Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States on January 20, 2021. As a long-time public servant, Biden brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the highest office in the land. Let’s take a closer look at the man who now holds the title of Commander-in-Chief.
Born on November 20, 1942, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was raised in a working-class family. His father, Joseph Biden Sr., worked as a car salesman, and his mother, Catherine Eugenia Biden, was a homemaker. Biden attended the University of Delaware and later received his law degree from Syracuse University College of Law.
Biden began his political career in 1972 when he was elected to the U.S. Senate from Delaware at the age of 29, becoming one of the youngest people ever elected to the Senate. He served in the Senate for 36 years, during which time he earned a reputation as a moderate Democrat known for his foreign policy expertise.
During his time in the Senate, Biden served as the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was a key figure in shaping U.S. foreign policy, particularly in the areas of arms control and nuclear nonproliferation. Biden’s experience and knowledge of international affairs were seen as important assets when he was chosen as Vice President by Barack Obama in 2008.
As Vice President, Biden played a crucial role in shaping the Obama administration’s policies on a wide range of issues, from healthcare to climate change to foreign affairs. He was also tasked with leading the administration’s efforts to implement the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, which expanded access to healthcare for millions of Americans.
Throughout his career, Biden has been known for his commitment to bipartisanship and his ability to work across the aisle to find common ground on important issues. His approach to governing is characterized by a willingness to listen to others and seek out compromise, a quality that has endeared him to colleagues on both sides of the political aisle.
As President, Biden faces a number of challenges, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the economic fallout from the pandemic, and the need to address climate change and racial inequality. His administration has already taken significant steps to address these issues, including implementing a comprehensive plan to combat the pandemic and passing a historic economic relief package.
In his inaugural address, Biden called for unity and a renewed commitment to democracy, stating that “to overcome these challenges, to restore the soul and secure the future of America, requires so much more than words. It requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy: unity.”
As the 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and a commitment to finding common ground to the highest office in the land. His presidency will be one to watch as he works to address the pressing issues facing the country and to build a more inclusive and equitable future for all Americans.