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[h=4]State of the Union: 7 things to watch[/h]A preview of President Obama's State of the Union address.
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Take a look back at President Obama's last five State of the Union speeches to see the similarities and differences. VPC
President Obama during his 2014 State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol.(Photo: Charles Dharapak, AP)
WASHINGTON — President Obama delivers his State of the Union address Tuesday to the first Republican-controlled Congress of his presidency. While the administration and GOP leaders have said they want to find common ground and ways to compromise, Obama is likely to offer an array of policy proposals that are unlikely to advance in Congress in the final two years of his administration.
White House spokesman Dan Pfeiffer told NBC's Meet the Press that the theme of the speech is "middle-class economics" and the president will focus heavily on ways to improve wage stagnation and economic mobility. Already, Republicans are pushing back against Obama's latest tax proposal to raise taxes on the wealthiest of Americans.
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Republicans are also deeply skeptical of Obama's willingness to work with Congress following his "pen and phone" comments at 2014's State of the Union that he would seek to advance his agenda without the assistance of the legislative branch.
"I've heard so many proposals, some of which sound good, some that don't, and every time after the State of the Union — and I try to be this ever-optimist -— but every time after the State of the Union, he goes and retreats and doesn't reach out to Congress," Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., said on ABC's This Week.
"You can't get your proposals done unless you're willing to have a relationship with an important branch (of government)," he added.
Here's a preview of what to expect from Obama's Tuesday address:
• Tax increases: The centerpiece of his economic proposals is a $320 billion plan to raise taxes on the wealthiest of Americans by raising the capital gains tax rate on couples making more than $500,000 to 28% from its current 23.8% rate. The plan would also close tax loopholes and levy new fees on the top financial firms. The plan would also expand child care and education tax breaks for middle-income earners.
• Cybersecurity: A number of high-profile cyberattacks on Sony and the U.S. Central Command's Twitter account have reinvigorated the need to strengthen both public and private cyberdefenses. Obama is likely to call for new legislation that would make it easier for the government and businesses to share information about potential cyberthreats. It's a rare area where he could find GOP allies: Both Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, have voiced support for the proposal.
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Mark Pynes, AP)
• Internet access: Obama wants to expand broadband access in cities across the nation by instituting new loans to assist rural communities and eliminating existing legal barriers.
• Education: The president is likely to reiterate his recent call to make two years of community college free. The proposal would save an average student $3,800 per yearand could benefit as many as 9 million students.
President Obama speaks at Pellissippi State Community College on Jan. 9, 2015, in Knoxville, Tenn., to promote his plan to make publicly funded community college available to all students.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Mark Humphrey, AP)
• Paid family leave: A recent $2 billion proposal would encourage states to create new, paid family and medical leave programs. The president also will push for making it easier for workers to earn sick leave and a new federal law that would give federal workers an additional six weeks of paid parental leave.
• Trade: Two stalled trade pacts with Asia and Europe could get a renewed boost if Congress can renew Trade Promotion Authority to give the president fast-track negotiating authority. GOP leaders have said trade is perhaps one of the best areas for bipartisan agreement in this Congress.
• War on terror: Obama is likely to renew his call for Congress to update the authorization for use of military force to address the new threat raised by the Islamic State.
President Obama signs H.J. Res 124, which includes appropriations to train and arm moderate Syrian rebels in the fight against the Islamic State, in the Oval Office of the White House on Sept. 19, 2014.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Evan Vucci, AP)
In his weekly radio address, Obama previewed a State of the Union address that will be bullish on America's gains during his tenure. "2014 was the fastest year for job growth since the 1990s. Unemployment fell faster than any year since 1984. Our combat mission in Afghanistan has come to a responsible end, and more of our heroes are coming home. America's resurgence is real," he said.
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