| President Biden used his first State of the Union speech on Tuesday to warn Russian President Vladimir Putin and to reassure Americans worried about inflation, the economy and their future with COVID-19.
During an hourlong address, the president asked Congress to unite to send him elements of a domestic agenda he rebranded as “Building a Better America” after a year of struggles to pass any of it. “What are we waiting for? Let’s get this done!” Biden said, promising more details “later” drawn from his once-familiar $2 trillion Build Back Better plan.
As Biden spoke, Ukraine’s military struggled into a seventh day under a Russian bombardment that forced him to devote the initial 20 percent of his speech to condemnations of Putin’s “unprovoked” aggression and praise for the “fearlessness” of Ukrainians. His words brought lawmakers of both parties to their feet in a rare moment of bipartisan applause.
“The free world is holding [Putin] responsible” and stands united to aid Ukraine, punish Russia with sanctions and defend “every single inch” of NATO countries against Moscow’s might, the president said.
“We are clear-eyed,” Biden added, referring to Ukrainians’ uncertain future. “The next few days, weeks and months will be hard on them.” He assured Americans they will be “OK” despite rising gasoline prices and worries that U.S. forces could be dragged into another international confrontation. “Let me be clear. Our forces are not engaged and will not engage,” Biden said.
The Hill: Biden condemns Putin, projects unity in State of the Union address.
The Associated Press: Biden in speech vows to check Russia, tame inflation.
The Hill: Biden praises Ukrainians as “wall of strength” against Putin.
TEXT of the president’s speech.
The Hill: Biden calls on Congress to pass the pending China competition bill.
The Hill: Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) shocks Democrats with speech interruption.
The New York Times: Iowa governor uses GOP response to blast Biden over “runaway inflation.”
House Democrats insist the stalled Build Back Better social spending and climate bill can be reworked for passage before the November elections. Biden previously said his moribund agenda could be carved into “chunks.”
“That bill is dead,” one House Democrat told the Morning Report. “We will take the most popular aspects from it, slim it down and rebrand it.”
A rebrand could be necessary for Biden to shepherd any portion of the initial bill through Congress, especially with his low job approval ratings. According to the latest RealClearPolitics average of polls, only 40.6 percent approve of Biden’s job in office, with only 29 percent saying that the U.S. is heading in the right direction.
Alexander Bolton, The Hill: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) pours water on Biden’s attempt to revive Build Back Better.
The president also used the opportunity to pinball his way from topic to topic, including his administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy, infrastructure and inflation in an attempt to hit back at an onslaught of GOP criticism, especially over rising prices, by touting the 6.5 million in jobs gains last year.
“Inflation is robbing them of the gains they might otherwise feel. I get it,” Biden said. “That’s why my top priority is getting prices under control.”
The Hill: Biden: Inflation “robbing” benefits of strong U.S. economy.
Biden described a new U.S. stage in the fight against COVID-19. Biden and many of the lawmakers and attendees in the chamber were unmasked after the Capitol physician deemed face coverings optional following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s change in guidelines last week. The president signaled that updated guidelines for indoor masks, omicron’s ebb nationwide and access to effective vaccines, tests and treatments mark a turning point, including for schools and workplaces (The Hill).
“We’ve reached a new moment in the fight against COVID-19,” Biden declared, noting that Americans are moving “back to more normal routines.”
The Hill: Justice Department to name a chief prosecutor for pandemic fraud.
The Hill: Biden announces “test to treat” COVID-19 initiative, free anti-viral treatment after positive test.
In total, the domestic section represented a “greatest hits” type of speech that Biden has delivered dating back to his successful presidential bid. The House Democrat added that the address included “a lot of solid remarks but not exceptional.”
A second House Democrat gave the president high marks for his Ukraine remarks and his four-point call for bipartisanship at the end but said that the middle of his speech, which included the meat and potatoes of his domestic plans, was “weaker.”
The Hill: Biden pushes clean energy tax credits amid stalled spending agenda.
Biden’s address was followed by official responses from all corners of the political universe. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds delivered the official GOP rebuttal, knocking the president for what she called “weakness on the world stage,” the troop pullout in Afghanistan in August and the crisis in Ukraine.
The New York Times: Iowa governor uses GOP response to blast Biden over “runaway inflation.”
The Hill: Michigan progressive Rep. Rashida Tlaib delivers stinging critique of centrist Democrats.
© Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool via Associated Press
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