What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
August 13, 2024 Recap
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a significant investment of $150 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to further the goals of the Cancer Moonshot initiative. This initiative, reignited by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden over two years ago, aims to reduce the cancer death rate in the United States by at least 50% by 2047, preventing more than 4 million cancer deaths and improving the lives of those affected by the disease. The ARPA-H funding will specifically support the development of innovative technologies to enhance tumor-removal surgeries, which are often the first step in treatment for the nearly two million Americans diagnosed with solid tumor cancers each year.
The investment will be distributed among eight research teams from prestigious institutions across the country, including Dartmouth College, Johns Hopkins University, Rice University, Tulane University, University of California, San Francisco, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Washington, and the medical imaging company Cision Vision. These teams will work on various projects under ARPA-H's Precision Surgical Interventions (PSI) program, focusing on improving surgeons' ability to visualize critical structures during surgery, developing advanced imaging and microscope technologies, and ensuring that all cancerous cells are removed in a single procedure. These innovations are expected to reduce the need for repeat surgeries, minimize damage to healthy tissues, and ultimately save lives.
This announcement builds on other recent efforts by the Biden-Harris Administration to combat cancer, including new awards to health centers to improve access to life-saving cancer screenings in underserved communities and the launch of a new ARPA-H program, POSEIDON, which aims to develop multi-cancer early detection tests that could be used even at home. Additionally, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have proposed new rules that would allow Indian Health Services and Tribal facilities to receive separate payments for high-cost drugs, such as those used in cancer treatment. These efforts reflect the administration's commitment to ending cancer as we know it through collaborative action and innovative research.
The Biden-Harris Administration has introduced a series of new measures aimed at lowering housing costs by cutting red tape and facilitating the construction of more housing. Central to these efforts is the allocation of $100 million through HUD's PRO Housing program, which is designed to help communities identify and remove barriers to affordable housing development. Additionally, the Administration has improved the Federal Financing Bank's Multifamily Risk Sharing Program, providing developers with more predictable interest rates, thus making housing projects more financially viable.
To further streamline housing development, the Department of Transportation has issued new guidance to expedite the loan process for projects near transit, reducing approval times and costs. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation has also proposed tools to accelerate historic preservation reviews for federally-funded housing projects, which would help lower development costs and deliver affordable housing more efficiently.
Moreover, HUD has launched the Legacy Challenge, offering $250 million in loan financing for transformative housing investments, including adaptive reuse and commercial-to-residential conversions. In an effort to diversify housing types, HUD is finalizing updates to the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, allowing for the inclusion of duplexes and triplexes, which could significantly reduce housing costs in urban and suburban areas.
Finally, the Administration is focused on expediting permitting processes, with the Council of Economic Advisers highlighting the importance of quicker approvals to address the nationwide housing shortage. These initiatives build on previous actions by the Biden-Harris Administration, all aimed at increasing the supply of affordable housing and reducing costs for renters and homeowners across the country.
John Podesta's remarks at Third Way on the two-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) highlight its impact and ongoing significance. He emphasizes the urgent climate crisis, marked by record-breaking heat, and the need for strong action. The IRA, which represents the largest investment in climate and clean energy in history, targets multiple economic sectors and aims to build a clean energy economy with good-paying jobs and investments in underserved communities.
Podesta outlines the success of the IRA in spurring over $415 billion in clean energy investments, creating more than 300,000 jobs, and providing significant benefits to workers, families, and communities. He also addresses the bipartisan recognition of these benefits, even as some Republicans oppose the law.
Despite the progress, Podesta warns of efforts by House Republicans to roll back these advancements, which he argues would harm the economy, environment, and American jobs. He calls for continued support and advocacy to ensure the IRA's long-term success and to promote a clean energy future.
Before departing on Marine One, President Biden addressed several questions from the press. When asked if he would attend Donald Trump’s inauguration if Trump were to win, President Biden responded by emphasizing his good manners, implicitly contrasting his behavior with that of Trump.
When questioned about his previous statement labeling Trump a "genuine danger to American security" and whether it contradicted his call for toned-down political rhetoric, Biden clarified that his statement was based on facts, not just political rhetoric. On Ukraine’s military actions in the Kursk region, President Biden chose not to comment publicly.
