Biden goes after Rick Scott and ‘Ultra-MAGA’ Republicans as inflation persists
In a speech intended to assure the American people that his administration is doing all it can to curb inflation, President Joe Biden on Tuesday escalated his efforts to point the finger at “ultra-MAGA” Republicans and tie them to a social and economic plan that was released by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and would raise taxes on millions of families and potentially end Social Security and Medicare.
“Americans have a choice right now between two paths, reflecting two very different sets of values,” Biden said during a White House speech outlining his administration’s plan on inflation, citing proposed tax hikes on wealthy Americans and raising wages for the working class.
“The other path is the ultra-MAGA plan put forward by congressional Republicans to raise taxes on working families, lower the income of American workers, threaten sacred programs Americans count on like Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid and give break after break to big corporations and millionaires, just like they did the last time they were in power,” Biden said.
Biden’s attempts to link former President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement to Scott’s “Rescue America” plan comes as his administration works to assure the country that it has a firm grasp on the economy — and to portray GOP lawmakers loyal to Trump as obstructionists.
The White House has repeatedly contrasted its own policies with Scott’s ideas since the chairman of the Senate GOP’s campaign arm released his 11-point plan in February. Recently, Biden began working the contrast into his speeches.
Scott’s platform — a road map that, among other things, would require all Americans to pay at least a small amount in taxes and potentially sunset all federal programs — was publicly and privately panned by other Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. But Tuesday’s speech was only the latest example of the president name-dropping Scott and casting his ideas as widely embraced by congressional Republicans.
Scott, a Republican senator from Florida who along with Florida Gov.
Ron DeSantis is widely seen as a potential 2024 Republican presidential contender, responded quickly.
Ahead of Biden’s speech Scott released a statement calling for Biden to resign and describing him as “incoherent, incapacitated and confused.”
“Everyone knows it. No one is willing to say it. But we have to, for the sake of the country. Joe Biden can’t do the job,” Scott said.
After the speech, during which Biden referred to Scott as a senator from Wisconsin, Scott released a second statement inviting Biden to debate inflation, supply-chain problems and other economic issues “hurting hard-working families.” He added, “I’ll even let President Biden use some notes.”
Asked to react to Scott’s call for his resignation, Biden replied: “I think the man has a problem.”