Biden Scheduled To Visit Tampa Thursday As Part Of National 'Blitz'

TAMPA, FL — Two days after delivering his State of the Union address, President Joe Biden is scheduled to make a trip to Tampa Thursday, the White House announced.

He is expected to arrive at Tampa International Airport some time after noon.

The White House hasn't released the itinerary for the visit but said the president will discuss “his plan to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare and lower health care costs.”

Tuesday on Twitter, Biden vowed to fight against any attempt by Republicans in Congress to tinker with Social Security and Medicare, saying that "some Republicans" want to sunset the two programs every five years.

"Those benefits belong to the American people. They earned them," Biden said.

Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott has called for federal legislation to include a provision allowing Congress to reaffirm its approval of legislation every five years in his “Rescue America” plan.

Biden received a standing ovation when he followed up with, "So folks, as we all apparently agree, Social Security and Medicare is off the books now. They're not to be touched? All right. We've got unanimity."

Scott responded on Twitter that it was never his intention to do away with either program.

The White House said Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and members of the Cabinet "will blitz the country" following the State of the Union address “to showcase how the president’s plan is creating jobs, rebuilding our infrastructure, lowering costs for families, investing in our future, and delivering for families too often left behind.”

Speaking to the nation on Tuesday night, Biden spoke about job growth in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

"We are the only country that has emerged from every crisis stronger than when we entered it," he said. "That is what we are doing again. Two years ago, our economy was reeling. As I stand here tonight, we have created a record 12 million new jobs, more jobs created in two years than any president has ever created in four years."

Going forward, Biden said his economic plan focuses on "investing in places and people that have been forgotten.

"Amid the economic upheaval of the past four decades, too many people have been left behind or treated like they’re invisible," he said. "That’s why we’re building an economy where no one is left behind. Jobs are coming back, pride is coming back because of the choices we made in the last two years. This is a blue-collar blueprint to rebuild America and make a real difference in your lives."

Patch will livestream Biden's address in Tampa Thursday.