Biden Gives his State of the Union Address

Grayden Jackson

Joe Biden visits Carnegie Mellon’s Mill 19 on Friday to discuss his infrastructure bill. (Photo Credit, Grayden Jackson)

Hannah Shiflett
February 10, 2023

In the address, President Biden congratulated the new Speaker of the House, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, and recognized Nancy Pelosi for her service in the role. The President also acknowledged Senators Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnel for their new roles in the Senate. He also congratulated Rep. Hakeem Jeffries for being the first Black minority leader in the House.

President Biden highlighted how congress came together to help Ukraine and pass laws that helped those exposed to toxic burn pits, the Infrastructure Act, the Right to Marriage Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. He wishes for the two parties to continue to work together as they did in the past.

Some guests were also recognized for their courage, work, and pride. Some of these special guests included Oskana Mararova of Ukraine who serves as an ambassador, Brandon Tsay who disarmed the Monterey Park shooter, the mother and stepfather of Tyre Nichols who was killed by police in Memphis, and singer Bono for his activism again HIV/Aids.

While giving the annual speech, President Biden announced his vision for the House and Senate and what he would like to see become law.

President Biden’s Goals for Congress:

  1. Pass the Chips and Science Act.
  2. Expand the coverage of Medicaid.
  3. Make major corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes instead of forcing taxes onto the middle class.
  4. Pass the Junk-Free Prevention Act.
  5. Pass the PRO Act.
  6. Raise the minimum wage.
  7. Pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
  8. Ban assault weapons.
  9. Secure the border and provide a pathway for DREAMERS to become citizens.
  10. Protect the right to an abortion and pass the Equality Act

The teamwork of the past will prove to be important in the future as the House and Senate remain on a narrow divide. The President warned that he will veto any bill that seeks to ban abortion in the US and cut Medicare and social security. Congress will have a lot of work to do in the next two years should President Biden seek to have his goals become reality.

The State of the Union address can be found at whitehouse.gov.