What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
May 30, 2024 Recap
The Biden-Harris Administration is expanding access to capital for climate-focused businesses as part of President Biden's ambitious climate agenda, supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. These initiatives represent the largest public investment in climate action in U.S. history, aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050. Since the start of the administration, the private sector has announced $866 billion in new clean energy and manufacturing investments.
To ensure broad access, the administration is releasing a Climate Capital Guidebook, mapping federal programs available to climate-related start-ups and small businesses. This includes financing from departments such as Energy, Agriculture, and the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA is also lifting the cap on 504 loans for energy projects, allowing small businesses to access more capital for clean energy investments.
The Environmental Protection Agency's $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, established by the Inflation Reduction Act, aims to catalyze private investment in clean energy, particularly in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The Act also expands tax credits for clean energy and electric vehicle infrastructure.
Infrastructure development is supported through the Clean Ports Program and the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program, providing substantial funding for zero-emission and EV charging projects. The administration has launched digital resources such as the SBA’s Investing in America Small Business Hub to assist businesses.
Additionally, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office offers programs to accelerate climate innovation patents, while the Economic Development Administration’s Tech Hubs and Build to Scale Program support regional innovation in clean energy. These measures aim to ensure broad access to climate capital, spur innovation, and support the transition to a clean energy economy for all communities, including those historically underserved.
President Biden will visit Normandy and Paris from June 5-9. On June 6, he will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, honoring the 73,000 Americans who participated. He will greet American veterans and their families. On June 7, he will speak at Pointe du Hoc about defending freedom and democracy. On June 8, in Paris, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will attend a State Visit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and Mrs. Brigitte Macron. The visit will highlight the strong US-France relationship and address global challenges and bilateral issues.
Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a speech at the United States Air Force Academy Class of 2024 Commencement Ceremony at Falcon Stadium, El Paso County, Colorado. She began by congratulating the cadets and acknowledging the support from their families and friends. Harris highlighted her experience nominating five cadets and flying with academy graduates on Air Force Two, affirming the academy's excellence.
Harris celebrated the cadets' journey, mentioning the challenges they overcame and the milestones they achieved. She humorously addressed minor disciplinary issues and waived certain penalties. Emphasizing unity and dedication, she praised the graduates for their service to the nation.
Harris outlined the crucial role of air and space power in America's military history, from D-Day to current global operations. She highlighted the academy's tradition of innovation and urged the graduates to continue this legacy, particularly in the evolving nature of warfare. She stressed the importance of the oath they were about to take, committing to uphold the Constitution and democratic ideals.
In conclusion, Vice President Harris invoked the memory of Major LeRoy Homer, Jr., a heroic academy alumnus, and assured the graduates of their readiness to face future challenges. She expressed confidence in their ability to uphold America's security and values. She congratulated them on their achievement and wished them success in their future endeavors.
Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer met with China's Executive Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ma Zhaoxu, in Washington, D.C. They had a candid and constructive discussion following the November 2023 Summit between Presidents Biden and Xi. The meeting focused on maintaining open communication and responsibly managing competition. They discussed military-to-military communication, cooperation on counternarcotics, and areas of disagreement. Finer emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, international law, and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. They also addressed Russia's war against Ukraine, Middle East challenges, and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to high-level diplomacy. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan briefly joined the meeting.
Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer also spoke with Papua New Guinea Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso to express condolences for the recent landslide in Papua New Guinea. Finer reiterated President Biden’s condolences and pledged continued U.S. support, highlighting USAID's contributions to emergency aid. Rosso thanked Finer for the support and provided updates on the disaster response. They discussed key areas of cooperation, including the Defense Cooperation Agreement, energy resilience, governance, and humanitarian assistance, emphasizing the need to strengthen their partnership further.
Vice President Harris gives the commencement speech at The United States Air Force Academy Class of 2024 graduation ceremony
I can tell you what he didn’t do: become a convicted felon!