What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
December 20, 2024 Recap
President Biden announced the cancellation of student debt for an additional 55,000 public service workers, raising the total number of borrowers approved for relief under his administration to nearly 5 million. This includes teachers, nurses, service members, law enforcement officers, and others in public service who are now receiving the relief they are entitled to under the law. Over the past four years, the administration has made progress by increasing Pell Grant awards, holding educational institutions accountable, and fixing programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Income-Driven Repayment. Biden emphasized his commitment to making higher education a pathway to the middle class and noted that these efforts are giving borrowers the financial freedom to pursue life goals they previously had to defer due to student loan debt.
National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard highlighted key economic indicators in her recent statement. She noted that Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation has remained below 2.5% for four consecutive months. Additionally, the U.S. economy experienced robust growth, with GDP increasing by 3.1% in the third quarter of 2024 and averaging 3% annual growth since the beginning of 2021—making it the highest growth rate of any presidential term in the 21st century. Brainard acknowledged that prices remain too high for working families despite these positive trends. She emphasized the administration's commitment to addressing affordability issues by working to lower costs for essential items such as housing, groceries, and health care.
President Biden issued a proclamation to update and correct the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) and to implement international trade agreements. The proclamation extends the United States-Israel Free Trade Area Agreement (USIFTA), renewed annually since 2004, providing duty-free access for specific agricultural products from Israel. This extension is effective through December 31, 2025, allowing further negotiations for a long-term agreement. Additionally, the proclamation addresses technical corrections to the HTS related to various trade agreements, including the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA), and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). These corrections fix errors in tariff classifications, rules of origin, and tariff-rate quotas to ensure compliance with the intended tariff treatments under these agreements.
The proclamation also includes adjustments to tariffs and quotas for steel imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act to protect national security. Furthermore, it aligns the HTS with updates to the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, ensuring consistency with international trade obligations. The modifications, detailed in two annexes, outline changes to duty rates, quotas, and tariff-rate quotas, with specified effective dates for implementation. Overall, the proclamation ensures the United States fulfills its international trade commitments, maintains reciprocal concessions, and corrects technical issues in trade policy.
President Biden issued an executive order amending previous orders concerning the Presidential Service Certificate, Presidential Service Badge, and Vice Presidential Service Badge. The Presidential Service Certificate, originally established in 1992, is awarded to members of the U.S. Uniformed Services who serve in the White House Office, the White House Military Office, or other direct support roles in the Executive Office of the President for at least one year since January 21, 1989. Recipients of the Certificate are also eligible for the Presidential Service Badge, which can be worn as part of their uniform under regulations set by their respective military departments.
The Vice Presidential Service Badge, established in 1976, recognizes members of the U.S. Uniformed Services who have served in the Office of the Vice President or performed duties primarily for the Vice President for at least one year. The Badge may be worn during and after such assignments. Authority to award the Badge is granted to the Secretaries of Defense, Homeland Security, Commerce, and Health and Human Services, depending on the service branch involved.
The amendments modernize eligibility criteria and procedures for awarding these honors. The order also ensures its implementation adheres to existing laws and funding constraints, clarifying that it does not create enforceable legal rights or benefits for any individual. These updates aim to maintain recognition of distinguished service to the President and Vice President.
President Biden issued an executive order on December 20, 2024, amending the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States. These updates, authorized under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, aim to modernize military legal procedures. The amendments affect Parts II, III, IV, and V of the Manual, as detailed in an attached Annex. Notably, the order includes new regulations for the randomized selection of qualified personnel as members of courts-martial, ensuring compliance with Section 543 of the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act.
Most amendments take effect immediately, but specific provisions, such as changes to Rules for Courts-Martial (R.C.M.) 908(c)(3), 1205(a), and 1209(a)(1), will become effective on December 22, 2024. Additionally, the R.C.M. 503(a)(1) amendment will take effect on December 23, 2024. These amendments are not retroactive to ensure fairness and legal continuity; acts not punishable before the changes remain unaffected. Similarly, ongoing legal proceedings, such as nonjudicial punishments, hearings, or trials that began before the amendments, will proceed under the prior rules. This order reflects a careful balance between updating military legal frameworks and maintaining the integrity of existing legal processes.
