Five key takeaways from Biden’s first SOTU address

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• President Joe Biden’s first State of the Union address on Tuesday night focused on both domestic and international agendas.
• His speech would have been different if Russia did not invade Ukraine.
• Biden talks about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the rising inflation, new coronavirus guidance, and hope for unity.

President Joe Biden’s first State of the Union address on Tuesday night would have been different if Russia did not invade Ukraine. However, inflation continues to rise and coronavirus guidance dramatically shifted.

From Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to rising inflation and coronavirus guidance, here’s a look at the key takeaways from the president’s first SOTU address to Congress.

Support for Ukraine

Biden kicked off his speech with strong words of support for the Ukrainian people and their president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“From President Zelenskyy to every Ukrainian,” he said, “their fearlessness, their courage, their determination, literally inspires the world.

The president joined NATO allies in imposing harsh sanctions on Russia and President Vladimir Putin. He said the Russian president was now “more isolated from the world than he has ever been.”

Biden also announced the U.S. would join Europe and Canada in banning Russian airlines from American airspace.

Biden devoted about one-fifth of his speech to Ukraine and received unexpected bipartisan applause for much of what he said.

Focus on fighting inflation

On his low approval ratings for his handling of the economy, Biden said: “I get it.”

“Too many families are struggling to keep up with their bills,” he said. “Inflation is robbing them of gains they thought otherwise they would be able to feel.”

He said his “top priority is getting prices under control.”

He also called for some specific items that would have been part of his stalled “Build Back Better” plan: cutting the cost of prescription drugs, combating climate change in order to lower energy costs, lowering the cost of child care, and instituting free, universal pre-K, among other initiatives.

Biden said his “plan to fight inflation” was, “Lower your costs, not your wages.”

New phase in the coronavirus pandemic

Biden acknowledged Americans were “tired, frustrated and exhausted” from the coronavirus pandemic — but also signaled the U.S. was entering a new phase.

He announced his administration was launching a “test-to-treat” program and offers more free rapid tests from COVIDTests.gov.

“Thanks to the progress we have made this past year, COVID-19 no longer need control our lives,” Biden said.

Mask guidance

Under new protocols announced Sunday, attendees did not have to wear face coverings. Biden himself was not wearing a mask.

The president even hobnobbed with members of Congress at close range after his speech.

‘A unity agenda for the nation’

Biden proposed what he called “a unity agenda for the nation.”

In addition to listing a variety of proposals that would have been part of a larger “Build Back Better” bill, he called for legislation to invest in cancer research, support veterans, combat domestic violence and more.

“We can do these things,” Biden said. “It’s within our power.”

Source: Good Morning America