What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
February 20 Recap
As part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced a significant investment of $5.8 billion for clean water infrastructure across all U.S. states and territories. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of drinking water and wastewater systems nationwide, with a total commitment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law reaching $22 billion in clean water funding, contributing to an overarching investment of more than $50 billion. This funding marks the largest investment in clean water in U.S. history.
Key aspects of this announcement include:
Nationwide Impact: The initiative will benefit every state and territory, focusing on expanding access to clean drinking water, replacing lead pipes, upgrading wastewater and sanitation infrastructure, and addressing PFAS (per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) contamination.
Addressing Inequality: Recognizing the disproportionate impact of inadequate water infrastructure on low-income and underserved communities, nearly half of this funding will be allocated as grants or forgivable loans to these areas, in line with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative.
Comprehensive Support: Over $3.2 billion will go towards the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, contributing to a total of $8.9 billion under this category. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also dedicates nearly $31 billion to a broad spectrum of drinking water projects.
Specific Projects: Examples include a $50 million investment in Ridgway, Colorado, for an additional water treatment plant and significant funding for the Arkansas Valley Conduit to deliver clean water in southeastern Colorado. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative received $1 billion to support clean water efforts in the Great Lakes region.
Lead Pipe Replacement: A specific focus is on replacing toxic lead pipes, with $15 billion dedicated to this effort. This includes significant loans to cities like Philadelphia and Chicago to replace tens of thousands of lead pipes.
Wastewater and Sanitation Improvement: Over $2.6 billion is allocated to improve wastewater and sanitation infrastructure, with efforts including expanding the Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap Community Initiative.
PFAS Pollution Cleanup: More than $1 billion is dedicated to addressing PFAS contamination, with a total of nearly $5 billion announced for emerging contaminants. This includes a significant loan to Tucson, Arizona, to build a new water treatment facility.
This comprehensive approach aims to ensure that every American has access to clean, safe water while also addressing long-standing environmental injustices and creating jobs in the process.
President Biden has approved a disaster declaration for the State of Washington due to wildfires that occurred from August 18 to August 25, 2023. This declaration enables the provision of federal assistance to enhance the recovery efforts in the affected areas, specifically in Spokane County. 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. Furthermore, federal funding will support state, tribal, and certain local governments and private nonprofit organizations in emergency work on a cost-sharing basis and hazard mitigation measures throughout the state. Toney L. Raines of FEMA has been designated to oversee the federal recovery operations. Affected residents and business owners can apply for assistance through the DisasterAssistance.gov website, by calling FEMA, or by using the FEMA App. Additional aid may be granted following further assessments and requests by the state.
Before departing on Marine One, President Biden addressed inquiries regarding his trip to California and potential political strategies for 2024. When questioned about whether the trip was to devise a "Plan B" for the upcoming election and if California Governor Gavin Newsom should be on standby, The President did not directly address these speculations. Instead, he announced that major sanctions on Russia would be revealed on Friday, emphasizing the significance of this action. Additionally, President Biden expressed indifference when asked about his preference between facing Nikki Haley or Donald Trump in the November elections, stating, "Oh, I don’t care." The interaction also included a question about an evacuation plan for Rafah, although details of the response were not provided.
Vice President Harris delivered remarks in Pittsburgh, PA, emphasizing the critical issue of clean water access for every American. She highlighted the ongoing efforts and investments by the Biden administration to address water infrastructure challenges, including removing lead pipes and upgrading water systems. The Vice President announced a significant federal investment of $5.8 billion to support clean water projects across the country, with more than $200 million allocated for Pennsylvania. This investment aims to replace old and hazardous water infrastructure, ensuring every American has access to clean and safe water.
The Vice President stressed the importance of this initiative as both a public health matter and an infrastructure issue, pointing out the creation of good-paying union jobs in the process. The speech underscored the administration's commitment to tackling long-standing environmental and public health issues, with clean water access being a fundamental right for all.
Vice President Harris spoke at a press gaggle in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, emphasizing the significant work being undertaken to remove lead pipes across the United States. Highlighting the skilled workers at the Independent Enterprises Construction Site, she pointed out the detrimental effects of lead pipes on communities, particularly on children's health and learning abilities.
The Vice President expressed pride in her and the president's commitment to eliminating all lead pipes in America, linking this initiative to the broader infrastructure efforts that promise good-paying, union jobs. This project, which has already resulted in over 100 new hires, is portrayed as a response to the longstanding appeals from communities for support in addressing the issue of lead contamination in their water supply.
