President Joe Biden holds news conference

A still-raging pandemic, inflation at a nearwatch-40-year high and a stalled push for voting rights: Joe Biden's news conference on Wednesday will feature tough questions for the president on the eve of his one year anniversary in office.

The White House has been quick to tout economic indicators over the past year like the low unemployment rate, faster than expected economic growth and high job creation as cause for optimism.

But sagging poll numbers suggest Americans don't feel quite as cheery.

The 4 p.m. news conference will be Biden's ninth such event, according to a tally by the Associated Press.

By comparison, former President Barack Obama held 27 such events in his first year, while former President Donald Trump held 22. Biden has frequently answered reporters' questions in more informal settings, such as after events or when he's traveling to or from the White House.