What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
June 27,2024 Recap
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had a call with Philippine National Security Advisor Eduardo M. Año. They discussed concerns over China's actions against the Philippines' maritime operations near Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Sullivan emphasized the U.S.'s strong commitment to the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, which includes protection against attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, and aircraft in the South China Sea. Both advisors reaffirmed their countries' strong friendship and commitment to freedom of navigation and international law in the South China Sea. They agreed to continue close cooperation for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
President Biden issued a statement on Moyle v. United States, addressing a Supreme Court order that ensures women in Idaho can access emergency medical care while the case returns to the lower courts. Biden emphasizes that no woman should be denied necessary care or forced to leave her state to receive it. He highlights the negative impact of state abortion bans, including driving doctors out of states like Idaho. He shares the story of Dr. Kylie Cooper, who had to leave Idaho due to its strict abortion laws, illustrating the broader consequences on medical practice and patient care. Biden criticizes Republican officials' efforts to ban abortion nationwide and reaffirms his administration's commitment to defending reproductive freedom and restoring Roe v. Wade protections at the federal level.
Jennifer Klein, Director of the Gender Policy Council, and Tom Perez, Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, led a discussion with state-paid family and medical leave program administrators. Representatives from Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington state, and Washington, D.C. participated.
The meeting highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to a national paid family and medical leave program, as the President's FY 2025 Budget proposed. This program aims to support workers needing time off for various family and medical reasons. The Administration praised the thirteen states and D.C. that have enacted paid leave laws and emphasized their support for state programs.
The Department of Treasury representatives also announced that they are working on providing guidance on the tax treatment of state-paid family and medical leave programs to clarify matters for existing and future programs.
Aboard Air Force One en route to Marietta, Georgia, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre provided a briefing covering several key topics. She began by addressing the recent Supreme Court order, which allows women in Idaho to access emergency medical care while the case returns to the lower courts. The Biden-Harris administration views this as a critical step in defending women's rights to medical care amidst ongoing Republican efforts to ban abortion nationwide. Jean-Pierre emphasized that no woman should be forced to flee her state to receive necessary healthcare, highlighting the administration's commitment to restoring the protections of Roe v. Wade in federal law.
Jean-Pierre also discussed border security, noting that President Biden's recent measures have significantly reduced unlawful border crossings. She criticized congressional Republicans for politicizing the issue rather than providing necessary resources to immigration officials and the Border Patrol. She reiterated the administration's call for Congress to effectively support these efforts to secure the border.
Regarding President Biden's activities, Jean-Pierre assured me that he would continue performing his presidential duties regardless of location, including his recent stay at Camp David. She mentioned his focus on significant issues such as the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision anniversary and border security. Jean-Pierre also expressed the administration's concern over violence related to new tax laws in Kenya, praising President Ruto's willingness to engage in dialogue to resolve the situation.
Regarding humanitarian aid to Gaza, Jean-Pierre highlighted the administration's efforts to increase aid delivery via air, land, and sea, underscoring President Biden's leadership in ensuring essential goods reach innocent Palestinians. She dismissed the idea of a pardon for Julian Assange and refuted former President Trump's claims about President Biden needing performance enhancers for the debate.
Jean-Pierre confirmed that National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan discussed post-conflict plans for Gaza with the Israeli Defense Minister. Additionally, she expressed relief that calm had been restored following the attempted coup in Bolivia. The briefing concluded with a mention of President Biden's upcoming events in New York City, including campaign activities.
And fight a cold and brain fog. Wishing him good health.