Biden's 2023 State of the Union: 'Liar!' From the Floor, 'Finish the Job' and Sanders' 'Normal or Crazy' (February 7, 2023)

President Joe Biden gave his second State of the Union address on Feb. 7, 2023, the first before a Republican House. He opened with a joke about the first lady going to “the game.” “And by the way, Chief Justice, I may need a court order. She gets to go to the game tomorrow—next week. I have to stay home,” Biden said [1].

He greeted the new speaker. “I start tonight by congratulating the 118th Congress and the new Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy. Speaker, I don’t want to ruin your reputation, but I look forward to working with you,” he said [1].

He also mixed up the Senate. He congratulated Chuck Schumer on “another term as Senate minority [majority; White House correction] leader,” according to the official transcript [1].

The video above shows the opening of the address. Quotes are from the official transcript published by the American Presidency Project, which marks the White House’s corrections [1].

”Liar!”

The loudest moment came on entitlements. “Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset. I’m not saying it’s a majority——” Biden said, as members booed [1].

“Anybody who doubts it, contact my office. I’ll give you a copy. I’ll give you a copy of the proposal,” he said. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., shouted back: “Liar!” [1]

Republicans kept pressing. “But you don’t say who,” one member called out. Biden answered, “I’m not—politely not naming them, but it’s being proposed by some of you.” Greene shouted again: “Liar, liar!” [1]

For the Republican plan Biden had been attacking, and the senator who changed it, see HYGO News’ page on Sen. Rick Scott’s plan.

”Off the Books Now”

Then Biden claimed a win. “So, folks, as we all apparently agree, Social Security and Medicare is off the books now, right? They’re not to be touched?” he said. “All right. All right. We’ve got unanimity!” [1]

“At Least Another Decade”

On energy, Biden drew laughter from the chamber. Recalling oil executives, he said, “I said, ‘We’re going to need oil for at least another decade, and that’s going to exceed’—[ laughter ]—and beyond that” [1].

He also pitched higher corporate taxes. “Look, I’m a capitalist. I’m a capitalist. But pay your fair share,” Biden said [1]. For his deficit claims, see HYGO News’ page on the $1.7 trillion boast.

”It’s Your Fault!”

Fentanyl brought the next outburst. “Fentanyl is killing more than 70,000 Americans a year,” Biden said. Members shouted “The border!” Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., yelled: “It’s your fault!” [1]

Biden pressed on with a plan for “more drug detection machines” at the border and “strong penalties to crack down on fentanyl trafficking” [1].

”And We Did”

Three days after a U.S. fighter jet shot down a Chinese spy balloon off South Carolina, Biden addressed Beijing [7]. “Before I came to office, the story was about how the People’s Republic of China was increasing its power and America was failing in the world. Not anymore,” he said [1].

“But make no mistake about it: As we made clear last week, if China threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country. And we did,” Biden said [1]. For when the government learned of earlier balloons, see HYGO News’ page on the balloon briefing.

”Tyler’s”

“Joining us tonight are the parents of Tyre Nichols,” Biden said, “who had to bury Tyre last week.” Then he got the name wrong. “Let’s commit ourselves to make the words of Tyler’s [Tyre’s; White House correction] mom true: Something good must come from this,” Biden said [1].

”Finish the Job”

Biden’s refrain was “finish the job.” He used the phrase 12 times, according to the transcript [1].

”Normal or Crazy”

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders gave the Republican response. “The choice is between normal or crazy,” she said. “It is time for a new generation of Republican leadership” [2].

She drew a sharp contrast. “At 40, I’m the youngest governor in the country. At 80, he’s the oldest president in American history. I’m the first woman to lead my state. He’s the first man to surrender his presidency to a woke mob that can’t even tell you what a woman is,” Sanders said [2].

“Being a mom to three young children taught me not to believe every story I hear. So forgive me for not believing much of anything I heard tonight from President Biden,” she said [2].

By the Numbers

12: times Biden said “finish the job” [1].
7: White House corrections in the official transcript, from “minority” to “Tyler’s” [1].
70,000: Americans Biden said fentanyl was killing each year [1].
40 and 80: Sanders’ age and Biden’s, as she put it [2].

What Happened Next

Social Security stayed off the table. After the debt-limit fight that spring, Biden said he had signed “a bipartisan budget agreement that prevents a first-ever default while reducing the deficit, safeguarding Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid,” Fox News reported [3].

He did not finish the job. On July 21, 2024, Biden wrote that “it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down” [4].

Trump took on fentanyl. On July 16, 2025, President Donald Trump signed the HALT Fentanyl Act, “permanently classifying fentanyl-related substances as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act,” the White House said [5].

“Synthetic opioid deaths, which include fentanyl, fell from 48,913 in 2024 to 38,084 in 2025, according to CDC figures cited by the White House,” Fox News reported [6].

For Trump’s own addresses, see HYGO News’ pages on his 2025 speech to Congress and his 2026 State of the Union.