State of the Union – live: Reaction and key points from Biden’s 2023 address

President Joe Biden delivered his annual State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday night.

Among the topics he covered: the “spy balloon” diplomatic row with China; his plan to increase taxes on billionaires and corporations; police reform in the wake of the killing of Tyre Nichols; and the wars on cancer and the illegal fentanyl trade.

Mr Biden highlighted the policy successes of his administration’s first two years and – appearing feisty and combative at times – responded to repeated heckles and boos from Republican lawmakers.

Among the ruckus was Marjorie Taylor Greene who chose to scream “liar” at the president moments as he spoke about some GOP members’ plans to slash and sunset Medicare and Social Security.

At one point, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy shushed members of his own party when they interrupted Mr Biden’s tribute to a fentanyl victim.

There were bipartisan moments of applause over police reform and Ukraine as guests including Nichols’ parents and Bono looked on. The president also made efforts to highlight moments in which both parties have worked together

Key Points

• Biden stares down Republican hecklers in feisty State of the Union

• Marjorie Taylor Greene screams ‘liar’ at Biden as she’s mocked for ‘dressing like Cruella de Vil'

• GOP lawmaker shushed after heckling Biden tribute to fentanyl victim

• Biden on downing Chinese spy balloon: ‘We will protect our country’

• Tyre Nichols’ family, Monterey Park hero, Bono all attend SOTU

• Mitt Romney has tense exchange with George Santos

Biden aims to sway a sceptical nation at State of the Union as polls show him under water

Monday 6 February 2023 22:17 , Andrew Feinberg

When President Joe Biden delivers his second State of the Union address to a packed House of Representatives chamber on Tuesday, it will be his last chance to sell his message — and his imminent candidacy for reelection — to an American public that has proven stubbornly immune to his charm offensives.

Although Mr Biden’s Democratic allies fared far better in last year’s midterm elections than expected of an incumbent president’s party by picking up a Senate seat and losing their House majority by just a handful of seats, the 46th president remains under water in most major opinion polls.

An ABC News / Washington Post poll of 1,003 adults taken at the end of last month showed just 42 per cent of respondents approve of his performance, with a majority of Americans — 53 per cent — saying they either “strongly” or “somewhat” disapprove of how Mr Biden has conducted himself in office.

Read more:

Biden aims to sway a sceptical nation as polls show him under water

All the details you need to know about tomorrow’s State of the Union address

Monday 6 February 2023 23:17 , Josh Marcus

President Joe Biden’s second State of the Union (SOTU) address will take place before a joint session of Congress on the evening of Tuesday 7 February, presenting him with a fresh opportunity to lay out the key issues facing the nation and frame the 2024 presidential race in his own terms.

Mr Biden’s latest SOTU speech will be his first since the Republicans took control of the House of Representatives after November’s midterms and it remains to be seen how receptive GOP members will be to what he has to say, with the prospect of performative boredom, hostility and booing distinctly likely.

An experienced speechmaker, the president is unlikely to be intimidated either way.

He will be flanked, as is customary, by the new House speaker, Kevin McCarthy, and his vice president, Kamala Harris, as he delivers his address to the assembled members of the House and Senate, with family, friends and specially invited guests looking down from the balcony of the lower chamber.

Joe Sommerland has the story.

How to watch Joe Biden’s State of the Union address

Joe Biden may defend administration’s racial justice record at SOTU

Tuesday 7 February 2023 00:17 , Josh Marcus

As Joe Biden reflects on another year in office, racial justice will be a topic that’s surely on his mind, following the uproar over the police killing of Tyre Nichols.

As The Independent has reported, observers say Mr Biden has a mixed record at best on key questions like civil rights and police reform.

Why Joe Biden has been a ‘consistently inconsistent’ ally for civil rights so far

What surprises does SOTU have in store?

Tuesday 7 February 2023 01:17 , Josh Marcus

This year’s State of the Union Address will be very different from the last in more ways than one. Personifying the new era of divided government, Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) will be sitting behind President Biden’s left shoulder next to Vice President Kamala Harris. But even with the new backdrop and looming headaches, Joe Biden appears to be feeling good about where he stands. So good, in fact, his sights are already set on how he can lock in term number two.

Tomorrow, President Biden will deliver a State of the Union that will serve as a platform and messaging framework for his 2024 campaign, which we expect to be announced in the coming weeks. Biden will seek to frame the 2024 debate on his own terms, and outline not only what he’s for and against, but also tout what he’s already done.

This speech comes amid the new narrow House Republican majority, whose newly empowered extremist members have wasted no time in causing chaos. Biden is currently facing obstructionism on the debt ceiling and incoming House investigations into his administration and family. There is also the new Special Counsel probe into Biden’s handling of classified documents. It’s important to note that both former Vice President Mike Pence’s and President Biden’s cases are distinctly different from Donald Trump’s case, which is a criminal obstruction probe. Nonetheless, no president likes being under investigation by a Special Counsel. In spite of those headwinds, and some concerns about his age, the President feels the political wind is at his back.

Ahmed Baba unpacks what to expect in his column for Independent Voices.

Why this year’s State of the Union will be so different

The most important guests at this year’s State of the Union

Tuesday 7 February 2023 02:17 , Josh Marcus

President Joe Biden will deliver his second State of the Union address on Tuesday 7 February – his first since the Republicans took control of the House of Representatives after November’s midterms.

Mr Biden’s speech will take place at 9pm EST (2am GMT) and will be carried live across the major American news networks. It marks the unofficial start of the 2024 presidential campaign, with the Democrat discussing key areas of public concern, from police reform and the economy to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Among the parties already invited to attend this year’s event include RowVaughn and Rodney Wells, the mother and stepfather of Tyre Nichols, and Brandon Tsay, the hero of the Monterey Park mass shooting.

Here’s a guide to everyone confirmed so far.

Joe Sommerlad reports.

Who is attending this year’s State of the Union address?

What is the State of the Union address?

