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Simon Harris launched Fine Gael's manifesto at the Horse & Jockey Hotel, Co Tipperary. Alamy

Fine Gael promises lower energy bills, fewer taxes and €1,000 for every baby

Major spending commitments in areas such as housing, childcare and the cost of living are included in the document.

FINE GAEL INTENDS to slash taxes by €7 billion over its five years while vastly spending funds on housing, childcare and permanent cost-of-living measures, the party’s manifesto today revealed.

Leader Simon Harris said today in Co Tipperary that his party would commit to introducing a permanent 11% VAT rate for food and entertainment businesses – and rejected claims that such a measure would lead to increase energy bills.

Uniquely, the party is also planning to pay €1,000 into an ‘acorn savings account’ for all newborns, and €1,500 for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, to tackle inequality among children.

Investments of €40 billion for 300,000 homes, caps on the monthly cost of childcare at €200 per child and a permanent double-child benefit for parents every August also feature in the document.

Increasing the entry threshold for the 3% USC band to €40,000 and for the 8% band to €75,000, making sure people earning €54,000 are not paying higher rates of tax and annual €75 increases to the main tax credits are the headline promises.

Tax cuts

Harris defended the spending and tax cuts in front of reporters and candidates today, claiming that Fine Gael intends to do is the exact same thing government has been doing for the last two budget.

“I would make the point too, and this is not shared universally  across all political parties, we’re doing this while continuing to put aside millions of taxpayers money each and every year,” the Taoiseach said.

He said that Fine Gael’s measures to invest €2 billion each year into the Climate and Nature Fund to help households with the Green Transition and €4-6 billion into the Future Ireland Fund.

paschal-donohoe-left-and-taoiseach-simon-harris-during-fine-gaels-general-election-manifesto-launch-at-horse-jockey-hotel-co-tipperary-ahead-of-the-general-election-on-november-29-picture-date Harris said the spending and taxation plans in Fine Gael's manifesto are in line with common budgetary procedures which have been established by his party. Alamy Alamy

“That’s exactly to make sure that we don’t repeat the mistakes of the past,” Harris said, adding that he was “very satisfied” that his plan was in line with common budgetary practice established by his government over the last number of years.

Later, he rejected the claim that plans to permanently reduce the VAT rate for food and entertainment businesses to 11% would lead to higher energy bills. Harris said energy bills rebates of €40 would deliver lower bills and cover the difference.

“Much to the disappointment of my political opponents, energy bills will fall under Fine Gael’s proposals. But, unlike some people, we believe that actually small businesses don’t need to be invited to a pre-Budget forum about their costs. They need action now.”

Housing

Fine Gael is promising to deliver 303,000 homes by 2030, if elected into government after polling day on 29 November. Out of that, 133,000 homes will be social, affordable and cost-rental properties.

It intends to retain the help-to-buy scheme and increase the grant to €40,000 as well. The party also plans to broaden the first-home scheme so that first-time buyers purchasing a second-hand home are eligible for the support.

Asked about his thoughts on analysis that concludes that both schemes inflate the price of housing, Harris said he believed the housing market could not rectify the prices of homes and that State intervention is warranted.

“The level of intervention that’s taking place in the Irish housing market now is unprecedented in our own country and almost unparalleled across the European Union,” the Taoiseach said.

“And that is the right policy decision to make, such as the gravity of the situation.”

Childcare, health & education

As well as capping costs, Fine Gael wants to deliver 30,000 new early-learning places in publicly-funded facilities by 2030 and add an extra hour of free preschool hours under the early childhood care and education scheme.

Elsewhere, Fine Gael wants to establish a universal savings account for newborns – with a commitment that the State would pay an initial €1,000 into the fund with an interest rate of 4%, with it in government.

Parents will be allowed to add a further €2,000 each year. Additionally, Fine Gael promises that children from disadvantaged backgrounds will receive €1,500 into this ‘Acorn Savings Account’.

