What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
February 1 Recap
President Joe Biden announced a historic step in healthcare reform: Medicare is negotiating prices directly with pharmaceutical companies for ten expensive and widely used drugs for the first time. This move aims to lower the costs that have been dictated by drug manufacturers until now, despite strong opposition from Big Pharma and unanimous resistance from Republican lawmakers, who continue efforts to overturn this legislation.
The President contrasts his administration's approach with his opponents, emphasizing his commitment to reducing healthcare expenses for Americans, particularly seniors. He highlights achievements under his Inflation Reduction Act, including reducing insulin costs to $35 for seniors and people with disabilities, saving millions on health insurance, and setting a cap on out-of-pocket drug expenses at $2,000 starting the next year. This effort is part of a broader agenda to make healthcare more affordable and prevent Americans from paying significantly more for prescription drugs than people in other countries.
Despite ongoing opposition from Republicans aiming to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act and cut funding to essential health services, Biden affirms his administration's dedication to fighting for lower healthcare costs and safeguarding benefits for seniors and families nationwide.
President Biden has implemented the Inflation Reduction Act, which empowers Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices with pharmaceutical companies. Initial offers for the negotiation of prices for the first ten selected drugs have been sent out. This marks the first time Medicare has challenged pharmaceutical companies' pricing.
In 2022, nine million Medicare seniors spent an estimated $3.4 billion out-of-pocket on these selected drugs, used to treat various common conditions, while pharmaceutical companies reaped high profits. A new report highlights that Big Pharma charged Americans significantly more than other OECD countries for the same drugs in 2022, despite rebates and discounts. For instance, insulin prices in the U.S. were nearly ten times higher than in comparison countries.
President Biden's program aims to counter Big Pharma's price gouging and put money back into American families' pockets by negotiating lower drug prices. The impact on seniors is expected to be substantial.
Previously, Medicare was prohibited from directly negotiating drug prices, unlike other government agencies that negotiate lower prices. Big Pharma and House Republicans are opposing this popular program, with ongoing lawsuits and attempts to eliminate the Inflation Reduction Act.
Nevertheless, President Biden remains committed to lowering healthcare costs, protecting Medicare and Social Security, and providing relief to seniors, people with disabilities, and families. Negotiated drug prices for the first ten drugs will be announced soon, and Medicare plans to select up to 60 drugs for negotiation over the next four years.
The Inflation Reduction Act has benefited millions of Americans, including a $35 cap on insulin, $800 yearly savings on health insurance premiums, and reduced coinsurance for certain Medicare Part B drugs. Despite opposition, President Biden's administration continues to prioritize lowering healthcare costs for Americans.
President Biden issued an Executive Order that declared a national emergency to address the escalating situation in the West Bank, characterized by extremist settler violence, forced displacement, and property destruction. These conditions are deemed a significant threat to the peace, security, and stability of not only the West Bank and Gaza but also Israel and the broader Middle East, undermining U.S. foreign policy goals, including the pursuit of a two-state solution and ensuring equal security, prosperity, and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians.
Key provisions include:
Sanctions: The order authorizes blocking the property and interests in property within U.S. jurisdiction of individuals and entities responsible for, or complicit in, actions threatening the peace, security, or stability of the West Bank. This includes acts of violence, forced displacement, property destruction, and support for terrorism affecting the West Bank.
Visa Restrictions: It suspends the entry into the United States of noncitizens identified under this order as detrimental to U.S. interests, with provisions for exceptions determined by the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Enforcement: The order prohibits transactions that evade or avoid, or attempt to violate, the sanctions, including the provision or receipt of funds, goods, or services to or from sanctioned persons.
Implementation: The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is empowered to take actions necessary to implement the order, including promulgating rules and regulations.
Legal Framework: The order is grounded in various legal authorities, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the National Emergencies Act, and the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Reporting: It mandates recurring and final reports to Congress on the national emergency and the actions taken under this order.
The executive order emphasizes the U.S. government's commitment to addressing the deteriorating situation in the West Bank and its implications for regional stability and U.S. national security and foreign policy interests.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan issued a statement that affirmed that the United States strongly supported Israel's right to defend itself following the horrific terrorist attacks that occurred on October 7 and its efforts to defeat Hamas to ensure such attacks never happened again. This included taking steps to cut off Hamas' access to the international financial system. Since October 7, the United States has issued five rounds of sanctions against Hamas, including the most recent round of sanctions against Hamas last week. President Biden had also expressed his concern about the rise in violence in the West Bank from extremist actors, particularly the increase in extremist settler violence, which had reached record levels in 2023. This violence had posed a grave threat to peace, security, and stability in the West Bank, Israel, and the Middle East region. It had threatened the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States.
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to applaud the European Union’s historic decision at the European Council today to approve 50 billion euro in additional financial support to Ukraine. President Biden commended the European Union’s steadfast support for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russian aggression and fulfill the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of its citizens. Von der Leyen emphasized the critical importance of sustained U.S. support to Ukraine, which has been indispensable to Ukraine’s efforts to defend its people, cities, and soldiers in its fight for freedom.
President Biden delivered remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be present, acknowledging various attendees and their contributions. The President touched upon several topics, including prayers for American servicemen, the situation in Israel and Gaza, and his commitment to working for peace. He emphasized the importance of combating hate, promoting equality and unity among Americans, and drawing inspiration from the ideals of the United States. He concluded with a message of hope, unity, and the belief that the nation can overcome challenges when working together.
