Republican lawmakers have already pointed to the orders – particularly the repeal of former President Donald Trump’s most controversial policy – as evidence of Biden’s alleged failure to unite the country in the opening days of his government, as he has repeatedly promised to do so. would do.
Democrats, meanwhile, have downplayed the allegations as insignificant, arguing rather that Biden is simply fulfilling the popular campaign promises that earned him the most votes for a presidential candidate in American history in 2020.
Criticism of Biden’s orders resurfaced in an unexpected forum, the Times, on Thursday, when the newspaper’s editors published a column instructing the new president: ‘Ease of action, Joe.’
Although a ‘polarized, narrowly divided Congress mr. Biden can offer little choice but to take executive action or hold his entire agenda hostage, ‘writes the editorial board,’ these prescriptions … are a flawed substitute for legislation. ‘
Contrary to Republican complaints, however, the editors’ concerns about Biden’s orders focused mostly on their “short-lived” nature compared to legislation, pointing out that the executive’s actions could be “easily thrown away” by subsequent administrations.
The Times editorial comes because the president’s legislative agenda separately deals with the need for additional pandemic relief. White House economic officials are still in talks with a dual working group of senators in an effort to accept Biden’s comprehensive stimulus proposal.
But even some moderate Republicans ‘resistance has increased the likelihood that Biden and Democratic lawmakers will abandon the negotiations in favor of Congress’ budget reconciliation process, which would pass the package by a simple majority vote in the Senate.