Biden/Harris Accomplishments
Despite the smallest Congressional majority for a Democratic presidency in history, President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Congressional Democrats have guided our country through an extraordinary amount of progress in the wake of significant crises, while passing significant legislation to improve our country’s future. The media has done a poor job of reporting it, so we have summarized the most significant accomplishments and legislation for you here.
OVERALL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Unemployment rate has gone from 6.4% to under 4% for the past two+ years of Biden’s term, the longest stretch of sub-4% unemployment in 50 years.
Created 15 million+ jobs, more than any other President in their first term ever!
Largest increase in manufacturing jobs in 70 years and rescued union pensions.
President Biden became the first American president to walk the picket line with striking union workers.
GDP growth is strong and continuing.
Violent crime has dropped to a 50-year low under President Biden.
Passed the largest investment in history to combat climate change.
Passed the most significant gun-safety legislation in decades.
Uninsured health care rate is at an all-time low, with record enrollment in Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) plans, which Trump is threatening to dismantle.
Passed largest increase to veterans' health care in 30 years.
Implemented a historic vaccination program that fully vaccinated 70% of Americans against COVID conveniently and for free, resulting in a 90 percent reduction in weekly COVID deaths since he took office.
Forgave $136.6 billion in student loans for more than 3.7 million Americans after significantly improving existing forgiveness programs in order to bypass Republican intransigence on student loan relief.
Rallied the world to defend Ukraine against Russian invasion and continues to support Ukraine in the face of MAGA Republican obstruction.
Killed the leader of Al-Qaeda and mastermind of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black female, to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Safeguarded Same-Sex and Interracial Marriage and LGBTQI+ Rights by reversing discriminatory ban on transgender servicemembers and strengthening non-discrimination protections
Continues fighting for access to abortion care in the wake of the Trump-appointed Supreme Court’s reversal of women’s right to bodily autonomy. But we need more Democrats at both the State AND Federal level to win back our rights across the country!
SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATION DETAILS
Electoral Count Reform Act (as part of Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023) - signed into law on December 29, 2022
Clarifies that the Vice President can not overturn presidential election results and increases the threshold for objecting to a state's slate of electors when Congress certifies the presidential election
Respect for Marriage Act - signed into law on December 13, 2022
Codifies the right to same-sex and interracial marriage in federal law, protecting against future Supreme Court decisions rescinding such rights
Protections for Pregnant and Nursing Women (as part of Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023) - signed into law on December 29, 2022
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act requires employers to make temporary and reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers, such as light duty, schedule accommodations for morning sickness, chairs to sit in, etc.
The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act requires employers to provide reasonable break time to nursing employees to express breast milk; it also requires employers to provide a private location, other than a bathroom, for employees to do so
Inflation Reduction Act – signed into law on August 16, 2022
Lowers energy costs, prescription drug costs, and health insurance costs
Largest investment in history to fight climate change, lowering greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030
Fully paid for, and significantly reduces the deficit, by instituting a minimum corporate tax, allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, and funding the IRS to audit the richest Americans to prevent tax cheating
CHIPS and Science Act – signed into law on August 9, 2022
Historic investment in American-made advanced technology
Revitalizes America’s scientific research and technological leadership
Strengthens our economic competitiveness versus China
PACT Act – signed into law on August 10, 2022
Expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins
Largest veteran health care expansion in 30 years
Safer Communities Act – signed into law on June 25, 2022
Most substantial gun-safety legislation in more than two decades
Prohibits domestic abusers from purchasing guns
Expands background checks for gun purchasers under 21
Funds mental health interventions, red flag laws, and school safety
Postal Service Reform Act – signed into law April 6, 2022
After two decades of inaction, finally makes Postal Service financially stable and transparent
Guarantees 6-day a week delivery
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – signed into law November 15, 2021
Historic investment in our nation’s infrastructure
Historic investment in clean water, removing dangerous lead from waterways
Funds Electric Vehicle charging stations and clean public transportation
Juneteeth National Independence Day Act - signed into law June 17, 2021
Established Juneteenth as a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery
American Rescue Plan highlights – signed into law March 11, 2021
Rescued the pandemic-stricken economy with:
Direct $1,400/person payments to every American family making less than $150,000
Expanded child tax credit that reduced child poverty
Historic aid to state, local, and school board governments to continue critical services during the pandemic recession and prevent crippling layoffs
This includes more than $4 million to the City of North Royalton, a portion of which went to improvements of Memorial Park (new pavilion, splash pad, and more).
Rescued union pension plans after years of work
Accelerated COVID vaccination program and testing to hasten our nation’s recovery
Expanded access to health insurance by reducing the cost of ACA health care plans
And more!!