What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
Weekend Recap: October 19-20, 2024
President Biden has declared a major disaster in North Carolina due to the impact of Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight between September 16 and 20, 2024. This declaration provides federal assistance to support state, tribal, and local recovery efforts. Federal funding will help cover emergency work and repair or replace damaged facilities in Brunswick, Carteret, New Hanover, and Onslow counties. Additionally, funds will be available for hazard mitigation efforts statewide. FEMA’s E. Craig Levy, Sr. will oversee federal recovery operations, with the possibility of additional assistance based on further damage assessments.
President Biden expressed deep sorrow following the ferry dock walkway collapse on Georgia’s Sapelo Island, which occurred during what should have been a joyous celebration of Gullah-Geechee culture and history. He and First Lady Jill Biden mourn the loss of lives, offering prayers for those injured and anyone still missing. Biden also expressed gratitude to the first responders at the scene and emphasized that his team is in contact with state and local officials, ready to support the community.
Vice President Kamala Harris shared similar sentiments, stating that she and her husband, Doug, are praying for the victims, their families, and loved ones. She emphasized the administration’s close communication with state and local authorities and offered federal support. Harris also thanked the first responders for their heroic efforts. She reaffirmed the administration's commitment to honoring the Gullah-Geechee community's history, culture, and resilience, even in the face of this tragedy.
President Biden congratulated Prabowo Subianto on his inauguration as the President of Indonesia. He also praised the Indonesian people for exercising their democratic right to vote. Biden highlighted that 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Indonesia. He and Vice President Harris expressed their eagerness to collaborate with President Prabowo further to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations and to address the key challenges that impact the lives of their citizens.
In her remarks at a campaign event in Lansing, Michigan, Vice President Kamala Harris strongly endorsed labor unions, emphasizing their pivotal role in securing workers' rights, such as fair wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions. Speaking at UAW Local 652, she commended union leaders and workers for their perseverance in fighting for the dignity of work. She noted that the gains made by unions benefit all Americans, whether or not they are union members. Harris underscored the importance of collective bargaining, explaining that it ensures fairness in negotiations between workers and powerful corporations, leveling the playing field by allowing workers to negotiate collectively rather than individually.
Harris contrasted her administration’s vision with Donald Trump's, criticizing his track record on labor and manufacturing. She highlighted how Trump’s presidency resulted in the loss of nearly 200,000 manufacturing jobs, including many in Michigan before the pandemic even began. She pointed out that while Trump promised to protect American manufacturing, his policies led to the closure of several auto plants, including in Michigan, and his tax cuts benefited corporations that shipped jobs overseas. She accused Trump of being out of touch with the realities faced by American workers, calling him a “union buster” who has consistently undermined workers’ rights and mocked the value of their labor.
The vice president also detailed her administration’s efforts to revitalize American manufacturing, creating over 730,000 manufacturing jobs and opening more than 20 new auto plants. She emphasized the importance of investing in industries like steel, iron, and the auto industry to ensure American workers build advanced technologies, such as electric vehicles, in America. Harris pledged to continue supporting manufacturing communities, including those in Michigan, by retooling factories and creating good-paying jobs, especially for workers without a college degree. She believed a college degree should not be the only measure of a worker’s qualifications. She was committed to reviewing federal job requirements to ensure that experience and skills are properly valued.
Harris also focused on protecting workers' pensions, noting her history of fighting for workers' retirement security as attorney general, senator, and vice president. She highlighted her recent announcement that she would protect the pensions of over 22,000 union workers and retirees in Michigan. She reiterated her administration’s commitment to safeguarding Social Security and Medicare, contrasting this with Trump’s intention to cut these essential programs.
Throughout her speech, Harris returned to the theme of dignity, stressing that work and retirement deserve respect. She sharply criticized Trump’s recent comments disparaging union workers, accusing him of having no understanding of the struggles faced by ordinary Americans and highlighting his history of inherited wealth and financial failures. Harris closed her remarks by urging the audience to stay energized for the upcoming election, calling it a critical fight for the future of workers, unions, and the middle class. She framed the election as a choice between moving forward with policies that strengthen workers' rights or returning to policies that undermine them, ending with optimism and determination to win.
In her speech at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, Vice President Kamala Harris began by expressing gratitude to Pastor Jamal Bryant for his leadership and the congregation for their warm reception. She reflected on the long-standing relationship she shares with Pastor Bryant, noting that they first met nearly 20 years ago at a gathering of emerging leaders, where they discussed their shared sense of duty and responsibility to the country. She conveyed her honor at being present to celebrate her birthday with the congregation, recognizing the community’s achievements under Pastor Bryant’s leadership.
Harris addressed the recent tragic incident at Sapelo Island, where a dock collapsed during a cultural celebration. While details were still emerging, she acknowledged the loss of life and injuries, offering her condolences and gratitude to first responders. She emphasized the importance of community, particularly in times of tragedy, drawing parallels to the church’s role in fostering connection and support among its members.
The Vice President also spoke about the significance of voting and praised Pastor Bryant for his efforts to encourage voter registration across the country. She invoked the legacy of civil rights icons like Congressman John Lewis, reminding the audience of the connection between faith and activism. Harris highlighted the importance of safeguarding voting rights, a fundamental aspect of democracy that her own parents, alongside others like Lewis, fought for.
Harris shared a personal story about her mother, who was one of the few women of color conducting breast cancer research. She spoke about the significance of breast cancer awareness, especially on this day of worship, which held deep meaning for her due to her mother’s work and her personal experiences supporting loved ones through cancer battles. She offered her prayers to those in the congregation facing similar struggles, commending their strength and resilience.
In her message of faith, Harris reflected on the parable of the Good Samaritan, using it as a metaphor for leadership and compassion. She recounted the story of a man attacked and left for dead, only to be saved by a Samaritan who provided aid despite being a stranger. Harris urged the audience to reflect on whether leaders today embody the values of compassion and community that the Samaritan demonstrated, challenging the congregation to live those values in their daily lives.
She also shared memories of her upbringing in the church, recalling her time singing in the children's choir and learning the teachings of the Bible. These experiences, she said, shaped her understanding of faith as a guiding force in standing up for the vulnerable and speaking out for justice. Harris connected these teachings to the current political and social climate, where divisions are being deepened, and some leaders prioritize power over compassion. She emphasized that true leadership is measured not by who one beats down but by who one lifts up.
Harris praised the acts of kindness and heroism witnessed in the aftermath of recent storms in Georgia and other states. She recounted stories of individuals who stepped up to help others in need, describing them as modern-day "Good Samaritans" who exemplified faith in action. These examples, she said, serve as a reminder of the power and agency that every individual has to make a difference in times of crisis.
Finally, Harris shared a story from her time as a law intern, where she successfully advocated for the release of a woman wrongfully jailed. This experience, she explained, reinforced her belief in the power of individual action and the importance of never allowing anyone to strip away one’s sense of power. She concluded by calling on the congregation to use their faith and votes to shape the country's future, urging them to choose a path of compassion, freedom, and justice over fear and hate. Harris emphasized that, like the Good Samaritan, each person can bring light to moments of darkness and to see a neighbor in the face of a stranger.
Vice President Harris gives remarks at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia
