Addressing his first divided Congress, Biden says 'the soul of this nation is strong'

Republicans interjected during his speech and pushed back in their own.

Last Updated: February 8, 2023, 10:39 AM EST

President Joe Biden on Tuesday night delivered his second State of the Union address in a pivotal moment as he laid out not only his accomplishments and agenda but made the case for his leadership ahead of an expected announcement on running for reelection.

Unlike his first two years in office, Republicans now control the House of Representatives and Speaker Kevin McCarthy, sitting behind the president for the first time, has threatened to block Biden's agenda.

Partners at FiveThirtyEight provided analysis in the blog below before, during and after Biden's speech.

Feb 07, 2023, 9:40 PM EST

Biden to Republicans: 'There is no reason we can't work together'

Biden touted his leadership despite a divided Congress on issues such as Ukraine and his "once-in-a-generation" infrastructure law.

"You know, we're often told that Democrats and Republicans can’t work together," he said. "But over these past two years, we proved the cynics and the naysayers wrong."

"Yes, we disagreed plenty. And yes, there were times when Democrats had to go it alone. But time and again, Democrats and Republicans came together," he continued.

Biden -- in a theme of the evening -- brushed aside his administration's challenges to focus on bipartisanship, saying he signed more than 300 bipartisan laws since becoming president, from reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act to the Electoral Count Reform Act to the Respect for Marriage Act.

"To my Republican friends, if we could work together in the last Congress, there is no reason we can't work together in this new Congress," he said.

Feb 07, 2023, 9:21 PM EST

Biden begins remarks addressing McCarthy: 'I look forward to working together'

At the top of his State of the Union remarks, President Biden acknowledged the changes that came with the 118th Congress, including offering congratulations to McCarthy, the newly elected Republican Speaker of the House.

"I don't want to ruin your reputation, but I look forward to working with you," Biden said after turning around to shake the Republican's hand -- a gesture of goodwill ahead of what is likely to be a two-year period of legislative debate and conflict between Biden and McCarthy's parties.

The president then congratulated the new leader of the House Democrats and the first Black House minority leader in history, Hakeem Jeffries.

Biden then nodded to the longest serving Senate leader in history, Mitch McConnell, as well as Chuck Schumer's latest term as Senate majority leader -- "this time with an even bigger majority."

Biden ended his introduction by lauding former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, someone who he said "will be considered the greatest speaker in the history of this country."

Feb 07, 2023, 9:10 PM EST

Biden arrives to expected applause

President Biden entered the chamber just after 9 p.m. ET to expected applause from the attendees.

He shook the hands of many lawmakers as he made his way to the podium.

Feb 07, 2023, 9:16 PM EST

Inside House chamber ahead of Biden's SOTU address

Members began steadily streaming into the House chamber on Tuesday with Vice President Kamala Harris around 8:30 p.m. ET, including some former lawmakers who are also using floor privileges.

The realities of a divided government are on full display -- little conversation between Democrats and Republicans across the aisle on the House floor.

The vice president has been making small talk with House Speaker McCarthy -- overheard on the mics saying it's a "packed house."

Vice President Kamala Harris talks with Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy prior to President Joe Biden's State of the Union address in Washington, DC, on Feb. 7, 2023.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Former Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., was seen joking to Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C.-- infamous for shouting "you lie!" at former President Barack Obama during a joint address of Congress -- to "sit down, sit down Joe."

Former Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson is at the speech as one of the only former Trump officials spotted thus far.

Newly independent Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema made her way in, standing next to GOP Utah Sen. Mitt Romney and was then speaking with Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Rep. George Santos laughs alongside Rep. Thomas Massie prior to President Joe Biden's State of the Union address Feb. 7, 2023 in Washington.
Win Mcnamee/Getty Images

For some, the most coveted seats appear to be along the aisle. That's where embattled Rep. George Santos chose to sit, in position to shake the president's hand as he enters and exits the chamber. Santos still has time to switch seats.

Some of the president's fiercest critics are also along the aisle: Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz and Lauren Boebert.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was carrying around a white balloon through the halls of Congress for much of the day to mock the administration's handling of the suspected Chinese spy balloon -- but decided to not bring it into the chamber.

Speaker McCarthy's guest, Enes Freedom, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Cabinet secretaries Pete Buttigieg and Jennifer Granholm and pollster Frank Luntz have also filed into the room.

-ABC News Senior Congressional Correspondent Rachel Scott, Katherine Faulders and John Parkinson

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