What President Biden Accomplished

On Jan. 15, 2025, President Joe Biden pulled back the curtain in his farewell address, painting a grim picture of the threats ahead posed by the incoming administration and a plutocratic oligarchy present in the “tech-industrial complex.” President Biden also challenged us, “I still believe in the idea for which this nation stands, a nation where the strength of our institutions and the character of our people matter and must endure. Now it's your turn to stand guard.” He sees what we see: a second, no-guardrails Trump presidency, intent on destroying democracy and federal governance as we know it. You can read the full transcript of his address here.

As many Texans reflect and brace for an end to federal protection of the environment, workers, healthcare, and so much more in the last four years, our team has compiled a list of hopeful, tangible measures the Biden Administration passed to improve all American lives. 

Top 4 Accomplishments from the Biden-Harris Administration:

1. A More Affordable, Prosperous Country

In August of 2022, President Biden played a pivotal role in passing the Inflation Reduction Act, building on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the CHIPS and Science Act (provided $1.4 billion in funding for Texas semiconductor R&D and manufacturing incentives, along with $698.3M appropriated by the Texas Legislature) to reduce the federal deficit and improve conditions for middle and working class Americans. 

The IRA will be remembered as the largest investment in climate action in U.S. history, but it did so much more, serving as a dense piece of legislation filled to the brim with critical investments to lower costs for everyday Americans: from healthcare, to student loan debt, to connecting clean energy to good-paying, union jobs. Since its passing, he created more than 16 million jobs, a record 20 million new business applications, and delivered historic infrastructure investments improving all aspects of public life, from roads to high-speed internet.

For young Americans, President Biden’s legacy was cemented by his steadfast dedication to student loan forgiveness. Today, student loan debt forgiveness is possible for more than 5 million borrowers, available through multiple programs, with $183.6 billion approved since taking office. Tackling the student debt crisis was a campaign promise to put money back in American pockets, but more importantly, it was a matter of racial equity and economic mobility. Student loan debt disproportionately impacts Black and Hispanic borrowers, and the Biden Administration helped narrow this racial wealth gap for millions. 

2. Saving American Lives

Four years ago, the United States was entrenched in the beginning of a pandemic that looms over us still. President Biden began his time in the Oval Office by signing the American Rescue Plan, which helped bring families out of financial and disease-riddled trenches, and jumpstarted the economy. This plan provided direct relief to Americans, and helped to combat the threat and spread of COVID-19: solidifying the Biden Administration as trusted sources for increasing public health quality and access, only cemented further by their capping insulin costs at $35 for Medicare recipients. Between $1,400 per-person checks, Child Tax Credits, unemployment insurance, small business support, and lower health insurance premiums, and more, this team saved countless lives by targeting barriers to medical support. 

3. Climate Progress 

Over the last four years, the Biden Administration has made the largest climate investments in history. President Biden’s ambition never slowed down. According to the Sierra Club, “the Biden Administration has made a number of important moves to shore up policies to protect our environment, promote clean energy, and conserve public lands for future generations.” Even in his last weeks in office, big wins were announced including an offshore drilling ban and new national monuments announced. ​​

Cementing his green legacy, the instrumental Build Back Better plan included $375 billion in financial incentives and investments for clean energy. At its foundation were consumer rebates, investment promoting American steel, unions, and manufacturing, as well as guidelines that will stop companies from shipping jobs and profits overseas. Additionally, Biden’s Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) export pause, pushed by frontline communities and you, is breaking the influence of big oil and gas. Biden realized that we can no longer hand a blank check to the corporations and billionaires that created the climate crisis. Instead, he invested in the American people. President Biden answered the call to action across the country. His pause helps combat the climate crisis in Texas—one of the most threatened states in America.

4. Strengthening Institutions and Critical Appointments  

An administration is more than the person at its helm. President Biden confirmed 235 federal judges—the largest number of confirmations in a single term since the Carter Administration—in the midst of nationwide culture war battles in the courts (many of which were perpetuated by Texas’ Fifth Circuit Court). He appointed Lina Khan to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), who continued Biden’s battles against huge corporations, Big Pharma, and Big Tech to protect workers and small businesses. She introduced tangible changes that consumers can feel on an individual level, like cracking down on “junk fees” and fake reviews, ensuring free filing for taxes, and banning non-compete agreements. She also ordered eight social media and streaming platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and others, to turn over information about deceptive and fraudulent advertising on their platforms. With Trump’s glaringly unqualified nominations for leadership roles, the Biden Administration serves as a prime example in contrast of how the sum is worth more than its parts and the team Biden built showed Americans what progress could look like. 

Closing Out

Dangerous Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are both re-elected to office, but Texans have already been tested, and know best what it’s like to survive under Project 2025’s hostile conditions. Progressives and their allies should be proud of their fight, and maintain a strong coalition heading into the next four years. 

“Tuning out and staying home in future political battles is not an option. We must continue to fight fascism and the erasure of our rights, together,” said Progress Texas Executive Director Kathleen Thompson. “Campaigns come and go, but our progressive movement is forever. An authoritarian extremist ruling party deserves a strong, united opposition. Stay with us.”

In Biden's farewell address, he sounded the same alarm we do each day—who owns your news matters more than ever before. "Americans are being buried under an avalanche of misinformation and disinformation enabling the abuse of power. The free press is crumbling. Editors are disappearing. Social media is giving up on fact-checking. The truth is smothered by lies told for power and for profit," President Biden said. 

As we brace for an era that will be defined and exacerbated by “the erosion of truth itself,” brought forth by social media platforms unencumbered by inconvenient fact checkers and artificial intelligence, it’s absolutely essential that you follow media you can trust.  

What’s Next:

• Progress Texas continues to honor another presidential legacy, President Jimmy Carter’s.
• As the 89th Texas Legislative Session kicks off, we asked Texas House and Senate members what they believe they're up against, and what progressives can do to support them. Listen to the Progress Texas podcast!
• If you agree that progressive messaging must always be on, please invest! Donate today.