The latest news from Washington reveals a focus on the White House and the recent State of the Union speech delivered by President Biden. The speech has garnered positive reviews and increased ratings, with the White House highlighting the new jobs report. The report indicates that the U.S. economy added approximately 275,000 new jobs, surpassing expectations, although the unemployment rate slightly rose from 3.7% to 3.9%.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized that while wages have been rising faster than prices on average, not every American may be experiencing this at home. Concerns were raised about the sustainability of the economic growth, as the GDP increased by $330 billion in the fourth quarter, while it required $830 billion in debt to fund it.
The Labor Department's new jobs report revealed that a significant portion of the new jobs came from the healthcare and social assistance sectors, with 52,000 being government positions. While leisure and hospitality industries experienced growth, manufacturing saw a decline of 4,000 jobs.
During his State of the Union Address, President Biden highlighted the strength of the economy, which was met with some disruptions from lawmakers at the Capitol. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene demanded acknowledgment of a young woman killed by an illegal immigrant in Georgia, emphasizing the impact of such incidents.
President Biden faced questions about his use of the term 'illegal' to describe the killer before departing for Philadelphia. The President later visited Atlanta, a crucial swing state for the upcoming 2024 election, where the political landscape has shifted significantly since 2016.
The debate around the term 'illegal' and its implications on immigration policies has sparked divisions within the Democratic Party, with differing opinions on its usage. Progressives and senators have expressed contrasting views on the matter, reflecting broader discussions within the party.
