It’s Wednesday…
I thank Halodoc for filling in for me as I ran away to Disneyland to ride Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad.
The below is not my video of our experience.
I’m calling this section Before The State of the Union (BTSOTU)….
When Halodoc posted the post for Tuesday, President Biden had 3 BTSOTU tweets. He added 7 BTSOTU tweets giving him a BTSOTU Tweeting Total of 10 tweets and 0 retweets.
The quoted tweets were sent on 03/01/2022 during his first State of the Union; his first official SOTU. They were covered in Biden Bits for 03/02/2022.
The link takes us to White House.gov/State-Of-The-Union-2023 where we find…
President Biden addressed a Joint Session of Congress at the United States Capitol on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 9 PM ET.
Bookmark this page (WH.gov/SOTU) for full coverage including video with ASL interpretation for accessibility, remarks transcript, and highlights after the address.
There are also 7 links:
- FACT SHEET: The Biden Economic Plan Is Working.
- The White House Announces Guest List for the First Lady’s Box for the 2023 State of the Union Address.
- FACT SHEET: In State of the Union, President Biden to Outline Vision to Advance Progress on Unity Agenda in Year Ahead.
- FACT SHEET: The Biden-Harris Administration’s Work to Make Our Communities Safer and Advance Effective, Accountable Policing.
- On-the-Record Press Call on President Biden’s Unity Agenda Ahead of the State of the Union.
- Excerpts from President Biden’s State of the Union Address as Prepared for Delivery.
- Remarks of President Joe Biden – State of the Union Address as Prepared for Delivery.
The video snip is 36 seconds long.
President Biden: I’m about to head over to give the State of the Union Address. But before I do that, I want you to know this. Two years ago, our country’s economy was reeling. COVID controlled our lives and our democracy faced one of its greatest threats. And folks, in the past two years, we’ve proven, again that with every crisis our country always emerges stronger. I ran for President to rebuild the backbone of this country–the middle class–to unite the country, to restore the soul of this nation. We’ve made so much progress. But tonight, I’m going to talk about how to finish the job. I’ve never been more optimistic about the future of America than I am right now. So I’ll see you at the Capitol.
The YouTube is 1 hour and 20 minutes long. The White House has not posted his as delivered remarks. They have posted his as prepared for delivery remarks.
The Spanish version of the State of the Union YouTube is 1 hour and 19 minutes long.
This section is called During The State of the Union (DTSOTU):
Since the White House only has the prepared for delivery remarks the tweet text and remarks text will not exactly line-up, but we will muddle through…
There are 21 DTSOTU tweets and 0 retweets…
President Biden: As I stand here tonight, we have created a record 12 million new jobs, more jobs created in two years than any president has ever created in four years.
President Biden: You know, we’re often told that Democrats and Republicans can’t work together. But over these past two years, we proved the cynics and the naysayers wrong. Yes, we disagreed plenty. And yes, there were times when Democrats had to go it alone. But time and again, Democrats and Republicans came together. Came together to defend a stronger and safer Europe. Came together to pass a once-in-a-generation infrastructure law, building bridges to connect our nation and people. Came together to pass one of the most significant laws ever, helping veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. In fact, I signed over 300 bipartisan laws since becoming President. From reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, to the Electoral Count Reform Act, to the Respect for Marriage Act that protects the right to marry the person you love. To my Republican friends, if we could work together in the last Congress, there is no reason we can’t work together in this new Congress.
President Biden: We’ve already created 800,000 good-paying manufacturing jobs, the fastest growth in 40 years. Where is it written that America can’t lead the world in manufacturing again?
President Biden: But to maintain the strongest economy in the world, we also need the best infrastructure in the world.
President Biden: Already, we’ve funded over 20,000 projects, including at major airports from Boston to Atlanta to Portland.
President Biden: While I was there, I met an ironworker named Sara [Saria], who is here tonight. For 30 years, she’s been a proud member of Ironworkers Local 44, known as the “cowboys of the sky” who built the Cincinnati skyline. Sara [Saria] said she can’t wait to be ten stories above the Ohio River building that new bridge. That’s pride. That’s what we’re also building – Pride.
From the State of the Union live thread posted by the News Blender:
Saria Gwin-Maye (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Gwin-Maye is as an ironworker and member of Ironworkers Local 44 in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 2023, she introduced the President at the Brent Spence Bridge in Covington, Kentucky, which is receiving a major investment thanks to the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Ironworkers like Gwin-Maye, and other union workers will get the opportunity to do work repairing Brent Spence Bridge and on other significant projects nationwide as a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
President Biden: We capped the cost of insulin at $35 a month for seniors on Medicare. But there are millions of other Americans who are not on Medicare, including 200,000 young people with Type I diabetes who need insulin to save their lives. Let’s finish the job this time. Let’s cap the cost of insulin at $35 a month for every American who needs it.
