President Joe Biden delivered his second State of the Union address on Feb. 7. The speech held before congress – which now has a Republican majority – called upon the GOP to support Medicare funding and infrastructure bills. It also celebrated the economy’s growth since high inflation last summer, using the platform to focus on antitrusts, wages, and insulin caps.

Biden began the speech by addressing the need for bipartisanship, asking congress Republicans to “work together and find consensus on important things,” such as improved support for veterans and a crackdown on fentanyl smuggling. He added that these bipartisan policy areas considered “unity agendas” were successful in the previous congress despite doubt from “cynics and naysayers.”

Biden then continued to thank Republicans who supported the bipartisan infrastructure package, while condemning GOP members who opposed the bill. Despite his condemnation of opposing conservatives, Biden added that districts represented by opposing congressmen would still be funded by the project, given he “promised to be a President for all Americans.”

The speech then shifted to the Inflation Reduction Act, in which Biden vowed to veto “any effort” from Republicans to stop the bill. He emphasized his plan to stop any actions made towards “raising the cost of prescription drugs” and that he would “finish the job this time around” by expanding the cap on insulin prices.

Biden then took time to recognize the family of Tyre Nichols, an unarmed Black man who was beaten to death by Memphis police last month, in order to call for police reform from lawmakers. He emphasized the need to “give law enforcement the training they need, hold them to higher standards, and help them succeed in keeping everyone safe.”

Biden’s speech shifted to address issues regarding abortion, stressing that congress is meant to protect “all the people’s rights and freedom.” He ensured that his administration would immediately veto any attempt of congress to put a national ban on abortion.

The points touched on throughout Biden’s speech can be treated as a dress rehearsal for his re-election campaign in 2024. Although it is uncertain whether Biden will seek re-election, his focus on the economy and infrastructure is likely meant to defend against attacks surrounding the state of the economy. His calls for bipartisanship could be another attempt to restore unity among the Democratic voter base ahead of his campaign.