President Biden acknowledges someone in the audience at his State of the Union address March 1, 2020.
By Ronald J. Hansen | Arizona Republic
President Joe Biden’s full-throated support for Ukraine Tuesday night seemed to briefly unite members of Congress, including Arizona’s divided delegation, but as he turned to domestic policy matters, the familiar partisan lines reemerged.
Biden’s hourlong State of the Union address to Congress fused get-tough rhetoric on Russia with an array of more-familiar — and politically charged — initiatives, ranging from tackling prescription drug pricing to reinvigorating American manufacturing.
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Arizona’s Democrats largely offered support for Biden’s agenda, while its Republican members were quick to focus on what they viewed as nonstarter issues.
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., praised Biden for noting the expansion of semiconductor manufacturing, specifically from Intel, a company with a major Arizona presence, but also called for slimmed-down governmental spending, a talking point popular with many Republicans.
“I welcome President Biden’s support for our policies boosting American manufacturing of semiconductors, ensuring Arizona veterans — including those exposed to harmful burn pits — receive the care they’ve earned, and lowering health care costs for Arizona seniors,” Sinema said in a written statement. “Arizonans want to get back to normal, but continue to be hurt by rising prices and empty store shelves. I call on the administration to ensure government spending is targeted and thoughtful — because a lean and efficient government helps avoid prices hikes.”
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., also noted the manufacturing issue, while calling for inflation-fighting moves to aid Americans.
