On the campaign trail, former Vice President Joe Biden talked about his $700 billion economic plan for American jobs, increasing health infrastructure and defeating the coronavirus.

Saturday afternoon, Congressman Tim Ryan held a virtual round table with some union leaders as guests.

Congressman Ryan said, "Vice President Joe Biden's economic or build back better plan has strong buy American provisions and there will be a whole re-shoring of jobs in the United States. Joe Biden puts $3 billion dollars behind new technology jobs like Lordstown Motors, like the GM battery plant that's to come. This isn't just a plan where you cut taxes for corporations and you hope they reinvest back in communities like ours. This is the federal government that is going to do public-private partnerships around industries like electric vehicles, like electric batteries, where people can make a high wage and middle-class jobs that can sustain a family. It talks a lot about issues not being addressed not having enough ventilators, not enough health care infrastructure. Economical justice, social justice, racial justice, we've got a lot at stake here."

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 64 Business Manager Jim Bergam added, "Biden supports a lot of our issues. All energy forms not just gas generation, but nuclear, and solar. We do all that kind of work. He understands the need for infrastructure and the grid systems in this country it's antiquated, needs a lot of investment. The appointments that are made the policies that have been established, Joe has a plan to bring America back into the leadership in this world it should be."

Former UAW 1112 Shop Chairman Ben Strickland joined Ryan on the conference call.

Strickland said, "We went from a thriving business that started in 1979 to no business I was shop chairman from early 2000 to 2015. We definitely need someone who is not going to give us empty promises." GM closed the Lordstown plant in 2019."

However, republicans said Joe Biden had decades of opportunities to stop jobs from moving off our shores and to create jobs but didn't. 

Christina Hagan, a former Ohio State Representative who is running for the congressional seat held by Ryan said,

"A Joe Biden presidency would, unfortunately, mean fewer jobs and fewer opportunities. Under President Trump, we've had one of the strongest economies we've ever seen in this country. He's been dealt some really difficult times with COVID-19, and we've still seen excessively strong job numbers, and the rebound and reintroduction into reopening the economy," said Christina Hagan, a former Ohio State Representative who is running for the congressional seat held by Ryan. "So President Trump has been right on tax reforms, he's been right on trade, he's been right on getting the American workers back to work. Just look at last month's June jobs numbers. I don't think any other person could have better job numbers. That says something about the strength of the economy before COVID-19. President Trump is the best leader to take us through the next four years to get our economy back on track. Democratic leaders always say he hasn't done enough but the numbers are the numbers." 

Hagan added that the president put out guidance every day as Americans tried to understand the invisible enemy that is COVID-19. 

"We didn't need all the ventilators, but the president made sure they are available and is making funds available to every state so we can do testing. Our president has worked hard with our public and private partners to press for a vaccine. I think this speaks to his leadership skills and work to make sure we have solutions for Americans," said Hagan.

Scientists say it can take from 10 to 15 years to research and test a vaccine.