Biden poised to move quickly once in office

When the president changes, the face of the US government changes. Get ready for the most dramatic possible change next week.The congressional impeachment drive against Donald Trump could complicate the onset of Joe Biden’s presidency. But despite the potential distraction of a Senate trial, the entire character and focus of the federal government will change on January 20 – for the better.Throughout his troubled, sometimes sabotaged transition, the president-elect made clear he will focus on fixing the health and economic problems besetting the country and restoring the serious tone that has been lacking the past four years.Biden has indicated that soon after he takes the oath from Chief Justice John Roberts, he will ask Congress to supplement the recent inadequate Covid-19 relief measure. His proposal will likely include the rest of the proposed $2,000 direct relief to individuals, expanded unemployment benefits, help for small business and added financial help for the states, including funds to speed vaccinations.He also plans an array of administrative moves to start undoing Trump’s regulatory rollbacks, notably by restoring numerous environmental protection measures.Biden appears poised to move quickly to take advantage of the political clout every new president enjoys and show Americans and the rest of the world how things have changed in Washington.These characteristics are likely to exemplify that change:— Presidential leadership. The new president is expected to send the House and Senate prompt proposals to cope with the country’s two most pressing problems, the coronavirus pandemic that continues to rage, in part due to inadequate national leadership, and the resulting economic fallout.During the Trump administration, the executive branch usually let lawmakers lead on major issues like tax cuts, Covid relief and repealing the Affordable Care Act.Besides abandoning the normal executive leadership role, Trump’s White House was often only tangentially involved as Republicans and Democratic congressional leaders struggled to reach agreements, as in last year’s long fight over additional Covid relief.Biden’s White House will be much more activist, both making proposals and negotiating their enactment, helped by the fact that fellow Democrats will have majorities in both houses, albeit small ones.— Straight talk. The days of government by instinct, whim and tweet will end. Biden made clear during the transition, as in the campaign, he intends to use traditional means to make his positions clear and act accordingly.The cascade of commentary from the president constantly tooting his own horn and trashing critics will be replaced by more considered presidential statements.Until recent days, Biden concentrated on his own proposals and the problems they address. Hopefully, he won’t spend much more time criticising his predecessor and blaming Trump for the problems he was elected to fix.— Bipartisan outreach. For four years, Trump governed by mobilising his own partisans, both on Capitol Hill and in the country. One of his political failures was his refusal to reach out beyond his 2016 base.Biden will draw his main public support from the 81 million Americans who voted for him and gave Democrats control of the House and Senate. But he has vowed to reach out to those more independent Republican lawmakers who might back some of his proposals.Only time will tell if Biden can attract some GOP support. While he is sincere, reality may prove difficult, given continuing partisan divisions. And for whatever reason, he failed to include any Republicans in his Cabinet.— Return to normalcy. Biden has promised a return to such normal procedures as daily White House press briefings. The burden will be on incoming Press Secretary Jennifer Psaki to restore their role as an intermediary between the administration and the press corps, providing accurate information about Biden’s positions and straight answers to questions, however pointed. — Tribune News Service