Pool Reports of December 16, 2024

WH In-town pool report 1

Good morning,

I'll be your print pooler today. Biden is expected to deliver remarks at 12:15 PM at the Labor Department. Tonight, the Bidens are scheduled to host a Hanukkah Reception.

The White House has shared the following details for today's event at The Frances Perkins Building:

[APP Note: Additional content was redacted following "FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY, NOT REPORTABLE"]

WH In-town Pool Report #2 Rolling

The motorcade departed the White House at 11:52 en route to Biden's remarks at the Labor Department.

WH In-town Pool Report #3 Staff

The White House shares that the following staffers are traveling to the Labor Department with the president:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Jen Daskal, Deputy Assistant to the President & Deputy Homeland Security Advisor
Lael Brainard, Assistant to the President & National Economic Advisor
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Tom Perez, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Jennifer Klein, Assistant to the President & Director of the White House Gender Policy Council
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
Chair Brenda Mallory, Council on Environmental Quality
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor for Political Engagement
Jenny Kaplan, Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor to the Director of the Office of Public Engagement
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President
Elena Kuhn, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Communications Advisor

WH In-Town Pool Report #4 Arrival

The motorcade arrived at the Labor Department at 11:56 AM.

WH In-town Pool Report #5 Liz Shuler and Julie Su Remarks

Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su announced that President Biden would be inducted into the Department of Labor's Hall of Honor.

"Mr. President you haven't just spoken about being pro worker," she said. "You have acted on it every single day."

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler began the event at 12:20 PM, calling Frances Perkins an "unsung hero." The crowded room broke into applause as she described the first female cabinet secretary's efforts to fight for workers to organize.

"We have taken massive steps forward these last four years," Shuler said, crediting Biden and Su. She cited Biden standing with union workers on a picket line and efforts to ban non-competes.

Shuler introduced Su, saying has turned the DOL into "a true house of labor." The acting labor secretary received a standing ovation. Su acknowledged the many labor leaders, organizers and pro-labor members of Congress in attendance.

WH In-town Pool Report #6 Biden Remarks and Photo Line

Biden entered at 12:37 PM. He was greeted by the crowd chanting, "Thank You Joe."

The president coughed several times as he thanked Su for "the incredible honor" and acknowledged members of his cabinet and members of Congress in attendance. He noted that his wife, Jill Biden, is a longtime union member of the National Education Association. He also recognized the grandson of Frances Perkins, as he recognized her contributions to the labor movement.

The White House shares from earlier:

Participating in a photoline with the President:

Secretary Deb Haaland, Department of the Interior

Acting Secretary Julie Su, Department of Labor

United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai

Administrator Michael Regan, Environmental Protection Agency

Senator Angus King (ME)

Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01)

Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-06)

Rep. Shellie Pingree (ME)

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10)

WH In-town Pool Report #7 Biden Remarks and Hall of Honor Details

Biden took a dig at Trump in his remarks as he touted his own investments in infrastructure. He said Trump had infrastructure week every week during his first presidency and didn't build "a damn thing."

He said it was "going to take a little bit of time" to see the results of the investments his administration made in American workers and said they needed to be "protected" from what was to come.

Biden closed remarks quoting Frances Perkins and his father, citing his administration's efforts to raise stories that would have otherwise gone unheard. He coughed multiple times as he announced five National Historic Landmarks that also recognize female workers.

He increased his volume at the end of the speech.

"We're the United States of America," he said. "There's nothing beyond our capacity. Nothing, nothing, nothing."

Biden then signed the proclamation declaring the Frances Perkins national monument in Maine.

More details from the Department of Labor on the Hall of Honor:

Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su today honored President Joe Biden by announcing his induction to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Hall of Honor.

In more than 50 years of public service, President Biden has remained devoted to improving the lives of America’s workers, retirees and their families by championing pro-union policies that strengthen the middle class and build an economy from the middle out and the bottom up. Under his leadership, more than 16 million jobs have been created in America, threatened pensions have been secured for more than 1.2 million workers and retirees and the number of workers seeking to join a union has doubled.

Established in 1988, the Hall of Honor recognizes those whose distinctive contributions in the field of labor have improved working conditions, wages and overall quality of life of working families in the U.S. It is located in the north plaza of the Department of Labor’s national headquarters in the Frances Perkins Building at 200 Constitution Ave. NW in Washington.

WH In Town Pool Report #8 Rolling

The motorcade departed the Frances Perkins Building at 1:24 PM.

Before leaving, Biden participated in a rope line. In the back of the room, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and others took photos with a cardboard cut-out of Frances Perkins.

Pool Report #9 School Shooting

The motorcade returned to the White House at 1:28 PM.

From the White House on the shooting unfolding in Madison, Wisconsin:

The President has been briefed on the school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin. Senior White House officials are in touch with local counterparts in Madison to provide support as needed.

WH In-town Pool Report #11 Podcast

The White House shares:

The President taped a podcast interview with MeidasTouch.

WH In-town Pool Report #12 Dinner Lid

The White House has called a dinner lid until 7:15 PM. Also a reminder that pre-set for tonight's Hanukkah Holiday Reception is at 6:15.

WH In-Town Pool Report #12 Wisconsin Shooting

The White House sends:

The President spoke with Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway following the shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, WI. The President offered his continued support to help the impacted community.

WH In-Town Pool Report #14 Hanukkah Party

The White House Hanukkah Party is in full swing, with hundreds of guests packing the East Room. Guests are enjoying latkes, steak, sushi rolls and jelly donuts.

White and gold streamers surround the central chandelier, and silver and white ornaments frame the mirrors.

Your pooler is on the lookout for notable guests. Actor Ben Stiller dropped by the briefing room on his way to the event.

WH In-Town Pool Report #15 Emhoff Remarks

President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff entered the room to applause. Emhoff began by talking about how he made history both as the first man in his role and as the first Jewish person in his position. He committed to continue his fight against hate directed at the Jewish community after his wife leaves office.

"Tonight I am rededicating myself to fighting antisemitism and hate of all kind," he said. "I'm going to continue to show up for our community."

Anne Neuberger, deputy national security adviser of the United States, said it was "fitting" that Hanukkah was the final holiday that Biden would celebrate at the White House.

"His faith even in even the darkest of hours inspires us all to find strength during our own challenges," she said.

Neuberger thanked Biden for all that he represented to the Jewish community.

Biden then spoke. He recounted how when his children and grandchildren reached the age of 14, he traveled with them to Auschwitz so that they "couldn't pretend it didn't happen."

Biden reiterated his commitment to the security of Israel and the safety of its people.

"Keep the faith," he said in closing.

Rabbi Elliott Cosgrove of New York City's Park Avenue Synagogue thanked Biden for being a "mensch" and thanked him for his efforts to return the hostages. He then asked the crowd to join him in reciting three blessings.

WH In-Town Pool Report #16 Lid

We have a lid. Good night!