WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — President Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union speech Thursday night.
From reproductive rights to shrinking Snickers bars, President Biden's remarks received mixed reviews in the audience.
Here's what lawmakers across the state are saying about the president's remarks:
Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI)
Sen. Gary Peters brought UAW Region 1 Director LaShawn English as his guest to the State of the Union. She joined the UAW in 1999 and she currently represents more than 150,000 active and retired union members.
President Biden gave a shoutout to UAW President Shawn Fain who brokered a new deal in 2023 for the Detroit Three automakers.
Sen. Peters shared this statement about the address:
“Tonight, President Biden laid out a strong vision for the future of our country. He called for lawmakers to come together and deliver for the American people – from standing with unions as they fight for the future of the middle class, to securing our borders, to protecting reproductive rights, to combatting climate change, and supporting our allies across the world as they strive for peace and security.
“Perhaps most importantly, President Biden highlighted how we can lower costs for middle class families, create good-paying jobs, and keep fighting for hardworking Americans everywhere. He spoke about the historic contract that the UAW won this past fall – an agreement that will give their members better benefits and a record pay increase. I was proud to stand with the UAW on the picket lines as they fought for that contract. And tonight, I was honored to celebrate those hard-fought victories alongside LaShawn English – a longtime UAW leader and fierce advocate for working women in Michigan.
“The President’s message tonight was clear. We must put politics aside, come together, and find solutions to the challenges our constituents are facing. I’ll keep fighting for Michigan every step of the way.”
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Sen. Debbie Stabenow shared this statement:
“Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, we’ve made major progress in growing our middle class over the past three years. We’ve created nearly 15 million new jobs, including 351,000 in Michigan! Wages are up. The stock market is up. And new small businesses are up. Prescription drug costs are going down. The wealthy and corporations are paying more of their fair share. And we’re finally investing in America again, with 46,000 projects focused on rebuilding our country with good-paying jobs. The state of our union is growing stronger by the day.”
Rep. Moolenaar (R-MI 2nd District)
Congressman John Moolenaar, who serves Michigan's Second District, said Michiganders are worse off today than when President Biden took office.
“Michiganders are worse off today than when President Biden took office and tonight’s speech showed he is doubling down on the same failed policies that have raised the cost of living on Michigan families these past three years,” said Moolenaar. “President Biden’s massive spending and money printing caused record inflation and Michigan residents are paying higher prices for his failed agenda every day.”
Prices have risen an average of 17.9% since Joe Biden became president. A recent report showed the average Michigan family needs to make an additional $10,435 every year to afford the same standard of living they had before President Biden took office."
Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI 3rd District)
Michigan's Third Congressional District representative Hillary Scholten, a Democrat, brought East Kentwood High School teacher Matthew Vriesman as her guest. He was named National History Teacher of the Year in 2023.
Rep. Scholten wore white alongside many of her colleagues to show solidarity for reproductive rights.
Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI 4th District)
Southwest Michigan's representative Bill Huizenga said President Biden's remarks were partisan.
"I was disappointed the President seemed more interested in making political statements than working together to make policy changes to move our country forward," Rep. Huizenga said.
Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI 5th District)
Congressman Tim Walberg, who represents Michigan's 5th District, said Biden's presidency has failed:
"President Biden has spent another year pursuing his failed policies at the expense of the American people’s safety and economic well-being. Tonight’s speech proved once again that he is disconnected from the concerns and issues facing Americans on a daily basis.
Sixty-four times, he has taken actions to undermine border security. He could reverse many of those actions at the stroke of a pen, but he simply refuses.
Inflation continues to be a debilitating burden. Prices are up nearly 18% from the time Biden took office. “Bidenomics” are costing American families approximately $11,400 more per year. Many Americans have had their hard-earned savings wiped away by his policies.
His Department of Labor continues to encumber small businesses with excessive regulations.
Whether it is EV mandates or restricting gas stoves, the President continues to strip away choice from consumers and instead force them to comply with the will of Washington’s bureaucrats.
His Education Department has been more worried about political correctness and cracking down on parents, than helping recover from learning loss caused by failed pandemic-era policies.
There are countless domestic concerns, but sadly, America has not displayed the strength to deter foreign adversaries from executing horrible crimes, including the terrorism of October 7, the largest attack on Jews since the Holocaust.
President Biden has had his opportunity to fight inflation, secure the border, unleash energy resources, and project strength on the world stage.
Sadly, he has failed, and his record speaks louder than his rhetoric."
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI 12th District)
Michigan's Detroit-area Rep. Tlaib is the only Palestinian-American in Congress, and stood up holding a sign when President Biden mentioned the conflict in Gaza.
She held up a sign that said "Stop Sending Bombs" on one side, and "Lasing Ceasefire Now" on the other.
President Biden said he would set up an aid port for those in dire need in Gaza, but many argue that isn't enough.
Listen to Michigan
A group of activists formed Listen To Michigan whose goal is to urge President Joe Biden to push for a ceasefire in Gaza. By voting "Uncommitted" in Michigan's Democratic Primary, they want to send a message that the president must ear their votes through changes in policy.
Listen To Michigan Campaign Manager, Layla Elebad shared this statement:
“President Biden continues to not hear the voices of the anti-war movement across our country calling for a permanent ceasefire and an end to US weapons funding for Netanyahu’s genocidal campaign. We would have liked to see Biden call for a timetable from Israel’s government to end its war and occupation against the Palestinian people.
“The people of Gaza appreciate the bandages from Biden opening a port, but they prefer an end to US-funded bombs.
“We know the pressure from uncommitted Democratic voters is working as Biden continues to give us wholly insufficient messaging shifts as we demand substantive policy change. A simple rebrand from a “six-week humanitarian pause” to a “six-week immediate ceasefire” is not enough. Biden must call for a permanent ceasefire and end weapons funding for Israel’s war and occupation against the Palestinian people.”
“Any military solution in Gaza would involve thousands more Palestinian civilians dying in a war funded by our President. The US-funded war and occupation of the Palestinian people must end.”
“We remain uncommitted as President Biden decides to put Netanyahu above our democracy and Palestinian lives.”
In Michigan's Democratic Primary on Feb. 27, more than 100,000 voters selected "uncommitted." President Biden won Michigan in the primary, but it raises concerns for the party that won Michigan by a margin of 154,000 votes in the 2020 election.
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