Harris also outlined that he wants his party to extend free GP care to all children under the age of 18. He added that Fine Gael would not do it “in isolation” and would engage with representative organisations on the matter.

paschal-donohoe-left-taoiseach-simon-harris-and-helen-mcentee-during-fine-gaels-general-election-manifesto-launch-at-horse-jockey-hotel-co-tipperary-ahead-of-the-general-election-on-november-2 Fine Gael promised to provide free GP care to all children under 18 years old. Alamy Alamy

The Taoiseach said the free care would be introduced in a phased, sustainable and managed manner – with increased investment for GPs and an additional 277 places in Ireland.

“What I would say to GP representative bodies, very respectfully, is please don’t rush with your condemnation of this proposal,” Harris said, stressing that Fine Gael will plan to engage with the groups, as well as pharmacists, to agree to new public contracts.

“We want to make sure that every child in Ireland can access the doctor,” he said.

On education, Fine Gael want to introduce open-book exams to the Leaving Certificate and expand access to third-level education to include courses outside of the CAO points system.

For special education, the party plans to develop a dedicated therapy service for children in all special schools and create a common application process nationwide. A multi-year capital programme would also be established for early accommodation.

Asked by The Journal if Fine Gael would commit to these actions if in government, Harris said a vote has not been cast yet – but stressed the party has “serious red lines” for any formation discussions.

He said that voters should judge the package on what they want to see in Ireland, adding: “If you value it, vote for it.”

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    Mute Me-llamo Noel
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    Jun 1st 2023, 9:09 PM

    @Steve Creaton: You should be ashamed of yourself to make such a comment.

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    Mute Brian Boru
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    Jun 1st 2023, 9:13 PM

    Let’s be honest, he will be too old for a second term, especially in the final year or two. The Democrats have a problem on their hands.

    530
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    Mute Paul Furey
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    Jun 1st 2023, 9:08 PM

    @Steve Creaton: why?

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    Mute Rafa Condron
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    Jun 1st 2023, 9:09 PM

    Happens me all the time. I’m half his age.

    Never forget putting on the swagger walk when I was younger, group of young ones coming towards me, tripped on a crack in the pavement and faceplanted. They laughed. I laughed.

    I was a lovely shade of red.

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    Mute An Drew Bearla
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    Jun 1st 2023, 11:06 PM

    @Rafa Condron: if this is commonplace for you, fair enough. How many times does he have to stumble and mumble before people admit he is not fit for office.

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    Mute Rafa Condron
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    Jun 2nd 2023, 4:58 AM

    @An Drew Bearla: what an inane comment. Bore off

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    Mute Colm Kane
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    Jun 2nd 2023, 9:56 AM

    @An Drew Bearla: Did you not see the sandbag that was on the stage that he tripped over…. It can happen to anyone!

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    Mute Mark O Brien
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    Jun 2nd 2023, 11:02 AM

    @An Drew Bearla: The same people who think Biden isn’t fit for office for these reasons will swear blind that trump is fit for office, and he has done much of the same type of stuff.

    7
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    Mute An Drew Bearla
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    Jun 2nd 2023, 1:45 PM

    @Mark O Brien: I know this is difficult to comprehend, but just because you criticise Biden, it does not mean you support Trump. Treating politics the same as your favourite football team leads to this type of blinkered vision, resulting in terrible politics and government.

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    Mute Daithi
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    Jun 1st 2023, 9:31 PM

    He was rather slow getting back up – one could say he was Biden his time.

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    Mute Joanne Stokes
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    Jun 1st 2023, 10:44 PM

    @Daithi: hahaha…

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    Mute Aindriú de Domhain
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    Jun 1st 2023, 9:13 PM

    @Steve Creaton: You should be in a care home

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    Mute McMahon G
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    Jun 1st 2023, 9:43 PM

    RFK Jr. for President.

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    Mute Tony Murphy
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    Jun 1st 2023, 9:57 PM

    @McMahon G: YES!!

