What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
June 21, 2024 Recap
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced that over one million workers and retirees' pensions are protected thanks to the American Rescue Plan (ARP). This includes over 100,000 union workers and retirees from the Bakery and Confectionery Union and Industry International Pension Fund. The ARP assistance, announced in Hershey, Pennsylvania, will prevent benefit cuts for approximately 103,000 workers and retirees, including over 6,700 in Pennsylvania. Without this support, these individuals would have faced a 45% reduction in their pension benefits by the decade's end. The plan now projects to pay full benefits through at least 2051.
The ARP's Special Financial Assistance program, known as the "Butch Lewis Act," ensures the solvency of roughly 200 distressed multiemployer pension plans, protecting the earned benefits of approximately two million workers. The program has so far delivered assistance to 83 pension plans, covering over one million workers and retirees, preventing average cuts of 37%. Additionally, it has restored benefits for tens of thousands of retirees in 36 multiemployer plans that had already suffered deep cuts.
The ARP has provided significant pension relief across various unions and states, including over 500,000 workers in Teamsters union plans, 120,000 in United Food and Commercial Workers plans, and 110,000 in United Steelworkers and United Auto Workers plans. The top states benefiting from this relief include Illinois, New York, Ohio, Michigan, and California. The ARP's efforts mark the most significant attempt to protect the solvency of the multiemployer pension system in nearly 50 years.
President Biden issued a proclamation to modify the safeguard measures on crystalline silicon photovoltaic (CSPV) cells and modules, aiming to aid the U.S. domestic industry adjust to import competition. Initially, a safeguard measure was imposed in January 2018, involving tariff-rate quotas and increased duties, with exemptions for certain countries. In June 2019, bifacial solar panels were excluded from these measures. However, in October 2020, Proclamation 10101 revoked this exclusion and adjusted tariffs, a move initially blocked by a court but later upheld.
In February 2022, Proclamation 10339 amended the safeguard measures, maintaining the exclusion of bifacial panels. Subsequent reports indicated positive industry adjustments, including increased production and improved financial indicators. In February 2024, a petition was submitted to revoke the bifacial panel exclusion, citing increased imports and competition.
The President determined that the exclusion impaired the effectiveness of previous measures and decided to apply the safeguard tariff to bifacial panels. The modifications are effective for goods entered after a specified date, with exceptions for pre-existing contracts fulfilled within 90 days. Importers must comply with certification requirements and provide necessary documentation to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Relevant tariff provisions will be deleted one year after the safeguard measure's termination. This proclamation ensures the U.S. CSPV industry continues to adjust positively to import competition.
President Joe Biden issued a statement on the U.S. v. Rahimi case, emphasizing the importance of preventing domestic abusers from obtaining firearms. He reassured survivors of domestic violence that today's ruling maintains crucial protections that have been in place for 30 years. Biden highlighted his long-standing efforts to combat gun violence, including writing the Violence Against Women Act, securing record funding for it, signing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to close the "boyfriend loophole," and taking numerous executive actions to enhance gun safety and end gender-based violence. He reiterated his and Vice President Harris's commitment to ending violence against women and urged Congress to strengthen support for survivors and address the gun violence epidemic.
Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a speech at the Constitutional Convention of UNITE HERE, emphasizing the importance of collective action and solidarity in the labor movement. She praised leaders like Elena and D. Taylor for their contributions and celebrated the recent historic contract win of Culinary 226 in Las Vegas. Harris highlighted the administration's accomplishments, such as capping insulin and asthma inhaler costs, forgiving student loan debt, and protecting union pensions. She contrasted these achievements with the previous administration's policies and called for continued mobilization and organizing to support the Biden-Harris administration in the upcoming election. Harris concluded with a rallying cry for freedom, opportunity, and the promise of America.
President Biden authorized a memorandum announcing the establishment of the Economic Diplomacy Action Group (EDAG) and delegating certain functions and authorities under the Championing American Business Through Diplomacy Act of 2019.
This initiative's primary purpose is to support U.S. economic and business interests abroad, positioning them as a foreign policy priority. It underscores the critical role of U.S. businesses in advancing broader national security and foreign policy objectives. By fostering broad-based, inclusive, responsible, and sustainable economic growth, economic diplomacy can enhance regional stability and create new markets for U.S. companies, thereby generating opportunities for American workers.
The Biden-Harris Administration met with state leaders to discuss expanding free community college programs. The focus was on using funds from President Biden's American Rescue Plan to lower costs and increase enrollment in community colleges. Officials from the Domestic Policy Council and the Office of the First Lady emphasized the Administration's commitment, highlighted by a $90 billion budget proposal for free community college and a Classroom to Career initiative offering high school students free community college credits. Participants included state leaders and key Administration officials like Mala Adiga and Robert Gordon.
Kamala Harris delivers a speech at the Constitutional Convention of UNITE HERE in New York
God bless you Mr. President. I am lifting your name up every day for strength, guidance, wisdom, understanding, and good health.