State of the Union: FOX6's Jason Calvi questions White House brass
WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden delivered his 2024 State of the Union address on Thursday night, March 7.
He discussed the economy, abortion, prescription drugs and several other topics.
With Election Day now less than eight months away, polls show it is a tight race with the road to the White House running right through Wisconsin. FOX6's Jason Calvi was one of seven local reporters from across the country invited to the White House for a reporters summit prior to the president's remarks. Here's what he asked staffers to help you decide come November.
With voters concerned about the state of the U.S. economy, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre pushed back on skepticism of the Biden administration's accomplishments thus far. White House Communications Director Ben Labolt fielded questions about when to expect Biden back in Wisconsin, as well as polls that show the president trailing Donald Trump.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
Wisconsin response to the State of the Union
WisGOP:
"No matter how rosy a picture he may try to paint of his job performance, nothing Joe Biden says will change the harsh realities facing Americans of open borders, higher prices, and a weaker economy for working Wisconsinites."
Democratic Party of Wisconsin:
"Tonight, President Biden proved once again that he is the leader Wisconsinites need and deserve. The contrast couldn’t be clearer between President Biden’s vision for our country—and the results he’s delivered toward realizing that dream—and Donald Trump’s menacing vision of retribution and chaos. While President Biden is focused on bettering the lives of Wisconsin families and defending their freedoms, Trump’s top priority is ripping away Americans’ rights and security. As Trump doubles down on his pledge to be a ‘dictator on day one’ and make the wealthy richer off the backs of working families, President Biden remains committed to defending our democracy, building our economy from the bottom up and middle out, and making sure the wealthy and corporations pay their fair share.
"The stakes of this election are potentially cataclysmic. Wisconsinites know this all too well. Together, we’ve faced down attacks on our democracy, health care, and basic freedoms, and we know the only way to keep building on all the progress we’ve made is by reelecting President Biden and Vice President Harris to a second term this November."
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin:
"December's circuit court ruling was an important step forward in our fight to restore, protect and expand access to abortion in Wisconsin. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin vehemently opposes DA Urmanski’s view that the force of Wis. Stat. 940.04 against abortion providers was immediately restored upon the overturning of Roe v. Wade. However, we do agree with DA Urmanski that bypass to the Wisconsin Supreme Court is appropriate, as this issue is of statewide importance and that requiring this case to be first decided by the Court of Appeals will only result in needless delay. Wisconsinites need and deserve expeditious resolution to the question before the court so that they can continue to rely on access to abortion.
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin will continue to provide abortion care services at our Water Street Health Center in Milwaukee, Madison East Health Center, and Sheboygan Health Center. We will continue essential work to help protect and expand reproductive freedom in Wisconsin so that everyone who needs comprehensive reproductive health care in our state can get the nonjudgmental and compassionate care they deserve."
U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI):
"President Biden’s State of the Union speech tonight fell short of addressing the problems our country is facing. An open border has led to an endless flow of illegal migrants, deadly fentanyl, and dangerous terrorists - all of which have contributed to our communities being less safe. The massive amounts of spending overseen by the Biden administration has driven up inflation, making almost everything less affordable for Wisconsin families. I’m disappointed that tonight we did not hear a realistic plan to secure the border and bring down the cost of living."
Republican National Committee (RNC):
"Joe Biden desperately wants to point fingers and rewrite history after three years of an administration of failure, but the American people are feeling the impact of his policies everyday: historic inflation, violent crime, an open southern border, and failed foreign policy have made everyone worse off. Meanwhile, even Democrats are sounding the alarm about Biden’s cognitive decline and whether he can handle demands of the presidency.
"The solution is clear – we must elect President Donald Trump. Americans remember when our economy was thriving, criminals were condemned, our border was secure, and America was strong in the eyes of our allies and our enemies under his leadership. It’s time to Make America Great Again and retire Joe Biden once and for all."
Opportunity Wisconsin:
"Thanks to President Biden and Democrats in Congress, Wisconsin’s working families and seniors are already seeing relief from rising costs, health care is more affordable, and critical investments are being made to strengthen our infrastructure and create good paying jobs. Tonight, we heard directly from President Biden about his vision for our country and the opportunity we have to support working families here in Wisconsin. It’s time for Republicans in Congress, including Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden, to work with the president to lower costs, hold big corporations accountable, and protect the programs that are helping Wisconsinites succeed – including Medicare and Social Security."