Biden lauds performance of his administration as above expectations

WASHINGTON, Jan 19 (KUNA) -- US President Joe Biden, marking one year since he took office, said Wednesday his administration made "enormous progress" in addressing the health, social and economic challenges.
"It's been a year of challenges, but it's also been a year of enormous progress. We went from two million people being vaccinated at the moment I was sworn in to 210 million Americans being fully vaccinated today," he said at a press conference.
"We created six million new jobs. More jobs in one year than any time before. Unemployment dropped. "The unemployment rate dropped to 3.9 percent. Child poverty dropped by nearly 40 percent," the President stressed.
"I didn't overpromise. What I have probably outperformed what anybody thought would happen. The fact of the matter is that we're in a situation where we have made enormous progress.
"Everything is changing. It's getting better," he affirmed.
"I know there's a lot of frustration and fatigue in this country. And we know why, Covid-19. Omicron has now been challenging us in a way that it's the new enemy.
"But while it's caused for concern, it's not cause for panic. We've been doing everything we can, learning and adapting as fast as we can and preparing for future beyond the pandemic," Biden pointed out.
"We're in a very different place now, though. We have the tools. Vaccines. boosters, masks, tests, pills to save lives and keep businesses and schools open. Seventy-five percent of adults are fully vaccinated. "We've gone from 90 million adults with no shots in arms last summer and down to 35 million with no shots as of today. And we're adding about 9 million more vaccinations each week. We're going to stick with our vaccination efforts because vaccinations work. So get vaccinated, please. And get your booster," he went on.
"We have faced some of the biggest challenges that we've ever faced in this country, these past few years. Challenges to our public health. Challenges to our economy. But we're getting through it.
"Not only are we getting through it, we're laying the foundation for a future where America wins the 21st century by creating jobs at a record pace.
"I've long said it's never been a good bet to bet against the American people or America. I believe that more than ever today. "We've seen the grit and determination of the American people this past year," he said, adding, "The best days of this country are still ahead of us, not behind us." On the rising inflation rate, he said, "The critical job of making sure elevated prices don't become entrenched rests with the Federal Reserve, which has a dual mandate: full employment and stable prices." "Given the strength of our economy and pace of recent price increases, it's appropriateآ…as Fed Chairman Powell has indicated, to recalibrate the support that is now necessary," the president added. (end) rsr.gb