A progress report on Biden’s first 100 days
This piece was originally published in the April 29, 2021 edition of CAP Action’s newsletter, the Progress Report. Subscribe to the Progress Report here.
“Trickle-down economics has never worked.”
— President Biden, declaring that the era of government guided by trickle-down economics is officially over
It’s been 100 days since Biden’s inauguration. Here’s where things stand:
✅ 163 million stimulus checks in wallets
✅ 200 million+ COVID-19 vaccine shots in arms
✅ A majority of schools fully reopened
✅ 3 major jobs proposals released
✅ 60+ executive actions taken
✅ 21 diverse cabinet nominees confirmed
There’s still so much work ahead of us. But think about what this administration has done in just a few months — and imagine how much policy progress this administration can make in four years.
Watch and share this recap video to get the facts out about Biden’s first 100 days:
IN THE NEWS
Did you catch Biden’s speech to Congress last night? Here are a few of our favorite moments.
On billionaires and taxes: “I think you should be able to become a billionaire and a millionaire. But pay your fair share.”
On the recent surge of anti-trans bills in dozens of state legislatures: “For all transgender Americans watching at home, especially young people who are so brave, I want you to know that your president has your back.”
On education: “12 years is no longer enough today to compete in the 21st Century. That’s why the American Families Plan guarantees four additional years of public education for every person in America — starting as early as we can. We add two years of universal high-quality preschool for every 3- and 4- year-old in America.”
On unions: “Wall Street didn’t build this country. The middle class built this country. And unions build the middle class. And that’s why I’m calling on Congress to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize Act — the PRO Act — and send it to my desk to support the right to unionize.”
On the minimum wage: “By the way — let’s also pass the $15 minimum wage. No one should work 40 hours a week and still live below the poverty line.”
On wealth inequality: “20 million Americans lost their jobs in the pandemic — working- and middle-class Americans. At the same time, the roughly 650 billionaires in America saw their net worth increase by more than $1 trillion.”
On trickle-down economics: “My fellow Americans, trickle-down economics has never worked. It’s time to grow the economy from the bottom up and middle-out.”
On immigration: “Congress needs to pass legislation this year to finally secure protection for the Dreamers — the young people who have only known America as their home.”
On voting rights: “If we are to truly restore the soul of America, we need to protect the sacred right to vote. More people voted in the last presidential election than ever before in our history — in the middle of one of the worst pandemics ever. That should be celebrated. Instead it’s being attacked.”
WHAT WE’RE READING
- Joe Biden Just Wants to Make the U.S. a Normal Country That Isn’t Horrible for Parents by Jordan Weissmann (Slate)
- Biden at 100 Days: Young People Weigh in on the President’s Performance by Fortesa Latifi (Teen Vogue)
- With trickle-down economics a failure, Biden sees an opening to invest in the American people by Andres Vinelli (MarketWatch)
- Check out Public Citizen’s report on what Biden has done in his first 100 days to put people over corporations — and what he should do next.
- Universal child care could boost women’s earnings by $130 billion by Megan Leonhardt (CNBC)
- Poll: Use Clemency Power to Fight Mass Incarceration by Molly Greene and Sean McElwee (The Appeal)
- And don’t miss Climate Power’s list of 100 Pretty Cool Things You Need to Know About The American Jobs Plan on Biden’s 100th Day in Office.
- Yes, Caregiving Is Essential Infrastructure by Valerie Jarrett (Marie Claire)
This piece was originally published in the April 29, 2021 edition of CAP Action’s newsletter, the Progress Report. Subscribe to the Progress Report here.
