U.S. President Barack Obama was set on Tuesday (January 12) to deliver his final State of the Union address to a joint meeting of Congress. He was expected to speak optimistically about America’s future, one of his few remaining chances to capture and hold the attention of millions of Americans before the November 8 election of a new president who will take office next January.
Obama’s speech is expected to stick to themes he hopes will define his legacy. He is likely to tout last year’s Iran nuclear deal and improved U.S.-Cuba relations as achievements, while urging Congress to back criminal justice reform, support the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact and close the U.S military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
He will also likely discuss the U.S. fight against Islamic State, which has generated criticism from Republicans as being too meager.
And, he will decry the great number of deaths in the U.S. by gun violence and defend his recent executive action to tighten background check on the purchase of guns. U.S. first lady Michelle Obama will host people in her seating area during the speech who reflect the president’s priorities. One seat in his area will remain vacant, a symbolic nod to those who have been killed by gun violence. This year’s guests include Microsoft Chief Executive Satya Nadella and a Syrian refugee who lives in Michigan (Reuters)
