What Biden’s First Year in Office Has Looked Like

President Joe Biden’s inauguration sparked hope in countless Americans amid the COVID-19 pandemic, marking the beginning of a new chapter of national recovery. During his first year in office, Biden needed to address dire concerns including a crippled economy and a high infection rate. With his first year in office nearly over, Biden has successfully pushed the country from the brink of desperation despite skepticism.

One of the most notable accomplishments of Biden’s first year was his efforts in administering 200 million vaccines in his first one-hundred days in office. Remarkably, this goal was reached on April 21—a week ahead of Biden’s timeline. Invoking the Defense Production Act to secure an increased vaccine supply and pledging $4 billion to help combat the virus on a global scale, Biden effectively expedited the vaccination process and prevented the loss of thousands of lives. Biden is committed to combating the COVID-19 pandemic and is willing to find multiple ways to achieve his goal.

Biden’s administration enacting a $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan also helped support groups hit hardest by the pandemic. The package included funding for another round of stimulus checks, unemployment benefits, well-needed support for small businesses and money to help schools reopen safely. This act was vital in bringing back an economy debilitated by the pandemic. 

Biden’s high level of achievement is strikingly evident when compared to the delinquency of his  predecessor. During the pandemic, unemployment reached 14.7% according to the Center for American Progress. This “level of economic and public health pain” was a consequence of former President Donald Trump’s policy failures, which exacerbated the economic crisis. In contrast, the Biden administration swiftly passed the American Rescue Plan to combat the economic impact of the virus. Biden’s decisive action promises a better future for Americans in terms of living and finances alike. 

Some may call Biden’s first year in office unimpressive and link his success solely to the fact that the Democrat party had majorities in the House and Senate. However, the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that passed recently authenticates Biden’s ability to execute and fulfill his agenda with support from both political parties. The bill was a critical step in healing the political rifts that have divided the country and slowed down legal processes. This bill received support from 19 Republicans—surprising as many scarcely support expensive Democratic endeavors—despite pressure from former President Trump to deny Democrats a victory. Biden prioritizes unity within Congress and throughout the country as a critical factor in mending the cracks in our political system.

The infrastructure bill also makes an unprecedented effort at combating substandard American infrastructure. Unfortunately, Trump failed to deliver on his promise of an infrastructure plan. However, Biden’s plan helped create more weather-resistant and modern structures, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create millions of middle-class jobs. These investments will allow America to modernize its crumbling groundwork. The unprecedented amount of spending will create countless jobs, aiding the economic recovery from the pandemic. Biden made this historic infrastructure plan a reality during his first year in office while his predecessor could not —a pivotal investment that will help the next generations of Americans.

When Biden was sworn into office, he inherited a disaster—a highly infectious pandemic, riots at the capitol and a polarized Congress. However, Biden’s aggressive push for immediate change brought hope to Americans for the first time in nearly two years. His success after merely a year in office highlights his potential to implement his agenda and build a better future for millions of Americans.

Written by Riya Khatri of Sherwood High School

Graphic by Charles Wang of Walter Johnson High School