Oregon lawmakers preview Biden’s State of the Union address

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Ahead of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address Thursday evening, Oregon lawmakers are sharing their hopes for the president’s speech.

Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley and Rep. Earl Blumenauer told KOIN 6 News they hope the president emphasizes his accomplishments from bipartisan legislation to growing the economy.

“I’m hoping [President Joe Biden] will really lay out what’s been accomplished in terms of the bipartisan infrastructure bill, the progress in expanding renewable energy, the investments that have occurred to bring microchip production back to America, the high level of employment, that we have mobilization of our economy, that’s all going in the in the right direction,” Sen. Merkley told KOIN 6 News.

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The senator’s State of the Union guest is Rev. Mark Knutson, a pastor at Augustana Lutheran Church in Portland who has been involved in ecumenical initiatives related to “peace and progress,” Merkley said.

The senator added that politics has become “tribal” and “adversarial” and does not expect the Republican response to be a “balanced ‘Yes, we want to help make the world better and help make the us better.’ It’ll be a series of attacks, high on rhetoric and, and short on facts.”

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-03) said, “I hope that the president is forceful about the record that he’s created. Some of my friends in the other side of the aisle are just in a fantasy world.”

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The representative added, “We have the lowest unemployment rate, the inflation rate is half of what it was, we had huge projections about economic disaster, and Joe Biden has steered that. We have the best economy of any of the rich countries in the world and I think it’s important for him to just come straight at it with the facts.”

Blumenauer’s guest to the State of the Union is Portland State University President Ann Cudd.

“I’ve been excited to watch Portland State grow into a premier urban institution, and we’re not going to be able to heal the central city unless Portland State comes into its own,” Blumenauer said. “About 19% of all the land in the central city is Portland State campus. There’s 25,000 people a week that are there. And one of the things I’m really excited about with them is that [Ann Cudd] really is committed to providing the dynamic leadership that Portland State needs,” Blumenauer said.

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In a statement, Rep. Lori Chavez DeRemer (R-05) said she hopes the president addresses issues such as border policy.

“While Measure 110 lit the match to start the fentanyl crisis, open-border policies have thrown fuel on the flames. I hope the president will acknowledge legislation that I’m co-leading, the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act, which is the only bipartisan solution currently on the table to finally secure the southern border and provide assistance to our allies,” Chavez-DeRemer said.

Her guest is Glen Suchanek, a Milwaukie behavioral health specialist.

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“Oregon continues to experience significant challenges in addressing mental health and addiction, and we need more people like Glen to step up to the plate and assist those who are facing hardship in our communities. I truly appreciate his exemplary service, which has helped countless individuals find a path toward healing and resilience. That’s why I’m honored to welcome him as my guest for the State of the Union this year – to show my appreciation and demonstrate our shared commitment to working toward solving some of the most important issues facing our state and nation,” Chavez-DeRemer said.

In a statement, Rep. Val Hoyle (D-04) said she wants the president to address investments in infrastructure, protecting reproductive rights, and making healthcare more affordable.

“I would like to see President Biden highlight the progress we’ve made under his leadership in tonight’s State of the Union Address. From making healthcare more affordable, investing in our infrastructure and making our communities safer, we have a lot to be proud of. I hope he will underscore the importance of continuing to fight for working families, protecting reproductive rights, ensuring that our economy works for everyone, not just the wealthy and powerful. And I would like him to also emphasize the importance good bipartisanship to get things done because that’s what the American people sent us here to do,” Hoyle said.

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Her State of the Union guest is Danielle Lisette Hubbard of Roseburg. Lisette Hubbard serves in the Army National Guard and studies nursing at Umpqua Community College.

“It is a tremendous sacrifice to serve in our nation’s military while pursuing an education,” Hoyle said. “I am grateful for Hubbard’s strong commitment to protect and serve our community and our nation. I look forward to seeing Hubbard thrive in her future endeavors and hope it can serve as an inspiration to people in Oregon and throughout the nation.”

President Biden’s State of the Union address will begin at 6 p.m. PT.

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