What Did Joe Biden Do Today?

May 15, 2024 Recap

Today, the President and Vice President released their annual public financial disclosure reports. These reports aim to prevent financial conflicts of interest by providing transparency about the assets of government officials. Reviewed and certified by the independent Office of Government Ethics, the disclosures show that neither the President nor the Vice President have any conflicts of interest. The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 mandates high-level federal officials to disclose their personal financial interests publicly. The financial disclosure reports for White House officials are also available, with additional reports to be added over time.

View the President’s financial disclosure report here.

View the Vice President’s financial disclosure report here.

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The Biden-Harris Administration is implementing new measures to address chronic absenteeism, which peaked at 31% during the 2021-2022 school year. Recognizing the crucial role of regular school attendance in student achievement, the Administration focuses on several key strategies. These include improving communication with parents through effective messaging tools, utilizing data to track absences in real-time and intervene early, conducting home visits to support families directly, and making school more engaging and relevant to students while addressing their basic needs.

At the Every Day Counts Summit, the Administration announced new initiatives, such as competitive federal grants to increase student attendance, engagement, and resources to help schools use data and early warning systems effectively. Additional efforts include releasing resources to enhance career-connected learning and addressing transportation barriers that prevent students from attending school regularly.

Several organizations have also committed to supporting these initiatives. For example, the Overdeck Family Foundation and the Ad Council Research Institute are developing a messaging toolkit for increasing student attendance, while the National Partnership for Student Success Support Hub is providing a digital backpack of resources to address chronic absenteeism. The American Academy of Pediatrics is engaging its members to promote the importance of school attendance through individual interactions and partnerships with schools.

These new actions build on previous efforts by the Administration, including prioritizing evidence-based approaches in federal grant programs and offering guidance on using pandemic relief funds to support attendance initiatives. The Administration's Fiscal Year 2025 budget proposal includes $8 billion for Academic Acceleration and Achievement Grants to help close opportunity and achievement gaps, ensuring the sustainability of these efforts. Through these comprehensive strategies and collaborations, the Administration aims to create a culture of attendance, ensuring all students can thrive in the 21st century.

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National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke by phone with Brazilian Presidential Advisor Celso Amorim. Sullivan expressed condolences on behalf of President Biden and the American people for the devastating flooding and landslides in southern Brazil and reiterated U.S. support for Brazil. They discussed deepening bilateral relations and addressing global and regional challenges, including increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza, securing a ceasefire and hostage deal, Russia’s war against Ukraine, and the electoral process in Venezuela.

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President Biden issued a statement on the April Consumer Price Index, emphasizing that fighting inflation and reducing costs is his top economic priority. He acknowledged families' struggles despite progress, noting inflation has decreased by over 60% from its peak, and core inflation is at a three-year low.

President Biden's agenda aims to alleviate this by building two million new homes, reducing prescription drug prices, and urging grocery chains to lower prices. In contrast, he criticized Congressional Republicans for proposing policies that would lower taxes for the wealthy and corporations, increase middle-class taxes, protect special interests, and cut Social Security and Medicare, potentially worsening inflation. Biden advocates for addressing special interests to lower costs and support the middle class.

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U.S. and PRC (People’s Republic of China) officials met in Geneva to discuss AI risk and safety, continuing from the November 2023 summit between Presidents Biden and Xi Jinping. The U.S. delegation, led by Tarun Chhabra and Seth Center, included representatives from various governmental departments, while the PRC delegation comprised officials from several ministries and commissions.

The discussions were candid and constructive, focusing on each country's AI safety and risk management approach. The U.S. emphasized the importance of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI systems for sustainable development globally. They also expressed concerns about AI misuse, particularly by the PRC.

Both nations agreed that maintaining open communication on AI risk and safety is necessary to manage their competition responsibly.

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President Joe Biden expressed alarm over the attempted assassination of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. He and his wife, Jill, are praying for Prime Minister Fico's swift recovery and extending their thoughts to his family and the people of Slovakia. The President condemned the violent act and mentioned that the U.S. embassy is closely coordinating with the Slovak government and is ready to provide assistance.

Prime Minister Fico was shot multiple times during an event in Handlova, causing a grave injury that left doctors fighting for his life. The attack, three weeks before the European Parliament elections, shocked Slovakia and Europe. Fico, known for his pro-Russian stance, was targeted while attending a government meeting. The suspect is in custody, and the motive is believed to be political.

Additional source: Associated Press

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The United States has announced coordinated actions against the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua due to its continued repression of the Nicaraguan people and exploitation of vulnerable migrants, including profiting from irregular migration to the United States. These actions align with President Biden's efforts to address irregular migration and support a democratic, secure, prosperous Western Hemisphere.

Key measures include a joint policy alert from the Departments of Treasury, State, and Homeland Security to travel companies, highlighting how smuggling networks and transnational criminal organizations exploit migrants and outlining steps to avoid complicity.

Additionally, the Department of Treasury sanctioned a Russian Military Training Center that aids the Nicaraguan National Police in persecuting political opposition and two gold companies enriching the regime. The Department of State also imposed visa restrictions on over 250 individuals associated with the Nicaraguan government and non-government actors, as well as their immediate family members, for their roles in supporting the regime's human rights abuses and repression of civil society organizations.

