ASPIRE PAC Chair Grace Meng Statement on President Biden’s State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON, DC – ASPIRE PAC Chair Grace Meng released the following statement after President Biden delivered his State of the Union speech:

“Tonight, President Biden made a strong case for how his administration and Democrats in Congress are working for the American people, including the AAPI community. Despite Congressional Republicans standing in the way of progress every step of the way, it’s clear that Democrats and President Biden have fought and delivered for the AAPI community. And we will continue to fight and deliver for the AAPI community in the days ahead.

“Following the devastating impact the Covid-19 pandemic had on our economy, President Biden led the fastest job growth in American history. In just one year under President Biden, we have seen the fastest economic growth in nearly 40 years, we have added more than six million jobs, and our economy has recovered faster than every other advanced economy in the G7. Specifically, thanks to the American Rescue Plan, AAPI small businesses received critical capital relief and resources, more AAPI families were able to save money through the Child Tax Credit, and tens of thousands of AAPI families were able to afford better health care. The President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will provide more clean water, safer public transportation systems, and greater access to broadband internet for our AAPI communities. Most importantly, the President signed the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act into law, fighting back against anti-Asian hate and working to ensure our communities feel safe from violence. Republicans voted against our hate crimes legislation, used inflammatory anti-Asian rhetoric, and insisted that a hate crimes bill wasn’t a kitchen table issue for Americans, but Democrats knew we had to stand up to protect the AAPI community.

“While I am proud of what President Biden and Democrats have been able to accomplish so far, our work isn’t over. I was glad to hear the President’s plan to address our country’s mental health crisis. The AAPI community has always suffered from a lack of mental health resources, and following the rise of anti-Asian hate, we must provide more behavioral health services, expand access to telehealth care options, and increase mental health support in schools and universities. Also, President Biden reminded us that attacks on the AAPI community are still happening, and we must continue to fight back against anti-Asian hate. Democrats believe that AAPI families deserve to feel safe and secure in their communities, and we must build upon the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act to keep the AAPI community safe from violence. I also look forward to continued investments in our economy, including strengthening our supply chains, increasing competition, and making big corporations pay their share so that AAPI small businesses and families can succeed. I look forward to continuing to work with President Biden and his administration as we fight to deliver for the AAPI community.”

ASPIRE PAC is the political arm of Asian American and Pacific Islander Members of Congress. ASPIRE PAC was established to work for fair representation in the U.S. Congress by supporting and increasing the number of AAPI policymakers and federal candidates with large AAPI constituencies. It offers a voice for the AAPI community and encourages active participation in the U.S. political process. ASPIRE PAC is chaired by Congresswoman Grace Meng.

###