WELCOME to AFP’s Live Report on President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address.
According to the US Constitution, the president must “from time to time, give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union.” What was once a written report has evolved into an annual address to a joint session Congress and, in the age of television, a speech to the nation.
Presidents use the speech as a chance to lay out their agenda for the coming year. Tonight Obama will vow to reignite the US economy, announce that he will halve the number of US troops in Afghanistan, push for gun control and immigration reform.
As presidents use the speech to push policy, both parties use the occasion for political theater. His Democrats will to take every opportunity to give Obama a standing ovation, while Republicans will stay in their seats. The White House will bring several guests to sit with Michelle Obama her in the First Lady’s box, all stand-ins for causes the president wants to hightlight, while Republican lawmakers will invite rivals.
The speech is due to start in about 20 minutes when we’ll such just how dramatic the show will get.
The State of the Union address: Live Report