Additionally, when asked about Vice President Harris being more progressive than him, President Biden highlighted the economic progress they have achieved together, particularly in infrastructure, which he described as good policy rather than specifically progressive.
The White House Council on Environmental Quality hosted a meeting with faith leaders and representatives from faith-based organizations to discuss President Biden’s agenda on climate, clean energy, and environmental justice. The event focused on the use of "Direct Pay," a provision from the Inflation Reduction Act that allows tax-exempt entities, including religious organizations, to benefit from federal clean energy tax incentives. The meeting emphasized the important role of faith leaders in engaging their communities to create a more equitable and just clean energy future. Administration officials and faith leaders shared success stories and best practices on how to leverage federal investments like Direct Pay and programs under the Justice40 Initiative, which aims to direct 40% of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities. The Biden-Harris Administration expressed its commitment to partnering with faith leaders to further these goals.
President Biden, after arriving at Louis Armstrong International Airport in Kenner, Louisiana, shared several important updates. He began by mentioning the promotion of a general to a two-star major general, explaining that this was the reason for his brief delay. Shifting to a broader topic, Biden emphasized the critical importance of ongoing cancer research efforts. He recalled the origins of the Cancer Moonshot initiative during his vice presidency. He discussed the establishment of a new cancer research facility modeled on DARPA, aimed at fostering innovation and breakthroughs.
When asked about the situation in the Middle East, President Biden expressed his concern but refrained from disclosing specific details regarding the pressure being applied to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On the topic of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Biden acknowledged the ongoing communications with his staff and the Ukrainian government, noting the significant challenges the situation poses for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Lastly, he addressed the possibility of achieving a ceasefire in the Middle East, admitting that it is becoming increasingly difficult but expressing cautious optimism depending on Iran's actions. Overall, President Biden's remarks covered his administration's focus on cancer research, global conflicts, and ongoing geopolitical challenges.
During a press gaggle aboard Air Force One en route to New Orleans, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and ARPA-H Director Dr. Renee Wegrzyn discussed the purpose of President Biden's visit. The President and First Lady Jill Biden will participate in a tour and deliver remarks highlighting the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) initiative, which aims to drive breakthroughs in cancer prevention, treatment, and detection. As part of this effort, they will announce up to $150 million in ARPA-H funding to support cancer research at leading institutions, including Tulane University. This investment is part of the broader Cancer Moonshot initiative, which seeks to reduce the cancer death rate in the U.S. by at least half by 2047, potentially saving over 4 million lives.
Dr. Wegrzyn detailed ARPA-H's mission to advance cancer surgery technologies, emphasizing the importance of precision in surgical procedures. ARPA-H's newly launched Precision Surgical Interventions (PSI) program aims to develop innovative technologies that enable surgeons to remove cancerous tumors with higher accuracy, thereby reducing the need for repeat surgeries and minimizing the risk of cancer recurrence. This program will fund various teams across institutions like Tulane University, Rice University, and Johns Hopkins University, focusing on improving tumor visualization and enhancing the visibility of critical anatomy during surgery.
In response to questions from the press, Jean-Pierre addressed concerns about the U.S. involvement in the Ukraine conflict, clarifying that the U.S. had no role in Ukraine's military operations. She reiterated the administration's commitment to supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression but refrained from speculating on potential escalations. On cybersecurity, she emphasized the administration's condemnation of any foreign interference in U.S. elections but deferred specific details to the Department of Justice.
The discussion also touched on domestic issues, including the administration's ongoing efforts to lower costs for Americans. Jean-Pierre highlighted initiatives such as the crackdown on junk fees and the upcoming announcement regarding prescription drug pricing, underscoring the administration's commitment to consumer protection and reducing financial burdens on American families. The press gaggle concluded with further discussions on the Middle East conflict, emphasizing the administration's pursuit of diplomatic solutions to achieve a ceasefire and address humanitarian concerns, as well as brief mentions of the administration's focus on bipartisan border security legislation and student loan relief initiatives.
President Biden discussing the Cancer Moonshot program in New Orleans, LA
