Joe Biden is sworn into office on Jan. 20 (YouTube)
Jan. 20, 2021 By Michael Dorgan
Queens Democratic lawmakers say that the country has a much brighter future now that Joe Biden has been inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States.
Biden was sworn into office just before noon Wednesday, shortly after Kamala Harris was sworn in as Vice President– the first woman to hold that position. The occasion marked the end of Donald Trump’s presidency.
The Queens lawmakers said that Biden will bring the country together and lead it on a better path.
Congresswoman Grace Meng said that the Biden-Harris administration will be an era of healing, hope, and opportunity for the American people.
“Better days are ahead under President Biden’s leadership, and I look forward to working with him and his administration to improve the lives of my constituents in Queens and Americans everywhere,” Meng said in a statement.
Meng said that Biden will get the economy back on track and implement a plan to combat the unprecedented challenges caused by the coronavirus.
“He’ll waste no time in moving forward with his ambitious agenda to strengthen and humanize our immigration system; expand health care; address climate change; transform our infrastructure; repeal the Muslim ban; and so many other bold initiatives,” she said.
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney attended the inauguration and tweeted afterward that America was now in “good hands.”
I have known POTUS‘s decency and moral character since working with him in the early 90s on the first VAWA (The Violence Against Women Act). We are in good hands, America,” Maloney wrote.
I have known @POTUS‘s decency and moral character since working with him in the early 90s on the first VAWA.
We are in good hands, America. pic.twitter.com/gxNAUIqlXU
— Carolyn B. Maloney (@RepMaloney) January 20, 2021
Assembly Member Tom Suozzi, who represents northeast Queens and parts of Long Island, was also present and posted a video of Biden taking his oath of office.
Suozzi said that President Biden is exactly the person the country needs right now.
“It’s time to get to work – Democrats and Republicans alike – so we can Build Back Better and recapture the Soul of America,” Suozzi tweeted.
Meanwhile, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took to Twitter and declared Jan. 20 a “historic day.”
“Now we must begin creating justice, healing our planet, and improving the material conditions for all people,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote.
“The work is on all of us to organize and build a better future.”
A historic day. Congratulations to our new President @JoeBiden and our new Vice President @KamalaHarris.
Now we must begin creating justice, healing our planet, and improving the material conditions for all people.
The work is on all of us to organize and build a better future.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 20, 2021
Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, who had earlier posted an image of his mother celebrating Trump leaving the White House, tweeted that it is an exciting day for the country.
“We take our first steps to undo the policies of hatred and bigotry of the Trump administration, get on track to defeat COVID-19 and begin to heal,” Van Bramer tweeted.
Van Bramer added that New York is in desperate need of federal aid in order to rebuild public infrastructure, help small business owners and keep New Yorkers employed. He said that tenants also require meaningful protection from evictions.
It’s an exciting day for our country as we take our first steps to undo the policies of hatred & bigotry of the Trump administration, get on track to defeat COVID-19 and begin to heal. https://t.co/5a7FMFzVOA
— Jimmy Van Bramer (@JimmyVanBramer) January 20, 2021
Mom watching & celebrating Trump leave. Hundreds of millions are doing the same today. This doesn’t fix all our problems. But, a weight is lifted. There is hope. It must get better. pic.twitter.com/xNq8ieMKys
— Jimmy Van Bramer (@JimmyVanBramer) January 20, 2021
State Sen. Mike Gianaris was ecstatic after the ceremony and said he has “never been happier for it to be after noon.”
“Things got shaky for a bit, but our democracy proved its resilience and prevails, Gianaris tweeted.
“So ready to turn the page and start a new chapter in American history! The fight continues.”
Things got shaky for a bit, but our democracy proved its resilience and prevails.
So ready to turn the page and start a new chapter in American history!
The fight continues ✊?? pic.twitter.com/saxjrCkzJM
— Sen. Mike Gianaris (@SenGianaris) January 20, 2021
Council Member Costa Constantinides, a staunch climate change advocate, shared a screenshot to Twitter of the new administration’s list of priorities which includes “climate.” The list is posted on the White House’s website and climate comes up second, underneath COVID-19.
“It’s a good day,” Costa wrote.
This is what you see now on the list of the President’s top priorities. https://t.co/QwXXGcW7dE
It’s a good day. pic.twitter.com/SaR5xrqN6F
— Costa Constantinides (@Costa4NY) January 20, 2021
Elsewhere, Council Member Robert Holden praised the peaceful transition of power and called on people of all political leanings to come together for the betterment of the country.
“Electeds of all political stripes must work together, across the nation and here in New York, to bring us through this pandemic to a bright, peaceful future for every America,” Holden tweeted.
Congratulations to @POTUS Joseph R. Biden. Peaceful transition of power is a defining American tradition. Electeds of all political stripes must work together, across the nation and here in NY, to bring us through this pandemic to a bright, peaceful future for every American. pic.twitter.com/YKhnNAeYS2
— Robert Holden (@BobHoldenNYC) January 20, 2021
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