Mar 7, 2024 - Politics & Policy
Charted: Partisan priorities for Biden's 2024 State of the Union
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Both Republicans and Democrats see strengthening the economy as a top issue for President Biden and Congress — but their other priorities are vastly different, according to recent surveys by Pew Research Center.
Why it matters: In his third State of the Union address, Biden will seek to rally his own party around the issues that unify them, while also defending himself against Republicans' attacks over the border and crime.
- Nearly three out of four Americans say strengthening the economy should be a priority — more than any other issue.
- Biden plans to make the economy a focus during his address. He will admit that prices are still too high in some areas but argue that he inherited a devastated economy from former President Trump.
Between the lines: The largest divides between Democrats and Republicans are over immigration and the environment.
- 76% of Republicans want to see the federal government do more to get a handle on immigration, compared to 39% of Democrats.
- Overall, 57% of Americans think immigration should be a policy focus — up from just 39% at the start of Biden's term, pointing to the impact of the historic border migration in recent years.
- Meanwhile, the two issues that saw the greatest partisan gaps were "dealing with climate change" and "protecting the environment."
- 59% of Democrats want climate change to be prioritized, compared to just 12% of Republicans.
