Congressman Hank Johnson’s Statement following President Biden’s Farewell Address

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) has released a statement following President Joe Biden’s Jan. 15, 2025 farewell address to the nation:

“President Joe Biden dedicated 50 years of his life to serving his country, from United States senator to vice president and president of two historic administrations. There is no doubt in my mind that President Biden loved our country and worked tirelessly to ensure that every American had the opportunities and tools necessary to succeed, building up the ladders he himself climbed.

In his farewell address to the nation, President Biden reflected on the idea of America—a country that opens her arms to those seeking a better life and treats all people as they are created: equal. An America that can endure the tests of time and adversity, triumphing regardless of the challenges that may shake her foundation. President Biden upheld this vision of America throughout his presidency.

We, not just as elected officials, but as Americans, must uphold democracy. We must prioritize the needs of everyday Americans over the interests of well-connected billionaires who put their profits above the people of our country. We are not a nation of oligarchs, but one driven by the strength of hard-working Americans. During his term, President Biden made historic investments in our country, ensuring that working people don’t just survive but  thrive. These legislative achievements are being felt across Georgia’s Fourth District and the nation—lowering costs, bringing manufacturing jobs back to America, investing in clean energy, protecting the environment, and providing veterans and their families with the support they earned and deserve.

As the top Democrat on the House Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet, I am encouraged that President Biden has shared my concerns on key issues. We must enact term limits for Supreme Court justices and ensure they adhere to a binding code of ethics. This is why I introduced the Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization (TERM) Act and the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency (SCERT) Act. Additionally, we must hold tech companies accountable and implement safeguards to ensure artificial intelligence is safe and trustworthy for our citizens.

In one of the most powerful speeches of his career, President Biden bid farewell to a nation he has served so faithfully for five decades and to the Americans he fought so hard for. Today, I want to say thank you to President Biden—not only for his service but for the manner in which he served: with grace, statesmanship, and honor. The work we accomplished over the past four years will benefit Americans for generations to come. While history will ultimately judge his legacy, I believe we can say with confidence that he served us well.”