2021 in American politics

2021 in American politics
Year	2021
Country	United States
Presidency	Joe Biden
Vice president	Kamala Harris
Speaker of the house	Nancy Pelosi / Kevin McCarthy
Senate majority leader	Mitch McConnell
Chief justice	John Roberts
Significant events	Electoral certification controversies, January 6 Capitol attack, American Rescue Plan, COVID-19 pandemic response

2021 in American politics saw the transition from the Donald Trump administration to the Joe Biden administration, the fallout from the 2020 election disputes, and sustained debates over pandemic policy, infrastructure, and voting rights. The year included the January 6 attack, major legislative action such as the American Rescue Plan, and consequential judicial rulings from the Supreme Court. Nationwide partisan polarization influenced state legislatures like those in Georgia, Texas, and Arizona, while movements including Black Lives Matter, Stop the Steal, and March for Our Lives shaped public demonstrations and opinion.

Federal government and executive actions

The Biden administration pursued executive orders reversing many Donald Trump era policies, including rejoining the Paris Agreement and rescinding the withdrawal from the World Health Organization. The Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice issued guidance on Title 42 and immigration enforcement, and the Department of Health and Human Services coordinated vaccine distribution under the Operation Warp Speed legacy. The American Rescue Plan passed, affecting Internal Revenue Service tax credits, state aid, and Small Business Administration relief programs. Executive actions addressed climate issues via the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, and federal appointments required confirmation by the Senate, involving figures like Janet Yellen and Lloyd Austin.

Congressional activity and legislation

Congress enacted the American Rescue Plan, debated infrastructure via the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act negotiations, and confronted voting rights proposals such as the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. The Senate faced deliberations over the filibuster and budget reconciliation, with leaders Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell central to strategy. High-profile committee actions included the January 6 committee formation processes and oversight hearings involving the Department of Defense and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Legislative fights over policing reforms referenced the George Floyd protests and proposals like the George Floyd Act.

Judicial developments and major court cases

The Supreme Court issued decisions impacting voting rights, immigration, and religious liberty, with cases such as Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee influencing state ballot access and the application of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Lower federal courts adjudicated challenges to vaccine mandates and executive orders involving the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and CDC eviction moratoriums. Notable confirmations and vacancies involved nominees to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and district courts, while litigation tied to the 2020 election lawsuits continued in various jurisdictions including Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Arizona.

State and local politics

State legislatures enacted major statutes on election rules in Georgia and Texas, prompting responses from corporations like Delta Air Lines and organizations such as the National Football League. Governors including Greg Abbott, Brian Kemp, and Gavin Newsom clashed with legislative majorities or faced recall and impeachment pressures, while state courts in Florida, North Carolina, and Wisconsin handled redistricting disputes following the 2020 census. City governments in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago grappled with public safety and budget shortfalls tied to pandemic-era revenue changes, involving municipal actors like Mayor Bill de Blasio and Mayor Eric Adams.

Elections, campaigns, and political realignments

The year featured two high-profile special elections in Georgia culminating in the Georgia Senate runoffs that determined Senate control and elevated figures Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff. Gubernatorial and mayoral contests across states and cities tested partisan coalitions, and intra-party debates in the Republican Party and Democratic Party intensified ahead of the 2022 midterms. Realignments emerged as suburban voting patterns shifted in places like Arizona and Nevada, and advocacy groups such as EMILY's List and Club for Growth influenced candidate selection and fundraising.

Political protests, movements, and public opinion shifts

Public demonstrations included the aftermath of the January 6 attack, continued Black Lives Matter protests, and anti-vaccine or mask mandate rallies tied to COVID-19 vaccine debates. Movements like Stop the Steal and Insurrection Reimagined (note: cultural initiatives) influenced discourse on election integrity, while labor activism surged with strikes involving Korean Air, Boeing, and public-sector unions such as American Federation of Teachers and AFL–CIO. Polling shifts tracked by organizations like Pew Research Center and Gallup reflected changing approval for Joe Biden and Congressional leaders, and social media platforms including Twitter and Facebook played roles in content moderation controversies involving public figures such as Donald Trump.

Category:2021 in United States politics