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Biden visits Milwaukee, talks economic policy
President Joe Biden travels to Wisconsin to highlight his economic policies, just a week before Republicans descend on Milwaukee for the party’s first presidential debate of the 2024 campaign.
MILWAUKEE - President Joe Biden on Tuesday, Aug. 15 traveled to Wisconsin to highlight his economic policies in a state critical to his reelection fortunes, just a week before Republicans descend on Milwaukee for the party’s first presidential debate of the 2024 campaign.
His arrival in Milwaukee comes on the eve of the anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, major economic legislation that he signed into law with great ceremony but polls show that most people know little about it or what it does.
Wisconsin is among the handful of critical states where Biden needs to convince voters that his policies are having a positive impact on their lives, and he is expected to visit frequently to make his case.
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President Biden speaks at Ingeteam in Milwaukee
President Biden speaks at Ingeteam in Milwaukee.
The president spent about two hours Tuesday at Ingeteam, a clean energy manufacturer of onshore wind turbine generators in Milwaukee. It was art of a larger discussion of investment in manufacturing, clean energy, and jobs.
"When I think climate, I think jobs," President Biden said. "We always had a plan of turning things around, making America strong, safer, and more competitive."
The president touched on the investment put back into U.S. manufacturing through the Chips and Science Act, bipartisan Infrastructure Law, American Rescue Plan, and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). But polls show most people do not know much about it or what it does.
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The act pledges to reduce health care costs, overhaul the tax code, and invest in clean energy. Biden said it has less to do with reducing inflation, but more to do with providing opportunities for investment in areas like clean energy.
Ingeteam makes onshore wind turbines and other products for sustainable energy. It is the only U.S. manufacturer of entire wind turbine systems. The company plans to use infrastructure money to produce EV charging stations and hired 100 workers.
President Joe Biden speaks at Ingeteam in Milwaukee
At the time of signing, the Congressional Budget Office said the IRA would have a negligible impact on inflation in 2022 and 2023. While inflation has cooled over the past year, economists say it is not necessarily because of the bill.
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"Wisconsin households know they cannot afford four more years of this president," said Brian Schimming, Wisconsin GOP chairman.
The state GOP chair called the president's visit an example of economic failure.
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"You see the price shock as we go back to school here. It’s costing more to fill up your gas tank, $1.40 a gallon more than when Joe Biden took office," Schimming said.
But economists expect the IRA could have a greater impact in the years ahead as investments are getting started – and would reduce reliance on fossil fuels as nearly all previous recessions (aside from the pandemic) were preceeded by spiking oil prices.
Reaction
Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel
"Gas prices are rising, the cost of everyday goods is still sky-high, and real wages are down 3% yet Biden still believes Americans are buying Bidenomics. Families in Wisconsin and across the country are footing the bill for Biden’s reckless tax-and-spend agenda, and no amount of gaslighting from the White House will change that. That’s why next summer, Republicans will nominate the next President of the United States in Milwaukee and send Biden on vacation for good."
Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO
"President Biden’s economic agenda is working. On behalf of Wisconsin’s union men and women, I am proud to welcome President Biden to Wisconsin on the one-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act.
"President Biden’s visit to Ingeteam Inc., where IBEW Local 2150 union members are fueling the next wave of American manufacturing, highlights the historic investments this Administration is making in Wisconsin. Union members at Ingeteam proudly make the only wind turbines that are fully built in the United States. Thanks to the Buy American standards outlined in President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, these IBEW local 2150 members at Ingeteam will also be manufacturing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations right here in Milwaukee.
"President Biden’s economic policy has put the focus back on America’s workers, boosted Wisconsin manufacturing, created jobs for Wisconsin workers, and spurred worker-centered economic growth that strengthens our middle class."
National Republican Congressional Committee Spokesman Chris Gustafson
"Wisconsin families are now facing an additional $709 per month thanks to Biden’s catastrophic spending spree. After years of rising inflation and prices, it’s clear Biden cannot be trusted with the country’s pocketbook."
Americans for Prosperity-Wisconsin Director Megan Novak
"While President Biden attempted to embrace his failed economic record today in Milwaukee, there is no hiding the extent of the damage the Biden Administration's agenda has caused Wisconsinites across the state.
"A year after Biden’s so-called Inflation Reduction Act, Wisconsinites are still paying the price of this radical spending spree responsible for record-high inflation, skyrocketing prices, and halted energy production.
"Biden can call it what he wants, but all it is, is bad economics. Wisconsinites cannot afford any more of these radical policies coming out of Washington and deserve real solutions that promote freedom and opportunity for all Americans to achieve their American Dream."
Chris Walloch, executive director of A Better Wisconsin Together
"We appreciate President Biden coming to Wisconsin to shed light on his administration's efforts to make sure we have an economy that works for working families, and a healthy climate that will support generations to come. Thanks to Biden Administration investments like the Inflation Reduction Act, hard-working families in Wisconsin have received essential resources that will help people support their families and build a better future."
Associated Press contributed to this report.