State of the Union: Biden rebukes Putin, offers 'unity agenda'

"We are stronger today than we were a year ago," the president said.

Last Updated: March 1, 2022, 5:10 PM EST

President Joe Biden delivered his first State of the Union address as Russian strikes were killing civilians, forces were massing near Ukraine's capital Kyiv and Russian President Vladimir Putin showed no sign of backing down.

Latest headlines:

Here is how the news is developing today. All times Eastern. Check back for updates.
Mar 01, 2022, 5:10 PM EST

At least 3 Democrats planning 'responses' to Biden's address

Just hours away from Biden delivering his first State of the Union speech, Democrats are sparring with each other over the response.

Not the Republican response -- but the growing number of Democrats giving speeches responding to a president of their own party.

Progressive Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan is delivering a response for the Working Families Party. She says she will support Biden’s agenda but could take moderates to task for blocking the agenda in the Senate, likely targeting West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin.

Rep. Colin Allred of Texas is delivering a response from the Congressional Black Caucus.

And moderate Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., who is expected to criticize progressives (he told Axios Tlaib’s speech is the political equivalent of "slashing your own tires"), will give a bipartisan response with the centrist group No Labels.
-ABC News' Benjamin Siegel

Mar 01, 2022, 4:56 PM EST

Manchin, hours before, reiterates 'There is no Build Back Better,' wants Biden to address inflation

In advance of tonight's speech, Sen. Joe Manchin reiterated his long-held view that has blocked Biden's domestic agenda, saying, "There is no Build Back Better."

"What we should be looking at is what we can do and what we have done," the West Virginia Democrat said.

PHOTO: Sen. Joe Manchin  speaks to reporters after a closed door briefing with Senators at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, Feb. 03, 2022.
Sen. Joe Manchin speaks to reporters after a closed door briefing with Senators at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, Feb. 03, 2022.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

He told reporters he wants Biden to talk about inflation and about energy independence instead.

"Inflation is basically destroying the country as we know it from the standpoint of making it harder on the people they were trying to help -- so we have to get energy under control," Manchin said. "And next of all, be energy independent. Putin has weaponized energy, so shouldn't we be using energy to counter what he's been doing?"
-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

Mar 01, 2022, 4:48 PM EST

Here's how to watch Biden's address tonight

ABC News Live will stream from Capitol Hill throughout the day, with live coverage of the State of the Union address beginning at 8 p.m. ET and a roundtable with Houston voters on what they hope to hear from the president’s speech. At 11 p.m. ET, ABC News Live will feature lawmakers from both sides of the aisle reacting to the speeches.

ABC News Digital will have an up-to-the-minute live blog, key takeaways focusing on main themes, an analysis of the speeches’ political implications and full transcripts of and reaction to the remarks.
-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart

Mar 01, 2022, 4:17 PM EST

Biden will not be wearing a mask tonight

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Fox News that Biden will not be wearing a mask when he enters the House chamber, following new guidance, she said, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

When he spoke to a joint session of Congress last year, all were required to wear masks, but on Sunday the U.S. Capitol physician said masks were now optional because Washington, D.C., was at a low-risk level.

The move to remove the mask mandate at the Capitol ahead of Biden's speech highlights the quickly evolving conditions of the pandemic and how eager some Democrats, including the president himself, are about projecting a "return to normalcy."
-ABC News' Mariam Khan