WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden appeared to call out the late former Representative Jackie Walorski, R-Ind., who died in a car accident in August, for attending a speech Wednesday at the White House conference on hunger, nutrition and health. .
Biden thanked “all of you here” and mentioned Walorski and other lawmakers for their work on hunger as he spoke about his administration’s efforts to end hunger in the US by 2030.
“Jackie, are you here? Where is Jackie? I don’t think she would be here,” Biden said.
Walorski and two of her congressional staff died in a head-on car collision in northern Indiana in August. She was 58.
More: Indiana GOP Rep. Jackie Walorski killed in car accident
Walorski, first elected to Congress in 2012, served as co-chair of the House Hunger Caucus. Politico reported that a video tribute in Walorski’s honor was at the conference.
Biden, known for slipping in public remarks, will turn 80 in November and has faced frequent attacks from Republicans for his mental fitness. Biden has said he plans to run for reelection in 2024.
Biden issued a statement after Walorski’s death in August, saying he and Jill Biden were “shocked and saddened” and that he appreciated the congresswoman’s help in planning the hunger conference.
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Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press officer, said Walorski was “in top of mind” for the president when asked about the gaffe over the former congressman’s work on hunger and prior to Biden calling the Walorski family into custody on Friday. host the White House.
Jean-Pierre said she believes Americans will understand why Biden thought of Walorski. “I don’t think it’s that uncommon to have someone top of mind.”
Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden accidentally summons recently deceased congressman
