Steve Scalise cautions that Biden’s failure to address the port strike will exacerbate economic challenges. – Washington Examiner

Asher NotheisOctober 3, 2024

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise⁣ (R-LA) has criticized President Joe⁢ Biden for his ⁢inaction regarding a strike by the International Longshoremen’s Association, which is affecting ports on the East and Gulf coasts. Scalise argues that families across the U.S. will suffer the economic consequences of this‍ strike and accuses Biden of failing to intervene by not invoking the federal Taft-Hartley⁤ Act ‌to compel⁣ workers back to their jobs for 80 days. He labels⁣ the president’s choice to abstain from action, despite ‌the union’s demands for higher wages, as damaging to the economy and contributing to inflation.

Scalise highlights that many families are already struggling with rising ‌costs and criticizes Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for their lack ⁤of action in controlling prices.⁤ He expresses skepticism about ‍Congress’s ability ⁤to mitigate the impact of the strike, attributing⁤ this to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s unwillingness to cooperate with Republicans. Additionally, Scalise rebukes Biden’s strategy toward Iran, suggesting it ⁤is much weaker compared⁢ to former President Donald Trump’s approach.

Steve Scalise warns Biden’s inaction on port strike will further hurt economy

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) argued that families in the United States would be dealt with the brunt of the port strike, and that President Joe Biden is opting not to interfere with this issue.

The strike by the International Longshoremen’s Association, impacting ports along the East and Gulf coast, could be deterred if the president chooses to use the federal Taft-Hartley Act to force workers back to work for 80 days. Biden, who is a pro-union president, has stated he will not use this act, with Scalise blaming the president and the union members for choosing to “wreck the economy” with this strike.

“But they’re already making, with overtime, over $200,000 a year in some cases, and they want to shut the economy down to get more,” Scalise said on Fox News’s Fox and Friends. “Who pays for this? And this will add even more to inflation. There are a lot of families making $50,000 a year and saying, please stop adding to cost, and Biden and Harris won’t do anything because they want to see those prices keep going up.”

When asked if there is anything Congress can do to lessen the blow that this port strike could have on the United States, Scalise expressed doubt due to how Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) will not want to work with congressional Republicans. Scalise also said he would not support any legislation that would ban automation for port workers, claiming the workers want to “go back to the Flintstones.”

The House majority leader was also critical of Biden’s handling of containing Iran even after the country launched roughly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel. While the latter country’s military was able to stop most of the assault thanks to help from the U.S., Scalise made the case that Biden’s approach to Iran has been much weaker than former President Donald Trump, blaming the current president for removing the sanctions that Trump implemented on Iran.

Scalise concluded that the U.S.’s current leadership is “a really scary thought” right now.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has similarly been critical of Biden for not involving himself in the port strike, stating that the administration’s inaction will “only exacerbate the economic pain” that residents have felt under its leadership.

Like Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris has spoken in favor of the port strike, stating that the workers “deserve a fair share” of what the shipping companies have been making. She also criticized former President Donald Trump, her opponent in the 2024 presidential election, for never delivering on the “empty promises” he makes to union members.