The Shoemaker Bugle

By: Edmund Shryock

President Biden’s politicized first year as President came to a close, after facing challenges of the pandemic, inflation, immigration, and foreign policy. Americans are curious to see if Biden accomplished what he wanted to in year one. Here is a look into 5 things Biden was able to accomplish in his first year as President

• Passing of a 1.9 Trillion Dollar Covid Relief Bill- In March of 2021, President Biden signed a $1.9 trillion Covid relief package known as the “American Rescue Plan,” which was to offer a $1,400 dollar stimulus to a majority of Americans. $350 billion was going to K-12 schools to reopen and local and state aid.
• Rejoined The World Health Organization- As one of President Biden’s first acts as President, he signed letters retracting former President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO). This was supported by the appointment of Dr. Anthony Fauci as the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, allowing the U.S. to become a full participant in the WHO as the pandemic continued.
• Removed Travel Ban from Several Muslim Countries- Speaking of Biden striking down decsions made by his predecessor, Biden removed the Muslim travel ban set in place by Trump in 2017. This allowed for travel from several Muslim majority countries to be allowed for the first time in four years.
• Signed Juneteenth National Independence Day as a Federal Holiday- On June 17, 2021 President Biden signed into law the “Juneteenth National Independence Day Act” which honors the date of the last slaves being notified of their freedom. This was the first legal public holiday signed into law since Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was signed into law in 1983 by President Reagan. 

Signed a Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill- President Biden signed a new legislation into law in November, that would disperse $1.2 trillion into America’s infrastructure such as bridges and roads. This bill was agreed on by both parties, with $550 billion of that going into American roads, bridges, waterways, and airports. This is the first part of Biden’s two part infrastructure plan that is known as “hard” infrastructure. With the second part consisting of a climate and economic package of $1.75 trillion called “Build Back Better” that has not been passed by the senate.