RESTRICTION SUMMARY: AP CLIENTS ONLY

SHOTLIST:

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY

Washington, DC - 19 April 2017

1. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer walks to podium

2. Cutaway of reporter

3 . SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"The president is directing an interagency review of the deal to review that, and we have 90 days before the next one comes up, and we'll have more. But, right now we're undergoing a 90 day review, and I think the statement the secretary of state made to Congress clearly stated that the president is directing the National Security Council to lead an interagency review of the plan and evaluate whether suspension sanctions related to Iran, pursuant to the JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal) are in the vital interest of our national security. The letter clearly lays out what the president is going to do to make sure they are living up to their agreement."

4. Reverse angle of Spicer at podium

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

(Reporter, off-camera: "Is the president concerned that Iran may be cheating on the JCPOA? David Albright, the noted weapons inspector, says they're developing a new centrifuge which he thinks could be a violation.")

"And I think that's why he's asking for this review. If he didn't, if he thought everything was fine, he would have allowed this to move forward. He's doing the prudent thing by asking for a review of the current deal and what's happening."

6. Cutaway of reporter

7. Wide of Spicer at the podium

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

(Reporter, off-camera: "The president has said that he would like to see the nuclear deal renegotiated with Iran. How specifically does he plan to get a new deal? Is that something he still wants to do?")

"Well, again, that's why we're undergoing this interagency review. Part of this is to get the entire team to look at it in the next 90 days, review that is required under the deal. So we will have recommendations presented to the president on where the deal stands and how to act further."

9. Cutaway of reporters

10. Wide of Spicer speaking to reporters

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"While we're on the topic of upcoming events, I'd like to note the president will welcome Palestinian President Abbas for a visit to Washington on May 3rd. They will use the visit to affirm the commitment of the United States and the Palestinian leadership to pursuing and ultimately concluding a conflict-ending settlement between the Palestinians and Israel.

12. Spicer exiting briefing room

STORYLINE:

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said on Wednesday that the US administration is "doing the prudent thing" by conducting a 90-day interagency review of the Iran nuclear deal to make sure Iran is living up to its side of the agreement.

"Part of this is to get the entire team to look at it the next 90 days, review that is required under the deal," Spicer said. "So we will have recommendations presented to the president on where the deal stands and how to act further."

The Trump administration has notified Congress that Iran is complying with the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated by former President Barack Obama, and says the U.S. has extended the sanctions relief given to the Islamic republic in exchange for curbs on its atomic program.

However, in a letter sent late Tuesday to House Speaker Paul Ryan, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the administration has undertaken a full review of the agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

The certification of Iran's compliance, which must be sent to Congress every 90 days, is the first issued by the Trump administration.

The deadline for this certification was midnight.

As a candidate in the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump was an outspoken critic of the deal but had offered conflicting opinions on whether he would try to scrap it, modify it or keep it in place with more strenuous enforcement.

Tuesday's determination suggested that while Trump agreed with findings by the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, that Iran is keeping to its end of the bargain, he is looking for another way to ratchet up pressure on Tehran.

Spicer also told reporters at the briefing that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was scheduled to visit Washington early in May and hold talks with Trump.

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The Trump administration is applauding the January jobs reports.

This comes as the President signs executive order taking aim at Dodd-Frank financial overhaul.

Last month's jobs report, which showed the U.S. economy adding 227,000 jobs and the unemployment rate at 4.8 percent.

The report also says that more Americans started looking for work, although not all of them found jobs immediately.

"Today's report reflects the consumer confidence that the Trump presidency has inspired," said White House press secretay Sean Spicer.

"President Trump campaigned on how to make America work again. Even before he took office, the markets knew he would deliver on that promise."

President Donald Trump also signed an executive order that will direct the Treasury secretary to review the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial overhaul.

It's Trump's first step at scaling back regulations on financial services.

Trump has called the law a "disaster" and said it failed to address some of the causes of the 2008-2009 financial crisis.

Washington DC - 3 February 2017

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"The economy added more than 227,000 new jobs, significantly more than the 175,000 that had been expected. Today's report reflects the consumer confidence that the Trump presidency has inspired. According to a recent Gallup poll, economic confidence is at a new high and ADP showed strong private sector hiring. President Trump campaigned on how to make America work again. Even before he took office, the markets knew he would deliver on that promise."

++SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASH+++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"The president's already taken significant steps to turn our economy around and he is looking forward to ensuring that every American who wants a job has the opportunity to find one. While the president's definitely pleased that the job growth has far surpassed expectations and that the labor force participation is rising, he also recognizes that there is a lot more work to be done."

++SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASH+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"The Dodd-Frank Act is a disastrous policy that's hindering our markets, reducing the availability of credit and crippling our economy's ability to grow and create jobs. It imposed hundreds of new regulations and financial -- on financial institutions, while establishing unaccountable and unconstitutional new agency that does not adequately protect consumers. Perhaps worst of all, despite all of this overreaching, Dodd-Frank did not address the causes of the financial crisis, something we all know must be done. It did not solve the too big to fail and we must determine conclusively that the failure of a large bank will never again leave taxpayers on the hook."

The Trump administration is applauding the January jobs reports.

This comes as the President signs executive order taking aim at Dodd-Frank financial overhaul.

Last month's jobs report, which showed the U.S. economy adding 227,000 jobs and the unemployment rate at 4.8 percent.

The report also says that more Americans started looking for work, although not all of them found jobs immediately.

"Today's report reflects the consumer confidence that the Trump presidency has inspired," said White House press secretay Sean Spicer.

"President Trump campaigned on how to make America work again. Even before he took office, the markets knew he would deliver on that promise."

President Donald Trump also signed an executive order that will direct the Treasury secretary to review the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial overhaul.

It's Trump's first step at scaling back regulations on financial services.

Trump has called the law a "disaster" and said it failed to address some of the causes of the 2008-2009 financial crisis.

Washington DC - 3 February 2017

1. Cutaway of White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer walking in to press briefing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"The economy added more than 227,000 new jobs, significantly more than the 175,000 that had been expected. Today's report reflects the consumer confidence that the Trump presidency has inspired. According to a recent Gallup poll, economic confidence is at a new high and ADP showed strong private sector hiring. President Trump campaigned on how to make America work again. Even before he took office, the markets knew he would deliver on that promise."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"The president's already taken significant steps to turn our economy around and he is looking forward to ensuring that every American who wants a job has the opportunity to find one. While the president's definitely pleased that the job growth has far surpassed expectations and that the labor force participation is rising, he also recognizes that there is a lot more work to be done."

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"The Dodd-Frank Act is a disastrous policy that's hindering our markets, reducing the availability of credit and crippling our economy's ability to grow and create jobs. It imposed hundreds of new regulations and financial -- on financial institutions, while establishing unaccountable and unconstitutional new agency that does not adequately protect consumers. Perhaps worst of all, despite all of this overreaching, Dodd-Frank did not address the causes of the financial crisis, something we all know must be done. It did not solve the too big to fail and we must determine conclusively that the failure of a large bank will never again leave taxpayers on the hook."

7. Cutaway

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"They did have a very productive and candid conversation. We have tremendous amount of respect for the people of Australia, for Prime Minister Trunbull and a followup on the call, but we are going to continue to work through this. We are going to honor the commitments that we made in some way, meaning that we are going to vet these people in accordance with the agreement that happened and we are going to continue to have further updates as we do."

9. Cutaway

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"The President is commited to peace, that's his goal and I think when the President and Prime Minister meet here on the 15th that obviously be the topic at that. At the end of the day the goal is peace. I think that is what you have to keep in mind, I think that is going to be a subject that they discuss when they meet on the 15th and that's as far as I want to go on that."

11. Cutaway

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"I think the statement is very clear about that, we don't think the existence of current settlements is an impedement to peace, but I think the construction or expansion of existing settlements beyond the borders is not going to be helpful moving forward."

13. Spicer leaving briefing

US President Donald Trump said he's decided to withdraw support for a treaty regulating the multibillion-dollar global arms trade.

It's the latest example of the Trump administration's dislike of international pacts.

Trump said on Friday that he has decided to revoke the United States' status as a signatory of the Arms Trade Treaty regulating international trade in conventional weapons, including small arms, battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships.

