Alburtis, Pennsylvania; December 16th, 2025
The cold was unmistakable on the tarmac in eastern Pennsylvania, the kind that settles into boots and stiffens fingers, but the mood inside the Uline facility was anything but subdued as Vice President J. D. Vance stepped before a crowd of workers, local officials, and reporters, delivering remarks that tied national economic policy directly to the lived experience of the Lehigh Valley.
In remarks published by THE WHITE HOUSE just 54 minutes earlier, the Vice President framed the visit as part of a broader effort by the administration to move its message beyond Washington, D.C., and into communities shaped by manufacturing, logistics, and skilled labor, communities that, as he described it, “built our nation’s skylines, power our economy, and deliver innovations for the future.”
Vance’s appearance followed opening remarks from Rep. Ryan McKenzie, who described the administration’s first 11 months as a period focused on reversing what he characterized as the economic consequences of the prior administration, including inflation pressures, rising housing costs, and higher energy prices that weighed heavily on working families throughout the region. McKenzie pointed to local rent increases, gas prices that exceeded $5 per gallon, and rising household debt as conditions that framed the administration’s priorities upon taking office.
When the Vice President spoke, he leaned into that framing, repeatedly returning to the idea that economic recovery is not abstract, but personal, measured not in policy memos but in grocery bills, gas prices, and paychecks. He acknowledged that the administration inherited what he called a “nightmare of an economy,” citing inflation, energy costs, and trade imbalances as challenges that could not be unwound overnight.
Throughout his remarks, Vance emphasized wage growth and job creation, noting that, according to administration figures released earlier in the day, tens of thousands of jobs had been added nationally, with private-sector wage growth outpacing recent years. He argued that rising labor participation rates reflected workers reentering the job market as opportunities expanded, rather than economic weakness, describing it as a sign that people were “getting off the sidelines.”
Energy policy featured prominently in the address, with Vance linking fuel prices directly to the cost of groceries, housing, and transportation. He described the administration’s approach as one centered on domestic energy production, reducing regulatory barriers, and limiting reliance on foreign suppliers, an approach he said had contributed to lower gas prices and broader cost relief.
Trade and manufacturing were also central themes, particularly given the setting. Standing inside a massive logistics and distribution facility, Vance described a shift away from policies that, in his words, rewarded companies for moving jobs overseas, toward incentives that favor domestic investment and production. He pointed to large-scale investment commitments and increased exports as indicators that “Made in America” manufacturing was regaining momentum.
The Vice President’s remarks also touched on tax policy, with references to provisions eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, changes he said would begin showing up in paychecks and tax refunds in the months ahead. He framed these measures as part of a broader effort to allow workers to keep more of what they earn, rather than relying on government redistribution after the fact.
Personal stories punctuated the policy discussion. Vance spoke about his upbringing, being raised by his grandmother, and witnessing firsthand the stress families experience when wages fail to keep pace with costs. He described those experiences as formative, shaping his view that economic policy should be judged by whether families can afford necessities without constant financial anxiety.
During a question-and-answer session with reporters, the Vice President acknowledged that many Americans continue to feel pressure from high prices, despite recent economic indicators. He argued that restoring purchasing power takes time, particularly after years of inflation, and reiterated that the administration’s strategy focuses on lowering costs while increasing wages, rather than expecting immediate results.
He also addressed questions on health care costs, trade, and labor participation, consistently returning to the theme that long-term affordability depends on domestic production, workforce participation, and policies that prioritize American workers. While conceding that not every problem could be solved quickly, he emphasized persistence, stating that the administration remains committed to incremental progress rather than short-term optics.
As the event concluded, Vance shifted briefly to a seasonal note, reflecting on the holidays, gratitude, and the responsibility of public service. He described the role of government not as distant or abstract, but as an obligation to ensure that families do not have to choose between food, medicine, and housing, particularly during times of economic transition.
The remarks, delivered less than an hour before publication by the White House, underscored the administration’s effort to take its economic argument directly to communities shaped by industry and labor, framing national policy through the lens of everyday experience. Whether those policies achieve their intended outcomes will unfold over time, but in Alburtis, the message was clear: the administration intends to measure success by the fortunes of working families, not by headlines alone.
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Sources
Primary First-Hand Sources
• THE WHITE HOUSE, official YouTube video, “Vice President JD Vance Delivers Remarks in Alburtis, Pennsylvania,” published December 16th, 2025
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