What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
February 29 Recap
President Biden visited the southern border of the United States near Brownsville, Texas, where he received a briefing from border officials and expressed gratitude towards border agents, promising to secure more resources for them. He highlighted the necessity of action and appealed directly to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to support a bipartisan border bill, describing it as the most efficient and effective border security measure the country has ever seen.
President Biden criticized the politicization of the issue and called for Congress, particularly Republicans, to support the bill, emphasizing its significance for the American people and urging the Senate and House Speaker Mike Johnson to reconsider and advance the bill.
This visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, President Biden's second since his presidency began, came when migration patterns shifted to other parts of the border, such as Arizona and Eagle Pass.
Source: NBC News
During a departure briefing on the South Lawn, President Biden addressed questions from reporters before boarding Marine One. When asked about the expectation of a ceasefire by Monday, Biden expressed hope but indicated it might not happen by the specified time. However, he remained hopeful after discussions with people in the region.
Concerning the situation in Gaza City and reports of civilian casualties, President Biden mentioned that there were two competing narratives, and his administration was in the process of verifying the facts, acknowledging that the incident would likely complicate negotiations. Additionally, in response to a question about the Catholic Church's stance on In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) being immoral due to the destruction of human embryos, The President explicitly stated his disagreement with the Church's position.
A press gaggle was held aboard Air Force One en route to Brownsville, Texas, featuring Principal Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. The purpose of the trip was for President Biden to meet with Border Patrol agents, law enforcement officials, frontline personnel, and elected leaders to discuss border security and immigration.
Dalton criticized congressional Republicans for rejecting a bipartisan border security agreement due to former President Trump's influence. She mentioned new polling that showed widespread support for the agreement among Americans across political affiliations. Dalton emphasized the agreement's potential to enhance national security, secure the border, and ensure humane treatment consistent with American values.
Secretary Mayorkas provided updates on operational border efforts and the situation with wildfires in Texas and Oklahoma, highlighting FEMA's involvement. He discussed the significance of the visit to Brownsville for President Biden, detailing the operational briefing on border security he would receive. Mayorkas underscored the need for additional resources for border personnel and the potential benefits of the proposed legislation in improving border security.
The discussion included the dynamic and challenging nature of migration, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation. Mayorkas responded to concerns about the effectiveness of the visit to Brownsville and contrasted the administration's approach with that of former President Trump, focusing on operational needs rather than rhetoric. He stressed the necessity of legislative action for a lasting solution to border challenges, mentioning the limitations of executive actions and the administration's focus on collaborative efforts with local officials.
The gaggle also touched on broader issues, such as the humanitarian situation in Gaza, emphasizing the U.S. government's concern and efforts to provide aid. Finally, Dalton and Mayorkas discussed the administration's stance on various national and international challenges, including the need for bipartisan legislation to address border security, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and support for Ukraine and Israel.
The White House issued a fact sheet outlining the key points of the Bipartisan Border Agreement Funding and its impact on border operations, emphasizing the urgent need for its passage as advocated by President Biden. The agreement, a result of bipartisan negotiations, proposes significant investments and reforms aimed at enhancing border security, improving the immigration system, and ensuring the humane treatment of individuals. Key provisions include:
An allocation of over $20 billion for border security enhancements.
The addition of more than 1,500 new Customs and Border Protection personnel to address the flat staffing levels despite a 250% increase in border encounters over four years.
The introduction of 4,300 additional Asylum Officers to expedite the asylum process, which currently takes 5 to 7 years per case due to insufficient staffing.
An increase in ICE detention beds from 40,000 to 50,000 to address overcapacity and prevent funding shortfalls impacting enforcement operations.
Funding for an additional 100 immigration judges to help reduce the 2 million case backlog and improve case resolution timelines.
Investment in drug trafficking combat measures, including 100 new inspection machines for fentanyl detection and authority for the President to impose sanctions on significant traffickers.
$1.4 billion support for cities and states providing services to newcomers and expedited work permits for qualifying individuals.
The fact sheet stresses the importance of Congressional action to provide the necessary personnel and resources for border and immigration officials, particularly in the Rio Grande Valley, to secure the border effectively. It highlights broad support for the bill from various stakeholders, including the Border Patrol Union and the Chamber of Commerce, while criticizing political opposition from House Republicans.