He said America was "rejecting this treaty" and "taking our signature back".

Trump made the announcement during a speech in Indianapolis to the National Rifle Association, which claims the treaty poses a threat to the Second Amendment.

The US signed the treaty in 2013 but never ratified it.

POOL

Indianapolis - 26 April 2019

1. Close-up US President Donald Trump saluting then walking to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President: ++PARTIALLY OVERLAID++

"Today I'm proud to announce another historic step to protect your Second Amendment rights, and I didn't tell Chris (Cox) and Wayne (LaPierre) and Oliver (North), I didn't even tell them about it. So, they are listening in this big room someplace and they are saying, 'I wonder what he's going to do.' The good thing with me you never know. So in the last administration President Obama signed the UN Arms Trade Treaty and in its waning days in office he sent the treaty to the Senate to begin the ratification process. This treaty threatened your subjugate ... again and you know exactly what's going on here, your rights. And your constitutional and international rules and restrictions and regulations. Under my administration we will never surrender American sovereignty to anyone. We will never allow foreign bureaucrats to trample on your Second Amendment freedom. And that is why my administration will never ratify the UN Arms Trade Treaty. I hope you are happy."

4. Cutaway audience applauding

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"I'm impressed. I didn't think too many of you would really know what it is. You know what it is?  A big, big factor. But I see a couple of very happy faces from the NRA over there. And I am officially announcing today that the United States will be revoking the effect of America's signature from this badly misguided treatment. We're taking our signature back."

6. Pan from Trump to audience

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"I will sign right now, in front of a lot of witnesses. Like, a lot of witnesses, a message asking the Senate to discontinue the treaty ratification process and to return the now rejected treaty right back to me in the Oval Office, where I will dispose of it. By taking these acts we are reaffirming that American liberty is sacred and that American citizens live by American laws, not the laws of foreign countries."

8. Mid Trump showing signature to audience

President Donald Trump says the U.S. has decided to withdraw its support for a treaty regulating the multibillion-dollar global arms trade.

It's the latest example of the Trump administration's dislike of international pacts.

Trump said Friday that he has decided to revoke the United States' status as a signatory of the Arms Trade Treaty regulating international trade in conventional weapons, including small arms, battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships.

He says America is "rejecting this treaty" and "taking our signature back."

He made the announcement during a speech in Indianapolis, Indiana, to the National Rifle Association, which claims the treaty poses a threat to the Second Amendment.

The U.S. signed the treaty in 2013, but never ratified it.

POOL

Indianapolis - 26 April 2019

1. Close-up US President Donald Trump saluting then walking to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President: ++PARTIALLY OVERLAID++

"Today I'm proud to announce another historic step to protect your Second Amendment rights. And I didn't tell Chris (Cox) and Wayne (LaPierre) and Oliver (North) I didn't even tell them about it. So, they are listening in this big room someplace and they are saying, 'I wonder what he's going to do.' The good thing with me you never know. So in the last administration President Obama signed the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty and in its waning days in office he sent the treaty to the Senate to begin the ratification process. This treaty threatened your subjugate ... again and you know exactly what's going on here, your rights. And your constitutional and international rules and restrictions and regulations. Under my administration we will never surrender American sovereignty to anyone. We will never allow foreign bureaucrats to trample on your Second Amendment freedom. And that is why my administration will never ratify the UN Arms Trade Treaty. I hope you are happy."

4. Cutaway audience applauding

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"I'm impressed. I didn't think too many of you would really know what it is. You know what it is?  A big, big factor. But I see a couple of very happy faces from the NRA over there. And I am officially announcing today that the United States will be revoking the effect of America's signature from this badly misguided treatment.  We're taking our signature back."

6. Pan from Trump to audience

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"I will sign right now, in front of a lot of witnesses. Like, a lot of witnesses, a message asking the Senate to discontinue the treaty ratification process and to return the now rejected treaty right back to me in the Oval Office, where I will dispose of it. By taking these acts we are reaffirming that American liberty is sacred and that American citizens live by American laws, not the laws of foreign countries. "

8. Mid, Trump showing signature to audience

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus116058

President Donald Trump says the U.S. has decided to withdraw its support for a treaty regulating the multibillion-dollar global arms trade.

It's the latest example of the Trump administration's dislike of international pacts.

Trump said Friday that he has decided to revoke the United States' status as a signatory of the Arms Trade Treaty regulating international trade in conventional weapons, including small arms, battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships.

He says America is "rejecting this treaty" and "taking our signature back."

He made the announcement during a speech in Indianapolis, Indiana, to the National Rifle Association, which claims the treaty poses a threat to the Second Amendment.

The U.S. signed the treaty in 2013, but never ratified it.

POOL

Indianapolis - 26 April 2019

1. Close-up US President Donald Trump saluting then walking to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President: ++SOUNDBITE PARTIALLY OVERLAID++

"Today I'm proud to announce another historic step to protect your Second Amendment rights. And I didn't tell Chris (Cox) and Wayne (LaPierre) and Oliver (North) I didn't even tell them about it. So, they are listening in this big room someplace and they are saying, 'I wonder what he's going to do.' The good thing with me you never know, never know. So in the last administration President Obama signed the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty and in its waning days in office he sent the treaty to the Senate to begin the ratification process. This treaty threatened your subjugate ... again and you know exactly what's going on here, your rights. And your constitutional and international rules and restrictions and regulations. Under my administration we will never surrender American sovereignty. To anyone. We will never allow foreign bureaucrats to trample on your Second Amendment freedom. And that is why my administration will never ratify the UN Arms Trade Treaty. I hope you are happy."

3. Cutaway audience applauding

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"We're taking our signature back."

5. Pan from Trump to audience

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President: ++SOUNDBITE PARTIALLY OVERLAID++

"By taking these acts we are reaffirming that American liberty is sacred and that American citizens live by American laws, not the laws of foreign countries. "

7. Mid, Trump signing and then showing signature to audience

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has defended President Donald Trump's "America First" foreign policy, saying the president is "not afraid to try diplomatic tactics where the old ones were simply not getting the outcomes that America needs and deserves."

Pompeo was speaking at a Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) gathering in Orlando, Florida on Monday.

Pompeo said the U.S. is maintaining pressure on North Korea while "keeping an outstretched hand for diplomacy."

He also got a laugh when he said he thinks that he's spent more time with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un than any other American, "now surpassing Dennis Rodman."

Pompeo also announced the U.S. is imposing sanctions on Zhuhai Zhenrong Limited and its chief executive for violating restrictions on Iran's oil industry.

The U.S. sanctions are part of the Trump administration's effort to increase pressure on Iran by starving its economy.

Oil exports are Iran's largest source of foreign income and the U.S. campaign has raised tensions between the two countries.

China has continued to import Iranian oil as other countries have stopped out of fear of U.S. penalties.

Pompeo also insisted that "America First does not mean America alone."

Despite tensions between the U.S. and traditional allies over NATO funding, the Iran nuclear deal and international trade, he said that relations are strong between the U.S. and allies in Eastern Europe, the Persian Gulf and the Pacific region.  

And he said U.S. relations with Israel were "unequalled."

He also promised that the administration would keep as a top priority getting the remains of any fallen soldiers returned to the U.S.

Finally, Pompeo briefly touched on the administration's effort to protect U.S. service personnel from prosecution by the International Criminal Court.

Earlier this year, Pompeo announced the U.S. would repeal or deny visas to any ICC staff trying to investigate Americans in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

"This administration has moved heaven and earth to prevent them from wrongfully prosecuting anyone in this room, or anyone other who has served in the United States armed forces," he said.

