Advisors Suggest Biden Avoid Highlighting White House Successes in Debate
As President Joe Biden prepares for upcoming debates, his advisors are suggesting a strategic shift in focus. Rather than emphasizing the numerous successes of his administration, they recommend a more nuanced approach that addresses the concerns and needs of the American public directly. This advice comes amidst a backdrop of significant achievements in advancing equity and support for underserved communities, which have been a cornerstone of Biden’s presidency.
On his first day in office, President Biden signed Executive Order 13985, aimed at advancing racial equity and support for underserved communities through the federal government. This order acknowledged that while equal opportunity is a fundamental principle of American democracy, existing laws, policies, and institutions often exacerbate disparities. The order directed the federal government to pursue a comprehensive equity agenda to address systemic racism, persistent poverty, and other disparities.
Recognizing that advancing equity is a long-term commitment, Biden signed a second executive order, Executive Order 14091, on February 16, 2023. This order further directed federal agencies to integrate equity into their daily operations and continue efforts to make the promise of America real for everyone, including rural communities, communities of color, LGBTQI+ individuals, people with disabilities, women and girls, and those affected by persistent poverty.
Over the past three years, the Biden-Harris administration has made significant strides in promoting racial equity and equal opportunity through landmark legislation such as the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act. Additionally, 90 federal agencies released Equity Action Plans in April 2022, outlining strategies to address barriers and discrimination faced by underserved communities.
Despite these efforts, many underserved communities continue to face significant challenges, including persistent poverty, food insecurity, unequal access to education, clean water, and clean air, and exposure to environmental toxins. The federal government has a responsibility to remove these barriers and ensure equal opportunity for all Americans.
In accordance with Executive Order 14091, federal agencies updated their Equity Action Plans in 2023 to address potential barriers that underserved communities may face in accessing and benefiting from government policies, programs, and activities. These updated plans include over 100 new commitments and strategies that 23 of the largest federal agencies will undertake in 2024 and beyond, as well as new actions from smaller and independent agencies.
The Biden-Harris administration’s equity agenda also includes implementing the first-ever national strategy on gender equity and equality, ensuring the federal government is a model for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workforce, delivering environmental justice through the Justice40 Initiative, and advancing LGBTQI+ civil rights.
The administration remains committed to deepening partnerships with individuals and communities impacted by discrimination to deliver more equitable outcomes across the nation. This commitment is reflected in various areas, including economic justice, educational equity, environmental justice, civil rights, health equity, criminal justice, housing justice, and global equality.
Economic justice efforts include advancing equity for workers and jobseekers facing barriers and discrimination, strengthening social safety net programs, and closing wealth gaps by supporting wealth-building opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses from historically disadvantaged communities.
Educational equity initiatives aim to address long-standing disparities faced by underserved students and communities, ensuring that education can bring the American Dream within reach for all individuals.
Environmental justice efforts focus on addressing the disproportionate and cumulative impacts of pollution and climate change on low-income communities and communities of color. The administration is advancing environmental justice through the Justice40 Initiative, which ensures that 40% of the benefits of investments in clean energy reach disadvantaged communities.
Civil rights advancements are fundamental to ensuring that all individuals are treated equally and have access to justice and equal protection under the law. Federal agencies are reinvigorating their civil rights offices to proactively deliver justice to underserved communities facing discrimination.
Health equity initiatives aim to address disparities in the healthcare system, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The administration is working to ensure an equitable recovery, lower healthcare costs, and expand access to quality and affordable healthcare for underserved communities.
Criminal justice reforms focus on reducing incarceration, ending racial disparities in the criminal justice system, and facilitating successful reentry for individuals returning from prison. The administration is also addressing the epidemic of gun violence, which disproportionately affects Black, brown, and Native American communities.
Housing justice efforts aim to address the historic roles of federal and local governments in implementing discriminatory housing policies. Federal agencies are working to rectify these injustices and promote inclusive communities.
Global equality initiatives use American leadership abroad to advance equity, human rights, and full inclusion for underserved communities worldwide.
The 2023 updates to federal agency Equity Action Plans include innovative strategies to embed equity in day-to-day governing. These strategies aim to reduce administrative burdens, enhance stakeholder engagement, expand equitable procurement opportunities, and improve equitable data practices.
The Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to equity has delivered concrete results, including historic efforts to reduce poverty, ensure an inclusive economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and address the climate crisis. These achievements have had a significant impact on underserved communities, but advisors suggest that Biden should focus on addressing the immediate concerns of the American public in debates rather than highlighting these successes.
By shifting the focus to the needs and concerns of the American people, Biden can demonstrate his administration’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by all communities and build trust with the electorate.
Source: White House, Executive Orders 13985 and 14091, American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, Inflation Reduction Act.