Tuesday 7 February 2023 03:17 , Josh Marcus

The 2023 State of the Union address will take place on Tuesday, 7 February.

It is the constitutionally-mandated annual message delivered to a joint session of Congress by the president of the United States.

In this year’s address, Joe Biden is expected to talk about important issues facing Americans and will offer solutions and suggestions for new policies.

It will be Mr Biden’s second State of the Union speech, which could serve as a platform for his 2024 campaign for re-election.

Get the full story from Independent TV.

What is the State of the Union address?

Biden looks to score points on the economy in SOTU address

Tuesday 7 February 2023 04:17 , Josh Marcus

President Joe Biden will use his second State of the Union address on Tuesday to remind Americans of how their lives have been improved over his first two years in office, as he tries to confront pessimism in the country and navigate the tricky politics of a newly divided Washington.

Rather than laying out major new policy proposals, Biden was expected to devote much of his speech to highlighting his efforts over the past two years to create jobs, fight inflation and improve the nation’s infrastructure. The speech comes as Biden is honing his pitch to voters ahead of his expected announcement in the next few months that he will seek another term in office despite voter frustrations about the direction of the nation.

“Next week, I’ll be reporting on the state of the Union,” Biden said Friday after a stronger-than-expected jobs report that saw the unemployment rate drop to the lowest level in more than 53 years. “But today, I’m happy to report that the state of the Union and the state of our economy is strong.”

Zeke Miller and Seung Min Kim report.

Biden's State of the Union to tout policy wins on economy

Are new Republican rules in Congress putting the State of the Union at risk?

Tuesday 7 February 2023 05:17 , Josh Marcus

A group of 14 House Democrats are voicing fears that House Republicans’ reversal of security rules enacted after the January 6 attack could allow one of their Republican colleagues to threaten the life of President Joe Biden or other attendees in the House chamber during next week’s State of the Union speech.

Mr Biden is set to deliver his annual message to Congress on Tuesday, 7 February. It will be his second State of the Union speech to Congress and his first since Republicans took control of the House by winning a majority in last year’s midterm elections.

One of the first acts of the new GOP majority was to eliminate the magnetometers that then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered US Capitol Police to erect at each entrance to the House chamber in the wake of the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Although members have always technically been prohibited from wearing firearms in the chamber, some claimed to have had their weapons on their person during the attack.

More details in our full story.

House Democrats fear GOP members could endanger Biden at State of the Union

Looking back on the most famous State of the Union moments

Tuesday 7 February 2023 06:17 , Josh Marcus

The State of the Union is one of the most choreographed events in American politics. We all know the drill: The president walks down the House chamber, shakes a lot of hands, takes his place in front of the vice president and the speaker of the House, and delivers a carefully prepared speech. Overall, it’s a pretty staid affair.

But some moments have stood out. Every once in a long while (or more often in the Trump years), something happens that is so bizarre, unscripted, or just uncomfortable, that it manages to break through the tedium and become memorable.

Below, starting with the most recent, are some of those moments, including Lauren Boebert’s infamous booing.

Nathan Place and Gustaf Kilander report.

The seven most bizarre SOTU moments over the years

Flashback: The famous ‘You lie!’ heckler during Obama’s State of the Union

Tuesday 7 February 2023 07:17 , Josh Marcus

Perhaps the most famous State of the Union moment in recent memory was not a stirring speech from a president, but a heckle shouted from the crowd.

In 2009, as Barack Obama outlined his immigration plans, Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina stood up and shouted, “You lie!” at the president, a shocking breach of Washington decorum.

You can watch the exchange here.

Rep Wilson is still in Congress, and he’s still giving Democratic presidents a hard time.

On Saturday, he called on Joe Biden to resign over the Chinese spy balloon incident.

What will Joe Biden tell the nation after a bruising midterm season?

Tuesday 7 February 2023 08:17 , Josh Marcus

Look for new faces and fresh political dynamics as President Joe Biden delivers this year’s State of the Union address, coupled with attention to some old problems brought back into painful focus by recent events.

The president on Tuesday night will stand before a joint session of Congress for the first time since voters in the midterm elections handed control of the House to Republicans. Biden, like presidents past, will make the case that the nation is strong and that better days lie ahead. But he finds himself in choppy waters as he passes the halfway mark of his term.

After a series of legislative victories during the first two years of Biden’s term, Republicans are looking to undo some of his early wins. Recent mass shootings and a police killing in Memphis, Tennessee, have brought renewed focus to the issues of gun violence and excessive police force. And on the foreign policy front, Biden faces the formidable task of keeping a Western alliance — and the American electorate — united behind Ukraine in its effort to repel Russia’s ongoing invasion. He’s also dealing with fallout from the U.S. downing of a suspected Chinese spy balloon that floated across the U.S. last week. On top of all that, a special counsel is investigating how classified information from Biden’s days as vice president and senator ended up at his Delaware home and former office.

Aamer Madhani and Colleen Long report.

What to Watch: New political vibes this State of the Union

ICYMI: What time is Joe Biden’s State of the Union address and where can I watch?

Tuesday 7 February 2023 09:17 , Josh Marcus

President Joe Biden’s second State of the Union (SOTU) address will take place before a joint session of Congress on the evening of Tuesday 7 February, presenting him with a fresh opportunity to lay out the key issues facing the nation and frame the 2024 presidential race in his own terms.

Mr Biden’s latest SOTU speech will be his first since the Republicans took control of the House of Representatives after November’s midterms and it remains to be seen how receptive GOP members will be to what he has to say, with the prospect of performative boredom, hostility and booing distinctly likely.

An experienced speechmaker, the president is unlikely to be intimidated either way.

He will be flanked, as is customary, by the new House speaker, Kevin McCarthy, and his vice president, Kamala Harris, as he delivers his address to the assembled members of the House and Senate, with family, friends and specially invited guests looking down from the balcony of the lower chamber.

