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Missed the State of the Union 2024? Watch replay videos of Biden’s address and the Republican response
President Biden delivered his 2024 State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress Thursday night, promoting the accomplishments of his first three years in office and offering a spirited defense of his vision for the nation’s future. The president’s speech was followed by the Republican response from Alabama Sen. Katie Britt. If you missed watching the State of the Union live, you can see a replay in the video player above.
The address came as Mr. Biden prepares for a likely reelection matchup against former President Donald Trump. Though he did not mention Trump by name, he made several references to “my predecessor,” issuing sharp criticism of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, the overturning of Roe v. Wade and Trump’s opposition to a bipartisan immigration and border security bill that stalled in Congress last month.
In the video excerpt below, Mr. Biden calls out Republicans for rejecting the border legislation:
The president spoke extensively about his economic record, job growth and the impact of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package to revitalize the nation’s roads, bridges and public transit, as well as legislation aimed at boosting domestic production of semiconductor chips. Watch that section of his speech in the video below:
Mr. Biden also focused on reproductive rights and abortion, which Democrats see as a winning issue at the ballot box.
“My predecessor came into office determined to see Roe v. Wade overturned. He’s the reason it was overturned, and he brags about it. Look at the chaos that has resulted,” Mr. Biden said. He called on Congress to pass legislation protecting access to IVF nationwide, after an Alabama court ruling led clinics there to temporarily halt treatments over concerns about legal liability.
See that part of his speech in the video below:
In his closing remarks, the president confronted a topic that polls show is on the minds of many voters: his age. (Mr. Biden is 81 years old and Trump is 77.)
“I know it may not look like it, but I’ve been around a while,” he quipped. “When you get to be my age, certain things become clearer than ever before. I know the American story. Again and again I’ve seen the contest between competing forces in the battle for the soul of our nation. Between those who want to pull America back to the past and those who want to move America into the future.”
Watch that portion of his address here:
In the official Republican response, Britt presented a very different view of Mr. Biden’s record and priorities. Speaking from the kitchen table at her home in Montgomery, Britt said, “What we saw was the performance of a permanent politician who has actually been in office for longer than I’ve been alive. One thing was quite clear though: President Biden just doesn’t get it.”
Watch her full remarks in the video below:
Caroline Linton, Stefan Becket, Melissa Quinn and Kaia Hubbard contributed reporting.
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$100 million in federal funds released for North Carolina to rebuild roads, bridges damaged by Helene
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation released $100 million in emergency funds on Saturday for North Carolina to rebuild its roads and bridges damaged by Helene.
“We are providing this initial round of funding so there’s no delay getting roads repaired and reopened, and re-establishing critical routes,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement. “The Biden-Harris administration will be with North Carolina every step of the way, and today’s emergency funding to help get transportation networks back up and running safely will be followed by additional federal resources.”
The storm caused rampant flooding that has devastated several towns and killed more than 225 people – with CBS News confirming at least 114 people killed in North Carolina. There was more than 8 inches of rain across the western North Carolina mountains, with some areas seeing more than a foot.
Hundreds of roads across Western North Carolina remain closed, leading to an increase in air traffic as teams scour the region for survivors by air. Air traffic over Western North Carolina has increased by 300% due to relief efforts since the storm cleared, the Federal Aviation Administration and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Mudslides blocked Interstate 40 and other highways in North Carolina and about 400 roads were closed due to damage from Helene. Interstate 40 was damaged at several locations, the Department of Transportation said.
President Biden visited the Carolinas on Wednesday, surveying the flood damage by air from Greenville, South Carolina, to Asheville, North Carolina. Mr. Biden announced the federal government would cover “100%” of all debris removal and emergency protective measure costs in North Carolina for six months.
The Department of Transportation said these relief funds will allow the North Carolina Department of Transportation to act more quickly to fund eligible repairs to their damaged facilities.
Li Cohen and
contributed to this report.
CBS News
Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf; forecast to strengthen into hurricane headed toward Florida
Tropical Storm Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane headed toward Florida with possible impacts to its western coast, the National Hurricane Center said on Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be at 40 mph with higher gusts and Milton is currently moving north-northeast, NHC said in an advisory.
Milton is forecast to undergo a period of rapid intensification before it makes landfall as a Category 2 hurricane across Florida’s west coast, CBS News Miami reported.
The forecast comes a little more than a week after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and across the Southeast, killing more than 200 people and causing immense destruction. President Biden on Thursday took an aerial tour of Florida’s Big Bend where Helene struck as a Category 4 storm. Hundreds of people are still missing and Mr. Biden said the work to rebuild will cost “billions of dollars” as communities suffer still without power, running water and passable roads.
NOAA
Milton is forecast to move across the southwestern Gulf of Mexico through Sunday night then across the south-central Gulf on Monday and Tuesday before reaching Florida’s west coast by the middle of the week, NHC said. Heavy rain is possible in the region starting Sunday into Monday, CBS Miami reported, and more rain and heavy winds will most likely arrive on Wednesday. Hurricane and storm surge watches will most likely be required for portions of Florida starting Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said.
Along with the heavy rainfall, the hurricane center said to expect risks of flooding.
Residents in the area should ensure they have a hurricane plan in place, the National Hurricane Center said, follow the advice of local officials and check back for forecast updates.
