Hoyer Statement on President Biden's 2023 State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) issued the following statement tonight following President Biden's 2023 State of the Union address:
"In his State of the Union address tonight, President Biden conveyed the progress we have made to rebuild our economy, unite our country, and promote democracy and justice both at home and abroad. He put forward a compelling plan to advance these priorities even further in the months and years to come. I am committed to working with his administration, Congressional Democrats, and – whenever possible – our colleagues across the aisle to implement policies that will grant Americans greater prosperity, liberty, and security.
"America's economy has boomed since President Biden took office. The last two calendar years saw the greatest job growth in American history with more than 12 million jobs added to the economy. The unemployment rate sits at its lowest point in more than half a century. Wages have gone up, inflation has started to go down, and American manufacturing and small businesses are on the rise. The historic policies that Democrats secured last Congress helped fuel this unprecedented period of economic advancement. We built consensus with Republicans on legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the CHIPS and Science Act to strengthen our economy's foundation and ensure that it remains competitive in the twenty-first century. The American Rescue Plan put money in pockets, shots in arms, and kids back in schools as the COVID-19 pandemic waned. We also enacted the Inflation Reduction Act to combat the climate crisis and lower prescription drug, energy, and health-care costs for the American people and that transformational law also reduced the national deficit by hundreds of billions of dollars.
"We must ensure that communities in every corner of the country feel the full impact of these policies and their well-invested tax dollars. I was humbled that Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries asked me to chair the new Regional Leadership Council, which will coordinate closely with the Biden-Harris Administration to implement these programs. Together, we will keep creating new opportunities for workers and families to Make It In America.
"As President Biden made clear, however, many Americans still face pressing challenges today. Mass shootings in Uvalde, Buffalo, and Colorado Springs reminded us of the persistent threat of gun violence, especially to LGBTQ+ Americans, communities of color, and other groups that are often the target of hate crimes. Although we took swift action to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – the most significant gun legislation in decades – it will take further action to end this gun-violence epidemic. Others in America have experienced attacks on their most basic liberties. Last summer, we saw the Supreme Court turn back the clock for American women and reverse their constitutional right to reproductive freedom. Furthermore, the devastating murder of Tyre Nichols at the hands of multiple police officers reminds us that our nation too often fails to protect Black Americans basic right to ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.' I will keep pushing Congress to safeguard these sacred rights and to build a more equitable America for all.
"Our commitment to uphold democracy and freedom also extends beyond our borders. For nearly a year, the Ukrainians have withstood Vladimir Putin's brutal, unprovoked invasion of their sovereign nation. From humanitarian aid to military materiel, Congress has supplied the Ukrainian people with vital resources to defend the free world from Putin's authoritarian aggression. America and our NATO allies cannot afford to yield in our support to Ukraine until victory is assured.
"Our nation's success in the last two years makes me optimistic for America's future. Under President Biden, we have seen what our government can accomplish by putting stability over chaos, reason over extremism, and People Over Politics. Now, we must finish the job. So long as we join together in that commitment, I know that the state of our union will only grow stronger with time."