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Impact

President Obama will deliver the first State of the Union of his second term any moment, and PolicyMic has live coverage of the event. Obama will speak for at least 45 minutes before a joint session of Congress, and will address the country on a whole host of issues both foreign and domestic.

The State of the Union is mandated by the Constitution, which in Article II, Section 3, states that the president "shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient." 

Although there is much pomp and circumstance surrounding this annual event, the speeches tend to have little impact in terms of policy and lubricating the oft-gridlocked wheels of government. The State of the Union address gives the president an opportunity to review his accomplishments in office, while also outlining his vision for the country going forward.