POOL

Orlando, Florida - 22 July 2019

1. Wide of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo walking to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"President Trump is unafraid. He's not afraid to try diplomatic tactics where the old ones were simply not getting the outcomes that America needs and deserves. You've seen this. You've seen this on North Korea where we came into office and found that appeasement wasn't working and neither did neglect. So we're maintaining pressure on the North Korean regime while keeping an outstretched hand for diplomacy. I had the chance to meet with Chairman Kim (Jong Un) on multiple occasions. Indeed I think I've spent more time with Chairman Kim than any other American, now surpassing Dennis Rodman (laughter)."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"And on the Islamic Republic of Iran, the nuclear deal. It only made the machine regime more aggressive. So we've re-engaged with allies to exert pressure on that regime. All we ask of them is all America ever asked. We just want them to behave like a normal nation. And today, as part of that maximum pressure campaign, I'm announcing that the United States is imposing sanctions on the Chinese entity Zhuhai Zhenrong and its chief executive, Youmin Li. They violated U.S. law by accepting crude oil. We've said all along that any sanction will indeed be enforced. We can't tolerate more money going to the Ayatollah, putting American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines and putting their lives at risk. It's too important."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"America first does not mean America alone. Indeed, other nations are rolling up their sleeves to work alongside of us. We're restoring friendships that were neglected for a long, long time. From Eastern Europe, to our partners in the Gulf, to the Pacific Islands. And of course our relationship with Israel is unequalled. It's a democracy. It stands for the same things that we do here in America. That relationship is stronger than it's ever been. We're very proud of that."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"I remember sitting in the room negotiating with my my counterpart as a former senior North Korean general. And I remember talking to him and I think he was perplexed that we put this as the first among the items we wanted to talk about. Every one of you understands why we put that first, and why we'll continue to work on this. We will not stop working on this until every one of our fallen heroes and their remains have been returned to the United States of America."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"I want to mention, too, there is a threat that some of you know about. There are rogue courts international courts that have threatened to bring American soldiers, sailors and marines to dock, to bring them to justice. This is wrong. This administration has moved heaven and earth to prevent them from wrongfully prosecuting anyone in this room or anyone other who has served in the United States armed forces."

7. Wide of Pompeo shaking hands with vets after speech

Speaking to a VFW gathering in Orlando, Fla., Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended President Donald Trump's "America First" foreign policy, saying the president is "not afraid to try to diplomatic tactics where the old ones were simply not getting the outcomes that America needs and deserves."

Pompeo said the U.S. is maintaining pressure on North Korea while "keeping an outstretched hand for diplomacy."

He also got a laugh when he said he thinks that he's spen more time with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un than any other American, "now surpassing Dennis Rodman."

Pompeo also announced the U.S. is imposing sanctions on Zhuhai Zhenrong (ZHOO-hi ZHEN-wrong) Limited and its chief executive for violating restrictions on Iran's oil industry.

The U.S. sanctions are part of the Trump administration's effort to increase pressure on Iran by starving its economy. Oil exports are Iran's largest source of foreign income and the U.S. campaign has raised tensions between the two countries.

China has continued to import Iranian oil as other countries have stopped out of fear of U.S. penalties.

Pompeo also insisted that "America First does not mean America alone."

Despite tensions between the U.S. and traditional allies over NATO funding, the Iran nuclear deal and international trade, he said that relations are strong between the U.S. and allies in Eastern Europe, the Persion Gulf and the Pacific region.  And he said U.S. relations with Israel is "unequalled."

He also promised that the administration would keep as a top priority getting the remains of any fallen soldiers returned to the U.S.

Finally, Pompeo briefly touched on the administration's effort to protect U.S. service personnel from prosecution by the International Criminal Court. Earlier this year, Pompeo announced the U.S. would repeal or deny visas to any ICC staff trying to investigate Americans in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

"This administration has moved heaven and earth to prevent them from wrongfully prosecuting anyone in this room, or anyone other who has served in the United States armed forces," he said.

POOL

Orlando, Florida - 22 July 2019

1. Wide of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo walking to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"President Trump is unafraid. He's not afraid to try to diplomatic tactics where the old ones were simply not getting the outcomes that America needs and deserves. You've seen this. You've seen this on North Korea where we came into office and found that appeasement wasn't working and neither did neglect. So we're maintaining pressure on the North Korean regime while keeping an outstretched hand for diplomacy. I had the chance to meet with Chairman Kim on multiple occasions. Indeed I think I've spent more time with Chairman Kim than any other American now surpassing Dennis Rodman (laughter)."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"And on the Islamic Republic of Iran, the nuclear deal. It only made the machine regime more aggressive. So we've re-engaged with allies to exert pressure on that regime. All we ask of them is all America ever asked. We just want them to behave like a normal nation. And today, as part of that maximum pressure campaign, I'm announcing that the United States is imposing sanctions on the Chinese entity Zhuhai Zhenrong and its chief executive, Youmin Li. They violated U.S. law by accepting crude oil. We've said all along that any sanction will indeed be enforced. We can't tolerate more money going to the Ayatollah, putting American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines and putting their lives at risk. It's too important."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"America first does not mean America alone. Indeed, other nations are rolling up their sleeves to work alongside of us. We're restoring friendships that were neglected for a long, long time. From Eastern Europe, to our partners in the Gulf, to the Pacific Islands. And of course our relationship with Israel is unequalled. It's a democracy. It stands for the same things that we do here in America. That relationship is stronger than it's ever been. We're very proud of that."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"I remember sitting in the room negotiating with my my counterpart as a former senior North Korean general. And I remember talking to him and I think he was perplexed that we put this as the first among the items we wanted to talk about. Every one of you understands why we put that first, and why we'll continue to work on this. We will not stop working on this until every one of our fallen heroes and their remains have been returned to the United States of America."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"I want to mention, too, there is a threat that some of you know about. There are rogue courts international courts that have threatened to bring American soldiers, sailors and marines to dock, to bring them to justice. This is wrong. This administration has moved heaven and earth to prevent them from wrongfully prosecuting anyone in this room or anyone other who has served in the United States armed forces."

7. Wide of Pompeo shaking hands with vets after speech

U.S. health officials will ban most flavored e-cigarettes popular with underage teenagers, but with major exceptions that benefit vaping manufacturers, retailers and adults who use the nicotine-emitting devices.

The Trump administration announced Thursday that it will prohibit fruit, candy, mint and dessert flavors from small, cartridge-based e-cigarettes that are popular with high school students.

But menthol and tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes will be allowed to remain on the market.

The flavor ban will also entirely exempt large, tank-based vaping devices, which are primarily sold in vape shops that cater to adult smokers.

Associated Press health reporter Matthew Perrone explains that together, the two exemptions represent a significant retreat from President Donald Trump's original plan announced four months ago.

"This is a big step back from what Trump said he was going to do in September when he said that they going to ban all flavors in all types of products," said Perrone.

"There are a number of carve outs here that seem to be favorable to industry who have been lobbying him pretty aggressively in recent months, not to ban all these flavors."

The new policy will preserve a significant portion of the multibillion-dollar vaping market.

And the changes are likely to please both the largest e-cigarette manufacturer, Juul Labs, and thousands of vape shop owners who sell the tank-based systems, which allow users to mix customized flavors.

E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that typically heat a flavored nicotine solution into an inhalable aerosol.

They have been pitched to adults as a less-harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes, but there is limited data on their ability to help smokers quit.

The Food and Drug Administration has struggled for years to find the appropriate approach to regulating vaping. Under current law, all e-cigarettes are supposed to undergo an FDA review beginning in May. Only those that can demonstrate a benefit for U.S. public health will be permitted to stay on the market.

The flavor ban applies to e-cigarettes that use pre-filled nicotine cartridges mainly sold at gas stations and convenience stores.

Juul is the biggest player in that market, but it previously pulled all of its flavors except menthol and tobacco after coming under intense political scrutiny. Many smaller manufacturers continue to sell sweet, fruity flavors like “grape slushie,” “strawberry cotton candy” and “sea salt blueberry."

The flavor restrictions won't affect the larger specialty devices sold at vape shops, which typically don't admit customers under 21.

These tank-based systems allow users to fill the device with the flavor of their choice. Sales of these devices represent an estimated 40% of the U.S. vaping business, with sales across some 15,000 to 19,000 shops.

"Today's announcement taking a number of these flavors off the market, A number of products is actually a pretty huge step from what came before," said Perrone.

"E-cigarettes and vaping have been pretty much unregulated in the US for many years, and FDA is still trying to figure out how exactly they're going to regulate this space.

In the latest government survey, more than 1 in 4 high school students reported using e-cigarettes in the previous month, despite federal law banning sales to those under 18. Late last month Trump signed a law raising the minimum age to purchase all tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21 nationwide.

