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State of the Union: Obama to promise action on inequality State of the Union: Obama to promise action on inequality
(about 1 hour later)
US President Barack Obama will announce plans to bypass a fractured Congress in order to act on economic inequality, in his annual State of the Union address. US President Barack Obama is giving his State of the Union address, in which he will promise to bypass a fractured Congress to tackle economic inequality.
Mr Obama will pledge to "take steps without legislation" wherever possible, according to excerpts of the speech.Mr Obama will pledge to "take steps without legislation" wherever possible, according to excerpts of the speech.
The White House said Mr Obama would unveil an executive order to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 (£6.10) an hour for new federal contract workers.The White House said Mr Obama would unveil an executive order to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 (£6.10) an hour for new federal contract workers.
Mr Obama is due to speak at 21:00 local time (02:00 GMT). The Democratic president is facing some of his lowest approval ratings.
The Democratic president is facing some of his lowest approval ratings since he first took office in 2009, after the botched roll out last autumn of his signature healthcare overhaul.
"Let's make this a year of action," Mr Obama says in the excerpts released ahead of the address."Let's make this a year of action," Mr Obama says in the excerpts released ahead of the address.
Noting that inequality has deepened and upward mobility stalled, he will offer "a set of concrete, practical proposals to speed up growth, strengthen the middle class, and build new ladders of opportunity into the middle class".Noting that inequality has deepened and upward mobility stalled, he will offer "a set of concrete, practical proposals to speed up growth, strengthen the middle class, and build new ladders of opportunity into the middle class".
"America does not stand still - and neither will I," he is set to say. "So wherever and whenever I can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more American families.""America does not stand still - and neither will I," he is set to say. "So wherever and whenever I can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more American families."
Time running outTime running out
Just over a year after his re-election, Mr Obama must contend with determined opposition from the Republican Party, which controls the House of Representatives and has the numbers in the Senate to block his agenda.Just over a year after his re-election, Mr Obama must contend with determined opposition from the Republican Party, which controls the House of Representatives and has the numbers in the Senate to block his agenda.
Time is running short before Washington DC turns its attention to the 2016 race to elect his successor, threatening to sideline him even with three years remaining in office.Time is running short before Washington DC turns its attention to the 2016 race to elect his successor, threatening to sideline him even with three years remaining in office.
Mr Obama is expected to address long-term joblessness, expansion of early childhood education and infrastructure spending.Mr Obama is expected to address long-term joblessness, expansion of early childhood education and infrastructure spending.
He will reiterate his call for a broad rise in the national minimum wage, currently $7.25 per hour, say White House officials.He will reiterate his call for a broad rise in the national minimum wage, currently $7.25 per hour, say White House officials.
Mr Obama's executive order raising the hourly rate of federal contract workers prompted a swift response from Republicans. Mr Obama's executive order raising the hourly rate of federal contract workers including cleaning staff and construction workers will only apply to future contracts. It prompted a swift response from Republicans.
House Speaker John Boehner warned that such a move would cost jobs. He told reporters his party would watch to ensure the president did not exceed his authority through the use of such executive actions. House Speaker John Boehner said the impact would be "close to zero" and warned that such a move would cost jobs. He told reporters his party would watch to ensure the president did not exceed his authority through the use of such executive actions.
"Sounds to me like he wants to go around the constitution," said Republican Congressman Paul Ryan, the 2012 party's vice-presidential candidate."Sounds to me like he wants to go around the constitution," said Republican Congressman Paul Ryan, the 2012 party's vice-presidential candidate.
"If you want to write a law, the elected representatives here in House and Senate, the legislative branch they write the laws. Presidents don't write laws.""If you want to write a law, the elected representatives here in House and Senate, the legislative branch they write the laws. Presidents don't write laws."
Republican rebuttalsRepublican rebuttals
The president is also tipped to urge the Republican House of Representatives to support a broad overhaul of the US immigration system.The president is also tipped to urge the Republican House of Representatives to support a broad overhaul of the US immigration system.
Last year, the Senate passed a bill that included a path to citizenship for some of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US.Last year, the Senate passed a bill that included a path to citizenship for some of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US.
The House has thus far declined to hold a vote on that legislation, although in recent days US media have reported the chamber's Republican leaders are weighing a series of more limited measures.The House has thus far declined to hold a vote on that legislation, although in recent days US media have reported the chamber's Republican leaders are weighing a series of more limited measures.
Among those joining First Lady Michelle Obama in the gallery will be Jason Collins, a professional basketball player who came out as gay last year; two survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing and the fire chief of a tornado-hit Oklahoma town.Among those joining First Lady Michelle Obama in the gallery will be Jason Collins, a professional basketball player who came out as gay last year; two survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing and the fire chief of a tornado-hit Oklahoma town.
After Mr Obama's speech, three Republicans are expected to offer rebuttals, a departure from the tradition of the opposition choosing a single voice to follow the president.After Mr Obama's speech, three Republicans are expected to offer rebuttals, a departure from the tradition of the opposition choosing a single voice to follow the president.
Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington state will deliver the official response on behalf of the Republican Party.Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington state will deliver the official response on behalf of the Republican Party.
Republican Kentucky Senator and presumed 2016 presidential hopeful Rand Paul, a favourite of the party's libertarian wing, will release a taped address, while Utah Senator Mike Lee will offer a response on behalf of the populist, anti-tax tea party movement.Republican Kentucky Senator and presumed 2016 presidential hopeful Rand Paul, a favourite of the party's libertarian wing, will release a taped address, while Utah Senator Mike Lee will offer a response on behalf of the populist, anti-tax tea party movement.