Equally sacred are those already born.
1.) Supports families in the tax code and family-friendly workplace policies
The 2017 Republican tax law, which President Trump supported, prevents taxpayers who use an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) from accessing the Child Tax Credit, and made only $1,400 of the $2,000 credit a refundable credit.1 President Trump and his daughter Ivanka have considered different plans to make child care more affordable but have not succeeded in instituting any significant changes.2 President Trump does not support the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.3
Vice President Biden would increase the current child tax credit to up to $8,000 to help cover the cost of child care for low and middle-income families, and would make the credit fully refundable.4 Vice President Biden also supports the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.5
Sources:
- https://networklobby.org/20171213tax/ and https://www.taxpolicycenter.org/sites/default/files/publication/157597/shifting_child_tax_benefits_in_the_tcja_left_most_families_about_the_same_0.pdf
- https://www.momsrising.org/blog/the-real-truth-about-trumps-child-care-record
- https://www.promiseskept.com/search/eyJrZXl3b3JkcyI6InByZWduYW50IHdvcmtlcnMifQ
- https://joebiden.com/caregiving/
- https://joebiden.com/womens-agenda/
2.) Advocates for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors
During President Trump’s presidency, the previous Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) authorization from 2013 expired.1 President Trump has not publicly called for its reauthorization.2 While the law’s protections and funding are still in effect, the legislation lacks needed updates.
As a Senator, Vice President Biden drafted and introduced the original Violence Against Women Act in 1990.3 He has called it his “proudest legislative accomplishment.”4 Vice President Biden says enacting the VAWA reauthorization is a top priority.5
Sources:
- https://www.americanbar.org/advocacy/governmental_legislative_work/publications/washingtonletter/may2019/vawa_update/#:~:text=The%20Violence%20Against%20Women%20Act,thereafter%20on%20February%2015%2C%202019.
- https://www.promiseskept.com/search/eyJrZXl3b3JkcyI6InZpb2xlbmNlIGFnYWluc3Qgd29tZW4ifQ
- https://www.congress.gov/bill/101st-congress/senate-bill/2754#:~:text=Violence%20Against%20Women%20Act%20of%201990%20%2D%20Title%20I%3A%20Safe%20Streets,of%20imprisonment%20or%20fine%20for
- https://time.com/3319325/joe-biden-violence-against-women/
- https://joebiden.com/vawa/
3.) Rejects racism, xenophobia; supports policies that address systemic racism
President Trump’s 2016 campaign featured countless racist comments and dog whistles.1 As president and during his re-election campaign, Trump has continued to make racist comments, including: tweeting at Congresswomen of color to “go back to where they came from”2 and calling countries in Africa “shithole countries”3 during a White House meeting on immigration. He and members of his administration continuously advance policies that either target or disproportionately harm people of color, such as weakening the “disparate impact” protections of the Fair Housing Act,4 and instituting numerous travel bans targeting Muslim-majority nations.5
Before his presidency, Trump publicly questioned President Barack Obama’s eligibility to hold office, due to his race, and in August has asked the same question of Senator Kamala Harris. 6 Most recently, President Trump refused to clearly and promptly denounce white nationalists when asked to do so at the first Presidential debate of 2020. 7
Vice President Biden has named the sin of systemic racism in our economy and our society.8 His campaign states that a Biden administration would support the study of reparations and address systemic racism.9 Vice President Biden also promises to end Trump’s “Muslim ban” his first day in office.10
Sources:
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/08/21/racist-roots-dog-whistle/
- https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1150381395078000643
- https://apnews.com/article/fdda2ff0b877416c8ae1c1a77a3cc425
- https://www.cbpp.org/research/housing/trump-administrations-proposed-rule-would-perpetuate-racist-and-discriminatory
- https://www.nilc.org/issues/immigration-enforcement/understanding-the-muslim-bans/
- https://www.npr.org/2020/08/13/902362014/trump-and-his-campaign-amplify-birther-conspiracy-against-kamala-harris
- https://www.npr.org/2020/09/30/918483794/from-debate-stage-trump-declines-to-denounce-white-supremacy
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/06/10/biden-root-out-systemic-racism-not-just-divisive-trump-talk-column/5327631002/
- https://joebiden.com/blackamerica/
- https://joebiden.com/muslimamerica/
4.) Supports Native American tribes’ sovereignty and prosperity
President Trump and his administration have rolled back numerous environmental and political protections for Native American tribes,1 supported pipelines and other dangerous developments that damage the ecology of tribal lands,2 and has failed to respect Native Americans and their sovereignty, particularly by removing Mashpee Wampanoag land out of trust, the first time Native land has been taken out of trust by the U.S. government in more than 50 years.3 One of the most egregious acts committed by the Trump administration was reducing the size of Bears Ears national monument by nearly 85%, and allowing drilling on the previously-protected land.4 As a result of that action, for the first time in U.S. history, five tribes joined together to sue the Trump administration.
