What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
June 17, 2024 Recap
The Biden-Harris Administration issued a fact sheet that prioritizes preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) through policies and programs guided by the 2023 U.S. Strategy and National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security and the 2022 U.S. Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence Globally. Vice President Harris launched the $10 million Dignity in Documentation Initiative to investigate and document CRSV, promoting accountability for these crimes.
Key actions include updating the Safe from the Start initiative with nearly $373 million invested since 2013 for emergency GBV prevention. In Ukraine, a $4 million project supports GBV survivors and aids in holding perpetrators accountable. Sanctions have been imposed on individuals and groups in multiple countries for CRSV involvement, with the administration leading the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2734, recognizing sexual and gender-based violence as a sanctionable offense.
The administration also provides additional funding for UN efforts and enhances women's roles in peacebuilding through USAID initiatives in Sudan and Sri Lanka. The White House-led Atrocity Prevention Task Force integrates gender and GBV considerations in atrocity risk assessments and prevention tools, underscoring the administration's commitment to ending CRSV and promoting justice for survivors.
In his remarks at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, National Economic Council Deputy Director Daniel Hornung highlighted the unique opportunity to reshape the tax system as the Trump tax cuts expire in 2025. He underscored the need to correct the failures of these tax cuts and reorient the system towards shared growth and economic opportunity. Hornung criticized the Trump tax cuts for primarily benefiting high-income households and large businesses, noting that they failed to deliver the promised income, economic activity, or revenue gains. Instead, these cuts resulted in substantial windfalls for the wealthy, while the bottom 90 percent of workers saw no significant wage gains. The expected economic growth and investment acceleration did not materialize, and the cuts ultimately increased deficits without generating the anticipated revenue.
President Biden’s vision for 2025 focuses on creating a tax system that promotes fairness, opportunity, and work rather than privileging wealth. This includes making permanent the premium tax credits and the expanded Child Tax Credit, which have been crucial for health insurance coverage and reducing child poverty. Biden's plan proposes higher taxes on capital gains for the wealthy and closing loopholes that allow the richest individuals to avoid paying their fair share. Additionally, the corporate tax rate would be raised to 28%, and reforms would be implemented to broaden the corporate tax base. Increased funding for the IRS is also a priority to ensure tax compliance and efficient tax filing services.
The administration aims to prevent an international race to the bottom in corporate tax rates by supporting a global agreement that ensures fair taxation and prevents countries from luring jobs away from the U.S. with low tax rates. President Biden's plan is designed to address the shortcomings of the Trump tax cuts and fundamentally reorient the tax system to support middle- and lower-income Americans. This approach is backed by economic evidence and public opinion, which overwhelmingly favors a fairer tax system that benefits the middle class and those in need.
The President signed into law:
S. 2051, the “Missing Children’s Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2023,” which reauthorizes and makes certain modifications to the Missing Children’s Assistance Act and authorizes to be appropriated $49.3 million for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 for missing and exploited children’s programs.
President Biden issued a statement congratulating the United Auto Workers (UAW) and Ultium Cells on reaching a historic agreement in Lordstown, Ohio. The agreement benefits 1,600 workers manufacturing batteries for General Motors electric vehicles and includes significant wage increases and improved health, safety, and scheduling protections. Biden contrasted this success with the previous administration's unmet promises, highlighting his "Investing in America" agenda as a key factor in revitalizing Lordstown. He emphasized that such agreements help secure middle-class union jobs, allowing workers to support their families.
The United States and India are making significant progress in their Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET). U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval recently chaired the second iCET meeting in New Delhi, highlighting strides in areas like space, semiconductors, AI, quantum technology, and clean energy. They emphasized the need for co-production, co-development, and R&D to stay at the forefront of innovation while ensuring secure, reliable, and cost-competitive technology solutions.
Key achievements and future goals discussed include:
Innovation Ecosystems: Unlocking $90+ million for joint research in semiconductor technology, sustainable agriculture, clean energy, and more.
Space Cooperation: Securing joint NASA-ISRO projects, including astronaut missions and satellite development.
Defense Cooperation: Progress in defense technology co-production and the launch of new initiatives to enhance military capabilities.
Telecommunications: Advancing 5G and 6G technologies and promoting Open RAN deployments.
Biotechnology: Establishing consortia to strengthen biopharmaceutical supply chains and foster R&D collaboration.
Semiconductor Supply Chains: Developing semiconductor design and manufacturing partnerships and assessing industry opportunities.
Clean Energy and Critical Minerals: Promoting collaboration in critical mineral supply chains and establishing advanced materials R&D forums.
Quantum and AI Collaboration: Launching workshops and expanding cooperation in quantum science, AI, and high-performance computing.
The initiative addresses barriers to bilateral trade and technology cooperation, prevents sensitive technology leakage, and enhances private sector investment and partnerships. This collaboration is crucial for the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.
President Biden called Taoiseach Simon Harris of Ireland to congratulate him on his recent election and to discuss enhancing U.S.-Ireland cooperation. During the conversation, President Biden emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between the two nations in terms of their people and economies. They highlighted the critical role of cybersecurity in maintaining Ireland's thriving tech sector, which is home to many U.S. tech companies. The leaders also addressed the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, stressing the need to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza and reaffirming their commitment to a two-state solution. Additionally, they discussed the significance of maintaining stability in Northern Ireland, emphasizing the need to uphold the Executive and Assembly to preserve the gains achieved by the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.
President Biden met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in preparation for NATO's 75th Anniversary Summit in Washington, DC, next month. They discussed NATO Allies' support for Ukraine and efforts to deepen partnerships, especially in the Indo-Pacific. They also reviewed progress on defense spending, noting that a record 23 Allies will meet NATO's two percent spending threshold, more than doubling since Biden took office.
President Biden declared major disasters in both Tennessee and Hawaii, ordering Federal aid to support state and local recovery efforts following severe weather events. In Tennessee, from May 8 to May 9, 2024, severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding affected numerous counties, prompting the availability of Federal funding for emergency work, repair, and replacement of damaged facilities on a cost-sharing basis. Leda M. Khoury from FEMA has been appointed to coordinate these efforts. Similarly, in Hawaii, from April 11 to April 14, 2024, severe storms, flooding, and landslides impacted Kauai County, providing Federal funding for similar recovery and repair efforts. Curtis Brown from FEMA will oversee the coordination of recovery operations in Hawaii. Both states will also receive Federal support for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
President Biden meets with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in the Oval Office at The White House
