As President Joe Biden made his way to the U.S. House chamber on Thursday evening for his State of the Union address, he was warmly greeted by three Tennessee congressmen. Among them were two Republicans, who eagerly approached to welcome him.
U.S. Representative Tim Burchett, a Republican from Knoxville, was seen engaging in a lengthy and lighthearted conversation with the president.
During a TV appearance on Friday morning, Burchett shared a lighthearted conversation he had with President Biden. They discussed topics like Corvettes and chocolate chip ice cream, and President Biden even asked for Burchett’s wife’s phone number. Burchett also mentioned how President Biden talked about the speed of electric Corvettes, noting that they don’t actually go as fast as claimed. Burchett humorously added that his colleagues, Rep. Matt Gaetz and Rep. Lauren Boebert, joked that he should have taken up more of the president’s time during their interaction last year. Overall, Burchett feels that he did a pretty good job engaging with President Biden.
U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia, had a brief encounter with Biden upon his arrival. Ogles took to social media afterwards, revealing that he had urged the president to mention the name of Laken Riley. Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, tragically lost her life while jogging at the University of Georgia last month. The man charged with her murder, Jose Antonio Ibarra, is 26 years old and entered the United States illegally. Despite being detained by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, he was subsequently released.
Many House Republican Conference members, including Ogles, donned lapel pins bearing Riley’s name during the speech on Thursday. The pins were worn to highlight the pressing issues concerning the border with Mexico.
“I had the privilege of being the first person to engage with sleepy Joe, and I made sure to address him by saying ‘Laken Riley’ since I proudly display her name on my lapel. It is important to #SayHerName,” Ogles expressed on social media.
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, a Democrat from Memphis, was positioned on the aisle and seemed to warmly greet the president as he entered the chamber.
Arriving early is crucial for members who want to secure seats along the aisle of the chamber in order to have the opportunity to personally shake hands with the president.
This is how Tennessee residents reacted to Biden’s speech:
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn
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“You chose, Mr. President, to take 94 executive actions in your first 100 days that opened up our border and made our country less safe. You weakened immigration laws in those executive orders. It was you, Mr. President, that has let 9 million illegal aliens cross into this country.
“Tens of thousands from countries of concern and interest. Hundreds of terrorists have come in. And it is you who has paroled more than 200 times as many parolees – illegal immigrants into this country as Barack Obama. He paroled about 5,600 a year. You chose to parole 800,000 in 2022, and in 2023 that number rose to 1.2 million. Indeed, when you talk about rapes and murders and crime in communities, there is something that can be done: it is called secure the border.”
U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty
“Three years have passed, and Joe Biden continues to demonstrate a complete lack of understanding when it comes to the concerns and priorities of the American people. Once again, I left the House chamber feeling astonished by his unwavering commitment to pursuing a failed path for our country.”
When President Biden assumed office, one of his initial actions was to halt the construction of the border wall, reinstate the policy of catch and release, and put a stop to deportations. This had a significant impact on the perception of our border, sending a clear message that it was now open for illegal immigration. As a result, international crime syndicates from Mexico and China saw an opportunity to collaborate with the Biden administration, and they wasted no time in doing so.
“Our nation is currently facing an unparalleled crisis at the southern border, which encompasses not only economic, health, and humanitarian challenges but also poses a significant threat to our national security.”
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen
“He smashed a grand slam!”
U.S. Rep. Mark Green
According to Green, President Biden and former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas have deliberately opened the borders and chosen not to enforce our laws in order to facilitate the entry of as many migrants into the country as possible. Green criticized the President for creating this crisis and then shifting the blame onto Congress for not supporting his dangerous agenda. He asserted that this behavior was unbecoming of the President and disrespectful to a co-equal branch of government. Additionally, Green argued that it was an insult to the parents in attendance who have tragically lost children as a result of this crisis.
“This crisis is not a result of limited resources, but rather a failure in leadership. The House, under Republican leadership, has already taken the initiative to pass a legislative solution for this crisis. Unfortunately, this solution has been neglected by the Democrat-led Senate. It is crucial for the president to urge the Senate to pass H.R. 2 and make a commitment to sign it into law. Additionally, immediate action should be taken to reinstate the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy and put an end to the misuse of the CBP One app. Mass parole should be halted, and the administration must comply with the detention mandates outlined in the statutes.”