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a comprehensive plan to enhance the availability of affordable housing and ensure fairer rental markets. This multifaceted approach includes:
Strengthening Federal Housing Programs: The Administration aims to extend and improve federal programs known for producing affordable housing. This includes extending the Federal Financing Bank Risk Sharing program indefinitely to assist state and local housing finance agencies in offering FHA-insured multifamily loans at reduced interest rates. This initiative will create or preserve an estimated 38,000 affordable housing units over the next decade. The HOME Investment Partnerships Program will also be streamlined to facilitate the construction and preservation of affordable rental homes and support homeownership.
Supporting Housing for Low-income Seniors and Disaster-affected States: HUD announced $115 million in grant funding for supportive housing for low-income seniors, with a portion dedicated to intergenerational units. The IRS has also guided the reallocation of low-income housing tax credits for disaster areas, enhancing funding opportunities for housing projects.
Enhancing Manufactured Housing: Recognizing manufactured housing as a crucial affordable housing option, the Administration is introducing measures to preserve and rehabilitate manufactured home communities. This includes a $225 million funding opportunity for the Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement (PRICE) grants and expanded financing options to maintain affordability and support the purchase of manufactured homes.
Promoting Fair and Transparent Rental Markets: The Administration is focused on establishing a fairer rental market by clarifying policies on banned non-rent fees in HUD-assisted properties, ensuring tenant rights for military service members, providing resources to prevent unfair evictions, and promoting rights during the tenant screening process.
These actions represent a significant step forward in the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to reducing housing costs, expanding access to quality and affordable housing, and ensuring fairness in the rental market.
The Biden-Harris administration is taking significant steps to address the national security risks associated with the automotive industry, specifically targeting the threats posed by connected vehicles from China and other countries of concern. President Biden, emphasizing the superiority of American automakers and workers, has directed the Department of Commerce to investigate the national security implications of connected vehicles incorporating technology from these nations. This action aims to safeguard American infrastructure and personal data from potential exploitation by foreign governments.
Connected vehicles, which increasingly utilize advanced technology for navigation, driver assistance, and efficient charging, pose new vulnerabilities due to their ability to connect with personal devices, other vehicles, and U.S. infrastructure. The concern is that if a foreign government, particularly from a country of concern like China, were to gain access to these systems or data, it could present a significant threat to national security.
In response, the Department of Commerce will issue an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to begin investigating these risks. The investigation will seek industry and public input on the nature of these threats and potential mitigation strategies. This initiative marks the first action by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) under Executive Orders aimed at protecting the domestic information and communications technology and services supply chains from national security threats.
The administration invites stakeholders to contribute to the process, ensuring a comprehensive approach that balances national security concerns while minimizing potential negative impacts on the industry and disruptions. This collaborative effort will involve consultations with industry, U.S. allies and partners, and other stakeholders to ensure regulatory actions safeguard U.S. national security interests.
President Biden has issued a statement emphasizing the importance of the U.S. auto industry, highlighting its role in the nation's economy and its global leadership in quality and innovation. He expressed concerns about China's ambition to dominate the auto market, including its use of unfair practices and potential national security risks. Biden pointed out the risks associated with "connected" vehicles from China, which could collect sensitive data on U.S. citizens and infrastructure and be remotely accessed or disabled. In response, he announced unprecedented actions to safeguard national security, including directing the Secretary of Commerce to investigate connected vehicles with technology from countries of concern and respond to any identified risks.
President Biden reaffirmed his commitment to supporting auto workers and middle-class families reliant on the auto industry, aiming to ensure the industry's future is secured in America with American workers.
Vice President Harris has announced significant measures to lower childcare costs for working families and provide better support for early educators in alignment with the President's Executive Order on Care. These measures involve the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalizing a rule to strengthen the Child Care & Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program, which aids over a million children and their families monthly with childcare assistance.
Key aspects of the finalized rule include:
Capping co-payments for families participating in CCDBG at no more than 7% of their income, potentially saving families over $200 a month in states without existing caps.