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    Mute John A.
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    Jun 1st 2023, 9:28 PM

    @Hannah Hannah: You should all be ashamed of yourselves for trying to make eachother feel ashamed!

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    Mute Tony Murphy
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    Jun 1st 2023, 9:55 PM

    @McMahon G: Yes, showering with his teenage daughter puts him in that category. She attributes her subsequent problems to this experience.

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    Mute Real Chief Police Trump MAGA 2024
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    Jun 1st 2023, 9:56 PM

    Hope the clone makes a full recovery

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    Mute Denis Ryan
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    Jun 1st 2023, 10:23 PM

    @Real Chief Police Trump MAGA 2024: I thought you said he was a actor with a 3/4 scale white house on a sound stage.

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    Mute Real Chief Police Trump MAGA 2024
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    Jun 1st 2023, 10:30 PM

    @Denis Ryan: I got intel from a reliable source that for 80′s actor Arthur roberts was removed as a body double as he wasn’t playing to the ‘script’.

    when roberts (playing Biden) met boris johnson last summer he asked johnson did he ever see any of his martial arts movies in the 80′s. Johnson became suspicious and democrats decided to use a clone to lay Biden. No one knows what became of roberts. Clearly this clone is malfuntioning. the technology is still at the early stages…

    https://flipboard.com/article/biden-body-double-blows-cover-during-meet-with-boris-johnson-real-raw-news/f-bf1486acd5%2Frealrawnews.com

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    Mute Andy O'B
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    Jun 1st 2023, 10:57 PM

    @Real Chief Police Trump MAGA 2024: the crazy thing about the internet is now I do not know if you are being serious or not…if you aren’t, it’s a funny joke. If you are being serious, you need help. Seriously!

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    Mute Real Chief Police Trump MAGA 2024
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    Jun 1st 2023, 11:10 PM

    @Andy O’B: I’m only offering you the red pill to learn potentially unsettling or life-changing truths – or the blue pill of you wish to continue living in the matrix. you will never see who deep the rabbit hole goes sniffling around on the surface
    https://www.buymeacoffee.com/truther

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    Mute Denis Ryan
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    Jun 1st 2023, 11:21 PM

    @Andy O’B: Seriously Andy, would you not take the red pill ;)
    So to recap red pill good, blue pill bad. Its weird most of the pills I took back in the day were white or slightly speckled. Had a pink panther once in Amsterdam but that’s a story for another day.

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    Mute Daithi Mac An TSionnaigh
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    Jun 1st 2023, 9:40 PM

    @Steve Creaton: you should be in a care home

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    Mute Martin Lynch
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    Jun 1st 2023, 9:38 PM

    @Steve Creaton: Disgusting comment!

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    Mute Sean Partidge
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    Jun 1st 2023, 11:03 PM

    @Hannah Hannah: oh look Anna Anna is back.

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    Mute john murray
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    Jun 1st 2023, 10:23 PM

    Not as horrific as that time Enda Kenny tripped over a plantpot and accused Ursula Halligan of assault.

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    Mute Barry Donnelly
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    Jun 1st 2023, 9:58 PM

    Yeah but Trump

    52
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    Mute GERARD KENNELLY
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    Jun 2nd 2023, 8:41 AM

    @Willie Marty:

    Compilation Joe Biden CSPAN

    RAW VIDEO & AUDIO January 6, 2015

    4
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    Mute R
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    Jun 1st 2023, 9:56 PM

    @Steve Creaton: I hope when you’re his age we say the same about you.

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    Mute Michael Holland
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    Jun 2nd 2023, 12:21 AM

    If this happened Trump, there’d be another witch hunt..

