In a State of the Union speech that introduced each homes of Congress again to the Capitol, President Biden emphasised what unites the nation whereas attempting to reassure Individuals apprehensive in regards to the Ukraine disaster, inflation and gasoline costs that “we’re going to be OK.”
Nevertheless it wasn’t all unity and bipartisan help: Mr. Biden acknowledged that inflation is “robbing” Individuals of financial positive factors. He additionally pushed his home coverage agenda, saying Congress wanted to move key items of his Construct Again Higher agenda. He didn’t use the phrases “Construct Again Higher” collectively, because the plan has been stalled within the Senate.
Mr. Biden devoted the early a part of his speech to displaying help for Ukraine and condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin. He famous the Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S., a visitor of the primary woman, who obtained a standing ovation. Many members of Congress wore blue and yellow in help of Ukraine.
“Putin has unleashed violence and chaos,” Mr. Biden mentioned. “However whereas he might make positive factors on the battlefield – he can pay a seamless excessive value over the long term.”
CBS Information
Mr. Biden mentioned the U.S. will be a part of European allies in closing airspace to Russian planes. Moreover, he introduced 30 million barrels of oil might be launched from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
“These steps will assist blunt gasoline costs right here at dwelling. And I do know the information about what’s taking place can appear alarming, however I would like you to know that we’re going to be OK,” he mentioned.
The complete chamber – the place members weren’t required to put on masks – stood in stark distinction to final yr’s tackle. However members of Congress nonetheless didn’t convey visitors, and attendees have been seated with area between them. Mr. Biden kicked off the speech saying, “Final yr COVID-19 saved us aside. This yr we’re lastly collectively once more.”
Later within the speech, he mentioned America had “reached a brand new second within the battle towards COVID-19, with extreme circumstances all the way down to a degree not seen since final July.” He introduced the U.S. might be launching a “check to deal with” plan and can present free antiviral tablets at pharmacies for individuals who check constructive for COVID-19.
He introduced an “unity agenda for the nation” with 4 elements: beating the opioid epidemic; tackling psychological well being; supporting veterans and ending most cancers. He additionally spoke of a trigger that could be very private to him: burn pits that trigger most cancers in veterans, which he mentioned might have induced his son Beau’s lethal most cancers.
In sticking with unity, Mr. Biden didn’t point out one of many points that has largely divided Democrats and Republicans: The January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol.
A CBS News poll released Tuesday discovered that Mr. Biden’s approval score remained at 44%, a one level enhance from final week however the identical as his approval score in January and November CBS Information polls.
The president’s approval score began to fall final summer time in the course of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and fell even additional as inflation grew to become a much bigger challenge.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds delivered the GOP response. Reynolds, who was one of many first governors to open colleges in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, issued a stern message that can possible be repeated by Republicans all through the 2022 midterms: “Republicans imagine that folks matter.”
Learn CBS Information’ fact-check of the State of the Union here.
