President Biden’s executive action spree in the coming days will focus on reinvigorating the country’s flagging economy.
Biden’s “Day One” measures were broad and aimed at dismantling many of former President Donald Trump’s conservative policies. Biden, for instance, reentered the Paris climate agreement and rolled back Trump’s so-called “Muslim travel ban.”
Now, Biden is turning his attention to the coronavirus pandemic and the economy it has staggered.
On top of his 100-day mask challenge, Biden on Thursday rolled out his executive branch-driven response to the public health aspect of the virus. That included encouraging the use of the Defense Production Act and requiring international travelers to produce proof of a negative COVID-19 test. He’s already begun negotiating with Congress over his $400 billion proposals, such as a national vaccination program to get 100 million shots into people’s arms by the end of his first 100 days in office.
And on Friday, he’s shifting gears to take action regarding the economy. Here are two takeaways from Friday’s two economic executive orders.
Labor unions have a seat in the Biden White House
When Biden redecorated the Oval Office on Wednesday, photographers quickly captured images of the Cesar Chavez bust behind the Resolute Desk. Chavez was a labor leader, farm worker organizer, and Latino civil rights activist.
Biden on Friday will direct his administration to “start the work” so he can sign an order in 100 days compelling federal contractors to pay their employees a $15 minimum wage and offer emergency paid leave. In a separate order, he’ll ask the Office of Personnel Management to make recommendations on how he can pay more federal workers $15 an hour.
That order also revoked Trump’s actions that undermined collective bargaining power and employee protections. In fact, he goes one step further: He’s urging his departments and agencies to negotiate “permission, non-mandatory subjects” for any new contracts.
Biden’s order nixes Schedule F, as well. He says its provisions eroded federal worker safeguards and allowed for political appointees to be “burrowed” within professional, civil service ranks.
Biden, too, is asking the Department of Labor to consider clarifying that employees have a federally guaranteed right to refuse to work in conditions that could “jeopardize their health” and qualify for unemployment insurance, if they do.
Coronavirus has provided a rationale for a more liberal economic agenda
Many Democratic House and Senate candidates underperformed expectations in their 2020 election races. Some blamed the pro-socialist rhetoric espoused by their colleagues.
But rather than shying away from sweeping liberal economic reforms, Biden is promising to “build back better.” Biden’s already outlined his $1.9 trillion “American Rescue Plan,” including $1,400 stimulus checks. He has also taken action to keep moratoriums on federal student loan repayments, as well as federal restrictions on evictions and foreclosures.
Friday’s order expands on his ask of Congress to extend the 15% food stamp benefit increase, investing $3 billion to help women and children get the nutrition they need. He’s requesting that the Department of Agriculture similarly boost the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer by 15% and contemplate more generous guidance for food stamps. More generally, his administration wants to make it easier for people receiving government assistance to access their benefits.
And Friday’s actions are only the beginning. Next week, he’ll start introducing executive components of his “Made in All of America Plan.” And expect a “recovery” counterpart to his “rescue” framework during his address to a joint session of Congress in February.
