What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
October 2, 2024 Recap
The Biden-Harris Administration hosted the fourth International Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI) meeting in Washington, D.C., with around 70 member nations and organizations. The event focused on strategies to combat ransomware, particularly in healthcare, improve cooperation with cyber insurers, bolster critical infrastructure security, and reduce ransomware payments through better incident reporting.
Eighteen new members, including nations like Argentina, Denmark, and the Philippines, joined the CRI. Discussions emphasized the importance of policy coordination, incident response, and regulating virtual assets to counter ransomware payments. Key projects were led by member nations, such as France and the Netherlands, on cyber insurance, and Switzerland and the U.S., on incident reporting.
CRI also launched a Public-Private Sector Advisory Panel, established a new fund to enhance cybersecurity capabilities, and advanced initiatives on secure software and AI's role in countering ransomware. Members called for stronger international collaboration and responsible behavior in cyberspace. The event highlighted the growing role of AI, information sharing, and cybersecurity in the global fight against ransomware.
President Biden participated in a call with the G7 leaders to address Iran's recent attack on Israel, which was deemed unacceptable by all involved. During the call, the G7 leaders collectively condemned the attack and began coordinating a unified response. This response includes potential new sanctions against Iran to address the aggression.
President Biden took the opportunity to express the United States' full support and solidarity with Israel during this challenging time. He reaffirmed the U.S.'s unwavering, ironclad commitment to ensuring Israel's security. The call emphasized the importance of standing with Israel and working together to confront the threats posed by Iran's actions.
Before departing from Joint Base Andrews, President Biden addressed several key issues, including the ongoing dockworkers' strike, the situation with Iran, and Israel's response to threats. On the strike, Biden expressed concern about the impact on the supply chain, noting that product availability is being affected. He criticized the port owners, who have made substantial profits since the pandemic, for not resolving the issue and stressed their need to sit down and negotiate. While Biden has not directly communicated with the port owners, his administration has been actively involved.
Regarding Iran, Biden mentioned convening a G7 meeting to prepare a joint statement addressing Iran’s recent actions. He indicated that sanctions on Iran would soon be imposed, demonstrating a coordinated international response. On the matter of Israel, Biden acknowledged Israel's right to respond to threats but urged for any retaliation to be proportional. Although he has not personally spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his team has regularly communicated with Netanyahu's office. Biden refrained from giving detailed public advice on how Israel should respond, suggesting those discussions are ongoing privately.
President Biden announced the immediate deployment of 1,000 active-duty troops to assist with Hurricane Helene's response and recovery efforts. The soldiers were tasked with distributing critical supplies such as food and water to affected communities, supplementing the efforts of FEMA and other federal agencies. This decision followed a series of briefings with federal officials and involved coordination with state National Guards and the Department of Defense.
The President visited North and South Carolina to assess the damage, meet with local officials, and receive briefings, while Vice President Harris traveled to Georgia for similar engagements. Federal efforts included deploying military resources like helicopters and search-and-rescue teams, restoring power and communications, and aiding in debris removal.
Public health emergencies were declared in several states, and HUD provided foreclosure relief and housing assistance. FEMA worked to deliver financial aid to affected households, with over $10 million in assistance already distributed.
President Biden approved a major disaster declaration for Virginia following Tropical Storm Helene, which began on September 25, 2024. This declaration enables Federal aid to support state and local recovery efforts.
Federal funding is available to residents in several counties, including Giles, Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wythe, and Galax. Assistance can help with temporary housing, home repairs, low-cost loans for uninsured losses, and more.
Additionally, federal funds will assist local governments and nonprofit organizations in emergency recovery efforts in numerous counties and cities. Federal cost-sharing is also available for hazard mitigation throughout Virginia.
FEMA’s Timothy S. Pheil will coordinate federal recovery operations, with damage assessments ongoing to potentially extend aid to more areas.
During her visit to the Augusta Emergency Operations Center in Georgia, Vice President Harris expressed her appreciation for the coordinated efforts of local, state, and federal teams working to address the ongoing crisis. She acknowledged the critical work on the ground, noting that she had followed their progress recently. Harris emphasized how the collaboration among different levels of government exemplifies what can be achieved when resources are effectively coordinated to address the needs of those most impacted.
She highlighted that in moments of crisis, the response often showcases the best qualities in people, and she commended the teams in Augusta for epitomizing this spirit through their dedication. Vice President Harris also thanked the Senator and Mayor for their roles in advocating for the necessary federal resources to support the state’s response. Her remarks underscored the importance of ensuring that the voices and needs of affected communities are heard. Concluding her brief speech, Harris reiterated her intent to listen and engage with the local officials on the situation.
