Biden already has a transition team with focus on COVID-19 pandemic and economic stimulation: Report
With states still counting ballots, the winner of the 2020 presidental election is yet to be determined, but former VP Joe Biden's team is seemingly preparing themselves for a win anyway. This is a bit different than President Donald Trump claiming victory this past week even before all legal ballots had been counted. Biden's transition team, according to reports, is focusing on what's next should they gain entry into the White House. The team is being led by Ted Kaufman, who served on the Democratic presidential candidate's staff for more than two decades and filled Biden's senate seat when he was elected as vice president to former President Barack Obama in 2008. According to Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich, Biden's transition team has the coronavirus as its "immediate focus." To many this makes sense considering the pandemic is still raging and has now claimed the lives of over 230,000 Americans.
The reason behind why the transition team is already working on their path forward was explained by Biden's transition team lead back in 2015. Speaking to Delaware News Journal, Kaufman said, "All governments, especially in the post 9/11 era, are at their most vulnerable during a transfer of power. I was keenly aware of this when I was part of the team in charge of the Obama-Biden transition in 2008. I realized there was not nearly enough time between an Election Day in November and an inauguration day in January to adequately prepare for a new presidency." According to reports, Kaufman has been prepping for conducting his role adequately since April after Biden became a Democratic nominee.
Former staffers for two of Biden's primary opponents, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, were laying the groundwork for a potential Biden administration. The transition team also consists of former Deputy National Security Adviser Avril Haines and former director of the White House National Economic Council Jeffrey Zients, both aides from the former Obama administration. Along with them, republicans Cindy McCain and former Veteran Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald are also on the advisory board.
The team will also be focusing on "stimulating" the economy with a "relief package." Kaufman also revealed what the team has to face should it come a time they're needed back in August when he told the Wall Street Journal, "When we get in, the pantry is going to be bare. When you see what Trump’s done to the deficit ... forget about Covid-19, all the deficits that he built with the incredible tax cuts. So we’re going to be limited.”
Even though the main focus is on the electoral votes that would bring the Biden administration closer to a term in the White House, the transition team, according to reports is also keeping their eye out when it comes to the Senate elections. If the senate elections reveal a Democratic control, then it's claimed that "Biden appointees could have much more leeway during hearings."