What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
September 26, 2024 Recap
President Biden and Vice President Harris announced new measures to combat gun violence, including an Executive Order aimed at addressing emerging firearms threats and improving active shooter drills in schools. The order directs federal agencies to target machinegun conversion devices and unserialized 3D-printed firearms, which are being used in criminal activities. The administration is also working to enhance the effectiveness of school-based active shooter drills while minimizing trauma.
Key points include:
Emerging Firearms Threats: The administration is focusing on machinegun conversion devices and 3D-printed firearms, which pose significant risks due to their ease of production and potential for misuse.
Active Shooter Drills: The Executive Order calls for new guidelines to help schools design effective active shooter drills that minimize psychological harm.
Gun Violence Prevention: The administration has taken various actions, including the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, establishing the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, and securing funding for law enforcement and community intervention programs. Notably, the U.S. experienced a 17% drop in homicides in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year.
Safe Gun Storage and Red Flag Laws: Initiatives to promote safe gun storage in schools and to implement red flag laws continue to be key strategies in preventing gun violence.
Background Checks: The administration is working to improve background check systems for individuals under 21, expanding state cooperation, and closing legal loopholes.
Data on Gun Violence: The government will improve the collection and dissemination of gun violence data, including trends on ghost guns and machinegun conversion devices, to inform law enforcement and public safety efforts.
Supporting Gun Violence Survivors: Federal agencies will release resources to help individuals and communities cope with the trauma of gun violence.
President Biden continues to urge Congress to pass further gun safety measures, including an assault weapons ban, universal background checks, and increased funding for violence prevention programs.
President Biden reaffirmed the United States' unwavering support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression. He welcomed President Zelenskyy back to the White House and emphasized that aiding Ukraine has been a top priority of his administration. Over the past three years, Ukraine has achieved significant victories, such as winning the battle of Kyiv, reclaiming over half of the territory initially seized by Russia, and maintaining its sovereignty. However, Biden stressed that there is still more work to be done, which is why he announced a surge in U.S. security assistance for Ukraine, along with additional actions to help ensure Ukraine's success.
By the end of his term, Biden directed the Department of Defense to allocate all remaining security assistance funds for Ukraine and authorized $5.5 billion through the Presidential Drawdown Authority to ensure continued U.S. equipment support. He also announced $2.4 billion in additional security assistance to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses and long-range strike capabilities, including providing the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) and refurbishing a Patriot air defense battery. In addition, the U.S. will expand its training program for Ukrainian F-16 pilots and take steps to counter Russian sanctions evasion and money laundering, including disrupting a global cryptocurrency network.
Finally, Biden revealed plans to convene a leader-level meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany to coordinate the efforts of over 50 nations supporting Ukraine. Through these actions, Biden clarified that the U.S. remains committed to providing Ukraine with the support it needs to win the war.
President Biden met with President Zelenskyy at the White House to discuss the ongoing U.S. support for Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression. During the meeting, President Biden outlined his decision to significantly increase U.S. security assistance to Ukraine to bolster its defense capabilities. President Zelenskyy, in turn, presented his comprehensive plan to achieve victory over Russia, which encompasses diplomatic, economic, and military strategies. Both leaders delved into the specifics of this plan and agreed that their respective teams would engage in intensive consultations to determine the next steps.
A key outcome of the meeting was scheduling a leader-level gathering of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, to be hosted by President Biden in Germany on October 12, 2024. This meeting will allow the leaders to review the progress of their consultations and coordinate with international partners on additional measures to support Ukraine. Throughout the discussions, President Biden reiterated his unwavering commitment to providing Ukraine with the necessary support to ensure its success in the conflict.
Vice President Harris also met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine at the White House, where she reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression. During the meeting, they discussed the critical importance of sustained U.S. assistance, with Vice President Harris emphasizing the role of this support in Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to achieve victory. They also explored broader goals, including securing a just and lasting peace that reflects the will of the Ukrainian people and aligns with the principles of the UN Charter.
The discussion covered the latest developments on the battlefield, highlighting the evolving situation in Ukraine's defense against Russia. Vice President Harris welcomed President Biden’s significant announcements regarding continued military aid, building on earlier commitments. Additionally, they discussed Ukraine’s progress in implementing rule-of-law reforms and anti-corruption measures, which have been key areas of focus for the country’s government. In response to renewed Russian attacks, the Vice President also expressed continued U.S. support for bolstering Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure, underscoring the importance of helping Ukraine maintain resilience in the face of ongoing threats to its energy security.
President Biden issued a memorandum delegating authority to the Secretary of State under section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA). The Secretary of State is authorized to direct the drawdown of up to $5.55 billion in defense articles, services, military education, and training from the Department of Defense to assist Ukraine. The Secretary of State is also tasked with making the necessary determinations under this section to execute the drawdown.
