After a Rocky 1st Year in Office, Biden Looks to 2022 to Achieve His Goals

Biden addresses the American public after one year in office. Source: MSN

January 20th marked 365 days since President Joe Biden took office. In his January 19th news conference, Biden reflected upon the first year of his presidency and expanded on his goals as his administration takes on 2022. He touched on topics such as coronavirus, the economy, current affairs with Russia, and his legislative goals. The conference lasted roughly two hours as he fielded questions from the press. 

In terms of the coronavirus, Biden has had mixed success with getting the US back to “normalcy.” Just over two weeks ago, on Jan 10th, the US saw an all-time high for a single day of reported Covid-19 cases with 1.4 million cases. Similarly, the number of new Covid-19 hospitalizations also hit new highs recently. 

On a better note, Biden touted the broad success of vaccination efforts across the country. He said, “We went from 2 million people being vaccinated at the moment I was sworn in to 210 million Americans being fully vaccinated today.” 80.3% of people eligible for vaccination have received at least one dose. The vaccination campaign has been successful in its reach and in countering severe illness and death. Currently, less Americans, on average, are dying from Covid-19 than they were in January 2021. Still, there’s been a significant backslide since the lows of summer 2021. 

As a candidate, Biden promised to make Covid tests widely available. However, there was an inadequate supply of tests as the Omicron variant swept the US In response, the administration moved to distribute 375 million at-home tests. In his speech, Biden conceded that testing should have been more available but the government is “doing more now” to provide it. 

The president empathized with a frustrated public but pointed to things such as school reopenings and an economic recovery as reasons for hope. All in all, the coronavirus will be a persistent issue for the Biden administration in 2022. Polls show Covid-19 is the number 2 concern for registered voters, preceded only by the economy. 

Biden also touted the current strong unemployment rate and the general resurgence of the economy. The unemployment rate sits at 3.9%, as compared to 6.7% a year ago. As the economy has adjusted to changes brought upon by Covid-19, wages have generally risen in the US. However, considerably high inflation is eating into these wage gains. 

Inflation sits at 7% — harming the outlook of the Biden presidency. In his speech Biden indicated that the Federal Reserve will likely make changes to combat it. In the recent past, the money supply ballooned in order to stimulate spending. An increased money supply and shocks to the supply chain have caused inflation to rise quickly. The Fed is likely to increase interest rates in order to counter rising prices. 

Biden also reflected on his 2021 legislative achievements and touched on his goals for 2022. He spoke to the bipartisan infrastructure bill that he signed into law this past November. The bill includes “record investment” for roads, bridges, highways, ports, and more. He also highlighted new investments in expanding internet access. The president also alluded to another expansive piece of legislation known as the Build Back Better Act. 

The Build Back Better Act contains framework for a variety of Biden’s policy goals. The bill addresses the cost of childcare, climate, prescription drug prices, paid family and sick leave, and more. However, the bill is seemingly doomed to fail — as Republicans senators are united in their opposition of the bill with select Senate Democrats set to vote against it. With a Senate split 50-50 by party, it will fail in its current form. In Biden’s speech he said he would pursue pieces of Build Back Better in separate legislative packages. 

As a candidate, Biden promised a withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan. As president, Biden fulfilled this promise. By August 30th, the troops were withdrawn. When answering questions, Biden acknowledged that continuing the conflict was doubtful to unite Afghanistan under one government and that more Americans would be killed. 

In the midst of the withdrawal and the images that came with it, Biden’s approval rating went underwater. For the first time, on August 29th, more Americans disapproved of Biden’s presidency than approved. His approval rating has remained unfavorable ever since.

Looking forward to the rest of 2022, Biden needs to move in order to achieve his legislative goals. The sitting president’s party historically loses legislative majorities during the midterm elections and this midterm seems no different. High inflation, uncertainty about coronavirus, and failure to pass promised legislation all amount to Biden’s 42% approval rating. It would be an anomaly for the Democrats to hold power in Congress considering election history and Biden’s poor public standing. So, if Biden fails to pass his signature legislative policy goals this year, he most likely will not have another opportunity to do so. 

All in all, there is much work to be done this year for the president. Though the midterms are 10 months away, he will need to make progress on a variety of crises or the Democratic Party will likely face a steep political price. 2022 holds an opportunity for Biden to help improve the lives of Americans and pass his policy goals. His legacy likely depends upon what he can facilitate this calendar year.