What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
July 10, 2024 Recap
The United States and Mexico have announced measures to protect North American steel and aluminum markets from unfair trade practices. Key actions include policies to prevent tariff evasion and strengthen regional supply chains. Mexico will require importers to disclose the country of origin for steel products and has increased tariffs on steel from non-free trade agreement countries. The U.S. will implement specific requirements for steel and aluminum imports from Mexico to enter tariff-free. Both nations will continue collaborating to safeguard these markets in the coming months.
President Biden, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a joint statement announcing the ongoing efforts to provide F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. With U.S. support, the Danish and Dutch governments are donating American-made F-16s to Ukraine, which will be operational this summer. Specific details are withheld for security reasons. The statement acknowledges Belgium and Norway's commitment to providing additional aircraft and highlights the coalition's dedication to enhancing Ukraine’s air capabilities with modern F-16s, including support for their sustainment, armament, and pilot training. The coalition remains united in aiding Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression.
The United States and Germany released a joint statement ahead of the NATO Summit, announcing that the U.S. will begin episodic deployments of its Multi-Domain Task Force's long-range fire capabilities in Germany starting in 2026. This move is part of a plan to station these capabilities permanently in Europe. The deployed units will include advanced weapons such as SM-6, Tomahawk, and developmental hypersonic weapons, which have much longer ranges than current European land-based systems. These exercises demonstrate the U.S.'s commitment to NATO and enhance European integrated deterrence.
The White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis outlines the Biden-Harris Administration's comprehensive efforts to tackle the maternal health crisis in the United States, focusing on reducing disparities and improving outcomes for all women, particularly marginalized groups. Significant progress has been made in several areas over the past two years. The administration has established the first-ever baseline federal health and safety requirements for maternal emergency and obstetric services in hospitals, ensuring that emergency departments are better equipped to handle obstetrical emergencies and that hospitals improve care following a maternal death. Additionally, postpartum Medicaid coverage has been extended from 2 to 12 months, now adopted by 46 states plus D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing lifesaving coverage to hundreds of thousands of new mothers.
A "Birthing Friendly" hospital designation was created to help women easily find high-quality maternity care, with over 2,000 facilities now participating. The launch of the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline has connected nearly 38,000 individuals to free, confidential, 24/7 support, addressing the common complication of maternal depression. The administration has also worked to close the Medicaid coverage gap, with four states expanding Medicaid coverage, benefiting an additional 1.1 million Americans. The Transforming Maternal Health Model was introduced to improve maternal health care in Medicaid and CHIP, with substantial funding available for selected states.
Efforts to support new mothers include distributing 3,000 newborn supply kits, with plans to distribute 10,000 more in 2024. Nearly 2,000 maternity care providers have received training on maternal mental health and substance use disorders. The administration has invested in growing and diversifying the perinatal workforce, increasing the number of OB/GYNs, nurses, midwives, doulas, and community health workers, especially in underserved areas. The Department of Veterans Affairs extended its maternity care coordination program to support pregnant and postpartum veterans through 12 months postpartum.
New initiatives include establishing target areas for maternity care professional shortages, with $8 million in loan repayment and scholarships, and launching the Postpartum Maternal Health Collaborative in six states to improve postpartum outcomes. The administration has expanded resources for Maternal Mortality Review Committees to all states and territories, enabling better understanding and prevention of pregnancy-related deaths. The Hear Her campaign has been expanded to raise awareness about maternal warning signs, particularly among American Indian and Alaska Native women.
The Department of Health and Human Services launched the M.O.M.S. Tour, connecting thousands of prenatal and postpartum women with maternal health resources. Research investments have been bolstered, with tens of millions allocated to maternal health research initiatives and collaborations with community organizations. Workplace protections have been strengthened with the implementation of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act. The federal government has ensured comprehensive maternal health coverage for over 8 million federal employees and their families.
Efforts to replace lead pipes with $15 billion have been funded to reduce miscarriage risks. The WIC program has been modernized, and participation has increased, benefiting 400,000 more people. Community health centers have received over $65 million to address maternal health disparities. Public and private sector commitments from Merck, CVS, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Kaiser Permanente support maternal health initiatives.
