On Thursday, Joe Biden gave his first speech since declaring his candidacy for a second term for the US Presidential Elections, At 9:26 p.m. Eastern Time, the president initiated his speech. During his speech, he stuck mostly to his script, was energetic and appeared to fire up Democrats in the chamber, who occasionally chanted "Four more years!" and jumped to their feet cheering the president.
Biden in his speech addressed domestic issues like abortion, gun control and tax hikes while addressing foreign policy challenges, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Israel's conflict with Hamas. Foreign Affairs typically takes a backseat in the state address but it was prominently in his speech due to ongoing global tensions.
10 Major Highlights of the State Address
Major dig at Donald Trump
The Adress was very Trump Centric making the speech notably politically charged. Throughout his speech, Biden made several references to "my predecessor" in his prepared remarks, He began by criticizing Trump's remarks on Russia and NATO, later condemning post-2020 election misinformation as a significant threat to democracy. Biden consistently contrasted his stances on issues like abortion, immigration, and taxes with Trump's, eliciting cheers from Democratic supporters in the audience.
Biden also attacked his predecessor Donald Trump over the January 6 US Capitol Hill attack, and branded it as the "gravest threat to democracy since the civil war." "My predecessor and some of you here seek to bury the truth about January," he added.
"You can't love your country only when you win."
"My predecessor and some of you here seek to bury the truth about January 6. I will not do that." He urged lawmakers, regardless of party affiliation, to unite and protect democracy, emphasizing, "Remember your oath of office and defend us against all threats — foreign and domestic,” he said.
"Political violence has absolutely no place, no place in America," he emphasized.
Trump "failed the most basic duty any president owes the American people, the duty to care," said Biden. "That is unforgivable."
Russia- Ukraine War
At the beginning of his state of the union address, Biden said, "Overseas, Putin and Russia are on the march, invading Ukraine, and sowing chaos throughout Europe and beyond. If anyone in this room thinks that Putin will stop at Ukraine. ."
Biden said, "But Ukraine can stop Putin if we stand with them and provide them weapons and make it defend itself. That is what Ukraine has been asking. They are not asking for American soldiers."
He declared, “History is watching. We need to stand up to Putin." If the US walks away, it will put Ukraine at risk, we will put Europe at risk. My message to Putin - we will not walk away', he added.
Again speaking about Trump, in front of a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives, Biden sharply criticizing Trump for remarks he had made that appeared to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to invade other NATO members if they did not increase their defense spending.
"Now my predecessor, a former Republican president, tells Putin, 'Do whatever you want,'" Biden stated. "I think it's outrageous, it's dangerous and it's unacceptable."
Roe Vs Wade- Women Reproductive freedom
Addressing Roe v. Wade, which revoked a nationwide assurance to abortion, Biden emphasised, "Women are not without electoral Power.” Biden affirmed that "Roe v. Wade made the correct decision" in discussions about reproductive freedom, pledging to reinstate the abortion right "to the law of the land again.”
With six U.S. Supreme Court justices seated in the front rows, the president rebuked the predominantly conservative court for overturning the pivotal abortion case Roe v. Wade in 2022. While cautioning that "history is watching" the U.S. approach to alliances abroad and its support for Ukraine, he also cautioned against "another assault on freedom."
Biden pointedly attributed the overturning of the law to Trump, noting, "In fact, he openly brags about it." He cautioned about Republican efforts in Congress to push for a nationwide abortion ban. He outlined how numerous conservative states have imposed restrictions on reproductive health services, highlighting concerns about Alabama's recent law effectively prohibiting in vitro fertilization.
Biden also referenced Kate Cox, a guest seated with the first lady, who faced a tragic foetal condition during her pregnancy but was unable to access abortion services in Texas, leading her to sue the state.
During his speech, Female representatives gathered in the House of Representatives were notably wearing white, with many belonging to the Democratic Women’s Caucus sporting the colour along with pins advocating "Fighting for Reproductive Freedom."
Lois Frankel, the caucus chair, expressed their position: “Our message is straightforward: women must have access to the healthcare necessary to manage their own lives and futures. This entails women, not politicians, making decisions about whether, when, and how to start or expand their families. This encompasses access to birth control, access to abortion, and access to IVF.”
ISRAEL- GAZA War
President Biden addressed Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza, which has lasted for five months, during his speech. He also recognized the families of individuals still held hostage by Hamas in the visitors' galleries of the chamber
The president stressed his administration's focus on achieving a cease-fire to facilitate the release of hostages and increase humanitarian aid delivery. He highlighted his longstanding support for Israel and his early visit during the conflict.
He described the war in Gaza as "gut-wrenching" and pledged to bring every hostage home. he said it was "heart-breaking" as more than 30,000 Palestinian civilians have been killed.
"We've been working non-stop to establish an immediate ceasefire that would last for at least six weeks," he said.
"To the leadership of Israel I say this: Humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip," Biden said. "Protecting and saving innocent lives has to be a priority. As we look to the future, the only real solution is a two-state solution."
President Joe Biden announced that he has directed the US military to assist in establishing a temporary port on the Gaza coast to enhance the flow of humanitarian aid, facilitating the entry of more food, water, and medicine into the territory during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
He clarified that American troops would not need to be on the ground for the construction of the pier, which is aimed at boosting the supply of medical supplies, food, and water. he declared, "No U.S. boots will be on the ground."
