What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
October 4, 2024 Recap
President Biden’s statement on the September Jobs Report highlighted positive developments in the U.S. economy. Over 250,000 jobs were added in September, and unemployment fell to 4.1%. Since Biden took office, 16 million jobs have been created, unemployment reached its lowest level in 50 years, and wages have grown faster than prices. He also pointed to the successes in collective bargaining and the reopening of East Coast and Gulf ports. However, Biden emphasized that more needed to be done to lower costs and expand opportunities, urging Congress to pass his plans to build new homes, reduce prescription drug prices, and support workers. He contrasted his vision with that of Congressional Republicans, criticizing their focus on tax cuts for billionaires and policies that, in his view, would raise costs for families and undermine worker rights.
President Biden, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, and National Economic Adviser Lael Brainard held a press briefing at the White House. President Biden highlighted the strong performance of the American economy, noting the creation of 250,000 new jobs in September, which far exceeded expectations. Unemployment remains low at 4.1%, and inflation has decreased to pre-pandemic levels. He emphasized the success of averting a potential port strike, which could have disrupted critical supply chains, particularly in the wake of Hurricane Helena. Biden praised the role of collective bargaining and the importance of unions in securing record wage increases for dockworkers. He also spoke about his administration’s economic policies, which have led to nearly $1 trillion in private sector investments in the U.S., moving away from outsourcing jobs overseas. On foreign policy, Biden addressed the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, indicating his preference for alternatives to military strikes on oil facilities and expressing confidence in a fair election. However, he voiced concerns about potential unrest fueled by political rhetoric.
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated the administration’s focus on managing multiple crises, from Hurricane Helena to international tensions and the port strike. She outlined President Biden's upcoming travel plans to discuss infrastructure improvements and strengthen foreign relations, particularly with key allies. Jean-Pierre also emphasized the administration's ongoing efforts to secure additional disaster relief funding from Congress to support hurricane recovery efforts.
National Economic Adviser Lael Brainard underscored the administration's economic achievements, highlighting the resilience of the job market and the success of collective bargaining in the port strike negotiations. She noted that inflation has returned to pre-pandemic levels, while ports on the East Coast and Gulf are reopening, ensuring that supply chains remain strong. Brainard emphasized that investments in infrastructure and manufacturing continue to drive job creation and economic growth. The briefing demonstrated the administration’s commitment to managing economic recovery, supporting workers, navigating international challenges, and responding to domestic crises.
In her remarks at a campaign event in Redford, Michigan, Vice President Kamala Harris expressed strong support for labor unions, collective bargaining, and the middle class. She praised firefighters and first responders for their service and recognized the broader labor movement, including UAW, IBEW, and LIUNA.
Harris emphasized the importance of unions in creating fair outcomes for workers, noting that strong unions contribute to a stronger America. She celebrated the recent successful negotiation by longshoremen, advocating that collective bargaining helps ensure fair wages and workplace safety.
Harris also outlined her vision for America’s future, contrasting it with what she described as Donald Trump’s track record. She highlighted her commitment to workers' rights, expanding homeownership, building more housing, reducing the cost of living, and investing in American manufacturing, especially in industries like steel and auto. She criticized Trump for his economic policies, which she said harmed workers and American manufacturing, particularly in Michigan.
In her speech, Harris touched on future plans such as expanding the Child Tax Credit, investing in small businesses, and building 3 million homes by the end of her first term. She framed the upcoming election as a choice between looking backward under Trump or moving forward under her leadership, with a focus on opportunity, fairness, and supporting the middle class.
She concluded by encouraging collective action, emphasizing the tight nature of the upcoming election, and calling on supporters to continue fighting for the ideals of America.
President Biden issued 4 proclamations:
1. German-American Day, 2024
President Biden commemorates the history and contributions of German Americans, highlighting their integral role in shaping the U.S.
2. Child Health Day, 2024
The proclamation emphasizes the importance of ensuring children’s health and safety.
3. Fire Prevention Week, 2024
Biden reflects on the devastating impact of fires and praises the bravery of firefighters.
4. National Community Policing Week, 2024
The President recognizes the vital role police officers play in keeping communities safe and reducing crime, particularly through community policing practices.
The President signed into law:
H.R. 6513, the “Confirmation Of Congressional Observer Access Act of 2024” or the “COCOA Act of 2024,” which requires States to provide designated congressional election observers with full access to observe all elements of the administration of congressional elections.