Encouraging states to remove co-payments for families of children with disabilities experiencing homelessness, in foster care, in Head Start, or those at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
Directing states to ensure fair and timely payments to childcare providers, improving financial stability for about 140,000 providers, and encouraging more to participate in the CCDBG program.
Simplifying access to CCDBG subsidies for families by urging states to streamline eligibility and enrollment processes.
The final rule aims to alleviate the financial burden of high childcare co-payments for low-income working families, with HHS projecting that over 100,000 families will benefit from reduced or eliminated co-payments. It also seeks to improve the financial stability of childcare providers by requiring states to pay providers more fairly and promptly, based on enrollment rather than attendance. Additionally, the rule encourages states to adopt online applications and presumptive eligibility for childcare subsidies, reducing barriers for families in need.
These actions are part of the Biden-Harris Administration's broader efforts to enhance access to early care and education. These include significant investments through the American Rescue Plan, proposals to increase childcare worker pay, and initiatives to limit childcare costs for families.
President Biden engaged in a discussion by phone with Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar concerning the situation involving hostages held by Hamas. Both leaders concurred on the urgency for Hamas to release these hostages promptly. They identified that the release could lead to a ceasefire in Gaza lasting at least six weeks, proposing this period of calm as a foundation for a more lasting peace.
The conversation also covered strategies to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza, emphasizing that a ceasefire would enhance the delivery of assistance to civilians. Additionally, they addressed a distressing event in northern Gaza, lamenting the civilian casualties and recognizing it as a catalyst to expedite negotiations and augment humanitarian support. The commitment to regular communication between the two leaders and their teams was reaffirmed, aiming to resolve the situation swiftly.
President Biden also had a phone conversation with President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi of Egypt concerning the ongoing conflict in Gaza. During their discussion, they focused on efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and the role Egypt has played in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. Both leaders agreed that the release of hostages could lead to a ceasefire in Gaza lasting at least six weeks, with hopes that this calm could evolve into a more permanent peace. They deliberated on enhancing humanitarian assistance to Gaza, especially how a ceasefire could facilitate aid delivery to civilians.
Additionally, they addressed a recent tragic event in northern Gaza that resulted in civilian casualties, highlighting the necessity to conclude negotiations swiftly and expand humanitarian aid. The conversation ended with a commitment from both leaders to maintain close communication in the following days.
President Biden issued a Proclamation on Women's History Month, 2024, celebrating the contributions of women to building a fairer and more just society in the United States. It acknowledges the historical achievements of women across various fields, including suffragists, abolitionists, labor leaders, scientists, engineers, artists, public servants, and military personnel. The proclamation highlights ongoing efforts to eliminate barriers for women and girls, emphasizing the administration's commitment to gender equity and equality through initiatives like the White House Gender Policy Council, the National Gender Strategy, and the appointment of women to high-level positions, including Vice President Kamala Harris and Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
It details the administration's focus on women's economic security, leadership, freedom from gender-based violence, and access to education and healthcare. It notes significant legislative efforts, like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act, aimed at ensuring women's fair share of job opportunities, especially in sectors where they have been historically underrepresented. The proclamation also covers efforts to provide high-quality, affordable childcare, support for working mothers, and measures to promote women's health and combat maternal mortality, especially among marginalized communities.
President Biden condemns the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade and reaffirms his administration's commitment to protecting women's reproductive rights. The proclamation also references the Violence Against Women Act, highlighting efforts to address gender-based violence both domestically and globally. It concludes by declaring March 2024 as Women's History Month and calling on Americans to participate in activities that honor women's contributions to the nation's history, encouraging them to learn more at WomensHistoryMonth.gov.
A Proclamation on American Red Cross Month, 2024, issued by President Biden, honors the American Red Cross's enduring humanitarian efforts in serving communities within the United States and globally. This proclamation recognizes the organization's employees and volunteers as embodiments of American generosity, following a tradition initiated by Clara Barton over 140 years ago. It highlights the Red Cross's vital role in providing relief during natural disasters such as wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes exacerbated by climate change. The proclamation encourages public participation in blood donation and volunteering, underscoring the importance of compassion and assistance towards those in need. President Biden officially designates March 2024 as American Red Cross Month, calling on Americans to support and engage in service and relief activities, reaffirming the nation's commitment to humanitarian aid and volunteerism.
