Joe Biden capped off his final Christmas in office with a series of legislative actions and holiday messages that garnered both praise and criticism.
On Christmas Eve, Biden signed 50 bills into law, addressing issues ranging from child abuse and corruption to campus hazing.
🚨🇺🇸 BIDEN’S BUSY HOLIDAY: 50 BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW
Biden had a busy Christmas Eve, signing 50 bills into law, including the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, led by Paris Hilton.
Yes, that Paris Hilton.
The law introduces oversight for youth treatment facilities.
He… pic.twitter.com/KqYyvCHnJb
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 25, 2024
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However, his holiday message sparked mixed reactions due to its tone and phrasing.
Among the 50 bills signed, several stood out for their potential impact:
Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act
Biden signed the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act into law, creating a federal work group to establish standards for youth residential programs.
The bill aims to improve the treatment and placement of minors in rehabilitation and residential facilities.
The legislation was championed by celebrity Paris Hilton, who testified before Congress earlier this year about the abuse she endured at a youth treatment facility. “I was strangled. I was hit. And I was cut off from the outside world,” Hilton shared during a congressional hearing in June. “My parents had no idea. They were deceived.”
Watch complete hearing with testimony from @ParisHilton here: https://t.co/ZKumRqlnVy pic.twitter.com/5dfa975uOV
— CSPAN (@cspan) June 26, 2024
Designating the Bald Eagle as the National Bird
Another significant bill officially designated the bald eagle as the United States’ national bird. While the bald eagle has symbolized the nation since appearing on the Great Seal in 1782, it had never received formal designation.
Lawmakers, including Sens. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), led the bipartisan effort, calling the designation long overdue.
“These majestic creatures have long been viewed as the official bird of this country, and it is past time we made it official without costing taxpayers a single cent,” Sen. Lummis said.
No Corruption Act
Biden also signed the No Corruption Act, a bipartisan measure aimed at stripping taxpayer-funded pensions from lawmakers convicted of corruption-related crimes.
The legislation ensures that pension payments are suspended upon an initial finding of guilt and restored only if a conviction is overturned on appeal.
The bill was introduced following the bribery scandal involving former Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ).
Stop Campus Hazing Act
The Stop Campus Hazing Act established federal anti-hazing standards for the first time. The law requires higher education institutions to report hazing incidents in their annual security reports.
It defines hazing as any act that poses a substantial risk of physical or mental harm in connection to campus organizations.
With more than half of college students involved in hazing, the bipartisan effort was spearheaded by Reps. Lucy McBath (D-GA) and Jeff Duncan (R-SC), along with Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA).
Controversy Over Biden’s Christmas Message
While Biden’s legislative actions made headlines, his Christmas Eve message drew criticism from some quarters.
In a video message, Biden referenced a lone star guiding people to the birth of a child “Christians believe to be the Son of God,” but did not explicitly mention Jesus Christ as Savior.
“We look to the sky – a lone star – shining brighter than all the rest, guiding us to the birth of a child – a child Christians believe to be the Son of God, bringing hope, love, peace and joy to the world,” Biden said.
May our nation be blessed with the peace and light of the holiday season.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. pic.twitter.com/C1gBvivNKU
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 24, 2024
Critics contrasted this with former President Donald Trump’s past Christmas messages, which explicitly celebrated “the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Christmas is coming, and so are they!! pic.twitter.com/yHiQT8Rn3D
— TRUMP ARMY (@TRUMP_ARMY_) December 23, 2024
Biden’s phrasing led some to accuse him of distancing himself from a central Christian belief.
Biden’s Christmas Eve actions reflect a blend of legislative achievements and a holiday message that sparked debate.
As his presidency nears its conclusion, the contrast between his approach and that of his predecessor continues to draw attention.
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