Georgia leaders react to President Biden’s State of the Union address

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden gave the first State of the Union Address of his presidency on Tuesday night.

The president did not deliver the State of the Union in 2021, instead he gave a speech to a joint session of the U.S. Congress.

Within minutes of President Biden concluding his speech, Georgia lawmakers were speaking out on social media and releasing statements regarding the address.

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During the address, President Biden spoke about his desire to lower the cost of prescription medication, particularly insulin.

U.S. Representative from Georgia Lucy McBath is backing a bill which aims at lowering the cost of insulin.

Fellow Democratic Representative Carolyn Bourdeaux released a statement of support for a number of topics the president addressed, including expanding Medicaid, strengthening supply chains and supporting Ukraine.

“In tonight’s State of the Union, President Biden addressed many of the challenges Georgians and our democracy are facing, how we have risen to the moment, and the opportunities we have a chance to seize to build a better and stronger country. With a booming economy to work with, we must move forward from tonight prepared to finally expand Medicaid, strengthen our nation’s supply chains, and boost workforce development to fill labor shortages and connect people to good paying jobs. I have addressed each of these in my own legislation and I am encouraged by the White House’s support.

“Together we are working to reduce daily expenses for the middle-class, including health care premiums and child care costs, and supporting our manufacturers' competitiveness on the global stage in my Supply CHAIN Act and the America COMPETES Act.

“I support the President’s emphasis on defending democracy, supporting Ukrainian lives, and allowing no breathing room for Russian aggression and their brutal autocracy. We must stay firm to our democratic values and continue increased economic sanctions on President Putin while continuing to assist our allies in Afghanistan.”

—  Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux

Across the aisle, not all of Georgia’s elected officials were as supportive of President Biden’s address.

Representative Buddy Carter, a Republican, said he made a promise during his campaign to support bipartisan policies, but says the president has failed to focus on “a true ‘unity agenda.’”

“I attended the State of the Union today because I made a promise to work with President Biden on bipartisan policies. Unfortunately, he used this pivotal moment, with the eyes of the world watching as Putin advances into Ukraine, to monologue about a union that is unrecognizable to Main Street Americans.

“When Congressional Democrats gave standing ovations as Biden railed against job creators, gun owners, and police officers, they cast shadows over struggling Americans who cannot afford to continue losing dollars, work, safety, and educational opportunities at the hands of this Administration.

“The state of the union, and the world, is in crisis. If President Biden focused on a true ‘unity agenda,’ not a left-wing agenda, we would be in a better position today. After tonight’s speech, I am concerned about our President’s ability to lead through this period of uncertainty.”

—  Rep. Buddy Carter

Controversial Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene took the opportunity to take several digs at the president on Twitter during the address.

After the address, the congresswoman representing portions of north Georgia, gave a speech of her own, calling for “an American revival.”

“Tonight I’m calling for an American revival. A revival of spirit, a revival of courage, a revival of unity, a revival of victory and, most importantly, a revival of faith,” she said.

Governor Brian Kemp did not comment online about the State of the Union Address itself, but did commend Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds on her delivery of the Republican’s response to the address.

What to expect: State of the Union preview

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