During the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health on Wednesday, President Joe Biden seemingly asked if the late Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) was in attendance. Walorski, who died in a car accident in August, was a key advocate in promoting the administration’s push to end hunger in the U.S. by 2030. While boasting about the bipartisan effort to commit $8 billion to the conference’s call to action, Biden began thanking lawmakers involved. After name-checking Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mike Braun (R-IN), he then appeared to refer to Walorski. “Jackie, are you here? Where’s Jackie? She must not be here,” Biden said before moving on. In a somewhat ironic twist moments later, the president recounted the close friendship he had with the late Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) while discussing the need for bipartisanship. Following the remarks, Domestic Policy Council director Susan Rice noted that “of course” the group misses Walorski, who “passed away in August.” Biden had released a statement honoring Walorski at the time of her death. While a tribute video honoring Walorski was set to play at the conference, the White House press pool reported that the clip was not aired while Biden was present. Later in the afternoon, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dodged several questions from reporters on the issue, claiming that Walorski was “top of mind” for Biden and that he’ll meet with her family this week.
