Democratic response to Trump's State of the Union slams economy, health care: 'Workers are hurting'
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer argued in her rebuttal that basic necessities, such as affordable health care, are still out of reach for ordinary Americans
The Trump administration has failed to address the basic financial challenges faced by working-class Americans, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Tuesday in the Democratic response to President Trump’s State of the Union address.
In his speech, Trump said his administration has “moved rapidly to revive the U.S. economy” since 2016 by slashing regulations and enacting sweeping corporate tax reform. While the U.S. stock market has soared to record heights since Trump assumed office, Whitmer argued in her rebuttal that basic necessities, such as affordable health care, are still out of reach for ordinary Americans.
“It doesn’t matter what the president says about the stock market,” Whitmer said. “What matters is that millions of people struggle to get by or don’t have enough money at the end of the month after paying for transportation, student loans or prescription drugs.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Whitmer noted that “American workers are hurting” in her home state of Michigan. The governor also mentioned Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania by name – all battleground states that Trump carried during the 2016 election.
“Wages have stagnated, while CEO pay has skyrocketed,” Whitmer said.
Trump touted the impact his policies have had on the U.S. workforce, noting that 3.5 million Americans have rejoined the workforce under his administration. The national unemployment dropped to a 50-year low last October.
In his speech, Trump said the economy was experiencing a "blue-collar boom," with U.S. median household income at an all-time high.
Whitmer, 48, was elected in November of 2018 and assumed the governorship of Michigan in January 2019. Prior to her gubernatorial run, she served stints in the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan State Senate.
"When the president says the economy is strong, my question is: strong for whom?'" Whitmer said.
In her response to Trump’s State of the Union address, Whitmer discussed her own experience raising a newborn daughter while her mother battled brain cancer.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, at the state Capitol in Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
“It was hard. It exposed the harsh realities of our workplaces, our health care system and our child care system. And it changed me,” Whitmer said.
During her stint as a state senator, Whitmer said she worked with Michigan’s Republican governor to expand health care coverage for more than 680,000 state residents.
Prominent Democratic presidential candidates Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren each support versions of plans that would provide health care to all Americans. Medicare-for-all plans have drawn criticism over the potential cost to taxpayers and the elimination of private health insurance. One estimate, disputed by the Sanders campaign, projected a cost of $32 trillion over a decade.
Whitmer noted that all Democratic presidential candidates support plans that would expand health care coverage.
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“It’s pretty simple. Democrats are trying to make your health care better. Republicans in Washington are trying to take it away,” Whitmer said.
The Trump administration has sought to lower prescription drug prices and out-of-pocket expenses since 2016. Trump has personally criticized companies who have raised drug prices and supports a plan that would allow Florida and other states to import prescription drugs from other countries.
“We will never let socialism destroy American health care,” Trump said.