Biden spoke from the White House on Monday to encourage Congress to raise the debt limit. His speech on raising the debt limit appeared to be directed at Americans, to encourage them to stand in opposition to Republicans in Congress, who hold minority power in both houses. The president, who has touted his intentions for unity among the parties, said that Republicans should “get out of the way” so they don’t destroy the country. He blamed Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema for his party’s failure to effectively pass their agenda.
“Democrats will meet our responsibility and obligation in this country,” Biden said. “I ask Republicans do their part and made it clear from being try to ask you to no avail. Just ask him not to use procedural tricks to block us from doing the job, they won’t do. Meteor is headed to crash into our economy. Democrats are willing to do all the work stopping it. Republicans just have to let us do our job. Just get out of the way. [If you] don’t want to help save the country, get out of the way so you don’t destroy it.”
Biden blamed former President Trump, as well as congressional Republicans, for his and his party’s inability to effectively govern. He told Americans that if Republicans fail to get on board with the Democrats agenda will deplete their savings and retirement plans.
“A reason we have to raise the debt limit is, in part, because of the reckless tax and spending policies under the previous Trump administration. In four years, they incurred nearly $8 trillion in four years $8 trillion in additional debt and bills, we have to now pay off,” Biden said.
“That’s more than a quarter of the entire debt incurred now outstanding for more than 200 years,” Biden continued. “Republicans in Congress raised the debt three times when Donald Trump is president and each time, with Democrat’s support. Now, they won’t raise it, even though they’re responsible for more than $8 trillion of bills incurred in four years under the previous administration, that’s what we’ll be paying off.”
