President Biden is set to deliver his second State of the Union address and his first to a divided Congress — bringing him face to face with the combative new House GOP majority that includes several members the president has labeled "ultra MAGA." Much of the president's address is expected to touch on action already taken during his term, including enacting the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the massive health care, tax and climate package advanced solely with Democratic votes. The economy is also set to be a major focus. The address gives Biden a chance to speak to a prime-time national audience about what he's called his "unity agenda" of bringing people together despite party differences, with the White House saying he'll announce "a new set of policies" aimed at advancing that effort. But the speech will also be watched closely to see how Biden casts efforts from his tenure and how he sets up potential contrasts against would-be presidential rivals watching from afar or GOP leaders sitting in the room. Biden's message goes beyond the next two years of his term. He is widely expected to formally launch his 2024 reelection campaign in the coming weeks, as recent polls have shown him struggling to break through to voters. For their part, members of the administration have staked out a tone of bipartisanship and unity in previewing the president's message, and White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that Biden would be finessing his message up until he delivers it. "When it comes to big speeches like this, there's going to be, probably going to be tweaks to the speech until the last minute," she said. It will also be his first time facing a GOP House majority, with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) standing over his shoulder. The Hill's Alex Gangitano and Brett Samuels dove into the five things Biden is likely to say — and not say — during the speech at 9 p.m. ET. |
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Welcome to Evening Report! I'm Elizabeth Crisp, catching you up from the afternoon and what's coming tomorrow. Not on the list? Subscribe here. |
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- The White House is worried the unexpected Chinese balloon ordeal could overshadow President Biden's State of the Union address.
The Hill looks back at some of the most memorable reactions and responses to the State of the Union over the last 15 years.
Senate Democrats are having trouble getting their message across to voters heading into the 2024 election cycle, when they will have to defend 23 seats.
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Bar watch parties, online streaming among options for SOTU viewers
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SOTU Guests: From pop icon to families of police violence victims
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U2's Bono, former NBA star Enes Kanter Freedom, 92-year-old Holocaust survivor Ruth Cohen and Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson are among the guests at the annual speech on Capitol Hill this year. As is tradition, each member of Congress gets to invite a special guest to the State of the Union, while the president and first lady welcome several that are traditionally featured during the speech. The Congressional Black Caucus this year banded together to draw attention to police reform by inviting relatives of Tyre Nichols, George Floyd, Ronald Greene and other people who have died in police encounters. |
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Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to give GOP response
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Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the one-time press secretary for former President Trump who now serves as governor of Arkansas, has been tapped to give the GOP response to Biden's speech. Sanders, 40, is the nation's youngest governor and has remained an ally of her former White House boss. Since taking office last month, Sanders has plugged into the GOP culture wars over "critical race theory" and "adult-oriented" performances and businesses. Much like in her gubernatorial campaign, she's expected to focus on the economy and inflation's impact on families, government spending and securing the U.S. Southern border. Trump also is expected to release his own rebuttal later this evening. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) gave a prebuttal to Biden's address on Monday, stressing that the GOP won't go along with raising the debt ceiling without spending cuts and leaning in on the issue of inflation. Then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) drew attention when she dramatically ripped in half a copy of Trump's 2020 State of the Union speech as he finished his remarks.
McCarthy told Capitol reporters that he doesn't plan to do anything like that. tonight. "We're not going to do childish games – tearing up a speech," he said.
It remains to be seen whether Reublicans will follow his lead. GOP Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.) and Lauren Boebert (Colo.) — once close allies who have notably had a falling out over the recent Speaker's race — heckled Biden during last year's speech by chanting "build the wall." |
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One Cabinet member will spend the night in a secure location |
As is tradition, one member in the presidential line of succession has to spend the evening in an undisclosed secure location as the "designated survivor" in the unlikely event that something terrible happens. The designated survivor typically is disclosed right before the speech begins. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo took on the role last year. And there was no designated survivor for Biden's 2021 joint address because the coronavirus pandemic meant multiple Cabinet members didn't attend the speech in person. |
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🗽 Santos constituents rally at the Capitol for his resignation
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Embattled Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), who has been caught in a steady stream of lies and deceptions, is facing increased calls for his resignation. Several dozen residents of his Long Island-centered district traveled to D.C. this week to express their hope that he will resign or be ousted from the office. Facing multiple investigations, Santos recently recused himself from his posts on the House Science and Technology Committee and the House Small Business Committee, but he has refused calls for his resignation. A recent Newsday/Siena College poll found 78 percent of voters in Santos's district want him to resign. |
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🏛️ Federal judge suggests 13th amendment may protect abortion rights
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A federal judge has floated the idea that abortion could still be federally protected even though the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last summer.
U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who was nominated by former President Clinton, asked the parties in an ongoing criminal case to file briefs on whether the high court considered the entire Constitution in overturning Roe, or if it only focused on the 14th Amendment.
According to Kollar-Kotelly, the 13th Amendment — which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude — could also apply to abortion rights.
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"China's spy balloon: A new cold war unfolds before our eyes"
— Matt Turpin, visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution and a senior advisor
at Palantir Technologies. (Read here) "A must-have for spending negotiations: proposed spending cuts"
— Kevin R. Kosar, American Enterprise Institute senior fellow. (Read here) |
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The House and Senate convene at 10 a.m. President Biden travels to Wisconsin. 10 a.m. House Oversight Committee holds a hearing on Twitter's handling of stories about Hunter Biden's laptop. 10 a.m. House Intelligence Committee holds an open panel with former National Security Officials. |
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There a story you think should be getting more attention? Something people should be talking about? Drop me a line: ecrisp@thehill.com |
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