Joe Biden

Joe Biden served as the 47th vice president from 2009-2017. Prior to that, he served as a senator from Delaware for 36 years. He was also a public defender and a county councilmember.

Previous Work Around Poverty and Opportunity

  • Co-sponsored legislation developing a strategy for ending global extreme poverty.

On the Issues

Jobs: Has stressed income inequality, empowering workers through changes such as ending noncompete clauses, improving infrastructure and educational systems and a “race-to-the top” plan to promote entrepreneurship as key priorities for creating a healthier economy.

Affordable Housing: Sees homeownership as crucial in building the middle-class and wealth.

Health Care/Insurance: Is a strong proponent of the Affordable Care Act and universal care but has not weighed in on issues like Medicare for All yet.

Education: Has argued for four free years of college.

Criminal Justice: As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he played a key role in the passage of the sweeping and bipartisan 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. The bill has received criticism from some for being too punitive and exacerbating mass incarceration. As highlighted above, has been an advocate for legislation around violence against women.

Minimum Wage: Has stated support for a $12 per hour federal minimum wage, while also supporting an effort in New York City to raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour.

Safety Net: Wants to close tax loopholes to provide funding to support the solvency of programs such as Social Security.

Children/Families: He has supported New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s plan for 12 weeks of paid family leave. 

Taxes/Tax Credits: Along with President Obama, supported tripling the child tax credit to $3,000.

News Articles

Joe Biden Fast Facts” (CNN: 04/04/2019)

Joe Biden 2020: Where does he stand on the big issues for Democrats?” (Delaware Online: 3/6/2019)

Joe Biden: White America ‘has to admit there’s still a systemic racism’” (ABC News: 1/21/2019)

Vice President Joe Biden’s 5 ideas for helping America’s middle class” (Brookings Institute: 5/9/2018)