In 2020, America elected Joe Biden as new leader of the free world. Inaugurated on Jan. 20, the 44th vice president has now become the 46th president, and he has wasted no time since then. Along with replacing the portrait of Andrew Jackson in the Oval Office with one of Benjamin Franklin and removing his predecessor’s Diet Coke button, Biden is working hard. Here are a few highlights of his presidency so far.
Diverse Cabinet
The Biden Administration has the most diverse Cabinet in U.S. history. The Cabinet is 45% women and 55% non-white. Janet Yellen is the first woman ever to lead the Treasury department. Also, Biden’s Cabinet has 30% more government experience than his predecessors. Pete Buttigieg, the first openly gay secretary, will be in charge of transportation.
COVID-19 relief package
In early February, the House of Representatives approved the budget for Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package. Not only will this package provide funding for a speedy vaccine rollout, but the promised $1,400 stimulus checks are included as well.
Rejoining the Paris Agreement
Back in mid-2017, believing that the U.S. would be at a disadvantage, Donald Trump withdrew U.S. participation in the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. Biden reprioritized climate change as one of his first executive orders as commander in chief and rejoined the agreement hours after being inaugurated.
Keystone pipeline halted
Another reversal of the Trump administration, Biden repealed the construction permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline that would’ve allowed carbon-heavy oil to be transported down to the Gulf.
Immigration policies
On Feb. 2, Biden signed three executive orders that would change the American immigration system. One of the orders seeks to create a force that will help to reunite children with their families after they were separated at the border and their parents deported.
Abortion policy revoked
Reversing another Trump era policy, Biden signed two executive orders that will expand access to reproductive healthcare and health insurance.
Restoration of the Affordable Care Act
While still in the midst of a global pandemic, access to affordable healthcare is at the top of the administration’s list. Despite the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Biden feels that he is merely restoring the policy back to the way it was before his predecessor.
Reversal of Transgender Military Ban
Less than a week after Biden’s inauguration, he reversed the ban on transgender people serving in the military. Biden seeks to enroll and re-enroll those who have been denied to serve their country regardless of gender identity.
