It’s Wednesday.
When Biden Bits was posted for Tuesday; I updated adding 1 tweet he sent just 3 minutes after noon D.C., time. He added 1 tweet that doesn’t relate to his State of the Union address…
The White House posted the following readout:
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine to discuss the United States’ continued backing for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression. President Biden underscored the United States’ sustained help for Ukraine, including ongoing deliveries of security assistance, economic support, and humanitarian aid. The leaders discussed how the United States, along with Allies and partners, is working to hold Russia accountable, including by imposing sanctions that are already having an impact on the Russian economy. The leaders discussed Russia’s escalation of attacks on sites used by civilians in Ukraine, including today’s bombing near Babyn Yar Holocaust memorial.
White House.gov. 03/01/2022.
As featured at the News Blender President Biden offered his first State of the Union address. While delivering his 1 hour and 2 minute long speech, some intern had fun with the @POTUS account tweeting a shit ton.
I will be using his remarks; As Prepared for Delivery…
President Biden: He [President Putin] thought he could roll into Ukraine and the world would roll over. Instead he met a wall of strength he never imagined. He met the Ukrainian people.
President Biden: The U.S. Department of Justice is assembling a dedicated task force to go after the crimes of Russian oligarchs. We are joining with our European allies to find and seize your [[their] yachts your [their] luxury apartments your [their] private jets. We are coming for your [their] ill-begotten gains.
President Biden: Together with our allies we are providing support to the Ukrainians in their fight for freedom. Military assistance. Economic assistance. Humanitarian assistance. We are giving more than $1 Billion in direct assistance to Ukraine. And we will continue to aid the Ukrainian people as they defend their country and to help ease their suffering.
President Biden: When the history of this era is written Putin’s war on Ukraine will have left Russia weaker and the rest of the world stronger.
President Biden: That’s why one of the first things I did as President was fight to pass the American Rescue Plan. Because people were hurting. We needed to act, and we did.
President Biden: In fact—our economy created over 6.5 Million new jobs just last year, more jobs created in one year than ever before in the history of America.
President Biden: Vice President Harris and I ran for office with a new economic vision for America. Invest in America. Educate Americans. Grow the workforce. Build the economy from the bottom up and the middle out, not from the top down.
President Biden: We’re done talking about infrastructure weeks. We’re going [now] to have [talking about] an infrastructure decade.
President Biden: It is going to transform America and put us on a path to win the economic competition of the 21st Century that we face with the rest of the world—particularly with China.
President Biden: There’s been a law on the books for almost a century
to make sure taxpayers’ dollars support American jobs and businesses. Every Administration says they’ll do it, but we are actually doing it.
President Biden: But to compete for the best jobs of the future, we also need to level the playing field with China and other competitors. That’s why it is [it’s] so important to pass the Bipartisan Innovation Act sitting in Congress that will make record investments in emerging technologies and American manufacturing.
President Biden: So let’s not wait any longer. Send it to my desk. I’ll sign it.
Summary of the Bipartisan Innovation Act as of June 2021:
This bill addresses U.S. technology and communications, foreign relations and national security, domestic manufacturing, education, trade, and other matters.
Among other provisions, the bill
Congress.gov. June 2021.
It passed the Senate on June 8th, 2021; Yea’s 68, Nay’s 32.
President Biden: Inflation is robbing them [families] of the gains they might otherwise feel [from our growing economy]. I get it. That’s why my top priority is getting prices under control.
President Biden: And instead of relying on foreign supply chains, let’s make it in America. Economists call it “increasing the productive capacity of our economy.” I call it building a better America.
The intern made an error, by tweeting the above a second time at 11:35 p.m. D.C., time…
The intern quickly deleted the tweet…
President Biden: For Joshua, and for the 200,000 other young people with Type 1 diabetes, let’s cap the cost of insulin at $35 a month so everyone can afford it.
