What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
April 19, 2024 Recap
President Biden issued a statement on his administration's efforts to protect Alaska's Arctic lands, waters, and wildlife. He emphasized the unique and vital nature of these areas, highlighting their importance to the subsistence economy of Alaska Native communities. Biden announced the conservation of over 13 million acres in the Western Arctic, recognizing these lands' cultural, historical, and ecological significance. He cited previous conservation successes, including protections near the Grand Canyon, bringing his administration's total to over 41 million acres of conserved lands and waters. Acknowledging the ongoing threat of the climate crisis, The President committed to continuing ambitious actions to safeguard America's natural resources and fulfill responsibilities to future generations.
President Biden issued a series of proclamations:
April 20-28: National Park Week 2024 highlights the importance of America's national parks in heritage and environmental health. The initiative emphasizes conservation efforts, including preserving over 41 million acres and establishing new national monuments. The administration's significant investment in parks aims to enhance maintenance and climate resilience and acknowledges the cultural significance of these lands to Tribal Nations. The proclamation encourages Americans to explore the parks, offering free entry on April 20, and designates April 20-28 as National Park Week, urging responsible recreation and engagement with nature.
April 22, 2024: Earth Day reflects on the origins of the environmental movement, which began 50 years ago with 20 million Americans advocating for the planet's protection. It discussed the urgent need for action against climate change, citing extreme weather events, deforestation, and pollution. The proclamation details the administration's efforts to combat climate issues through significant investments in clean energy and infrastructure improvements, focusing on sustainability and job creation. It highlighted the Justice40 Initiative, aiming to ensure that environmental benefits reach disadvantaged communities, and emphasized U.S. leadership in global climate commitments, such as rejoining the Paris Climate Accord. The proclamation concluded by officially declaring April 22 as Earth Day, calling for continued dedication to a sustainable and equitable future.
National Volunteer Week 2024 honors America's volunteers who exemplify the nation's core values through their service. It highlights the impact of volunteers in strengthening communities and improving lives both domestically and globally, with a special note on AmeriCorps and Peace Corps volunteers. Over a million have served through AmeriCorps, responding to various national emergencies and aiding community development. The proclamation designates April 21-27, 2024, as National Volunteer Week, urging Americans to participate in service projects and integrate volunteering into their daily lives. President Biden encourages visiting AmeriCorps.gov and peacecorps.gov/volunteer for more information on volunteering opportunities.
April 21-27: National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, 2024,. The proclamation emphasizes the administration's commitment to justice, support for victims, and crime prevention. It highlights significant reductions in violent crimes, substantial federal investments in public safety, and legislative measures such as the Crime Victims Fund enhancement, reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act for gun safety. The proclamation also addresses measures against hate crimes and enhancements in community policing. It calls on Americans to engage in activities that support crime victims’ rights and services, aiming to create a safer, more supportive environment for all crime victims.
President Biden spoke at the International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Construction and Maintenance Conference at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., expressing gratitude to the union for its support and crediting it with his presidential victory. He emphasized his pro-union stance, recalling personal connections and asserting that unions are crucial for the middle class and, by extension, the whole nation. Biden highlighted the significant role of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has initiated numerous projects, stressing that these are union jobs employing American workers and materials.
The President also discussed his administration's efforts to strengthen domestic industries and reduce reliance on foreign materials like uranium. He touted substantial private investments in manufacturing and clean energy, attributed to his policies, and described these actions as transformative for the U.S. economy and job market.
President Biden criticized previous administrations for not supporting American labor and products. He contrasted his achievements with those of his predecessor, whom he accused of failing to deliver on infrastructure and favoring the wealthy with tax cuts. The President ended by invoking his working-class background as a fundamental influence on his governance philosophy, positioning himself against what he perceived as the elitist perspective of his political opponents.
President Biden has approved a disaster declaration for the Hoopa Valley Tribe due to severe winter storms that occurred from January 30 to January 31, 2024. This declaration allows for federal aid to assist the Tribal Nation in recovery efforts, including emergency work and repairs or replacements of facilities damaged by the storm. Federal funding will also support hazard mitigation measures. Andrew F. Grant from FEMA is appointed to coordinate these recovery operations. Further assistance may be granted following additional damage assessments if the Tribe requests it.
He also approved a major disaster declaration for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians following severe storms and flooding from January 29 to February 9, 2024. This declaration enables federal aid to support the Tribal Nation, including certain private nonprofit organizations, on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and repair or replacement of damaged facilities. Additionally, federal funding will support hazard mitigation measures. Andrew F. Grant from FEMA will coordinate the federal recovery operations. Further assistance may be provided pending additional assessments and requests from the Tribal Nation.
President Biden has declared major disaster statuses for New Hampshire and Vermont due to severe weather events. For New Hampshire, federal aid is available to help recover from storms and flooding that occurred from January 9 to January 14, 2024, impacting Grafton and Rockingham counties. In Vermont, assistance will address damage from a severe winter storm from January 9 to January 13, 2024, affecting Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Lamoille, and Orleans counties. Both states are eligible for cost-sharing federal funding for emergency work, repair or replacement of damaged facilities, and statewide hazard mitigation measures. William F. Roy of FEMA oversees the federal recovery efforts in these areas. Further assistance may be approved based on ongoing damage assessments.
President Biden congratulated Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for choosing to join the United Auto Workers union. He emphasized his ongoing support for unionization across various sectors, which has led to significant wage increases and economic growth. He criticized the actions of six Republican governors who claimed unionization would jeopardize jobs, reaffirming his commitment to support American workers' rights to unionize and highlighting the positive economic trends coinciding with the growing union strength.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre held a briefing that discussed various topics, including President Biden's conservation efforts, the Columbine anniversary, gun violence prevention, and energy policy concerns amid rising gas prices and Middle Eastern tensions. Jean-Pierre also addressed questions about ongoing violence and policy in the Middle East but refrained from commenting on specific reports or speculative scenarios. Additionally, the briefing covered domestic policies and legislative actions related to gun safety, environmental conservation, and the administration's steps toward addressing youth mental health and expanding background checks for gun purchases. Jean-Pierre reiterated the administration's efforts to stabilize energy supplies and prices in response to global events.
President Biden at the IBEW conference in Washington, D.C.
I don’t agree with all of Biden’s policy choices, but I love reading this list every day, of actual steps of active governing being taken with the goal of improving ordinary Americans lives and well-being. No attempts at self-aggrandizement or monetization of government functions. No attempts to limit access based on bigoted ideas of artificial differences. Reading this every day reassures me that people are sane and well-meaning. Thank you.
So wonderful the amount of work the president gets done every day! All the folks he interacts with, listening to their ideas and concerns on his movement across the country. Great job Joe !! You have my vote !!