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the consequences of a potential government shutdown during the holidays, including unpaid work for service members and air traffic controllers, paused essential services, and economic disruption. She criticized Republicans for abandoning a bipartisan agreement under former President Trump's influence, aiming to prioritize tax breaks for billionaires.
The revised legislation avoids these tax breaks, provides disaster relief requested by President Biden, and ensures the government's continued operation. While the proposal doesn't include all the administration's priorities, it protects vital services like Social Security, veterans' benefits, and hurricane recovery assistance. President Biden supports the legislation to prevent a shutdown and maintain critical services for Americans.
President Biden announced that his administration has reached 235 federal judicial confirmations, the highest in a single term since the 1980s. This includes one Supreme Court Justice, 45 Circuit Court Judges, 187 District Court Judges, and two Court of International Trade judges. These appointees are highly qualified and represent diverse backgrounds and experiences, including civil rights advocates, former public defenders, and historically underrepresented groups.
Key milestones include the appointment of the first Black woman to the Supreme Court, a record number of Black women to the Courts of Appeals, and other firsts such as openly LGBTQ judges, AANHPI judges, a Muslim-American life-tenured judge, and a Native Hawaiian woman as a life-tenured judge. Biden emphasized the appointees' commitment to the rule of law and the Constitution.
He credited bipartisan Senate support, along with leadership from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin, for achieving this milestone. Biden highlighted the significance of judges in shaping American lives, particularly regarding voting rights, labor issues, and environmental protection, and expressed pride in the legacy these appointments represent.
President Biden has issued a memorandum delegating authority to the Secretary of State under Section 506(a)(3) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. This delegation permits the Secretary to direct the drawdown of up to $571.3 million worth of Department of Defense defense articles, services, and military education and training for assistance to Taiwan. The memorandum also directs its publication in the Federal Register.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre held a press briefing outlining key updates on President Biden’s upcoming priorities and pressing national issues. President Biden is set to visit Rome, Italy, in January to meet with Pope Francis, President Sergio Mattarella, and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The trip will focus on global peace efforts, strengthening U.S.-Italy relations, and acknowledging Meloni's leadership of the G7. Additionally, the U.S. announced a $1 billion financial initiative to conserve the Ecuadorian Amazon, part of the administration’s broader climate efforts following Biden’s recent trip to the region.
The administration also highlighted progress on student debt relief, announcing forgiveness for an additional 55,000 public service workers, bringing the total to nearly 5 million under Biden's leadership. In border security updates, Jean-Pierre reported a 60% reduction in unlawful crossings since June, the lowest in four and a half years, attributing this to the administration’s balanced and effective approach.
A significant portion of the briefing focused on the potential government shutdown, with the administration emphasizing that House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, are responsible for resolving the issue. The White House criticized Republicans for derailing a bipartisan agreement under the influence of President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk, accusing them of prioritizing tax cuts for billionaires over the needs of the American people. Jean-Pierre warned of the severe impacts of a shutdown on veterans, federal workers, and essential services, stressing the urgency for Congress to act.
Reporters questioned why President Biden has not addressed the public directly about the looming shutdown. The Press Secretary defended the President’s strategy of remaining in the background, asserting that this approach has been effective in past negotiations and reiterating that Republicans must fulfill their responsibilities. Jean-Pierre also addressed the administration’s work on U.S.-China relations, emphasizing efforts to strengthen America’s competitive position while preventing conflict through skilled diplomacy.
Finally, Jean-Pierre underscored the President’s commitment to ensuring a smooth transition to the next administration but noted that a government shutdown could disrupt transition activities. While she assured the public that the administration is focused on efficiently running through its final weeks, she reiterated that Republicans in Congress hold the key to resolving the immediate crisis and avoiding unnecessary harm to the American people.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visited Washington, D.C.'s National Children’s Hospital, continuing an 81-year tradition of holiday visits by first ladies. Jill Biden read “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” while President Biden entertained a toddler by tossing a ball, prompting laughter when the toddler playfully threw the ball at him. National Children’s Hospital CEO Michelle Riley-Brown thanked the Bidens, noting that Joe Biden is the first president to attend the annual event for four consecutive years. The president encouraged families to remain hopeful, acknowledging the difficulty of being hospitalized during the holidays.
Source: PBS
President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden spread holiday cheer at the Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC
Thank you. A much appreciated dose of sanity and decency after a fraught and frustrating week 😊🙏