Biden and other administration officials have been going to Republican-held congressional districts to tout the White House’s Investing in America agenda: the American Rescue Plan, Inflation Reduction Act, the bipartisan infrastructure law and the CHIPS and Science Act. The administration hopes to show that the laws have spurred job growth, domestic manufacturing and economic development — while reminding the public that Republicans largely opposed the measures.
A White House spokesperson declined to provide more details about the Georgia groundbreaking.
“President Biden looks forward to showcasing how Bidenomics is bringing good-paying manufacturing jobs to Georgia,” Andrew Bates said. “Bidenomics centers on growing the middle class, and is delivering the biggest manufacturing surge in decades. Meanwhile, congressional Republicans are attempting to repeal many of the policies that are fueling that manufacturing resurgence so they can cut taxes for the wealthy.”
The solar panel manufacturer Qcells, which is owned by South Korea-based Hanwha Solutions, announced in January that it planned a $2.5 billion expansion of its Georgia manufacturing facility, potentially the largest ever investment in such manufacturing in the U.S., according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It planned to expand its Dalton facility and open another one northwest of Atlanta.
Biden appeared Thursday at Flex, a manufacturing company in West Columbus, S.C.. Last week, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm visited the same site, as well as four other GOP-held districts, during a road trip through the South. A handful of other Cabinet officials have visited Republican districts in recent days.
Biden said companies have announced $11 billion in clean energy manufacturing investments in South Carolina since the Inflation Reduction Act and Chips and Science Act were signed.
“That’s why I fought so hard for the things I wanted to do. Didn’t get much help from the other team but that didn’t stop us from getting it done,” he told the crowd.
Biden listed many of the state Republican delegation’s opposition to the bills “that attracted all these jobs.” He praised Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) for supporting the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Chips and Science Law, “but I wish he had voted for the rest.”
The president also criticized Republicans such as Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, who later heralded funding related to the law that they had voted against.
“Implementing this legislation also has another transformative impact: All those members of Congress who voted against it suddenly realize how great it is. And they’re bragging about it. As my mother would say, ‘God love them,’” Biden said.
Bates said Wilson was made aware of Thursday’s visit, although the lawmaker, in a statement, said he was “shocked” to learn of the trip on Wednesday.