Jonny Rogers explores how America might change if Joe Biden fulfils the promises made in his election campaign.
Photo by Andres Herrera
As we come to the end of an eventful few weeks, Joe Biden has been inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States. Unlike an ordinary inauguration, people were urged to avoid travelling to Washington DC, and only around 1000 seated tickets were available to members of public. For the fourth time in American history, the preceding president Donald Trump has chosen to sit out the event.
Biden will, of course, face a situation almost unthinkable even a year ago: an issue that seemed all but a distant threat this time last year, tackling the Coronavirus pandemic has, needless to say, become the most pressing global challenge since the Second World War. In the United States alone, there have been over 24 million reported cases and more than 400,000 deaths. But how has Biden said that he will manage the pandemic in the coming months and years? And will the pandemic give him a chance to re-shape America's environmental policies?
In light of this, here is a brief look at how America might change under the Biden-Harris Administration – if, of course, they are able to deliver on what has been promised.
Coronavirus
On his first day in office, Biden has promised to sign an executive order requiring everyone to wear facemasks for the first 100 days of his administration. Although this only applies to buildings controlled by the federal government, Biden nevertheless claims that this is a “patriotic act” which will start to “change life in America for the better”. Within this time period, he also aims to deliver vaccinations to 100 million Americans.
In addition, a $1.9 trillion ‘American Rescue Plan’ has been proposed to increase support for struggling businesses, the unemployed and those experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the pandemic. This includes investing $3 billion in helping women and children secure food and $1 billion to assist in securing nutrition. Another $40 billion will be used to boost a grant programme helping child-care providers pay for rent and utilities, while $350 billion will be sent to local governments to keep frontline workers employed, distribute vaccines and maintain important services.
Minimum Wage & ‘Buy American’
As part of his election campaign, Biden has promised to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 per hour (equivalent to £11.50) – a decision that earned him the support of many younger voters. Although he acknowledged that this change will be difficult, he declared that “nobody working 40 hours a week should be living below the poverty line”. Boosting the minimum wage will also support many people working at the forefront of the pandemic.
To help support the U.S. economy, Biden has also claimed he will boost the existent ‘Buy American’ practises with a $400 billion investment for infrastructure products which use American materials and products, and another $300 billion grant for the research and development of new technologies and clean-energy initiatives. However, some companies have argued that tightened rules could raise their costs and complicate supply chains.
Gun Control & Law Enforcement
Biden has promised to repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which was passed in 2005 to ensure that gun manufacturers could not be held liable for any injury or death caused by the use of their weapons. Nearly 40,000 Americans die in gun-related incidents every year. In addition, he aims to enact a universal background check to further prevent guns from falling into dangerous hands.
After the United States’ police force came under widespread national and global criticism last year, Biden and Harris aim to reform the nation’s law enforcement system. This includes a ban on chokeholds, stopping the transfer of weapons of war to police forces, and improving oversight and accountability to create a standardised model for use of force. In addition, they have promised to work towards overcoming the racial, gender and income-based disparities in the criminal justice system, ensuring that prisons are focused on “redemption and rehabilitation”.
Climate Change & Environment
On his first day in office, Joe Biden has promised to cancel the controversial Keystone pipeline, which is set to carry oil nearly 1,200 miles from Alberta in Canada to Nebraska. The project had been fought by environmentalists for over a decade, having been vetoed by Obama in 2015 and reapproved by Trump in 2019. However, this move has already caused a mix reception by officials in Canada.
Nevertheless, this follows from Biden’s pledge to prioritise climate change in the next few years. As we reported at the time of November’s election, Biden promised to re-join the Paris Agreement after Trump decided to withdraw from the deal, further aiming to reach net zero emissions by 2050. As one of the world’s largest polluters, this change – which will see the United States join other countries in a pledge to minimise the global temperature rise – is one which should benefit the whole world.
In addition to re-joining the Paris Agreement, Biden’s climate and environmental justice proposal includes a $1.7 trillion federal investment in clean energy infrastructure over the next decade, which will be funded in part by reversing Trump’s tax incentives. It has also been argued that investment in green energy will support working-class union workers.
Concluding Reflections
After Trump’s persistent refusal to concede defeat to Biden culminated in a public display of mob brutality and violence, perhaps the new President’s greatest responsibility is the restoration of confidence in a political system which in recent years has provoked increasing dissent and division – saving one of the world’s most powerful countries from entering the prophesied “death spiral”.
Whatever changes America will experience under the Biden-Harris Administration, public trust in the democratic system depends on our world leaders keeping to their promises.
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