Over 300,000 people in the United States have died from COVID. So much death and pain—most of it preventable and due to our unequal systems. We absolutely cannot continue "business as usual."

From the economic divide to the broken health care system, this pandemic has shown us over and over again just how fragile our lives are and how it has disproportionately impacted Black and brown communities under the status quo.

People need our government to have their backs. And, regardless of the balance of power in the U.S. Senate, President-elect Biden can show up for the people who call this country home through executive actions that don’t rely on Congressional action.

That’s why my progressive colleagues and movement allies are calling on the Biden-Harris Transition Team to take these steps toward bold progressive change as soon as possible:

Cancel tens of thousands of dollars in federal student loan debt. Student debt cancellation would be a massive economic stimulus at a time when people desperately need it. It’s also a racial equity issue—students of color are more likely to take out federal student loans, and face higher rates of default.
Reinstate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of immigrants targeted by Donald Trump. As part of dismantling our immigration system, the Trump administration took away people’s ability to work and stay in the U.S.—specifically immigrants from countries affected by natural disaster or war.
Lower drug prices for millions by producing key drugs like insulin, naloxone, hepatitis C drugs and EpiPens at low costs using existing compulsory licensing authority that allows the federal government to bypass patents for pressing public health needs.
Issue enforceable health and safety standards for COVID-19 through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and review racial disparities in pandemic funding. Wealthy corporations like Amazon should not be able to escape liability if they risk the lives and health of their workers. I’ve heard horror stories from Amazon employees and others—while CEOs like Jeff Bezos keep getting richer without facing consequences.
Raise the minimum wage for all federal contractors to $15 an hour. (We want this for every worker, but President-elect Biden can make this move himself.)
Declare the climate crisis a national emergency, create an Office of Climate Mobilization reporting to the President, and mobilize a whole-of-government effort to rebuild the economy and stop the climate crisis.
Prioritize strong anti-monopoly protections and enforcement to address our rigged economy.

In the coming year, we’re going to prioritize holding Joe Biden and his administration accountable to progressive demands—so we can make the changes our communities need. To do so, we need to be as loud and as numerous as possible. Can you add your name and show that the people are paying attention?