What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
June 25, 2024 Reap
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre expressed strong disagreement with recent court rulings that challenge the Biden-Harris Administration's SAVE Plan. Despite the setback, the administration, via the Department of Justice, intends to continue defending the plan. The SAVE Plan, aimed at overhauling the student loan system, has provided 8 million Americans with lower monthly payments and accelerated debt forgiveness for hundreds of thousands. Jean-Pierre criticized Republican officials for opposing the plan, which offers benefits like $0 payments for those earning $16 an hour or less and protection against accruing interest. The administration vows to keep pushing forward, using every available tool to assist students and borrowers, emphasizing their commitment to fight against political and interest group opposition.
Dr. Phil Gordon, National Security Advisor to the Vice President, spoke at the Herzliya Conference about the enduring U.S.-Israel partnership and the challenging events of the past months. He addressed the horrors of the Hamas massacre on October 7 and the subsequent war's devastating consequences for both Israelis and Palestinians. Despite these challenges, Gordon emphasized the possibility of a positive path forward through a ceasefire proposal initiated by President Biden on May 31.
The ceasefire deal includes a phased approach: a six-week full ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces, release of hostages, and negotiations for a permanent cessation of hostilities. Gordon underscored the importance of this proposal for Israel's security, the return of hostages, and providing a hopeful political horizon for Palestinians.
He acknowledged opposition within Israel to the ceasefire but argued that rejecting the deal would lead to endless conflict and global isolation for Israel. The proposal has garnered international support, including endorsements from the UN Security Council, G7 nations, and many Middle Eastern countries.
Gordon called for Hamas to accept the deal, highlighting the potential political and security benefits for Israel, such as calm along the northern border with Lebanon and the possibility of historic normalization with Saudi Arabia. He emphasized the importance of ending the war in Gaza to create a unified international coalition supporting Palestinian governance and rebuilding Gaza.
In conclusion, Gordon urged contemplation of two paths: continued conflict or a hopeful future with a strong, secure Israel at peace with its neighbors, supported by the United States. He reaffirmed the U.S.'s commitment to standing with Israel and pursuing this positive pathway.
President Biden announced the arrival of Kenyan forces in Haiti, part of a Multinational Security Support mission supported by the United States. This mission aims to provide relief to Haitians suffering from rampant gang violence, which has caused thousands of deaths, widespread gender-based violence, and severe food insecurity, affecting nearly five million people. The mission will aid the Haitian National Police in their anti-gang operations, enhance public safety, and ensure humanitarian assistance reaches those in need.
The mission, led by Kenya and including contributions from various countries such as Benin, Jamaica, Canada, and the UK, will grow to 2,500 personnel. The U.S. is the largest financial contributor, providing over $300 million and up to $60 million in equipment. Biden emphasized the importance of international support for Haiti's security, opportunity, and freedom, highlighting the positive contributions of Haitian immigrants and Haitian Americans. The U.S. will continue its support for Haiti through security, humanitarian, and economic development assistance, including trade preferences.
To mark the two-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Jennifer Klein and Tom Perez from the White House convened Attorneys General from Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, and Oregon. They discussed the severe impact of abortion bans in 21 states, which have also affected medication abortion, emergency care, IVF, and contraception. While Republican officials push for more bans, the Biden-Harris Administration and Democratic Attorneys General are fighting to protect reproductive healthcare access. Klein and Perez expressed gratitude for the participants' efforts and reiterated the Administration’s commitment to defending reproductive rights.
President Biden and Vice President Harris support the majority of Americans who believe in a woman's right to make personal health care decisions and urge Congress to restore Roe v. Wade protections in federal law. This meeting is part of the Administration's ongoing efforts, which include more than two dozen formal meetings with state officials and Vice President Harris's nationwide Fight for Reproductive Freedoms tour. The Attorneys General who participated were Andrea Campbell (Massachusetts), Dana Nessel (Michigan), Aaron Ford (Nevada), Matthew Platkin (New Jersey), and Ellen Rosenblum (Oregon).
The White House held a roundtable with 20 Latino venture and business leaders to emphasize the Biden-Harris Administration's investments in the Latino community and how President Biden's economic agenda is improving access to capital for Latinos. Latino entrepreneurs are significantly contributing to the small business surge, with Latino business ownership rising by 40% since before the pandemic.
The discussions centered on the Administration's direct investments in Latino communities and ways to enhance access to capital. Officials highlighted economic growth strategies supporting minority business owners, such as the SBA's Growth Accelerator Fund Competition, the Economic Development Agency’s Tech Hubs Program, and the SBA's Small Business Investment Company’s Investment Diversification and Growth rule.
The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to continuing collaboration with Latino business leaders to advance equity for the Latino community.
Key administration participants included:
Stephen K. Benjamin, Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the Office of Public Engagement
Tom Perez, Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
Isabella Guzman, Administrator of the Small Business Administration
Dr. Arati Prabhakar, Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)
Alejandra Castillo, Assistant Secretary of the Economic Development Agency, Department of Commerce
President Biden declared a major disaster in Iowa, authorizing federal aid to assist with recovery efforts from severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes that began on June 16, 2024. Federal funding is available to individuals in Clay, Emmet, Lyon, Plymouth, and Sioux counties for temporary housing, home repairs, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses, and other recovery programs. State and local governments, as well as certain private nonprofits in Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, and Sioux counties, will receive aid on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work. Hazard mitigation funding is also available statewide. FEMA's DuWayne Tewes has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations. Additional assistance and more county designations may follow after further damage assessments.