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Biden calls out hecklers, rallies base: State of the Union highlights


The State of the Union may be over, but there’s lots to catch up on. See what you missed below and follow the AP’s latest coverage.

Here’s what to know:

  • Laken Riley: An interjection by Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene turned the spotlight on the Georgia nursing student who police say was killed by an immigrant in the country illegally.
  • Abortion: The president started talking about reproductive rights early in his speech, reflecting how important the issue will be to Democrats in the 2024 election.
  • Sen. Katie Britt: The Alabama senator who delivered the Republican response called Biden a “dithering and diminished leader.”

WATCH: Biden welcomes Sweden as the newest member of NATO at State of the Union

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS


In his State of the Union address, President Joe Biden welcomed Sweden as the newest member of NATO. Sweden’s membership comes as concerns about Russian aggression in Europe have spiked following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. (March 7)


WATCH: President Biden outlines policies to deal with housing crisis, prescription drugs

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS


President Biden outlines policies to deal with housing crisis, prescription drugs


WATCH: Biden slams Trump for blocking Ukraine aid, says US won’t ‘bow down’ to Putin

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS


In a fiery State of the Union address, President Joe Biden slams Donald Trump for asserting Russian Presiden Vladimir Putin can “do whatever the hell he wants” with respect to NATO allies and vows the U.S. “will not bow down” to Putin. (March 7)


WATCH: Biden promises ‘no U.S. boots on the ground’ in Gaza

By The Associated Press


President Biden said that a temporary pier in Gaza will “enable a massive increase in humanitarian assistance” but promised “no U.S. boots will be on the ground” to address Israel’s war in Gaza.


Democrats get the fiery Biden they know

President Biden’s performance and quick reactions to Republican heckling received a warm reception from Democratic colleagues who wanted the American public to see the “energetic” leader they say they interact with behind the scenes. Rep. Pramila Jayapal had discussed earlier Thursday that Biden’s performance and delivery would be closely watched by many in the party and base who may be privately concerned about his age and abilities.

“I just thought his energy was great. His delivery was great. He was fiery and in the end, he reminded us again about what’s important in America, what’s important to us as Democrats,” the Washington lawmaker said. “I think it was really a win.”


Biden’s use of ‘illegals’ rubs some Democrats the wrong way

Biden’s use of the word “illegals” to describe migrants rubbed a number of progressive Democrats the wrong way.

Biden said, “An innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal. That’s right. But how many of thousands of people have been killed by illegals?”

He was referring to Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student killed in Georgia. An immigrant from Venezuela who entered the U.S. illegally has been arrested and charged with murder.

That word “illegals” has long been verboten by Democrats. When Biden took office, he referred to migrants in the U.S. illegally as “noncitizens.”

President Biden held up the Laken Riley pin Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene gave to him before his State of the Union address. He said his “heart goes out” to parents who have lost their children.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said that while there was large parts of his address that she appreciated, she was disappointed in that moment.

“I wish he hadn’t engaged with Marjorie Taylor Greene and used the word illegal,” the Washington Democrat told AP immediately after the speech.

Her fellow progressive colleague, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., echoed her sentiments, saying that she had never heard the president use that word before. “Just like we should not be implementing Republican policy, we should not be repeating Republican rhetoric,” Pressley said.

Many studies have found immigrants are less drawn to violent crime than native-born citizens. One published by the National Academy of Sciences, based on Texas Department of Public Safety data from 2012 to 2018, reported native-born U.S. residents were more than twice as likely to be arrested for violent crimes than people in the country illegally.


Lights out. The House is adjourned and Biden finally exits


GOP response: Biden has failed the US on the border, is ‘dithering and diminished’

Alabama Sen. Katie Britt is imploring Biden to “end this crisis” on the U.S.-Mexico border.

In the GOP response, Britt noted that the president mentioned slain Georgia nursing student Laken Riley during his speech. Biden drew criticism from some in his own party by noting that Riley was killed ban an “illegal” immigrant. But Britt said that wasn’t enough.

