Day One Agenda
The Day One Agenda: Highlights
Laws already on the books give a president great discretionary power for constructive change—without abusing executive authority.
Rich Sugg/The Kansas City Star/AP Photo
Create a Public Option for Simple Banking
Under current authority, the post office can expand its financial services options. A major postal workers union even has it in their bargaining contract. Read more
Richard Vogel/AP Photo
Biden at the Cannabis Crossroads
The president-elect’s moves toward federal marijuana liberalization don’t add up to legalization—and there will be tougher issues on the drug policy front ahead. Read more
Evan Vucci/AP Photo
$15 an Hour for Federal Contractors Is Great. A Union Is Better.
Biden could kick-start labor organizing, without approval from Congress. Read more
Victor Juhasz
Cancel Student Debt—Almost All of It
An obscure, decades-old provision called “compromise and settlement” authority could allow the Department of Education to opt out of collecting trillions in debt. Read more
Andrew Harnik/AP Photo
The 277 Policies for Which Biden Need Not Ask Permission
As president, Joe Biden could take action on hundreds of policies without having to go through Congress. The Biden-Sanders unity task force provides a road map. Read more
Seth Wenig/AP Photo
Six Stupid Arguments Against Forgiving Student Loan Debt
Analyzing the reasons not to cancel student debt only strengthens the case to do so. Read more
Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo
How to Dismantle For-Profit Colleges, Without Congress
A previously undisclosed memo to the Education Department offers a step-by-step guide to closing predatory schools before they suck up more federal loans. Read more
Victor Juhasz
Rethinking the Poverty Measure
The Biden administration can on its own authority change the poverty calculation, and with it, challenge the narrative of who is poor and why. Read more
Steve Helber/AP Photo
Biden Can Give Us Free College Without Congress. But Will He?
A new report explains how President Biden can use existing executive authority to make free college a reality. Read more
