Hudson Valley, New York, will see a visit from President Biden on Wednesday, with an expected speech on the economic negotiations currently gripping Washington. He’s slated to speak at SUNY Westchester Community College in Valhalla after 1 PM Wednesday.
The visit marks the President’s third-ever trip to the area. Biden last came in November, to Yonkers, to campaign on behalf of Kathy Hochul.
The debt limit crisis will be Biden’s talking point this time around. He will be discussing his desire to avoid default “immediately and without conditions,” according to a White House advisory. Referring to a GOP-approved debt limit course of action the advisory said the president will talk about how it “will cut veterans’ health care visits, teachers and school support staffs, and Meals on Wheels for seniors.” The Republican-led House bill that passed on April 26 included many cuts across the board for a variety of spending programs; Biden has said he wouldn’t negotiate the debt ceiling, asserting that Congress should raise it as it has been under previous presidents.
A White House official said Biden “will lay out the stakes for hardworking families across New York and the United States: default would threaten 8 million jobs, a recession and retirement plans for millions of Americans.”
“The president will also make clear that he believes in fiscal responsibility,” the official added. “His budget would cut the deficit by nearly $3 trillion over 10 years. And instead of cutting programs hardworking Americans rely on, he believes we must cut wasteful spending on big oil by $30 billion and big pharma by $200 billion, and make sure the wealthy and large corporations pay their fair share.”
Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., who represents the congressional district that includes Valhalla, said he has accepted a White House invitation to appear alongside Biden on Wednesday. Another Republican who represents Sullivan and Ulster counties, Marc Molinaro, was not so welcoming. He said in a statement the President should negotiate with House Republicans but was instead making a “political speech” in his district. Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy met on Tuesday to discuss the debt limit, and it apparently did not go well.
After speaking, President Biden “will participate in campaign receptions” in New York City, according to the White House.