“Innocent Americans are dying, and you only have yourself to blame,” Britt said, addressing the president directly. She added of the border, “End this crisis and stop the suffering.”

The senator went on to call Biden a “dithering and diminished leader” and argued that he was failing the free world.


Republican response seeks a ‘kitchen table’ connection with American families

Alabama Sen. Katie Britt is delivering the Republican response to Biden’s speech from her family’s kitchen — and leaning into one of the president’s favorite metaphors.

Biden often talks about the kitchen table as he seeks to connect with families. Britt countered that Biden just doesn’t get it.”

“Under his administration. Families are worse off,” Britt said. She further criticized Biden, saying that families around the country were gathering at kitchen tables like hers, looking for ways to cope with a country he’s put on the wrong track.


Voting rights advocates praise Biden’s calls to enact civil rights policies

Many voting and racial justice activists praised Biden’s invocation of the late John Lewis in his vows to protect democracy and combat voter suppression, gerrymandering and “election subversion” in his remarks. The president, who spoke on the 59th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday,” criticized “forces taking us back in time” in his remarks as he connected his policies to the Civil Rights movement.

“I think he’s on fire,” said LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, a voting rights group. She called Biden’s call for the passing of the Voting Rights Act “fantastic.”

“I thought he delivered a powerful state of the union and did not back down about what he stands for. Joe Biden the fighter showed up tonight,” said Melanie Campbell, president of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation.


Immigration advocates are speaking out against Biden’s ‘illegal’ comment

Immigration advocates and at least one member of Congress expressed frustration that Biden referred to the killer of University of Georgia student Laken Riley as “an illegal.”

“Disappointed that (Biden) would use such dehumanizing right wing rhetoric to speak about immigrants tonight,” Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., wrote on social media. “No human being is illegal.”


Meanwhile on Truth Social

Trump offered his own live commentary and criticism, blasting Biden’s policies and delivery — “THIS IS LIKE A SHOUTING MATCH,” he said — while defending his own record.

“Whether the Fake News Media likes admitting it or not, there was tremendous misrepresentation and lies in that Speech, but the People of our Country get it, and they know that November 5th will be the Most Important Day in our Nation’s History!” he wrote.

Trump criticized Biden for taking so long to address immigration and also defended himself against attacks that he had weakened NATO and is too cozy with Putin. “He said I bowed down to the Russian Leader. He gave them everything, including Ukraine. I took away Nord Stream 2, he gave it to them! He was a Puppet for Putin and Xi, and virtually every other Leader!” Trump wrote.


A speech decrying Trump — without mentioning Trump


Biden cracked an age joke

As he neared the end of the speech, President Joe Biden quipped, “I know it may not look like it, but I’ve been around a while.”

The 81-year-old president added, “When you get to be my age, certain things become clearer than ever.”

He went on to promise that he wouldn’t allow the country to go backward or return to the past.

Age is a big issue in the 2024 race. And as he and Trump square up for a likely rematch, they’re contending with widespread concerns about whether either one is sharp enough for the job.

According to a new AP-NORC poll, 63% of U.S. adults are “not very confident” or “not at all confident” that Biden has the mental capability to serve effectively as president. A slightly smaller but similar share (57%) is not confident in Trump’s mental capability. Biden, though, faces greater concern from independents about his acuity and memory: 80% are not confident in Biden’s mental abilities, while 56% are not confident in Trump’s.


And he’s done


Biden makes another call to ban assault weapons


Biden promises no US military forces in Gaza


About that Laken Riley moment

In discussing immigration policy, President Joe Biden mentioned Laken Riley, the Georgia nursing student who police say was killed by an immigrant in the country illegally.

Biden blamed Republicans for derailing a bipartisan border package in the Senate.

When Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene cried, “Say her name,” Biden replied. “Laken Riley.”

He said she had been killed by an “illegal” — referring to people in the country illegally. That’s a word Democrats do not use today; when Biden took office he used the word “noncitizens.”

