It’s Thursday…
President Biden’s public schedule for 12/12/2024:
| 10:00 AM Closed Press The President receives the President’s Daily Brief |
| 1:30 PM James S. Brady Press Briefing Room Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre |
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre @1:30 PM D.C., time
White House Conference on Women’s Health Research Tweets
From Wednesday…
Join Jill and me as we host the White House Conference on Women’s Health Research. https://t.co/bNQ0Sb6BZ6
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 11, 2024
Remarks by President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the First-Ever White House Conference on Women’s Health Research; the YouTube is 1 hour and 55 minutes long. The Biden’s remarks start at the 1 hour and 33 minute mark.
The health of our moms, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, friends, and colleagues affects not just women but the prosperity of our entire nation.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 11, 2024
And I’m so proud that we’ve secured nearly $1 billion so far for women’s health research from across the federal government. pic.twitter.com/A6qvRWdYBw
Because the fact is the health of our moms and grandmothers, sisters and daughters, friends and colleagues affects not just women’s well-being but the prosperity of the entire nation. And that’s a fact. We haven’t gotten that through to the other team yet. (Laughter.) No — no, I mean it, across the board. Anyway, I won’t get into that. (Laughter.)
[snip]
So, I’m so proud that, to date, we’ve secured $1 billion so far in women’s health research from different government agencies.
Remarks by President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the First-Ever White House Conference on Women’s Health Research; the YouTube is 1 hour and 55 minutes long. The Biden’s remarks start at the 1 hour and 33 minute mark. 12/11/2024.
There’s never been a more comprehensive government effort to spur innovation in women’s health research.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 11, 2024
The White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research has laid the groundwork for generations to come.
And the women and allies who joined us today are leading the way. pic.twitter.com/zFZSoCuVKw
Folks, there’s literally never been more comprehensive effort from the federal government to spur innovation in women’s health research in our entire history.
[snip]
And this initiative lays the groundwork for discoveries and research for generations to come. Mark my words. And the benefits we gain tomorrow will happen because we made the decision to do something about them today — today, now.
And all of you in this room are leading the way, and that’s not hyperbole. You really are. It’s a hell of a com- — combination of people that make things change.
Remarks by President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the First-Ever White House Conference on Women’s Health Research; the YouTube is 1 hour and 55 minutes long. The Biden’s remarks start at the 1 hour and 33 minute mark. 12/11/2024.
Remembering Nikki Giovanni
From Wednesday…
A pioneering poet of the Black Arts Movement and the Civil Rights era, Nikki Giovanni used her pen to advance racial and gender equality and confront violence, hate and injustice.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 11, 2024
Jill and I send our love and condolences to her family and all those who loved and admired her…
Statement from President Joe Biden on the Passing of Nikki Giovanni
In 2020, Nikki Giovanni’s majestic voice echoed her powerful words, “and sometime, there has to be something called courage. You have it in your hands.”
Born in segregated Knoxville, Tennessee, she became a renowned activist, professor, and literary legend who had that courage in her hands and in her heart.
A pioneering poet of the Black Arts Movement and the Civil Rights era, she used her pen to advance racial and gender equality and confront violence, hate and injustice, alongside some of the most esteemed artists and icons of the past century.
Author of over 25 books, her wit and intellect earned her numerous accolades, including the Langston Hughes medal, an Emmy award, and a Grammy award nomination. A three-time cancer fighter, Nikki offered words of wisdom that gave hope to countless others fighting disease and despair.
Jill and I send our love and condolences to her family—including her wife Virginia, her son Thomas, and her granddaughter Kai—and all those who loved and admired that something special, her courage.
May God bless Nikki Giovanni.
Statement from President Joe Biden on the Passing of Nikki Giovanni. 12/11/2024.
Statement from Vice President Kamala Harris on the Passing of Nikki Giovanni
Nikki Giovanni was a brilliant poet, a big-hearted educator, and an unapologetic voice for justice and equality.
As a leading voice of the Black Arts Movement, she used her poetry to celebrate Black joy and resilience – while also speaking out for racial and social justice.
Nikki was committed to lifting up the next generation too. Over more than three decades as an educator, she empowered her students to express themselves through creative writing, mentoring hundreds of them along the way.
Throughout her career, Nikki never stopped demanding, and fighting for, an America that lives up to our highest ideals: of freedom, opportunity, fairness, and dignity for all. She leaves behind a storied legacy — in literature, education, and in the fight for a more just America.
Doug and I send our prayers to her family, and to all who were touched by her work.
Statement from Vice President Kamala Harris on the Passing of Nikki Giovanni. 12/11/2024.
Nikki Giovanni was 81 years old.
PBS NewsHour:
Presidential Pardons Tweet
From Thursday…
Today, I’m pardoning 39 people with non-violent crimes who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, and I’m commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 others – many of whom would have received lower sentences today.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 12, 2024
America was built on second chances. That's what these… pic.twitter.com/OigPcN8qkJ
From the White House…
12/12/2024:
FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces Clemency for Nearly 1,500 Americans
Today’s announcement will commute the sentences of close to 1,500 individuals who were placed on home confinement and will pardon 39 individuals convicted of non-violent crimes
Today, President Biden announced that he is granting clemency to nearly 1,500 Americans – the most ever in a single day – who have shown successful rehabilitation and a strong commitment to making their communities safer. The President is commuting the sentences of close to 1,500 individuals who were placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and who have successfully reintegrated into their families and communities. He is also pardoning 39 individuals who were convicted of non-violent crimes. These actions represent the largest single-day grant of clemency in modern history.
