State of the Union

President Barack Obama begins the State of the Union address on Capitol Hill in Washington as Vice President Joe Biden, left, and House Speaker John Boehner listen.

President Obama waves to the crowd moments before beginning his speech.

First lady Michelle Obama is introduced before President Obama delivers his fourth State of the Union address.

House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy of California, left, and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor listen during President Obama's State of the Union address on Tuesday night.

Secretary of State John Kerry stands to applaud as President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address.

Musician Ted Nugent listens to President Obama's State of the Union address on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 12.

Carolyn Murray wipes her eye as she holds a photo of her son Justin during President Obama's State of the Union address. Justin was shot and killed in Evanston, Ill., on Nov. 29, 2012. One of the things the president spoke about was the effort to reduce gun violence in America.

Reporters listen from their gallery as the president delivers his State of the Union speech.

President Barack Obama greets people as he enters the chamber to address a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill on Feb. 12.

Supreme Court Justices, left to right, Chief Justice John Roberts, Anthony Kennedy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan applaud before President Obama's State of the Union address on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Bobak Ferdowsi, flight director of NASA’s Mars Curiosity rover, arrives as a guest of first lady Michelle Obama for the State of the Union address on Tuesday.

Vice President Joe Biden, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, left, and others arrive on Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday night for the State of the Union address.

Singer Tony Bennett sits in the audience, a guest of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, for the State of the Union speech. Obama focused his speech on new initiatives designed to stimulate the economy.

Republican Representative from Wisconsin Paul Ryan is seen before the start of the State of the Union address.

Former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, center, prepares to watch the president’s fourth State of the Union address on Feb. 12 with her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly. President Obama challenged Republicans on major tax and entitlement proposals in Tuesday's State of the Union address, unveiling sweeping new initiatives to boost the middle class while taking aim at GOP recalcitrance.

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), left, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev. arrive on Capitol Hill.

First lady Michelle Obama hugs Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton and Nathaniel A. Pendleton Sr., left, of Chicago, before the president’s State of the Union speech.

The Pendletons' daughter, Hadiya Pendleton, was murdered on Jan. 29, 2013, when she was shot and killed in Harsh Park on Chicago’s South Side.

Apple CEO Tim Cook attends the State of the Union address in Washington. Facing a divided Congress, Obama focused his speech on new initiatives designed to stimulate the economy.

From left, Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), share a laugh while waiting for the State of the Union speech to begin on Capitol Hill, Feb. 12.

Desiline Victor, of Miami, awaits the start of the State of the Union address.

Desiline Victor may be the oldest guest watching the State of the Union speech in person. The 102-year-old Haitian immigrant waited for three hours to vote early for the president in late October before being told to return later to avoid the crowd. Victor, a naturalized citizen, eventually cast her ballot and has since become the face of voting reform.

A TV camera points toward the U.S. Capitol before President Barack Obama arrives to deliver his State of the Union speech in Washington on Feb. 12.