the USTR is authorized, upon publication of a notice in the Federal Register of such determination, to modify the HTS provisions created by the Annex to this proclamation so as to modify the tariff-rate quota on covered washer parts with a quantitative restriction on covered washer parts at a level that the USTR considers appropriate.  

    (6)  In order to continue allocating, on a quarterly basis, the within-quota quantities of the TRQ limits applicable to imports of washers under HTS subheadings 8450.11.00 and 8450.20.00, subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTS is modified as set forth in the Annex to this proclamation.  These allocations shall continue in effect as provided in the Annex to this proclamation, unless such actions are earlier expressly reduced, modified, or terminated.

    (7)  One year from the termination of the safeguard measure established in this proclamation, the U.S. note and tariff provisions established in the Annex to this proclamation shall be deleted from the HTS.

    (8)  Any provision of previous proclamations and Executive Orders that is inconsistent with the actions taken in this proclamation is superseded to the extent of such inconsistency.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.

                        DONALD J. TRUMP

Executive Order on Establishing The Wildland Fire Management Policy Committee

 

Office of the Press Secretary

EXECUTIVE ORDER
 
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ESTABLISHING THE WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT POLICY COMMITTEE
 
 

     By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

     Section 1.  Purpose.  Federal wildland fire management lacks a single focal point of responsibility for policy leadership and accountability for cost controls.  While executive departments and agencies (agencies) have implemented Executive Order 13855 of December 21, 2018 (Promoting Active Management of America's Forests, Rangelands, and Other Federal Lands To Improve Conditions and Reduce Wildfire Risk), and similar Administration efforts, more must be done to continue to improve interagency coordination.

     In contrast to effective ground-level coordination with States, including at the National Interagency Fire Center on suppression activity and the Wildland Fire Leadership Council (WFLC) on Federal-State policy coordination, agencies do not adequately or effectively coordinate with each other at the policy level to reduce hazardous fuels and wildfire severity.  This order will ensure that agencies effectively work together in coordinating Federal wildland fire management policy to improve funding allocations for hazardous fuel projects, performance measures for suppression operations and hazardous fuels mitigation, procurement, Federal-State cooperation and cost sharing, cross-jurisdictional post-wildfire rehabilitation, monitoring of electric transmission lines and other critical infrastructure, and other functions. 

     Sec2.  Policy.  It is the policy of the United States to:

     (a)  Improve coordination among agencies on wildland fire management policy, implementation, and oversight issues;

     (b)  Reduce unnecessary duplication across the Federal Government by coordinating and consolidating existing wildland fire-related councils, working groups, and other formal cross-agency initiatives, as appropriate;

     (c)  Efficiently and effectively manage preparedness resources, initial attack response, extended attack and large-fire support, post-wildfire rehabilitation, and hazardous fuels at a cross-boundary, landscape scale;

     (d)  Promote integrated planning and procurement among agencies for Federal investments in wildland fire management infrastructure;

     (e)  Support workforce development and efforts to recruit, train, and retain Federal wildland firefighters to efficiently and effectively respond to wildfire on public lands, and to protect life, property, and community infrastructure; and

     (f)  Coordinate Federal engagement with State, local, and tribal government entities, including Federal policy positions in the WFLC.

     Sec3.  Interagency Wildland Fire Subcabinet.  To promote efficient and effective coordination across agencies engaged in Federal wildland firefighting and to facilitate coordinated and strategic wildland fire management actions, an interagency Wildland Fire Management Policy Committee (to be known as the Wildland Fire Subcabinet) is hereby established.

     (a)  The Wildland Fire Subcabinet shall be co-chaired by the Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of the Interior (Co‑Chairs), and shall include the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Director of the National Economic Council (NEC), and the heads of such other agencies, or their designated representatives, as the Co-Chairs deem appropriate.

     (b)  The Wildland Fire Subcabinet shall meet quarterly.

     Sec4.  Reducing Inefficiencies and Duplication.  Currently, several Federal wildfire-related councils, task forces, working groups, and other formal cross-agency initiatives (Federal interagency working groups) exist to address wildland fire management policy.  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Wildland Fire Subcabinet shall, to the extent practicable, identify all such Federal interagency working groups and provide recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on coordinating and consolidating these Federal interagency working groups, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law.

     Sec5.  Improving Wildland Fire Management Policy Coordination, Implementation, and Oversight.  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Wildland Fire Subcabinet shall develop, publish, and implement a strategic plan addressing the issues described in this section.  To implement this strategic plan, the Wildland Fire Subcabinet shall develop specific measurable goals, performance targets, and dashboard reporting for consideration by each Federal agency represented on the Wildland Fire Subcabinet, using common data standards at the wildfire and hazardous fuels program level.  This strategic plan shall address the issues described below:

     (a)  Effectively managing preparedness resources, initial attack response, extended attack and large-fire support, post‑wildfire rehabilitation, and hazardous fuels at a cross‑boundary, landscape scale;

     (b)  Developing and adopting additional hazardous fuels performance measures that go beyond the traditional output reporting of total acreage for fuel removal to transparently demonstrate a strategic focus on projects that, by consensus agreement, pose the highest risks to life, property, and community infrastructure;

     (c)  Developing and adopting additional wildland fire suppression operations performance measures for large wildfires, and for aviation asset deployment, that go beyond the traditional output reporting of acres burned, dollars spent, and gallons of retardant dropped to demonstrate strategic use of high-cost human capital, equipment, and aircraft as opposed to traditional reliance on overwhelming force;

     (d)  Developing and adopting new technologies to bring to bear cutting-edge management of the wildland fire program to improve the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of suppression operations;

     (e)  Developing and adopting data-driven decision-making in order to support infrastructure, allowing for better integration of wildland fire research and development into ground-level suppression operations and hazardous fuel mitigation;

     (f)  Evaluating personnel policies to ensure that they allow for the year-round availability of a well-trained firefighting force at all levels, from apprentice to incident command, and the most efficient division of responsibility between line officers and incident commanders to support wildfire response and hazardous fuels reduction;

     (g)  Strengthening government and industry collaboration with critical infrastructure owners and operators, including electric utilities, to better manage and mitigate risks, improve and invest in technology research and development, deploy technologies in concert with the private sector, exchange lessons learned in training and monitoring capabilities, and share operational practices;

     (h)  Examining regulatory and other issues that negatively impact hazardous fuel reduction and post-wildfire rehabilitation program performance, including coordination across agencies on projects requiring compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.;

     (i)  Coordinating among Federal land managers to assure efficient and consistent approaches between agencies to review and approve utility vegetation management actions to improve or maintain the reliability of the grid or reduce wildfire risk; and

     (j)  Developing a coordinated budget strategy that addresses the trade-offs between suppression, preparedness, post-wildfire rehabilitation, and fuels treatment to ensure a balanced commitment of resources and investment in areas at risk or affected by wildfire.

     Sec6.  Report.  Within 1 year of the date of this order, and annually thereafter, the Wildland Fire Subcabinet shall update the Chairman of CEQ, the Director of OMB, the Director of OSTP, and the Director of the NEC on the status of the strategic plan and the specific actions identified in this order.

     Sec7.  Administration.  The Department of Agriculture shall, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the availability of appropriations, provide administrative support as needed for the Wildland Fire Subcabinet to implement this order.  The Departments of the Interior and Agriculture shall consult with WFLC, as appropriate, to effectively carry out the requirements of this order.

     Sec8.  Federal Advisory Committee Act.  The members of the Wildland Fire Subcabinet should, pursuant to and consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), and in the interest of obtaining advice or recommendations for the Wildland Fire Subcabinet, use their advisory committees, as appropriate.

     Sec9.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order 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 order shall be implemented in a manner consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

     (c)  This order 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.
 

                             DONALD J. TRUMP
 

THE WHITE HOUSE,
    January 14, 2021.

President Donald J. Trump Awarded the National Medal of Arts and National Humanities Medal

 

Office of the Press Secretary

President Donald J. Trump Awarded the National Medal of Arts and National Humanities Medal 

On January 13, 2021, President Donald J. Trump awarded the National Medal of Arts and National Humanities Medal to the following individuals and organizations:

National Medal of Arts:

Toby Keith for making extraordinary contributions to American music. Rising from humble beginnings in the oil fields of Oklahoma, Toby Keith has become one of the preeminent songwriters of his generation.

Nick Ut for his decades of contributions to wartime photojournalism. Through his lens, Ut captures moments in time that remind us of the horrors of conflict. His most famous photograph, “The Terror of War,” is a permanent reminder of the past and an inspiration for a peaceful future.

Ricky Skaggs for his contributions to the American music industry. A virtuoso of the mandolin and fiddle, Ricky Skaggs creates and produces bluegrass music that preserves the musical legacy of the most talented artists of his generation.

Earl “Rusty” Powell III for his dedicated work preserving, procuring, and expanding the world’s greatest exhibitions as the longest-serving director of the National Gallery of Art.

Mary Costa for her extraordinary talent, inspiration, and contribution to the operatic arts. Her stellar career includes performances in 38 operatic roles.

National Humanities Medal:

Kay Coles James for her intellectual leadership, devotion to our Constitutional principles, and steadfast commitment to opportunity for all.

O. James Lighthizer for his decades of work protecting thousands of acres of Civil War battlefields for future generations. As a government official and then as the President of the Civil War Preservation Trust, James Lighthizer has devoted himself completely to preserving priceless historic sites so that all Americans can visit, learn, and pay their respects to those who sacrificed their lives on that hallowed ground.

The National World War II Museum for its devotion to bringing to life the story of America’s greatest generation and our remarkable victory against the forces of evil. The National World War II Museum has captivated millions of Americans with its compelling exhibits and expansive collections.

The National Medal of Arts is the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the United States Government. The National Humanities Medal honors individuals or groups whose work has deepened the Nation's understanding of the humanities and broadened our citizens' engagement with history, literature, languages, philosophy, and other humanities subjects.