OXFORD, Ohio – Miami University’s Janus Forum hosted Valerie Jarrett and Marc Short at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16 to discuss the first one hundred days of President Biden’s administration. Jarrett served as the Senior Advisor to former President Obama, while Short served as the Chief of Staff to former Vice President Pence.
The first months of the Biden administration have included significant Congressional action as well as issues abroad which impact the United States’ interests. Congress recently approved a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package, which provided direct financial assistance to Americans as well as funding for vaccines and other measures. Congress has also approved several of President Biden’s cabinet nominees.
Outside of Congress, the issues of immigration at the United States’ southern border, human rights in Russia, and the possibility of rejoining the JCPOA with Iran have been of interest to the Biden administration.
The forum’s moderator began by asking Jarrett and Short for their viewpoints regarding Congress’ $1.9 trillion stimulus package. Jarrett discussed the role of the bill as a “safety net” for struggling families. “It’s intended to provide checks that have gone out already to families who are in need,” Jarrett said.
Short had concerns about the financial impact of the COVID-19 stimulus. “The best estimates are there’s still a trillion dollars that’s been unspent from those five previous bills,” Short said. “I think that Republicans and Democrats have both failed to control spending.”
Later in the forum, the panelists addressed the current immigration situation at the southern border. Jarrett focused on immigrants’ motivations and a potential resolution to the issue. “Imagine how desperate you would have to be to send your children unaccompanied across thousands of miles, hoping for a better life,” Jarrett said. Regarding a resolution to the issue, Jarrett stated her belief that there has been a bipartisan consensus in the past regarding the need for comprehensive immigration reform.
Short discussed the Trump administration’s immigration policies and the impacts of the current situation at the southern border. “I think one of the achievements that our administration had was negotiating with Central American countries and with Mexico, what was called a Remain in Mexico policy,” Short said. “But what we have right now, I think, is a true humanitarian crisis.”
At the conclusion of the forum, the moderator asked the panelists to give any advice that they may have for current college students who are considering entering public service in the future. Both panelists cited the rewards of public service and the chance to advocate for one’s beliefs on an influential stage in encouraging students to pursue public office. Jarret closed by asking, “If not you, who?”
