What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
January 2, 2025 Recap
President Biden has named 20 recipients of the Presidential Citizens Medal, honoring their exemplary service to the country and fellow citizens. The ceremony will take place at the White House on January 2, 2025. Highlights of the honorees' achievements include:
Mary L. Bonauto: Advocate for marriage equality, pivotal in landmark Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges.
Bill Bradley: NBA champion, U.S. Senator, and advocate for civil rights and tax reform.
Dr. Frank K. Butler, Jr.: Innovator in battlefield trauma care, revolutionizing medical practices.
Elizabeth L. Cheney: Defender of democracy as Vice Chair of the January 6 Committee.
Christopher J. Dodd: Long-serving Congressman and Senator focused on childcare and financial reform.
Diane Carlson Evans: Army nurse and founder of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial.
Joseph L. Galloway (posthumous): Renowned war correspondent awarded a Bronze Star for valor.
Nancy Landon Kassebaum: Trailblazing Senator from Kansas and bipartisan leader.
Ted Kaufman: Advocate for transparency and public service as a Delaware Senator.
Carolyn McCarthy: Congresswoman championing gun safety after personal tragedy.
Louis Lorenzo Redding (posthumous): Civil rights lawyer integral to Brown v. Board of Education.
Bobby Sager: Philanthropist and photographer highlighting global resilience.
Collins J. Seitz (posthumous): Judge who dismantled segregation in public schools.
Eleanor Smeal: Women’s rights leader advancing equality and key legislation.
Bennie G. Thompson: Congressman and January 6 Committee Chair defending democracy.
Mitsuye Endo Tsutsumi (posthumous): Advocate who challenged Japanese American internment.
Thomas J. Vallely: Vietnam War veteran fostering U.S.-Vietnam reconciliation.
Frances M. Visco: Advocate for breast cancer research and women’s health.
Paula S. Wallace: Founder of Savannah College of Art and Design.
Evan Wolfson: Pioneer of marriage equality and social change strategies.
These individuals reflect diverse contributions to justice, democracy, healthcare, education, and civil rights.
President Biden renamed the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, honoring the cultural heritage of Indigenous Peoples and Pacific Island communities. This change highlights the area's historical and ancestral significance, encompassing 490,000 square miles of vital marine ecosystems and wildlife refuges. Over 18 months, the renaming process involved extensive collaboration with Indigenous and Pacific Island cultural leaders.
President Biden formally recognized the Hui Panalāʻau, a group of 135 Native Hawaiian men sent to uninhabited Pacific islands from 1935 to 1942 to secure U.S. territorial claims before World War II. These men endured significant hardships and personal sacrifices, with several losing their lives. Their previously unacknowledged contributions are now recognized as integral to U.S. history. The administration also extended condolences to the families of those who perished and verified participant records through the National Archives.
These actions reflect the administration’s commitment to honoring the full scope of U.S. history and advancing recognition for Indigenous and Pacific Islander communities.
The President signed into law:
S. 141, the “Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act,” which amends various Department of Veterans Affairs authorities related to health care, economic opportunity, disability and memorial affairs, veteran homelessness, and oversight and investigations.
President Biden has declared a major disaster for the Native Village of Kipnuk due to severe storms and flooding from August 16-18, 2024. Federal aid will support emergency efforts, repair or replacement of damaged facilities, and hazard mitigation measures on a cost-sharing basis. Lance E. Davis from FEMA will oversee federal recovery operations in the area.
President Biden addressed the confirmation of 235 federal judges during his presidency, marking the highest number since the early 1980s. He highlighted the diversity and qualifications of these appointees, including the first Black woman on the Supreme Court and record representation of underrepresented groups like Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Muslim Americans. These appointments, he emphasized, are designed to uphold constitutional liberties, ensure fairness, and reinforce public trust in the judiciary.
Biden also briefly updated on two recent crises: a terrorist attack in New Orleans and a truck explosion in Las Vegas. He outlined the investigations, linking the New Orleans attacker to ISIS and noting no current evidence of a connection between the two incidents. Resources have been directed to accelerate these inquiries.
Acknowledging Majority Leader Schumer and Senator Durbin's efforts, Biden praised their work advancing judicial confirmations, especially during a politically contentious period. He stressed the judges' role in protecting democracy and safeguarding constitutional principles, expressing pride in their impact on future generations.
President Biden acknowledges a major milestone in the confirmation of his 235th federal judge during a public ceremony
Thank you, President Biden. This is an impressive list, and I appreciate your acknowledgment of real people making a positive difference in the lives of real people.