Here is the text of President Joe Biden’s speech, as ready for supply to Congress on Wednesday night time, as launched by the White House.
Madame Speaker.
Madame Vice President.
No president has ever mentioned these phrases from this podium, and it’s about time.
The First Lady.
The Second Gentleman.
Mr. Chief Justice.
Members of the United States Congress and the Cabinet – and distinguished visitors.
My fellow Americans.
While the setting tonight is acquainted, this gathering could be very totally different – a reminder of the extraordinary occasions we’re in.
Throughout our historical past, Presidents have come to this chamber to converse to the Congress, to the nation, and to the world.
To declare struggle. To rejoice peace. To announce new plans and prospects.
Tonight, I come to speak about disaster — and alternative.
About rebuilding our nation — and revitalizing our democracy.
And successful the long run for America.
As I stand right here tonight — simply in the future shy of the 100th day of my administration.
100 days since I took the oath of workplace, lifted my hand off our household Bible, and inherited a nation in disaster.
The worst pandemic in a century.
The worst financial disaster for the reason that Great Depression.
The worst assault on our democracy for the reason that Civil War.
Now, after simply 100 days, I can report to the nation: America is on the transfer once more.
Turning peril into chance. Crisis into alternative. Setback into energy.
Life can knock us down.
But in America, we by no means keep down.
In America, we all the time rise up.
And at present, that’s what we’re doing: America is rising anew.
Choosing hope over concern. Truth over lies. Light over darkness.
After 100 Days of rescue and renewal, America is prepared for takeoff.
We are working once more. Dreaming once more. Discovering once more. Leading the world once more.
We have proven one another and the world: There is not any give up in America.
100 days in the past, America’s home was on fireplace.
We had to act.
And thanks to the extraordinary management of Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer – and with the overwhelming help of the American individuals – Democrats, Independents, and Republicans – we did act.
Together — we handed the American Rescue Plan.
One of probably the most consequential rescue packages in American historical past.
We’re already seeing the outcomes.
After I promised 100 million COVID-19 vaccine photographs in 100 days – we could have offered over 220 million COVID photographs in 100 days.
We’re marshalling each federal useful resource. We’ve gotten the vaccine to practically 40,000 pharmacies and over 700 neighborhood well being facilities.
We’re organising neighborhood vaccination websites, and are deploying cellular items into hard-to-reach areas.
Today, 90% of Americans now dwell inside 5 miles of a vaccination website.
Everyone over the age of 16, everybody – is now eligible and may get vaccinated straight away.
So get vaccinated now.
When I used to be sworn in, lower than 1% of seniors have been absolutely vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19.
100 days later, practically 70% of seniors are absolutely protected.
Senior deaths from COVID-19 are down 80% since January. Down 80%.
And, greater than half of all adults in America have gotten a minimum of one shot.
At a mass vaccination middle in Glendale, Arizona, I requested a nurse what it’s like.
She regarded and mentioned each shot looks like a dose of hope.
A dose of hope for the educator in Florida who has a baby who suffers from an auto-immune illness.
She wrote to me that she was anxious about bringing the virus dwelling.
When she received vaccinated, she sat in her automobile and simply cried.
Cried out of pleasure, cried out of aid.
Parents are seeing smiles on their children’ faces as they return to college as a result of academics and college bus drivers, cafeteria staff have been vaccinated.
Grandparents hugging their kids and grandchildren as an alternative of urgent their fingers in opposition to a window to say goodbye
It means every little thing to each of them.
There’s nonetheless extra work to do to beat this virus. We can’t let our guard down now.
But tonight, I can say due to you — the American individuals – our progress these previous 100 days in opposition to one of many worst pandemics in historical past is without doubt one of the best logistical achievements our nation has ever seen.
What else have we executed these first 100 days?
We stored our dedication and we’re sending $1,400 rescue checks to 85% of all American households.
We’ve already despatched greater than 160 million checks out the door.
