Politics
20 surprising Biden policies that flew under the radar
By Jake Beardslee · February 7, 2024
Boosting Domestic Oil Production
Despite pledges to cut oil production, domestic oil production rose to record levels under Biden. Elvert Barnes from Silver Spring MD, USA/Wikimedia
Making Birth Control Over-the-Counter
Biden issued an executive order encouraging access to birth control, shortly afterwards the FDA approved the first over-the-counter birth control pill, providing easier access to contraception. The White House/Wikimedia
Cracking Down on Corruption
Biden issued an executive order expanding and enforcing ethics rules for executive branch employees and White House staff. U.S. Department of State/Wikimedia
Progressive Supreme Court Justice
Biden nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court. The White House/Wikimedia
Infrastructure Bill
Biden signed a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill to rebuild roads, bridges, expand broadband access and more. Office of the President of the United States/Wikimedia
Climate Actions
Biden rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, hosted a virtual climate summit, and set targets to cut US emissions in half by 2030. Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz - The White House/Wikimedia
Protecting Consumers from Airline Delays
Biden proposed rules requiring airlines to refund tickets after flight cancellations or delays. The White House/Wikimedia
Withdrawing Troops from Afghanistan
Biden oversaw the chaotic withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, ending America's longest war. The White House/Wikimedia
Diverse Administration
Biden appointed a historically diverse Cabinet and Administration with record numbers of women, people of color, LGBTQ folks, and first-generation Americans. The White House/Wikimedia
Tax Credits for Clean Energy
As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, Biden established tax credits to incentivize clean energy production and electric vehicle purchases. The White House/Wikimedia
Lowering Medicare Costs
The Inflation Reduction Act allowed Medicare to negotiate drug prices, introduced a cap on out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors, and more. The White House/Wikimedia
Chip Manufacturing Investments
Biden signed the CHIPS Act, providing $52 billion to boost US semiconductor chip research, development, and manufacturing. The White House/Wikimedia
Restoring National Monuments
Biden restored environmental protections to three national monuments downsized by Trump - Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and Northeast Canyons. Bureau of Land Management Utah/Wikimedia
Lowering Monthly Student Loan Payments
Biden lowered income-based monthly student loan payments from 10% to 5% of discretionary income. The White House/Wikimedia
Creating a Cyber Safety Review Board
Biden established an agency to investigate major cyberattacks and provide remediation guidance. The White House/Wikimedia
Supporting Small Meat Producers
Biden provided aid to small meatpacking producers to increase competition with major meatpackers. The White House/Wikimedia
Making Community College Free
Biden proposed making community college tuition-free, aiming to increase access to education. Maryland GovPics/Wikimedia
Easing Medical Telehealth Restrictions
Biden eased restrictions on telehealth medical services, allowing easier virtual access to medications. Elvert Barnes from Silver Spring MD, USA/Wikimedia
Expanding Overtime Pay
Biden proposed expanding overtime pay eligibility, allowing millions more workers to get time-and-a-half overtime pay. Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America/Wikimedia