What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
January 10 Recap
President Biden has announced his intent to nominate six individuals to federal district courts in his forty-fourth round of judicial nominees. These nominees are described as exceptionally qualified, experienced, and committed to the rule of law and the Constitution. The President aims to maintain diversity in the nation's courts, considering both personal and professional backgrounds. The total number of federal judicial nominees announced by President Biden now stands at 215. The nominees for the United States District Courts include:
Amir H. Ali: Nominee for the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. He is the President and Executive Director of the MacArthur Justice Center and Director of the Criminal Justice Appellate Clinic at Harvard Law School.
Judge Melissa R. DuBose: Nominee for the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island. She has been an associate judge on the Rhode Island District Court and has a background as in-house counsel, prosecutor, and high school teacher.
Judge Sunil R. Harjani: Candidate for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Currently serving as a United States Magistrate Judge, Judge Harjani has experience as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Deputy Chief of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Section.
Judge Rebecca S. Kanter: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. She has been a judge on the San Diego County Superior Court and previously worked as an Assistant United States Attorney.
Robert J. White: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. He has been an Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Jasmine H. Yoon: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia. Currently serving as the Vice President of Corporate Integrity, Ethics, and Investigations at Capital One Financial Corporation, Ms. Yoon has previous experience as Interim University Counsel and Associate University Counsel and as an Assistant United States Attorney.
These nominees bring diverse legal backgrounds and experiences to their respective nominations.
The President announced a significant achievement in health care, with a record-breaking 20 million Americans enrolling in health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces. He emphasized the popularity and increased affordability of ACA coverage, highlighting efforts by his administration that have saved Americans hundreds or thousands of dollars annually on health insurance premiums. Despite this progress, President Biden expressed concern about opposition from extreme Republicans who aim to repeal the ACA, potentially raising costs for millions and eliminating coverage for those enrolled. He stressed the importance of building on the current achievements and making lower health care premiums permanent. The President encouraged Americans to sign up for health coverage by visiting HealthCare.gov before January 16th.
In a press briefing held at The White House, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre highlighted President Biden's announcement of a record-breaking 20 million Americans enrolling in healthcare coverage through the Affordable Care Act. She emphasized the administration's efforts to lower healthcare costs and expand access.
Jean-Pierre also discussed the Inflation Reduction Act's impact, which addressed concerns about high pharmaceutical costs. The measures included capping the cost of insulin for seniors, allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices, and saving millions on health insurance.
The briefing touched on the tragic anniversary of Tyre Nichols's murder, prompting the Department of Justice to issue a guide for states and localities to ensure accountability in specialized crime units. The administration continues to push for the passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to enhance law enforcement accountability.
Admiral John Kirby provided an update on recent developments in the Middle East, specifically addressing an attack by Iran-backed Houthis in the Red Sea. The complex attack involved drones, missiles, and ballistic missiles. Fortunately, no injuries or damage were reported due to exceptional work by naval personnel. Kirby emphasized the threats posed by such attacks to lives, freedom of navigation, and global trade in the Red Sea. The United States is working with an international naval coalition to counter these attacks, and a resolution is being pursued in the U.N. Security Council to demand the cessation of Houthi attacks and support navigational rights in the Red Sea. The administration seeks safe and secure passage for international commerce and will coordinate closely with allies on future steps.
Admiral Kirby and Ms. Jean-Pierre then took questions from the press.
Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer held a meeting with China's Minister of the International Liaison Department, Liu Jianchao, in Washington, D.C. The discussion aimed to maintain open communication and responsibly manage competition between the two nations. They addressed key outcomes from the Summit between Presidents Biden and Xi, including the resumption of military cooperation and joint efforts against illicit drug activities. The talks also covered global and regional security issues such as challenges in the Middle East, Russia's conflict with Ukraine, and cross-Strait matters. Both parties emphasized the importance of peace in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, reaffirming support for continued high-level diplomacy between the U.S. and China.