A year in review: President Biden
KATHRYN CHAVEZ: Though it seems like a footnote on the 2021 American insurrection, it has been a full year since a presidential inauguration. On January 20, 2021, President Joe Biden took the oath of office, and 365 days later, so much has changed but so much has stayed the same.
While for some, President Biden's inauguration commenced the count down to 2024, campaign promises needed to be kept for those in the Biden administration: ending the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn, navigating the political polarization that turned violent and, maybe what he could do best, comforting a grieving and hurting country. President Biden is closing his first year in office with landmark voting rights legislation killed in the Senate and providing COVID-19 tests for Americans, if only the Senate would test positive for filibuster reform.
But, President Biden did start his term strong by passing the American Rescue Plan in March, offering sweeping relief to countless Americans. Included in the bill was cash stimulus, extended unemployment benefits and increasing the child tax credit. Biden would stay a bit more true to his brand in November, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed a few months later. Included in it was money for public transportation (like his beloved trains), upgrading power systems and expanding internet access to more parts of the country.
Some smaller positive policies from President Biden include rejoining the Paris climate agreement and using executive orders to reverse family separation policies. Further, action was taken to combat COVID-19, but it is hard to find any positive with Omicron on the rise.
Naturally, there are promises President Biden made in Iowa back in 2019 that have not been kept. Promises like two years of free community college and partial student loan cancelation, along with changes to advance racial justice. He still has three more years left in office and an election in 2022 that could change the Senate, so it is too early to put a definite stamp on some issues.
President Biden also made great use of Air Force One in his first year, traveling to meet leaders from various countries. In June, President Biden met with the Queen of England for a lovely day at Windsor Castle, but he also had a stiff meeting with President Putin of Russia in Geneva that same month. In October, President Biden met with Pope Francis at the Vatican, where First Lady Jill Biden wore the most fabulous veil.
Governing is and should be the primary goal of the presidency, but they also live in the People's House where events and celebrations happen that inspire and delight those of all ages . This year, the famous Easter Roll was virtual, serving as another example of the different circumstances Biden’s White House is navigating. And as Omicron sweeps the nation, who knows when the White House will hand out Halloween candy again.
Are we supposed to view President Biden's first term through COVID colored glasses, or does every president enter their term with their own battles to face? And, it is hard to not just give Biden a check mark just because he handles himself like an adult after our last President did not. Overall, I think President Biden has had a successful first term. He passed major legislation, was a balm to a hurting nation, and brought grace back into the White House.
President Biden did not enter his term with the odds in his favor: a Senate stacked against him, a global health crisis literally killing our country and uncertainty in so many aspects of everyday life. The results in the 2022 midterms will play a prominent role in determining the legacy of President Biden, and he has approximately 280 days until election day. Hopefully, looking past legislation, President Biden will soon be welcoming people back into the White House, as it is the People's House after all.
Kathryn Chavez is a First Year Master of Public Policy student at the McCourt School. Originally from outside Dallas, Texas, she graduated from Southern Methodist University in 2021 with degrees in Business Management, Advertising and Fashion Media with a minor in Journalism.