What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
June 14, 2024 Recap
A background press call previewed President Biden's second day at the G7 covered several key topics. The senior administration official discussed the President's schedule, including a bilateral meeting with Italian Prime Minister Meloni to discuss Ukraine, China, and the Middle East, among other issues. The official highlighted the significance of the recent U.S.-Ukraine bilateral security agreement and mentioned discussions on using proceeds from Russian sovereign assets for Ukraine.
The President is also set to meet with Pope Francis to discuss Ukraine, artificial intelligence, and climate change topics. The press call included questions from journalists about potential topics of discussion, including abortion rights and economic coercion by China. The official confirmed that the G7 communiqué would reflect consensual language among member countries, including on sensitive issues like sexual and reproductive health rights. The official also addressed the President's absence from a main dinner event, attributing it to a packed schedule culminating in the historic agreement with Ukraine.
The 2024 G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy, saw President Biden and G7 leaders unite to tackle pressing global challenges. Key among their priorities was supporting Ukraine's fight for freedom. Joined by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, the G7 leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine, announcing a plan to provide $50 billion in new financing. This includes immobilizing Russian assets held in the European Union and other jurisdictions until Russia ends its aggression and compensates Ukraine for the damage caused. Additionally, new sanctions targeting over 300 individuals and entities aim to cripple Russia's financial infrastructure and war economy. President Biden and Zelenskyy signed a U.S.-Ukraine Bilateral Security Agreement to deepen security and defense cooperation.
The G7's commitment to international peace and security was evident in their united support for a comprehensive deal in Gaza, which calls for an immediate ceasefire and increased humanitarian assistance. In the Indo-Pacific region, leaders discussed strengthening alliances and raised concerns about the PRC’s actions in the South China Sea. The G7 also pledged to support greater African participation in international bodies to contribute to global stability and prosperity.
Economic resilience and security were other major focuses. President Biden rallied the G7 to counter unfair economic practices by the PRC and promote resilient supply chains. Leaders agreed to confront non-market policies and protect critical technologies from being misused. They also emphasized the importance of partnerships with developing countries to increase their participation in global supply chains while maintaining high standards.
Investing in developing countries was a significant agenda item, with the G7 supporting the Nairobi-Washington Vision to help these countries make critical investments and reforms. Efforts to boost the financial power of multilateral development banks were also highlighted, with plans to unlock significant new lending capacity. The Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) saw commitments from both public and private sectors to invest in global infrastructure and digital development, with significant contributions announced by BlackRock and Microsoft.
The summit also addressed climate change, with commitments to phase out unabated coal power and increase energy storage by 2030. The G7 recognized nuclear energy as a clean energy source and pledged support for fusion energy research. In health and food security, the launch of the Apulia Food Security Initiative aims to improve global food systems. The G7 called for new pledges to the Pandemic Fund and emphasized the importance of expanding global immunization coverage and addressing antimicrobial resistance.
Gender equality was also a key issue, with the G7 investing in childcare to support women’s economic participation. Migration was addressed through a commitment to manage it effectively, focusing on root causes and safe pathways. Finally, the G7 leaders emphasized the importance of international cooperation on artificial intelligence, ensuring its benefits are widely shared while mitigating risks. They also established a group to coordinate on semiconductor issues crucial for the AI ecosystem.
Read the G7 Apulia Leaders’ Communiqué
President Biden met with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy in Apulia to strengthen the U.S.-Italy partnership on key security, economic, and regional issues. President Biden praised Italy's support for Ukraine, including critical security assistance. Both leaders welcomed the G7's unanimous commitment to provide $50 billion in financial support to Ukraine and discussed further measures to impose costs on Russia and its supporters. They also addressed enhancing mutual economic security, responding to economic coercion, boosting two-way trade and investment, and emphasizing the need for a hostage deal and ceasefire in Gaza, urging Hamas to take a constructive approach.
President Biden met with Pope Francis during the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Apulia, Italy. They discussed the urgent need for a ceasefire and a hostage deal to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. President Biden thanked Pope Francis for the Vatican’s efforts to mitigate the humanitarian impacts of Russia’s war in Ukraine, particularly in returning kidnapped Ukrainian children to their families. The President also expressed his appreciation for the Pope’s advocacy for the poor, victims of persecution, and those affected by climate change and conflicts worldwide.
