{"id":118997,"date":"2021-04-28T21:38:05","date_gmt":"2021-04-29T04:38:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/69.46.6.243\/?p=118997"},"modified":"2021-04-28T21:38:05","modified_gmt":"2021-04-29T04:38:05","slug":"president-bidens-address-to-a-joint-session-of-congress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=118997","title":{"rendered":"President Biden&#8217;s Address to a Joint Session of Congress"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Washington, DC&#8230;Madame Speaker.  Madame Vice President.  No president has ever said those words from this podium, and it\u2019s about time.  The First Lady.  The Second Gentleman.  Mr. Chief Justice.  Members of the United States Congress and the Cabinet \u2013 and distinguished guests. My fellow Americans.  While the setting tonight is familiar, this gathering is very different \u2013 a reminder of the extraordinary times we are in.  <\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jsWt76I8Tmg\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Throughout our history, Presidents have come to this chamber to speak to the Congress, to the nation, and to the world. <\/p>\n<p>To declare war. To celebrate peace. To announce new plans and possibilities. <\/p>\n<p>Tonight, I come to talk about crisis \u2014 and opportunity.  <\/p>\n<p>About rebuilding our nation \u2014 and revitalizing our democracy. <\/p>\n<p>And winning the future for America. <\/p>\n<p>As I stand here tonight \u2014 just one day shy of the 100th day of my administration. <\/p>\n<p>100 days since I took the oath of office, lifted my hand off our family Bible, and inherited a nation in crisis. <\/p>\n<p>The worst pandemic in a century. <\/p>\n<p>The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. <\/p>\n<p>The worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War. <\/p>\n<p>Now, after just 100 days, I can report to the nation: America is on the move again.  <\/p>\n<p>Turning peril into possibility. Crisis into opportunity. Setback into strength. <\/p>\n<p>Life can knock us down. <\/p>\n<p>But in America, we never stay down. <\/p>\n<p>In America, we always get up. <\/p>\n<p>And today, that\u2019s what we\u2019re doing: America is rising anew. <\/p>\n<p>Choosing hope over fear. Truth over lies. Light over darkness. <\/p>\n<p>After 100 Days of rescue and renewal, America is ready for takeoff. <\/p>\n<p>We are working again. Dreaming again. Discovering again. Leading the world again. <\/p>\n<p>We have shown each other and the world: There is no quit in America. <\/p>\n<p>100 days ago, America\u2019s house was on fire.  <\/p>\n<p>We had to act.  <\/p>\n<p>And thanks to the extraordinary leadership of Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer \u2013 and with the overwhelming support of the American people \u2013 Democrats, Independents, and Republicans \u2013 we did act.  <\/p>\n<p>Together \u2014 we passed the American Rescue Plan.  <\/p>\n<p>One of the most consequential rescue packages in American history. <\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re already seeing the results. <\/p>\n<p>After I promised 100 million COVID-19 vaccine shots in 100 days \u2013 we will have provided over 220 million COVID shots in 100 days.  <\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re marshalling every federal resource. We\u2019ve gotten the vaccine to nearly 40,000 pharmacies and over 700 community health centers. <\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re setting up community vaccination sites, and are deploying mobile units into hard-to-reach areas. <\/p>\n<p>Today, 90% of Americans now live within 5 miles of a vaccination site. <\/p>\n<p>Everyone over the age of 16, everyone \u2013 is now eligible and can get vaccinated right away. <\/p>\n<p>So get vaccinated now. <\/p>\n<p>When I was sworn in, less than 1% of seniors were fully vaccinated against COVID-19. <\/p>\n<p>100 days later, nearly 70% of seniors are fully protected.  <\/p>\n<p>Senior deaths from COVID-19 are down 80% since January. Down 80%.  <\/p>\n<p>And, more than half of all adults in America have gotten at least one shot. <\/p>\n<p>At a mass vaccination center in Glendale, Arizona, I asked a nurse what it\u2019s like. <\/p>\n<p>She looked and said every shot feels like a dose of hope. <\/p>\n<p>A dose of hope for the educator in Florida who has a child who suffers from an auto-immune disease.  <\/p>\n<p>She wrote to me that she was worried about bringing the virus home.  <\/p>\n<p>When she got vaccinated, she sat in her car and just cried. <\/p>\n<p>Cried out of joy, cried out of relief. <\/p>\n<p>Parents are seeing smiles on their kids\u2019 faces as they go back to school because teachers and school bus drivers, cafeteria workers have been vaccinated. <\/p>\n<p>Grandparents hugging their children and grandchildren instead of pressing their hands against a window to say goodbye  <\/p>\n<p>It means everything to both of them. <\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s still more work to do to beat this virus. We can\u2019t let our guard down now.  <\/p>\n<p>But tonight, I can say because of you \u2014 the American people \u2013 our progress these past 100 days against one of the worst pandemics in history is one of the greatest logistical achievements our country has ever seen. <\/p>\n<p>What else have we done these first 100 days? <\/p>\n<p>We kept our commitment and we are sending $1,400 rescue checks to 85% of all American households. <\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve already sent more than 160 million checks out the door. <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s making a difference.  <\/p>\n<p>For many people, it\u2019s making all the difference in the world. <\/p>\n<p>A single mom in Texas wrote to me. <\/p>\n<p>She said when she couldn\u2019t work, this relief check put food on the table  <\/p>\n<p>and saved her and her son from eviction. <\/p>\n<p>A grandmother in Virginia told me she immediately took her granddaughter to the eye doctor \u2014 something she put off for months because she didn\u2019t have the money.  <\/p>\n<p>One of the defining images of this crisis has been cars lined up for miles waiting for a box of food to be put in the trunk. <\/p>\n<p>Did you ever think you\u2019d see that in America? <\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why the American Rescue Plan is delivering food and nutrition assistance to millions of Americans facing hunger \u2013 and hunger is down sharply already.  <\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re also providing: <\/p>\n<p>Rental assistance to keep people from being evicted from their homes. Providing loans to keep small businesses open and their employees on the job. <\/p>\n<p>During these 100 days, an additional 800,000 Americans enrolled in the Affordable Care Act because I established a special sign up period to do that.  <\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re making one of the largest one-time investments ever in improving health care for veterans. <\/p>\n<p>Critical investments to address the opioid crisis. <\/p>\n<p>And, maybe most importantly, thanks to the American Rescue Plan, we are on track to cut child poverty in America in half this year.  <\/p>\n<p>In the process, the economy created more than 1.3 million new jobs in 100 days.  <\/p>\n<p>More new jobs in the first 100 days than any president on record. <\/p>\n<p>The International Monetary Fund is now estimating our economy will grow at a rate of more than 6% this year. <\/p>\n<p>That will be the fastest pace of economic growth in this country in nearly four decades. <\/p>\n<p>America is moving. Moving forward. And we can\u2019t stop now. <\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re in a competition with China and other countries to win the 21st Century. <\/p>\n<p>We have to do more than just build back. We have to build back better. <\/p>\n<p>Throughout our history, public investments and infrastructure have transformed America.  <\/p>\n<p>The transcontinental railroad and interstate highways united two oceans and brought us into a totally new age of progress. <\/p>\n<p>Universal public school and college aid opened wide the doors of opportunity. <\/p>\n<p>Scientific breakthroughs took us to the Moon and now to Mars, discovered vaccines, and gave us the Internet and so much more. <\/p>\n<p>These are the investments we make together, as one country, and that only government can make.  <\/p>\n<p>Time and again, they propel us into the future.  <\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why I proposed The American Jobs Plan \u2014 a once-in-a-generation investment in America itself. <\/p>\n<p>The largest jobs plan since World War II. <\/p>\n<p>It creates jobs to upgrade our transportation infrastructure. Jobs modernizing roads, bridges and highways. Jobs building ports and airports, rail corridors and transit lines. It\u2019s clean water.  <\/p>\n<p>Today, up to 10 million homes and more than 400,000 schools and child care centers have pipes with lead in them, including for drinking water. <\/p>\n<p> A clear and present danger to our children\u2019s health. <\/p>\n<p>The American Jobs Plan creates jobs replacing 100% of the nation\u2019s lead pipes and service lines so every American, so every child \u2013 can turn on the faucet and be certain to drink clean water. <\/p>\n<p>It creates jobs connecting every American with high-speed internet, including 35% of rural Americans who still don\u2019t have it.  <\/p>\n<p>This will help our kids and businesses succeed in a 21st Century economy. <\/p>\n<p>And I am asking the Vice President to help lead this effort. <\/p>\n<p>It creates jobs by building a modern power grid. <\/p>\n<p>Our grids are vulnerable to storms, hacks, and catastrophic failures \u2013 with tragic results as we saw in Texas and elsewhere during winter storms. <\/p>\n<p>The American Jobs Plan will create jobs to lay thousands of miles of transmission lines needed to build a resilient and fully clean grid. <\/p>\n<p>The American Jobs Plan will help millions of people get back to their jobs and their careers.  <\/p>\n<p>2 million women have dropped out of the workforce during this pandemic, too often because they couldn\u2019t get the care they need for their family, their children.  <\/p>\n<p>800,000 families are on a Medicaid waiting list right now to get homecare for their aging parent or loved one with a disability. <\/p>\n<p>This plan will help these families and create jobs for our caregivers with better wages and better benefits. <\/p>\n<p>For too long, we have failed to use the most important word when it comes to meeting the climate crisis. <\/p>\n<p>Jobs. Jobs. <\/p>\n<p>For me, when I think about climate change, I think jobs. <\/p>\n<p>The American Jobs Plan will put engineers and construction workers to work building more energy efficient buildings and homes. <\/p>\n<p>Electrical workers installing 500,000 charging stations along our highways. <\/p>\n<p>Farmers planting cover crops, so they can reduce carbon dioxide in the air and get paid for doing it. <\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s no reason the blades for wind turbines can\u2019t be built in Pittsburgh instead of Beijing.  <\/p>\n<p>No reason why American workers can\u2019t lead the world in the production of electric vehicles and batteries. <\/p>\n<p>The American Jobs Plan will create millions of good paying jobs \u2013 jobs Americans can raise their families on. <\/p>\n<p>And all the investments in the American Jobs Plan will be guided by one principle: \u201cBuy American.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>American tax dollars are going to be used to buy American products made in America that create American jobs. <\/p>\n<p>The way it should be. <\/p>\n<p>Now \u2013 I know some of you at home are wondering whether these jobs are for you. <\/p>\n<p>You feel left behind and forgotten in an economy that\u2019s rapidly changing. <\/p>\n<p>Let me speak directly to you. <\/p>\n<p>Independent experts estimate the American Jobs Plan will add millions of jobs and trillions of dollars in economic growth for years to come. <\/p>\n<p>These are good-paying jobs that can\u2019t be outsourced. <\/p>\n<p>Nearly 90% of the infrastructure jobs created in the American Jobs Plan do not require a college degree. <\/p>\n<p>75% do not require an associate\u2019s degree. <\/p>\n<p>The American Jobs Plan is a blue-collar blueprint to build America. <\/p>\n<p>And, it recognizes something I\u2019ve always said. <\/p>\n<p>Wall Street didn\u2019t build this country. The middle class built this country. And unions build the middle class. <\/p>\n<p>And that\u2019s why I\u2019m calling on Congress to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize Act \u2013 the PRO Act \u2014 and send it to my desk to support the right to unionize. <\/p>\n<p>By the way \u2013 let\u2019s also pass the $15 minimum wage. <\/p>\n<p>No one should work 40 hours a week and still live below the poverty line. <\/p>\n<p>And we need to ensure greater equity and opportunity for women. <\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s get the Paycheck Fairness Act to my desk for equal pay. <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s long past time. <\/p>\n<p>Finally, the American Jobs Plan will be the biggest increase in non-defense research and development on record.  <\/p>\n<p>We will see more technological change in the next 10 years \u2013 than we saw in the last 50 years. <\/p>\n<p>And we\u2019re falling behind in that competition. <\/p>\n<p>Decades ago we used to invest 2% of our GDP on research and development.  <\/p>\n<p>Today, we spend less than 1%. <\/p>\n<p>China and other countries are closing in fast. <\/p>\n<p>We have to develop and dominate the products and technologies of the future: advanced batteries, biotechnology, computer chips, and clean energy. <\/p>\n<p>The Defense Department has an agency called DARPA \u2013 the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency \u2013 that\u2019s there to develop breakthroughs to enhance our national security \u2013 which led to the internet and GPS and so much more. <\/p>\n<p>The National Institutes of Health, the NIH \u2013 should create a similar Advanced Research Projects Agency for health.  <\/p>\n<p>To develop breakthroughs \u2013 to prevent, detect, and treat diseases like Alzheimer\u2019s, diabetes, and cancer. <\/p>\n<p>This is personal to so many of us. <\/p>\n<p>I can think of no more worthy investment. And I know of nothing that is more bipartisan. <\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s end cancer as we know it. It\u2019s within our power <\/p>\n<p>Investments in jobs and infrastructure like the ones we\u2019re talking about have often had bipartisan support.  <\/p>\n<p>Vice President Harris and I meet regularly in the Oval Office with Democrats and Republicans to discuss the American Jobs Plan.  <\/p>\n<p>And I applaud a group of Republican Senators who just put forward their proposal. <\/p>\n<p>So, let\u2019s get to work. <\/p>\n<p>We welcome ideas. <\/p>\n<p>But, the rest of the world isn\u2019t waiting for us. Doing nothing is not an option. <\/p>\n<p>We can\u2019t be so busy competing with each other that we forget the competition is with the rest of the world to win the 21st Century. <\/p>\n<p>To win that competition for the future, we also need to make a once-in-a-generation investment in our families \u2013 in our children. <\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why I\u2019m introducing the American Families Plan tonight, which addresses four of the biggest challenges facing American families today. <\/p>\n<p>First, access to a good education. <\/p>\n<p>When this nation made 12 years of public education universal in the last century, it made us the best-educated and best-prepared nation in the world. <\/p>\n<p>But the world is catching up. They are not waiting. <\/p>\n<p>12 years is no longer enough today to compete in the 21st Century.  <\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why the American Families Plan guarantees four additional years of public education for every person in America \u2013 starting as early as we can. <\/p>\n<p>We add two years of universal high-quality pre-school for every 3- and 4- year-old in America.  <\/p>\n<p>The research shows that when a young child goes to school\u2014not day care\u2014they are far more likely to graduate from high school and go on to college.  <\/p>\n<p>And then we add two years of free community college. <\/p>\n<p>And we will increase Pell Grants and investment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal colleges, and minority-serving institutions. <\/p>\n<p>Jill is a community college professor who teaches today as First Lady. <\/p>\n<p>She has long said any country that out-educates us is going to outcompete us \u2013 and she\u2019ll be leading this effort. <\/p>\n<p>Second, the American Families plan will provide access to quality, affordable child care. <\/p>\n<p>We guarantee that low- to middle-income families will pay no more than 7% of their income for high-quality care for children up to the age of 5. <\/p>\n<p>The most hard-pressed working families won\u2019t have to spend a dime. <\/p>\n<p>Third, the American Families Plan will finally provide up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave. <\/p>\n<p>No one should have to choose between a job and paycheck or taking care of themselves and a loved one \u2013 a parent, spouse, or child. <\/p>\n<p>And fourth, the American Families Plan puts money directly into the pockets of millions of families. <\/p>\n<p>In March we expanded a tax credit for every child in a family. <\/p>\n<p>Up to a $3,000 Child Tax Credit for children over 6 \u2014 and $3,600 for children under 6.  <\/p>\n<p>With two parents, two kids, that\u2019s up to $7,200 in your pocket to help take care of your family. <\/p>\n<p>This will help more than 65 million children and help cut child poverty in half this year. <\/p>\n<p>Together, let\u2019s extend the Child Tax Credit at least through the end of 2025. <\/p>\n<p>The American Rescue Plan lowered health care premiums for 9 million Americans who buy their coverage under the Affordable Care Act.  <\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s make that provision permanent so their premiums don\u2019t go back up. <\/p>\n<p>In addition to my Families Plan, I will work with Congress to address \u2013<br \/>\nthis year \u2013 other critical priorities for America\u2019s families. <\/p>\n<p>The Affordable Care Act has been a lifeline for millions of Americans \u2013protecting people with pre-existing conditions, protecting women\u2019s health.  <\/p>\n<p>And the pandemic has demonstrated how badly it is needed. <\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s lower deductibles for working families on the Affordable Care Act, and let\u2019s lower prescription drug costs. <\/p>\n<p>We all know how outrageously expensive they are.  <\/p>\n<p>In fact, we pay the highest prescription drug prices in the world right here in America \u2013 nearly three times as much as other countries. <\/p>\n<p>We can change that.  <\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s do what we\u2019ve always talked about. <\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s give Medicare the power to save hundreds of billions of dollars by negotiating lower prices for prescription drugs.  <\/p>\n<p>That won\u2019t just help people on Medicare \u2013 it will lower prescription drug costs for everyone.  <\/p>\n<p>The money we save can go to strengthen the Affordable Care Act \u2013 expand Medicare coverage and benefits \u2013 without costing taxpayers one additional penny. <\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve talked about it long enough \u2013 Democrats and Republicans.  <\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s get it done this year. <\/p>\n<p>This is all about a simple premise: Health care should be a right, not a privilege in America. <\/p>\n<p>So how do we pay for my Jobs and Family Plans?  <\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve made clear that we can do it without increasing deficits. <\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s start with what I will not do. <\/p>\n<p>I will not impose any tax increases on people making less than $400,000 a year.  <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s time for corporate America and the wealthiest 1% of Americans to pay their fair share. <\/p>\n<p>Just pay their fair share. <\/p>\n<p>A recent study shows that 55 of the nation\u2019s biggest corporations paid zero in federal income tax last year. <\/p>\n<p>No federal taxes on more than $40 billion in profits. <\/p>\n<p>A lot of companies evade taxes through tax havens from Switzerland to Bermuda to the Cayman Islands. <\/p>\n<p>And they benefit from tax loopholes and deductions that allow for offshoring jobs and shifting profits overseas. <\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s not right. <\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re going to reform corporate taxes so they pay their fair share \u2013 and help pay for the public investments their businesses will benefit from. <\/p>\n<p>And, we\u2019re going to reward work, not wealth.  <\/p>\n<p>We take the top tax bracket for the wealthiest 1% of Americans \u2013<br \/>\nthose making $400,000 or more \u2013 back up to 39.6%. <\/p>\n<p>We take the top tax bracket for the wealthiest 1% of Americans \u2013 those making $400,000 or more \u2013 back up to 39.6%. <\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s where it was when George W. Bush became president.  <\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re going to get rid of the loopholes that allow Americans who make more than $1 million a year pay a lower rate on their capital gains than working Americans pay on their work.  <\/p>\n<p>This will only affect three tenths of 1% of all Americans. <\/p>\n<p>And the IRS will crack down on millionaires and billionaires who cheat on their taxes.  <\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s estimated to be billions of dollars. <\/p>\n<p>Look, I\u2019m not out to punish anyone.  <\/p>\n<p>But I will not add to the tax burden of the middle class of this country.  <\/p>\n<p>They\u2019re already paying enough. <\/p>\n<p>What I\u2019ve proposed is fair. It\u2019s fiscally responsible.  <\/p>\n<p>It raises the revenue to pay for the plans I\u2019ve proposed that will create millions of jobs and grow the economy. <\/p>\n<p>When you hear someone say that they don\u2019t want to raise taxes on the wealthiest 1% and on corporate America \u2013 ask them: whose taxes are you going to raise instead, and whose are you going to cut? <\/p>\n<p>Look at the big tax cut in 2017. <\/p>\n<p>It was supposed to pay for itself and generate vast economic growth.  <\/p>\n<p>Instead it added $2 trillion to the deficit. <\/p>\n<p>It was a huge windfall for corporate America and those at the very top. <\/p>\n<p>Instead of using the tax savings to raise wages and invest in research and development \u2013 it poured billions of dollars into the pockets of CEOs.  <\/p>\n<p>In fact, the pay gap between CEOs and their workers is now among the largest in history. <\/p>\n<p>According to one study, CEOs make 320 times what their average workers make. <\/p>\n<p>The pandemic has only made things worse. <\/p>\n<p>20 million Americans lost their jobs in the pandemic \u2013 working- and middle-class Americans. <\/p>\n<p>At the same time, the roughly 650 Billionaires in America saw their net worth increase by more than $1 Trillion.  <\/p>\n<p>Let me say that again. <\/p>\n<p>Just 650 people increased their wealth by more than $1 Trillion during this pandemic. <\/p>\n<p>They are now worth more than $4 Trillion. <\/p>\n<p>My fellow Americans, trickle-down economics has<br \/>\nnever worked. <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s time to grow the economy from the bottom up and middle-out. <\/p>\n<p>A broad consensus of economists \u2013 left, right, center \u2013 agree that what I\u2019m proposing will help create millions of jobs and generate historic economic growth. <\/p>\n<p>These are among the highest value investments we can make as a nation.  <\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve often said that our greatest strength is the power of our example \u2013 not just the example of our power.  <\/p>\n<p>And in my conversations with world leaders \u2013 many I\u2019ve known for a long time \u2013 the comment I hear most often is: we see that America is back \u2013 but for how long? <\/p>\n<p>My fellow Americans, we have to show not just that we are back, but that we are here to stay. <\/p>\n<p>And that we aren\u2019t going it alone \u2013 we\u2019re going to be leading with our allies. <\/p>\n<p>No one nation can deal with all the crises of our time alone \u2013 from terrorism to nuclear proliferation to mass migration, cybersecurity, climate change \u2013 and as we\u2019re experiencing now, pandemics. <\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s no wall high enough to keep any virus away.  <\/p>\n<p>As our own vaccine supply grows to meet our needs \u2013 and we are meeting them \u2013 we will become an arsenal of vaccines for other countries \u2013 just as America was the arsenal of democracy in World War 2. <\/p>\n<p>The climate crisis is not our fight alone, either. <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a global fight. <\/p>\n<p>The United States accounts for less than 15% of carbon emissions.  <\/p>\n<p>The rest of the world accounts for 85%.  <\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why \u2013 I kept my commitment to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement on my first day in office.  <\/p>\n<p>And I kept my commitment to convene a climate summit right here in America, with all of the major economies of the world \u2013 from China and Russia to India and the European Union in my first 100 days. <\/p>\n<p>I wanted the world to see that there is consensus that we are at an inflection point in history. <\/p>\n<p>And the consensus is if we act, we can save the planet \u2013 and we can create millions of jobs and economic growth and opportunity to raise the standard of living for everyone in the world. <\/p>\n<p>The investments I\u2019ve proposed tonight also advance a foreign policy that benefits the middle class. <\/p>\n<p>That means making sure every nation plays by the same rules in the global economy, including China. <\/p>\n<p>In my discussion with President Xi, I told him that we welcome the competition \u2013 and that we are not looking for conflict.  <\/p>\n<p>But I made absolutely clear that I will defend American interests across the board. <\/p>\n<p>America will stand up to unfair trade practices that undercut American workers and industries, like subsidies for state-owned enterprises and the theft of American technologies and intellectual property. <\/p>\n<p>I also told President Xi that we will maintain a strong military presence in the Indo\u2014Pacific just as we do with NATO in Europe \u2013 not to start conflict \u2013 but to prevent conflict.  <\/p>\n<p>And, I told him what I\u2019ve said to many world leaders \u2013 that America won\u2019t back away from our commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms. <\/p>\n<p>No responsible American president can remain silent when basic human rights are violated. A president has to represent the essence of our country.  <\/p>\n<p>America is an idea \u2013 unique in the world. <\/p>\n<p>We are all created equal. It\u2019s who we are. We cannot walk away from that principle. <\/p>\n<p>With regard to Russia, I made very clear to President Putin that while we don\u2019t seek escalation, their actions have consequences. <\/p>\n<p>I responded in a direct and proportionate way to Russia\u2019s interference in our elections and cyber\u2014attacks on our government and businesses \u2013 and they did both of those things and I did respond. <\/p>\n<p>But we can also cooperate when it\u2019s in our mutual interests. <\/p>\n<p>As we did when we extended the New START Treaty on nuclear arms \u2013 and as we\u2019re working to do on the climate crisis. <\/p>\n<p>On Iran and North Korea\u2019s nuclear programs that present a serious threat to America\u2019s security and world security \u2013 we will be working closely with our allies to address the threats posed by both of these countries through diplomacy and stern deterrence. <\/p>\n<p>And American leadership means ending the forever war in Afghanistan. <\/p>\n<p>We have the greatest fighting force in the history of the world.  <\/p>\n<p>And I\u2019m the first President in 40 years who knows what it means to have had a child serving in a warzone.  <\/p>\n<p>Today we have service members serving in the same war as their parents once did.  <\/p>\n<p>We have service members in Afghanistan who were not yet born on 9\/11.  <\/p>\n<p>War in Afghanistan was never meant to be a multi\u2014generational undertaking of nation\u2014building.  <\/p>\n<p>We went to Afghanistan to get the terrorists who attacked us on 9\/11.  <\/p>\n<p>We delivered justice to Osama Bin Laden and we degraded the terrorist threat of al Qaeda in Afghanistan. <\/p>\n<p>After 20 years of American valor and sacrifice, it\u2019s time to bring our troops home. <\/p>\n<p>Even as we do, we will maintain an over\u2014the\u2014horizon capability to suppress future threats to the homeland. <\/p>\n<p>But make no mistake \u2013 the terrorist threat has evolved beyond Afghanistan since 2001 and we will remain vigilant against threats to the United States, wherever they come from.  <\/p>\n<p>Al Qaeda and ISIS are in Yemen, Syria, Somalia, and other places in Africa and the Middle East and beyond. <\/p>\n<p>And, we won\u2019t ignore what our own intelligence agencies have determined \u2013 the most lethal terrorist threat to the homeland today is from white supremacist terrorism. <\/p>\n<p>And my fellow Americans, we must come together to heal the soul of this nation. <\/p>\n<p>It was nearly a year ago before her father\u2019s funeral, when I spoke with Gianna Floyd, George Floyd\u2019s young daughter. <\/p>\n<p>As I knelt down to talk to her so we could talk eye\u2014to\u2014eye, she said to me, \u201cDaddy changed the world.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>After the conviction of George Floyd\u2019s murderer, we can see how right she was \u2013 if we have the courage to act. <\/p>\n<p>We have all seen the knee of injustice on the neck of Black America.  <\/p>\n<p>Now is our opportunity to make real progress. <\/p>\n<p>Most men and women in uniform wear their badge and serve their communities honorably. <\/p>\n<p>I know them. I know they want to help meet this moment as well. <\/p>\n<p>My fellow Americans, we have to come together. <\/p>\n<p>To rebuild trust between law enforcement and the people they serve.  <\/p>\n<p>To root out systemic racism in our criminal justice system. <\/p>\n<p>And to enact police reform in George Floyd\u2019s name that passed the House already. <\/p>\n<p>I know the Republicans have their own ideas and are engaged in productive discussions with Democrats.  <\/p>\n<p>We need to work together to find a consensus. <\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s get it done next month, by the first anniversary of George Floyd\u2019s death. <\/p>\n<p>The country supports this reform.  <\/p>\n<p>Congress should act. <\/p>\n<p>We have a giant opportunity to bend to the arc of the moral universe toward justice.  <\/p>\n<p>Real justice. <\/p>\n<p>And with the plans I outlined tonight, we have a real chance to root out systemic racism that plagues American life in many other ways.  <\/p>\n<p>A chance to deliver real equity. <\/p>\n<p>Good jobs and good schools. Affordable housing. Clean air and clean water.  <\/p>\n<p>Being able to generate wealth and pass it down through generations. <\/p>\n<p>Real opportunities in the lives of more Americans \u2013 Black, white, Latino, Asian American, Native American.  <\/p>\n<p>I also want to thank the Senate for voting 94\u20141 to pass the COVID\u201419 Hate Crimes Act to protect Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders from the vicious hate crimes we\u2019ve seen this past year \u2013 and for too long. <\/p>\n<p>I urge the House to do the same and send that legislation to my desk as soon as possible.  <\/p>\n<p>I also hope Congress can get to my desk the Equality Act to protect the rights of LGBTQ Americans.  <\/p>\n<p>To all the transgender Americans watching at home \u2013 especially the young people who are so brave \u2013 I want you to know that your president has your back. <\/p>\n<p>And another thing. <\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, which has been law in this country for 27 years since I first wrote it. <\/p>\n<p>It will close the so\u2014called \u201cboyfriend\u201d loophole to keep guns out of the hands of abusers. <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s estimated that more than 50 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner \u2013 every month in America. <\/p>\n<p>Pass it and save lives. <\/p>\n<p>And I need not tell anyone this, but gun violence is an epidemic in America. <\/p>\n<p>Our flag at the White House was still flying at half\u2014staff for the 8 victims of the mass shooting in Georgia, when 10 more lives were taken in a mass shooting in Colorado.  <\/p>\n<p>In the week between those mass shootings, more than 250 other Americans were shot dead.  <\/p>\n<p>250 shot dead. <\/p>\n<p>I know how hard it is to make progress on this issue.  <\/p>\n<p>In the 1990s, we passed universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons and high\u2014capacity magazines that hold 100 rounds that can be fired in seconds. <\/p>\n<p>We beat the NRA. Mass shootings and gun violence declined. <\/p>\n<p>But in the early 2000\u2019s, that law expired and we\u2019ve seen the daily bloodshed since. <\/p>\n<p>More than two weeks ago in the Rose Garden, surrounded by some of the bravest people I know \u2013 the survivors and families who lost loved ones to gun violence \u2013 I laid out several steps the Department of Justice is taking to end this epidemic. <\/p>\n<p>One of them is banning so\u2014called \u201cghost guns.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>They are homemade guns built from a kit that includes the directions on how to finish the firearm.  <\/p>\n<p>The parts have no serial numbers, so when they show up at a crime scene, they can\u2019t be traced. <\/p>\n<p>The buyers of ghost gun kits aren\u2019t required to pass a background check. <\/p>\n<p>Anyone from a criminal to a terrorist could buy this kit and, in as little as 30 minutes, put together a lethal weapon. <\/p>\n<p>But not anymore. <\/p>\n<p>I will do everything in my power to protect the American people from this epidemic of gun violence. <\/p>\n<p>But it\u2019s time for Congress to act as well. <\/p>\n<p>We need more Senate Republicans to join with the overwhelming majority of their Democratic colleagues, and close loopholes and require background checks to purchase a gun. <\/p>\n<p>And we need a ban on assault weapons and high\u2014capacity magazines again. <\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t tell me it can\u2019t be done. We\u2019ve done it before \u2026 and it worked. <\/p>\n<p>Talk to most responsible gun owners, most hunters \u2013 they\u2019ll tell you there\u2019s no possible justification for having 100 rounds \u2013 100 bullets \u2013 in a weapon. <\/p>\n<p>They will tell you that there are too many people today who are able to buy a gun, but who shouldn\u2019t be able to. <\/p>\n<p>These kinds of reasonable reforms have the overwhelming support of the American people \u2013 including many gun owners. <\/p>\n<p>The country supports reform, and the Congress should act. <\/p>\n<p>This shouldn\u2019t be a Red vs. Blue issue. It\u2019s an American issue. <\/p>\n<p>And here\u2019s what else we can do. <\/p>\n<p>Immigration has always been essential to America. <\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s end our exhausting war over immigration. <\/p>\n<p>For more than 30 years, politicians have talked about immigration reform and done nothing about it. <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s time to fix it. <\/p>\n<p>On day one of my Presidency, I kept my commitment and I sent a comprehensive immigration bill to Congress.  <\/p>\n<p>If you believe we need a secure border \u2013 pass it. <\/p>\n<p>If you believe in a pathway to citizenship \u2013 pass it. <\/p>\n<p>If you actually want to solve the problem \u2013 I have sent you a bill, now pass it. <\/p>\n<p>We also have to get at the root of the problem of why people are fleeing to our southern border from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador.  <\/p>\n<p>The violence. The corruption. The gangs. The political instability. Hunger. Hurricanes. Earthquakes. <\/p>\n<p>When I was Vice President, I focused on providing the help needed to address these root causes of migration.  <\/p>\n<p>It helped keep people in their own countries instead of being forced to leave. <\/p>\n<p>Our plan worked. <\/p>\n<p>But the last administration shut it down.  <\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m restoring the program and asked Vice President Harris to lead our diplomatic efforts.  <\/p>\n<p>I have absolute confidence she will get the job done. <\/p>\n<p>Now, if Congress won\u2019t pass my plan \u2013 let\u2019s at least pass what we agree on. <\/p>\n<p>Congress needs to pass legislation this year to finally secure protection for the Dreamers \u2013 the young people who have only known America as their home. <\/p>\n<p>And, permanent protections for immigrants on temporary protected status who come from countries beset by man\u2014made and natural made violence and disaster. <\/p>\n<p>As well as a pathway to citizenship for farmworkers who put food on our tables. <\/p>\n<p>Immigrants have done so much for America during the pandemic \u2013 as they have throughout our history. <\/p>\n<p>The country supports immigration reform.  <\/p>\n<p>Congress should act. <\/p>\n<p>And if we are to truly restore the soul of America \u2013 we need to protect the sacred right to vote. <\/p>\n<p>More people voted in the last presidential election than ever before<br \/>\nin our history \u2013 in the middle of one of the worst pandemics ever.  <\/p>\n<p>That should be celebrated. Instead it\u2019s being attacked. <\/p>\n<p>Congress should pass H.R. 1 and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and send them to my desk right away. <\/p>\n<p>The country supports it. <\/p>\n<p>Congress should act. <\/p>\n<p>As we gather here tonight, the images of a violent mob assaulting this Capitol\u2014desecrating our democracy\u2014remain vivid in our minds. <\/p>\n<p>Lives were put at risk. Lives were lost. Extraordinary courage was summoned. <\/p>\n<p>The insurrection was an existential crisis\u2014a test of whether our democracy could survive.  <\/p>\n<p>It did. <\/p>\n<p>But the struggle is far from over. The question of whether our democracy  will long endure is both ancient and urgent. <\/p>\n<p>As old as our Republic. Still vital today.  <\/p>\n<p>Can our democracy deliver on its promise that all of us \u2013 created equal in the image of God \u2013 have a chance to lead lives of dignity, respect, and possibility?  <\/p>\n<p>Can our democracy deliver on the most pressing needs of our people? <\/p>\n<p>Can our democracy overcome the lies, anger, hate and fears that have pulled us apart? <\/p>\n<p>America\u2019s adversaries \u2013 the autocrats of the world \u2013 are betting it can\u2019t. <\/p>\n<p>They believe we are too full of anger and division and rage. <\/p>\n<p>They look at the images of the mob that assaulted this Capitol as proof that the sun is setting on American democracy. <\/p>\n<p>They are wrong. And we have to prove them wrong. <\/p>\n<p>We have to prove democracy still works. <\/p>\n<p>That our government still works \u2013 and can deliver for the people.  <\/p>\n<p>In our first 100 Days together, we have acted to restore the people\u2019s faith in our democracy to deliver. <\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re vaccinating the nation. We\u2019re creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. We\u2019re delivering real results people can see and feel in their own lives.  <\/p>\n<p>Opening the doors of opportunity. Guaranteeing fairness and justice. <\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s the essence of America. <\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s democracy in action. <\/p>\n<p>Our Constitution opens with the words, \u201cWe the People\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s time we remembered that We the People are the government. You and I.  <\/p>\n<p>Not some force in a distant capital. Not some powerful force we have no control over. <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s us. It\u2019s \u201cWe the people.\u201d  <\/p>\n<p>In another era when our democracy was tested, Franklin Roosevelt reminded us\u2014In America: we do our part.  <\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s all I\u2019m asking. That we all do our part.  <\/p>\n<p>And if we do, then we will meet the central challenge of the age by proving that democracy is durable and strong. <\/p>\n<p>The autocrats will not win the future. <\/p>\n<p>America will. <\/p>\n<p>The future will belong to America. <\/p>\n<p>I stand here tonight before you in a new and vital hour in the life of our democracy and our nation. <\/p>\n<p>And I can say with absolute confidence: I have never been more confident or more optimistic about America. <\/p>\n<p>We have stared into an abyss of insurrection and autocracy \u2014 of pandemic and pain \u2014 and \u201cWe the People\u201d did not flinch. <\/p>\n<p>At the very moment our adversaries were certain we would pull apart and fail. <\/p>\n<p>We came together. <\/p>\n<p>United.  <\/p>\n<p>With light and hope, we summoned new strength and new resolve. <\/p>\n<p>To position us to win the competition for the 21st Century. <\/p>\n<p>On our way forward to a Union more perfect. More prosperous. More just. <\/p>\n<p>As one people. One nation. One America. <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s never been a good bet to bet against America. <\/p>\n<p>And it still isn\u2019t. <\/p>\n<p>We are the United States of America. <\/p>\n<p>There is nothing \u2013 nothing \u2013 beyond our capacity \u2013 nothing we can\u2019t do \u2013 if we do it together. <\/p>\n<p>May God bless you all. <\/p>\n<p>May God protect our troops. <\/p>\n<p>### <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Washington, DC&#8230;Madame Speaker. Madame Vice President. No president has ever said those words from this podium, and it\u2019s about time. The First Lady. The Second Gentleman. Mr. Chief Justice. Members of the United States Congress and the Cabinet \u2013 and distinguished guests. My fellow Americans. While the setting tonight is familiar, this gathering is very [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":118998,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,5,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-118997","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-government","category-news","last_archivepost"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Fullscreen-capture-4282021-93238-PM.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118997","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=118997"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118997\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/118998"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=118997"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=118997"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=118997"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}