With Joe Biden preparing to take over the White House, his transition team has already indicated some immediate steps his administration would take to implement his policy priorities. Broadly, it would focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, climate, education, foreign policy, trade, healthcare, immigration and social justice. The Biden administration would aim to address these priorities through executive actions such as executive orders and regulations, nominations and legislation.
The Biden team has already announced its intention upon inauguration to immediately rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement, rejoin the World Health Organization and establish a COVID-19 task force. The administration would also be expected to end the ban on travel to the U.S. by individuals from Muslim-majority countries and to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to its traditional security partners, such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
On the Congressional front, the Democratic-controlled House would be expected to begin moving major pieces of a Biden administration’s agenda shortly after the new Congress convenes. Some possible options for early action in the House include:
- COVID-19 relief
- Economic stimulus
- Health reforms
- Infrastructure
- Clean energy/climate change
The focus will then shift to the Senate, where 60 votes will be needed to advance any of the House-passed bills. While Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has indicated he would move a COVID-19 relief package forward at some point this year or early next, he has said little about acting on the rest of the Biden administration’s agenda, with control of the Senate still uncertain.
For a deeper dive into Biden’s Day One priorities, read our full analysis.
