Marjorie Taylor Greene shouts ‘liar’ at Biden during SOTU after disrupting last year’s speech by heckling
Greene’s own far-right colleague suggested such an idea just days ago
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Georgia Congreswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene was one of the Republicans who took strong offence to Joe Biden’s assertion that parts of the GOP wanted to make cuts to Social Security and Medicare, at his State of the Union address on Tuesday.
Video captured her shouting “liar!” during Mr Biden’s remarks after he accused “not even a majority” of Republicans of wanting to target the entitlement programs for service cuts.
Her heckling came as many other Republicans joined in booing the president for the suggestion; Mr Biden, meanwhile, was relentless and quipped that he was being polite in not naming the members who supported the idea.
It was easily the most combative moment of the president’s address, including a somewhat muted response from the GOP to Mr Biden’s call to ban assault weapons.
Despite her complaints, there is indeed a push by a Republican — several, in fact — that could or would lead to Social Security and Medicare’s funding being endangered or cut outright.
Sen Rick Scott, who led the Senate GOP’s campaign efforts ahead of their dismal 2022 midterms showing, has proposed a plan that would “sundown” programs like Social Security and Medicare every few years unless Congress votes to reauthorise them, a prospect that could be a significant challenge for a polarised Legislative Branch.
And some Republicans closer to Ms Greene want to go even further.
Congressman Matt Gaetz, a far-right Republican in the House who at times has been Ms Greene’s ally, said that if it were up to him, Social Security and Medicare would be up for “reforms” — typically code for cuts, when utilised by conservatives.
“If it were Matt Gaetz, I think we do need reforms to Social Security and Medicare,” he said on Real America’s Voice during a recent appearance on the right-wing network.
Ms Greene previously made headlines when she heckled Mr Biden’s first State of the Union address in 2022.
At multiple points during that address last year, Ms Greene and fellow right-winger Lauren Boebert caused disruptions — including at one point an unsuccessful attempt to start a “build the wall” chant.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments