Ahead of President Biden’s first address to a joint session of Congress tonight, stories this week continue to prove that he has followed through on his commitment to defeating the pandemic. From the American Rescue Plan, which has provided much needed funding for vaccine distribution, $1,400 direct checks, school re-openings, health care benefits, unemployment insurance and so much more, to his bold action to get vaccine shots in arms at a record pace, President Biden is doing exactly what he promised: bringing an end to the pandemic and getting our economy back on track.
Read what stories are saying about President Biden’s accomplishments in his first 100 days:
CNN: Biden’s First 100 Days: What He’s Gotten Done. “Those efforts have paid off, with the administration reaching the milestones of 200 million coronavirus shots delivered and vaccine eligibility opened to everyone 16 and over before Biden’s 100th day in office. Unemployment is falling, with new jobless claims hitting a pandemic low, and schools are reopening for in-person learning, returning kids and families to a semblance of normal life.” [CNN, 4/28/21]
Reuters: “The American Rescue Plan, Passed Over Republican Opposition, Delivered On The Key Economic Promise Biden Made On The Campaign Trail: Checks For Americans.” “Biden, a Democrat, devoted much of his first several weeks in office to passing a $1.9 trillion stimulus bill to limit the pandemic’s economic fallout. The American Rescue Plan, passed over Republican opposition, delivered on the key economic promise Biden made on the campaign trail: checks for Americans. Helped by the stimulus plan for families and businesses and also by the steady rollout of vaccines, economic growth is expected to top 7% this year, the fastest since 1984. It would follow a 3.5% contraction last year, the worst performance in 74 years.” [Reuters, 4/27/21]
USA Today: Why Joe Biden’s Presidency Has Been So Surprising In The First 100 Days. “Polls show broad support for the COVID-19 relief package that Biden signed last month, including cash payments of $1,400 to most Americans. In this bill and the legislation now being drafted, Biden wants to boost growth, reverse economic inequality and bolster the federal safety net, especially for children.” [USA Today, 4/28/21]
CNN: CNN Poll: Majority Of Americans Approve Of Biden And His Priorities In First 100 Days. “Biden earns broad approval for his handling of the defining issue of the last year of American life, the coronavirus pandemic. Overall, 66% approve of his handling of it, up 6 points since early March. He earns near universal approval on the issue from Democrats (97% approve), 65% approval among independents, and 30% approval from Republicans — 16 points higher than GOP approval for Biden on any other issue tested in the poll.” [CNN, 4/28/21]
USA Today: How U.S. Economy Has Performed During Biden’s First 100 Days — In 7 Charts. “Biden gets props for getting the vaccine process sped up,” Moody says.He also spearheaded the latest $1.9 trillion COVID relief package, passed by Congress in March, that includes another round of $1,400 stimulus checks. The Treasury Department says it has disbursed 161 million of those payments totaling $379 billion. All told, Americans are flush with an additional $2.4 trillion that they’ve squirreled way during the outbreak and they’re ready to spend much of it just as the economy is getting back on its feet.” [USA Today, 4/28/21]
Kaiser Health News: Evaluating President Joe Biden’s First 100 Days In Office. “The American Rescue Plan was a $1.9 trillion bill aimed at both providing additional funding for fighting the pandemic and helping the economy through the resulting recession. The measure included aid to state and local governments, increased unemployment insurance, support for vaccination efforts, education aid, refundable child tax credits and housing assistance. ‘Few presidents have passed anything as consequential as the relief package’ in their first 100 days, said John J. Pitney Jr., a political scientist at Claremont McKenna College.” [Kaiser Health News, 4/27/21]
Reuters: Biden Fares Better Than Trump Over His First 100 Days: Reuters/Ipsos Poll. “More than half of Americans approve of President Joe Biden after nearly 100 days on the job, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling, a level of support that his Republican predecessor Donald Trump never achieved and one that should help Democrats push for infrastructure spending and other big-ticket items on Biden’s agenda…Biden received the highest marks for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, with 65% supporting his response. In January, 38% approved of Trump’s handling of the health crisis. Ninety-percent of Democrats, 61% of independents and 39% of Republicans said they approved of Biden’s response, the poll showed.” [Reuters, 4/27/21]
Bloomberg: Biden Approval Over 50% Nearing 100-Day Mark, Polls Show. “President Joe Biden is holding above 50% approval, according to polls released on Sunday as he nears the end of his first 100 days in office. Biden got high marks for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.” [Bloomberg, 4/25/21]