But he also said the border package would have improved immigration policy — if congressional Republicans hadn’t derailed it.

Greene tried to give Biden a pin with Riley’s name as he entered the chamber prior to his speech.


Biden turns to the Israel-Hamas war

When he began to discuss the Oct. 7 attack, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American serving in Congress, held up a sign that “Lasting Ceasefire Now.”


Tense border politics

The topic of border security was always expected to be tense.

As Biden listed off the provisions of the Senate’s border security bill, the chief GOP negotiator, Sen. James Lankford shook his head in agreement.

And then he urged Congress to work together to pass a border security compromise.

“Get this bill done!” Biden said.

He even called on Trump to stop fighting against a deal.

“We can do it together,” he said


His ‘predecessor’ is indeed watching

Truth Social is back up and Trump has been posting, offering a steady barrage of criticism of Biden’s speech, hitting him over inflation, his handling of the border and his delivery.

“He is so angry and crazy!” Trump said of Biden, adding: “THE COUGHING, THE COUGHING – ALWAYS THE COUGHING!” (“THE DRUGS ARE WEARING OFF!” he declared at one point.) Trump also complained that Biden “talked about the SNICKERS Bars, before he talked about the Border!”

Trump is also defending himself against some of Biden’s attacks, insisting that he made NATO stronger by pushing nations to invest more in defense with his threats not to defend those who fall short of spending goals.


An ovation for John Lewis


Feisty Biden is on full display


Biden repeated his call for publicly funded universal Pre-K

It’s an idea he first pitched during his first State of the Union address in 2021. His plan would have called for states and the federal government to jointly fund it. He also sought to radically expand an existing program that helps the neediest families with child care expenses. The price tag for preschool and child care programs in the American Rescue Plan was $200 billion.

Congress ultimately axed from the American Rescue Plan. It passed a bill in 2021 that included $24 billion to keep the child care industry afloat, money that providers used to raise worker salaries and keep tuition rates down. It was the largest federal investment in child care in history.

That funding expired in September. Biden’s calls to invest an additional $16 billion to keep the industry solvent have gone unheeded.


‘My Predecessor’


WATCH: Biden vows to restore Roe v. Wade

By The Associated Press


President Biden promised during his State of the Union address to “restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land again” if voters elect a Congress that “supports the right to choose.”


Trump’s Truth Social appears to have traffic problems

Donald Trump’s Truth Social appeared to struggle at time to keep up with traffic as he offers live commentary of Biden’s speech.

Users across the country reported received error messages and time-outs after Biden began.

Before that, Trump had been playing pundit with plenty of all-caps and exclamation points, criticizing Biden for spending too long shaking hands — “This is the longest walk in Presidential History – It is ridiculous!” he said — and calling his late start “VERY DISRESPECTFUL TO OUR COUNTRY!”

“They will have to drive very, very quickly, you just don’t want to be late to the State of the Union. They will need Mario Andretti to be at the wheel of the Limo,” he quipped.


Some GOP representatives are leaving early

A number of House Republicans began to stand up and leave the chamber as Biden discussed raising taxes on billionaires and corporations. Others remained in their chairs and shook their heads.

“Tell Hunter to pay his taxes,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene yells at Biden as he discusses Americans evading their taxes.


AP-NORC Poll: Americans are worried about the state of the national economy


The economy is a perennial topic for State of the Union addresses, but this year Biden is emphasizing recent positive economic indicators since Americans generally think the national economic situation is sour — and many think it’s gotten worse since Biden took office.

A new AP-NORC poll found that 69% of U.S. adults describe the nation’s economy as “poor.” Americans are more optimistic about their own finances than about the economy as a whole: About half (54%) of U.S. adults describe their household’s financial situation as good.

But when it comes to Biden’s performance on the economy, there’s a lot of discontent. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults (64%) disapprove of the way he’s handling the economy, and 57% say the national economy is worse off than it was when he took office in 2021.


