Republican members of Congress and the Senate from Alabama are criticizing President Joe Biden after his State of the Union speech Tuesday.
During his address, the president discussed what he believes are accomplishments on the economy, while also calling on Congress to do more.
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) said she was “disappointed” in the speech because it didn’t reflect the true struggles of inflation and other issues Americans are facing right now.
“Tonight, I’m disappointed to say that the perspective of Alabama parents and families was missing,” Britt said. “The reality of what moms and dads across our state and nation are facing is a stark difference from what we heard tonight from the President. Parents and families are sitting around the kitchen table, worrying about how they’re going to make ends meet in the face of crushing inflation.
“They’re worried about the price of groceries, from eggs and milk to flour and chicken. They’re worried about the wave of supply chain shortages that have affected their children recently, that’s everything from baby formula to children’s Tylenol.
“I don’t have to guess about what parents are facing under this administration – I’m living it every day, and I’m hearing from my fellow moms and dads about their own unique experiences.”
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) agreed with Britt and others, saying in a statement that Biden “doesn’t seem to be living in the difficult reality he’s created.”
“Americans can’t afford their utilities or groceries, don’t feel safe in their communities, and are villainized for their views by a president who promised to unite us,” Tuberville said. “Not only did the president fail to offer solutions tonight, he showed he doesn’t even seem to understand the problems.
“Instead, he just paid lip service to the same progressive priorities that have failed time and time again.”
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) said Biden isn’t being truthful about the economy.
The President's words tonight won't change reality. American families are hurting because of his policies. #sotu2023
— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) February 8, 2023
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) disagreed with the President that the state of the union is strong right now.
My full response to the President's speech.https://t.co/hNfPZcmsXk
— Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) February 8, 2023
“While President Biden says the state of our union is strong, it is clear that the American people don’t believe him,” Aderholt said in a press release. “They don’t believe him when they are paying record prices at the grocery store and at the gas pump. They don’t believe him when the crisis at our southern border continues to escalate, with 4.5 million illegal crossings since he took office. They don’t believe him when their children continue to overdose on fentanyl that’s been trafficked across the border.
“And they don’t believe him when the Chinese Communist Party goes unchecked and their spy balloons are not shot down before they traverse our entire country.”
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) also blasted the president over the economy and inflation.
“Real Americans don’t need Biden to tell them the state of our union — they’re living it,” Moore said.
Real Americans don’t need Biden to tell them the state of our union — they’re living it. They’re trying to make ends meet amidst skyrocketing grocery costs, high gas prices and the lowest disposable income numbers since the Great Depression.
— Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) February 8, 2023
Biden also addressed immigration reform during the speech saying, “Let’s also come together on immigration and make it a bipartisan issue like it was before.”
U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) responded to the border issue, saying the president hasn’t done enough.
“President Biden has done NOTHING to secure our southern border,” Carl said on Twitter. “I’ve been to the border, and it’s absolute chaos under this Administration!”
President Biden has done NOTHING to secure our southern border. I’ve been to the border, and it’s absolute chaos under this Administration!
— Rep. Jerry Carl (@RepJerryCarl) February 8, 2023
U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) also didn’t buy what Biden was selling on the border and immigration.
Since Joe Biden took office:
There have been OVER 4.5 MILLION illegal crossings of our southern border.
More than 1.2 MILLION ‘gotaways.’
#sotu2023— Dale W. Strong (@RepDaleStrong) February 8, 2023
Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl released a statement as well responding to the address, calling it just a “stump speech.”
“I wish the Biden administration was more concerned about our economy and the challenges facing the American people,” Wahl said. “Families across the country are struggling to pay for basic necessities like food, gas, and utilities. Wages haven’t kept up with the Democrat’s record breaking inflation rates, caused by the reckless spending coming out of Washington, D.C.
“Meanwhile, on the world stage, our adversaries are emboldened, as demonstrated by last week’s Chinese spy balloon incident, which was a clear violation of our sovereignty. President Biden seems more concerned about Ukraine’s border than our own border. Yet all he can do is push for the same failed socialist policies that have gotten our country into these disastrous situations.
“America needs real solutions, not a re-election campaign stump speech trying to convince us that his policies are actually working.”
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
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