What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
February 8 Recap
President Joe Biden spoke at a campaign reception in a private residence in New York, New York, on February 7, 2024. He began by acknowledging his long history with the attendees, expressing gratitude towards Kathleen, Dana, and the audience for their support. Biden reminisced about his early days in politics, starting in 1972, and discussed the environmental challenges he observed from a young age, particularly in Delaware, which suffered from severe pollution and health issues related to industry.
Biden emphasized the existential threat of environmental degradation, positioning it as more consequential than nuclear war. He praised the audience for their contributions to addressing environmental issues, highlighting the significant progress made over the years and the changing attitudes towards environmental responsibility within both the business and labor sectors.
He shared anecdotes from his past to illustrate his early encounters with environmental problems and his lifelong commitment to addressing them. Biden also spoke about the importance of union support for environmental initiatives, his economic philosophy of growing the economy from the middle out and the bottom up, and the strategic investments in American jobs and products that have supported environmental progress.
Concluding his remarks, Biden identified Donald Trump as an existential threat to the progress made, citing efforts to undo environmental achievements and other policy advancements. He expressed his determination to run for office to prevent backsliding on these issues and maintained an optimistic outlook on the potential for real change, driven by collective efforts.
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a significant partnership with major sports leagues and players’ unions to enhance physical activity and nutrition programming nationwide. This collaboration involves fourteen sports leagues and players' associations committing to expanding access to physical activities, integrating nutritional education, and promoting healthy lifestyles through their vast outreach programs. This initiative is part of the broader White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities, aiming to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases by 2030, launched following the 2022 White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.
The President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, & Nutrition, a federal advisory committee, is at the heart of this effort, striving to promote healthy and accessible eating and physical activity for all Americans. Notable sports leagues like the NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, WNBA, MLS, and PGA Tour, among others, are making new commitments to support this cause. These commitments range from the NFL enhancing its PLAY60 initiative to the PGA Tour promoting physical and nutrition benefits according to federal guidelines and the MLS providing millions of meals through food recovery programs.
Each participating league and association contributes uniquely through financial investments, educational programs, community events, or advocacy to ensure children and families across the country have greater opportunities for physical activity and nutrition education. This historic partnership represents a concerted effort across various sectors to address hunger, improve nutrition, and promote healthy living in communities across the United States.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden expressed their deep sorrow over the tragic loss of five U.S. Marines in a crash during a routine training flight from Nevada to California. They extended their deepest condolences to the families, squadron, and the U.S. Marine Corps, acknowledging the profound loss of these exceptional servicemen. President Biden expressed gratitude towards the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary-Civil Air Patrol, and other agencies for their professionalism in the search and recovery efforts. He emphasized the Marines' exemplary service, honoring their sacrifice and reiterating the nation's sacred duty to support uniformed personnel and their families.
The White House and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), alongside the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), hosted a roundtable on February 7th focusing on U.S. manufacturing capacity for clean transit buses. This event aimed to align with national climate and equity goals by accelerating the production of clean buses to meet market demands. The roundtable featured about 60 participants, including U.S. transit agencies, bus manufacturers, suppliers, labor unions, and federal stakeholders.
The discussion was part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, which has already allocated historic funding for clean transit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a key element of this agenda, providing over $11 billion over five years for cleaner buses, workforce training, and infrastructure upgrades. Over 2,900 low- and zero-emission buses have been funded under the Biden-Harris Administration, significantly increasing the number of zero-emission buses in operation.
At the roundtable, the FTA announced its FY24 Bus Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), releasing more than $1.5 billion in funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These funds are aimed at supporting the procurement and deployment of low- or no-emission American-made buses. FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez highlighted changes in the NOFO to back American clean bus manufacturers and reduce costs. A "Dear Colleague" letter was also issued to detail procurement flexibilities and federal funding requirements for transit buses.
APTA's Bus Manufacturing Task Force presented new recommendations to enhance U.S. bus manufacturing competitiveness and meet climate and equity goals. Major transit agencies committed to implementing these recommendations, particularly regarding discretionary bus grants. These agencies, responsible for nearly half of the U.S. bus trips, along with manufacturers, pledged to collaborate on standardizing practices. The Biden-Harris Administration will continue addressing priority areas like testing, charging, and cybersecurity, supporting clean transportation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
The initiative represents a significant step towards achieving sustainable transportation goals, with broad stakeholder engagement and a clear focus on enhancing U.S. manufacturing capabilities for clean transit buses.