RowVaughn and Rodney Wells, the mother and stepfather of the late Tyre Nichols, and Brandon Tsay, the hero of the Monterey Park mass shooting, will be among their number this year.

Joe Sommerlad reports.

How to watch Joe Biden’s State of the Union address

MAGA Republicans deride Biden over Capitol fences ahead of State of the Union

Tuesday 7 February 2023 10:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert, two of the most outspoken members of the GOP, have taken to social media to attack President Biden after security barriers were erected around the US Capitol on Sunday evening in preparation for his State of the Union address tonight.

“Joe Biden is more afraid of Americans visiting their Capitol than a Chinese Spy Balloon invading our air space that could have carried God only knows what,” the conspiracy-minded Georgia representative wrote, striking a distinctly Trumpian note by arguing that basic security measures prove that “walls work on the ground”.

Also channeling Mr Trump with a very old attack line, Ms Boebert suggested the barriers were in place “to ensure Biden doesn’t wander off”. Ho ho.

Joe Biden to revive plan for billionaire tax in State of the Union address

Tuesday 7 February 2023 10:30 , Joe Sommerlad

According to The Financial Times, the president “will take aim at Wall Street and corporate America” in his address this evening by reviving plans for a tax on billionaires and by calling on Congress to quadruple the 1 per cent excise tax on share buybacks introduced as part of last year’s Inflation Reduction Act.

Citing a White House preview of the economic arguments within Mr Biden’s speech, the newspaper reports that, as expected, he will champion the climbdown in inflation and the strength of the labour market while also calling for deficit reduction “through additional reforms to ensure the wealthy and largest corporations pay their fair share”.

His ambitions for higher taxes on high-income households did not receive total support when Democrats held both houses of Congress and is likely to face even more vehement opposition with the Republicans claiming a majority in the lower chamber since the midterms.

“Fiscal policy will be a crucial political battleground over the next few months as Biden tries to secure an increase in the US debt limit from congressional Republicans to avoid a damaging default on America’s financial obligations,” the FT explains.

The GOP is likely to prefer spending cuts to allow for the raise in the borrowing limit but the president clearly favours asking major corporations and the wealthy to share a greater proportion of the burden, an argument the business world is not likely to be so keen on.

McCarthy calls on Washington to ‘act like adults’ over debt ceiling

Tuesday 7 February 2023 11:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Ahead of the State of the Union, House speaker Kevin McCarthy has said that defaulting on US debt is not an option but called on Washington to change its behaviour in exchange for raising the debt limit.

The California Republican laid out House Republicans’ terms for negotiations in advance of President Biden’s address to Congress on Tuesday.

Mr McCarthy compared the debt limit to a teenager who spent past the limit of a credit card.

“Yes, you pay for it, but, now this is important, you don’t allow their bad spending habits to continue to change their behaviour so it never happens again,” he said.

“Well, I think I speak for most Americans, when I say it’s time for Washington to change its behaviour and act like adults.”

Eric Garcia has this report.

McCarthy: debt default is ‘not an option’; calls on Washington to change behaviour

Mary Miller to skip State of the Union over Biden ‘lies'

Tuesday 7 February 2023 11:15 , Joe Sommerlad

The Illinois Republican announced on Monday that she would not be attending tonight’s speech, accusing President Biden of repeatedly “lying”.

“Joe Biden’s presidency has been filled with lie after lie, especially lies about the border being secure, inflation being temporary, and the DOJ targeting parents for attending school board meetings,” she said in a statement issued by her office.

“I will not be attending Biden’s State of the Union to listen to him lie about the damage he has caused to our country while the left-wing media and members of Congress applaud his lies.”

She made similar comments in a radio interview with Breitbart News over the weekend.

Her protest has not stopped Ms Miller inviting a provocative choice of guest, however.

Biden to address US relationship with China in speech

Tuesday 7 February 2023 11:30 , Joe Sommerlad

President Biden will discuss the nation’s relationship with China during his State of the Union address on Tuesday, according to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, although she did not specify what precisely he was expected to say.

The US, however, will keep “open lines of communication” with China in the fallout from the balloon incident, she told reporters at the White House on Monday.

She said it is “up to China to figure out what kind of relationship they want” in its wake.

Secretary of state Antony Blinken’s postponed trip to China, which was shelved in the midst of the surveillance balloon discovery, will be “back on the books” when time permits, Ms Jean-Pierre said.

President Biden also told reporters that he recent incident will not change his speech plans.

Stinging NYT profile says even Kamala Harris’s close allies have ‘lost hope’

Tuesday 7 February 2023 12:00 , Joe Sommerlad

The US vice president will be sat quietly beside Speaker McCarthy to watch Mr Biden’s address tonight – and that is all too typical, according to the criticisms levelled against her in a brutal New York Times profile just published.

“I can’t think of one thing she’s done except stay out of the way and stand beside him at certain ceremonies,” prominent Democratic fundraiser John Morgan says in the piece.

Ouch.

Josh Marcus has this report.

NYT shocks with profile of Kamala Harris that says even her allies have ‘lost hope’

Can Biden win back his supporters during the State of the Union?

Tuesday 7 February 2023 12:30 , Joe Sommerlad

When President Joe Biden delivers his second State of the Union address to a packed House of Representatives chamber on Tuesday, it will be his last chance to sell his message — and his imminent candidacy for reelection — to an American public that has proven stubbornly immune to his charm offensives.

Although Mr Biden’s Democratic allies fared far better in last year’s midterm elections than expected of an incumbent president’s party by picking up a Senate seat and losing their House majority by just a handful of seats, the 46th president remains under water in most major opinion polls.

An ABC News / Washington Post poll of 1,003 adults taken at the end of last month showed just 42 per cent of respondents approve of his performance, with a majority of Americans — 53 per cent — saying they either “strongly” or “somewhat” disapprove of how Mr Biden has conducted himself in office.

Andrew Feinberg has this look at the stakes of the SOTU.

