With Trump refusing to acknowledge defeat, the federal funds for Biden’s transition team remains inaccessible; but the President-elect appears well-prepared.
As opposed to Trump’s purpose of raising funds to be used mainly for settling unpaid obligations related to his election campaigns, the Biden-Harris team has been raising funds to use for the transition process. The main purpose of which is to proceed with the selection of a core group of people whom Biden will appoint as members of his administration starting January 20, 2021.
Right after Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were proclaimed as President-elect and Vice President-elect, they held Zoom events requesting for donations that will enable the Biden-transition team to move forward with the legal processes. That way, the newly elected president can have a smooth transition into office as President of the United States (POTUS).
As Trump continues with his self-serving action, the Biden-Harris team refuses to be cowed by the lame duck politician as doing so will only put the American people at a disadvantage. Technically, Donald Trump is already on AWOL as he has been spending most of his time at the golf course, whilst continuously proclaiming victory via tweets; still ignoring the worsening health crisis faced by the American public and the economic hardships brought on by the pandemic.
Trump-in-Denial Continues to Disregard the Presidential Transition Act of 1963
As it is, the General Services Administration under Trump is slowing down, if not blocking, the release of $9.9 million in transition funds due to the incoming Biden administration.
The release of the funds are actually mandated under the Presidential Transition Act of 1963, which directs the GSA to provide the President-elect and his transition team with facilities and services, including office space and equipment, as well as funds to use as payment of expenses related to traditional and legal transition procedures.
The Biden-Harris Fundraising Events Have Already Surpassed the Goal
According to the people handling the funds, the Biden-Harris transition team has collected more than their original goal of $7 million as of November 6. With the donations, they were able to employ legislative affairs groups that act as assistants to Biden nominees when they face confirmation hearings at the Senate.
One of Biden’s donors, who has been active in helping the Biden-Harris team attain the target goal of $7 million, is Ms. Penny Pritzker, who, according to reports, has a net worth of 2 billion dollars. Ms. Pritzker was the former Secretary of Commerce during Obama administration and a close relative of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.
According to a November 06 update, the funds raised has already surpassed the $7 million mark, as donors who have contributed funds for the Biden-Harris transition team, include an assortment of media and public relations executives, lobbyists, Wall Street financiers and lobbyists.