Congressman García’s Statement on the President’s 2023 State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s State of the Union Address:
“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.”
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