Biden to Deliver State of the Union Address on the 7th... Likely to Emphasize 'Economic Achievements'

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to emphasize his economic achievements such as job creation, the fight against inflation, and national infrastructure improvement during his State of the Union address on the night of the 7th (local time). With an official announcement on whether he will run for re-election in 2024 expected within a few months, many analysts predict that this State of the Union will effectively serve as an 'unofficial campaign' event.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Local media outlets including AP News and Politico reported on the 5th (local time) that President Biden is likely to spend considerable time highlighting his economic achievements rather than presenting new major policies in this State of the Union address. According to the Constitution, the U.S. president delivers the State of the Union annually. It is an occasion to inform the public of the broad direction of national governance and to seek cooperation from Congress.

The Biden administration has consistently emphasized infrastructure and jobs as key achievements in official appearances. Since taking office, President Biden has made infrastructure a core national agenda by pledging to revamp the aging infrastructure across the United States to lay the foundation for economic resurgence. On the 3rd, when the January employment report was released showing that the increase in new jobs far exceeded expectations and the unemployment rate dropped to its lowest level since 1969, he expressed, "I am pleased that next week we will be able to say our economy is strong." Besides jobs, consumer prices, which have recently shown a downward trend, are also expected to be highlighted as part of his economic accomplishments.

Local media analyzed that President Biden will likely emphasize a message of hope amid the divided congressional power structure following the midterm elections. Considering that the Republican Party holds the majority in the House of Representatives, the context will be markedly different from the first State of the Union a year ago. Currently, the Republicans have openly declared their intention not to pass major bills from the Biden administration and have aggressively responded to issues such as the classified documents leak incident during Biden’s vice presidency.

Ultimately, the dynamic between the Biden administration emphasizing its two-year achievements and the Republicans aiming to nullify them is expected to be evident. On the 3rd, President Biden stated at the Democratic National Committee, "Jobs are increasing, wages are rising, inflation is easing, and COVID-19 no longer threatens our lives," while asserting, "MAGA Republicans who follow Trump are trying to put everything at risk." Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg appeared on NBC and emphasized the significance of the State of the Union by saying, "There have been many achievements under the Biden administration."

The White House stated, "During the State of the Union, President Biden will explain how historic job growth, inflation slowdown, wage increases, and record investments have been achieved in the past two years," adding, "The president will show how his vision creates jobs, rebuilds infrastructure, lowers living costs, addresses climate change, and invests in the future."

The State of the Union is also expected to address the debt ceiling issue currently under discussion in Congress. The U.S. statutory debt limit stands at $31.381 trillion, and if Congress does not raise or suspend the limit after total debt reaches it, a default could occur. Previously, the U.S. Treasury Department took special measures to extend the discussion deadline until June 5. However, since the Republicans are demanding large-scale government spending cuts as a precondition for raising the debt ceiling, difficulties continue.

Additionally, topics such as the nearly one-year-long Russian invasion of Ukraine, the recent Chinese surveillance balloon incident, and U.S.-China relations are expected to be covered. At the start of the second year of the war, the address is likely to emphasize the need for U.S. support, international unity, and American leadership. There is also interest in whether North Korea’s nuclear provocations or issues on the Korean Peninsula will be mentioned. Last year, while countries participating in sanctions against Russia, including South Korea, were mentioned, North Korea was not separately addressed.

Major foreign media outlets foresee that President Biden may use this State of the Union to present policy priorities and turn it into a kind of unofficial 2024 presidential campaign platform. Politico evaluated, "The hidden meaning of the speech is not the members sitting in the chamber. It will be the upcoming election campaign." President Biden has not yet officially declared his candidacy.

However, President Biden’s approval rating remains at 40%. According to a poll released that day by The Washington Post (WP) and ABC News, his approval rating for job performance was only 42%. Furthermore, 58% of Democratic supporters and Democratic-leaning independents preferred someone other than President Biden as the next Democratic presidential candidate, far exceeding the 31% who favored Biden. An AP-NORC poll showed that only one-quarter of American adults believe the U.S. is currently headed in the right direction. Seventy-six percent of respondents evaluated the economic situation as unfavorable.