Arshi Siddiqui Speaks with Reuters on Biden’s Top Three Legislative Priorities

Akin Gump public law and policy partner Arshi Siddiqui was featured in a Reuters Legal interview on Joe Biden’s top three legislative priorities once he takes office. Siddiqui, a former aide to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, discussed what she thinks the President-elect will focus on after he is sworn in.

Siddiqui’s first item on the list is the response to the pandemic, telling Reuters she thinks Biden “will turn every federal resource that’s relevant in the direction of stamping out COVID.” She predicts testing and a vaccine distribution plan will be high priorities for the new administration as well as ensuring that the federal government has a coordinated response with the private sector.

Energy and the environment are the next areas of focus that Siddiqui says will likely be on Biden’s list. “It is very much investing in the future and creating jobs that way,” she said, with the Biden team in a divided government looking “to the art of the possible.” By that, she means seeking incentives, such as tax credits for businesses.

Finally, Siddiqui predicts a focus on civil rights, including legislation that would protect U.S. citizens from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. “The Equality Act has passed the House before. I think there will be another effort in a new Congress,” she said. She thinks Biden will also try to get a police reform measure passed.