What can we expect from Biden?
Welcome to a new administration! Today marks President Joe Biden’s first week in the oval office and he is intent on hitting the ground running. Not long after taking his oath, Biden took several executive actions including ending the “Muslim travel ban,” rejoining the World Health Organization and Paris Climate Accord, as well as halting border wall construction.
Source: The Tribune Democrat
While some of the actions are immediately put into place through federal agencies in the executive branch, others call for Congressional action. Nevertheless, Biden has eagerly begun the undoing of Trump’s presidency and repairing an ailing America.
These are the different avenues through which Biden can directly enact change as president. Typically, these actions are grouped in two categories: formal and informal powers:
The main source of change in this administration will likely come from Congress. Democrats now hold control of the House and Senate. As such, when it comes to actions that only require a simple majority, Democrats’ agenda will win out. Biden will have his administrative and judicial appointments approved easily. Budget Reconciliations also only need a simple majority. These happen a few times a year and can be a way to further the Biden agenda as they can consolidate many policies into one. However, filibusters from Senate Republicans remain a concern when it comes to passing legislation.
Biden made his policies and stances clear throughout his presidential campaign. His administration released a list of its most immediate priorities and its plans for tackling them. This list ranks Biden’s priorities by how immediate, aggressive, and progressive his actions will be.
What policies and actions can Americans expect to see from the Biden administration moving forward?
Coronavirus
As the country continues to battle the pandemic, Covid relief is the top priority for Biden. There is little debate between moderates and progressives that a comprehensive Covid relief package is needed quickly. This will likely be implemented through a mixture of executive actions and Congressional channels. Compromise with conservatives will likely be necessary in order to get the bill passed without a filibuster. President Biden has already made his plans to respond to Covid clear to the public.
“The American people deserve an urgent, robust, and professional response to the growing public health and economic crisis caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. President Biden believes that the federal government must act swiftly and aggressively to help protect and support our families, small businesses, first responders, and caregivers essential to help us face this challenge, those who are most vulnerable to health and economic impacts, and our broader communities – not to blame others or bail out corporations.”
Economy
The U.S. is facing an economic crisis like no other. President Biden’s goal is to work with Congress to pass the American Rescue Plan.This plan proposes survival checks, unemployment insurance, state and local aid, and a minimum wage increase to $15. Some progressives in Congress believe that the bill does not go far enough as the survival payments are only $1,400 instead of $2,000. While President Biden’s plan for economic relief is more effective than the most recent stimulus package, it still falls short of progressive demands.
Immigration
Since the Trump administration had a very anti-immigration stance, much of President Biden’s plans for immigration involve repealing the last administration’s actions. His day-one executive orders ended the “muslim travel ban,” halted the building of the wall, and called on Congress to expand DACA. Biden also hopes to “reform our long-broken and chaotic immigration system.” He has not made it clear how he will pursue this, either through executive actions, such as new regulations for the Department of Homeland Security, or persuading Congress. Much of Trump’s immigration policy was enacted through his executive power. The last four years have brought to light horrendous actions taking place at the U.S. southern border, including separating children from their families. In order for Biden to remedy the situation, he will need to take aggressive action.
Racial Equity
Racial equity became a forefront of political conversations in 2020. It involves many levels of policy including criminal justice reform and building pathways for equitable access to resources. President Biden plans to put “equity at the center of the agenda with a whole of government approach to embed racial justice across Federal agencies, policies, and programs.” It seems that in this area of policy, he is focused on using his powers in the executive branch to advance his ideals. Passing sweeping racial equity legislation through Congress may be difficult and will definitely require compromise. However, big actions that progressives are pushing for, such as defunding the police, are unlikely to happen at the federal level from the Biden administration.
Environment
President Biden recognizes the need to act on environmental policies and has already begun reversing the anti-environment stance that Trump put in place in the executive branch. However, he has made his position clear on being opposed to the progressive Green New Deal. Instead he promotes a more moderate climate plan that details spending of $2 trillion on clean energy over the next four years. It would call for an overhaul of the auto industry to push America into more hybrid and electric cars. His plan tries to balance the demands of jobs and the environment. Overall, the Biden plan is a step in the right direction, while remaining less progressive than the Green New Deal.
Healthcare
Biden plans to build upon the Affordable Care Act President Obama signed into law, improving the U.S. healthcare system. He prefers a public option over the Medicare for All plan” that Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren advocate for. His stance on this issue is moderate and has greater potential for being passed by Congress. He seems to be less willing to take executive action in this area of policy. Improvements are possible but sweeping change in the world of healthcare policy is unlikely during Biden’s presidency.
Student Debt Crisis
Due to the pandemic, Biden placed a halt on federal student loan repayments through at least Sept. 30 in one of his many day-one executive orders. However, he is against using executive action to enact a mass debt cancellation that some progressives are pushing for. He thinks that such actions should come from Congress. His plan to remedy the student debt crisis increases pathways to loan forgiveness through public service and seeks to make 2 years of community college or vocational education free. However, this plan is a far cry from the progressive policies put forth by Warren and Sanders, who hoped to cancel most if not all existing student debt.
The bottom line is that Biden is a moderate institutionalist. This will likely not always align with the progressive values of young people. The Biden administration is pushing for positive changes and to remedy past wrongs from the Trump presidency. However, with a focus on unity, Biden wants to remain palatable to moderates and center-right conservatives. In order to see major societal changes, it will take continued action to push Biden and his administration further to the left.
If you liked what you read, be sure to subscribe above and follow me on Twitter @personally_pol to stay updated on Personally Political!