Anticipation Day

Claudine did not envy President Randolph or Vice President Hughes, as this bill’s impact would fall squarely on their shoulders, for better or worse. Sure, she was its architect, but people don’t remember the architects; they remember the administration in place when bills are implemented.

The sound of trumpets broke her train of thought. She immediately refocused on the podium in front of her. Once the trumpets ceased, a booming voice projected from the speakers across the Rose Garden: “Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States, accompanied by the First Lady, and the Vice President of the United States, accompanied by the Second Lady.”

“Hail to the Chief” played as President Randolph, Vice President Hughes, and the first and second ladies walked out and greeted the crowd.

President Randolph waved for thirty seconds or so before gesturing for everyone to sit. He singled out Claudine in the front, and she waved back shyly. Over the past several months, they had grown close. She felt very close to him and his family—his wife, Sandra, and their two little daughters, Haley and Ella. They were his world; Claudine knew President Randolph wanted this program to go well for their sake.

After the crowd sat in their chairs and quieted down, the President began his speech in a loud and confident tone.

“Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us on this beautiful, historic afternoon in Washington, D.C. This is a treat for Sandra and me, as well as Suzanne and Paul, to share the signing of this bill with you in the Rose Garden. This Rose Garden has been the site of many historical legislation signing ceremonies, from the establishment of Martin Luther King Day as a federal holiday in November 1983 to the signing of the Protect Act in April 2003 to the signing of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in June 2022. We believe today’s legislation will add to this amazing list of legislation.

When I joined the EPA in 2018, I vowed to be open to all ideas that crossed my desk, regardless of how preposterous they seemed. I have succeeded throughout my career by hearing all viewpoints before deciding on a course of action. So, when I assumed the late President Logan’s responsibilities, my first task was to think about how the concept of Anticipation Day would change the lives of qualified Americans and their families. The question I had to ask myself was simple: Would this legislation improve their lives, or would it make it worse? Was this concept too unusual to proceed with?