2024 State of the Union: Recap as it unfolded
State of the Union: Live Updates
2024 State of the Union: Headlines
- Education Secretary Miguel Cardona is this year's designated survivor
- Guest list for the 2024 State of the Union address
- What is the purpose of the State of the Union?Definition and meaning
- What were the longest and shortest State of the Union addresses?
- Who sits behind the President in the State of the Union address?
Read more from AS USA:
This brings our coverage to a close. Thanks for tuning in.
The Republican response begins, with the focus being immigration.
That brings tonight's event at the Capitol to an end. Now, we turn to the GOP for their response, which will be delivered by Alamaba Senator Katie Britts.
Twitter spats start as the speech continues
Con. Mike Lawler live-tweeted his critique of President Biden's SOTU, accusing it of being "the most divisive and unbecoming SOTU address [he] had ever seen." Democrat and former Congressman Mondaire Jones hit back, defending the president. Jones was unsat by Lawler, and is running this year to take back his seat.
President Biden begins talking about the Middle East. New policy re: Gaza is expected.
Proposals to benefit first time homebuyers are proposed by the president... however, with the GOP in control of Congress, such proposals that would help first time buyers pay their mortgage as interest rates come down, are unlikely to pass.
The president calls on Congress to cap insulin prices at $35 for all diabetics in the United States.
President Joe Biden is set to deliver his last State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress before the presidential election in November.
He is expected to report on the current condition of the country, outline his legislative agenda for the rest of his term, and present himself to the American public as the best candidate for the highest office in the land.
The address brings together the three branches of government under one roof. Apart from members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, cabinet members, the diplomatic corps, and other special guests will be in attendance.
It’s an event steeped in tradition, and one aspect of the speech that involves both custom and politics is the seating arrangement.
Biden transitions into the economic portion of the speech.
Presidnet Biden begins the speech on the attack, going after Republicans for not passing a bill to send additional military assistance to Ukraine. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson does not look pleased. The president asks Congress to send him a bill sending funding to Ukraine to strengthen the NATO alliance's commitment to collective defense and Ukraine. However, without GOP support, no more aid can be sent.
Presidnet Biden is inside the chamber.
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The Constitution of the United States requires that the President of the American Union give Congress an annual speech discussing the condition of the country.
Some leaders have delivered their message in writing, while others do so through a face-to-face speech. This year, President Biden will deliver his State of the Union address on 7 March. This year’s designated survivor is Education Secretary Miguel Cardona.
Read our full coverage for details on the role of the designated survivor.
Who is the designated survivor?
The preliminary looks into which cabinet members are present for the State of the Union and indicates that Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona has been tapped to be the designated survivor. This could indicate that education will not be a major topic of discussion in the speech... this news may have come as a disappointment for the millions who were hoping to hear positive news on other avenues the administration can take to forgive or cancel student loan debt on a scale like that which was rejected by the US Supreme Court.
President Biden heads to the Captiol.
Guests begin arriving to the State of the Union.
Julian Assange brother will attend the State of the Union
The brother of Julian Assange, the journalist who published confidential information about the horrific treatment of civilians by US forces in Iraq. The video "Collateral Damage" (trigger warning: violence) shook the country's Defense Department and the moral high ground the agency claims to stand on. The US has asked the United Kingdom to extradite Assange to the United States for trial. Many international legal experts have argued against the extradition over concerns that Assanges' human rights could be violated in a trial or in detention in the United States. Republican Thomas Masse has invited Mr. Assange as the family awaits the final decision from UK Courts.
Protestors calling for a ceasefire mobilize in front of the Capitol
With less than an hour before the State of the Union address is set to begin, Pro-Palestinian protestors calling on the United States to use its leverage to stop Israel's assault on Gaza. Public opinion has shifted away from unconditional support to Israel, but the White House's position has not. Tonight, the Presidnet is expected to call for a ceasefire, but in reality, the agreement that is being negociated between Hamas and the Israeli government is a five week humanitarian pause, after which the bombardments could continue on the strip.
