What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
October 17, 2024 Recap
President Biden announced the approval of an additional $4.5 billion in student debt cancellation for over 60,000 public service workers. This brings the total number of Americans who have had their debt canceled under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program during his administration to over 1 million. Public service workers like teachers, nurses, and firefighters are central to the community, and many were promised debt relief after ten years of public service and payments. However, before the Biden-Harris administration, only 7,000 people had received forgiveness. Biden emphasized his administration’s commitment to fixing the PSLF program, resulting in significant progress in student debt relief.
In addition to today’s announcement, Biden highlighted broader efforts over the past three years, including debt cancellation for nearly 5 million people, increases in Pell Grant awards, fixing the Income-Driven Repayment system, and holding colleges accountable. Biden reaffirmed his promise to make higher education accessible, stating his continued commitment to affordability despite opposition from Republican officials.
President Biden held a conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu to congratulate him on the recent mission in Gaza that led to the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. The two leaders focused on the significance of this operation. They discussed how it could serve as a pivotal moment to bring hostages home safely and work toward ending the ongoing war. President Biden emphasized the importance of ensuring Israel's long-term security while preventing Hamas from ever regaining control of Gaza. Both leaders acknowledged the need for continued coordination. They agreed to stay in close contact directly and through their national security teams over the coming days to navigate the next steps.
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris announced a significant milestone in student debt relief. The Biden Administration has approved an additional $4.5 billion in student debt cancellation for over 60,000 public service workers, bringing the total to over 1 million people benefiting from the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. This is part of their broader efforts to fix the PSLF program, which had helped only 7,000 people before Biden took office.
The Administration has also made progress in other areas of student debt relief, including canceling nearly $170 billion in debt for almost 5 million people, increasing Pell Grant awards, and reforming income-driven repayment plans. Biden emphasized his commitment to making higher education affordable despite opposition from Republican officials.
Vice President Harris echoed these sentiments, highlighting that debt cancellation has positively impacted public servants by providing them with financial relief, enabling them to invest in homes, cars, and families. She reiterated the administration’s resolve to fight for debt relief and affordable education.
President Joe Biden confirmed the death of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, following a mission by Israeli forces in Gaza, with U.S. intelligence support. Biden referred to Sinwar as the mastermind behind the October 7 massacres, which he described as the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Sinwar had been responsible for the deaths of thousands, including Americans, and for taking over 250 hostages. Biden compared the operation to the killing of Osama Bin Laden, emphasizing that no terrorist could escape justice.
Biden also highlighted Israel’s right to defend itself and to eliminate Hamas. He expressed hope for a future political settlement in Gaza without Hamas and urged continued efforts to bring the remaining hostages home.
Vice President Harris emphasized that Sinwar's death served justice for his crimes. She underscored the suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians and called for an end to the war in Gaza, emphasizing a future where both peoples could achieve dignity and security.
During a press gaggle en route to Berlin, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre discussed President Biden’s upcoming visit to Germany and ongoing developments in the Middle East. Sullivan began by confirming the death of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader, in an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operation. He described Sinwar as a major obstacle to peace, responsible for significant violence, including the recent massacre of Jews. With Sinwar’s death, Sullivan emphasized that the U.S. and Israel now have an opportunity to work together toward securing the release of hostages held by Hamas, ending the ongoing conflict, and shaping a post-Hamas Gaza. President Biden plans to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss these goals and to congratulate the IDF on the operation.
Sullivan also previewed the president’s first official visit to Berlin, underscoring the importance of Germany as a NATO ally and key partner in global issues such as Ukraine, the Middle East, China, and clean energy. President Biden’s agenda includes one-on-one meetings with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French and British leaders to discuss the future of Ukraine and how to address the fast-evolving situation in the Middle East, including Iran and Gaza. The discussions will focus on aligning strategies for Ukraine, particularly after recent consultations with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.
