The Education Department has released its initial list of political appointees. The list is available here.
News and updates
More Executive Actions Taken on First Full Day
President Biden took more executive actions on Thursday, his first full day in office, with these aimed squarely at addressing different aspects of the impact of COVID-19. Among the executive orders issued was one specifically geared towards reopening educational institutions, including colleges and universities.
In total, he issued seven executive orders and a memo, all of which are available here.
Agencies Begin to Fill Leadership Positions
A number of agencies have started naming individuals for key positions within their ranks.
The Department of Energy released a slate of individuals for senior positions earlier today, which is available here. The Department of Interior also publicly released yesterday a number of names tapped for leadership posts in the agency.
We will continue to post other agency staffing announcements on our site.
Texts of Biden Executive Actions Now Available
As noted earlier yesterday, President Biden was expected to take a number of executive actions on a host of issues on his first day, including COVID-19, DACA, and student loan repayments, among others. He did take those executive actions after being sworn in and the texts of those executive actions are now available.
- The text of the Presidential Memorandum on “Preserving and Fortifying DACA” is available here.
- The text of the Presidential Proclamation ending the “Muslim ban” is available here.
- The text of the Executive Order on a review of regulations that negatively impact the climate issued during the Trump Administration is available here.
- The text of a memo from the White House Chief of Staff to agency heads halting “midnight regulations” is available here.
- A statement regarding student loan repayments is available here. The Education Department has already updated its website to reflect an extension on the repayment pause through September 30.
Texts of other executive actions taken by the new President are available here.
Democrats Assume Control in Senate
With Vice President Kamala Harris performing one of her new duties in her new role by swearing in three new Senators, Democrats now control the Senate. A few minutes ago, she swore in Alex Padilla of California, who was appointed to fill her seat, and Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff of Georgia. The Senate make-up is now at 50-50, with VP Harris serving as the tie-breaking vote; this means that Democrats are now in charge of the chamber.
With the shift in control, Sen. Maria Cantwell now becomes Chairwoman of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee while Sen. Patty Murray will take over as Chairwoman of Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.