While President Biden did not mention former President Donald Trump by name, he frequently chided 'my predecessor.'
, taking a defiantly political tone amid the gridlock in Congress and addressing his predecessor and likely opponent, former President Donald Trump, ahead of what will likely be a nasty rematch between the two in November.
"History is watching," he said, urging Congress to"stand up" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He then transitioned into discussing the assault on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, saying"history will be watching." that is stalled by Republicans in Congress.
The president said he's"optimistic," summarizing his remarks with a laundry list of positive ambitions for the future. "I see a future where we restore the right to choose and protect our freedoms — not take them away," the president said."I see a future where the middle class finally has a fair shot and the wealthy have to pay their fair share in taxes. I see a future where we save the planet from the climate crisis and our country from gun violence.
"The very idea of America, that we are all created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives," he said."I know the last five months have been gut wrenching for so many people," Mr. Biden said of the months since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7. Mr. Biden has pushed lawmakers to act after each mass shooting that has occurred since he assumed the presidency.
"I will not demonize immigrants saying they are poisoning the blood of our country," Mr. Biden said, appearing to make reference to recent comments from his political rival, Trump. Mr. Biden noted that the legislation was endorsed by the Border Patrol Union and Chamber of Commerce, which sparked yelling from Republicans.As Mr. Biden lamented that"politics has derailed this bill," and criticized Trump for urging members of Congress to block it, he veered off script to mention Laken Riley, the Georgia woman who was killed last month.
Mr. Biden criticized the Trump administration for enacting a tax reform package that he said benefited the wealthy and big corporations, and grew the deficit. "Wall Street didn't build this country. The middle class built this country, and unions built the middle class," he said."When Americans get knocked down, we get back up!"
"I say to the American people, when America gets knocked down, we get back up," he said."We keep going — that's America."The president credited reproductive rights for propelling Democrats to victory in recent elections, saying"we'll win again in 2024." He promised to restore Roe v. Wade, which guaranteed a right to an abortion, if the American people elect a Congress that"supports the right to choose.
"You're about to realize just how much you were right about that," Mr. Biden said of the women who have gone to the polls in the wake of the Dobbs decision. The president said this is a moment to"speak the truth," not bury the lies about the events of Jan. 6. He then turned to foreign policy and urged lawmakers to pass assistance for Ukraine to help it defend itself from Russian aggression. Mr. Biden took his first jab at former President Donald Trump, his likely opponent in November, although did not mention him by name.
Entering the chamber ahead of him were members of his Cabinet. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona is not in attendance, as he is the designated survivor.Attending Mr. Biden's State of the Union are six of the nine members of the Supreme Court: Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, Ketanji Brown Jackson. Retired Justice Anthony Kennedy is also there.
Some lawmakers are wearing yellow and blue to express their continued support for Ukraine in its war against Russia, while others are wearing blue to express support for the Israeli hostages. At least two banners were also unfurled. One read"The people demand stop arming Israel," and the the other"Biden's legacy is genocide."
in the House gallery on Thursday are IVF patients, gun control activists, civil rights advocates and recipients of student loan debt relief., a Texas woman who made headlines for speaking out after being denied an abortion in the state, is also among the list, as is Shawn Fain, the president of theunion, who recently endorsed Mr. Biden.
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