It’s Thursday.
When Biden Bits was posted, President had tweeted 2 times for Wednesday; We are only counting one, the other one was counted for Tuesday. He added 9 tweets giving him a Wednesday Tweeting Total of 10 tweets and 1 retweet.
The video is 43 seconds long. There is what sounds like a cross between chamber music and elevator music playing in the background.
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson: I am Ketanji Brown Jackson, and I have just had the honor of being nominated to sit on the United States Supreme Court. Supreme Court justices are on the highest court in this country and it’s very important that the justice system is administered fairly so that people can have liberty and justice in our society. I always tell all young people when I am asked what advice that I would give–to work hard and to do your very best work in every position that you’re in, even in the down times. Just remember that you can do it. Work hard.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced on Wednesday that Judge Jackson’s confirmation hearings will start on March 21st, 2022.
The YouTube video is 40 minutes and 18 seconds long. First Lady Dr., Jill Biden’s remarks can be found here. President Biden’s remarks can be found here.
He mentions the Blatnik Bridge by name twice in his speech:
President Biden: Look, the Blatnik Bridge — you all know this bridge well. It’s the bridge that connects our cities — your cities and your state. A bridge that carries people to work and carries goods out of your port.
President Biden: Look, back in January, I announced the largest investment in our bridges in American history — a total of $40 billion in funding for bridges improvements — $40 billion, including $12.5 billion to fix the most economically significant bridges in this country, like the Blatnik Bridge. (Applause.) And on top of that — on top of that, over the next five years, based on formula funding, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will provide Minnesota an estimated $5.4 billion — (applause) — and Wisconsin $5.4 billion — (applause) — for highways and bridges.
President Biden: When I signed that infrastructure law 100 days ago, we already had — we already had the ground run — we hit the ground running, announcing $100 billion in new investments to create jobs for millions of Americans — modernizing our roads, our airports, our ports, our waterways. And we’ll do it — we’ll do it all to withstand the devastating effects of climate and to promote environmental justice in the process.
Before leaving D.C., for Wisconsin President Biden spoke to the press.
The YouTube is 1 minute and 29 seconds long. During the press gaggle President Biden is asked what he’s given up for Lent:
Q: What did you give up for Lent?
THE PRESIDENT: All sweets.
Q: All sweets?
THE PRESIDENT: And I’m — you know me, I start off with dessert.
Q: So, no ice cream?
THE PRESIDENT: No ice cream. Nothing.
White House.gov. 03/02/2022.
He is also asked about Pope Francis asking for prayers and fasting for the people of Ukraine on Ash Wednesday:
Q: Pope Francis asked for prayers and fasting today for the people of Ukraine on this Ash Wednesday. Pope Francis is asking for prayers and fasting. What’s your reaction to that that, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: I think he’s right. I was with the Cardinal this morning. He came over to give me ashes. We both prayed for that — for the people of Ukraine.
White House.gov. 03/02/2022.
The tweet is similar to *remarks he made on Tuesday during the State of the Union.
President Biden: He thought the West and NATO wouldn’t respond. He thought he could divide us at home, in this chamber, in this nation. He thought he could divide us in Europe as well. But Putin was wrong. We are ready. We are united. And that’s what we did: We stayed united. We prepared extensively and carefully. We spent months building coalitions of other freedom-loving nations in Europe and the Americas to — from America to the Asian and African continents to confront Putin. Like many of you, I spent countless hours unifying our European Allies.
*I used the as delivered remarks. I crosschecked the “as prepared for delivery” remarks the are the same*
In recent days, elected leaders in Texas have launched a cynical and dangerous campaign targeting transgender children and their parents. These actions are terrifying many families in Texas and beyond. And they must stop.https://t.co/2jh7kVb60J
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 3, 2022
The Department of Health and Human Services has announced several actions to keep transgender children in Texas and their families safe — putting the state of Texas on notice that their discriminatory actions put children’s lives at risk.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 3, 2022
In the United States of America, we respect the rights and dignity of all families. Jill and I stand with the incredibly brave transgender children, their parents, and families around the country, and we will continue to fight for a future where all children can thrive.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 3, 2022
His full statement:
In recent days, elected leaders in Texas have launched a cynical and dangerous campaign targeting transgender children and their parents. The Governor of Texas has directed state officials to open child abuse investigations into families simply because they have provided access to affirming care for their children. This is government overreach at its worst. Like so many anti-transgender attacks proliferating in states across the country, the Governor’s actions callously threaten to harm children and their families just to score political points. These actions are terrifying many families in Texas and beyond. And they must stop.
