What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
October 8, 2024 Recap
President Biden's administration has replaced over 367,000 lead pipes, benefitting 918,000 people across the U.S., and is committed to replacing all lead pipes within ten years. Lead poisoning, which disproportionately affects low-income and minority communities, causes serious health problems, particularly for children. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a new rule requiring lead pipe replacements nationwide, and Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has allocated $15 billion for this purpose.
The administration’s efforts include significant investments in cities like Milwaukee, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Denver to accelerate lead pipe replacements. Additionally, HUD is providing $416 million in grants for lead hazard reduction in homes. These actions will protect public health, create jobs, and address environmental justice concerns. Biden's broader clean water agenda also targets toxic chemicals like PFAS and includes initiatives for water conservation and infrastructure improvements for Tribal Nations.
In Wisconsin, Biden's efforts have spurred investment in clean energy, transportation, and internet infrastructure, creating thousands of jobs and improving essential services for residents.
President Biden announced new initiatives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as part of his "Investing in America" agenda. The focus is creating jobs through infrastructure upgrades and workforce development in the Milwaukee Workforce Hub. Milwaukee is one of nine hubs to ensure that underserved communities—such as women, people of color, and veterans—can access job opportunities and the training they need.
Key actions include:
Replacing lead pipes across the city within ten years (funded by Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law).
Scaling up apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship programs, with a special focus on underrepresented groups.
Collaboration with local organizations and unions to train and employ hundreds of new workers.
Investing in apprenticeships for various infrastructure projects, such as EV charging stations, road construction, and water system improvements.
Offering supportive services like career navigation and stipends to help workers succeed.
Additional federal investments include millions of dollars in job training programs, infrastructure development, and environmental restoration, aiming to boost the local economy and workforce development in Milwaukee.
The Biden-Harris Administration announced that over 250 organizations and stakeholders have voluntarily joined the White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose. This nationwide effort focuses on increasing access to life-saving opioid overdose reversal medications like naloxone. The initiative builds on President Biden's Unity Agenda and aims to address the national overdose crisis.
Organizations from diverse sectors, including businesses, schools, sports leagues, and healthcare providers, have committed to supporting the cause. Examples include Amazon, which will provide naloxone at its sites, and the National Hockey League, which will ensure naloxone availability in arenas. Public entities like schools, unions, and transportation authorities have also pledged support through training and naloxone distribution.
The administration has removed barriers to overdose prevention and expanded access to naloxone, now available over the counter. These efforts have led to a significant decrease in overdose deaths nationwide. Federal agencies such as the USDA, Department of Defense, and Veterans Affairs also enhance their naloxone training and access protocols, aligning with the administration’s goals to save lives.
President Biden has declared an emergency for the Seminole Tribe of Florida due to the impacts of Hurricane Milton, which began on October 5, 2024. This declaration allows for federal assistance to support the Tribe's emergency response. Under the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will coordinate disaster relief efforts to alleviate hardships, protect public health and safety, and reduce the threat of further catastrophe. FEMA is authorized to provide equipment and resources, with emergency protective measures being funded at 75% by the federal government. Leda M. Khoury has been appointed to oversee the federal recovery efforts in the affected areas.
The Biden-Harris Administration is leading an extensive government-wide effort to prepare for Hurricane Milton and continue recovery from Hurricane Helene. Key actions include pre-positioning resources and personnel in Florida, coordinating with state and local officials, and expediting debris removal.
President Biden has been briefed on the preparations for Hurricane Milton and the recovery from Helene. He urged citizens to follow evacuation orders in Florida. Shelters and evacuation assistance are available.
Biden has spoken with Governor DeSantis, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, and National Weather Service Director Ken Graham to coordinate efforts. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is on the ground in Florida, working with local officials.
FEMA has pre-staged emergency personnel and supplies, including rescue teams, medical assistance, and temporary power support. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency in Florida and deployed medical teams to assist with healthcare needs.
The Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency, and other federal agencies are preparing to assist with infrastructure impacts and debris management. The FAA and the Department of Defense are ready to support response efforts, including using drones for search and rescue.
Federal agencies are coordinating closely to ensure a swift response to Hurricane Milton while continuing to aid recovery from Hurricane Helene.
During her appearance on The View, Vice President Kamala Harris engaged in a wide-ranging conversation covering key issues ahead of the 2024 election. The hosts welcomed her enthusiastically, and the discussion opened with a reflection on her journey and her relationship with President Joe Biden. Harris described when she learned Biden would be stepping down and passing the torch to her, sharing a personal anecdote about her family’s reaction and the emotional weight of that historic decision. She emphasized that while she shares many values with President Biden, such as a deep commitment to family and service, her presidency would reflect her unique experiences, including her focus on issues like home health care and her support for small businesses, influenced by her upbringing.
