Twenty guests will follow Jill Biden to watch the State of the Union address from the first lady’s viewing window in the House chamber on Thursday, a row that will sharply divide Republicans as President Biden tries to highlight the accomplishments and to emphasize its advantage in matters such as reproduction rights.
Among the guests are an Alabama woman whose IVF treatments were halted after a state court ruled, and another from Texas who was denied an abortion in the state despite what her doctors said would be complications. in health from pregnancy. Their presence marks Mr. Biden’s emphasis on an issue that has elevated Democrats in recent elections as he faces a rematch with former President Donald J. Trump, whom he trails in many polls.
She is among several guests set to touch on health policy, including Maria Shriver, the journalist turned women’s health advocate.
The head of the United Auto Workers and some union members are also on the list as the president seeks to smooth over his job. Other guests, including a mayor, a police officer and Sweden’s prime minister, represent a range of issues from student debt relief to infrastructure to jobs programs.
The wars in Ukraine and Gaza that have taken up so much of Mr. Biden’s time over the past year have received scant representation. The White House had hoped Olena Zelenska, Ukraine’s first lady, and Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian opposition leader Aleksei A. Navalny, would attend, but both said they could not make it. The only visitor connected to the Middle East crisis will be a US Navy commander who earned a Bronze Star protecting ships from Houthi rebels.
Here’s a closer look at each guest and the topics they highlight.
Abortion, IVF and health care
Latorya Beasleyan Alabama mother whose IVF treatments were halted after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that embryos should be considered children.
Kate Cox, a Dallas-area mother whose petition for an abortion was denied by Texas courts despite her doctors arguing that the pregnancy posed a health risk. Ms. Cox traveled out of state to undergo the procedure.
Steven Hadfieldblood cancer patient with diabetes based on a drug selected for the first round of the Medicare drug price negotiation program.
Justin Phillipsthe CEO of Overdose Lifeline, a nonprofit organization that works to prevent opioid and fentanyl overdose deaths and expand access to care.
Chris Blackleyan oncology nurse at a South Carolina health system trying to expand services to cancer patients as part of the cancer Moonshot program, the president’s initiative to cut the cancer death rate in half.
Maria Shriverthe journalist and founder of the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement who helped announce a White House initiative to increase women’s health research.
of Foreign Affairs
Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristerssonwhich is about to join the NATO alliance.
Cmdr. Shelby Nikitin of the Navy, who received a Bronze Star for helping protect ships from attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Local Chiefs
Bettie Mae Fikescivil rights activist who marched in Selma, Ala., on Bloody Sunday in 1965. Thursday’s State of the Union address is on its 59th anniversary.
Kameryn Pupunua Hawaii police officer whose hometown of Lahaina was devastated by the August wildfires that killed more than 100 people, including four of his family members.
Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona, who has worked with the Biden administration to modernize tribal infrastructure.
Jazmin Cazaresgun control advocate and older sister of Jackie Cazares, a 9-year-old who was one of 19 students and two teachers killed in the 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
Keenan Jonesmiddle school teacher in Minnesota whose student loans qualified for forgiveness.
Tiffany Zollera military spouse who joined the president to announce his June executive order to expand support and career opportunities for military spouses.
Mayor Garnett L. Johnson of Augusta, Ga., a city designated by the White House as one of five Invest in America Workforce Hubs, which seek to expand pathways to technical jobs.
Samantha Ervin-Upshera carpenter’s union apprentice in Pittsburgh who met the first lady on a trip to promote an American Workforce Investment Center there.
Natalie Kingthe CEO of Dunamis Charge, a black-owned manufacturer of electric vehicle chargers;
Dawn Simmsthird-generation auto worker and UAW member whose plant was closed and then reopened in a ceremony attended by Mr. Biden.
Rashawn Spiveya Milwaukee plumber who has expanded his business to replace lead pipes, mostly in daycare centers, as part of an administration initiative to replace every lead pipe within a decade.
