WASHINGTON – Alabama Sen. Katie Britt will deliver the Republican response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address on March 7, two sources with direct knowledge told NBC News.
Britt, who’s there confirmed former President Donald Trump took the oath of office last year. She is the first woman elected to the Senate from Alabama and, at age 42, the youngest Republican woman ever elected to the Senate.
“There is no doubt that President Biden’s failed presidency has made America weaker and more vulnerable at every turn. At this crucial moment in our country’s history, it is time to preserve the American dream for our children and grandchildren,” Britt said in a statement.
Trump has endorsed Britt for the Alabama Senate in 2022 initially, a flip after he first endorsed Rep. Mo Brooks. He is seen as a rising star in the Republican Party and has been tossed around as a potential vice presidential pick.
Johnson said in a statement that Britt is “the only Republican mother of school-aged children to serve in the Senate” and is “fighting to preserve the American dream for the next generation.”
“Senator Kathy Britt is an unapologetic optimist, and as one of our nation’s youngest senators, she has wasted no time in becoming a leading voice in the fight to secure a stronger future for America and reverse years of failure by Washington Democrats,” McConnell added.
Britt’s State of the Union response comes as his home state has since been mired in controversy Supreme Court of Alabama ruled that the embryos were children, leading to uncertainty about the future of in vitro fertilization in the state. Many IVF providers have already discontinued their services.
Britt, who has consistently described herself as “100%, unapologetically pro-life,” appealed the decision in a statement shortly afterward. shared first With Alabama Local News.
“Make no mistake—preserving life and ensuring continued access to IVF services for loving parents are not mutually exclusive,” Britt said in defense of the procedure.
Britt told NBC News on Tuesday that he believes “the Alabama legislature will move quickly” to protect access to IVF in the state after the ruling.
Britt briefed fellow Republicans on IVF and the Alabama legislature’s next steps to protect the procedure during a closed-door dinner Tuesday, two sources familiar with the matter told NBC News. According to sources, the presentation went well and was not controversial.
The freshman lawmaker serves as an informal adviser to McConnell’s leadership team. He sits on the Banking, Housing and Urban Development Committee, the Rules and Administration Committee, as well as the Appropriations Committee, where he is the top Republican on the homeland security subcommittee.
Before running for the Senate, Britt was a practicing attorney in Alabama. He also previously held several positions on former Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby’s team, including chief of staff, deputy campaign manager and communications director.
The president’s opposition party usually delivers the speech in response to his annual State of the Union address. In 1966, Republican leaders first began the tradition of televised responses to then-President Lyndon Johnson’s address. Historical records of the Senate. In 1982, answers began to be given directly after the president’s speech, rather than on subsequent days. Senate records.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders gave the GOP response to Biden’s 2023 State of the Union address. Sanders served before As a press secretary in the Trump White House. A year ago, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds gave the GOP response.
“Republicans couldn’t have asked for a better alignment,” a top GOP Senate aide told NBC News. “Youngest Republican woman elected to Senate against oldest president in history.”
Lori Rampani contributed.