Washington D.C. – Following tonight’s State of the Union address by President Biden, People For the American Way President Svante Myrick released the following statement:
“Tonight we heard the President name significant achievements of the Biden-Harris administration, while he also said that we need to ‘finish the job.’ We agree.
“We applaud the President for calling out the national tragedy of police brutality and demanding accountability for violent officers; now we must finish the job by demanding passage of federal legislation – and supporting local reform with dedicated funding for innovative ideas. We applaud the President for progress the administration has made toward an economy that works better for all Americans; now we need to get student debt relief over the finish line – and shame Republicans for fighting it. We were gratified to hear him call for expanding educational opportunities, but we need to confront as well the vicious attacks on inclusive education in Florida and other states, because attacks on the freedom to learn undermine our kids’ future and our democracy. And while we were proud to see his new Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson in the audience tonight, we need the President’s support for Supreme Court reform, including ethics standards and steps to reform a Court whose far-right members are undermining people’s rights.
“Finally, we heard the president’s hope and optimism that our democracy will survive the hatred and extremism that threaten it. We share that desire. Now the Justice Department must finish its job, hold accountable the individuals who plotted to overthrow our government on January 6, and send a message to those who threaten our union – including those who were seated in the Congressional audience tonight.”
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About People For the American Way
People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org