White House: Joe Biden

White House: VP Joe Biden

Ballotpedia

PolitiFact: Debt Forgiveness

Student Aid

Provided an additional $5.2 billion in debt relief for 53,000 borrowers under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, as president.

Allocated $1.2 billion for 22,000 borrowers who have a total or permanent disability, as president.

Tried to eliminate $400 billion in student loans for tens of millions of borrowers who earned less than $125,000 as president. But this was struck down by the Supreme Court.

- Provided an additional $5.2 billion in debt relief for 53,000 borrowers under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, as president.
- Allocated $1.2 billion for 22,000 borrowers who have a total or permanent disability, as president.
- Tried to eliminate $400 billion in student loans for tens of millions of borrowers who earned less than $125,000 as president. But this was struck down by the Supreme Court.

Education

American Rescue Plan

USA Today

PolitiFact: WHO

As Vice President under Barack Obama, he helped secure the passage of the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare.

Said he will use the American Rescue Plan to “build on the Affordable Care Act to meet the health care needs created by the pandemic, reduce health care costs, and make our health care system less complex to navigate.”

Supports expanding healthcare coverage for no-cost contraception.

Supports passing legislation to codify abortion protections. He stated, “My administration is going to keep working to protect women in the wake of the Supreme Court's extreme decision,” after the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision.

Rejoined the World Health Organization as President.

- As Vice President under Barack Obama, he helped secure the passage of the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare.
- Said he will use the American Rescue Plan to “build on the Affordable Care Act to meet the health care needs created by the pandemic, reduce health care costs, and make our health care system less complex to navigate.”
- Supports expanding healthcare coverage for no-cost contraception.
- Supports passing legislation to codify abortion protections. He stated, “My administration is going to keep working to protect women in the wake of the Supreme Court's extreme decision,” after the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision.
- Rejoined the World Health Organization as President.

Healthcare

MUSC

PolitiFact: Promise Tracker

White House: Policing

Previously, as senator, he helped pass the 1994 Crime Act and the Violence Against Women Act, which “increases criminal penalties and provides grants to address rape, sexual assault, domestic abuse and other gender-related violence.”

Said “There will be a national commission on policing out of the White House where I’ll bring everyone to the table, including police chiefs, including civil rights activists, including the NAACP, including the African, the Latino community. We’re going to sit down there and we’re going to work it out."

Signed an executive order that would require federal law enforcement agencies to ban chokeholds, restrict no-knock warrants, mandate body cams, provide de-escalation training, and restrict military equipment.

- Previously, as senator, he helped pass the 1994 Crime Act and the Violence Against Women Act, which “increases criminal penalties and provides grants to address rape, sexual assault, domestic abuse and other gender-related violence.”
- Said “There will be a national commission on policing out of the White House where I’ll bring everyone to the table, including police chiefs, including civil rights activists, including the NAACP, including the African, the Latino community. We’re going to sit down there and we’re going to work it out."
- Signed an executive order that would require federal law enforcement agencies to ban chokeholds, restrict no-knock warrants, mandate body cams, provide de-escalation training, and restrict military equipment.

Public Safety

US Citizen and Immigration Services

US Dept. Of Defense

Reuters: Biden and Israel

NBC News: Biden and Israel

AP News: Israel Military Aid

AP News: Human Rights Violations

Said some of his priorities include “strengthening the U.S. national security workforce, rebuilding democratic alliances across the globe, championing America’s values and human rights, and equipping the American middle class to succeed in a global economy.”

Proposed the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 to provide a citizenship path for farmworkers and immigrants who came to the U.S. illegally as children and for beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status.

In 2020, promised his administration would not build “another foot of wall” at the US southern border. He claims this is because funds already approved for the construction of the wall could not be directed towards something else.

Supported Ukraine with military assistance, valued at $200 million, which included air defense interceptors, artillery and ammunition.

Supports Israel's military operation against Hamas in Palestine. As President, Biden supported military aid to Israel. In February 2024, he proposed an additional $14.1 billion in military aid to Israel.