Biden says when the US economy gets knocked down it gets up again


WATCH: Biden says ‘history is watching’ threats to democracy

By The Associated Press


President Biden spoke about threats to democracy, including the Jan. 6 attack, during his 2024 State of the Union address.


Biden hones in on record-low unemployment among minorities

He pointed out that the racial wealth gap is the smallest in 20 years. Still, the Black-white racial wealth gap does persist.

Biden’s administration has pitched its policies as a remedy to economic stagnation and inequality across communities.


Ad-lib during the speech


Speaker Johnson’s poker face


The (voting) power of women


Biden evokes the dark day of Jan. 6

The moment is still fresh for many lawmakers who endured the violence and mayhem that day, as Trump’s mob of supporters laid siege trying to undo his 2020 election loss.

“They failed,” Biden thundered, as lawmakers cheered applauded. “America stood.”

He vowed not to “bury the truth” of what happened that day, despite efforts by some to rewrite the history.


A warm welcome for Sweden’s leader


Biden quickly targets Trump and Republicans over Jan. 6


The president, the speaker and the handshake


Concerns over democracy at home and abroad start State of the Union

President Joe Biden says his purpose tonight is to “wake up the Congress” and alert the American people that “this is no ordinary moment” in history. He says freedom and democracy are under attack.

The president started with the war in Ukraine, talking about what he believes is the urgent need for funding in order to stop Russia’s aggression.


AP-NORC Poll: Americans are divided about how involved the US should be in world affairs


In the background of tonight’s speech, the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars are raging. Lawmakers are locked in a dispute about how much — if any — aid to contribute to allies in each conflict, and a new AP-NORC poll found that everyday Republicans and Democrats have very different views about how involved the U.S. should be in global problems generally.

Overall, there isn’t much appetite for a more active role abroad: 4 in 10 U.S. adults think the country should take a less active role in solving the world’s problems or that its current role is about right (36%), and only 23% want the U.S. to take a more active role. But while the GOP was associated in the past with a more interventionist style of foreign policy, that’s not a popular outlook among rank-and-file Republicans today. About half of Republicans (53%) and independents (47%) think the U.S. should take a less active role in solving the world’s problems, while about half (52%) of Democrats say the U.S.’s current role is about right.

But Republicans, independents, and Democrats are united on one thing: Only about 2 in 10 want the U.S. to take a more active role abroad.


The State of the Union got off to a late start


WATCH: Biden’s cabinet and the first lady enter the House chamber

By The Associated Press


First lady Jill Biden, along with the president’s cabinet, arrive at the House chamber ahead of Biden’s State of Union address.


Who sits behind the president? For Biden, it’s a new face every year


Meanwhile, Trump keeps up his attacks on Biden

Donald Trump is continuing to taunt his likely Democratic rival before Biden’s address to the nation.
Trump, who is planning to offer live commentary of the speech his social media website, is accusing Biden of overseeing a ‘MIGRANT INVASION” and complaining about his criminal indictments.
An avid consumer of cable news, he says: “This will be an exciting evening. You never know what you’re going to get with Crooked Joe.”


A long walk to the Rostrum


The Supreme Court justices have arrived


Biden has entered the building

The House chamber erupted with cheers as the president walked through the doors, shaking hands with lawmakers along the way.


Biden’s Cabinet has entered


And the designated survivor is … Miguel Cardona


IN PHOTOS: More political leaders arrive to the chamber

By The Associated Press



Republicans wear border security politics on their lapels

Republican lawmakers are wearing their border security politics – on their lapel pins.

Many Republicans are sporting bright red “Stop the Biden Border Crisis” buttons.

Others are wearing buttons in support of Laken Riley, the slain nursing student in Georgia whose death has become a focal point for
Republican criticism of border policies.

One Republican, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, is using the language of activists after the police killing of George Floyd, wearing a T-shirt that reads, “Say her name.”


Trump’s mug shot in the House chamber


WATCH: Harris, McConnell and other political leaders enter the House chamber

By The Associated Press


Watch Vice President Kamala Harris, Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell and other leaders enter the House chamber ahead of President Biden’s State of the Union.


