Which promises from President Biden's campaign have carried into his Presidency?

By Campbell Hauschild

During the presidential race between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the President made many promises regarding policy change. Out of the 61 promises made during his campaign, Biden has currently fulfilled 16, ranging from the climate to COVID-19.

One area of policy highlighted by President Biden's campaign was climate change and their dedication to combating it. Rejoining the Paris Climate Accords was one of the first actions taken by the President, in order to undo the U.S´ previous exit under the Trump Administration. Biden also took executive action towards reducing greenhouse gasses but has yet to acquire emission reduction statements from the leaders in the shipping, travel, and aviation industries. Without cooperating and working with the industries that produce the most emissions on technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, there are bound to be difficulties. ¨If he’s going to fulfill his promise, his cooperation with top emission producers is vital in environmental improvement,¨ Said Mya Reese-Martin, a junior at Athens High School.

Another handful of promises made by President Biden before his election were centered around the United States Government itself. The tightening of ethical rules through pledges to prevent lobbying and the taking of gifts was one of these promises fulfilled. Political interference has also been minimized and restricted through an ethics pledge in the Department of Justice. A promise fulfilled by President Biden regarding the federal government has been the lifting of unionization restrictions for federal employees. Previously, there were constraints imposed upon the collective bargaining power of federal employees in the Trump administration. Although Biden has only been able to reverse some of the previous administration’s regulations, currently the implementation for all of those regulations is frozen.

Among all of his promises, President Biden´s commitments regarding COVID-19 and the pandemic have been at the forefront of the media, as cases continue to increase across the country. The establishment of a federal mask mandate made the government an example of what should be done in the rest of the country. The Biden administration additionally established and funded over 400 mass vaccination centers in communities across the country. Another promise just as vital to supporters during Biden´s Campaign was the expansion of healthcare access to marginalized people, which Biden has yet to fulfill through executive orders.

This presidency is already projected to be a historic one with President Biden dealing rapidly with the pandemic, the economy, and the global stage. Though there has been major progress, there are still many unfulfilled promises important to many supporters. The Biden administration has yet to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, establish a police oversight commission, create an envoy for LGBTQ+ rights, and address systematic racism in U.S institutions. When informed about the lack of action by Biden in this field, Reese-Martin added,¨ To minorities who supported them, the lack of fulfillment in these areas feels like these issues aren’t a priority to the administration.¨ Carrying out his promises to the country is vital in building trust as the Commander and Chief.