President Biden: The idea that in 2020, 55 of the biggest companies in America made $40 billion in profits and paid zero in federal income taxes? That’s simply not fair.
President Biden: Let’s finish the job and close the loopholes that allow the very wealthy to avoid paying their taxes.
President Biden: And we pay for these investments in our future by finally making the wealthiest and the biggest corporations begin to pay their fair share.
President Biden: Let’s finish the job. Reward work, not just wealth. Pass my proposal for a billionaire minimum tax.
President Biden: Under the previous administration, America’s deficit went up four years in a row. Because of those record deficits, no president added more to the national debt in any four years than my predecessor. Nearly 25% of the entire national debt, a debt that took 200 years to accumulate, was added by that administration alone. How did Congress respond to all that debt? They lifted the debt ceiling three times without preconditions or crisis. They paid America’s bills to prevent economic disaster for our country. Tonight, I’m asking this Congress to follow suit. Let us commit here tonight that the full faith and credit of the United States of America will never, ever be questioned.
President Biden: Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset every five years. That means if Congress doesn’t vote to keep them, those programs will go away. Other Republicans say if we don’t cut Social Security and Medicare, they’ll let America default on its debt for the first time in our history. I won’t let that happen. Social Security and Medicare are a lifeline for millions of seniors. Americans have been paying into them with every single paycheck since they started working. So tonight, let’s all agree to stand up for seniors. Stand up and show them we will not cut Social Security. We will not cut Medicare. Those benefits belong to the American people. They earned them. If anyone tries to cut Social Security, I will stop them. And if anyone tries to cut Medicare, I will stop them. I will not allow them to be taken away. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.
President Biden: We’ve reduced exorbitant bank overdraft fees, saving consumers more than $1 billion a year.
President Biden: We’ve written a bill to stop all that. It’s called the Junk Fee Prevention Act. We’ll ban surprise “resort fees” that hotels tack on to your bill. These fees can cost you up to $90 a night at hotels that aren’t even resorts. We’ll make cable internet and cellphone companies stop charging you up to $200 or more when you decide to switch to another provider. We’ll cap service fees on tickets to concerts and sporting events and make companies disclose all fees upfront. And we’ll prohibit airlines from charging up to $50 roundtrip for families just to sit together. Baggage fees are bad enough – they can’t just treat your child like a piece of luggage. Americans are tired of being played for suckers. Pass the Junk Fee Prevention Act so companies stop ripping us off.
President Biden: Joining us tonight are the parents of Tyre Nichols, who had to bury him just last week. There are no words to describe the heartbreak and grief of losing a child.
President Biden: Here’s what Tyre’s mom shared with me when I asked her how she finds the courage to carry on and speak out. With faith in God, she said her son “was a beautiful soul and something good will come from this.” Imagine how much courage and character that takes. It’s up to us. It’s up to all of us.
From the State of the Union live thread posted by the News Blender:
RowVaughn and Rodney Wells (Memphis, Tennessee)
RowVaughn and Rodney Wells are the mother and stepfather of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year old unarmed Black man who was severely beaten by multiple police officers during an alleged traffic stop in Memphis, Tennessee. Nichols was hospitalized afterwards and died three days later as a result of his injuries. President Biden has made clear that we must take action to prevent tragedies like this from ever happening again. In addition to signing an executive order last year, the President continues to call on Congress to send the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to his desk.
President Biden: With the support of families of victims, civil rights groups, and law enforcement, I signed an executive order for all federal officers banning chokeholds, restricting no-knock warrants, and other key elements of the George Floyd Act. Let’s commit ourselves to make the words of Tyre’s mother come true, something good must come from this. All of us in this chamber, we need to rise to this moment. We can’t turn away. Let’s do what we know in our hearts we need to do. Let’s come together and finish the job on police reform.
President Biden: Do something. That was the same plea of parents who lost their children in Uvalde: Do something on gun violence. Thank God we did, passing the most sweeping gun safety law in three decades.
President Biden: Joining us tonight is Brandon Tsay, a 26-year-old hero. Brandon put off his college dreams to stay by his mom’s side as she was dying from cancer. He now works at a dance studio started by his grandparents. Two weeks ago, during Lunar New Year celebrations, he heard the studio’s front door close and saw a man pointing a gun at him. He thought he was going to die, but then he thought about the people inside. In that instant, he found the courage to act and wrestled the semi-automatic pistol away from a gunman who had already killed 11 people at another dance studio. He saved lives. It’s time we do the same as well. Ban assault weapons once and for all.
