Sen. Lindsey Graham says President Joe Biden has had little relationship with members of Congress since he first took office on Jan. 20.
The South Carolina Republican told the Washington Examiner he hasn’t spoken much with anyone from the administration on policy initiatives, but he believes the president has “not at all” followed through on his vows to unify the country by working with Republicans.
BIDEN WILL DELIVER TRADITIONAL JOINT ADDRESS TO A FRACTION OF ATTENDEES
When asked what has surprised him most about Biden’s first 100 days, Graham told the Washington Examiner, “[it’s] how disengaged they’ve been with Congress at large, at least Republicans, and how far to the left they’ve gone in such a short period of time.”
Sen. Ted Cruz echoed that sentiment, saying he believes the administration has pushed “extreme” partisan proposals.
The Texas Republican said he hopes the president can return to a message of unity in his speech.
“On Inauguration Day, he spoke of unity,” Cruz told the Washington Examiner. “He spoke of common ground. I hope tonight he returns to that message.”
Graham said he is most interested in hearing what the president’s speech will say about immigration, an issue that has been particularly polarizing among members of Congress. While Republicans have termed the more than 170,000 migrants who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border last month a “crisis,” Democrats have downplayed the issue, with many Biden administration officials calling the surge a “challenge.”
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The president’s speech is expected to sell his social spending package and offer an optimistic vision that “America is on the move again.”
Biden will deliver his inaugural joint address Wednesday evening with COVID-19 safety precautions in place. Approximately 200 people will be present on the House floor for the speech, which would normally be packed with thousands of attendees, including members of all three branches of government.
