Pauly Denetclaw
ICT
WASHINGTON — Hi ♀️ tonight ICT will be providing live updates through the State of the Union address.
Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 2:00 p.m. ET
Two Arizona senators brought Indigenous leaders as their State of the Union guests. Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community accompanied Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. Sen. Mark Kelly brought Navajo Nation President Buu Van Nygren. Each member of Congress can bring one guest, the president can invite 24 guests to sit with the First Lady and the Speaker of the House may invite 24 guests.
“President Biden, he mentioned tribes, I believe once in his State of the Union address in regards to just creating opportunities and jobs and infrastructure from the (Bipartisan Infrastructure law) and the (Inflation Reduction act), those pieces of bipartisan legislation,” Lewis said to ICT. “What do I wish would have occurred, was address the drought and water issues here along the Colorado River in Arizona, the worst drought in 200 years. Other than that, I thought he laid out a great plan moving forward for the next two years. It’s up to tribes to really be at the table for tribes to not be left behind.”
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders delivered the Republican rebuttal to Biden’s State of the Union address last night. In a 14-minute speech, she called for stronger border security along Mexico to decrease the flow of fentanyl in the United States, common sense laws, smaller government, stronger foreign affairs policy and education reform.
“Forgive me for not believing much of anything I heard tonight from President Biden,” Huckabee said. “From out of control inflation and violent crime to the dangerous border crisis and threat from China. Biden and the Democrats have failed you.”
She ended her speech by calling for a new generation of Republican leaders to take the lead.
In attendance was Lynette Bonar, former CEO of the Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation, who brought the first ever cancer center to sovereign lands. During Tuesday’s address, one of Biden’s focuses was cancer. He would like to see a 50 percent reduction over the next 25 years. Guests were selected that personified the president’s policy.
Bonar, Navajo, is a pioneer in cancer care for Indigenous communities. Previously, Bonar was a sergeant and former medic in the U.S. Army. She spent nearly two decades working as a nurse and health care executive in Tuba City.
“I am truly honored to have been the CEO of a Title V Tribal PL 93-638 Indian Self Determination Health Care Organization, which allowed TCRHCC to extend lives and/or improve the quality of life of our oncology patients,” she said in a press release.
Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 10:37 p.m. ET
Biden was heckled more than once by Republicans. Biden remained calm in these moments, though did get snarky throughout the night.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas will be delivering the GOP rebuttal to the SOTU.
Biden was starting to make his way out of the House Chambers. Biden greets Haaland with a smile. All three of the New Mexico representatives were able to greet the president. Rep. Melanie Stansbury from New Mexico introduced freshman Rep. Gabe Vasquez, also from New Mexico, who beat Yvette Herrell, Cherokee, in the last election.
10:23 p.m. ET
“It’s your fault,” a member of Congress can be heard saying. This happened after Biden talked about the fentanyl crisis happening in the United States. Speaker McCarthy could be seen in the background shushing the member of Congress.
Many Republicans blame “open borders” in the south for the fentanyl crisis.
Biden wants to see a 50 percent reduction in cancer.
Paul Pelosi who was brutally attacked by a far-right conspiracy theorist. He was recognized by Biden.
“Here tonight in this chamber is the man who bears the scars of that brutal attack, but is as tough and strong and as resilient as they get,” he said. “My friend, Paul Pelosi.”
Biden ends his speech with a positive message.
“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,” he said.
10:11 p.m. ET
Before talking about public safety, Biden recognizes the parents of Tyre Nichols, who was killed by police.
“Most of us in here have never had to have the talk,” Biden said. “The talk that brown and Black parents have had to have with their children. Beau, Hunter, Ashley, my children, I never had to have a talk.”
Biden said when police violate public trust they must be held accountable.
“Thank you, thank you,” RowVaughn Wells, Tyre Nichols’ mother, said.
Brandon Tsay is recognized by Biden. Tsay brought down the Monterey Park gunman who killed 11 people in a California mass shooting.
“Ban assault weapons now,” Biden said firmly.
The Biden administration will do everything they can to protect a person’s right to choose and if a nationwide ban on abortions comes across his desk he will veto the bill.
Biden says the US will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Biden said his administration will work with China when it is beneficial but is clear if they violate the law, the US will act.
“But make no mistake: as we made clear last week, if China’s threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country,” Biden said. “And we did.”
10:00 p.m. ET
The Biden administration is looking to ban exorbit resort fees that are sometimes as high as $90 a night, in places “that aren’t even resorts.” Speaker McCarthy laughed when Biden said that last line.
Biden is advocating for affordable early childhood education and college education. He also wants to see teachers get raises.
Quote of the night: “Let’s finish the job.”
But some think otherwise.
Biden encouraged people to remember all those we lost to the Covid-19 pandemic in a somber voice. Says his administration will prosecute those who stole money meant to keep small businesses afloat during the height of the pandemic.
9:47 p.m. ET
The Inflation Reduction Act has made huge investments in green energy, said Biden.
“The climate crisis doesn’t care if you’re in a red or blue state,” he said.
Biden said he’s a capitalist but people need to pay their fair share of taxes. Billion-dollar companies have to pay at minimum 15 percent in taxes, he said. “No billionaire should be paying a lower tax rate than a school teacher or firefighter,” he said to applause.
