Steve Scalise Hosts Louisiana Guests as Leaders Split Over State of the Union

steve scalise said the country’s economy has rebounded since the president returned to office and will host two Louisiana guests at the State of the Union set for 8 p. m. ET, a moment that underscores sharp local divisions over the administration’s economic claims.

Steve Scalise hosts Louisiana guests

Steve Scalise announced he will bring two Louisiana guests to the joint session of Congress: a local restaurant server and a Jefferson Parish sheriff’s deputy. He described the broader economy as having recovered since the president’s return to office, saying, "Make no mistake, when President Trump took office, this economy was on its knees. " Scalise pointed to recent tax deduction policies — including the elimination of federal taxes on tips — as an example of relief for working families.

steve scalise framed those policy changes as direct benefits for Louisiana workers, while using the guest selections to put a local face on the administration’s economic message during the address.

Louisiana leaders split on economic claims

Not all Louisiana officials share that assessment. U. S. Rep. Troy Carter said he plans to attend the address with the explicit purpose of holding the president accountable, arguing that many families are still feeling price pressures. Carter stated plainly, "Americans are not stupid and we're not buying it, " and questioned whether the cost of goods has fallen.

Community groups serving low-income residents also described growing strain. Thelma French, president and CEO of a federally funded anti-poverty agency in Orleans Parish, said rising food and utility prices are increasing needs for assistance. French said the agency relies heavily on federal funding for utility help, job training and early childhood education programs, and that uncertainty about federal budget priorities complicates planning. She added that talk of eliminating Head Start funding prompted alarm among service providers.

Iowa lawmaker presses for a kitchen-table case

Outside Louisiana, an Iowa Republican lawmaker urged the president to make a clear, kitchen-table case that his economic agenda is working for ordinary voters when he speaks Tuesday night. The lawmaker said the president should show how regulatory rollbacks, tax changes and energy policies are putting money back into families' pockets.

As an example, the lawmaker recounted a personal story: a friend who previously paid about $1, 200 in taxes is now expecting a roughly $1, 700 refund. She characterized that change as meaningful for a young family and said she expects more stories like that one to emerge as the administration and its allies press their case.

The lawmaker also flagged tariffs as an area of uncertainty for farm states. She said her priority is ensuring any tariff approach benefits producers, by creating new markets and enforceable agreements that translate into long-term certainty for farmers.

What to watch next

The State of the Union speech at 8 p. m. ET will be the immediate test of whether the administration’s narrative on the economy gains traction with voters and local leaders. Observable indicators to follow in the near term include household-level examples of tax changes, continued reports of rising consumer costs, and developments on trade policy and tariffs. If tariff policies remain unsettled, farm-state concern over market impacts may persist; if more households report tangible tax relief, those narratives could bolster the administration’s claims.

Uncertainties remain clear in the local responses: proponents point to tax and regulatory changes as signs of recovery, while critics and community providers point to higher food and utility prices and budget unpredictability as evidence many families continue to struggle. The president’s address will be a focal point for both sides to advance those competing claims.