President of the United States Joe Biden has issued new regulations to restrict the use of battery components supplied from China in electric vehicles. These regulations have been established as a prerequisite for electric vehicle tax credits in Uncle Sam’s land, effective from next year.
According to Reuters today, Saturday, December 2, 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury will prohibit materials from China and other countries considered as Foreign Entities of Concern (FEOC). This rule is mandated by a law enacted in August 2022.
The regulation is designed to distance the supply chain for U.S. electric vehicle batteries from China. Therefore, this rule needs to be closely monitored by car manufacturers as they make investment decisions in electric vehicle battery production.
Joe Biden’s FEOC policy will come into effect in 2024 for finished battery specifications. Meanwhile, in 2025, the regulations will apply to the specifications of crucial minerals used in the production of electric vehicle batteries.
The U.S. Department of Energy has revealed that a company will be deemed an FEOC if it is owned or controlled by a foreign government. The company also does not qualify if interested entities hold 25 percent of board seats, voting rights, or equity in the entity.
As has been widely reported, today — December 1 — is the day North Carolina becomes the 40th state to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
Roughly 300,000 adults who lacked health insurance yesterday, now have it. And if officials, providers, and nonprofits do an effective job of outreach and enrollment, another 300,000 could gain coverage in the coming months.
Gov. Roy Cooper, who made Medicaid expansion his top policy priority for nearly seven years in the Governor’s mansion, will be in Charlotte today along with Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley, as well as doctors, advocates and new enrollees, to celebrate the accomplishment.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden, whose administration worked closely with Cooper to overcome Republican opposition to expansion, took note of the news in the following White House statement:
Every American deserves high-quality affordable health care. Today, we are one step closer towards meeting that promise, as 600,000 North Carolinians can now access the affordable, quality coverage they need under Medicaid. Thanks to Governor Roy Cooper’s years of leadership, in partnership with bipartisan elected officials, North Carolina is the 40th state to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. 300,000 North Carolinians will receive this coverage immediately and rural hospitals across the state will be able to keep their doors open to continue to care for their communities.
Despite this progress, MAGA Republicans still want to get rid of the Affordable Care Act, just like my predecessor tried and failed to do repeatedly. There are 40 million people who get their health insurance through the Affordable Care Act and repealing the law would put their care at risk. Repealing the Affordable Care Act means that states, including North Carolina, wouldn’t be able to offer care through Medicaid expansion.
Let’s strengthen the Affordable Care Act instead of getting rid of it. Let’s work together to bring down Americans’ health care and prescription drug costs, and expand Medicaid in the 10 remaining states. And to those who want to repeal this lifesaving law let me be clear: I won’t let it happen on my watch.
I welcome President Mohamed bin Zayed’s announcement of the ALTERRA Fund—a $30 billion catalytic climate finance vehicle aimed at mobilizing the capital and investment needed to fight the global climate crisis. ALTERRA can play an important role in supporting the clean energy transition and enhancing resilience, particularly the $5 billion focused on making it easier to invest in least developed countries and small island developing states. And, it reflects the United States and UAE’s common commitment—solidified last year through our Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy—to broaden clean energy investments and reduce emissions globally.
Every American deserves high-quality affordable health care. Today, we are one step closer towards meeting that promise, as 600,000 North Carolinians can now access the affordable, quality coverage they need under Medicaid. Thanks to Governor Roy Cooper’s years of leadership, in partnership with bipartisan elected officials, North Carolina is the 40th state to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. 300,000 North Carolinians will receive this coverage immediately and rural hospitals across the state will be able to keep their doors open to continue to care for their communities.
Despite this progress, MAGA Republicans still want to get rid of the Affordable Care Act, just like my predecessor tried and failed to do repeatedly. There are 40 million people who get their health insurance through the Affordable Care Act and repealing the law would put their care at risk. Repealing the Affordable Care Act means that states, including North Carolina, wouldn’t be able to offer care through Medicaid expansion.
Let’s strengthen the Affordable Care Act instead of getting rid of it. Let’s work together to bring down Americans’ health care and prescription drug costs, and expand Medicaid in the 10 remaining states. And to those who want to repeal this lifesaving law let me be clear: I won’t let it happen on my watch.
WASHINGTON, DC – On Thursday, October 26, 2023, President Joe Biden welcomed members of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the White House to discuss the Biden-Harris Administration’s government-wide approach to equity and ongoing efforts to address challenges faced by underserved Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities.
The historic meeting came just weeks after the President signed Executive Order 14109 to renew the Commission through September 2025. The action also amends Executive Order 14031 to provide commissioners with new authorities to more effectively communicate their work with the public. Established in May 2021, and co-chaired by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai, the 25-member Commission of AA and NHPI leaders advises the President on ways the public, private and non-profit sectors can work together to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for AA and NHPI communities.
“From day one, the Biden-Harris Administration has made it a priority to advance equity through the federal government. And we commend the steadfast leadership of our President’s Advisory Commission, who have been tireless advocates for our nation’s diverse Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities,” said HHS Secretary Becerra and Ambassador Tai. “Thanks to President Biden, this Commission is further empowered with the tools it needs to ensure AA and NHPI communities are continually seen and heard at the highest levels of government, and that equity remains at the forefront of our work.”
Building on President Biden’s executive actions, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) also announced steps to further improve the day-to-day administration of the Commission, including the hiring of additional permanent staff and the designation of Sarah Min as Deputy Chief Commissioner to support Chief Commissioner Sonal Shah. During the Commission’s meeting at the White House, President Biden also expressed his gratitude to departing commissioners Dr. Amy Agbayani, Michelle Ka‘uhane, and Ai-jen Poo.
The White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI), established by President Joe Biden through Executive Order 14031, is charged with coordinating a whole-of-government agenda to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for AA and NHPI communities.