Abortion is going central throughout President Biden's State of the Union address. In a brief excerpt published by the White House, it is clear that the administration is looking to attract women to the Democratic cause. "In its decision to overturn Roe v. Wade the Supreme Court majority wrote “Women are not without electoral or political power.” No kidding. Clearly those bragging about overturning Roe v. Wade have no clue about the power of women in America," reads the excerpt released by the White House.
In the speech, Presidnet Biden will promise to enshrine the right to abortion in the US Constitution, to bring back the protections provided under Roe vs. Wade. However, without winning control of Congress in November, including sixty-votes in the Senate, such a legaltive victory is unlikely.
White House provides short preview of the State of the Union address
In its decision to overturn Roe v. Wade the Supreme Court majority wrote “Women are not without electoral or political power.” No kidding. Clearly those bragging about overturning Roe v. Wade have no clue about the power of women in America. But they found out when reproductive freedom was on the ballot and won in 2022, 2023, and they will find out again in 2024. If Americans send me a Congress that supports the right to choose I promise you: I will restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land again.
The youngest Republican woman to be elected to the Senate, Katie Britt of Alabama, has been tapped to deliver the GOP response to Presidnet Joe Biden’s State of the Union address. Senator Britt was elected to the Senate in 2022 and came to Washington from the business sector, where she served as the Presidnet of the Business Council of Alabama. The juxtaposition between President Biden and Senator Britt will not be more stark. Her selection is strategic and serves to give the GOP a younger image. Read more.
The Constitution of the United States requires that the President of the American Union give Congress an annual speech discussing the condition of the country.
Some leaders have delivered their message in writing, while others do so through a face-to-face speech. This year, President Biden will deliver his State of the Union address on 7 March.
The designated survivor for the State of the Union address is a member of the president’s cabinet who is chosen to stay in a secure location away from the event. This individual is selected in case of a catastrophic event that wipes out the president, vice president, and other top officials in the line of succession. Their purpose is to ensure continuity of government in the event of such a disaster. Read more.
Who will deliver the GOP response?
Senator Katie Britt of Alabama will deliver the GOP response directly after Presidnet Biden's State of the Union address. Responding to the president is typically delegated to the rising stars of whatever political party does not hold the White House.
What time does the State of the Union begin?
The address will begin at 9 PM ET live from Washington. There are many ways to catch the State of the Union speech live. You can check out the official White House feed at WH.gov/sotu, or tune in to its official social media live streams. The feed will include ASL interpretation. Read more.
The annual State of the Union address will take place on Thursday, 7 March, at 9 PM ET. As is tradition, the White House and members of Congress have extended numerous invites to citizens and foreign nationals. In addition to these guests, key members from all three branches of government will also attend. The speech and the Republican response will be broadcast on all major networks, CSPAN, and the White House’s YouTube channel. Read more on the guest list in our coverage.
As mandated by Article II, Section 3 of the US Constitution, the President is obligated to “give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union.” The address fulfills this duty by providing a comprehensive overview of the nation’s current state, encompassing various aspects like the economy, healthcare, foreign policy, and national security. The President highlights achievements, acknowledges challenges, and sets the tone for future endeavors. The address serves as a platform for the President to outline their priorities and agenda for the coming year. Read more.
Just a few hours to go before the State of the Union is set to begin
The State of the Union will take place tonight live from the Capitol building in Washington, DC. All members of the President's cabinet aside from the 'designated survivor,' all members of Congress, and the justices of the Supreme Court will be in attendance. Members of Congress and the White House can invite guests, and this year is no different.
The event will begin at 9 PM ET, and can be streamed on White House's YouTube channel linked below.
President Biden is expected to make his case to the public tuning in on what he would be able to do with another term in the White House. The address comes as the president sees his lowest approval rating since taking office. The junior Senator from Alabama Katie Britt will be delivering the Republican response directly after the president speaks. Follow along here for updates on both speeches.