What Ohio lawmakers had to say about Biden’s State of the Union address

COLUMBUS — Tuesday night, President Joe Biden delivered his first official State of the Union address which discussed the war in Ukraine, COVID-19, the economy and on a local level Intel’s $20 billion plan to make semiconductors in Ohio.

Ohio’s two senators reacted on social media to the president’s statements and what they meant for the state.

Biden began his address by showing his support of the people of Ukraine and their willingness to defend their home country; he asked those in attendance to physically stand in a symbol of solidarity.

“We are inflicting pain on Russia and supporting the people of Ukraine. Putin is now isolated from the world more than ever,” Biden said.

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Biden noted the ways that the United States and its allies are planning to cut off resources to Russia.

From closing off American airspace to all Russian flights to “enforcing powerful economic sanctions” and the creation of a Department of Justice task force to go after the crimes of Russian oligarchs.

Democratic Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown said on his social media that Tuesday night, despite their political association members stood together for the people of Ukraine.

Republican Ohio Senator Rob Portman said in a released statement that he was pleased to hear of Biden’s call for unity and solidarity for the people of Ukraine, but urges for even more sanctions against Russia.

“While the administration has now implemented the sanctions some of us have called them to implement before the invasion occurred, I urge them to do even more on sanctions and use all of the tools at their disposal to hold President Putin accountable,” Portman said in his statement.

Biden spent the majority of his speech discussing the economy.

While speaking to a highly divided Congress where his agenda has stalled — Biden pointed to his administration’s successes.

He took credit for job growth and said his Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill will “transform America.”

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“Our economy created over 6.5 Million new jobs just last year, more jobs created in one year than ever before in the history of America,” Biden said Tuesday night.

Biden gave an example close to home to prove why his Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill would be so important — the new $20 billion Intel semiconductor manufacturing facility that is planned to be built east of Columbus and set to open by 2025.

“If you travel 20 miles east of Columbus, Ohio, you’ll find 1,000 empty acres of land. It won’t look like much, but if you stop and look closely, you’ll see a ‘Field of dreams,’ the ground on which America’s future will be built,” Biden said.

Biden mentioned Senator Brown in his address.

“As Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown says, ‘It’s time to bury the label Rust Belt.’

The Rust Belt is part of America that experienced industrial decline starting around 1980, Ohio makes up a large part of this region.

Portman in his statement said he was proud to be a part to play a role in securing Intel’s investment into the state but believes there are other ways to strengthen Ohio’s economy.

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“The best path for the administration to strengthen our economy and address the high prices the American people face every day is to work with Republicans on common-sense economic policies that grow our economy,” Portman said in his statement.

Biden also laid out a plan to tackle inflation as reports show that Americans are enduring sharp price increases that will likely worsen after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“More infrastructure and innovation in America. More goods moving faster and cheaper in America. More jobs where you can earn a good living in America. Instead of relying on foreign supply chains, let’s make it in America,” Biden said.

“Tonight, Ohioans heard the most pro-worker president in our lifetime reaffirm his commitment to put workers at the center of our economy,” Brown said on social media.

Meanwhile, Portman in his statement said the administration’s Stimulus Spending Bill last year is partially to blame for inflation.

“The country faces its worst inflation rate in 40 years, due in part to the administration’s $1.9 trillion stimulus spending bill last year that has caused prices to skyrocket on everything from groceries to gas. This inflation crisis is hurting working families, overwhelming wage gains, and undermining our economy,” Portman wrote.

Biden closed his speech by saying that despite America facing some of the most difficult times in its’ history, he still remains hopeful.

“As hard as these times have been, I am more optimistic about America today than I have been my whole life,” he said.

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