1. The Six Major Policy Areas President Obama Will Likely Discuss in His Final State of the Union Address STATE OF THE UNION 2016PRESENTATION CENTER January 12, 2016 | Ben Booker Source: White House, "President Obama’s Final State of the Union,” The White House, January 12,2016;; Abigail Adams, “ State of the Union 2016: Why Obama’s Final Address Won’t Change the Presidential Race”, International Business Times, January 12, 2016Eric Brardner, “Obama Goes it Alone in his last State of the Union Address”, CNN, January 11, 2016; Rebecca Nelson, “What to Expect from Obama’s Last State of Union Address”, National Journal, January 11, 2016; Peter Barker, “Balancing Terror and Reality in State of the Union Address” The New York Times, January 11, 2016. 2016 SOTU Issue Areas Economy Foreign Policy/National Security Health Care Climate/Energy Criminal Justice Reform Gun Control

2. Expect 2016 SOTU to Focus on Larger Picture and Address Nation Directly, Less of an Appeal to Congress STATE OF THE UNION 2016PRESENTATION CENTER January 12, 2016 | Ben Booker Source: White House, “President Obama’s Final State of the Union,” The White House, January 12,2016;; Abigail Adams, “ State of the Union 2016: Why Obama’s Final Address Won’t Change the Presidential Race”, International Business Times, January 12, 2016; Eric Brardner, “Obama Goes it Alone in his last State of the Union Address”, CNN, January 11, 2016; Rebecca Nelson, “What to Expect from Obama’s Last State of Union Address”, National Journal, January 11, 2016; Peter Barker, “Balancing Terror and Reality in State of the Union Address” The New York Times, January 11, 2016;. 2016 SOTU Issue Areas IssuePossible Talking Points EconomyTout job growth and lower unemployment rate Focus on creating inclusive economy for lower and middle class America Climate/EnergyPraise the Paris Climate Agreement and call for continued action on climate change Note improvements in fuel and energy efficiency during administration Call for continued push to improve fuel and energy efficiency mainly through executive action Foreign Policy/National Security Appeal to Congress to approve TPP Layout executive action to close Guantanamo Bay Defend strategy against ISIL with possible appeal for AUMF Health CareLayout new proposal for $500 million for mental health services Champion the benefits and accomplishments of ACA Criminal Justice ReformPlan for criminal justice reform since it has bipartisan support Gun ControlDefend executive actions taken on gun control focusing on direct appeal to nation and berating Congress for lack of action Tie mental health care expansion to lowering gun violence Emphasize importance of gun control issue moving forward in 2016 elections Analysis Obama and his staff have indicated that the format of this SOTU will be non- traditional. Instead of the usual list of policy proposals aimed at Congress for approval, Obama will seek to paint a larger picture of the future goals the nation should be aiming for particularly creating an inclusive economy for all Americans. Since Obama will not give as direct of an appeal to Congress, he may focus his speech on defending and outlining further executive actions he will take on core policy issues.