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Welcome to the Weekly Transition Tracker
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April 23, 2021
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Each week, Ballotpedia is tracking key presidential appointments, executive actions, and policy developments from the Biden administration. We will publish one more edition of the Weekly Transition Tracker for the final week of Biden's first 100 days in office. |
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BALLOTPEDIA |
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The Senate voted 50-50 on the discharge of Colin Kahl’s nomination for under secretary of defense for policy from the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday. Vice President Kamala Harris (D) cast the tie-breaking vote to advance Kahl’s nomination.
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The Senate confirmed Gary Gensler to the Securities and Exchange Commission for a term ending on June 5, 2026, on Tuesday. Four Republicans supported his nomination: Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Chuck Grassley (Iowa), Cynthia Lummis (Wyo.), and Mike Rounds (S.D.).
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The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation scheduled a confirmation hearing for Eric Lander for director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy on Apr. 29.
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Executive Actions
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Biden issued three proclamations this week on Earth Day, the death of Vice President Walter Mondale (D), and National Park Week.
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Biden released his “International Climate Finance Plan” on Thursday, as previously discussed in his climate executive order signed Jan. 27. In a summary provided by the White House, the plan states the U.S. intends to double its annual public climate finance to developing countries, compared to the average level during the second half of the Obama administration, by 2024.
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Other News
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The Office of Management and Budget said in a statement on Tuesday that the Biden administration supported H.R. 51, which seeks to make Washington, D.C., a state.
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Biden is expected to recognize the killing and deportation of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during World War I as a genocide on Saturday. He would be the first president to do so since President Ronald Reagan (R).
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Twenty Republican attorneys general sent a letter to Biden and congressional leadership to oppose potentially expanding the number of justices on the Supreme Court.
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Biden said on Wednesday that the U.S. had administered 200 million vaccine doses. He also announced a tax credit for small businesses that allow workers paid time off to receive the vaccine. To learn more about vaccine distribution by state, click here.
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Republicans announced that Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) will deliver the party’s response to Biden’s first address to a joint session of Congress on Apr. 28. Progressive Democrats will also offer a response, represented by Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.).
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Biden convened a two-day virtual climate summit on Thursday to discuss emissions reduction and other climate actions. Forty countries were invited. Biden announced his administration was targeting a 50-52 percent reduction of economy-wide net greenhouse gas pollution from 2005 levels in 2030.
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Biden is expected to call for raising the top marginal income tax rate to 39.6% from 37% as part of the American Family Plan, set to be released in full next week. The proposal is also expected to double taxes on capital gains to 39.6% for individuals earning more than $1 million.
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Transition in Context: Flashback to Trump’s First Year in Office
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Here’s a look at what President Donald Trump (R) was doing this week during his first year in office.
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April 19, 2017: CNBC reported that Trump’s inaugural committee raised a record-setting $106.7 million.
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April 20, 2017: Trump said that he did not believe the U.S. should have a role in stabilizing Libya.
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April 21, 2017: Trump said he would support Attorney General Jeff Sessions if he wanted to bring charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
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April 22, 2017: The Trump administration replaced Vivek Murthy as U.S. surgeon general with Rear Adm. Sylvia Trent-Adams as the acting U.S. surgeon general.
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April 23, 2017: Trump reiterated that he expected Mexico to eventually pay for the $20 billion border wall Trump proposed building.
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Transition in Context: Flashback to Obama’s First Year in Office
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Here’s a look at what President Barack Obama (D) was doing this week during his first year in office.
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April 19, 2009: Obama discussed a potential thaw in relations with Cuba and Venezuela during the final day of the Summit of the Americas.
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April 20, 2009: Obama discussed the release of Bush-era memos on interrogation techniques.
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April 21, 2009: Obama signed into law the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which aimed to triple the number of positions in the AmeriCorps program.
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April 22, 2009: Obama visited a wind turbine manufacturing facility to mark Earth Day.
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April 23, 2009: White House officials said Obama would nominate Philip Mudd to be the undersecretary for intelligence and analysis at the Department of Homeland Security.
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Transition in Context: Presidential Approval Rating
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The following chart compares the presidential approval ratings of Presidents Donald Trump (R) and Joe Biden (D) on a week-over-week basis. This number is taken from the 30-day average of polls conducted by a select list of polling organizations and outlets. Click here to read the list of polling organizations used.
President Biden's approval rating for the 12th week of his term was 54.4%, up 0.9 percentage points from the week before. President Trump's approval rating at the same point in his term was 41%, up 0.1 percentage points from the week before.
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Transition in Context: Congressional Approval Rating
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The following chart compares congressional approval ratings during the administrations of Presidents Donald Trump (R) and Joe Biden (D) on a week-over-week basis. This number is taken from the 30-day average of polls conducted by a select list of polling organizations and outlets. Click here to read the list of polling organizations used.
Congress' approval rating during the 12th week of President Biden's term was 26.4%, up 2.2 percentage points from the week before. At the same point in President Trump's term, Congress' approval rating was 13.4%, down 2.4 percentage points from the week before.
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Transition in Context: In Their Words…
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Here’s what Democratic and Republican leaders have said about D.C. statehood.
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“The Constitution does not establish any prerequisites for new states, but Congress generally has considered three: population and resources, support for statehood and commitment to democracy. The State of Washington, D.C. would meet each. D.C.’s population of 712,000 is larger than two states. D.C. pays more federal taxes per capita than any state and pays more federal taxes than 21 states. D.C.’s gross domestic product is larger than 17 states. In 2016, 86 percent of D.C. residents voted for statehood. D.C. residents have been petitioning for voting representation in Congress and local autonomy for 220 years.” – Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.)
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“Three months into the 117th Congress, it appears Democrats are determined to rush through power grab after power grab. Their latest effort to grant D.C. statehood is just another example of their political greediness and goal to alter the very fabric of our republic. Americans recognize this blatant power grab intended to increase the number of Democrat Senators so they can enact their radical agenda and forever tip the scales of power in their favor. If the Democrats want D.C. statehood, make it part of Maryland.” – Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.)
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“Our nation’s capital is home to more than just a collection of monuments and museums. It is home to American families who go to work, start businesses, pay their federal taxes, serve in the military and are still denied a vote in Congress. In fact, currently, 11,000 D.C. residents are serving in the military and can be sent to fight a war that they had no say in fighting. At its most basic level, the issue of D.C. statehood is not a Republican or Democratic issue. It’s an issue about basic fairness and equal and full representation for all citizens.” – Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.)
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“D.C. statehood is all about Speaker Pelosi and liberal democrats consolidating their power to enact radical policies nationwide like the Green New Deal, packing the Supreme Court, and eliminating the filibuster. The Democrats’ bill is unconstitutional and no amount of testimony can change that basic fact. The bill does not address the financial burden that would fall on the District if statehood was granted or other practical implications. H.R. 51 doesn’t rest in sound policy and is a dangerous political power grab that will ensure more government intrusion into Americans’ daily lives.” – Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.)
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