Expressed concern about the death of Palestinian civilians. As President, in February 2024, he signed a directive that authorized a cutoff of military aid to countries that violate international protections of civilians.

- Said some of his priorities include “strengthening the U.S. national security workforce, rebuilding democratic alliances across the globe, championing America’s values and human rights, and equipping the American middle class to succeed in a global economy.”
- Proposed the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 to provide a citizenship path for farmworkers and immigrants who came to the U.S. illegally as children and for beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status.
- In 2020, promised his administration would not build “another foot of wall” at the US southern border. He claims this is because funds already approved for the construction of the wall could not be directed towards something else.
- Supported Ukraine with military assistance, valued at $200 million, which included air defense interceptors, artillery and ammunition.
- Supports Israel's military operation against Hamas in Palestine. As President, Biden supported military aid to Israel. In February 2024, he proposed an additional $14.1 billion in military aid to Israel.
- Expressed concern about the death of Palestinian civilians. As President, in February 2024, he signed a directive that authorized a cutoff of military aid to countries that violate international protections of civilians.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Statement on Kigali Amendment

White House: Clean Energy

Campaigned during his presidency to put the US on a course to net-zero emissions by 2050.

In 2022, he signed the Inflation Reduction Act, which invested billions of dollars into clean energy projects and electric vehicles, among other things, and will increase tax penalties for oil and gas facilities producing methane.

Rejoined the Paris Climate agreement as President.

Believes climate change has a significant economic cost, stating “Last year alone, natural disasters in America caused $178 billion in damages.”

Signed into law the Kigali Amendment, which phases out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

Signed an executive order requiring all federal agencies to purchase 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2027

- Campaigned during his presidency to put the US on a course to net-zero emissions by 2050.
- In 2022, he signed the Inflation Reduction Act, which invested billions of dollars into clean energy projects and electric vehicles, among other things, and will increase tax penalties for oil and gas facilities producing methane.
- Rejoined the Paris Climate agreement as President.
- Believes climate change has a significant economic cost, stating “Last year alone, natural disasters in America caused $178 billion in damages.”
- Signed into law the Kigali Amendment, which phases out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
- Signed an executive order requiring all federal agencies to purchase 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2027

Environment

The Hill

House Oversight Committee

NBC News

Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s son, is currently facing three felonies and six misdemeanors. Hunter Biden is accused of evading paying $1.4 million in taxes. He could face up 17 years in prison if found guilty of all charges.

In November 2022, classified documents were found in Joe’s former office. In January 2023, classified documents were also found in a separate location. Joe had access to these classified documents as Vice President.

The Committee on Oversight and Accountability stated, “We also have significant concerns that Joe Biden may have retained sensitive documents related to specific countries involving his family’s foreign business schemes that brought in millions for the Biden family.”

The White House Administration claimed that the national archives were contacted as soon as classified were discovered in the D.C. office, but new evidence demonstrates one individual inspected the classified material on March 18, 2021 (two months before Joe took office). Because of this Joe is also accused of knowingly possessing classified documents and lying that he was not aware.

- Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s son, is currently facing three felonies and six misdemeanors. Hunter Biden is accused of evading paying $1.4 million in taxes. He could face up 17 years in prison if found guilty of all charges.
- In November 2022, classified documents were found in Joe’s former office. In January 2023, classified documents were also found in a separate location. Joe had access to these classified documents as Vice President.
- The Committee on Oversight and Accountability stated, “We also have significant concerns that Joe Biden may have retained sensitive documents related to specific countries involving his family’s foreign business schemes that brought in millions for the Biden family.”
- The White House Administration claimed that the national archives were contacted as soon as classified were discovered in the D.C. office, but new evidence demonstrates one individual inspected the classified material on March 18, 2021 (two months before Joe took office). Because of this Joe is also accused of knowingly possessing classified documents and lying that he was not aware.

Ethics & Conduct

White House: Child Tax Credit

Campaigned he would raise the federal tax rate on corporations from 21% to 28%, so that "wealthy Americans and big corporations pay their fair share." But, compromised that companies with profits over $1 billion would face a 15% tax on corporate book income.

