Biden touts govt. spending as shipping solution

carleyshaffer1December 23, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. – DECEMBER 22: U.S. President Joe Biden reacts to questions from reporters during a meeting with his administration’s Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force and private sector CEOs in the South Court Auditorium of the White House December 22, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 9:40 AM PT – Thursday, December 23, 2021

Joe Biden boasted of his accomplishments during a meeting with his Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force on Wednesday. He first made sure to highlight the wage increases under his administration.

“America’s the only leading economy in the world where household incomes and the economy as a whole are stronger than they were before the pandemic, even accounting for price increases,” said Biden. “The economy I inherited nearly a year ago wasn’t just in crisis, it wasn’t working for working people. I told you that’s the reason I ran. It’s about time the middle-class and working-class people got a shot.”

However, Biden didn’t adjust for inflation, which disproportionately affects working-class families. He claimed national prosperity had surpassed the pre-pandemic economy, crediting the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the “American Rescue Plan” for the progress.

Although, Biden contradicted himself by acknowledging soaring prices in a variety of goods and services. Rather than connecting inflation to his economic policies, Biden claimed the only solution would be more government spending.

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“Still, on top of mind for me is what is top of mind for so many families…the pinch of prices and cost. Look, addressing these costs has been and will continue to be my top priority, the entire administration. And the way to do this is not to slow down our economic turnaround, not to step back from all this progress, but to build on it,” Biden stated.

Biden further explained a small percentage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill will help to unclog supply chain bottlenecks.

“There’s $17 billion to speed up and modernize our ports,” said Biden. “And tomorrow, the Department of Transportation is going to announce over $200 million in grants to ports nationwide. And we’re making a significant investment in freight rail as well. And we’re also working to unstick bottlenecks between the ports and the stores by getting more trucks moving all around the country.”

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who was on paternity leave during the beginning of the supply, was also in attendance.