It’s Friday!!!!
Friday, March 19th, 2021 (yeah, March is almost over, can you believe it???) marks President Joe Biden’s 58th day in office.
For day 58 President Biden will receive his daily briefing before heading to Georgia for the “Help is Here” tour.
After he and Vice President Harris arrive in Atlanta, Georgia, they will visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. In the afternoon the President and Vice President will meet with Georgia Asian American leaders at Emory College. President Biden will deliver remarks following the meeting which is closed to the press.
When Thursday aka Friday Eve’s Open Thread was posted President Biden had not tweeted for Thursday. By the time Friday arrived President Biden had tweeted 10 times and retweeted 1 time for Thursday.
2:02 p.m. D.C., time he tweeted a Twitter thread in which he urges Congress to give a path to citizenship for Dreamers and TPS (Temporary Protected Status) recipients a path to becoming U.S. Citizens.
It’s long past time Congress gives a path to citizenship for Dreamers and TPS recipients who strengthen our country and call our nation home. I strongly support the Dream and Promise Act and urge all members of the House to vote yes.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 18, 2021
Undocumented farm workers feed America and have been on the frontlines of this pandemic making sure we have food on our tables. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act provides a path to citizenship for these essential workers. I urge Congress to pass the bill.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 18, 2021
We can’t keep waiting. I urge Congress to come together to find long term solutions to our entire immigration system so we can create a safe, orderly, and humane immigration system, tackle the root causes of migration and legalize the undocumented population in the United States.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 18, 2021
CNBC News reported on Thursday that the House passed two bill one called the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.
The American Dream and Promise Act largely applies to the immigrants known as Dreamers. Which CNBC News estimates to be about 2.5 million people who were brought to this country as children.
The Farm and Workforce Modernization Act of 2021 according to the article would provide a path to legal status “for farm workers who are in the country illegally, estimated to be at least half of the 2.4 million workers in the sector. Some agricultural workers would be permitted to gain a green card if they pay a fine and stay in the industry for an additional four to eight years, depending on how long they had already been doing farm work.”
Congress.gov posted a summary of the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 as follows:
This bill provides certain aliens with a path to receive permanent resident status and contains other immigration-related provisions.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or the Department of Justice (DOJ) shall provide conditional permanent resident status for 10 years to a qualifying alien who entered the United States as a minor and (1) is deportable or inadmissible, (2) has deferred enforced departure (DED) status or temporary protected status (TPS), or (3) is the child of certain classes of nonimmigrants. The bill imposes various qualifying requirements, such as the alien being continuously physically present in the United States since January 1, 2021, passing a background check, and being enrolled in or having completed certain educational programs.
DHS shall remove the conditions placed on permanent resident status granted under this bill if the alien applies and meets certain requirements, such as completing certain programs at an educational institution, serving in the military, or being employed.
Furthermore, DHS and DOJ shall cancel the removal of certain aliens who had TPS, were eligible for TPS, or were eligible for DED status on certain dates. Such an alien shall receive permanent resident status upon meeting certain requirements and applying for such status within three years of this bill’s enactment.
DHS may not use information from applications filed under this bill or for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status for immigration enforcement purposes.
This bill also repeals a restriction that bars a state from providing higher education benefits to undocumented aliens unless those benefits are available to all U.S. nationals without regard to residency in the state.
Congress.gov.
According to Clerk.House.gov., the vote was 228 yea’s, (9 Republicans voted in favor), 197 nay’s, while 5 House Members did not vote.
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021 still has the summary in process according to Congress.gov.. Clerk.House.gov., recorded the vote as 247 in favor, (30 Republicans voted in favor), 174 nay’s (1 democratic voted no), and 8 House Members did not vote.
The White House issued two separate statements regarding the passage of both bills.
Statement regarding the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021:
In every generation, America has been enriched and strengthened by wave after wave of new immigrants. Dreamers and TPS holders, for whom the United States is home, are part of our national fabric, and make vital contributions to communities across the country every day. Many have worked tirelessly on the frontlines throughout this pandemic to keep our country afloat, fed, and healthy—yet they are forced to live with fear and uncertainty because of their immigration status.
The American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 is a critical first step in reforming our immigration system and will provide much needed relief to TPS holders and Dreamers, young people who came here as children and know no other country. I support this bill, and commend the House of Representatives for passing this important legislation.
My Administration looks forward to working together with Congress to do the right thing for Dreamers and TPS holders who contribute so much to our country, and to building a 21st century immigration system that is grounded in dignity, safety, and fairness, and finally enacts the long term solutions we need to create an orderly and humane immigration system, tackle the root causes of migration to the United States and to create a path to citizenship for the undocumented population in the United States.
White House.gov. 03/18/2021.
Statement on the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021:
Farmworkers are vital to the wellbeing of our country and our economy. For generations, America’s farmworkers – many of whom are undocumented – have worked countless hours to feed our nation and ensure our communities are healthy and strong. This has been even more clear and crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, as farmworkers have put their lives and the lives of their loved ones on the line to ensure that families across the country have food on the table.
This is why I support the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021 and celebrate its passage. The Act will deliver the lawful status and better working conditions that this critical workforce deserves, as well as much needed stability for farmers, growers, and the entire agriculture industry.
