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.

11:30 a.m. EST – The President presents the Medal of Freedom to Lou Holtz | Oval Office

2:00 p.m. EST – The President participates in a signing ceremony for H.R. 5901, the Information Technology Modernization Centers of Excellence Program Act and an Executive Order Promoting Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Government | Oval Office

Looking Ahead:  On Friday, December 4, President Donald Trump will travel to Savannah, Georgia, for a Defend the Majority Rally with Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler.

VPOTUS’ Schedule*

11:50 a.m. EST – THE VICE PRESIDENT departs Washington, D.C. en route Memphis, TN, on Air Force Two

1:00 p.m. CST – THE VICE PRESIDENT arrives in Memphis, TN, on Air Force Two | Memphis International Airport

1:25 p.m. CST – THE VICE PRESIDENT leads a roundtable discussion on vaccine distribution | Memphis, TN

3:00 p.m. CST – THE VICE PRESIDENT departs Memphis, TN, en route Washington, D.C., on Air Force Two

5:50 p.m. EST – THE VICE PRESIDENT arrives in Washington, D.C., on Air Force Two

Looking Ahead:  On Friday, December 4, Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and receive a briefing on the COVID-19 vaccine progress and upcoming distribution.  Following, the Vice President will travel to Savannah, Georgia, for a Defend the Majority Rally with Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler.

Recap of Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Note: All bold hyperlinks spotlight COVID-19 and reopening developments.

The White House

  • Press Release: President Donald J. Trump to Award the Medal of Freedom to Lou Holtz
  • Transcript: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany
  • Readout: Second Lady Karen Pence Hosts a Virtual Business Summit on Military Spouse Employment Solutions
  • Nominations: Three Nominations Sent to the Senate

Department of Defense (DOD)

  • Article: Milley Makes Case for U.S. Military Keeping Up With Global, Technology Changes
  • Article: Operation Warp Speed Leaders Discuss Vaccine Distribution
  • Publication: COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Installation Status Update, Dec. 2, 2020
  • Article: DOD Consolidates IT Services to Improve Efficiency
  • Press Release: Survey Provides Insights Into Spouse Satisfaction With Military Life
  • Article: In 2019 Spouse Survey, 70% Report Good, Better Finances
  • Contracts for December 2, 2020

Department of State

  • Daily Schedule | Thursday, December 3
  • December 2: Readout | Secretary Pompeo’s Participation in the NATO Foreign Ministerial
  • December 2: Sanctions | Designation of Lucio Rodriguez Serrano under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act
  • December 2: Statement | Joint Communique by Officials of the Government of the United States and the Interim Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
  • December 2: Statement | International Day of Persons with Disabilities
  • December 2: Statement | The United States Welcomes Major Milestone in Afghanistan Peace Negotiations
  • December 2: Statement | The United Arab Emirates’ National Day
  • December 2: Advisory | Deputy Secretary Biegun to Participate in the OSCE Ministerial Council (Dec. 3)

US Agency for International Development (USAID)

  • Press Release: USAID Sends Shelter Supplies to Help Hondurans Affected by Hurricanes Iota and Eta
  • Press Release: USAID Announces New Support for Private-Sector Initiatives to Strengthen Preparedness for Disasters and Reduce Their Impact

US Mission to the United Nations (UN)

  • Joint Statement in Response to a Russian-Hosted Arria-Formula Meeting on Ukraine (U.S., UK, Estonia)

Department of the Treasury

  • Sanctions: Treasury Sanctions Close Associate of Notorious Drug Trafficker Rafael Caro Quintero
  • Press Release: Counter Narcotics Designation, Designations Removals, and Designation Update

Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)

  • Press Release: Energy Companies Agree to Settle Fraud Charges Stemming From Failed Nuclear Power Plant Expansion
  • Press Release: SEC Charges Disbarred New York Attorney and Florida Attorney with Scheme to Create False Opinion Letters

Department of Justice

  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) | Daily Press Releases
  • Press Release: Justice Department Settles with Amtrak to Resolve Disability Discrimination Across its Intercity Rail System
  • Remarks: Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband on the Announcement of the Settlement with Amtrak
  • Press Release: S. Law Enforcement Takes Action Against Approximately 2,300 Money Mules In Global Crackdown On Money Laundering
  • Press Release: Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Village of Airmont, New York, for Zoning Restrictions that Target the Orthodox Jewish Community
  • Press Release: Kevin M. Epstein Appointed as U.S. Trustee for the Southern and Western Districts of Texas

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

  • Press Release: DHS Issues Detention Order on Cotton Products Made by Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Using Prison Labor
  • Press Release: Border Patrol Finds More Than 20 People Crammed in Van (Arizona)
  • Press Release: Border Patrol Seizes Dangerous Meth, Fentanyl and Oxycodone in Two Separate Events (California)
  • Press Release: CBP Field Operations Arrest Colorado Woman With Over $3 Million in Methamphetamine at Anzalduas International Bridge (Texas)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

  • Press Release: FEMA Releases Survey Results on Harassment and Discrimination within its Workforce (Washington, D.C.)
  • Press Release: FEMA Continues to Support CNMI’s Yutu Recovery (Northern Mariana Islands)
  • Press Release: One Tribal Nation Winning Against COVID (Wampanoag Nation)
  • Press Release: Two Weeks Left (California/re: wildfire survivors)
  • Press Release: Laura Survivors | Appeal Determination Letters for Temporary Housing (Louisiana)
  • Press Release: State, FEMA Continue Work on Hurricane Sally Recovery in Florida

US International Trade Commission (USITC)

  • Press Release: USITC to Monitor U.S. Imports of Fresh or Chilled Strawberries and Bell Peppers

US Export-Import Bank (EXIM)

  • Readout from EXIM Chairman Kimberly Reed’s Meeting with Romanian Ambassador to the United States George Cristian Maior

Department of Transportation

  • Press Release: U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Final Rule on Traveling by Air with Service Animals

Department of Labor

  • Press Release: U.S. Department of Labor Awards Dislocated Worker Grant to Minnesota In Response to Opioid Crisis
  • Press Release: U.S. Department of Labor Releases Advance Copies Of Form 5500 Series Annual Return/Report for 2020

Department of Education

  • Press Release: Secretary DeVos Expands on Revamped College Scorecard, Adding Second-year Post Graduation Earnings and Cumulative Loan Data to Help Students Make Informed Choices

US Government (USG) COVID-19 Webpages

Non-USG COVID Webpages

Johns Hopkins University & Medicine