President Biden has officially declared a major disaster in the State of Michigan, responding to severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that occurred from August 24 to August 26, 2023. This declaration enables federal funding to support recovery efforts in the impacted areas, specifically targeting counties such as Eaton, Ingham, Iona, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, and Wayne. The assistance available includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses, and other support programs for both individuals and business owners affected by the disaster. Additionally, federal funding will be provided for hazard mitigation measures across the state on a cost-sharing basis. John F. Boyle from FEMA has been appointed to oversee the federal recovery operations in the designated areas. The possibility for more areas to be included in this designation exists, pending further assessments and requests from the state. Affected residents and business owners can apply for assistance through the DisasterAssistance.gov website, by calling FEMA, or by using the FEMA App.
The President announced several key nominations for his Administration, focusing on individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise to serve in significant roles across various departments and councils.
Sarah Baker is nominated to be General Counsel at the Department of Transportation. With a robust background in law and public service, Baker has held several positions within the U.S. Department of Transportation, was the founding President of We The Action, served as Associate Counsel to President Obama, and has extensive experience in pro bono legal practice.
Emily Edenshaw (Yup’ik and Iñupiaq) is nominated to be a Member on the National Council on the Humanities. As the President and CEO of the Alaska Native Heritage Center, Edenshaw has dedicated her career to advancing Alaska Native cultures. Her leadership extends to numerous boards, and she is currently pursuing a Ph.D. focused on Alaska Native Boarding School experiences.
Margaret FitzPatrick, nominated to be a Member on the National Council on the Humanities, is a corporate affairs leader with a history of fostering engagement between businesses and communities. FitzPatrick has supported the arts and humanities through her work in corporate foundations and served on the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. She brings extensive experience from her leadership roles in various organizations.
Deborah Willis is also nominated to be a Member on the National Council on the Humanities. Willis is a renowned academic and author, serving as a Professor and Chair of the Department of Photography and Imaging at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. She has received numerous fellowships, contributed significantly to the field of African American art and history, and curated several influential exhibitions.
These nominations highlight President Biden's commitment to diversity and expertise in his Administration's leadership, aiming to strengthen cultural, legal, and humanitarian efforts across the nation.
Senior Advisor and American Rescue Plan Coordinator Gene Sperling issued a statement supporting a bipartisan effort led by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden and Ranking Member Mike Crapo. This effort focuses on fraud prevention and technology modernization within the unemployment system, aligning with aspects of President Biden's anti-fraud proposal. The emergency unemployment benefits during the pandemic were essential for workers who lost jobs, but the process revealed a need for enhanced fraud prevention and updated technology. The bipartisan proposal includes extending the statute of limitations for pandemic unemployment insurance (UI) fraud to 10 years, allowing for thorough investigations and prosecutions. It mandates checks against government datasets to prevent fraudulent payments to ineligible individuals. The President anticipates further congressional actions to address fraud, including expanded enforcement resources, investments in analytical tools and data-sharing to prevent future fraud, and support for Americans to protect against and recover from identity theft.
President Biden released a statement regarding the Special Counsel's investigation into his handling of classified documents. He expressed satisfaction with the conclusion of the investigation, which found no grounds for charges against him, thereby closing the case. The investigation was described as exhaustive, covering over 40 years of his career, including his early years as a Senator in the 1970s. Biden highlighted his full cooperation with the investigation, noting his proactive engagement, including participating in five hours of interviews over two days, despite coinciding with an international crisis following an attack on Israel. He emphasized his commitment to America's security throughout his public service career, stating that his dedication to these issues has never been questioned.
A press briefing was held by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby. The briefing covered a wide range of topics, reflecting the administration's focus on domestic and international issues. Jean-Pierre highlighted President Biden's anticipation of meeting with House Democratic leaders to discuss progress on various fronts, including job creation, healthcare, climate change, and gun violence, contrasting these priorities with what she characterized as the chaos and political games of House Republicans.
Without an opening statement, John Kirby directly addressed questions, particularly about the Middle East. He responded to inquiries about potential Israeli military actions in Rafah, Gaza, emphasizing the lack of plans indicating an imminent operation and stressing the importance of protecting civilian lives, given the large number of displaced Palestinians in the area. Kirby also discussed the detention of U.S. citizens by the Israeli military, indicating the administration was seeking more information and taking the matter seriously.
The briefing touched on the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire or pause in fighting in Gaza, expressing optimism despite setbacks. Kirby articulated the U.S. position on the importance of humanitarian assistance and the release of hostages in the region, while also addressing the U.S. strike in Baghdad and its implications for U.S.-Iraq relations.
Domestically, Jean-Pierre deflected questions about the President's handling of classified documents, referring to the Department of Justice and the White House Counsel for details. She also addressed queries about President Biden's recent public statements, attributing any inaccuracies to common mistakes and emphasizing the broader context of his remarks about democracy and global leadership.