A regional press call was led by Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor to President Biden, discussing the National Security Supplemental bill's importance. Sullivan emphasized the urgent need for Congress to pass this legislation to provide vital support to Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia, highlighting recent events such as Ukrainian troops withdrawing from Avdiivka and the killing of Russian political dissident Aleksey Navalny. The bill aims to bolster the U.S. defense industrial base, support allies including Ukraine and Israel, and offer humanitarian assistance globally. Sullivan stressed the bipartisan Senate support for the bill and its critical role in U.S. national security and global stability, urging the House of Representatives, particularly Speaker Johnson, to act swiftly for its passage. The call also addressed sanctions against Russia, the strategic competition with China, and the importance of U.S. leadership and alliances.
An on-the-record press gaggle featured White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby speaking via teleconference, where he addressed several pressing issues, focusing mainly on the situation in Ukraine and Russia and briefly on other international concerns.
Ukraine and Russia: Kirby began by discussing the situation in Ukraine, specifically the Ukrainian troops' withdrawal from Avdiivka due to a lack of supplies, emphasizing the impact of congressional inaction on military aid to Ukraine. He highlighted the strategic importance of Avdiivka for Russian forces and the necessity of supplemental funding and arms for Ukraine to continue its defense. Kirby also announced the death of Aleksey Navalny in a Russian prison, attributing responsibility to the Putin government, and mentioned upcoming sanctions against Russia in response to Navalny's death and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Sanctions and Support for Ukraine: Kirby refrained from detailing the upcoming sanctions package but suggested it would target both the broader conflict and, specifically, Navalny's death. He reiterated the importance of congressional action to provide Ukraine with the necessary resources for the ongoing conflict.
Artillery Issues and U.S. Stockpiles: The discussion addressed the limitations in artillery supplies for Ukrainian forces and the potential use of U.S. stockpiles if Congress did not approve supplemental funding. Kirby underscored the critical need for this funding to support Ukraine effectively.
Navalny's Death: Kirby spoke on the difficulty of determining Navalny's cause of death and the U.S. embassy's engagement in the matter. He also addressed the suggestion of designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, noting the extensive pressure already applied to Russia through sanctions.
U.N. Security Council and Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Kirby explained the U.S. veto of a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, emphasizing ongoing negotiations that the resolution could jeopardize. He discussed U.S. efforts to secure a hostage deal and a humanitarian pause in the conflict.
Lebanese Front and Hezbollah: Kirby commented on the situation in Lebanon, expressing a desire to avoid a second front in the conflict and emphasizing ongoing diplomatic efforts to manage tensions.
Presidential Elections in Russia: Kirby did not comment on calls not to recognize the outcome of the upcoming Russian presidential elections.
Meetings with Speaker Johnson on Ukraine Aid: Kirby explained the President's openness to meeting with Speaker Johnson to discuss Ukraine aid, reflecting the situation's urgency and the need for congressional action.
U.S.-Russian Relations and Citizens in Russia: Kirby advised U.S. citizens in Russia to leave immediately due to the arrest of a dual U.S.-Russian citizen, reflecting ongoing tensions and the risks for U.S. nationals.
Israeli Operations in Rafah: Kirby clarified the U.S. position on potential Israeli military operations in Rafah, emphasizing the importance of a plan that accounts for the safety of civilians and the complexity of the situation, given the presence of Hamas and a large number of refugees.
Throughout the gaggle, Kirby addressed questions from various reporters, offering insights into U.S. foreign policy positions, the importance of legislative action to support Ukraine, and the challenges of managing international conflicts and diplomatic relations.
President Biden has announced the formation of a Presidential Delegation to attend the State Funeral of His Excellency Hage G. Geingob, the former President of the Republic of Namibia. The funeral is scheduled for February 24-25, 2024, in Windhoek, Namibia. The delegation will be led by The Honorable Deb Haaland, Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior. Members of the delegation include The Honorable Randy Berry, Ambassador of the United States to Namibia; The Honorable Enoh T. Ebong, Director of the United States Trade and Development Agency; The Honorable Mala Adiga, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Policy and Projects for the First Lady at The White House; and The Honorable Paula Tufro, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Development, Global Health, and Humanitarian Response at the National Security Council.
Vice President Kamala Harris in Pittsburgh discussing the Biden-Harris Administration’s initiative for clean water infrastructure across all U.S. states and territories
