Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, September 1, 2022
- 2 years ago
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Good afternoon, everybody. A couple of things at the top. Today’s announcement by Micron is another big win for America. Micron is investing $15 billion over the next decade at a manufacturing facility in Idaho, and they directly credit the passage of the CHIPS Act that made this possible.
Just this week, we’ve seen First Solar, Toyota, Honda, and Corning make major announcements of new investments and new jobs as a direct result of the President’s economic plan. U.S. manufacturing is back.
Americans have experienced an unacceptable level of flight — of flight delays and cancellations this year due to airline issues. When these disruptions occur, it’s really difficult to figure out if you will receive a meal voucher and hotel accommodations.
So, two weeks ago, Secretary Buttigieg told the top U.S. airlines that our administration plan to publish an interactive airline customer service dashboard before Labor Day to give Americans more transparency about what airlines owe them when there is a delay or cancellation due to staffing or mechanical problems.
Secretary Buttigieg also urged the airlines to immediately improve their customer service plans before the dashboard launch.
Today, the Department of Transportation officially launched the dashboard, and we’re proud to report that airlines vastly improved their plans.
And we have a graphic right behind me. We love graphics here, as you know. Before the Secretary’s letter, there were significantly more red X’s across this table. None of the airlines had guaranteed that they would cover meals or hotels when they are at fault.
Now eight of the top airlines cover hotels and nine of them cover meals. Before Secretary Buttigieg’s letter, only one airline guaranteed they would rebook you at no cost. Now, 9 out of the 10 do so.
This is a huge win for American travelers. From the start of this administration, President Biden has directed his team to work with airlines to help Americans get where they need to go safely, affordably, and reliably. And we will not hesitate to hold the airlines accountable. If airlines aren’t providing you with these services, file a complaint with the Department of Transportation. Our administration has your back.
Lastly, I want to make a few comments on the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Report on Xinjiang that was released just last night. The United States welcomes this report — this important report, which describes authoritaritively [authoritatively] the abhorrent human rights treatment of the Uyghur and other minority communities by the People’s Republic of China government. The report deepens our grave concern regarding the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity that China is perpetrating.
Our position on the atrocities in Xinjiang has been clearly demonstrated with our words and in our actions. The Biden administration has taken concrete measures, including improving visa restrictions; Global Magnitsky Act and other financial san
Just this week, we’ve seen First Solar, Toyota, Honda, and Corning make major announcements of new investments and new jobs as a direct result of the President’s economic plan. U.S. manufacturing is back.
Americans have experienced an unacceptable level of flight — of flight delays and cancellations this year due to airline issues. When these disruptions occur, it’s really difficult to figure out if you will receive a meal voucher and hotel accommodations.
So, two weeks ago, Secretary Buttigieg told the top U.S. airlines that our administration plan to publish an interactive airline customer service dashboard before Labor Day to give Americans more transparency about what airlines owe them when there is a delay or cancellation due to staffing or mechanical problems.
Secretary Buttigieg also urged the airlines to immediately improve their customer service plans before the dashboard launch.
Today, the Department of Transportation officially launched the dashboard, and we’re proud to report that airlines vastly improved their plans.
And we have a graphic right behind me. We love graphics here, as you know. Before the Secretary’s letter, there were significantly more red X’s across this table. None of the airlines had guaranteed that they would cover meals or hotels when they are at fault.
Now eight of the top airlines cover hotels and nine of them cover meals. Before Secretary Buttigieg’s letter, only one airline guaranteed they would rebook you at no cost. Now, 9 out of the 10 do so.
This is a huge win for American travelers. From the start of this administration, President Biden has directed his team to work with airlines to help Americans get where they need to go safely, affordably, and reliably. And we will not hesitate to hold the airlines accountable. If airlines aren’t providing you with these services, file a complaint with the Department of Transportation. Our administration has your back.
Lastly, I want to make a few comments on the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Report on Xinjiang that was released just last night. The United States welcomes this report — this important report, which describes authoritaritively [authoritatively] the abhorrent human rights treatment of the Uyghur and other minority communities by the People’s Republic of China government. The report deepens our grave concern regarding the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity that China is perpetrating.
Our position on the atrocities in Xinjiang has been clearly demonstrated with our words and in our actions. The Biden administration has taken concrete measures, including improving visa restrictions; Global Magnitsky Act and other financial san