House Speaker Wilson expresses disappointment in Biden’s State of the Union Address
Feb 8, 2023, 11:30 AM
House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, gives his speech during the opening day of the Utah Legislature's 2023 session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. On Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, Wilson announced he will seek the Senate seat of retiring Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah. (Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)
(Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Responses to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address continue to roll in. Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Salt Lake City, joined other lawmakers in expressing disappointment in Biden’s remarks.
Wilson told Utah’s Morning News that he was surprised by Biden’s divisive language.
“The president comes out and talks about wanting to be unifying and work together. And within just a minute or two, starts attacking the other party.”
Wilson said that attacking the other party has become a “time-honored tradition” in State of the Union addresses.
Divisive language doesn’t bode well for bipartisan lawmaking in Washington, Wilson said. But, he said, lawmaking in Utah works differently.
Unlike last night’s speech, heckling from the audience hasn’t ever happened during Utah’s State of the State. Wilson said this is a good sign of our ability to work together and support our leaders.
“It’s interesting, in Washington about 20% of the legislation that they discuss and pass has bipartisan support. In Utah, it’s 90%.”
