On Thursday, March 7, 2024, President Joe Biden delivered his second State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress. The speech was a high-stakes moment for Biden, who is facing a tough reelection campaign against former President Donald Trump, who has not conceded his 2020 loss and has repeatedly attacked Biden's legitimacy and performance.
In his address, Biden focused on his economic agenda, touting his achievements in creating jobs, raising wages, expanding health care coverage, and combating climate change. He also called for higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy, saying they should pay their "fair share" to fund his proposed investments in infrastructure, education, research, and clean energy. He said his plans would make the U.S. more competitive and resilient in the face of global challenges and threats.
Biden also slammed Trump multiple times, blaming him for the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the Capitol, the mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the erosion of democracy, and the damage to America's reputation abroad. He said Trump was "a threat to our nation and our values" and urged Americans to reject his "big lie" that the 2020 election was stolen. He said he was determined to defend and strengthen democracy at home and abroad. Biden attacked Republicans on their push to end abortion claiming that if they take away a woman's right then what other rights will they take.
Biden's speech was met with applause and cheers from Democrats, who praised his vision and leadership. However, Republicans were largely critical of his address, accusing him of being divisive, radical, and out of touch with reality. They said he was pursuing a socialist agenda that would hurt the economy, increase the debt, raise taxes, kill jobs, and weaken national security. They also challenged his claims of bipartisanship, saying he had ignored their input and proposals on various issues. Some of the booed the president and heckled him.
The Republican response to Biden's address was delivered by Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, who is one of the youngest and most prominent members of her party. Britt said Biden had failed to deliver on his promises of unity and healing, and had instead governed with "arrogance and condescension." She said Republicans had a better vision for America, one that respected individual freedom, limited government, free markets, strong families, and constitutional rights. She said Republicans would fight for policies that would create opportunity, prosperity, security, and peace for all Americans.
Biden's State of the Union address was watched by an estimated 40 million viewers across various platforms , slightly lower than his first address in 2021 . The speech received mixed reviews from pundits and analysts , with some praising his optimism and confidence , and others criticizing his lack of specifics and realism . The speech also sparked reactions from various groups and stakeholders , such as labor unions , business groups , environmentalists , civil rights activists , foreign leaders , and celebrities. Disgraced former congressman George Santos was present and claimed he will run again for the seat of Rep. Nick LaLota in New York’s First Congressional District, which covers most of Suffolk County on eastern Long Island.
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