(The Center Square) – President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address on Thursday evening drew reactions from several of North Carolina’s office holders.
The following is a sampling from social media or statements:
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper said, “President Joe Biden’s record is clear – fighting for regular working folks and making our country stronger. He showed Americans tonight that he means business. Well done, Mr. President. Time to finish the job.”
U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said, “The one question that everyone should be asking themselves following this speech is: Are you better off than where you were three years ago? The resounding answer I hear from North Carolinians is no. We are not better off with the crippling inflation we see every time we go to the grocery store. We are not better off with a raging crisis at the border that was caused by this administration’s failed policies. We are not better off with a commander-in-chief who abandoned our allies in Afghanistan. We are not better off with weak-on-crime policies that make Americans in cities feel less safe. We are not better off with a president who has allowed the far-left to call the shots for the last three years.”
U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel, D-N.C, said, “Tonight, @POTUS laid out a common-sense vision to move our country forward. While MAGA Republicans continue to waste time and play political games, @HouseDemocrats are putting people over politics.”
U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, D-N.C., said, “@POTUS, you knocked it out of the park!”
U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., said, “I’d like to have heard more specifics about his plans to ease our deadly border crisis, rising crime, national debt exceeding $34 trillion and our emboldened adversaries in Beijing, Tehran and Moscow. Illegal immigrants and fentanyl are flowing across our border, crime is surging in our communities, the savings of hard-working Western North Carolinians are being drained, and America’s standing on the world stage is weakening. Citizens across the country are suffering because of the president’s failed policies. Even if we were to close the border today, Americans will be paying the price for this administration’s open borders for decades to come.”
U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., said, “’Shrinkflation’ is a result of Bidenflation. You created this economic mess, President.” And, “Joe Biden could secure the border today with a stroke of a pen, but he refuses.”
U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop, R-N.C., said, “This is not a State of the Union. This is an angry screed vilifying half the country.” And, “Biden will build a massive pier in Gaza that will benefit Hamas, but wouldn’t ever dream of building a wall on our own border to protect Americans.” And, “America’s adversaries are laughing at us.”
U.S. Rep. David Rouzer, R-N.C., said, “North Carolina might not be a border state, but we are experiencing the impacts. President Biden must listen to those on the front lines and work to keep America safe.”
U.S. Rep. Kathy Manning, D-N.C., said, “The U.S. must continue to work to bring home every hostage still being held by Hamas, including six Americans.” And, “In Congress, we Democrats are committed to lowering the cost of health care.”
U.S. Rep. Dr. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., said, “The most damn divisive president in this nation’s history. They are destroying this nation. Bought votes by transferring student debt to other Americans. Opened our borders to allow terrorists in. Go home Joe!”
U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross, D-N.C., said, “President Biden was clear tonight – we face two competing visions for the future of our country. Confronted by those who relentlessly seek to move our country backward, we must fight every single day for progress and possibility. We must defend our freedom and our democracy.”
Prior to the address, in his chamber floor speech, U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., said, “Make no mistake, President Biden already has the power to fix this. It was his executive actions that, on Day 1, caused this mess. And he can clean it up by undoing those orders on day 1,142.”
Also, prior to the address, U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., said, “Proud moms, dads, and hardworking Americans are appalled by the smoke and mirrors, the constant assaults on their God-given rights and livelihoods, and the hypocrisy from this administration. Americans are tired of the fallout brought about through this administration pushing an illegal student loan bailout scheme, failing to address antisemitism across college campuses, decimating Main Street America, threatening innovation in the health care marketplace, and peddling radical policies that incite ideological warfare in America’s classrooms.”
And, also prior to the address, U.S. Rep. Valerie Foushee, D-N.C., said, “President Biden and House Democrats have lowered health care costs, canceled student debt to grow the middle class, defended reproductive freedoms, delivered historic benefits for America’s veterans, and fought to prevent gun violence in our communities.”