SUPERIOR, Wis. (Fwrd Axis) — Following his first State of the Union speech, President Joe Biden hit the road on Wednesday with a stop in Wisconsin as his administration shifted focus to the 2022 midterm elections later this year.
Biden and First Lady Jill Biden made a stop at a local school in Superior, Wisconsin, to tout the bipartisan infrastructure bill that was passed last year. With the backdrop of banners that read “Building a Better America”, the President celebrated legislative successes from his first year in office and made a commitment to address key issues like rising prices.
The President pointed to Blatnik Bridge, an aging bridge that connects Wisconsin to Minnesota, that would be improved and fixed by the bipartisan infrastructure law.
“This bridge has an outdated design. Tight curves lead to higher than average crash rates on this bridge,” Biden said. “And now, after years of talking about infrastructure, we’re finally getting it done.”
The $1 trillion infrastructure legislation was one of a few bright spots in Biden’s rocky first year but several of his other top priorities such as education programs, lowering prescription drugs, and fighting climate change — remains stalled in the U.S. Senate. This has led to the President being unable to stop his approval rating from sliding, which currently sits in the low 40s.
Biden’s strategy early on seems to be touting the success of his bipartisan infrastructure bill and appears to have rebranded “Build Back Better” to the “Building a Better America” plan.
“Despite this historic recovery, too many families are still struggling with higher costs. I get it.” Biden said. “Our top priority must be getting prices under control.”
The President is attempting to show the American people his administration remains focused on domestic issues despite the ongoing threat Russia poses as it invades Ukraine.
“When the history of this era is written, Ukraine will have left Russia weaker and the rest of the world stronger,” Biden promised.
Wednesday’s event was one in a flurry of post-State of the Union events. Vice President Kamala Harris and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh visited a community college in North Carolina, while Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm went to a solar farm in Kentucky. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan made a stop in South Carolina to discuss sewage upgrade projects.
“We stand—- the United States of America — stand with the Ukrainian people. We stand with them,” Biden said. “He thought the West and NATO wouldn’t respond. He thought they could divide us at home, but he was wrong. We were ready. We spent countless hours unifying the European allies.”
