As President Joe Biden approached his 100th day in office, Harvard Law Today asked faculty members and researchers from across Harvard Law School to weigh in on the new administration’s agenda, actions, accomplishments, and failures to date. In this series, scholars evaluate the new president’s progress in areas ranging from climate change to COVID-19. While many agree Biden’s initiatives are heading in the right direction, these experts say the horizon is filled with obstacles large and small.
Federal courts
Harvard Law Professor Emeritus Mark Tushnet says Biden’s Supreme Court commission relieves “pressure on the administration from the progressive wing,” and advises the new administration to increase the number of federal judges. Read more
Labor and employment
Biden may be the “most pro-union president in a generation,” says Harvard Law Professor Benjamin Sachs. But he cautions that the filibuster “stands as an obstacle to many badly needed reforms.” Read more
Health care and the pandemic
Vaccine rollout “has overall gone very well,” but challenges lie ahead in global distribution and in reaching the “vaccine hesitant,” say Harvard Law Professor I. Glenn Cohen ’03 and Petrie-Flom Center Executive Director Carmel Shachar J.D./M.P.H. ’10. Read more
Climate change policy
The president’s “environmental and climate agenda is truly historic,” say Harvard Law School experts Hannah Perls ’20 and Hana Vizcarra, but the administration should prepare for “battles to come.” Read more
Children and families
Biden has been “a champion for children and families,” says Harvard Law Professor Elizabeth Bartholet ’65, but hopes he will also “reform … the current homeschooling regime.” Read more
Immigration
Despite promises and some progress, says immigration expert Phil Torrey, “Biden has simply not yet done enough” to reverse Trump’s immigration policies. Read more