When former President Roosevelt took office in 1933, he filled his first 100 days with productivity to try to get the United States out of the Great Depression. Ever since then, Americans use the beginning 100 days of an incoming president as a symbolic deadline to measure early productivity of the president. And for President Biden, a bold agenda is ahead of him for his first 100 days.
“My first 100 days won't end the Covid-19 virus,” said Biden.“I can't promise that”
With the United States ravaged by the virus, COVID-19 is on the minds of all Americans nationwide. Although unable to authorize a nationwide mask mandate, one of his first executive orders in office requires people taking public transportation and on federal land and buildings to wear masks.
“It’s not a political statement,” noted Biden.
In his first six days in office, Biden has signed 33 executive orders in a range of topics, from rejoining the World Health Organization, preventing discrimiation in the workforce based on sexual orientation, and halting construction of the southern border wall.
“A radical leftist agenda in a divided country will not help unify our country, it will only confirm 75 million Americans' biggest fears about the new administration,” tweeted Sen. Maro Rubio (R-FL).
During this three month period, the Biden Administration plans to have 100 million people vaccinated by the end of his first 100 days through invoking the Defense Production Act. Signed by former President Truman, it allows the President to oversee private company production to meet quotas in the name of national defense.
“We certainly are not starting from scratch because there is activity going on in the [vaccine] distribution,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, Chief Medical Advisor to the President, in a White House press briefing. “But if you look at the plan that the President has put forth about the things that he’s going to do — namely, get community vaccine centers up, get pharmacies more involved [...] it’s taking what’s gone on, but amplifying it in a big way.”
COVID-19 isn’t the only thing on Biden’s agenda for him to tackle, but also an economy ravaged by the same virus. In an executive order signed by Biden, the order encourages the federal government to purchase products made in the United States by making it difficult for federal agencies to purchase foreign products.
“We will be committing to working with our trading partners to modernize international trading rules including those related to government procurement to make sure we can all use our taxpayer dollars to spur investment that promotes growth and resilient supply chains,” announced Biden. “And here’s what else the action does. When we buy from America, that includes all of America. That includes communities that have been historically left out by government procurement: Black, brown, Native American, small businesses and entrepreneurs of every region of the country.”
Another one of the administration’s is the growing climate crisis, Biden signed more executive orders rejoining the Paris accord and stopping the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. However, these efforts have been met with criticism from the opposing side.
“Blocking the Keystone XL pipeline will kill good-paying jobs and undermine America's energy independence,” said Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA). “I will stand against any moves that enrich our adversaries & kill American jobs.”
With a Congress controlled by Democrats and experience as a US Senator, Biden has a key advantage in passing legislation such as COVID-19 relief during his administration. Future administrations, however, can reverse the executive orders he signs. But passing legislation in Congress makes the following administration harder to undo his work.
“A great experiment takes great determination — the will to do the work and then the wisdom to keep refining, keep tinkering, keep perfecting,” said Vice President Kamala Harris at the Celebration of America. “We must believe in ourselves, believe in our country, and believe in what we can do — together.”
Photo courtesy of Doug Millis of the New York Times.
About the writer:
Gavriel Curameng is the 2020-2021 Editor-in-Chief for The Lion's Roar. You can learn more information about him by clicking here.
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