The Chicago Journal

Biden puts care at the top of his list in executive order

Biden — President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Tuesday to improve access to care for children, the disabled, and the elderly.

As Biden gets ready to run for a second term, his decision shows the seriousness and urgency of the situation.

A call to arms

President Joe Biden has directed nearly every government department to improve treatment options without increasing cost through more than 50 executive directives.

Biden has always advocated for lower health-care costs.

Throughout his first term, however, Congress has mostly opposed his objectives.

Before signing the executive order, Biden addressed the Rose Garden, saying:

“We’re using the power of the federal government to get companies to do what’s good for workers and, I might add, good for business, as well.”

“And folks, care workers deserve to make a decent living and that’s a fight I’m willing to have.”

Opposition

Several of the Republican-majority House’s social-spending ideas are vigorously opposed by the White House.

In his budget proposal last month, Biden recommended $750 billion in healthcare financing from Congress.

The president’s proposal is similar to one he called for during his campaign: a “21st Century Caregiving and Education Workforce.”

However, during Biden’s first two years as President of the United States, the government failed to authorize a dramatic redesign of dependent care.

The failure can be attributed to Democrats’ opposition to the higher taxes and expenditure required to make it happen.

According to the White House, campaigners, and congressional Democrats, the measures would stimulate the economy by creating employment and allowing people with dependents greater work flexibility.

A senior administration official informed reporters on the novel measure on Monday.

According to the source, President Biden is doing everything he can to increase his personal access.

“This is a case where the president is working hard on the investment angle, has worked hard with Congress – that has not worked out quite as well,” said the official.

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Costs

The expense of senior and disability care has climbed by 40% in the last decade, according to White House figures.

Spending on child care increased by 26% throughout that time period.

Child care prices have climbed by more than 200% in the preceding three decades.

The White House also cited a Boston Consulting Group research, which projects that if the health-care crisis is not addressed, economic production will plummet by $290 billion per year by 2030.

Furthermore, prior to the worldwide epidemic, the White House claimed that 76% of parents had difficulty finding inexpensive, trustworthy care.

A second term

Biden’s choice to proceed without parliamentary legislation emphasizes the significance of the issue ahead of his reelection campaign.

Regardless of how outraged conservatives are about the price hikes, the White House has long asserted that Biden’s social-policy program is popular among Americans.

With a second term on the horizon, there may be hints of a renewed emphasis on following through on many of the promises he made with his ambitious Build Back Better project.

The concept was too tough to implement even while Democrats controlled both chambers of Congress.

Many components of Biden’s comprehensive social-spending proposal were supported by the Democratic-controlled Congress, but not all of them, most notably the ambitious child-care program.

Susan Rice, Director of the Domestic Policy Council, noted on the call:

“Too many families are struggling to afford or access high-quality care, and too many care workers are struggling to make a living doing this critically important work.”

“The president’s not going to wait to take action to address our nation’s care crisis.”

Order

President Joe Biden allowed Cabinet-level departments to explore grant programs that may be utilized to support child care and long-term care for government project staff in the executive order.

The plan also outlines how they intend to enhance caregiver work quality, expand veteran access to in-home care, increase caregiver unionization, raise compensation for early childhood educators, and increase caregiver access to in-home care.

Furthermore, the White House is considering requiring that businesses seeking government assistance for job creation have broader access to the health-care coverage of their employees.

In March, the Commerce Department directed companies seeking financing from the $52 billion semiconductor manufacturing and research initiative to figure out how they would help their employees with child care.

Social media faces more regulations in 2023

Social media: The bipartisan spending bill passed by Congress last week essentially forbade the installation of TikTok on devices used by the government.

This year, advocates and legislators revealed proposals for tighter regulation of social media companies as 2023 kicks into gear.

TikTok

The video-sharing app, which receives more than 1 billion monthly users, is owned by the Chinese corporation ByteDance.

Christopher Wray, the director of the FBI, and lawmakers have publicly stated their positions on TikTik’s ownership structure.

They claimed that the structure exposes information about US users.

In addition, Chinese-based businesses are compelled by law to provide the government with user information on request.

The concern

The National Intelligence Law of 2017 and the Counter-Espionage Law of 2014 are the two Chinese laws that have alarmed the US government since 2019.

According to the Counter-Espionage law, businesses and individuals “may not refuse” to divulge information when the state security agency conducts an espionage investigation and discovers crucial information.

Organizations or people are expected to support, help, and cooperate with governmental intelligence initiatives, as stated in Article 7 of the Intelligence Law.

The state also protects those who assist them.

Response

Despite TikTok’s repeated assurances that US user data is not kept in China, little has changed from their comments.

TikTok has been compared to “digital fentanyl” by Wisconsin Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher.

Additionally, he thinks that the software has to be banned outright nationwide.

“It’s highly addictive and destructive,” said Gallagher.

“We’re seeing troubling data about the corrosive impact of constant social media use, particularly on young men and women here in America.”

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Social media regulation

Twitter, YouTube, and other social networking sites, like TikTok, use the same algorithms, claims Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen.

