WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last night, President Joe Biden delivered the final State of the Union Address of his first term. He made his case to the American electorate as to why it shouldn’t be his last address.
“Now it’s we who face an unprecedented moment in the history of the Union,” said President Biden as he discussed the need for the U.S. to help allies like Ukraine in their fight against Russia.
Aside from foreign aid, Biden hit on other key issues like the economy, reproductive rights and even encouraged Congress to pass Senator Bob Casey’s (D- PA) Shrinkflation Prevention Act.
“It’s called Shrinkflation. Pass Bobby Casey’s bill and stop this. I really mean it,” said President Biden as he gave a SOTU shoutout to Sen. Casey.
The 81-year-old President delivered the address Thursday evening to a deeply divided Congress. As expected, the reaction was partisan.
“Joe Biden delivered an incredible speech that was very well received by the American people beginning, middle and end,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D- NY).
“As the President declared tonight, the state of the American economy is strong, with record high job creation and record low unemployment,” said Sen. Casey in a statement after the address.
“Tonight, President Biden showed the American People that the state of our union – and his leadership – is strong and only getting stronger with each passing day as we build back from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Senate Majority Leader Schumer following Thursday’s address. “Thanks to the leadership of President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress, we have a stronger economy, more jobs, a proven record of accomplishments, and a brighter future for America and have good reason to hope that our country’s best days still lie ahead.”
Republicans were not shy with their criticism of the address.
“It really did sound like a bad, really poorly prepared campaign speech,” said Rep. Jack Bergman (R- MI). “We need to be inspired by the leadership in our country… the takeaway will be, not inspiring,” Bergman added.
Representative Mike Kelly (R- PA) echoed similar remarks in a statement after the address.
“When it comes everything from the border and crime, to the cost-of-living and the economy, to the green energy agenda, tonight we heard President Biden show just how out-of-touch he really is with the American people,” said Rep. Kelly. “In a divided government, Republicans and Democrats must work together. I encourage the President to join House Republicans to pass commonsense legislation that would secure the border, cut spending, and build a better future for all Americans.”
