CLIMATE ACTION/ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY EXECUTIVE ACTION HEALTH CARE INFRASTRUCTURE LEGISLATION

Biden Provides Pennsylvania $16.7 Billion In Infrastructure, Clean Energy, and Affordable Housing, Among Many Other Initiatives

President Joe Biden has directed nearly $17b in funding to the Keystone State for energy conservation, clean water, more affordable medications, improved roads and bridges, better internet connectivity, and may more areas. “Infrastructure Week may have been a punchline but no more,” White House Deputy Chief of Staff Natalie Quillian said on a conference call with reporters.

BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW CLIMATE ACTION/ENVIRONMENT EXECUTIVE ACTION INFLATION REDUCTION ACT LEGISLATION

Biden Has Taken More Climate Action Than Any President In History

The recently released Climate Powers Memo states the President Joe Biden has taken over 300 climate actions, the most in history. The Center For American Progress details the many ways Biden has taken strong action to protect the enviromment and address the climate crisis, many of which have appeared on this website previously.

While I generally avoid discussing the previous president, it is important to note that Donald Trump has recently asked oil executives for $1b in campaign contributions, and, in exchange, those executives have begun drafting executive actions that would, among other things, roll back as many of Biden’s actions as possible. The contrast is clear.

ECONOMY INFLATION REDUCTION ACT LEGISLATION

New Funding To The IRS Massively Increases Responsiveness Of IRS To Taxpayers

Happy Tax Day! While no one is ever excited to be calling the government regarding tax questions, sometimes, you need help from the IRS. The Inflation Reduction Act, signed by President Joe Biden in 2022, increased funding for key aspects of the IRS. As a result, the averge call wait time has been reduced from 27 minutes in 2022 to 4 minutes in 2023, and the percentage of people speaking to an actual human has increased from 15% to 87% over the same period. 2 million more calls were answered in 2023 than 2022. It may not be exciting, but there is something to be said for basic competence.

CLIMATE ACTION/ENVIRONMENT LEGISLATION VETERANS

President Biden Signs The PACT Act To Address Service Members’ Exposure To Burn Pits And Other Toxins

In August, 2022 President Joe Biden signed the PACT Act, which gives potential relief to service members who were exposed to toxins in the line of duty, and to their families. In its second year, the PACT Act has driven a 30 percent increase in VA healthcare enrollment. According to The Wounded Warrior Project, the PACT Act represents the largest expansion of benefits for veterans and their survivors in decades.

CHIPS AND SCIENCE ACT ECONOMY JOBS LEGISLATION

March’s Blockbuster Jobs Report Exceeds Wall Street’s Expectations

March’s Jobs data is in, and it is, again, very good news. Thanks to President Joe Biden’s handling of the economy, including several major pieces of legislation like the CHIPS and Sciences Act, the economy added 303,000 non-farm jobs in the month of March. That brings to over 15 million the number of jobs added to the economy since Biden became president. Not only that, but the unemployment rate dropped to 3.8%, extending what was already the longest stretch of sub-4% unemployment since the 1960s.

ECONOMY INFLATION REDUCTION ACT LEGISLATION SOCIAL JUSTICE

The Inflation Reduction Act Imposes A 15% Minimum Corporate Tax On Some Of The Largest US Corporations

Among the many pro-environment tax incentives included in the Inflation Reduction Act, President Joe Biden made sure to include a 15% minimum corporate tax on some of the largest corporations in the US, some of whom have previously found a way to pay no corporate taxes at all. Here’s an analysis of some of the most relevant provisions.

CLIMATE ACTION/ENVIRONMENT EXECUTIVE ACTION INFLATION REDUCTION ACT LEGISLATION

In His First 18 Months, Biden Signs Numerous Executive Orders Addressing Climate Change And The Environment

Prior to the Inflation Reduction Act providing massive funding for climate related matters, President Joe Biden had signed many executive orders battling climate change and stimulating the economy at the same time, including, among other actions:

  • a moratorium on the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program
  • requiring half of all cars and light trucks sold in 2030 to be zero emission
  • improving access to safe drinking water, and
  • strengthening the nation’s forests in collaboration with local and tribal governments
DEMOCRACY LEGISLATION VOTING RIGHTS

Biden Reforms The Electoral Count Act To Prevent Another January 6th

In December, 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law the  Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022, which reforms the Electoral Count Act to remedy the loopholes the previous president exploited to create chaos on January 6, 2021. Among other things, the law clarifies that the Vice President’s role in the process is “solely ministerial,” it clarifies the process by which states deliver electoral votes, and guarantees an expedited review of any claims by an aggrieved candidate.