It’s making a distinction.
For many individuals, it’s making all of the distinction on this planet.
A single mother in Texas wrote to me.
She mentioned when she couldn’t work, this aid verify put meals on the desk
and saved her and her son from eviction.
A grandmother in Virginia informed me she instantly took her granddaughter to the attention physician — one thing she delay for months as a result of she didn’t have the cash.
One of the defining photos of this disaster has been vehicles lined up for miles ready for a field of meals to be put within the trunk.
Did you ever suppose you’d see that in America?
That’s why the American Rescue Plan is delivering meals and vitamin help to hundreds of thousands of Americans dealing with starvation – and starvation is down sharply already.
We’re additionally offering:
Rental help to hold individuals from being evicted from their properties. Providing loans to hold small companies open and their staff on the job.
During these 100 days, an extra 800,000 Americans enrolled within the Affordable Care Act as a result of I established a particular enroll interval to try this.
We’re making one of many largest one-time investments ever in bettering well being take care of veterans.
Critical investments to deal with the opioid disaster.
And, perhaps most significantly, thanks to the American Rescue Plan, we’re on monitor to reduce baby poverty in America in half this yr.
In the method, the economic system created greater than 1.3 million new jobs in 100 days.
More new jobs within the first 100 days than any president on document.
The International Monetary Fund is now estimating our economic system will develop at a fee of greater than 6% this yr.
That would be the quickest tempo of financial progress on this nation in practically 4 a long time.
America is shifting. Moving ahead. And we will’t cease now.
We’re in a contest with China and different international locations to win the 21st Century.
We have to do extra than simply construct again. We have to construct again higher.
Throughout our historical past, public investments and infrastructure have remodeled America.
The transcontinental railroad and interstate highways united two oceans and introduced us into a completely new age of progress.
Universal public college and faculty assist opened huge the doorways of alternative.
Scientific breakthroughs took us to the Moon and now to Mars, found vaccines, and gave us the Internet and a lot extra.
These are the investments we make collectively, as one nation, and that solely authorities could make.
Time and once more, they propel us into the long run.
That’s why I proposed The American Jobs Plan — a once-in-a-generation funding in America itself.
The largest jobs plan since World War II.
It creates jobs to improve our transportation infrastructure. Jobs modernizing roads, bridges and highways. Jobs constructing ports and airports, rail corridors and transit strains. It’s clear water.
Today, up to 10 million properties and greater than 400,000 colleges and baby care facilities have pipes with lead in them, together with for consuming water.
A transparent and current hazard to our kids’s well being.
The American Jobs Plan creates jobs changing 100% of the nation’s lead pipes and repair strains so each American, so each baby – can activate the tap and make certain to drink clear water.
It creates jobs connecting each American with high-speed web, together with 35% of rural Americans who nonetheless don’t have it.
This will assist our youngsters and companies achieve a 21st Century economic system.
And I’m asking the Vice President to assist lead this effort.
It creates jobs by constructing a contemporary energy grid.
Our grids are susceptible to storms, hacks, and catastrophic failures – with tragic outcomes as we noticed in Texas and elsewhere throughout winter storms.
The American Jobs Plan will create jobs to lay 1000’s of miles of transmission strains wanted to construct a resilient and absolutely clear grid.
The American Jobs Plan will assist hundreds of thousands of individuals get again to their jobs and their careers.
2 million girls have dropped out of the workforce throughout this pandemic, too actually because they couldn’t get the care they want for his or her household, their kids.
800,000 households are on a Medicaid ready checklist proper now to get homecare for his or her ageing guardian or cherished one with a incapacity.
This plan will assist these households and create jobs for our caregivers with higher wages and higher advantages.
For too lengthy, we have now failed to use an important phrase when it comes to assembly the local weather disaster.
Jobs. Jobs.
For me, after I take into consideration local weather change, I believe jobs.
