^

Headlines

Biden nominates Fil-Am veteran as US Air Force undersecretary

Philstar.com
Biden nominates Fil-Am veteran as US Air Force undersecretary
This March 3, 2020 shows Filipino-American veteran Gina Ortiz Jones, who has been nominated as undersecretary for the US Air Force.
Facebook / Gina Ortiz Jones

MANILA, Philippines — US President Joe Biden nominated a Filipino-American veteran for a post in the US Air Force.

The White House announced Gina Ortiz Jones, an Iraq war veteran, as nominee for undersecretary of the US Air Force under the Department of Defense.

The US Senate has yet to confirm her nomination.

One of my earliest memories is helping my mom study for her citizenship test. It's why to this day I know Patrick Henry...

Posted by Gina Ortiz Jones on Thursday, 17 September 2020

Jones will become the highest Filipino-American appointee under the Biden administration and the first woman of color to serve as Air Force undersecretary.

According to a June 2018 report from Inquirer.net, Jones and her sister were raised by their single mother Victoria Ortiz, who immigrated to the US in the late 1970s as a domestic helper.

In 2018, Jones was the Democratic nominee for the 23rd congressional district of Texas.

She became the first openly gay and military veteran running for office in the state. However, she lost to Republican Will Hurd.

The Filipino-American launched a second congressional campaign but lost to Republican nominee Tony Gonzales. —  Patricia Lourdes Viray.

JOE BIDEN

UNITED STATES

US AIR FORCE

US-PHILIPPINES TIES

As It Happens
LATEST UPDATE: October 6, 2023 - 7:40am

Joe Biden takes office as the 46th president of the United States with an optimistic call for unity, vowing to bridge deep divides and defeat domestic extremism two weeks after a violent mob tried to undo his election victory.

On a frigid but sunny day at the very Capitol building that was assaulted on January 6, Biden was sworn in moments after Kamala Harris became America's first woman vice president, closing the book on Donald Trump's tumultuous four years.

"Democracy is precious, democracy is fragile and at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed," Biden says before a National Mall that was virtually empty due to the ultra-tight security and a raging COVID-19 pandemic that he vowed to confront immediately.  — AFP

October 6, 2023 - 7:40am

US President Joe Biden on Thursday defends plans to extend the border wall with Mexico, saying he didn't think such barriers worked but that he was bound by laws introduced under Donald Trump.

Democrat Biden pledged during his White House race with Trump in 2020 that he would abandon the Republican's signature policy and would not build any more of the wall. — AFP

October 5, 2023 - 6:04am

President Joe Biden admits he was concerned that US political turmoil could disrupt wartime aid for Ukraine, but says he would soon give a major speech to convince doubters on backing Kyiv.

"It does worry me," Biden says when asked whether the ousting of Republican House speaker Kevin McCarthy by hardliners in his own party could derail more funds for Ukraine's war effort.

"But I know there are a majority of members of the House and Senate of both parties who have said that they support funding Ukraine," he tells reporters at the White House. — AFP

September 23, 2023 - 6:22pm

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has requested a bilateral meeting with his US counterpart to discuss the migration crisis that has "overwhelmed" his country, his foreign minister says.

The meeting would occur in Washington when Lopez Obrador attends a summit of Latin American leaders, to be convened by US President Joe Biden on November 3.

Lopez Obrador wants to discuss "legal paths" to address the humanitarian situation facing hundreds of thousands of people who have recently attempted to make their way to the United States and to study the ways in which they can request asylum, as well as work visas for the agricultural sector. — AFP

September 23, 2023 - 9:08am

The US auto workers union expands a strike against two of Detroit's "Big Three", while President Joe Biden announces plans to join the picket line in solidarity with employees.

Some 5,600 members of the United Auto Workers union walked out of 38 US parts and distribution centers at General Motors and Stellantis at noon Friday, adding to last week's dramatic worker walkout.

The UAW has described its campaign as an effort to level the economic playing field for the working class, but Friday's events also underscored the lofty political stakes, with Biden's visit coming just a day before a planned trip by Republican rival Donald Trump. — AFP

September 16, 2023 - 6:33am

US President Joe Biden leads international calls of solidarity with Iranians one year after Mahsa Amini's death sparked mass protests, with Western powers unveiling a series of new sanctions.

The anniversary of Amini's death in the custody of the clerical state's morality police comes as some activists criticize what they see as a return to business as usual with Tehran, which was already under a slew of sanctions.

Biden says in a statement that "today -- as we remember Mahsa's tragic death -- we reaffirm our commitment to the courageous people of Iran who are carrying on her mission." — AFP

Philstar
  • Latest
  • Trending
Latest
Latest
abtest
Are you sure you want to log out?
X
Login

Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!

Get Updated:

Signup for the News Round now

FORGOT PASSWORD?
SIGN IN
or sign in with