Biden holds Democrat Jimmy Gomez’s baby son at Affordable Care Act anniversary speech
Joe Biden didn’t let Rep. Jimmy Gomez left the room just because his six-month-old got fussy during the president’s speech marking the 13th anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act.
After his remarks on Thursday, Biden soothed the California Democrat’s baby — putting their heads together as photographers snapped images.
The baby Hodge started to cry during Biden’s speech, prompting Rep. Gomez, 48, got up from his chair and began to leave the room. But Biden called out to the lawmaker with a baby strapped to his chest.
‘That’s alright, we like babies – you don’t have to worry about it. It’s OK, it’s alright,’ the president reassured.
‘Matter of fact, I like babies better than people,’ he added to laughter from the friendly crowd gathered at the White House on Thursday afternoon.
President Joe Biden stopped Rep. Jimmy Gomez from taking his fussy baby out of the room during his remarks on Thursday
Rep. Gomez, 48, brought his six-month-old Hodge to Biden’s remarks celebrating the 13th anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act
‘That’s alright, we like babies – you don’t have to worry about it. It’s OK, it’s alright,’ the president reassured when Gomez went to take his crying infant from the room. ‘Matter of fact, I like babies better than people’
Historically, presidential candidates shake hands and kiss babies’ heads when vying for office. The interaction on Thursday led some in the room to joke that it’s a sign Biden is running for reelection in 2024 — even though he has not yet announced a bid.
The event marked the 13th anniversary of former President Barack Obama passing his keystone achievement– the Affordable Care Act.
Before jetting off to Canada for his first official visit to America’s northern neighbor on Thursday, Biden helped celebrate the law he helped craft as vice president.
Gomez’s six-month-old Hodge was one of the attendees for Biden’s remarks.
The little guy has become quite a celebrity on Capitol Hill and in Washington, DC as Rep. Gomez brings Hodge, named after Gomez’s wife’s last name, to work and other events.
‘Thirteen years ago today, we gathered in this room as President Obama signed into law the Affordable Healthcare Act. Hard to believe: 13 days ago – 13 years ago. It seems like 13 days ago,’ Biden quickly corrected his flub to giggles from the crowd.
The ACA came to be known as Obamacare – a namesake for the president who spearheaded the efforts.
After his remarks, Biden took Gomez’s son off his hands for a few moments – holding him and making faces at the baby.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi also got some face-time with Gomez’s son at the ACA event at the White House on Thursday, March 23, 2023
Gomez looks on as Pelosi and others pull out their phones to capture the president bonding with the California Democrat’s infant son
Biden took a few swipes at Republicans, making sure to distinguish between those he deems ‘normal’ and ‘good’ and the ultra-MAGA, pro-Trump Republicans he says are ‘bad.’
Folks, our MAGA Republican friends – and by the way, I want to be clear: There’s some good, decent Republicans out there, I’m not suggesting this is all about bad Republicans. But this new crowd – this ain’t your father’s Republican Party,’ the president said.
He was referencing Republicans who have attempted to repeal the ACA, not all of whom are pro-Trump.
Biden said another example of ‘bad’ Republicans are those who opposed his Inflation Reduction Act, which was a sweeping piece of economic legislation that also took aim at social issues like promoting green energy.
The law was relevant to the event Thursday because it also lowered prescription drug prices in an effort to alleviate Americans who were hit hard by spiking inflation in the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Last year I proposed and the Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which no Republican voted for – even the good ones,’ Biden lamented. ‘I don’t mean good in a moral sense – I mean the normal Republicans.’