MN & IA lawmakers react to President Bidens State of the Union Address

(ABC 6 News) – President Biden is calling for unity between Democrats and the GOP.

During his second State of the Union Address, the president addressed a number of issues facing our country. The economy, gun control, and police reform to name a few.

Here’s a look at how local lawmakers in Minnesota and Iowa reacted to the president’s speech.

DFL Rep. Andy Smith, Rochester:

“I think when they (American people) tuned in tonight, I think they were reminded about all that president Biden has done to turn around the economy,” Smith said. “But also at the same time we’re encouraged that the job is not done.

We understand they are still hurting and president Biden understands that. That’s why he kept saying the phrase, “finish the job” which I thought was really really powerful.”

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa released this statement:

“Halfway through the Biden administration and everyday goods are too costly, the border crisis is out of control, and the fentanyl epidemic is devastating our communities. At the hands of big government, middle-class families, small businesses, and hardworking Iowans are suffering. I believe the majority of Americans will agree: under President Biden, the state of our union is more expensive and less safe.

“In stark contrast, Republicans are fighting to cut wasteful spending, secure the Southern border, and regain American leadership on the world stage. As Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, I’m working on commonsense solutions to empower entrepreneurs, create opportunity, and get Washington out of the way. Most importantly, Republicans are working to revive the American Dream, driven by freedom, economic prosperity, and individual liberty for all.”

The Iowa GOP released this statement:

“Iowans don’t need to hear the White House speechwriting team’s spin on how America is doing. We know full well where our country is headed under Joe Biden’s leadership when we’re hit by runaway inflation eating up our wallets, out-of-control deficit spending, higher prices at the grocery store and gas pump, disastrous policy pushes such as WOTUS, and one embarrassment on the world stage after another.”

IDP Chair Rita Hart’s Statement on President Biden’s State of the Union Address:

“After two of the strongest years of job growth in American history and several ground-breaking pieces of legislation signed into law, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have pulled our nation back from the brink and set us on a path toward a fairer economy that rewards hard work.”

“Here in Iowa, the Biden-Harris administration has created jobs to rebuild and strengthen our bridges and roads, to replace the lead pipes poisoning our water, and to connect our small towns with high-speed internet access.”

“Beyond creating good-paying livelihoods that don’t require a four-year college degree, President Biden and Democrats have also brought down skyrocketing prescription drug prices and capped monthly insulin costs at $35 for Medicare patients, ensuring that our seniors won’t go bankrupt trying to stay healthy.”

“It can be easy to forget about all of the progress we’ve made at the national level while Kim Reynolds treats the American Rescue Plan like her personal slush fund and Iowa Republicans roll back our fundamental freedoms.”

“We still have a lot of work to do in Iowa, but like the President, I believe that our best days lie ahead.”