On Wednesday, President Biden inquired if the family of late Representative Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) was present at a White House conference on hunger. Walorski had been killed in a vehicle accident earlier this month. Vice President Biden thanked the members of Congress who worked to organise the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health during his remarks.
I’d want to express my gratitude to all of you for being here today, especially my fellow lawmakers from both parties, such as Rep.
[Jim] McGovern, Sen. [Mike] Braun, Sen. [Cory] Booker, and Rep. Is Jackie around? Jackie, where are you? Biden stated while referring to Walorski. White House domestic policy adviser Susan Rice hosted a panel at the conference shortly after Biden spoke, and she mentioned Walorski’s passing. In an automobile accident on August 3rd, Walorski and two of his employees perished. Since 2013, she had been a member of Congress. Later on Wednesday, reporters questioned White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre about the incident.
A number of times Jean-Pierre mentioned that Walorski was “top of mind” for Biden, and he claimed that the president was recognising the congressional advocates on this issue and acknowledging her outstanding work. Jean-Pierre reported that Biden would be hosting Walorski’s family at the White House on Friday in order to sign legislation that would rename a Veterans Affairs clinic after the late lawmaker.
Since “there’s a huge event — two big events, today and also Friday,” she continued, “I don’t think it’s all that odd to have someone top of mind.” In her time serving in Congress, Walorski prioritised efforts to end hunger and malnutrition. She worked with McGovern (D-Mass.) as co-chair of the House Hunger Caucus and as a co-sponsor of legislation alongside McGovern, Booker (D-N.J.), and Braun (R-Ind.) to bring about Wednesday’s White House meeting. For decades, no one has attempted to stage such a spectacular event.
After Walorski passed away, Biden released a statement to the press expressing his sorrow for her passing and condolences to her loved ones. The White House likewise lowered flags to half-staff to mark her death. Biden’s verbal mistake provided instant fodder for many conservatives who have suggested the 79-year-old has lost a step and is not mentally prepared for the job. “I think Biden forgot he issued this remark or he didn’t actually issue this statement!?!” Donald Trump Jr. tweeted, echoing the comments from Biden in the wake of Walorski’s death.
The Republican group Tea Party Patriots tweeted, “This man is not psychologically fit to serve as President of the United States.” Biden has countered criticisms that he is unqualified for the vice presidency by emphasising his busy schedule and his ability to handle the pressures of the job. Well, if you don’t think I’ve got the stamina or the brains for it, that’s one thing. In a recent interview with “60 Minutes,” Biden remarked, “It’s another thing, you just watch and, you know, keep my schedule, do what I’m doing.”
