Every president has their own agenda with their pressing issues in rank order. Each one comes to the office ready to get to work immediately but they do take time to enjoy the spoils of their inauguration participating in parades, attending countless balls, and taking in every unbelievable moment as it sinks in that they are the leader of the free world. However, Joe Biden didn’t have that luxury. He had the misfortune to have to fix everything that Donald Trump destroyed immediately while also executing his own agenda to make America better. Never before has a president come into office with so many problems and so much pressure to do what is right in government and what is right by the citizens of the country. Good thing is this is something Biden knew when he declared his candidacy and its something that he has prepared for taking executive action on his first day in office.

On Wednesday, January 20, 2021, Joseph R. Biden raised his right hand with his left hand on his 100 year plus family Bible to take the oath of office to be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States of America. After the pomp and circumstances and his presidential address with the blueprint to build better, he participated in a few ceremonial activities and made the short trip to the oval office to get to work signing 17 executive orders, rolling out a huge stimulus plan and a new immigration bill. Biden has said his first days in office will concentrate on four major challenges plaguing America: 1. the pandemic 2. Racism and inequality 3. Economy 4. Climate change

Executive Order #1 – Rejoining the Paris Climate Accord

In 2015, over 180 countries met together to adopt the Paris Climate Accord to protect the planet. Each country was expected to reduce their carbon footprint on the world by decreasing their carbon emissions by every five years. Under the Barack Obama administration, the United States entered the agreement in September 2016 with the goal of reducing their emissions by 26-28% by 2025. Donald Trump pulled the U.S out of the agreement in November 2019. On January 20th, Joe Biden plans to rejoin the U.S. with the agreement with the goal of reaching 100% clean electricity generation by 2035 with a $2 trillion climate plan.

(This is a good call for the U.S. to join the Paris Climate Accord because it would result in a healthier, happier for generations to come.)

Executive Order #2 – Ending Travel Ban on Muslim Countries

In an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus, Trump enacted a travel ban in 2017 to stop non-citizens from entering the U.S. after having visited Europe, Brazil, and mostly predominated Muslim countries. The ban was struck down twice by federal judges but upheld by the Supreme Court who said Trump was within his authority as president to act in that matter. Trump has recently those travel restrictions since the Center for Diseases Control now requires all passengers to present a negative COVID test before boarding. Biden plans to extend travel restrictions.

(This is a good call for the U.S. since the number of people getting COVID is still on the rise. Plus, there is a new strand of COVID first seen abroad. So anything that can be down to slow the spread is welcomed news.)

Executive Order #3 – Halting Evictions and Foreclosures

One in five are behind in rent according to the U.S. Census that is about 40 million people who might be evicted if not for the government’s help. Renters are getting a nervous because Congress only gave renter relief through Jan.31. Biden will extend the eviction and foreclosure moratorium to Sept. 30. Funds would come from his $1.9 trillion COVID-economic relief proposal.

(This would e a good call for the U.S. since it would give housing stability to so many low-income individuals and families.)

Executive Order #4 – Student Loan Freeze

Trump halted student loan payments through 2020. He terminated federal subsidized student loans and put limits on federal PLUS loans. People can expect a lot of changes for student loans in 2021. Biden is expected to pause federal student loan payments including FFELP or Perkins loans. He will stop accrual of new interest on federal student loan.

(This is a really good for those who struggling financially. They could use that money to pay for necessities like food and shelter. )

Executive Order #5 – 100 Days Masking Challenge

The COVID-19 virus is still making its way through communities resulting in tons of diagnosis, overcrowded hospitals, worn out doctors and nurses, and crushed families. Biden knows Americans have been told how to stop the spread but some still choose not to follow the rules. One his executive orders would to try to appeal to all American to wear the mask for mask mandate. The mandated would include wearing a mask a requirement while on federal property and interstate travel.

(This is good call by Biden to stop the spread of COVID. It is also good to see your top leader wear a mask and care whether you live or die. We need drastic measures to rid COVID if my world.)

Executive Order #6 – Buy America

Biden wants the U.S. to be one that supports each other by promoting Made in America by America’s workers. In his Buy America, Biden lays out his way in two steps. Fixing the tax code is step 1. Biden will establish an Offshoring Tax Penalty and a Biden “Made in America” Tax Credit. He wants to close Off- shoring Loopholes created by Trump. Secondly, Biden will ensure the government is living up to their end of the deal by using taxpayer dollars to Buy American products and support American supply chains.

