It’s Friday…
President Biden’s public schedule for 03/15/2024:
| 9:15 AM | In-Town Pool Call Time The White House In-Town Pool |
| 9:30 AM Presidential Daily Brief | The President receives the Presidential Daily Briefing The White House Closed Press |
| 10:30 AM Bilateral Meeting | The President hosts Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of Ireland for a bilateral meeting Oval Office In-House Pool Spray |
| 12:30 PM Luncheon Remarks | The President delivers remarks at the Friends of Ireland Luncheon U.S. Capitol In-Town Travel Pool |
| 2:30 PM Press Briefing | Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre James S. Brady Press Briefing Room |
President Biden Delivers Remarks at the Friends of Ireland Luncheon; the scheduled says his remarks are scheduled for 12:30 p.m. D.C., time, the YouTube countdown clock tells me his remarks are scheduled for 1:20 p.m. D.C., time…
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre @2:30 p.m. D.C., time:
Investing in America Tweets
From Thursday…
In the past, highways and redlining have been used to disconnect communities from opportunity and reinforce segregation.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 14, 2024
I want to make new history.
That’s why I just announced over $3 billion to reconnect and rebuild communities across over 40 states.
Remarks by President Biden on How His Investments are Rebuilding Our Communities and Creating Good-Paying Jobs | Milwaukee, WI; the YouTube is 20 minutes and 6 seconds long.
There were also cities all across America where highways used to be and they — along — you know, redlining — along with redlining, they disconnected entire communities from opportunities, sometimes in an effort to reinforce segregation.
[snip]
Today, we’re recognizing that history to make new history.
I’m here to announce a first-of-its-kind investment — $3.3 billion — $3.3 billion and 132 projects in 42 states that are going to help right historic wrongs — (applause) — and, in the process, delivering environmental justice by reconnecting disadvantaged communities and neighborhoods to new opportunities for future — future prosperity and many possibilities.
Remarks by President Biden on How His Investments are Rebuilding Our Communities and Creating Good-Paying Jobs. 03/13/2024.
From Friday…
I came to office determined to uphold the duty to care and get us through one of the toughest periods in our nation’s history.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 15, 2024
Together, we're building a future of American possibilities and an economy from the middle out and the bottom up – not the top down.
A president, my predecessor, who failed the most basic duty any president owes to the American people: the duty to care — just to care. (Applause.) And in my view, that’s unforgivable.
I came to office determined to uphold the duty that gets us through one of the toughest periods in our nation’s history. And we have.
And now we’re building a future of America full of possibilities; building an economy from the middle out and the bottom up, not the top down — that top-down stuff, not a whole lot landed on my dad’s kitchen table growing up; investing in all America and all Americans to make sure everyone has a fair shot, where we leave nobody behind.
Remarks by President Biden on How His Investments are Rebuilding Our Communities and Creating Good-Paying Jobs. 03/13/2024.
FCC Tweet
From Thursday…
Today, the @FCC adopted a rule requiring cable and satellite TV companies to show consumers the full price up front so folks can get the best deal.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 14, 2024
All told, my Administration will save families more than $20 billion per year by taking on junk fees. And we're not stopping there.
From FCC.gov. (I used the txt version of the news release):
The Federal Communications Commission today adopted new rules requiring cable and satellite TV providers to specify the “all-in” price clearly and prominently for video programming service in their promotional materials and on subscribers’ bills. The FCC aims to eliminate the misleading practice of describing video programming costs as a tax, fee, or surcharge.
This updated “all-in” pricing format allows consumers to make informed choices, including the ability to comparison shop among competitors and to compare programming costs against alternative programming providers, including streaming services. TV providers often use deceptive junk fees to hide the real price of their services. The FCC is putting an end to this form of price masking, increasing competition, and reducing confusion among consumers.
These new rules require cable operators and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) providers to state the total cost of video programming service clearly and prominently, including broadcast retransmission consent, regional sports programming, and other programming-related fees, as a prominent single line item on subscribers’ bills and in promotional materials. The record demonstrates that charges and fees for video programming provided by cable and DBS providers are often obscured in misleading promotional materials and bills, which causes significant and costly confusion for consumers.
These new rules continue a series of consumer-focused proposals to combat junk fees and support transparency for consumers. In addition to this “all-in” pricing, the Commission is preparing to upcoming launch of the mandatory Broadband Consumer Labels and has proposed to eliminate early termination fees from cable and satellite TV providers.