National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard issued a statement emphasizing the robust growth of the U.S. economy, noting a 3.2% annual increase during the Biden-Harris administration. This growth rate is stronger than previously estimated and surpasses the economic performance during the first three years of the prior administration. She underscores that this economic expansion has occurred alongside historically low unemployment rates, with joblessness at its lowest in 50 years for any administration. Furthermore, Brainard highlights that inflation, a major concern in recent years, has receded, and interest rates are now declining—both positive indicators for the economy's overall health.
Despite these successes, Brainard acknowledges that there is still work to be done, particularly when lowering family costs. She attributes the progress made thus far to President Biden’s efforts to support working families and small businesses, framing these actions as key to the economic recovery. In contrast, Brainard critiques Congressional Republicans' approach, characterizing it as focused on tax cuts for the wealthy and policies that increase costs for middle-class families. The statement draws a sharp distinction between the administration's policies and those of its opponents, positioning Biden’s economic agenda as more equitable and beneficial to a broader range of Americans.
The Fourth Ministerial Meeting on the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection was hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The Declaration, launched by President Biden in 2022, aims to tackle migration challenges in the Western Hemisphere.
Key outcomes from the meeting include:
U.S. Funding: The U.S. announced over $686 million in new humanitarian and economic assistance, bringing its 2024 contribution under the Declaration to over $1.2 billion.
Enforcement Partnerships: The U.S. expanded partnerships to curb irregular migration, including a removal pilot program with Panama and new visa restrictions on agencies exploiting vulnerable migrants.
Institutionalization: The endorsing countries agreed to establish a Secretariat, managed by the Pan American Development Foundation and Organization of American States, to ensure ongoing coordinated efforts.
Rotating Leadership: Colombia will assume the rotating Country Chair role and host the fifth ministerial meeting in 2025.
Progress on Enforcement: The U.S. announced executive actions that significantly dropped unlawful border crossings since June 2024. Panama, supported by the U.S., has removed foreign nationals without legal status.
Legal Pathways: The U.S. is rebuilding its refugee resettlement program and expanding legal migration options. Over 23,000 refugees from the Western Hemisphere were resettled in FY 2024, and several countries (e.g., Belize, Canada, and Ecuador) are implementing labor mobility programs.
Integration and Stability: Funding will also support the integration of migrants, particularly Venezuelans. Several countries, including Argentina, Colombia, and Ecuador, are taking steps to regularize migrants and provide legal status.
Humanitarian Efforts: The U.S. funds will aid regional partners in addressing urgent needs for migrants and displaced persons, such as food, shelter, and healthcare.
The meeting reinforced collaborative efforts across the region to manage migration humanely, expand lawful pathways, and address the root causes of migration.
President Biden and Vice President Harris issued statements on William “Bill” Lucy's passing, emphasizing his significant contributions as a labor leader and civil rights advocate.
President Biden highlighted Lucy's seven-decade career as Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and as a founder of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. He praised Lucy’s dedication to improving labor rights, civil rights, and public service protections, including his historic work with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Memphis sanitation workers strike. Biden reflected on Lucy's belief in the deep connection between civil and labor rights.
Vice President Harris acknowledged Lucy's pivotal role in the labor and civil rights movements. She emphasized his lifelong fight for freedom, justice, and fairness, including his leadership in the 1968 Memphis sanitation strike, where he coined the phrase "I Am a Man." Harris honored his legacy of advocating for workers' rights and ending apartheid in South Africa.
Both leaders offered condolences to Lucy's family and honor his enduring impact on labor and civil rights.
The President signed into law:
S. 2825, the “Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act,” which provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to the United States Army Dustoff crews of the Vietnam War, collectively, in recognition of their extraordinary heroism and life-saving actions in Vietnam.
S. 2861, the “Billie Jean King Congressional Gold Medal Act,” which provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Billie Jean King in recognition of a remarkable life devoted to championing equal rights for all, in sports and in society.
President Biden has declared multiple emergency and disaster declarations in response to Hurricane Helene and other severe weather events across various states, providing federal assistance to supplement local and state recovery efforts.
Georgia: Beginning on September 24, 2024, federal assistance has been authorized for emergency protective measures at 75% federal funding for multiple counties affected by Hurricane Helene.
North Carolina: Similar federal assistance has been ordered for emergency conditions due to Hurricane Helene starting on September 25, 2024, including aid for mass care and evacuation in affected counties.
Alabama: Beginning September 22, 2024, an emergency declaration was issued for Hurricane Helene's impact, with federal assistance for emergency protective measures at 75% federal funding.
Vermont: A major disaster declaration was issued for storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides from July 29 to 31, 2024, with federal assistance for housing, property repair, and hazard mitigation.
South Carolina: A federal emergency declaration was issued for Hurricane Helene’s impact on September 25, 2024, with 75% federal funding for protective measures and mass care support.
Each declaration involves coordination with FEMA to provide recovery support to affected populations, with specific funding allocated for emergency measures, evacuation, and shelter support.
President Biden signs the Executive Order on Combating Emerging Firearms Threats and Improving School-Based Active-Shooter Drills
