America’s economy is creaking under the strain of the global pandemic. Joe Biden has vowed to fix this, starting by passing a $2 trillion stimulus bill.
It is hoped that this bill will go a long way to restarting the US economy. It is aimed at providing immediate relief to a struggling population, funding infrastructure improvements, and encouraging green jobs.
But will this be enough?
Joe Biden has recruited a team of experienced experts to help the country that has 10 million people unemployed and a pandemic that has killed over half a million citizens.
Meet the team
Brian Deese – National Economic Council.
The National Economic Council is tasked with coordinating and organizing the government’s economic policies. At 42 years of age, Brian Deese is the youngest-ever head of the NEC.
His track record includes working on the rescue of the Auto-industry in the wake of the 2007/8 financial crisis. Although some on the left have reservations about his close ties to Wall Street, others, including former president Barack Obama, think highly of him.
Janet Yellen – Treasury Secretary
Janet Yellen was dropped from her position at the Federal Reserve by Donald Trump, ostensibly because at only five feet tall she was too short for the job. Joe Biden has overlooked this shortcoming and appointed her to become the first female head of the Treasury Department in its 231-year history.
She is credited with helping to steer the US out of the 2008 recession and is seen as a steady and resourceful hand on the tiller of the treasury department.
Cecilia Rouse – Council of Economic Advisors
Another first, Cecilia Rouse is the first African American woman to head the Council of Economic Advisors. The Princeton Economist is the Dean of the university’s School of Public and International affairs.
She has previously worked for Bill Clinton, working on problems like long-term unemployment and racial equality as well as acting as an economic advisor to President Obama.
Neera Tanden – Office of Management and Budget
Neera Tanden is a Yale-trained lawyer who is the first Asian American to head the Office of Management and Budget. She has been tasked with the delicate and difficult job of turning policy into reality via the federal budget.
President Biden has said that Ms. Tanden’s single-parent, public-assistance, upbringing would give her valuable insights into her role of overseeing the Federal Government’s spending.
Known for not pulling her punches, Republicans have pointed out her Twitter feed as being riddled with tweets described as combative and insulting. Where have we heard that before?
Katherine Tai – United States Trade Representative
Katherine had previously worked for the office as an attorney dealing with US complaints about China trade. She has now been tasked with heading the office that negotiates America’s trade deals.
It is expected that her focus will be working to smooth trade terms between the US and China. She may well be the ideal candidate, both her parents were born in China, and she is fluent in Mandarin.