What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
April 24, 2024 Recap
President Biden signed H.R. 815 into law, providing supplemental emergency appropriations for the fiscal year 2024. This legislation allocates additional funds to various federal agencies to address ongoing issues in Israel and Ukraine and to assist the Indo-Pacific region.
The President then gave remarks on the bill’s passage, emphasizing its role in enhancing U.S. and global security. He highlighted the legislation's support for Ukraine against Russian aggression, its boost to the U.S. defense industry, and its reinforcement of commitments to allies like Israel. President Biden criticized delays caused by "MAGA Republicans" and emphasized the necessity of U.S. aid to prevent broader conflicts that could involve NATO. He expressed disappointment over excluding border security measures from the bill but praised the bipartisan effort leading to its passage. The speech affirmed America's global leadership role and commitment to supporting democracy and opposing authoritarianism.
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced new rules requiring airlines to provide automatic cash refunds for canceled or significantly delayed flights, delayed considerably checked bags, or unprovided ancillary services like Wi-Fi. This change aims to simplify the refund process, ensuring passengers receive their money without the need to navigate complex procedures. Refunds must be issued promptly within specified timeframes, in cash or the original form of payment, and include all associated fees.
Additionally, the Department of Transportation (DOT) mandates that airlines and ticket agents disclose all potential fees upfront, such as baggage, change, and cancellation fees. This policy aims to prevent unexpected fees and enable passengers to grasp the actual cost of air travel. The rules are part of broader efforts under President Biden's 2021 Executive Order on Promoting Competition, which encourages fair and transparent market practices. These measures are expected to save consumers over half a billion dollars annually in unnecessary fees, building on a historic expansion of consumer protections in air travel.
On Armenian Remembrance Day, President Biden commemorated the Meds Yeghern, the Armenian genocide that began on April 24, 1915, with the arrest of Armenian intellectuals in Constantinople by Ottoman authorities. This marked the start of a campaign that resulted in the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians through deportation, massacre, or death marches. The President emphasized honoring the resilience of the Armenian people who, despite the immense tragedy, managed to rebuild their lives, preserve their culture, and strengthen communities globally, including in the U.S. He reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to human rights, to speaking out against intolerance, and to standing with those striving for a dignified, secure, and respectful future.
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the first-ever national goal to achieve a zero-emissions freight sector in the U.S. This ambitious plan covers all major transportation modes, including trucking, rail, aviation, and marine sectors. A comprehensive strategy will be developed, encompassing nearly $1.5 billion in federal investments aimed at transitioning to zero-emission vehicles, especially heavy-duty ones. Key initiatives include a substantial EPA funding opportunity of nearly $1 billion to replace certain heavy-duty vehicles with zero-emission alternatives, a $400 million DOT grant to reduce truck emissions at port facilities, and a $72 million DOE investment to support the integration of electric vehicle charging infrastructure into the grid.
The strategy emphasizes public health, job creation, and environmental justice, ensuring that disadvantaged communities heavily impacted by pollution benefit from these investments. This plan aligns with broader Administration goals for a carbon-free energy sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions in transportation by 2050.
President Biden granted clemency to 16 individuals convicted of non-violent drug offenses, acknowledging their rehabilitation and the outdated severity of their original sentences. Among the pardoned, individuals like Jason Hernandez and Beverly Holcy have made significant contributions to their communities through nonprofit work and church activities. Others, including Dr. Katrina Polk and Ricky Donnell Tyler, have pursued education and started businesses, respectively. The President also commuted the sentences of five others, aligning their terms with current sentencing standards while maintaining their supervised release. This action reflects an ongoing effort to address disparities in drug sentencing laws.
The President issued a statement on the clemency actions as part of Second Chance Month, emphasizing America's commitment to rehabilitation and reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals. He announced the use of his clemency power to pardon 11 individuals and commute the sentences of 5 individuals, all of whom were convicted of non-violent drug offenses. These actions were taken because the sentences previously given were disproportionately long compared to current laws, policies, and practices. The pardoned individuals have shown commitment to improving their lives and positively impacting their communities, while those with commuted sentences have demonstrated the worthiness of a second chance. President Biden highlighted that these clemency actions reflect his commitment to addressing racial disparities and improving public safety, with ongoing efforts to review further clemency petitions and deliver meaningful reforms.
