Biden holds Democrat Jimmy Gomez’s infant son during the Affordable Care Act anniversary speech

Joe Biden wouldn’t let Representative Jimmy Gomez leave the room just because his six-month-old baby got fussy during the president’s speech marking the 13th anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act.

Following his remarks on Thursday, Biden soothed the California Democrat’s baby by putting their heads together while photographers snapped images.

Baby Hodge began to cry during Biden’s speech, prompting 48-year-old Rep. prompting Gomez to get up from his chair and leave the room. But Biden called out to the legislator with a baby strapped to his chest.

‘It’s okay, we love babies – don’t worry about that. It’s okay, it’s okay,” the president reassured.

“Actually, I like babies more than people,” he added to the laughter of the friendly crowd that gathered at the White House Thursday afternoon.

Rep. Gomez, 48, brought his six-month-old Hodge to Biden’s remarks to mark the 13th anniversary of the passing of the Affordable Care Act

‘It’s okay, we love babies – don’t worry about that. It’s okay, it’s okay,” the president reassured as Gomez went to get his crying baby out of the room. ‘Actually, I like babies better than people’

Historically, presidential candidates shake hands and babies kiss heads as they compete for office. Thursday’s interaction led some in the room to joke that it is a sign that Biden is running for re-election in 2024 — even though he has not yet announced a bid.

The event marked the 13th anniversary of former President Barack Obama passing his most significant achievement: the Affordable Care Act.

Before leaving for Canada on Thursday for his first official visit to America’s northern neighbor, Biden helped celebrate the bill he helped draft as vice president.

Gomez’s six-month-old Hodge was one of those in attendance for Biden’s remarks.

The little guy has become quite the celebrity on Capitol Hill and in Washington, DC, while Rep. Gomez Hodge, named after Gomez’s wife’s last name, to work and other events.

“Thirteen years ago today, we gathered in this room when President Obama signed the Affordable Health Care Act into law. Hard to believe: 13 days ago – 13 years ago. It seems thirteen days ago,” Biden quickly corrected his bluff to a giggle from the crowd.

The ACA became known as Obamacare – a namesake for the president who spearheaded the effort.

After his comments, Biden took Gomez’s son out of his hands for a moment — holding him and making faces at the baby

Rep. Nancy Pelosi also got some face time with Gomez’s son at the ACA event at the White House on Thursday, March 23, 2023

Gomez watches as Pelosi and others pull out their phones to capture the president’s bond with the California Democrat’s infant son

Biden took a few swipes at Republicans, making sure to differentiate between those he deems “normal” and “good,” and the ultra-MAGA, pro-Trump Republicans he deems “bad.”

“Folks, our MAGA Republican friends — and by the way, I want to be clear: there are some good, decent Republicans out there, I’m not suggesting that these are all bad Republicans. But this new mob – this is not your father’s Republican Party,” the president said.

He was referring to Republicans who have tried to repeal the ACA, not all of whom are pro-Trump.

Biden said another example of “bad” Republicans are those who oppose his Inflation Reduction Act, a sweeping piece of economic legislation that also focused on social issues such as promoting green energy.

The law was relevant to the event on Thursday as it also slashed prescription drug prices in an effort to alleviate Americans who were hit hard by rising inflation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Last year I proposed the Inflation Reduction Act and Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which no Republican voted for — not even the good ones,” Biden lamented. “I don’t mean the good in a moral sense—I mean the normal Republicans.”