Massachusetts legislators responded with varying support of President Joe Biden as he delivered his first State of the Union address on Tuesday night.
“President Biden delivered an optimistic vision for the future of our nation and the legacy we will leave for generations of Americans to come – one that preserves democracy at home and abroad, centers equity, keeps our children safe online, safeguards communities from climate disasters, and helps working families make ends meet by lowering every day costs from health care to child care to middle class taxes,” Sen. Ed Markey said in a statement.
Markey supported Biden’s call to hold Big Tech accountable to protecting children’s mental health and well-being and stressed the “critical” need to reject fossil fuels and a transition to clean energy.
“The clean energy revolution will create jobs, bring down energy costs, boost American innovation, and put frontline communities who have borne the brunt of the impacts of the climate crisis at the center of our fight through a focus on environmental justice,” Markey said.
The senator also addressed COVID-19, stating that the nation is on the verge of “great change” but still needs to address inequities and barriers holding workers and families back.
“We can and must unite around a vision for our nation that makes us safer, stronger, more just, and more equitable. That is the future we must deliver for the generations of Americans to come,” Markey said.
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressely, who represents Boston and surrounding communities, tweeted that she was encouraged by Biden’s State of the Union address and is “ready to keep fighting to build a better America.”
To do this, she supports lowering childcare and drug costs, enacting paid family and medical leave, raising wages, addressing trauma and mental health crises and canceling student debt.
Pressley also sent a tweet before the address.
“I look forward to hearing about the progress we’ve made & the work that remains to support workers & families during the pandemic & beyond. The #BuildBackBetter agenda is the people’s agenda & we must deliver,” she said.
Rep. Jim McGovern, who represents Worcester County, showed his support for Biden backing LGBTQ folks during the address.
“It’s so powerful to see President Biden back LGBTQ+ Americans, especially transgender children, from the dais. We must move forward towards a more inclusive country and that includes passing the Equality Act in the United States Senate,” McGovern tweeted.
He also listed how “Biden and Democrats are building a better America,” which included: making more products in the U.S., lowering the cost of everyday expenses and prescription drugs like insulin, promoting competition to lower prices and eliminating barriers to good-paying jobs.
Rep. Katherine Clark, assistant speaker of the House of Representatives who represents Massachusetts’ 5th district also tweeted her support of Biden.
“Tonight, @POTUS spoke directly to every American who is worried about high costs & international unrest and provided empathy & a plan of action to fight for everyday families. Tomorrow, we continue our work to build a better America where every woman, worker & child can succeed,” she said.
Clark also supports cutting childcare costs and improving infrastructure, which Biden addressed on Tuesday night.
“The State of the Union is strong — because you, the American people, are strong,” Biden tweeted after the address. “We are stronger today than we were a year ago — and we will be stronger a year from now than we are today.”
In the 62-minute speech, Biden stressed his support for Ukraine, amid growing tensions and violence from the Russian invasion and vowed to reduce the impacts of inflation.
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