Although he has support for his actions against Russia for the invasion of Ukraine, President Joe Biden faces low popularity ahead of his first State of the Union address to Congress, where he is expected to the armed conflict and the role of the United States are protagonists.
Between 38 and 41 percent is the support that the US president has in various polls, very close to what former President Donald Trump maintained, but far from the 50% of Barack Obama and the overwhelming 82% of George W. Bush, according to Gallup counts.
The Democratic president is also far from the 53% of the average acceptance of all presidents, starting with Dwight Eisenhower who maintained a 59%.
To the question about whether approve or disapprove of how President Biden is doing his job, the 51% of those surveyed by Quinnipiac University disapprove, with a % in his favor.
In the survey published on March 1 by Rasmussen Reports, the president achieved a 41% backup against 57% of total rejection.
The Politico/Morning Consult survey also does not show a better scenario for the president with 56% rejection and 41% support.
About the actions in Ukraine, Quinnipiac University poll indicates that 70% support sending US military to support to NATO allies in Europe, although the 59% believe that President Biden has not done enough against Russia directly, in addition to the 71% say that if Vladimir Putin decided to invade an allied country, the US should intervene.
The main concern in the polls is the economy, since citizens consider that it has not been done enough and, in fact, it will be the most important topic in the president’s speech – according to White House officials – after the Ukraine issue.
“The president will present a solid case that the economic strategy of Biden-Harris is producing historic results and will present his plan to address economic challenges,” he said in a call with reporters and a report from the White House.
Emphasis on economics
President Biden will give special importance to his economic actions to help families recover purchasing power, due to the increase in prices that has generated inflation above 7%, the highest since 2009.
Part of its strategy is an agreement between the Department Justice Department and the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to ensure that large shipping companies cannot take advantage of American businesses and consumers.
“At the moment, three global alliances, made up entirely of foreign companies, control almost all maritime cargo transport, which gives them the power to increase prices for companies and American consumers, while threatening our national security and economic competitiveness,” says the White House.
Adds that this impacts the costs of products purchased online and even agricultural products produced in the country, controlling the 80% of transportation in the world, which was critical during the COVID-pandemic 19, as it led to a one hundred percent increase in transport prices.
The new agreement will help reduce direct-to-consumer prices, the Biden Administration trusts.
Environment
Senior White House officials also des They attacked the actions that President Biden will announce in environmental matters, in order to face climate change.
“The president will ask Congress to comply with a legislative agenda for clean energy and climate action”, he advanced, pointing out that this agenda is supported by Americans in general, regardless of whether they are Republicans, Democrats or independents.
This environmental agenda is also connected with direct economic benefits for families, so that they save on energy consumption.
“The President will elevate the benefits…for American consumers, businesses, and communities by enacting critical investments and tax credits for the domestic manufacturing and deployment of clean energy,” he said. “It will highlight how investments and tax credits would reduce energy costs for American families by an average of $82 dollars per anus”.
…And in mental health
The president will address his agenda on mental health, a problem that increased during the coronavirus pandemic, White House officials said Wednesday.
“Our country is facing an unprecedented mental health crisis among people of all ages,” says a document shared by the Biden Administration. “Two in five adults report symptoms of anxiety or depression. And, communities of color are disproportionately treated, even as their mental illness burden has continued to rise.”
The White House cites that in 2019, one in three high school students and half of female students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, signifying an increase in 40 percent from 2009.
It is added that the president will announce his national mental health strategy, which will seek to strengthen the capacity of the care system, connect more Americans with experts, as well as adjustments to the social and health system.
The Biden Administration has not said whether the president will speak on his promises to immigrants, but a coalition of 26 organizations listed pending for 2022, including a promised immigration reform to protect undocumented immigrants.
Key issues
Several officials and experts agree in which President Biden would touch on the following topics:
– Russian invasion of Ukraine: more actions and humanitarian aid
– Actions to reduce costs of basic products
– New health agenda d for vulnerable groups 2022– Actions to address the mental health crisis, intensified by the COVID pandemic-192009– Decisions on immigration, particularly on Ukrainians
– Initiatives on the right to vote before the November 8 elections