Following President Biden’s State of the Union address Tuesday night, members of the Illinois delegation reacted.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth:

“After two years in office, President Biden reminded us tonight of the significant accomplishments Democrats delivered on for working families across the country. Because of our work—and despite Republican obstruction—we’re lowering the cost of prescription drugs for seniors on Medicare, bringing down inflation, investing in infrastructure improvements—including my landmark law that’s upgrading our drinking and wastewater systems—creating millions of good-paying jobs, boosting manufacturing, supporting our Veterans and tackling the climate crisis. On top of all that, President Biden signed into law the most sweeping gun safety reforms in 30 years and kept the NATO alliance together in support of Ukraine against Russia’s war of choice.

“While we’ve made a lot of progress, the President and I know that we can’t let up now. Women’s health is on the line as Republicans work to enact a nation-wide abortion ban and strip away women’s access to reproductive care—but Democrats are working to enshrine the protections of Roe v. Wade into law. We also know we need to address police and criminal justice reform, make quality child care more affordable, enact paid leave, keep pushing prices down and much, much more. I share President Biden’s hope that Republicans will put aside partisan fighting, come to the negotiating table and make working families—not wealthy donors—the top priority so we can improve the lives of everyday Americans.”

Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-Springfield):

“Tonight’s speech from President Biden laid out a number of priorities that lower costs, support good-paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree and help folks in Central and Southern Illinois keep more of what they earn. While I would have liked to hear the President address the need to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill, I was encouraged to hear about our shared efforts to support American manufacturing and union jobs, protect Social Security and Medicare, restore the full Child Tax Credit, ensure access to mental health care for every veteran and cap insulin prices at $35 a month for every American. Let’s work together and get the job done.”

Congressman Darin LaHood (R-Peoria):

"Illinoisans are feeling the pain of two years under President Biden and one-party Democrat rule in Washington, with forty-year high inflation, skyrocketing energy costs, a fentanyl crisis from an overrun southern border, and rising violent crime. That's why the American people elected a Republican House Majority to address these kitchen table issues, rein in out-of-control spending, and place a check on the Biden Administration.

"I agree that we can and should work in a bipartisan way on issues including combating growing threats from China and the increasing harm fentanyl and opioids are doing to our communities. However, tonight we heard much of the same failed policies and rhetoric that we've witnessed over the past two years. Instead of shifting blame, President Biden should work to find commonsense solutions with Republicans in Congress to reduce costs, curb inflation, secure our border, and reduce crime."

Congressman Brad Schneider (D-Highland Park):

“President Biden tonight painted a bright future for America, should we heed his call to finish the job for hard-working American families. After two years of record job growth, the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years, and historic bipartisan legislating, more work remains to be done to bring costs down for people across the country, and I am ready to finish the job. I hope that the President’s speech will likewise inspire my Republican colleagues to work with us to guarantee that America’s best days lie ahead of us. America cannot afford more partisan political posturing in the face of upcoming economic challenges like the raising the debt limit.

“I am deeply proud of Congress’s recent bipartisan accomplishments – passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. All these bills are making investments in an economy that works for everyone. These historic laws reflect New Dem values – guaranteeing that America will continue to outpace our competitors across the globe, while making sure that we protect our planet for generations to come. At home in Illinois, we are already seeing real results with investments in roads, a cleaner Waukegan Harbor, and flood-prevention systems across the district. These accomplishments are meant to be built on – and I am optimistic for opportunities to do so in the year ahead.”

Congressman Jesus Chuy Garcia (D-Chicago) (also a candidate for Chicago Mayor)

“Tonight, President Biden delivered a hopeful message to our country. In the past two years we have passed an impressive array of transformative bills from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to gun control, CHIPS, and the American Rescue Plan - - our economy is moving forward. The unemployment rate is at a 50 year low, and Democrats have created 12 million jobs. And while COVID-19 is still a serious health concern, we have made enormous progress in vaccine and treatment development. As a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, I have worked with my colleagues and the White House to create a workers’ economy that benefits families across the United States.

“But gains from the past two years aren’t being felt equitably, and there is more work to be done. In my district, constituents are still facing rising housing and health care costs and struggling to pay student debt. Corporate greed has driven the rent increase and price increases for everyday goods. And while overall unemployment is down, rates for Latino men and Black women haven't recovered. We must address these challenges at their root.

“And we must fulfill our promise of working on meaningful immigration reform. In my district and across the country, DACA recipients, asylum seekers, and other immigrants continue to live in fear of deportation and family separation. It’s past time we provide a fair and humane process for everyone seeking safety in the United States and expand legal pathways to citizenship. The Republican majority will continue demonizing immigrants and we must continue exposing them for what they are: the party of racism and xenophobia.

