From Anti-Hazing to Bald Eagles: Biden Signs 50 Bills into Law on Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, US President Biden signed 50 bills into law, marking a significant legislative milestone as his term nears its end. Among the notable bills is the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, championed by socialite and activist Paris Hilton. This legislation aims to protect teenagers in residential treatment facilities by creating a federal work group to oversee their health, safety, care, treatment, and placement.

Anti-Hazing Standards

Another critical piece of legislation is the Stop Campus Hazing Act, which sets anti-hazing standards for higher education institutions. This law requires colleges to disclose hazing incidents in their annual security reports and educate students about the dangers of hazing.

Senator Amy Klobuchar said, “The Stop Campus Hazing Act will help ensure that our colleges and universities are safe environments for all students. This law is a vital tool in preventing the tragic consequences of hazing.”

Congress took action to get these 50 bills to Biden soon enough so he could sign them on Dec 23.
HR 82 Social Security Fairness Act didn’t make that cut.
But working dog health and renaming post offices did.https://t.co/36BeaucyxD pic.twitter.com/qSJ0cg9Z1I

— Do better (@dean1941_d) December 25, 2024

Corruption Prevention

President Biden also signed a bill that prevents members of Congress convicted of crimes related to public corruption from receiving their retirement payments. This bipartisan law closes a loophole that previously allowed convicted members to continue receiving pensions until all appeals were exhausted, reported CBS News.

Bald Eagle Designation

In a symbolic move, the president signed a bill making the bald eagle the official bird of the United States. Despite its long-standing association with American identity, the bald eagle had never been officially designated as the national bird until now.

Preston Cook, Co-chair of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center said, “The Bald Eagle has symbolized American ideals since its placement on the Great Seal in 1782. With this legislation, we honor its historic role and solidify its place as our national bird and an emblem of our national identity.”

Clemency and Vetoes

In addition to signing these bills, President Biden granted clemency to 37 federal inmates facing death sentences, commuting their sentences to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He also vetoed a bill that would have created 66 new federal judgeships, citing unresolved implementation issues.

List of Bills Signed

🚨 BREAKING: On Christmas Eve, President Biden just signed 50 bills into law, including Paris Hilton's initiative to safeguard teens in residential treatment facilities and a measure ensuring members of Congress lose their pensions if convicted of serious crimes. pic.twitter.com/Yzv0GojrLR

— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) December 24, 2024

1. Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act
2. Stop Campus Hazing Act
3. No Corruption Act
4. Bald Eagle Designation Act
5. Post Office Designations:
   • Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh Post Office in Bastrop, Texas
   • Senator Dianne Feinstein Post Office in San Francisco, California
6. Federal Building Renamings:
   • Private First Class Desmond T. Doss VA Clinic in Lynchburg, Virginia
   • Senator Jim Inhofe VA Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma
   • Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center at Fort McHenry National Historic Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore, Maryland