'Fiscally demented:' In MLK Day remarks, Biden attacks Republicans' legislative priorities

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden on Monday criticized Republicans as "fiscally demented" and said the GOP's top priority legislation would worsen inflation while

increasing taxes on the working class and helping the super wealthy. "That’s how they’re starting their new term," Biden said during remarks at an event hosted

by the National Action Network, a civil rights organization. "If any of these bills happen to reach my desk, I will veto them." Biden began his comments,

delivered on the federal holiday honoring the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., listing ways he said his administration has helped Black Americans, a group crucial to

his 2020 election to the White House. But Biden said those accomplishments now have to be defended because Republicans won control of the House in the 2022 midterm

elections. Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning. "On this one and so much I have your back," said Biden, who is

expected to announce in the coming weeks that he will run for a second term in 2024. "We've got to stand together." Biden’s comments came as he’s been under

increasing attack from Republicans over his handling of classified documents when he was vice president. “A lot of questions to be asked," House Majority Leader

Steve Scalise, R-La., said Monday on Fox Business Network’s "Mornings with Maria." "At least finally, you have somebody willing to ask those questions now that Republicans are in

charge of the House to get some accountability and some answers."