Hoyer Statement on President Biden's 2024 State of the Union Address

"As with our Union, the state of our economy is strong. More Americans are working today than at any point in our nation's history. Nearly 15 million jobs have been added to the economy since President Biden took office more than three years ago. America's unemployment rate continues to sit near its record low. Inflation has dropped to 3% ­­- the lowest in the world. Our economy grew by an impressive 3.1% percent last year, putting to rest claims from some Republicans that a recession was imminent. We owe this historic period of economic success in no small part to President Biden and Democrats' Investing in America agenda. As the President said, it is critical that we continue implementing the historic laws we enacted last Congress, including the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, the Honoring Our PACT Act, and many others. I am pleased to play a role in that effort as Chair of the Regional Leadership Council. Coordinating closely with the Biden-Harris Administration, our Council is working to ensure that everyone has the tools and opportunities they need to Make It In America.

"President Biden also emphasized that we need to do even more to support the cause of liberty. He expressed Democrats' commitment to defending women's constitutional right to access reproductive health care after a Republican-appointed Supreme Court majority overturned Roe v. Wade. In the face of Republicans' extreme, nationwide effort to curtail women's reproductive freedom, Democrats will not yield until the Roe precedent is restored. We also remain steadfast in our determination to defend and expand Americans' voting rights. Indeed, each of us has a duty to stand up for our democratic process and institutions at a time when they frequently come under assault.

"I echo President Biden's declaration that our defense of democracy must not stop at America's shores. Our Ukrainian allies' resolve to protect their sovereign democracy is even stronger today than it was at the start of Vladimir Putin's devastating, criminal invasion more than two years ago. The Congress must renew resources for the Ukrainian effort and do it now. We must do the same for our Israeli allies as they fight to defeat Hamas, recover all remaining hostages held in Gaza, and ensure that Hamas can never repeat its horrific October 7 terrorist attack. As we wait for Hamas to accept Israel's proposal for a hostage release and temporary ceasefire, I am pleased that the President decided to build a temporary port on the Gazan coast to deliver further humanitarian relief to innocent Palestinian civilians living under Hamas' oppressive rule. It is imperative that the House vote on the Senate's supplemental aid package and send it directly to President Biden's desk before we leave for the next district work period.

"Crucially, President Biden's address tonight was a reminder of the leadership America needs at this moment. We need leaders who understand that we grow the economy from the bottom up and the middle out, not from the top down. We need defenders of democracy, not admirers of dictators. We need a president with a bold vision for America's future, not a crude desire to return to its past. President Biden has put People Over Politics to deliver results and drive America forward. I look forward to helping him finish the job in the years ahead."