Members of Maine’s congressional delegation are reacting to President Joe Biden’s first State of the Union address

Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) praised Biden’s “unstinting support” for Ukraine as it fights Russia’s aggression.

Pingree invited a Maine resident from Ukraine to be her virtual guest to the speech. Each year, members of Congress are allowed to bring a guest to the State of the Union and many use the opportunity to highlight a person connected to a cause they support. 

 “I am so honored that Yanina Nickless joined me virtually tonight for President Biden’s State of the Union address. Although guests weren’t permitted in the Capitol tonight, she is part of this national moment of American and global unity. President Biden seized this significant moment on the world stage to rally the world to stand up for Ukraine and democracy and for people like Yanina and her family in Ukraine,” Pingree said in a statement. 

Sen. Angus King also endorsed the sanctions against Russia. King, an Independent who causes with Democrats, praised the president for his response to the conflict saying that “he reaffirmed the United States’ steadfast support for Ukraine” and emphasized the need to stand with allies against the “aggression” of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Tonight, President Biden clearly and strongly reminded the American people that while we may disagree on some issues, our common identity as Americans is more important that anything that may divide us…On the domestic front, he remained focused on further strengthening our economy, addressing rising costs, and accelerating our national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The President recognized that these are serious challenges, but that we can face them down – if we work together,” King added in his statement.

Sen. Susan Collins, the delegation’s only Republican, issued a written statement that was mostly neutral but she said she was encouraged by Biden’s vow to seek a bipartisan “Unity Agenda” in the months to come. 

“I agreed with the President that we should do more to ensure our veterans have the support and resources they have earned through their service to our country,” Collins wrote. “I look forward to working very closely with the Administration.” 

Collins said she also wants to work with Democrats on legislation to address to other issues Biden highlighted -- the opioid crisis and the high cost of insulin. Collins added that she and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) are working on a bill that would help reduce insulin’s list price and put a cap on out-of-pocket expenses.  

Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) issued a press release prior to Biden’s speech, saying he was eager to hear about a plan for the country to move on from the pandemic and live with an endemic COVID virus.

He also expressed concerns about Americans’ declining faith in the political system and democratic institutions and the need for an effort that will restore their trust. The congressman added that he wanted to hear more on how the Biden administration planned to tackle crime and drug trafficking.

Spectrum News reached out to Golden for a response to the speech and has yet to hear back from his office.