President Biden: Second [we can]– cut energy costs for families an average of $500 a year by combatting climate change. Let’s provide investments and tax credits to weatherize your homes and businesses to be energy efficient and you get a tax credit; double America’s clean energy production in solar, wind, and so much more; lower the price of electric vehicles, saving you another $80 a month because you’ll never have to pay at the gas pump again.
President Biden: Third – cut the cost of child care. Many families pay up to $14,000 a year for child care per child. Middle-class and working families shouldn’t have to pay more than 7% of their income for care of young children. My plan will cut the cost in half for most families and help parents, including millions of women, who left the workforce during the pandemic because they couldn’t afford child care, to be able to get back to work.
President Biden: The previous Administration not only ballooned the deficit with tax cuts for the very wealthy and corporations, it [my predecessor] undermined the watchdogs whose job was to keep pandemic relief funds from being wasted. But in my administration, the watchdogs have been welcomed [are] back. We’re going after the criminals who stole billions in relief money meant for small businesses and millions of Americans.
President Biden: By the end of this year, the deficit will be down to less than half what it was before I took office. The only president ever to cut the deficit by more than one trillion dollars in a single year.
This is one of those statements that’s hard to fact-check this early cause as FactCheck.org notes in their attempt to fact-check the claim; That may turn out to be true — the current fiscal year is less than half over and a lot could still happen.
But it appears that President Biden based his claim of a CBO.gov., report that said; The federal budget deficit was $259 billion in the first four months of fiscal year 2022, the Congressional Budget Office estimates. That amount is less than deficits recorded for the same period in the two prior years. It is roughly one-third of the deficit recorded during the same period
last year ($736 billion) and about two-thirds of the shortfall recorded for the same period two years ago ($389 billion), right before the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Revenues were $331 billion (or 28 percent) higher and outlays were $146 billion (or 8 percent) lower from October through January 2022 than during the same period last fiscal year.
President Biden: Let’s pass the Paycheck Fairness Act and paid leave. Raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour and extend the Child Tax Credit, so no one has to raise a family in poverty.
Paycheck Fairness Act summary as of April 2021:
This bill addresses wage discrimination on the basis of sex, which is defined to include pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.
Specifically, it limits an employer’s defense that a pay differential is based on a factor other than sex to only bona fide job-related factors in wage discrimination claims, enhances nonretaliation prohibitions, and makes it unlawful to require an employee to sign a contract or waiver prohibiting the employee from disclosing information about the employee’s wages. The bill also increases civil penalties for violations of equal pay provisions.
Additionally, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs must train EEOC employees and other affected parties on wage discrimination.
The bill directs the Department of Labor to (1) establish and carry out a grant program to provide training in negotiation skills related to compensation and equitable working conditions, (2) conduct studies to eliminate pay disparities between men and women, and (3) make available information on wage discrimination to assist the public in understanding and addressing such discrimination.
The bill establishes the National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace for an employer who has made a substantial effort to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. It also establishes the National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to address compliance, public education, and enforcement of equal pay laws.
Finally, the bill requires the EEOC to issue regulations for collecting from employers compensation and other employment data according to the sex, race, and national origin of employees for use in enforcing laws prohibiting pay discrimination.
Congress.gov. April 2021.
It passed the House on April 15th, 2021; Yea’s 217, Nay’s 210, and 2 Rep’s., did not vote.
President Biden: And let’s pass the PRO Act when a majority of workers want to form a union—they shouldn’t be stopped.
Summary of the PRO Act as of March 2021:
This bill expands various labor protections related to employees’ rights to organize and collectively bargain in the workplace.
Among other things, it (1) revises the definitions of employee, supervisor, and employer to broaden the scope of individuals covered by the fair labor standards; (2) permits labor organizations to encourage participation of union members in strikes initiated by employees represented by a different labor organization (i.e., secondary strikes); and (3) prohibits employers from bringing claims against unions that conduct such secondary strikes.
