(Edit. Note: This article was files before Pres. Joe Biden dropped out as a presidential candidate on Sunday, July 21.)
President Joe Biden has declared his determination to remain in the presidential race and win re-election, relying heavily on voting blocs to secure his victory. This week, Biden will address Black and Latino voters at the annual NAACP and UnidosUS conventions in Las Vegas, Nevada.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the administration’s commitment to advancing racial justice and equity for all Americans. A senior advisor highlighted the president’s significant contributions to underserved communities through major legislative achievements like the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Chips and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act.
Stephen Benjamin, Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, stressed the administration’s efforts to ensure every American has a fair shot through intentional policymaking. Rekha Balu, Vice President of the Office of Race and Equity Research at the Urban Institute, acknowledged the positive impact of Biden’s policies but noted the need for continued efforts to close the equity gap.
Despite Biden’s insistence that he remains the best candidate to lead the country, recent polls indicate a plurality of Black and Latino voters are dissatisfied with his performance and desire a different Democratic nominee. Nevertheless, Biden remains resolute, telling voters in Michigan that he is not going anywhere.
Roman Palomares, National President of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), urged greater attention to the Hispanic population, emphasizing their significant contributions to the country.
Black and Latino voters were instrumental in reviving Biden’s campaign and securing his victory four years ago. Now, he hopes these groups will support him for another term.
Biden has proposed a five percent cap on annual rent increases for tenants, aiming to tackle the high cost of housing. The proposal, announced during Biden’s visit to Nevada on Tuesday, July 16, is part of his campaign efforts amid a tense presidential race.
Housing costs have been a significant driver of inflation, and Biden’s plan requires solid Democratic control of Congress to become law. Most policymakers advocated increasing housing construction and changing land use regulations as more effective solutions to limit housing costs.
The proposed rent cap would apply only to landlords owning 50 or more units, with median national rent reported at $1,411 monthly in June, up from $1,150 in early 2021. Housing, a contributor to maintaining the consumer price index, is at three percent annually.
Inflation remains a significant political challenge for Biden as he competes against former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee. Industry representatives criticized the rent cap as ineffective, arguing it would not address the housing shortage and could lead to fewer habitable units.
Sharon Wilson Géno, CEO of the National Multifamily Housing Council, emphasized the need for landlords to cover costs like maintenance, insurance, and taxes. She warned that if landlords cannot charge sufficient rent, property maintenance may decline, negatively affecting tenants.
Affordable housing advocates said Biden’s proposal could have reduced evictions and homelessness if implemented earlier. Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, noted that the recent increases in homelessness resulted from significant rent hikes, and protections against rent gouging could have kept many families stably housed. Meanwhile, Nevada Realtors oppose Biden’s proposed five percent annual cap, calling the proposal “misguided.”
In related news, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland canceled a planned trip to Las Vegas following an attempt on the life of former President Trump. The Department of Justice stated that Garland would remain in Washington, D.C., to monitor the investigation closely, skipping his scheduled meetings and speaking engagements in Nevada, Idaho, Utah, and Kansas.
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