How Pa. pols reacted to President Joe Biden’s debut State of the Union speech

(*This developing story will be updated as more comment becomes available)

President Joe Biden offered a wide-ranging State of the Union address on Tuesday night, talking tough on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and calling for congressional authorization of his Build Back Better plan. Here’s how members of Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation reacted to the speech.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey D-Pa.: 

We can—and will—get even more Americans back to work by making child care more affordable and allowing seniors and people with disabilities to receive care in their own homes, allowing them to live independently in their communities. #SOTU2022

— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) March 2, 2022

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa:

“President Biden began his speech tonight with a good message about Ukraine. I hope that his actions match his rhetoric and he will impose the comprehensive sanctions against Russia that I, and my Republican colleagues, have urged.

“The president then went on to rehash a mostly partisan, liberal wish list, including the tax-and-spend agenda that recently failed in Congress. 

“Tonight was an opportunity for the president to turn a new page towards the unity he promised our country when he first took office, but unfortunately, Americans got more of the same.”

U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-2nd District:

"And my report is this: the State of the Union is strong—because you, the American people, are strong."

"We are stronger today than we were a year ago."

"And we will be stronger a year from now than we are today." #SOTU

— Rep. Brendan Boyle (@CongBoyle) March 2, 2022

U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, D-3rd District:

.@POTUS is right – we need more tools in the toolbox to reduce gun violence. I'll keep voting for and sponsoring measures to do exactly that! #SOTU #CBCxSOTU https://t.co/xje8Co4G8m pic.twitter.com/fSERzILO48

— Congressman Dwight Evans (@RepDwightEvans) March 2, 2022

U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-4th District:

The pandemic has taken its toll on everyone, like loved ones struggling with mental health and substance use disorder.

Glad to hear @POTUS dedicate time in his #SOTU to both of these issues that have claimed too many lives already.

— Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (@RepDean) March 2, 2022

U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-5th District:

President Biden’s unity agenda:

✅ Beat the opioid crisis
✅ Take on the mental health crisis
✅ Support our veterans
✅ End cancer as we know it

Priorities we can all get behind. #SOTU

— Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (@RepMGS) March 2, 2022

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-6th District:

As we sit down to watch the #StateOfTheUnion, I hope we hear @potus recognize where folks in our community are.

We have come a long way, but we still have work to do to tackle inflation and support our working families.

Read my full #SOTU thoughts here: https://t.co/waQJZj3Nmn pic.twitter.com/6QWTLreSH7

— Chrissy Houlahan (@RepHoulahan) March 2, 2022

U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-7th District:

Heading home after the State of the Union Address. Stay tuned for my full reaction on @MehdiHasanShow soon! https://t.co/ne0gF9ceaF pic.twitter.com/ha0HLIzflU

— Rep. Susan Wild (@RepSusanWild) March 2, 2022

U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, R-10th District:

The voices Biden will ignore in upcoming #SOTU:

“They are the heartbeat of America…

"HFC will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder and fight for them…

We are calling on Pres Biden to finally make the safety and security of America his priority.” – @RepScottPerry pic.twitter.com/Bw8I6IURUJ

— House Freedom Caucus (@freedomcaucus) March 1, 2022

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-11th District:

Energy independence must be a national security priority. We should produce here, not purchase millions of dollars a day from Russia. https://t.co/MGxeeG0CWf

— Rep. Lloyd Smucker (@RepSmucker) March 2, 2022

U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, R-12th District:

President Biden’s SOTU address was more of the same hypocrisy that has characterized his admin since day one. The president campaigned as a unifier, but his speech was anything but. The reality is, the Biden administration & Washington Dems' weak leadership has put America last.

— Congressman Fred Keller (@RepFredKeller) March 2, 2022

U.S. Rep. John Joyce, R-13th District:

“Unfortunately, as has been far too often the case during his first year in office, President Biden – once again – signaled his commitment to put the interests of the radical, socialist wing of his party ahead of the urgent needs of our families and communities. From rising energy costs to an influx of illegal migrants and drugs crossing our southern border, President Biden failed to offer serious, actionable solutions to address these real and urgent crises.

“We need leadership that will deliver results – not empty campaign promises – and we need a vision that will empower – not burden – American parents, innovators, and job creators to achieve their true potential,” Joyce said in a statement his office issued after the speech.

U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-14th District:

Biden campaigned on a promise to “Build Back Better,” but the truth is we were “Better Before Biden.” #SOTU22

— Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (@GReschenthaler) March 2, 2022

U.S. Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-15th District:

"No amount of grandstanding or revisionist history is going to change the fact that the American people have a starkly different view from the President on the direction of our country."

Read my full statement on tonight's #SOTU addresshttps://t.co/QmuHXWhO6j

— Glenn "GT" Thompson (@CongressmanGT) March 2, 2022

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th District:

“I’m disappointed to hear President Biden fail to provide real solutions to soaring inflation and rising fuel and food prices. Americans shouldn’t have to choose between heating and eating. The President can’t hide from reality: his economic and energy policies have made America poorer and less secure in his first year. I was pleased to hear the President acknowledge that, yes, we do need to fund our police departments and secure our borders. But, his failed immigration policy has allowed nearly 2 million illegal immigrants to cross our Southern border. Actions speak louder than words.

“I support the unified effort between Republicans and Democrats to combat Russian aggression in Ukraine. We must do everything we can to deter Russia’s advances. The eyes of the world — specifically, China, North Korea, and Iran — are watching our response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The President must show strength in the face of evil,” Kelly said in a statement his office issued after the speech.”