She thinks that increasing the transparency of their operations should be the regulators’ first move.

According to Haugen, the majority of people are unaware of the US’s gap in social media regulation compared to other countries.

“This is like we’re back in 1965,” said Haugen. “We don’t have seatbelt laws yet.”

Tech bills in 2022

Congress failed to pass some of the most radical elements of technology-related legislation the year before.

Antitrust law and a bill aimed at protecting children were among the legislations that were vetoed.

Antitrust legislation

Early in 2022, lawmakers created a bill that specifically targeted Apple’s and Google’s app stores for mobile devices.

The legislation also placed limitations on developers.

The American Innovation and Choice Online Act was advanced, which has some of the same objectives.

The Act forbids larger companies from unfairly treating or preferring their own products over those of competitors.

The plan states that developers would not be required to use the platform’s payment method for distribution if the app store had more than 50 million US users.

Additionally, app developers cannot be punished for selling their products elsewhere for a lower price.

Kids Online Safety Act

In November, bipartisan legislation was launched by Senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal to put regulations on websites that children 16 and younger can view.

The proposed law would compel platforms to restrict content that could cause minor users bodily injury or psychological trauma, including the following:

  • Self-harm/suicide
  • Encouragement of addictive behavior
  • Enabling online bullying
  • Predatory marketing

Additionally, websites have to follow the law’s requirements regarding connection restrictions and default privacy settings.

Even after the legislation underwent changes, several organizations still opposed it.

Read also: Sherrod Brown looking to have cryptocurrency banned in the US

Change

There is still a patchwork of state rules dictating how to maintain customer data, even though Congress made significant progress toward a consensus measure on national privacy standards in 2022.

Many of the bills that have reached the Senate floor enjoy bipartisan support, according to Senator Amy Klobuchar.

However, she cautioned that the tremendous influence of the tech industry might cause huge bipartisan support to collapse over the next 24 hours.

According to Klobuchar, the American people won’t demand social media company reform until they declare that “enough is enough.”

“We are lagging behind,” said Klobuchar.

“It is time for 2023, let it be our resolution, that we finally pass one of these bills.”

References:

More social media regulation is coming in 2023, members of Congress say

Huawei says it would never hand data to China’s government. Experts say it wouldn’t have a choice

Senate committee advances bill targeting Google and Apple’s app store profitability

Kids Online Safety Act may harm minors, civil society groups warn lawmakers

TikTok receives ban on government devices

TikTok: It’s a new step that the bipartisan spending agreement will forbid TikTok from being utilized on equipment used by the government.

On Friday, the legislation was approved by both Houses of Congress.

The decision highlights the growing anxiety surrounding the popular video-sharing app, which is owned by the Chinese corporation ByteDance.

The bill

President Joe Biden has not yet given his approval to the bipartisan spending plan.

It urges e-commerce retailers to conduct more research to halt the sale of counterfeit goods online.

The measure also increases the filing fees for companies seeking to merge with federal antitrust regulators.

However, Congress was unable to pass a number of strict measures aimed at the tech industry, including:

  • Antitrust legislation that requires Apple and Google app stores to give developers more payment options
  • A measure mandating new guardrails to protect children online

In spite of progress made by Congress in 2022 toward a compromise measure on national privacy standards, a patchwork of state laws continue to govern the protection of consumer data.

Reaction to the bill

The Chamber of Progress, a center-left-leaning organization in the tech sector, praised the rejection of many antitrust bills that would have targeted its donors which included:

  • Amazon
  • Apple
  • Google
  • Meta

Following the presentation of the package, Adam Kovacevich, CEO of the Chamber of Progress, made the following official statement:

“What you don’t see in this year’s omnibus are the more controversial measures that have raised red flags on issues like content moderation.”

The company has previously expressed worries about the American Innovation and Choice Online Act, a well-known antitrust statute.

NetChoice, another tech organization, praised Congress for refusing to include unrestrained extremist progressive ideas to alter American antitrust law.

However, the legislation that was enacted by lawmakers as part of the budget package would have an impact on the industry in a number of different ways.

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TikTok ban

The removal of TikTok from devices provided by the government may have an influence on rival platforms like Snap, Facebook, and Instagram that are fighting for the attention of younger users.

Exemptions from the law are also provided for research, national security, and law enforcement purposes.

Lawmakers and FBI Director Christopher Wray are concerned that TikTok’s ownership structure may expose US user data to Chinese firms that may be required by law to turn over user information.

Although TikTok has often stated that the information it gathers from US users is not kept in China, these assertions have had little impact.

The company has been attempting to come to an agreement with the government through the US Committee on Foreign Investment to allay worries about national security.

A spokesperson for TikTok released the following statement after the announcement:

“We’re disappointed that Congress has moved to ban TikTok on government devices – a political gesture that will do nothing to advance national security interests – rather than encouraging the Administration to conclude its national security review.”

“The agreement under review by CFIUS will meaningfully address any security concerns that have been raised at both the federal and state level.”