Biden aims to sway a sceptical nation as polls show him under water

Why Biden is going to tout his ‘remarkably productive’ two years

Tuesday 7 February 2023 13:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Although he will seek to strike a bipartisan tone, President Biden could feel empowered to go even harder when attacking Republicans. Biden’s approval ratings have largely remained steady, but Republicans’ approvals have plunged. New polling from CNN found that 73 percent of Americans say Republicans haven’t paid enough attention to the country’s most important problems and 67 percent disapprove of Republican leaders in Congress.

In order to further hammer this point, we could see President Biden go down a laundry list of his accomplishments, some of which may have slipped the minds of Americans. It was a remarkably productive first two years of a presidency. Biden passed the American Rescue Plan, the Inflation Reduction Act, the most significant gun safety legislation since the assault weapons ban 30 years ago, the CHIPS ACT, expanded NATO, the Electoral Count Act, and successfully appointed Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Ahmed Baba previews the State of the Union for Independent Voices.

Why this year’s State of the Union will be so different

Keep an eye out for these notable guests tonight

Tuesday 7 February 2023 13:30 , Joe Sommerlad

President Joe Biden will deliver his second State of the Union address on Tuesday 7 February – his first since the Republicans took control of the House of Representatives after November’s midterms.

As is customary, the president will be flanked by the House speaker, Mr McCarthy, and his vice president, Kamala Harris, as he delivers his speech to the assembled members of the House and Senate, with family, friends and specially invited guests looking down from the balcony of the lower chamber.

Among the parties already invited to attend this year’s event include RowVaughn and Rodney Wells, the mother and stepfather of Tyre Nichols, and Brandon Tsay, the hero of the Monterey Park mass shooting.

Joe Sommerlad has the story.

Who is attending this year’s State of the Union address?

How The Independent covered the 2022 State of the Union

Tuesday 7 February 2023 14:00 , Joe Sommerlad

What did Joe Biden say during his 2022 speech?

Here’s how The Independent covered what happened a year ago.

AOC calls out what more Biden could have said in State of the Union

‘Go get ‘em’: Biden’s final rallying cry at State of the Union causes confusion

Joe Biden flubs speech appearing to call Ukrainians ‘Iranian people’ during SOTU

What is the State of the Union address?

Tuesday 7 February 2023 14:45 , Joe Sommerlad

If you’re in need of a straightforward introduction to tonight’s proceedings, Indy TV has got you covered.

What is the State of the Union address?

Sarah Huckabee Sanders to offer State of the Union rebuttal

Tuesday 7 February 2023 15:30 , Joe Sommerlad

Donald Trump’s former White House press secretary, now Arkansas’s governor, will give the Republican response to Mr Biden’s speech tonight.

Here’s a little more on a once extremely prominent public figure not seen on the international stage in some time.

Arkansas Gov. Sanders to offer State of the Union rebuttal

Biden to launch new war on fentanyl at State of the Union after GOP claims of apathy

Tuesday 7 February 2023 16:00 , Joe Sommerlad

The president will use his his address to announce a renewed federal effort to combat the illicit fentanyl trade that has made opioid overdoses a leading cause of death among young Americans in recent years.

Here’s Andrew Feinberg’s report.

Biden to launch new war on fentanyl at State of the Union after GOP claims of apathy

Biden will vow to help defeat cancer after first lady’s own health scare

Tuesday 7 February 2023 16:30 , Joe Sommerlad

Also on a medical theme, the president is expected to call for the reauthorisation of he National Cancer Act and new funding for cancer research as part of his administration’s efforts to “end cancer as we know it”.

Mr Biden’s commitment to tackling cancer comes one month after his wife, first lady Dr Jill Biden, had two skin cancer lesions removed at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre.

Here’s more from the ever-industrious Andrew Feinberg.

Biden will vow to help defeat cancer at State of the Union after Jill’s health scare

George Santos’s SOTU guest admits he’s wary of being ‘sullied’ by 9/11 lie

Tuesday 7 February 2023 17:00 , Joe Sommerlad

The former firefighter and veteran of 9/11 who is set to be the guest of embattled New York Republican George Santos at tonight’s address has admitted he is wary of being “sullied” by association with the congressman’s alleged lies.

Mr Santos - still facing multiple investigations over a series of lies he is alleged to have told about his background - will nevertheless be accompanied by Michael Weinstock, a lawyer who served as a volunteer firefighter in the Big Apple between 1990 and 2001 and is understood to have helped rescue people trapped under rubble at Ground Zero after the terror attacks on the World Trade Center of 11 September 2001.

Mr Weinstock is a Democrat who ran for the same district now represented by Mr Santos in 2020 and reportedly suffers from neuropathy, a neurological condition he says is related to his time as an emergency worker and which is not covered by the World Trade Center Health Program.

Here’s my report on why he’s chosen to accept Mr Santos’s invitation and the controversy surrounding it.

George Santos’ State of the Union guest wary of being ‘sullied’ by 9/11 lie

From Bono to Tyre Nichols’ parents: Who is attending this year’s State of the Union address?

Tuesday 7 February 2023 17:45 , Joe Sommerlad

We’ve been exhaustively updating our guest list for tonight’s address all day.

Here’s the very latest on who the assembled members of the House and Senate have invited - now with added Bono!

Who is attending this year’s State of the Union address?

Who is State of the Union guest Brandon Tsay?

Tuesday 7 February 2023 18:45 , Megan Sheets

When Joe Biden delivers his second State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday evening, he will do so before an audience of legislators who have each brought along a special guest from their constituencies.

Among the most prominent this time will be RowVaughn and Rodney Wells, grieving parents of the slain Tyre Nichols, the recovering Paul Pelosi and the Irish rock star and campaigner Bono.

Undoubtedly one of the most astonishing is Brandon Tsay, the 26-year-old hero of the Monterey Park mass shooting.

Mr Tsay was invited to the State of the Union by California Democratic congresswoman Judy Chu after he heroically intervened to disarm the gunman who carried out the mass shooting at a Lunar New Year celebration in Monterey Park near Los Angeles on 21 January, saving an untold number of lives.

