What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
November 14, 2024 Recap
President Biden's administration is advancing its ambitious climate agenda, focused on the Investing in America initiative, by introducing new investments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance clean energy manufacturing, and lower energy costs for families and businesses. This push aligns with Biden’s upcoming visit to the Amazon, where he plans to underscore the importance of global climate action and engage with Indigenous and local leaders working to preserve this vital ecosystem. Key investments under this initiative include funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.
Nearly $18 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will support energy-saving projects across 61 U.S. communities, focusing on emissions reduction, energy efficiency, and green infrastructure improvements. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will invest $256 million to support over 1,100 clean energy projects in rural areas, enabling farms and small businesses to adopt renewable energy sources. These projects, supported by the Inflation Reduction Act, will help agricultural producers and rural entrepreneurs implement renewable energy solutions like wind, solar, and geothermal while reducing costs and emissions. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Transportation will provide $1.2 billion to states to encourage using lower-carbon materials in infrastructure projects, promoting sustainable construction and reducing pollution through locally sourced materials.
These initiatives build on the administration's record of climate action, which has spurred private-sector investments in clean energy, created jobs, and expanded manufacturing, positioning the U.S. as a leader in global climate efforts. Since signing the Inflation Reduction Act, the administration has awarded over $98.5 billion in grants, and private investments in clean energy and manufacturing have reached nearly $300 billion. These efforts are part of a larger goal to keep a resilient 1.5°C future within reach, reinforced by recent commitments at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Azerbaijan. President Biden and Vice President Harris aim to protect the environment and secure economic stability for future generations through these policies.
The Biden-Harris Administration has sparked a historic boom in small business growth, with over 20 million new business applications filed since President Biden and Vice President Harris took office—marking the highest number for any presidential term. Over the last four years, the U.S. has experienced three record-breaking years for new business applications and is on track to make it four. Business ownership has particularly surged among minority groups, with Black business ownership doubling, Hispanic ownership up by 40%, and women-owned businesses increased since before the pandemic.
The Administration has rolled out several initiatives to support this growth, improving access to capital, reducing operational costs, increasing federal contracting opportunities, and providing hands-on support for entrepreneurs. The Small Business Administration (SBA) delivered a record $56 billion in capital in fiscal year 2024, tripling its lending to Black-owned businesses and doubling support for Latino—and women-owned businesses. It also doubled the availability of small-dollar loans under $150,000.
The Inflation Reduction Act introduced tax credits for energy efficiency upgrades, solar power, and reduced healthcare costs to lower small businesses' operational costs. This benefitted small business budgets across the country. Through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), nearly $10 billion from the American Rescue Plan supports small business loans and venture capital programs nationwide, with a strong focus on underserved and small businesses.
Federal contracting has also contributed to this growth, with a record $178.6 billion awarded to small businesses in fiscal year 2023, driving job creation in core industries like manufacturing, construction, and defense. Alongside these financial supports, the Administration has provided significant hands-on assistance through programs like the SBA’s Community Navigators and the Minority Business Development Agency’s incubator initiatives, reaching over 350,000 entrepreneurs with training and resources.
Finally, future-focused investments in infrastructure, clean energy, and manufacturing create more opportunities for small businesses to engage in critical industries. Major legislative actions, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the CHIPS and Science Act, support small business involvement in projects to modernize infrastructure and transition to green energy. President Biden noted that each new business represents an "act of hope" and is integral to the nation’s economic recovery, with small businesses driving productivity and contributing to what he calls the "strongest economy in the world."
Carol Kellermann is nominated for the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Kellermann has extensive experience in nonprofit management and has held leadership roles in various organizations, notably as President of the Citizens Budget Commission and CEO of The September 11 Fund. She has a background in public service and law, including work with then-Congressman Chuck Schumer.
Loida Lewis is nominated for the Board of Directors of the Millennium Challenge Corporation. Lewis, a lawyer and CEO of TLC Beatrice, LLC, is known for her contributions to business and philanthropy. She was the first Filipino woman to pass the New York bar without a U.S.-based law education and has a history of advocacy work. She led the multinational food company TLC Beatrice International after her husband’s passing and supported various educational and cultural institutions.
Adam White is nominated as a Republican member of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's Board of Directors. White is a Senior Fellow at AEI and directs the C. Boyden Gray Center for the Study of the Administrative State at George Mason University. He previously served on President Biden’s Supreme Court Commission and has been involved in nonprofit boards focused on free speech and conservation.
