‘Like a weight being lifted:’ Massachusetts delegation reacts to Biden’s inauguration
"Goodbye and good riddance."
It was a good day for Massachusetts’ entirely Democratic congressional delegation.
After four years under Donald Trump, the presidency turned over to a Democrat-led administration Wednesday with Joe Biden sworn in as the country’s 46th president. In response, the senators and representatives from Massachusetts praised Biden’s day one executive orders and shared sentiments of hope, healing, and hard work.
Here’s a rundown of what they had to say:
Sen. Elizabeth Warren: Biden is a ‘sight for sore eyes’
For the past four years, Donald Trump’s inauguration has been burned into my eyes. Whenever I’ve felt too tired, all I’ve had to do is close my eyes for a moment and I was right back in the fight. @JoeBiden, you’re a sight for sore eyes.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) January 20, 2021
We now have a president and vice president who will lead with empathy and decency, fight for a government that puts people first, and fight for the health and safety of all.
It’s a new day, and we can move forward with hope in our hearts for the future we can build together.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 20, 2021
Bruce and I are honored to be at the Capitol for the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. This is a great day for Massachusetts and our country! pic.twitter.com/MYjURnU9AY
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) January 20, 2021
Sen. Ed Markey: ‘Goodbye and good riddance’
Goodbye and good riddance Donald Trump. See you at your trial.
— Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) January 20, 2021
Thank you everyone who made this beautiful day possible. Let’s celebrate and then let’s get to work. #Inauguration pic.twitter.com/XUxikW1FWb
— Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) January 20, 2021
Today President Biden will re-enter the United States into the Paris Climate Agreement and make climate action priority number one for his administration. This is the first step as we move to make our country a global climate leader and secure justice for frontline communities.
— Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) January 20, 2021
Finally science will dictate our country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. As President Biden gets to work addressing this crisis, I will be reintroducing legislation that will fund a national mask mandate and establish a Pandemic Chief on the National Security Council.
— Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) January 20, 2021
Richard Neal (MA-1): ‘Some relief from the constant chaos’
Honored to be at #Inauguration2021 with my colleagues from MA @RepMcGovern @RepKClark @RepStephenLynch pic.twitter.com/Ln2exhHQfd
— Rep. Richard Neal (@RepRichardNeal) January 20, 2021
“I think we all would like some relief from the constant chaos that we’ve all witnessed during the last four years.”
ICYMI: Mass. @RepRichardNeal with #InaugurationDay perspective from the Capitol this AM (via @GBHNews) → https://t.co/9ZF6DLFCnm pic.twitter.com/Dh0E57XdJf
— GBH (@GBH) January 20, 2021
Jim McGovern (MA-2): ‘Morning in America’
Today, we will have a Democratic White House, a Democratic House of Representatives, and a Democratic Senate – all focused squarely on working #ForThePeople.
No one left out or left behind.
Let’s get to work.
— Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) January 20, 2021
I’ve been to every inauguration since being elected to Congress.
Today, Lisa and I are proud to usher in a bright new day for America with the inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris. #InaugurationDay pic.twitter.com/1Blk1Hcs2o
— Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) January 20, 2021
Morning in America. pic.twitter.com/gOFED5dWwd
— Jim McGovern (@McGovernMA) January 20, 2021
Lori Trahan (MA-3): Despite attacks, ‘the will of the American people prevailed‘
.@JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris couldn’t have been clearer: They will be leaders for every American, regardless of their political affiliation or who they voted for.
That’s what we need to end the divisiveness and begin the hard work to #BuildBackBetter. #Inauguration2021 pic.twitter.com/fayI8G7FbD
— Lori Trahan (@RepLoriTrahan) January 20, 2021
#Inauguration2021 ready! @RepUnderwood pic.twitter.com/yBygSVwTPy
— Lori Trahan (@RepLoriTrahan) January 20, 2021
Jake Auchincloss (MA-4): Inauguration ‘felt like a weight being lifted’
Watching President Biden take the Oath, it felt like a weight being lifted. I could breathe easier. #Inauguration
— Jake Auchincloss (@JakeAuch) January 20, 2021
Weeks after a white supremacist mob tried to stage an insurrection, we’re going to watch the first Latina Justice of the Supreme Court swear in the first African American woman to be Vice President. #Inauguration pic.twitter.com/CGc7h5CH7a
— Jake Auchincloss (@JakeAuch) January 20, 2021
Katherine Clark (MA-5): ‘An end to the great suffering afflicting our nation’
We will unite around progress. We will unite in action. Let today stand as a clear message that if we honor truth and justice, democracy will always prevail. Congratulations, @POTUS Biden and @VP Harris! pic.twitter.com/vs8aKGOECD
— Katherine Clark (@WhipKClark) January 20, 2021
Seth Moulton (MA-6): ‘Dignity and empathy have returned to the White House’
After four years of division & chaos, dignity & empathy have returned to the White House. President Joe Biden & Vice President Kamala Harris will lead us out of the darkness of this moment, by bringing us together to fight the coronavirus pandemic & heal the soul of our nation.
— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) January 20, 2021
Ayanna Pressley (MA-7): ‘Empathy, compassion, and grace‘
As we celebrate this moment, we remain clear-eyed about the work that lies ahead.
To undo the harm of the last 4 years, upend the institutions of white supremacy that led us to this moment, & begin on a path toward a just recovery, we must commit to deep, systemic work.
— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) January 20, 2021
Organized power is realized power. – @MsLaToshaBrown
Here’s to the organizers, activists & community builders who made this moment possible.
Today, we celebrate. Tomorrow, we continue the work of healing & liberation.
— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) January 20, 2021
Bill Keating (MA-9): ‘Movement toward progress’
My full statement: pic.twitter.com/5sL3MmVGDd
— Congressman Bill Keating (@USRepKeating) January 20, 2021
Stephen Lynch (MA-8) did not release a statement by press time.
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