Said he would achieve bipartisan cooperation on the economy, saying “we’re going to bring the Republicans and Democrats together, and deliver economic relief for working families, and schools, and businesses.”

Said, “We’ve created close to 800,000 manufacturing jobs since I’ve taken office.”

Since taking office, consumer prices have risen by 17.4%. Inflation peaked in 2022, at a monthly rate of 7% – one of the highest among the world’s largest economies. Since then, the monthly inflation rate has dropped to 3%, which is among the lowest from the world’s largest economies.

Increased the Child Tax Credit, which pays about $3,000 per child to families making less than $150,000. Said, "We cut Black child poverty in half in 2021 because of the child tax credit.”

- Campaigned he would raise the federal tax rate on corporations from 21% to 28%, so that "wealthy Americans and big corporations pay their fair share." But, compromised that companies with profits over $1 billion would face a 15% tax on corporate book income.
- Said he would achieve bipartisan cooperation on the economy, saying “we’re going to bring the Republicans and Democrats together, and deliver economic relief for working families, and schools, and businesses.”
- Said, “We’ve created close to 800,000 manufacturing jobs since I’ve taken office.”
- Since taking office, consumer prices have risen by 17.4%. Inflation peaked in 2022, at a monthly rate of 7% – one of the highest among the world’s largest economies. Since then, the monthly inflation rate has dropped to 3%, which is among the lowest from the world’s largest economies.
- Increased the Child Tax Credit, which pays about $3,000 per child to families making less than $150,000. Said, "We cut Black child poverty in half in 2021 because of the child tax credit.”

Economy

As of January 29, 2024, Joseph R. Biden’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Voting & Elections

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

Joseph R. Biden

LinkedIn

US House

Cosponsored the IDEA Full Funding Act, which would fully fund the federal government’s portion of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act over a 10-year period.

- Cosponsored the IDEA Full Funding Act, which would fully fund the federal government’s portion of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act over a 10-year period.

Co-sponsored HR 3421: The Medicare for All Act of 2023. This advocates for the creation of a Medicare for all system with the benefits outlined in the bill with no copayments, no deductibles, and no other cost sharing.

Supports access to abortion and is a member of the Pro-Choice Caucus in Congress.

Supports banning drug companies from charging Americans more than they charge in other countries.

Supported the Inflation Reduction Act. This allowed Medicare and Medicaid to negotiate prescription drug prices with pharmaceutical companies.

- Co-sponsored HR 3421: The Medicare for All Act of 2023. This advocates for the creation of a Medicare for all system with the benefits outlined in the bill with no copayments, no deductibles, and no other cost sharing.
- Supports access to abortion and is a member of the Pro-Choice Caucus in Congress.
- Supports banning drug companies from charging Americans more than they charge in other countries.
- Supported the Inflation Reduction Act. This allowed Medicare and Medicaid to negotiate prescription drug prices with pharmaceutical companies.

Authored and sponsored the Pathways to Policing Act to provide funding to bolster officer recruitment efforts, including from non-traditional backgrounds and underrepresented communities.

Supports an assault weapon ban and increased background check requirements.

- Authored and sponsored the Pathways to Policing Act to provide funding to bolster officer recruitment efforts, including from non-traditional backgrounds and underrepresented communities.
- Supports an assault weapon ban and increased background check requirements.

Council on Foreign Relations

Supports HR 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, which provides for a path to citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants.

On the Israel-Palestine conflict, said “Of course I support a cease-fire when Hamas is no longer in a position to murder Israelis.”

Advocated for a two-state solution regarding Israel and Palestine.

Advocates for continued  U.S military support for Ukraine.

On immigration said, “Having been to the southern border twice, it is not secure. It is inhumane. It is not fair to those who are seeking refuge. It is not fair to our border patrol agents who have shown extraordinary mercy and humanity in ways that I wish more Americans saw. And they’ve been demeaned by Democrats.”

