Biden’s transition describes executive actions during the first 10 days to deal with ‘worsening crises’

President elect Joe bidenJoe Biden, Missouri Woman Seen With Pelosi Sign Charged In Capitol Riots Facebook Temporarily Bans Ads For Weapon Accessories In The Following Capitol RiotsThe Transition Team’s transition team described dozens of executive actions that the incoming administration is prepared to take in its first 10 days as it grapples with some of the most serious crises in the world. modern history of the country.

Ron KlainRon Klain The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden Calls on Congress to Expand Biggest Relief Response in U.S. History Biden Chief Aide Says President Wants Teams, Not Rivals Biden Transition Says more than half of WH’s 100 assistants are people of colorBiden’s new White House chief of staff wrote in a memo released Saturday that the orders will focus on the quartet of “the COVID-19 crisis, the resulting economic crisis, the climate crisis and a crisis of racial equity ”.

He said the orders will be accompanied by a “robust” legislative program.

“These executive actions will bring relief to the millions of Americans struggling with these crises. President-elect Biden will take action – not only to reverse the Trump administration’s most serious damage – but also to start moving our country forward, ”Klain wrote.

“These actions will change the course of COVID-19, fight climate change, promote racial equity and support other underserved communities, and rebuild our economy in a way that strengthens the backbone of this country: workers and workers who built our nation.

Biden will kick off the shares on Wednesday – his inauguration day – with what Klain said would be a dozen executive orders on the four issues.

Biden also plans to ask the Department of Education to extend the federal break on student loan payments and interest on federal student loans, join the Paris climate accords, and lift the travel ban from the Trump administration in seven Muslim-majority countries.

Biden will also issue a mask warrant on federal properties and interstate travel and extend a hiatus on evictions and foreclosures.

Biden will follow on Thursday with executive actions to “act aggressively to change the course of the COVID-19 crisis and safely reopen schools and businesses, including taking steps to mitigate the spread by expanding testing, protecting workers and establishing a clear audience. sanitary standards. ”

The White House will spend the remaining eight days asking its Cabinet to take action to boost the economic aid released during the pandemic and to take executive action on issues such as reuniting children separated from their families after going through the pandemic. border, among others.

“Of course, these actions are just the start of our work. Much more will need to be done to fight COVID-19, better rebuild our economy, fight racism and systemic inequalities, and address the existential threat of the climate crisis. But by February 1, America will be moving in the right direction on these four challenges – and more – thanks to the leadership of President-elect Joe Biden, ”Klain said.

The effort comes as the Senate prepares for the second impeachment trial of President TrumpDonald TrumpFacebook Temporarily Bans Ads For Weapon Accessories Following Capitol Sasse Riots, In Fiery Editorial Says QAnon Destroys Section 230 Of The GOP That Worked After The Insurgency But Not Before: How To Regulate social media LEARN MORE in the early days of Biden’s presidency. Trump’s impeachment by the House has raised concerns among Democrats that the Senate will be slow to take over the White House’s agenda and that partisan fights will wipe out the traditional honeymoon period new presidents typically enjoy with Congress.

Democrats criticized Trump for relying heavily on executive actions throughout his presidency, but Klain said “the legal theory behind [the orders] is well founded and represents the restoration of an appropriate constitutional role for the President. ”

The transition hasn’t outlined many elements of his next legislative agenda, but Biden has rolled out a $ 1.9 trillion plan to tackle the coronavirus and its financial fallout, the first legislation he wants Congress to address. .

The package includes $ 415 billion spent on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, more than $ 1 trillion in direct aid to individuals and families, and $ 440 billion in aid to businesses.

Priorities include $ 1,400 in additional stimulus checks to eligible Americans, in addition to the $ 600 checks already distributed in December; an extension of the main unemployment programs from mid-March to the end of September; and an increase in additional weekly unemployment assistance from $ 300 to $ 400.