- Biden’s first State of the Union address starts at 9 p.m. ET.
President Joe Biden fulfills a constitutional request when he delivers a State of the Union address – his first – to Congress on Tuesday.
The president will likely speak about several initiatives stalled in the Senate, such as his $1.75 trillion Build Back Better infrastructure bill and voting rights legislation. He will certainly address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion into Ukraine.
Once President Joe Biden leaves the podium after giving his first State of the Union Tuesday, at least two political leaders will deliver separate responses to the address: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds for the Republican Party and Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.
Here’s what else you need to know, along with some history on the speech.
Live updates:Russia’s 40-mile convoy appears to have bogged down en route to Kyiv; shells pound Ukrainian city of Kharkiv
These are the twelve Representatives with prime aisle seating at the SOTU
Six Democrats and six Republicans have the premium aisle seats that allow close proximity to President Biden as he enters the House chamber to deliver his remarks.
Democratic Reps. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware, Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, Benny Thompson of Mississippi and Mark Takano of California have the seats on the Democratic side.
GOP Reps. Frank Lucas of Oklahoma, Gary Palmer of Alabama, Kevin Brady of Texas, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania, and Debbie Lesko of Arizona are the Republicans on the aisle.
— Dylan Wells
Biden to issue executive order on identity theft in public benefits programs
Biden is set to speak on a new executive order targeting identity theft during the State of the Union.
The order, which will expand upon steps taken in 2021 to prevent and detect identity theft of public benefits and direct new actions to support fraud victims, will be announced in the coming weeks, according to The White House.
— Chelsey Cox
Biden to announces new chief prosecutor to pandemic relief crimes
Biden will roll out new efforts to prevent identity theft and other pandemic-related fraud crimes during the State of the Union, according to the White House, including the addition of a chief prosecutor to the Justice Department’s COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force.
The COVID-19 task force was implemented by Attorney General Merrick Garland in May 2021 and has charged over 1,000 criminal cases and opened over 200 civil investigations across 1800 individuals and entities involving billions of dollars in suspected fraud.
The new chief prosecutor will help prosecute reports of identity theft involving public pandemic benefits from 2019 to 2020, as reported by the Federal Trade Commission.
–Chelsey Cox
Live updates:U.S. to ban Russian planes from American airspace; shells pound Ukrainian city of Kharkiv
Biden to say ‘defund the police’ is not the answer
Amid rising crime in cities across the nation, albeit from historical lows, President Joe Biden will tout his administration’s efforts to fund local police departments and to tackle gun control during Tuesday’s State of the Union, according to the White House.
Biden will highlight how he’s urged local and state governments to use American Rescue Plan funds to add police officers. He’s also expected to urge Congress to pass his $300 million budget request to more than double the size of the Department of Justice’s COPS community policing grant program.
Republicans have sought to tie Biden and other Democrats to the “defund the police” mantra on the left, even though Biden has repeatedly rejected that phrase.
“He’ll make clear that the answer is not to defund the police, it’s to put more police – with better training and more accountability – out to take back our streets and make our neighborhoods safer,” a White House official said.
Although Republicans in the Senate have refused to pass sweeping gun reform measures, Biden will point to his administration’s unilateral efforts. That includes creating five new Justice Department gun trafficking strike forces to target the illegal; an executive order aimed at “ghost guns,” and new ATF rules.
— Joey Garrison
U.S. to close airspace to Russian planes
Biden will announce in his State of the Union address that the U.S. is closing its airspace to Russian planes in retaliation for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, three sources told USA TODAY.
The U.S. joins a growing list of countries that have announced plans to close their airspace to Russian aircraft in response to the invasion.
The E.U. banned all Russian aircraft from its airspace after several European countries including France, Italy and Denmark as well as Canada announced the move Sunday. Neutral Sweden and Austria also joined the international move to cut off Russian aircraft.
– Michael Collins and Courtney Subramanian
What time is the State of the Union address?
Biden will start speaking at 9 p.m. ET.
Talking points:From Ukraine to historic Supreme Court nominee: 5 things to watch for in Biden’s State of the Union address
Where can I watch the SOTU?
It will be carried by all major TV news networks (CBS, NBC, ABC and PBS) and cable news networks including Fox News, Fox Business Network, CNN, MSNBC and C-SPAN.
NPR will also carry the address.
The speech will also be live-streamed by the White House and many organizations, including USA TODAY. Readers can follow live updates on the speech from USA TODAY.
– Chelsey Cox
First lady Jill Biden’s State of the Union guest list
Per tradition, first lady Jill Biden will sit in the House gallery with a group of distinguished Americans to watch her husband deliver his State of the Union address.
In addition to Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Mrs. Biden’s guest list includes people who work in education, health care, technology, and a steelworkers union.