Longer route than usual to the U.S. Capitol for the speech


Biden’s motorcade is rolling to the speech


The House is jammed


The Senate has arrived


Getting started in the Capitol

Lawmakers have been told to take their seats. Vice President Kamala Harris has entered the House chamber. Senators are rolling in behind her.


President Biden is getting ready to leave the White House for the Capitol


Impact of Israel-Hamas war is on display on the House floor


The chamber is open


An organizer of tonight’s Gaza protest says the demonstration was meant to send a clear message to Biden

“We would love the President’s motorcade to drive past us,” as it leaves the White House for the Capitol building, said Sandra Tamari, executive director of the Adalah Justice Project, a Palestinian advocacy group. Tamari says she has family located in the West Bank and fears for their safety.

“We have the control to end this, to stop providing cover for Israel and our voices should be heard.”

A large image of Biden’s face with the caption “Genocide Joe” was projected onto the Hay-Adams luxury hotel across the street from the White House, while protestors chanted, “Not a penny, not a dollar, no more money to Israel’s slaughter.”


Democratic women are again wearing white. This time, it’s for reproductive rights


They talked for how long?

Since 1982, the annual address has averaged just under an hour. Bill Clinton clocks in as the longest speaker, with 88 minutes and 49 seconds in 2000. The shortest was Ronald Reagan at a brisk 31 minutes in 1986.


The State of the Union and the 2024 campaign

Political trappings and policy promises aside, Biden’s speech tonight is going to be viewed through the lens of the presidential campaign.

And those themes are already well-established.

Biden will use the State of the Union to essentially say, “It’s him or me,” laying into Donald Trump and presenting himself as the country’s only hope against the existential threat he says the former president poses.


Prop betting on the president: One online site is offering odds on the State of the Union

Want to keep the State of the Union interesting — and potentially profitable? An online oddsmaker is offering prop betting opportunities on the speech.

Gamblers can wager on how long Biden talks, get over-under odds on the number of standing ovations he receives and how many notable flubs occur.

Betting on presidential elections — and on most forms of U.S. politics — is prohibited. But at least one online site with an overseas presence, Betonline, is giving odds on things like which topic gets the most mentions: Ukraine, the border, guns or security.

Sadly, there don’t appear to be available odds for a phrase Biden has said in the past, “It’s never a good bet to bet against America.”


How did Biden prepare for the big speech?


The State of the Union used to be must-see TV. Now it may be all about the memes.

Are you going to be tuning in? Probably not, if recent ratings are to be believed.

Roughly 27 million viewers watched President Joe Biden’s 2023 State of the Union.

That was the lowest since the 2021 Biden address, and wasn’t even half of the nearly 67 million who watched Bill Clinton give his in 1997.

In today’s fractured audience environment, Americans simply don’t gather around the tube like they once did. That means tonight’s speech won’t offer the grand stage of yore.

Still, Biden’s reelection campaign stands ready to slice and dice key moments for easily digestible content it can ignite Instagram or
TikTok, or otherwise set the online world aflame.

Former President Donald Trump’s campaign and the Republicans will be equally ready to turn any flubs or moments when Biden’s words fall flat into online fodder of their own.

It’s hard to imagine online snippets having the staying power of past televised moments, like when Gerald Ford declared in 1975 “the state of the union is not good” or Nancy Pelosi’s 2020 tearing a hardcopy of Trump’s speech to shreds second after he delivered it.

Still, all sides still want to reach Americans and their changing media habits even if it’s one meme at a time.


Both Biden and Trump are looking to ‘win’ the border

Neither President Joe Biden nor his predecessor, Donald Trump, spent the final days before Super Tuesday scrounging for primary votes. Instead, both traveled to the Texas-Mexico border.

That proves just how pivotal immigration will be, even if both sides’ approaches couldn’t be more different.

Biden used that visit — and will repeat it during the State of the Union — that this is a matter of policy.