U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann
“Tonight, we witnessed an incredibly shocking and perhaps one of the most disappointing State of the Union addresses in our nation’s history. Biden failed to acknowledge his role in the ongoing border crisis, the struggling economy, and the diminishing security and reputation of America on the global stage. It is truly disheartening to see such a speech that offers no solutions or accountability for these pressing issues.”
U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger
Last night’s narrative does not align with the reality of our current state. It is important to clarify certain points. Tragically, college campuses are witnessing the loss of innocent lives, while our country is grappling with the influx of dangerous drugs. The root cause of these issues can be traced back to the illegal entry of aliens through our southern border. In East Tennessee, residents are burdened with exorbitant costs for goods and services, compared to what they paid during the previous administration. Our adversaries persist in their efforts to undermine both global and national security by antagonizing our allies. Regrettably, everyday hardworking Americans are bearing the brunt of Joe Biden’s failed policies, which have resulted in debilitating inflation, skyrocketing consumer prices, and the misguided priorities embraced by the liberals in Washington. It is imperative that the Biden administration reverses course on these disastrous policies.
U.S. Rep. John Rose
“@SenKatieBritt delivered a powerful response to President Biden’s lackluster and concerning #SOTU Address. The difference between the two is striking: Republicans present a well-defined plan and a promising vision for our country’s prosperity and security, while President Biden’s policies have brought chaos and detriment to our nation.”
U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett
“The State of the Union address was filled with falsehoods and extravagant pledges that he plans to burden the public with. Not one of these commitments encompassed securing our borders, addressing the issue of homeless veterans, or rectifying our economy.”
U.S. Rep. David Kustoff
In President Biden’s State of the Union speech tonight, it became evident that the current state of our Union is far from ideal. The American people are grappling with the detrimental effects of soaring inflation. Our communities and major cities are being plagued by a surge in violent crime. Furthermore, our nation is currently facing the most severe border crisis in its history. These pressing issues can be traced back to the policies enacted by President Biden and his administration.
President Biden’s speech failed to provide tangible solutions to the nation, leaving the American people feeling no better off than before.
U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais
President Biden’s speech tonight demonstrates once again that he and his Administration have lost touch with the concerns of the American people and the pressing challenges our nation is currently facing. The speech, as a whole, was highly divisive and seemed to be aimed at appeasing the far-left wing of his party.
Under his leadership, more than 7 million illegal migrants have entered the United States. Each year, over 100,000 citizens are tragically losing their lives to drug overdoses, while also falling victim to violence at the hands of dangerous unvetted border crossers. The economy is experiencing a rapid surge in inflation, making it increasingly difficult for American families to make ends meet. Furthermore, Biden’s weak national security policies and lack of deterrence efforts have only served to embolden our adversaries.
President Biden’s speech lacked empathy and accountability for the harm he has inflicted on our nation. It was disheartening to witness his deliberate effort to deepen the divisions among us. Rather than demonstrating the qualities of a leader, his words reflected a lack of control over his own thoughts and emotions, as if he were being manipulated by the far-left forces behind him. Unfortunately, his attempts to win over the American people following the election have been unsuccessful.
Gov. Bill Lee
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee was present at the speech as Hagerty’s special invitee.
Conservative-led states serve as a consistent reminder that America’s best days are still ahead, offering hope in the midst of dysfunction in Washington and the consequences of failed federal policies. These states, like Tennessee, remain steadfast in their commitment to the core values that have made America the greatest country in the world: opportunity, security, and freedom for all.
While the American people wait for a plan of action from the White House to address pressing issues such as the worst border crisis in decades, rampant crime, and the burdens of inflation, they can find solace in the fact that states are taking the lead. Guided by conservative governing principles, these states are driving economic prosperity, empowering thriving communities, ensuring the safety of families, and creating an environment where every individual has the opportunity to succeed.
In this time of uncertainty, it is reassuring to see states stepping up and demonstrating effective leadership. Their actions serve as a beacon of hope, reminding us that positive change is possible even in the face of adversity. As the nation navigates through these challenging times, it is the resilience and determination of states like Tennessee that will help pave the way for a brighter future for all Americans.
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