Article Summary –
President Joe Biden is set to address Congress and the American people, in a speech expected to highlight his first term and the perceived threats to the country. The speech will also mark the beginning of the 2024 general election campaign. Biden will discuss his administration’s accomplishments, the state of the economy, inflation, and his efforts in tackling illegal corporate behavior that leads to high prices.
President Biden’s Consequential Congress Speech
President Joe Biden’s address to Congress, anticipated to be one of the most impactful speeches of his presidency, will focus on celebrating his first term achievements, while starkly highlighting the threats he perceives to the nation’s existence.
Although State of the Union addresses traditionally offer presidents an opportunity for unity and presidential grandeur, the recent Super Tuesday results, propelling the 2024 campaign into a largely two-man race, lend this year’s speech a distinct political color.
While it’s unclear how often Biden will mention ex-President Donald Trump, the 2024 general election campaign will, in essence, commence with Biden’s speech.
As Biden delivers his address, he’ll capture the attention possibly of his largest audience before November elections. This will give voters, concerned about his age and stamina, a pivotal gauge of whether the 81-year-old president is capable of another four years in office.
This also presents Biden with a chance to showcase his administration’s key victories straight to the American public, bypassing traditional media which Biden often criticizes for misrepresenting his accomplishments and support base.
US Economy Outperforms Experts’ Predictions
The United States economy has surpassed experts’ predictions from a year ago, when many economists anticipated it would be in recession by now. Conversely, there has been no sign of recession, with an unemployment rate that has remained below 4% for the past 24 months.
Despite this, American sentiment remains low. In numerous surveys, they’ve conveyed strong disapproval of the state of the economy, something Biden has struggled to comprehend.
Inflation is at the core of their concerns. Although price increases have significantly moderated from two years ago, Americans are paying 18% more for goods and services compared to before Biden took office, according to Consumer Price Index data.
Biden Takes Populist Tone on Economy and Corporate Behavior
Biden has addressed this issue in the past and pledged solutions. His economic rhetoric has recently adopted a more populist tone, accusing many American corporations of overcharging consumers.
Two days prior to Thursday’s address, Biden’s administration established a new task force with the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission to eradicate and prevent illegal corporate behavior causing higher prices for Americans.
This initiative, aimed at demonstrating to Americans that he hasn’t lost sight of the impact high prices have on them, will be mentioned in Biden’s remarks Thursday, according to White House national economic adviser Lael Brainard.
Biden’s Stance on Immigration and Abortion Rights
Following the failure of a bipartisan deal that would have seen major border compromises from Biden, the president pledged to directly address the American people – blaming Trump directly for an issue that many Americans consider their top concern.
Visiting the US-Mexico border on the same day as Trump last week, Biden extended an olive branch to his opponent, urging the ex-president to collaborate on a solution to strengthen the United States’ southern border and revamp its immigration system.
Despite Biden’s efforts, Trump, who hopes to weaponize illegal immigration as a political tool against Biden, has not accepted a truce.
Biden will also use this opportunity to explain his efforts to preserve abortion rights in the United States and the threat posed to these rights if Trump were to be re-elected. His administration has spent much time since the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court blaming Trump for the decision.
Biden Warns About Democracy and Internal Threats
Increasingly in recent months, Biden has issued stark warnings about a threat to the US’ security. Yet, the president warns it’s a domestic and not foreign threat.
Roosevelt’s speech was given on January 6, 1941 – 80 years before a mob, incited by Trump, stormed the building where Biden will address the nation, in a violent effort to disrupt the democratic process that put him in office.
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