Addressing a worried nation and an anxious world, President Joe Biden promised in his first State of the Union address on Tuesday night to rein in Russian aggression in Ukrainedeal with runaway inflation in the United States and deal with the coronavirus pandemic that, although it has slowed down, is still dangerous.
SIGHT: State of the Union: “COVID-19 should no longer control our lives,” says Biden
Biden declared that he and all members of Congress, regardless of their political differences, are united “in an unwavering determination that freedom will always triumph over tyranny.” He asked the legislators present on Capitol Hill to stand up and salute the Ukrainians as he began his speech. The request was followed by a standing ovation.
It was a remarkable show of unity after a long year of bitter clashes between Biden’s Democratic coalition and the Republican opposition.
Biden’s speech, torn between attention to the war abroad and considerable concerns at home, reflected the same balancing act he now faces in his presidency. He must muster allies’ resolve against Russian aggression while dealing with inflation, COVID-19 fatigue and declining approval ratings ahead of the midterm elections.
Biden highlighted the bravery of Ukrainian defenders and the commitment of a newly reinvigorated Western alliance that has worked to rearm the Ukrainian military and cripple Russia’s economy through sanctions. He also warned of the costs to the US economy, but stressed that, without consequences, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression would not be limited to Ukraine alone.
“Throughout our history we have learned this lesson, when dictators don’t pay the price for their aggression, they cause more chaos,” Biden said. “They keep moving forward. And the costs and threats to the United States continue to rise.”
As Biden delivered his speech, Russian forces intensified their attacks on Ukraine, having shelled the central square of Kharkiv, the country’s second largest city, and brought down the Kiev television tower, killing at least five people. The Babi Yar Holocaust memorial was also damaged in the shelling of the capital.
NEW MEASURES
Biden announced that the US would join Canada and the European Union in restricting Russian aircraft in their airspace as a result of the invasion of Ukraine. In addition, he noted that the Justice Department is launching a task force focused on prosecuting the crimes of Russian oligarchs, whom he called “corrupt leaders who swindled this violent regime out of billions of dollars.”
“We will go after their ill-gotten gains,” he said, promising that US and European allies would target his yachts, luxury apartments and private jets.
“Putin can surround Kiev with tanks, but he can never win the heart and soul of the Ukrainian people,” Biden said. “He will never extinguish his love for freedom. He will never weaken the determination for a free world.”
INFLATION
Even before the Russian invasion sent energy costs skyrocketing, they were rising for Americans, and the COVID-19 pandemic continued to hurt both families and the country’s economy.
Biden outlined plans to tackle inflation by reinvesting in American manufacturing capacity, speeding up supply chains and reducing the burden of child and elder care on workers.
“Too many families are struggling to keep up with debt,” Biden said. “Inflation is robbing them of earnings that they might otherwise earn. I understand. That is why my top priority is to get prices under control.”
THE PANDEMIC
Biden entered Capitol Hill without a mask, in a sign of the decline in the number of coronavirus cases and new federal guidance aimed at restoring pre-pandemic activities. But the Capitol was recently fenced off due to security concerns after last year’s insurrection.
Facing unease at home and danger abroad, the White House had envisioned Tuesday night’s speech as an opportunity to highlight the improving coronavirus outlook, rebrand Biden’s domestic policy priorities and show a path to lower costs for families struggling with skyrocketing inflation. But it has taken on a new meaning with the Russian invasion of Ukraine last week and the noise of nuclear alarms raised by Putin.
As is customary, a cabinet member, in this case Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, was kept in a safe place during the speech, ready to take over the government in the event of a catastrophe, a vestige of the Cold War that took on a new meaning. in light of Putin’s threats.
In an interview with CNN and Archyde.com, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he asked Biden to send a strong and “useful” message about the Russian invasion. Ukraine’s Ambassador to the US Oksana Markarova joined First Lady Jill Biden in the gallery.
Rising energy prices as a result of Russia’s war in Ukraine risks exacerbating US inflation, already at a 40-year high, hurting people’s earnings and threatening the economic recovery after the pandemic. And while the geopolitical crisis in Eastern Europe may have helped cool partisan tensions in Washington, it has not erased the political and cultural discord that calls into question Biden’s ability to deliver on his promise to promote national unity.
INTERNAL CHALLENGES
Biden addressed an American public frustrated with his performance. An AP-NORC poll from February found that more people disapproved than approved of the way Biden is handling his job, 55% to 44%. That’s down from the 60% favorable rating she earned last July.
Before the speech, White House officials acknowledged that the country’s mood is “sour,” citing the lingering pandemic and inflation. Biden used his presentation to highlight progress during the year, with the majority of the population now vaccinated and millions more working, but also admitted that the work is not done yet, acknowledging American discontent.
“I’m here to report on the State of the Union,” Biden said. “And my report is this: the state of the union is strong, because you, the American people, are strong. We are stronger today than a year ago. And we will be stronger a year from now than we are today.”
Before Biden spoke, Republicans said the word “crisis” describes the state of the Union under the Democratic Biden administration, from an energy policy that allows Russia to sell oil abroad to domestic challenges over jobs and immigration.
“We’re going to push the president to do the right thing,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
At least a half-dozen lawmakers, including Representatives Jamie Raskin and Pete Aguilar, both members of the committee investigating last year’s assault on Capitol Hill, and Sen. Alex Padilla, have tested positive for COVID-19 and were not expected to attend the Capitol for speech.
“Tonight I can say that we are safely moving forward, getting back to more normal routines,” Biden said, outlining his administration’s plans to continue combating COVID-19. He announced that people will be able to request another round of free tests from the government and that his administration was launching a “testing” initiative to provide free antiviral pills at pharmacies to those who test positive for the virus.
While his speech to Congress last year saw the launch of a massive social spending package, Biden this year largely recast earlier proposals in pursuit of achievable goals that he hopes can win bipartisan support in a bitterly divided Congress ahead of the elections. elections.
The president also highlighted investments in everything from broadband Internet access to bridge building from the bipartisan $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill as an example of the government reaching consensus and creating change for the nation.
He also called on lawmakers to compromise on rival competitiveness bills that have passed the House and Senate, both aimed at reinvigorating high-tech American manufacturing and supply chains in the face of growing threats. Chinese geopolitics.
“Instead of relying on foreign supply chains, let’s make it American,” Biden said.
As part of his presentation to voters, he also put a new emphasis on how proposals like extending the child tax credit and lowering child care costs could bring relief to families as prices rise. His proposals on climate change, it was said, would reduce costs for low- and middle-income families while encouraging new job creation.
Biden called for lower health care costs and laid out his plan to authorize Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices, as well as an extension of the more generous health insurance subsidies now temporarily available through the Act’s marketplaces. of Affordable Health Care, where 14.5 million people obtain coverage.
Proposed new initiatives on mental health that dovetail with growing bipartisan interest in Congress amid evidence that the pandemic has damaged the nation’s mental health, and discussed new ways to improve access to health benefits for veterans ill from exposure to burning debris during their service. officials said.
Biden also made a call for action on voting rights, which failed to win support from the GOP. And as gun violence escalates, he’s returned to calls to ban assault weapons, a forceful request he hadn’t made in months. He called for “funding the police with the resources and training they need to protect our communities.”
In addition, the president pressed the Senate to confirm federal judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, whom he nominated last week, as the first African-American woman on the Supreme Court.
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