President George W. Bush gave the annual State of the Union speech last Tuesday. The U.S. Constitution requires the President to report regularly to Congress. The televised speech gives the President a chance to set out his plans for the nation.
Bush made history with his first words. "Tonight, I have the high privilege and distinct honor to begin a speech with the words 'Madame Speaker,'" he said. Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi, the first female Speaker of the House, sat directly behind Bush. Her historic presence was also a reminder that the balance has shifted in Congress. It was the first time Bush had addressed a Congress controlled by Democrats.
Bush asked for support of his Iraq strategy (see TFK, 1/19/07). "I ask you to give it a chance to work," he said.
The President introduced a plan to cut back on gasoline consumption. He also proposed to expand health-care coverage to make it affordable for more Americans.
After the speech, Virginia senator James Webb appeared on TV to give the Democratic response. Webb is one of many who do not support the President's plan for Iraq. "We need a new direction," he told viewers. Last Wednesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a resolution opposing the plan to increase troops in Iraq.