What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
December 20 Recap
President Biden visited the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce, where he underscored the positive impact of Bidenomics on fueling a surge in Black small businesses. Additionally, he announced fresh investments in Milwaukee and various communities nationwide. Under President Biden's guidance, the United States is poised to experience the three most robust years in history for new small business applications, with Black business ownership expanding at its fastest rate in three decades.
During this visit, President Biden was accompanied by the founder and proprietor of Hero Plumbing, a Black-owned small business specializing in the removal of lead pipes in Milwaukee. This initiative aligns with President Biden's commitment to eliminating all lead service lines across the country by the decade's end. The endeavor will benefit from the unprecedented $15 billion in funding provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Read the fact sheet.
Vice President Harris participated in a press call highlighting the Biden-Harris Administration's dedication to environmental justice. During the call, she underscored the measures being implemented to guarantee access to clean drinking water, promote cleaner air, and announced a disbursement of $600 million to 11 organizations deeply connected to local communities. This funding aims to support numerous environmental justice projects at the grassroots level.
President Biden released a statement on the record number of enrollments during the 2024 Affordable Care Act open enrollment period. More Americans have signed up for health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces than ever. With nearly a month left in open enrollment, more than 19 million people have signed up for coverage, breaking all previous records. Enrollment has grown by more than 7 million people since The President took office.
Senior administration officials recently held a meeting with the chief executive officers of the three leading companies responsible for producing RSV immunizations for infants—Sanofi, AstraZeneca, and Thermo Fisher Scientific. During the meeting, senior administration officials reiterated the critical need to collaborate urgently to meet the demand and enhance the availability of RSV immunizations for infants in the commercial market during the current viral season. This call comes after several previous engagements with manufacturers aimed at increasing the accessibility of RSV immunizations for infants. Subsequent to these discussions, RSV immunization manufacturers have confirmed the provision of an additional 230,000 doses in January, supplementing the 77,000 extra doses released in November. Senior administration officials and CEOs of the manufacturing companies also underscored the importance of ongoing communication as manufacturers plan for the upcoming respiratory viral season in 2024-2025.
Vice President Kamala Harris presided over the third gathering of the National Space Council in Washington, D.C., within the Biden-Harris Administration. During the session, she declared that, in collaboration with American astronauts, the United States aims to achieve the landing of an international astronaut on the Moon's surface by the decade's end.
The meeting underscored the remarkable advancements made by the United States in expanding and enhancing international collaborations in space across various domains. These collaborations focus on bolstering American leadership and resilience, delivering tangible societal benefits on Earth, and spearheading a historic return of humans to the Moon through an unparalleled network of allies and partners. Read more…
A press gaggle was held by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby. Read the transcript.
President Biden released a statement on Securing the Release of Americans Detained in Venezuela. Ten Americans who have been detained in Venezuela have been released, including all six wrongfully detained Americans. Additionally, a fugitive named Leonard Francis, who fled the United States before he could be sentenced for his lead role in a brazen bribery and corruption case – was arrested and returned to the United States from Venezuela.
Secretary Denis McDonough of the Department of Veterans Affairs, along with National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard and Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden, spearheaded the inaugural meeting of the Veteran Scam and Fraud Evasion (VSAFE) Task Force. The primary focus was deliberating on implementing a comprehensive "no wrong door" strategy. This approach aims to facilitate veterans and service members in accessing reporting tools and resources to counteract fraudulent activities.
The prevalence of fraud targeting veterans and service members is alarming. Between 2015 and 2019, the Federal Trade Commission received 163,000 fraud reports from veterans and nearly 13,000 from active-duty service members. Notably, veterans are particularly susceptible to fraud, facing a median loss that is 44% higher than that experienced by other civilians.
In a proactive move, President Biden, as part of his Unity Agenda for the nation, launched the VSAFE campaign and established the task force in November. The overarching goal is to combat fraud and scams specifically directed at veterans, service members, and their families. The President's announcement outlined a series of initiatives that the Task Force will undertake, including releasing a fraud prevention toolkit and creating a centralized hub offering comprehensive resources and reporting tools. Read more…
President Biden announced his intent to nominate Irving W. Bailey II, Nominee to be a Member on the Development Finance Corporation Board of Directors.
Irving W. Bailey II has served as a Member of the Board of Directors of the United States International Development Finance Corporation since 2019. After a 35-year career in the financial services industry, Bailey joined Chrysalis Ventures as a managing director in 2001. He was formerly Chairman and CEO of Providian Corporation, an insurance and diversified financial services company. As CEO, he also served as Chairman of the American Council of Life Insurance. Earlier in his career, he managed the investment portfolios of several insurance companies. Following the sale of Providian to Aegon, NV, Bailey became Vice Chairman of Aegon and Chairman of its Risk Committee. He is also a former director of several public and private companies, including Hospira, Inc. and Computer Sciences Corporation. Read more…
The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and the Office of Public Engagement organized a gathering for 70 local elected officials and community leaders from various parts of New York as part of the "Communities in Action" event series.
During the half-day forum, high-ranking officials from the Biden-Harris Administration underscored the positive effects of the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and Inflation Reduction Act on communities throughout New York. Attendees encompassed a diverse group, including local elected officials, labor leaders, business owners, community organizers, and healthcare professionals. Their collective efforts aim to harness the substantial investments outlined in the President's Investing in America vision, fostering the creation and expansion of opportunities for working families. Read more…
The President gave brief remarks after Air Force One arrived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Vice President Harris gave remarks at a meeting of the U.S. National Space Council.
A background press call by senior administration officials took place today, offering details on the six wrongfully detained Americans and fugitive Leonard Francis, released from Venezuela through diplomatic efforts.
President Biden gave remarks at the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce.
President Biden meets with CEO Rashawn Spivey and workers from Hero Plumbing, a black-owned small business working to replace lead pipes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
