Tennessee Lawmakers React to President Biden’s State of the Union Address

Kaitlin Housler

Following President Joe Biden’s second State of the Union address Tuesday night, a number of Tennessee lawmakers issued statements and thoughts in response to the president’s speech.

Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN-08) reacted to Biden’s address in a statement, saying, “President Biden’s speech this evening only proved what we already know —Washington Democrats are out of touch with the needs of West Tennessee and all Americans. In the last two years, Joe Biden’s policies have led to a struggling economy, a wide-open southern border, and record high inflation.”

Congressman John Rose (R-TN-06) also called Biden’s speech ‘out-of-touch,’ adding, “What we witnessed tonight was a continuation of the spin and misrepresentations that we’ve come to expect from the White House every week… The state of our union has certainly seen better days, but I will work every day to promote the policies that make our nation a freer and more prosperous country again.”

During his speech, Biden declared the State of our Union is “strong,” however, Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01) argued on Twitter that the State of our Union is in “crisis.”

Congressman Mark Green (R-TN-07), who was recently elected chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security, criticized Biden’s short mention of the southern border during his Tuesday night address, writing on Twitter, “Apparently the crisis at our southern border is only worth 30 seconds of President Biden’s time.”

Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03) reacted to Biden’s speech on Twitter, writing in a thread, “Tonight’s State of the Union address was, unfortunately, a missed opportunity for President Biden and the American People…Unfortunately, after two years, President Biden doesn’t seem willing to accept the reality of his failed policies and change course.”

Congressman Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04) also criticized Biden’s short mention of the border in a statement, saying, “President Biden’s speech tonight makes clear that despite his claims to work to unite our country, he will continue to divide us. He is blatantly ignoring the requests of millions of Americans to close our border, stop reckless spending, protect our constitutional rights, and strengthen our national security.”

Congressman Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) criticized a number of Biden’s statements during his speech, especially the president’s “economic plan” which “consists of $5 gas and cold homes during the winter.”

“This admin’s incompetence has stomped on middle-class Americans,” Burchett tweeted.

During his speech, Biden called out Tennessee U.S. Representative Andy Ogles’ (R-TN-05) recently-introduced bill that would repeal the inflation Reduction Act of 2022, to which Ogles’ responded, “You know you’re doing something right for Americans when @POTUS targets you in his SOTU.”

Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) released a 7 minute-long video response to Biden’s address, stating, “Unfortunately, President Biden’s remarks tonight did little to allay my deep concern that he is simply disconnected from the feelings of the average American… The true State of our Union is a far cry from the picture painted by the President this evening… Yet I remain undeterred in my goal. I will continue to advocate for the Volunteer State and for a strong America.”

Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), who also criticized multiple aspects of Biden’s speech, highlighted the president’s lack of mention of the Chinese spy balloon that flew over the country last week.

“How can Joe Biden even begin to talk about national security after he allowed a Chinese surveillance balloon to fly across our country for one week before taking action?” Blackburn tweeted.

Unlike his state colleagues, Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), a Democrat, released a statement ahead of Biden’s speech, applauding the president’s work so far in office.

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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.

 

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