Analysis | What’s next for President-elect Joe Biden?
President-elect Joe Biden’s plans for economic growth in the time of COVID-19 include contact tracing and possibly a national mask mandate. Unsplash
The coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on the U.S. economy, which prompted President-elect Joe Biden to urge Congress to pass another economic stimulus package for working people in need. The relief package would mirror the $3 trillion bill passed by the House of Representatives May. 15 and is anticipated to include state and city funding.
Biden’s “Emergency Action Plan to Save the Economy” includes utilizing methods to halt the course of the virus, including contact tracing, and immediately supplying necessary equipment where it is needed most. Biden has also expressed support for a national mask mandate to prevent an even greater spike in COVID-19 cases.
Additionally, the plan describes a method to keep people employed during the pandemic through provisions toward certain businesses and the continuation of unemployment benefits for those unable to work. Biden intends to keep large corporations accountable by imposing careful examination on payroll plans.
A few other items on Biden’s economic plan include forgiving around $10,000 of federal student loans per individual, increasing Social Security monthly checks by $200 and dismissing out-of-pocket fees for COVID-19-related treatments.
Arthur Blaser, a Chapman University political science professor, told The Panther in a Nov. 20 email that while pandemic relief is a big next-step focus, he does not foresee any dramatic changes with Biden in office. Another stimulus check is a welcome short-term solution, but will serve to be insufficient for people living paycheck to stimulus check, Blaser wrote.
As sitting President Donald Trump’s administration removes many senior officials, including Defense Secretary Mark Esper and cybersecurity director Christopher Krebs, to be replaced by the president’s loyalists, Biden is predicted to select a diverse cabinet representative of the diversity seen throughout the United States. Biden’s gender-inclusive senior staff appointments, with eight women out of the 14 senior staff members, holds promise to his campaign commitment to select other diverse government officials.
Blaser told The Panther that Trump’s refusal to acknowledge opposing perspectives is detrimental to a smooth transition into Biden’s term.
“‘Groupthink’ is a big danger with Trump and many other small decision-making groups at a time when people especially need to hear dissenting opinions,” Blaser wrote. “Unfortunately, some of the last-minute Trump administration policies won’t be easily undone.”
Some people are enthusiastic about diverse cabinet appointments, which may also increase diversity throughout other government departments, Blaser added. Politico introduced several cabinet contenders, including Pentagon frontrunner Michele Flournoy.
Samantha Dressel, a professor in Chapman’s English department, recalls Biden’s consideration of a Native American female cabinet member and Pete Buttigieg to reform the Veterans Affairs department.
“(Buttigieg) could be the first, or one of the first, openly gay people in the cabinet,” Dressel said. “(Diversity in the government) is overdue and it’s ridiculous that it’s being questioned. It’s 2020, and it’s bizarre to have a cabinet that is entirely white men.”
Dressel believes that all communities have different needs and perspectives and finding those perspectives in government can help to create an overall richer and flourishing America. Marit Aurin, a sophomore political science major, said she was excited with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ appointment as the first female vice president of color. She said she’ll be satisfied with a Biden-Harris presidency, underlined by a concrete hope that there will be competence, respect and leadership in the White House.
“Harris isn’t perfect, but we need to stop looking for perfection,” Aurin said. “We wait for this perfect candidate when there have been 250 years of imperfect white men. A step is a step, and I’m happy that it’s finally happened.”