The List: Donald Trumps accomplishments VS Joe Bidens accomplishments

Ep.226 (6/3/24)

SHOW NOTES AND NEWS ARTICLES

NASA launching (clipper reconnaissance mission) to Jupiter's moon Europa- a possible water moon- the equipment onboard gives a glimpse into what they’re looking for, very cool stuff.

Here are some key accomplishments of Donald Trump and Joe Biden during their respective presidencies:

**Donald Trump's Major Accomplishments:**

1. **Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017):** Passed a significant tax reform bill that lowered the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and provided temporary tax cuts for individuals.

2. **Criminal Justice Reform (First Step Act, 2018):** Enacted bipartisan legislation aimed at reducing recidivism, reforming sentencing laws, and improving prison conditions.

3. **Economic Growth:** Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. experienced low unemployment rates, robust GDP growth, and a strong stock market. The unemployment rate hit a 50-year low of 3.5% in December 2019.

4. **Deregulation:** Implemented numerous regulatory rollbacks, particularly in environmental regulations, to reduce government intervention in business.

5. **Judicial Appointments:** Appointed three Supreme Court Justices (Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett) and numerous federal judges, significantly impacting the judiciary.

6. **Foreign Policy:**
- Moved the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
- Negotiated the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab nations.
- Engaged in direct diplomacy with North Korea, though without achieving denuclearization.

• Middle East: Brokering the Abraham Accords to normalize relations between Israel and several Arab nations.
• North Korea: Engaging in direct diplomacy with North Korea, though without achieving substantial denuclearization progress.
• Defense Spending: Increasing the defense budget to bolster the military.

7. **Trade Policies:** Renegotiated NAFTA, resulting in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), and implemented tariffs on China to address trade imbalances.

1. Increased Funding: The Trump administration secured a permanent annual funding increase of $255 million for HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions as part of the FUTURE Act, signed into law in December 2019. This act provided sustained federal support for these institutions, ensuring more consistent financial backing.
2. HBCU Capital Financing Program: The administration made changes to the HBCU Capital Financing Program to help these institutions access low-cost capital for infrastructure improvements. This included deferments on loans and other measures to ease financial burdens on HBCUs.
3. Executive Order on HBCUs: In February 2017, Trump signed an executive order to move the federal initiative on HBCUs from the Department of Education to the White House, specifically to the Executive Office of the President. This move was intended to give HBCUs more direct access to the president and ensure that these institutions had a stronger voice in federal policy discussions.
4. Financial Support and Grants: The administration facilitated increased funding opportunities through various federal grants and programs, encouraging public-private partnerships to enhance the financial stability and educational capabilities of HBCUs.

**Joe Biden's Major Accomplishments:**

1. **American Rescue Plan Act (2021):** Enacted a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package that included direct stimulus payments to Americans, extended unemployment benefits, and funding for vaccine distribution and schools.

2. **Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021):** Passed a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill aimed at improving roads, bridges, public transit, broadband, and water systems.

3. **COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout:** Oversaw the distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines, significantly increasing the vaccination rate and addressing the pandemic.

4. **Economic Recovery:** Under Biden, the economy saw significant job growth and recovery from the pandemic-induced recession, with substantial reductions in unemployment rates.

5. **Climate Change Initiatives:** Rejoined the Paris Agreement and introduced ambitious climate goals, including a pledge to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030.

6. **Social Policies:**
- Expanded the Child Tax Credit, providing monthly payments to millions of families, which temporarily reduced child poverty rates.
- Took executive actions to address issues like racial equity, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigration reform.

7. **Foreign Policy:**
- Withdrew U.S. troops from Afghanistan, ending the 20-year war, though the withdrawal faced significant criticism for its execution.
- Strengthened alliances and re-engaged with international institutions and agreements.

These lists highlight some of the major accomplishments of both administrations, reflecting their differing priorities and approaches to governance.