Devin Anderson, a Kirkland & Ellis LLP partner who specializes in cybersecurity and class action litigation, has been nominated as a Republican member of the State Justice Institute. He clerked for prominent judges and helped establish Kirkland’s Salt Lake City office.
President Biden’s America Recycles Day 2024 proclamation emphasizes recycling’s critical role in building a sustainable future and combating climate change. The proclamation acknowledges the environmental impact of waste production and pollution, urging waste reduction and recycling to conserve resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve public health. The administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act fund recycling projects, infrastructure improvements, and environmental justice, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. Additionally, the President highlights initiatives like the National Recycling Strategy, a goal to end single-use plastics in federal agencies by 2035, and strategies to reduce food loss and organic waste. Americans are called to recycle, use recycled products, and support eco-friendly manufacturing practices, with November 15 declared America Recycles Day.
President Biden approved major disaster declarations for Alaska and the Crow Tribe of Montana, providing federal aid to support recovery efforts following natural disasters in these regions.
Alaska: Following landslides on August 25, 2024, federal assistance will support state, tribal, and local recovery in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough. Funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and facility repairs, with additional funding for statewide hazard mitigation. FEMA's Lance E. Davis will lead federal recovery efforts.
Crow Tribe of Montana: After a severe storm and straight-line winds on August 6, 2024, federal aid will assist the Crow Tribe, covering temporary housing, repairs, low-interest loans for uninsured losses, and other recovery needs. Hazard mitigation funding is also available. FEMA’s James R. Stephenson will coordinate the response.
Further designations may be made as needed based on additional assessments.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre held a briefing that provided insights into President Biden’s recent meeting with President-elect Trump and upcoming diplomatic engagements. She described the meeting as cordial and substantive, lasting nearly two hours and covering key topics like national security and domestic policy, with leaders and their chiefs of staff present. A central theme was ensuring a smooth transition of power, with Biden reiterating the importance of an orderly handover for the American people. Jean-Pierre emphasized Biden’s intent to lead by example, prioritizing a respectful transition despite the political tensions of the recent campaign.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan previewed Biden’s upcoming South American trip, which includes stops at the APEC Summit in Peru, a historic visit to the Amazon in Brazil, and the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Sullivan highlighted that Biden’s discussions would focus on debt sustainability, infrastructure financing, climate change, and major geopolitical issues, such as the war in Ukraine and the Middle East conflicts. A key point of interest at the G20 is Biden’s final push to reinforce the U.S.'s commitment to global alliances and multilateral cooperation, particularly in climate change and economic resilience.
In Peru, Biden is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This meeting will reinforce responsible management of the U.S.-China relationship, emphasizing open lines of communication, especially at the military-to-military level, to prevent conflicts from escalating. Biden’s approach to China has focused on maintaining U.S. competitive strength at home through investments in technology and alliances while carefully managing the competition with China to avoid confrontation.
Biden also underscored the importance of U.S. support for Ukraine, which he believes is essential to American national security and stability in Europe. He intends to secure additional funding for Ukraine to sustain its defense efforts into 2025. On another front, Sullivan expressed openness to working with the incoming Trump administration to secure the release of American hostages held in Gaza, signaling bipartisan cooperation on urgent issues.
At the G20, Biden’s agenda will likely cover climate and transatlantic security, with continued support for frameworks like NATO and the Paris Agreement. Jean-Pierre emphasized that Biden intends to leave a strong foundation for U.S. alliances, especially regarding climate action and strategic partnerships, underscoring his commitment to a smooth transition that upholds the will of the American people.
President Biden announced new initiatives to combat the climate crisis and reduce energy costs ahead of his trip to Peru and Brazil, where he will discuss global challenges, including climate change, with world leaders. He highlighted two investments aimed at supporting clean energy and energy efficiency. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will grant $250 million through the Rural Energy for America Program to help over 1,000 farmers and small rural businesses across 40 states install clean, energy-efficient improvements. Additionally, the Department of Energy will allocate nearly $18 million to assist communities nationwide in enhancing energy efficiency and cutting climate pollution. Biden emphasized these initiatives as a "win-win" for creating jobs, driving investment, improving air quality, and lowering energy bills. He closed with a call for unity in tackling these challenges.