ARCHIVE: New York - 18 September 2019

1. Various of people vaping

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"The Trump administration is banning most flavors in small cartridge based e-cigarettes that are popular with teens, but they're keeping flavors available for products that a lot of adults use and that are sold in vape shops."

ARCHIVE: New York - 18 September 2019

3. Various of products on a table

ARCHIVE: Biddeford, Maine - 3 September 2019

4. STILL of electronic cigarette pods displayed for sale in shop

ARCHIVE: San Francisco - 17 June 2019

5. STILL of cashier displaying a packet of tobacco-flavored Juul pods

ARCHIVE: New York - 16 September 2019

6. Sign of advertising nicotine content of Juul vaping products

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"This is a big step back from what Trump said he was going to do in September when he said that they going to ban all flavors in all types of products. There are a number of carve outs here that seem to be favorable to industry who have been lobbying him pretty aggressively in recent months, not to ban all these flavors."

ARCHIVE: New York - 18 September 2019

8. Various of couple vaping

9. Various of people vaping

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"When Trump first announced that he was planning to ban nearly all flavors, there was a lot more pressure on the federal government at the time. There was an outbreak of lung illnesses tied to vaping. We now know that that problem was tied to illegal marijuana based vaping products. So there's a little less pressure on the federal government now that that's been determined."

ARCHIVE: Washington DC - 22 November 2019

11. President Donald Trump in listening session at the White House on vaping

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"This is a very big subject and it's a very complex subject. Probably a little bit less compless than some people think. But I'm here to listen and I have very divergent views."

13. Cutaway of listening session

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"E-cigarettes and vaping have been pretty much unregulated in the US for many years, and FDA is still trying to figure out how exactly they're going to regulate this space. So today's announcement taking a number of these flavors off the market, a number of products is actually a pretty huge step from what came before."

ARCHIVE: New York - 16 September 2019

15. Various of Jubilee Vape and Smoke in New York CIty

16. Various of vaping solution and vaporizers on shelf of store

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"This is an announcement that almost no one is going to be entirely happy with it. I think probably the most disappointed will be the health groups, anti-tobacco groups. They wanted Trump to ban all flavors. They think the flavors are what attracts kids to e-cigarettes and vaping. So leaving some of these flavors on the market in any form, they're going to, they're going to view as a failing of the Trump administration."

ARCHIVE: New York - 16 September 2019

18. Various vaporizers on the shelf at NYC Smoke Shop

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"Today's announcement will allow Trump to say that he took action on teen vaping, and that's probably a political win. I think he's going to continue to be pressured by the vaping industry. They have a deadline coming up next year for all of their products to be reviewed by the FDA. They want that pushed back or eliminated entirely. So you're going to continue to see lobbying and pressure from the vaping industry in Washington."

ARCHIVE: Marietta, Georgia - 5 May 2016

20. Various of people smoking e-cigarette

U.S. health officials will ban most flavored e-cigarettes popular with underage teenagers, but with major exceptions that benefit vaping manufacturers, retailers and adults who use the nicotine-emitting devices.

The Trump administration announced Thursday that it will prohibit fruit, candy, mint and dessert flavors from small, cartridge-based e-cigarettes that are popular with high school students.

But menthol and tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes will be allowed to remain on the market.

The flavor ban will also entirely exempt large, tank-based vaping devices, which are primarily sold in vape shops that cater to adult smokers.

Associated Press health reporter Matthew Perrone explains that together, the two exemptions represent a significant retreat from President Donald Trump's original plan announced four months ago.

"This is a big step back from what Trump said he was going to do in September when he said that they going to ban all flavors in all types of products," said Perrone.

"There are a number of carve outs here that seem to be favorable to industry who have been lobbying him pretty aggressively in recent months, not to ban all these flavors."

The new policy will preserve a significant portion of the multibillion-dollar vaping market.

And the changes are likely to please both the largest e-cigarette manufacturer, Juul Labs, and thousands of vape shop owners who sell the tank-based systems, which allow users to mix customized flavors.

E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that typically heat a flavored nicotine solution into an inhalable aerosol.

They have been pitched to adults as a less-harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes, but there is limited data on their ability to help smokers quit.

The Food and Drug Administration has struggled for years to find the appropriate approach to regulating vaping. Under current law, all e-cigarettes are supposed to undergo an FDA review beginning in May. Only those that can demonstrate a benefit for U.S. public health will be permitted to stay on the market.

The flavor ban applies to e-cigarettes that use pre-filled nicotine cartridges mainly sold at gas stations and convenience stores.

Juul is the biggest player in that market, but it previously pulled all of its flavors except menthol and tobacco after coming under intense political scrutiny. Many smaller manufacturers continue to sell sweet, fruity flavors like “grape slushie,” “strawberry cotton candy” and “sea salt blueberry."

The flavor restrictions won't affect the larger specialty devices sold at vape shops, which typically don't admit customers under 21.

These tank-based systems allow users to fill the device with the flavor of their choice. Sales of these devices represent an estimated 40% of the U.S. vaping business, with sales across some 15,000 to 19,000 shops.

"Today's announcement taking a number of these flavors off the market, A number of products is actually a pretty huge step from what came before," said Perrone.

"E-cigarettes and vaping have been pretty much unregulated in the US for many years, and FDA is still trying to figure out how exactly they're going to regulate this space.

In the latest government survey, more than 1 in 4 high school students reported using e-cigarettes in the previous month, despite federal law banning sales to those under 18. Late last month Trump signed a law raising the minimum age to purchase all tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21 nationwide.

ARCHIVE: New York - 18 September 2019

1. Various of people vaping

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"The Trump administration is banning most flavors in small cartridge based e-cigarettes that are popular with teens, but they're keeping flavors available for products that a lot of adults use and that are sold in vape shops."

ARCHIVE: New York - 18 September 2019

3. Various of products on a table

ARCHIVE: Biddeford, Maine - 3 September 2019

4. STILL of electronic cigarette pods displayed for sale in shop

ARCHIVE: San Francisco - 17 June 2019

5. STILL of cashier displaying a packet of tobacco-flavored Juul pods

ARCHIVE: New York - 16 September 2019

6. Sign of advertising nicotine content of Juul vaping products

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"This is a big step back from what Trump said he was going to do in September when he said that they going to ban all flavors in all types of products. There are a number of carve outs here that seem to be favorable to industry who have been lobbying him pretty aggressively in recent months, not to ban all these flavors."

ARCHIVE: New York - 18 September 2019

8. Various of couple vaping

9. Various of people vaping

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"When Trump first announced that he was planning to ban nearly all flavors, there was a lot more pressure on the federal government at the time. There was an outbreak of lung illnesses tied to vaping. We now know that that problem was tied to illegal marijuana based vaping products. So there's a little less pressure on the federal government now that that's been determined."

ARCHIVE: Washington DC - 22 November 2019

11. President Donald Trump in listening session at the White House on vaping

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"This is a very big subject and it's a very complex subject. Probably a little bit less compless than some people think. But I'm here to listen and I have very divergent views."

13. Cutaway of listening session

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"E-cigarettes and vaping have been pretty much unregulated in the US for many years, and FDA is still trying to figure out how exactly they're going to regulate this space. So today's announcement taking a number of these flavors off the market, a number of products is actually a pretty huge step from what came before."

ARCHIVE: New York - 16 September 2019

15. Various of Jubilee Vape and Smoke in New York CIty

16. Various of vaping solution and vaporizers on shelf of store

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"This is an announcement that almost no one is going to be entirely happy with it. I think probably the most disappointed will be the health groups, anti-tobacco groups. They wanted Trump to ban all flavors. They think the flavors are what attracts kids to e-cigarettes and vaping. So leaving some of these flavors on the market in any form, they're going to, they're going to view as a failing of the Trump administration."

ARCHIVE: New York - 16 September 2019

18. Various vaporizers on the shelf at NYC Smoke Shop

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"Today's announcement will allow Trump to say that he took action on teen vaping, and that's probably a political win. I think he's going to continue to be pressured by the vaping industry. They have a deadline coming up next year for all of their products to be reviewed by the FDA. They want that pushed back or eliminated entirely. So you're going to continue to see lobbying and pressure from the vaping industry in Washington."

