What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
July 2, 2024 Recap
President Biden has announced new measures to combat the impacts of extreme weather exacerbated by climate change. Despite increasing weather-related disasters, some Republicans deny climate change and oppose the Inflation Reduction Act, which aims to safeguard public health and safety.
Key initiatives include a proposed OSHA rule establishing federal safety standards for workplace heat, potentially protecting 36 million workers. FEMA is allocating nearly $1 billion for 656 projects to mitigate extreme weather effects. The EPA has released a report detailing the worsening impacts of climate change, and a White House Summit on Extreme Heat is planned for later this summer.
The administration is focused on lowering energy costs, enhancing grid resilience, and expanding green spaces to combat heat. Investments in wildfire preparedness and flood risk reduction are underway, including FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program and the reinstated Federal Flood Risk Management Standard. Over $15 billion is being invested in water security projects to address drought resilience in the West.
Efforts also include promoting climate-smart infrastructure, providing tools for communities to understand and plan for climate risks, and incorporating climate risk into federal decision-making. These actions reflect the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to strengthening climate resilience and protecting communities from extreme weather threats.
President Biden, speaking at the D.C. Emergency Operations Center, addressed the topic of extreme weather and the upcoming summer challenges. He acknowledged the significant efforts taken to mitigate concerns and expressed appreciation for the hosts, including the mayor. He emphasized the importance of the briefing from his team to discuss the measures in place to handle the anticipated difficulties.
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a $504 million investment in 12 Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) to promote job creation and economic growth in various U.S. regions. These Tech Hubs aim to lead in future industries like semiconductors, clean energy, biotechnology, AI, and quantum computing. The initiative, part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, seeks to spread technological and economic benefits to underserved communities, including rural, Tribal, and disadvantaged areas.
The CHIPS and Science Act authorizes the investment and brings together various stakeholders to foster regional economic development. Each of the 12 Tech Hubs, spread across 14 states, will receive up to $51 million. The goal is to ensure that innovation reaches beyond traditional tech centers, supporting local economies and creating good-paying jobs in critical industries.
Some of the awarded projects include:
Elevate Quantum Tech Hub in Colorado and New Mexico, focusing on quantum information technology.
Headwaters Hub in Montana, specializing in photonic remote sensing technologies.
Heartland BioWorks in Indiana aims to lead in biotechnology and biomanufacturing.
iFAB Tech Hub in Illinois is developing precision fermentation techniques.
Nevada Tech Hub focuses on a comprehensive lithium lifecycle cluster.
NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub in New York, enhancing semiconductor manufacturing.
ReGen Valley Tech Hub in New Hampshire, leading in biofabrication.
SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy in South Carolina and Georgia, focusing on energy resilience.
South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub, advancing sustainable infrastructure.
Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub in Ohio, promoting sustainable polymer manufacturing.
Tulsa Hub for Equitable & Trustworthy Autonomy in Oklahoma, developing autonomous systems.
Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub specializes in personalized medicine.
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden addressed a Congressional Hispanic Caucus event, praising Congresswoman Barragán's leadership and the efforts of Congresswomen Velázquez and Wild. She highlighted the importance of education and pathways to good-paying jobs for growing the middle class and Latino economic power.
Dr. Biden shared the story of Lilly, a high school graduate who struggled to find direction until she discovered a free community college program that led her to a successful career in construction management. Biden emphasized the need for universal preschool, career-related community college courses in high school, and career and technical education investments.
The First Lady recounted her journey, growing up in Willow Grove and finding her passion for teaching, which she continues at a community college. Dr. Biden stressed that education is vital for preparing students for future jobs and supporting middle-class families. She praised the transformation and thriving industries in the Lehigh Valley and reaffirmed the administration's commitment to making education accessible and leading to prosperous careers.
On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, the President signed into law:
H.R. 2365, the “Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Honorable Jennifer Wexton National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act,” which requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop and evaluate progress on a government-wide plan to address Parkinson’s and related diseases and to require the convening of a Parkinson’s advisory committee.
President Biden spoke with President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa to commend South Africa for forming a Government of National Unity and to congratulate Ramaphosa on his re-election. They discussed South Africa's democratic legacy, the importance of partnership in economic growth, job creation, and community safety, and the U.S.-South Africa bilateral relationship. They emphasized future cooperation in economic prosperity, climate crisis mitigation, health system strengthening, and democratic governance.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre began today’s press briefing by addressing the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl, which has been upgraded to a Category 5 storm as it heads towards Jamaica. President Biden has been briefed, and the administration is in close contact with local officials. Resources and supplies from USAID and FEMA are pre-staged in the region, with staff and partners ready to assist. Residents are urged to stay vigilant and heed local warnings.
Jean-Pierre expressed disappointment in the recent district ruling that blocked the temporary pause on pending approvals of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. She emphasized President Biden's commitment to combating the climate crisis and transitioning to a clean energy future, which includes creating good-paying clean energy jobs and bolstering resilience to extreme weather impacts.
The press briefing also highlighted the expansion of overtime protections by the Biden-Harris administration. The Department of Labor's new overtime rule extends protections to 1 million workers earning less than $56,000, aimed at providing higher paychecks or more family time. This move contrasts with the stance of Congressional Republicans, who side with big corporations.
Efforts to lower gas prices were also discussed, with the announcement of the sale of 1 million barrels of gasoline to reduce prices in Northeast states. Jean-Pierre underscored the administration's record energy production, including affordable clean energy, while criticizing Congressional Republicans for siding with big oil.
In marking the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Jean-Pierre noted President Biden's ongoing efforts to protect civil and voting rights. This includes appointing Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court and advocating for significant legislative measures like the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Schedule updates included the president’s planned discussions with Hill leaders and Democratic Governors and his travels to Wisconsin and Philadelphia. An interview with George Stephanopoulos from ABC News and a press conference during the NATO summit were also announced.
Addressing concerns about President Biden’s capability to serve another term, Jean-Pierre emphasized his record of delivering for the American people despite the recent debate performance, which she attributed to his cold and acknowledged he is not as smooth as he used to be.
Clarifying Hunter Biden's presence in meetings, Jean-Pierre stated it was family time and not official involvement in matters of state. She reassured continued transparency regarding the president’s health, emphasizing regular medical reports and ongoing engagement with the American public.
In closing, Jean-Pierre reiterated the administration's focus on critical issues such as healthcare, the economy, and climate change, affirming President Biden's commitment to delivering for the American people and addressing their concerns.
President Biden receives an operational briefing on extreme weather at the D.C. Operations Center
I restacked this telling anyone who reads my Substack that I enjoy reading what this administration is doing, day by day!