Sweden Joins NATO
In his speech, Biden revealed that Sweden has become an official member of NATO following Finland's recent accession. Among Jill Biden's guests for the address was Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who was in Washington for Sweden's formal entry into NATO, occurring two years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
This indicates Biden's intention to express his support for the security alliance, highlighting another difference from the approach taken by Trump. Other attendees at the White House included individuals affected by in vitro fertilization or abortion restrictions, a veteran of the 1965 Bloody Sunday attack on Black marchers in Selma, Alabama, United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain, and various others.
His take on China
Touching upon the competition with China, Biden argued that the US trade deficit with China is down to "the lowest point in over a decade".
"We're standing against China's unfair economic practices," he said and promised that the US would defend Taiwan. "We want competition with China, but not conflict," he said, adding, "Across the Taiwan Straits, I've revitalized our partnership and alliance in the Pacific. India, Australia, Japan, South Korea, the Pacific islands..."
Drugs
In his speech, Joe Biden pledged to reduce the price of prescription drugs. He highlighted his administration's achievement in lowering prescription drug costs and capping the monthly cost of insulin for seniors on Medicare at $35. Biden promised that, if re-elected for a second term, he would expand this cap to include all individuals who require insulin.
"Americans pay more for prescription drugs than anywhere in the world," Biden said. "It's wrong and I'm ending it. With a law I proposed and signed, and not one of you Republican buddies voted for, we finally beat Big Pharma."
"illegal" Immigrants
During the State of the Union address, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene interrupted Biden, drawing attention to the murder of nursing student Laken Riley by an undocumented immigrant. Biden responded by directly addressing the issue, picking up one of the pins distributed by the Georgia Republican, which read “Say Her Name: Laken Riley,” and using the term “illegal,” a departure from the typical Democratic terminology for describing immigrants.
Prior to the president's speech, the House passed a bill known as the "Laken Riley Act," named after the 22-year-old Georgia nursing student murdered by a migrant who entered the U.S. illegally in 2022. The bill aimed to require the detention of any migrant with a record of theft, and 37 Democrats, primarily from swing districts, supported it.
While Biden did not directly mention Trump by name, he attributed blame to him for derailing the bill, claiming his predecessor had called on Republicans in Congress to block it. Biden issued a challenge for Trump to join him in passing the bill and mentioned exploring executive actions to reduce migrant numbers, despite internal divisions among Democrats. However, he emphasized the need for Congress to change the law to fund additional enforcement personnel.
US Economy
Ahead of the polls, Biden emphasized his track record by making a pitch that the economy is in a stronger position now compared to when he assumed office in 2021.
"It doesn’t make the news, but in thousands of cities and towns, the American people are writing the greatest comeback story never told," he said.
"America’s comeback is building a future of American possibilities, building an economy from the middle out and the bottom up."
Boasting the US economy, Biden said the American economy "is the envy of the world." In his State of the Union Address, Biden made a compelling argument for his administration by highlighting that the US has generated 15 million new jobs and achieved the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years.
He argued that the state of the country was far worse when Trump was in office, citing the pandemic that triggered job losses, millions of deaths and a "mental health crisis of isolation and loneliness." Many Republicans in the chamber groaned and booed at Biden's description of Trump's record.
He boasted through real-world projects funded by his key legislative achievements, including a healthcare and climate bill passed without GOP support, as well as the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Biden reiterated a familiar populist message about redirecting cost savings to benefit lower-income individuals, contrasting it with policies favoring the top 1%.
He pointed out Trump's 2017 tax cuts as emblematic of a presidency favouring the wealthy. Addressing viewers at home, Biden posed a political question aimed at resonating with most Americans: "Do you truly believe the tax code is fair?"
Discussion around his Age
At 81, President Biden aimed to ease concerns within his party about his age and fitness for another term as commander in chief. He contrasted his age with Trump's 77, addressing concerns over his own fitness for office, which many Democrats cite as a primary reason they preferred another candidate.
Despite questions about his age, Biden delivered an energetic State of the Union speech, having spent considerable time rehearsing and fine-tuning his message.
“When you get to be my age, certain things become clearer than ever,” Biden said in his speech, to some laughs.
He went on: “The issue facing our nation isn’t how old we are, it’s how old our ideas are,” adding later we “can’t lead with ancient ideas.”
Final Remarks
In his concluding remarks, US President Joe Biden outlined his vision for his potential next term in office, should he be re-elected.
He said, "I see a future where we defend democracy not diminish it. I see a future where we restore the right to choose and protect other freedoms not take them away. I see a future where the middle class finally has a fair shot and the wealthy finally have to pay their fair share in taxes. I see a future where we save the planet from the climate crisis and our country from gun violence."
"Above all, I see a future for all Americans! I see a country for all Americans! And I will always be a president for all Americans! Because I believe in America! I believe in you, the American people. You’re the reason I’ve never been more optimistic about our future! So let’s build that future together! Let’s remember who we are! We are the United States of America. There is nothing beyond our capacity when we act together!" he added.
Photo: Multiple Sources
(Inputs from Agencies)
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