What *should* be in the speech are some of the truly great challenges we need to tackle as a nation, from climate change to nuclear weapons, transportation to public health. So I’ll be watching , live-tweeting using the #RealSOTU hashtag, and highlighting some of the crucial facts that the president will not. I hope you can join me. Read more >

Will the Real State of the Union Please Stand Up? 7 Things President Trump Won’t Say
February 4, 2019 2:54 PM EDT

The State of the Union on Climate Change is Not Strong
February 1, 2019 10:02 AM EDT
Last Tuesday, Dan Coats, director of National Intelligence, spoke to the Senate Select Committee on National Intelligence about the annual 2019 Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community report. His testimony, which stressed the grave threat climate change poses to national security, was just the latest in a long line of warnings from intelligence, military and scientific experts who President Trump continues to attack. At his State of the Union speech next week, Trump is likely to continue this pattern, once again showing his disregard for the health and safety of Americans who are already grappling with the costly and harmful impacts of climate change.

Donald Trump’s State of the Union: Actions Speak Louder Than Words
January 31, 2018 1:10 PM EDT
In his State of the Union address to Congress, President Trump exaggerated the benefits of the Republican tax cut bill to average Americans, overlooked the harm that will result from his push to weaken public health and worker safety protections, and disregarded the serious concerns expressed about key elements of his forthcoming infrastructure proposal. Read more >

State of the Union: The Values that Can Stop a Wrecking Ball Presidency
January 31, 2018 11:11 AM EDT
Trump’s presidency is a wrecking ball swinging at long-revered and essential norms and safeguards, widening the divide between Americans, and separating our country from the rest of the world. The values of kindness and decency, reverence for facts and expertise, and long-term thinking were not present in most of Mr. Trump’s speech last night. Read more >
Overreliance on Natural Gas: Risky for the Climate and the Economy
February 3, 2014 1:23 PM EDT
In last week’s State of the Union (SOTU) address, President Obama reiterated his support for climate science by unequivocally stating “The debate is settled. Climate change is a fact.” He also should be commended for highlighting the urgency of the problem as local communities are already experiencing damaging and costly climate impacts like drought, wildfires, heat waves, and coastal flooding.
But the President’s enthusiasm for increasing natural gas production and use as an important climate solution missed the mark. And like his climate action plan speech at Georgetown University last June, the President highlighted the economic benefits of increasing U.S. natural gas production, while failing to mention the economic risks of an overreliance on natural gas. Read more >