White House Does Damage Control As President Biden Appeared To Look For Deceased Congresswoman

President Joe Biden wrongly questioned if the late Jackie Walorski, Rep Indiana, who passed in August, was in attendance during his speech at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, on Wednesday.

Biden thanked everyone in the audience for their work on hunger as he spoke about his administration's efforts to end starvation in the U.S. by 2030, Fox News reported. "I want to thank all of you here, including bipartisan elected officials like … Senator Braun, Senator Booker, Representative … Jackie, Jackie are you here?" Biden said, searching for the late congresswoman. "I think she was going to be here to help make this a reality,"

Walorski, 58, and two of her congressional staff members lost their lives in a head-on car collision in northern Indiana. According to USA Today, Biden issued a statement following Walorski's death in August, saying he and Jill Biden were "shocked and saddened" and that he appreciated the congresswoman's help in planning for the hunger conference.

Meanwhile, Biden, known for making slip-ups in public, will be 80 years old in November. He is regular slammed by Republicans about his mental fitness. The President has stated he plans to run for re-election in 2024 but has not yet formally announced his bid.

"The President speaks directly and candidly — straight from the shoulder, as he often says," White House spokesperson Robyn Patterson said in a statement when asked about the president's history of saying things his staffers subsequently corrected.

Asked why Biden made the remark about Walorski and if he was confused, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at Wednesday's briefing that he mentioned Walorski because she was "top of mind," adding that Biden had plans to see Walorski's family in two days. She addedthat there will be a bill signing in Walorski's honor this coming Friday, and that could be the reason why she was on the president's mind, NBC News reported.

Jean-Pierre also remarked that Biden was naming the congressional champions on the issue and was acknowledging Walorski's incredible work.

Moreover, a video tribute to the late Republican congresswoman was scheduled to play at the event. However, it was not shown while the President and White House press pool were at the event.