ABSTRACT
The Biden presidency had to operate in a fractious political environment in Congress and the country, and the president had to repair a government that had lost the confidence and trust of the American people. Only 27 percent of the public indicated that they were satisfied with the system of government and how well it was working when he took office. To improve perceptions of government, Biden needed leadership skills and more political resources to deal with Congress successfully and achieve his legislative goals. Biden’s initial legislative proposal for the pandemic and economic recovery was large, comprehensive, and costly. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was a major victory for the president. The president introduced his immigration proposals to Congress in mid-February, and they were detailed in the US Citizenship Act of 2021. Biden introduced his first budget summary for the 2022 Fiscal Year in April, a little over two weeks after the deputy budget director had been confirmed.
