In his State of the Union tonight, President Joe Biden plans to challenge the new House Republican majority to raise taxes on the wealthy, extend more social aid to the needy and rule out cuts to Social Security and Medicare as he opens an era of divided government. In his first State of the Union address since Democrats lost control of the House, Mr. Biden will call on lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to rally around his economic agenda, even as the newly empowered opposition gears up to try to force him to change direction. White House officials said the president would celebrate recent gains in the economy, including falling inflation and strong job growth, while taking credit for legislation meant to curb prescription drug prices for seniors, expand health benefits for veterans, invest in climate change programs and rebuild roads and bridges. In his address, Mr. Biden will call on Congress to extend a new $35 price cap on insulin for Medicare beneficiaries to all Americans; to make premium savings in the Affordable Care Act permanent; to slap a minimum tax on billionaires; and to quadruple the tax on corporate stock buybacks. President Biden is also expected on Tuesday to reiterate his call for Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which would make it easier to prosecute police officers for misconduct. The House passed the legislation, but it hasn’t cleared the Senate. Lawmakers were unable to resolve deep differences over how police officers should be prosecuted and held liable, including whether to change or eliminate a legal doctrine known as qualified immunity that shields officers from lawsuits. Democrats favored more sweeping changes, while Republicans sought more incremental moves.
FACT SHEET: In State of the Union, President Biden to Outline Vision to Advance Progress on Unity Agenda in Year Ahead.
The White House Announces Guest List for the First Lady’s Box for the 2023 State of the Union Address.
For today, the Senate will convene at 3:00 P.M. and following Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and resume consideration of the nomination of DeAndrea Gist Benjamin, of South Carolina, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit with a vote on the motion to invoke cloture at 5:30 P.M.
The House met at 10:00 A.M. for legislative business, and to read the Constitution, pursuant to H. Res. 5. The House is also expected to consider the very partisan package: H. Res. – Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 185) to terminate the requirement imposed by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proof of COVID–19 vaccination for foreign travelers; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 24) disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022; and providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 26) disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022.
