President Joe Biden’s first 100 days in office have been a historic period for the United States. From the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to the country’s political climate, Biden’s presidency is already reshaping the nation in numerous ways. In this article, we will provide a detailed recap of Biden’s first 100 days in office, highlighting some of the most significant accomplishments and challenges that he has faced.
COVID-19 Response
One of the main priorities of Biden’s presidency has been to respond effectively to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has ravaged the United States and the rest of the world for over a year. To this end, Biden signed the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion relief package aimed at providing financial assistance to individuals, small businesses, and state and local governments affected by the pandemic. The plan includes direct payments of up to $1,400 to individuals, extended unemployment benefits, funding for vaccine distribution, and aid to schools.
Furthermore, Biden has focused on ramping up the country’s vaccine distribution efforts, setting a goal of administering 200 million shots within his first 100 days in office. This goal was achieved on day 92 of his presidency, showcasing the effectiveness of the administration’s vaccine rollout.
Economic Policies
Aside from the American Rescue Plan, Biden has issued a slew of other executive orders aimed at improving the country’s economic situation. He has signed executive orders aimed at increasing worker protections, expanding access to healthcare, promoting racial equity, and addressing climate change. Additionally, the President has proposed a massive infrastructure plan dubbed the American Jobs Plan, which seeks to invest $2 trillion over a decade in upgrading the country’s infrastructure and creating millions of jobs for Americans.
Foreign Policy
On the foreign policy front, Biden has sought to repair relationships with US allies that became strained during the previous administration. He has ended the travel ban affecting predominantly Muslim countries, rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, and restored the US’s membership in the World Health Organization.
However, Biden has had to confront several challenges on the global stage, including rising tensions between Israel and Palestine, North Korea’s missile tests, and threats posed by Russia and China. Still, his administration has been working towards finding diplomatic solutions and forming alliances to address these issues.
Social Policies
Biden’s administration has also been focused on promoting social justice and equality. He signed several executive orders aimed at combating discrimination based on race, sexual orientation, and gender identity. He has also issued a memorandum instructing the Department of Justice not to renew contracts with private prison operators, in a move seen as a first step towards eliminating private prisons in the United States.
Challenges Faced
Despite the successes of his first 100 days, Biden’s presidency has faced several challenges. The country continues to be divided politically, with many Republicans opposing Biden’s policies and questioning the legitimacy of his presidency. There have also been concerns about the surge of unaccompanied migrant children crossing the US-Mexico border, with some labeling it as a crisis.
Conclusion
Joe Biden’s first 100 days in office have been eventful, marked by several achievements and challenges. His administration has taken significant steps towards tackling the ongoing pandemic, improving the economy, addressing foreign policy challenges, promoting social justice, and equality. However, there are still significant challenges he must confront, particularly with opposition from the Republican Party and managing the border crisis. Regardless, Biden’s pushing president, and the early results have created goodwill with many Americans and the international community, setting the tone for a productive presidency with real change expected over the next few years.