| Iowa City Press-Citizen
Written by Venise Berry, on behalf of the Iowa City Press-Citizen Volunteer Editorial Staff. This opinion section is a summary of a collective discussion within the board. It is not an endorsement by the Iowa City Press-Citizen.
While we understand the need for it Vice President Kamala Harris will offer her own leadership focusWe do not believe that Americans should ignore or forget the success of the Biden-Harris administration.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took office during the COVID pandemic, so their first order of business was to break our downward spiral. Not only did they significantly slow the staggering death toll with the American Rescue Plan, which focused on free COVID shots and testing, but they also allowed our schools and businesses to reopen, providing necessary resources, grants and air quality improvements were provided. The American Rescue Plan also prevented Americans from falling into insurmountable debt with direct financial payments and provided tax credits for children and dependent care.
Their bipartisan infrastructure bill is currently being used to improve roads, bridges, rail, and internet access and replace lead pipes to bring clean water to communities across America. Key benefits include creating good jobs and addressing climate issues that have long been ignored.
Even though the passed gun safety bill doesn’t do everything they wanted, it has saved lives by expanding background checks, limiting inappropriate gun purchases, implementing red flag laws, and helping people in domestic violence situations.
The Chips and Science Actwhich was also a bipartisan effort helped expand manufacturing capabilities in this country. Specifically, it funds factories that make computer chips in America, strengthens supply chains and invests in critical research, development, science and technology.
Under the Biden Harris administration, a groundbreaking deal was made regarding “Big Pharma,” which lowers the cost of prescription drugs. For example, the price of insulin has fallen from $300 to $35, and current negotiations will reduce the cost of ten additional popular drugs. A $2,000 limit on out-of-pocket costs has also been established for Medicare recipients.
An increase in federal purchases from businesses at home has been noted with the Buy American Law. This program now increases the limits from 55% to 65% and will increase again to 75% in 2029.
However, we know that prices are still too high. the Inflation Reduction Act has significantly reduced inflation in America and is now back to 2021 levels of 2.4%. The bill invests in domestic energy production, aims to reduce energy costs, strengthens our country’s energy security, reduces CO2 emissions and expands various parts of the energy sector. Affordable Care Act.
The bottom line is that the Biden-Harris administration has championed the American family by expanding access to affordable health care, supporting medical and family leave, lowering child care costs, improving nursing home requirements and expanding Head Start possibilities. Their efforts to support unions and middle-class households have led to higher wages, overtime, and safer workplaces. Protecting Social Security and Medicare has been an important part of their agenda to ensure the safety and dignity of our elderly. About five million Americans have received student debt relief and they are fighting to help more struggling alumni. Furthermore, prominent climate change issues such as land and water conservation are addressed, in addition to the implementation of clean and renewable energy standards.
Finally, focusing on democracy has been a critical goal of the Biden-Harris administration. We’re not sure how we got to this place where a candidate who wants to end the Constitution is eligible for the American presidency, but Vice President Kamala Harris has fought and continues to fight to strengthen and preserve American democracy. In contrast to her opponent’s dark, negative, ‘other-minded’ campaign, she supports freedom, inclusivity and joy. She believes that everyone should be able to love who they want to love, that women should have control over their own bodies, and that there is a serious need to combat racial injustice and hate speech.
While many of the actions taken by the Biden-Harris administration have helped during this difficult time, we understand that many people are still not where they want or need to be. Too many people don’t feel the kind of improvements in their lives that matter. We have no doubt that presidential candidate Kamala Harris will continue to build on the Biden-Harris success, while also expanding into her own areas of progress, such as increasing affordable housing, reducing the cost of goods and services, growing small businesses and the tax system. cuts for the lower and middle classes.
Under the Biden Harris administration, America has recovered from the COVID pandemic faster and better than any other country. The stock market is experiencing one of its all-time highs in 2024 as the pandemic slows. 15.7 million jobs have been created with an unemployment rate now less than 4%. America is drilling more oil than at any other time in our history. At the same time, we are making great progress in the development of clean energy. Finally, we should mention that the average gas price in Iowa has fallen below $3 per gallon.
As you consider how to vote, we believe it is important that you reflect on the many successes of the Biden-Harris administration that have made a difference. And then think about how much more Vice President Kamala Harris can do if she is elected on November 5. She will continue not only the positive achievements she began with President Joe Biden, but drawing on her own ideas and experiences she has pledged to seek common ground and common sense solutions. She wants to ensure that the lower and middle classes do more than just make ends meet; they have to move forward. And she plans to create an opportunity economy where everyone can experience the American dream.
The Iowa City Press-Citizen Editorial Board is a volunteer group of community members. They are Venice Berry, Dave Bright, Robert Goodfellow and Kylah Hedding. The editorial staff is separate from editors and reporters, and its views have no influence on the decisions they make about reporting.