What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
September 11, 2024 Recap
President Biden’s statement on the anniversary of September 11 emphasized the nation’s collective vow to “Never Forget” the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the terrorist attacks, the families who continued to grieve, and the heroes who responded with courage. He reflected on the resilience displayed in the aftermath, from first responders at Ground Zero and the Pentagon to the passengers of Flight 93 who thwarted further attacks. Biden underscored that, despite the terrorists’ attempt to break America’s spirit, they failed. He highlighted the enduring unity and strength of the country, reaffirming the ongoing commitment to preventing future attacks, disrupting terrorist networks, and delivering justice, as seen in the operations that killed Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri. He concluded by celebrating the enduring spirit of the United States, the importance of coming together, and the nation’s capacity to overcome any challenge.
Vice President Harris also reflected on September 11 as a day of solemn remembrance and honored the victims, their families, and the acts of heroism displayed on that day. She emphasized that while the terrorists sought to destroy America’s way of life, they failed, and instead, the nation found unity and strength. Harris highlighted the service of those who fought against terrorism abroad and the continued vigilance against any threat to the United States. She acknowledged the ongoing efforts to overcome hate and discrimination that followed the attacks and honored the bravery of Americans. Harris marked the day by visiting the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, reflecting on the courage and selflessness of the American people and the pride of being an American.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris expressed outrage and sadness over the death of Aysenur Eygi, a recent U.S. college graduate and activist killed during a peaceful protest against settlement expansion in the West Bank. Both statements condemned the incident as unacceptable, with Biden emphasizing the need for full accountability and urging Israel to prevent such incidents from recurring. He also highlighted ongoing violence in the West Bank by both Israeli settlers and Palestinian terrorists, stressing the U.S. commitment to holding all extremists accountable.
Vice President Harris called Eygi's death a horrific tragedy, criticized the conduct of Israeli forces, and demanded accountability from Israel. Both leaders reiterated their expectations for continued access to Israel’s investigation and emphasized the importance of addressing violence from all sides to promote peace and stability.
Lael Brainard, National Economic Advisor, highlighted that the August Consumer Price Index report shows inflation has dropped to 2.5%, nearing pre-pandemic levels. She emphasized the importance of sustaining the economic progress made for American workers. The administration's focus is on reducing costs, expanding opportunities, and supporting the middle class by creating jobs, aiding small businesses, and cutting taxes for middle-class families. They advocate for billionaires and large corporations to pay their fair share. In contrast, Brainard criticized Congressional Republicans for policies that she claims would increase family costs by $4,000 while favoring tax cuts for the wealthy.
President Biden has declared major disaster declarations in Pennsylvania and Vermont due to severe weather events. In Pennsylvania, the declaration was made in response to Tropical Storm Debby, which occurred on August 9-10, 2024. Federal assistance has been made available to individuals in Lycoming, Potter, Tioga, and Union-affected counties. This aid includes grants for temporary housing, home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other forms of support to help people and businesses recover. Mark K. O’Hanlon from FEMA has been appointed to coordinate federal recovery efforts in the state, and additional counties may receive assistance as further damage assessments are conducted.
Similarly, Vermont was declared a major disaster area due to severe storms and flooding from June 22-24, 2024. Federal funding will assist state, tribal, and local governments and certain nonprofits in Lamoille County for emergency work and repairs to damaged facilities. Additionally, funds will be available statewide for hazard mitigation efforts to prevent future damage. William F. Roy from FEMA has been designated to lead recovery operations in Vermont.
President Biden and Vice President Harris attend a ceremony at Ground Zero in New York to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001
