President Joe Biden signed 17 executive actions in the form of executive orders, memoranda, directives and letters just hours after being sworn-in as commander-in-chief Wednesday.
Biden’s day-one executive actions are expected to be the first steps in “delivering immediate relief for families across America that are struggling in the face of converging crises,” according to a press release This includes battling the COVID-19 pandemic, providing economic relief, handling climate change and advancing racial equity.
The actions, ranging from student loan forgiveness to a federal grounds mask mandate, were signed at 4:15 p.m. CT in the Oval Office, according to Biden’s published schedule.
Several of the executive actions are direct reversals of former President Donald Trump’s previous policies, including rescinding the Muslim Ban, stopping border wall construction and reengaging with the World Health Organization.
Launching ‘100 Days Masking Challenge’, federal grounds mask mandate
Trump reversal?: No
Biden will ask the American people to do their part and mask up for 100 days to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Biden will also issue an executive order by requiring masks and social distancing in all federal buildings by all federal employees and contractors.
Resuming engagement with World Health Organization
Trump reversal?: Yes
Biden will reverse the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization, an agency of the United Nations responsible for coordinating the international response to COVID-19. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert, was named the head of delegation to the country’s WHO Executive Board, will deliver remarks on Thursday to the board.
Creating COVID-19 Response Coordinator position
Trump reversal?: No
The COVID-19 Response Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of COVID-19 response across government, including vaccines and testing.
Extending eviction and foreclosure moratorium
Trump reversal?: No
Biden will ask the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to consider extending the federal eviction moratorium until at least March 31. He will also call on Congress to extend the moratorium further. He will ask the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture and Housing and Urban Development to consider extending foreclosure moratoriums for federally guaranteed mortgages until at least March 31. Biden will also call on the Federal Housing Finance Agency to extend its foreclosure and eviction moratoriums past Feb. 28.
Extending pause on student loans
Trump reversal?: No
Biden will ask the Department of Education to consider extending the pause on interest and principal payments for direct federal loans until at least Sept. 30.
Rejoining Paris Agreement on climate change
Trump reversal?: Yes
Biden will sign the U.S. back into the Paris Agreement to put the country back in a position to “exercise global leadership” in advancing the climate change objectives of the treaty. After the instrument is signed and sent to the United Nations on Wednesday, the U.S. will officially be reinstated in 30 days.
Revoking Keystone XL pipeline permit, plus other environmental actions
Trump reversal?: Yes
Biden will sign an executive order that will “address the climate crisis, create good union jobs and advance environmental justice, while reversing the previous administration’s harmful policies”:
- All executive departments and agencies must immediately review and take appropriate action against any actions taken during the last four years that are harmful to public health, damaging to the environment, unsupported by available science or not in the national interest
- Agencies should consider revising vehicle fuel economy and emissions standards to cut pollution, save consumers’ money and create good union jobs
- Placing a temporary moratorium on all oil and natural gas leasing activities in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuse
- Reestablishing the Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases and ensuring that agencies account for the full cost of emissions
- Revoking the presidential permit granted to the Keystone XL pipeline
Rescinding Trump’s 1776 Commission, plus advancing racial equity for all
Trump reversal?: Yes
Biden will sign an executive order to embed equity across federal policymaking and root out systemic racism.
The order will:
- Define equity as the “consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities, such as Black, Latino, Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and other persons of color; LGBTQ+ persons; people with disabilities; religious minorities, persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise affected by persistent poverty or inequality.”
- Establish that advancing equity for all is the government’s responsibility
- Direct federal agencies to deliver action plan within 200 days to address unequal barriers to opportunity
- Launch equitable data working group
- Make sure the Office of Management and Budget will allocate federal resources to empower and invest in communities of color and other underserved communities
- Improve delivery of government benefits; reducing language access barriers
- Study new methods so federal agencies can assess equity
- Encourage agencies to engage with communities that have been historically underserved and underrepresented
Biden has tasked Ambassador Susan Rice with the position of Domestic Policy Advisor to hold the federal government accountable for the previously mentioned actions. This executive order will also reverse the Trump administration’s 1776 Commission.
Including non-citizens in census apportionment for Congressional representatives
Trump reversal?: Yes
Biden will sign an executive order that will make sure the Census Bureau has ample time to complete an accurate population count for each state. This is a reversal of the Trump administration’s order that set a plan to exclude non-citizens from the census and apportionment.
Preserving and fortifying DACA program
Trump reversal?: No
Biden will sign a Presidential Memorandum directing the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General to take all actions under the law to preserve and fortify the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a program that provides temporary relief from deportation on a case-by-case basis. The memorandum will call on Congress to enact legislation that would provide permanent status and a path to citizenship for those who came to the United States.
Ending Muslim Ban
Trump reversal?: Yes
Biden will sign an executive action that will put an end to the Muslim Ban, which barred entry into the United States from primarily Muslim and African countries. The action instructs the State Department to restart visa processing for those affected.
This action will also provide the strengthening of screening and vetting for travelers through the use of information sharing with foreign governments.
Setting civil immigration enforcement policies
Trump reversal?: Yes
Biden will sign an executive order that will allow the Department of Homeland Security to set civil immigration enforcement policies in a reversal of the Trump administration’s order that directed “harsh and extreme” immigrant enforcement.
Terminating border wall construction
Trump reversal?: Yes
Biden will declare an immediate proclamation terminating the national emergency declaration Trump used to fund border wall construction and immediately pausing construction to allow a “close review of the legality of the funding and contracting methods used.” The proclamation will also look to determine the best way to redirect the funds used for the wall.
Extending Deferred Enforced Departure for Liberians
Trump reversal?: No
Biden will sign a presidential memorandum to extend the Deferred Enforced Departure designation for Liberians in the U.S. until June 30, 2022. This will also extend their work authorization and ensure the ease of application of residency by the Liberian Relief and Fairness Act.
Prohibiting workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity
Trump reversal?: No
Biden will sign an executive order to build on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Bostock v. Clayton County last year that will prohibit workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The order will also direct agencies to take all lawful steps to protect the right of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Ordering appointees to sign ethics pledge
Trump reversal?: No
Biden will sign an executive order that requires all appointees in the executive branch to sign an ethics pledge with the goal of restoring and maintaining public trust in government.
Improving and modernizing regulatory review
Trump reversal?: Yes
Biden will issue a presidential memorandum revoking the “needless obstacles” set forth by the Trump administration’s regulatory process. Biden’s action will direct the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to develop and improve regulatory review.
THE TENNESSEAN
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.