Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1337485
Biden Takes Immediate Action to Address Crises T A K I N G O F F I C E A T a time when the nation faces some of the greatest challenges in its history, President Biden began working almost immediately after the inauguration, signing a series of executive orders and taking actions during his first week, including: • Directing the education secretary to assist states in deciding whether and how to safely reopen schools for in-person learning, and coordinate the collection of data to inform safe reopening. Biden asked Congress to pro- vide at least $130 billion to K-12 schools, and $350 billion in state and local aid that would help districts avoid lay-offs and close budget gaps. He also proposed reim- bursing states for costs necessary to reopening schools through the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund and proposed additional resources to help schools to establish screen- ing, testing and tracing programs. • Rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement, a global pact to reduce carbon emissions. • Rejoining the World Health Organization. • Revoking the so-called Muslim ban, which restricted foreign nationals from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S. • Directing the Department of Homeland Security to preserve and strengthen Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), to protect undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children. • Halting construction and funding of the border wall. • Enforcing sex discrimination protections within the fed- eral government. • Revoking the Pentagon's ban on transgender people serving in the military. For more of Biden's early actions and executive orders, go to cta.org/inauguration. First lady Jill Biden, center, with AFT President Randi Weingarten, left, and NEA President Becky Pringle at the White House. President Biden signed more than 30 executive orders during his first week in office. "Educators, this is our moment! We know how to be a light in the darkness, and Joe is going to be a champion for you. You will always have a seat at the table." —Dr. Jill Biden, first lady and NEA member 25 F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 0 21 Educators are encouraged not only by President Biden's leadership, but also by knowing that there is finally a true partner in the White House who will prioritize students by working with educators in the decision- making process. There is much work that needs to be done, and the path will not be easy, but there is now a new dawn in America." —NEA President Becky Pringle