What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
August 16, 2024 Recap
On the 116th anniversary of the Springfield Race Riot (August 14-16, 1908), President Biden signed a proclamation establishing the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument in Springfield, Illinois. This monument commemorates a violent attack by a white mob on a Black community, a tragic event that contributed to the formation of the NAACP. The designation is part of Biden's commitment to preserving sites that tell a fuller story of American history, particularly in the context of civil rights and racial justice.
The monument covers 1.57 acres and will be managed by the National Park Service. It aims to preserve the history of the riot, during which two Black men were lynched, and many Black-owned businesses and homes were destroyed. The monument will include the charred foundations of homes that were never rebuilt and will serve as a reminder of the violence and subsequent civil rights actions that arose from it.
This is President Biden's eleventh use of the Antiquities Act and his second monument related to civil rights history, following the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. The site joins other significant civil rights monuments across the U.S., contributing to the National Park Service’s African American Civil Rights Network.
The two-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) highlights its significant impact on American lives and the economy. The IRA has successfully lowered prescription drug and healthcare costs, capped insulin prices for Medicare beneficiaries, and made vaccines free for over 10 million people. Economically, the law has created hundreds of thousands of clean energy jobs and driven $265 billion in private sector investments in clean energy. Tax credits introduced by the IRA have helped millions of Americans save on home energy upgrades and electric vehicles while also bringing substantial investments to economically distressed and high-poverty areas. Additionally, the IRA has made the tax system fairer by ensuring that corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share, contributing to a reduction in the federal deficit. Overall, the IRA is fueling a clean energy and manufacturing boom across the U.S., promoting job creation and economic growth, particularly in underserved communities.
In a statement marking this milestone, President Joe Biden emphasized the law's achievements, including significant climate investments, lower energy costs, and the creation of over 330,000 clean energy jobs. He also noted recent Medicare-negotiated drug price reductions, which will save taxpayers billions. Biden criticized efforts by Congressional Republicans to repeal the law, arguing that doing so would increase prescription drug costs and eliminate good-paying jobs, ultimately harming American families.
United States, Egypt, and Qatar issued a joint statement outlining the progress made in Doha over the past 48 hours, where senior officials from these nations engaged in intensive talks to mediate a ceasefire and the release of hostages and detainees. The discussions were positive and productive, leading to the presentation of a bridging proposal that aligns with President Biden's principles and a UN Security Council resolution. The proposal builds on recent agreements and aims to close remaining gaps for swift implementation. Technical teams will continue working on the details, including humanitarian provisions and specifics on hostages and detainees. The officials will reconvene in Cairo next week to finalize the deal, emphasizing the urgency of taking action to save lives, provide relief to Gaza, and reduce regional tensions.
President Biden announced that his negotiating team in Doha has presented a comprehensive proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release deal in the Middle East. He has communicated with the leaders of Qatar and Egypt, who support the U.S. proposal. The negotiating teams will continue working on the technical details, with senior officials meeting again in Cairo later in the week. President Biden also mentioned that Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel to reinforce U.S. support for Israel's security and to push for the completion of the agreement, emphasizing that no one should take actions to jeopardize the progress made.
A background press call was held to provide an update on ceasefire negotiations involving the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, focusing on efforts to secure a comprehensive deal to end the ongoing conflict and facilitate the release of hostages held in Gaza. The talks, held in Doha, were described as the most constructive in months, with significant progress made in bridging gaps between the involved parties. A final bridging proposal, supported by Egypt and Qatar, was presented by the United States, addressing nearly all the remaining issues. The aim is to finalize this deal in Cairo by next week.
The deal includes extensive humanitarian provisions, ensuring the delivery of aid, clearing rubble, and restoring essential services in Gaza. Alongside the ceasefire negotiations, there are ongoing efforts to deter potential escalations in the region, particularly concerning Iran, with a clear warning of serious consequences should any attacks on Israel occur. Despite the optimism, the negotiations remain complex, involving difficult trade-offs, especially around the exchange of hostages and prisoners. The discussions are set to continue in Cairo, with the goal of concluding the agreement and implementing the ceasefire, hostages' release, and humanitarian aid delivery. The senior administration official expressed confidence in reaching a final agreement, underscoring the urgency due to the hostages' lives and the critical humanitarian situation in Gaza.
