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Biden’s SOTU Calls for Police Reform, Assault Weapons Ban, Protection of Abortion, While GOP Heckles

HeadlineFeb 08, 2023

President Joe Biden delivered his second State of the Union Tuesday night — and his first to a divided Congress after Republicans took the House in the midterms. Biden touted his infrastructure legislation and backed an assault weapons ban, the codification of abortion rights, and taxing the rich and corporations. Biden also addressed racism and police violence, calling on Congress to support police reform.

Republicans repeatedly heckled Biden throughout his address. One of the more raucous moments came when Biden accused Republicans of pushing to cut Medicare and Social Security.

President Joe Biden: “Some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset. I’m not saying it’s the majority. Let me give you — anybody who doubts it, contact my office. I’ll give you a copy — I’ll give you a copy of the proposal.”

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: “Liar!”

President Joe Biden: “That means Congress doesn’t vote” —

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: “Liar!”

The lawmaker yelling “liar!” at President Biden is far-right Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus and other Democrats wore pins with the number 1870 on them — that was the year when a Black man named Henry Truman was shot dead by a Philadelphia police officer. It is the first known instance of a police officer killing a free Black person in the United States.

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