Biden Tells Governors “No Federal Solution” to Pandemic, Pledges Support for States
Summary from the AllSides News Team
In a Monday call with the National Governors Association, President Joe Biden stirred headlines by saying, “Look, there is no federal solution” to COVID-19, adding, “This gets solved at a state level. I’m looking at Governor Sununu on the board here. He talks about that a lot.”
Biden’s comments came in response to remarks by Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, who thanked Biden for his “comments designed to de-politicize our COVID response.” Biden pledged support to state-level efforts, telling governors, “If you need something, say something — and we — we’re going to have your back in any way we can.”
Coverage was sharply split between the right and the left. Coverage from the right focused on criticism of Biden’s “no federal solution” comment, featuring headlines like “Critics slam 'hypocrite' Biden” and “Liberal media largely give Biden a pass” (Fox News). These criticisms tended to compare the recent comments to Biden’s Oct. 2020 claim that he would “shut down the virus.” Coverage from the left was split between the “no federal solution” comment and Biden’s other remarks, with headlines like “Biden looks to reassure governors amid Omicron surge” (Politico, Lean Left bias).
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Biden tells governors next steps to fight pandemic are at the state level
President Biden told a group of governors Monday that the next step in combating the coronavirus pandemic has to be at the state level.
“Look, there is no federal solution,” he said after joining the White House covid-19 response team’s regular call with the National Governors Association on Monday. “This gets solved at the state level.”
In response to a question from Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R-Ark.) about production and distribution by the federal government of rapid coronavirus tests, Biden said: “We just have to stay focused and continue to work...
From the Center
Biden says Covid surge needs to be solved at state level, vows full federal support
President Joe Biden on Monday pledged to support governors struggling with the omicron variant of Covid-19, but acknowledged the states will need to take the lead in controlling the pandemic.
Speaking just before a meeting with some of the nation’s governors, Biden said: “There is no federal solution. This gets solved at a state level.”
Those comments represent one of the most explicit acknowledgements to date from the Biden administration that it will need help from state and local governments in its efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The president may be...
From the Right
Critics slam 'hypocrite' Biden for claiming 'no federal solution' to pandemic after vow to 'shut down' COVID
Critics on both ends of the political spectrum went full blast on President Biden's claim Monday that states are responsible for solving the coronavirus crisis, pointing out Biden's long history of claiming he would bring the country out of the pandemic.
They also noted Biden's federal government has moved to impose vaccine mandates and requirements to wear mask while traveling on planes and trains – much to the chagrin of many Republican governors.
Christina Pushaw, press secretary for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, posted a montage of Biden's statements saying that...
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