ARCHIVE: Marietta, Georgia - 5 May 2016

20. Various of people smoking e-cigarette

President Donald Trump announced plans Wednesday to re-examine federal requirements governing the fuel efficiency of cars and trucks, moving forcefully against Obama-era environmental regulations that Trump says are stifling economic growth.

Trump revealed his plans during a speech at an automotive testing center near Detroit.

The EPA under Obama had promulgated a rule for cars and trucks requiring a fleet-wide average of 36 mpg in real-world driving by 2025.

Trump's announcement, while having no immediate effect, is expected to set the stage for weaker fuel efficiency standards as well as drawn-out legal battles with environmental groups and states such as California that adopted their own tough tailpipe standards for drivers.

Ypsilanti, Michigan – March 15, 2017

1. President Donald Trump arrives on stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer:

"What the president announced today was he's going to review some fuel economy standards that were put in place by the Obama administration's Environmental Protection Agency. He's going to review those and possibly weaken them so they make it easier for automakers to comply."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"I'm sure you've all heard the big news that we're going to work on the CAFE standards, so you can make cars in America again. We're going to help the companies, and they're going to help you."

4. Various of Trump on stage and the "Buy American – Hire American" sign behind him

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer:

"There are many, many environmental groups that would disagree that it's going to create any more jobs. There have been a lot of jobs created in meeting the standards over the years, but, if the automakers can comply easier and they can make more trucks and SUVs, they make more money. And that more than likely means more jobs as well."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We are going to ensure that any regulations we have protect and defend your jobs, your factories. We're going to be fair. We're going to be fair."

7. Various of vehicles at the event site

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer:

"What this does is set up a confrontation with California, or a potential confrontation. California has different clean-air standards, and if the Trump administration relaxes what Obama had put in place right before he left office, California would want still the standard under the Obama administration _ the 36 mile-per-gallon standard. If that happens, the Trump administration might try to take away California's power to set its own emissions standards. And that could set off a big court fight. But that's probably a year, year-and-a-half down the road."

9. Trump waves to the crowd after his speech

President Donald Trump announced plans Wednesday to re-examine federal requirements governing the fuel efficiency of cars and trucks, moving forcefully against Obama-era environmental regulations that Trump says are stifling economic growth.

Trump revealed his plans during a speech at an automotive testing center near Detroit.

The EPA under Obama had promulgated a rule for cars and trucks requiring a fleet-wide average of 36 mpg in real-world driving by 2025.

Trump's announcement, while having no immediate effect, is expected to set the stage for weaker fuel efficiency standards as well as drawn-out legal battles with environmental groups and states such as California that adopted their own tough tailpipe standards for drivers.

Ypsilanti, Michigan – March 15, 2017

1. President Donald Trump arrives on stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer:

"What the president announced today was he's going to review some fuel economy standards that were put in place by the Obama administration's Environmental Protection Agency. He's going to review those and possibly weaken them so they make it easier for automakers to comply."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"I'm sure you've all heard the big news that we're going to work on the CAFE standards, so you can make cars in America again. We're going to help the companies, and they're going to help you."

4. Various of Trump on stage and the "Buy American – Hire American" sign behind him

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer:

"There are many, many environmental groups that would disagree that it's going to create any more jobs. There have been a lot of jobs created in meeting the standards over the years, but, if the automakers can comply easier and they can make more trucks and SUVs, they make more money. And that more than likely means more jobs as well."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We are going to ensure that any regulations we have protect and defend your jobs, your factories. We're going to be fair. We're going to be fair."

7. Various of vehicles at the event site

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer:

"What this does is set up a confrontation with California, or a potential confrontation. California has different clean-air standards, and if the Trump administration relaxes what Obama had put in place right before he left office, California would want still the standard under the Obama administration _ the 36 mile-per-gallon standard. If that happens, the Trump administration might try to take away California's power to set its own emissions standards. And that could set off a big court fight. But that's probably a year, year-and-a-half down the road."

9. Trump waves to the crowd after his speech

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that his administration is revoking California's authority to set auto mileage standards stricter than those issued by federal regulators, a move critics said would result in less fuel efficient cars that create more planet-warming pollution.

In a tweet, Trump said his action would result in less expensive, safer cars. He also predicted Americans would purchase more new cars, which would result in cleaner air as older models are taken off the roads.

U.S. automakers contend that without year-over-year increases in fuel efficiency that align with global market realities their vehicles could be less competitive, potentially resulting in job losses. However, most of the industry favors increases in standards that are less than the Obama-era requirements, saying their consumers are gravitating to gas-guzzling SUVs and trucks rather than buying more efficient cars.

Top California officials and environmental groups pledged legal action on Wednesday to stop the rollback, potentially tying up the issue for years in federal courts. The U.S. transportation sector is the nation's biggest single source of greenhouse gasses.

It's not clear yet what the Trump administration will propose as its final fuel-efficiency rules, but in the past it has favored freezing Obama-era mileage standards at 2021 levels. Under the Obama administration requirements, the fleet of new vehicles would have to average 30 mpg in real-world driving by 2021, rising to 36 mpg in 2025. Currently the standard is 26 mpg.

Under Trump, the Environmental Protection Agency contends that freezing the fuel economy standards will reduce the average sticker price of new vehicles by about $2,700 by 2025, though that predicted savings is disputed by environmental groups and is more than double the EPA estimates from the prior administration.

Trump traveled to California for GOP fundraising events Tuesday and Wednesday near San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.

California's authority to set its own, tougher emissions standards goes back to a waiver issued by Congress during passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970. In 2007, when Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger was governor, President George W. Bush's administration denied California's bid to place first-in-the-nation greenhouse gas limits on cars and trucks. But the state asked the EPA to reconsider its decision, and in 2009 — when Democratic President Barack Obama took office — the feds granted California's request.

California has 35 million registered vehicles, the most of any state. A dozen other states and the District of Columbia also follow California's fuel economy standards.

Oakland, California - 18 September 2019

1. Cars driving past 76 gas station

2. Sign with gas prices

3. Gas nozzle going into car gas tank

Los Angeles - 18 September 2019

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Chavez, Coalition for Clean Air, deputy policy director:

"The administration started indicating that they would be interested in revoking California's waiver and freezing fuel efficiency standards at 2021 levels since they took power."

Oakland, California - 18 September 2019

5. Vehicles driving on Interstate 880

6. View of freeway traffic from inside vehicle

Los Angeles - 18 September 2019

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Chavez, Coalition for Clean Air, deputy policy director:

"Our initial reaction is not necessarily one of surprise but certainly one of disappointment. We knew this was coming. It has been been worked on for about three years but ultimately we are certainly opposed to revoking California's waiver and also the freezing emission standards or CAFE standards at 2021. So our hope certainly is that we're going to continue working on this and opposing it in any way we can."

Oakland, California - 18 September 2019

8. Vehicles driving on Interstate 880

9. View of freeway traffic from inside vehicle

Los Angeles - 18 September 2019

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Chavez, Coalition for Clean Air, deputy policy director:

"The Bush administration threatened to not give California a waiver that got tied up in lawsuits and eventually that got drug out in court until the Obama administration came into power in which he reached an agreement with California. The unique thing about this situation though is that Trump is going in and actively undoing something that was already given to California. So California's waiver was approved in 2016. This is reopening what's called the midterm review and going back and saying that they're taking away the waiver."

Oakland, California - 18 September 2019

10. Cars driving past Valero gas station

11. Station sign with gas prices

Los Angeles - 18 September 2019

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Chavez, Coalition for Clean Air, deputy policy director:

"California has long been a climate leader. And if we're going to stick to our greenhouse gas emission requirements, not goals but just requirements, these emission standards are vitally important."

ARCHIVE

Los Angeles - 3 April 2018

13. Various of freeway traffic

US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that his administration is revoking California's authority to set auto mileage standards stricter than those issued by federal regulators, a move critics said would result in less fuel efficient cars that create more planet-warming pollution.

In a tweet, Trump said his action would result in less expensive, safer cars. He also predicted Americans would purchase more new cars, which would result in cleaner air as older models are taken off the roads.