President Trump continuously makes harmful references to Native American communities publicly when attacking Senator Elizabeth Warren, who is not a member of a tribe.5 Critical federal funding for tribes facing COVID-19 was delayed,6 and while the Trump administration did create a task force to address murdered and missing Indigenous people, the initiative was criticized by Rep. Deb Haaland (NM-01) for lacking the consultation and participation of Native leaders.7 President Trump’s 2020 Fourth of July visit to Mt. Rushmore was dismissive of numerous Native American testimonies that assert that the monument was created on stolen, sacred land and today is a reminder of broken promises and oppression at the hands of the U.S. government.
Vice President Biden has committed to protecting tribal sovereignty, improving health care, increasing education funding, and protecting biodiversity and conservation of land and water. He will also Expand economic and community development though investments in infrastructure and housing. Vice President Biden’s campaign includes addressing the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women through expanding tribal jurisdiction, closing the data gap, supporting tribes in building their own programs, and expands access to culturally sensitive resources for victims and survivors.9
- https://www.culturalsurvival.org/news/presidents-day-2020-11-ways-trump-dishonors-native-americans-how-natives-fight-back
- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/trump-signs-orders-advancing-keystone-dakota-pipelines/
- https://mashpeewampanoagtribe-nsn.gov/standwithmashpee
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/national/bears-ears/
- https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1126151799868723200
- https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article242536896.html
- https://haaland.house.gov/media/press-releases/haaland-president-trump-s-department-justice-mmiw-plan-falls-short
- https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/03/trump-mount-rushmore-347982
- https://joebiden.com/joe-bidens-commitment-to-indian-country/
5.) Opposes discrimination against LGBTQ+ and disabled people
While President Trump’s press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the administration is “proud” of its LGBTQ record,1 the Trump Cabinet, including Vice President Pence, have coordinated numerous administrative actions have hurt the LGBTQ+ community through both administrative rules and judicial decisions. These include: rescinding Title IX protections for transgender students,2 de-prioritizing a national HIV/AIDS response resulting in six members of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS resigning,3 banning transgender people from serving in the military (in a tweet),4 proposing rules that would allow homeless shelters to refuse to house someone in a shelter that corresponds with their gender identity,5 nominating numerous judges who have publicly expressed anti-LGBTQ positions,6 removing nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people in health care and health insurance,7 and more.
In 2015, President Trump mimicked a disabled New York Times reporter Serge Kovaleski during a campaign rally.8 Over the past four years, numerous regulations proposed and implemented by the Trump administration have worsened conditions for people with disabilities including: conducting more frequent continuing disability reviews,9 changing the “public charge” rule,10 and encouraging states to convert their Medicaid programs into a block grant.11 His campaign website does not include a plan or name any policies that address the priorities of the disability community.12
Vice President Biden supports passing the Equality Act and would reverse discriminatory rules put into place by the Trump administration. Biden’s campaign has a robust policy plan for LGBTQ+ community reaching across numerous issues including housing, health care, the criminal justice system, and others.13
Vice President Biden’s campaign platform includes a multifaceted plan to address the policy priorities of the disabled community, including health care, wages, immigration, education, and more.14
Sources:
- https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/press-briefing-press-secretary-kayleigh-mcenany-7-13-2020/
- http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2017/images/02/23/1atransletterpdf022317.pdf
- https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/7/15/21325820/white-house-trump-lgbtq-policies
- https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/890196164313833472
- https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_20_099
- https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/third-trump-s-court-nominees-have-anti-lgbtq-history-report-n1106691
- https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/06/12/868073068/transgender-health-protections-reversed-by-trump-administration
- https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/27/us/politics/donald-trump-says-his-mocking-of-new-york-times-reporter-was-misread.html
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/elenabotella/2020/02/09/social-security-disability-cuts-cdrs/#54f6bb0818cd and https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=SSA-2018-0026
- https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/08/14/2019-17142/inadmissibility-on-public-charge-grounds
- https://www.cbpp.org/research/health/the-trump-administrations-medicaid-block-grant-guidance-frequently-asked-questions
- https://www.promiseskept.com/search/eyJrZXl3b3JkcyI6ImRpc2FiaWxpdHkifQ
- https://joebiden.com/lgbtq-policy/
- https://joebiden.com/disabilities/
6.) Opposes the death penalty
President Trump supports the death penalty and has publicly called for it to be applied in numerous cases.1 At a campaign event in February 2016, he said: “I’ve always supported the death penalty. I don’t even understand people that don’t.”2 During the Trump presidency, Attorney General Bill Barr resumed federal executions for the first time in 16 years.3
Vice President Biden would support legislation to eliminate the death penalty at the federal level and encourage states to do the same as president.4
Sources:
- https://twitter.com/search?q=death%20penalty%20(from%3Arealdonaldtrump%20OR%20from%3APOTUS)&src=typed_query
- https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/25/politics/justice-department-capital-punishment-barr/index.html
- https://www.msnbc.com/podcast/transcript-resuming-federal-executions-n1233111
- https://joebiden.com/justice/