Joe Biden served as the 46th President of the United States from January 20, 2021 to January 20, 2025. A Democrat, his administration prioritized COVID-19 recovery, economic relief, infrastructure investment, and climate policy with Kamala Harris as vice president.
Biden's presidency focused on managing the COVID-19 pandemic's aftermath and stabilizing the economy through the American Rescue Plan, while passing major legislation such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act to invest in infrastructure, clean energy, and health care.
On foreign policy he oversaw the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan and led sustained U.S. support for Ukraine after Russia's 2022 invasion; his tenure emphasized restoring alliances, addressing global challenges, and shaping the federal judiciary with key appointments.
Passed the American Rescue Plan for COVID-19 relief (2021); Enacted the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021); Signed the Inflation Reduction Act advancing climate and health policy (2022); Oversaw the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan (2021); Led sustained U.S. support for Ukraine after Russia's 2022 invasion; Appointed Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court
Key highlights and dated events associated with this presidency.
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Following Hurricane Ian's landfall in Florida, President Biden approved a major disaster declaration to provide federal funding and assistance for impacted counties.
As Hurricane Ian neared Florida, President Biden approved an emergency declaration authorizing FEMA and federal agencies to mobilize resources and support state and local preparedness efforts.
On the margins of the 77th UN General Assembly in New York, President Biden held a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss continued U.S. support for Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.
At the UN General Assembly in New York, President Biden delivered a wide-ranging speech on global security, Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, and international cooperation on economic and climate challenges.
On September 18, 2022 President Biden approved an emergency declaration for Puerto Rico to provide federal assistance after Hurricane Fiona caused widespread flooding and power outages.
President Biden issued the presidential proclamation marking National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15, 2022), recognizing the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, President Biden and the First Lady issued public condolences honoring her lifetime of service and the U.S.-U.K. relationship.
On August 31, the White House issued presidential remarks and a statement marking the one-year anniversary of the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan and the fall of Kabul.
On August 25, 2022, U.S. military aircraft carried out strikes on facilities in eastern Syria used by Iran‑backed militia groups in retaliation for recent attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria.
President Biden announced a plan to cancel up to $10,000 of federal student loan debt for eligible borrowers (up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients) for individuals earning under $125,000 and households under $250,000, and outlined one-time and structural changes to income-driven repayment programs.
The Biden administration, through the U.S. Department of Education, announced that the COVID-era pause on federal student loan payments would end and repayments would resume on October 1, 2022.
The Inflation Reduction Act became law, addressing climate, healthcare, and tax policy.