My Administration is ready to work with leaders on both sides of the aisle to address the needs of our essential workers, bring greater dignity and security to our agricultural sector, and finally enact the long-term solutions we need to create a safe, orderly, and humane immigration system, in addition to tackling the root causes of migration to the United States.
White House.gov. 03/18/2021.
3:26 p.m. D.C., time he shares a live feed to his remarks regarding the state of the coronavirus vaccine.
His full remarks can be found @ White House.gov.
Some snips:
So here is where we are today: Eight weeks ago, only 8 percent of seniors, those most vulnerable to COVID-19, had received a vaccination. Today, 65 percent of people aged 65 or older have received at least one shot, and 36 percent are fully vaccinated. And that’s key — because this is a population that represents 80 percent of the well over 500,000 COVID-19 deaths that have occurred in America.
We have nearly doubled the amount of vaccine doses that we distribute to states, Tribes, and territories each week. We have gone from 1 million shots a day — that I promised in December, before we were even sworn in — to an average of two and one half million shots a day, outpacing the rest of the world significantly.
While millions of people are vaccinated, we need millions more to be vaccinated. And, again, I need you to get vaccinated when it come– when it’s your turn, when you’re able to do that. I need your help. I need you to help — not just the country, but your family, your friends, your neighbors. Get them vaccinated as well.
If we keep our guard up, stick together, and stick with the science, we can look forward to a Fourth of July that feels a bit more normal, with small groups able to gather for cookouts in backyards, and when we’ll be — where we begin to declare our independence on Independence Day from the virus.
Let me be clear again: wearing this mask, in the meantime; making sure you wash your hands; making sure you socially distance and listen to the CDC. We’ve got to reach the point where we have herd immunity — meaning where we have a vast majority of the American people have been vaccinated — before we can stop wearing these.
White House.gov. 03/18/2021.
So, please, please, don’t let what’s happening — you see happening in Europe and you see on television. Keep the faith. Keep wearing the mask, keep washing your hands, and keep socially distanced. We’re going to beat this. We’re way ahead of schedule, but we’ve got a long way to go.
3:52 p.m. D.C., time he shares a video of the White House flag being lowered in honor of those shot and killed in Atlanta on Tuesday evening.
As reported in Thursday’s Open Thread CNN had reported names of the Cherokee County victims as follows: 33-year-old Yaun, of Acworth; Paul Andre Michels, 54, of Atlanta; Xiaojie Tan, 49, of Kennesaw; and Daoyou Feng, 44. One man, Elcias Hernandez-Ortiz, survived. At the time the victims from the spas in Atlanta had not been released. On Friday CNN reported that the Fulton County Medical Examiner had identified the victims as: Soon C. Park, 74; Hyun J. Grant, 51; Suncha Kim, 69; and Yong A. Yue, 63.
5:15 p.m. D.C., time he says he looks forward to working with the newly sworn-in EPA Administrator.
Politico reported that on March 10th, 2021, Michael Regan was confirmed by the Senate by a 66-34 vote.
6:00 p.m. D.C., time he mentions the American Rescue Plan…
The Washington Post reported on the 10th of March, that housing assistance as follows:
- The bill sets aside more than $20 billion in emergency rental assistance and other relief for the homeless.
- Another $10 billion goes to mortgage and homeownership assistance.
This is a side bar guys: I’ve tried, Google searching for a money breakdown of the American Rescue Plan and I come up with some crazy results. If any of you have a list, that would be helpful, as we are never going to stop talking about the bill; well until the next one or infrastructure week finally happens…but until then…
7:46 p.m. D.C., time he shares another congratulations to a recently sworn-in cabinet member.
7:21 p.m. D.C., time he says he is proud that we will reach 100 million coronavirus shots given by tomorrow (that’s today).
From his remarks regarding the state of the coronavirus vaccine:
And I’m proud to announce that tomorrow, 58 days into our administration, we will have met my goal of administering 100 million shots to our fellow Americans.
That’s weeks ahead of schedule, and even with the setbacks we faced during the winter storms. And it’s another big step on the path to checking the — putting checks in pockets and shots in people’s arms.
When we crossed the 50 million doses just three weeks ago, I told you that every time we hit the 50 million mark, I’d update you on our progress.
White House.gov. 03/18/2021.
The White House COVID-19 Response Team tweeted on Thursday that:
11:05 p.m. D.C., time the @POTUS Twitter account posted a 22 video.
President Biden: Folks, tomorrow we’re going to hit a very important milestone that I promised: 100 million shots of vaccine in people’s arms. So when you get your opportunity, get the vaccine. Get the shot. It’s critically important.
He hasn’t tweeted for Friday so far.
In other news…
It happened…It was bound to happen…
Twitter users brace for the dueling POTUS prat falls…
I won’t lie, I giggled, it’s what we do…
He’s fine.
As the President is traveling the press briefing won’t be live, it’s a gaggle aboard Air Force One.
President Biden is scheduled to speak from Emory University @ 4:40 p.m. D.C., time.
Live Feed: White House.
This is an Open Thread.
Have a great weekend everyone!!! Catch y’all Monday…
