Biden, Wisconsin Democrats respond to Pence's Janesville visit

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- After voting in the Delaware primary, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden went after Donald Trump on climate change Monday, saying ignoring the issue contributes to natural disaster.

“Wildfires are burning the suburbs in the west, floods are wiping out suburban neighborhoods in the Midwest, hurricanes are imperiling suburban life along our coast,” Biden said.

Biden's campaign focused on the Trump administration's COVID-19 response when responding to Vice President Mike Pence's visit to Janesville.

“President Trump admitted he intentionally downplayed the virus and misled the American people, and Wisconsin continues to pay the price -- in lost jobs, lost businesses, and lost lives," the campaign said in a statement.

Rep. Mark Pocan, D-WI, held a press call Monday responding to the visit. Pocan said the White House has not given states or hospitals enough support to fight COVID-19.

“He’s telling states that we’re largely on our own, and he’s also telling us that the virus is in its final stages and that we’re near the end of the pandemic,” Pocan said.

Pocan and Wisconsin State Rep. Debra Kolste, D-Janesville, said if the Trump administration had taken the virus more seriously to start, Wisconsin would be in better shape economically and from a public health standpoint..

“Pence comes here and flaunts their recognition that they think they’ve handled this is just, it’s an atrocity," Kolste said. "If they had been honest in the first place, we could have stopped this.”

With 50 days until the primary election, both candidates have increased their Wisconsin presence. The first presidential debate is Sept. 29.