Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2022

September 29, 2022

The President. Well, first of all, excuse my back. [Laughter]

[*At this point, the President turned around to address the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff positioned behind the podium.*]

You're doing a hell of a job. No, no, you really, really are. And I've just been up in the other room with, quote, "the bosses." And you know, one of the things that I think is so important is that there's a lotâover the last 6, 8, 10 years, there's been a loss of faith in government along the way; it just keeps eroding. Because they wonder whether or not the institutions work.

And you're coordinating all these institutions. People understand exactly what's going on.

They look on the televisionâthey're there in the middle of the eye of the stormâand they wonder, can we make it work, are we coordinating? And you all are doing it.

You are reinforcing people's faith in the institutions that everythingânotâthat's not how I think about the institutions, but it's: "Can it work? The Government is here to serve me. Is it working?" And you're busting your neck, and a lot of people out there on the line are risking their lives. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Okay, now I'm supposed to speak. [*Laughter*]

[*The President turned back to the podium, continuing his remarks as follows.*] Well, folks, I'm here at FEMA headquarters to thank Homeland Security Secretary

Mayorkas; Commandant of the Coast Guard Fagan; and the Commanding General of the Army Corps of Engineers, Lieutenant General Spellmon; and the FEMA Administrator, who's become the MVP here these daysâI spend a lot of time in this roomâCriswell of FEMA, and the entire workforce; and many other Federal agencies that are working together here.

You know, they're always going to be above and beyond; they're running toward danger andâto save lives. Most people want to run away from it; these guys run toward it. And it really matters. And it really matters. And they're helping survivors that are really in desperate need.

And you know, that's what we're doing as we focus on delivering help to the people who are directly impacted by Hurricane Ian.

I'm going to use this. [*Inaudible*]âmy voice.

[*The President switched to a handheld microphone.*]

It made landfall yesterday, and it is stillâstillâmoving across the State today. This could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida's history.

The numbers of stillâare still unclear, but we're hearing early reports of what may be substantial loss of life. But parenthetically, I should note I've spoken with the Governors and the mayors and the commissioners. I've been on the phone with the Governor this morning. I spoke with the commissioners and mayors, and they are worried, but they areâevery one of them are telling me what an incredible job is being done to save their cities, their towns, their counties, their ports, their bridges, et cetera.

And in the face of serious danger, search-and-rescue operations got underway before dawn this morning for people stranded and who are in desperate shape. Water rescue is critical. Coast Guard deployed 16 rescue helicopters, 6 fixed-wing aircraft, and 18 rescue boats and crews.

That's just one element of the many Federal search-and-rescue teams that theâprestaged in Florida. And the Governor talked about how impressed he was with what the Coast Guard was doing this morning. These are dangerous missions, and I'm grateful for the brave women and men in Federal, State, and local government working as one team, risking their lives to save others.

And we're going to learn a lot more in the coming hours. But we know many families are hurtingâmany are hurting todayâand our entire country hurts with them, because it's beenâall over the country have seen so many crises. But in Florida today is aâis the epicenter.

We're continuing to see deadly rainfall, catastrophic storm surges, roads and homes flooded.

We're seeing millions of people without power and thousands hunkered down in schools and community centers. They're wondering what's going to be leftâwhat's going to be left when they get to go homeâquote, unquote, "home"âor even if they have a home to go to.

Some of the folks have been through this before, but that doesn't make it any easier.

Actually, it makes their anxiety even higher, in my view. My message to the people of Florida and to the country is, at times like this, America comes together. We're going to pull together as one team, as one America.

First thing this morning is, when I talked to Governor DeSantis and again offered the fullest Federal support. Earlier this week, I approved his request for the prelandfall emergency declaration to provide direct Federal assistance to the State for emergency protective measures to save lives, including search and rescue and shelter and food.

Early this morning I approved the Governor's most recent request for an expedited major disaster declaration. That means the Federal Government will cover 100 percent of the cost to clear debris and for all the costs that the State has to doâhas to engage in and expend to save lives.

I've also spoken with mayors across the State, both Republican and Democrat. And I've told them the same thing: We are here, whether you needâand whatever you need, I indicated to call me directly at the White House. They know how to do that. And we're going to do everything we can to provide whatever they need.

We've dispatched over 1,000 FEMA personnel and prepositioned major Federal capacities and capabilities and supplies. That includes millions of liters of water, millions of meals, and hundreds of generators.

