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U.S. NEWS Tuesday 1 March 2022
State of the Union: Amid disputes, common cause for Ukraine

By LISA MASCARO of Putin and the former
AP Congressional Corre- president's praise of Putin's
spondent tactics as Russia invaded
WASHINGTON (AP) — They Ukraine. "We're all together
have argued viciously in at this point and we need
Congress over just about to be together about what
everything: Whether the should be done," said Sen-
Capitol insurrection should ate Republican leader
be investigated or brushed Mitch McConnell.
aside. If the president's Still, the State of the Union
choice for the Supreme address may not be free of
Court should be limited to partisan antics, unfolding
the first Black woman. Even against the backdrop of a
over whether or not to Congress deeply divided
wear masks in the Capitol over many issues: a prime-
building. time address to the nation,
But as lawmakers gather too tempting for lawmakers
for President Joe Biden's looking for attention.
first State of the Union ad- This year is particularly
dress amid the gravity of fraught amid ongoing CO-
Russia's invasion of Ukraine, VID restrictions and a Capi-
they have mustered a rare tol still largely shuttered to
and remarkable bipartisan the public. That's due in
resolve, determined to hold part to safety concerns in
the U.S. and its allies to- The chamber of the House of Representatives is seen at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Feb. the aftermath of the dead-
28, 2022, where President Joe Biden will deliver his State of the Union speech Tuesday night to a
gether in the defense of a joint session of Congress and the nation. ly Jan 6, 2021 assault by
Western-oriented democ- Associated Press Trump supporters trying to
racy. stop Congress from certify-
When Biden stands in the the U.S. political parties to- the kind of bipartisan draw litical alliances in the U.S. ing Biden's election.
House chamber Tuesday ward common purpose. it was during the past cen- and chiseling away at a Tuesday's gathering in the
evening, trying to make "I think you will see in the tury, when Congress and shared mission. House chamber will be the
good on what until now has State of the Union, a strong the White House worked The revival of a robust ma- first time since the pandem-
been a faltering attempt bipartisan support for our together as the U.S domi- jority that's largely support- ic outbreak in 2020 and last
to resolve the nation's bit- president," predicts Sen. nated the global stage. ive of Biden's strategy to- year's attack on the Capi-
ter divisions, he may find Chris Coons, D-Del., a Biden Factions on the right and ward Russia is even more tol that all members of the
that the threat from Russian ally. left have broken off, most striking because it is shap- House and Senate are be-
President Vladimir Putin The turn of events is both definitively over the long ing up as one of the most ing invited to gather for
abroad has become the stunning and fragile. For- wars in Iraq and Afghani- significant rejections of what typically has been an
unexpected force pulling eign policy has not been stan, creating oddball po- Donald Trump's embrace annual event.q

Biden closes out Black History Month

with White House event

Associated Press the East Room. Members "And we are clear," she
WASHINGTON (AP) — Presi- of Biden's Cabinet who are said. "Black history is Ameri-
dent Joe Biden welcomed Black and other administra- can history. It is living,
Black leaders to the White tion officials stood on stage breathing history."
House Monday for a jovial as Biden called on them by Biden was introduced by
Black History Month cel- name to express his grati- a high schooler named
ebration, where he called tude. Cateo Hilton, who men-
on Congress to confirm Biden said he was happy to tors younger students in
Ketanji Brown Jackson to have the event in-person; Washington and will attend
the Supreme Court, and the coronavirus prevented Delaware State University
pass voting rights bills. the event last year. He was - news that prompted a First lady Jill Biden wears a mask with a sunflower, the national
"I know progress can be joined by first lady Jill Biden, standing ovation from the flower of Ukraine, in support of the Ukrainian people at an event
slow and frustrating," Biden and Vice President Ka- president, who grew up in to celebrate Black History Month in the East Room of the White
said. "But I also know what's mala Harris, who said that Delaware. House, Monday, Feb. 28, 2022, in Washington.
possible if we work togeth- the group was gathered In his remarks, the president Associated Press
er, if we keep the faith, if we at at a time when Ameri- called on Congress to con-
remember - changes and ca's democratic principles firm Jackson, who would
charges that are passed have come under threat as be the first Black woman
down to us." Ukraine is attacked by Rus- on the U.S. Supreme Court.
About 150 people includ- sia. "She is an incredible wom-
ing members of the Con- "Black History Month was an," he said. "She has done
gressional Black Caucus, established to teach the so many things."
state and local elected of- history that too often has And he also asked for the
ficials, the Rev. Al Sharpton not been taught - the histo- passage of voting rights
and the Rev. Jesse Jack- ry of black excellence and bills, an effort he pushed
son, and other community leadership in America," for but one that has so far
leaders, were gathered in Harris said. failed in Congress.q