State of the Union: Biden says US is ‘steadfast, unbowed’ in 2023 address

WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden urged Republicans again and again on Tuesday night to work with him to “finish the job” of rebuilding the economy and uniting the nation when he delivered an address to the nation meant to appease a country riddled with pessimism and fraught with political divisions.

The backdrop for the annual address was markedly different from the previous two years, with the Republican Speaker sitting unemotionally behind Biden, and newly empowered GOP lawmakers in the House occasionally shouting criticism of his administration and policies.

In his 73-minute speech, Biden aimed to portray a nation that has vastly improved from the one he led two years ago: from a faltering economy to a prosperous country with new jobs; from a crippled, pandemic-weary nation to a country that has now reopened and to a democracy that has endured its biggest test since the Civil War.

“The history of America is one of progress and resilience. Always move forward. Never give up. A story unique to all countries,” Biden said. “We are the only country that emerges from each crisis stronger than when we entered it. This is what we are doing again.”

“We are not finished yet, even with all the imagination,” he said.

Biden was keen to reassure the nation that his leadership of the country had brought results both at home and abroad, as he also intended to prove himself fit for likely re-election.

But Biden has many problems: economic uncertainty, a debilitating war in Ukraine, growing tensions with China, and more. Signs of past trauma in the Capitol, most notably the uprising on January 6, 2021, were inevitable: a large fence surrounded the complex, and lawmakers and those in attendance faced tighter-than-usual security.

From the very beginning, the partisan detachments were clear. Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris, jumped to applause as Biden began his speech. Kevin McCarthy, Speaker of the New Republican House of Representatives, though warmly welcoming the President as he entered the room, remained in his seat.

Instead of making flashy political proposals, the president chose to offer a reassuring assessment of the state of the nation, saying that two years after the Capitol attack, democracy in America was “strong and unbroken.”

“America’s history is one of progress and resilience,” he said, highlighting the record number of jobs during his tenure as the country emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Biden also pointed to areas of bipartisan progress in his first two years in office, including in vital state infrastructure and high-tech manufacturing. And he said, “There’s no reason why we can’t work together in this new Congress.”

“People sent us a clear message. Fight for the sake of fight, strength for the sake of power, conflict for the sake of conflict will get us nowhere,” Biden said. “And that has always been my vision for the country: to restore the soul of the nation, to restore the backbone of America – the middle class – to unite the country.”

“We were sent here to finish the job!”

The president has taken the floor of the House of Representatives at a time when only a quarter of US adults believe the country is moving in the right direction, according to a new poll from the Associated Press-NORC Public Affairs Research Center. About three quarters say that everything is going the wrong way. And most Democrats don’t want Biden to run for another term.

He sought to confront these feelings head on.

“You are wondering if there is still a way for you and your children to move forward without getting sidetracked, I understand,” Biden said. “That’s why we’re building an economy where no one is left behind. Jobs are coming back, pride is coming back because of the choices we’ve made over the past two years.”

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who rose to national prominence as a spokeswoman for former President Donald Trump, issued a Republican response to Biden’s speech.

She focused much of her remarks on social issues, including race in business and education, and alleged conservative censorship by big tech.

“While you are reaping the rewards of your failures, the Biden administration seems to be more interested in awakened fantasies than in the harsh reality that Americans face every day,” she said. “Most Americans just want to live in freedom and peace, but we’re under attack from a left-wing culture war that we didn’t start and never wanted to fight.”

Now that COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, the White House and lawmakers from both parties have invited guests to bring political messages to the floor of the House of Representatives. The parents of Tyre Nichols, who was brutally beaten by police in Memphis and later died, are among those sitting with First Lady Jill Biden. Biden’s other guests included rock star and humanitarian Bono and the 26-year-old man who disarmed a gunman during a shooting in Monterey Park, California last month.

Biden drew bipartisan applause when he called most law enforcement officers “good, decent people” but added that “when police officers or police departments undermine the public’s trust, we must hold them accountable.”

Members of the Black Caucus in Congress invited family members of those involved in police incidents as they sought to demand police reform action after Nichols’ death.

Calling on the House to “come to the moment,” Biden added, “Let’s make a commitment to make Mother Tyra’s words come true, something good must come out of it.”

Biden changed his mind after spending the first two years of his life pushing through big bills like a bipartisan infrastructure package, a law to promote high-tech manufacturing, and climate action. With Republicans now in control of the House of Representatives, he has focused on implementing these sweeping laws and getting voters to trust him for improvements.

Biden, not known for his oratory skills, appeared relaxed and confident in his presentation. He casually ad-libbed remarks, feeding off responses from Democratic lawmakers, who often received standing ovations and playfully conversed with their Republican critics.

Addressing Republicans who voted against a major bipartisan infrastructure bill, Biden said he would continue to secure federal support for their favorite projects. “I promised to be president for all Americans,” he said. “We will finance these projects. See you at the groundbreaking.”

The switch happened mostly out of necessity. The newly empowered Republican Party is eager to undo many of its gains and vows to conduct many investigations, including examining recent discoveries of classified documents from when he was vice president in his home and former office.

While he promised bipartisanship where possible, Biden also highlighted the acute tensions that exist between him and Republicans in the House of Representatives: He discussed the Republican Party’s efforts to repeal the Democrats’ 2022 climate change and health care bill and their unwillingness to increase the federal debt limit. the country’s legal authority to borrow. it must be raised later this year or risk default.

“Instead of making the rich pay their fair share, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to close every five years,” Biden said. “Other Republicans are saying that if we don’t cut Social Security and Medicare, they will default on America’s debt for the first time in our history.

“I won’t let that happen.”

Biden’s comments about the benefit programs prompted an outcry from Republicans as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, D-GA, and others jumped to their feet, some shouting “Liar!”

The president replied, “Stand up and show them we won’t cut social security! We will not cut Medicare!”

As Republicans continued to protest his accusations, he said, “We have unanimity.”

While hopes for large-scale bipartisan cooperation are low, Biden reiterated his 2022 call to Congress to support his “unity program” of action against the opioid epidemic, mental health, veterans’ health and cancer. He announced new executive action and urged legislators to support new measures to support cancer research, address housing issues and prevent suicide among veterans, increase access to mental health care, and take further action to combat the lethal fentanyl trafficking.

In a fiery chorus, Biden uttered the phrase “finish the job” 13 times, urging lawmakers to complete his administration’s work to cap insulin spending for all Americans, combat climate change, raise taxes on the rich and corporations, and ban assault weapons. . But on all these fronts, a divided government is even less likely to give way than a Congress under sole democratic control.

The speech comes days after Biden ordered the military to shoot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon that brazenly flew over the country, captivating the nation and serving as a reminder of tensions between the two world powers.

“Make no mistake: as we made clear last week, if China threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country,” Biden said. “And we did.”

Last year’s address came just days after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, and just as many in the West doubted Kyiv’s ability to withstand the onslaught. Over the past year, the United States and other allies have sent tens of billions of dollars in military and economic aid to bolster Ukraine’s defenses. Now Biden must justify – both at home and abroad – support for this coalition while the war drags on.

Biden said the invasion was “a test for the ages. Test for America. A test for the whole world.”

“Together we did what America always does at its best,” Biden said. “We led. We have united NATO and created a global coalition. We resisted Putin’s aggression. We stood together with the Ukrainian people.”

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This is reported by AP journalist Fatima Hussein.