“My first thought was I was gonna die here. This was it,” he told ABC’s Good Morning America recently, recounting the moment he realised what was happening before taking advantage of the gunman’s hesitation to wrestle the weapon away from him.

Read more from Joe Sommerlad:

Who is State of the Union guest Brandon Tsay, hero of the Monterey Park shooting?

Can Congress pass the George Floyd police reform law promised at Biden’s last SOTU?

Tuesday 7 February 2023 19:30 , Megan Sheets

In his first address to a joint session of Congress, President Joe Biden gave Congress a deadline: Pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act by the one-year anniversary of his murder.

The president urged lawmakers to send the bill to his desk by 25 May, 2021, one year after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin murdered Floyd, whose death was captured on bystander video and sparked mass nationwide protests calling for justice for the killings of Black people by law enforcement and demanding police reforms.

But an expansive policing bill in the hands of Congress – which sought to overhaul use-of-force policies nationwide – did not meet the president’s deadline. Bipartisan negotiations stalled. And from 2021 through the end of 2022, more than 2,200 Americans were killed by police.

As Biden prepares for his second State of the Union, Alex Woodward explains where the bill stands:

Can Congress pass the George Floyd police reform law?

Biden approval rating remains stagnant ahead of State of the Union address

Tuesday 7 February 2023 19:46 , Oliver O'Connell

US President Joe Biden’s public approval rating sat at 41 per cent — close to the lowest level of his presidency — as he prepared for a major speech on Tuesday that is expected to serve as a blueprint for a 2024 re-election bid, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll showed.

The three-day national poll, which closed on Sunday, also showed 65 per cent of Americans think the country is on the wrong track - up from 58 per cent a year earlier.

In a presidency buffeted by soaring inflation and a persistent global health crisis, Biden began 2023 buoyed by unexpectedly strong midterm election results for Democrats and signs that consumer price increases were ebbing.

But he has also faced new criticism over a probe into classified documents found in his home in recent months, after he had condemned former President Donald Trump for allegedly mishandling classified documents when he left the White House in 2021.

Biden’s 41 per cent job approval is essentially unchanged from the 40 per cent recorded three weeks earlier. The Reuters/Ipsos poll has a margin of error of three percentage points either way.

It is an unpopularity that has proved remarkably persistent, drifting as low as 36 per cent in May and June of 2022 but holding near 40 per cent for most of the last year.

In past decades, presidents only occasionally went through extended periods with approval as low as that of Biden, although Donald Trump spent much of his 2017-2021 presidency with similar levels of approval and at points sank even lower, hitting 33 per cent in December 2017.

Biden, 80, is expected to launch another run for the White House in the coming weeks, and his State of the Union address on Tuesday is likely to highlight massive infrastructure and inflation laws he signed in his first two years in office.

Reuters

Police violence upended lives of families attending State of the Union as guests

Tuesday 7 February 2023 20:30 , Oliver O'Connell

First Lady Jill Biden and several members of Congress have invited family members of victims of police violence to attend President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address on 7 February.

At least 10 families of Black victims of police violence – including Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, George Floyd and Eric Garner, among others – were invited to attend the president’s remarks at the US Capitol, where criminal justice advocates anticipate his renewed support for legislation to overhaul use-of-force policies in police departments across the country.

Alex Woodward reports.

Families upended by police violence attending the State of the Union

Majorie Taylor Greene readies her ‘look at me’ moment for tonight

Tuesday 7 February 2023 20:59 , Oliver O'Connell

Exclusive: 9/11 activist blasts George Santos for taking survivor to State of the Union after tragedy ‘lies’

Tuesday 7 February 2023 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell

9/11 first responder and activist John Feal has blasted George Santos for inviting a volunteer firefighter to the State of the Union following his alleged lies about the tragedy – as he claimed the congressman has made further false claims to survivors of the terror attacks.

Speaking to The Independent on Tuesday morning, Mr Feal said that the disgraced Republican congressman is “using the 9/11 community for his redemption tour” and is “disrespecting” all the lives that were lost and continue to be lost because of that day.

“Every time George Santos says 9/11 it disrespects those we lost and those we continue to lose,” he said.

Rachel Sharp has the story exclusively for The Independent.

Exclusive: 9/11 activist blasts Santos for taking survivor to State of the Union

‘The View’ grills press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre over Biden’s poll numbers

Tuesday 7 February 2023 21:32 , Oliver O'Connell

While White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was able to flag the Biden administration wins during an appearance on ABC’s The View ahead of tonight’s State of the Union address, she also faced a grilling over the president’s poor poll numbers.

Co-host Sara Haines noted that an ABC News/Washington Post poll found that 40 per cent of Americans felt worse off since Joe Biden took office — the highest that number has been in decades.

Ms Jean-Pierre conceded it had been a hard couple of years, the president has also “transformed” how we think about the economy from “trickle down” to “bottom up, middle out”.

She also dismissed poor polling adding that the number fluctuate too much to prioritised.

Alyssa Farah Griffin also asked about polling data saying that 58 per cent of Democrats or Democrat-leaning voters would prefer a different candidate to the president in 2024.

Noting she is unable to comment on the president’s plans for 2024 except by repeating what he has said, she said: “He intends to run.”

The highs and lows of being the designated survivor at the State of the Union

Tuesday 7 February 2023 21:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Andrew Feinberg reports on the origins of the tradition of having a low-level Cabinet member at a secure location during a joint session of Congress in case tragedy strikes.

The highs and lows of being the designated survivor at the State of the Union

What will Trump be doing tonight?

Tuesday 7 February 2023 22:05 , Oliver O'Connell

Apparently “by popular request” former president Donald Trump will be giving a “live and full ‘play by play’ analysis” of the State of the Union address tonight.

Buckle up.

Who is missing the State of the Union address?

