OnPolitics: Biden's wild week of executive orders

Thursday, January 28

President Joe Biden signs his first executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Six of Biden's 17 first-day executive orders dealt with immigration, such as halting work on a border wall in Mexico and lifting a travel ban on people from several predominantly Muslim countries.

President Joe Biden has signed over 30 executive orders, many of which undo former President Donald Trump's policies.

President Joe Biden has been in office for one week.

In that time, he's issued executive order after executive order after executive order ranging from reversing Trump-era policy to adjusting the nation's response to the ongoing pandemic.

Today's executive actions were focused on healthcare, specifically Obamacare aka the Affordable Care Act, and abortion rights.

It's Mabinty, with the political news you need to know.

What Biden has done in his first week in office

On abortion

With a stroke of a pen on Thursday, Biden reversed Trump's policy to allow foreign aid to flow again to groups that provide or refer patients for abortion services.

The harder Biden campaign promise to keep will be passing legislation to codify the right to an abortion and allowing low-income women to get government-funded abortions. That faces significant roadblocks in a closely divided Congress.

On Obamacare

Biden on Thursday took initial steps to expand health care coverage and reverse some policies, including directing people be given a new chance to sign up for government-subsidized care and lifting restrictions on family-planning services. Biden said his actions are designed to "undo the damage Trump has done":

•	Biden ordered the Department of Health and Human Services to reopen insurance enrollment on HealthCare.gov from Feb. 15 through May 15.
•	He also directed federal agencies to reexamine policies that undermine the Affordable Care Act, make it difficult for Americans to enroll in Medicaid or reduce affordability of coverage or protections for those with pre-existing conditions.

And that's not all Biden's done to undo Trump's policies:

☘️ On climate change: Biden signed three orders that focus on climate and environmental justice-related measures like infrastructure needs and scientific research.

✊🏿 On housing equity: Biden issued executive orders directing his administration to address racial bias in housing programs and terminate the government's use of private prisons.

🏳️‍🌈 On transgender issues: The president also recently reversed Trump's transgender ban in the military with an executive order stating all Americans, regardless of gender identity, can serve in the military.

😷 On COVID-19: Biden ordered a mask and social distancing requirement in all federal buildings and lands.

More news to know today:

•	Exclusive: Iran diplomat says 'window is closing' for Biden to rejoin nuclear deal
•	$15 minimum wage? Another round of checks? Resistance to key pieces could derail Biden's COVID relief plan
•	As the numbers suggest a Donald Trump acquittal, senators explore censure and brace for the impeachment trial