US executive branch text over image of White HouseThis report provides a snapshot of the US Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases.

POTUS’ Schedule*

*The US President (POTUS) and Vice President’s (VPOTUS) daily schedules are subject to change.

2:15 p.m. EST – The President and The First Lady participate in a signing ceremony for H.R. 473, Authorizing a Women’s Suffrage Monument in our Nation’s Capital | Oval Office

VPOTUS’ Schedule*

9:55 a.m. EST – THE VICE PRESIDENT departs Washington, D.C., en route Columbus, GA, on Air Force Two

11:45 a.m. EST – THE VICE PRESIDENT arrives in Columbus, GA, on Air Force Two | Columbus Airport

12:00 p.m. EST – THE VICE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at a Defend the Majority Rally | Columbus, GA

1:20 p.m. EST – THE VICE PRESIDENT departs Columbus, GA, en route Macon, GA, on Air Force Two

2:00 p.m. EST – THE VICE PRESIDENT arrives in Macon, GA, on Air Force Two | Middle Georgia Regional Airport

2:15 p.m. EST – THE VICE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at a Defend the Majority Rally | Macon, GA

3:35 p.m. EST – THE VICE PRESIDENT departs Macon, GA, en route Washington, D.C., on Air Force Two

5:05 p.m. EST – THE VICE PRESIDENT arrives in Washington, D.C., on Air Force Two

Recap of Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Note: Bold hyperlinks spotlight COVID-19 and reopening developments.

The White House

  • Press Release: Vice President Mike Pence to Publicly Receive COVID-19 Vaccine to Build Confidence Among Americans
  • Presidential Memorandum on the National Strategy for Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion (Space Policy Directive-6)
  • Text of a Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Serious Human Rights Abuse and Corruption
  • Message to the Congress on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Serious Human Rights Abuse and Corruption
  • Remarks by Vice President Pence at a Life is Winning Event
  • Transcript: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany | 12/15/2020, #41
  • Appointments: President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Appoint Individuals to Key Administration Posts

Department of Defense (DOD)

  • Article: Rollout of COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Is Off to Successful Start, Officials Say
  • Publication: COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Installation Status Update, Dec. 16, 2020
  • Contracts for December 16, 2020

Department of State

US Agency for International Development (USAID)

  • Press Release: The United States Delivers $20 Million in Wheat to the Sudanese People

US Mission to the United Nations (UN)

  • Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on the Political Situation in Syria (via VTC)

Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)

  • Joint Statement by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) – re: cyberattack

Department of the Treasury

  • Press Release: Treasury Releases Report on Macroeconomic and Foreign Exchange Policies of Major Trading Partners of the United States
  • Sanctions: Treasury Sanctions Companies for Supporting the Sale of Iranian Petrochemicals

Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)

  • Press Release: SEC Adopts Final Rules for the Disclosure of Payments by Resource Extraction Issuers
  • Press Release: SEC Adopts Clearing Agency Rule to Limit Potential for Overlapping or Duplicative Regulation
  • Press Release: Luckin Coffee Agrees to Pay $180 Million Penalty to Settle Accounting Fraud Charges

Department of Justice

  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) | Daily Press Releases
  • Press Release: Former Venezuelan National Treasurer and Her Spouse Charged in Connection with International Bribery and Money Laundering Scheme
  • Press Release: Kenyan National Indicted for Conspiring to Hijack Aircraft on Behalf of the Al Qaeda-Affiliated Terrorist Organization Al Shabaab
  • Press Release: Owner of Texas Chain of Hospice Companies Sentenced for $150 Million Health Care Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme
  • Press Release: Northern Alabama Doctor and Practice Manager Convicted for Conspiring to Unlawfully Distribute Opioids
  • Press Release: Federal Court Orders North Carolina Pharmacy, Pharmacy Owner, and Pharmacist-in-Charge to Pay More Than $1 Million and Stop Dispensing Opioids
  • Press Release: Justice Department Defends Health Care Workers from Being Forced to Perform Abortions with Vermont Lawsuit
  • Press Release: Florida Escort Pleads Guilty to Underreporting Income
  • Press Release: Michigan Based Wire Fraud Conspiracy and Tax Offenses Charged

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)/Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