The Administration calls on the Nicaraguan regime to cease its systemic human rights violations and stop issuing short-term visas that exploit vulnerable migrants for financial gain.

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First Lady Dr. Jill Biden delivered remarks at the 2024 Women’s Health “Health Lab” summit in New York, emphasizing the importance of women's health research. She highlighted the ongoing issue of inadequate research and treatment options for women's health issues, such as menopause and heart disease, due to a historically male-centric medical field. Biden discussed her personal experiences and meetings with experts, reinforcing her understanding of the critical need for more comprehensive women's health research.

She noted that The Biden Administration is addressing these gaps by launching initiatives like the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research and ARPA-H’s Sprint for Women’s Health, which aim to fund and accelerate transformative research. The administration is pushing for significant investment in this area, calling for $12 billion from Congress and emphasizing the role of the private sector in advancing women's health solutions.

Dr. Biden urged industry leaders and storytellers to continue advocating for women's health, aiming to create a healthcare system where women's health issues are prioritized, researched, and treated effectively. She envisioned a future where women live healthier, happier lives without the current healthcare disparities.

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President Biden expressed gratitude to law enforcement leaders and officials at the National Peace Officers Memorial Service, honoring over 200 fallen officers for their ultimate sacrifice. He empathized with the grieving families, sharing his personal experiences of loss and highlighting the enduring pain they feel. Biden praised the courage and dedication of police officers, acknowledging the immense challenges they face and their critical role in ensuring public safety.

He discussed efforts to support law enforcement through funding, mental health resources, and legislation aimed at reducing gun violence and enhancing public safety. Biden emphasized the importance of family and community support for officers and their loved ones. He reassured families that the memory of their loved ones will eventually bring more smiles than tears and reiterated his commitment to protecting and supporting law enforcement and their families.

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The Global Health Worker Initiative (GHWI) celebrated its second year with over $10.5 billion in U.S. global health funding for FY 2023 and an annual investment of over $1.5 billion through programs like PEPFAR and PMI. USAID received $10 million for FY24, with $20 million requested for FY25.

GHWI focused on four key pillars:

1. Protecting Health Workers: The U.S. supported monitoring attacks on health workers through WHO’s Surveillance System and aided health workers in Ukraine with telemedicine. The CDC improved infection prevention in Uganda and biosafety in Senegal.

2. Expanding the Workforce: USAID’s GEEA Fund partnered with unions to improve conditions for health workers in countries like Colombia and Ghana. PEPFAR funded salaries and training in over 55 countries, and PMI supported around 100,000 community health workers in Africa and Southeast Asia. The Peace Corps trained health professionals globally.

3. Advancing Equity: PEPFAR’s Nursing Leadership Initiative supported nurses in several African countries. USAID collaborated with community and faith-based organizations to train health workers in underserved regions. HHS and HBCU GHC trained young women in Malawi and the Department of Defense combated stigma in military health services across 30+ countries. NIH, through its Fogarty International Center, trained global researchers.

4. Driving Technological Advancements: CDC’s GEEKS and I-LEAD programs trained health workers in digital health solutions. PMI invested in digital tools for community health workers, and Project ECHO expanded virtual learning, training millions globally.

The U.S. commitment through GHWI aimed to prepare for future pandemics, achieve health-related SDGs, and ensure the safety and advancement of health workers worldwide.

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Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre held a briefing, beginning with President Biden's recent public safety and crime reduction actions. President Biden attended the annual Peace Officers Memorial Service to honor fallen officers and emphasized the need for increased funding for law enforcement. Jean-Pierre highlighted the administration's significant investment in law enforcement and crime prevention through the American Rescue Plan. He reiterated the President's call for Congress to pass the Safer America Plan, which seeks to invest $37 billion in supporting law enforcement and crime prevention initiatives.

Jean-Pierre also addressed the U.S. government's actions in response to the Ortega-Murillo regime's repression in Nicaragua and the exploitation of vulnerable migrants. She explained that the Departments of Treasury, State, and Homeland Security issued a policy alert to travel companies about facilitating illegal migration. Additionally, the Department of Treasury sanctioned entities supporting the Nicaraguan regime, and the Department of State imposed visa restrictions on individuals involved in human rights abuses. These actions are part of a broader effort to address irregular migration and support democratic values in the Western Hemisphere.

The briefing covered the timing of notifying Congress about a weapons transfer to Israel, with Jean-Pierre emphasizing the administration's commitment to Israel's security while also expressing concerns about civilian safety in Gaza. She reiterated the administration's stance that Israel has the right to defend itself but must also protect civilian lives. The press secretary also touched on domestic issues, including the President's economic agenda and efforts to combat inflation. She assured that the administration remains focused on lowering costs for Americans and highlighted the President's commitment to building an economy that benefits everyone. The upcoming 2024 election and the President's stance on debates were briefly mentioned, emphasizing the administration's focus on delivering results for the American people rather than political maneuvering.

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President Biden gives remarks at the National Peace Officers Memorial Service at the U.S. Capitol