The bill also allows collective bargaining agreements to require all employees represented by the bargaining unit to contribute fees to the labor organization for the cost of such representation, notwithstanding a state law to the contrary; and expands unfair labor practices to include prohibitions against replacement of, or discrimination against, workers who participate in strikes.
The bill makes it an unfair labor practice to require or coerce employees to attend employer meetings designed to discourage union membership and prohibits employers from entering into agreements with employees under which employees waive the right to pursue or a join collective or class-action litigation.
The bill further prohibits employers from taking adverse actions against an employee, including employees with management responsibilities, in response to that employee participating in protected activities related to the enforcement of the prohibitions against unfair labor practices (i.e., whistleblower protections). Such protected activities include
Congress.gov. March 2021.
- providing information about a potential violation to an enforcement agency,
- participating in an enforcement proceeding,
- initiating a proceeding concerning an alleged violation or assisting in such a proceeding, or
- refusing to participate in an activity the employee reasonably believes is a violation of labor laws.
Finally, the bill addresses the procedures for union representation elections, provides employees with the ability to vote in such elections remotely by telephone or the internet, modifies the protections against unfair labor practices that result in serious economic harm, and establishes penalties and permits injunctive relief against entities that fail to comply with National Labor Relations Board orders.
Congress.gov. March 2021.
It passed the House on March 9th, 2021; Yea’s 225, Nay’s 206, and 1 Rep., did not vote.
President Biden: I know some are talking about “living with COVID-19”. Tonight – I say that we will never just accept living with COVID-19. We will continue to combat the virus as we do other diseases. And because this is a virus that mutates and spreads, we will stay on guard.
President Biden: Thanks to the progress we have made this past year, COVID-19 need no longer control our lives.
President Biden: And we’re launching the “Test to Treat” initiative so people can get tested at a pharmacy, and if they’re positive, receive antiviral pills on the spot at no cost.
President Biden: Even if you already ordered free tests tonight, I am announcing that you can order more from covidtests.gov starting next week.
President Biden: Let’s use this moment to reset. Let’s stop looking at COVID-19 as a partisan dividing line and see it for what it is: A God-awful disease. Let’s stop seeing each other as enemies, and start seeing each other for who we really are: Fellow Americans.
President Biden: Let’s come together to protect our communities, restore trust, and hold law enforcement accountable. That’s why the Justice Department required body cameras, banned chokeholds [at the federal level], and restricted no-knock warrants for its officers.
President Biden: I know what works: Investing in crime prevention and community police officers who’ll walk the beat, who’ll know the neighborhood, and who can restore trust and safety.
President Biden: We should all agree: The answer is not to Defund the police. The answer is [we have] to FUND the police with the resources and training they need to protect our communities.
President Biden: And I ask Congress to pass proven measures to reduce gun violence. Pass universal background checks. Why should anyone on a terrorist list be able to purchase a weapon? Ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Repeal the liability shield that makes gun manufacturers the only industry in America that can’t be sued.
Gunmakers can be sued; their liability shield is similar to those other manufacturers have…
Basically, the bar to sue makers of guns is higher than it is for other people.
President Biden: In state after state, new laws have been passed, not only to suppress the vote, but to subvert entire elections. Tonight. I call on the Senate to: Pass the Freedom to Vote Act. Pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. And while you’re at it, pass the Disclose Act so Americans can know who is funding our elections.
The Summary of the Freedom to Vote Act; it was introduced in the Senate on 09/14/2021. There has been no further action(s):
This bill addresses voter registration and voting access, election integrity and security, redistricting, and campaign finance.
Specifically, the bill expands voter registration (e.g., automatic and same-day registration) and voting access (e.g., vote-by-mail and early voting). It also limits removing voters from voter rolls.
Next, the bill establishes Election Day as a federal holiday.
The bill declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any election for federal office shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual is serving a felony sentence.
The bill establishes certain federal criminal offenses related to voting. In particular, the bill establishes a new criminal offense for conduct (or attempted conduct) to corruptly hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person from registering to vote or helping someone register to vote.
