The Biden Presidency: the Beginnings of a New Administration

by Jaskaran Bajwa

As of January 20, 2021, the United States sees the beginning of a new presidential administration with the start of the Biden administration. After a lengthy and arduous process of legal lawsuits and rhetoric that led to the invasion of our state capitol, America will return to business as usual, or will it?

With every new presidential administration comes the conformation of key cabinet members and a signing of a whirlwind of executive orders. President Biden hopes to achieve a lot in his first hundred days of office, including repealing Trump-era tax cuts, bringing back our economy, opening schools, and vaccinating hundreds of thousands of Americans. While these goals are ambitious, he will face challenges in his pursuit. CBS states, “Mr. Biden will be relying on Congress to approve many of his initiatives...which could potentially be difficult.”

One of his key challenges will be the Senate. While Biden has won control of the senate, it is by a razor-thin margin. With control of the Senate, Democrats will be able to set the agenda and bring bills to the floor for a vote. With this new power, Democrats will be able to bring Marijuana legalization, a fifteen dollar minimum wage, and civil rights legislation to the floor.

As for writing these confirmation hearings for members of Biden’s national security team are over and are being debated. These members are expected to have smooth conformations and are expected to begin their duties very soon. Some of the nominees have spoken on many key issues that some may find delightful and progressive, while others may find it disheartening.

Nominee for Director of National Intelligence, who will oversee all spy agencies, Avril Haines has promised to declassify the report on the murder of Jamal Khashoggi according to “The Hill”. Many have praised this decision as details around his death are still unknown. Nominee for Secretary of State, the highest American diplomat and highest-ranking cabinet member, Antony Blinken, has made statements which many may find controversial. Blinken has stated that the Biden administration will continue to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and will keep the US embassy in the city. This comes to the dismay of the Palestinean community and many across the world as they hoped Biden would reverse the decision. He has also claimed that he will consult with other gulf states regarding the Iran Nuclear Deal according to “Times of Israel”

Biden’s nominee for Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen, has asked Congress to act big on stimulus and pass a 1.9 trillion dollar stimulus bill. While some of his nominees will face opposition, such as Neera Tanden director of the Office of Management and Budget, for her controversial statements and shifting opinions, Biden should expect smooth appointments for all of his confirmations.

While he has many challenges to face, Joe Biden is gearing up to be a president many will remember. From the challenges he will face to the historic people he has appointed, Joe Biden’s administration is gearing up to be one that will go down in history, but we will have to wait and see if his presidency will go down history as one of hope or failure.