State of the Union 2023: Biden touts infrastructure, American resolve despite attacks on democracy
President Biden delivered his 2023 State of the Union address Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET before a Joint Session of Congress to fulfill his duty under the Constitution to report on the state of the union.
FAST FACTS
- President Biden started his second State of the Union address at 9:09 p.m. ET.
- Biden touted his signature infrastructure bill, job growth despite attacks on American democracy.
- Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders delivered the GOP response to the president’s SOTU.
Biden appears to go off script to say US needs oil, gas drilling
Ark. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders gives the Republican response to President Biden’s State of the Union speech.
Newly-elected Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders delivered the GOP rebuttal to President Biden’s second State of the Union address Tuesday, calling for a “new generation of Republican leadership” and describing the choice between Democrats and Republicans as a choice “between normal or crazy.”
“Being a mom to three young children taught me not to believe every story I hear. So forgive me for not believing much of anything I heard tonight from President Biden. From out-of-control inflation and violent crime to the dangerous border crisis and threat from China, Biden and the Democrats have failed you,” Sanders said.
“It’s time for a change. Tonight, let us reaffirm our commitment to a timeless American idea: that government exists not to rule the people, but to serve the people. Democrats want to rule us with more government control, but that is not who we are,” she added.
Sanders noted that she and Biden didn’t have a lot in common because she is “for freedom” and he’s “for government control,” and went on to note the four decades difference in their ages.
Sarah Sanders delivers Republican rebuttal to President Biden’s SOTU address
“At 40, I’m the youngest governor in the country. At 80, he’s the oldest president in American history. I’m the first woman to lead my state. He’s the first man to surrender his presidency to a woke mob that can’t even tell you what a woman is,” she said.
“In the radical left’s America, Washington taxes you and lights your hard-earned money on fire, but you get crushed with high gas prices, empty grocery shelves, and our children are taught to hate one another on account of their race, but not to love one another or our great country,” she added.
She described the Biden administration as “completely hijacked by the radical left,” and said that America’s “dividing line” was no longer a separation between right and left.
“The choice is between normal or crazy,” she said. “It is time for a new generation of Republican leadership.”
She went on to tout her efforts in Arkansas to combat indoctrination and other Democratic policies like critical race theory and shutdowns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. She said that Americans wanted common sense from their leaders, but that Biden was busy “doubling down on crazy.”
Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy applaud during President Biden’s State of the Union address. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“President Biden inherited the fastest economic recovery on record. The most secure border in history. Cheap abundant, home-grown energy. Fast-rising wages. A rebuilt military. And a world that was stable and at peace. But over the last two years, Democrats destroyed it all,” Sanders said.
“Despite Democrats’ trillions in reckless spending and mountains of debt, we now have the worst border crisis in American history,” she added.
Sanders expressed the need to secure the border and stop the flow of fentanyl into the United States, a drug responsible thousands of deaths every month, railed against Democratic calls to defund the police, and blasted Biden’s “weakness” on foreign policy, especially China.
“Make no mistake: Republicans will not surrender this fight. We will lead with courage and do what’s right, not what’s politically correct or convenient,” she said.
“Republicans believe in an America where strong families thrive in safe communities. Where jobs are abundant, and paychecks are rising. Where the freedom our veterans shed their blood to defend is the birthright of every man, woman, and child,” she said.
President Joe Biden shakes hands with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Sanders vowed that under the leadership of Senate Republicans and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Republicans would hold the Biden administration accountable.
“America is great because we are free. But today, our freedom is under attack, and the America we love is in danger. President Biden and the Democrats have failed you. It’s time for a change. A New Generation of Republican leaders is stepping up… not to be caretakers of the status quo, but to be change makers for the American people,” she said.
“We know not what the future holds, but we know who holds the future in His hands. And with God as our witness, we will show the world that America is still the place where freedom reigns and liberty will never die,” she added.
Sanders, who served as White House press secretary under former President Donald Trump, never held elected office prior to being elected as Arkansas’ governor. She is also the daughter of the state’s former Republican Gov. Mike Huckabee.
President Biden called for Congress to act on securing the southern border during his Tuesday State of the Union address, one year after calling for the same thing.
“American border problems won’t be fixed until Congress acts. If we don’t pass my comprehensive immigration reform, at least pass my plan to provide the equipment and officers to secure the border,” Biden told Congress.
