Shouting and disruption become commonplace as Biden speaks to Congress
Ohen South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson shouted “You’re lying!” During a 2009 speech by President Barack Obama to Congress, the lapse in decorum quickly became the highlight of the evening. Members of both parties condemned the explosion, which was a response to the president’s assertion that his health care plan would not apply to undocumented immigrants. After being booed by his colleagues, Wilson issued an apology and expressed his contrition to Obama’s chief of staff.
Fourteen years later, heckling, booing and yelling at the president has become the norm.
During this year’s State of the Union address on Tuesday, Republicans yelled at President Joe Biden throughout the speech. Although they were sometimes met with shhs and calls for order, these efforts did not end the interruptions.
Learn more: The Biggest Moments From Biden’s 2023 State of the Union Address
At first, things seemed to be going smoothly, with Democrats cheering, cheering and cheering for many of Biden’s points and Republicans cheering politely or, for the most part, remaining conspicuously silent. But that changed when Biden moved to the debt ceiling and accused Republicans of wanting to cut Social Security and Medicare.
Biden’s suggestion led to one of the loudest reactions of the evening, with many Republicans booing and shouting “No!” in response. “Liar!” shouted Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who was sitting in the back of the room dressed in a white fur outfit almost as loud as her outcry. But rather than becoming the defining moment of the event, the remark just opened the floodgates.
As more Republicans like Texas Rep. Beth Van Duyne yelled at him, Biden seemed to take the disapproval in stride, even engaging in a quick back-and-forth with some members at one point. given. “Let me tell you, I love the conversion,” Biden said as GOP lawmakers continued to object to his characterization that their party opposed popular welfare programs. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy could be seen behind Biden, smiling and shaking his head.
Biden got Republicans to their feet and cheers by agreeing that Social Security and Medicare would be protected. Even McCarthy joined us. But not everyone was satisfied. When Biden said he wouldn’t let Social Security or Medicare be cut, a Republican yelled, “Bullshit!”
Later that evening, shortly after Biden called on Republicans to help him push through his “comprehensive immigration reform” plan, he prepared to jump into a discussion on the right to ‘abortion. But the Republicans didn’t let him make the transition that easily, peppering him with cries of “Secure the border!”
When Biden got to the China part of his speech and failed to mention the infamous China ball that made headlines last week, Greene chimed in again.
“China is spying on us!” She cried. Although she was quickly stifled by her colleagues, she continued to speak as Biden continued. Her mouth was still moving as Democrats showered her with applause and the President raised his voice.
Even when Biden got to his plan to curb fentanyl trafficking and abuse, a section of the speech that began with the story of a young woman who died of an overdose, he couldn’t have the floor for him. all alone. He responded to further cries about the border by pausing and saying, “You get it!”
But when a member of the public shouted: “It’s your fault! Biden just shook his head, smiled and moved on.
—With reporting by Brian Bennett.
More must-reads from TIME
gb7
