What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
December 8 Recap
The Biden-Harris Administration is set to allocate $8.2 billion in fresh funding for ten major passenger rail initiatives nationwide, marking the initiation of the first-ever world-class high-speed rail ventures in the history of the United States. Noteworthy among the selected projects is the construction of a cutting-edge high-speed rail system connecting California and Nevada, anticipated to cater to over 11 million passengers annually. Another pivotal initiative involves establishing a high-speed rail line traversing California's Central Valley, ultimately linking Los Angeles and San Francisco, with speeds reaching up to 220 mph. Substantial enhancements are also in the pipeline for frequently-traveled rail corridors in Virginia, North Carolina, and the District of Columbia. Furthermore, plans are to upgrade and expand capacity at Chicago Union Station in Illinois, a pivotal rail hub ranking among the nation's busiest. These groundbreaking projects are poised to generate tens of thousands of well-paying union jobs, stimulate economic prospects for communities nationwide, and introduce secure, comfortable, and environmentally friendly travel alternatives, significantly reducing travel times compared to driving. Read the fact sheet.
President Biden issued a statement on the November jobs report that showed U.S. employers successfully adding 199,000 jobs, contributing to a positive economic outlook. The concurrent drop in the unemployment rate, from 3.9% to 3.7%, suggests a potential achievement of a sought-after "soft landing." This scenario entails the economy returning to the Federal Reserve's 2% inflation target without precipitating a significant recession. According to the latest report from the Labor Department on Friday, the current unemployment rate is not far above the five-decade low of 3.4% recorded in April. Impressively, the jobless rate has maintained a level below 4% for nearly two years, marking the most prolonged such duration since the late 1960s.
The White House Office of Public Engagement brought together advocates for Black male economic empowerment to converse with senior Administration officials regarding Bidenomics and the President's continuous initiatives to benefit Black Americans.
The meeting attendees included a diverse group of over 40 Black investors, entrepreneurs, and champions of economic opportunity from across the nation. They represented various sectors, including private equity, venture capital, asset management, and philanthropy.
Throughout the discussion, representatives from the Biden-Harris Administration emphasized the President's unwavering commitment to accelerating access to capital for communities of color. This commitment is manifested through initiatives such as promoting entrepreneurship, expanding government contracting opportunities, and investing in the workforce to generate high-quality jobs. Read more…
President Biden issued A Proclamation on Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week, 2023.
The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, National Economic Council, and Domestic Policy Council brought together more than 80 federal and state officials to address the significance of diminishing medical debt as a critical component of President Biden's economic agenda. This initiative aims to reduce expenses for American families. Nearly 100 million Americans, or one in three adults, grapple with unresolved medical bills, hindering their ability to secure loans, access medical services, and afford necessities. President Biden and Vice President Harris advocate for healthcare access as a fundamental right, asserting that individuals should not incur debt to receive necessary medical care.
In the recent gathering, Administration officials emphasized the critical need to address medical debt to enhance the overall well-being of Americans while reducing financial burdens. They expressed gratitude to state leaders for their collaboration on this issue. State representatives shared their endeavors to combat medical debt, highlighting legislative achievements in California, Colorado, and Washington. These states have approached the issue by addressing medical payment products, unfair debt collection practices, surprise billing, facility fees, and charity care. Read more…
The president issued a Statement from President Joe Biden on FDA Approval of Gene Therapies to Treat Sickle Cell Disease.
The Biden-Harris Administration orchestrated a gathering involving approximately 60 educators, advocates, officials, and other education leaders to discuss inclusive strategies for teaching artificial intelligence (AI) in computer science. This event, held in conjunction with Computer Science Education Week, recognized the dedicated efforts of educators imparting AI knowledge in computer science to students nationwide, particularly those in underserved communities. The participants engaged in conversations highlighting the significance of these initiatives for skill development, the imperative for inclusive teaching practices in AI education, and avenues to support educators.
This event was jointly hosted by the National Economic Council and the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). It drew the attendance of officials from the Office of the Vice President, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Office of the National Cyber Director, the National Space Council, and the Department of Education. The officials underscored the pivotal role of AI and computer science education in shaping America's future workforce, emphasizing how Administration initiatives, such as the AI Executive Order, prioritize and champion this crucial work. Read more…
A press gaggle took place on board Air Force One en route to Las Vegas, NV. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and NSC Director of Strategic Communications John Kirby conducted the briefing. It began with Ms. Jean-Pierre discussing the president’s schedule while in Las Vegas, including a visit the Carpenters Union International Training Center to deliver remarks and announce $8.2 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for passenger rail projects across the country, including the first two high-speed rail projects in the United States. She also mentioned the president will also meet with the UNLV president, along with public safety and student body representatives, to personally share his condolences for those they have lost and reaffirm our support for local law enforcement, UNLV, and the broader community in the wake of this tragedy.
Mr. Kirby gave updates on the conflict between Israel and Gaza, as well as the ongoing concerns with the Congressional funding deadline for Ukraine. Both answered questions from the press. Read the briefing.
NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson released a statement on the Travel of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to the Republic of Korea. During his visit, Mr. Sullivan will reaffirm the United States’ unwavering support for the ROK and Japan in the face of the DPRK’s provocative actions in the region, as well as discuss deepening collaboration on key issues like critical and emerging technology and strengthen resilience against economic coercion and supply chain disruptions, increasing collaboration on development assistance across the globe. Read more…
A joint fact sheet on Launching the U.S.-ROK Next Generation Critical and Emerging Technologies Dialogue was released by The White House.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan held the fourth trilateral meeting with ROK National Security Advisor Cho Tae-Yong and Japanese National Security Advisor Takeo Akiba under the Biden-Harris Administration. This gathering occurred only four months after the significant Camp David Summit, during which President Biden, President Yoon, and Prime Minister Kishida initiated a new era of trilateral cooperation.
During the meeting, the National Security Advisors assessed advancements in various trilateral initiatives. These included the Commitment to Consult on regional crises, the exchange of ballistic missile defense data, and collaborative endeavors to address the DPRK's use of cryptocurrency for funding illicit WMD programs. Additionally, discussions encompassed future steps related to economic security in trilateral cooperation, such as the supply chain early warning initiative. They also delved into efforts to synchronize the region's Indo-Pacific Strategies and capacity-building initiatives for the three countries involved. Read more…
President Biden in Nevada
