Rewind: The State of Biden’s Union
SRISHTI KHEMKA: March 1st, 2022 marked the first of President Biden’s State of the Union speeches. Historically, the State of the Union is one of the most historic and important of the President's speeches, where he discusses his presidential agenda before Congress and the American people. Biden has had a lot on his plate recently, from worsening political gridlock, to women’s reproductive rights being increasingly restricted, to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis, to an economy recovering from COVID-19. He had a lot of ground to cover in this historical event. Here is a list of the most memorable and notable moments from Biden’s address to the nation:
1. Vice President Harris and Speaker Pelosi sitting behind President Biden for his State of the Union address
Not to state the obvious, but sitting behind President Biden was Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Everyone can have their own opinions about both political figures, but regardless, this was an extremely historic moment. There have never been so many women at the highest places of political authority in the history of the United States. During women’s history month, we have to recognize how inspiring this is to see a little more than 100 years after white women were finally granted the right to vote, and women of color being granted that right to vote 60 years ago. For the hour that President Biden spoke, their faces were behind him for the world to see— for young women to see that they can be elected to positions of power.
2. People’s faces
That might be a little odd to say, but we were able to see everyone’s faces. For the State of the Union address, there were barely any masks in sight. This was shocking to see, especially after more than two years of mask-wearing (my mask-ne bears the evidence of that). Masks for fully-vaccinated individuals were an optional choice, and many attendees took the word “optional” to heart. This was an astonishing sight to see, especially as many Georgetown students were sitting in the GU Politics Living Room during the event, KN-95 mask donning their face as the university public health guidelines continue to require masks for everyone’s safety. It is an interesting phenomenon to see so many political officials sit without masks while millions continue to wear them in order to keep in line with the public health guidance they are given. This development could be interpreted in two ways: a gleaming hope for the future or a disregard for people’s continuing struggle with COVID-19.
3. The lack of people’s faces
While masks were optional for attending the State of the Union address, a COVID-19 test was not. That was also taken to heart by the GOP. Several GOP members such as Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL.), Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), and Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) refused to undergo COVID-19 testing to attend the event. In my opinion and hopefully yours, undergoing a COVID-19 test takes less than a minute, and it is frankly embarrassing to make a political statement out of precaution taken all across the country, and right here at Georgetown University. Us students were required to take a COVID-19 test to come back to campus this semester, and I cannot think of an issue with such a reasonable requirement, especially when the reward is a mask-optional event.
4. The Ukraine of it all
Every single person across the world watching the State of the Union had one thing on their minds: what will the United States president say about the Russia-Ukraine conflict? It was the first topic President Biden addressed in his speech, as it was the number one thought weighing on everyone’s mind. Personally, I look at updates about the crisis at least five times a day, if not more. There are dozens of flowers and posters and messages that people across Washington, D.C. have left at the Ukrainian embassy. The world is watching the crisis. There was no doubt President Biden was going to address the crisis, but there was a question of what he was going to say. What he said was quite clear: “Our forces are not engaged and will not engage in the conflict with Russian forces in Ukraine.” Whatever your opinion is about U.S. involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, President Biden made it clear in the address that while they will use tactics such as economic sanctions and diplomatic strains, the use of force will not be a tool coming out of the U.S. security toolbox in this case.
He did address the current measures that the U.S. along with other NATO members have been taking to weaken Russia economically, and we have been seeing more and more headlines rolling in ever since: Nord Stream 2 construction being halted, the U.S. stopping its imports of Russian crude oil, economic sanction after economic sanction being used against Russia and against Russian oligarchs and elites. Biden also was sure to point out that the Ukrainian ambassador was seated next to First Lady Jill Biden, who looked at the crowd with strength and poise while holding a Ukrainian flag. That was not the only Ukrainian flag present at the event. You could spot yellow and blue on several members of Congress as they wore ribbons to show allegiance with the Ukrainian people as they fight for their lives and their nation.
5. Fund the police
After the summer of 2020, when thousands of Americans across the country took to the streets for the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement, one of the biggest policy positions coming out of it was to “defund the police.” Biden, according to his speech, wants to “Fund them. Fund them. Fund them with resources and training. Resources and training they need to protect their communities.” The question becomes how funding the police can lead to the drastic systemic changes that are needed that actually make a community safe rather than endangering people of color’s lives such as George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain and so many more.
6. The COVID-19 of it all
COVID-19 has been around for more than two years now. On the more positive side of things in his address, Biden provided a bit of hope to the American people, addressing how it may be possible that across the country, people will soon be able to walk around mask-free. Georgetown University seemed to have gotten the message, because as of March 21st, masks will be optional on campus. He also announced that people can order more COVID-19 tests from the government using their website and that they are approving more and more COVID-19 treatments.
7. Stephen’s Spotlight
President Biden took a moment out of his speech to honor Former Justice Stephen Breyer’s retirement and how it would serve the American people because a new Supreme Court judge can take his seat and protect the little remaining presence of liberal justices on the court. And his reaction was everything:
8. It’s Joshua’s Birthday
President Biden invited 13-year-old Joshua Davis to the State of the Union to acknowledge how the steep cost of insulin is can hurt a family. President Biden also acknowledged that Joshua’s birthday was the night before, and Joshua basked in the glory of that, almost turning red.
9. “God-given potential”
President Biden made it a point to address the LGBTQ+ community and express his support at a time when they are being legislated against more than ever. Just look at Florida’s recent “Don’t Say Gay” bill. In his speech, he made sure to address young transgender Americans and support them reaching their “God-given potential,” carefully chosen words Biden used to show his support for this community.
10. Protecting the Rights of Women
It’s Women’s History Month, and it would be a crime if Biden did not address how the U.S. is currently chipping away at women’s fundamental reproductive rights. He is sure to mention this attack and reiterate his support for upholding Roe v. Wade.
There are so many more important moments of the State of the Union, which is the whole point of the address. But, this concludes my takeaways from Biden’s State of the Union. If I missed anything you think needs to be mentioned, feel free to write an article and submit it here at On the Record.
Srishti Khemka is the co-Executive Editor of On the Record and a junior in the School of Foreign Service studying Science, Technology, and International Affairs.