Biden hits back as House Republicans jeer

In perhaps the most tense exchange of the night, Biden criticized the Republican Party’s decision to reject a bipartisan bill containing border security provisions after former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, voiced opposition. criticized.

As Mr. Biden criticized Republicans, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) yelled, “Say their names!” She mentioned Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who was murdered in Georgia last month in an alleged assault and murder case against an illegal immigrant. Green also wore a shirt that read “SAY HER NAME LAKEN RILEY.”

Biden then paused and held up the pin that Greene had handed him earlier as he headed to the podium.

“Laken Riley,” Biden repeated what Greene had been shouting at him. “An innocent young woman killed by an illegal immigrant.”

That seemed to put an end to Greene’s jeers, but other Republicans began chanting.

So Biden tried to turn the moment in his favor. He said his heart hurts for Riley’s parents, then noted that Riley lost two children and called on Congress to send a bipartisan border security bill.

“With all due respect…my Republican friends have an obligation to the American people: Get this bill done,” he said. “We need to act now.”

He then addressed Trump directly.

“If my predecessor is watching, please join me in pleading with Congress to pass the bill instead of playing politics and pressuring members to block the bill.” he said. “We can do it together.”

On the floor, Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), who led Senate negotiations on the failed bill, nodded.

It was clear from the beginning of the night that Republicans would try to provoke the president on immigration. House Republicans passed a bill named after Riley early Thursday with the support of 37 Democrats. The measure would require the detention of immigrants who commit theft or robbery.

Greene made a show earlier in the night by pulling out a red “Make America Great Again” hat emblazoned with the “Trump 2020” logo and wearing it in the chamber. Lawmakers are not allowed to wear hats in the chamber, but Greene kept her hat on. After a while, the House Sergeant told her to take off her hat. Meanwhile, Democrats shouted, “Don’t wear your hat in the chamber.”

At another point, Democrats began shouting “Four more years!” Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) responded in a more subdued voice: “Trump, Trump, Trump.” Also, when Biden said that the current state of labor unions is strong and that he expects to win again in 2024, Representatives Max L. Miller (R-Ohio) and Michael Bost (R-Ohio) , Illinois) stopped speaking.

Biden said Trump had “failed to care for the American people, which is the most basic presidential responsibility” during the coronavirus crisis.Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis. ) yelled, “That’s a lie!”

Republicans also booed loudly when Biden said they were the ones who enacted the tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy during the Trump administration.

Biden frowned upon hearing their responses.

“Oh, you don’t want another $2 trillion in tax cuts?” he said with a smile. “I thought that was your plan. Well, that’s good to hear.”

This echoed an exchange in a speech last year in which Greene shouted “Liar!” After Biden rebuked Republicans for suggesting possible cuts to Social Security and Medicare. Others followed. But Biden responded: …We have unanimity. (The exchange was one of several in which Greene went on a tirade last year, during which she also interrupted Biden’s speech and shouted, “China is spying on us!” and “Secure our borders. !” he shouted).

Presidential addresses to Congress used to be quiet, bipartisan, and with minimal fuss. But that changed in September 2009, when President Barack Obama addressed Congress and later made his case for the Affordable Care Act of 2010. President Obama used part of his speech to try to debunk rumors about the bill. These included rumors that illegal immigrants would receive government-funded insurance through the bill.

“Liar!” exclaimed Rep. Joe Wilson (RS.C.) in response.

The explosion stunned the chamber. A week later, the House of Representatives passed a resolution admonishing his comments along largely partisan lines.

In 2022, Boebert drew criticism for interrupting Biden when she brought up her late son, Beau Biden, an Iraq war veteran who died of brain cancer in 2015. Biden had called on Congress to pass legislation to help veterans who were exposed to the toxin during his tenure. In Iraq and Afghanistan, he said, the problem led to cancer “being put in a flag-draped coffin,” and he believes it contributed to Beau’s death.

At that moment, Boebert interrupted him and shouted, There are 13 people! ”

She appears to be referring to the 13 soldiers who died during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. There were immediate boos from Democrats. Some shouted, “Get rid of her girlfriend!” The next day, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Boebert and other Republicans who heckled Biden during her speech should “shut up.”

The topic came back into focus Thursday night, again when a guest caused a brief interruption during his speech. Steve Nikoy, a guest of Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), was removed from the House gallery after yelling, “Don’t forget Abbey Gate!” American Marines! ” He is the father of a Marine Corporal. Kareem Nikoi was one of 13 U.S. service members killed in a suicide bombing on the final day of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

And it wasn’t just Republicans trying to get a message across to Biden.

Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) and Rep. Delia C. Ramirez (D-Ill.), are calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and asking the U.S. to stop supplying arms to Israel. They held up small placards that read: , “Continue the ceasefire now” and “Stop sending bombs.” Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), the only Palestinian-American member of Congress, Cori Bush (D-Missouri), Summer Lee (D-Pennsylvania), and Ilhan Omar. Congressman (D-Minnesota) held a similar event. Signboard and wearing kaffiyeh.