WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) released the following statement in response to President Biden’s first State of the Union address:

“President Biden’s message tonight was clear: we are building a better America.

“When President Biden entered office, our country was stuck in the depths of the COVID-19 crisis. Since January 2021, we have successfully deployed vaccines, distributed testing, and created the therapies needed to end the COVID-19 pandemic once and for all. There is no reason we shouldn’t be able to keep our students in the classroom, ensure child care centers stay open, get parents back to work and businesses running. The administration’s new guidance President Biden announced to ease restrictions and restore normalcy is the right call as surges wane and cases plummet across the country.

“Our economy is also rebounding. Growth is up, wages are up, and unemployment is down. The Biden administration has met the moment to guide our economy out of this recession. Now, Americans feel the effects of inflation due to pandemic-induced supply chain issues and pent-up demand. It’s critical we rally around solutions that target the sources of inflation, strengthen supply chains, and ease escalating prices so that San Diegans and the country can fully prosper from our robust economy. I helped stand up a new inflation working group with the New Democrat Coalition for this very reason – we need to listen to our constituents’ economic concerns and take action to address them.

“We also must lower costs for American families, reduce the price of prescription drugs, edge ourselves closer to a clean energy future and invest in opportunities that will help us out-compete countries like China.

“It’s also important to unify where we can. Democrats and Republicans should work together to support our veterans, encourage medical innovation, and provide greater mental health services to help our youth. Let’s also unite behind the national and global response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, work with our NATO allies and like-minded partners to aid the Ukrainians on the frontlines, halt further Russian aggression, and preserve Ukraine’s right to a future of democracy and self-determination.

“President Biden laid out his vision for the future, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in Congress to deliver on these priorities for the American people.”

Rep. Peters’ virtual guest for the annual address was Shawn VanDiver, a Navy veteran and Clairemont resident, who is the President and Founder of #AfghanEvac, a volunteer coalition focused on helping Afghan allies evacuate and resettle safely, swiftly, and within the bounds of the law.