Additionally, the bill sets forth provisions related to election security, including by requiring states to conduct post-election audits for federal elections.
The bill outlines criteria for congressional redistricting and generally prohibits mid-decade redistricting.
The bill addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosure of campaign-related fundraising and spending, requiring additional disclaimers regarding certain political advertising, and establishing an alternative campaign funding system for certain federal offices.
Congress.gov. 09/14/2021.
The Summary of the John Lewis Voting Right’s Act as of August 2021:
This bill establishes new criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions must obtain preclearance before changes to voting practices may take effect. Preclearance is the process of receiving preapproval from the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia before making legal changes that would affect voting rights.
A state and all of its political subdivisions shall be subject to preclearance of voting practice changes for a 10-year period if
Congress.gov. August 2021.
It passed the House on August 24th, 2021; Yea’s 219, Nay’s 212, and 1 Rep., did not vote.
The Summary of the DISCLOSE Act as of February 2021. It was introduced in the Senate on 02/25/2021. There have been no further action(s):
This bill addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosures of campaign expenditures, and requiring additional disclosures regarding certain political advertisements.
First, the bill prohibits foreign nationals from participating in the decision-making process regarding an election expenditure.
Additionally, the bill expands existing foreign money prohibitions to include disbursements for paid web-based or digital communications and federal judicial nomination communications. It also prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to campaigns related to ballot initiatives and referenda.
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) must conduct an audit after each federal election cycle to determine the incidence of illicit foreign money.
Next, the bill makes it unlawful to establish or use a corporation, company, or other entity with the intent to conceal an election contribution or donation by a foreign national. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both.
Covered organizations (e.g., corporations, labor organizations, and political organizations) must, within 24 hours, file reports with the FEC to disclose campaign expenditures of more than $10,000 during an election cycle.Finally, the bill requires organizations to provide additional disclosures regarding political advertisements, including the donors who contributed the most money to that organization in the last year.
Congress.gov. 02/25/2021.
President Biden: [Congress can] Provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, those on temporary status, farm workers, and essential workers. Revise our laws so businesses have the workers they need and families don’t wait decades to reunite.
President Biden: The constitutional right affirmed in Roe v. Wade—standing precedent for half a century—is under attack as never before. If we want to go forward—not backward—we must protect access to health care. Preserve a woman’s right to choose. And let’s continue to advance maternal health care in America.
President Biden: And for our LGBTQ+ Americans, let’s finally get the bipartisan Equality Act to my desk. The onslaught of state laws targeting transgender Americans and their families is wrong.
As I said last year, especially to our younger transgender Americans, I will always have your back as your President, so you can be yourself and reach your God-given potential.
The Summary of the Equality Act as of February 2021:
This bill prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in areas including public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit, and the jury system. Specifically, the bill defines and includes sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity among the prohibited categories of discrimination or segregation.
The bill expands the definition of public accommodations to include places or establishments that provide (1) exhibitions, recreation, exercise, amusement, gatherings, or displays; (2) goods, services, or programs; and (3) transportation services.
The bill allows the Department of Justice to intervene in equal protection actions in federal court on account of sexual orientation or gender identity.The bill prohibits an individual from being denied access to a shared facility, including a restroom, a locker room, and a dressing room, that is in accordance with the individual’s gender identity.
Congress,gov. February 2021.
It passed the House on February 25th, 2021; Yea’s 224, Nay’s 206, and 2 Rep’s., did not vote.
President Biden: There is so much we can do. Increase funding for prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery. Get rid of outdated rules that stop doctors from prescribing treatments. And stop the flow of illicit drugs by working with state and local law enforcement to go after traffickers.
The White House published the following fact-sheet: Addressing Addiction and the Overdose Epidemic
Drug overdose deaths have reached a historic high, devastating families and communities. More than 104,000 Americans died due to a drug overdose in the 12-month period ending in September 2021. We grieve these losses, and commit to continuing our work to save lives.
