**Biden Administration Races to Cement Legacy Ahead of Trump’s Inauguration**

As the transition of power nears, Biden administration officials are in a race against time to allocate billions in grants and take decisive steps that could safeguard key aspects of President Joe Biden’s legacy before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office in January.

“With the clock ticking, we’re focusing on making every day count,” President Joe Biden emphasized during a national address last week. Vice President Kamala Harris had earlier acknowledged defeat to Trump in the recent presidential race.

Trump has signaled a strong intent to revoke unspent allocations from Biden's significant climate and healthcare legislation and to halt clean-energy projects. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg reminded reporters at a recent news conference, “There’s only one administration at a time. Until January 20th, it is our duty to utilize the funds that Congress has entrusted to us effectively.”

Among the administration’s immediate goals is the execution of projects funded under the $1 trillion infrastructure law and the $375 billion climate law. On Friday, Buttigieg declared over $3.4 billion in grants aimed at enhancing passenger rail services, U.S. ports, reducing highway fatalities, and supporting domestic manufacturing of sustainable transportation materials. These projects, he asserted, are vital for improved transportation systems nationwide, cleaner air, and stronger supply chains.

Environmental initiatives have also seen a surge, with major grants and project approvals being fast-tracked. Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a nationwide deadline for removing lead pipes and nearly $3 billion to help local water systems comply. Additionally, for the first time, oil and gas companies emitting dangerous methane above certain levels will face a federal fee.

In the energy sector, the Department of Energy revealed a $544 million loan to a Michigan company to expand the manufacturing of high-quality silicon carbide wafers for electric vehicles. This loan is part of 28 deals amounting to $37 billion under a clean-energy loan program revitalized during Biden’s tenure. “There is a new urgency to get it all done,” noted Melinda Pierce, legislative director of the Sierra Club, describing the administration's efforts to finalize initiatives.

On the defense front, the administration faces the task of expediting $7.1 billion in weapons transfers to ensure the funds, authorized by Congress, are obligated before January 20th. According to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, obligating these funds makes it more difficult for the incoming administration to retract them.

Another key area of focus is securing Senate confirmation for as many federal judges as possible. Amidst this, Trump has urged Republican senators to oppose such efforts to prevent Democrats from pushing through their judicial nominees during the transition period.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has been working to finalize a new federal rule to cancel student loans for those experiencing financial hardship. This rule is currently in a public comment period scheduled to end on December 2, providing a narrow window to finalize and implement the rule before facing potential legal challenges.

As the countdown to January 20th continues, the Biden administration remains laser-focused on cementing its policies and initiatives, striving to sustain its legacy amid an impending political shift.