“The President and I are honored to welcome an extraordinary group of Americans and H.E. Oksana Markarova, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, to sit with me and @SecondGentleman for the State of the Union,” Mrs, Biden tweeted.
The White House posted the full guest list.
— David Jackson
GOP, Dems to wear Ukrainian colors
Brandishing Ukraine’s flag colors will be a bipartisan affair during Biden’s first State of the Union address, as several members from both parties plan to either wear ribbons or other clothing in the colors of the Ukrainian flag.
Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz, of Indiana, who was born in Ukraine, will wear a blue suit and yellow blazer to draw attention to the crisis. She took to Twitter ahead of the president’s remarks calling on the Biden administration to do more.
“Putin’s war is not a war but a genocide of the Ukrainian people who wanted to be free and with us,” Spartz said. “We cannot let him embarrass our great nation and slaughter these brave people under our watch.”
Rep. Brett Guthrie, of Kentucky, showed off how dozens of members from both parties had gathered on the Capitol steps before the address with a flag merging the U.S. and Ukrainian colors.
“Today I joined my colleagues to show solidarity for the Ukrainian people,” Guthrie, a Republican, said. “Their bravery in the fight against Putin’s unlawful and unprovoked invasion is inspiring. I support sending more aid to Ukraine and crushing Putin and his associates with a powerful arsenal of sanctions.”
The Democratic Women’s Caucus earlier Tuesday announced its members plan to “wear bright and colorful attire” in support Ukraine.
— Phillip M. Bailey
SOTU comes as inflation soars
Biden delivers his State of the Union address at a time when inflation has soared to its highest level in four decades.
Consumer prices jumped 7.5% last month compared with 12 months earlier, the steepest year-over-year increase since February 1982, the Labor Department reported last month. The increase was driven by shortages of supplies and workers, heavy doses of federal aid, low interest rates and robust consumer spending, the department said.
The steady surge in prices has left many Americans less able to afford food, gas, rent, child care and other necessities.
— Michael Collins, Associated Press
Explained:What is inflation and how does it affect you? Increase in prices for gas, food, energy raise concern
Congresswoman to pass out ribbons to show Ukraine solidarity
Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, will pass out blue and yellow ribbons to members of congress at Biden’s State of the Union to “wear tonight in solidarity with the people of Ukraine,” the Democratic Women’s Caucus said.
Kaptur is leader of the Ukraine Caucus.
In addition, some congresswomen were seen wearing blue and yellow, the color of Ukraine’s flag, in a photo posted by Michelle Moreno-Silva, communications director of the Democratic Women’s Caucus.
Moreno-Silva said members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus are planning to “wear bright and colorful attire to the State of the Union in celebration of the strength and diversity of the Caucus.”
The caucus first asked members to don white at the 2019 State of the Union in honor of the Women’s Suffrage Movement that led to the ratification of the 19th amendment in 1920. The lawmakers wanted to acknowledge voters who gave Democrats a majority in the House that year.
The tradition continued in 2020 in protest “against President Trump’s backwards agenda.”
— Rebecca Morin and Chelsey Cox
Biden to deliver speech as Russian convoy inches toward Kyiv
Biden’s State of the Union speech comes on day six of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and the international crisis is expected to be a focal point of his speech.
A 40-mile convoy of Russian tanks and vehicles appeared to stall about 15 miles outside of Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv. Troops appeared to run out of gas and food, but it’s also possible the Russians are pausing to regroup and reassess their attack, a senior U.S. Defense Department official told reporters earlier Tuesday.
Ukrainians are bracing for continued attacks after at least 11 people were killed and 35 others wounded in an apparent rocket strike in Kharkiv. Earlier, Russian strikes hit Kyiv’s main broadcasting tower and the nearby Babi Yar Holocaust Memorial site, where Nazis killed thousands of Jews during World War II. Ukraine’s foreign minister confirmed the attack.
Ahead of his remarks, Biden spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for more than 30 minutes. The president said he discussed continued U.S. support, including security assistance and humanitarian aid, and vowed to hold Russia accountable.
For more updates on the unfolding crisis in Ukraine, follow USA TODAY’s live coverage here.
— Courtney Subramanian
More:Satellite images show huge Russian convoys in Ukraine
What will Biden talk about?
Biden’s remarks to a joint session of Congress will give him a chance to trumpet his administration’s accomplishments during his first year in office and lay out policy goals for the coming year.
A prominent Democratic strategist urged Biden to use the opportunity to offer Americans hope for better days.
“What Americans want to hear is genuine understanding of what we have been through together and a clear path forward – less about Mr. Biden’s accomplishments than about the heroic, unsung sacrifices so many have made to see their families and communities through,” David Axelrod, who helped shape many of President Barack Obama’s addresses to Congress, wrote in an op-ed in The New York Times.
