Social policy of the Joe Biden administration

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The social policy of the Joe Biden administration aims to improve on racial equity with executive orders.

Law enforcement and justice[]

Capital punishment[]

Joe Biden is the first U.S. president to openly oppose the death penalty.^[1]

Gun policy[]

President Biden promised to introduce a stiffer gun-control policy while Vice President Kamala Harris has a history of implementing tough-on-guns measures during her time as attorney general of California.^[2][3]

Due to fears of Biden administration in tandem with the Democratic Party controlling Congress to enact sweeping gun reform legislation, gun owners across the country reported a big increase in sales in the two weeks preceding Biden's inauguration as firearm sellers in states such as California, Virginia, Tennessee, Montana and Florida saw lines stretching out the doors of some stores.^[3]

Immigration[]

Travel ban[]

Biden was a vocal opponent of Trump's controversial travel ban, which had set immigration restrictions on predominantly Muslim countries, and then with proclamations predominantly African countries. On his first day as president, Biden passed Presidential Proclamation 10141, which revoked Executive Order 13780 and Presidential Proclamations 9645, 9723, and 9983, which mandated the travel ban.^[4]

Illegal drugs[]

Pursuant to regulations (34 CFR 86) required by the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 (codified at 20 U.S.C. § 1011i), as a condition of receiving funds or any other form of financial assistance under any Federal program, an institution of higher education must certify that it has adopted and implemented a drug prevention program which adheres to regulations in 34 CFR 86.100. It has recently gained renewed attention due to Colorado Amendment 64.^{[citation needed]}

Medical marijuana[]

President Biden stated in February 2021 that his administration will pursue cannabis decriminalization, as well as seek expungements for people with prior cannabis convictions. As of January 2021, although Biden had stood for decriminalization and descheduling during his campaign, the administration had not formulated an explicit policy on cannabis. Some political and cannabis industry observers like the editor of Leafly thought the administration would be likely to assist in carrying out his campaign promises on cannabis through the MORE Act, sponsored by then-Senator Kamala Harris, or through executive order. Failing full legalization, he could improve banking access by supporting the SAFE Act.^{[citation needed]}

LGBT rights[]

Executive Order 13988 – Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation

During his 2020 presidential campaign, Biden vowed to support legislation and action to prohibit discrimination against transgender people and to combat hate crimes targeting LGBT persons, including violence and harassment against transgender people.^[5][6][7] He supports the Safe Schools Improvement Act, a proposed anti-bullying law.^[6]

In office, Biden signed Executive Order 13988, Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation, which aimed to prevent and combat discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation, and to fully enforce Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. Biden also aimed to enforce Bostock v. Clayton County (2020), where the Supreme Court held that Title VII's prohibition on discrimination "because of . . . sex" covers discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation.^[8] He also signed Executive Order 14004, Enabling All Qualified Americans to Serve Their Country in Uniform, which reversed the Trump administration's previous memorandum that prevented most transgender individuals from serving in the United States Armed Forces.^[9][10]

Additionally, on June 30th, 2021, the State Department announced plans to allow passport applicants to freely choose a gender marker, including a third gender option.^[11]

Race relations[]

During his early days in office, Biden focused on racial equity more than any president since Lyndon B. Johnson, who passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964.^[12] Biden embraced and continued on the social policies of Barack Obama, the first African-American president, with whom he had been vice president.

African Americans[]

Biden passed Executive Order 13985, which advances racial equity and support for underserved communities through the federal government. It revoked Executive Order 13958 passed by Trump, which had established the controversial 1776 commission to counter critical race theory pushed by the 1619 project.^[13]

White supremacy[]

The storming of the United States Capitol and the aftermath highlighted the rise of domestic violent extremism (DVE) along with white supremacy as a national security threat.^[14][15] The Biden administration stated in a press briefing that they were committed to developing policies and strategies based on objective and rigorous analysis with respect for constitutionally protected free speech and political activities.^[15] The Biden administration requested the ODNI, along with the FBI and DHS, to perform a comprehensive threat assessment drawing from governmental and non-governmental organizations, law enforcement and intelligence officials.^[15][16][17] The administration also ordered the building of an NSC capability to focus on countering DVE and a policy review effort to determine how the government can "share information better about this threat, support efforts to prevent radicalization, disrupt violent extremist networks, and more".^[15][18] Biden also ordered the coordinating of government agencies to enhance and accelerate efforts to address DVE, such as an NSC-convened process to focus on "addressing evolving threats, radicalization, the role of social media, opportunities to improve information sharing, operational responses, and more."^[15][19][20]

Abortion[]

Roe v. Wade[]

The Biden–Harris administration is committed to codifying Roe v. Wade and appointing federal judges that respect foundational precedents like Roe. The administration is also committed to eliminate maternal and infant health disparities, increase access to contraception and support families economically.^[21]

Mexico City policy[]

On January 28, 2021, President Biden issued an executive order that rescinds the "global gag" rule, best known as the Mexico City policy, which bans US government funding for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that perform or promote abortions.^[22]

References[]

External links[]

• Media related to Social policy of the Biden administration at Wikimedia Commons