The American Jobs Plan will put engineers and development staff to work constructing extra power environment friendly buildings and houses.
Electrical staff putting in 500,000 charging stations alongside our highways.
Farmers planting cowl crops, to allow them to scale back carbon dioxide within the air and receives a commission for doing it.
There’s no cause the blades for wind generators can’t be inbuilt Pittsburgh as an alternative of Beijing.
No cause why American staff can’t lead the world within the manufacturing of electrical automobiles and batteries.
The American Jobs Plan will create hundreds of thousands of excellent paying jobs – jobs Americans can elevate their households on.
And all of the investments within the American Jobs Plan can be guided by one precept: “Buy American.”
American tax {dollars} are going to be used to purchase American merchandise made in America that create American jobs.
The approach it ought to be.
Now – I do know a few of you at dwelling are questioning whether or not these jobs are for you.
You really feel left behind and forgotten in an economic system that’s quickly altering.
Let me converse straight to you.
Independent consultants estimate the American Jobs Plan will add hundreds of thousands of jobs and trillions of {dollars} in financial progress for years to come.
These are good-paying jobs that may’t be outsourced.
Nearly 90% of the infrastructure jobs created within the American Jobs Plan don’t require a school diploma.
75% don’t require an affiliate’s diploma.
The American Jobs Plan is a blue-collar blueprint to construct America.
And, it acknowledges one thing I’ve all the time mentioned.
Wall Street didn’t construct this nation. The center class constructed this nation. And unions construct the center class.
And that’s why I’m calling on Congress to cross the Protecting the Right to Organize Act – the PRO Act — and ship it to my desk to help the correct to unionize.
By the way in which – let’s additionally cross the $15 minimal wage.
No one ought to work 40 hours every week and nonetheless dwell beneath the poverty line.
And we’d like to guarantee better fairness and alternative for ladies.
Let’s get the Paycheck Fairness Act to my desk for equal pay.
It’s gone time.
Finally, the American Jobs Plan would be the largest improve in non-defense analysis and growth on document.
We will see extra technological change within the subsequent 10 years – than we noticed within the final 50 years.
And we’re falling behind in that competitors.
Decades in the past we used to make investments 2% of our GDP on analysis and growth.
Today, we spend lower than 1%.
China and different international locations are closing in quick.
We have to develop and dominate the merchandise and applied sciences of the long run: superior batteries, biotechnology, laptop chips, and clear power.
The Defense Department has an company known as DARPA – the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency – that’s there to develop breakthroughs to improve our nationwide safety – which led to the web and GPS and a lot extra.
The National Institutes of Health, the NIH – ought to create the same Advanced Research Projects Agency for well being.
To develop breakthroughs – to stop, detect, and deal with illnesses like Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and most cancers.
This is private to so many people.
I can consider no extra worthy funding. And I do know of nothing that’s extra bipartisan.
Let’s finish most cancers as we all know it. It’s inside our energy
Investments in jobs and infrastructure like those we’re speaking about have usually had bipartisan help.
Vice President Harris and I meet usually within the Oval Office with Democrats and Republicans to focus on the American Jobs Plan.
And I applaud a gaggle of Republican Senators who simply put ahead their proposal.
So, let’s get to work.
We welcome concepts.
But, the remainder of the world isn’t ready for us. Doing nothing is just not an choice.
We can’t be so busy competing with one another that we neglect the competitors is with the remainder of the world to win the 21st Century.
To win that competitors for the long run, we additionally want to make a once-in-a-generation funding in our households – in our kids.
That’s why I’m introducing the American Families Plan tonight, which addresses 4 of the most important challenges dealing with American households at present.
First, entry to a very good schooling.
When this nation made 12 years of public schooling common within the final century, it made us the best-educated and best-prepared nation on this planet.
But the world is catching up. They will not be ready.
12 years is now not sufficient at present to compete within the 21st Century.
That’s why the American Families Plan ensures 4 extra years of public schooling for each individual in America – beginning as early as we will.