The briefing concluded with discussions on various topics, including the administration's stance on abortion, executive actions related to immigration and border management, and the importance of congressional action to address these issues. Jean-Pierre emphasized the administration's ongoing efforts to engage with diverse communities, including Arab and Muslim Americans, and reiterated the President's commitment to supporting Ukraine and Israel amidst current challenges.
President Biden issued National Security Memorandum (NSM-20) that focuses on enhancing safeguards and accountability regarding the transfer of defense articles and services to foreign governments. It underscores the importance of these transfers as tools for advancing U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives, such as strengthening collective security, promoting international peace and stability, and reinforcing respect for human rights and the rule of law. The memorandum highlights the critical role of ensuring that transferred defense articles and services are used in accordance with international laws, including human rights and humanitarian laws.
Key provisions include:
Policy Implementation: The memorandum mandates the Secretary of State to obtain credible and reliable written assurances from recipient countries that they will use the defense articles in accordance with international humanitarian law and facilitate the delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance in conflict areas. These assurances must be obtained before the transfer of defense articles and services, with specific timelines set for countries engaged in active armed conflicts and those that are not.
Assurance Reassessment and Remediation: Should the credibility or reliability of these assurances be questioned, the Secretaries of State or Defense must report to the President, outlining next steps for remediation, which could range from refreshing the assurances to suspending further transfers.
Congressional Reporting: The memorandum requires periodic reports to Congress, detailing new assurances obtained, assessments of defense article usage in compliance with international law, and the effectiveness of efforts to mitigate civilian harm. These reports aim to provide transparency and enable meaningful oversight of defense article transfers.
Exclusions: The memorandum specifies exceptions, including air defense systems, non-lethal defense articles, and transfers strictly for the Department of Defense's operational needs.
Waivers: In rare circumstances, the Secretaries of State or Defense may waive the requirements for national security reasons, with concurrent notification to the President.
General Provisions: The memorandum clarifies its non-impairment of existing executive authority, its implementation subject to applicable law and appropriations, and its non-creation of enforceable legal rights.
NSM-20 represents a commitment to ensuring that U.S. defense transfers enhance global security responsibly without exacerbating conflicts or contributing to human rights violations, thereby aligning U.S. military assistance with broader ethical and legal standards.
On February 7, 2024, officials from Mexico, the United States, and Canada convened for the fourth meeting of the Trilateral Fentanyl Committee. This committee, established by the leaders of the three countries during the North American Leaders’ Summit in January 2023, focuses on combating the threat posed by illicit synthetic drugs like fentanyl, as well as addressing illegal firearms trafficking within North America.
The meeting emphasized a commitment to increased collaboration among the three countries in several key areas:
Enhancing control over precursor chemicals and equipment used in the production of illicit drugs.
Reviewing legal frameworks to identify and implement improvements.
Engaging with the private sector to fight against the production of illicit synthetic drugs.
Strengthening diplomatic efforts as part of the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats.
Developing a common protocol for drug and substances analysis to better understand regional drug trends.
Planning a forum to discuss strategies for the long-term recovery of individuals with substance use disorders.
Additionally, the scope of the Trilateral Fentanyl Committee has been expanded to include efforts against firearms trafficking related to drug production and distribution. This includes the development of a trilateral report on cross-border firearms seizures and the increased use of the U.S. ATF’s eTrace database for joint investigations into illicit firearms trafficking.
The statement reflects a strong trilateral commitment to improving security and public health through aggressive actions against the trafficking of fentanyl, precursor chemicals, firearms, and through supporting individuals impacted by these crimes. The delegations from Mexico, the United States, and Canada included high-ranking officials across various sectors, highlighting the significance of these efforts and the collaborative approach to addressing these regional challenges.
President Joe Biden delivered a deeply emotional and occasionally confrontational speech on Thursday night, reacting to a special counsel's report that scrutinized his memory but concluded no charges should be brought against him for mishandling classified documents. Addressing the nation from the White House, The President vehemently defended his cognitive capabilities amidst the report's insinuations about his mental agility.
The report's mention of President Biden's memory led to significant public and private frustration, with the president rebutting the notion of forgetfulness, especially regarding the tragic loss of his son. In a hastily arranged address, he emphasized the report's conclusion of no charges against him. He drew distinctions between his situation and former President Donald Trump's legal challenges over classified documents.
Throughout his speech, Biden defended his record and capabilities as president, challenging doubts about his fitness for office or accomplishments. He stressed his qualifications for the presidency and expressed his determination to continue his work. The speech underscored Biden's resilience in the face of criticism and his readiness to confront questions about his age and mental acuity as he eyes reelection, positioning himself as uniquely capable of leading the nation.
President Biden gives remarks and answers questions from the press regarding the Special Counsel’s report regarding his mishandling of classified documents
