Report: Biden Admin Rushing to Distribute Billions in Approved Funds Before Trump Takes Office

As President Biden's term approaches its end, his administration is racing to cement his legacy through rapid implementation of key legislative initiatives before President-elect Trump takes office on January 20th. The White House / Wikimedia

According to the Financial Times, the Biden administration is expediting the distribution of billions in congressionally approved funds, with a particular focus on the $39 billion CHIPS and Science Act semiconductor manufacturing incentives, which has generated roughly 115,000 manufacturing jobs across multiple states. The White House / Wikimedia

Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo has reportedly instructed her agency’s employees to work overtime and even through the weekends to ensure that the CHIPS and Science Act funds are released before President Trump’s inauguration, which is less than two months away. Kenneth C. Zirkel / Wikimedia

As a White House official told the Financial Times, "The CHIPS team has announced preliminary agreements with two dozen companies for CHIPS awards, and over the next two months, plans to announce preliminary agreements for all $39 billion of that funding, and is well on its way towards securing final agreements for many of those entities [where] preliminary awards were announced." Carol M. Highsmith / Wikimedia

Regarding the Inflation Reduction Act, which Earthjustice called "the largest climate spending bill ever," Biden climate advisor John Podesta suggested Trump might face resistance from his own party if he attempts to repeal it, noting that "Many Republicans, especially governors, know all this activity is a good thing for their districts, states and for their economies." usepagov / Wikimedia

The administration is also accelerating the delivery of $7 billion in military aid to Ukraine and expediting the process of appointing judges. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed this sentiment in a statement, saying, “We are determined to complete as many appointments as possible.” The White House / Wikimedia

Trump made 234 judicial appointments during his first four years in office, the second-highest number of any president in a single term. This move successfully shifted the judiciary to the right, culminating in the establishment of a 6-3 conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court through three of his appointments. United States Senate - Office of Dan Sullivan / Wikimedia