Vice President Harris has been a key leader in advocating for maternal health, focusing on reducing racial disparities and improving outcomes through comprehensive government efforts. Her work includes legislative initiatives like the Maternal CARE Act and the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act and hosting roundtables and meetings to raise awareness and drive action on maternal health issues.
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden delivered remarks at the 2024 NATO Summit Spousal Program Event. She expressed gratitude to the curators for hosting the event and reflected on the unity exemplified by President Truman and the founding of NATO 75 years ago. Emphasizing the importance of collective strength, she encouraged forging partnerships among First Spouses to support each other in their roles.
She shared her personal journey from political spouse and full-time teacher to First Lady, highlighting her commitment to using her platform to address important issues. Specifically, she discussed her work with military families through the White House initiative Joining Forces, which supports military spouses' careers, addresses the unique needs of military children, and improves childcare access.
Dr. Biden underscored the personal connections driving her initiatives, such as being a military mom and the daughter of a veteran and her professional role as a community college professor. She also mentioned her efforts in cancer awareness, women’s health research, and education system improvement.
She concluded by recognizing the strength of the bonds among the First Spouses and the importance of working together to create lasting change.
President Biden addressed national union leaders at the AFL-CIO Headquarters in Washington, D.C., emphasizing the importance of unions in building and supporting the middle class. He likened unions to a domestic NATO, which was crucial for America's economic security, and reiterated his commitment to being the most pro-union president in history.
Biden credited unions for their role in his political career and underscored the importance of growing the economy from the bottom up and the middle out. He highlighted the administration's successes, noting the strong economy and the fastest growth rate in the world and acknowledging ongoing challenges like high food prices and rents.
Biden praised the diverse makeup of his Cabinet and emphasized the strength that diversity brings to the nation. He concluded with a call to continue working together to ensure a prosperous future for America, driven by union labor.
In his remarks at the NATO Summit held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, President Biden highlighted the 75-year legacy of NATO, emphasizing its role in creating a shield against aggression and allowing member nations to develop their governments and societies. He noted that NATO is stronger than ever, with increased battle groups on the eastern flank, the addition of Finland and Sweden to the Alliance, and a significant rise in the number of Allies spending at least 2% of their GDP on defense. President Biden stressed the importance of modernizing NATO's deterrence and defense, particularly by strengthening the industrial base to keep pace with Russia's increased defense production, which China, North Korea, and Iran support. He announced that all NATO members are committed to expanding their industrial capacity and defense production.
Biden also highlighted the United States' investments in defense manufacturing, with $30 billion already invested across 35 states, leading to stronger supply chains, a robust economy, and enhanced military readiness. He emphasized that this collective effort sends an unmistakable message to the world: NATO is united and committed to defending every inch of its territory and being prepared for future threats. The President concluded by thanking all NATO members for their commitment to shared security, underscoring the Alliance's readiness and strength in facing any challenges together.
Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at their 71st Boulé in Dallas, Texas. She expressed her gratitude to the sorority’s leadership and her connections within the sisterhood. Harris highlighted the ongoing recovery efforts for Hurricane Beryl in Texas and emphasized the Biden administration's commitment to addressing longstanding issues like healthcare affordability, student loan debt, and maternal mortality. She also discussed the importance of protecting freedoms and rights, particularly reproductive rights, and criticized former President Trump’s agenda. Harris called on the sorority members to mobilize and vote in the upcoming elections to protect democratic values and social progress.
On July 14, 2020, Executive Order 13936 declared a national emergency due to the threat posed by the situation in Hong Kong to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. The People's Republic of China's actions undermining Hong Kong's autonomy continue to present this threat. Consequently, President Biden has decided to extend the national emergency for an additional year beyond July 14, 2024. This extension will be published in the Federal Register and sent to Congress.
President Biden met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House. Biden congratulated Starmer on his new role and emphasized the UK's importance as a key U.S. ally. They discussed deepening cooperation on global challenges, support for Ukraine against Russian aggression, and the need for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, endorsing a two-state solution. They also expressed intentions to collaborate on economic and climate issues for a better future for both nations.
President Biden meets with newly elected UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House