We add two years of common high-quality pre-school for each 3- and 4- year-old in America.
The analysis reveals that when a younger baby goes to college—not day care—they’re much more possible to graduate from highschool and go on to faculty.
And then we add two years of free neighborhood faculty.
And we’ll improve Pell Grants and funding in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal faculties, and minority-serving establishments.
Jill is a neighborhood faculty professor who teaches at present as First Lady.
She has lengthy mentioned any nation that out-educates us goes to outcompete us – and he or she’ll be main this effort.
Second, the American Families plan will present entry to high quality, inexpensive baby care.
We assure that low- to middle-income households can pay not more than 7% of their earnings for high-quality care for youngsters up to the age of 5.
The most hard-pressed working households gained’t have to spend a dime.
Third, the American Families Plan will lastly present up to 12 weeks of paid household and medical depart.
No one ought to have to select between a job and paycheck or caring for themselves and a cherished one – a guardian, partner, or baby.
And fourth, the American Families Plan places cash straight into the pockets of hundreds of thousands of households.
In March we expanded a tax credit score for each baby in a household.
Up to a $3,000 Child Tax Credit for youngsters over 6 — and $3,600 for youngsters below 6.
With two dad and mom, two children, that’s up to $7,200 in your pocket to assist deal with your loved ones.
This will assist greater than 65 million kids and assist reduce baby poverty in half this yr.
Together, let’s prolong the Child Tax Credit a minimum of via the tip of 2025.
The American Rescue Plan lowered well being care premiums for 9 million Americans who purchase their protection below the Affordable Care Act.
Let’s make that provision everlasting so their premiums don’t return up.
In addition to my Families Plan, I’ll work with Congress to deal with –
this yr – different important priorities for America’s households.
The Affordable Care Act has been a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of Americans –defending individuals with pre-existing circumstances, defending girls’s well being.
And the pandemic has demonstrated how badly it’s wanted.
Let’s decrease deductibles for working households on the Affordable Care Act, and let’s decrease prescription drug prices.
We all understand how outrageously costly they’re.
In truth, we pay the best prescription drug costs on this planet proper right here in America – practically thrice as a lot as different international locations.
We can change that.
Let’s do what we’ve all the time talked about.
Let’s give Medicare the ability to save lots of of billions of {dollars} by negotiating decrease costs for pharmaceuticals.
That gained’t simply assist individuals on Medicare – it would decrease prescription drug prices for everybody.
The cash we save can go to strengthen the Affordable Care Act – increase Medicare protection and advantages – with out costing taxpayers one extra penny.
We’ve talked about it lengthy sufficient – Democrats and Republicans.
Let’s get it executed this yr.
This is all a few easy premise: Health care ought to be a proper, not a privilege in America.
So how will we pay for my Jobs and Family Plans?
I’ve made clear that we will do it with out growing deficits.
Let’s begin with what I can’t do.
I can’t impose any tax will increase on individuals making lower than $400,000 a yr.
It’s time for company America and the wealthiest 1% of Americans to pay their justifiable share.
Just pay their justifiable share.
A latest research reveals that 55 of the nation’s largest firms paid zero in federal earnings tax final yr.
No federal taxes on greater than $40 billion in income.
A variety of firms evade taxes via tax havens from Switzerland to Bermuda to the Cayman Islands.
And they profit from tax loopholes and deductions that enable for offshoring jobs and shifting income abroad.
That’s not proper.
We’re going to reform company taxes so that they pay their justifiable share – and assist pay for the general public investments their companies will profit from.
And, we’re going to reward work, not wealth.
We take the highest tax bracket for the wealthiest 1% of Americans –
these making $400,000 or extra – again up to 39.6%.
We take the highest tax bracket for the wealthiest 1% of Americans – these making $400,000 or extra – again up to 39.6%.
That’s the place it was when George W. Bush grew to become president.
