The upcoming midterm elections are one of the most important races for both political parties as it will determine which party controls both the House and the Senate. US President Joe Biden has urged House Democrats who are up for re-election to tout the party’s legislative accomplishments in their campaigns.
Speaking at the Democratic Party’s retreat in Philadelphia Friday last week, Biden urged the members of his party to boast their legislative successes, especially in the upcoming midterm elections, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. Biden warned that if the Republican Party retakes control of the House, all he will have “is a veto pen.”
The US leader cited the American Rescue Plan as what Democrats could tout in their campaigns, nothing that the Democrat-led legislation was able to get people out of poverty while boosting employment and reducing foreclosures in homes. “Because families had money in their pockets,” said Biden. Zero Republicans voted in support of the bill and some of which even touted the provisions in their states.
The gathering was a chance for the Democratic Party to unify and come up with strategies to appeal to voters in the upcoming elections, as the party seeks to maintain its majority in the House and the Senate.
“We have to show the public the relationship between democracy and their kitchen table concerns,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in her remarks introducing Biden.
Biden also touched on the issue of inflation which has risen to a decade high of 7.9 percent. The US leader pinned the blame on the pandemic and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, despite inflation already rising before the war. Biden added that the administration is on track to reduce the deficit by $1 trillion.
Over the weekend, Biden issued another warning to Russia as it continues to go on an offensive to Ukraine. Following his announcement of more sanctions on Russia, Biden told CNN reporter Arlette Saenz that Russia would pay “a severe price” should it resort to chemical weapons on Ukrainians.
The US has not presented proof that Russia is looking to use chemical weapons against Ukraine. However, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that such weapons could be utilized in the conflict.