President Biden issued a Proclamation on Irish-American Heritage Month, 2024, celebrating the deep and enduring connections between Ireland and the United States and emphasizing the shared values of determination, decency, and dignity. President Biden highlighted his own Irish ancestry and experiences in Ireland and reflected on the spirit of welcome. The profound bond between the two nations is rooted in history, shared sorrows, and collective joy. The proclamation acknowledged the centuries of hope that have driven Irish immigrants to seek new beginnings in the U.S., contributing significantly to the nation's development despite facing discrimination and hardship.
As the United States and Ireland mark the 100th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, the proclamation reiterated the importance of hope as the foundation of the partnership, pointing to cooperative efforts in supporting Ukraine, combating climate change, and advancing workers' rights. Looking forward, President Biden expresses his commitment to further strengthening the ties between the two countries.
In conclusion, President Biden officially declares March 2024 as Irish-American Heritage Month, urging all Americans to celebrate the contributions of Irish Americans with appropriate ceremonies and activities, underscoring the shared history, heritage, and hope that bind Ireland and the United States. The declaration was made on February 29, 2024, marking the 248th year of American independence.
President Biden issued a Proclamation on National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, 2024, recognizing the critical importance of addressing colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. It was noted that approximately 150,000 Americans were expected to be diagnosed with this disease within the year. The proclamation honored those who had lost their lives to colorectal cancer, those who were living with it or had survived it, and their supportive loved ones. It reaffirmed the commitment to support efforts in driving progress against cancer and improving care for those affected.
Significant progress has been made in cancer prevention, early detection, and the development of new medicines and therapies over the past decades. Despite these advancements, the number of Americans diagnosed with cancer before the age of 50 continued to rise annually. The proclamation emphasized the necessity for earlier detection and improved treatments for colorectal cancer, particularly for groups disproportionately impacted by the disease, such as Americans over 45, Native Americans, Black Americans, and those with a family history of colorectal cancer.
To further combat cancer, the First Lady and President Biden reignited the Cancer Moonshot initiative, aiming to halve the cancer death rate in the next 25 years and enhance patient and family experiences with cancer. They secured $2.5 billion in bipartisan funding for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to accelerate prevention, detection, and treatment innovations. The administration also worked to make cancer treatments more affordable, strengthening Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act and capping Medicare out-of-pocket prescription drug costs at $2,000 per year.
The proclamation underscored the importance of regular colorectal cancer screenings starting at age 45, as the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommended. It highlighted efforts to ensure timely screening access, including a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rule that removed costs for diagnostic colonoscopies following positive non-invasive tests.
President Biden personalized the battle against cancer by referencing its impact on nearly every American family, including his own. He called for national unity to support and provide hope for those affected by cancer.
Finally, President Biden officially proclaimed March 2024 as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, urging all citizens, government agencies, private businesses, non-profit organizations, and other groups to participate in activities promoting awareness and prevention of colorectal cancer. He encouraged Americans to learn more about health coverage options under the Affordable Care Act through HealthCare.gov.
President Biden has announced his intention to nominate several key individuals to serve in his Administration, highlighting a diverse range of expertise and backgrounds. These nominations include:
Marty Walsh for Governor of the United States Postal Service, emphasizing his lifelong commitment to working people, his tenure as Mayor of Boston, and his recent role as the Secretary of Labor and Executive Director of the National Hockey League Players’ Association.
For the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the nominees are Judy W. Chang, David Rosner, and Lindsay S. See, each bringing a wealth of experience from energy economics and policy to regulatory and legal expertise.
Dana L. Banks is nominated for the U.S. Director of the African Development Bank, with a background in supporting private sector engagement in Africa and a significant role in coordinating the U.S. Africa Leaders Summit.
Several diplomatic nominations include Elizabeth K. Horst for Ambassador to Sri Lanka, emphasizing her extensive experience in public diplomacy and security; Joshua M. Harris for Ambassador to Algeria, with a focus on North African affairs; Troy Fitrell for Ambassador to Seychelles, currently serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Guinea; and Mary E. Daschbach for Ambassador to Togo, highlighting her deep involvement in African affairs and strategic studies.
