What Did Joe Biden Do Today?

August 29, 2024 Recap

The Biden-Harris Administration is accelerating federal permitting processes to deliver projects more quickly while ensuring environmental protection as part of the Investing in America Agenda. The administration has allocated over $560 billion for more than 68,000 projects across the country. Key measures include investing $1 billion to hire experts and improve technologies that expedite project reviews, implementing the first reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in 50 years, and utilizing executive actions to enhance the permitting process wherever possible.

Two significant actions were recently announced: The Bureau of Land Management will streamline solar energy production by making 31 million acres of public land available for solar projects, prioritizing areas with high solar potential and low environmental impact. The Environmental Protection Agency approved a new rule allowing companies in Maricopa County to earn clean air credits by replacing diesel vehicles with electric ones, which supports the region’s growing semiconductor manufacturing industry while maintaining clean air standards.

The administration’s efforts are already showing results, with median times for environmental impact reviews reduced by six months compared to previous timelines. Similar progress is seen across various sectors: The Department of Energy has cut review times for clean energy and transmission projects by half, and the Department of Transportation has reduced review times for environmental assessments by over a third. For offshore wind projects, the administration has completed reviews for the first ten commercial-scale projects, with a pipeline that could power 26 million homes. Onshore, more than twice as many renewable energy projects have been permitted on public lands compared to the prior administration.

Further, categorical exclusions, the fastest form of environmental review, have expanded significantly, streamlining decisions across key sectors like broadband, clean energy, and transportation. This approach is now used for the vast majority of federal highway and Department of Energy decisions. Recent executive actions also include measures to accelerate historic preservation reviews for infrastructure projects, launch the Coordinated Interagency Transmission Authorizations and Permits (CITAP) program to cut review times for transmission projects in half, and expand categorical exclusions to reduce costs and processing times for projects such as broadband and geothermal development. Additionally, efforts are underway to modernize environmental review technology through new tools and recommendations.

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National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China, continuing efforts to maintain open lines of communication and responsibly manage the complex relationship between the United States and China. This meeting was part of a broader engagement strategy following the commitments made by President Biden and President Xi during the November 2023 Woodside Summit. The discussions covered various key areas, including enhancing cooperation on counternarcotics, improving military-to-military communication channels, and addressing safety and risk management in artificial intelligence.

The two leaders also addressed regional and global security concerns, such as the ongoing tensions in the Taiwan Strait, the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine, and disputes in the South China Sea. Both sides emphasized the importance of these dialogues in reducing misunderstandings and managing differences constructively. They welcomed ongoing efforts to maintain communication, highlighting plans for a future call between President Biden and President Xi in the coming weeks, signaling a continued commitment to dialogue at the highest levels.

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President Biden declared a major disaster in New York due to severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that occurred from July 10 to July 11, 2024. The declaration authorizes federal assistance to support state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the impacted counties of Cortland, Essex, Hamilton, Lewis, and St. Lawrence. This aid will help fund emergency work, repair, and replacement of damaged facilities on a cost-sharing basis. Additionally, federal funding will be available statewide for hazard mitigation measures. Ms. Lai Sun Yee of FEMA has been appointed to lead the federal recovery efforts in these areas.

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Vice President Kamala Harris spoke passionately at a campaign rally in Savannah, Georgia, addressing the crowd on the importance of the upcoming election and rallying support for the Democratic agenda. She began by acknowledging local leaders and expressing optimism for the future, emphasizing the urgency of the 68 days left until the election. Harris highlighted her experience in public service, detailing her past roles as a prosecutor, district attorney, attorney general, and senator, all focused on fighting for the people. She recounted her efforts to combat issues such as elder abuse, predatory practices against women and children, foreclosure crises, and exploitation by big corporations, underscoring her commitment to defending those who are often vulnerable.

Harris outlined key elements of her campaign’s vision, including expanding access to affordable healthcare and child care, establishing paid leave, and lowering middle-class families' living costs. She specifically called for the expansion of Medicaid in Georgia, arguing that no family should have to choose between seeking medical care and financial ruin. Harris proposed building an “opportunity economy” where every American can own a home, start a business, and build intergenerational wealth. She also emphasized her plans to tackle high housing costs, challenge pharmaceutical companies to cap drug prices and provide significant tax cuts to support working families, particularly during the early stages of a child’s life.

The Vice President sharply contrasted her platform with that of former President Donald Trump, warning that a Trump victory would lead to tax breaks for billionaires, cuts to Social Security and Medicare, and the end of the Affordable Care Act, which she argued would devastate families who rely on those programs. Harris criticized Trump’s Project 2025 agenda, describing it as a plan to impose a national sales tax and erode fundamental freedoms. She highlighted Trump’s intention to reverse the protections of the Affordable Care Act, bringing back policies that allowed insurance companies to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions—a scenario she insisted must not be allowed to happen.