Tonight, President Biden outlined the decisive actions his Administration is taking to address addiction and the overdose epidemic and laid out a vision for how his Administration will continue to expand evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and supply reduction approaches to save lives. These efforts are bringing together Republicans and Democrats across the country because every community has been affected.
Specifically, the President outlined his comprehensive approach, including:Increasing Funding for Public Health and Supply Reduction
According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 40.3 million people aged 12 or older had a past-year substance use disorder. Meanwhile, more than four out of five Americans who need treatment for illicit drug use do not receive it. Mental health and substance use disorder services have been under-resourced for far too long, and the COVID-19 pandemic has placed an even greater burden on the system. The American Rescue Plan, which delivered nearly $4 billion to these services, was a down payment to support life-saving interventions. The President’s FY2022 budget request includes a historic $41 billion for drug policy efforts that will further these efforts. Specifically, the President is calling for:
White House.gov. 03/01/2022.
- A historic proposed investment of $10.7 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to fund research, prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support services, with a focus on meeting the needs of populations at greatest risk for overdose and substance use disorder. The President’s FY2022 budget proposes a total of $23.5 billion for public health approaches to reduce drug use and its consequences.
- A proposed investment of $5.8 billion for interdiction efforts, which is an increase from the FY2021 enacted level. This funding would help reduce the availability of illicit drugs in the United States and abroad through air and maritime seizures; enhancement of drug source nations’ ability to interdict drugs; and efforts along the nation’s borders to stop the trafficking of illicit drugs, weapons, and bulk currency. The President’s FY2022 budget proposes a total of $17.5 billion for supply reduction efforts.
Removing Barriers to Treatment
White House.gov. 03/01/2022.
Medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), such as buprenorphine and methadone, is a safe and effective treatment. However, most Americans who need treatment for an opioid use disorder do not get it. That is why President Biden has called for universal access to MOUD by 2025. To reach this goal, the Administration has advanced actions that remove unnecessary barriers that prevent medical providers from prescribing FDA-approved medications to their patients; lifted the moratorium on mobile vans providing methadone; supported states funding the purchase of such vans; and begun work on meeting individual treatment needs at times when people at high risk for an overdose need care and support.
- To further reduce burdens in accessing MOUD, the President supports eliminating outdated rules that place unnecessary administrative burdens on providers, discouraging them from prescribing effective treatments for addiction. The Administration will increase awareness and understanding of these medications so that patients and providers can make informed choices. This builds on last year’s action by HHS to release new Practice Guidelines for the Administration of Buprenorphine for Treating Opioid Use Disorder, which exempted eligible health care providers from Federal certification requirements related to training, counseling and other ancillary services that are part of the process for obtaining a waiver to treat up to 30 patients with buprenorphine. This action resulted in more providers registering to prescribe buprenorphine, thereby expanding access to evidence-based treatment.
- The Administration has extended and will propose making permanent the emergency provisions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic concerning MOUD authorizations. This includes ongoing work allowing providers to begin treating patients with MOUD via telehealth, including by audio only, as well as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announcement extending the methadone take-home flexibilities for one year, effective upon the eventual expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
- Over the next year, the Administration plans to establish a set of hospital recommendations for overdose care and care coordination and create a model state law. Individuals who have experienced a non-fatal overdose are at greater risk of a fatal opioid overdose. Hospital emergency departments (EDs) offer a unique setting to initiate treatment, provide naloxone, and connect patients with peer support services.
- The Administration is working to expand MOUD throughout Federal incarcerated settings, in order to set an example for state and local jurisdictions. In conjunction with this effort, educational efforts will take place to support state and local jurisdictions in understanding the evidence and benefits of MOUD and community care connections upon release from incarceration – a time when individuals are at the highest risk for overdose. Recognizing that the prohibition of the use of federal funds for services behind bars acts is a barrier to states and counties in implementing evidence-based practices, an examination of federal funds usage and opportunities will take place during the coming year.