  • Joint Statement by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)
  • Press Release: United States and United Kingdom Conclude Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (Washington, D.C.)
  • Press Release: Regional Partners Intercept Smuggling Boat with 23 Undocumented Aliens aboard in Long Beach (California)
  • Press Release: Panga with 20 Onboard Interdicted at Sea (California)
  • Press Release: Canine alert leads to discovery of over seven pounds of cocaine (Arizona)
  • Press Release: BP Agents Discover Stash House, 16 Illegal Aliens (Arizona)
  • Press Release: Undeclared Biological Samples at Detroit Metropolitan Airport Intercepted by CBP (Michigan)
  • Press Release: Two Shipments, $9.6 Million Worth of Fake Jewelry, Watches Seized in Cincinnati (Ohio)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

  • Press Release: Disaster Recovery Centers Adding Appeals Centers in Jefferson Davis, Lafayette and Rapides Parishes; Others Will Close, and All Will Change Hours of Operation (Louisiana)

Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR)

  • Joint Statement on the 5th U.S.-Nepal Trade and Investment Framework Agreement Council Meeting

Department of Commerce

  • Press Release: Op-Ed by Commerce Secretary Wilbur L. Ross | Space Commerce Accelerating

US Export-Import Bank (EXIM)

  • Press Release: EXIM Chairman Reed Addresses Brazil-Florida Business Council on How EXIM Can Help Enhance Trade and Economic Development in Brazil and the United States
  • Press Release: EXIM Board Votes to Authorize $327 Million Loan Guarantee in Support of 1,300 U.S. Jobs in Hard-Hit Aviation Sector

Department of Agriculture (USDA)

  • Press Release: Secretary Perdue Applauds USDA’s 2020 Accomplishments

Department of Energy

  • Press Release: President Donald J. Trump is Establishing America’s National Strategy for Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion
  • Press Release: Energy Department’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program Awards $30 million in Initial Funding for Risk Reduction Projects
  • Press Release: Energy Department Announces $45 Million in Funding for Solar Technologies

Department of Transportation

  • Press Release: U.S. Department of Transportation Launches New Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Program

Department of Labor

  • Press Release: U.S. Department of Labor Implements Inspection Program To Target Workplaces with Highest Injury and Illness Rates
  • Press Release: U.S. Department of Labor Launches New Website To Offer Training Provider Performance and Outcomes
  • Press Release: U.S. Department of Labor Announces New Initiative to Help States Expand Employment Among People with Mental Health Conditions
  • Press Release: U.S. Department of Labor Announces $20 Million in New Grants to Support USMCA Implementation, Bringing the 2020 Total to Nearly $50 Million
  • Press Release: ICYMI | U.S. Labor Secretary Scalia Remarks on Unemployment Insurance Reform at American Enterprise Institute Event
  • Press Release: Court Appoints Independent Fiduciary to Distribute $1,500,000 In Retirement Funds Held By Defunct Oregon Retirement Plans
  • Press Release: Court Orders Janitorial Company to Pay $10,000 in Back Wages and Damages To 11 Employees After U.S. Department of Labor Investigation
  • Press Release: Oregon Agricultural Operators Pay Back Wages After Denying Paid Sick Leave to Workers Ordered to Quarantine for Coronavirus

Health & Human Services (HHS)

  • Press Release: HHS to Disallow $200M in California Medicaid Funds Due to Unlawful Abortion Insurance Mandate; Refers Vermont Medical Center to DOJ for Lawsuit Over Conscience Violations
  • Press Release: HHS Secretary Azar Statement on EUA for At-Home Use of BinaxNOW Card Test
  • Press Release: Winners of HHS Design-a-thon to Develop Innovative Digital Health Tools for COVID-19 At-Anywhere Diagnostic Tests Announced
  • Press Release: HHS Increases and Begins Distributing Over $24 Billion in Phase 3 COVID-19 Provider Relief Funding
  • Press Release: OCR Facilitates Safe Clergy Access for Patients at Mt. Sinai Hospital During COVID-19

Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

  • Press Release: FDA Issues New Authorization for the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test
  • Press Release: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update | December 16, 2020
  • Press Release: FDA Authorizes Marketing of New Implant to Repair a Torn ACL

US Government (USG) COVID-19 Webpages

Non-USG COVID Webpages

Johns Hopkins University & Medicine