The White House released visitor log records generated in June 2024. This set includes 90,735 records, bringing the total number of records posted to 1,653,271
These records were posted pursuant to the White House’s policy to voluntarily disclose visitor log records. This release is consistent with the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to becoming the first administration to post visitor log records from its first full year in office.
The White House announced that the public is invited to tour the White House Gardens and South Grounds during the 2024 Fall Garden Tours. These free tours will be held on Saturday, October 12, and Sunday, October 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. While the tours are free, attendees must have a timed ticket, which will be distributed by the National Park Service starting at 8:30 a.m. each day outside the White House Visitor Center on a first-come, first-served basis. Entry for the tour will be located on 15th Street, with an ADA entrance available at 15th Street and Alexander Hamilton Place.
In Flint, Michigan, Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a speech focused on jobs, manufacturing, and the future of American workers, following introductions by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and basketball legend Magic Johnson. Both Whitmer and Johnson highlighted Harris' leadership and commitment to the middle class, contrasting her policies with those of Donald Trump.
Governor Whitmer began by addressing the economic struggles that Michiganders have faced, particularly in manufacturing hubs like Flint. She recalled Trump’s promises to save American jobs, especially in manufacturing, but noted that during his presidency, Michigan lost over 280,000 jobs, including the closure of five auto plants. Whitmer criticized Trump’s policies as damaging to Michigan’s economy and workforce, particularly his anti-union stance and failure to deliver on manufacturing revival. She praised the Biden-Harris administration for reversing these trends, citing the creation of new auto factories and union jobs in the state. Whitmer framed the upcoming election as a clear choice between Trump’s record of failure and Harris’ plan to invest in American manufacturing and the middle class.
Magic Johnson then took the stage, speaking passionately about Harris' dedication to uplifting middle-class families. He shared personal anecdotes about his father’s 30-year career in Michigan’s auto industry and how homeownership was his family’s greatest achievement. Johnson praised Harris' plan to help Americans buy homes with $25,000 in down payment assistance and her initiative to support small business owners with $50,000 in startup funding. He urged African American men, in particular, to vote, emphasizing the need for their participation to elect Harris as the next president. Johnson framed Harris as a leader who would unite the country, contrasting her with Trump, who he said sought to divide Americans.
In her speech, Kamala Harris laid out a vision for an "opportunity economy" that would benefit the middle class by creating jobs, building wealth, and expanding homeownership. She emphasized her plan to increase the startup business deduction to $50,000, aimed at supporting small businesses, which she described as the backbone of the American economy. Harris also addressed the nation’s housing shortage, promising to work with the private sector to build three million new homes and provide $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time buyers.
Harris spoke about her administration’s successes in bringing back manufacturing jobs, citing the creation of 730,000 new manufacturing jobs and the opening of more than 20 auto plants across the U.S. under the Biden-Harris leadership. She positioned herself as a champion of American industry, vowing to ensure that future technological advancements like electric vehicles and batteries would be built in America by American workers. Harris criticized Donald Trump’s record, pointing out that during his presidency, the U.S. lost nearly 200,000 manufacturing jobs, including thousands in Michigan, and that he allowed China to dominate industries like electric vehicle production. She accused Trump of being no friend to labor, referencing his attacks on unions and his encouragement for automakers to move plants out of Michigan to lower-wage, anti-union states.
Throughout her remarks, Harris stressed the importance of strong unions, better wages, and benefits for workers. She highlighted Trump’s opposition to unions and collective bargaining, particularly during the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike, when Trump visited a non-union plant and dismissed the importance of collective bargaining. Harris contrasted her administration’s support for labor and union jobs with Trump’s tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations, framing Trump’s policies as harmful to the working class.
Harris also addressed broader social issues, including reproductive rights, voting rights, and clean water access. She reminded the audience that Donald Trump handpicked three Supreme Court justices with the intention of overturning Roe v. Wade, which they succeeded in doing. Harris vowed to restore reproductive freedom by signing legislation to protect abortion rights if elected president. She also spoke passionately about the importance of clean water, particularly in Flint, noting that access to clean water should not be a privilege reserved for the wealthy but a right for everyone. Harris assured the people of Flint that she would continue working to help the community recover and thrive economically.
As she concluded, Harris called on voters to mobilize in the final stretch of the election, emphasizing that their votes would determine the future of the country. She highlighted the stakes of the election, contrasting her forward-looking vision for America with Trump’s focus on the past. She urged the people of Flint and Michigan to fight for the ideals of the country, promising that with their support, she would lead the nation into a future of greater opportunity and prosperity for all Americans.
President Biden answers questions from the White House Press Corps during today’s press briefing
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