VOA News| Monday, January 15, 2024 
US Marks Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

Republicans chose one of their youngest senators, Katie Britt of Alabama, to deliver the party’s scathing response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address – and deliver she did, using her 15 minutes on the national stage to energetically call Biden a “dithering and diminished” leader while stoking fears about his policies on immigration and criticizing his handling of the economy, justice and foreign affairs. “He is making us a punchline on the world stage,” said Britt, who delivered her pre-recorded address from what looked like a home kitchen. “The country we know and love seems to be slipping away,” the 42-year-old mother of two said. “It feels like the next generation will have fewer opportunities – and less freedom – than we did. I worry my own children may not even get a shot at living their American Dreams.” In an unusual move, three prominent Republicans issued what some called “pre-buttals” ahead of Biden’s address. “In just three years, President Biden’s policies have rapidly accelerated American decline on every issue from the economy to national security and foreign policy,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson on Thursday morning. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke from the Senate floor and…Read more