'I believe in America': Fired-up Biden uses State of the Union to skewer GOP

Disgraced former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., told ABC News Senior Congressional Correspondent Rachel Scott that he plans on attending the State of the Union.

Former members have privileges to be on the House floor and Santos retained his privileges despite being expelled, though it's unclear -- based on Santos' past history of misstatements and exaggerations -- if he'll actually attend or if his comments amount to bluster.

The Republican, who was expelled in December in the wake of being charged with multiple criminal felonies, including fraud, first gained notoriety after it was revealed he fabricated parts of his background. (He has pleaded not guilty to his charges.)

Since leaving the House, he has found success on the video service Cameo and appeared on the show hosted by comedian Ziwe Fumudoh.

0:54

George Santos is in attendance at State of the Union despite expulsion

The former congressman still retains floor privileges that allow him to attend.

ABCNews.com

Hi, I’m Monica Potts, a senior political reporter at 538. I’ll be watching the State of the Union and helping provide analysis and commentary about some of the themes from Biden’s speech. I’ll be especially interested in what he has to say about abortion, foreign policy, democracy and the economy. As my ABC News colleagues have noted, the night is really a sort of campaign kickoff event, and how he frames those issues could preview how he plans to talk about them with voters.

I’ll be able to provide context on how voters think about those issues as well. While my colleagues at 538 and I know that the State of the Union itself tends not to move the needle politically, the speech can tell us where Biden plans to focus his efforts this election year. It’s also an opportunity for Biden to assuage concerns from his own voters and inspire them to vote in November. The presidential race has the potential to be as close as the last two, so he’ll need it if he wants to win.

-Monica Potts, 538

Alabama Sen. Katie Britt will give the Republican response to Biden's State of the Union address after the president wraps up his speech.

The speaking slot is historically given to a lawmaker perceived to be a rising star in their party. Past respondents have included Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat.

In her speech, Britt is anticipated to knock Biden's record and raise the claim that he is unfit for office or another term over concerns about his age and mental acuity, which he has forcefully denied.

"Right now, our commander in chief is not in command. The free world deserves better than a dithering and diminished leader. America deserves leaders who recognize that secure borders, stable prices, safe streets, and a strong defense are the cornerstones of a great nation," she'll say, according to excerpts that were released ahead of time.

4:44

Alabama's first woman Senator to give GOP rebuttal to Biden's State of the Union

GOP Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) has been tapped to deliver the party's response to President Joe Biden's highly anticipated speech.

ABCNews.com

Biden will soon take the stage to give the president's annual address to a joint session of Congress and millions of Americans who are expected to be tuned in at home.

The high-stakes political moment serves as a chance for Biden to tout his accomplishments and lay out his plan for the nation as he seeks to convince voters to give him another four years -- and to dispel concerns about his age and fitness for a second term.

The speech is expected to focus heavily on the rebounding economy post-pandemic, as well as reproductive rights, America's role in international conflicts and the state of democracy at home.

With the 2024 election all but certain to be a Biden-Trump rematch, Biden is also expected to highlight the differences between his agenda and that of his Republican predecessor, who has promised to be making real-time rebuttals. That contrast was evident in an excerpt of his speech released by the White House in which Biden will say he was taught to "embrace freedom and democracy" while "some other people my age see a different story: an American story of resentment, revenge and retribution."