Biden Issues 17 Executive Orders on First Day

"Democracy has prevailed!" said Biden to an ominously vacant Washington on Wednesday's Inauguration Day. After the siege on the capital, it is clear they are trying to move ahead -- and fast!

"There's no time to start like today," said Biden in his first comments as president. He showed this expediency by initiating 17 executive orders from the oval office on the same day. Out of the 17 orders administered, nine of them are revoking Trump initiatives.

The full list of orders are below:

1. Executive order on mask/coronavirus

This mandates the use of masks and physical distancing in federal buildings, on federal lands and by government contractors, and urges states and local governments to do the same.

2. Executive order on WHO

This stops the United States' withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) as earlier directed by Trump.

3. Executive order on COVID-19 response

This creates the position of COVID-19 Response Coordinator who will report directly to Biden and manage efforts to produce and distribute vaccines and medical equipment.

4. Executive order on nationwide moratorium

This order extends the existing nationwide moratorium on evictions and foreclosures until at least March 31.

5. Executive order on student loan

This extends the existing pause on student loan payments and interest for Americans with federal student loans until at least September 30.

6. Executive order on Paris climate accord

Reversing Trump's decision, this order rejoins the Paris climate accord, a process that will take 30 days.

7. Executive order on Keystone XL pipeline

This cancels the Keystone XL pipeline and directs agencies to review and reverse more than 100 Trump actions on the environment.

8. Executive order on racial equity

This rescinds the Trump administration's 1776 Commission, directs agencies to review their actions to ensure racial equity.

9. Executive order on gender equity

This prevents workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

10. Executive order on census

This requires non-citizens to be included in the Census and apportionment of congressional representatives, reversing another Trump's policy.

11. Executive order on immigration

This fortifies the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) after Trump's efforts to undo protections for undocumented people brought into the country as children.

12. Executive order on some passport holders

This reverses the Trump administration's restrictions on US entry for passport holders from seven Muslim-majority countries.

13. Executive order on immigration enforcement

This reverses Trump's expansion of immigration enforcement within the United States.

14. Executive order on border wall

This halts construction of the border wall by terminating the national emergency declaration used to fund it.

15. Executive order on deportation

This order extends deferrals of deportation and work authorizations for Liberians with a safe haven in the United States until June 30, 2022.

16. Executive order on ethics

This requires executive branch appointees to sign an ethics pledge barring them from acting in personal interest and requiring them to uphold the independence of the Department of Justice.

17. Executive order on regulation

This directs the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) director to develop recommendations to modernize regulatory review and undoes Trump's regulatory approval process.

These orders are likely a "reset," to clear itself from the previous administration. More ground work will be laid in the coming days, but as we can see, the Biden administration is moving fast. We will not have to wait much longer. After four years of "rage" and "fear," lawmakers and the people are weary, tired, and hopeful now it has ended. However, the tasks ahead remain daunting, no matter how pretty of a bow they tie around it.

Congress is dealing with an impending impeachment, cabinet nomination proceedings, and more pandemic relief. Biden has a lot on his plate, needless to say. His first 100 days are going to determine whether he can actually begin bringing the country back together. In a highly partisan environment, we still have a long way off, but if he can deliver key bi-partisan wins in congress, then his (and our) future will look a little brighter.

"There is always a light, if only we're brave enough to see it. If only we're brave enough to be it," said the youngest inaugural poet in history, Amanda Gorman.

Resources: (Press-Enterprise/ Associated Press reporting)

17 executive orders - https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news...

Troy writes a personal blog, thebullmedia.org.

You can follow and read more stories from his column (written Sunday/Monday): Troy-the-Centrist