WASHINGTON — A social studies teacher no longer burdened by student loan debt after the Biden administration wiped his slate clean. One of the first patients in the nation to receive a new federally approved treatment for sickle cell disease. A pastor whose megachurch operates a food bank, free tax and health clinics, and programs for recently released inmates.
These are some of the people members of Georgia’s congressional delegation have invited to Thursday’s State of the Union address. President Joe Biden will address the nation in prime time and outline his vision for the next year, which could be his final in office if he fails to win reelection in November.
Most lawmakers from both parties will attend, along with Biden’s Cabinet and justices of the U.S. Supreme Court. And each lawmaker has the ability to invite one person as a guest. While some bring family or friends to what is annually one of the most high-profile political events on the calendar, many lawmakers choose to invite constituents who highlight their own political priorities.
The teacher, Ronald Washington Jr., who works at Hank Aaron New Beginnings Academy in Atlanta, is coming at the invitation of U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams, D-Atlanta. Pastor Jamal Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest will be the guest of U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Lithonia.
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff announced that Pedro Cherry, president and CEO of Atlanta Gas Light and Chattanooga Gas and the current chair of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, will accompany him to the speech.
U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock announced Wednesday that his guest will be Heather Payne. A native of Dalton, Payne was working as a traveling nurse in 2022 when she suffered a series of small strokes that left her unable to work. As a result, she lost her employment insurance and was ineligible for Medicaid.
In a statement, Warnock said Payne’s story highlights the need for states such as Georgia to expand Medicaid, a theme Biden could touch on during his remarks Thursday.
“Heather’s story is an important example of why Georgia needs to close the Medicaid coverage gap and why Washington must stay focused on making it a reality,” Warnock said. “There are over 640,000 Georgians with stories like hers whose lives would change if Georgia followed the lead of 40 states who have provided health care options to all their constituents.”
While Republican U.S. Rep. Earl Buddy Carter’s guest is the patient who is receiving the new sickle cell gene therapy, he said that the person on his mind is Laken Riley. The 22-year-old nursing student was killed two weeks ago on the campus of the University of Georgia. A Venezuelan national who authorities say entered the country illegally in 2022 was arrested and charged with killing Riley.
In a statement, Carter said he is waiting to hear what Biden has to say on immigration and border security.
“President Biden must use his State of the Union address to outline his plan to immediately secure our southern border,” Carter said. “Anything less would be a disgrace to all Americans, especially those who lost a loved one due to the left’s wide-open border policies and a complete abdication of presidential authority.”
Some House Republicans consider Riley’s death as proof that the Biden administration has been negligent on border security and put Americans in danger, and they had hoped her parents would attend the State of the Union.
U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, whose district includes Athens, said Wednesday that he had offered an invitation but they declined as they continue to grieve. Collins, a Republican from Jackson, said that a seat will remain empty in honor of Riley.
“As the president paints a rosy picture of the crime-ridden country he has created, he will see an empty seat in the gallery that memorializes those who are no longer with us because of his open border,” Collins said in a statement.
Riley’s family has not spoken publicly since her death.
How to watch the State of the Union
You can find the State of the Union on all major networks, which will be carrying it live. It will also be streamed online by the White House. The speech is scheduled for 9 p.m. Eastern.
About the Author