From the State of the Union live thread posted by the News Blender:
Brandon Tsay (San Marino, California)
Tsay demonstrated remarkable courage when he disarmed the shooter responsible for the mass shooting at the Monterey Park Lunar New Year celebrations, ensuring his violent rage would not take more lives at the nearby Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio, which is owned by the Tsay family. Tsay is credited with preventing the gunman, who had killed 11 people and injured 10 others, from carrying out a second attack in Alhambra.
President Biden: Let’s finish the job and ban assault weapons again.
President Biden: The Vice President and I are doing everything we can to protect access to reproductive health care and safeguard patient privacy. But already, more than a dozen states are enforcing extreme abortion bans. Make no mistake; if Congress passes a national abortion ban, I will veto it.
President Biden: I spoke from this chamber one year ago, just days after Vladimir Putin unleashed his brutal war against Ukraine. A murderous assault, evoking images of the death and destruction Europe suffered in World War II. Putin’s invasion has been a test for the ages. A test for America. A test for the world. Would we stand for the most basic of principles? Would we stand for sovereignty? Would we stand for the right of people to live free from tyranny? Would we stand for the defense of democracy? For such a defense matters to us because it keeps the peace and prevents open season for would-be aggressors to threaten our security and prosperity. One year later, we know the answer. Yes, we would.
President Biden: Joining us tonight is a father named Doug from Newton, New Hampshire. He wrote Jill and me a letter about his daughter Courtney. Contagious laugh. Her sister’s best friend. He shared a story all too familiar to millions of Americans. Courtney discovered pills in high school. It spiraled into addiction and eventually her death from a fentanyl overdose. She was 20 years old. Describing the last eight years without her, Doug said, “There is no worse pain.” Yet their family has turned pain into purpose, working to end stigma and change laws. He told us he wants to “start the journey towards America’s recovery.” Doug, we’re with you.
From the State of the Union live thread posted by the News Blender:
Doug Griffin (Newton, New Hampshire)
Griffin lost his 20-year-old daughter, Courtney, in 2014 to a fentanyl overdose. Now, Griffin is turning his loss into action by supporting other families like his affected by addiction, raising awareness about the stigma associated with addiction, and calling for better access to substance use disorder treatment services. In 2021, Griffin penned a letter to the President and First Lady to share his family’s painful journey. Addressing stigma associated with addiction, raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl, going after drug traffickers’ profits fueling the production of synthetic opioids, and dramatically expanding access treatment for substance use disorders are key focuses of President Biden’s National Drug Control Strategy – a whole-of-government approach to beat the overdose epidemic.
President Biden: Joining us are Maurice and Kandice, an Irishman and a daughter of immigrants from Panama. They met and fell in love in New York City and got married in the same chapel as Jill and I did. Kindred spirits. He wrote us a letter about their little daughter Ava. She was just a year old when she was diagnosed with a rare kidney cancer. 26 blood transfusions. 11 rounds of radiation. 8 rounds of chemo. 1 kidney removed. A 5% survival rate. He wrote how in the darkest moments he thought, “if she goes, I can’t stay.” Jill and I understand, like so many of you. They read how Jill described our family’s cancer journey and how we tried to steal moments of joy where you can. For them, that glimmer of joy was a half-smile from their baby girl. It meant everything. They never gave up hope. Ava never gave up hope. She turns four next month. They just found out that Ava beat the odds and is on her way to being cancer free, and she’s watching from the White House tonight. For the lives we can save and for the lives we have lost, let this be a truly American moment that rallies the country and the world together and proves that we can do big things.
From the State of the Union live thread posted by the News Blender:
Maurice and Kandice Barron (New York, New York)
The Barrons’ three-year old daughter, Ava, is a survivor of a rare form of pediatric cancer. Mr. Barron penned a letter to the President to express gratitude for the Bidens’ commitment to the Cancer Moonshot initiative and share their experience as parents and caregivers of a child with cancer. In 2022, Ava’s doctors gave the Barrons good news by officially declaring her in remission. Their family’s story is one of hope and possibility, inspiring us to continue working towards a future where we end cancer as we know it.
We will call this section After the State of the Union (ATSOTU).
His ATSOTU Tweeting Total is 6 tweets and 0 retweets; I cut off the ATSOTU’s at 12:01 p.m. D.C., time.