President Biden has announced his intention to nominate seven individuals to federal district courts, maintaining a commitment to appoint highly qualified candidates dedicated to upholding the rule of law and the Constitution. These nominations reflect a diversity of backgrounds, aligning with Biden's goal to ensure the judiciary represents the nation's diversity. The nominees include Judge Michelle Williams Court and Judge Anne Hwang for the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Danna Jackson for the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Judge Sarah Netburn for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Stacey D. Neumann for the United States District Court for the District of Maine, April Perry for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and Judge Cynthia Valenzuela Dixon for the United States District Court for the Central District of California. These nominations mark the forty-eighth round of judicial nominees by President Biden, totaling 236 announced federal judicial nominees.
President Biden issued a memorandum delegating authority to the Secretary of State under Section 614(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. It authorizes the Secretary to determine the importance to U.S. security interests of providing up to $145 million in assistance to Ukraine, bypassing any applicable legal constraints specified within Section 614(a)(1). The memorandum also directs the publication of this directive in the Federal Register.
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden spoke at the Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride, thanking the participants for their bravery and service. She emphasized the community and support provided by the event, highlighting that recovery and healing are not solitary or rapid processes but are collective and ongoing. Jill Biden also acknowledged the families of the service members, recognizing their sacrifices and contributions to the country.
She shared her personal connection to the military through her father and son, Beau Biden, enhancing her message of solidarity and support. The First Lady also outlined the Biden administration's commitments to veterans and military families, including expanded access to quality home-based care, increased mental health services, and efforts to improve employment and reduce homelessness among veterans.
The speech concluded with a heartfelt thank you to the veterans and their families for their service and sacrifices, underscoring the nation's duty to support them. She encouraged the participants as they began their ride, signaling a strong partnership and ongoing commitment from the White House.
The First Lady also spoke at the "The Power of Research" symposium, hosted by Maria Shriver, founder of Women’s Health Research and strategic advisor for Women’s Health and Alzheimer’s at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Biden emphasized the need for better representation and funding in women's health research. She praised Maria's dedication to Alzheimer's research and her impact on women’s health at the Cleveland Clinic Center, reflecting on Maria's mother's (Eunice Kennedy Shriver) legacy.
The First Lady discussed the systemic gaps in women's healthcare, highlighting recent initiatives like the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research and the launch of ARPA-H to prioritize women's health issues. She advocated for a future where medical research includes women's experiences, ensuring improved health outcomes for everyone.
Additional Source: The Well News
President Biden delivered a speech at the North America’s Building Trades Unions National Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. He began with a humorous and warm greeting, followed by enthusiastic chants from the audience advocating for "Four more years!" of his presidency.
The President expressed gratitude for the Building Trades' endorsement, emphasizing the importance of unions in building the middle class and his administration's pro-union policies. He contrasted his views with former President Trump’s policies, criticizing Trump's approach to unions, tax laws, and social programs. President Biden highlighted his achievements in job creation, particularly in construction and infrastructure, bolstered by his Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
He reiterated his commitment to union-friendly policies, like strengthening the Davis-Bacon Act, and criticized Trump's administration for not supporting union labor and apprenticeship programs. The President also discussed his efforts to secure American jobs and products through the "Buy America" initiative and opposed Trump's stance on tax and social security cuts.
President Biden concluded with a vision of hope and unity, focusing on democracy, freedom, and economic growth from the middle out. He called for continued support for his policies and aimed for further progress in his potential next term. His speech was punctuated with personal anecdotes, humor, and a recurring call for unity and collective effort in facing the nation's challenges.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan issued a statement on Russia’s veto of a UN Security Council resolution, co-proposed by the U.S. and Japan, which aimed to reinforce the Outer Space Treaty's prohibition on placing nuclear weapons in orbit. The resolution sought to prevent the development and deployment of nuclear weapons specifically designed for orbital use. Sullivan highlighted that such deployments would breach the treaty and endanger crucial satellite services essential for communication, science, weather, agriculture, commerce, and security worldwide. Despite Russian President Putin's public assurance against deploying nuclear weapons in space, Russia's veto suggests otherwise, especially in light of U.S. intelligence suggesting Russia is developing a satellite equipped with a nuclear device.
On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, the President signed into law:
H.R. 4389, the “Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act of 2023,” which reauthorizes and amends the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation.
Today, the White House convened state legislators and federal leaders, including CFPB Director Rohit Chopra and FTC Chair Lina Khan, to discuss efforts to eliminate excessive "junk fees" across various industries. Participants reviewed significant regulatory actions, such as capping credit card late fees and enhancing price transparency in sectors like airline and cable services. State-level actions were also a focus, with at least 12 states pushing legislation to address these fees. The collective federal and state initiatives are projected to save Americans over $20 billion annually, emphasizing the administration's commitment to consumer protection and fair pricing.
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden gives remarks at the Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride on the South Lawn at The White House
