| Washington, D.C. (Special to ZennieReport.com) – On Thursday, October 24th, Vice President Kamala Harris announced that the Small Business Association (SBA) provided a record $56 billion through more than 100,000 small business financings in Fiscal Year 2024 – the most in more than 15 years. Building on the Administration’s efforts to support small businesses, Vice President Kamala Harris is announcing: • New Records for Lending to Small Businesses • Increasing Access to Federal Contracting Opportunities • Direct Support to Meet Businesses’ Individual Needs • Cutting Red Tape for Small Businesses Seeking Federal Contracts • Leveraging Public and Private Capital Through the State Small Business Credit Initiative • Developing New Tools to Help Small Businesses Access Capital, Customers, and Technical Assistance For small businesses looking to learn more about federal resources, The Interagency Community Investment Committee developed fifteen state-specific small business resource guides. The guides are intended to help small businesses identify federally-supported sources of capital and technical assistance available in their communities, and help direct businesses to federal contracting and tax resources.Read the full fact sheet HERE. Click to share HERE. |
| BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION PROPOSES RULE TO EXPAND CONTRACEPTION COVERAGE UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT |
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| On Monday, October 21st, the Biden-Harris Administration announced their proposal for the most significant expansion of contraception coverage under the Affordable Care Act in over a decade. This rule would grant over-the-counter contraception coverage to over 52 million women. The rule would: Expand coverage of over-the-counter contraception without a prescription at no additional cost. Make it easier to learn about coverage for OTC contraception. Strengthen coverage of prescribed contraception without cost sharing.The Administration is also issuing new guidance to help ensure that patients can access other preventive services, such as cancer screenings, that must be covered without cost sharing under the Affordable Care Act.Read the full fact sheet HERE. |
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| Click to view Vice President Kamala Harris’ statement HERE. Click to share HERE. |
| STATEMENT BY VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS ON AMERICANS SAVING NEARLY $1 BILLION ON PRESCRIPTION DRUGS UNDER THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT |
| All Americans should be able to access the health care they need – no matter their income. That is why our Administration fought to lower health care costs with the Inflation Reduction Act, legislation that I was proud to cast the tie-breaking vote on in the Senate. During the first half of this year alone, we now know that nearly 1.5 million people with Medicare have already saved nearly $1 billion because of our law’s cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs. Additionally, we have been able to cut prescription drug costs, cap the cost of insulin at $35 a month for seniors, and lower premiums for those on Medicare. Our Administration has also reached unprecedented agreements with pharmaceutical companies to lower prices for the first 10 drugs selected for the Medicare price negotiation program – ten of the most widely used and expensive drugs that treat conditions ranging from cancer to diabetes. And there is still much more to come. I have seen the impact of fighting to protect patients up close. As Attorney General, I held Big Pharma accountable for their deceptive and illegal practices – winning settlements that amounted to more than $7 billion against pharmaceutical companies for their unsafe and unfair tactics. I will never stop fighting for the health, wellbeing, and financial stability of the American people.Click to view the statement HERE. Click to share HERE. |
| OVER ONE MILLION PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS HAVE RECIEVED STUDENT DEBT CANCELLATION UNDER THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION |
| On Thursday, October 17th, the Biden-Harris Administration announced an additional $4.5 million in student debt cancellation through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, bringing the number of public service workers who have had their student loans cancelled to over 1 million people. Thanks to the Administration’s significant improvements, the PSLF program has:Delivered life-changing relief by establishing and implementing new regulations to help borrowers earn more credit toward PSLF, simplifying criteria to help borrowers certify employment, creating fairer eligibility criteria, and providing borrowers the opportunity to apply for reconsideration of previous denials.Improved the economy by giving borrowers the ability to buy a home, start a business, and improve overall financial health.The Biden-Harris Administration encourages public servants to take advantage of the PSFL program and learn more through:AFT’s student debt clinicsNEA’s Student Debt NavigatorClick to view the full fact sheet HERE. Click to view Vice President Harris’ statement HERE. |
| “Higher education should be a pathway to economic opportunity — not a lifetime of debt… In total, our Administration has forgiven over $170 billion in student debt for nearly five million Americans — more than any administration in history.” – Vice President Harris on Instagram. |
| FEATURED MEDIA |
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| “HBCU homecomings have long been a source of strength and celebration. I have so many fond memories of my time as a student at The Mecca, and I recognize that my time at Howard shaped me into the person I am today. At Howard, we learn that we have the capacity to be great — and that we also have the responsibility to work hard to live up to that potential each day.Happy homecoming, Bison!” – Vice President Kamala Harris on Howard University’s 2024 Homecoming |
| “My mother, Dr. Shyamala Gopalan Harris, had two goals in life: to raise my sister and me, and to end breast cancer. I know the importance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and spreading awareness beyond October. Early detection can save lives. Get screened and spread the word.” – Vice President Kamala Harris on Breast Cancer Awareness Month |
| BRIEFING ROOM |
| OCTOBER 25, 2024Statement from Vice President Harris One Year After the Lewiston Shootings |
| OCTOBER 24, 2024Biden-Harris Administration Outlines Coordinated Approach to Harness Power of AI for U.S. National Security |
| OCTOBER 24, 2024Biden-Harris Administration Strengthens Standards to Protect Millions from Exposure to Lead Paint Dust, Announces New Actions to Address Toxic Lead Exposure |
| OCTOBER 23, 2024Biden-Harris Administration Announces $110 Million in Awards from ARPA-H’s Sprint for Women’s Health to Accelerate New Discoveries and Innovation |