House expected to pass COVID relief bill next week

Biden announced the addition of key officials in the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education and the Department of Veterans Affairs on Friday morning.

Chiquita Brooks-LaSure will serve as the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, James Kvaal will serve as under secretary of education, and Richard Sauber will serve as general counsel for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The White House statement added that the hires would, "build a stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive nation."

Biden praised Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., and the Congressional Equality Caucus in a statement Friday morning for introducing the Equality Act, sweeping legislation that protects LGBTQ people from discrimination in the workplace, housing, service and public accommodations, in the House Thursday. 

"The Equality Act provides long overdue federal civil rights protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, locking in critical safeguards in our housing, education, public services, and lending systems — and codifying the courage and resilience of the LGBTQ+ movement into enduring law," Biden wrote in the statement.

Biden called on Congress to pass the bill, saying it will build on the order signed during a flurry of executive actions amid his first days in office that directed agencies to "implement the Supreme Court’s Bostock ruling, and fully enforce Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation."

"No one should ever face discrimination or live in fear because of who they are or whom they love," Biden said in the statement.

-ABC News' Molly Nagle and Mariam Khan

Early excerpts of Biden's remarks released by the White House tease that the president will lament that "in too many places, including in Europe and the United States, democratic progress is under assault," at the Munich Security Conference Friday morning.

In a thinly veiled criticism of his predecessor, Biden will stress democratic values and upholding the rule of law. The administration previewed the speech at length Thursday night, with one senior administration official stressing that, "the focus of his speech tomorrow is not Donald Trump or what's happened over the last four years." However, much of the excerpts read as a reset for America on the world stage.

"We are in the midst of a fundamental debate about the future direction of our world. Between those who argue that – given all of the challenges we face, from the fourth industrial revolution to a global pandemic – autocracy is the best way forward and those who understand that democracy is essential to meeting those challenges. Historians will examine and write about this moment. It’s an inflection point. And I believe with every ounce of my being that democracy must prevail," the excerpt said.

-ABC News' Molly Nagle

Biden spoke to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott about the severe weather situation in Texas, according to a readout released by the White House Thursday night. Biden offered his support to the people of Texas during the call.

"He reiterated that the federal government will continue to work hand-in-hand with state and local authorities in Texas to bring relief and address the critical needs of the families affected," the White House readout said. "He also shared his intentions to instruct additional federal agencies to look into any immediate steps that could be taken to support Texans at this time."