What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
June 11, 2024 Recap
Speaking at the Everytown For Gun Safety Event in Washington, D.C., President Biden delivered a speech addressing gun violence, emphasizing his longstanding commitment to combating it. He commended those who have lost loved ones to gun violence for their courage and for turning their pain into a purpose. Biden highlighted the achievements of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which he praised for reducing gun violence and saving lives. He noted significant drops in murder and violent crime rates and credited these improvements to community efforts.
The act includes measures such as background checks for those under 21 purchasing firearms, funding for violence intervention programs, and investments in school safety and youth mental health. Biden reiterated the need for further action, including banning assault weapons, establishing universal background checks, and holding gun dealers accountable. He concluded by urging continued efforts to reduce gun violence, emphasizing the collective power and responsibility to protect future generations.
The American Rescue Plan is being used to eliminate $7 billion in medical debt for up to 3 million Americans by 2026. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) proposed a rule to remove medical debt from credit reports, which could raise credit scores for over 15 million people by an average of 20 points and facilitate approximately 22,000 additional mortgages annually.
Vice President Harris and CFPB Director Rohit Chopra announced this initiative, aiming to reduce the number of Americans with medical debt on their credit reports from 46 million in 2020 to zero. They called on states, local governments, and healthcare providers to take further actions to alleviate medical debt, including leveraging public funds to purchase and eliminate medical debt, expanding access to charity care, and limiting coercive debt collection practices.
The Biden-Harris Administration has been working to reduce medical debt and healthcare costs, with significant efforts including:
Making ACA coverage more affordable and expanding Medicaid.
Ensuring major credit reporting agencies exclude certain medical debts.
Initiating steps to minimize the impact of medical debt on mortgage and loan underwriting.
Implementing surprise billing protections.
Capping prescription drug costs for seniors under Medicare.
Despite these efforts, Congressional Republicans have opposed measures to lower healthcare costs, proposed cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act, and sought to defund the CFPB.
Vice President Harris announced a new initiative to alleviate the impact of medical debt on Americans' financial health. With over 100 million Americans struggling with medical debt from unexpected medical emergencies, this debt often damages credit scores and hinders access to loans. Harris revealed that medical debt will soon be excluded from credit scores, increasing the average score by 20 points for millions and enabling an estimated 22,000 more families to qualify for mortgages annually.
Highlighting her career in consumer protection, Harris noted efforts as California's Attorney General and U.S. Senator, including actions against predatory debt practices and defending the Affordable Care Act. The Biden-Harris administration has already forgiven over $650 million in medical debt, with plans to forgive an additional $7 billion. Harris urged states, cities, and hospitals to join in forgiving medical debt to foster economic opportunity for all. She introduced Director Chopra of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as a key partner in this initiative.
President Biden honored James Lawson, a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement, in a statement following his passing. Born in Pennsylvania and from a family of ministers, Lawson dedicated his life to fighting for American ideals. He was expelled from Vanderbilt Divinity School for organizing sit-ins in Nashville, Tennessee, which led to the city's desegregation of public accommodations. His methods influenced civil rights activism throughout the South. As a mentor, he guided nonviolent resistance leaders like Diane Nash and Congressman John Lewis. Vanderbilt University now honors him with the James Lawson Institute. President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden expressed their condolences, highlighting Lawson's significant role in the nation's progress toward equality and justice.
The United States is committed to supporting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in development, sustainability, and climate resilience. These islands face significant challenges from climate change, such as sea-level rise and extreme weather. The Biden-Harris Administration has launched the U.S.-Pacific Partnership Strategy, increasing engagement and opening new embassies in the Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu. USAID has a new mission in Fiji, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has initiated projects in Cabo Verde, Belize, and Kiribati to support economic growth and education.
To address the climate crisis, the U.S. collaborates with SIDS to build resilience, allocating nearly $100 million for climate finance and renewable energy under the U.S. Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030). Programs like the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE) aim to strengthen climate information systems.
Capacity building is also a focus, with NOAA investing $10 million in training for early warning systems in the Caribbean and Pacific. Since 2010, the U.S. has committed over $912 million through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) to combat trafficking and transnational crime. The Department of the Interior plans to provide over $700,000 for government capacity building, including the Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP), to develop skilled staff for island governments.
White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby led a press gaggle via teleconference. He previewed the upcoming G7 Leaders' Summit in Italy, highlighting key themes and discussions. President Biden's agenda includes bolstering support for Ukraine amidst Russia's ongoing aggression, focusing on unlocking immobilized Russian sovereign assets for Ukraine's recovery, and introducing new sanctions targeting Russia's defense industrial base. Kirby emphasized the G7's unity in supporting shared democratic values, addressing global challenges, and promoting economic resilience, particularly concerning China's non-market policies. The President will also host a side event on the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment. Additionally, Kirby mentioned ongoing discussions regarding a ceasefire deal with Hamas, stressing careful evaluation of their recent response. Other topics included potential bilateral meetings and broader geopolitical issues, such as the rise of far-right parties in Europe and the U.S. naval presence in the Red Sea.
President Biden issued a statement expressing his love and pride for his son Hunter following his conviction, acknowledging Hunter's battle with addiction and his strength in recovery. He emphasized his respect for the judicial process and said he would accept the case's outcome while Hunter considered an appeal. The President affirmed that he and his wife Jill will always support Hunter and their family.
President Biden gives remarks at the Everytown Gun Sense University event in Washington, D.C.
I have never been so proud of Joe Biden as I am today. The grace and dignity with which this Average Joe has handled the trials and tribulations of his family life is inspiring and serves as an example to the rest of us. The President and First Lady are wise and noble in their support for their son, Hunter.