What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
June 20, 2024 Recap
The Biden-Harris Administration has released updated Climate Adaptation Plans from over 20 federal agencies to bolster climate resilience nationwide. This initiative is part of President Biden's comprehensive climate agenda and aligns with the National Climate Resilience Framework. The plans focus on enhancing resilience to climate impacts like extreme weather through measures such as:
Facility Resilience: Upgrading federal buildings to withstand climate hazards.
Workforce Preparedness: Protecting federal employees from climate-related risks.
Supply Chain Resilience: Diversifying suppliers and encouraging climate-smart sourcing.
Land and Water Management: Protecting federal lands and waters to enhance climate adaptation.
Data and Tools: Utilizing climate data to inform decision-making and investments.
Policy Integration: Incorporating climate considerations into federal policies and programs.
External Funding: Promoting climate resilience through federal funding opportunities.
These efforts include specific projects like retrofitting buildings, developing climate risk assessment tools, and integrating climate resilience into grant-making processes. This initiative underscores the administration's commitment to comprehensively addressing climate change and its impacts.
National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard issued a statement emphasizing President Biden's commitment to reducing costs for American families. The administration uses various tools to alleviate financial pressures on essentials like groceries, healthcare, transportation, and housing. Efforts include improving supply chains, urging grocery stores to pass savings to consumers, and enhancing support through SNAP and Summer EBT.
In healthcare, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has lowered insulin prices for seniors, capped out-of-pocket drug costs, and enabled Medicare to negotiate lower prices. Transportation costs are addressed by lowering gas prices, providing tax credits for clean vehicles, and eliminating family seating fees on flights.
Housing initiatives include proposals to lower rent, fund affordable housing, and reduce mortgage interest premiums with tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements. The administration also targets savings in banking fees, tax filing costs, childcare expenses, and student loan repayments. Brainard highlighted the administration's ongoing efforts to lower costs, contrasting this with Congressional Republicans' lack of solutions and opposition to cost-lowering measures.
The Biden-Harris Administration has proposed a plan to protect and manage old-growth forests in the National Forest System, advancing their climate and conservation goals. Led by the USDA’s Forest Service, the plan aims to amend 128 forest land management plans, incorporating science and Indigenous Knowledge to conserve and restore old-growth forests. Key measures include protections for existing forests, proactive wildfire mitigation, and the development of a locally-informed adaptive management strategy.
The Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management manage 112 million acres of old-growth and mature forests. Recent initiatives include a threats analysis identifying wildfire and other risks, an interim policy for consistent management, and the release of the American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas. The USDA’s Urban and Community Forestry Program also received nearly $1.4 billion for urban tree planting and management. These efforts underscore the administration’s commitment to forest conservation, with Senior Advisor John Podesta set to highlight these advancements at the Oslo Tropical Forest Forum.
On World Refugee Day, the Biden-Harris Administration highlighted the progress in rebuilding the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. For Fiscal Year 2024, the U.S. plans to resettle over 100,000 refugees, the highest in three decades, urging Americans to support refugees through the Welcome Corps program.
Efforts include reopening resettlement offices, hiring over 300 refugee officers, streamlining processes, and resolving long-pending cases. The Safe Mobility Initiative, in partnership with the UNHCR and IOM, expands lawful pathways for refugees in the Western Hemisphere. Private sponsorship programs like the Welcome Corps and Employer Engagement Program enable citizens and employers to support refugees directly.
Enhanced security vetting and expanded access for vulnerable groups, including human rights defenders and LGBTQI+ refugees, are key priorities. These measures underscore the U.S.'s commitment to providing a safe haven for refugees and upholding its values of generosity and compassion.
President Biden has declared a major disaster in New Mexico due to the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire that began on June 17, 2024. This declaration enables Federal aid to support State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Tribe. The assistance includes temporary housing and home repair grants, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses, and programs to aid individuals and business owners. Additionally, Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for statewide emergency work and hazard mitigation measures. Robert Patterson, Jr. of FEMA has been appointed to coordinate the Federal recovery operations. Damage assessments are ongoing, and more areas may receive assistance once assessments are completed.
In a teleconference, White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby discussed several key issues, including U.S. support for Ukraine, the ramifications of a defense pact between Russia and North Korea, and military aid to Israel.
Kirby highlighted the U.S. commitment to bolstering Ukraine's air defense capabilities in response to increased Russian missile and drone attacks. He decided to reprioritize the delivery of Patriot and NASAM missiles from other countries to Ukraine, emphasizing the urgent need for these defenses to protect Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Addressing the recent defense pact between Russia and North Korea, Kirby noted the U.S. has long warned about this burgeoning relationship. He described the pact as a sign of Russia's desperation and reiterated the U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine and maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Regarding military aid to Israel, Kirby expressed disappointment over comments made by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, which criticized the U.S. for allegedly withholding assistance. He assured that the U.S. continues to support Israel's defense needs substantially.
Additionally, Kirby touched on cyberattacks targeting the auto industry, ongoing efforts to prevent a wider conflict involving Hezbollah and Israel, and U.S. diplomatic engagements in Vietnam and Sudan. He reaffirmed the U.S. dedication to its alliances and partnerships while addressing various international security concerns.
President Biden has notified Congress of the designation of Amy Karpel as Chair of the United States International Trade Commission, with her term set to expire on June 16, 2026. This notification is consistent with the provisions of 19 U.S.C. 1330(c)(1).
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to discuss preparations for the upcoming 75th Anniversary Summit in Washington, DC. Their discussion focused on enhancing Allied resilience, boosting the transatlantic defense industry, and reaffirming NATO's steadfast support for Ukraine.
Thank you. No negativity intended.
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