Mar 3, 2022 - Politics

Ohio front and center in Biden's State of the Union

President Biden speaks with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur after the 2022 State of the Union address.

President Biden greets Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) after giving his State of the Union address Tuesday. Photo: Julia Nikhinson-Pool/Getty Images

Ohio was front and center during President Biden's State of the Union Address, to the point that a familiar meme came to mind.

A few Buckeye-themed highlights from Tuesday's speech:

"Field of Dreams" — Advocating for passage of the Innovation and Competition Act, Biden referenced the mega Intel chip plant planned for rural Licking County east of New Albany.

  • The president called the project site a "field of dreams" and hinted at further Intel investment there should the bill pass.

No more "Rust Belt" — In a later section about manufacturing development, Biden quoted Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio).

  • "As (Brown) says, it's time to bury the label 'Rust Belt.' It's time to see what used to be called the Rust Belt become the home of significant resurgence of manufacturing."

Aiding exposed veterans — The president also noted the medical toll of veterans exposed to toxic burn pits while serving overseas and honored Pickerington native Heath Robinson, who died of cancer in 2020.

  • Robinson's widow, Danielle, attended the speech and received a standing ovation.

Editor's note: The story and photo caption were corrected to show the State of the Union address was held on Tuesday, not Wednesday.

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