Dēmos Responds to President Biden's State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Taifa Smith Butler, President of Dēmos, a think tank fighting for a just, inclusive and multiracial democracy, released the following statement in response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address:  

“Tonight, President Biden issued a clarion call for unity on legislation that will uplift the lives of working families across the country—those who have been overlooked, shut out of opportunities, and left behind. We applaud President Biden’s mention of important investments in our infrastructure, our care economy, and our healthcare systems. We know much of this was possible due to the historic achievements of the administration’s fight to lower costs for American families with the Inflation Reduction Act. This law’s most impactful policies are a result of a multiracial coalition of grassroots organizers and advocates. But, in this critical moment, we need leadership and policymakers to put forward bold solutions that will invigorate the country in the face of historic adversity.  

We urge President Biden to be a true champion of voting rights and fight back against the coordinated campaign by far-right extremists—including those in Congress—to suppress the votes and silence the voices of Black and brown people across this country. 

“One of the most powerful ways for the people to rein in policymakers is by the ballot. We urge President Biden to be a true champion of voting rights and fight back against the coordinated campaign by far-right extremists—including those in Congress—to suppress the votes and silence the voices of Black and brown people across this country.  

“Addressing exorbitant fees that take money out of the pockets of families, restoring the full Child Tax Credit, expanding access to affordable, quality childcare, implementing universal preschool, giving public school teachers a raise, increasing Pell Grants, and access to free community college are the kinds of solutions that will strengthen and protect millions of families in communities that need them the most. 

“Keeping our communities safe must be a top priority for all of us. We know we can’t train our way out of a white supremacist policing system. More money and more police have only put more Black and brown lives at risk. Investing in mental health first responders, wrap-around supports for returning citizens, and violence interruption programs in communities do work.  

"[W]e must stop bending to the whims of corporate interests and allowing our policy solutions and institutions to be hijacked by far right forces who have no interest in improving the lives of real people."

“We can do hard things. But we must stop bending to the whims of corporate interests and allowing our policy solutions and institutions to be hijacked by far right forces who have no interest in improving the lives of real people. Extremists are already wreaking havoc in Congress and state legislatures, pursuing political revenge fantasies and tax cuts for corporations instead of delivering economic justice for the American people. The wins of the past two years are possible because of the tireless work of grassroots organizations, organizers and activists in Black and brown communities – but we aren’t finished yet. The state of the union will be strong as long as the Biden Administration focuses on an agenda that creates a just economy and strengthens our democracy.” 

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