U.S. automakers contend that without year-over-year increases in fuel efficiency that align with global market realities their vehicles could be less competitive, potentially resulting in job losses. However, most of the industry favors increases in standards that are less than the Obama-era requirements, saying their consumers are gravitating to gas-guzzling SUVs and trucks rather than buying more efficient cars.

Top California officials and environmental groups pledged legal action on Wednesday to stop the rollback, potentially tying up the issue for years in federal courts. The U.S. transportation sector is the nation's biggest single source of greenhouse gasses.

It's not clear yet what the Trump administration will propose as its final fuel-efficiency rules, but in the past it has favored freezing Obama-era mileage standards at 2021 levels. Under the Obama administration requirements, the fleet of new vehicles would have to average 30 mpg in real-world driving by 2021, rising to 36 mpg in 2025. Currently the standard is 26 mpg.

Under Trump, the Environmental Protection Agency contends that freezing the fuel economy standards will reduce the average sticker price of new vehicles by about $2,700 by 2025, though that predicted savings is disputed by environmental groups and is more than double the EPA estimates from the prior administration.

Trump traveled to California for GOP fundraising events Tuesday and Wednesday near San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.

California's authority to set its own, tougher emissions standards goes back to a waiver issued by Congress during passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970. In 2007, when Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger was governor, President George W. Bush's administration denied California's bid to place first-in-the-nation greenhouse gas limits on cars and trucks. But the state asked the EPA to reconsider its decision, and in 2009 — when Democratic President Barack Obama took office — the feds granted California's request.

California has 35 million registered vehicles, the most of any state. A dozen other states and the District of Columbia also follow California's fuel economy standards.

Oakland, California - 18 September 2019

1. Cars driving past 76 gas station

2. Sign with gas prices

3. Gas nozzle going into car gas tank

Los Angeles - 18 September 2019

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Chavez, Coalition for Clean Air, deputy policy director:

"The administration started indicating that they would be interested in revoking California's waiver and freezing fuel efficiency standards at 2021 levels since they took power."

Oakland, California - 18 September 2019

5. Vehicles driving on Interstate 880

6. View of freeway traffic from inside vehicle

Los Angeles - 18 September 2019

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Chavez, Coalition for Clean Air, deputy policy director:

"Our initial reaction is not necessarily one of surprise but certainly one of disappointment. We knew this was coming. It has been been worked on for about three years but ultimately we are certainly opposed to revoking California's waiver and also the freezing emission standards or CAFE standards at 2021. So our hope certainly is that we're going to continue working on this and opposing it in any way we can."

Oakland, California - 18 September 2019

8. Vehicles driving on Interstate 880

9. View of freeway traffic from inside vehicle

Los Angeles - 18 September 2019

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Chavez, Coalition for Clean Air, deputy policy director:

"The Bush administration threatened to not give California a waiver that got tied up in lawsuits and eventually that got drug out in court until the Obama administration came into power in which he reached an agreement with California. The unique thing about this situation though is that Trump is going in and actively undoing something that was already given to California. So California's waiver was approved in 2016. This is reopening what's called the midterm review and going back and saying that they're taking away the waiver."

Oakland, California - 18 September 2019

10. Cars driving past Valero gas station

11. Station sign with gas prices

Los Angeles - 18 September 2019

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Chavez, Coalition for Clean Air, deputy policy director:

"California has long been a climate leader. And if we're going to stick to our greenhouse gas emission requirements, not goals but just requirements, these emission standards are vitally important."

ARCHIVE

Los Angeles - 3 April 2018

13. Various of freeway traffic

President Donald Trump is allowing more employers to opt out of providing no-cost birth control to women by claiming religious or moral objections, issuing new rules Friday that take another step in rolling back the Obama healthcare law.

Employers with religious or moral qualms will also be able to cover some birth control methods, and not others. Experts said that could interfere with efforts to promote modern long-acting implantable contraceptives, such as IUDs, which are more expensive.

The new policy was a long-anticipated revision to Affordable Care Act requirements that most companies cover birth control as preventive care for women, at no additional cost. That Obama-era requirement applies to all FDA-approved methods, including the morning-after pill, which some religious conservatives call an abortion drug, though scientists say it has no effect on women who are already pregnant.

As a result of the ACA, most women no longer pay for contraceptives. Several advocacy groups immediately announced plans to try to block the Trump administration rule.

Catholic bishops called the administration's move a "return to common sense."

Trump's religious and moral exemption is expected to galvanize both his opponents and religious conservatives who back him, but it seems unlikely to have a major impact on America's largely secular workplaces.

Tens of thousands of women could be affected by Trump's policy, but the vast majority of companies have no qualms about offering birth control benefits through their health plans. Human resource managers recognise that employers get an economic benefit from helping women plan their pregnancies, since female workers are central to most enterprises.

The administration estimated that some 200 employers who have already voiced objections to the Obama-era policy would qualify for the expanded opt-out, and that 120-thousand women would be affected.

However, it's unclear how major religion-affiliated employers such as Catholic hospitals and universities will respond.

Many Catholic hospitals now rely on an Obama-era workaround under which the government pays for the cost of birth control coverage. That workaround can continue under the new rules.

Since contraception became a covered preventive benefit, the share of women employees paying with their own money for birth control pills has plunged to 3 per cent, from 21 per cent, according to the latest Kaiser Family Foundation figures.

Doctors' groups that were instrumental in derailing Republican plans to repeal the health law expressed their dismay.

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said the new policy could reverse progress in lowering the nation's rate of unintended pregnancies.

The new rules take immediate effect.

Cambridge, Massachusetts – 6 October 2017

1. Close view of a mother walking with her young child and dog

2. SOUNDBITE (English): Marisa Curran, Massachusetts resident

"Contraception isn't just for people who are having mistakes. You know, it's for rape victims, it's for people who, you know, can't afford to have babies, it's important and people who are having health risks because they can't have a baby because they might die."

3. Wide view of woman pushing a child in a stroller waiting to cross the road

4. SOUNDBITE (English): Nancy Hughes, Massachusetts resident

"This administration that claims to make America great again has done the opposite in terms of human rights, definitely women's rights, people of colour and, I think, lacking in compassion and a real understanding of what American women – and women throughout the world – need, to be safe and to be able to make decisions about their bodies."

5. Couple walking with a child

San Francisco, California – 6 October 2017

6. Medium view of NARAL official Amy Everitt in office

7. Medium view of computer screen

8. Close view of computer screen

9. SOUNDBITE (English): Amy Everitt, State Director, NARAL Pro-Choice California

"In the last couple of years under Obamacare that we have had the lowest abortion rate in American since Roe v. Wade?' That is because women are able to access all different forms of contraception that works for them, that they can now afford. Now we have Trump and Mike Pence and Paul Ryan and their comrades rolling that back."

St. Anthony, Minnesota - 6 October 2017

10. Medium view of Stephani Liesmaki of the Minnesota Family Council

11. Close view of hands on computer

12. SOUNDBITE (English): Stephani Liesmaki, Communications Director, Minnesota Family Council

"Government is supposed to be the protector of America's freedoms, not it's greatest threat. And so by advancing this religious freedom protection we're simply, President Trump is simply securing a place for individuals who object to these kinds of drugs from being forced to violate their conscience."

13. Medium view of Liesmaki in office

President Donald Trump is allowing more employers to opt out of providing no-cost birth control to women by claiming religious or moral objections, issuing new rules Friday that take another step in rolling back the Obama healthcare law.

Employers with religious or moral qualms will also be able to cover some birth control methods, and not others. Experts said that could interfere with efforts to promote modern long-acting implantable contraceptives, such as IUDs, which are more expensive.

The new policy was a long-anticipated revision to Affordable Care Act requirements that most companies cover birth control as preventive care for women, at no additional cost. That Obama-era requirement applies to all FDA-approved methods, including the morning-after pill, which some religious conservatives call an abortion drug, though scientists say it has no effect on women who are already pregnant.

As a result of the ACA, most women no longer pay for contraceptives. Several advocacy groups immediately announced plans to try to block the Trump administration rule.

Catholic bishops called the administration's move a "return to common sense."

