What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
March 5 Recap
The White House released a fact sheet outlining several key initiatives announced by President Biden aimed at reducing costs for Americans by addressing corporate practices considered unfair or illegal. These measures include:
Creation of a Strike Force on Unfair and Illegal Pricing: This new team, co-chaired by the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, aims to identify and curb illegal corporate behaviors that inflate prices through anti-competitive, deceptive, or fraudulent practices across various sectors, including prescription drugs, health care, food, housing, and financial services.
Actions to Promote Competition and Lower Costs:
Reducing Credit Card Late Fees: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has finalized a rule to cut the average late fee from $32 to $8, aiming to save consumers around $10 billion annually.
Eliminating Over $20 Billion in Junk Fees: Analysis by the Council of Economic Advisers suggests that the administration's efforts will remove more than $20 billion in annual junk fees from various sectors, facilitating fairer competition and transparency.
Banning Bulk Billing Arrangements: The Federal Communications Commission proposes a rule to ban bulk billing for internet and cable services, which restricts consumer choice and can add unnecessary costs.
Ensuring Fairness in Agricultural Markets: The Department of Agriculture has finalized rules to protect meat and poultry producers from deceptive contracts and practices by processing companies.
Previous Efforts to Enhance Competition and Reduce Costs: The document also highlights prior actions taken to combat junk fees, promote transparency in financial products, support new entrants in food markets, make healthcare more affordable, improve transportation systems, institutionalize competition principles, and ensure fair access in the communications sector.
Overall, these initiatives reflect a comprehensive approach by the Biden Administration to lower living costs for Americans by increasing market competition, ensuring transparency, and protecting consumers from unfair fees and practices.
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the opening of the application period for the Fall 2024 White House Internship Program session. This initiative aims to foster public service leadership and development among emerging leaders, offering them the chance to acquire valuable skills while aiding the work of the White House and advancing the Administration's goals. The internship is paid and available across various offices within the Executive Office of the President (EOP), including support roles in the White House Office and the Office of the Vice President.
To be eligible for the program, applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by the start of the program, and meet one of the following criteria: currently enrolled in an accredited post-secondary education program, a recent graduate (within two years) from such a program, or a U.S. Armed Forces veteran with a high school diploma or equivalent who has served on active duty within the last two years.
The application window for the Fall 2024 session opens on March 11th and closes on April 5th. Interested individuals can apply online at WH.gov/intern, where additional details and a FAQ section about the program are also available.
Besides the White House Internship Program, the Executive Office of the President offers several other internship opportunities in various components, such as the Council of Economic Advisors, Council on Environmental Quality, Office of Administration, and others. Applicants are encouraged to explore these additional opportunities alongside the White House Internship Program.
Vice President Kamala Harris released a statement celebrating the graduation of NASA's Astronaut Group 23, emphasizing America's leadership in space exploration and acknowledging the courage and contributions of astronauts. As Chair of the National Space Council, Vice President Harris praised the ten Americans in the latest astronaut class for their service, skills, and dedication to exploration, highlighting the group's diversity and their role in future missions, including the Artemis campaign to the Moon and plans for Mars exploration.
The Vice President also acknowledged the graduation of two astronauts from the United Arab Emirates, underlining the importance of international partnerships in space endeavors. The statement reflects the United States' commitment to leading in space exploration, fostering scientific discovery, and inspiring future generations of explorers.
The Biden-Harris Administration, under President Biden's Investing in America agenda, is undertaking significant actions to address climate change and the severe megadrought affecting the Western United States, particularly the Colorado River Basin. This basin, critical for over 40 million people, agriculture, and hydropower across eight states and 30 Tribal Nations, has experienced its driest period in over a millennium due to climate change.
Key efforts and investments include:
A historic move to conserve at least three million-acre-feet of water in the Colorado River Basin by the end of 2026, leveraging resources from the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These laws provide the largest investment in climate resilience in U.S. history, with $15.4 billion allocated for Western water initiatives to enhance drought resilience and protect the Colorado River System.
The announcement of three new conservation agreements in California set to conserve hundreds of thousands of acre-feet of water in Lake Mead, with nearly $160 million in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. These efforts are part of 24 agreements totaling approximately $670.2 million, securing over 1.58 million acre-feet of water conservation in the basin through 2026.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes $8.3 billion over five years for water infrastructure projects, with over $2.9 billion already provided for 425 Western water projects. These projects focus on aging infrastructure, water storage and conveyance, recycling, desalination, dam safety, and rural water supply improvements.