What else is bound to come up? Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will cast a long shadow over Biden’s State of the Union address. Biden will seek to reassure the country that it’s entering a new phase in the fight against COVID-19. And the president wants Americans to know that he feels their pain when it comes to rising prices.
Read more here on expectations for the address.
– Michael Collins
Biden to address Russian invasion of Ukraine
Biden will address Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during his address, according to excerpts of his prepared remarks released by the White House.
“Throughout our history we’ve learned this lesson – when dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos. They keep moving. And, the costs and threats to America and the world keep rising,” he is expected to say.
“That’s why the NATO Alliance was created to secure peace and stability in Europe after World War 2. The United States is a member along with 29 other nations.
“It matters. American diplomacy matters.
“Putin’s war was premeditated and unprovoked. He rejected efforts at diplomacy. He thought the West and NATO wouldn’t respond. And, he thought he could divide us here at home.
“Putin was wrong. We were ready,” he will say.
More:Russia has been accused of using ‘vacuum bombs’ in Ukraine. What are those?
Biden to talk about inflation and the US economy
Biden will also address inflation — an issue that is a top concern for the American people — according to prepared remarks released by the White House.
“We have a choice. One way to fight inflation is to drive down wages and make Americans poorer. I have a better plan to fight inflation,” he is expected to say.
“Lower your costs, not your wages. Make more cars and semiconductors in America. More infrastructure and innovation in America. More goods moving faster and cheaper in America. More jobs where you can earn a good living in America. And, instead of relying on foreign supply chains – let’s make it in America.
“Economists call it “increasing the productive capacity of our economy.” I call it building a better America,” he will say.
“My plan to fight inflation will lower your costs and lower the deficit,” he is expected to say.
— Rebecca Morin
Biden speech focus: The U.S. and Europe must be united against Russia
Previewing his State of the Union speech to a group of journalists, President Joe Biden said he will stress the importance of unity between the United States and Europe in confronting Russian President Vladimir Putin over his invasion of Ukraine.
In a lunch with television anchors and others, Biden said he would re-emphasize “my determination to see to it that the EU, NATO, all of our allies are on the same exact page in terms of sanctions against Russia and how we deal with the invasion – and it is an invasion – of Ukraine.”
This from a tweet by CNN anchor Jake Tapper, who also reported that Biden declared global unity “the one thing that gives us power to impose severe consequences on Putin for what he’s done.”
Presidents host these kinds of lunches with television anchors before every State of the Union address. The sessions are off the record, but White Houses often put a few comments on the record.
In this case, Biden wanted to make clear his message on Ukraine.
— David Jackson
Biden will roll out mental health crisis strategies
Biden will outline his plan for tackling the mental health crisis during his first State of the Union.
The White House said Tuesday that Biden will call on Congress to pass legislation to support those policies that increase the capacity of the mental health system to provide care, make it easier for those who need care to get it and address the determinants of health.
Among the policies he will pitch, according to the White House:
- A plan to spend $700 million on training, scholarship and loan repayment for those who pursue careers in mental health and substance abuse treatment in rural communities and other underserved areas.
- A proposal that health plans cover “robust behavioral health services with an adequate network of providers, including three behavioral health visits each year without cost-sharing.”
- To address concerns about digital technology and social media damage to the mental health of young people, Biden wants to ban targeted advertising for children online and stop online algorithms from returning results that damage their mental well-being.
– Rick Rouan
Pelosi won’t be wearing a mask during State of the Union
As she sits behind President Joe Biden during his State of the Union address, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will be mask-less.
“I’m not going to be wearing a mask tonight,” Pelosi told MSNBC Tuesday. “If I had little children, or if I were around little grandchildren I would because some of them would not be vaccinated.”
Democratic House leadership lifted its mask mandate in the House in time for the president’s first State of the Union. It comes as the rate of positive COVID-19 test results dropped to 2.7% at the Capitol’s testing site, according to Politico, and as the District of Columbia dropped its indoor mask mandate as COVID-19 cases have plummeted in Washington.
The White House on Tuesday ended its mask requirement for vaccinated staff members. But White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Monday said she hadn’t spoken to Biden on whether he will wear a mask when he walks into the House Chamber.
“He will certainly not be wearing a mask when he’s speaking,” Psaki said.
— Joey Garrison
Why is this Biden’s first State of the Union?
The concept of an annual update from the president to members of Congress has existed as long as the presidency. President George Washington delivered the first of what was then called the “Annual Message” in 1790.
That is rooted in the constitutional requirement to provide an update “from time to time.” The speech was not formally named the State of the Union until 1947, according to the Congressional Research Service.
But recent tradition has been for presidents to not deliver a formal State of the Union in the year they were inaugurated but instead to simply speak before a joint session of Congress.
President Joe Biden did that in 2021, as the six presidents before him had done in their inauguration years. That means Biden’s 2022 address will be his first formal State of the Union.
– Rick Rouan