Trump's religious and moral exemption is expected to galvanize both his opponents and religious conservatives who back him, but it seems unlikely to have a major impact on America's largely secular workplaces.

Tens of thousands of women could be affected by Trump's policy, but the vast majority of companies have no qualms about offering birth control benefits through their health plans. Human resource managers recognise that employers get an economic benefit from helping women plan their pregnancies, since female workers are central to most enterprises.

The administration estimated that some 200 employers who have already voiced objections to the Obama-era policy would qualify for the expanded opt-out, and that 120-thousand women would be affected.

However, it's unclear how major religion-affiliated employers such as Catholic hospitals and universities will respond.

Many Catholic hospitals now rely on an Obama-era workaround under which the government pays for the cost of birth control coverage. That workaround can continue under the new rules.

Since contraception became a covered preventive benefit, the share of women employees paying with their own money for birth control pills has plunged to 3 per cent, from 21 per cent, according to the latest Kaiser Family Foundation figures.

Doctors' groups that were instrumental in derailing Republican plans to repeal the health law expressed their dismay.

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said the new policy could reverse progress in lowering the nation's rate of unintended pregnancies.

The new rules take immediate effect.

Cambridge, Massachusetts – 6 October 2017

1. Close view of a mother walking with her young child and dog

2. SOUNDBITE (English): Marisa Curran, Massachusetts resident

"Contraception isn't just for people who are having mistakes. You know, it's for rape victims, it's for people who, you know, can't afford to have babies, it's important and people who are having health risks because they can't have a baby because they might die."

3. Wide view of woman pushing a child in a stroller waiting to cross the road

4. SOUNDBITE (English): Nancy Hughes, Massachusetts resident

"This administration that claims to make America great again has done the opposite in terms of human rights, definitely women's rights, people of colour and, I think, lacking in compassion and a real understanding of what American women – and women throughout the world – need, to be safe and to be able to make decisions about their bodies."

5. Couple walking with a child

San Francisco, California – 6 October 2017

6. Medium view of NARAL official Amy Everitt in office

7. Medium view of computer screen

8. Close view of computer screen

9. SOUNDBITE (English): Amy Everitt, State Director, NARAL Pro-Choice California

"In the last couple of years under Obamacare that we have had the lowest abortion rate in American since Roe v. Wade?' That is because women are able to access all different forms of contraception that works for them, that they can now afford. Now we have Trump and Mike Pence and Paul Ryan and their comrades rolling that back."

St. Anthony, Minnesota - 6 October 2017

10. Medium view of Stephani Liesmaki of the Minnesota Family Council

11. Close view of hands on computer

12. SOUNDBITE (English): Stephani Liesmaki, Communications Director, Minnesota Family Council

"Government is supposed to be the protector of America's freedoms, not it's greatest threat. And so by advancing this religious freedom protection we're simply, President Trump is simply securing a place for individuals who object to these kinds of drugs from being forced to violate their conscience."

13. Medium view of Liesmaki in office

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus128830

U.S. health officials will ban most flavored e-cigarettes popular with underage teenagers, but with major exceptions that benefit vaping manufacturers, retailers and adults who use the nicotine-emitting devices.

The Trump administration announced Thursday that it will prohibit fruit, candy, mint and dessert flavors from small, cartridge-based e-cigarettes that are popular with high school students.

But menthol and tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes will be allowed to remain on the market.

The flavor ban will also entirely exempt large, tank-based vaping devices, which are primarily sold in vape shops that cater to adult smokers.

Associated Press health reporter Matthew Perrone explains that together, the two exemptions represent a significant retreat from President Donald Trump's original plan announced four months ago.

"This is a big step back from what Trump said he was going to do in September when he said that they going to ban all flavors in all types of products," said Perrone.

"There are a number of carve outs here that seem to be favorable to industry who have been lobbying him pretty aggressively in recent months, not to ban all these flavors."

The new policy will preserve a significant portion of the multibillion-dollar vaping market.

And the changes are likely to please both the largest e-cigarette manufacturer, Juul Labs, and thousands of vape shop owners who sell the tank-based systems, which allow users to mix customized flavors.

E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that typically heat a flavored nicotine solution into an inhalable aerosol.

They have been pitched to adults as a less-harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes, but there is limited data on their ability to help smokers quit.

The Food and Drug Administration has struggled for years to find the appropriate approach to regulating vaping. Under current law, all e-cigarettes are supposed to undergo an FDA review beginning in May. Only those that can demonstrate a benefit for U.S. public health will be permitted to stay on the market.

The flavor ban applies to e-cigarettes that use pre-filled nicotine cartridges mainly sold at gas stations and convenience stores.

Juul is the biggest player in that market, but it previously pulled all of its flavors except menthol and tobacco after coming under intense political scrutiny. Many smaller manufacturers continue to sell sweet, fruity flavors like “grape slushie,” “strawberry cotton candy” and “sea salt blueberry."

The flavor restrictions won't affect the larger specialty devices sold at vape shops, which typically don't admit customers under 21.

These tank-based systems allow users to fill the device with the flavor of their choice. Sales of these devices represent an estimated 40% of the U.S. vaping business, with sales across some 15,000 to 19,000 shops.

"Today's announcement taking a number of these flavors off the market, A number of products is actually a pretty huge step from what came before," said Perrone.

"E-cigarettes and vaping have been pretty much unregulated in the US for many years, and FDA is still trying to figure out how exactly they're going to regulate this space.

In the latest government survey, more than 1 in 4 high school students reported using e-cigarettes in the previous month, despite federal law banning sales to those under 18. Late last month Trump signed a law raising the minimum age to purchase all tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21 nationwide.

New York - 18 September 2019

1. Various of people vaping

2. Various of products on a table

3. Vaping solution on shelf of store

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"The Trump administration is banning most flavors in small cartridge based e-cigarettes that are popular with teens, but they're keeping flavors available for products that a lot of adults use and that are sold in vape shops. This is a big step back from what Trump said he was going to do in September when he said that they going to ban all flavors in all types of products. There are a number of carve outs here that seem to be favorable to industry who have been lobbying him pretty aggressively in recent months, not to ban all these flavors."

Washington DC - 22 November 2019

5. President Donald Trump in listening session at the White House on vaping

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"When Trump first announced that he was planning to ban nearly all flavors, there was a lot more pressure on the federal government at the time. There was an outbreak of lung illnesses tied to vaping. We now know that that problem was tied to illegal marijuana based vaping products. So there's a little less pressure on the federal government now that that's been determined."

ARCHIVE: New York - 18 September 2019

7. Various of couple vaping

8. Various of people vaping

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"E-cigarettes and vaping have been pretty much unregulated in the US for many years, and FDA is still trying to figure out how exactly they're going to regulate this space. So today's announcement taking a number of these flavors off the market, a number of products is actually a pretty huge step from what came before."

ARCHIVE: Marietta, Georgia - 5 May 2016

10. Various of people smoking e-cigarette

The Trump administration unveils a national fuel economy standards rule that would revoke California's authority to set its own auto emission standards, authority it has had for decades under a waiver from the federal Clean Air Act.

"The one national program that we are announcing today will ensure that there is one and only one set of national fuel economy standards as Congress mandated and intended," said Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.

"No state has the authority to opt out of the nation's rules and no state has the right to impose its policies on everybody else in our whole country. To do otherwise, harms consumers and damages the American economy."

Chao's comments came Thursday during a joint press conference with Envirnonmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler in Washington.

"California's climate impacts are not extraordinarily distinct from those felt in other states," said Wheeler.

"It's time to put California's waiver back in its box, the box that Congress always intended it to stand, California's unique extraordinary criteria air pollutant issues."

California has 35 million registered vehicles, giving it outsized influence with the auto industry.

That heft was on display in July, when Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced four automakers, Ford, BMW, Honda and Volkswagen  agreed to follow California's standards, bypassing the Trump administration, which had been working on new rules.

California officials have been negotiating with other automakers to follow suit, but those talks stalled Wednesday when President Donald Trump announced, via Twitter, that he was revoking California's authority to set its own emission standards.

The administration argues that lower-cost vehicles would allow more people to buy new ones that are safer, cutting roadway deaths by 12,700 lives through the 2029 model year.