He’s slammed top Republicans for torpedoing a bipartisan immigration package at Trump’s urging. Biden says Trump is playing politics with the border to win in November, not fix anything.

Trump counters that Biden can’t stop an ”invasion” of people crossing into the country illegally.

Polls show that voters largely trust Trump over Biden on immigration. Changing that perception, as the president will try to do tonight, won’t be easy.


Disgraced former Rep. George Santos spotted on the House floor



Demonstrators calling for cease-fire gather near White House

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the White House on Thursday to bring attention to the war in Gaza.

A crowd of protesters chanted for a cease-fire ahead of the president’s speech tonight, calling for an end to the fighting in the Israel-Hamas war.

There was a tense moment or two, including when a man was arrested on reckless driving charges after he stopped a white convertible sedan near the crowd and started to rev the engine.

The Metropolitan police department pulled the man from the car and took him into custody. There were no injuries reported.

The demonstrators are protesting how Biden has handled the war, and they’re gathered near Lafayette Square, not far from the White House.


Where are you sitting?


Biden once gave the State of the Union response … more than 40 years ago

Way back in 1983, Joe Biden was on the other side of the State of the Union, delivering the Democratic response to then-President Ronald Reagan’s remarks.

In a clip posted by C-SPAN’s Howard Mortman, the then Delaware senator strolls around his office in shirtsleeves with the camera following him as he declares that it’s time for his party to “put up or shut up.” Aides appear to be working in the background, seemingly ignoring their boss’ moment in the spotlight.

His voice is a bit higher and more nasal than its current baritone. He promises to “put this country back to work” and then quotes Great Depression-era President Franklin Roosevelt saying, “It can be done.”


Biden’s state of the union takes place on the anniversary of ‘Bloody Sunday’ civil rights march


Biden gets some speechwriting advice from other presidents … kind of

In a social media post ahead of his speech, Biden chatted with actors Geena Davis, Morgan Freeman, Bill Pullman and Michael Douglas, all actors who have played the commander-in-chief on TV or in film.

The short video also gave Americans a rare glimpse inside Camp David, where he held the conference call.

“I’ve never spoken to so many presidents all at one time,” Biden said. He asked whether they had any advice.

Freeman, who played President Tom Beck in “Deep Impact,” joked that in his capacity as president, all he had to deal with was a meteor.


Watching for signs of age


Speaker Mike Johnson and GOP leaders present a dark view of the country, echoing Trump


Trump laces into Biden over inflation and the border in ‘Prebuttal’ video

Trump has been leaning in on harsh immigration rhetoric as he turns his attention to his all but guaranteed general election rematch against Biden, accusing his successor of having “actively aided and abetted the importation of millions and millions of illegal alien migrants.”

“No matter what Crooked Joe says, his actions prove his priority is to import a colossal new illegal alien population and let them all stay,” Trump said in the video released on social media.

Trump also accuses Biden of boosting inflation with federal spending.


Expect a nod to the Swedes as the nation joins NATO


Biden’s last State of the Union address? Republicans are counting on it


Immigration advocates hope Biden will address some of their key concerns

With talks for an immigration deal collapsed in Congress, some Latino leaders are hoping President Biden will use tonight’s speech as a chance to present concrete executive action on immigration and a path forward on negotiations with House Republicans.

“We need to have more enforcement, more officers and faster processing,” said Domingo Garcia, president of the League of United Latin American Citizens. “But we also need to do something about those immigrants who have been here for years, like the Dreamers and others who are law-abiding, tax-paying citizens who also deserve a shot at the American dream.”

Garcia also expressed concern over “the humanitarian crisis on the border” and cautioned against “accepting Republicans’ playbook” on immigration by enacting stricter enforcement policies without any increased pathways to legal immigration, which Democrats have traditionally considered a requirement for any immigration reform.


Republican response will make the case that US families can’t afford housing or child care

In her State of the Union response, Sen. Katie Britt will argue that it costs too much to be American — and the fault rests with Biden.