Tuesday 7 February 2023 22:25 , Oliver O'Connell

Plenty of politicians in Washington are looking forward to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night, but at least one will not be in attendance at all.

Abe Asher reports.

Who is skipping the State of the Union address?

Marjorie Taylor Greene tries to troll Biden by towing large balloon around Congress

Tuesday 7 February 2023 22:52 , Oliver O'Connell

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene is apparently planning to bring a large white balloon to the State of the Union address in order to needle the Biden administration over its handling of a reported Chinese spy balloon that floated over the US for several days.

Ms Greene posted a video of her walking around with the large white balloon on Tuesday, along with the caption “It’s just an innocent balloon...#SOTU.”

Graig Graziosi has the story.

Marjorie Taylor Greene takes large balloon into State of the Union to troll Biden

Voices: Why this year’s State of the Union Address will be so different

Tuesday 7 February 2023 23:22 , Oliver O'Connell

Ahmed Baba writes:

This year’s State of the Union Address will be very different from the last in more ways than one. Personifying the new era of divided government, Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) will be sitting behind President Biden’s left shoulder next to Vice President Kamala Harris. But even with the new backdrop and looming headaches, Joe Biden appears to be feeling good about where he stands. So good, in fact, his sights are already set on how he can lock in term number two.

Why this year’s State of the Union will be so different

Tuesday 7 February 2023 23:27 , Oliver O'Connell

Biden will urge Congress to ‘finish the job’ with a ‘blue-collar blueprint to rebuild America’

Tuesday 7 February 2023 23:33 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden will use his second State of the Union address to call on Congress to continue enacting the kinds of significant bipartisan legislation that formed the backbone of his legislative programme in 2021 and 2022, and to eschew the partisan rancor that has been typical of divided government in America over the last few decades.

In excerpts of his remarks released by the White House, Mr Biden will address his “Republican friends” directly and tell them there’s “no reason” they can’t work together in the same manner as was done during the 117th Congress despite the GOP now holding a majority in the House of Representatives.

Andrew Feinberg, The Independent’s White House correspondent, previews the president’s remarks.

Biden SOTU will urge Congress to ‘finish the job’ with ‘blue-collar blueprint’

Is Joe Biden running for president in 2024?

Tuesday 7 February 2023 23:41 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden is set to deliver his second State of the Union address on Tuesday, even as recent polls show American feeling lukewarm about the prospect of him seeking four more years in the White House.

And yet, all indications appear to point towards a 2024 run for a second term.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Will Joe Biden run for president in 2024?

Watch: Key moments from last year’s State of the Union

Tuesday 7 February 2023 23:52 , Oliver O'Connell

Who are the guests attending this year’s State of the Union address?

00:02 , Oliver O'Connell

As is customary, the president will be flanked by the House speaker, Mr McCarthy, and his vice president, Kamala Harris, as he delivers his speech to the assembled members of the House and Senate, with family, friends and specially invited guests looking down from the balcony of the lower chamber.

Among the parties already invited to attend this year’s event include RowVaughn and Rodney Wells, the mother and stepfather of Tyre Nichols, and Brandon Tsay, the hero of the Monterey Park mass shooting.

Here’s a guide to everyone confirmed so far.

Who is attending this year’s State of the Union address?

Watch: State of the Union 2020 — Pelosi rips up Trump’s speech

00:11 , Oliver O'Connell

Voices: Who to keep an eye on during the speech

00:21 , Oliver O'Connell

Eric Garcia reports from Capitol Hill on who he’ll be watching from the press gallery as President Joe Biden delivers his speech.

Who we will be watching from press gallery during Biden’s State of the Union address

Progressives call McCarthy’s bluff on Social Security and Medicare cuts

00:31 , Oliver O'Connell

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders both called House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s bluff on saying Social Security and Medicare will be off the table during negotiations.

The progressive lawmakers both spoke to The Independent’s Eric Garcia.

AOC and Sanders call McCarthy’s bluff on Social Security and Medicare cuts

Labor Secretary leaving Biden administration amid offers to lead NHL Players’ Association

00:40 , Oliver O'Connell

US Labor Secretary Marty Walsh plans to depart the Biden administration, making him the first major cabinet-level official to leave the White House this term, Bloomberg reports, citing unnamed people familiar with the decision.

Mr Walsh has reportedly been offered a role leading the National Hockey League Players’ Association, a labour organisation that represents the NHL’s athletes in the US and Canada.

Josh Marcus reports.

US Labor Secretary Marty Walsh leaving Biden administration for potential NHL job

How much has the US spent on the defence of Ukraine

00:54 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden will call on Congress to unify on Tuesday as he delivers his second State of the Union speech, and his first before the House’s new Republican majority.

And one of the top reasons for that call for unity is his desire to continue providing aid to Ukraine as the country fights back a brutal invasion launched by Russia’s military last year.

John Bowden reports from Washington, DC.

How much has the US contributed to the defence of Ukraine?

What will Trump be doing tonight?

01:03 , Oliver O'Connell

Apparently “by popular request” former president Donald Trump will be giving a “live and full ‘play by play’ analysis” of the State of the Union address tonight.

Buckle up.

Biden approval rating remains stagnant ahead of State of the Union address

01:10 , Oliver O'Connell

US President Joe Biden’s public approval rating sat at 41 per cent — close to the lowest level of his presidency — as he prepared for a major speech on Tuesday that is expected to serve as a blueprint for a 2024 re-election bid, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll showed.

The three-day national poll, which closed on Sunday, also showed 65 per cent of Americans think the country is on the wrong track - up from 58 per cent a year earlier.

In a presidency buffeted by soaring inflation and a persistent global health crisis, Biden began 2023 buoyed by unexpectedly strong midterm election results for Democrats and signs that consumer price increases were ebbing.

But he has also faced new criticism over a probe into classified documents found in his home in recent months, after he had condemned former President Donald Trump for allegedly mishandling classified documents when he left the White House in 2021.

