Morning Headlines - Wednesday, Feb. 8 2023

U.S. and World Headlines

Five Big Takeaways From President Biden’s 2023 State Of The Union Address

President Biden delivered his second State of the Union address Tuesday amid the customary pomp and circumstance — and to loud acclaim from Democrats.

But the speech also came as Biden struggles with mediocre approval ratings, the realities of a divided Congress and the looming start of the 2024 election campaign.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders gave the official GOP response.

Here are the main takeaways from the night.

President Biden's State Of The Union Report Card: Ratings From Former Speechwriters Are In

Former top speechwriters rated President Biden on the content and delivery of his second State of the Union address, giving out grades ranging from a sterling "A" grade to nearly-failing "D."

According to experts, Biden made a good faith effort at promoting bipartisanship, but did not confront the China threat as aggressively as he should have. Many agreed that his speech was a test run for his expected 2024 presidential announcement, but felt sluggish and boring at points.

Takeaways From Biden’s State Of The Union Address

When President Joe Biden took to the House Chamber on Tuesday for his annual State of the Union address, his message was one of unadulterated optimism – even in the face of open hostility.

The spectacle of Biden smiling and offering a pointed riposte through multiple rounds of heckling from some House Republicans was, in many ways, an apt illustration of his presidency and a useful preview of his likely 2024 candidacy.

A majority of Americans say he hasn’t accomplished much, many Democrats aren’t thrilled at the prospect of him running for reelection and he faces clear disdain from most Republicans.

Republicans Boo Biden, MTG Calls Him A 'Liar' And Kevin McCarthy Shakes His Head As President Claims GOP Wants To 'Sunset' Medicare And Social Security

President Joe Biden's annual State of the Union on Tuesday began with calls for 'unity' before descending into disarray when he was heckled by Republicans for claiming they want to 'sunset' Medicare and Social Security.

His 73-minute speech started with a request to 'finish the job' of rebuilding the economy reeling from historic inflation and the pandemic - but it quickly turned tense with his dubious accusations against the GOP.

Wearing a white coat lined in white fur, conservative firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene stood up before the joint session of Congress and screamed 'liar' while other Republicans shouted, 'Not true!'

'They're the facts,' Biden snapped back. 'Check it out. Check it out.'

Speaker Kevin McCarthy shook his head in disagreement while sat on the dais behind Biden and other members of the GOP shouted 'no' in tense scenes on the House floor.

Biden Goes Off Script To Challenge Republicans

President Biden previewed an optimistic re-election platform in his State of the Union speech Tuesday — but veered off script to take on rowdy Republicans in a series of confrontations that captured America's political chasm.

Biden used much of his speech to emphasize what Americans can do when they work together — while also baiting Republicans to agree with his push to protect Medicare and Social Security as Congress weighs budget cuts.

• Biden seemed to anticipate — and relish — the jeers from some Republicans when he questioned their commitment to Medicare and Social Security during upcoming budget talks.
• He dared them to "contact my office” for proof that some Republicans had discussed cutting the safety-net programs — and that if everyone agreed they shouldn't be cut, they should "stand up for seniors." House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and his fellow Republicans then joined Democrats in doing just that.
• "I enjoy conversion," Biden joked.

Wisconsin Headlines

Biden Makes Wisconsin His 1st Stop After State Of The Union

President Joe Biden on Wednesday was headed to Wisconsin, a battleground state he won by the slimmest of margins in 2020, to press his economic message and other themes from his State of the Union address in the window before his next big speech: announcing a possible reelection bid.

Biden was set to promote his economic plan at a training center run by the Laborers’ International Union of North America in Deforest, Wisconsin, near Madison, the White House said.

Evers' Budget Will Call For Spending Millions On Wisconsin's Clean Energy Workforce

Gov. Tony Evers will call for spending millions on developing Wisconsin's clean energy workforce during his budget address next week.

It's part of a long list of environmental spending initiatives from the governor, who will also call for new spending to help the state plant millions of trees.

In a written statement accompanying the proposals, Evers said the plans would help combat climate change while providing the training needed to help meet the state's clean energy workforce needs.

"We know protecting our environment and investing in sustainable industries is vital for conservation, protecting our quality of life, and maintaining our economy’s momentum," Evers said. "We don’t have to choose between building a healthier, more sustainable state and bolstering our workforce and our economy—we can and must do both."

Amid Delays, GOP Lawmakers Order Audit Into Wisconsin's Process For Granting Professional Licenses

Republican lawmakers are ordering an audit of Wisconsin's process for issuing professional licenses following complaints from people forced to wait weeks or months for credentials, many of which are needed to start a job or get a promotion. 

As of last year, the average wait time to for a license to be approved or denied was 45 days, according to Wisconsin's Department of Safety and Professional Services. But people are often waiting even longer, said Rep. Robert Wittke, R-Racine, who co-chairs Wisconsin's Joint Legislative Audit Committee.

"We have way too many people waiting way too long for licenses," he said during a Tuesday morning news conference. "We need to understand what the issues are and get this resolved."

Lawmakers Introduce All Copays Count Legislation

Right now, Wisconsin lawmakers on both sides are working to ensure co-pay assistance programs benefit patients instead of insurance companies.

On Tuesday, Republicans and Democrats introduced All Copays Count legislation.

"This is about better patient outcomes," Sen. Andre Jacqué (R-De Pere) said. "This is about making sure that people can afford their medications and not have to choose between groceries and gas."

The bipartisan bill would ensure out of pocket payments and co-pay assistance count toward a patient's maximum out of pocket cost or annual deductible. It would also close a loophole in the Affordable Care Act that allows employer sponsored health plans to deem certain prescriptions 'non-essential.'

Meet The Candidates Running In The 2023 Wisconsin Senate District 8 Special Election

Republican candidates Janel Brandtjen, Dan Knodl and Van Mobley are running in the primary to face Democratic candidate Jodi Habush Sinykin for a state Senate seat in the northern suburbs of Milwaukee.