On March 8, 2024, President Joe Biden delivered his annual State of the Union Address to a joint session of the United States Congress. The address contained topics ranging from credit card late fees to the Israel-Hamas War in Gaza.
He first addressed the war in Ukraine, promising to supply Ukraine with weapons to defend itself against Putin, criticizing former president Donald Trump for “bowing down” to the Russian leader. Biden directly addressed Putin, saying “We will not walk away. We will not bow down. I will not bow down. History is watching, just like history watched three years ago on January 6th”, alluding to the attack on the US capitol.
In his speech, Biden repeated “my predecessor” approximately 13 times in his 60-minute address, attacking the former president.
Early in his address, he welcomed two women, one from Alabama who can no longer access IVF treatment, and another mother who was forced to leave the state with a pregnancy that threatened both her and the baby’s life. With the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade, the Alabama Supreme Court shut down IVF treatment. He urged Congress to act and reestablish the original decision established in Roe vs. Wade – a woman’s right to an abortion and fertility treatments.
He continues to berate the former president while boasting the nation’s comeback after the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting low crime rates and high rates of employment, among other impressive statistics.
While issuing the State of the Union speech, President Biden was interrupted by U.S. Representative Majorie Taylor Greene, who then urged President Biden to say the name of 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student Laken Riley, who was murdered while on an early morning run by an illegal immigrant from Venezuela.
President Biden acquiesced to Representative Greene’s request.
“Laken Riley, an innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal,” Biden said, holding up the pin Rep. Greene had previously worn on her shirt, displaying Riley’s picture to the audience. Biden later added that he “understands” the Riley family’s loss, with he himself having experienced the loss of a child as well.
Biden also rebutted widespread concerns regarding his old age and ability to adequately serve as President.
“When you get to be my age, certain things become clearer than ever…” said Biden, “The issue facing our nation isn’t how old we are, it’s how old our ideas are.”
