Few new laws will follow 2020 US union speech

Significance

For Trump, yesterday’s address was part constitutional duty and part election speech. The speech was also given one day before the Republican-led Senate is expected to acquit Trump of both impeachment articles passed by the Democratic-led House of Representatives, and as the Democrats still await the results of their Iowa caucuses.

Impacts

• Bipartisan legislation to lower drug prices and improve infrastructure is possible before November.
• Trump’s pledge to get out of overseas military conflicts will spark further debate about presidential war-making powers.
• Trump will benefit politically, at least short-term, from impeachment acquittal and the Democrats’ Iowa caucuses woes.
• Impeaching Trump will not have won Democrats much new support.