CLEVELAND — Tuesday night in Washington, President Biden delivered his first official State of the Union address since taking office. The president attempted to sell his domestic agenda, but events abroad loomed large over the speech.
Biden spent a great deal of time discussing the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, repeating the near-universal condemnation from both the United States and the remainder of the West of Russia's invasion of the country. The president announced he would be closing the U.S.'s airspace to all Russian planes, and his overall remarks on the situation received large amounts of applause from Democrats and Republicans alike.
The speech then turned to domestic issues, with Biden once again touting his proposed "Build Back Better" legislation along with goals on things like voting rights, health care, and immigration. As expected, reaction to these words was split mostly along party lines, and provided a possible preview for this year's midterm elections.
Here's what some of Northeast Ohio's top elected officials had to say about the president's address:
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D)
"Tonight, Ohioans heard the most pro-worker president in our lifetime reaffirm his commitment to put workers at the center of our economy, and his commitment to stand up for American values and up to Putin and autocrats everywhere. President Biden has united the free world against Russia’s invasion, and tonight members of both parties stood together in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
"At home, the pandemic is receding and the economy is growing because of the American Rescue Plan, which got shots into arms, money into families’ pockets, and workers back on the job. And we’re just getting started. With the passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we will create jobs and move goods faster and cheaper. We will invest in American innovation and rebuild our industrial base, to bring critical supply chains home to the U.S. and better compete with China. And we will work to lower costs for American families – from taking on corporate price gouging, to lowering the cost of energy and prescription drugs.
"The president laid out a vision where all workers can get a good-paying job, keep up with the cost of living, and join the middle class. I will work with him and with colleagues of both parties to make that vision a reality."
U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R)
U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R)
U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson (R)
"These are serious times both here at home and around the world. And tonight, I didn’t hear a speech that met the challenges of this moment.
"Most of the world now understands that energy security is national security. Europe’s rush to green energy policies have put the continent under the thumb of Vladimir Putin. But thankfully, Europe, led by Germany, is reversing course - announcing the construction of new LNG import terminals, stockpiling oil and coal, and turning back on the nuclear power they recently shut off.
"So tonight, I waited for President Biden to announce America's return to energy independence given the abundance of oil, natural gas and coal trapped under our feet. But it never happened. Instead, he talked vaguely about 'environmental justice' and 'weatherizing' our homes. Neither will fuel our economy, reduce inflation, or keep a brutal dictator at bay.
"I waited for President Biden to show he really understands what it’s like for working Americans who are seeing skyrocketing inflation…where more and more of their take home pay evaporates at the gas station and grocery store as a direct result of policies that he’s put in place. I was listening for an admission that his way wasn’t working and possible course corrections. But all we got was lip service.
"And I waited for the President to show some empathy for tired and frustrated parents who have spent the last two years fighting rogue schoolboards, hostile teachers' unions, and out-of-touch politicians who put their ideological wants ahead of the educational needs of our children.
"I heard him vaguely tell the American people that he supports funding the police and securing our borders. But his policies helped to create America’s crime crisis and our border crisis. He’s a year late and at odds with many in his party on these issues; his reversal on these critical issues, if sincere, will be a welcome change. I’ll be watching the President closely to see if he continues advocating for policy changes and action on these critically important issues once the bright lights of the State of the Union fade.
"Bottom line - President Biden's policies have so far created one crisis after another. Tonight, I was hoping to hear more specifics and solutions that would work…but I was disappointed."
U.S. Rep. Bob Gibbs (R)
U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D)
"The American people elected Joe Biden president because they know his heart and they knew he would fight for them. Two years ago, unemployment was skyrocketing, infrastructure was crumbling, and our global alliances had been torn to shreds. In the midst of the worst pandemic in a century, President Biden passed the American Rescue Plan to keep hospitals and schools open, and police and firefighters on the job. After many had tried, President Biden delivered an infrastructure bill that will breathe new life into communities and support millions of good-paying jobs. Now, when the fate of Liberty is on the line, President Biden is leading the world for the defense of Ukraine. While some line up to vote against the Middle Class and cozy up to autocrats, President Biden and Congressional Democrats will continue fighting for the American people and our precious values around the globe."