We’re going to do away with the loopholes that enable Americans who make greater than $1 million a yr pay a decrease fee on their capital features than working Americans pay on their work.
This will solely have an effect on three tenths of 1% of all Americans.
And the IRS will crack down on millionaires and billionaires who cheat on their taxes.
That’s estimated to be billions of {dollars}.
Look, I’m not out to punish anybody.
But I can’t add to the tax burden of the center class of this nation.
They’re already paying sufficient.
What I’ve proposed is honest. It’s fiscally accountable.
It raises the income to pay for the plans I’ve proposed that can create hundreds of thousands of jobs and develop the economic system.
When you hear somebody say that they don’t need to elevate taxes on the wealthiest 1% and on company America – ask them: whose taxes are you going to elevate as an alternative, and whose are you going to reduce?
Look on the huge tax reduce in 2017.
It was supposed to pay for itself and generate huge financial progress.
Instead it added $2 trillion to the deficit.
It was an enormous windfall for company America and people on the very high.
Instead of utilizing the tax financial savings to elevate wages and spend money on analysis and growth – it poured billions of {dollars} into the pockets of CEOs.
In truth, the pay hole between CEOs and their staff is now among the many largest in historical past.
According to one research, CEOs make 320 occasions what their common staff make.
The pandemic has solely made issues worse.
20 million Americans misplaced their jobs within the pandemic – working- and middle-class Americans.
At the identical time, the roughly 650 Billionaires in America noticed their internet price improve by greater than $1 Trillion.
Let me say that once more.
Just 650 individuals elevated their wealth by greater than $1 Trillion throughout this pandemic.
They at the moment are price greater than $4 Trillion.
My fellow Americans, trickle-down economics has
by no means labored.
It’s time to develop the economic system from the underside up and middle-out.
A broad consensus of economists – left, proper, middle – agree that what I’m proposing will assist create hundreds of thousands of jobs and generate historic financial progress.
These are among the many highest worth investments we will make as a nation.
I’ve usually mentioned that our best energy is the ability of our instance – not simply the instance of our energy.
And in my conversations with world leaders – many I’ve identified for a very long time – the remark I hear most frequently is: we see that America is again – however for a way lengthy?
My fellow Americans, we have now to present not simply that we’re again, however that we’re right here to keep.
And that we aren’t going it alone – we’re going to be main with our allies.
No one nation can cope with all of the crises of our time alone – from terrorism to nuclear proliferation to mass migration, cybersecurity, local weather change – and as we’re experiencing now, pandemics.
There’s no wall excessive sufficient to hold any virus away.
As our personal vaccine provide grows to meet our wants – and we’re assembly them – we’ll turn out to be an arsenal of vaccines for different international locations – simply as America was the arsenal of democracy in World War 2.
The local weather disaster is just not our struggle alone, both.
It’s a worldwide struggle.
The United States accounts for lower than 15% of carbon emissions.
The remainder of the world accounts for 85%.
That’s why – I stored my dedication to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement on my first day in workplace.
And I stored my dedication to convene a local weather summit proper right here in America, with the entire main economies of the world – from China and Russia to India and the European Union in my first 100 days.
I needed the world to see that there’s consensus that we’re at an inflection level in historical past.
And the consensus is that if we act, we will save the planet – and we will create hundreds of thousands of jobs and financial progress and alternative to elevate the usual of dwelling for everybody on this planet.
The investments I’ve proposed tonight additionally advance a overseas coverage that advantages the center class.
That means ensuring each nation performs by the identical guidelines within the international economic system, together with China.
In my dialogue with President Xi, I informed him that we welcome the competitors – and that we’re not searching for battle.
But I made completely clear that I’ll defend American pursuits throughout the board.
America will get up to unfair commerce practices that undercut American staff and industries, like subsidies for state-owned enterprises and the theft of American applied sciences and mental property.