Biden’s 41 per cent job approval is essentially unchanged from the 40 per cent recorded three weeks earlier. The Reuters/Ipsos poll has a margin of error of three percentage points either way.

It is an unpopularity that has proved remarkably persistent, drifting as low as 36 per cent in May and June of 2022 but holding near 40 per cent for most of the last year.

In past decades, presidents only occasionally went through extended periods with approval as low as that of Biden, although Donald Trump spent much of his 2017-2021 presidency with similar levels of approval and at points sank even lower, hitting 33 per cent in December 2017.

Biden, 80, is expected to launch another run for the White House in the coming weeks, and his State of the Union address on Tuesday is likely to highlight massive infrastructure and inflation laws he signed in his first two years in office.

Reuters

‘The View’ grills press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre over Biden’s poll numbers

01:18 , Oliver O'Connell

While White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was able to flag the Biden administration wins during an appearance on ABC’s The View ahead of tonight’s State of the Union address, she also faced a grilling over the president’s poor poll numbers.

Co-host Sara Haines noted that an ABC News/Washington Post poll found that 40 per cent of Americans felt worse off since Joe Biden took office — the highest that number has been in decades.

Ms Jean-Pierre conceded it had been a hard couple of years, the president has also “transformed” how we think about the economy from “trickle down” to “bottom up, middle out”.

She also dismissed poor polling adding that the number fluctuate too much to prioritised.

Alyssa Farah Griffin also asked about polling data saying that 58 per cent of Democrats or Democrat-leaning voters would prefer a different candidate to the president in 2024.

Noting she is unable to comment on the president’s plans for 2024 except by repeating what he has said, she said: “He intends to run.”

Voices: Why this year’s State of the Union Address will be so different

01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Ahmed Baba writes:

This year’s State of the Union Address will be very different from the last in more ways than one. Personifying the new era of divided government, Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) will be sitting behind President Biden’s left shoulder next to Vice President Kamala Harris. But even with the new backdrop and looming headaches, Joe Biden appears to be feeling good about where he stands. So good, in fact, his sights are already set on how he can lock in term number two.

Why this year’s State of the Union will be so different

How long will the speech be?

01:33 , Oliver O'Connell

CSPAN published this handy chart showing the average length of State of the Union speeches. Last year President Biden’s speech was 62 minutes long.

Who is attending this year’s State of the Union address?

01:35 , Oliver O'Connell

As is customary, the president will be flanked by the House speaker, Mr McCarthy, and his vice president, Kamala Harris, as he delivers his speech to the assembled members of the House and Senate, with family, friends and specially invited guests looking down from the balcony of the lower chamber.

Among the parties already invited to attend this year’s event include RowVaughn and Rodney Wells, the mother and stepfather of Tyre Nichols, and Brandon Tsay, the hero of the Monterey Park mass shooting.

Here’s a guide to everyone confirmed so far.

Who is attending this year’s State of the Union address?

Watch — Biden: ‘Why tonight is so important’

01:38 , Oliver O'Connell

Voices: Who to keep an eye on during the speech

01:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Eric Garcia reports from Capitol Hill on who he’ll be watching from the press gallery as President Joe Biden delivers his speech.

Who we will be watching from press gallery during Biden’s State of the Union address

Watch — Biden: State of the Union ‘great shape’ and ‘getting better’

01:42 , Oliver O'Connell

Is Biden running for president in 2024?

01:45 , Oliver O'Connell

It’s worth asking if he will indeed be a candidate in the next presidential election.

The answer to that question, however, is almost certainly yes, writes Andrew Feinberg.

Will Joe Biden run for president in 2024?

In pictures: Congress gathers for State of the Union

01:47 , Oliver O'Connell

What will Biden say in his State of the Union speech?

01:50 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden will use his second State of the Union address to call on Congress to continue enacting the kinds of significant bipartisan legislation that formed the backbone of his legislative programme in 2021 and 2022, and to eschew the partisan rancor that has been typical of divided government in America over the last few decades.

Andrew Feinberg previews the president’s remarks.

Biden SOTU will urge Congress to ‘finish the job’ with ‘blue-collar blueprint’

Harris and McCarthy chatting ahead of speech

01:55 , Oliver O'Connell

Designated Survivor tonight is Marty Walsh

01:56 , Oliver O'Connell

Labor Secretary Marty Walsh is the designated survivor tonight.

01:58 , Oliver O'Connell

After the entrance of the Supreme Court Justices and the first lady, the cabinet enters the chamber, shaking hands with lawmakers as they make their way down the aisle.

What progressives want to hear from a president preparing for 2024

02:01 , Oliver O'Connell

Representatives of two progressive groups who spoke to The Independent ahead of Tuesday night’s prime-time event agreed that it was Mr Biden’s first opportunity — and test — to appear like his party’s standard-bearer ahead of the next presidential election cycle.

Here’s what they said.

What progressives want to hear from State of the Union as Biden prepares for 2024

Biden enters the chamber to a round of applause

02:07 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden enters the chamber to a loud round of applause.

There are cheerful greetings from lawmakers lining the centre aisle.

He is followed by Senator Chuck Schumer and Senator Cory Booker.

Rep George Santos who had secured an aisle seat made eye contact with President Biden but they did not shake hands.

02:07 , Oliver O'Connell

The president is led in by the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms.

02:11 , Oliver O'Connell

Speaker Kevin McCarthy introduces the President of the United States saying it is a distinct honour.

The president begins by congratulating Mr McCarthy on his new position as speaker.

02:12 , Oliver O'Connell

More congratulations:

- Hakeen Jeffries, as the first Black House minority leader

- Mitch McConnell, as the longest-serving Senate leader

- Chuck Schumer, for increasing his majority

- Nancy Pelosi, who he says “will be considered the greatest Speaker in the history of this country”.

02:13 , Oliver O'Connell

Biden says the economy has created “a record 12 million new jobs, more jobs created in two years than any president has ever created in four years.”