He didn’t mention the record number of migrant encounters at the southern border since he took office, and his comments echoed what he called for in his 2022 State of the Union.
“Folks, if we are to advance liberty and justice, we need to secure our border and fix the immigration system,” Biden said last year.
Republicans have repeatedly criticized Biden’s handling of the border crisis, including for dismantling former President Donald Trump’s policies and for halting construction of a border wall.
Some have also sponsored a bill to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Marjorie Taylor Greene shouts ‘liar’ as Biden claims GOP wants to cut Medicare, Social Security
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., gives a thumbs down during President Biden’s State of the Union address Tuesday. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., screamed “liar” after President Biden claimed during his State of the Union address Tuesday that some Republicans aimed to cut Medicare and Social Security programs.
“Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset every five years,” Biden remarked. “That means if Congress doesn’t vote to keep them, those programs will go away.”
Biden continued: “I won’t let that happen. Social Security and Medicare are a lifeline for millions of seniors.”
President Biden reference the Chinese spy balloon that was shot down by the U.S. Air Force last week, about an hour into his second State of the Union address.
“But make no mistake about it: as we made clear last week, if China’s threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country. And we did,” said Biden.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said Tuesday that Republicans “may” introduce legislation that would condemn the Biden administration’s handling of the Chinese spy balloon, which was carrying sensors and surveillance equipment.
President Biden once again called on Congress to ban “assault weapons” in his State of the Union speech Tuesday.
“Ban assault weapons now. Ban them now once and for all,” Biden told Congress after introducing a guest that he said wrestled an active shooter to the ground at a business he worked at.
“I led the fight to do that in 1994. For ten years that ban was law, mass shootings went down. After we let it expire in a Republican administration mass shooting tripled. Let’s finish the job and ban these assault weapons,” he added, referencing the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban that expired in 2004.
Biden did not elaborate on what type of firearm fell under the classification of an “assault weapon.”
He most recently renewed his push for such a ban in December, while speaking at the 10th Annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence.
Vice President Kamala Harris talks with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Calif., before President Joe Biden arrives to deliver the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Vice President Kamala Harris were spotted chatting and laughing in a friendly exchange before President Biden gave the second State of the Union address of his presidency Tuesday evening.
Biden began his speech by touting the progress made under his administration in his speech, specifically with regard to the economy.
Four Supreme Court justices opted against attending President Biden’s State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday evening.
Biden greeted five of the high court’s nine justices — John Roberts, Elena Kagan, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett and Ketanji Brown Jackson — shortly before he began his speech, according to video footage of the event. The four justices absent were Clarence Thomas, Sam Alito, Sonia Sotomayor and Neil Gorsuch.
The president spent a brief moment, in particular, with Jackson, the newest Supreme Court Justice and the first Black woman to hold a seat on the court. Jackson is the only justice Biden selected for the Supreme Court.
First lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff shared a kiss ahead of President Biden’s second State of the Union address Tuesday evening at the national Capitol.
President Joe Biden
President Biden opened his State of the Union address with a gaffe, incorrectly calling Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer the “minority leader.”
“And congratulations, Chuck Schumer, another you know, another term as Senate minority leader,” said Biden.
“You know, I think, you know, this time you have a slightly bigger majority, Mr. Leader. You know, majority leader, but that much bigger,” he clarified after.
Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh tours Levitt Pavilion Steelstacks in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on June 2, 2021. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
The member of President Biden’s cabinet missing from tonight’s State of the Union (SOTU) address is Labor Secretary Marty Walsh.
The designated survivor is a traditional role given to a member of the president’s cabinet during every SOTU address, who is not in the Capitol for the speech, and would take over the government should an attack on the U.S. takes place and incapacitates those attending the address.
Walsh is the former mayor of Boston, serving in the role from 2014 to 2021. He previously served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
It was reported earlier Tuesday that Walsh will likely leave his job as labor secretary to head up the NHL Players’ Association, Fox News confirmed.
A source close to Walsh said the deal is not final, and talks are still in the contract stage. Biden did not push for Walsh’s departure and Walsh did not seek out the job, but he’s a “huge hockey fan” and excited.
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., turned heads with her wardrobe choice for President Biden’s State of the Union address Tuesday.
