Joe Biden vowed to work with political opponents in his latest State of the Union address.
The U.S. president addressed Congress for the first time since Republicans took control of the House of Representatives last month.
While he acknowledged that America’s democracy had been hurt, Mr Biden stressed it was “unwavering”.
“There’s no reason we can’t work together in the new Congress,” the Democrat said — and Americans crave unity.
He added: “People are sending us a clear message. Fighting for the sake of fighting, power for the sake of power, conflict for the sake of conflict, getting us nowhere … We were sent here to get the job done ! “
On Tuesday, February 2, President Joe Biden arrived at the Capitol to deliver his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress. Washington, D.C., July 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Caroline Castor)
What is the State of the Union Address?
This annual address gives the president the opportunity to identify legislative priorities for the coming year.
Mr Biden called for bipartisan efforts on cancer research, supporting veterans and fighting the “opioid and overdose epidemic”.
But some of his other proposals — such as a minimum tax on billionaires — are unlikely to pass this Congress.
The president wants to cap the cost of insulin across the country, meaning diabetics will pay no more than $35 (£29) a month and may not get approval from Congress.
Among those without insurance, insulin can cost as much as $900 (£746) a month – forcing many to dose or skip doses and endangering their health.
Elsewhere in the speech, Mr. Biden focused on policing reform following the death of Tire Nichols, a black man who died after being beaten by police in Memphis. He paid tribute to Mr Nichols as his parents watched from the audience.
The White House and new Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have been feuding over the US 31.4trn (£26trn) debt ceiling, which needs to be raised in the coming months to avoid a default.
In a video ahead of the State of the Union address, Mr McCarthy said he respected Democrats but had the right to disagree on policy.
“I want to make sure that this country is stronger, economically sound, energy independent, safe and responsible,” he added.
Mr McCarthy also cautioned Mr Biden against using the term “extreme MAGA Republican” in his speech – a nod to Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.
Photo: Associated Press
Biden is still unpopular
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll put Mr Biden at 41%, near the lowest level of his presidency.
Currently, 65% of Americans think the country is on the wrong track, up from 58% a year ago.
Like the UK, the US has suffered from red-hot inflation levels in recent months – but the Fed expects a “substantial decline” throughout 2023.
Mr. Biden’s speech was intended to set an upbeat tone for a second presidential campaign in 2024, which is expected to launch within weeks.
He turns 80 in November and will be 82 if re-elected — something that recent polls show has concerned many Democratic voters.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who has served as Donald Trump’s press secretary, delivered the Republican response to Mr. Biden’s speech.
In a fiery attack, she claimed Mr Biden was “unfit to be commander-in-chief” – and claimed his administration was more interested in “sober fantasies than the harsh realities Americans face every day”.
Republicans support freedom, while Democrats support government control, she said.
“Biden and the Democrats have let you down. They know, and you know, it’s time for a change,” Ms Huckabee Sanders said.
She warned that the right and the left no longer divide America — now, “the choice is normal or crazy.”
“President Biden has inherited the fastest economic recovery ever; the most secure borders in history; cheap, abundant, indigenous energy; rapidly rising wages; a rebuilt military, and a stable and peaceful world. But in the past two years , the Democrats destroyed it all,” Ms Huckabee Sanders claimed.
Criticizing Mr Biden’s record, she added: “Beyond our borders, from Afghanistan to Ukraine, from North Korea to Iran, President Biden’s weakness puts our country and the world at risk. The president refuses to confront Our greatest adversary, China, is dangerous and unacceptable.”
Republicans call Biden ‘unfit for office’
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who has served as Donald Trump’s press secretary, delivered the Republican response to Mr. Biden’s speech.
In a fiery attack, she claimed Mr Biden was “unfit to be commander-in-chief” – and claimed his administration was more interested in “sober fantasies than the harsh realities Americans face every day”.
Republicans support freedom, while Democrats support government control, she said.
“Biden and the Democrats have let you down. They know, and you know, it’s time for a change,” Ms Huckabee Sanders said.
She warned that the right and the left no longer divide America — now, “the choice is normal or crazy.”
“President Biden has inherited the fastest economic recovery ever; the most secure borders in history; cheap, abundant, indigenous energy; rapidly rising wages; a rebuilt military, and a stable and peaceful world. But in the past two years , the Democrats destroyed it all,” Ms Huckabee Sanders claimed.
Criticizing Mr Biden’s record, she added: “Beyond our borders, from Afghanistan to Ukraine, from North Korea to Iran, President Biden’s weakness puts our country and the world at risk. The president refuses to confront Our greatest adversary, China, is dangerous and unacceptable.”