Ten Ways Treasury’s Focus on Equity Helps All Americans

When President Biden signed EO 13985 calling for all federal agencies to conduct a top-to-bottom review to identify potential barriers that Americans may face when benefitting from government policies, he acknowledged the need to do far more to expand opportunity for all Americans. The lasting legacies of policies that intentionally excluded people of color and women and the disproportionate impact of structural economic shifts that eliminated good paying jobs in rural communities and urban centers show that the path for families and businesses to reach their full economic potential often depends on local context and circumstances. President Biden’s focus on reaching underserved people and places is grounded in the understanding that being intentional about the scope and design of policies and programs helps produce better outcomes for all Americans.