Biden Calls Himself “First Lady’s Husband,” McCarthy Demands Biden Walk Away From Iran Deal: “Russia Negotiating on America’s Behalf”

On 3/16/2022, Biden confused his own title at an event, saying there was “a change in the arrangement” because of “the first lady’s husband contracting COVID” — referring to himself in the third person and confusing Doug Emhoff’s title. He then called the second gentleman “the first gentleman.” Separately, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy delivered a floor speech demanding Biden walk away from the Iran nuclear deal, calling it “outrageous and just plain stupid” that Russia was negotiating with Iran on America’s behalf while the U.S. was simultaneously sanctioning Russia.

”The First Lady’s Husband”

Biden opened an event by explaining a schedule change. “There’s been a little change in the arrangement — who’s on the stage — because of the first lady’s husband contracting COVID,” Biden said. He appeared to be referring to second gentleman Doug Emhoff testing positive, but called him “the first lady’s husband” — which would be Biden himself.

He then compounded the confusion. “The second lady — the first gentleman. How about that?” Biden said, mixing up titles again.

Biden’s Campaign Promises Revisited

The video compiled Biden’s campaign pledges on energy, which were now central to the gas price crisis. “No more subsidies for the fossil fuel industry. No more drilling on federal lands. No more drilling, including offshore. No ability for the oil industry to continue to drill. Period. Ends,” Biden had said during the campaign.

Biden also stumbled over his Energy Secretary’s credentials. “Former Governor Jennifer Granholm — the Energy Department. She was the former governor of a state of Michigan. Michigan — wrong. She was a former state — she was a governor,” Biden said.

He again mangled his UN Ambassador’s name: “Ambassador Leonard Thomas-Greenfield.”

McCarthy: “Walk Away”

McCarthy’s floor speech was a comprehensive indictment of the Iran deal negotiations. “President Biden has compounded his mistake by relying on Russia to negotiate on our behalf and reportedly giving them written guarantees that the deal would protect their trade with Tehran,” McCarthy said.

“Think about that. We’re making major concessions on Russian trade with Iran at the very moment we’re sanctioning Russia. That’s outrageous. And just plain stupid,” McCarthy continued. “Has President Biden learned nothing? Our objective is to isolate Putin, not empower him.”

McCarthy cited the Russian ambassador’s own assessment. “The Russian ambassador says the deal Biden administration is negotiating gives Iran much more than it could expect — much more,” McCarthy said. “And in return for making significant concessions, we get nothing.”

Iran Fired Missiles at U.S. Consulate

McCarthy highlighted an extraordinary fact. “On Sunday, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard fired dozens of missiles near the U.S. Consulate in Iraq,” McCarthy said. “And Madam Speaker, the President of the United States has not said one word about these missiles from Iran, which has bragged about it, towards the U.S. Consulate in Iraq.”

“I would think with missiles being shot at Americans, the Secretary of State, and at the very least the President of the United States, would say and stand against this,” McCarthy added. “And yet the Biden administration is quietly rushing ahead with a bad agreement."

"Worse Than the Obama Deal”

McCarthy argued the new deal would be worse than the 2015 agreement. “This reported agreement is even worse than the Obama-Iran deal of 2015. Under the terms of this deal, Iran would be a nuclear state in the blink of an eye,” McCarthy said.

He catalogued the failures. “No serious system to check if the Iranian regime is cheating. No safeguards against expanded trade between Russia, China, and Iran. And nothing to help the Iranian people,” McCarthy said.

”Know When to Walk Away”

McCarthy closed with a direct appeal. “I urge President Biden to make the right choice. Walk away. Because knowing when to walk away from the negotiating table is just as important as knowing when to sit down,” McCarthy said. “It is also very important when to stand up. Stand up for America. Stand up for freedom, and stand up for what’s right, and walk away from this agreement.”

Granholm on “Weaning Off Fossil Fuels”

Energy Secretary Granholm reiterated the administration’s long-term vision even as gas prices surged. “We talk about electrification — it’s not just about transportation. It’s about homes and making sure that we wean ourselves off of fossil fuels,” Granholm said.

Key Takeaways

Biden confused his own title, calling himself “the first lady’s husband” and mixing up “second lady” with “first gentleman.”
McCarthy demanded Biden walk away from the Iran deal, calling it “outrageous and just plain stupid” that Russia was negotiating on America’s behalf.
Iran fired missiles near the U.S. Consulate in Iraq; Biden said nothing about it while rushing to finalize a nuclear deal with Tehran.
The Russian ambassador said the deal “gives Iran much more than it could expect.”
McCarthy said the deal was “even worse than the Obama-Iran deal of 2015” and would make Iran “a nuclear state in the blink of an eye.”

Transcript Highlights

The following is transcribed from the video audio (unverified — AI-generated from audio).

There’s been a change in the arrangement because of the first lady’s husband contracting COVID. The second lady — the first gentleman. How about that?
No more subsidies for fossil fuels. No more drilling on federal lands. No more drilling, including offshore. Period. Ends.
We’re making major concessions on Russian trade with Iran at the very moment we’re sanctioning Russia. That’s outrageous. And just plain stupid.
The Russian ambassador says the deal gives Iran much more than it could expect. Much more.
Iran fired dozens of missiles near the U.S. Consulate in Iraq. The President has not said one word.
Walk away. Stand up for America. Stand up for freedom.

Full transcript: 766 words transcribed via Whisper AI.