(This is a good call. Buying America will build back our economy, keep the dollars at home, and support big and small businesses. It might also start a business boom with several new businesses opening.)

Executive Order #7 – Rejoin the World Health Organization

Biden has always been an advocate for quality. He has lofty plans to make the industry better. Some of his ideas include having the U.S. Biden will undo the decision made by Trump to withdraw the U.S. for the World Health Organization. He will restore the White House National Security Council Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense. Biden will reeve up the production of masks, face shields and other personal protective equipment (PPE) to meet the needs of medical professionals and the greater public. Biden plans to increase testing sites and contract tracers for COVID with his pandemic testing board. (This is good call. Any and everything Biden can do stop the curve of COVID, stop people getting diagnosed, stop people from dying and stop the spread

is a good call.)

Executive Order #8 – Addressing Racism and Inequality

Biden must find rules that will protect Black Americans. The first of these is to support H.R. 40. This bill examines the institution of slavery, its legacy, and makes recommendations for reparations to Congress. Biden will ban federal entities and con- tractors with training that relate to race and gender. His administration will reinstate federal guidance on nondiscriminatory school discipline that disproportionately harms students of color and students with disabilities. He wants to stop the voluntary use of race in school admissions to achieve diversity and avoid racial isolation in elementary, secondary schools, and in postsecondary education, as outlined in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin.

Executive Order #9 – Reunite Children Separated From Family at Border

Children separated from their families at the U.S./Mexico border by order of Trump in 2017 and 2018 will be reunited back with their families under one of Biden’s executive orders signed within his first 10 days of office. Biden will create a federal task force to reunite more than 500 children to their parents. Biden has also promised to stop prosecuting parents as Trump did for crossing the border without authorization.

(This is a good call because no child should be separated from their parents unless they are being harmed.)

Executive Order #10 – Create the Position of COVID-19 Response Coordinator

This person will help oversee the distribu- tion of the coronavirus vaccine and medical supplies. (This a good call for having a smooth distri- bution of the vaccine in an orderly fashion consid- ering healthcare workers, the most vulnerable, and all citizens. The medical supplies will, of course, help frontline workers stay with the proper PPEs.)

Executive Order #11 – Cancel the Keystone XL Pipeline

Biden will reject all permits signed over the past 4 years that do not serve the interest of the United States. This also includes the revoking the Presidential permit granted to the Keystone XL pipeline. More than 100 of Trump’s actions on the environment will be reviewed and reversed.

(This decision is split. Biden’s actions will affect the U.S. relations with Canada. It will also determine the future of fossil fuels, which is a good thing.)

Executive Order #12 - Rescind 1776 Commission

The 1776 Commission was Trump’s answer to solve the problem he saw with school curriculum inciting violence that resulted from protests. He wanted schools to apply a more accurate view of slavery in the U.S.

(This is a good call. Violence under the Trump administration was not due to school’s curriculum but due to the actions of Trump himself.)

Executive Order #13 – Stop worker discrimination

In an effort to be a more unified nation, Biden wants to stop discrimination of all, especially based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

(This is a good call. Someone’s sexual orientation or gender should not be a determining factor if someone gets a job. Employers need only look at qualifications for a job.)

Executive Order #14 – Requirements for Non-Citizen

This order would make provisions for non-citizens to be included in the Census an appointment of congressional representatives.

(This is a good call because everyone needs to be counted in the Census. So many things are determined in the place you live in by the data collected by the Census. This information helps meet the needs of all.)

Executive Order #15 – Fortify Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program

This program offers work permits and de- portation aid for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.

(This is a good call. Research has shown that DACA has positive results as increasing wages, mental health, and employment status of individuals. This is part of Biden’s immigration plan.)

Executive Order #16 – Halts Construction of the Border Wall

Biden will halt construction of the wall and stop the flow of money Trump took from the Defense Department to fund the construction.

(This is a good call. Trump made the wall construction a national emergency paid for by Americans. When, in fact, the wall was supposed be funded by Mexico. Biden will review all transaction to know where to redirect funds.)

Executive Order #17 – Ethics Pledge

This order is to protect the Department of Justice by making executive branch appointees accountable for their actions.

(This order is good to hold people account- able for their actions and acting as a check and balance system to prevent those involve from acting in their personal interest.)

Within Biden’s first ten days beyond these executive orders, Biden will also have numerous memorandas and directives.

www.BuildBackBetter.gov