By Noah Brasseur
Biden delivered the annual State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Feb. 7.
His speech struck chords of bipartisanship and unity; he did not shy away from trumpeting his own accomplishments, however.
Biden routinely reached out to Republicans in his address, beginning his night by congratulating newly appointed Speaker McCarthy on his role, as well as congratulating Sen. Mitch McConnell for being the longest-serving senator in American history.
Additionally, the president touted that the previous Congress had passed over 300 bipartisan bills that he signed into law.
“And to my Republican friends,” President Biden said. “If we could work together in the last Congress, there’s no reason we can’t work together and find consensus on important things in this Congress as well.”
Another common through-line from Biden was a lack of policy announcements, though he did have a few, and more an urging to continue work that had already been started.
“Let’s finish the job,” he said several times throughout his speech.
In particular, Biden referred to continuing to reform police work, reinstating the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban, capping insulin costs at $35 for every American, and other provisions.
As for the few initiatives Biden did announce, one of the more notable events was a new policy that would be enacted that required all federal infrastructure projects to use materials that had been made in the United States.
“Lumber, glass, drywall, fiber-optic cable,” President Biden said. “And on my watch, American roads, bridges and American highways are going to be made with American products as well.”
The bipartisanship of the night did not last the whole way through, however. During his talk regarding the debt ceiling crisis, Biden’s mention of Medicare and Social Security caused a stir among the Republicans.
“Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans, some Republicans, want Medicare and Social Security to sunset,” he said, prompting an outcry.
“Liar!” yelled Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
“All right, we’ve got unanimity,” Biden responded to the apparent agreement that neither program would be touched by either party.
Additionally, as the president was delivering remarks about the effects fentanyl was having on Americans, an unknown Congress member could be heard shouting that it was his fault.
Speaker McCarthy could be seen attempting to hush his party members during various moments.
According to a CNN poll, 71% of Americans who viewed the address had a positive reaction to the speech, lower than other modern presidents. Trump’s average rating, over three State of the Union speeches, was 74%.
A full transcript of the speech can be found on the White House website.
