Congresswoman Barbara Lee Reacts to President Biden’s 2023 State of the Union
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the below statement following President Biden’s State of the Union address to Congress.
“Tonight, our nation and the world saw President Biden outline the historic, unprecedented progress we have made over the past two years with a Democratic government.
“We should all take time to celebrate this progress, especially considering the state of our nation when Biden took office. In just two years, we’ve created 12 million jobs—more than any other President has created in four years. Unemployment is down to its lowest level in half a century, and real wages—especially in underpaid sectors—are increasing. Seniors on Medicare can finally stop worrying about outrageous health care costs now that insulin has been capped at $35/month out-of-pocket, and the Affordable Care Act Enrollment is at a record high.
“In just a single Congress, we’ve made more progress on climate and gun violence legislation than in the past 30 years with the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. And we’ve continued to make progress towards an AIDS-free generation as we mark the 20th anniversary of PEPFAR.
“But as POTUS emphasized in an impassioned call to Congress, we have more work ahead to finish his agenda. The economy still isn’t working for everyone. I applaud the President’s bold call for new taxes on billionaires and stock buybacks; universal child care, home care, and pre-K; paid sick leave; and bold housing investments—some of the biggest inflationary costs hitting working people.
“The President also spoke powerfully to the need for reform to our policing system and the racial injustice that plagues our country. From combatting systemic racism to the war on reproductive rights, it is vital that Congress hold the line against Republican extremism and take back our rights.
“While these extreme MAGA Republicans attempt to raise taxes and destroy Social Security and Medicare, I look forward to working with the President and my Democratic colleagues to continue delivering for the people of this country in the coming year.”