What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
August 21, 2024 Recap
President Biden spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, focusing on the U.S. commitment to supporting Israel's defense against threats from Iran and its proxy groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. During the conversation, Biden emphasized the urgency of finalizing a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, highlighting upcoming talks in Cairo as pivotal in resolving any remaining obstacles. The call comes in the wake of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent trip to the Middle East, which, despite its intensity, ended without securing a truce between Israel and Hamas militants.
The discussion also covered ongoing U.S. military deployments in the region to bolster Israel's defense capabilities. These include the deployment of a guided missile submarine and the accelerated arrival of the Abraham Lincoln strike group to the Middle East, underscoring the seriousness of the situation. The backdrop to this military support is Iran's vow of retaliation following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, an act Israel has neither confirmed nor denied.
In parallel, efforts continue to achieve a ceasefire in the long-running Gaza conflict. Negotiators, struggling for months to reach an agreement, plan to meet soon in Cairo, with hopes pinned on a U.S. "bridging proposal" designed to narrow the gaps between Israel and Hamas. A significant point of contention remains the control of the Philadelphi corridor, a narrow strip of land along the Gaza-Egypt border. Hamas demands a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, including this corridor, while Israel insists on retaining control, citing its strategic importance in preventing weapons smuggling into Gaza. This issue remains a key sticking point in the negotiations, making the ceasefire talks complex and critical.
Overall, the call underscores the high stakes and intricate diplomacy involved in the efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region. The U.S. plays a central role in trying to mediate a resolution that addresses both security concerns and humanitarian needs.
Additional source: Reuters
President Biden has declared an emergency in Connecticut due to severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that began on August 18, 2024. This declaration allows federal assistance, led by FEMA, to support state and local efforts to address the crisis. The federal government will cover 75% of the costs for emergency protective measures in Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven counties. Robert V. Fogel from FEMA has been appointed to oversee federal recovery operations in these areas.
Governor Tim Walz delivered a detailed and impassioned speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where he accepted the nomination for Vice President. He began by thanking Vice President Kamala Harris for her trust and President Joe Biden for his leadership over the past four years. Walz expressed that it was the honor of his life to accept the nomination, emphasizing the shared love for the country among those gathered.
Walz reflected on his upbringing in a small town in Nebraska, where he learned the importance of community and taking care of one another. He spoke of his service in the Army National Guard, which he joined shortly after his 17th birthday and served for 24 years. He also touched on his father's battle with lung cancer and the financial struggles that followed, highlighting how Social Security survivor benefits and the GI Bill were crucial in helping his family.
Walz shared his journey from being a high school social studies teacher and football coach to running for Congress. He was inspired by his students and players, who believed in making a difference in their community. Despite having no political experience and running in a predominantly Republican district, he won and served in Congress for 12 years. There, he learned to work across the aisle and compromise without sacrificing his values.
As Governor of Minnesota, Walz highlighted his administration's accomplishments, including cutting taxes for the middle class, passing Paid Family and Medical Leave, investing in fighting crime and affordable housing, reducing prescription drug costs, and ensuring that every child in the state receives breakfast and lunch. He contrasted these achievements with the actions of other states that were banning books, noting that Minnesota was focused on banishing hunger.
Walz also spoke personally about the struggle with infertility that he and his wife, Gwen, faced, emphasizing the importance of reproductive freedom. He criticized Republicans for their approach to freedom, which he argued involves government intrusion into personal health decisions, environmental deregulation, and economic policies that favor the wealthy. In contrast, Walz stated that Democrats believe in the freedom to make better lives for themselves and their families, including the freedom to make their own healthcare decisions and ensure their children’s safety at school.
He directly addressed gun control, noting his experience as a veteran and hunter, while also stressing the responsibility to keep children safe, a responsibility that he believes the Democrats are committed to.
Walz warned of the dangers posed by Donald Trump and J.D. Vance’s "Project 2025," predicting that it would make life harder for ordinary Americans by repealing the Affordable Care Act, gutting Social Security and Medicare, and banning abortion nationwide. He described this agenda as serving only the richest and most extreme, calling it dangerous and wrong.
Turning his attention to Kamala Harris, Walz praised her long career of public service, highlighting her work as a prosecutor, district attorney, attorney general, senator, and vice president. He emphasized her commitment to fighting for the American people, taking on powerful interests, and working across the aisle when necessary.
Walz closed his speech with a rallying cry, likening the campaign to a football game in the fourth quarter, urging everyone to get involved by making phone calls, knocking on doors, and donating to the campaign. He called on Democrats to leave it all on the field, saying this was how they would move the country forward, turn the page on Donald Trump, and build a nation where everyone belongs and no one is left behind. He ended by quoting Kamala Harris: "When we fight, we win."
