Who is Katie Britt, senator giving Republicans’ State of Union response?

(NewsNation) — Elected just two years ago, Katie Britt, R-Ala., the youngest GOP woman ever elected to the Senate, is quickly gaining the attention of her Congressional colleagues.

Often described as a “rising star” of the Republican Party, Britt is 42 — a contrast to current President Joe Biden, who’s 81 and former president Donald Trump, 77, who are expected to go head-to-head in this year’s general presidential election. Both candidates have faced concerns from voters over their age.

Now, Britt is stepping even further into the spotlight as she gives the Republican response to Biden’s State of the Union speech Thursday night.

While Britt’s been able to forge friendships across the aisle, which has greatly helped with her popularity in Congress, her views and votes are always staunchly conservative.

Britt’s Path to Politics

It was not too long ago that Britt working for Sen. Richard Shelby, the top Republican on the Appropriations Committee. She was his press secretary before becoming an attorney, then later rejoining Shelby in his re-election campaign and chief of staff, USA Today writes.

In 2022, Britt was elected to the Senate after a primary campaign where Trump rescinded his endorsement of former Republican Rep. Mo Brooks to back her instead.

After being sworn in, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell picked Britt to be one of several advisers who participate in weekly leadership meetings.

Currently the third-youngest Senator, Britt has two school-aged kids.

What are Britt’s political stances?

Politically, Britt tends to align more with the more traditional wing of the party, as opposed to the MAGA wing, called that because of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan.

A conservative voice in Alabama, she’s frequently criticized Biden, lamenting a country she has said she no longer recognizes, and endorsing Trump for the presidency in December.

Sources tell NewsNation Britt’s got a reputation as someone who is a “workhorse” rather than a “showhorse.” Unlike other politicians, she’s not a “bomb-thrower” or known for making bombastic statements in interviews or online, sources said.

For instance, she supports funding for Ukraine at a time when some members of her party have been vocally against giving more money to the country invaded by Russia in 2022.

When it comes to Israel, another country that America is sending aid to in its ground offensive on Gaza, Britt joined a delegation of senators who visited shortly after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.

“Make no mistake, I believe that people of all faiths can exist in peace and prosperity,” she said at the time, according to the Associated Press. “But I do not believe that good can exist with evil.”

During her year in office, Britt made immigration one of her key issues, participating in early negotiations on a Senate border deal before dropping out and — eventually voting against it.

Britt’s State of the Union reply comes amid backlash to a ruling by her state’s Supreme Court that said that frozen embryos can be considered children under state law. However, Britt, after the ruling, made calls to fellow Republicans, including Trump, during which she argued for the importance of supporting the treatments, emphasizing that they are pro-life and pro-family, a person familiar with the correspondence told the Associated Press.

Within hours of talking to Britt, Trump issued a statement that said he would “strongly support the availability of IVF” and called on lawmakers in Alabama to preserve access to the treatment.

Potential Trump VP Pick?

Her influence on Trump, as well as his 2022 endorsement, have led to speculation, especially among conservatives, that Britt may be on Donald Trump’s shortlist to be vice president.

“I got a call from Katie Britt, a very wonderful young senator in Alabama,” Trump said in an interview on Fox News after the IVF call. “And I said, we want that. We want people to help. We’re on the side of women.”

Britt has remained mum on being the potential Trump VP pick, and sources say this is all background noise for those in her office — though with the platform she has Tuesday night, it still has people wondering.

State of the Union Response

NewsNation partner The Hill reports that McConnell said he and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., recommended Britt give the State of the Union response address because they think she can be “particularly effective” in making certain points against Biden.

“At this decisive moment in our country’s history, it’s time for the next generation to step up and preserve the American Dream for our children and our grandchildren,” Britt said in a statement with congressional leaders announcing that she would give the response.

The Hill wrote that a source says her speech is expected to: point out Biden’s age, saying he’s “off the pace” and out of touch with regular Americans; make economic arguments; and touch on the border, crime, cost of living and foreign policy.

“The Republican Party is the party of hardworking parents and families, and I’m looking forward to putting this critical perspective front and center,” Britt said in her announcement. “There is no doubt that President Biden’s failed presidency has made America weaker and more vulnerable at every turn.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.