State of the Union 2024 live updates: Biden to announce a new Gaza port for aid in speech tonight

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As the White House prepares for disruptions during Biden's speech, one prominent progressive leader promised that Democratic members of all stripes will be respectful during Biden’s speech. “You’re going to see rudeness and disrespect from Republicans, not from Democrats,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, of Washington, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. “Tell me when there’s been a speech where Democrats have interrupted even a Republican president, even during the Trump years? You didn’t see that,” she said. Show more Progressive activists have been more aggressive in confronting Biden in an attempt to push him to pressure Israel to end the war in Gaza and immediately move humanitarian assistance in for the tens of thousands of Palestinians who have been caught up in the conflict. Several of Biden’s speeches have been interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters to the point where the White House has made an effort to vet guests of the president before his events to avoid protests. Jayapal was confident that there would be no outbursts from the members themselves but could make no guarantees about their guests, whom the White House doesn't vet. Two sources say Democratic leaders in the House and Senate are concerned that some members or their guests may use the platform to voice their frustration with the administration but have reminded their members about decorum in the House. Jayapal did acknowledge the frustration from progressive members and the growing movement to vote "Uncommitted" in Democratic primaries as a way to protest Biden's policies on Israel. She said she hoped the president would listen to those concerns and forcefully lean into the White House policy of calling for a cease-fire in the conflict "I would love to hear him say an immediate and permanent cease-fire,” she said. “But listen, we are moving. I think he (Biden) is listening. I do see a shift in rhetoric. I have yet to see the shift in policy." While Jayapal said she would be voting for Biden in November, she said the administration should take the “uncommitted” movement as a real warning sign that progressive voters might stay home in the fall if they don’t see a change. “If we lose this election … I believe it will be because of our policy in the Middle East,” she said.