An ambitious plan that IS A Good wish list….
We’ll see what gets done….
Day-one promises
- COVID-19 response: Rejoin the World Health Organization;
- Immigration: Send bill to Congress “for legislative immigration reform that will modernize our immigration system and “
- Climate change: Sign executive order to formulate plan to achieve 100% clean energy economy and net-zero emissions by 2050;
- Transgender rights: Repeal transgender military ban enacted by President Trump; Mr. Biden would also restore Obama-era guidance for transgender students in schools, to protect “students’ access to sports, bathrooms, and locker rooms in accordance with their gender identity;” and
- Environment: Enact an executive order “to conserve 30% of America’s lands and waters by 2030.”
First 100 days
Mr. Biden will be relying on Congress to approve many of the initiatives he aims to accomplish for his first 100 days, which could potentially be difficult, even with the slight majority that will be held by Democrats. Here are some of those promises:
- Economic recovery: Initiate “Build Back Better” economic recovery plan in February, during a joint session of Congress. Released during the general election, the plan called for spending trillions on American-made products, health services and infrastructure updates.
- Climate: Organize a “climate world summit” to push world leaders to more aggressively tackle climate change, specifically addressing global shipping and aviation emissions. This is one of the priorities Mr. Biden has established that does not require congressional approval. The new president also promised to “pressure” China to stop subsidizing coal and “outsourcing” pollution.
- Repealing tax cuts: In order to pay for many of these wish list items, Mr. Biden said he would fight for the repeal of the 2017 tax cuts, which would require action by Congress. He argued that the tax cuts favored wealthy Americans.
- Guns: After the FBI studies “loopholes” in the gun background check system, Mr. Biden said he would ask Congress to close the “loopholes” and also repeal liability protection for gun manufacturers, which would allow Americans to sue the gun industry if a gun is used in a crime. Biden also said he wants to “restructure” federal agencies that oversee gun laws.
- Violence: As a senator, Mr. Biden authored the Violence Against Women Act in 1994 to offer more protections for women. This legislation needs to be signed into law again. Biden said one key effort in the update would include greater protections for transgender women.
- Equality: Push to pass the “Equality Act,” a bill to add more protections for LGBT Americans….
Inside Higher Ed.
Virus and Economy Are Top Priorities for Biden
A new Associated Press-NORC poll finds 53% of Americans name COVID-19 as one of the top five issues they want the government to tackle this year, and 68% mention in some way the economy, which is still reeling from the outbreak.
In an open-ended question, those priorities far outpace others, like foreign affairs, immigration, climate change or racial inequality. The findings suggest Biden’s political fate is riding on his administration’s response to the pandemic.