Investments to increase water availability, resilience, and efficiency across the West and the Colorado River Basin by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency. These include projects for water reuse, ecosystem resilience, agricultural conservation, and infrastructure improvements targeting drought relief and water supply diversification.
These actions represent a comprehensive effort by the Biden-Harris Administration to secure and sustain the Colorado River Basin's water resources, enhance drought resilience, and strengthen water security across the West, now and into the future.
Additional source: Invest.gov
Speaking to the press before boarding Air Force One in Hagerstown, Maryland, President Biden addressed several key issues:
Ceasefire Prospects: President Biden indicated that the potential for a ceasefire largely depends on Hamas, noting that Israel has cooperated and agreed to what he described as a rational offer. The outcome is uncertain but should be clearer in the coming days.
Hostage Deal: Similarly, the prospect of a hostage deal hinges on Hamas's response to the offer, with Israel already in agreement.
Concerns over Ramadan: President Biden expressed urgency for a ceasefire before Ramadan to avoid escalating tensions in Israel and Jerusalem, highlighting the potential dangers if the conflict continues through the religious period.
Poll Numbers and Political Support: Addressing concerns about his popularity, Biden countered perceived negative polling by referencing five recent polls where he's reportedly leading, critiquing media focus on less favorable reports.
Humanitarian Aid to Gaza: Biden confirmed he is actively working with Israeli authorities to ensure more humanitarian aid enters Gaza, emphasizing the necessity and lack of excuses for delay.
Relationship with Netanyahu: Biden described it as unchanged and consistent when asked about his current relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
State of the Union Address Preparation: Lastly, on preparations for his upcoming State of the Union Address, President Biden kept details close to his chest, opting for a light-hearted response indicating that the public will hear his speech on Thursday.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani of Qatar to discuss the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas. They emphasized that releasing sick, wounded, elderly, and female hostages would lead to an immediate six-week ceasefire in Gaza, allowing a surge of humanitarian assistance and time to secure lasting calm. They committed to maintaining regular contact as discussions continue.
President Biden announced the continuation of the national emergency with respect to Venezuela, initially declared on March 8, 2015, by Executive Order 13692. The national emergency was declared due to the Venezuelan government's erosion of human rights, persecution of political opponents, restriction of press freedoms, use of violence and human rights violations in response to protests, arbitrary arrests, and significant government corruption. Additional measures have been taken through several Executive Orders from 2017 to 2019 to address these issues. The circumstances that led to the national emergency declaration are still considered an unusual and extraordinary threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy. Thus, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. has decided to continue the national emergency for another year. The notice will be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to Congress.
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby held a press briefing at The White House where several key topics were discussed:
New Actions to Lower Costs and Promote Competition: Karine Jean-Pierre announced that President Biden convened the Competition Council ahead of the State of the Union Address to announce new actions aimed at cracking down on hidden junk fees and promoting competition. This includes the establishment of a new strike force co-chaired by the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission to tackle illegal pricing. Notably, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is reducing credit card late fees from an average of $32 to $8, which is projected to save consumers $10 billion annually.
Support for Small Farmers, Lower Internet Costs, and More: Additional measures include finalizing a rule by the Department of Agriculture to protect small farmers and ranchers and a proposed rule by the Federal Communications Commission to ban "bulk billing," aimed at lowering internet costs and increasing choices for consumers.
Biden's Efforts to Lower Costs for Families: Jean-Pierre emphasized that these initiatives are part of the administration's broader effort to save Americans over $20 billion a year by banning hidden junk fees, reinforcing President Biden's commitment to fighting for lower costs for families.
Bilateral Meeting and St. Patrick’s Day Celebration: On March 15th, President Biden will host Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of Ireland for a bilateral meeting, followed by a St. Patrick's Day celebration at the White House. The meeting will reaffirm the partnership between the U.S. and Ireland, with discussions on supporting Ukraine against Russia's aggression, cooperation on global issues, and support for the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.
Staff Departures and New Roles: Jean-Pierre announced the departure of three staff members (Allyson Bayless, Silas Woods, and Davis Conger) moving to new roles within the broader administration, thanking them for their service and dedication.
Update on the Middle East by John Kirby: Kirby provided an update on the U.S. and international efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, including a recent airdrop of meals and ongoing discussions for establishing a maritime route for aid delivery. He emphasized the need for Israel to facilitate more aid delivery and addressed the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Various Questions from the Press: The briefing addressed a wide range of questions from the press, including inquiries about the situation in Haiti, the administration's response to criticisms of new rules to cut credit card fees, and updates on efforts to support Ukraine and the situation in Gaza.
