Fri. Nov 22nd, 2024
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President Joe Biden kicked off his first State of the Union address before a divided Congress by congratulating the new GOP House speaker and saying he looks forward to “working together.”

Bipartisanship is one of the themes Biden will emphasize throughout the speech.

He also quickly hit on the improved economy, the fact that COVID “no longer controls our lives,” and that democracy “remains unbowed and unbroken.”

The latest on Biden’s speech:

  • Blue-collar pitch: Promoting his economic plan, Biden assured Americans that he wants to invest in “places and people that have been forgotten,” arguing that “too many people have been left behind or treated like they’re invisible.”
  • Biden calls Pelosi ‘greatest speaker’ ever: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi isn’t sitting behind Biden for his address but she got a special call-out from the president anyway.
  • Biden touts progress on insulin prices while pushing for more: Biden renewed his call to cap the cost of insulin at $35 a month for every American.

Biden to Congress: Continue insurance subsidies that lowered uninsured rates

Biden celebrated the fact that a record number of Americans have health insurance while calling on Congress to continue expanded insurance subsidies that helped boost that rate.

Those enhanced subsidies for people who purchase insurance on their own, instead of getting coverage from the government or an employer, expire after 2025.

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