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    Mute GERARD KENNELLY
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    Jun 2nd 2023, 8:43 AM

    @Michael Holland:

    i saw a Trump interview recently and he said Biden isn’t physically fit to be POTUS

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    Mute R
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    Jun 1st 2023, 9:58 PM

    @Hannah Hannah: You should be ashamed of yourself for believing in that conspiracy theory bulls**t

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    Mute Johnny Kelly
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    Jun 2nd 2023, 2:02 AM

    @Steve Creaton: He is 80!
    It can happen.
    More care needs to be taken where he has to climb on and off stages

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    Mute Rafa Condron
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    Jun 1st 2023, 9:29 PM

    @John A.: SHAME!

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    Mute Lydia McLoughlin
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    Jun 1st 2023, 9:56 PM

    @Steve Creaton: I’d say he’s being very well cared for at home at the moment!

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    Mute Ham Hat
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    Jun 1st 2023, 10:35 PM

    He loves the Apartheid Occupation of the Middle East more than his homeless people. Such a ziosless

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    Mute GERARD KENNELLY
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    Jun 2nd 2023, 8:42 AM

    @Ham Hat:

    Joe Biden was committee chairman the week W Bush and Blair lied about WMD

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    Mute John Moore
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    Jun 2nd 2023, 12:13 AM

    He styled it out well. Nobody noticed.

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    Mute Vladimir Poitín
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    Jun 2nd 2023, 12:55 AM

    @John Moore: lol.

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    Mute Paul Furey
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    Jun 2nd 2023, 12:17 AM

    @Hannah Hannah: oh good grief!!! While your cult hero’s delays and ridiculous advice killed 1000s.

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    Mute Jason Walsh
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    Jun 1st 2023, 9:41 PM

    He definitely ordered a nuclear strike on that sand bag. “I’m said nuke it, I’m the president god darn it”

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    Mute Robert Halvey
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    Jun 2nd 2023, 7:19 AM

    Who among us ,of any age ,has not stumbled and in fact fell down .

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    Mute Anthony Ross
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    Jun 1st 2023, 9:46 PM

    I would say who put the bag there maybe a trumpet

    20
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    Mute Numinous20111
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    Jun 1st 2023, 11:11 PM

    @Anthony Ross: Whoever left any obstacle on a podium being used by a President (no matter what the president’s age or which president) should get a serious chewing out. That is beyond stupid carelessness.

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    Mute Daniel Carry
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    Jun 2nd 2023, 2:10 AM

    So what. Gerald Ford did it all the time. Bush Sr puked into the lap of the Japanese Prime Minister FFS.

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    Mute Jimmy Fitzpatrick
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    Jun 2nd 2023, 5:56 AM

    I was at a confirmation yesterday and I seen 3 people slip, won’t tell what gender they were!

    12
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    Mute GERARD KENNELLY
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    Jun 2nd 2023, 8:46 AM

    @Jimmy Fitzpatrick:

    my uncle was working in Galway years ago and he was climbing up a ladder

    he was wearing white sneakers

    a man said “Isn’t it a fright to god to see a grown man still wearing his communion shoes”

    12
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    Mute Dave Grant
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    Jun 2nd 2023, 7:46 AM

    Russia.

    9
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    Mute Anna Carr
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    Jun 2nd 2023, 8:16 AM

    I would trip over my own shadow and I’m not yet Joe’s age, but he certainly does seem to have some senior deterioration issues, mentally. But then, the USA presidency does seem to be a puppet title… Unless you’re Donald Trump.

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    Mute Edd
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    Jun 2nd 2023, 11:29 AM

    Who the US President is does not matter as they are not decision makers but they just rubber stamp the decisions of others.

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    Mute Fearg
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    Jun 2nd 2023, 9:50 AM

    American ‘elections’ are just their version of EuroVision. It’s shameful how poor the performers are. Surely there is more talent available for the corporate controllers to employ.

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    Mute GERARD KENNELLY
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    Jun 2nd 2023, 8:34 AM

    @Steve Creaton:

    Compilation Joe Biden

    CSPAN

    RAW VIDEO & AUDIO

    January 6, 2015

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    Mute Patrick D Keane
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    Jun 2nd 2023, 2:48 PM

    No need for a lone gunman when Biden is around

    2
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