President Biden: So I have come here to fulfil my constitutional duty to report on the state of the union. And here is my report. Because the soul of this nation is strong, because the backbone of this nation is strong, because the people of this nation are strong, the State of the Union is strong.
President Biden: It’s never a good bet to bet against America.
The above does not appear in his prepared for delivery remarks or the now as delivered remarks.
I’m using the as delivered remarks for the 59 second video clip:
President Biden: My administration is also taking on junk fees, those hidden surcharges too many companies use to make you pay more. For example, we’re making airlines show you the full ticket price upfront, refund your money if your flight is cancelled or delayed. We’ve reduced exorbitant bank overdrafts by saving consumers more than $1 billion a year. (Applause.) We’re cutting credit card late fees by 75 percent, from $30 to $8. (Applause.) Look, junk fees may not matter to the very wealthy, but they matter to most other folks in homes like the one I grew up in, like many of you did. They add up to hundreds of dollars a month. They make it harder for you to pay your bills or afford that family trip.
President Biden: Americans are tired of being — we’re tired of being played for suckers. So pass — pass the Junk Fee Prevention Act so companies stop ripping us off.
I’m using the as delivered remarks for the 31 second video clip:
President Biden: I’m not new to this place. I stand here tonight having served as long as about any one of you who have ever served here. (Laughter.) But I’ve never been more optimistic about our future — about the future of America. We just have to remember who we are. We’re the United States of America. And there’s nothing — nothing beyond our capacity if we do it together. (Applause.) God bless you all. And may God protect our troops. Thank you. (Applause.)
President Biden’s public schedule for Wednesday 02/08/2023:
| 9:00 AM | Out-of-Town Pool Call Time Joint Base Andrews Visitor Center Overhang Out-of-Town Pool |
| 9:25 AM | In-Town Pool Call Time The White House In-Town Pool |
| 9:55 AM | The President departs the White House en route Joint Base Andrews South Lawn Open Press |
| 10:15 AM | The President departs Joint Base Andrews en route Madison, Wisconsin Joint Base Andrews Out-of-Town Pool |
| 11:00 AM | Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre will gaggle aboard Air Force One en route Madison, Wisconsin Joint Base Andrews Out-of-Town Pool |
| 12:35 PM | The President arrives in Madison, Wisconsin (11:35 AM Local) Truax Field Air National Guard Base, Madison, WI Open Press |
| 2:00 PM | The President discusses how his economic plan is creating good-paying, union jobs and delivering real results for the American people (1:00 PM Local) LIUNA Training Center, DeForest, WI Open Press |
| 6:05 PM | The President departs en route Joint Base Andrews (5:05 PM Local) Truax Field Air National Guard Base, Madison, WI Out-of-Town Pool |
| 7:55 PM | The President departs Joint Base Andrews en route the White House Joint Base Andrews Out-of-Town Pool |
| 8:05 PM | The President arrives at the White House South LawnPress Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre will gaggle aboard Air Force One en route Madison, Wisconsin |
The audio only Air Force One press gaggle is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. D.C., time.
This morning the White House posted the following fact-sheet; The Biden Economic Plan: Delivering for Wisconsin
For decades, the U.S. exported jobs and imported products, while other countries surpassed us in critical sectors like clean energy, semiconductors, and biotechnology. Thanks to President Biden’s economic plan – including his American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act – that is changing. Since the President took office in 2021, companies have invested over $4 billion in manufacturing across Wisconsin. These investments are increasing the productivity, competitiveness, and resilience of both Wisconsin and our nation’s economy. And they’re creating good-paying jobs, including union jobs and jobs that don’t require a college degree.
Manufacturing the Future in Wisconsin:
Thanks to the President’s economic plan, private companies have committed to invest over $4 billion in Wisconsin since 2021. The state’s economy is now a more attractive place for companies around the world to invest and expand, creating good-paying jobs in the critical industries and supply chains of the 21st century. Just in Wisconsin: Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals has invested in its first fully dedicated drug manufacturing facility, outside of Madison, that will employ 250 new workers. Georgia-Pacific has committed to a major expansion of its Green Bay paper-related production facility, bringing on 100 new employees and hiring over 500 construction workers. And Alliant Energy announced it will build utility scale battery storage facilities at solar farms across south-central Wisconsin using union workers.The President is also making sure workers have the skills and resources they need to capitalize on these new opportunities. For example, his investments have equipped Wisconsin’s Workforce Innovation Grant program with $128 million, funding nearly 30 organizations across every Wisconsin county to address regional workforce challenges, including through career and skills training, childcare, entrepreneurship, health services, housing, and transportation.
Rebuilding Infrastructure and Investing in Wisconsin’s Communities:
White House.gov. 02/08/2023.