President Biden convened a meeting of his Competition Council at The White House. The Council aims to lower costs for American families by combating exploitative corporate practices. Key points discussed by The President and members of the Council included:
Reduction of Excessive Fees: The administration targeted the banking and credit card industries, specifically focusing on reducing late fees from $32 to $8, which is projected to save Americans $10 billion annually. This move aimed to address the continuous increase in late fees and interest rates by credit card companies, which, despite technological advancements reducing operational costs, persisted in extracting additional billions from American families.
Promotion of Fair Competition: The speech emphasized the administration's broader efforts to promote competition, curb monopolistic practices, and eliminate so-called "junk fees" that inflate consumer costs without providing additional value. President Biden criticized practices that, while individually might seem insignificant, collectively resulted in substantial financial burdens on families, labeling the lack of competition not as capitalism but exploitation.
Supply Chain and Inflation: Biden touched on the supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic, the subsequent increase in costs, and the failure of prices to adjust downwards even as supply chain issues were resolved. He noted the administration's success in reducing inflation and highlighted the need for corporations to pass savings onto consumers instead of boosting profits at their expense.
Strike Force on Unfair and Illegal Pricing: A new initiative was led by the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to enforce laws against fraudulent, unfair, deceptive, or anti-competitive practices that kept prices high.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Rule on Credit Card Fees: The CFPB finalized a rule to curb excessive late fees charged by credit card companies, which are expected to save consumers $10 billion annually.
Economic Vision and Next Steps: President Biden reiterated his economic vision of building from the middle out and bottom-up, emphasizing the role of fair competition in achieving this goal. The administration's actions, including those by the USDA and the Department of Defense, reflected a comprehensive approach to fostering competition, ensuring fair practices, and aiming to lower costs for American consumers while promoting job creation and economic resilience.
The broad scope of these initiatives underscored the administration's commitment to addressing the root causes of high living costs and economic inequality by targeting corporate practices that disadvantaged consumers.
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden delivered a powerful speech at the 2024 National PTA Legislative Conference in Alexandria, Virginia, emphasizing the devastating impact of gun violence on children and the urgent need for legislative action. Highlighting the poignant stories of young victims who will forever remain the age they were when their lives were tragically cut short by gun violence, she painted a vivid picture of the emotional and psychological toll on survivors, families, and communities.
Dr. Biden called attention to the broader societal effects of gun violence, including the fear and anxiety that pervade schools and neighborhoods across America. She stressed the proactive steps taken by the Biden Administration, such as executive actions on gun violence, the establishment of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, and the passage of significant gun safety legislation—the first in nearly three decades. These measures include preventing domestic abusers from purchasing guns, strengthening background checks for young buyers, and investing in mental health, community violence intervention, and school security.
Despite these efforts, the First Lady emphasized that more needs to be done, advocating for universal background checks, safe gun storage laws, and a national ban on assault weapons. She rallied the PTA members and leaders, highlighting their critical role in demanding further action and accountability from legislators to protect children and educators from gun violence. Concluding her remarks, she underscored the unacceptable normalization of active shooter drills in schools and the collective responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of children, urging a decisive stand against gun violence.
The White House hosted a roundtable focused on reducing healthcare costs and increasing prescription drug supply chain transparency. This event, attended by senior officials from the Biden-Harris Administration, state leaders, private sector representatives, and community pharmacists, underscored President Biden's commitment to making healthcare more affordable and accessible for Americans. A key concern addressed was the high cost of prescription drugs in the U.S. compared to other countries.
Participants shared various strategies that have effectively lowered drug prices across states and for private employers. For instance, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear outlined his state's initiatives that have saved $300 million in pharmaceutical spending. The roundtable also discussed the benefits of transparency in Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), with examples of savings achieved through transparent PBM practices.
The discussions highlighted the detrimental effects of current market practices on drug pricing and competition, with contributions from Mark Cuban and Dr. Alex Oshmyansky of Cost-Plus Drugs emphasizing the need for transparency. Issues such as dominant middlemen blocking access to lower-priced drugs and the negative impact on independent pharmacies were also raised, illustrating the broader implications for healthcare access and affordability.
The Biden Administration has taken steps to address these challenges, notably through the Inflation Reduction Act, which allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices directly, potentially saving beneficiaries significant amounts on prescription drugs. The Act has already led to tangible benefits, such as a $35 cap on insulin for Medicare recipients and lower insurance premiums for millions of Americans. The administration pledges to continue its efforts to lower drug prices, increase pricing transparency, and promote competition in the healthcare sector.
President Biden giving remarks at the meeting of the Competition Council at The White House
