Policy Corner: January 22, 2021

Biden and Harris are Sworn into Office

President Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th president and Kamala Harris became the first woman, first woman of color, and first woman of South Asian descent to be sworn in as Vice President Jan. 20. President Biden’s acceptance speech called for truth and unity amid a pandemic, economic downturns due to the pandemic, and political extremism, which was demonstrated two weeks before with rioters attempting to take over the Capitol. He also called for the need to address racial justice. Following the ceremony, President Biden signed 17 executive orders reversing many of the previous Administration’s policies with regard to immigration, climate change, transgender rights, and public health. He signed an executive order to require masks when in federal buildings and on federal property.

President Biden signed more executive orders during his second day in office that include directives to increase COVID-19 testing and vaccine distribution; and mask requirements for interstate travel, which includes planes, buses, and trains. He also created a COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force, to address the inequities of health care among Americans and to analyze the needs by race, ethnicity, geography, and disability with regard to COVID-19 testing, treatment, and hospitalization. He also released more information about his $1.9 trillion coronavirus plan to speed up the vaccine rollout and to provide financial help to individuals, states, local governments, and businesses, including $1,400 checks for most Americans, which would be on top of the $600 provided in the most recent COVID-19 bill.

New Senators Take their Seats

Following the inauguration ceremony, Vice President Harris swore in recently elected Georgia Sens. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) and California Secretary of State Alex Padilla who was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to fill Vice President Harris’ term. The chamber is now split between 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans. With Vice President Harris, a Democrat, in the chair, the Senate tilts to the Democrats. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has assumed the position of Senate Majority Leader. Sens. Schumer and McConnell (R-Ky.) are now negotiating rules with regard to committees. Sen. Schumer has announced that his priorities are administration confirmation, COVID-19 relief package, and the impeachment trial of former President Trump.

BIAA gratefully acknowledges the Centre for Neuro Skills and Avanir Pharmaceuticals for their support for legislative action. Click here to read past issues of Policy Corner.