Joe Biden Speaks on COVID-19, Economic Relief Package & Presidential Transition in Christmas Week Message

Joe Biden has delivered new remarks about the COVID-19 vaccine, stimulus package and more in his Christmas week speech, which streamed Tuesday (December 22).

The President-Elect opened up about the holiday season and how it will look different for many families this year, as well as his thoughts about the pandemic, naming an Attorney General for his term and even pointed out how the Trump Administration dropped the ball when it came to cyber security during the last four years.

“One thing I promise you about my leadership during this crisis: I’m going to tell it to you straight. I’m going to tell you the truth. And here’s the simple truth: Our darkest days in the battle against Covid are ahead of us, not behind us,” Mr. Biden said. “So we need to prepare ourselves, to steel our spines.”

He continued, “As frustrating as it is to hear, it’s going to take patience, persistence and determination to beat this virus. There will be no time to waste in taking the steps we need to turn this crisis around.”

“Like we did over Thanksgiving, we all have to care enough for each other that we have to stay apart just a little bit longer. I know it’s hard,” he says. “Our hearts go out to all of you who have fallen on hard times — through no fault of your own, I might add — unable to sleep at night, way down with the worry of what tomorrow will bring to you and for your family.”

Mr. Biden went on, and noted that there would be an additional economic relief package during the first year of his term.

“Number one, making sure we have all the money we need to get the vaccine to 300 million Americans at a minimum over the next year, the next calendar year,” he said. “Number two, making sure that all those people who are unemployed through no fault of their own because of the Covid crisis, and small businesses and big businesses, etcetera, are shutting down, that they continue to be able to live day to day. They don’t engage in food shortage, they’re not in a position where they get thrown out of their homes. I would also be asking for a moratorium on being evicted from your homes from failure to pay rent, moratoriums on, relating to the issue of whether or not your mortgage are being paid.”

Mr. Biden concluded, “Thirdly, I think it’s critically important we provide all of the (personal protective equipment) as well as the direct payments to small businesses and others to be able to stay open, to be able to keep their people employed.”

Watch his full speech below: