On Wednesday evening, President Biden delivered his second State of the Union address to the American public, highlighting his administration’s successes and priorities for the next year. Lawmakers from both parties had a largely positive reaction to the address, commending President Biden’s plans for dealing with issues like inflation, border security, energy independence, and healthcare reform.

Republican Cong. Ray LaHood of LaSalle County claimed that President Biden’s ambition to tax the rich was not a constructive policy and noted that gas prices have decreased since the president came into office, yet other energy costs have risen. Cong. Lauren Underwood lauded the President’s Affordable Care Act, which has seen over sixteen million Americans enroll in health insurance coverage. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a Democrat from Illinois, bemoaned Republican attempts to push out abortion bans, while Sen. Dick Durbin praised the two years of job growth