Generations United Responds to President Biden’s State of the Union Address
Generations United applauds President Biden’s call for unity and bipartisanship in this year’s State of the Union address. At Generations United, we know that we are stronger together.
His address highlighted a range of topics with intergenerational implications from infrastructure improvements to Social Security and the Child Tax Credit.
Infrastructure
From the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the CHIPS and Science Act, President Biden referred to his investments in American infrastructure, made possible through bipartisan support and cooperation. At Generations United, we know that investments in infrastructure support individuals across generations to connect with one another. This includes the investments in broadband internet because in President Biden’s words, “No parent should have to drive to a McDonald’s parking lot so their kid can do their homework online”. Grandfamily caregivers also benefit from these increased investments in broadband infrastructure.
Generations United affirms that investments in infrastructure must include investments in families and the caregiving infrastructure, such as child care and paid family medical leave. President Biden said, “Let’s give more breathing room to millions of family caregivers looking after their loved ones”, and we could not agree more. Support for paid family leave and affordable child care, including intergenerational shared sites such as co-located child and adult day care, are critical to sustaining our American fabric. Along with providing vital support for family caregivers, child care through intergenerational shared sites benefit both young and old by combating isolation and loneliness, increasing physical activity, and enhancing communication skills, among other benefits. To learn more about intergenerational shared sites, check out Generations United’s Sharing Our Space toolkit.
Social Security & Medicare
President Biden also made a statement to stand up for older adults during his address, which received applause from both sides of the aisle. He said, “So tonight, let’s all agree — and we apparently are — let’s stand up for seniors. Stand up and show them we will not cut Social Security. We will not cut Medicare. Those benefits belong to the American people. They earned it.”, and we at Generations United applaud this commitment to older adults and the American people. We also acknowledge that Social Security is not just a program for older adults, it is inherently intergenerational and provides financial security to nearly all working families and the children in their care. This includes providing survivors’ benefits to children of deceased and disabled workers and for the many children raised by grandparents or other relatives who rely on their Social Security to make ends meet. To learn more about how Social Security is an intergenerational program that provides financial security to all generations, check out Social Security: What’s at Stake for Children, Youth, and Grandfamilies.
Child Tax Credit
In his address, President Biden stated, “Let’s restore the full child tax credit, which gave tens of millions of parents some breathing room and cut child poverty in half, to the lowest level in history”. Generations United also acknowledges that the expanded child tax credit did not just provide financial support for traditional parents, but also grandparents, other relatives, and close family friends who are grandfamily caregivers.
Addressing the Opioid Epidemic
President Biden also mentioned his commitment to addressing the opioid epidemic. This should include ensuring grandfamilies, who have played a significant role in stepping up for children who are impacted by their parent’s substance abuse, are included in the state opioid settlement spending plans, which are currently in the process of being established. To learn more about grandfamilies and the opioid epidemic, refer to Raising the Children of the Opioid Epidemic: Solutions and Supports for Grandfamilies.
COVID-19
During his address, President Biden reflected on the progress that has been made related to the COVID-19 pandemic and mentioned that there is still progress to be made, particularly regarding restoring social connections and reducing loneliness. Intergenerational programs and shared sites can play an important role in restoring social connections for all ages following the isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Check out this fact sheet to learn more about how intergenerational programs benefit everyone.
In addition to providing a resource on how to stay connected while apart during the COVID-19 pandemic, Generations United provided over $120,000 directly to grandfamilies for concrete supports to meet their urgent unmet needs at the height of the pandemic. Learn more about Generations United’s COVID-19 Response Fund.
Every generation has been called on to protect our democracy
President Biden closed by reminding us that America is a story of progress and resilience, that together we can deliver on a families-first unity agenda that makes a difference in the lives of people of all ages, and called on every generation to play a role in protecting our democracy.
At Generations United we know firsthand the vital role children, youth, and older adults play in strengthening our communities and commend President Biden for recognizing this core value during his 2023 State of the Union address.
