What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
May 22, 2024 Recap
President Biden announced the cancellation of $7.7 billion in student debt for 160,000 borrowers, adding to the 4.75 million Americans who have already benefited from debt relief. Each borrower has received over $35,000 on average. The new group includes those enrolled in the SAVE Plan, public service workers, and those benefiting from fixes to Income-Driven Repayment. This announcement builds on efforts over the past three years, including increasing the Pell Grant, fixing Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and holding colleges accountable. Biden reiterated his commitment to making higher education accessible and continuing to work on student debt cancellation despite opposition.
President Biden announced the confirmation of the 200th federal judge since he took office, highlighting this milestone as a step towards protecting American freedoms and liberties. He emphasized the qualifications and diversity of the judges, noting that 64% are women and 62% are people of color. These judges come from varied legal backgrounds and are committed to core democratic principles such as independence, freedom, and liberty.
The President underscored judges' significant impact on fundamental rights, including reproductive healthcare decisions, voting rights, workers' rights, and environmental protections. He thanked Democratic and Republican Senators for their dedication to advancing these judicial nominations. Looking ahead, President Biden pledged to continue nominating highly qualified individuals who reflect the communities they serve and uphold the law impartially.
President Biden has declared a major disaster in Kentucky due to severe storms, winds, tornadoes, landslides, and mudslides that occurred on April 2, 2024. This declaration allows Federal assistance to aid recovery efforts in the affected counties: Boyd, Carter, Fayette, Greenup, Henry, Jefferson, Jessamine, Mason, Oldham, Union, and Whitley. Federal assistance includes temporary housing and home repair grants, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses, and other recovery programs for individuals and businesses. Hazard mitigation funding is also available for the entire state on a cost-sharing basis. E. Craig Levy Sr. of FEMA has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations. Additional areas may be designated for assistance based on further assessments. Affected residents and business owners can apply for aid at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or using the FEMA App.
The President has declared a major disaster in the State of West Virginia, authorizing Federal assistance to bolster state and local recovery efforts in response to severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that occurred from April 2 to April 6, 2024. This declaration makes Federal funding available to individuals in Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, Marshall, Nicholas, Ohio, Putnam, Wayne, and Wetzel counties. The assistance includes temporary housing and home repair grants, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses, and other recovery programs for individuals and business owners.
Additionally, Federal funding is allocated to state and eligible local governments, as well as certain private nonprofit organizations, on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe weather events in Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, Preston, Tyler, and Wetzel counties. Statewide hazard mitigation funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis.
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden gave remarks at the Kenya State Dinner Media Preview, highlighting the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the United States' partnership with Kenya. The dinner in a glass pavilion under the stars featured warm pink and red decor, candlelight, and performances by the Howard Gospel Choir and Brad Paisley, honoring President and First Lady Ruto's love of Gospel and Country music. She expressed hope that guests would leave feeling the warmth and enduring friendship she experienced in Kenya. She thanked the team planning the dinner, including event coordinator Bryan Rafanelli. She introduced Social Secretary Carlos Elizondo, concluding her remarks with a preview of the meal prepared by the chefs.
In a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, President Biden requested that Congress consider amendments to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget for several departments, including Agriculture, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, and the Army Corps of Engineers. These amendments aim to align the budget with the policies assumed in the FY 2025 Budget and would collectively reduce the overall discretionary budget authority by $316 million. Additionally, there is a proposed amendment for the Legislative Branch, which, by tradition, is submitted unchanged and would decrease the budget by $4 million. Overall, these amendments would lower the discretionary budget authority by $320 million. Detailed information is provided in a letter from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
During today’s press briefing, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced several key updates from the Biden administration. Firstly, she highlighted the cancellation of student debt for an additional 160,000 people, bringing the total to 4.75 million Americans who have benefited from this relief, with an average debt relief of $35,000 per person. She also celebrated the confirmation of 200 judicial nominations, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to diversity, with over 60% of nominees being women and people of color. Additionally, Jean-Pierre expressed sympathy for those affected by the recent deadly tornadoes in Iowa, noting that the FEMA Administrator will visit the state to offer support. She also stressed the importance of a bipartisan border security agreement, which the Senate Republicans will vote on, and outlined the measures included in the agreement to improve border security and immigration processes.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan provided updates on President Biden’s upcoming meeting with Kenyan President William Ruto, emphasizing the goal of deepening the US-Kenya partnership in technology, health, climate change, and security. Sullivan also discussed Israel’s military operations in Rafah, noting efforts to minimize civilian harm while combating Hamas. He reiterated the U.S. commitment to supporting Israel with intelligence and other resources. Furthermore, Sullivan emphasized the U.S. support for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine, achieved through direct negotiations rather than unilateral recognition by other countries. He also addressed the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, noting that while aid is being delivered, it is progressing slower than desired due to security concerns.
