President Biden addressed the Congressional Black Caucus on Saturday night in Washington, D.C. During his speech, he attributed the failure of Congress to reach a deal on avoiding a government shutdown and political violence to a group of “extreme Republicans.” Vice President Harris also spoke at the event, highlighting the CBC’s involvement in the fight for reproductive freedom and civil rights. She criticized Florida officials for their controversial stance on teaching African American history.
After Harris introduced him, Biden expressed gratitude for her partnership and praised her for “always fighting for freedom.” He also acknowledged White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who received an award during the event. Biden criticized certain members of Congress for sowing division and potentially causing a government shutdown. He emphasized that not reaching a deal could have detrimental effects on various aspects of society, from food safety to cancer research. He called on Republicans to fulfill their basic responsibility of funding the government.
Addressing the 2024 election, Biden reiterated his concerns about the integrity of U.S. democracy and the battle for the soul of the country. He expressed gratitude for the support that led to his victory in the 2020 presidential election, emphasizing the significant margin of victory and the record-breaking number of votes cast.
In conclusion, President Biden’s speech at the Congressional Black Caucus highlighted the challenges facing the country, including the potential government shutdown, political division, and the need to protect democracy. He also praised Vice President Harris and Karine Jean-Pierre for their contributions and called for unity and action from Republicans in Congress.