Sullivan responded to questions about the implications of Sinwar’s death, describing it as a significant blow to Hamas militarily and politically but cautioning that it is too soon to determine the full impact on Hamas’ future. He noted that Hamas still poses a threat, with armed fighters and hostages under its control, but stressed the importance of building on this moment to end the war and secure a better future for Gaza and Israel.
In addition to the Middle East and Ukraine, the conversation touched on broader issues, including U.S. intelligence support for Israel in tracking down Hamas leaders, the role of humanitarian aid in Gaza, and diplomatic efforts with key regional players such as Qatar and Egypt. Sullivan also addressed concerns about a potential ceasefire, stressing that while Sinwar’s death might open new possibilities for negotiations, there are still hurdles to overcome.
The gaggle also covered domestic issues, with Jean-Pierre highlighting the Biden administration’s announcement of $4.5 billion in student debt relief for over 60,000 public service workers. This brings the total number of workers who have benefited from debt relief under Biden’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to over 1 million. The administration remains committed to providing financial relief, even as Republican opposition continues challenging broader student debt forgiveness efforts.
Questions about Biden’s stance on democracy and the upcoming U.S. presidential election also surfaced. Sullivan emphasized that President Biden will continue to articulate his vision for America’s role in the world without speculating on the outcome of the 2024 election. The gaggle ended with lighter moments, including Sullivan’s comments on baseball playoffs and further scheduling details for the president’s trip.
Upon arriving at Berlin Brandenburg International Airport, President Biden expressed optimism about recent developments in the conflict involving Israel and Hamas. He congratulated Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for the capture of a key figure, Sinwar, who is responsible for many deaths, including Americans. Biden stressed the need to move toward a ceasefire in Gaza and a peaceful resolution, emphasizing that it’s time to end the war and bring hostages home. He mentioned that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken would be traveling to Israel soon to help plan the next steps for securing Gaza. Biden also conveyed a sense of hope about the possibility of a ceasefire soon.
At a campaign rally at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a passionate speech on key issues for the upcoming election. She began by expressing her personal connection to Wisconsin, recalling how her family lived there when she was a child. Harris expressed her gratitude to local leaders and emphasized her excitement to return, underscoring the importance of Wisconsin as a battleground state with just 19 days left before the election. She urged the crowd to re-elect Senator Tammy Baldwin, calling her a champion for Wisconsin families, and stressed the importance of every vote in what she predicted would be a tight race.
Harris’s speech centered around two starkly different visions for the country's future: one focused on progress and opportunity, which she represents, and the other focused on division and looking backward, which she attributes to former President Donald Trump. She called out Trump’s rhetoric, particularly his comments about the January 6th Capitol attack, in which he referred to the day as one of "love." Harris condemned his words, calling them a prime example of the "gaslighting" that the American public is exhausted from, and reaffirmed her commitment to moving the country forward.
She highlighted the core aspects of her campaign, emphasizing the need to build an "opportunity economy." This includes addressing the housing crisis by offering down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, supporting small businesses, and expanding Medicare to cover home healthcare for seniors. Drawing on her experience caring for her mother, Harris spoke about the dignity of elder care and the importance of easing the burden on families caring for aging relatives. She contrasted her approach to middle-class families with Trump's policies, accusing him of prioritizing tax cuts for billionaires and corporations while threatening programs like Social Security and Medicare.
Harris also focused on reproductive rights, denouncing Trump’s role in appointing Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade. She described the resulting state-level abortion bans as immoral, particularly those without exceptions for rape or incest. Harris pledged to sign legislation restoring reproductive rights nationwide if Congress passes such a bill, promising to defend the fundamental freedoms of Americans, including the right to choose.
Throughout her speech, Harris returned to the theme of protecting democracy, warning of Trump’s authoritarian ambitions. She cited his calls to terminate the U.S. Constitution and his threats to use the military against American citizens as evidence of the danger he poses. Harris emphasized that this election is about safeguarding democracy, freedom, and the country's future. She concluded by urging the crowd to vote early and mobilize their communities, reminding them that their vote is their voice and that their voice is their power in shaping the nation's future.
Vice President Harris gives remarks at a campaign rally in LaCrosse, WI
