Biden’s new policies

Not even a month after President Biden was elected to office, he has already signed 17 executive actions and 15 executive orders. Among those actions is the promise of an aggressive attack on COVID in the U.S. and many reversals of previous Trump policies. This article will be your guide to what Biden has accomplished so far as 46th President of the United States. 

On January 20, 2021, Biden rejoined the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. Former President Trump began the process of leaving the accord in 2017, but the current president has now started the process of rejoining. In alignment with the agreement, the United States promises to take action as to avoid raising the global temperatures by no more than 2°C by 2100. After 30 days, the U.S. will have officially rejoined. 

Biden has also taken action for LGBTQIA+ rights. The president repealed the ban on transgender Americans joining the military from the Trump administration from 2019. The reversal will allow transgender individuals to join the military, prevent service members from being discharged for their gender identity, correct the dismissal of anyone for the gender identity, and begins the order of allowing transgender service members to serve openly. This order was signed into effect on January 25, 2021. 

During the previous administration, the United States began the process of withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO). Under Biden‘s presidency, America has begun the process of reversing this retreat. The U.S. stopped aiding the UN health agency by cutting funding and and taking back staff during the Trump administration, and now that decision has also been halted. In addition to rejoining WHO, Biden has also promised to create a COVID-19 response coordinator that will report directly to him. The coordinator will lead by example and ask of Americans to wear a mask during the 100 Days Masking Challenge. 

In addition, the president put out a statement titled “Memorandum Condemning and Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States” on January 26, 2021 condemning the former presidency’s “role in furthering these xenophobic sentiments though the actions of political leaders,” the White House said. Biden also committed to fighting racial inequality and signed four executive orders on January 26: one regarding the redressing of the “nation’s history of discriminatory housing practices and policies”, one for reforming the incarceration system, one for strengthening tribal relationships, and the last was the order mentioned above regarding xenophobia and racism. 

The president also voiced his plan on ending entry bans on certain nations and immigrants. He revoked the executive order preventing immigration from primarily Muslim and African countries, including Iran, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, Nigeria, Sudan and more, a ban previously enacted by the Trump administration.  

These actions have set the tone for Biden’s presidency, and United States citizens can expect many more executive orders in the future. Biden plans on saving Obamacare, securing congressional approval for a stimulus plan during COVID, and placing even more efforts towards social equality. The future remains optimistic.