In a whirlwind of pre-Christmas action, Joe Biden approved an impressive 50 bills on Christmas Eve, marking a significant flurry of legislative activity in the final stretch of his presidency. Among the bills signed were initiatives to address child abuse prevention, campus safety, and even officially recognizing the bald eagle as America’s national bird.
This marathon effort comes as Biden seeks to solidify his legacy before the curtain falls on his administration, leaving behind a mix of reforms, symbolic gestures, and tributes to American heroes.
A Spotlight on Key Legislation
Among the most notable bills was the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, a law championed by celebrity advocate Paris Hilton. The bill aims to protect vulnerable children in residential treatment facilities from abuse, reflecting Hilton’s personal mission after sharing her own experiences of mistreatment in similar institutions.
Another groundbreaking piece of legislation was the Stop Campus Hazing Act, which requires federally funded colleges and universities to report hazing incidents in their annual safety disclosures. This represents the first federal law specifically targeting hazing, a long-standing issue in higher education.
Biden also signed a bill targeting Congressional accountability, ensuring that lawmakers convicted of corruption-related crimes lose their federal pensions. This measure follows high-profile corruption scandals, including the indictment of Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) on bribery and corruption charges.
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The Bald Eagle Takes Center Stage
One of the most symbolic bills signed by Biden was S.4610, officially designating the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States. While the majestic bird has been a de facto symbol of American patriotism since its adoption on the Great Seal of the United States in 1782, it was never formally recognized as such—until now.
This legislation, supported by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), cements the bald eagle’s status as an enduring emblem of American freedom and resilience.
Honoring Heroes and Renaming Landmarks
Several bills focused on renaming federal buildings and post offices in tribute to local and national heroes:
- A San Francisco post office will honor Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), who passed away last year after decades of service.
- The Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh Post Office in Bastrop, TX, recognizes a legendary Special Forces and CIA officer who served for over 50 years.
- The Lynchburg VA Community Clinic has been renamed the Desmond T. Doss VA Clinic in honor of the World War II hero and conscientious objector immortalized in the film Hacksaw Ridge.
Legacy of Decisive Action
Biden’s legislative sprint also comes on the heels of a controversial move to commute the sentences of over two dozen federal death row inmates, including individuals convicted of heinous crimes. While the decision sparked polarizing reactions, it aligns with his administration’s broader push for criminal justice reform.
The White House issued a press release, highlighting the diversity and significance of the bills passed, while expressing gratitude to lawmakers for their contributions to these legislative milestones.
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A Surprising Holiday Gift for Americans
What stood out most about this legislative spree was the absence of divisive or contentious measures. Instead, Biden’s focus on bipartisan and widely supported initiatives offered a rare moment of unity in Washington, delivering what some described as a “welcome holiday surprise.”
Looking Ahead
As Biden prepares to conclude his presidency, his pre-Christmas legislative rush underscores a determination to leave a lasting mark across multiple sectors, from child welfare to symbolic tributes to America’s national identity.
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