These nominations reflect the Administration's focus on a variety of critical areas, including postal services, energy regulation, international development, and diplomacy, showcasing a commitment to expertise, diversity, and experienced leadership in key positions.
The White House released visitor log records generated in November 2023. This set includes 39,888 records, bringing the total number of records posted to 1,085,320.
These records were posted pursuant to the White House’s policy to voluntarily disclose visitor log records. This release is consistent with the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to becoming the first administration to post visitor log records from its first full year in office.
The White House, led by Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, the Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP), and the Department of Labor (DOL), held a roundtable to discuss improving job opportunities in communities impacted by gun violence. The roundtable emphasized the link between workforce development and violence intervention and prevention.
DOL introduced its Growth Opportunities Program, allocating up to $85 million to enhance job prospects for youth in violence and poverty-stricken communities. This funding aims to provide work-based learning, employment services, educational support, and mentorship.
This initiative is part of the broader efforts by the Biden-Harris Administration to combat crime and enhance public safety, including the American Rescue Plan's $15 billion investment in public safety and violence prevention across various communities. This plan has led to the hiring of additional police officers, expansion of community violence intervention programs and crisis responder teams, and significant investments in mental health services and violence intervention programs in schools. Furthermore, the BSCA provides $250 million for community-based violence prevention initiatives.
The administration highlights the national reduction in violent crime and homicides, contrasting it with the increase in murders during the final year of the Trump Administration. Efforts such as enhanced background checks and the introduction of federal gun trafficking laws have shown significant results in preventing illegal gun purchases and making communities safer.
Under Vice President Kamala Harris’s oversight, OGVP is exploring new executive orders and initiatives to further reduce gun violence, including the Safer States Initiative and actions promoting safe firearm storage to prevent children's access to guns.
The roundtable, showcasing leadership and dedication to ending gun violence, included notable participants such as Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and representatives from various community and violence prevention organizations. This meeting underscores the administration's ongoing commitment to addressing the gun violence epidemic and safeguarding communities.
The Biden-Harris Administration recently celebrated the third anniversary of reestablishing the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. This office is pivotal in the administration's efforts to unify people from various backgrounds and beliefs to tackle national challenges, enhance unity, and rejuvenate the nation's spirit. It collaborates with agency centers across multiple departments and agencies, including Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Veterans Affairs, the United States Agency for International Development, the Small Business Administration, AmeriCorps, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Labor.
Key achievements of the office over the past year include:
Enhancing religious freedom and securing significant funding increases for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to improve the physical security of faith-based nonprofits.
Launching initiatives to counter antisemitism and Islamophobia and promoting nondiscrimination in healthcare, workplace religious accommodations, and solidarity against hate.
Updating guidance on religious expression in schools and launching policies to engage religious leaders in development and humanitarian assistance.
Addressing maternal health, Medicaid coverage, mental health challenges in the agricultural sector, suicide prevention in minority communities, and expanding veteran services.
Supporting economic growth and opportunity through tax preparation assistance, economic summits, housing support for the elderly, and small business development.
Enhancing disaster response and environmental protection efforts, including climate resilience, LGBTQ+ disaster support, and sustainability practices for religious facilities and retreats.
This summary underscores the administration's commitment to leveraging faith-based and neighborhood partnerships to address various societal, economic, and environmental challenges.
President Biden issued a statement on the passage of the Bipartisan Government Funding Bill, emphasizing the importance of this agreement in preventing a government shutdown and giving Congress more time to work toward full-year funding bills. He highlighted this as a temporary solution and urged Congress, especially House Republicans, to pass full-year funding bills that meet the American people's needs and take action on the bipartisan National Security Supplemental, which has already passed the Senate with significant support.
President Biden stressed the urgent need for this funding to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, to ensure Israel's defense capabilities, and to provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people and others affected by global conflicts. He called House Republicans to prioritize national security and expedite the bill's passage.
President Biden gives remarks near the U.S.-Mexico border near Brownsville, Texas