02:16 , Oliver O'Connell

“Two years ago, Covid had shut down our businesses, closed our schools, and robbed us of so much. Today, Covid no longer controls our lives.”

“Two years ago, our democracy faced its greatest threat since the Civil War. Today, though bruised, our democracy remains unbowed and unbroken.”

“You know, we’re often told that Democrats and Republicans can’t work together. But over these past two years, we proved the cynics and the naysayers wrong... Time and again, Democrats and Republicans came together.”

“In fact, I signed over 300 bipartisan laws since becoming President”

02:18 , Oliver O'Connell

“I ran for President to fundamentally change things, to make sure the economy works for everyone so we can all feel that pride in what we do.”

Biden mentions unemployment “at 3.4%, a 50-year low. Near record low unemployment for Black and Hispanic workers.”

02:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Labor Secretary (and designated survivor) Marty Walsh comments on the Biden economic record:

02:21 , Oliver O'Connell

State of the Union 2023: Read the full speech

02:21 , Oliver O'Connell

Below is the full text of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, as prepared for delivery.

State of the Union: Read Joe Biden’s full address

02:22 , Oliver O'Connell

“I’ve been criticized for saying this but I’m not changing my view: We’re gonna make sure that the supply chain for America begins in America.”

02:24 , Oliver O'Connell

“Now we’re coming back because we came together to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the largest investment in infrastructure since President Eisenhower’s Interstate Highway System.”

Biden takes a swipe at Republicans saying “And to my Republican friends who voted against it but still ask to fund projects in their districts, don’t worry. I promised to be the president for all Americans.”

02:26 , Oliver O'Connell

02:27 , Oliver O'Connell

Biden gives a shout out to union iron worker Saria who is looking forward to working on the new bridge over the Ohio River.

02:28 , Oliver O'Connell

Matt Gaetz applauds when Biden says “Tonight, I’m also announcing new standards to require all construction materials used in federal infrastructure projects to be made in America.”

02:31 , Oliver O'Connell

Biden mentions the insulin cap. Democrats tried to pass a cap on insulin in the Inflation Reduction Act but the Senate Parliamentarian only allowed it for Medicare recipients.

“Let’s finish the job this time. Let’s cap the cost of insulin at $35 a month for every American who needs it.”

02:35 , Oliver O'Connell

Biden directly addresses GOP members who want to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act and its cost-saving measures for prescription drugs for seniors.

“Make no mistake, if you try anything to raise the cost of prescription drugs, I will veto it,” he says.

02:37 , Oliver O'Connell

The Independent’s Andrew Feinberg notes:

“Biden has never been the most polished speaker, but tonight he’s relaxed, confident and sufficiently at ease to the point where he’s going off-prompter to crack jokes. He’s clearly enjoying himself.”

02:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Lots of reaction to the section on billionaires and corporations paying taxes.

Ted Cruz applauds when Biden says “The Tax system is not fair.” So do Matt Gaetz and Lauren Boebert.

Rashida Tlaib cheers on Biden when talking about taxing the rich, saying “Tell ‘em”.

02:44 , Oliver O'Connell

Biden mentions Trump adding to the deficit.

“Under the previous administration, America’s deficit went up four years in a row,” he says. “Because of those record deficits, no president added more to the national debt in any four years than my predecessor.”

There are boos from a number of Republicans.

Lots of shouts of “Liar” from Republicans when Biden says Republicans want to alter social security and medicare.

Rep Majorie Taylor Greene is seen shouting.

02:46 , Oliver O'Connell

The booing felt tense, but Biden appeared to take it in his stride.

Biden says so we all agree, Medicare and Social Security are off the table?

He gets a standing ovation.

02:47 , Oliver O'Connell

Watch: Marjorie Taylor Greene shouts ‘Liar'

02:50 , Oliver O'Connell

02:51 , Oliver O'Connell

Senator Amy Klobuchar is thrilled that her legislative priorities are brought up throughout Biden’s speech.

“President just brought up my bipartisan shipping bill, antitrust tech bills AND ticketing issue! Momentum!”

02:51 , Oliver O'Connell

“We reduced exorbitant bank overdraft fees, saving consumers more than $1 billion a year. Let’s finish the job. Pass the Junk Fee Prevention Act to stop hotels and airlines, cable and internet companies, and online ticket sellers from ripping Americans off.”

02:52 , Oliver O'Connell

“Pass my plan so we get seniors and people with disabilities the home care services they need and support the workers who are doing God’s work.”

02:55 , Oliver O'Connell

“12 years of education is not enough to win the economic competition of the 21st century. If you want to have the best-educated workforce, let’s finish the job by providing access to preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds.”

02:57 , Oliver O'Connell

02:59 , Oliver O'Connell

“We have an obligation to make sure all people are safe. Public safety depends on public trust as all of us know. But too often that trust is violated,” says Mr Biden before introducting Tyre Nichols’s parents who are in the First Lady’s box just a week after burying their son who died after being severely beaten by police.

Almost unanimous applause and a standing ovation from the chamber.

02:59 , Oliver O'Connell

03:01 , Oliver O'Connell

President Biden says that when police officers or departments violate the public’s trust, they must be held accountable.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy joins the standing ovation.

03:05 , Oliver O'Connell

There is also rapturous applause for an assault weapon ban from Democrats after hearing the story of Brandon Tsay, the hero who subdued a gunman at his parents’ dance studio.

03:07 , Oliver O'Connell

Biden mentions immigration and the need for bipartisan action.

There are chants of “secure the border” from House Republicans.

03:08 , Oliver O'Connell

“One year ago, I reported to the nation just days after Vladimir Putin unleashed an unprovoked war against Ukraine. It was a test for the world: would we stand for the defense of democracy? Today, we know the answer. Yes, we would.”

Marjorie Taylor Greene, Boebert, Gaetz and other Republicans stay seated when Biden talks about defending democracy and Ukraine. Plenty of other Republicans get on their feet.

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website