- Supports HR 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, which provides for a path to citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants.
- On the Israel-Palestine conflict, said “Of course I support a cease-fire when Hamas is no longer in a position to murder Israelis.”
- Advocated for a two-state solution regarding Israel and Palestine.
- Advocates for continued  U.S military support for Ukraine.
- On immigration said, “Having been to the southern border twice, it is not secure. It is inhumane. It is not fair to those who are seeking refuge. It is not fair to our border patrol agents who have shown extraordinary mercy and humanity in ways that I wish more Americans saw. And they’ve been demeaned by Democrats.”

Supports protecting the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, which is a part of Minnesota’s Superior National Forest.

Advocates legislation that cuts greenhouse gas emissions, mitigates the effects of climate change, and creates more resilient communities.

Supports the EPA Regulatory Authority Act of 2022, which would restore the EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. This was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2022.

Co-sponsored HR 2307, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, which would put a price on carbon and return the proceeds to every taxpayer.

Stated, “Fortunately, the climate investments signed into law as part of the Inflation Reduction Act are both historic and meaningful. The incentives included in it will help lower energy costs and speed our transition to a clean energy economy while cutting emissions by 40% by 2030. This alone will not put a stop to the climate crisis – but it’s a darn good start.”

- Supports protecting the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, which is a part of Minnesota’s Superior National Forest.
- Advocates legislation that cuts greenhouse gas emissions, mitigates the effects of climate change, and creates more resilient communities.
- Supports the EPA Regulatory Authority Act of 2022, which would restore the EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. This was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2022.
- Co-sponsored HR 2307, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, which would put a price on carbon and return the proceeds to every taxpayer.
- Stated, “Fortunately, the climate investments signed into law as part of the Inflation Reduction Act are both historic and meaningful. The incentives included in it will help lower energy costs and speed our transition to a clean energy economy while cutting emissions by 40% by 2030. This alone will not put a stop to the climate crisis – but it’s a darn good start.”

Said, "I will advocate raising the ethical bar in Congress and the Supreme Court. The current system is an unmitigated disaster. It is legalized corruption, and I will tackle it.”

- Said, "I will advocate raising the ethical bar in Congress and the Supreme Court. The current system is an unmitigated disaster. It is legalized corruption, and I will tackle it.”

Wrote and passed into law the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act in the 116th Congress.

Said he would “fight for higher wages for workers.”

Plans to restore the expanded Child Tax Credit.

- Wrote and passed into law the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act in the 116th Congress.
- Said he would “fight for higher wages for workers.”
- Plans to restore the expanded Child Tax Credit.

As of January 29, 2024, Dean Phillips’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Dean Phillips

AWPC

Committee on Foreign Relations

Stated her administration will fight for “free tuition to public colleges including community colleges, four-year colleges and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.”

Plans to eliminate all interest on student loans and forgive all federal and privately held student debt.

- Stated her administration will fight for “free tuition to public colleges including community colleges, four-year colleges and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.”
- Plans to eliminate all interest on student loans and forgive all federal and privately held student debt.

Supports codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law.

Wants to repeal the Hyde Amendment and lift the ban on insurance coverage of abortion.

Supports expanding and restoring funding for Planned Parenthood.

- Supports codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law.
- Wants to repeal the Hyde Amendment and lift the ban on insurance coverage of abortion.
- Believed in mandatory vaccinations.
- Supports expanding and restoring funding for Planned Parenthood.
- Supports decriminalizing sex work.

Plans to “End the reliance on police and law enforcement to handle homelessness, mental health crises, and other non-violent situations.”

Plans to “end the War on Drugs” by legalizing cannabis and psychedelics used for both recreational and medical purposes.

Stated her administration would “Declare a national emergency around the gun violence epidemic, and work with local and national organizations to build a robust plan around gun control.”

Wants to eliminate the sale of assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons, ban bump stocks, high-capacity magazines, and 3-D printing of firearms.

- Plans to “End the reliance on police and law enforcement to handle homelessness, mental health crises, and other non-violent situations.”
- Plans to “end the War on Drugs” by legalizing cannabis and psychedelics used for both recreational and medical purposes.
- Opposes prosecutor immunity.
- Stated her administration would “Declare a national emergency around the gun violence epidemic, and work with local and national organizations to build a robust plan around gun control.”
- Wants to eliminate the sale of assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons, ban bump stocks, high-capacity magazines, and 3-D printing of firearms.

