Congresswoman Nikema Williams, Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Georgia, released the following statement:
“Unity and progress have won out over hate and division today in the United States. I am thrilled to congratulate President Joe Biden and my Soror Vice President Kamala Harris on their historic inauguration, which could not come at a more consequential time for our nation. With the inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris, the United States can finally begin the process of healing and restoring the soul of this nation.
“The task ahead of rebuilding this country is great, and I have the utmost confidence in President Biden and Vice President Harris as they embark on building back better and delivering on the promises of America that Georgians elected them to carry out. I join all Georgians in praying for our new President and Vice President, and I wish them success.”
Chip Rogers, president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, on the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
“On behalf of the hotel industry, we congratulate President Biden and Vice President Harris on their inauguration. Today’s peaceful transfer of power marks a new chapter as our country moves forward together. Over the last year, our nation, and the world, has faced incredible difficulties, but we are resilient, and working together we can overcome these historic challenges.
“As an industry, we continue to face historically low occupancy rates, massive job loss, and record hotel closures. Our industry needs help to retain and rehire our associates, revive our local communities, and restart our economy. While the vaccine rollout has begun, it will likely take months to widely distribute, and travel is not expected to return to 2019 levels until 2023. We urge Congress and the new Administration to come together on a longer-term stimulus package that will ensure our industry survives so that the men and women who are the backbone and heart of hospitality can get back to work and unleash the power of the American dream.
Beyond COVID relief and economic recovery, hoteliers look forward to working with President Biden and his Administration on other key priorities, including comprehensive immigration reform, tax reform, and infrastructure investment. AHLA will continue advancing the needs of hotel employees and our small business operators during this critical time for our industry and we stand ready to support the new Congress and Administration.”
FWD.us President Todd Schulte issued the following statement on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Day 1 Executive Actions on Immigration, and the Biden-Harris Administration’s legislation to reform our immigration system:
“We are thankful that President Biden and Vice President Harris are following through on their commitment to send a bill to Congress to fix our broken immigration system, centered on a pathway to citizenship for the nearly 11 million undocumented immigrants with deep roots in our communities and who are vital to the response and recovery from COVID-19. This is an opportunity for the new Administration and for our Congress to restore the U.S.’ moral leadership, do right by the millions of hardworking immigrants who have helped keep all of us safe and cared for during the COVID-19 pandemic, and keep families safe and together. This is just a first step. What needs to happen in short order is the House and Senate must move legislation that is signed into law.
Humanity Forward extends its warmest congratulations to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on their inauguration today.
Inaugurations are often an opportunity to celebrate the success of the democratic principles established by our Constitution. Today, however, the two of you take your oath of office amid a complex multitude of crises.
Millions of lives in the United States remain disrupted by COVID-19. Food lines stretch for miles, unemployment remains high, and families across our country continue to struggle to afford their basic needs. Racial disparities in everything from criminal justice to economic recovery continue to undermine the social fabric of our nation.
President Biden, throughout your campaign and transition, and in your inaugural speech, you have called for unity, for politicians in Washington to work together again, and for us to prize our common decency and American identity over our divisions and partisan priorities. We agree. Your new administration can, and must, prioritize unifying policies that will lift people out of the uncertain and inhumane circumstances of poverty. The best way to do that is putting money directly into Americans’ hands.
There is no other economic recovery measure that can at once be so effective, so unifying, and so bipartisan. Vast majorities of Democrats and Republicans support direct cash relief. In divisive times it seems more than necessary to move forward with an agenda that could both unite our country and restore economic prosperity for all Americans.
Humanity Forward looks forward to working swiftly with the new administration and the new Congress towards substantial, meaningful cash relief efforts that will give struggling Americans the opportunity to get back on their feet and our economy a sustained and fighting chance to recover.
