What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
June 5, 2024 Recap
President Biden issued a statement criticizing Senate Republicans for blocking efforts to protect access to contraception nationwide. He described their refusal to safeguard women's rights as unacceptable, especially in light of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which jeopardized the right to privacy established by Griswold v. Connecticut.
The President emphasized that Republicans have intensified their efforts to restrict reproductive health care, including abortion, contraception, and in vitro fertilization, which contradicts the majority opinion of Americans. He pledged that his administration, along with Congressional Democrats, will continue fighting to protect and enhance access to reproductive health care and contraception and will push Congress to restore Roe v. Wade protections and secure the right to contraception.
NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:
Mark G. Eskenazi, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission for a term expiring April 27, 2027, vice James J. Sullivan, Jr., term expired.
Michael G. Heath, of California, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Malawi.
Kin Moy, of Maryland, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Julie Smith, of Michigan, to be an Under Secretary of State (Political Affairs), vice Victoria Nuland, resigned.
James Story, of South Carolina, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Mozambique.
President Biden has amended the disaster declaration for Hawaii, increasing federal funding for emergency protective measures related to the wildfires and high winds from August 8 to September 30, 2023. The federal assistance now covers 100 percent of the eligible costs for an additional 90 days, 180 days from the start of the incident period.
The White House and the Treasury Department hosted a meeting with private sector leaders, clean car advocates, and officials to promote the Inflation Reduction Act’s 25E used clean vehicle tax credit. Key points include:
25E Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credit:
Provides up to $4,000 off qualified electric vehicles for individuals earning less than $75,000 or couples earning less than $150,000.
Over 13,000 dealerships are offering the tax credit at the point of sale.
90% of eligible EV buyers are opting for immediate cash, saving over $850 million this year.
New and Used Vehicle Tax Credits:
Starting January 1, 2024, taxpayers can use new and used clean vehicle tax credits when purchasing from participating dealerships.
Company Commitments:
Carvana: Integrating the tax credit into its e-commerce platform by summer 2024.
CarMax: Highlighting eligible vehicles on its website by January 1, 2025.
Recharged: Providing a comprehensive platform for EV buying, financing, and charging by the end of 2025.
Incentivize: Forming over 50 new partnerships by December 2025 to promote its EV Rebate Calculator.
Recurrent: Including 25E rebate eligibility in its reports by July 2024.
ZETA: Creating educational materials about the 25E credit by January 2025.
Maritz Automotive Solutions: Training 1,000 sessions nationwide on EV knowledge and rebate management by December 2030.
American Express Global Business Travel: Advising corporates on EV integration starting June 2024.
Sierra Club: Hosting events and creating materials about EV tax incentives throughout 2024.
Plug In America: Developing identifiers for Google business profiles to indicate IRS registration and tax credit participation by September 2024.
Environmental Defense Fund: Training 50 companies on fleet electrification between June 2024 and December 2025.
President Biden has proclaimed June 6, 2024, a National Day of Remembrance to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. On the evening of June 6, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt broadcast a prayer for the Nation as 73,000 Americans joined Allied forces on the beaches of Normandy in one of history's greatest military missions. The mission aimed to liberate Europe from Nazi control, facing immense resistance with fortified defenses. Over 2,500 Americans sacrificed their lives during this pivotal operation.
The proclamation honors the bravery and heroism of the service members who participated in D-Day, recognizing their crucial role in ending Nazi tyranny, World War II, and the Holocaust. It acknowledges the enduring peace and international cooperation their actions helped establish. The proclamation reminds Americans that freedom requires continual effort and defense against autocracy.
President Biden urges Americans to observe this day with programs, ceremonies, and activities honoring those who fought and died for freedom and democracy, ensuring their legacy endures in the pursuit of equality and opportunity for all.
President Biden spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to congratulate him and the National Democratic Alliance on their election victory. Biden praised India's democratic process, with nearly 650 million voters. Both leaders committed to strengthening the U.S.-India Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership and promoting a free, open, prosperous Indo-Pacific region. They also discussed National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's upcoming visit to New Delhi to focus on shared priorities, including a strategic technology partnership.
Vice President Kamala Harris discussed former President Donald Trump's conviction on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" She avoided a humorous question about reactions to the verdict, highlighting the lengthy deliberation and jury process, noting that "cheaters don’t like getting caught." Trump, facing 34 felony counts related to hush money payments during his 2016 campaign, criticized the verdict as politically motivated, blaming President Biden and portraying himself as a victim. President Biden, the day before, condemned Trump’s claims of a rigged system, calling such assertions "reckless and dangerous" during a fundraiser in Connecticut.
Source: Associated Press
Vice President Harris appears as a guest on the ABC late-night show Jimmy Kimmel Live
I imagine if times were different, Biden would warn Modi that his treatment of Muslims could jeopardize agreements with the US, but matters such as they are, I'm glad voters in India gave him a spanking. He didn't get anywhere near the votes he thought he would and his party members lost many seats.