Together, these actions build on the President’s record of criminal justice reform to help reunite families, strengthen communities, and reintegrate individuals back into society. The President has issued more sentence commutations at this point in his presidency than any of his recent predecessors at the same point in their first terms. He is also the first President ever to issue categorical pardons to individuals convicted of simple use and possession of marijuana, and to former LGBTQI+ service members convicted of private conduct because of their sexual orientation. In the coming weeks, the President will take additional steps to provide meaningful second chances and continue to review additional pardons and commutations.
Americans receiving relief today include:
SHEET: President Biden Announces Clemency for Nearly 1,500 Americans. 12/12/2024.
- A decorated military veteran and pilot who spends much of his time helping his fellow church members who are in poor health or unable to perform strenuous tasks;
- A nurse who has led emergency response for several natural disasters and who helped spearhead vaccination efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
- An addiction counselor who volunteers his time to help young people find their purpose, make better choices, and refrain from destructive behaviors and gang involvement.
As the President has said, the United States is a nation of second chances. The President recognizes how the clemency power can advance equal justice under law and remedy harms caused by practices of the past.
The nearly 1,500 individuals who received commutations today have been serving their sentences at home for at least one year under the COVID-era CARES Act. These Americans have been reunited with their families and shown their commitment to rehabilitation by securing employment and advancing their education. The 39 individuals receiving pardons today were convicted of non-violent crimes, including drug offenses, and have turned their lives around. These individuals are parents, veterans, health care professionals, teachers, advocates, and engaged members of their communities. Many of them have used their experiences in the criminal justice system to inspire and encourage others.
SHEET: President Biden Announces Clemency for Nearly 1,500 Americans. 12/12/2024.
Individual Clemency Actions Throughout the Biden-Harris Administration
The President is intent on granting clemency to individuals convicted of non-violent crimes who were sentenced under outdated laws, policies, and practices that left them with longer sentences than if the individuals were sentenced today.
To address these injustices, President Biden has taken several bold clemency actions throughout his Administration, including:
SHEET: President Biden Announces Clemency for Nearly 1,500 Americans. 12/12/2024.
- In April 2022, the President granted clemency to individuals with various drug-related offenses and some individuals on CARES Act home confinement. In total, he granted three pardons and 75 commutations.
- In December 2022, the President granted clemency to recipients with various drug- and alcohol-related offenses. In total, he granted six pardons.
- In April 2023, the President granted clemency to recipients on CARES Act home confinement. In total, he granted 31 commutations.
- In December 2023 and April 2024, the President granted clemency to individuals sentenced for non-violent drug offenses. In total, he granted 11 pardons and 16 commutations.
These individual actions have helped to transform these individuals’ lives and positively impact their communities. Federal convictions make it difficult to secure housing, jobs, educational opportunities, benefits, and health care; all essential to living a healthy and productive life. Through his use of the clemency power, President Biden has taken steps to unlock doors of opportunity that would have otherwise remained closed to these recipients, who deserve a second chance.
Categorical Clemency Actions throughout the Biden-Harris Administration
In addition to these individual clemency actions, President Biden has issued a number of categorical pardons to certain groups of people. The President has used categorical clemency more than any of his predecessors, which has allowed him to widely and systemically respond to historic injustices. His bold and unprecedented categorical actions, broadly outlined below, include the following:
SHEET: President Biden Announces Clemency for Nearly 1,500 Americans. 12/12/2024.
- In October 2022, the President issued a full, complete, and unconditional categorical pardon for the offense of simple possession of marijuana.
- In December 2023, the President issued another proclamation that expanded earlier relief for the offenses of simple possession of marijuana, attempted simple possession of marijuana, or use of marijuana, regardless of whether the individual had been charged with or prosecuted for the offenses on or before the date of the proclamation.
- In June 2024, the President issued a full, complete, and unconditional categorical pardons to certain former military service persons convicted of offenses based on their sexual orientation, specifically unaggravated offenses based on consensual, private conduct with persons age 18 and older occurring between May 31, 1951, and December 26, 2013, as well as attempts, conspiracies, or solicitations of such conduct.
The President’s categorical approach to clemency has also inspired leaders across the country to take similar action. Over ten states and localities, including Maryland and Massachusetts, have issued categorical clemency for marijuana convictions, impacting hundreds of thousands of people and allowing individuals to move past their convictions and move on with their daily lives.
While today’s announcement marks important progress, there is more to come. President Biden will continue to review clemency petitions and deliver criminal justice reform in a manner that advances equity and justice, promotes public safety, supports rehabilitation and reentry, and provides meaningful second chances.
SHEET: President Biden Announces Clemency for Nearly 1,500 Americans. 12/12/2024.
America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances. As President, I have the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, restoring opportunity for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities, and taking steps to remove sentencing disparities for non-violent offenders, especially those convicted of drug offenses.
That is why, today, I am pardoning 39 people who have shown successful rehabilitation and have shown commitment to making their communities stronger and safer. I am also commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 people who are serving long prison sentences – many of whom would receive lower sentences if charged under today’s laws, policies, and practices. These commutation recipients, who were placed on home confinement during the COVID pandemic, have successfully reintegrated into their families and communities and have shown that they deserve a second chance.
I will take more steps in the weeks ahead. My Administration will continue reviewing clemency petitions to advance equal justice under the law, promote public safety, support rehabilitation and reentry, and provide meaningful second chances.
Statement from President Joe Biden on Providing Clemency for Nearly 1,500 Individuals on Home Confinement and Pardons for 39 Individuals Convicted of Non-Violent Crimes. 12/12/2024.
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