Original Article

During his second State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Biden addressed the Congress. He focused on job creation and healthcare, targeting ordinary Americans and defending his record. He made a direct appeal to blue-collar workers and spoke about his administration’s investments in infrastructure.

Biden called for Republicans and Democrats to work together but also criticized GOP policies. He stressed the need for consensus on important issues, but rejected Republican proposals on immigration, taxes, and Social Security and Medicare.

The speech was viewed as a potential message for Biden’s 2024 campaign, and there was high tension in the room with Republicans interrupting the president with opposition. Biden presented himself as an experienced politician who can work across the aisle but also stand firm in his beliefs. He emphasized the importance of completing the work and expressed empathy for those left behind in past economic upheavals.

The speech was marked by a back-and-forth with the audience, which is rare in a presidential address to Congress. Republicans responded vocally to Biden’s remarks on the national debt, Medicare, and Social Security, with one representative shouting “Liar!” during the speech.

Biden’s proposals are unlikely to be realized due to the Republican majority in Congress, but he used the State of the Union address to promote his vision, record, and agenda heading towards the 2024 election. He spoke positively about job creation and the growth of the manufacturing sector, and emphasized the success of his administration in creating 12 million jobs in two years, more than any other president in four years. In the speech, Biden described the country’s democracy as strong and emphasized the need to protect it.