BETHLEHEM, Pa. — President Joe Biden set the stage for the November election during his State of the Union address, painting a stark difference between his priorities and those of former President Donald Trump.
Over his hour-and-seven-minute speech Thursday night, Biden promoted his domestic and foreign policies. He reiterated his administration's support of NATO and Ukraine, urged Congress to pass a border security bill Republicans previously supported and celebrated the economy's "soft landing" as inflation has settled around 3%.
At the same time, Biden didn't hold back against Trump, his likely opponent in the November election. Without naming Trump, Biden criticized him for encouraging Russian leader Vladimir Putin to "do whatever the hell he wants" to American allies, working to freeze border legislation and trying to "bury the truth" about the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.
The address hit on topics that have rattled across the Lehigh Valley in recent months, including:
'Bobby Casey'
Biden repeated his past points about billionaires and big businesses, saying his administration is fighting to ensure they pay their fair share of the tax burden. But he also spoke about his administration's efforts to combat price gouging and deceptive pricing.
He singled out snack companies that are putting less food into the same-sized packages without changing prices in hopes consumers won't notice.
"It's called 'shrinkflation.' Pass Bobby Casey's bill and stop this. I really mean it," Biden said.
Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., has made shrinkflation and price gouging a rallying cry in recent months, arguing record corporate profits have contributed to inflation.
While "greedflation" was once regarded as a fringe theory, economists across the globe have treated it more seriously since the pandemic. Casey introduced a Shrinkflation Prevention Act last month and touted it in a visit last month to Easton; it remains in committee.
"I’m glad the President shares my concerns about greedflation, shrinkflation, and other ways that big corporations are squeezing hardworking Americans," Casey said in a statement Thursday night.
Politically, it makes sense for Biden to be touting Casey's bill. Republicans have been quick to pin inflation and rising costs on Biden's economic policies, but the shrinkflation argument would redirect at least some of that blame to large corporations. And with Pennsylvania being critical to controlling both the White House and Senate, giving Casey a moment in a national address can't hurt Biden.
But Casey, who is up for re-election this year, generally goes by Bob. Biden has used the different nickname for his former senate colleague before, including during their stop at the Allentown Fire Training Academy in January.
Dave McCormick, Casey's likely Republican opponent, stuck to the more common Bob in prepared comments following the address.
"Tonight we saw lots of excuses and no solutions from Joe Biden," McCormick said in a statement. "With the rubber stamp of his friend Bob Casey, Biden’s failed agenda has enabled open borders, violent crime and sky-high prices. In times of crisis, leadership matters more than ever, and it’s clear we need new leaders and fresh ideas in Washington."
The right to IVF
Seated beside first lady Jill Biden was Latorya Beasley, an Alabama social worker whose IVF, or in vitro fertilization, treatment was halted last month. The Alabama Supreme Court ruled frozen embryos are legally children, which caused fertility clinics to freeze IFV treatments. While the state has since passed a law that provides legal protections to doctors, Biden said Congress needed to take action to make sure it doesn't happen in other states that have passed strict anti-abortion laws.
"Tonight, let's stand up for families like hers. To my friends across the aisle, don't keep this waiting any longer. Guarantee the right to IVF. Guarantee it nationwide," Biden said.
Biden didn't mention a particular bill or sponsor, but he was likely referring to U.S. Rep. Susan Wild's proposed Access to Family Building Act. The bill would guarantee access to assisted reproductive technology, which includes IVF and other fertility treatments. Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, introduced the bill in January to little fanfare, but the court ruling in February suddenly launched it into national focus.
Members of Congress are allowed to invite a guest to the address, and they often use it to highlight a pet cause or connect with their district. Like Biden, Wild showcased her support for IVF by inviting an IVF mother — Christie Nicas, a Bethlehem mom who has conceived two children through the medical procedure.
Wild did not appear to have released a comment on the president's remarks as of early Friday morning.
'A slap in the face'
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Alabama, delivered the Republican Party's official response to Biden's address. But GOP candidates in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District released brief remarks of their own criticizing Biden and tying him to Wild.
Kevin Dellicker, a Heidelberg Township Air National Guardsman, accused Biden of delivering a campaign speech from the House rostrum. Bidenomics, he said, are responsible for the steep cost of groceries. Meanwhile, Biden has allowed the border to become a humanitarian and national security crisis.
"We are facing real challenges today at our border, in our economy, and abroad. Americans are tired of career politicians who offer slogans and half-truths while punting on any real responsibility. This is Joe Biden and Susan Wild's record – inauthentic, ineffective, and out of touch," Dellicker said in his statement.
Ryan Mackenzie, a state representative from Lower Macungie Township, said Biden showed how out of touch he is by saying America was on the rise while dealing with inflation, historically high border crossings and foreign wars.
"Biden's speech was a slap in the face to the many Americans facing the challenges caused by Biden and those who march in lockstep with him like Susan Wild," he said in a statement.
Maria Montero, a member of former Gov. Tom Corbett's administration, did not appear to have released a public statement as of early Friday morning.
Humanitarian aid to Gaza
Biden announced he has authorized an emergency military mission to establish a pier off the Mediterranean Sea where large ships could deliver food, medicine and shelter to Gaza. The effort comes as his administration has engaged in efforts to broker a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel in its ongoing war.
Biden said Israel had the right to root out Hamas following its Oct. 7 attack that killed approximately 1,200 people. But he said Israel has to do more to ensure the safety of innocent civilians in Gaza. More than 30,000 people have died in Israel's attack, most of whom are not members of Hamas, he said. Much of the territory has been destroyed, displacing or endangering almost 2 million people.
"To the Israeli leadership, I say this: Humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip. Protecting and saving innocent lives has to be a priority," Biden said.
It remains to be seen if that will satisfy the dozens of protestors who packed into Bethlehem City Council's meeting Tuesday to demand a cease-fire resolution. The extended public comment period lasted more than than five hours. When council moved on to other matters due to Sunshine Act requirements, the crowd became disruptive causing the meeting to abruptly adjourn.
