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Today, Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH5) provided the following statement in response to President Joe Biden's State of the Union address:

“President Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union address to Congress this evening, and I was disheartened the President didn’t take the opportunity tonight to deliver a speech that sought to unify the country. Instead, we heard divisive rhetoric and deflection from his failed policies which have made communities across the country less safe and life unaffordable for many hardworking families in Ohio’s Fifth District.

“I was also disappointed the President continued to pass the buck on securing the border when, at this very moment, he has the authority and ability to stem the flow of illicit drugs - like fentanyl - and illegal migrants from crossing into the United States. Since day one, President Biden worked to overturn successful border security policies, and we’ve felt the impact. I’ve been to our nation’s southern border four times; I know the national security and humanitarian crisis is out of control. And it’s not just border states feeling the ramifications of a chaotic southern border, communities across the nation are reeling from this administration’s lack of leadership in securing our borders. In just one year, 4,137 people in Ohio and over 73,000 nationwide died of a fentanyl poisoning. It’s clear Customs and Border Protection need the support and manpower to shut down drug cartels who have free rein to smuggle these deadly drugs over the southern border. The President and his administration cannot shirk their responsibility of protecting and defending our borders any longer. At this point, it’s simply a dereliction of duty. 

“The President also failed to mention even once a path to restore North American energy independence. Frankly, it's not all that surprising given his administration's concerted efforts to kneecap our domestic energy sector. Just look at his recent move to ban LNG exports. This misguided action will drive other nations to depend on foreign adversaries, like Russia, for their energy while also hurting American jobs and our economy. I'm a firm believer in an all-of-the-above energy strategy, and I know we can get back on the path to restore our energy independence. Afterall, people everywhere, including farmers and manufacturers in Ohio’s Fifth District, rely on an abundant supply of energy. It's unfortunate that our President seems to not believe this same sentiment. 

"It was also apparent tonight that the President is content with the Washington, D.C. status quo of recklessly spending trillions of taxpayer dollars which, under his leadership, skyrocketed inflation and sent costs soaring. The President continues to squarely place the blame on ‘price gouging’ and ‘shrinkflation’ instigated by corporations and businesses who he claims have willingly raised the prices on everyday goods to prioritize profits over consumers. I agree with the President that high prices of goods are costing Americans an arm and a leg – it’s undeniable. People I represent in Ohio’s Fifth District continue to tell me they are forced to make hard financial decisions like buying all the groceries their family need for the month or filling up their car’s gas tank. This should never be happening in the United States of America. However, the solution is not for the federal government to use its heavy hand and force companies to lower prices. It just doesn’t work that way. The federal government should instead tighten its belt and stop spending trillions of taxpayer dollars. I sincerely hoped tonight that the President would have brought forward a commonsense plan to bring fiscal sanity back to Washington, D.C. and help lower costs. Unfortunately, the President doubled down on his tax-and-spend agenda which will instead grow the federal bureaucracy, limit consumer choice, and reach even further into the wallets of hardworking families and small businesses.

“I’m critical of President Biden because I believe the policies implemented by his administration have not been successful for our people and nation. And those I represent in Northern Ohio continue to tell me they are worse off under President Biden’s leadership. That’s why I’m going to continue pushing back on out-of-touch policies that hurt our communities and impact our livelihoods, and I’ll continue working toward legislative solutions that save taxpayer dollars, lower costs, and make life better and safer for communities in Ohio and across America.”