Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on President Biden’s First Address to Congress
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released this statement following President Joe Biden’s first Joint Address to Congress as President of the United States:
“Tonight, President Biden laid out his vision for our future that builds back bolder after some of the most challenging years in our history. The multitude of crises facing our country—from racial injustice, to police brutality, to the climate crisis—require bold action, and President Biden is seizing the moment.
“It gave me great pride to watch two women and daughters of the Bay area, Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, seated behind the president on the dais. It was reflective of the price so many people, so many women especially, paid to get to this point. While this was a historic moment, as Vice President Harris pointed out, it is past time that it becomes ‘normal.’
“President Biden unequivocally condemned white supremacy and reaffirmed his commitment to fighting poverty, advancing racial equity, crushing this virus around the globe, and restoring faith and trust in our government. I remain committed to being a partner in Congress on his policy prescriptions for police reform, immigration, gun safety, tackling climate change and his ongoing work to get the pandemic under control and put Americans back to work.
“President Biden also made clear that he understands the need to end forever wars and withdraw from Afghanistan. It’s time to reallocate our investment from weapons of war to human need. He also unveiled the American Families Plan, a sorely needed, once-in-a-generation investment in the foundations of middle-class prosperity: education, health care, and childcare.
“President Biden’s first 100 days are marked by a stronger economy, more resilient pandemic response, and a unified mission of building back better and bolder. I will continue working in Congress to fulfill the promise of a government by the people and for the people.”