Sullivan addressed concerns about the recent helicopter crash in Iran that killed two Iranian leaders, firmly denying any U.S. involvement and stating that the U.S. would strongly push back against any accusations. He also discussed China's role in Russia's war, expressing concern over China's support for Russia’s defense industry but noting that there is no evidence of China providing lethal aid directly to Russia. During the press interaction, Sullivan discussed Israel's strategic decisions and their financial actions against the Palestinian Authority. He expressed confidence in Kenya's leadership in the Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti and reacted to the surprise announcement of a general election in the UK. Sullivan also addressed China's sanctions on U.S. congress members and defense companies, stating the U.S. opposition to these actions.
The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention recently convened over 80 leaders from state and local Offices of Violence Prevention (OVPs) from 50 cities nationwide. The meeting aimed to address common challenges, enhance collaboration between local, state, and federal offices, raise awareness about gun violence prevention, and provide information on federal resources available to OVPs.
Key points discussed included:
Sharing common challenges faced by OVPs.
Identifying collaborative efforts with various government levels.
Emphasizing the importance of awareness around gun violence prevention.
Highlighting federal resources, such as job training and reentry services from the Department of Labor, funding for victims' support from the Department of Justice, and mental health service provider grants from the Department of Education.
This event builds on the Biden-Harris Administration's ongoing support for grassroots leaders to prevent crime. The administration has invested significantly in community violence intervention, with the American Rescue Plan allocating over $15 billion to public safety and violence prevention nationwide. These investments have increased police presence, expanded violence intervention programs, added crisis responders, and established OVPs.
Results include historic declines in violent crime, with national homicide rates estimated to have dropped by 12% from 2022 to 2023. The President remains committed to combating gun violence, as demonstrated by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and the establishment of the first federal grant program dedicated to community violence intervention.
During the arrival welcome for President William Ruto of Kenya at the South Portico, President Biden engaged in a light-hearted exchange with the press. When asked about a trip to Africa, President Biden jokingly asked when they would like to go. As President Ruto arrived, both presidents exchanged pleasantries. President Biden humorously mentioned heading to Africa and later joked about planning a trip in February after his potential reelection.
Senior officials from the U.S. and UK met at the White House to review progress on the June 2023 Atlantic Declaration for a Twenty-First Century U.S.-UK Economic Partnership. Co-chaired by U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and UK National Security Advisor Sir Tim Barrow, the meetings focused on advancing economic and strategic cooperation. The officials highlighted notable achievements, including launching a Strategic Dialogue on Biological Security, the U.S.-UK Sanctions Dialogue, an AI Safety Memorandum of Understanding, and the U.S.-UK Data Bridge.
Discussions centered on deepening economic, technological, and trade relations, particularly in quantum, biotechnology, and AI, emphasizing mutual growth and competitive advantage. The group reviewed progress in protecting sensitive technologies through investment screening and export controls. They also highlighted efforts to build resilient clean energy supply chains, including civil nuclear, offshore wind, and clean energy technology development, along with advancing a Critical Minerals Agreement.
Addressing macroeconomic concerns, the officials discussed the impact of PRC overcapacity in clean energy technologies and other sectors. They also focused on high-standards infrastructure investment in developing countries via the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment and enhancing the capacity of Multilateral Development Banks. Additionally, the White House hosted the inaugural Strategic Technologies Investor Council to mobilize private capital for critical and emerging technologies.
President Biden meets with Kenyan President William Ruto at The White House (Photo licensed through Getty Images)
Proud to have supported a man doing such great things for our world to sit in our Oval Office! Thank you for the daily updates
Amazing !! What an incredible day. I can imagine the dinner under the stars. Candles for light and warmth. Thank you all.