I deployed dozens of search-and-rescue teams, along with high-water vehicles and rescue helicopters to help get survivors to safety. Thousandsâthousandsâof National Guard members have been activated. And, at my direction, the Department of Defense is providing surge capacity on multiple fronts in support of FEMA's efforts.

I also want to say again to everyone in Ian's path: The danger is real, to state the obvious.

Please obey all warnings and directions from emergency officials. And while the water is receding, don't go outside unless you absolutely have to. It's risky for you, and it impedes first responders from doing their job.

I also want to say again to the oil and gas executives: Do notâdo notâdo not use this storm as an excuse to raise gasoline prices or gouge the American public. The price of oil has dropped in recent weeks. The price of gas should be going down as rapidly; it's not. My experts inform me the production of only about 160,000 barrels a day has been impacted by this storm. That's less than 2 percent of our country's daily production. Its small and temporary impact on oil production provides no excuseâno excuseâfor price increases at the pump. Period.

If a gas stationâcompanies try to use this storm to raise prices, I'm going to ask officials to look into whether or not price gouging is going on. America is watching, and the industry should do the right thing. And I expect them to do the right thing.

And while we're seeing the devastating images in Florida, I want to be clear: To the people of Puerto Rico, we're not gone away; I am committed to you and the recovery of the island. We'll stand by you for however long it takes to get it done.

I know the folks here at FEMA and across the Federal Government are working nonstop around the clock. That's why, finally, I want to thank the first responders, the National Guard, the Coast Guard servicemembers, and the search-and-rescue personnel who are working to get people to safety and to restore power, water, and phone lines.

And I want to thank everyone here at FEMA and other Federal personnel. I've seen you in action all across the country, from the West Coast to the Northwest to the Northeast to down in Louisianaâall across this country. And just in the last 2 weeks, you've been working 24/7. No matter what, in whatâno matter what, and when emergencies happen, FEMA is always there. You deserve the Nation's gratitude and full support.

And right now, if you're in the National Guard and you get called up, you can still keep your job. But if you're in the FEMA Reserve, that's not the case. That's why earlier this morning, I signed into law the bipartisan CREW Act championed by theâin the Senate by Gary Peters and Rob Portman, in the House by Dana Titus and John Katokâexcuse me, Katko. And we signed it.

And that law will ensure that FEMA reservists have job protection just like military reservistsâjust like military reservists. So when you're called up to help with a disaster, you can now focus on that mission without worrying you might lose your jobâyour day jobâor receive some other penalty at work because of this national service. That's what the CREW Act guarantees.

And it's going to help people become more civilianâgain more civilian reservists out there. And it's going to make FEMA stronger. It's going to make America stronger. That's who we are. Every time disaster strikes, emergency crews from all over the countryâall over the countryâ from across the Federal Government, show up to help like they're doing right now in Florida.

That's America, a country of women and men willing to serve, willing to leave their own families to help a stranger's family. Everyone hard at work in Florida right now deserves our thanks.

And I want to now turn it over to Secretary Mayorkas.

Governor Ronald D. DeSantis of Florida

Q. Sir, Mr. President, do you plan to meet with Governor DeSantis when you're down there?

The President. I'll meet with anybody who's around. The answer is yes, if he wants to meet.

The President's Travel Plans

Q. Do you plan to go to Puerto Rico as well?

The President. That's my intention.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. Thank you very much, Mr.

President. Our hearts go out to the people in the affected areas. At DHS, our highest priority is the preservation of life and safety. DHS is working with our Federal, State, local, and nongovernmental partners to support the needs of the areas that are and may be impacted by Hurricane Ian.

I want to thank the President for his leadership in signing the major disaster declaration that unlocks critical assistance to help jumpstart impacted Floridians' road to recovery. FEMA and the United States Coast Guard are focused on lifesaving and life-sustaining response operations, and we are launching the recovery mission.

The Coast Guard has completed extensive preparations in advance of Hurricane Ian to minimize impacts to maritime commerce, ensure public safety, and position ourselves for a rapid response. Currently, the Coast Guard has aircraft, cutters, flood-response assets, and response personnel staged throughout Florida ready for immediate deployment.

FEMA has teams in place who are ready to help those who need it most. We have thousands of our personnel deployed throughout the Department of Homeland Securityânot only from FEMA and the United States Coast Guard, but also from our cybersecurity and infrastructure security agency and from TSA.