“These plans have been developed under the oversight of our country’s top national security agencies – plans that we are well underway in implementing – to further secure our platform in the United States, and we will continue to brief lawmakers on them.”

Mergers

Even though other antitrust measures targeting digital platforms were not included in the end-of-year legislation, a bill that helps raise funds for the antitrust institutions that investigate mergers did.

The Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act raises the filing fee that companies pursuing significant mergers must pay to the antitrust agencies in order to comply with the law’s requirements.

Additionally, the bill lowers the cost of smaller fees and allows for yearly charge adjustments in accordance with the CPI.

The measure’s targeted beneficiaries are the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice Antitrust Division.

Both have seen a large increase in merger filings over the past few years without adequate budget increases.

Despite falling short of antitrust groups’ hopes, the measure incorporating the merger filing fee was praised.

According to Sarah Miller, executive director of the American Economic Liberties Project, the bill would strengthen antitrust law for the first time since 1976.

“This is a major milestone for the anti-monopoly movement,” said Miller.

“Big Tech, Big Ag, and Big Pharma spent extraordinary sums in an unprecedented effort to keep Congress from delivering on antitrust reform and undermine the ability of state and federal enforcers to uphold the law – and they lost.”

The bill’s proponent, Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, claimed that updating merger fees after decades is vital to provide antitrust enforcers with the resources they require to carry out their duties.

“This is clearly the beginning of this fight and not the end,” she said.

“I will continue to work across the aisle to protect consumers and strengthen competition.”

Read also: Twitter and Elon Musk sued by former workers

Tech impact on children

The bill contains the Children and Media Research Advancement (CAMRA) Act.

It authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to do research on how media and technology affect young children, teenagers, and infants.

According to the law, the following technological advancements may have an effect on physical, mental, and cognitive health:

  • Social media
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Video games
  • Virtual reality

The director of the National Institutes of Health must provide a report to Congress on the organization’s operations within two years of the law’s adoption.

Reference:

TikTok banned on government devices under spending bill passed by Congress

Biden’s Ukraine strategy the subject of several Liberal Democrats in a letter

More than two dozen liberal members of the House are requesting US President Joe Biden to change course in his strategy for Ukraine.

Instead, they suggest that he pursue direct diplomacy with Russia to end the conflict that’s been going on for months.

Suggestions

A group of 30 Democrats sent a letter to Biden earlier this week.

They praised the President’s efforts to support Ukraine without direct US involvement.

However, they propose more vigorous efforts to end the war through diplomacy, believing it necessary to avoid lengthy conflict.

Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal led the group and helped with the letter.

“Given the destruction created by this war for Ukraine and the world, as well as the risk of catastrophic escalation,” the letter began.

“We also believe it is in the interest of Ukraine, the United States, and the world to avoid a prolonged conflict.”

“For this reason, we urge you to pair the military and economic support the United States has provided to Ukraine with a proactive diplomatic push, redoubling efforts to see a realistic framework for a ceasefire.”

Read also: The Russia-Ukraine War: How the Drones Are Used

The situation

The letter was written at a crucial time in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Russia is targeting more civilian infrastructure to cut off power to Ukrainian citizens before winter.

Meanwhile, US lawmakers are questioning Ukraine’s continued financial and military support.

Some Republicans threatened to halt aid if they win Congress in the November elections.

However, Liberal Democrats argue that direct attempts to involve Moscow in diplomacy were necessary during the war.

They also raise it in the letter.

“We are under no illusions regarding the difficulties involved in engaging Russia given its outrageous and illegal invasion of Ukraine and its decision to make additional illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory.”

“However, if there is a way to end the war while preserving a free and independent Ukraine,” the letter continued.

“It is America’s responsibility to pursue every diplomatic avenue to support such a solution that is acceptable to the people of Ukraine.”

Read also: US continues to aid Ukraine, announces $1 billion military assistance package

Russia and Ukraine

John Kirby, the Strategic Communications Coordinator at the National Security Council, confirmed that the White House received the letter.

“We certainly appreciate the sentiments expressed by these members of Congress,” said Kirby.

“We have been working with members of Congress throughout this entire process, especially when we have needed additional funding to support Ukraine’s defense needs.”

John Kirby says there is no sign that Russian President Vladimir Putin will engage in serious diplomacy to end the war.

“When you see and listen to his rhetoric, and you see the other things,” Kirby started.

“Be they atrocities, the war crimes, the airstrikes against civilian infrastructures that the Russians are committing; it’s clear Mr. Putin is in no mood to negotiate.”

John Kirby says it’s up to the country and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to decide when to return to negotiating.

“Mr. Zelensky gets to determine when he thinks that’s the right time,” he elaborated.

“[And] Mr. Zelensky gets to determine because it’s his country, what success looks like, what victory looks like, and what sort of terms he’s willing to negotiate on.”

“We’re not going to dictate that,” Kirby concluded.

Reference:

Liberal Democrats call on Biden to shift Ukraine strategy