President Biden has amended the disaster declarations for Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina due to the impact of Hurricane and Tropical Storm Helene. He authorized increased Federal funding for emergency work, including debris removal and protective measures, in all three states.
Florida: Federal funding has been raised to cover 100% of eligible costs for 90 days starting September 23, 2024.
Georgia: Federal funding has been raised to 100% for 90 days starting September 24, 2024.
North Carolina: Federal funding has been raised to 100% for 180 days starting September 25, 2024.
This increase in funding supports the ongoing emergency response and recovery efforts in these states.
National Security Advisor to the Vice President, Dr. Phil Gordon, held a virtual meeting with Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian American community leaders from across the U.S. During the meeting, Dr. Gordon discussed recent developments in the Middle East, emphasizing the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to end the war in Gaza through a ceasefire and hostage release deal, aimed at alleviating the humanitarian crisis. He also expressed concern for civilians in Lebanon and highlighted the need for diplomatic solutions to achieve long-term stability and security along the Israel-Lebanon border. Additionally, he raised concerns about actions undermining peace and stability in the West Bank. Dr. Gordon reiterated the Vice President’s commitment to maintaining ongoing engagement with these communities and listened to participants' views on the situation.
During a press gaggle aboard Air Force One, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas updated the federal response to Hurricane Helene. President Biden is visiting South Carolina and North Carolina to assess damage and meet with local officials. Additional trips to Florida and Georgia are planned. The president directed the Department of Defense to deploy up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers for disaster aid, and $10 million has already been allocated to affected communities.
Mayorkas outlined the federal response, noting that over 4,800 personnel, including 1,000 from FEMA, are on the ground. Millions of meals, water, and essential supplies have been delivered, and search and rescue teams have conducted hundreds of rescues. The response is ongoing, with some areas still in the search phase and others moving to recovery.
Mayorkas also touched on the impact of climate change on extreme weather events and the need for updated building codes and sustained funding for FEMA, especially as future hurricanes loom. Congress may need to provide additional funds for the federal response.
In response to questions, Mayorkas and Jean-Pierre emphasized that the timing of Biden’s visit was coordinated to avoid disrupting emergency operations. They also discussed how the president is staying updated on the situation in the Middle East amid the ongoing hurricane recovery efforts.
The President signed into law:
S. 133, the “NAPA Reauthorization Act,” which extends and amends the National Alzheimer’s Project and the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services.
S. 134, the “Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act,” which requires direct transmittal of the annual National Institutes of Health budget estimate for the National Alzheimer’s Project.
S. 612, the “Lake Tahoe Restoration Reauthorization Act,” which reauthorizes the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act through September 30, 2034.
S. 656, the “Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act of 2023,” which revises the rules for VA approval of commercial driver education programs for purposes of veterans education assistance.
S. 670, the “IMPACTT Human Trafficking Act,” which establishes two programs within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to provide: outreach and training to HSI employees who have been exposed to various forms of trauma in working with victims of human trafficking; and services for trafficking victims.
S. 679, the “GAO Database Modernization Act of 2023,” which requires Federal agencies to submit to the Government Accountability Office reports on rules that the agency revokes, suspends, replaces, or amends, or that are otherwise made ineffective.
S. 794, the “Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Pilot Program Act of 2023” or the “CTPAT Pilot Program Act of 2023,” which requires the Department of Homeland Security to carry out a pilot program to assess whether allowing certain third-party logistics providers to participate in the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism would enhance port security or otherwise help meet the goals of the program.
S. 1549, the “Congressional Budget Office Data Access Act,” which allows the Congressional Budget Office to obtain records of individuals from Federal agencies without prior written consent of the individual.
S. 2228, the “Building Chips in America Act of 2023,” which exempts certain projects relating to the production of semiconductors from environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
S. 2685, the “Reuse Excess Property Act,” which requires the General Services Administration to make data and internal guidance on excess personal property of Federal agencies publicly available.
S. 3639, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2075 West Stadium Boulevard in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as the Robert Hayden Post Office.
S. 3640, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 155 South Main Street in Mount Clemens, Michigan, as the Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Jefferson Post Office.
S. 3851, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 90 McCamly Street South in Battle Creek, Michigan, as the Sojourner Truth Post Office.
S. 4698, the “DHS Joint Task Forces Reauthorization Act of 2024,” which extends by two years, until September 30, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security’s authority to establish and operate departmental Joint Task Forces.
President Biden greets members of the North Carolina Highway Patrol during his visit to assess damage from Hurricane Helene
