Biden vows to restore Roe v Wade during 2024 State of the Union address
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox
Get our free Inside Washington email
Joe Biden gave a fiery State of the Union speech on Thursday evening laying out the case for his re-election and addressing both domestic and international issues before a joint session of Congress, while slamming his predecessor’s record.
The president touted his achievements, allayed concerns about his age and warned of the threat to democracy at home and abroad ahead of a crucial election year, even condemning those who perpetuate lies about the January 6 Capitol riot.
A pumped-up Mr Biden vowed to restore Roe v Wade, championed his economic achievements, and recommitted the US to Ukraine and its Nato allies, as well as announcing further aid to Gaza.
He also called for greater cooperation in Congress to resolve the crisis at the southern border and criticised those Republicans who bowed to Donald Trump’s wish to tank bipartisan legislation to deal with illegal immigration.
Despite Speaker Mike Johnson having sent a “very clear” message to his fellow Republicans to “turn the temperature down” and show “decorum” to avoid some of the more raucous scenes of recent years, there were still moments of heckling which Mr Biden appeared to deal with handily.
Key Points
Show latest update
There was a gaffe…
…but the president kept going.
Gustaf Kilander reports from Washington, DC:
Oliver O’Connell8 March 2024 04:40
Oliver O’Connell8 March 2024 04:29
Oliver O’Connell8 March 2024 04:24
State of the Union: Marjorie Taylor Greene heckles Biden about Hunter
Maryland Democratic Rep Jamie Raskin pushed back, writing: “Donald Trump wanted to run against Hunter Biden but he’s running against FDR now. Joe Biden is on fire tonight.”
Oliver O’Connell8 March 2024 04:20
Biden jokes ‘I kinda wish sometimes I was cognitively impaired’
Oliver O’Connell8 March 2024 04:01
Watch: Senator Katie Britt delivers Republican rebuttal
Oliver O’Connell8 March 2024 03:55
ICYMI: He’s back…
Only… only… George Santos could possibly do this in the middle of the State of the Union:
Oliver O’Connell8 March 2024 03:52
Climate: Only a glancing reference
Activists were displeased with climate crisis’ glancing reference at SOTU.
“While fires rage in Texas and we prepare for yet another hottest year on record, Biden’s mention of the climate crisis in the State of the Union could have been missed in a blink,” said Collin Rees, Oil Change International US Program Manager.
“Following a year of mass protest and a COP28 decision calling on countries to transition away from fossil fuels, the world is watching major oil and gas producers like the United States. Some of Biden’s actions like his recent pause on new LNG export authorizations are steps forward, but the pause does not go far enough to address the massive expansion of fossil fuels in the United States driving the climate crisis and exacerbating health and safety impacts on communities living nearby.
“Investing in renewables is one piece of the puzzle, but that alone won’t get the job done if the United States remains the world’s leading expander of oil and gas production. Biden’s climate legacy is on the line. U.S. climate leadership means stopping oil and gas expansion, ending fossil fuel subsidies and public finance for oil and gas projects overseas, and leading a just transition off fossil fuels. Biden knows his election is in the hands of young and climate voters. He has the opportunity to win these votes by delivering real action to phase out fossil fuels.”
Louise Boyle8 March 2024 03:46
Heckler thrown out of State of the Union for screaming about deadly Abbey Gate attack
Oliver O’Connell8 March 2024 03:41
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!
May God protect our troops.
Oliver O’Connell8 March 2024 03:39