President Joe Biden celebrated the confirmation of the 175th life-tenured federal judge during his tenure. He expressed gratitude to various senators, including Leader Schumer and Chair Durbin, for their support. He highlighted the diversity among these judges, with over 65% being women and people of color, including the historic appointment of Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court. President Biden emphasized the importance of judges in deciding significant issues affecting Americans and pledged to continue nominating highly qualified, impartial individuals committed to upholding the Constitution.
A background press call discussed measures the U.S. government took to address actions undermining peace, security, and stability in the West Bank. These measures included a new executive order that allowed for financial sanctions and visa restrictions on foreign nationals engaged in acts or threats of violence, intimidation, property destruction, or terrorism in the West Bank. The sanctions aimed to deny access to the U.S. financial system and prohibit U.S. persons from providing funds, goods, or services to designated individuals.
The call clarified that American citizens were not the intended target of these measures, which primarily focused on foreign nationals. The U.S. government engaged in a process to gather evidence and determine responsibility for these actions, relying on various sources, including public reporting, court documents, convictions in foreign states, and intelligence reporting.
The call also addressed the Israeli government's notification and confirmed that certain Israeli ministers were not under consideration for sanctions at that time. Additionally, it mentioned that the names of individuals subject to sanctions were released at noon, along with details of their conduct and the rationale for their designation.
President Joe Biden has announced his intention to nominate three individuals for key leadership roles in his Administration. The nominees are as follows:
Rose E. Jenkins: She is nominated to be a United States Tax Court Judge. Jenkins has over 15 years of experience as a tax lawyer, with expertise in international and administrative law. She is an attorney in the Office of Associate Chief Counsel at the IRS and has previously held positions at New York University Law School, KPMG, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, & Flom LLP. She holds degrees from New York University Law School, the University of Texas School of Law, and Stanford University and is a New York State Bar member.
Adam B. Landy: Nominated to be a Judge on the United States Tax Court, Landy has been a Special Trial Judge on the Tax Court since 2021. He has previously worked as a Senior Attorney with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel. As an Associate at McNair Law Firm, P.A., He earned degrees from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and the University of South Carolina School of Law.
Kashi Way: Way is nominated as a United States Tax Court Judge. He currently serves as senior legislation counsel with the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation, focusing on energy-related tax issues and the research credit. He has a background in private practice at Covington & Burling, clerked at the U.S. Tax Court, and holds degrees from the University of Virginia, Columbia University, and the University of Southern California.
These nominations are significant appointments in the field of tax law and will require Senate confirmation.
During a press gaggle en route to Detroit, Michigan, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and NSC Coordinator John Kirby highlighted several key points:
Medicare Drug Price Negotiation: Jean-Pierre announced the implementation of a provision in President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act that allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices directly with pharmaceutical companies, targeting the prices of the first 10 drugs selected for negotiation. This move aims to lower the cost of prescription drugs for millions of seniors, marking a historic change in Medicare's approach to drug pricing. Jean-Pierre criticized the opposition from Republicans, who have attempted to repeal the Act and cut benefits.
Support for Ukraine: Kirby mentioned President Biden's call to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, thanking the European Union for a significant financial aid package to Ukraine, amounting to about $50 billion. This aid is intended to support Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Executive Order on West Bank Violence: Kirby discussed an executive order signed by President Biden to address actions undermining peace, security, and stability in the West Bank. The order enables the U.S. to impose financial sanctions on individuals directly involved in acts of violence against civilians, property destruction, or terrorist activities in the West Bank. Following this, the State Department issued designations under this new executive authority, as part of the administration's efforts to combat settler violence in the area.
These statements from the press briefing underscore the Biden administration's efforts to lower healthcare costs, support Ukraine, and address violence in the West Bank through new policy measures and international cooperation.
The White House and the USDA held a discussion with 30 stakeholders from minority and small- to mid-sized farming communities to address advancing equity and opportunity in agriculture as part of President Biden's commitment to ensure all farmers have equitable access to USDA programs and services. The event featured updates on the administration's efforts to promote equity and uphold civil rights in agriculture, aligning with President Biden's executive order on racial equity. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack outlined the USDA's achievements in promoting equity, supporting family farmers and ranchers, and enhancing access to resources for underserved and rural communities. The discussion, led by USDA's Senior Advisor for Racial Equity Dr. Dewayne Goldmon and including FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux, covered challenges such as funding barriers for small-scale farmers, the need for diversity in agriculture professions, the importance of inclusive partnerships, the impact of state and county policies on Tribal farmers, and the progress and future goals for diversifying USDA leadership and staff to serve all communities better. The conversation continued at the USDA, emphasizing the administration's ongoing commitment to equity in agriculture.
President Biden spoke at a political event with United Auto Workers (UAW) members in Warren, Michigan, expressing his strong support for the union and the auto industry. Highlighting his personal connections to the auto industry and labor's role in building the middle class, Biden emphasized that a thriving labor sector benefits the entire country. He criticized the concept of trickle-down economics, arguing instead for fair opportunities for all workers.
Biden recounted a trip to South Korea, where he encouraged investment in America, highlighting the quality of American workers as a key attraction for foreign investment. He proudly noted the strength of the American economy, the creation of manufacturing jobs, and the investment in American-made products and workers as fundamental to his administration's strategy.
The president also acknowledged several political figures present at the event, including Governor Whitmer, Senator Debbie Stabenow, and others, praising their contributions to the state and the country. He concluded his remarks by invoking his family's labor roots and calling for the spread of faith in America's future.
President Biden delivers remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C.
