By Chitra Balachandran
Very often, while engaging in a discussion with friends and family, the question comes up: But what has this administration actually done? How am I benefiting from this? I thought I’d share some data points
Disclaimer: This is by no means an exhaustive list of what has been achieved or is in the pipeline to date.
CHIPS and Science Act: This act allocated over $50 billion to subsidize new microchip facilities in the U.S. and support national research, bolstering innovation and competitiveness. To date, the Commerce Department has announced over $30 billion in proposed CHIPS private sector investments spanning 23 projects in 15 states. These projects include 16 new semiconductor manufacturing facilities and are expected to create over 115,000 manufacturing and construction jobs across the country.
Infrastructure: The bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act invested in rebuilding America’s roads, bridges, and railways. This law created the largest investment in clean energy in U.S. history and will lower household energy costs, mitigate the harms of climate change, and make American manufacturing competitive in the global clean energy economy.
Healthcare: Key measures include capping insulin prices for seniors on Medicare at $35, providing free adult vaccines like the shingles vaccine, and championing over-the-counter birth control. Biden also launched a $3 billion plan to replace 9 million lead pipes over the next decade, the strictest regulation on lead in water to date.
Veterans’ Benefits: Biden signed into law the largest expansion of benefits for toxin-exposed veterans in over 30 years, allowing more veterans to enroll in healthcare services without first applying for VA benefits.
Gun Violence Prevention: The administration established the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and launched the Safer States Initiative, providing federal support to reduce gun violence. In 2023, $286 million was allocated to improve mental health services in schools.
Consumer Protection: Proposed changes to overdraft fees could save customers $3.5 billion annually by lowering fees to between $3 and $14, instead of $35.
Marriage Protection: Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act, codifying protections for same-sex and interracial marriages.
Student Loans: The administration has provided $7.7 billion in loan relief for 160,000 borrowers and implemented rules to ensure career training programs don’t leave graduates burdened by excessive debt.
Climate Change and Energy: Biden’s administration has pushed for green energy through tax incentives for solar, wind, and hydrogen technologies. It has also achieved record U.S. oil production (13 million barrels a day) and helped avert a humanitarian crisis in Congo, ensuring access to cobalt, vital for electric vehicles.
Agriculture and Environment: The Inflation Reduction Act helped transition agriculture into less carbon-intensive practices and provided $1 billion to support small and mid-sized farmers. Biden also played a role in saving the Colorado River and secured $4 billion for conservation efforts.
These achievements highlight the administration’s focus on economic growth, public health, environmental sustainability, and social justice.
For more information on the landmark CHIPs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, check these links:
The Inflation Reduction Act Still Reduces the Deficit – Center for American Progress
Chitra Balachandran is an amateur ceramist and an avid yoga practitioner who loves to travel and commune with nature. Chitra has been volunteering for the Democratic Party, starting with door-door canvassing with her parents since President Obama’s campaign. She never misses an opportunity to volunteer through door knocking, phone banking or postcard writing at the local, state and federal levels.
