The people of Galveston, Texas, have been commemorating Juneteenth since the Civil War ended. Yesterday, in honor of the 160th anniversary, I went there to join them.
The American Civil Liberties Union celebrated President Joe Biden’s historic action in commuting 37 federal death sentences. The group proclaimed that Biden has taken an “unequivocal stand against one of the most flawed and inhumane mechanisms of the U.S. criminal legal system.”
President Joe Biden has vetoed bipartisan legislation that would have created dozens of new federal judicial positions, citing unresolved questions about its provisions and timing. The decision, made in the final weeks of his presidency, has drawn sharp criticism from Republicans and heightened partisan tensions over judicial appointments.
As President Joe Biden’s tenure ends, a coalition of more than 100 House Democrats has urged the administration to ratify and publish the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as the 28th amendment to the United States Constitution. The lawmakers claim that Biden’s actions will advance gender equality and defend constitutional rights, particularly as the country prepares for a new government that is openly hostile to reproductive freedom and LGBTQIA+ rights.
The American Civil Liberties Union celebrated President Joe Biden’s historic action in commuting 37 federal death sentences. The group proclaimed that Biden has taken an “unequivocal stand against one of the most flawed and inhumane mechanisms of the U.S. criminal legal system.”
Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) have called on President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to issue a directive limiting the use of military personnel for domestic purposes, warning against potential misuse by President-elect Donald Trump after he takes office on Jan. 20. The senators emphasized the significance of establishing clear guidelines to prevent the deployment of the military against American citizens without explicit constitutional or congressional authorization.
During his visit to Angola, President Joe Biden announced more than $1 billion in humanitarian aid to assist Africans displaced by severe droughts and food insecurity, alongside $600 million in new U.S. investments in infrastructure projects under the Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor initiative. Biden hopes that these measures will serve as a reminder of the U.S. commitment to fostering long-term African partnerships, emphasizing trade, investment, and sustainable development.
President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, has thrown the Republican Party into an uproar, exposing what critics have called brazen hypocrisy within the GOP. Biden justified the pardon as a response to politically motivated attacks, while Republicans, many of whom have stood by President-elect Donald Trump despite his extensive legal troubles, unleashed their fury.
As the incoming administration prepares to enact sweeping changes to health policy, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s controversial appointment to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Biden-Harris Administration is addressing a critical health issue: obesity. A new proposal aims to expand Medicare and Medicaid coverage for anti-obesity medications (AOMs), potentially providing millions of Americans access to life-saving treatments.
The Biden administration has announced a new wave of climate investments that officials said reinforces efforts to position the United States as a leader in clean energy innovation. The announcement, made ahead of President Biden’s trip to the Amazon, further shows the administration’s commitment to addressing climate change and preserving critical ecosystems even as Biden leaves office. During his upcoming visit, Biden will interact with Indigenous leaders and stakeholders in the Amazon rainforest before making stops in Lima, Peru, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he plans to promote global cooperation on climate action and highlight business opportunities related to clean energy.
Standing in the Rose Garden, where a somber yet respectful silence filled the unseasonably warm November air, President Joe Biden addressed reporters, staffers, and supporters gathered to witness his final words on the transition of power. Against a backdrop of blooming roses and the White House’s historic pillars, Biden stated his commitment to a peaceful transition, congratulating President-elect Donald Trump on his victory and extolling the enduring strength of American democracy. His voice carried conviction as he reminded the nation of the unique nature of the American experiment in self-government, where “the will of the people always prevails.”
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced new proposed regulations to expand student debt relief, potentially impacting around 8 million borrowers facing financial hardship. The proposal, introduced by the U.S. Department of Education, would allow the Secretary of Education to forgive loans in cases where borrowers are unlikely to repay due to severe hardship or where continued collection costs are deemed unjustified.
President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday the immediate deployment of 1,000 active-duty troops to assist in the response and recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic impact. The troops, from Fort Liberty, North Carolina, are tasked with delivering critical supplies, including food and water, to the hardest-hit areas. The White House claims that the deployment will improve FEMA’s capacity to reach communities cut off by floodwaters and debris as the administration steps up its assistance for those who are storm-affected.
The fight to lower prescription drug prices is hitting African Americans especially hard. A recent report by Patients for Affordable Drugs reveals that pharmaceutical companies have increased prices on more than 1,000 prescription drugs this year, nearly half of those price hikes exceeding the inflation rate. For many Black and Latino patients, especially those aged 65 and over, the rising costs are becoming unbearable.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris announced sweeping new measures to combat gun violence in America today, marking a significant escalation in the administration’s ongoing efforts to reduce firearm-related deaths. Central to this initiative is a new Executive Order that directs federal agencies to address the rising threats posed by machinegun conversion devices and 3D-printed firearms and to improve the effectiveness of school-based active shooter drills.
New Education Department Rules hold hope for 30 million more borrowers
The Biden-Harris administration is continuing its relentless pursuit to transform America’s public education system, despite repeated attempts by conservative Republicans and controversial rulings from the U.S. Supreme Court to block key initiatives like student debt cancellation. On Wednesday, Sept. 4, the White House released a comprehensive fact sheet outlining the administration’s bold actions to ensure that every student in the country has access to the resources they need to succeed.
On the 116th anniversary of the Springfield Race Riot, President Joe Biden signed a proclamation establishing the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument in Springfield, Illinois. The new monument will preserve 1.57 acres of federal land and highlight a significant but painful moment in American history, when a white mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, leading to the lynching of two Black men and widespread destruction of homes and businesses.
On Tuesday, Aug. 13, the Biden administration announced a series of measures aimed at reducing housing costs by streamlining federal regulations and accelerating the construction of affordable homes. The new actions are part of President Joe Biden’s broader strategy to address the nationwide housing shortage and ease the financial burden on American families.
In a move hailed as a significant win for seniors, the Biden administration announced it has successfully negotiated substantial price reductions for 10 of Medicare’s most expensive and widely used prescription drugs. The result of intense negotiations with pharmaceutical giants, the move is expected to deliver billions in savings for both U.S. taxpayers and millions of older Americans who rely on these medications to manage chronic and life-threatening conditions.
