Research | The Leader Board | THE NEWSROOM | Republican LeaderSkip to primary navigation Skip to content×Close THE NEWSROOMRemarks Press Releases The Leader Board Op-Eds Videos SENATE RESOURCESRepublican Senators Committees Congressional Record Congress.gov Senate Floor Webcast ABOUT LEADER McCONNELL×Close THE NEWSROOMRemarks Press Releases The Leader Board Op-Eds Videos SENATE RESOURCESRepublican Senators Committees Congressional Record Congress.gov Senate Floor Webcast ABOUT LEADER McCONNELLxxsearchxMENUFacebookTwitterInstagramFacebookTwitterInstagramVisit Senator McConnell's site here THE NEWSROOMRemarks Press Releases The Leader Board Op-Eds Videos SENATE RESOURCESRepublican Senators Committees Congressional Record Congress.gov Senate Floor Webcast ABOUT LEADER McCONNELLxxsearchxMENUHomeTHE NEWSROOMThe Leader Board03.08.24What They’re Saying About Senator Britt’s ‘Stinging Election-Year Critique Of The President’Described As ‘A Rising Star Within The GOP’ Who ‘Centered Her Remarks On The Issues She Says Are Plaguing Everyday Americans,’ Senator Britt ‘Slammed’ President Biden’s Record of Failure‘In A Biting Republican Response To Biden’s Address, First-Term Sen. Katie Britt’ ‘Delivered A Stinging Election-Year Critique Of The President’ And ‘Pulled No Punches’ ‘While Promising A Different Path Under The GOP’“Republican Alabama Sen. Katie Britt pulled no punches as she delivered her party’s rebuttal to President Biden’s State of the Union address Thursday night, ripping him for his ‘despicable’ job handling the border crisis, as well as his promotion of ‘Bidenomics’ amid the rising consumer costs plaguing American families.” (“‘BLESS YOUR HEART’: Rising Republican Star Katie Britt Shreds Biden On Border, Rising Costs In SOTU Rebuttal,” Fox News, 3/07/2024)“Alabama Sen. Katie Britt gave the Republican response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union on Thursday night, responding to his attacks on her party and boasts about his record by painting a much darker picture of the country under his leadership -- while promising a different path under the GOP.” (“‘Nightmare’: Sen. Katie Britt Paints Bleak Picture Of America In Republican Response To Biden,” ABC News, 3/08/2024)“The first-term Alabama Republican, the youngest woman in the Senate, delivered a stinging election-year critique of the president. She argued that ‘the country we know and love seems to be slipping away’ and appealed directly to her fellow mothers, who she said are probably ‘disgusted’ with Washington.” (“Katie Britt Calls Biden A ‘Diminished Leader’ In GOP Response To The State Of The Union,” The Associated Press, 3/08/2024)“In a biting Republican response to Biden’s address, first-term Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., slammed the president’s handling of the economy, the southern border, crime and foreign policy, calling him a ‘dithering and diminished leader.’” (“GOP’s Katie Britt On State Of The Union: Biden A ‘Dithering And Diminished Leader,’” USA Today, 3/07/2024)‘The Youngest Republican Woman To Ever Be Elected To’ The Senate, ‘Britt Highlighted The Generational Gap’“[S]he is the youngest Republican woman to ever be elected to the upper chamber and is considered a rising star … Britt also provides a stark contrast with Biden, the oldest sitting president in American history.” (“GOP’s Katie Britt On State Of The Union: Biden A ‘Dithering And Diminished Leader,’” USA Today, 3/07/2024)“In remarks from her kitchen table, Britt highlighted the generational gap. She criticized the president’s policy decisions, particularly related to the border, as well as his competency.” (“Sen. Katie Britt Criticizes Biden On Border In Republicans’ State Of The Union Response,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/08/2024)“While many of Britt’s attacks were policy focused, she didn’t shy away from direct jabs at Biden either -- painting him as an old and out-of-touch member of the political establishment.” (“‘Nightmare’: Sen. Katie Britt Paints Bleak Picture Of America In Republican Response To Biden,” ABC News, 3/08/2024)“‘My husband[, Wesley, and I] just watched President Biden’s State of the Union address from our living room and what we saw was the performance of permanent politician who has actually been in office for longer than I’ve been alive,’ Britt said. ‘One thing was quite clear though -- President Biden just doesn’t get it. He’s out of touch.’” (“‘Nightmare’: Sen. Katie Britt Paints Bleak Picture Of America In Republican Response