Abortion

Biden:

• Pro-choice
• Wants to maintain the right to a legal abortion
• Aims to pass federal law protecting the right to abortion
• Quoted as saying, “we will protect women’s constitutional right to choose, and I am proud to stand with you in this fight” in a video released by Planned Parenthood Action Fund in June
• Supports the repeal of the Hyde Amendment, which ensures that taxpayer money isn’t used for abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, and danger to the life of the mother

Climate Change

Biden:

• Has pledged to “ensure that the United States achieves a 100% clean energy economy and reaches net-zero emissions no later than 2050.”  and vows to spend $2 trillion over his term to do so
• Aims to be tougher on auto emission regulations – supporting the research behind zero-emission cars
• Aims to return the United States to a position of leadership in the international fight against climate change
• If elected, Biden has promised to recommit the United States to the Paris Agreement.

COVID-19

Biden:

• Would like to take a more centralized approach to the virus
• Opposes Trump’s decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization, and will reinstate the country’s membership
• “I will be prepared to do whatever it takes to save lives because we cannot get the country moving until we control the virus.” 

Economy

Biden:

• Wants a gradual approach to reopening the economy
• Aims to spend trillions to provide new jobs in the clean energy sector
• Biden plans on reversing Trump’s tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans by increasing the marginal tax rate on the highest bracket from 37 percent to 39.6 percent
• Intends on raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour

Gun Control

Biden:

• On his campaign website, Biden states that he would, “hold gun manufacturers accountable…get weapons of war off our streets…close the hate crime and Charleston loopholes…[and] prohibit the use of federal funds to arm or train educators to discharge firearms.”

Healthcare

Biden:

• Supports existing Obamacare protections
• Calls for a public healthcare option, similar to Medicare, working as a substitute for having individual insurance
• Biden’s healthcare plan will cost $750 billion over 10 years and would be paid for by increasing taxes on the wealthiest Americans
• Wants to lower drug costs
• Wants Medicare to be more inclusive by lowering the eligibility age by five years, from 65 to 60

Immigration

Biden:

• Tweeted that he believes “immigrants help grow our economy and create jobs”
• Will pause deportations for 100 days after taking office
• Supports DACA
• Wouldn’t tear down border barriers, but would permanently stop new construction
• Vows to end the prosecution of immigrant parents for minor immigration violations

Race, Criminal Justice, & Police Reform

Biden:

• Has guaranteed diversity within his cabinet, judicial nominees, and running mate
• Won’t “defund the police” like progressives want him to, but promises to invest millions to create a program to hire more diverse officers and reduce tension between the police and their respective communities
• Wants to eliminate the death penalty and solitary confinement