DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa’s Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Reps. Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and Randy Feenstra, responded to President Joe Biden’s first State of the Union address.
Hinson, who represents Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, contrasted Biden’s speech with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ remarks giving the Republican response, stating Biden has doubled down on a failed agenda, but Reynolds provided hope.
“President Biden’s onslaught of America last policies has catapulted our nation into crisis mode. Tonight, I wanted to hear an action plan to address rising costs, secure our border, and regain American energy independence before a gallon of gas tops six dollars. Instead of offering a single bipartisan solution to these challenges, President Biden doubled down on his failed, divisive agenda that has made life more expensive and our country less safe,” she said.
“For every problem that the Biden Administration has created for Americans, Governor Reynolds has delivered solutions for Iowans–our kids have been in the classroom, our businesses have been open, our law enforcement officers are supported, and our taxes are being cut,” Hinson added. “Her response was full of hope–she knows that the solutions to our problems won’t come from government, they’ll come from the American people. She makes Iowans proud every day, and she made us proud tonight.”
Miller-Meeks, who represents Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, said Biden’s rhetoric does not match his record.
“Tonight, President Biden spoke on unity and bipartisanship, something I have seen very little of in the rhetoric and actions of his Administration. While I was encouraged by his words in support of the courage of the people of Ukraine fighting for freedom, I was disappointed to hear nothing to address record inflation, sky-high gas prices, a disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, a weak supply chain, and an open border, the President has failed to deliver commonsense solutions to help the average American. I hope that we will see serious and bipartisan solutions to address the myriad of self-made crises this Administration has created. Actions speak louder than words, and the actions of this Administration contradict these unifying words,” she said.
Feenstra, who represents Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, said Biden’s speech and Reynolds’ response provided a “stark contrast.”
“Tonight, the stark contrast between President Biden’s failed presidency and Governor Reynolds’ bold, conservative leadership was on full display. While President Biden has created and ignored crisis after crisis, Governor Reynolds has championed a better Iowa for all. Under her steadfast leadership, she balanced our state budget, cut taxes for families and farmers, reopened our schools, unmasked our kids, gave parents a voice, and balanced the health of Iowans with the health of our economy. Needless to say, President Biden has done just the opposite. His progressive, liberal agenda has plunged our nation into $30 trillion of debt, unleashed record-breaking inflation, proposed massive tax hikes on family farms, locked kids out of the classroom, crippled American energy independence, and encouraged illegal immigration. Tonight, Governor Reynolds served up a huge dose of Iowa common sense and laid out the conservative playbook for a stronger, better, more prosperous America. I would urge President Biden to take Governor Reynolds’ words to heart, quiet his progressive advisors, and work with Republicans to deliver real results for Iowans and Americans everywhere,” he said.