“Hardworking families are struggling to make ends meet today,” Britt will say, according to released excerpts. “And with soaring mortgage rates and sky-high childcare costs, they’re also struggling to plan for tomorrow.”

Polling suggests that the majority of the people disapprove of Biden’s economic leadership. But what’s not clear is how Republican policies would tame mortgage rates, which are influenced by the Federal Reserve. There is a bipartisan bill to expand the child tax credit and help families, but it’s stalled in the Senate due to Republican objections.


Government fashion: Lawmakers send a message with their clothing choices


In her response to Biden’s speech, Republican Katie Britt will talk about how families are hurting


Biden to take a dig at Trump for his age and desire for ‘revenge’

The president’s address has a not-so-veiled dig at his predecessor and likely competitor for being old and vindictive.

Excerpts of the speech have Biden saying he was taught “to embrace freedom and democracy,” but, “now some other people my age see a different story: an American story of resentment, revenge, and retribution. That’s not me.”


Presidential speechwriting 101


Biden to say the US economy is the ‘greatest comeback story never told’

President Joe Biden plans to say in the State of the Union that he came to the White House during “one of the toughest periods in our nation’s history” and “the American people are writing the greatest comeback story never told.”

That speech excerpt released from the White House gets at one of Biden’s major frustrations. He feels as though the country doesn’t fully know about his infrastructure investments, support for high-tech factories and funding for renewable energy development. He’s betting that tonight’s speech is a chance for the public to really hear those stories for the first time.


Biden will talk about the impact of reproductive rights in his speech tonight

He’s expected to say, according to excerpts of his remarks, that “clearly those bragging about overturning Roe v. Wade have no clue about the power of women in America.”

“But they found out when reproductive freedom was on the ballot and won in 2022, 2023, and they will find out again in 2024. If Americans send me a Congress that supports the right to choose I promise you: I will restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land again.”

Biden, of course, could vary how he gives the address.


Excerpts of Biden’s State of the Union speech are released


What to know about tonight’s designated survivor


A Trump super PAC’s brutal attack ad previews the scorched-earth general election campaign to come


Expect the unexpected, especially when it comes to protests


Technically, this probably could have been an email

For his first address on Dec. 8, 1801, Thomas Jefferson sent written copies to both houses of Congress to be read by each chamber’s clerks.

Calvin Coolidge delivered the first speech broadcast on radio in 1923. Harry Truman’s address in 1947 was the first broadcast on television. George W. Bush’s 2002 speech was the first available as a live webcast on the White House website.


Biden is directing the U.S. military to help set up temporary port off Gaza coast for aid

President Joe Biden will announce during the speech tonight that he will direct the U.S. military to help set up a temporary port off the Gaza coast. It will open a sea route for food and other aid for desperate Palestinian civilians trapped in the Israel-Hamas war. That’s according to senior administration officials who spoke to The Associated Press.

Democrats, including some of his closest allies, have become increasingly vocal about the need for the U.S. to act directly to ease civilian suffering in Gaza. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told The Associated Press that he will be looking for the president to give a forceful message on the need to get humanitarian aid into Gaza.

“Obviously [Biden] is going to talk about domestic issues. He’s going to talk about Ukraine. He’s going to talk about the awful attacks of October 7, as he should and Israel’s right to self defense,” the Maryland lawmaker said. “But I also think he should couple all of that with a clear message that the United States will not stand by and tolerate people starving to death.”


White House deputy chief of staff talks to AP ahead of Biden’s speech tonight

President Joe Biden will focus tonight on areas that he and White House aides believe broadly unify the country. It’s an implicit nod to moderate Republicans and swing voters whom the president hopes will find a home in his political coalition.

In his speech, Biden will make an explicit appeal to the divided Congress for his “unity agenda,” which covers broadly popular initiatives such as dealing with the mental health epidemic, curbing opioid abuse, aiding veterans and improving cancer care, according to White House officials who spoke to The Associated Press ahead of the speech.

It’ll come under one broad umbrella theme — that Biden is a president for all Americans.

