Your Morning: Takeaways from Biden’s State of the Union address

Scrappy tone: President Joe Biden appeared comfortable as he delivered his third State of the Union address before Congress on Thursday evening. Ahead of the November election, Biden used the speech to draw contrasts between himself and former President Donald Trump, including on issues like foreign policy and border security. Biden’s emphatic address was sprinkled with attacks on Trump, accusing him of espousing “resentment, revenge and retribution” in the U.S. Without ever mentioning the former president by name, Biden laced into his “predecessor” — 13 times in all. On his Truth Social site, Trump responded to the speech, saying he thinks it “may be the Angriest, Least Compassionate, and Worst State of the Union Speech ever made.” Full breakdown >
 
GOP hecklers: A handful of Republican lawmakers shouted at Biden throughout his remarks in the House chamber, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. Greene’s yells prompted an unusual back-and-forth between herself and Biden about Laken Riley, the Georgia student who police say was killed by a man who illegally crossed the border. At one point when the president discussed the southern border, Greene yelled, “It’s about Laken Riley” with others shouting, “say her name.” Biden then held up a Laken Riley pin he received from Greene and said, “Laken Riley, an innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal. To her parents I say my heart goes out to you having lost children myself. I understand.” Though some pointed out Biden’s pronunciation of “Laken” sounded like “Lincoln.” Ahead of Thursday’s speech, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., urged Republican lawmakers to maintain decorum during the president’s remarks. When asked about lawmakers who heckled Biden, Johnson said people listening to the address grew “very emotional” because of the “overly partisan” nature of the remarks. The latest >
 
The issues: New policies introduced in Biden’s speech included a proposed minimum 25% tax for billionaires, efforts to cap the price of prescription drugs for everyone and tax credits to help homeowners with the burden of high mortgage rates. He also used the speech to demand actions from Congress on immigration, calling on lawmakers to pass a bipartisan border compromise that was blocked by Republicans, pass gun control laws to protect children and raise the minimum wage. What to know >
 
Republican rebuttal: Following the State of the Union, Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., delivered the Republican rebuttal. Britt criticized Biden for the situation at the border, high prices at the grocery store and at the pump, and for crime in cities. How the White House is responding >
 
Surprise: During the address, former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., announced he will run for Congress just a few months after being expelled from the House. Santos was ousted from his seat in December and faces more than 20 criminal charges connected to allegations he misled donors, fraudulently received unemployment benefits and charged donors’ credit cards without authorization. Why he says he’s running again >

What to know: The House on Thursday passed legislation that would require federal authorities to detain unauthorized immigrants who have been accused of theft. Republicans rushed the “Laken Riley Act” to the House floor the day of Biden’s State of the Union address. It passed 251-170, with all Republicans and 37 Democrats voting for it. Riley, a 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student, was killed late last month while on a morning run. Authorities arrested Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan man who entered the U.S. illegally, on murder and assault charges in connection with Riley’s death. Watch the “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” interview with the Georgia representative backing the bill >

What’s happening: Women across the world will demand equal pay, reproductive rights and justice during demonstrations Friday marking International Women’s Day. Demonstrations are planned from Tokyo to Mexico City. Officially recognized by the United Nations in 1977, this year’s International Women’s Day global theme is “Inspire Inclusion.” History and what the future holds for International Women’s Day >

What’s going on: A congressional investigation into Chinese-built cargo cranes at U.S. ports has uncovered concerns about potential national security risks. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, some of the cranes were found to contain communications equipment, including cellular modems, that could be accessed remotely. Lawmakers worry about the threat of espionage and disruption posed by these cranes, which are predominantly manufactured by ZPMC, a Chinese company. The Chinese government denies any national security threat. Full report >

Springing forward: Most of America “springs forward” Sunday for daylight saving time. Losing that hour of sleep can sometimes result in sleep trouble for weeks or even longer. Ways to ease the adjustment >