WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) released the below statement following President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address:
“The State of the Union address is always a momentous occasion, and it was especially great to join together in-person this year, which was a positive change from the prior year. The president began his speech, as he should have, by addressing the situation in Ukraine. I continue to be concerned for the free people of Ukraine, and believe it is critical that we stand with them and support them during this time. The president’s announcement of his plans to ban Russian flights from U.S. airspace and reinforcement of NATO partnerships are areas I am steadfastly behind.
“However, the president immediately followed this by going through his laundry list of partisan priorities. The Biden administration’s policies have led to record inflation, an ongoing crisis at the southern border, a disastrous and deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan, skyrocketing gas, energy, and grocery costs, and increased instability abroad.
“Yet, even with these red flags, I was surprised that the president chose to double down on these same policies that are causing such great concern amongst West Virginians and Americans. The idea that we can spend our way out of inflation defies commonsense, and is a non-starter at a time when our nation is experiencing inflation at its highest point in 40 years.
“There are plenty of areas where Republicans and Democrats have common ground. As the president continues into his second year in office, I urge him to commit to working with Congress—both Republicans and Democrats—to confront the challenges we face and tackle the issues that matter most to West Virginians and all Americans. Doing so will fulfill his promise to unify and work together in a way that improves the lives of all Americans.”
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