What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
January 29 Recap
President Biden released a statement on the 15th anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, commemorating its role in advancing the fight for equal pay. The Act, named after Lilly Ledbetter, paid less than her male counterparts, was the first bill signed during the Obama-Biden Administration and expanded protections against pay discrimination.
The President acknowledged that despite progress, significant pay disparities still exist, with women earning, on average, 84 cents for every dollar earned by men and even larger gaps for women of color. To further address these issues, his Administration has implemented new actions to advance pay equity within the federal workforce and among employees of federal contractors. These actions aim to ensure fair payment, close gender and racial wage gaps, and benefit the federal government and its contractors.
Furthermore, Biden's Administration urged Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act to increase pay transparency and enhance tools for combating sex-based pay discrimination. Biden and Vice President Harris express their ongoing commitment to reinforcing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act principles and improving economic security for women nationwide.
To commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the Biden-Harris Administration is introducing new initiatives to enhance pay equity and transparency. These efforts reflect President Biden and Vice President Harris's longstanding commitment to equal pay as a vital aspect of fairness and opportunity in the workforce. Despite historic progress in reducing gender pay gaps, significant disparities persist, notably affecting women of color.
Key Actions to Advance Pay Equity:
For Federal Workers: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued a rule prohibiting over 80 federal agencies from using current or past salaries to set pay for federal employees. This move aims to combat pay discrimination and ensure skills and experience determine salaries.
For Federal Contractors:
The Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council proposes banning federal contractors from considering job applicants' past compensation during hiring and pay decisions.
Federal contractors will be required to disclose salary ranges in job postings, which will promote pay transparency and help reduce pay gaps.
Enforcing Equal Pay for Federal Contractors: The Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has issued new guidance to clarify and enforce non-discrimination in hiring and pay decisions among federal contractors.
Supporting Women and Minorities in the Workforce:
The Administration's actions include investments through various legislative acts, like the American Rescue Plan and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which focus on creating good-paying jobs accessible to women, people of color, and other underrepresented groups.
Initiatives like the Good Jobs Initiative and the Million Women in Construction aim to empower workers and diversify sectors like clean energy and construction.
Policies to improve access to child care and support caregivers and raise the minimum wage for federal employees and contractors are steps towards narrowing racial and gender income disparities.
The Administration has significantly boosted support for women-owned businesses, increasing lending and expanding the Women Business Centers network.
In summary, these measures by the Biden-Harris Administration signify a robust approach to closing wage gaps and enhancing economic security for women, furthering their agenda for fairness and equal opportunity in the labor market.
In response to President Biden's Executive Order on artificial intelligence (AI), the Biden-Harris Administration has achieved significant milestones in enhancing AI safety, security, and innovation. The White House AI Council, led by Deputy Chief of Staff Bruce Reed, reports completion of initial 90-day tasks and progress on longer-term goals. Efforts focus on disclosure requirements for AI developers, regulating U.S. cloud services for foreign AI development, and conducting comprehensive risk assessments across critical infrastructure sectors. Concurrently, initiatives aim to advance AI for positive impact, including the National AI Research Resource Pilot, AI Talent Surge, EducateAI Initiative, funding for Regional Innovation Engines, and the establishment of an AI Task Force at the Department of Health and Human Services.
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the Innovation Engines Awards, a program by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) involving over $530 million. Ten NSF Regional Innovation Engines will each receive $15 million in federal investment, with additional contributions from non-federal partners, totaling over $365 million. The initiative focuses on semiconductor manufacturing, clean energy, and regenerative medicine sectors. It aims to leverage regional strengths, foster economic growth, and encourage participation in the 21st-century economy without community displacement. The program includes an all-of-government strategy involving collaboration with various federal agencies to provide funding, technical assistance, and planning support. In addition to the main awards, NSF is inviting 15 teams for further development awards. The initiative is designed to benefit diverse communities, aligning with the Administration's commitment to inclusive economic growth. Various federal agencies are committed to supporting the program through technical assistance, regulatory guidance, investment opportunities, and collaboration.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met today with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. They welcomed Turkey’s recent approval of Sweden’s NATO membership and expressed a shared desire to see Sweden join the Alliance as soon as possible. Secretary General Stoltenberg noted NATO’s Allies’ unflinching support for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russian aggression. Mr. Sullivan and the Secretary-General discussed planning for the July 2024 NATO Summit in Washington and NATO’s improved military readiness. A record number of allies are on track to meet the two percent defense spending pledge in 2024. They exchanged views on Allied progress in ramping up defense production. They expressed concern over the DPRK’s export and Russia’s procurement of DPRK military equipment, as well as Russia’s use of this equipment against Ukraine. They also underscored the Allies’ shared commitment to military readiness and to defending every inch of NATO territory.
A press briefing was held in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at The White House by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby. In this briefing, several key topics were addressed:
Border Security: Jean-Pierre discussed the Biden administration's efforts to secure the U.S. border, emphasizing the need for bipartisan cooperation. She highlighted the need for Speaker Johnson to provide the necessary authorities and resources. The administration's proposal includes significant resources for border security, such as additional Border Patrol agents, immigration judges, and asylum officers, along with technology to detect drugs like fentanyl.
Artificial Intelligence (AI): The administration's focus on AI was underscored, mentioning President Biden's executive order aimed at managing AI's risks and potential. This order led to actions like using the Defense Production Act for AI development transparency and drafting rules for U.S. cloud companies working with foreign governments. The rapid progress in this area was emphasized.
Pay Equity: On the anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, President Biden's new actions to enhance pay equity for federal workers and employees of federal contractors were announced. These measures aim to close gender and racial wage gaps.
Middle East Security: John Kirby provided updates on the situation in the Middle East, particularly the recent attack on U.S. troops in Jordan, which resulted in casualties and injuries. He conveyed condolences and affirmed the ongoing mission against ISIS. Kirby also mentioned that the U.S. would respond to these attacks but did not specify the nature of the response.
U.S.-China Relations: The briefing touched on the recent meeting between National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and his Chinese counterpart, focusing on various global and regional issues, military communications, AI safety, and counternarcotics efforts.
President Biden in the White House Situation Room as he is briefed on the latest developments regarding the attack on U.S. service members in northeastern Jordan
