President Joe Biden convened his Cabinet on Friday, September 20, 2024, for the first time in nearly a year, marking a significant gathering with the First Lady, Jill Biden, in attendance. This marked the first Cabinet meeting since October 2, 2023.
During the meeting, Jill Biden addressed a White House initiative focused on women’s health research, setting the stage for President Biden’s remarks on the escalating tensions between Israel and Lebanon.
When asked about the situation, President Biden asserted, “We’re continuing to try to do who we’ve tried from the beginning. To make sure that both the people in northern Israel, as well as southern Lebanon, are able to go back to their homes and go back safely.” He stressed the collaborative efforts of his administration, highlighting the roles of Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and the intelligence community. “We’re going to keep at it till we get it done. But, we’ve got a way to go.”
Turning to the prospects of a cease-fire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, President Biden expressed unwavering commitment, declaring, “If I ever said ‘it’s not realistic’ we might as well leave.” He emphasized that persistence is crucial, stating, “A lot of things don’t look realistic until we get them done. We have to keep at it.”
President Biden also utilized the Cabinet meeting to underscore the need for Congress to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government. The last Cabinet meeting in October 2023, as President Biden noted, aimed at gauging progress on critical priorities for the country, specifically focusing on the promise and potential perils of artificial intelligence, alongside the imperative of addressing gun violence.
