Talking Points

In just one year, Democrats have:

• Got Shots in Arms & Saved Lives: The President set up a historic vaccination program that resulted in more than 200 million Americans getting fully vaccinated this year – almost 75% of all adults. Millions of teenagers and children are now vaccinated, and tens of millions of Americans are getting booster shots. The President closed the racial equity gap in COVID vaccinations among adults. And, about 96% of schools have re-opened their buildings and welcomed students back to learn in their classrooms. All these steps have and continue to save countless lives. 

• Got People Back to Work: President Biden has spurred the fastest economic growth in decades and added 6.4 million jobs - the most ever recorded in one year. Weekly unemployment claims are at their lowest level since 1969. Economic growth is the strongest it’s been in two generations – and for the first time in 20 years, the U.S. economy has grown faster than China’s.

• Passed Laws to Create Jobs & Rebuild Crumbling Infrastructure: President Biden got the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed -- the most impactful legislative agenda ever for a first-year president. The American Rescue Plan led to what experts estimate will be the lowest child poverty rate on record. The unemployment rate is down to 3.9% – two years faster than projected. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will create jobs, provide clean drinking water, upgrade our roads, airports, and rail, and is a critical, first step towards a clean energy future.

Some facts on the record firsts of Biden’s Presidency so far:

• Jobs: President Biden’s first year was the greatest year of job creation in American history, with more than 6 million jobs created.

• Unemployment Rate: The unemployment rate dropped from 6.2% when Biden took office to 3.9% – the biggest single year drop in American history.

• Unemployment Claims: The average number of Americans filing for unemployment every week has been at its lowest level since 1969. When the President took office, over 18 million were receiving unemployment benefits; today only 2 million are — also the biggest single year drop in history.

• Economic Legislation Passed: Most significant economic impact of any first-year president.

• Child Poverty: Experts estimate the US reached its lowest child poverty rate ever in 2021.

• Expanded Access to Health Care: Nearly five million Americans have newly gained health insurance coverage.

• Reduced Hunger: The number of households reporting that they sometimes or often did not have enough to eat dropped by 32%.

• Judges Confirmed: More judges confirmed to lower federal courts than any president since President Kennedy.

• Judges That Reflect Our Nation: More Black women appointed to the US Court of Appeals than any president -- even over 8 years -- in history.

• Cabinet: First majority non-white Cabinet in history, with most women in the Cabinet, including first female Treasury Secretary, first LGBTQ+ and Native American Cabinet officials, and first female Director of National Intelligence.

• Climate Investments: Largest investments ever in climate resilience, the power grid, and electric vehicle chargers.

• Clean Water: Largest investment and national, bipartisan plan to get safe and clean drinking water to all Americans.

• Cleaner Cars: Strongest vehicle emissions standards ever, saving drivers money at the pump and reducing pollution.

• Wind: First-ever approvals of large-scale, offshore wind projects.

• Personnel: Most diverse Administration in history – most women, people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+, first-generation American, and first-generation college graduates.