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.
Biden cabinet take a SOTU selfie
Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland posted a selfie of the cabinet ahead of tonight’s State of the Union Address to Congress.
“We’re on the way to the Capitol for @POTUS’ first State of the Union address. After a historic year of investments to help our nation build back better, I look forward to hearing his vision for the year ahead. I am forever grateful to be a part of the Biden-Harris administration,” she wrote.
Senator Josh Hawley not attending State of the Union
Senator Josh Hawley is not attending tonight’s State of the Union.
He writes: “I hope Biden explains tonight why he surrendered America’s energy independence & apologizes for it. I’ll be watching from home. I refuse to submit to a Covid test to sit in a room of fully vaccinated people in a Capitol ringed with barricades to satisfy Joe Biden’s Covid theater.”
Ukrainian flags are being handed out to lawmakers
A number of lawmakers are wearing blue and yellow, the colours of the Ukrainian flag, in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
Lawmakers are also apparently also being handed small Ukrainian flags.
Senators arrive in House chamber
The president and first lady are on their way to the Capitol as senators file into the House chamber led by Vice President Kamala Harris.
Designated survivor
Each year at the State of the Union, one cabinet member in the line of presidential succession is chosen as the designated survivor in case something happens and continuation of government becomes an issue.
Close observers of Deb Haaland’s selfie would have noticed the absence of both Attorney General Merrick Garland and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
Ms Raimondo is this year’s designated survivors and is at a secure location away from Washington, DC.
In pictures: Lawmakers show solidarity with Ukraine
Biden now at the Capitol
Chief justices of Supreme Court enter
Following the entry of the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps — currently Hersey Kyota, Ambassador of the Republic of Palau — the chief justices of the Supreme Court enter the chamber.
They are seated with spaces between them, which seems to be the case across the room.
Jill Biden arrives
First Lady Jill Biden has arrived in the chamber and taken her seat in the gallery.
She embraces the Ukrainian ambassador.
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