Today I will be activating the DHS Surge Capacity Force so that we can bring to bear additional personnel from across the department to support disaster survivors in Florida. When a catastrophic event hits, DHS approaches response and recovery work with the full expanse of our resources and our capabilities.

Our work in support of those affected by Ian will continue in the days, weeks, and months to come. This is not just a "here today and gone tomorrow." We are here, as the President areâhas articulated, throughout the need for full recovery.

In that regard, with respect to Puerto Rico, as the President mentioned yesterday, I approved a temporary and targeted Jones Act waiver to ensure that the people of Puerto Rico have sufficient diesel to run generators needed for electricity and the functioning of critical facilities as they recover from Hurricane Fiona. We are in it for the long haul.

Now it's my pleasure to turn it over to Administrator Deanne Criswell of FEMA.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Bennett Criswell. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. I would first like to, again, begin by thanking the President for being here in FEMA's National Response Coordination Center. This is the heartbeat of what we do right here. This is where we bring the Federal family together. These are some amazing public servants.

I'd also like to thank the President for signing the CREW Act earlier this morning.

Mr. President, behind us here are dedicated public servants from across the Federal family. Behind us are the dedicated public servants who have been working tirelessly, day in and day out, to get help to those who need us most.

[*Administrator Criswell continued her remarks, concluding as follows.*]

And now that the sun is up and we are continuing to do our assessments, we will add more counties for individual assistance.

The next few days, they are going to be difficult. We have some very complex problems to solve. But like I said, we have the right teams in place who are ready to help those who need us most. And regardless of how bad it is, I commit to everyone here today that FEMA and our partners across the Federal, State, and local levels remain ready and prepared to help these communities in their greatest time of need.

Thank you.

Q. Mr. PresidentâMr. President, how would you describeââ

The President. Let me add one more thing. We didn't mention ofâthe Red Cross. The Red Cross is there. And they're always there. They stepped up and they continue to step up, so I want to thank them as well. Thank you.

Q. Mr. President, how would more money for the emergency responseââ

Governor Ronald D. DeSantis of Florida

Q. Mr. President, how would you describe your relationship and your conversation with Governor DeSantis?

The President. It's totally irrelevant, but I'll answer it. [Laughter] Okay? In fact, very fine. He complimented me. He thanked me for the immediate response we had. He told me how much he appreciated it. He said he was extremely happy with what's going on.

This is not about whether orâanything having to do with our disagreements politically. This is about saving people's lives, homes, and businesses. That's what this is about.

And so I've beenâI've talked to him four, five times already. And it's not a matter of my disagreements with him on other items.

Reported Leaks of the Nord Stream Natural Gas Pipelines in Europe

Q. Do you hold Russia responsible for the rupture of the Nord Stream pipeline?

The President. Let's stick with this, okay? Iââ

Q. But it's an important international issue. We haveââ

The President. There's a lot of important international issues, but we're here to talk about America. Okay? Thank you.

Congressional Funding for Hurricane Response and Recovery Efforts

Q. Mr. President, do you need more money from Congress for this response?

Q. Mr. Presidentââ The President. We may. Thank you.

NOTE: The President spoke at 12:58 p.m. at the FEMA Headquarters. In his remarks, he referred to S. 2293, the Civilian Reservist Emergency Workforce Act of 2021, which was approved September 29 and assigned Public Law No. 117â178.

Categories: Addresses and Remarks : Hurricane Ian and Federal response efforts; Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters :: Washington, DC.

Locations: Washington, DC.

Names: Criswell, Deanne Bennett; DeSantis, Ronald D.; Fagan, Linda L.; Katko, John N.; Mayorkas, Alejandro N.; Peters, Gary C.; Portman, Robert J.; Spellmon, Scott A.; Titus, A. Costandina.

Subjects: Armed Forces, U.S. : National Guard; Army, Department of the : U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Business and industry : Corporate responsibility; Disaster assistance : Florida; Energy

: Gasoline, oil, and natural gas costs; Florida : Disaster assistance; Florida : Governor; Florida : Hurricane Ian, damage and recovery efforts; Homeland Security, Department of : Coast Guard, U.S.; Homeland Security, Department of : Emergency Management Agency, Federal; Homeland Security, Department of : Secretary; Legislation, enacted : Civilian Reservist Emergency Workforce Act of 2021; Natural disasters : Hurricane Ian; Natural disasters : Response and recovery efforts; Puerto Rico : Hurricane Fiona, damage and recovery efforts.

DCPD Number: DCPD202200845.