Washington politicians respond to Biden's 2023 State of the Union address

Washington's Democratic Congress members are responding to President Biden's 2023 State of the Union address, echoing the president's main message: "Let's finish the job."

Biden touted the accomplishments of 2021's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Tuesday evening. It was a point that many of Washington's Democrats reiterated following the address. Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Rick Larsen, and other Washington Democrats said we must continue that work, improving infrastructure and the lives of Americans.

Washington's two Republican Congress members critiqued Biden's speech, both pinpointing fentanyl as an issue they say the White House isn't doing enough on. Both Republicans called for more solutions for fentanyl than Biden presented in his address, namely asking for a crackdown on dealing and drug sellers.

Republican Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a staunch conservative leader who represents the Eastern Washington's 5th Congressional District, says Biden has a "radical rush-to-green" agenda.

Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse, who represents Washington's 4th District, said in a video, "there were good things he pointed out" and also, "I hope we can work together with the president." But he added, "I didn't see the leadership there, the unification there, that we need as a country."

Democrat Sen. Maria Cantwell said Biden delivered "a strong speech about America’s opportunities ahead."

"The bills we passed — the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS & Science, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, the Inflation Reduction Act — deliver historic investments in our infrastructure, manufacturing, science, and innovation. We must build on that progress and turn those investments into real solutions that will make our nation and our manufacturers competitive, bring more good-paying jobs back to America, and build a resilient economy for the future.”

Democrat Sen. Patty Murray

Democrat Rep. Suzan DelBene echoed Cantwell's sentiments on infrastructure, commenting that Democrats have made "historic progress" creating millions of jobs and lowering costs for working families. She added that more work needs to be done on the Child Tax Credit.

“I was also glad to hear President Biden push for forward-thinking data privacy policies that will give people more control over their personal information, hold bad actors accountable, and help give us a seat at the international table," DelBene said. "I will continue pushing for a national privacy standard that puts Americans in charge of their sensitive information, regardless of where they live."

Infrastructure was also a big point for Democrat Rep. Derek Kilmer (Washington's 6th District). Kilmer attended the address with Puyallup Tribe of Indians Chairman Bill Sterud as his guest. After redistricting, the tribe's reservation falls within Kilmer's district.

"Tonight, the president also reminded people across the country that America is a story of progress and resilience, that strong democracy makes this work possible, and that Congress and the president together can deliver for the American people – building on the progress of the last two years.”

Democrat Rep. Pramila Jayapal (Washington's 7th Congressional District) said that Biden's delivery was "just a helluva speech. Populist, worker-driven, all about fairness and opportunity."

Democrat Rep. Rick Larsen (Washington's 2nd Congressional District)

Democrat Rep. Adam Smith (Washington's 9th Congressional District)

“President Biden’s address tonight made it clear: the past two years have been marked by historic progress for the American people, and in the next two years we must work together to build on that progress in a meaningful way.

“When President Biden took office, he promised to rebuild our economy from the bottom up and the middle out. Democrats in Congress have worked with him to deliver on this promise, and the facts speak for themselves. In just two years, we have created a record 12 million jobs, unemployment is down to its lowest level in half a century, and real wages are increasing. We have passed legislation to generate a manufacturing boom in infrastructure, semi-conductors, and clean energy, and to lower costs for working families, including prescription drug prices, health insurance premiums, and energy bills."

Democrat Rep. Marilyn Strickland, who represents Washington's 10th Congressional District, didn't comment following the State of the Union address. She did bring a special guest, however — Lieutenant General Xavier T. Brunson, Commanding General, I Corps at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

“It is a privilege to represent the over 40,000 servicemembers and their families stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and I am honored to have Lt. General Brunson join me at this year’s State of the Union,” Strickland said in a statement. “Lt. General Brunson is a leader who exemplifies the courage and strength of “America’s First Corps,” and I am proud to have him in attendance."