The Biden-Harris Administration

An Extraordinary Four Years

Climate: The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 made a $369 billion investment in climate change. The U.S. is on target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to pre-2005 levels by 2030 and achieve carbon net zero before 2050. By the end of 2024, combined wind and solar capacity are projected to be 76% higher than when Biden entered office. Grid battery capacity will have exploded 19-fold. Biden rejoined the Paris Climate Accord, negotiated cooperation with China to reduce coal emissions, and established the American Climate Corps, a workforce to deploy clean energy, restore land and establish community resilience. While balancing America’s need for affordable gas and heat, and developing renewables at breakneck speed, he has stood up to the oil industry, halting the permits of new liquified gas terminals.

Judges: On May 22, 2024, the U.S. Senate confirmed President Biden’s 200th federal judge, more judicial appointments than the past five presidents had at this point. They are the most diverse federal nominations of any president in history–64% are women and 62% are people of color, all well-qualified.

Infrastructure: The $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package provides funding for bridges and highways, upgrades airports, ports, national internet and electric systems, as well as increasing solar and wind power.

Manufacturing: The Chips and Science Act has encouraged international companies to build and reinvest in the US with good-paying, union jobs. The supply chain is coming back home. The government plans to spend $11 billion on semiconductor-related research and development.

Medical: The Biden Administration has capped prescription drug prices at $2,000 per year for seniors on Medicare through the Inflation Reduction Act.  For the first time, Medicare can now negotiate drug prices of unreasonably priced drugs, saving billions. We also have the lowest uninsured rates ever. Obamacare’s latest enrollment broke records for the third year in a row, in part thanks to Biden’s tweaks.

Economy: Millions of jobs have been created, more than by any other president in U.S. history. We have the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years. Interest rates are coming down. Inflation is continuing to decrease. A recession has been avoided. Wages are up. We have the fast growing major economy on the planet, on track to continue through 2024. The stock market keeps climbing to record highs.

International Alliance and Diplomacy: There are many fine lines to walk. With the violence between Israel and Hamas, Biden has been clear about standing by our ally but, at the same time, he and his State Department are doing everything possible to assert the innocence and vulnerability of Palestinian civilians. He is alert for opportunities to work towards de-escalation,  two secure states, and to stabilize the entire region. Challenges continue to erupt as his administration tries to keep violence from spreading.

Biden is unequivocally supporting Ukraine; militarily, and through stiff economic sanctions on Russia, as well as personally visiting Ukraine.

He has strengthened partnerships and alliances around the globe, from NATO to East Asia, in the Indo-Pacific and with the G-20. And he engaged in a candid, fruitful, personal meeting with Xi Jinping: re-opening military communications; agreeing to cooperate in stemming the flow of pre-cursor chemicals for fentanyl; working together to address the risks of Artificial Intelligence; and establishing a new climate agreement.

Reproductive Rights:  Executive orders defend the right to travel for medical care, guarantee access to contraception, and clarify that private health insurance covers contraception. And more.

Student Loans: After the Supreme Court squashed Biden’s authority to cancel $400 billion in student loan debt, he has continued chipping away every way he can.  A new repayment program opened to more than 20 million borrowers, with payments based on their income and family size. Loan forgiveness has been applied to borrowers who have paid for decades, only to grow further in debt due to loan interest structure. The Saving on a Valuable Education plan (SAVE) is critical. As of January 2024, $136 billion in aid has been allotted to 4 million more Americans.

Marijuana Reform: Biden has given broad pardons for prior Federal offenses of simple possession of marijuana. He’s directing states to do the same and working on changing the laws nationally. The White House.

COVID: The Biden Administration helped get more than 500 million life-saving COVID-19 vaccinations in the arms of Americans through the American Rescue Plan.

Gun Legislation: As part of the historic Inflation Reduction Act, a 30-year streak of federal inaction on gun violence has been interrupted by enhancing background checks, closing the “boyfriend” loophole, and providing funds for youth mental health. Biden and Harris have established a new White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

Veterans: The PACT Act addresses service members’ exposure to burn pits and other toxins.

IRS Support: The budget of the Internal Revenue Service has been boosted by nearly $80 billion to reduce tax evasion and increase revenue. The IRS expects to collect $560 billion more from rich tax cheats thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act.

Union Support: A new rule has been proposed that would make 3.6 million more U.S. workers eligible for overtime pay, the most generous increase in decades.

Corporate Tax Equity: As part of the historic Inflation Reduction Act, a 15% minimum corporate tax has been imposed on some of the largest corporations in the country, ensuring that they pay their fair share.

Consumer Protection: In an executive order, President Biden has directed agencies to reduce paperwork and other barriers to obtaining government benefits such as Medicaid, disability, food assistance and unemployment insurance. He’s going after junk fees, those hefty add-ons to hospital stays, hotel rooms, airline seats and phone bills. Furthermore, he’s seeking solutions to the inflated price of staples affected by large companies maintaining higher-than-usual profit margins.

The Afghan War: Biden ended the longest war in American history by pulling the troops out of Afghanistan.

Humanitarianism: This president halted all federal executions after the previous administration reinstated them after a 17-year freeze.

Ecology: Millions of acres of land are newly protected in Alaska, Minnesota, Nevada, Colorado and Texas, in maritime sanctuaries and on tribal lands. Toxic clean-ups are underway. The goal is to protect 30% of all the nation’s land and waters by 2030.