CHIPS AND SCIENCE ACT ECONOMY JOBS LEGISLATION

The CHIPS and Science Act Jumpstarts The Tech And Manufacturing Sectors

In August, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act, designed to strengthen American manufacturing and innovation. The act invests $280 billion to bolster US semiconductor capacity, catalyze R&D, and create regional high-tech hubs and a bigger, more inclusive STEM workforce. Almost immediately after Biden signed it, the private sector promised investment of over $200 billion in tech and manufacturing. The economy has gained manufacturing jobs at a pace not seen since the 1950s.

Update:

LEGISLATION LGBTQ+ SOCIAL JUSTICE

Biden Signs the Respect For Marriage Act, Protecting Same Sex And Interracial Marriages

In the brutal Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, not only did the Supreme Court overrule Roe v. Wade, Justice Thomas’ concurring opinion stated his willingness to review previous cases protecting same sex and interracial marriage! Because of this, Congress passed, and President Joe Biden signed the Respect For Marriage Act, which enshrines rights for same sex and interracial marriages into law, and requires all 50 states and territories to recognize such marriages as valid.

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION STUDENT LOANS

Biden Kicks Off With The American Rescue Plan

Within 60 days of taking office, President Joe Biden signed into law The American Rescue Plan.

Among the many important provisions it contains are:

  • more than 500 million life-saving COVID-19 vaccinations in the arms of Americans,
  • $1400 per person to struggling US citizens,
  • extended unemployment benefits,
  • increased food aid,
  • student loan debt relief,
  • and aid to states, cities, tribal governments, and US territories.

Here’s a more detailed analysis.

GUN CONTROL LEGISLATION

Joe Biden Pushes Through First Gun Control Legislation In 30 Years

President Joe Biden ended a 30-year streak of federal inaction on gun violence by signing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

The act created enhanced background checks, closed the “boyfriend” loophole, and provided funds for youth mental health.

See an article on the subject here.

Yes, we need to do more, but getting any kind of meaningful gun legislation in this political climate seemed impossible, and Biden did it.

BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW CLIMATE ACTION/ENVIRONMENT HEALTH CARE INFRASTRUCTURE LEGISLATION SOCIAL JUSTICE

Biden Administration Announces $5.8 Billion In Funding To Clean Up Nation’s Drinking Water, Upgrade Infrastructure

Ripped from today’s (well, now yesterday’s) headlines. President Joe Biden has been pushing the elimination of lead pipes from our nation’s infrastructure since he took office, and continues that effort today, with the allocation of an additional $5.8 billion for this effort. This funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

HEALTH CARE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT LEGISLATION

Biden Caps Insulin Prices

As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, out-of-pocket costs for insulin are capped at $35 per month prescription for enrollees of Medicare Part B and Part D.

Although President Joe Biden wasn’t able to extend that cap to people not on Medicare in the IRA, the political pressure he has brought to this fight has caused major drug manufacturers to cap the cost of prescriptions for insulin to $35 per month for millions of people not on Medicare.

BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW INFRASTRUCTURE JOBS LEGISLATION

Biden Wrangles $1.2 Trillion for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs

In November, 2021 President Joe Biden succeeded in convincing a reluctant Senate to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 

This legislation was a $1.2 trillion bipartisan package to increase investment in the national network of bridges and roads, airports, public transport, and national broadband internet, as well as waterways and energy systems.

BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW CLIMATE ACTION/ENVIRONMENT INFLATION REDUCTION ACT LEGISLATION

Biden Administration Makes Record Climate Investment

As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, the US has made a $369 billion investment in battling climate change, the largest such investment in U.S. history.

Included in the investments are:

  • Investments in electric vehicles
  • Investments in EV infrastrucure
  • Clean fuel production and adoption
  • Manufacturing Incentives including provisions aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing of clean energy and transportation technologies, including tax credits and grants for companies involved in the production of EV batteries, electric vehicles, and renewable energy components.
  • Public transit and infrastructure. Taken together with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the IRA supports the further development of public transit.

For a deeper dive, here’s an article on the subject.

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