Thanks to President Biden’s economic plan, about $2.9 billion in federal funding has already been announced for infrastructure projects across Wisconsin. That includes over $2.1 billion for better transportation – roads, bridges, and roadway safety – as well as about $150 million in investments for better access to clean water. Already, infrastructure funding has provided over 300,000 Wisconsin households with more affordable high-speed internet service. Some project spotlights include:
- The City of Racine received Federal Transit Authority funding to replace diesel buses with battery electric buses, improving air quality and growing the clean energy economy.
- The Port of Green Bay received a Federal Maritime Administration grant to redevelop a former power plant site into a new port terminal, including clearing the existing coal pile site.
- Wisconsin Department of Transportation received an $80 million award to replace the existing I-39/90/94 Wisconsin River Bridge in Columbia County with two new bridge spans dedicated to serve traffic in both directions as well as two overcrossing bridges on county roads – a critical route for the economic hubs of Madison, Milwaukee, and Chicago.
- EPA announced $1 billion to cleanup and restore the Great Lakes’ most environmentally degraded sites across Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. This funding will secure clean water and a better environment for Americans in the Great Lakes region.
Getting Wisconsin Back to Work and Supporting Wisconsin’s Small Businesses:
Two years ago, the Wisconsin unemployment rate was 4.7% and nearly 30% of Wisconsin’s small businesses were permanently closing. Today, Wisconsin’s unemployment rate is down to 3.2%, while the number of new Wisconsin business filings have hit new records, with nearly 118,000 jobs created and 130,000 new businesses filed in the state over the past two years. Emergency relief from the Biden-Harris Administration helped to keep open over 2,000 restaurants and bars and over 7,000 child care programs across Wisconsin.Giving Wisconsin Families More Breathing Room:
White House.gov. 02/08/2023.
Thanks to President Biden’s economic plan, Wisconsinites will save money on their health care premiums and prescription drugs, which will result in better health outcomes and greater financial security for families. In fact, over 1.1 million Wisconsinites with Medicare will benefit from a range of new provisions, including a $2,000 yearly cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs, a $35 monthly cap per insulin prescription, and free vaccines. Additionally, over 220,000 individuals in Wisconsin signed up for health insurance through the ACA Marketplaces during the Open Enrollment Period for 2023 and will benefit from up to thousands of dollars per year in savings from lower health care premiums.
President Biden’s remarks are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. D.C., time.
President Biden has tweeted…
He’s posted 7 tweets so far for Wednesday…
For the rest of the Union tweets I will be using the as delivered transcript.
President Biden: As we gather here tonight, we’re writing the next chapter
in the great American story — a story of progress and resilience.
President Biden: Let’s give public school teachers a raise. (Applause.)
I give the State of the Union overall a solid B.
President Biden: Two years ago, the economy was reeling. I stand here tonight, after we’ve created, with the help of many people in this room, 12 million new jobs — more jobs created in two years than any President has created in four years — because of you all, because of the American people. (Applause.)
President Biden: Well, folks, so let’s look at the results. We’re not finished yet, by any stretch of the imagination. But unemployment rate is at 3.4 percent –- a 50-year low. (Applause.) And near record — and near record unemployment — near record unemployment for Black and Hispanic workers.
The video snip is 1 minute and 10 seconds long.
President Biden: With the support — (applause) — with the support of families of victims, civil rights groups, and law enforcement, I signed an executive order for all federal officers, banning chokeholds, restricting no-knock warrants, and other key elements of the George Floyd Act. Let’s commit ourselves to make the words of Tyler’s [Tyre’s] mom true: Something good must come from this. (Applause.) Something good. And all of us — all of us — (applause) — folks, it’s difficult, but it’s simple: All of us in the cha- — in this chamber, we need to rise to this moment. We can’t turn away. Let’s do what we know in our hearts that we need to do. Let’s come together to finish the job on police reform. Do something. Do something.
President Biden: Ban assault weapons now! (Applause.) Ban them now! Once and for all. (Applause.) I led the fight to do that in 1994. And in 10 years that ban was law, mass shootings went down. After we let it expire in a Republican administration, mass shootings tripled. Let’s finish the job and ban these assault weapons.
See the fact-sheet I posted under today’s public schedule.
The photo was taken on 02/01/2023 during the Official Chief of Staff Transition Event. The YouTube is 23 minutes and 4 seconds long. President Biden’s full remarks can be found here.
This is Ron Klain’s finally tweet as White House Chief of Staff; cause Jeff Zients took over the account, it shows his name and avi…
This is an Open Thread.