To Biden,” ABC News, 3/08/2024)‘She Delivered,’ It ‘Was Soft, It Was Strong,’ ‘She Countered Biden’s Anger With Compassion’FOX NEWS’ MARTHA MacCALLUM: “Giving the rebuttal—which is always a difficult job—for all of the loud, sort of shouting, yelling that we got from Joe Biden—who’s on the other side of the political age group—this was soft, it was strong, she started by saying Joe Biden’s been in office longer than she’s been alive, and then she said he doesn’t get it. And she went one item after another talking about … all of these issues she talks about, worries about, with her family around the table.” (Fox News, 3/07/2024)FOX NEWS’ BRET BAIER: “She delivered, in a speech that’s tough to give and I think that Republicans are going to say this hit all the notes.” (Fox News, 3/07/2024)FOX NEWS ANCHOR & FORMER WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY KAYLEIGH McENANY: “[Sen Katie Britt] just delivered a fantastic State of the Union response. She countered Biden’s anger with compassion. Her message was a winning one for bringing suburban women and independents into the GOP tent. Well done!” (Kayleigh McEnany, @kayleighmcenany, Twitter, 3/07/2024)‘From Her Kitchen Table In Montgomery, Alabama, Britt, A … Mother Of Two, Centered Her Remarks On The Issues She Says Are Plaguing Everyday Americans’“From her kitchen table in Montgomery, Alabama, Britt, a 42-year-old mother of two, centered her remarks on the issues she says are plaguing everyday Americans. ‘Tonight, the American family needs to have a tough conversation because the truth is we are all worried about the future of our nation. The country we know and love seems to be slipping away, and it feels like the next generation will have fewer opportunities and less freedoms than we did,’ she said during approximately 17-minute remarks. ‘I worry my own children may not even get a shot at living their American dream.’” (“‘Nightmare’: Sen. Katie Britt Paints Bleak Picture Of America In Republican Response To Biden,” ABC News, 3/08/2024)“Britt delivered the speech from her home kitchen in Alabama, saying Americans have tough conversations around their kitchen tables. Britt used the speech from her home as a way to paint Biden as an out of touch career politician.” (“Katie Britt Slams Biden On Border In SOTU Response,” Axios, 3/07/2024)“She has two children still in middle and high school. Her identity as a mom took center stage in her speech delivered from her kitchen table at home in Alabama, where she said she’s worried for her kids.” (“GOP’s Katie Britt On State Of The Union: Biden A ‘Dithering And Diminished Leader,’” USA Today, 3/07/2024)‘Britt Then Sought To Pick Apart Biden’s Policies, Starting With The Ongoing Crisis At The Southern Border,’ ‘Calling His Policies A “Disgrace”‘“Britt then sought to pick apart Biden’s policies, starting with the ongoing crisis at the southern border that’s seen a historic number of migrants cross into the U.S.” (“‘BLESS YOUR HEART’: Rising Republican Star Katie Britt Shreds Biden On Border, Rising Costs In SOTU Rebuttal,” Fox News, 3/07/2024)“‘This crisis is despicable. And the truth is, it is almost entirely preventable,’ she said in reference to Biden’s handling of the border.” (“Katie Britt Slams Biden On Border In SOTU Response,” Axios, 3/07/2024)“Britt, who has made immigration a top issue, also slammed the president on the border, calling his policies a ‘disgrace’ that have led to higher numbers of border crossings during his presidency. She noted that Biden mentioned slain Georgia nursing student Laken Riley during his speech, but said he ‘refused to take responsibility for his own actions.’ Police say Riley was killed by an immigrant in the country illegally. ‘Mr. President, enough is enough. Innocent Americans are dying and you only have yourself to blame. Fulfill your oath of office,’ Britt said. ‘Reverse your policies and this crisis and stop the suffering.’” (“Katie Britt Calls Biden A ‘Diminished Leader’ In GOP Response To The State Of The Union,” The Associated Press, 3/08/2024)‘She Blamed High Inflation On Biden’s “Reckless Spending,”’ Explaining That President Biden Is ‘Out Of Touch’ And ‘Families Are Worse Off’“She blamed high inflation on Biden’s ‘reckless spending’ that ‘sent the cost of living through the roof’ and lampooned Democrats’ moniker of ‘Bidenomics’ to tout economic gains made under the administration. ‘Goodness y’all, bless his heart,’ she said. ‘We know better.’” (“GOP’s Katie Britt On State Of The Union: Biden A ‘Dithering And Diminished Leader,’” USA Today, 3/07/2024)“On the economy, Britt portrayed Biden as out of touch and insulated from the concerns of the average American over affordability and the cost of living.” (“Alabama Sen. Katie Britt Says ‘The American Dream Has Turned Into A Nightmare’ In GOP Rebuttal To Biden’s State Of The Union,” CNN, 3/08/2024)“‘President Biden just doesn’t get it. He’s out of touch. Under his administration, families are worse off,’ she said. ‘I just wish he understood what real families are facing around kitchen tables just like this one.’” (“GOP’s Katie Britt On State Of The Union: Biden A ‘Dithering And Diminished Leader,’” USA Today, 3/07/2024)Sen. Britt ‘Criticized Biden’s Foreign Policy, Including His Chaotic 2021 Withdrawal From Afghanistan’: ‘We’ve Become A Nation In Retreat’“She criticized Biden’s foreign policy, including his chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan and talk of a renewed nuclear deal with Iran.” (“Katie Britt Calls Biden A ‘Diminished Leader’ In GOP Response To The State Of The Union,” The Associated Press, 3/08/2024)“‘Where I’m from, your word is your bond. But for three years, this President has demonstrated that America’s word doesn’t mean what it used to. From abandoning allies in his disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan … to desperately pushing another dangerous deal with Iran, President Biden has failed. We’ve become a nation in retreat. And the enemies of freedom see an opportunity,’ she said.” (“‘BLESS YOUR HEART’: Rising Republican Star Katie Britt Shreds Biden On Border, Rising Costs In SOTU Rebuttal,” Fox News, 3/07/2024)‘Britt Closed By Arguing The Nation Was At “A Crossroads,” ‘Shifting Focus To The Alternative Vision Republicans Are Prepared To Present And Calling On Americans To Get Involved’“Toward the end of her remarks, Britt changed her tone -- shifting focus to the alternative vision Republicans are prepared to present and calling on Americans to get involved. ‘I know you’re frustrated. I know you’re probably disgusted by most of what you see going on in Washington and I’ll be really honest with you, you are not wrong for feeling that way. The task in front of us isn’t an easy one, but I can promise you one thing: it is worth it. So, I am asking you for the sake of your kids and grandkids get into the arena,’ Britt said.” (“‘Nightmare’: Sen. Katie Britt Paints Bleak Picture Of America In Republican Response To Biden,” ABC News, 3/08/2024)“Britt closed by arguing the nation was at ‘a crossroads,’ but that it didn’t have to be that way. ‘We all feel it. But here’s the good news: we people are still in the driver’s seat. We get to decide whether our future will grow brighter, or whether we settle for an America in decline,’ she said. ‘Well, I know which choice our children deserve – and I know the choice the Republican Party is fighting for.’” (“‘BLESS YOUR HEART’: Rising Republican Star Katie Britt Shreds Biden On Border, Rising Costs In SOTU Rebuttal,” Fox News, 3/07/2024)“Concluding her remarks, Britt called on voters to ‘reawaken the heroic spirit of a great nation’ and shared hope for the future. ‘Our future starts around kitchen tables just like this with moms and dads just like you. And you are why I believe with every fiber of my being that despite the current state of our union our best days are still ahead,’ Britt said.” (“‘Nightmare’: Sen. Katie Britt Paints Bleak Picture Of America In Republican Response To Biden,” ABC News, 3/08/2024)‘A Rising Star Within The GOP’ Who ‘Has Fans Across The Political Aisle,’ ‘She Promised To Come To Washington As A “Momma On A Mission” And Has Carved Out A Unique Role’“A rising star within the GOP, the 42-year-old Britt’s selection to deliver the rebuttal last week was met with widespread praise — even from some Democrats — as she continues to build a national profile despite never holding elected office prior to her election in the 2022 midterms.” (“‘BLESS YOUR HEART’: Rising Republican Star Katie Britt Shreds Biden On Border, Rising Costs In SOTU Rebuttal,” Fox News, 3/07/2024)“She promised to come to Washington as a ‘momma on a mission’ and has carved out a unique role in the GOP conference as an adviser to Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and an experienced former aide on the Senate Appropriations Committee.” (“Katie Britt Calls Biden A ‘Diminished Leader’ In GOP Response To The State Of The Union,” The Associated Press, 3/08/2024)“Britt is no bomb thrower and has fans across