Has Joe Biden Truly Fulfilled His Promises as President or Are They Just Empty Words?

Opinions on Joe Biden's performance as president are often subjective. While some view his tenure favorably, others may see it as a series of unfulfilled promises. Regardless of one's personal feelings, it is important to objectively assess the president's accomplishments and the extent to which he has kept his pre-election promises.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Previous Administrations with the Trump-O-Meter and Biden Promise Tracker

Presidents often face significant challenges in fulfilling their campaign promises. For the previous administration, a tool known as the Trump-O-Meter from PolitiFact tracked the president's promises and outcomes. According to the data, Trump kept or compromised on approximately 51% of his campaign promises. This metric provides a baseline for comparison when examining current promises.

Similarly, a tool known as the Biden Promise Tracker from PolitiFact is being used to track Biden's progress. This tracker categorizes and evaluates the president's campaign promises, providing a transparent assessment of his performance. As of the latest update, the tracker highlights several key areas where Biden has made significant strides.

Key Promises Kept During Biden's Presidency

When Joe Biden assumed office, the United States was already in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, Biden and his administration have accomplished numerous goals that they originally set out to achieve. Here are some specific instances where Biden has fulfilled his promises:

Medicare Drug Price Negotiation: The law barring Medicare from negotiating lower drug prices was repealed, providing a significant improvement in healthcare affordability. COVID-19 Pandemic Management: A comprehensive plan was developed to manage the pandemic, including increased vaccine distribution, enhanced testing, and the establishment of robust public health measures. Police Reforms: The Department of Justice's power to address police misconduct was expanded, moving towards greater transparency and accountability. Veteran Services: Access to Veterans Affairs (VA) care was expanded, particularly for combat veterans who have been historically underserved. Economic and Social Justice: Efforts were made to reduce the health insurance rate for African Americans and to address systemic issues that disproportionately affected marginalized communities. Environmental Commitments: The US was put on a path to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, with initiatives geared towards sustainable development. Supreme Court Representation: The first Black woman was nominated to the Supreme Court, marking a historic step towards diversity and inclusion.

Challenges Faced by Biden’s Promises

While many of Biden's promises have been fulfilled, some have faced significant obstacles. Notably, the Supreme Court's rejection of Biden's student loan forgiveness plan has been a significant setback. However, the administration has managed to forgive student loans for millions of individuals, which represents a substantial accomplishment nonetheless.

Despite these challenges, the Biden administration has demonstrated a commitment to addressing various critical issues. The Restoring America's Promise initiative launched major reforms in areas ranging from economic resilience to environmental sustainability. Several specific promises that have been realized include:

5G Infrastructure: Initiatives to develop secure private-sector-led 5G networks have been prioritized to enhance digital infrastructure. Gender Violence: Federal resources have been directed towards preventing violence against transgender women, reflecting a broader commitment to gender equity. Defense Production Act: The Defense Production Act has been utilized to produce essential personal protective equipment during the pandemic. World Health Organization (WHO): Rejoining the WHO has bolstered global collaboration on public health issues. Climate Action: The rejoining of the Paris climate agreement has positioned the US as a global leader in combating climate change. Vaccine Distribution: The goal of delivering 100 million vaccine shots to 50 million people within 100 days was achieved, demonstrating a commitment to public health. Small Business Aid: A "restart package" was provided to help small businesses recover from pandemic-related closures. Immigration Reforms: Significant strides were made in reversing family separation policies and the transgender military ban.

Conclusion

While some of Joe Biden's promises have been met with challenges and setbacks, his administration has made substantial progress in various critical areas. The Biden Promise Tracker serves as a valuable tool for evaluating the president's achievements and the degree to which he has delivered on his campaign promises. Whether one holds a positive or negative view of the president, it is essential to acknowledge the significant efforts and accomplishments made during his tenure.