‘Most One-Year-Olds Can Barely Walk, But This One-Year-Old Is Up and Running’
White House celebrates anniversary of major Democratic accomplishment
The White House marked a year-ago Wednesday that President Biden and Washington Democrats got their sweeping Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed into law.
The sprawling legislation marked a major accomplishment for Democrats, as it enacted at least some of the Biden “Build Back Better” post-pandemic agenda which had died in the US Senate.
In the end, the IRA was the result of back channel negotiations between Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sen Joe Manchin, of West Virginia, the most conservative of Senate Democrats.
It aims to curb inflation by possibly reducing the federal government budget deficit, lowering prescription drug prices, and investing into domestic energy production while promoting clean energy.
The legislation also represents the largest US investment to combat global climate change in history.
“As you all know, today is the first anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act. You know, most one-year-olds can barely walk, but this one-year-old is up and running. I couldn't help myself, sorry. Up and running,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre quipped. “So that's very exciting. We're very excited about the Inflation Reduction Act and everything that it's doing.”
Biden, himself, said that the law “is supercharging” the US economy.
“First, it’s taking the most aggressive action ever on climate energy ever. I’ve long said, that’s why I think all the unions have come along, I have long said, ‘When I think climate — not a joke — I think jobs,’” he added.
On the other end of Pennsylvania Ave, Democrats on Capitol Hill also marked the anniversary.
Rep Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif), who was House speaker last year when the IRA became law, joked good-naturedly with Schumer and the secret deal-making which brought it about.
“So here we are, gathered here today, one year later. It seems like yesterday, doesn't it, Chuck?” Pelosi said.
“Seems like yesterday when you came in with your plot. It's a secret. It's a secret plot,” she added.
“We are not only celebrating the IRA, but we are backing Ukraine,” Schumer said, referring to congressional support for the Biden administration’s ongoing aid to help defend Ukraine from the ongoing Russian invasion.
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