President Biden to Deliver Second State of the Union Address at the US Capitol
President Joe Biden is slated to deliver his second State of the Union address Tuesday evening at the US Capitol.[0] As this tradition dates back to George Washington’s first speech in 1790, this is Biden’s opportunity to remind lawmakers and the nation of his accomplishments and demonstrate that he can serve the country for another term. Biden is expected to touch on issues such as inflation, Covid-19, mass shootings, police reform and infrastructure. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas will be delivering the Republican response after the address, according to GOP congressional leaders.[1]
The State of the Union is traditionally an opportunity for the president to invite average Americans who have distinguished themselves in some field of service or endeavor.[0] Biden is expected to highlight his administration’s efforts to make health care more affordable, which included imposing a $35-per-month limit on insulin that took effect in January.[2] He will also call for expanding this cap to all Americans as part of his speech.
When Woodrow Wilson revived the in-person speech to Congress in 1913, it was considered a shocking move.[3] The Constitution merely holds that the president shall “from time to time give to the Congress information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.”[4] However, the term “State of the Union” wasn’t used as a title until much later.[5]
The Capitol will be surrounded by fencing ahead of Biden’s address.[6] House Speaker Kevin McCarthy will be seated right behind Biden and beside Vice President Kamala Harris.[7] Despite Republicans regaining control of the House chamber, it remains unlikely that major pieces of legislation will cross Biden’s desk anytime soon, as Republicans remain opposed to the measure and are unlikely to even allow a vote on it in the House.[8]
A number of special guests will be in attendance, such as Michigan’s first Black House Speaker, Lee Chatfield, and dry bean grower Joe Cramer, who is executive director for the Michigan Bean Commission. Biden’s speech is expected to be aired on all major networks at 9 p.m. [9]
0. “State of the Union guests: Who's invited to Biden's address?” Slate, 7 Feb. 2023, https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/02/state-of-the-union-guests-whos-invited-to-bidens-address.html
1. “5 things to know for Feb. 7: Biden, Earthquake, Train derailment, Immigration, Google” CNN, 7 Feb. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/07/us/five-things-february-7-trnd/index.html
2. “Analysis | Biden's 2022 State of the Union proposals: What flopped and what succeeded” The Washington Post, 5 Feb. 2023, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/02/05/bidens-2022-state-union-proposals-what-flopped-what-succeeded/
3. “White House aides keep trying to torch the State of the Union address. Presidents keep getting in the way.” NBC News, 7 Feb. 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/white-house-aides-keep-trying-torch-state-union-address-presidents-kee-rcna68926
4. “How the evolution of the State of the Union reflects a changing country” NPR, 4 Feb. 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/02/04/1154134314/state-of-the-union-address-2023-history
5. “The State of the Union address's history, explained” Vox.com, 6 Feb. 2023, https://www.vox.com/2015/1/20/7854969/biden-state-of-the-union-address-history
6. “Fence built around Capitol ahead of State of Union to protect Congress, despite Dem claim walls ineffective” Fox News, 6 Feb. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fence-built-around-capitol-ahead-state-union-protect-congress-despite-dem-claim-walls-ineffective
7. “2023 State of the Union address: Will Boebert and Greene behave? Here's how to watch” The Arizona Republic, 6 Feb. 2023, https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/media/2023/02/06/biden-state-of-the-union-2023-how-to-watch/69862910007
8. “Biden to push for universal insulin price cap in State of the Union” POLITICO, 6 Feb. 2023, https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/06/biden-universal-insulin-price-cap-state-of-the-union-00081435
9. “How to watch President Joe Biden's State of the Union address” CNN, 7 Feb. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/07/politics/state-of-the-union-time-where-to-watch/index.html
