President Obama can expect a cooler reception during his State of the Union Address tonight than in previous years. The leader of the new majority Republican Senate is already busy dismissing the tax proposal the president is expected to pitch.
President Obama hopes to put Republicans on the defensive by proposing tax increases on top earners that would fund efforts to strengthen the middle class. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is already framing the move as just more “tired tax hikes.”
"What I hope is that he presents some positive bipartisan ideas of his own that can pass the Congress Americans just voted for," he said in a floor speech Tuesday.
McConnell’s suggestions for the president: back off on the Keystone Pipeline veto threats, tear down trade barriers in Europe and the Pacific, and to work toward legislation to prevent cyber attacks. He says the annual address to Congress is a good opportunity to signal a shift in tone in Washington.
In addition to his tax plan, Obama is likely to revisit his community college initiative, increasing internet access, and calls to update the authorization of military force.
You can hear the address, the Republican response, and analysis from NPR tonight at 9 on WUKY.
