(WXYZ) — Michigan lawmakers on both sides of the aisle were in attendance for the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday afternoon.
They're now looking forward to the future to see how the Biden administration will approach the COVID-19 pandemic, racial injustice, policing, climate change and much more. It all does come with the impending Senate trial for former President Donald Trump, who was impeached last week for a second time.
"We have a moment and it's a really important moment for all of us to lead and to lean in," Sen. Debbie Stabenow said.
She was at the inauguration on Wednesday, as both Harris and Biden are long-time friends and her former Senate colleagues.
Many Michigan Democrats were in attendance including Sen. Gary Peters, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Rep. Brenda Lawrence.
"It was good to see Pence on that stage. It was good to see George Bush on that stage. It was good to have Garth Brooks on that stage singing 'Amazing Grace,'" Lawrence said.
Rep. Fred Upton, one of two Republican Michigan congressmen who voted to impeach Trump, tweeted, "Today marks a new chapter in American history as Joe Biden is sworn in as the United States’ 46th @POTUS. Our nation’s leaders must renew their commitment to working together in a bipartisan fashion to address the challenges facing the American people."
Another Michigan House Republican, Rep. Tim Walberg, who voted against certifying the election results, was also there. He tweeted, "Today, I was grateful to represent Michigan's 7th District at President Biden’s inauguration. During my time in Congress, I have attended the inauguration of presidents from both parties out of my respect for the office."
As far as where the new Biden administration could steer our state, Stabenow said Michiganders should get more access to COVID-19 vaccines and distributions will be ramped up. She also believes Biden's climate goals will help Michigan.
"We're going to see a major focus on clean energy manufacturing," she said. "And any time we're talking about making things in America, Michigan is winning."
Stabenow also said she will vote to convict Trump on his impeachment because there has to be accountability and justice after the Capitol riot.