Biden addresses the next big fight in Congress: raising the debt ceiling or face default. Republicans are yelling and booing about his comments.
Despite rocky moments and boos from Republicans, Biden is all smiles and sass. Even Kevin McCarthy slowly blinked and shook his head. At one point it looked like he mouthed, “That’s not true.”
9:38 p.m. ET
Biden has capped the price of insulin at $35 a vial for those seniors. He wants to see this expanded to everyone.
“It costs the drug companies roughly $10 a vial to make that insulin, packaging and all, you may get up to $13,” Biden said. “But Big Pharma has been unfairly charging people hundreds of dollars, $400 to $500 a month. Making revenue record profits. Not anymore.”
Sixty million have healthcare through the Affordable Care Act, he said.
9:30 p.m. ET
Biden is touting his Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill that brought historic investments to Indigenous communities across the nation.
“Projects are gonna put thousands of people to work rebuilding our highways, our bridges, our railroads, our tunnels, ports, airports, clean water, high speed internet all across America, urban, rural and tribal,” Biden said. “And folks, we’re just getting started. We’re just getting started.”
This is Biden’s first mention of tribal communities.
Biden announces that federal infrastructure projects have to be built using American-made products from lumber to fiber optic lines.
(Related: Tribal playbook to infrastructure dollars)
9:23 p.m. ET
Sec. Haaland can be seen in the front row. It brought tears to my eyes to see her and Lynette Bonar, two Indigenous women in their regalia.
Biden is starting off with a clear message of working together in a Congress that is divided.
“I signed over 300 bipartisan pieces of legislation since becoming president,” he said and lists the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, the Electoral College Reform Act, and the Respect for Marriage Act. “And I know my Republican friends, we could work together last Congress. There’s no reason we can’t work together and find consensus on important things in this Congress as well.”
The Violence Against Women act was an important legislation for Indigenous nations that closes jurisdictional gaps that leaves Indigenous women and girls vulnerable.
(Related: VAWA reauthorization headed to president’s desk)
Sen. Bernie Sanders is continuing to wear his mask.
9:05 p.m ET
Well it appears that Sec. Haaland will be in attendance at tonight’s State of the Union address. Here she is with her colleagues wearing a ribbon skirt.
Lynette Bonar from Tuba City, Arizona, can be seen behind First Lady Jill Biden. She is wearing a beautiful squash blossom and a big coral, heart-shaped ring.
The designated survivor is Labor Secretary Marty Walsh who announced Tuesday that he will be leaving his post, the first secretary in the Biden administration to do so. He’s headed to the National Hockey League to head the Player’s Union.
Also fun fact, there are helicopters flying overhead in Capitol Hill, close enough to make the windows slightly shake.
Rep. Harriet Hageman from Wyoming, who is chair of the House Indian and Insular affairs subcommittee had this to say ahead of Biden’s address.
Freshman Rep. Josh Brecheen, Choctaw, critiqued the Biden administration.
8:00 p.m. ET
Hi ♀️ tonight ICT will be your guide through the State of the Union address. This yearly address is mandated by the U.S. Constitution in Article II, Section 3, Clause 1. It states that the President of the United States “shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.”
The name, medium and purpose have changed significantly over the last two centuries. But one thing remains the same and that is the president has to provide information to Congress.
The State of the Union is usually about an hour-long. It’s a time where the president addresses both chambers of Congress and the American people. The president will talk about what their administration has done over the last year and their speech will announce their priorities for the upcoming year. The speech is held in the House Chamber, where U.S representatives conduct business.
This is President Joe Biden’s second State of the Union address. He is expected to call on Republicans to work with him to “finish the job” of rebuilding the economy and uniting the nation as he seeks to overcome pessimism in the country and navigate political divisions in Washington.
The annual speech comes as the nation struggles to make sense of confounding cross-currents at home and abroad — economic uncertainty, a wearying war in Ukraine, growing tensions with China and more — and warily sizes up Biden’s fitness for a likely reelection bid. The president is offering a reassuring assessment of the nation’s condition rather than rolling out flashy policy proposals.
(Related: Indigenous guests attending 2023 State of the Union)
For one hour every year, all of the most powerful and influential leaders in the United States are in one room, from the president to cabinet secretaries, all 535 members of Congress, Supreme Court justices and top military brass. This poses a great security risk. So, a designated survivor is chosen in case everyone dies. The designated survivor leaves Washington, D.C. and stays in an undisclosed, secure location during the speech.
Since becoming a member of the president’s cabinet, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland could be the designated survivor and if tragedy strikes she would become president. Cut to the opening credits of Netflix series “Designated Survivor,” which explores this possibility with Kiefer Sutherland’s character, Sec. Tom Kirkland who oversees House and Urban Development. Last year, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo was the designated survivor. This year’s designated survivor has yet to be announced but the Secretary of Interior is tied with the Secretary of Agriculture for being selected the most amount of times as the designated survivor.
To attend the State of the Union, one must be invited by the president, first lady, speaker of the House or a member of Congress. Each member of Congress can bring one guest.
Keep up with ICT on this story as we bring you live updates.
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