Biden’s Executive Orders

Under Article Two of the U.S. Constitution, a president has broad authority to make executive orders. How presidents have used this privilege has changed over time, but the president most famous for his executive orders was President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Immediately upon taking office in 1933, Roosevelt signed a series of executive orders designed to lift the nation out of the Great Depression. These orders created civilian commissions and provided direct aid to families. Roosevelt signed a total of thirty executive orders his first month as president. And now, President Joe Biden is on track to break that record: he has signed 28 in his first two weeks in office. Here, Election Central takes a closer look.

What Are These Orders All About?

Biden’s executive orders cover a wide range of issues, from the environment to gay and transgender rights. Several of them have been about managing the coronavirus crisis, such as requiring mask-wearing on federal property, establishing a COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force, reinstating travel restrictions, and strengthening the public health supply chain.

Other executive orders have committed to advance racial equity, prohibited LGBTQ discrimination, and reversed a previous ban against transgendered people serving in the military. Biden has tried to help people economically by freezing federal student loan payments and expanding food assistance programs. Other executive orders supported the reopening of all K-12 schools, reevaluated private, for-profit prisons, reinforced Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, and defunded the border wall construction on the southern border with Mexico.

Is This Constitutional?

While the Constitution gives the president the right to sign as many executive orders as he or she pleases, the president can’t just create any order he or she wants. It still must fit within the confines of the Constitution and existing U.S. law. But executive orders are a faster, more efficient way to get things done, rather than waiting for a bill to slowly move through Congress. Often, a president’s executive orders undo the executive orders of the previous administration. This has been true for many of President Biden’s executive orders so far. Biden has received criticism from Republicans for undoing so many of the Trump administration’s policies.

What Else is He Doing?

While Biden is getting a lot of attention for his executive orders, he is taking other important measures as well. For example, in his first days in office, he already has rejoined the World Health Organization and the Paris climate agreement–and this was done by letters, not by executive orders. He’s also delivered several important proclamations and memos.

What Do You Think? Which of the executive orders signed by President Biden so far matters the most to you? Why is the one you’ve chosen so important or memorable? Write a paragraph explaining your thoughts.