“Democrats will continue fighting for working families by making bold investments in universal child care, home care, mental health, pre-K and housing, while protecting our democracy, including free and fair elections. Our constituents deserve no less.”

Congressman Mike Quigley (D-Chicago):

“Tonight, President Biden outlined an ambitious agenda for our nation’s future. From continuing our economic recovery to ending the scourge of cancer, the President has a plan. After two years of his leadership, our nation is already stronger than ever. We have experienced the strongest job growth in history and the lowest unemployment rate in fifty years. He has strengthened our international alliances and bolstered our leadership on the world stage. Unified by the President—and bolstered by the bipartisan promise he obtained tonight to protect Social Security and Medicare—I am confident that the next two years will see even more progress.

“I was particularly glad to hear President Biden highlight the importance of ensuring that funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is dispersed quickly and to the areas that need it most. As the highest ranking Democrat on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, I look forward to working with the President on this critical project.

“I was also pleased that Ukraine featured prominently in the President’s ongoing priorities. Nearly one year after the invasion began, our commitment to Ukraine must remain stronger than ever. Now more than ever, our support is integral to Ukrainian’s ability to defend their homeland. Together with the President, I know Congress will help Ukraine win this war.”

Quigley, by the way, distributed the pro-Ukraine blue and yellow ribbons worn by lawmakers Tuesday night.

Congressman Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro):

“Tonight, President Biden did what he does best; take credit where no credit is due and deny responsibility for his failures. On his watch, we’ve seen the highest gas prices in history and the highest inflation in 40 years. Southern Illinois families are debating whether to fill their gas tanks or their refrigerators. Our communities are reeling from violence in our streets and fentanyl pouring across our southern border unchecked. And from his disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan to the Chinese spy balloon just last week, he has signaled to our enemies that we are no longer to be feared. No matter how hard he tries, he cannot put lipstick on this pig.”

Congressman Eric Sorensen (D-Moline):

Congressman Bill Foster (D-Naperville):

”Under the President’s leadership over the past two years, we’ve not only weathered the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve also made significant progress rebuilding a stronger economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthiest or the largest corporations.

“As someone with firsthand experience building a successful high-tech manufacturing company that kept its jobs in the Midwest rather than offshoring them to China, I’m especially proud of how President Biden has focused on boosting domestic manufacturing. Policies like the CHIPS and Science Act have helped trigger the fastest growth in manufacturing jobs in our country in nearly 40 years.

“We’ve taken action to stabilize our supply chains and tackle inflation, lowering costs for hardworking American families while building more resilient supply chains to get goods to consumers.

“Thanks to policies that prioritize job creation, the unemployment rate is now at a 54-year low, and the past two years have been the strongest period for small business applications in history.

“As the only PhD physicist in Congress, I’m proud that President Biden remains committed to bolstering America’s scientific infrastructure and making sure our scientists have the resources they need to innovate and solve the challenges of our time.

“We’ve been able to make all of this progress while also slashing the federal deficit to half of what it was when President Biden first took office, setting an example of how to maintain fiscal responsibility that doesn’t sacrifice vital support for economic growth.”

Congressman Jonathan Jackson (D-Chicago):

“President Biden delivered a powerful and hopeful State of the Union Address that outlined his vision for the future of our country. In his speech, the President made it clear his continued commitment to uniting the country and restoring the soul of the nation.

The President's economic agenda focuses on bottom-up growth and has already generated a boom in clean energy, semiconductors, and infrastructure. President Biden's strategy is to invest in America in a fiscally responsible manner, reduce the national deficit, and ensure that corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share, without cutting Social Security or Medicare benefits. The President highlighted that the country has created more jobs in two years than any other administration and has made progress in lowering healthcare costs, reducing child poverty, and lowering costs for families.

The President reminded Americans that our story is one of progress and resilience; we cannot rest on our laurels. We must continue to push forward and ensure that all Americans have access to the resources they need to thrive. I support the President's call to do more to combat gun violence and act on police reform while making our communities safer.

Whether it be healthcare, education, or economic opportunity, we must continue to strive for progress and make sure that every American has a shot at success. I am proud of the progress we have made under President Biden's leadership, and I am committed to working with my colleagues in Congress to build on that progress and finish the job. The President's speech was a clear call to action, and I am ready to answer that call.”

Patrick Pfingsten

@pfingstenshow

patrick@theillinoize.com