This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at MSU chapter.

No president has signed more than one executive order on inauguration day. President Biden signed 17 executive orders. He signed 10 more the next day. In his first three days, he has taken a total of 30 executive orders, actions, and memorandums. Many focus on reversing his predecessor’s actions. So, what are they? Today, I’ve decided to compile a list of his actions from the past few days.

But first, some key terms…

Presidential Proclamation: As defined by Phillip J. Cooper, “states a condition, declares a law and requires obedience, recognizes an event or triggers the implementation of a law (by recognizing that the circumstances in law have been realized).”

Presidential Directive/Executive Action: Written or oral instruction or declaration that draws on the powers vested in the president by the U.S. Constitution, statutory law, or congressional and judicial acquiescence.

Presidential Memorandum: Manages and governs the actions, practices, and policies of the various departments and agencies found under the executive branch of the United States government.

January 20, 2020

End the withdrawal process from the World Health Organization (not an executive order). Dr. Anthony Fauci is the head of the delegation to the WHO.
Create the position of COVID-19 response coordinator; “Executive Order on Organizing and Mobilizing the United States Government to Provide a Unified and Effective Response to Combat COVID-19 and to Provide United States Leadership on Global Health and Security”
Rejoin Paris Climate Agreement, This is NOT an executive order, it is an “instrument.” that allows the US to re-join the Paris Agreement on climate change within 30 days.
Revoke permit for Keystone XL pipeline, pause energy leasing in ANWR; “Executive Order on Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis”
Ask agencies to extend eviction/foreclosure moratoriums. This is NOT an executive order, it is a “request.”
Ask Education Dept. to extend the student-loan pause. This is NOT an executive order, it is a “request.”
Launch an initiative to advance racial equity, end the “1776 Commission” created by the Trump Administration; “Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government”
Revoke order that aims to exclude undocumented immigrants from the census; “Executive Order on Ensuring a Lawful and Accurate Enumeration and Apportionment Pursuant to the Decennial Census”
Preserve/fortify DACA, which helps Dreamers. This is NOT an executive order, it is a “memorandum”; Preserving and Fortifying Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
Require masks/distancing on all federal property and by federal workers; “Executive Order on Organizing and Mobilizing the United States Government to Provide a Unified and Effective Response to Combat COVID-19 and to Provide United States Leadership on Global Health and Security”
Reversal of the travel ban, enacted by the Trump Administration, targeting Muslim and African countries. This is NOT an executive order, it is a “proclamation”; “Proclamation on Ending Discriminatory Bans on Entry to The United States”
Stop construction of the border wall and determine how to best divert those funds elsewhere. This is NOT an executive order, it is a “proclamation”; “Proclamation on the Termination Of Emergency With Respect To The Southern Border Of The United States And Redirection Of Funds Diverted To Border Wall Construction”
Combat discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity; Executive Order on Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation… “ to fully enforce Title VII and other laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.”
Require executive branch appointees to sign an ethics pledge to bar them from acting in personal interest and requiring them to uphold the independence of the Department of Justice; “Executive Order on Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel”
Modernize and improve regulatory review. This is NOT an executive order, it is a “memorandum.” It directs the OMB director to develop recommendations to modernize regulatory review and undoes Trump’s regulatory approval process.
End Trump’s expansion of immigration enforcement; “Executive Order on the Revision of Civil Immigration Enforcement Policies and Priorities”
Extend protection from deportation for Liberians. This is NOT an executive order, it is a “memorandum.”
Revoke certain executive orders concerning federal regulation
Freeze new/pending regulations. This is NOT an executive order, it is a “memorandum.”

January 21, 2021

Fill COVID-19 vaccine and other supply shortcomings with the Defense Production Act and other measures; “Executive Order on a Sustainable Public Health Supply Chain”
Increase FEMA reimbursement to states for National Guard and PPE. This is NOT an executive order, it is a “memorandum.”
Establish “COVID-19 Pandemic Testing Board”
Improving and Expanding Access to Care and Treatments for COVID-19
Enhance collection, production, sharing, and analysis of coronavirus data
Directives, NOT executive orders: Mount vaccination campaign, 100 million shots in 100 days. The aim to restore American leadership, support the international pandemic response, promote resilience against future threats, advance the Global Health Security Agenda.
Direct the Department of Education and HHS to provide guidance for safely reopening and operating schools, childcare providers, and higher education institutions.
Orders the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to release guidance on COVID-19, decide whether to establish emergency temporary standards and directs OSHA to enforce worker health and safety requirements; “Executive Order on Protecting Worker Health and Safety”
Requires masks to be worn in airports and on trains, airplanes, maritime vessels, and intercity buses. Travelers from abroad must provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test before coming to the US; “Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel”
Establish a “COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force” to ensure an equitable pandemic response and recovery.

January 22, 2020

Ask agencies to boost food aid, improve the delivery of stimulus checks to those who are struggling to buy food, missed out on stimulus checks, or are unemployed; “Executive Order on Economic Relief Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic”
Restores collective bargaining power and worker protections for federal workers, and lays the foundation for $15 minimum wage; “Executive Order on Protecting the Federal Workforce”

What’s next for the Biden Administration?

Biden is expected to take a multitude of executive actions in the next week including an executive order declaring “Buy American” day, focus on equity with plans to sign a memorandum directing Housing and Urban Development to take steps to promote equitable housing politics, and re-establishment of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. He also will sign a memorandum on scientific integrity and issue an executive order on regulatory measures to combat climate change. Biden will rescind the Mexico City Policy and review the Title X Domestic Gag Rule. Executive action on Medicaid and open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act could be in the works as well. Regional migration and border processing, the US refugee policy, the establishment of a family reunification task force, and immediate review of the Public Charge Rule will be the basis of multiple executive orders.

Biden appointees are also in the process of Congressional approval. A Senate Impeachment Trial will begin on February 9th.

Sources:

Joe Biden’s First 3 Days & Executive Actions: What are they?

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