Congresswoman Barbara Lee Reacts to President Biden’s State of the Union Address
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released the following statement after President Biden’s 2024 State of the Union address:
“Tonight, President Biden illustrated for the world just how much the Biden-Harris administration has achieved despite the incredible dysfunction of GOP leadership in Congress.
“President Biden outlined how he is building an economy from the middle out and the bottom up, not the top down, through job creation and taxing corporations and the wealthiest one percent of Americans. He talked about his bipartisan record, signing over 400 bipartisan bills on gun safety, health care for veterans, and more. With our rights, freedoms and democracy at stake, President Biden called on everyone in America – regardless of political party – to fight back MAGA extremism.
“I was pleased to hear his commitment to reproductive freedom, voting rights, and strengthening the ACA, Social Security, and Medicare, reinstating the child tax credit, and addressing the housing affordability crisis.
“President Biden reaffirmed his commitment to creating and keeping jobs in America. He inherited a deadly public health crisis and an economy that was on the brink, and now, wages are high, inflation is down, he’s created 5 million new jobs in just three years, unemployment is at a 50-year low, and a record 16 million Americans—including many people of color—are starting small businesses.
“I’m pleased President Biden underscored the dire need to secure a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine. However, as I’ve said several times, in order to reach that goal the U.S. must call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire. Each day that Palestinians continue to suffer from famine, violence, and displacement is a tragedy. President Biden’s plan to construct a port for large-scale aid flow is a vital step in the right direction to ending this dire humanitarian catastrophe, but we cannot stop here. The release of hostages is imperative. The lasting peace and security of the Israelis and Palestinians depends on a ceasefire and a hostage deal now.
“The contrast and competing visions for America’s future couldn’t be more clear. While the GOP wants to turn back the clock on our human rights, turn away immigrants, and turn their backs on working class families, President Biden’s vision for America is one of progress, possibilities, and resilience.”