the political aisle. She is particularly close with Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.), who met Britt and her husband, a former professional football player, during orientation for senators elected in 2022. Britt offered to walk Fetterman to votes last year when he was in the middle of a difficult recovery from a stroke. She sent him doughnuts at the hospital when he checked himself in for treatment for depression, a senior aide said at the time. ‘I love her,’ said Fetterman.” (“Sen. Katie Britt Criticizes Biden On Border In Republicans’ State Of The Union Response,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/08/2024)Sen. Britt ‘Has Got Leadership Written All Over Her Face’“Britt previously served as chief of staff to former Sen. Richard Shelby (R., Ala.) and later ran the state’s chamber of commerce before being elected to the Senate in 2022. She got her start on Capitol Hill as an intern after a call from Shelby’s wife, a Georgetown University professor who was close to academics who knew Britt during her years as a student at the University of Alabama. ’She called me one day and told me to hire this young woman,’ Shelby said. ‘I said “I’ll interview her,” and she said, ‘No, I said, “hire her,”‘ Shelby recalled. He later appreciated his wife’s judgment. Britt would later serve as Shelby’s press secretary before ultimately being elevated to chief of staff. He said Britt ‘has got leadership written all over her face.’” (“Sen. Katie Britt Criticizes Biden On Border In Republicans’ State Of The Union Response,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/08/2024)GOP Senate Leaders: Sen. Britt ‘Spoke Directly To The American People And Presented A Stark Contrast,’ ‘She Made Our Vision Clear’ ‘And Did So With Her Ever-Present Optimism And Pride In American Greatness’SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): “Last night, [Sen. Katie Britt] spoke directly to the American people and presented a stark contrast. After three years of [President Biden’s] failures, she showed how Republicans are ready to turn the page and preserve the American Dream for the next generation.” (Leader McConnell, @LeaderMcConnell, Twitter, 3/08/2024)SENATE REPUBLICAN WHIP JOHN THUNE (R-SD): “Tonight, after President Biden tried to shift the blame away from his own failed policies, [Sen. Katie Britt] cast a different vision. Republicans believe our nation prospers when our borders are secure, our natural energy resources are unleashed, and our economy is allowed to thrive.” (Sen. Thune, @SenJohnThune, Twitter, 3/07/2024)SENATE REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE CHAIR JOHN BARRASSO (R-WY): “In stark contrast to [President] Biden, [Sen. Katie Britt’s] [State of the Union] response offered real solutions and a clear vision for future generations to achieve the American dream.” (Sen. Barrasso, @SenJohnBarrasso, Twitter, 3/07/2024)SENATE REPUBLICAN POLICY COMMITTEE CHAIR JONI ERNST (R-IA): “Incredibly proud of my friend [Sen. Katie Britt]. She made our vision clear. The GOP is the party of a brighter future for our families, freedoms, and the American dream.” (Sen. Ernst, @SenJoniErnst, Twitter, 3/07/2024)SENATE REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE VICE CHAIR SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO (R-WV): “[The State of the Union] is a great opportunity for a president to deliver a forward thinking and unifying message about the spirit and promise of America. Tonight, President Biden delivered a divisive and partisan campaign speech. The American people can see through this and are looking for leaders who are ready to solve problems. [Sen. Katie Britt] clearly presented the Republican solutions to the problems facing everyday American families and did so with her ever-present optimism and pride in American greatness. The contrast is clear.” (Sen. Capito, @SenCapito, Twitter, 3/07/2024)SEN. STEVE DAINES (R-MT): “[Sen. Katie Britt] spoke to the American people tonight as a mom from her kitchen table in Alabama. Under [President] Biden the state of our union is dire but brighter days are ahead & I thank Katie for doing such a great job communicating that message to the American people.” (Sen. Daines, @SteveDaines, Twitter, 3/07/2024)###SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTERRelated Issues: State of the Union, Immigration, Border Security, Economy, Inflation, AfghanistanPrintEmailTweetPreviousTHE NEWSROOMSENATE RESOURCESABOUT LEADER McCONNELLFacebookTwitterInstagram
