Biden's First Term Achievements

I often discuss the bad policies of Republicans but seldom talk about the good things Democrats do. To at least partially correct my failing I’ll point out just of few of the many things that President Biden has been at least partially responsible for and for which we should all be thankful.

As you may recall when Joe Biden took office in January 2021 the COVID-19 pandemic was still raging and our economy was a wreck with many businesses shuttered and Americans out of work. Soon after taking office, congress passed and the President signed the American Rescue Plan which changed the course of the pandemic and jumpstarted our economic recovery. That legislation funded our successful vaccination campaign, safely re-opened schools for in-person learning, and helped 200,000 child care providers keep their doors open, while delivering financial relief to American families.

In August 2022 Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act which is a historic achievement that lowers costs for families, combats the climate crisis, reduces the deficit, and finally makes the largest corporations pay their fair share. Never before has Medicare been allowed to negotiate the price of certain high-cost drugs. Because of that bill a month’s supply of insulin for seniors is capped at $35 and Medicare beneficiaries pay $0 out of pocket for recommended adult vaccines. In addition seniors’ out of pocket expenses at the pharmacy will be capped at $2,000 a year.

Thanks to President Biden’s economic plan, 2021 and 2022 were the two strongest years of job growth in history. Nearly 11 million jobs have been created since President Biden took office, including 750,000 manufacturing jobs. The unemployment rate is at a 50-year low, and a record number of small businesses have started since President Biden took office. Black Americans and Hispanic Americans have near record low unemployment rates and people with disabilities are also experiencing record low unemployment.

As a result of historic legislation President Biden has signed into law, there is a manufacturing boom taking hold across America: in two years, companies have announced nearly $300 billion in manufacturing investments in the United States. These investments are ensuring the technologies of the future are made in America, and bringing back supply chains from overseas. Numerous rechargeable battery and semi-conductor factories have been announced as a result of the CHIPS Act. These new plants are creating good-paying jobs, including union jobs and jobs that don’t require a four-year degree, meaning that prosperity will be shared widely.

Under Joe Biden’s leadership the U.S. is positioned to achieve our ambitious climate goals of cutting our emissions in half by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. The President has taken executive action and signed legislation to develop clean energy at home, accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, and reduce pollution that endangers overburdened communities. And, the President is lowering energy costs for families, creating good paying jobs, and ensuring America leads the global clean energy economy. The President also protected more lands and waters in his first year than any President since John F. Kennedy.

It’s unfortunate that Republicans took control of the House this January as they have will slowed down or stopped any further achievements this term. There is much more that our current president has achieved in just the first two years of his term and I’ll likely point them out in a future column.

Published in the Seguin Gazette April 5, 2023