WASHINGTON — In his State of the Union address, President Joe Biden boasted of his first two years and road-tested populist re-election themes, pledging to “finish the job” on what he called a “labor blueprint to rebuild USA». ”
Biden has not formally announced his re-election bid, but it is widely expected, and some lawmakers in the audience saw the speech as something of a soft launch.
Here are four key takeaways from Biden’s speech.
Showing off his first two years
Biden bragged about the vast amount of legislation the Democratic-controlled Congress passed in his first two years as president. He highlighted measures to create a «safer Europe» in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, his «once-in-a-generation infrastructure law,» a measure to help veterans exposed to toxic combustion pits, efforts to renew the Violence against women. Law, an electoral reform and the Respect for Marriage Act, which codified federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages.
Sitting behind Biden was President Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., expressionless for much of the speech. He voted against almost all of Biden’s legislative activities in the last two years in his bid to take over the House.
Populist re-election issues
Biden also bragged about record low unemployment, declining inflation and rising take-home pay.
“And friends, we are just getting started. We are just getting started,” she said. “We’re not done yet by any stretch of the imagination.
“Let’s finish the job,” he said. «There is more to do.»
He said the United States is «beginning to restore the dignity of work.»
He said that «too many people have been left behind and treated as if they were invisible.» Repeatedly she addressed the «people» watching at home who might feel ignored. «I’ve got your back,» he told her.
Throughout his speech, Biden highlighted populist themes with calls for new measures to boost domestic manufacturing, cap insulin at $35, add a minimum tax on billionaires, quadruple the tax on stock buybacks and pass a bill law to avoid «junk fees» and hidden charges. like surprise hotel resort fees.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said Biden «certainly laid out his vision not only for the remainder of the term, but also for a four-year plan,» calling it a «high-energy speech.»
stinging republicans
Biden continually attacked Republican lawmakers at the hearing, even calling out Republicans who opposed the infrastructure bill.
«I want to thank my Republican friends who voted for the bill. And my Republican friends who also voted against it. I’m still being asked to fund projects in those districts as well,» he said. «But don’t worry, I promised you that I would be a president for all Americans. We will fund these projects. And I will see you at the inauguration.»
McCarthy, who joined the vast majority of House Republicans in opposing the law, sat and stared blankly.
Biden later mocked Republicans who want to repeal his Inflation Reduction Act, which empowers Medicare to negotiate drug prices with industry and was passed only with Democratic support.
“As my football coach used to say: best of luck in your senior year,” he joked. “Make no mistake, if you try anything to increase the cost of prescription drugs, I will veto it,” he said, to raucous applause from the House Democrats.
‘Liar!’ The Republican Party mocks Biden
Biden was repeatedly jeered and booed by Republicans, particularly when he said that «some Republicans want to end Medicare and Social Security.» McCarthy shook his head. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, yelled loudly and repeatedly, «Liar!»
«I’m not saying it’s the majority of you,» he said. «I don’t name you politely, but some of you are proposing.»
He was referring to a plan released last year by Sen. Rick Scott, a Florida Republican, that would nullify all federal laws after five years unless Congress votes to extend them. Democrats seized on it to argue that such a plan would eliminate Medicare and Social Security.
Faced with jeers and jeers, Biden pivoted. “As we all seem to agree, Social Security and Medicare are off the books now, right? Can’t they touch? Applause erupted in the chamber. “Okay! We are unanimous!” he said.
Scott responded to Biden: «He’s a liar,» adding that he wasn’t surprised to see Biden attack his plan. «He’s been lying about me for a year,» Scott added. «It doesn’t resonate.»
Other Republicans tweeted their dissatisfaction with the president.
Later, when Biden spoke on immigration, one lawmaker yelled, «Secure the border!» Others asked for order in the chamber.
After the speech, Sen. Joni Ernst, an Iowa Republican, said: “It was political. I thought he was pretty divisive.»