Reducing Harm and Saving Lives
White House.gov. 03/01/2022.
In reaction to the steep rise in overdose deaths and the increasingly lethal drug supply, the Biden-Harris Administration has prioritized engaging and building trust with people who use drugs in order to save lives and provide care. For the first time, harm reduction services – which include naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and syringe service programs – are a federal drug policy priority. These interventions are saving lives in red states and blue states, as years of research have demonstrated. People who use heroin and others who inject drugs who regularly utilize a Syringe Services Program (SSP) are five times more likely to initiate substance use disorder treatment, compared with those who have never used an SSP. Syringe services sites can be effective platforms to motivate people with opioid use disorder to enroll in substance use treatment and, over time, to reduce drug use and number of drug injections. Distribution of naloxone to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose saves lives and is cost-effective.
- The Administration has prioritized funds for harm reduction. The American Rescue Plan included $30 million in support for harm reduction services – a historic amount that will enhance interventions like syringe services programs. Additionally, CDC and the SAMHSA announced that federal funding may now be used to purchase fentanyl test strips in an effort to help curb the dramatic spike in drug overdose deaths.
- The Administration is including the input of people who use drugs in designing harm reduction interventions that will help save lives. In December, ONDCP, SAMHSA, and the CDC convened the first-ever Harm Reduction Summit. A steering committee made up entirely of people with lived experience is working to provide guidance and input on future Administration harm reduction efforts.
- The Administration plans to continue efforts to support syringe services programs through funding opportunities to provide these programs with needed supplies such as fentanyl test strips and sterile syringes, which have been proven to reduce diseases such as Hep-C and HIV. In addition, ensuring naloxone is easily and readily available to these programs will provide the overdose reversal medication to people who need it most.
- In order to deliver resources to local communities, the Administration is working with states and communities to elevate harm reduction best practices. Last year, ONDCP released model laws for states to help expand access to naloxone and SSPs. This year, ONDCP plans to elevate best practices for harm reduction organizations initiating low-threshold treatment through warm hand-offs to care or colocation of treatment. The Administration plans to work with states to expand this strategy in communities most in need.
- The overdose reversal medication naloxone is a critical tool for saving lives. However, equitable access to naloxone across the country is often defined by where you live. The Biden-Harris Administration is examining barriers to the acquisition and distribution of naloxone at the local level in order to increase access and availability where it is most needed.
Stopping the Trafficking of Illicit Drugs
White House.gov. 03/01/2022.
Transnational organized crime is a multi-billion-dollar enterprise that transcends geographical boundaries and threatens global stability. Every year, millions of lives are affected by transnational criminal organizations, including through drug overdose and addiction, violence, firearm deaths, human trafficking, and smuggling. Drug trafficking and transnational organized crime threatens our partners as well, especially in Latin America. It fuels corruption, unbalances economies, preys on the most vulnerable, and calls into question the very foundations of legitimate governance, all of which lead to internal population displacement and migration. Additionally, domestic drug trafficking organizations often contribute to public health challenges and violence in American communities. Addressing the core causes and sources of transnational and domestic criminal activities is an urgent priority for the Administration.
- In October, President Biden announced two Executive Orders to counter transnational criminal organizations and illicit drug trafficking: first, by formally establishing the U.S. Council on Transnational Organized Crime; and second, by modernizing and expanding the U.S. Government’s ability to target drug trafficking organizations, their enablers, and financial facilitators through sanctions and other related actions. With these new tools, the Administration will disrupt the drug traffickers’ ability to fund their business and deny them the benefits of their illicit activities.
