Review of Biden Administration Policy – The Dartmouth
TL/DR –
During his presidency, Joe Biden had significant impacts on federal policy, including changes to education-related policies, the passing of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and Inflation Reduction Act, and an update to Title IX. However, some of his actions, such as trying to forgive large amounts of student loan debt, were blocked by courts, leaving his efforts in these areas unfulfilled. Though his efforts at reform were appreciated by some, there are criticisms concerning potential oversteps of executive power and disappointments regarding unfulfilled goals.
Trump Inaugurated, Biden’s Legacy Evaluated
After his second inauguration on Jan. 20, President Donald Trump has succeeded former President Joe Biden, under whose term several significant federal policies were implemented, including the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and various education-related policies.
Among Biden’s notable changes was the Title IX update, which enhanced protections for LGBTQ+ students and removed the mandatory live hearings for sexual assault victims. This policy, becoming effective on Aug. 1, 2024, broadened the scope of gender equity to include transgender students, as per Anna Mahoney, the executive director of the Rockefeller Center for Public Policy.
However, the new Title IX regulations were invalidated by the Eastern District of Kentucky Court’s Chief Judge Danny Reeves in favor of several states and commonwealths on Jan. 9. Trump’s administration was expected to repeal these protections, regardless of the ruling.
The Biden administration had ambitious plans for Title IX legislation and student loan debt, which led to significant disappointments, according to Government Professor Russell Muirhead. Despite some of Biden’s student loan forgiveness actions being blocked by courts, the last week of his presidency saw $600 million in student loan debt being cancelled, benefiting public sector workers and individuals with disabilities.
Vice-president of the Dartmouth Conservatives, Jack Coleman ’26, criticized Biden’s handling of student loan forgiveness, but lauded the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. This act enforced mandatory background checks for firearm purchases by individuals under 21.
Prescott Herzog ’25, Dartmouth Democrats president, commended Biden’s administration for creating the largest climate investment in US history, and the Inflation Reduction Act, which capped Medicare drug costs. He added that external factors, like the House of Representatives turning Republican in 2022, were beyond their control.
Biden’s lasting legacy, according to Muirhead, is his endeavor to make the government work effectively, particularly in building an infrastructure to serve the country for the next century. Biden’s authenticity, expressed through his personal experiences of loss, resonated with many Americans, Mahoney noted.
However, William Parocai ’27 suggested that Biden’s administration might be overshadowed by Trump’s extensive media presence and Obama’s political legacy. Mahoney indicated that Biden’s endorsement of former Vice President Kamala Harris signals the readiness for more female leadership.
Note: Jack Coleman ’26, a member of The Dartmouth’s podcast team, did not participate in the creation of this story.
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