WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden visited Ohio on Wednesday to highlight the work of his administration to protect millions of workers’ pensions. His approval rating is still low ahead of the midterm election.
Biden’s visit coincided with the launch of the American Rescue Plan program that assists multi-company pension plans in trouble. This will ensure that up to 3 million workers and retirees receive their full benefits.
Biden stated in Cleveland that “With today’s actions, millions will have the dignified retirement which they earned and deserve.”
According to the White House, more than 200 multiemployer plans were in danger of becoming insolvent due to the economic effects of the pandemic. These plans are expected to be solvent until 2051.
Biden stated that he was trying to repair his support from blue-collar voters by explaining that Republicans opposed the American Rescue Plan. He said that more could be at risk if Republicans win the House or Senate in this fall’s elections, including protections for preexisting conditions.
Biden stated that Republicans called the pensions quote “rat holes” when this bill was being passed through Congress.
He said that Trump’s predecessor was able to act but didn’t have the courage or commitment to him to take action. “Remember how he was going help the working-class? They passed tax cuts for the richest Americans, but they didn’t have any trouble doing so.
Consumer anxiety is mounting over the 40-year-high inflation. Biden’s approval rating hovers around 39%, with no clear path to improvement.
As a sign of Biden’s weak standing within his party, neither of Ohio’s Democratic nominees in the U.S. Senate or governor races were present Wednesday.
The White House press secretary Karine Jean Pierre stated that the administration was in close contact with Rep. Tim Ryan (the party’s nominee to the Ohio Senate) and Nan Whaley (the gubernatorial candidate).
Biden was making his sixth trip to Ohio since taking office. Trump won the state by 8 percentage points in 2020.
Biden began his remarks by addressing Jayland Walker’s death, a Black 25-year-old man shot to death by Akron police in June.
Biden stated that the FBI and the Department of Justice were closely following the situation.