Supports full path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who do not have serious criminal background issues.

Plans to repeal section 212(a)(9)(B)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act concerning Accruing Unlawful Presence. Unlawful presence is accrued if: someone present in the US without being admitted or paroled; or. If they have remained in the US after the expiration of the period of stay authorized by the Department of Homeland Security secretary.

- Supports full path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who do not have serious criminal background issues.
- Plans to repeal section 212(a)(9)(B)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act concerning Accruing Unlawful Presence. Unlawful presence is accrued if: someone present in the US without being admitted or paroled; or. If they have remained in the US after the expiration of the period of stay authorized by the Department of Homeland Security secretary.

Stated, “I will do more than direct a mass mobilization of technological efforts necessary to stave off climate catastrophe; I will harness a mass mobilization of the American people. For that will be necessary for us to achieve the kind of buy-in necessary to allow such massive change as is needed, to occur.”

Plans to expand investments to reach 100 percent renewable energy and dramatically reduce CO2 (carbon) emissions by 2035 or earlier.

Wants to reinstate and expand energy and mileage efficiency investments.

Wants to transition away from fossil fuel energy and halt all new fossil fuel projects.

Supports restarting the Clean Power Plan.

Supports decarbonizing all buildings by 2045 and all federally-owned buildings by 2030.

Wants to ban new LNG permits (Liquified Natural Gas)

- Stated, “I will do more than direct a mass mobilization of technological efforts necessary to stave off climate catastrophe; I will harness a mass mobilization of the American people. For that will be necessary for us to achieve the kind of buy-in necessary to allow such massive change as is needed, to occur.”
- Plans to expand investments to reach 100 percent renewable energy and dramatically reduce CO2 (carbon) emissions by 2035 or earlier.
- Wants to reinstate and expand energy and mileage efficiency investments.
- Wants to transition away from fossil fuel energy and halt all new fossil fuel projects.
- Supports restarting the Clean Power Plan.
- Supports decarbonizing all buildings by 2045 and all federally-owned buildings by 2030.
- Wants to ban new LNG permits (Liquified Natural Gas)

As of January 29, 2024, Marianne Williamson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports increasing the federal minimum wage to $15/hr.

Wants to eliminate the income cap on Social Security payroll taxes.

Supports reestablishing the federal Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO), the agency responsible for administering most of the War on Poverty.

Stated, Our economy has, in her view, become “a tyrannous economic order” in which “market forces have become our false God.”

- Supports increasing the federal minimum wage to $15/hr.
- Wants to eliminate the income cap on Social Security payroll taxes.
- Supports reestablishing the federal Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO), the agency responsible for administering most of the War on Poverty.
- Stated, Our economy has, in her view, become “a tyrannous economic order” in which “market forces have become our false God.”

Marianne Williamson

- The President is the leader of the federal Executive Branch. They are primarily responsible for implementing and enforcing laws written by Congress.
- The President influences the national laws and regulations by proposing legislation and winning support from members of Congress. They can also veto legislation that was approved by Congress, which can only then be overridden by a two-thirds vote.
- The President can pass executive orders without the approval of Congress. Examples of historic executive orders include Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves, and Franklin Roosevelt's establishment of internment camps during World War II.
- The President is the Commander in Chief of the US Armed Forces, which includes the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Only Congress can declare war, but the President plays a key role in deciding when and where to deploy troops, even when war hasn't been declared. The President also has sole nuclear launch authority.
- The President appoints and manages the Vice President and their Cabinet, which includes the heads of 15 executive departments that impact a wide range of issues, including agriculture, education, housing, and transportation.
- Outside of their official powers, the President can act as a leader to the American public, as seen in moments of crisis, like Franklin D. Roosevelt's fireside chats during the Great Depression. Additionally, their advocacy for certain policies or social issues can shape public opinion and create action, similar to how President John F. Kennedy galvanized the nation around the space race in the 1960s.