President Biden is slated to deliver his second State of the Union address on Thursday, March 7, in front of a politically fractured Congress, making it the latest a State of the Union address has ever been delivered. The speech comes as the nation grapples with a range of pressing issues, including the ongoing Middle East conflict, Ukraine's resource drain, struggles with China over Taiwan's independence, and a worsening border crisis.

While the White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, avoided addressing whether President Biden would discuss Laken Riley's murder during the State of the Union address, House Republicans are urging him to address the border crisis. Representatives such as Tom Emmer and Don Bacon have criticized Biden's handling of the border, calling for an honest acknowledgment of the issue.

On the other hand, Democrats want Biden to highlight his accomplishments in areas such as infrastructure, the economy, and healthcare. Representative Josh Gottheimer praised Biden's bipartisan legislative successes and the positive trajectory of the economy post-pandemic, emphasizing the need to communicate these achievements to the American people.

Amidst the polarized political landscape, a House Democratic aide advised Biden to focus on tangible accomplishments that have improved people's lives, such as lower insulin prices, increased manufacturing jobs, and better healthcare for veterans. The aide also urged Biden to address areas of concern like border security and reproductive rights, clearly delineating his stance and contrasting it with Republican opposition.

The delayed State of the Union address follows a tumultuous start to the year, marked by efforts to avert a government shutdown and thorny debates surrounding Biden's supplemental foreign aid request for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The timing of the speech underscores the challenges facing the Biden administration in navigating a divided Congress and addressing numerous crises simultaneously.

As the country eagerly awaits President Biden's speech, it remains to be seen how he will address the multitude of pressing issues and rally support from both sides of the aisle. With the State of the Union setting the stage for the administration's priorities, many are interested to hear Biden's plans for tackling complex domestic and foreign challenges.