State of the Union 2022 - Boebert doubles down on heckle as veteran’s widow calls for her removal
As it happened: Joe Biden delivers his first State of the Union address to Congress
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Your support makes all the difference.Joe Biden has woken up an encouraging reception for his first State of the Union address, which snap polling says met with the approval of more than two-thirds of Americans – a rare bit of good news for a president whose ratings remain underwater.
Mr Biden at times received bipartisan standing applause in the House chamber last night, especially during his remarks on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Putin’s war was premeditated and unprovoked,” the president said. “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.”
However, progressives have given a lukewarm reception to the domestic elements of Mr Biden’s speech, in which he promised to “fund the police” while declining to go as far as some wanted on key issues like immigration.
Speaking on MSNBC, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said that “there’s some themes that are left a little bit to be desired for key constituencies in the Democratic base, but the president’s goal was very clear on really projecting a theme of unity and I think he’s still stuck to that.”
Meanwhile, the White House has hit back at heckling from far-right Congresswomen Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert, with Press Secretary Jen Psaki remarking that their shouting at the president “says a lot more about them” than it does about the substance of his speech.
A lot of promises made... a lot blocked
At President Biden’s joint-session address to Congress in 2021, he made a lot of big promises… many of which have since been blocked.
Biden ‘ready to respond directly’ in speech if bombs are dropping in Ukraine as he speaks
Joe Biden is reportedly ready to respond directly if bombs are falling in Ukraine during his state of the union address.
Andrew Buncombe reports for The Independent.
Biden ‘prepared to respond directly’ in SOTU if bombs drop in Ukraine as he speaks
Joe Biden is reportedly ready to respond directly if bombs are falling in Ukraine during his state of the union address.
Biden touts ‘progress we’ve made together’ and his ‘vision to build a better America'
DC a ghost town ahead of State of the Union
Much of downtown Washington, DC is deserted ahead of tonight’s landmark speech.
Biden to announce closure of US airspace to Russian aircraft
President Joe Biden will announce the closure of US airspace to Russian aircraft, according to a US official.
Justin Vallejo reports.
Biden to announce closure of US airspace to Russian aircraft, report says
Joe Biden will announce the closure of US airspace to Russian aircraft, according to a US official.
Everyone who is boycotting the State of the Union despite the crisis in Ukraine
A number of Republican lawmakers in both the House and Senate announced their intent to boycott President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, his second since taking office last year, despite the deepening crisis in Ukraine amid Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
While not historically remarkable (a number of Democrats boycotted a similar speech delivered by President Donald Trump in 2018), the statements are nevertheless a sign of the continued deep polarisation present in Washington and across the US.
John Bowden has the latest update.
Everyone who is boycotting the State of the Union despite the Ukraine crisis
Republicans turn up noses at Biden, blast Covid ‘theatrics’
The five most bizarre moments at the State of the Union over the years
The State of the Union is one of the most choreographed events in American politics. We all know the drill: The president walks down down the House chamber, shakes a lot of hands (pre-Covid), takes his place in front of the vice president and the speaker of the House, and delivers a carefully prepared speech. Overall, it’s a pretty bland affair.
But some moments have stood out.
Nathan Place runs through some of the most memorable moments ahead of tonight’s speech.
The five most bizarre SOTU moments over the years
From a congressman shouting “You lie!” to the Speaker of the House tearing the speech to pieces, here are some of the most memorable and regrettable SOTU moments
Ukraine MP slams US for caring more about ‘extra 50-cent’ gas price hike than war dead
A Ukrainian MP slammed Joe Biden for sparing Vladimir Putin’s energy sector from sanctions, saying the US cares more about the price of gas than the number of people being killed in the war with Russia.
Oleksandra Ustinova went on a media blitz with CBS, MSNBC and Fox News before the president’s State of the Union address to push for a stronger response, including tougher sanctions and a “no-fly zone” over Ukraine.
“So, let’s talk honestly that you care about whether you pay extra 50 cents for your gas prices or how many people die in Ukraine,” she said during an appearance on Fox News.
Justin Vallejo reports.
Ukraine MP slams US for caring about ‘extra 50-cent’ gas hike over dead kids
Oleksandra Ustinova says Joe Biden needs to speak honestly and give Americans the choice between paying less for gas or saving the lives of Ukraine’s children
Why the opposition to a ‘no-fly-zone’ over Ukraine?
The United States has enforced three no-fly zones in the brief history of the military tactic; in Libya, Iraq and Bosnia.
Ukraine won’t be the fourth if Joe Biden stands his ground. The president has so far refused direct pleas from Volodymyr Zelensky, and mounting political pressure from retired generals and soon to retire Congressmen, to “control the skies”.
Despite the growing chorus, the US has gone to lengths to signal a clear and present lack of danger to Russian aircraft from the Nato alliance.
Justin Vallejo explains why.
Why Biden is opposed to a ‘no-fly zone’ over Ukraine
Avoiding World War III is the short answer. How a no-fly zone could end there is less complex than it appears
How a Texas primary race became make or break for progressives
In non-State of the Union related news, today is primary day in Texas.
The Independent’s Eric Garcia explains how one race in particular could serve as a bellwether for both Latino voters and the direction of the Democratic Party as Rep Henry Cuellar faces off against immigration lawyer Jessica Cisneros.
Jessica Cisneros: How the Texas election became make or break for progressives
Guns, abortion, AOC, older Latino voters and an FBI all play a role in the Democratic primary in this border district, writes Eric Garcia
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