Some commend while others criticize Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) for interrupting President Joe Biden as he spoke of the dangers U.S. soldiers faced serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The interruption occurred on Tuesday evening, during Biden’s first State of the Union address.
When the President said, “Our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan faced many dangers. One was stationed at bases and breathing in toxic smoke from ‘burn pits’ that incinerated wastes of war—medical and hazard material, jet fuel, and more…”
The President added, “When they came home, many of the world’s fittest and best-trained warriors were never the same. Headaches. Numbness. Dizziness. A cancer that would put them in a flag-draped coffin…”
As Biden spoke of soldiers in “flag-draped coffins,” Rep. Boebert interrupted, “You put them in, 13 of them.”
Her sharp statement referred to Biden’s highly criticized pullout from Afghanistan that resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. soldiers.
Watch:
CBS and MSNBC correspondent Jake Sherman tweeted of the interaction in real-time:
In his speech, which experts graded a weak “C+,” Biden affirmed his perception of national priorities.
He led with a call to protect abortion:
“The constitutional right affirmed in Roe v. Wade—standing precedent for half a century—is under attack as never before,” he said. “If we want to go forward—not backward—we must protect access to health care. Preserve a woman’s right to choose. And let’s continue to advance maternal health care in America.”
Biden then advocated easing barriers that restrict immigration:
We’re putting in place dedicated immigration judges so families fleeing persecution and violence can have their cases heard faster. We’re securing commitments and supporting partners in South and Central America to host more refugees and secure their own borders.
…Revise our laws so businesses have the workers they need and families don’t wait decades to reunite. It’s not only the right thing to do—it’s the economically smart thing to do. That’s why immigration reform is supported by everyone from labor unions to religious leaders to the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce.
Let’s get it done once and for all. Advancing liberty and justice also requires protecting the rights of women.
Biden also highlighted the transgender issue and his “American Rescue Plan:”
“For LGBTQ+ Americans,” Biden said, “let’s finally get the bipartisan Equality Act to my desk. As I said last year — especially to our younger transgender Americans — I will always have your back as your President so you can be yourself and reach your God-given potential.”
Claiming the “American Rescue Plan” is having a significant positive impact, Biden said, “Look, the American Rescue Plan is helping millions of families on Affordable Care Act plans save $2,400 a year on their health care premiums. Let’s close the coverage gap and make those savings permanent.”
Biden continued: “Second – cut energy costs for families an average of $500 a year by combatting climate change.
“Let’s provide investments and tax credits to weatherize your homes and businesses to be energy efficient and you get a tax credit; double America’s clean energy production in solar, wind, and so much more; lower the price of electric vehicles, saving you another $80 a month because you’ll never have to pay at the gas pump again.”
Daily Wire editor emeritus Ben Shapiro provided a harsh assessment of Biden’s speech:
“On issue after issue, Joe Biden is not merely wrong, he is aggressively wrong; he is not merely foolish, he is stubbornly foolish. Joe Biden became President with one goal: to enshrine himself in history as a great leader. Today, we can safely say that he is one of the worst leaders in American history.”
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