“Stopping fentanyl at the border, passing privacy legislation to protect children online, keeping our sacred obligation to veterans and ending cancer as we know it are priorities for everyone without regard to party,” White House deputy chief of staff Bruce Reed told the AP.


The Republican response will be given by the Senate’s youngest female member

By MARY CLARE JALONICK


After the president delivers his speech, the Republicans respond. This year, that duty falls to Sen. Katie Britt, an Alabama senator who has become deeply involved in the state’s battle over IVF.

The Alabama Supreme Court ruled frozen embryos can be considered children under state law, a decision that has threatened fertility clinics in the state. Britt called Republican front-runner Donald Trump to tell him that the party should embrace IVF.

Republicans are struggling to find their political footing following the overturning of abortion protections by the Supreme Court, particularly as the ripple effects of the decision grow.

Within hours of their conversation, Trump issued a statement that said he would “strongly support” the availability of IVF.

Britt is 42. She was elected to the Senate in 2022. Britt has called herself a “mama on a mission” to get things done in Washington.


A protective fence is once again up around the U.S. Capitol


The House passed the ‘Laken Riley Act.’ Here’s what it is


Trump will be watching the State of the Union along with other political junkies

Trump “will be doing a LIVE, Play by Play, of Crooked Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

“I will correct, in rapid response, any and all inaccurate Statements, especially pertaining to the Border and his Weaponization of the DOJ, FBI, A.G.s, and District Attorneys, to go after his Political Opponent, ME (something never done before in this Country!)”

Trump has also been pushing Biden to agree to debates after their respective Super Tuesday wins.


Tonight’s guests were chosen to make a statement

There are more than just lawmakers and top officials at the Capitol for the speech. Politicians bring guests to the gallery to put a face to issues they want to highlight.

The most high-profile guests are invited by the White House and are often recognized during the president’s speech. Biden is eager to demonstrate how the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade has limited reproductive rights. And Kate Cox will be sitting with the first lady. She’s a Texas woman who was unable to get an abortion in her home state even though her health was in danger and her baby had a fatal condition.

A pregnant Texas woman who was seeking court permission for an abortion in an unprecedented challenge to one of the most restrictive bans in the U.S. could not wait any longer and went to another state, her attorneys said Monday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson invited the parents of Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter imprisoned in Russia. He’s also leaning into border politics and bringing two NYPD members — a lieutenant and an officer — who were attacked by migrants in Times Square.

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has appeared in Moscow City Court, seeking release from jail on espionage charges. (Sep. 20)

Read more about the guests for tonight’s address.


AP-NORC Poll: Americans don’t have much confidence in Biden’s relationship with Congress


The atmosphere in the Capitol might seem a little frosty during tonight’s speech, after months of conflict between Biden and the House GOP. And Americans don’t have a lot of confidence that Biden will be able to work successfully with congressional Republicans going forward.

According to a new AP-NORC poll, about half (52%) of Americans have “hardly any confidence at all” in Biden’s ability to work with Republicans in Congress, while 35% have “only some confidence” and 12% have “a great deal of confidence.”

Views of Biden’s ability to work with his own party in Congress aren’t overwhelmingly positive either: 34% have a great deal of confidence, 36% have only some confidence and 30% have hardly any confidence at all.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given their skepticism about the success of Biden’s relationship with one of the governing parties in Congress, nearly half of Americans have hardly any confidence in Biden’s ability to accomplish major policy goals (47%) or effectively manage government spending (51%).


What’s at stake in tonight’s State of the Union address

President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address is going to take the form of an on-the-job interview this year, as the president seeks reelection and tries to quell voter concerns over his age and job performance.

Thursday will be his third State of the Union address. It’s delivered from the House Rostrum.

The stakes are substantially higher than previous years, as the nation’s oldest president uses one of the few remaining political events that is broadly watched to sell his second-term vision to a dispirited electorate that broadly believes he’s not up to the task of the presidency.

He is also going to sharpen the contrast with his predecessor and all-but-certain 2024 rival, Donald Trump.



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