President Biden proclaimed August 18-24, 2024, as National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week. This proclamation honors the sacrifices made by members of the National Guard and Reserve, who leave their civilian jobs to serve the country. It also expresses gratitude to the employers who support these service members by providing flexible leave, maintaining health care benefits, and ensuring their well-being while they are on duty. The proclamation underscores the importance of collective effort in maintaining national security and preserving freedom. President Biden highlights the personal connection he and the First Lady have to the National Guard, as their son, Major Beau Biden, served in the Delaware Army National Guard.
President Biden issued a memorandum that delegates authority to the Secretary of State to designate an existing official within the executive branch as the Coordinator for Detained ISIS Members and Relevant Displaced Populations in Syria. This official's responsibilities will align with specific sections of the National Defense Authorization Acts of 2020 and 2024.
The memorandum also clarifies that this delegation of authority will apply to any future laws with similar provisions. Upon exercising this authority, the Secretary of State is required to notify the President through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and is directed to publish the memorandum in the Federal Register.
President Biden congratulated President Luis Abinader on his inauguration and highlighted the close friendship and partnership between the Dominican Republic and the United States, rooted in shared democratic values and cultural ties. Biden expressed readiness to support President Abinader in his efforts to ensure a prosperous future for the Dominican Republic as he began his second term.
Vice President Harris delivered a detailed and impassioned speech at a campaign event in Raleigh, NC, where she outlined her vision for America and contrasted it with the policies of former President Donald Trump. Harris began by acknowledging local leaders, including Governor Roy Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein, expressing her gratitude for their leadership and support. She also paid tribute to Mike D of Mike D’s Barbecue, recognizing his resilience and positive impact on the community.
Harris emphasized the significant economic progress made under the Biden administration, highlighting achievements such as the creation of 16 million jobs, a reduction in inflation to below 3%, and historic investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, and clean energy. She introduced the concept of an “opportunity economy,” which she described as a system focused on creating opportunities for the middle class, removing barriers to success, and fostering an environment where everyone, regardless of background, can build wealth and achieve economic security. Harris pledged to cut bureaucracy and unnecessary regulatory red tape, encouraging innovation while protecting consumers and maintaining a stable business environment.
Central to Harris's vision is the strengthening of the middle class, which she described as essential to America’s overall strength. She outlined key principles, including ensuring that salaries provide a good quality of life, eliminating child poverty, and allowing for dignified retirement. Harris also emphasized the importance of the right to join a union, framing the middle class as the foundation of the nation’s prosperity.
In terms of specific policy proposals, Harris focused on lowering the cost of living, healthcare, and housing. She acknowledged that despite the strong economic indicators, many Americans still struggle with high costs. Harris pledged to prioritize reducing the cost of essential items, particularly food and housing. She noted that while supply chains have improved since the pandemic, food prices remain high due to corporate profiteering. To address this, she proposed a federal ban on price gouging for food, new penalties for companies exploiting crises, and support for smaller businesses trying to compete fairly.
In terms of healthcare, Harris reaffirmed her commitment to lowering costs, building on achievements such as capping insulin prices and allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices. She promised to continue reducing the cost of prescription drugs and to eliminate exploitative practices by middlemen that raise drug prices. Regarding housing, Harris spoke passionately about the challenges many Americans face due to a housing shortage and rising costs. She proposed building 3 million new affordable homes and rentals by the end of her first term, cutting red tape, and ensuring these homes are accessible to working- and middle-class Americans, not just investors. Additionally, she proposed providing $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers.
Harris also addressed the need for tax relief, proposing to restore and expand tax cuts for middle-class and working Americans, particularly through the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit. She highlighted the success of these credits in reducing child poverty and increasing financial security for families.
Throughout her speech, Harris sharply contrasted Donald Trump’s policies, criticizing his economic plans as harmful to the middle class. She argued that Trump’s proposals, including a de facto national sales tax and higher mortgage costs, would increase living expenses for ordinary Americans. Harris also warned that Trump’s agenda would undo the progress made on healthcare and housing, increase the deficit, and favor billionaires and large corporations over middle-class families.
Harris framed the upcoming election as a choice between two distinct visions for America: Trump’s plans, which she claimed would harm the middle class, and her own plans to strengthen economic security, reduce costs, and expand opportunities for all Americans. She urged voters to support her vision for a "new way forward" that rewards work, values talent and strengthens the American economy, emphasizing that now is the time to chart a new course for the nation.
President Biden signs a proclamation establishing the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
