Live: President Obama's State of the Union 01/20/2015
President Barack Obama delivers the sixth State of the Union address of his tenure Tuesday night from the Capitol in Washington, beginning at 9 p.m. EST. Follow U.S. News' live blog for what to expect from the speech, plus up-to-the-minute updates, analysis, reaction and more.
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Obama won't mention it in his speech, but one of his budget asks will be more money to help states improve the quality of annual tests and remove redundant and unnecessary ones. He'll also ask for $2.7 billion for schools, including $1 billion for those that serve more at-risk students. Read more:
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Democrats applaud Obama's call for equal pay for women, as do most of the women in the House chamber. Republican women in the chamber lean down trying to get their Republican male colleagues to stand and applaud (they didn't). -
Huge cheers from Dems on #minimumwage "If you... could live on less than $15K, go try it. If not, vote [to give] Americans a raise." #sotuby Gabrielle Levy via twitter 1/21/2015 2:30:25 AM -
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"That’s why this Congress still needs to pass a law that makes sure a woman is paid the same as a man for doing the same work. " President Obama is referring to the Paycheck Fairness Act, among other bills, which was blocked by Senate Republicans last year. -
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Obama says employers are raising wages, but Republicans plan to counter that claim in their rebuttal speech by highlighting how that wage growth was only 1.7 percent last year (which analysts say is slow).
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Obama will propose a new tax cut of up to $3,000 per child, per year to expand access to childcare for low and middle-income families.
" It’s not a nice-to-have - it’s a must-have," he said. "It’s time we stop treating childcare as a side issue, or a women’s issue, and treat it like the national economic priority that it is for all of us." -
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#SOTU (as prepared) wordcloud http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B71vpFpCUAATAtD.png
by stevennelson10 via twitter 1/21/2015 2:27:03 AM -
Tonight: Michelle Obama is bringing some fierce Alicia Florrick! #SOTU #thegoodwife http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B71t7p1IYAEhsyX.jpg
by taycole via twitter 1/21/2015 2:26:31 AM -
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On #immigration, Wall Street, #Obamacare: "If a bill comes to my desk that tries to do any of these things, I will veto it." #sotu @usnewsby Gabrielle Levy via twitter 1/21/2015 2:23:00 AM
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As Obama touts the Affordable Care Act the entire Republican side of the chamber sits still and expressionless as all the Democrats stand and applaud.
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As Obama touts the economy, the GOP may want to avoid it now as a campaign issue.
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The majority of Americans think developing alternative energy sources is more important than expanding oil, coal and natural gas.
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Speaking of cheap oil prices, they don't only mean cheaper gas in the tank.
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"Marriage" just got a stuttered applause line from those in attendance. As a newlywed, I concur. -
Immigration has been growing as a concern for Americans, according to Gallup. Concentration on the economy has fallen as it has improved.
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"Will we allow ourselves to be sorted into factions" Is President Obama a #divergent fan? @usnews #sotuby Gabrielle Levy via twitter 1/21/2015 2:15:56 AM
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Looks like Jill Biden killed a peacock for that dress. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B71sz0dIAAElMLb.jpg
by Nicki Jhabvala via twitter 1/21/2015 2:15:18 AM -
"The shadow of crisis has passed, and the State of the Union is strong." ow.ly/HFvym #SOTUby U.S. News via twitter 1/21/2015 2:15:04 AM -
FACT CHECK: Obama says, "Tonight, for the first time since 9/11, our combat mission in Afghanistan is over."
Worth reminding that 1,000 more troops remained in Afghanistan this year than planned, per the president's order in late December. And their mission has been broadened this year from solely training Afghans to still being able to fight extremists, such as the Taliban. -
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Obama goes straight to national security and defense issues at the top. Opening line: "We are 15 years into this new century. Fifteen years that dawned with terror touching our shores; that unfolded with a new generation fighting two long and costly wars..."
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Oil prices fell to their lowest level in more than five years this week as worldwide production continues to outpace demand. In the U.S., tumbling oil prices are a net positive for growth despite a possible short-term drag on already-low inflation. While future prices are impossible to predict, it’s likely they’ll continue their decline this year and provide a further tailwind for U.S. households. Read more.
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Following enrollment in health plans mandated under the Affordable Care Act, the percentage of uninsured Americans is now the lowest on record.
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In 2014, the Gallup Job Creation Index increased by 8 points, closing at +27. The index plateaued in May, however, remaining mostly constant since.
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At the last State of the Union, Obama boasted the U.S. had successfully withdrawn all troops from Iraq and was on track to do the same in Afghanistan.
Then 2014 happened... more details here. -
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Political theater inside the Capitol chamber ahead of the speech:
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY., looking very pleased about his new job.
Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., chatting with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Ma. (about 2016 and the new tax plan???)
Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., getting praise from everyone ahead of her last session in Congress.
Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., absent and on the injured roster. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia absent because he's throwing shade at President Obama.