Harris also addressed the broader fight for personal freedoms, particularly reproductive rights, condemning the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and the subsequent state-level abortion bans, including Georgia’s. She stressed the immorality of these bans, especially those without exceptions for rape and incest, and pledged that, if given the opportunity, she would sign legislation to restore reproductive freedom in the United States. Harris reaffirmed her belief in trusting women to make decisions about their own bodies, contrasting this stance sharply against Trump’s actions and promises.

The Vice President extended her critique to other areas where she believes freedoms are under attack, such as voting rights, gun safety, and LGBTQ+ rights. She pledged to fight for the passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and advocated for universal background checks and red flag laws to curb gun violence. Harris portrayed the upcoming election as a pivotal moment, with stakes higher than ever, warning of the dangers of Trump’s stated intentions to undermine democratic institutions and accumulate unchecked power.

Harris concluded her speech with a call to action, urging the people of Georgia to continue their past efforts to turn the tide during crucial elections, such as sending Senators and President Biden to Washington. She appealed to their sense of patriotism, framing their participation as essential to protecting the ideals of America. With a rallying cry, she asked the audience if they were ready to fight for freedom, opportunity, and the promise of America, underscoring that their engagement in the election is vital to shaping the country’s future.

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In her first interview since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris sat with CNN’s Dana Bash and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, to discuss their campaign and policy priorities. Harris outlined her primary focus areas if elected president, emphasizing her commitment to supporting the middle class through what she terms an "opportunity economy." She discussed her plans to reduce the cost of everyday goods, invest in small businesses, and extend financial support to families, such as a $6,000 child tax credit for the first year of a child's life. Harris stressed the need to address affordability issues, including the high cost of housing, proposing measures like a $25,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers.

Governor Walz echoed Harris’s goals, expressing his excitement about their shared values and past achievements, such as reducing child poverty through similar policies in Minnesota. He highlighted the effectiveness of Harris’s proposed economic agenda, emphasizing the positive impacts of extending child tax credits and investing in families. When asked about the affordability crisis, Harris defended her administration’s economic record, noting that she and President Biden entered office during a tumultuous period marked by a pandemic and economic downturn. She attributed the economic recovery and inflation control to their policies, including efforts to tackle price gouging and lower housing costs. Harris acknowledged that prices, particularly for groceries, remain high and stressed the importance of continued work to ease these burdens on American families.

On the topic of energy, Harris clarified her position on fracking, stating that she does not support a ban despite her earlier stance. She highlighted her experience and the importance of balancing environmental concerns with economic realities. Harris cited the Inflation Reduction Act and her role in increasing fracking leases as examples of her pragmatic approach, focusing on expanding the clean energy sector without banning fracking. She underscored her administration’s investment of over a trillion dollars in the clean energy economy, which she claims has already created over 300,000 jobs.

The interview also delved into immigration, with Harris defending her work addressing the root causes of migration from Central America. She noted that the Biden administration’s efforts have led to a reduction in immigrants coming from the region. Harris criticized former President Donald Trump for blocking a bipartisan immigration bill that she believes would have bolstered border security, including adding 1,500 more agents. She expressed her commitment to pushing this legislation again if elected, underscoring her experience as a prosecutor of transnational criminal organizations and her intent to enforce border laws effectively.

Throughout the interview, Harris was questioned about changes in her policy positions and whether these shifts were due to her evolving experience or political strategy. Harris maintained that her core values have remained consistent, particularly regarding climate action, border security, and economic support for families. She framed her policy adjustments as a result of her extensive experience and deeper understanding of the issues gained through her role as Vice President.

Harris also touched on foreign policy, particularly her unwavering support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas. She reiterated her belief in Israel’s right to defend itself and stressed the need for a diplomatic resolution to end the violence and secure the release of hostages. Harris emphasized her commitment to a two-state solution that ensures security and self-determination for both Israelis and Palestinians.

In a more personal segment, Harris recounted the moment when President Biden called to inform her of his decision to withdraw from the race and offer his endorsement. She reflected on her pride in serving as Vice President under Biden, praising his transformative leadership on infrastructure, economic recovery, and international alliances. Harris also addressed her identity in response to recent attacks from Donald Trump, dismissing his comments as outdated and irrelevant.

Governor Walz, relatively new to the national stage, addressed questions about his military service and past statements, emphasizing his authenticity and commitment to public service. Harris and Walz highlighted emotional moments from their convention speeches, with Walz expressing pride in his family and Harris reflecting on a viral photo of her grand-niece watching her accept the nomination. The interview concluded with Harris reaffirming her dedication to uniting the country and leading with a focus on lifting people, contrasting her vision with what she sees as the divisive leadership of the past decade.

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Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz give their first interview since receiving their nomination for President and Vice President