Published 12:15 IST, February 8th 2023
Republican heckling interrupts State of the Union
Republican heckling interrupted President Joe Biden during parts of the State of the Union address in Washington on Tuesday night.
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Republican heckling interrupted President Joe Biden during parts of the State of the Union address in Washington on Tuesday night.
Republicans members of Congress drew some hushes from Republican Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy while reflecting the newly empowered GOP that is itching to undo many of Biden's achievements and vowing to pursue a multitude of investigations - including looking into the recent discoveries of classified documents from his time as vice president at his home and former office.
The loudest heckling came when Biden discussed GOP their reluctance to increase the federal debt limit, the nation’s legal borrowing authority that must be raised later this year or risk default.
“Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans - some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset. I am not saying it’s a majority,” Biden said. As GOP lawmakers in the audience pushed back, Biden responded: “We’re not going to be moved into being threatened to default on the debt if we don’t respond.”
Still, some Republicans refused to back down, with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and others jumping to their feet, some yelling “liar!”
The president answered back, “Stand up and show them: We will not cut Social Security! We will not cut Medicare!”
As Republicans continued to protest his accusations, he said, “We’ve got unanimity."
Some heckling also interrupted the address as the president talked about the drug fentanyl and border security. Republicans have frequently criticized the Biden Administration on both issues.
12:15 IST, February 8th 2023