President Biden also met with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates in Fasano, Italy, at the G7 Leaders’ Summit. The leaders reaffirmed the enduring U.S.-UAE strategic partnership, touched base on economic and technology issues, and discussed regional issues, including Gaza.
The Biden-Harris Administration reaffirmed its commitment to the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action, emphasizing reproductive rights and women's health as crucial for global prosperity and gender equity. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the 1994 ICPD in Cairo, the administration announced efforts to enhance sexual and reproductive health services worldwide.
Key initiatives included significant funding for global family planning, restoring support to the UN Population Fund, and advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights, particularly for marginalized groups. The administration allocated substantial funds for global maternal and child health programs for Fiscal Year 2023.
New initiatives focused on increasing family planning access in West Africa, addressing barriers to reproductive health, improving population data availability, and investing in maternal health services in high-risk countries. Additionally, the administration supported efforts to prevent child marriage and female genital mutilation through partnerships with UN agencies, aiming to protect the health and rights of women and girls. These actions highlighted the administration's dedication to improving health outcomes, human rights, and gender equality globally.
President Biden addressed the Supreme Court's decision that struck down a crucial gun safety regulation following the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, where a gunman used a bump stock to kill 60 people and wound hundreds. Biden highlighted his administration's efforts to combat gun violence, including appointing the first Senate-confirmed ATF Director since 2015 and securing funding to address emerging firearm threats. Despite the setback, Biden emphasized continued action, citing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and establishing the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. He called on Congress to ban bump stocks and assault weapons, promising to sign any related legislation immediately.
Vice President Harris condemned the Supreme Court's ruling, underscoring the bipartisan support for banning bump stocks after their use in the 2017 Las Vegas shooting. She criticized the decision for undermining a common-sense regulation aimed at preventing semiautomatic rifles from being modified to fire hundreds of bullets per minute. Harris reaffirmed the administration's commitment to gun safety, urging Congress to ban bump stocks without delay to honor the victims and survivors of the Las Vegas shooting.
President Joe Biden issued a proclamation honoring fathers and father figures, emphasizing their role in shaping character, supporting families, and instilling values. He reflected on his father's lessons about dignity, respect, and resilience. Biden highlighted efforts to support families through job creation, healthcare cost reductions, and social support enhancements. He acknowledged the grief of those who had lost loved ones and urged everyone to cherish their moments with fathers. June 16, 2024, was proclaimed Father's Day, with a directive to display the U.S. flag on government buildings.
The President also addressed elder abuse, proclaiming June 15, 2024, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, highlighting the need to protect older Americans from various forms of abuse. His administration had increased funding for Adult Protective Services and support through the Violence Against Women Act. Efforts included cracking down on scams and ensuring access to quality care through executive actions and budget proposals. Internationally, the administration collaborated to protect older adults.
President Biden has declared a major disaster in Oklahoma due to severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding from May 19 to 28, 2024. This declaration enables Federal aid to support recovery efforts.
Federal assistance will be available to individuals in Blaine, Caddo, Custer, Delaware, Jackson, Mayes, Muskogee, and Rogers counties. It will provide housing and home repair grants, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses, and other recovery programs.
Federal funding will also support state, tribal, and local governments and eligible nonprofits for emergency work and facility repairs in Blaine, Delaware, Mayes, and Rogers counties. Statewide hazard mitigation funding is included.
President Biden has issued an executive order to establish the White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience to strengthen the resilience, diversity, and security of U.S. supply chains. This move follows the principles of Executive Order 14017, focusing on enhancing domestic manufacturing, supporting research and development, innovation, and creating well-paying jobs. The Assistant will lead the Council to the President for National Security Affairs (APNSA) and the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy (APEP), including members from various key government departments and agencies.
President Biden meets with Italy’s Prime Minister Georgia Meloni at the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy
Amazing how our President Biden gets so much accomplished! So proud of him and his Cabinet, and staff of workers.
I’m so grateful for your posts and the relief that they bring me to read of the positive work that is happening in our world. I am so thankful to the millions of people who voted to give Joe Biden and Kamala Harris the power of our Oval Office. It’s so heartening to watch the good that they do with that power, especially in contrast to the destructive language and policies of that bloviated orange mass of smelly protoplasm.