What President Biden said:
I have to tell you: Last night, President Biden hit it out of the park.
He may not always be the most gifted orator, but he spoke last night with clarity and forcefulness — telling Americans where we have been and where we are going.
First, on Ukraine: The president made it absolutely clear that we are standing with allies around the world to defend democracy and stop Putin's aggression. We are doing that by sending arms to the Ukrainians and by slamming the doors shut on the Russian financial system. The DOJ is working with our European allies to go after the crimes of the Russian oligarchs that fund Putin's expansionist dreams, to "find and seize your yachts, your luxury apartments, your private jets."
Second, on the economy: We are rapidly recovering from the pandemic recession, but we are not all the way there. Under his presidency, in the last year, America has created 6.5 million jobs — more than any single year in history. But supply chain shocks and labor shortages have led to inflation.
As President Biden said, to tackle inflation, we are going to "cut your costs, not your wages." That means reducing the cost of prescription drugs, child care, energy, housing, and more. And do it all without raising taxes on the middle and working class by making sure that corporations cannot evade taxes by moving jobs and money overseas.
He also called on Congress to renew the child tax credit that expired in January — and I completely agree. After all, in 2021, the expanded child tax credit delivered $198 million to over 76,000 families right here in Washington's Second District to help pay for child care, groceries, school supplies and other essentials. Cutting childhood poverty in half nationwide, it was an unqualified success.
Third, on infrastructure: the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law means that 65,000 miles of roads and 1,500 bridges will see repairs this year. We will start replacing every lead pipe in America, build a national network of 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations, and expand broadband to every urban, suburban, rural, and tribal community in America. As he said, "We are done talking about infrastructure weeks. We are going to have an infrastructure decade."
Finally, on the pandemic: We are rapidly recovering, but we are not yet recovered. The president promised to deploy vaccines to children under age 5 just as soon as the scientists tell us that they are safe and effective for kids. And he announced a new Test to Treat program that will make it possible to get antiviral pills at the pharmacy, for free, if you test positive for COVID. That will save lives and make space in our hospitals.
You know what? Our president cares about the American people and is putting YOU first.
Rick
