By Congresswoman Stephanie Bice
Every year, the State of the Union serves as an opportunity for the President to come to Congress and address the people on the wellbeing of our country. In this year’s highly anticipated speech, President Biden used the moment to deliver a hyper partisan and divisive speech which sounded more like a campaign speech than a true reflection on the state of America. He refused to address what truly matters to hard-working Oklahomans. Our country is facing multiple crises, and this administration refuses to act.
The President finally addressed the catastrophe at our southern border nearly three quarters of the way through his speech. When he did mention our border, he merely brushed it aside and instead attempted to cast blame on Republicans. Since taking office, the Biden Administration has taken 64 executive actions to make it harder to secure our border and easier for illegal immigrants to come into our country. Put simply, the President has the power to secure our border but refuses to do so.
It is also disingenuous when the President states that House Republicans have refused to act on immigration. Last year, we passed H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, the strongest border security package ever. This bill is a comprehensive plan that provides additional legislative resources needed to fully halt illegal immigration. If Biden were serious about securing the border, he would encourage Senate Democrats to pass it.
He went on to tout his administration’s efforts in bolstering the economy. Biden claimed his policies have nothing to do with the surge in prices, but the truth is his reckless spending and expansive government regulations have fueled this economic crisis. The cost of living has surged under his watch, hitting Americans where it hurts the most – their wallets. Everyday items including gasoline, food and electricity have increased by over $700 a month in Oklahoma since Biden took office, and housing costs are through the roof. The Biden Administration must acknowledge the strain these economic burdens place on hardworking families and work to lower inflation rather than casting blame on main street businesses.
The fixation on smaller more trivial issues while there are pressing national concerns is deeply concerning. While he may pat himself on the back for his efforts to address his party’s main issues, this only divides the nation further, rather than encouraging us all to work together. It’s time for Biden to prioritize the needs of everyday Americans over his own political agenda. He is fully capable of solving the issues that our country is facing. The hour of empty promises, campaign rhetoric, and dodging of issues must end. Our country is struggling with a ballooning federal debt, being overwhelmed with illegal immigrants, and has shown weakness on the global stage. It is time to focus on what matters to our citizens. Campaign speeches have a time and place. The State of the Union is not one of them.
