President Biden went to a manufacturing warehouse in Wisconsin on Tuesday to promote one of his major legislative triumphs, showcasing the administration’s emphasis on everyday concerns. This visit comes at a time when the leading GOP presidential candidate faces legal difficulties once more.
During his visit, Biden spoke about the Inflation Reduction Act, a law he signed a year prior that includes several Democratic initiatives to combat climate change and decrease healthcare and prescription drug costs.
Biden told a crowd of officials and workers, “Initially, The Financial Times and The Wall Street Journal dubbed my plan ‘Bidenomics,’ not as praise.
While President Biden was in Wisconsin, the focus shifted to Georgia, where former President Trump and several others faced charges for attempting to overturn the state’s 2020 election outcome. This situation underscored Biden’s persistent efforts to focus on governing and advancing his policy goals, even as his rival from the 2020 election and possible contender in 2024 remains caught in legal chaos.
Trump has been indicted four times this year already. Each time, the White House has refrained from commenting, attempting to preserve a boundary between the West Wing and the Justice Department.
On Tuesday, it was business as usual for Biden.
He toured Ingeteam, a firm that builds onshore wind turbine generators and benefits from the Inflation Reduction Act, which passed with only Democratic support. During his trip, Siemens announced plans in Kenosha County to manufacture solar inverters due to incentives within the law.
At Ingeteam, Biden emphasized the investments in infrastructure and manufacturing, saying, “Rather than sending American jobs overseas, we are creating jobs here and exporting American goods.”
However, the attention surrounding another indictment against Trump may overshadow Biden’s domestic emphasis.
Democrats hail the Inflation Reduction Act as a landmark policy win that fulfills critical campaign pledges to reduce healthcare expenses and address the climate emergency. It includes provisions to negotiate drug prices through Medicare, boost health insurance subsidies, encourage eco-friendly practices, and allocate funds to combat tax evasion by the wealthy.
However, connecting with local voters remains a challenge. A mid-July Washington Post-University of Maryland poll found that 71 percent of Americans were unfamiliar with the law, although they supported specific aspects. Regarding the Inflation Reduction Act, respondents were evenly split, with 39 percent in favor and 39 percent uncertain.
In a candid moment with Utah donors last week, Biden expressed his wish that the law had been named differently, noting that it’s more about providing growth alternatives than directly reducing inflation.
