Dear Friends-


Newly elected DNC Chair, Jaime Harrison ([link removed]) , was on The Rachel Maddow Show ([link removed]) this week. He communicated his vision for his role as Chair of the Democratic Party.


“My job as the chair of the Democratic Party is to make sure we take [President Biden’s] successes, the promises he has made, that we make sure the folks down in small towns, in the cities, on dirt roads, understand those are promises that are kept. It is also my mission to make sure that Democrats build back better, and we have a strengthened party, in all 50 states, in our territories, that we can give him more help in terms of the house, the senate, in governor's mansions and state legislatures across the country.”


It is no surprise that Jaime is fighting everywhere to get Democrats elected and to promote progressive policies that will benefit the people. He is a strong advocate and leader, who has worked to galvanize support on issues related to healthcare, the economy, climate change, and racial inequities. He, along with the rest of the Democratic Party, is working to ensure Democrats deliver on their promises.


While the Republicans are dealing with conspiracy theorists, insurrectionists and the insurgency sympathizers within their ranks, Democrats have taken bold, progressive action. President Biden acted with the safety and well-being of the public in mind. He has secured the purchase of 200 million doses ([link removed]) of COVID vaccines. He has signed several executive actions this week, overturning hostile policies enacted by Trump and his administration. The latest of these actions signed by the President, demonstrate a strong commitment by the Biden-Harris administration to build on the Affordable Care Act, meet needs created by the pandemic, reduce health care costs, protect access to reproductive care, and make our healthcare system easier to navigate and more equitable. The signing of this executive order comes just after the 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. This is a strong statement about the administration’s fervent
commitment to protecting reproductive healthcare.


The respect and dignity of workers continues to be a priority. Progressives are rallying behind Rep. Bobby Scott’s and Sen. Bernie Sanders’ legislation to raise the minimum wage ([link removed]) . #RaiseTheWage and @fightfor15 are being pushed on social media by progressive groups. MoveOn, Teamsters, SEIU, and Sunrise are among the groups campaigning for the raise.


Make no mistake the Republican Party has declared its allegiance to a defeated, deplatformed, and destructive narcissist and who is now exiled to a declining golf resort in Florida. However, instead of working with Democrats to have a functioning government, they are using underhanded tactics to delay and obstruct. Cabinet nominee, Alejandro Mayorkas, who received approval from the Senate Homeland Security committee, has yet to be confirmed as Homeland Security Secretary. Now, Republican Sen. John Cornyn has called for another unprecedented confirmation hearing ([link removed]) by a different committee. Also distressing is the fact that Xavier Becerra ([link removed]) , nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary, has not had a hearing
scheduled even though the United States is in the midst of a “dark winter” in facing the coronavirus pandemic. Our nation has seen more than 430,000 deaths, but they have yet to confirm the nation’s top health official.


In a process that was long overdue, the confirmations of Janet Yellen ([link removed]) as Treasury Secretary and Antony Blinken ([link removed]) as Secretary of State have been solidified. These first-class leaders with impeccable credentials will restore the integrity of their respective offices. We will need their leadership to end divisive policies that have pitted Americans against each other and have made the world skeptical of America’s standing on the global stage.


Finally, I would like to take a moment to honor the victims the Holocaust. This past Wednesday marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This solemn day serves as a reminder that we must relentlessly work to combat anti-semintism and bigotry. We must never forget the atrocities endured by so many and continue to tell their stories.


It is our duty.


Yours in the Fight,
Mũthoni

In this Update:
* President Biden’s Executive Orders


Executive Orders:

Progresive Groups have praised President Biden’s executive orders to advance racial equity and support for underserved communities. NextGen America, AFSCME, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and the Young Democrats of America came out in support of President Biden’s order to end federal use of private prisons. The new orders will also recommit the federal government to respect tribal sovereignty and disavow discrimination against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community over the coronavirus pandemic.


Strengthening Americans’ access to quality, affordable healthcare

President Biden reopened enrollment ([link removed]) on the federal Affordable Care Act exchanges. Under Trump, open enrollment was cut in half to six weeks. The new “Special Enrollment Period” will be from February 15, 2021 - May 15, 2021. This Special Enrollment Period will give Americans that need healthcare coverage during this global pandemic the opportunity to sign up.


President Biden will also direct agencies to reexamine:
* Policies that undermine protections for people with preexisting conditions, including complications related to COVID-19.
* Demonstrations and waivers under Medicaid and the ACA that may reduce coverage or undermine the programs, including work requirements.
* Policies that undermine the Health Insurance Marketplace or other markets for health insurance.
* Policies that make it more difficult to enroll in Medicaid and ACA plans.
* Policies that reduce affordability of coverage or financial assistance.


Tackling the climate crisis

President Biden took executive action ([link removed]) to tackle the climate crisis at home and abroad while creating good-paying union jobs, building sustainable infrastructure, and delivering environmental justice. The actions include:
* Directing the federal government to conserve at least 30% of all federal land and water by 2030.
* Suspending new leases for natural gas and oil development on federal lands and waters to the extent possible.
* Prioritizing environmental justice by establishing a government-wide Justice40 initiative with the goal of delivering 40 percent of the overall benefits of relevant federal investments to disadvantaged communities.
* Making climate risks central to foreign policy and national security preparedness.



Reversing transgender military ban

President Biden repealed the ban ([link removed]) on transgender people serving openly in the military and ordered the defense secretary to “immediately prohibit involuntary separations, discharges and denials of reenlistment or continuation of service on the basis of gender identity or under circumstances relating to their gender identity.”


Reinstating Covid-19 travel restrictions

President Biden reinstated Covid-19 travel restrictions ([link removed]) affecting non-U.S. citizens traveling from Brazil and much of Europe, which Trump had scrapped days before his term ended. Additionally, the ban will bar most non-U.S. citizens from entry if they have recently been in South Africa, where a new strain of Covid-19 has been identified.


Promoting 'Buy American' agenda

In an effort to bolster American manufacturing, President Biden signed an executive order ([link removed]) directing agencies to strengthen requirements about purchasing products and services from U.S. workers and businesses and to “close loopholes that allow companies to offshore production and jobs while still qualifying for domestic preferences.”


Evaluation of Trump’s housing policies

President Biden directed the Department of Housing and Urban Development to “examine the effects of the previous Administration’s regulatory actions that undermined fair housing policies and laws” and use its findings to implement the Fair Housing Act’s standards as needed.


End reliance on private prisons

In an effort to terminate the federal government’s use of privately owned detention facilities, the Attorney General has been directed ([link removed]) not to renew Department of Justice contracts with private prisons.


Executive order reaffirming commitment to tribal sovereignty

Emphasizing the administration’s commitment to respecting the sovereignty of American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, President Biden’s order reaffirmed ([link removed]) a Clinton-era policy mandating all department and agency heads regularly consult with tribal officials on policy matters that may affect them.


Executive order denouncing anti-Asian discrimination and xenophobia

In response to a surge in anti-Asian bias ([link removed]) amid the coronavirus pandemic, President Biden’s order urged the Department of Health and Human Services to consider issuing guidance on cultural competency and sensitivity toward Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders as part of the nation’s Covid-19 response. Additionally, the order directed the attorney general to work to prevent discrimination and hate crimes.

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