BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik says President Joe Biden showed he was out of touch with Americans who are struggling to pay for home, heat and groceries, following the State of the Union address Thursday.

In a brief interview following the President’s lengthy speech, Stefanik said she did not see a “a strong president,” but rather a “failed president” who is in “decline.”

Biden spoke to the American public for well over an hour. He boasted massive cuts to the Federal deficit, called for increased taxes on billionaires, asked Congress to pass a border security bill, trumpeted plans for a ban on assault weapons and an annual cap on prescription drug expenses.

Stefanik, however, said the president was not serious about passing a meaningful bill to address the problems at the border.

She said the Senate bill he spoke of is tied to a Ukraine funding bill and that the House bill would do much more to secure the nation’s border.

She also claimed that Biden could easily close the border “with the stroke of a pen.”

In recent years the Northern border has become a popular entry point for illegal border crossings. 

St. Lawrence County Sheriff Rick Engle said he’s working with border agencies to bring transparency to just how serious the problem has become.

Stefanik pointed to a recent report which states the Swanton sector, that includes St. Lawrence County, has seen an 846% increase in illegal crossings since October and more illegal crossings in January than the previous 12 January.

Joining Chairwoman Stefanik as her guest to this year’s address was Brandon Budlong, Border Patrol Agent and President of the National Border Patrol Council Local 2724.

“Joe Biden is a deteriorating president and under his failed Far Left leadership the State of the Union is in crisis. His desperate attempt at a reset dismisses the everyday struggles of Americans suffering because of his failed policies. Under just three years of Joe Biden, our nation has experienced one crisis after another from the Biden Border Crisis which has devastated American communities, to weakness on the world stage, and the highest inflation in my lifetime. Because of Joe Biden’s radical agenda, we have faced violent crime in our communities, sky high energy prices, and the weaponization of our Government against us with the Biden DOJ targeting Catholics, gun owners, conservatives, and even parents at school board meetings. 

“It is time to return to the America First policies that gave us a secure border, energy independence, peace through strength, and a roaring economy that created 7 million new jobs and allowed our communities to flourish.”

Although Stefanik appears to still be on Donald Trump’s shortlist of potential vice president running mates, she said she remained focused on her own congressional district right now, though she offered support for his candidacy.