Joe Biden in 2024 presidential campaign press release
On Civil Rights:
New standard to reinstate college affirmative action
On June 29, 2023, the Supreme Court struck a blow against institutionally-driven racism in the United States. In Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard College, the Supreme Court found [that colleges with affirmative action admissions] were
impermissibly discriminating against certain applicants based exclusively on their race.While the Court took a big step forward in eliminating racial discrimination in admissions, more work remains to be done. In his remarks in the wake of the
landmark decision, President Biden proposed "a new standard, where colleges take into account the adversity a student has overcome, including racial discrimination that individuals have faced in their own lives."
We call upon the Biden administration
to embrace the Court's holdings: racial discrimination [does not] have any place in schooling. The American people deserve no less than an Executive Branch committed to enforcing the law equally to all people without concern for their race.
Source: Presidential 2024 hopefuls: Ernst.Senate.Gov press release
Sep 12, 2023
On Gun Control:
Close loopholes in Federal gun background check system
Gun violence is a public health crisis. Every day, gun violence--community violence, domestic violence, suicides, and mass shootings--takes American lives and forever alters many more. Last year, we saw record levels of homicides in cities throughout
our country. The Federal gun background check system is a proven tool to reduce gun violence and save lives. This system, called the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, has kept millions of guns out of potentially dangerous hands.
The Administration encourages closing existing loopholes in this system in two bills, H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021, and H.R. 1446, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021. The Administration looks forward to working with the
Congress to strengthen the Federal gun background check system and take other commonsense steps to reduce gun violence. [See details of H.R.8 / S.529]
Source: Presidential 2024 hopefuls: White House press release
Nov 4, 2021
On Health Care:
Get more people vaccinated, or prolong coronavirus pandemic
For our country, the choice is simple: get more people vaccinated, or prolong this pandemic and its impact on our country. The virus will not go away by itself: we have to act. Vaccination is the single best pathway out of this pandemic. And while
I would have much preferred that requirements not become necessary, too many people remain unvaccinated for us to get out of this pandemic for good. So I instituted requirements--and they are working. They protect our workers and have helped us reduce
the number of unvaccinated Americans over the age of 12 from approximately 100 million in late July when I began requirements to just about 60 million today.Vaccination requirements are good for the economy. They not only increase vaccination
rates but they help send people back to work--as many as 5 million American workers. They make our economy more resilient and keep our businesses open. [See H.R. 6304 for Congressional response]
Source: Presidential 2024 hopefuls: White House press release
Nov 4, 2021
On Environment:
Require railway to clean up after East Palestine derailment
One year ago, on February 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in East Palestine. President Biden will travel to East Palestine to discuss Federal support to the community, and hold Norfolk Southern accountable.
President Biden pledged he would make Norfolk Southern clean up its mess in East Palestine, and his Administration is delivering. Last February, EPA ordered Norfolk Southern to clean up all environmental damage caused by the derailment.
In September, President Biden issued an Executive Order directing that Norfolk Southern continue to be held accountable for the derailment and address any long-term effects on the community.
At the same time, the Administration has taken action to improve rail safety and continues to call on Congress to do its part by passing the Bipartisan Railway Safety Act.
Source: White House Presidential 2024 press release: "Derailment"
Jan 31, 2024
On Technology:
Railway Safety Act in response to East Palestine derailment
One year ago, on February 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, jeopardizing the community's safety and sense of normalcy. Since the derailment, the Biden-Harris Administration has mobilized a
comprehensive, whole-of-government response to support the people of East Palestine and other impacted communities. The Administration has taken action to improve rail safety and continues to call on Congress to do its part by passing the Bipartisan
Railway Safety Act [including]:- The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to holding Norfolk Southern Accountable to clean up the mess it created.
- Prioritizing Chemical Safety. On December 14, 2023, EPA prioritized vinyl chloride, one
of the primary chemicals of concern involved in the derailment, [under] the Toxic Substances Control Act.
- Creating a Safer Rail System. In 2023, DOT deployed a historic level of funding to modernize and upgrade fail infrastructure.
Source: White House Presidential 2024 press release:"East Palestine"
Jan 31, 2024
Page last updated: Nov 03, 2024