Kaine Statement Following President Biden’s State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine issued the following statement after President Biden delivered his first State of the Union address: 

“Americans are comeback people, and few people know that better than Joe Biden. Tonight, he laid out a unifying framework for our comeback from an immensely challenging two years, and set a clear vision for how we can rebuild our economy, defend democracy, and address the urgent health needs of our communities. America has shown remarkable resilience in the face of heartbreaking circumstances, and I’m committed to doing all I can to rebuild toward a brighter, more prosperous future.”

Throughout his speech, President Biden outlined a number of wins and priority policy areas in which Kaine has played an instrumental role, including tackling the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last Spring, Kaine—who serves on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee—ensured the American Rescue Plan included over $100 million, including $5.6 million for Virginia, to address burnout and promote mental health among health care workers. This funding was modeled off of Kaine’s legislation honoring Dr. Lorna Breen of Charlottesville, which will funnel more resources toward mental health support and suicide prevention for health professionals. The bill has been passed by both chambers of Congress and is headed to President Biden’s desk for signature.

Kaine has also used his position on the HELP Committee to advocate for job training programs to help Virginians and Americans across the country prepare for the jobs of the future and boost our economy. His JOBS Act, which was included in the U.S. competitiveness bill that was passed by the U.S. House last month, would help more people access Pell Grants for job training programs to get good-paying jobs, while also helping to address worker shortages and improve America’s global competiveness.

###