On Christmas Eve, President Joe Biden signed an impressive package of 50 bills into law, marking a significant legislative push as the year concludes. This flurry of activity covers a diverse range of issues, from enhancing protections for vulnerable youth to reinforcing ethical standards in Congress and even officially recognizing a national symbol. Let’s delve into some of the key highlights of what 50 bills Biden signed today.
One of the most notable pieces of legislation is related to child welfare. Socialite and activist Paris Hilton championed a crucial bill, now signed into law, aimed at protecting teenagers residing in residential treatment facilities. Formally known as the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, this bipartisan legislation establishes a federal work group. This group is tasked with rigorous oversight of youth residential programs, focusing on crucial aspects such as the health, safety, care, treatment, and appropriate placement of minors within rehabilitation and similar facilities. This law carries significant personal weight for Hilton, who has openly shared her own experiences of abuse in such facilities during her teenage years, even testifying before Congress to advocate for these vital protections.
In a move to strengthen accountability and ethical conduct within government, President Biden also signed S. 932 into law. This bipartisan measure targets public corruption by preventing members of Congress convicted of related crimes from receiving their retirement pensions. Previously, the law allowed these members to continue collecting pension checks until all avenues of appeal were exhausted. This updated law reflects a heightened emphasis on integrity, particularly in the wake of cases like that of Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey, who faced conviction this year for using his political influence for personal gain through bribes. This new legislation aims to ensure that those who betray public trust are held fully accountable.
Addressing safety concerns on college campuses, the Stop Campus Hazing Act has also been signed into law. This legislation mandates that higher education institutions must transparently disclose all reported hazing incidents, whether reported to campus security or local police, in their annual security reports. Furthermore, the law requires these institutions to proactively educate students about the dangers and consequences of hazing. This proactive and transparent approach aims to curb hazing incidents and foster a safer environment for students across the nation.
In a symbolic yet significant act, S. 4610 officially designates the bald eagle as the official bird of the United States. Surprisingly, despite its iconic status and representation of American freedom and strength, the U.S. federal government had never formally declared an official national bird until now. This legislative action formally enshrines the bald eagle’s place as a national emblem.
It’s important to note that in addition to these 50 bill signings, President Biden also took executive action on Monday, granting clemency to 37 federal inmates on death row, commuting their sentences to life imprisonment without parole. Conversely, he also exercised his veto power on a bill that proposed creating 66 new federal judgeships, citing concerns about its rushed nature and unresolved implementation issues.
The signing of these 50 bills demonstrates a productive period for the Biden administration, addressing a wide array of issues from social welfare and government ethics to education and national symbols. These new laws are set to bring about tangible changes and reflect the administration’s priorities as the year comes to a close.
