DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — On Thursday night, President Joe Biden delivered a feisty State of the Union address and an argument for his second term.
The 68-minute speech can be found below:
Local politicians and elected officials have shared their thoughts on the address.
Governor JB Pritzker released this statement:
“Tonight, President Biden laid out a vision for the future of our nation - one that respects individual freedoms, working families, our international allies, and the fundamental values that built this republic. The message is clear - together we can continue the historic progress of the last four years and create a future that lifts all communities and leaves no one behind.
“What has been accomplished under President Biden is nothing short of remarkable. Before Biden took office, our country was in the worst health crisis in history and our economy was in free fall. Today, nearly 15 million jobs have been created. Manufacturing jobs that had been shipped overseas by Donald Trump are returning home, seniors are benefiting from lower prescription drug prices, and working families have a tireless ally in the Oval Office. But as Biden made clear tonight, there is still so much work to be done.
“Under President Biden’s leadership, we can keep moving forward. We can ensure that every family feels the benefit of a growing economy, that every woman has her rights protected, and that the principles of our democracy remain strong. But in November, all that is at risk.
“Americans face a stark choice - the chance to protect our rights, our freedoms, and our hard-fought progress or a future that rips that all away. Because if there is one certain thing, it’s that Donald Trump cares not at all about everyday Americans. Trump is motivated only by his own political gain, even if it means selling out our families, our rights, and our country. That is the stark contrast presented tonight. The stakes in this election couldn’t be higher.”
U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following:
“With President Biden at the helm, we have seen tremendous progress in our country. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is building new infrastructure and pushing our transportation industry forward. Belvidere, Illinois, has its Stellantis operation up and running again and is awaiting a new battery plant because of the deal struck by UAW President Shawn Fain with the support of the White House. The PACT Act, championed by Congressional Democrats, will help our nation’s veterans lead healthier lives.
“But there’s still work to be done. Reproductive freedom and voting rights are under siege by conservative lawmakers nationwide, and Congressional Republicans are standing in the way of codifying equitable access to the ballot box and essential protections for reproductive health care into law. I’m committed to working with my colleagues and the Biden Administration to push through these holds to protect the fundamental freedoms of all Americans.
“We have responsibilities abroad too. I agree with President Biden that we cannot shy away from supporting Ukrainians, who are still bravely staving off Putin’s advances more than two years after his unjust and unprovoked invasion. In the Middle East, we must put a serious effort behind negotiating a ceasefire by all sides that allows for the release of hostages and the delivery of critical aid to Gaza.
“President Biden reminded us tonight that we are a country of progress, possibilities, and resilience. I took this message to heart, and I hope my colleagues will do the same as we work to deliver for the American people.”
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