President Joe Biden visited Texas yesterday, first stopping in Austin to speak to about 1,000 people at the LBJ Library to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
Biden spoke for about twenty minutes and used the occasion to call for sweeping reforms to the U.S. Supreme Court, including ending the constitutional provision that provides for lifetime appointments to the bench and proposing imposing a code of ethics on the nine justices.
The program Monday afternoon featured musical performances from Ruthie Foster and the concert choir of historically black Huston-Tillotson University. Actor Bryan Cranston read an excerpt of LBJ’s address to the nation on the signing of the Civil Rights Act.
— Austin American-Statesman
Below is the entire program and remarks by the president (Biden’s speech begins at the 46:00 mark…):
Biden urged Congress and the nation to pass a constitutional amendment that would “make clear that there is no immunity for crimes committed while in office,” he wrote in his op-ed published Monday morning. The amendment would nullify the high court’s recent ruling that former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, is immune from criminal prosecution for acts done in his official capacity, making it a long shot to clear the two-thirds majority it needs in both the Senate and the GOP-dominated House.
— Austin American-Statesman
“In two years, we’ll commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Imagine that moment and ask yourself, ‘What do we want to be?”
— President Joe Biden in Austin
Congressman Lloyd Doggett was among the attendees. The Austin Democrat was one of the first lawmakers to call on Biden to drop his bid for a second term after his June 27 debate with Trump.
Yesterday’s visit brought local traffic to a standstill in some areas as the presidential motorcade made its way from Austin Bergstrom International Airport and the LBJ Library and back.
Flights at the airport saw delays during both Biden’s arrival and departure.
Arrival of Air Force One in Austin…
The President’s motorcade moved through Dean Keaton, and entered the LBJ Library through Robert Dedman Drive. surrounded by a lengthy motorcade, and arrived to over one hundred officers and security personnel, ensuring his safety from all angles. Robert Dedman Dr., the street on the south entrance of the LBJ, was lined with DPS SUVs for a mile up the road.
There were dozens of road closures throughout the day, including at I-35 and Texas 71.
A handful of Trump supporters lined up outside the LBJ perimeter, but also did not disrupt events.
As Biden’s motorcade exited the LBJ Library at about 5 p.m., supporters of his administration waved him goodbye, holding signs that read, ‘Thank You, Joe.’
— KEYE-TV
A pro-Palestinian group staged a car caravan near the event to protest Biden’s visit.
Zainab Haider, one of the protesters with the coalition, said Biden “has blood on his hands,” and that the president attending this event to “try to repair his legacy is unacceptable.”
“He has had more than ample time to bring about a cease-fire,” Haider said. “We have lost complete faith in him, but it’s not too late for him to do the right thing.”
— KUT 90.5
Texas Govenor Greg Abbott did not comment directly on Biden’s speech in Austin, but he did take the opportunity to switch attention to border policy, falsely calling Kamala Harris a ‘border czar’.
After his time in Austin, the president flew to Houston to pay his respects to the late Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee, who died last week and is lying in state inside Houston’s City Hall. (Houston Chronicle)
Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Houston on Thursday to attend the Celebration of Life Service for Jackson Lee. This will be Harris’ second visit to Houston this month and her third time in Texas. (KHOU-TV vis MSN)
Challenges to voter rolls inspired by a conservative Texas-based nonprofit group called True the Vote has some election officials worried. (CNN)
Former Austin City Council member and champion of Austin’s urbanist movement, Chris Riley, died Sunday of complications with cancer, his family confirmed. He was 60. (Austin American-Statesman)
The owner of a southwest Austin massage parlor was arrested last week on charges of human trafficking after police rescued two women who allege they were forced into prostitution. (KEYE-TV)
One person died after being struck by a vehicle in South Austin overnight, according to the Austin Police Department. (KXAN-TV)
American Airlines says it will discontinue five nonstop routes from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport starting in October as part of a network evaluation. (KEYE-TV)
The FBI is looking to identify potential victims of sextortion in a case against an Austin man. (KSAT-TV)
New details have been released in the stabbing death of man in Southeast Austin last week. (Fox7 Austin)
The Austin Fire Department says it needs more cadets to address safety and mental health issues. (Austin Monitor)
One person was injured after a house fire late Monday night in northwest Austin. Several people and two cats were rescued. (KVUE-TV)
A suspect in the June 2022 murder of a 16-year-old in northwest Austin was sentenced last month to 45 years in prison. (KXAN-TV)
The federal trial for Austin real estate investor Nate Paul is now set for next February, according to court documents. (KEYE-TV)
Developers are planning to bring a luxury community with a 3-acre lagoon and beach to Spicewood on Lake Travis, about 35 miles northwest of Austin. (Urbanize Austin)
Ronald Reagan Boulevard, stretching from Cedar Park to I-35 in Georgetown, is set to become an eight-lane, controlled-access roadway in the next several years. (Community Impact)
The City of Kyle has purchased five downtown businesses for more than $4 million as part of its continued efforts to revitalize its downtown. The move caught some locals by surprise. (KXAN-TV)
Starting September 1, the cost of development review fees will increase 141%, in Travis County after county staff received approval from Travis County Commissioners. (Community Impact)
A hearing at the Texas Capitol centered around energy company CenterPoint’s handling of the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. More than 35 people died in Texas, many after being without power for days or weeks. (KVUE-TV)
University of Texas engineers have created a new carbon storage method to fight climate change. (Daily Texan)
An Austin college preparatory school for young women is going phone free for the upcoming school year, joining the growing list of Central Texas schools enforcing a “no phone” policy. (Fox7 Austin)
Hazy skies return to Central Texas this week as Saharan dust makes its way into the region’s atmosphere. (Austin American-Statesman)
Austin FC is back at home for their 2024 Leagues Cup group stage finale tonight at Q2 Stadium. They will face CF Monterrey with kickoff set for 8:00pm. Austin FC defeated Pumas UNAM, 3-2, last Friday night in their series opener. (Austin FC)
The Verde & Black have a big opportunity but a tall task ahead of them. (KXAN-TV)
The Houston Astros acquired lefty Yusei Kikuchi from the Toronto Blue Jays for three prospects. (CBS Sports)
Meanwhile, in Houston last night, the Astros allowed three runs in the ninth inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates take the first game of the series, 5-3. (Yahoo! Sports)
The Texas Rangers remained busy on the trade front by dealing starter Michael Lorenzen to the Kansas City Royals for pitcher Walter Pennington. (Sports Illustrated via MSN)
In St. Louis last night, the Rangers broke a three-game losing skid with a 6-3 win over the Cardinals. Nathan Eovaldi pitched six solid innings. (Yahoo! Sports)
The impact of Texas heat on Central Texas sports teams. (KXXV-TV)
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers has been named to the Maxwell Award watch list. (Longhorns Country)
Why Texas is ready for the SEC spotlight. (Sports Business Journal)
The Texas Capitol: Building for the Ages
