WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden touted his administration’s bipartisan accomplishments as he addressed the nation in a prime-time speech from the Oval Office on Friday night.
The 12-minute speech saw Biden detail how the bipartisan bill “averted economic crisis” while thanking key Republican leaders for reaching an agreement with Democrats, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)
“Our teams were able to get along, get things done, were straightforward with one another, completely honest with one another, respectful with one another. Both sides operated in good faith. Both sides kept their word,” Biden said. “Passing this budget agreement was critical. The stakes could not have been higher.”
The President also thanked congressional leaders House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.,) Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.,) and Senate Minority Leader McConnell (R-Ky.).
Biden used the prime-time moment to tout the accomplishments of the deal, including the benefits it will have on American families and proof of his ability to get work done with both sides of the chamber, themes he will be using in his re-election campaign.
“When I ran for president, I was told the days of bipartisanship were over,” he said. “That Democrats and Republicans could no longer work together. I refused to believe that because America can never give into that way of thinking.”
“Essential to all the progress we’ve made in the last few years is keeping the full, faith, and credit of the United States and passing a budget that continues to grow our economy and reflects our values as a nation,” he said. “That’s why I’m speaking to you tonight. To report on a crisis averted and what we are doing to protect America’s future. Passing this budget agreement was critical. The stakes could not have been higher.”
“No one got everything they wanted but the American people got what they needed,” he added. “We averted an economic crisis and an economic collapse.”
Biden said he will sign the bill into law on Saturday.
“I know bipartisanship is hard, and unity is hard,” he said. “But we can never stop trying. Because in the moments like this one, the ones we just faced, where the American economy the world economy is at risk of collapsing, there’s no other way, no matter how tough our politics gets, we must see each other not as adversaries but as fellow Americans.”
The bill, called the Fiscal Responsibility Act, will lift the debt ceiling through Jan. 1, 2025, in exchange for cuts to federal spending. Biden closed his remarks by touting that the bill will leave Social Security, Medicaid, veterans benefits, and other priorities untouched.
“I’m gonna be coming back and with your help, I’m going to win,” he said.
