U.S. President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., February 7, 2023. REUTERS
WASHINGTON 鈥� Here are some takeaways from U.S. President Joe Biden鈥檚 State of the Union speech to Congress on Tuesday, an address that could serve as a blueprint for his 2024 re-election bid:
Biden, Republicans spar
Biden, a Democrat, told Republicans in Congress who have questioned his legitimacy and threatened to block his policies that 鈥渢here is no reason we can鈥檛 work together.鈥�
Many Republicans found reason to disagree, even before his remarks began.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who once served as press secretary for Trump, rejected Biden鈥檚 speech in a response prepared beforehand.
鈥淚n the radical left鈥檚 America, Washington taxes you and lights your hard-earned money on fire,鈥� she said.
And while Democrats were quick to rise in applause, Republicans applauded only sporadically, and remained silent when Biden listed his administration鈥檚 accomplishments. Several Republican members remained seated throughout.
Jeers, then an ovation
The loudest Republican jeers came when Biden accused Republicans of planning to cut Social Security and Medicare, which some members of the party have suggested but whom Biden said he would not name.
鈥淟iar!鈥� shouted Republican U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene.
鈥淲e never said that!鈥� said Byron Donalds, another House Republican.
Biden, who seemed to be on the brink of losing control of the room, seized on the apparent Republican lawmakers鈥� support for the popular old age and healthcare programs, to say: 鈥淚 enjoy conversion.鈥�
鈥淲e got unanimity,鈥� he continued. 鈥淪ocial Security and Medicare are a lifeline for millions of seniors. Americans have to pay into them from the very first paycheck they started. So tonight, so we all agree, and apparently we are, let鈥檚 stand up for seniors.鈥�
鈥淪tand up and show them! We will not cut Social Security!鈥� a gleeful-looking Biden said amid cheers as lawmakers from both parties stood.
Attack on big companies
Biden used a large segment of his ostensibly bipartisan pitch attacking corporations, from what he called 鈥淏ig Pharma鈥� to 鈥淏ig Oil鈥� and 鈥淏ig Tech.鈥� Biden accused the pharmaceutical companies of charging too much for insulin but made no mention of their role in tamping down the COVID-19 pandemic.
He accused tech companies of running a for-profit 鈥渆xperiment鈥� on children, said oil companies were making too much money and made a case for higher taxes on billionaires.
鈥淏ig corporations aren鈥檛 just taking advantage of the tax code,鈥� Biden said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e taking advantage of you, the American consumer.鈥