But The Associated Press reported last year that internal EPA emails show senior career officials privately questioned the administration's calculations, saying the proposed freeze would actually modestly increase highway fatalities, by about 17 deaths annually.

Washington DC - 19 September 2019

1. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao walking up to press conference

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation:

"The one national program that we are announcing today will ensure that there is one and only one set of national fuel economy standards as Congress mandated and intended. No state has the authority to opt out of the nation's rules and no state has the right to impose its policies on everybody else in our whole country. To do otherwise, harms consumers and damages the American economy."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation:

"It should be noted that this rule only applies to fuel economy. It will not affect California's ability to refocus its efforts on fighting the worst air pollution in the country and comply with existing regulations."

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation:

"With today's one national program rule, the administration is standing up for all Americans, their needs and their right to choose. We will not let political agendas in a single state be forced upon the other 49 and we will always put safety first."

7. Cutaway

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Wheeler, EPA Administrator:

"Under the Energy Policy Conservation Act or EPCA, DOT sets CAFE standards. EPCA expressly provides that the federal government regulates fuel economy, not the states. Since there is a direct scientific link between a car's greenhouse gas emissions and its fuel economy deal, DOT is determining that EPCA permit preempts state GHG and zero emission vehicle programs. That's one basis on which EPA intends to withdraw the 2013 waiver for California's state GHG and Zev programs."

9. Cutaway

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Wheeler, EPA Administrator:

"There is a direct and tight link between one California cars and their emissions of criteria pollutants, two the local concentrations of those emissions and three the impacts they have on California due to the state's extraordinary perfect storm of features like population, traffic temperature, wind, ocean currents and topography. But for greenhouse gases the tight and direct link isn't there. California cars have no closer link to California climate impacts, than do cars on the road in Japan or anywhere else in the world."

11. Cutaway

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Wheeler, EPA Administrator:

"And California's climate impacts are not extraordinarily distinct from those felt in other states in the same way that it's smog impacts are. It makes sense that Congress carved out waiver authority for California to address its unique local problems. It does not make sense to use that authority to try to address national and global issues like greenhouse gas emissions. It's time to put California's waiver back in its box, the box that Congress always intended it to stand, California's unique extraordinary criteria air pollutant issues."

13. Cutaway of end of press conference

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus123788

The Trump administration unveils a national fuel economy standards rule that would revoke California's authority to set its own auto emission standards, authority it has had for decades under a waiver from the federal Clean Air Act.

"The one national program that we are announcing today will ensure that there is one and only one set of national fuel economy standards as Congress mandated and intended," said Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.

"No state has the authority to opt out of the nation's rules and no state has the right to impose its policies on everybody else in our whole country. To do otherwise, harms consumers and damages the American economy."

Chao's comments came Thursday during a joint press conference with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler in Washington.

"California's climate impacts are not extraordinarily distinct from those felt in other states," said Wheeler.

"It's time to put California's waiver back in its box, the box that Congress always intended it to stand, California's unique extraordinary criteria air pollutant issues."

California has 35 million registered vehicles, giving it outsized influence with the auto industry.

That heft was on display in July, when Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced four automakers, Ford, BMW, Honda and Volkswagen  agreed to follow California's standards, bypassing the Trump administration, which had been working on new rules.

California officials have been negotiating with other automakers to follow suit, but those talks stalled Wednesday when President Donald Trump announced, via Twitter, that he was revoking California's authority to set its own emission standards.

The administration argues that lower-cost vehicles would allow more people to buy new ones that are safer, cutting roadway deaths by 12,700 lives through the 2029 model year.

But The Associated Press reported last year that internal EPA emails show senior career officials privately questioned the administration's calculations, saying the proposed freeze would actually modestly increase highway fatalities, by about 17 deaths annually.

Washington DC - 19 September 2019

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation:

"The one national program that we are announcing today will ensure that there is one and only one set of national fuel economy standards as Congress mandated and intended. No state has the authority to opt out of the nation's rules and no state has the right to impose its policies on everybody else in our whole country. To do otherwise, harms consumers and damages the American economy."

++SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASH++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation:

"With today's one national program rule, the administration is standing up for all Americans, their needs and their right to choose. We will not let political agendas in a single state be forced upon the other 49 and we will always put safety first."

++SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASH++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Wheeler, EPA Administrator:

"And California's climate impacts are not extraordinarily distinct from those felt in other states in the same way that it's smog impacts are. It makes sense that Congress carved out waiver authority for California to address its unique local problems. It does not make sense to use that authority to try to address national and global issues like greenhouse gas emissions. It's time to put California's waiver back in its box, the box that Congress always intended it to stand, California's unique extraordinary criteria air pollutant issues."

The Trump administration unveils a national fuel economy standards rule that would revoke California's authority to set its own auto emission standards, authority it has had for decades under a waiver from the federal Clean Air Act.

"The one national program that we are announcing today will ensure that there is one and only one set of national fuel economy standards as Congress mandated and intended," said Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.

"No state has the authority to opt out of the nation's rules and no state has the right to impose its policies on everybody else in our whole country. To do otherwise, harms consumers and damages the American economy."

Chao's comments came Thursday during a joint press conference with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler in Washington.

"California's climate impacts are not extraordinarily distinct from those felt in other states," said Wheeler.

"It's time to put California's waiver back in its box, the box that Congress always intended it to stand, California's unique extraordinary criteria air pollutant issues."

California has 35 million registered vehicles, giving it outsized influence with the auto industry.

That heft was on display in July, when Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced four automakers, Ford, BMW, Honda and Volkswagen  agreed to follow California's standards, bypassing the Trump administration, which had been working on new rules.

California officials have been negotiating with other automakers to follow suit, but those talks stalled Wednesday when President Donald Trump announced, via Twitter, that he was revoking California's authority to set its own emission standards.

The administration argues that lower-cost vehicles would allow more people to buy new ones that are safer, cutting roadway deaths by 12,700 lives through the 2029 model year.

But The Associated Press reported last year that internal EPA emails show senior career officials privately questioned the administration's calculations, saying the proposed freeze would actually modestly increase highway fatalities, by about 17 deaths annually.

Washington DC - 19 September 2019

1. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao walking up to press conference

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation:

"The one national program that we are announcing today will ensure that there is one and only one set of national fuel economy standards as Congress mandated and intended. No state has the authority to opt out of the nation's rules and no state has the right to impose its policies on everybody else in our whole country. To do otherwise, harms consumers and damages the American economy."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation:

"It should be noted that this rule only applies to fuel economy. It will not affect California's ability to refocus its efforts on fighting the worst air pollution in the country and comply with existing regulations."

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation:

"With today's one national program rule, the administration is standing up for all Americans, their needs and their right to choose. We will not let political agendas in a single state be forced upon the other 49 and we will always put safety first."

7. Cutaway

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Wheeler, EPA Administrator:

"Under the Energy Policy Conservation Act or EPCA, DOT sets CAFE standards. EPCA expressly provides that the federal government regulates fuel economy, not the states. Since there is a direct scientific link between a car's greenhouse gas emissions and its fuel economy deal, DOT is determining that EPCA permit preempts state GHG and zero emission vehicle programs. That's one basis on which EPA intends to withdraw the 2013 waiver for California's state GHG and Zev programs."

9. Cutaway

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Wheeler, EPA Administrator:

"There is a direct and tight link between one California cars and their emissions of criteria pollutants, two the local concentrations of those emissions and three the impacts they have on California due to the state's extraordinary perfect storm of features like population, traffic temperature, wind, ocean currents and topography. But for greenhouse gases the tight and direct link isn't there. California cars have no closer link to California climate impacts, than do cars on the road in Japan or anywhere else in the world."

11. Cutaway

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Wheeler, EPA Administrator:

"And California's climate impacts are not extraordinarily distinct from those felt in other states in the same way that it's smog impacts are. It makes sense that Congress carved out waiver authority for California to address its unique local problems. It does not make sense to use that authority to try to address national and global issues like greenhouse gas emissions. It's time to put California's waiver back in its box, the box that Congress always intended it to stand, California's unique extraordinary criteria air pollutant issues."

13. Cutaway of end of press conference