- Through its High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program, ONDCP is funding new initiatives to reduce the violence associated with drug trafficking, refine interdiction efforts through enhanced data sharing and targeting, and go after illicit finance using innovative approaches, including cryptocurrency investigation. HIDTA baseline funds supporting these initiatives will be issued within 45 days of enactment of FY2022 appropriations. These efforts will leverage strategic partnerships with Federal agencies, academics, and private industry. ONDCP is evaluating emerging drug threats in a variety of geographic regions and is poised to expand the HIDTA Program, as needed, by designating new areas as HIDTAs to better equip these regions to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations. ONDCP plans to announce HIDTA designations this summer in the Federal Register.
- The HIDTA Overdose Response Strategy, funded by ONDCP and CDC, brings together drug intelligence officers and public health analysts at the local and regional levels to share information and develop evidence-based intervention and support services that reduce overdoses. The Strategy is piloting a range of innovative investigative, overdose prevention, and harm reduction approaches in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.
These actions build upon the significant efforts the Administration has advanced through its first-year drug policy priorities and the American Rescue Plan. These efforts delivered critical attention and resources to the communities that are tackling this crisis on the front lines. More information about actions taken by the Biden-Harris Administration to address addiction and the overdose epidemic can be found HERE.
White House.gov. 03/01/2022.
President Biden: As Frances Haugen, who is here with us tonight, has shown, we must hold social media platforms accountable for the national experiment they’re conducting on our children for profit. It’s time to strengthen privacy protections, ban targeted advertising to children, demand tech companies stop collecting personal data on our children.
Frances Haugen is apparently a Facebook whistleblower according to an NPR.org article I found from October 2021.
She tweeted last night:
President Biden: The VA is pioneering new ways of linking toxic exposures to diseases, [this is] already helping more veterans get benefits. And tonight, I’m announcing we’re expanding eligibility to veterans suffering from nine respiratory cancers.
President Biden: Last month, I announced our plan to supercharge
the Cancer Moonshot that President Obama asked me to lead six years ago.
President Biden: To get there, I call on Congress to fund ARPA-H, the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health.
President Biden: So tonight I’m offering a Unity Agenda for the Nation. Four big things we can do together.
I’ve decided to be a tad lazy here, as the 4 things listed have been covered elsewhere in the article and in yesterday’s State of the Union Thread.
You’re welcome.
President Biden: As hard as these times have been, I am more optimistic about America today than I have been my whole life. Because I see the future that is within our grasp. Because I know there is simply nothing beyond our capacity.
President Biden: And my report is this: the State of the Union is strong—because you, the American people, are strong. We are stronger today than we were a year ago. And we will be stronger a year from now than we are today.
President Biden: Please rise if you are able and show that, Yes, we the United States of America stand with the Ukrainian people.
For more on Joshua the now 13 year-old kid suffering from type 1 diabetes you can find it here.
This next tweet was posted at 12:01 a.m. D.C., time…
President Biden: And my report is this: the State of the Union is strong—because you, the American people, are strong. We are stronger today than we were a year ago. And we will be stronger a year from now than we are today.
Shit ton =’s 46 tweets (including the one from 12:01 a.m. D.C., time) and 3 retweets…
With 4 minutes to post time the White House has finally posted his remarks as he delivered them. I’m not going back and adding those remarks. Maybe in the future, but that’s not today…
Note: the strikeout text may or not be omitted from his official remarks, they were however, omitted by the intern during their shit ton of live tweeting during the State of the Union.
For Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022, President Biden has received his daily brief. This afternoon President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden will deliver remarks from Wisconsin on Building a Better America and how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law delivers for the American people by rebuilding roads and bridges and creating good-paying, union jobs.
President Biden has tweeted…
While technically he’s tweeted 2 times for Wednesday; the State of the Union one sent at 12:01 is being counted as Tuesday’s tweet count. He’s tweeted 1 time so far Wednesday…
The daily press briefing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. D.C., time. The briefing actually a press gaggle is audio only as it will take place on Air Force One. It hasn’t started yet as of 12:02 p.m. D.C., time.
The President and First Lady’s remarks are scheduled for 3:`15 p.m. D.C., time.
This is an Open Thread.
