State of the Union live updates and analysis: ‘Finish the job,’ Biden expected to say
Written by ABC AUDIO on February 7, 2023
(WASHINGTON) — President Joe Biden delivers his second State of the Union address at 9 p.m. ET, marking a pivotal moment as he lays out not only his accomplishments and agenda, but makes the case for his leadership ahead of an expected announcement on whether he’ll run for reelection.
Unlike his first two years in office, Republicans now control the House of Representatives and Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who will sit behind the president for the first time, has threatened to block Biden’s agenda.
ABC News will broadcast special coverage and stream the address on ABC News Live. Partners at FiveThirtyEight will provide analysis in the live blog below during Biden’s speech.
Please check back for updates. All times Eastern.
Feb 07, 4:00 PM EST
‘Finish the job,’ Biden expected to say
“Finish the job” will be a common refrain in the president’s State of the Union address, according to a White House official.
“This evening during the State of the Union, President Biden will speak directly to the American people and outline the historic progress we have made over the past two years and his agenda for the future,” the official said. “President Biden ran for office for three main reasons: to rebuild the backbone of the country, to unite the country and to restore the soul of the nation. In the State of the Union, he’ll say that we need to finish the job.”
This theme also plays into the groundwork that Biden is laying for a reelection bid.
Biden is also expected to specifically highlight the heroism of Brandon Tsay, who disarmed the Monterey Park shooter, and reference the parents of Tyre Nichols in the audience, as he calls for gun and policing reforms.
-ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Mary Bruce and Molly Nagle
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