The former Democrat appeared in a bright yellow dress against a sea of largely blue and grey suits, drawing attention from viewers who took to Twitter to give their opinions.
“Kyrsten Sinema got confused and thought this was the Grammys,” wrote one user, while another claimed she was “seeking attention.”
Another described the dress as “highlighter yellow,” and a number of others made the comparison to cartoon characters Big Bird and Tweety Bird, who are both yellow.
Sinema has often received criticism for her eccentric style, most recently for wearing a large sheep-like sweater while appearing at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, angering liberals.
President Biden begins State of the Union address
President Biden began his State of the Union address at approximately 9:09 p.m. ET Tuesday.
President Biden is expected to tout the progress made under his administration in his State of the Union address, specifically with regard to the economy and COVID.
“The story of America is a story of progress and resilience…We are the only country that has emerged from every crisis stronger than when we entered it. That is what we are doing again,” Biden is expected to say, according to prepared remarks.
Biden booed during State of the Union for claiming GOP wants to cut Social Security, Medicare
Biden faced swift backlash from Republicans over the false claim they want to gut entitlements
President Biden was scolded by a wide swath of Republican lawmakers for dubiously claiming they want to cut Social Security and Medicare.
During his second State of the Union address Tuesday night, Biden face strong resistance from the GOP, who he accused of wanting to take the economy “hostage.”
“Some of my Republican friends want to take the economy hostage, which I get it, unless I agree with their economic plans.” Biden said. “All of you know should know what those plans are.”
“Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security sunset,” Biden said before clarifying, “I’m not saying it’s a majority.”
That was met with resounding boos with lawmakers waving their hands and shaking their heads.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., was seen shouting, “Liar!” at the president.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., gives a thumbs down during President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address during a joint meeting of Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on February 07, 2023 in Washington, DC. The speech marks Biden’s first address to the new Republican-controlled House. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
“Well I’m glad – I’ll tell ya, I enjoy conversion,” Biden joked. “It means if Congress doesn’t keep the programs the way they are, they’d go away. Other Republicans say – I’m not saying it’s a majority of you… but it’s being proposed by an individual.”
“I’m politely not naming them, but it is being proposed by somebody,” Biden added.
Biden was likely referring to an agenda proposal introduced last year by Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who suggested “All federal legislation sunsets in 5 years. If a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again.”
Scott’s proposal, which was widely rejected even by Republicans, was made in his failed bid to challenge Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
Even the liberal Washington Post declared the Democrats’ claim that Republicans want to end Social Security and Medicare as “false.”
US President Joe Biden speaks during a State of the Union address with US Vice President Kamala Harris, left, and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, right, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. (Photographer: Jacquelyn Martin/AP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Before that, the first boos at the State of the Union came as Biden mentioned the amount of debt added by the Trump administration.
“Nearly 25% of the entire national debt that took over 200 years to accumulate was added by just one administration alone – the last one,” Biden said as Republicans grumbled. “They’re the facts. Check it out. Check it out.”
Republicans attending President Biden’s State of the Union address react with boos over claims former President Trump added 25% of the entire national debt and Republicans want to sunset Medicare and Social Security.
By Joseph A. Wulfsohn | Fox News
Four Supreme Court justices absent from Biden’s State of the Union
Justices Clarence Thomas, Sam Alito, Sonia Sotomayor and Neil Gorsuch didn’t attend the address
Four Supreme Court justices opted against attending President Biden’s State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday evening.
Biden greeted five of the high court’s nine justices — John Roberts, Elena Kagan, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett and Ketanji Brown Jackson — shortly before he began his speech, according to video footage of the event. The four justices absent were Clarence Thomas, Sam Alito, Sonia Sotomayor and Neil Gorsuch.
President Biden greets Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson as he arrives to deliver the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)
The president spent a brief moment, in particular, with Jackson, the newest Supreme Court Justice and the first Black woman to hold a seat on the court. Jackson is the only justice Biden selected for the Supreme Court.
“The story of America is a story of progress and resilience,” Biden began his address. “Of always moving forward. Of never giving up. A story that is unique among all nations. We are the only country that has emerged from every crisis stronger than when we entered it. That is what we are doing again.”
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The speech marks the second State of the Union that Biden has delivered since taking office in January 2021. It is the first such speech that he has given since Republicans won back majority control of the House.