The conversation shifted to policy and the ongoing campaign. Harris stressed the importance of addressing the real issues that matter to voters, especially with only a month before the election. She highlighted her commitment to expanding home healthcare coverage under Medicare, which would ease the financial and emotional burden on families caring for aging loved ones. Harris shared personal stories about her own experience caring for her mother. She underscored the dignity and independence this policy would afford seniors, allowing them to stay in their homes rather than being forced into expensive care facilities.
When discussing the upcoming election and her potential presidency, Harris was critical of former President Donald Trump. She described his actions, particularly his response to natural disasters and his focus on divisive rhetoric, as self-serving and lacking empathy. Harris contrasted her approach, emphasizing that true leadership is about lifting people in crisis, not playing political games. She also debunked Trump’s false claims regarding disaster relief funding and FEMA, calling his accusations irresponsible, especially in light of the catastrophic storms affecting states like Florida.
Harris defended her administration's immigration efforts, explaining that one of the first actions taken after Biden's inauguration was to propose a bill to fix the broken immigration system. However, she pointed out that political opposition, particularly from Trump, has blocked meaningful progress. Despite this, she highlighted the Biden administration’s success in reducing illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking by half through executive action while calling for Congress to step up with more resources for border security, including additional agents.
The interview also addressed the concerns of voters who feel the Biden administration may have acted too slowly on some issues. Harris explained that real solutions take time and require bipartisan effort, which her administration has consistently worked toward. She shared her plan to expand Medicare's ability to negotiate drug prices, which would save money and provide much-needed support for families dealing with the high cost of healthcare, particularly for seniors.
Throughout the discussion, Harris remained optimistic about the future and committed to finding practical, bipartisan solutions to the country’s most pressing problems. She expressed her intention to include a Republican in her cabinet if elected, reflecting her belief that good ideas should transcend party lines. The Vice President ended the interview with a promise to return to The View when she becomes president, underscoring her commitment to being accessible and transparent to the American people.
Vice President Harris spoke with SiriusXM Radio host Howard Stern. She shared a wide-ranging conversation that covered her personal interests, career in public service, and the high stakes of the political climate leading up to the 2024 election. Stern and Harris bonded early in the discussion over their love for Prince. Harris reminisced about the night Prince passed away, recalling how she and her husband, Doug, paid tribute by dancing and playing his music throughout the night. She also mentioned Doug’s different musical tastes, such as his love for Depeche Mode, contrasting it with her upbringing surrounded by hip-hop. However, they both found common ground in their admiration for Prince.
Reflecting on her career, Harris spoke about her journey as a prosecutor and later as Attorney General of California. She shared emotional stories from her work, including a particularly difficult case involving a six-year-old girl who was being abused. Harris emphasized the moral challenges she faced in protecting vulnerable people and described the sense of purpose that drove her. From prosecuting transnational criminal organizations to handling cases of human trafficking and gang violence, Harris explained that her work was always about ensuring safety and justice, especially for those who the system might overlook.
The conversation then shifted to politics, where Harris delved into the stakes of the 2024 election. She expressed her deep concern about the threat to American democracy, highlighting former President Donald Trump’s admiration for dictators and his disregard for alliances like NATO. She criticized Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly his secretive actions involving Russia and his authoritarian tendencies. Harris also stressed the importance of standing with Ukraine and protecting the sovereignty of democratic nations, viewing this as a crucial part of American leadership on the global stage.
Harris discussed her frustration with the current political climate, especially Trump’s rhetoric and actions that, in her view, endangered key democratic principles such as the rule of law, free and fair elections, and respect for the military. She argued that Trump’s attempts to undermine NATO and his fondness for autocrats weakened the nation’s alliances and security. Additionally, Harris reflected on Trump’s efforts to roll back fundamental rights, including reproductive freedoms and LGBTQ+ protections, and pointed out the danger posed by a Supreme Court reshaped by his influence. She emphasized that the election was about strength versus weakness and underscored the importance of electing leaders who would stand with the American people and uphold the Constitution.
On a more personal note, Harris opened up about her relationship with her husband, Doug, sharing how they met on a blind date and how his strong, self-assured nature complemented her. She spoke warmly about their family life and shared their mutual love for Formula 1 racing, with Lewis Hamilton being one of their favorite drivers. Harris also mentioned her morning routine, including her dedication to daily workouts and her love for cooking, particularly for her family.
Harris concluded by discussing her deep commitment to public service, highlighting the need for leaders to protect American values and work across party lines for the greater good. She expressed admiration for figures like Liz Cheney, who, despite political differences, had shown courage by putting the country before party. Throughout the interview, Harris emphasized that although the stakes were high, she remained determined to fight for the country’s future, firmly believing that democracy and the rule of law must prevail.
Editor’s note: While we strive to provide links that are not behind paywalls, a subscription to SiriusXM Radio is required to listen to Vice President Harris’s entire interview with Howard Stern. Some highlights from the interview can be found here.
Vice President Harris sits down with Howard Stern on Sirius XM Radio
