President Biden delivered his second State of the Union address Tuesday night, serving as a soft launch for his 2024 presidential bid, with Democrats calling for an “assault weapons” ban and Roe v. Wade and Rejoicing over calls from Republicans to scoff at the border. and social security.
Here are the top five moments from the speech.
1. “Liar!”
Chaos briefly erupted in the House chamber after Biden repeated an old Democratic talking point that fact-checkers have long dismissed.
“Some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security,” Biden claimed.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, R-Ga., gives the thumbs up during President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol on February 07, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Biden has repeatedly reneged on promises he made in his 2022 State of the Union address
“I’m not saying it’s a majority,” he continued as Republican members of Congress began to protest. “Anyone who doubts that should contact my office, I’ll give you a copy, I’ll give you a copy of the proposal.”
“liar!” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, R-Ga., ran.
Biden pushed back, saying, “I’m not saying it’s your majority. I don’t even think it’s a significant one — but it’s being suggested by individuals. I politely disagree with them.” Not naming names, but it’s being suggested by some of you.”
Some Republicans have supported designating all federal programs under stricter discretionary spending scrutiny, so that Congress must approve each program on an annual basis. Although the designation would mean that Medicare and Social Security could face cuts, Republicans have repeatedly said they do not want to eliminate the programs.
Even left-leaning outlets have said Biden’s characterizations of the GOP plans for Social Security and Medicare are misleading.
2. McCarthy shushes
Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy fended off hecklers in his own party when he interrupted a tribute to Biden’s fentanyl victim.
After one member yelled, “It’s coming from China” and another yelled, “It’s your fault.” McCarthy can be seen making a face.
Republican U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Green (R-GA) shouts as U.S. President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on February 7, 2023 in Washington, DC.
McCarthy could be seen trying to silence members of his own party again after some of them made noises about securing the border as the president talked about immigration reform.
3. ’12 million new jobs’
Biden repeated the misleading claim about the number of total jobs since taking office in 2021.
“Two years ago, our economy was collapsing,” the president said. “As I stand here tonight, we have created a record 12 million new jobs, more jobs in two years than any Even the President has not produced in four years.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), however, the economy has only added 2.7 million jobs overall under Biden, as the rest were lost during the COVID-19 pandemic.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, in Washington, DC. (Jacqueline Martin/AP/Bloomberg)
Biden only mentioned China 3 times in 2022 State of the Union address
4. ‘Ban assault weapons now’
Biden renewed his call for a ban on so-called “assault weapons” during his address, drawing standing ovations from his party and nods from the other side.
“Ban assault weapons now. Ban them once and for all,” he said.
The president made the announcement after speaking about a gunman who allegedly used a handgun to kill 11 people celebrating the Lunar New Year at a ballroom near Los Angeles.
The gun was reportedly a semi-automatic pistol with a magazine larger than 10 rounds.
Biden did not specify what type of firearm is classified as an “assault weapon.”
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers a State of the Union address with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, left, and U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Republican of California, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Feb. While talking. 7, 2023. (Photographer: Jacqueline Martin/AP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
5. The kiss
First lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff share a kiss before Biden’s speech.
The moment instantly went viral on Twitter.
Bonus Moments:
Biden began his speech by falsely calling Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer the “minority leader.”
Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Vice President Kamala Harris were seen chatting and laughing in a friendly exchange before the president’s speech.
Four Supreme Court justices — Clarence Thomas, Sam Alito, Sonia Sotomayor and Neil Gorsuch — opted against attending the speech.
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