Several Republican members of Congress reacted strongly to President Joe Biden’s claim during Tuesday evening’s State of the Union address that the GOP wants to phase out Social Security and Medicare.
Biden made the claim as he accused the GOP of holding the country hostage over the debt ceiling, even as the country’s national debt has surpassed $31.5 trillion.
“Some of my Republican friends want to take the economy hostage, I get it, unless I agree to their economic plans,” he said. “All of you at home should know what their plans are. Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset. I’m not saying it’s the majority …”
That led to scorching responses and outbursts from several GOP lawmakers.
WATCH:
WATCH: Republicans erupt at Biden for claiming they want to 'take the economy hostage.' pic.twitter.com/lwyh2ifUR9
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) February 8, 2023
Shortly thereafter, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and others could be seen mouthing the word, “Liar!”
“Let me give you, anybody who doubts it, contact my office, I’ll give you a copy,” Biden said, visibly thrown off track.
Republicans have repeatedly refuted Biden’s and Democrats’ claims that they are targeting both entitlement programs.
The Daily Mail noted:
Speaker Kevin McCarthy shook his head in disagreement while sat on the dais behind Biden and other members of the GOP shouted ‘no’ in tense scenes on the House floor.
The exchanges dominated a Biden speech where he barely mentioned China, made questionable claims about his economic record and was told ‘it’s your fault’ when condemning the flood of fentanyl coming across the southern border.
Biden went on to say that the country today is radically different than it was when he was inaugurated in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The story of America is a story of progress and resilience. Of always moving forward. Of never giving up. A story that is unique among all nations,” he said. “We are the only country that has emerged from every crisis stronger than when we entered it. That is what we are doing again.”
He then blamed former President Donald Trump for increasing the national debt. “Under the previous administration the American deficit went up,” he said. “No president added more to the national debt in any four years than my predecessor.”
“How did Congress respond to that debt? They lifted the debt ceiling three times without preconditions or crisis. They paid American bills to prevent an economic disaster of the country. So tonight, I’m asking the Congress to follow suit,” he added, which led several Republicans to shake their heads in disagreement.
Arkansas Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders was tapped to provide her party’s response to Biden’s speech, indicating that she is an up-and-coming star in the GOP.
“Being a mom to three young children taught me not to believe every story I hear. So forgive me for not believing much of anything I heard tonight from President Biden,” she said at the outset of her remarks. “From out-of-control inflation and violent crime to the dangerous border crisis and threat from China, Biden and the Democrats have failed you.”
“Tonight, let us reaffirm our commitment to a timeless American idea: that government exists not to rule the people, but to serve the people,” she said. “Democrats want to rule us with more government control, but that is not who we are.”
