And in any of these situations, who performs well in 2022? Is bipartisan compromise rewarded? Does obstruction win control of the Senate? Or maybe voters, recognizing the value of the Democratic platform, adds to their majority.
That's remarkably distant, and it makes this time seem laboriously perpetual.
Biden's actions intend to maintain the status quo. He has done nothing to pressure Republicans or Democrats to adjust to his administration.
And with that: The Presidential Events of May.
Staff:
The Senate refused to certify the nomination of Neera Tanden to lead the Office of Management and Budget, but Biden designated her a White House senior advisor. Biden appointed long term diplomat, Sung Kim, as special envoy to North Korea. Biden prepared to send close political allies, wealthy donors, and centrist Republicans to prime ambassadorial positions. Potential ambassadors include Eric Garcetti, Cindy McCain, and two Kennedys. The White House continued to pack Pentagon positions with defense contractors.Israel and Palestine:
After Israel attempted to evict six Palestinian families from their homes, and stormed the al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, Hamas responded with an ultimatum. Remove police and military from the Mosque and Sheikh Jarrah. When Israel refused, Hamas launched rockets at Tel Aviv. Israel responded with airstrikes on the Gaza strip. Within a day, 18 adults and 10 children died in Gaza, and 2 adults died in Israel. Biden refused to condemn the illegal seizure of land by Palestine, instead saying, “Israel has a right to defend itself,” as Netanyahu and the IDF murdered 39 adults and 14 children in Gaza. Four days into the slaughter, 109 Palestinians and 7 Israelis lay dead. Israel continued its defenseless barbarity, destroying buildings, and forcing Palestinians to flee. As the world called for peace, and Biden remained silent, Netanyahu pledge to attack with “full force”. After eight days Biden expressed support for a potential ceasefire, but refused to condemn Israel's bombardment, or ask for an immediate halt of fire. After eleven days, Israel and Hamas signed a ceasefire. Over 230 Palestinians died to Israeli attacks, and twelve Israelis died to Hamas rockets. The IDF claimed it was judicious and careful in its targets. But when 25% of casualties are children you sacrifice your credibility.During the atrocity, younger Democrats criticized Biden for his overeager defense of Israel. The President stressed his party's support for Israel, which is like supporting police as they shoot unconvicted prisoners. In response, Bernie Sanders urged the United States to remember that “Palestinian rights matter.” Over 500 staffers and alumni of Biden's 2020 campaign signed an open letter criticizing the President for his silence on Israel's bombardment.
Other Foreign Policy:
Israel claimed that Biden told them, the United States wasn't close to renewing the Iran deal. Though Biden appears committed to a complete withdrawal from Afghanistan, Hillary Clinton criticized the decision. Hopefully it never happens, but Biden had to plan for a hypothetical Chinese invasion of Taiwan.Coronavirus:
At the start of May the United States added 50,000 new coronavirus cases and 695 deaths, daily. By the end of the month daily cases were 20,000, and deaths numbered 470. These numbers are a tragedy, but significantly reduced from the worst of the winter. They would be better, but the population is still resistant to the solution: the vaccine. Biden pledged to vaccinate 70% of adults by July 4th. He may miss his goal, not because of a lack of production, but a lack of willingness of the population to take their medicine. By the end of May, 54% percent of adults (18+) were vaccinated, with 64% reporting one dose. The total population is 43% fully vaccinated, but particular states turned down vaccine supplies. Under international and progressive pressure, Biden supported a patent waiver for coronavirus vaccines. The White House promised to send 20 million additional doses to foreign countries. The United States urged further study of the coronavirus' origin. And the CDC said vaccinated adolescents at camp could go unmasked outside.Immigration:
Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, defended the administration's immigration policy, which upset conservatives and progressives alike. The President revoked a Trump order that prevented destitute immigrants from entering the country. But Biden also prepared to fast track deportations for illegal immigrants. Meanwhile Heath and Human Services intended to double the capacity for underage migrants at Fort Bliss in Texas (from 5,000 to 10,000 beds).Infrastructure and GOP Obstruction:
Biden proposed $4 trillion in spending on a mixture of infrastructure and education. Despite its popularity in polling, Republicans, Joe Manchin, and possibly a handful of other Democrats, are resisting the plan. Mitch McConnell declared his intent to block 100% of Biden's agenda. Yet, Biden continued to seek consensus with the GOP, wasting valuable time. Though Biden initially sought $2.2 trillion for his infrastructure bill, Republicans hoped he would accept $800 billion. The GOP asked for part of their reduced bill to be paid for with user fees (like an increased gas tax), but Biden said no. Yellen wants businesses to pay part of the infrastructure bill. All but the most conservative Democrats have become worried that the negotiations will either 1) Result in a watered down bill, a victory for Republicans, or 2) Delay until Democrats no longer hold power in the Senate.The Environment:
The Infrastructure bill is tied to the environment. It is Biden's best (and yet insufficient) effort to curb global warming. Currently the president has achieved little. Climate change will not wait. If unabated, rapid sea level rise may become unavoidable. Antartica calved the largest iceberg in recorded history. Biden has only offered minor actions, or large potential, but uninitiated plans. As Earth prepared to temporarily pass the 1.5°C target, Biden's climate adviser Gina McCarthy said it was ridiculous to ask people to sacrifice. The public is asked all the time to sacrifice, for war, for solidarity, to tolerate injustice. If they don't sacrifice now, they will later. The powerful are never asked to sacrifice. And they won't suffer from climate change, at least, at first. Though Biden did approve the first large offshore wind farm, he won't revoke the construction of a polluting plastics factory, cancel the Alaskan drilling projects approved by Trump, or talk about the effects of meat on the warming planet (No sacrifice! Until it is unavoidable).Budget:
Biden released his budget for 2022. He obviously upset Republicans. His plan removes the Hyde rule, the ban on federal funds for abortions. And he wants to spend more on education, the environment, and infrastructure. But Biden's budget also asked for an increase in Department of Defense spending, and abandoned compromises with progressives (a public option, drug pricing reform, $10,000 student debt cancellation, and an estate tax increase). The latter were all less than what progressives wanted, and Biden promised these on the campaign trail. Instead of asking for a public option, Biden insisted on $200 billion to expand the ACA subsidies.Ethics:
Biden released his 2020 tax returns, a low bar, but better than his predecessor. After the DOJ admitted that under Trump it collected data on reporters, Biden said it would not happen in his White House. Regarding transparency Anita Dunn, a senior Biden advisor, avoided ethics disclosures by declaring her work merely temporary. And while Biden avoided drug pricing reforms in his budget, Democrats hammered Republicans who opposed it, while their own members rejected the House bill as well.Other:
Biden failed to achieve any legislation to curb gun violence. Shootings continue unabated.But Biden did cancel Trump's National Garden of American Heroes.
Recent:
Hades: An Olympian Feat of Remaking Greek Mythology
Relevant:
The Presidential Events: April 2021
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