Action by the Commission March 14, 2024 by Report and Order (FCC 24-29). Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Commissioners Starks and Gomez approving. Commissioners Carr and Simington dissenting. Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Commissioners Carr, Starks, and Simington issuing separate statements. MB Docket No. 23-203
FCC.gov. 03/14/2024.
Steel Tweet
From Thursday…
Maintaining strong American steel companies powered by American workers is important.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 14, 2024
I told our steel workers I have their backs, and I meant it.
U.S. Steel has been an iconic American company for more than a century — it’s vital that it remain domestically owned and operated. https://t.co/iYXIB3UISx
Statement from President Biden on US Steel:
It is important that we maintain strong American steel companies powered by American steel workers. I told our steel workers I have their backs, and I meant it. U.S. Steel has been an iconic American steel company for more than a century, and it is vital for it to remain an American steel company that is domestically owned and operated.
Statement from President Biden on US Steel. 03/14/2024.
The Bloomberg article is paywalled…
I found an AP News article that explains:
Nippon Steel (AP News 12/18/202) announced in December that it planned to buy the Pittsburgh-based steel producer for $14.1 billion in cash, raising concerns about what the transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and U.S. national security. The Japanese company reiterated Friday how the deal benefits U. S. Steel, union workers, the American steel industry and national security.
[snip]
The U.S. considers Japan to be one of its closest allies and a key partner in countering China’s ambitions and influence in Asia. Biden has visited the country twice as president and will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House on April 10.
But Nippon Steel’s connections to China have raised concerns within the Biden administration. More than half the steel produced globally comes from China, according to the World Steel Association. India is the second-largest producer, followed by Japan and the United States.
AP News. 03/14/2024.
Remembering Nex Benedict Tweet
From Thursday…
In memory of Nex, we must all recommit to our work to end discrimination and address the suicide crisis impacting too many nonbinary and transgender children. pic.twitter.com/0D2tVyFx9E
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 14, 2024
Statement from President Joe Biden on Nex Benedict:
Jill and I are heartbroken by the recent loss of Nex Benedict. Every young person deserves to have the fundamental right and freedom to be who they are, and feel safe and supported at school and in their communities. Nex Benedict, a kid who just wanted to be accepted, should still be here with us today.
Nonbinary and transgender people are some of the bravest Americans I know. But nobody should have to be brave just to be themselves. In memory of Nex, we must all recommit to our work to end discrimination and address the suicide crisis impacting too many nonbinary and transgender children. Bullying is hurtful and cruel, and no one should face the bullying that Nex did. Parents and schools must take reports of bullying seriously. My prayers are with Nex’s family, friends, and all who loved them – and to all LGBTQI+ Americans for whom this tragedy feels so personal, know this: I will always have your back.
To LGBTQI+ young people across the country – you are loved exactly as you are. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or alone, you can call or text 988, the National Crisis Hotline, and dial the number ‘3’ to talk to a counselor who has been specifically trained to support LGBTQI+ youth.
Statement from President Joe Biden on Nex Benedict. 03/14/2024.
The death of Oklahoma student Nex Benedict has been ruled a suicide, according to a medical examiner’s report released Wednesday.
The 16-year-old, who was transgender and used he and they pronouns, according to friends and family, died Feb. 8, a day after a fight at Owasso High School. His name has become a rallying cry among LGBTQ activists, who argue that an onslaught of legislation targeting the community has made schools less safe for queer and trans students like Nex.
Nex had reportedly told his mother that he faced bullying at school over his gender identity, and body-camera footage released last month by police from the hours after the school fight shows Nex lying in a hospital bed. In the video, he tells a police officer how three students “jumped” him after he threw water on them because they were bullying him and his friend for the way they dressed.
[snip]
An attorney for the Benedict family, Jacob Biby, said in a statement Thursday that Nex’s loved ones don’t want the suicide ruling to overshadow other findings by the medical examiner, which include multiple contusions, lacerations and abrasions on his head and neck.
“Rather than allow incomplete accounts to take hold and spread any further, the Benedicts feel compelled to provide a summary of those findings which have not yet been released by the Medical Examiner’s Office, particularly those that contradict allegations of the assault on Nex being insignificant,” the statement said. “As outlined in the full report, the Medical Examiner found numerous areas of physical trauma over Nex’s body that evidence the severity of the assault.”
NBC News. 03/13/2024.
“New” from the White House…
03/14/2024:
- Remarks by Vice President Harris and Doctor Sarah Traxler During the Nationwide “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” Tour | St. Paul, MN
03/15/2024:
This is an Open Thread.
