Preview of Biden's first State of the Union Address

The US Constitution mandates the president “shall from time to time give Congress information of the State of the Union”, which has now become an annual address from the sitting president. This is an opportunity for the president to make their case – celebrating successes so far and setting the policy trajectory for the year ahead. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi invited President Biden to give his first State of the Union Address on 1 March 2022.

Facing dwindling poll numbers and an acrimoniously divided country, can President Biden’s address win him much needed political capital ahead of the November 2022 midterm elections? How much will the Indo-Pacific or other foreign policy feature in his address? What should Australia listen out for?

To discuss these issues before President Biden’s address, the USSC hosted a webinar event with USSC politics experts Associate Professor in American Politics and Foreign Policy David Smith, Non-Resident Senior Fellow Bruce Wolpe and Research Associate Victoria Cooper in conversation with CEO Professor Simon Jackman.

Our speakers

Susan Beale

Digital and Creative ManagerUnited States Studies Centre

Susan Beale is responsible for the strategy, development, delivery, maintenance and governance of the US Studies Centre's digital and creative communications products. She is focused on producing accurate, audience-focused content and developing products that provide an engaging and effective user experience.

Dana Milbank

ColumnistThe Washington Post

Senator John McCain

Chairman, Senate Armed Services Committee

Senator John McCain is the Chairman of the US Senate Armed Services Committee. Senator McCain served in the United States Navy until 1981. He was elected to the US House of Representatives from Arizona in 1982, and elected to the United States Senate in 1986. He was the Republican Party's nominee for the 2008 presidential election.