Today, the Department of Health and Human Services has announced several actions to keep transgender children in Texas and their families safe—putting the state of Texas on notice that their discriminatory actions put children’s lives at risk. These announcements make clear that rather than weaponizing child protective services against loving families, child welfare agencies should instead expand access to gender-affirming care for transgender children. Respected medical organizations have said that access to gender-affirming care for transgender children can benefit mental health, lower suicide rates, and improve other health outcomes. Children, their parents, and their doctors should have the freedom to make the medical decisions that are best for each young person—without politicians getting in the way.
In the United States of America, we respect the rights and dignity of all families. Transgender children bring fulfillment to their parents, joy to their friends, and are made in the image of God. Affirming a transgender child’s identity is one of the best things a parent, teacher, or doctor can do to help keep children from harm, and parents who love and affirm their children should be applauded and supported, not threatened, investigated, or stigmatized. As I told transgender Americans in my State of the Union Address yesterday evening, “I’ll always have your back as your President so you can be yourself and reach your God-given potential.” Jill and I are standing with the incredibly brave transgender children, their parents, and families throughout Texas and around the country, and we will continue to fight for a future where all children can thrive.
White House.gov. 03/02/2022.
From HHS.gov; Statement by HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra Reaffirming HHS Support and Protection for LGBTQI+ Children and Youth
Today, on the heels of a discriminatory gubernatorial order in Texas, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra released the following statement reaffirming HHS’s commitment to supporting and protecting transgender youth and their parents, caretakers and families. Secretary Becerra also announced several immediate actions HHS is taking actions to support LGBTQI+ youth and further remind Texas and others of the federal protections that exist to ensure transgender youth receive the care they need:
“The Texas government’s attacks against transgender youth and those who love and care for them are discriminatory and unconscionable. These actions are clearly dangerous to the health of transgender youth in Texas. At HHS, we listen to medical experts and doctors, and they agree with us, that access to affirming care for transgender youth is essential and can be life-saving.
“HHS is committed to protecting young Americans who are targeted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and supporting their parents, caretakers and families. That is why I directed my team to evaluate the tools at our disposal to protect trans and gender diverse youth in Texas, and today I am announcing several steps we can take to protect them.
“HHS will take immediate action if needed. I know that many youth and their supportive families are feeling scared and isolated because of these attacks. HHS is closely monitoring the situation in Texas, and will use every tool at our disposal to keep Texans safe.
“Any individual or family in Texas who is being targeted by a child welfare investigation because of this discriminatory gubernatorial order is encouraged to contact our Office for Civil Rights to report their experience.”New HHS Actions Announced by Secretary Xavier Becerra:
HHS.gov. 03/02/2022.
- HHS is releasing guidance to state child welfare agencies through an Information Memorandum that makes clear that states should use their child welfare systems to advance safety and support for LGBTQI+ youth, which importantly can include access to gender affirming care;
- HHS is also releasing guidance – PDF* on patient privacy, clarifying that, despite the Texas government’s threat, health care providers are not required to disclose private patient information related to gender affirming care;
- HHS also issued guidance – PDF* making clear that denials of health care based on gender identity are illegal, as is restricting doctors and health care providers from providing care because of a patient’s gender identity;
- The Secretary also called on all of HHS to explore all options to protect kids, their parents, caretakers and families; and
- HHS will also ensure that families and health care providers in Texas are aware of all the resources available to them if they face discrimination as a result of this discriminatory gubernatorial order.
The rest of the statement is just giving resource legal information.
For Thursday March 3rd, 2022 President Biden has received his daily brief. This afternoon he will hold a Cabinet Meeting. This evening he will sign law H.R. 4445 the “Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021”.
The summary of the law is one sentence; This bill invalidates arbitration agreements that preclude a party from filing a lawsuit in court involving sexual assault or sexual harassment, at the election of the party alleging such conduct.
The bill passed the House on 02/07/2022; Yea’s 335, Nay’s 97, and 2 Rep’s., did not vote.
The bill pass the Senate on 02/10/2022 without amendment by Voice Vote.
The text of the law can be found here.
President Biden has not tweeted for Thursday…
The daily press briefing is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. D.C., time.
The President signing H.R. 4445 into law is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. D.C., time.
The White House so far doesn’t have a Cabinet Meeting Pool Spray YouTube…
We turn to Bloomberg Quicktake: Now for the pool spray scheduled for 2:00 p.m. D.C., time.
This is an Open Thread.
