WASHINGTON, D.C. – New 17th District Congressmen Eric Sorensen says he likes and supports most of what he heard from President Biden in Tuesday night’s State of the Union address.
But, even the Moline Democrat admits there’s one thing he wishes the President would have spoken more about.
“We’ve got people that are ready to do jobs that don’t exist,” said Sorensen, in a Zoom call with reporters Wednesday. “We’ve got to fight for the people that are right here at home, and that’s my job. My job here in Congress is to make sure that we’re fighting for the sustainability of the jobs of people right here (in the district).”
Sorensen says he has met recently with the leaders of community colleges in his district to make sure they have what they need to help train local residents in the skills they need.
Sorensen says he agrees with President Joe Biden’s message in the State of the Union about a lot being done, but a lot more to do.
But, the freshman Democrat says a lot of the progress Biden touts, just hasn’t made it to Illinois all that well.
“Let’s be honest. The residents of Central and Northwestern Illinois are still feeling the impact of higher costs: the high cost of gas, the high cost of groceries, medications, bills, utility bills, and more. We need to bring these down,” said Sorensen. He says he wants to see costs across the board be lowered, so that people can save more money.
Where Sorensen takes a lot of issue is with the Republican Response from Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who said LGBTQ people and “woke culture” are trying to erode freedom of speech.
“I think standing up for marginalized groups is a noble cause,” said Sorensen. “We have to make sure that we push back against the discrimination against LGBTQ individuals. I take that seriously. I take that to heart.”
Sorensen is the first openly-LGBTQ person from Illinois elected to Congress. The Moline Democrat says his existence is not something that is woke.
