Alabama Sen. Katie Britt, the youngest Republican woman elected to the U.S. Senate, speaks to President Joe Biden about the border, the state of the U.S. economy, and crime and safety issues, as she presents the Republican rebuttal to Biden's State of the Union. and criticized the government. address.
“Right now, the American dream has turned into a nightmare for many families,” the senator said in a speech Thursday evening from his dining table in Alabama. “The true state of our union begins and ends with this. Our families are hurting, but our country can be better.”
Republican leaders have touted Britt, 42, as a leading voice for a new generation of Republicans, seeking to differentiate the Alabama senator from Biden, who at 81 is the oldest president. Republicans often point to the president's age and argue that: Although Trump is only a few years younger at 77, Biden should not serve a second term.
“Right now, our commander-in-chief is not in command. A free world deserves better than a vacillating and diminished leader,” Britt said. “America deserves leaders who recognize that secure borders, stable prices, safe streets, and a strong defense are the foundations of a great nation.”
Britt focused on immigration and border issues in her speech, calling Biden's border policies “senseless” and “disgraceful.” “Tonight, President Biden finally spoke her name, but refused to take responsibility for her own actions,” Britt said of Laken Riley.
Riley was found dead last month after jogging near a lake on the University of Georgia campus. Police said she was killed by a man who crossed the border illegally. The 22-year-old man died from blunt force trauma to his head, said Athens-Clarke County Coroner Sonny Wilson.
On the economy, Britt portrayed Biden as out of touch and isolated from average Americans' concerns about affordability and the cost of living.
“Honestly, it's been less than a minute since Joe Biden pumped gas or carpooled or pushed a grocery cart,” Britt said. “Meanwhile, the rest of us look at our dollars and know we're not going to get there.”
“President Biden doesn't get it, he's out of touch. Under his administration, families are worse off, our communities are less safe, and our country is less safe.” she added.
Britt was first elected in 2022 and also became the first female senator from Alabama. With President Trump's support, she replaced retired Republican Sen. Richard Shelby, who previously served as chief of staff.
Biden delivered his annual presidential address Thursday night before a joint session of Congress. According to the Senate's website, it has been an annual tradition since the Reagan administration for opposition parties to respond to the president's speech.
Britt's state recently made national headlines after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled last month that frozen embryos are children and those who destroy them can be held liable for wrongful death. It is central. This move is seen as infringing on in vitro fertilization and is prompting legal reform. A number of Republicans distanced themselves from the decision.
In his speech, Britt said the Republican Party is “the party of hard-working parents and families, and we want to give you and your children opportunities to grow and we want families to grow. That's why we… strongly supports continued nationwide access to IVF. We want to help these loving moms and dads bring their precious lives into this world.”
CNN reports that in some parts of the state Thursday, the day after the governor signed a new bill aimed at protecting IVF patients and providers from liability imposed by a state Supreme Court ruling, It was reported that providers have resumed some IVF services.
The White House pushed back against the rebuttal speech, criticizing Britt's lack of support in the Senate on key bipartisan border deals, foreign aid packages and IVF access issues.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates said, “Last month, Sen. Bullitt opposed the toughest bipartisan border agreement in modern history, siding with President Biden, the Border Security Coalition, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and instead using fentanyl.'' “I voted in favor of the traffickers.” Britt added: “We simply sided with President Vladimir Putin and the Tehran regime against one of our country's most pressing national security interests.”
Bates particularly criticized Republicans for the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade, saying, “Extreme Supreme Court decision overturns Roe v. Wade, supporting Sen. Britt, set American women back nearly 50 years ago. “Because we brought it back, women across the state of Alabama were just cut off.” I dream of being freed from IVF treatment and growing my family. ”
In contrast, he said the president's comments offered “a vision of a future where core freedoms are restored, the middle class is at the center of our economy, and our country is safer.”
This article and heading have been updated with additional developments.
CNN’s Haley Talbot, Kaitlan Collins, Lauren Mascarenhas and Isabel Rosales contributed to this report.