I additionally informed President Xi that we are going to keep a powerful navy presence within the Indo—Pacific simply as we do with NATO in Europe – not to begin battle – however to stop battle.
And, I informed him what I’ve mentioned to many world leaders – that America gained’t again away from our dedication to human rights and elementary freedoms.
No accountable American president can stay silent when primary human rights are violated. A president has to signify the essence of our nation.
America is an thought – distinctive on this planet.
We are all created equal. It’s who we’re. We can not stroll away from that precept.
With regard to Russia, I made very clear to President Putin that whereas we don’t search escalation, their actions have penalties.
I responded in a direct and proportionate approach to Russia’s interference in our elections and cyber—assaults on our authorities and companies – they usually did each of these issues and I did reply.
But we will additionally cooperate when it’s in our mutual pursuits.
As we did after we prolonged the New START Treaty on nuclear arms – and as we’re working to do on the local weather disaster.
On Iran and North Korea’s nuclear applications that current a critical menace to America’s safety and world safety – we can be working carefully with our allies to deal with the threats posed by each of those international locations via diplomacy and stern deterrence.
And American management means ending the without end struggle in Afghanistan.
We have the best combating drive within the historical past of the world.
And I’m the first President in 40 years who is aware of what it means to have had a baby serving in a warzone.
Today we have now service members serving in the identical struggle as their dad and mom as soon as did.
We have service members in Afghanistan who weren’t but born on 9/11.
War in Afghanistan was by no means meant to be a multi—generational enterprise of nation—constructing.
We went to Afghanistan to get the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11.
We delivered justice to Osama Bin Laden and we degraded the terrorist menace of al Qaeda in Afghanistan.
After 20 years of American valor and sacrifice, it’s time to carry our troops dwelling.
Even as we do, we’ll keep an over—the—horizon functionality to suppress future threats to the homeland.
But make no mistake – the terrorist menace has advanced past Afghanistan since 2001 and we’ll stay vigilant in opposition to threats to the United States, wherever they arrive from.
Al Qaeda and ISIS are in Yemen, Syria, Somalia, and different locations in Africa and the Middle East and past.
And, we gained’t ignore what our personal intelligence companies have decided – probably the most deadly terrorist menace to the homeland at present is from white supremacist terrorism.
And my fellow Americans, we should come collectively to heal the soul of this nation.
It was practically a yr in the past earlier than her father’s funeral, after I spoke with Gianna Floyd, George Floyd’s younger daughter.
As I knelt down to discuss to her so we may discuss eye—to—eye, she mentioned to me, “Daddy changed the world.”
After the conviction of George Floyd’s assassin, we will see how proper she was – if we have now the braveness to act.
We have all seen the knee of injustice on the neck of Black America.
Now is our alternative to make actual progress.
Most women and men in uniform put on their badge and serve their communities honorably.
I do know them. I do know they need to assist meet this second as nicely.
My fellow Americans, we have now to come collectively.
To rebuild belief between legislation enforcement and the individuals they serve.
To root out systemic racism in our prison justice system.
And to enact police reform in George Floyd’s identify that handed the House already.
I do know the Republicans have their very own concepts and are engaged in productive discussions with Democrats.
We want to work collectively to discover a consensus.
Let’s get it executed subsequent month, by the first anniversary of George Floyd’s dying.
The nation helps this reform.
Congress ought to act.
We have an enormous alternative to bend to the arc of the ethical universe towards justice.
Real justice.
And with the plans I outlined tonight, we have now an actual likelihood to root out systemic racism that plagues American life in lots of different methods.
An opportunity to ship actual fairness.
Good jobs and good colleges. Affordable housing. Clean air and clear water.
Being in a position to generate wealth and cross it down via generations.
Real alternatives within the lives of extra Americans – Black, white, Latino, Asian American, Native American.
I additionally need to thank the Senate for voting 94—1 to cross the COVID—19 Hate Crimes Act to defend Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders from the vicious hate crimes we’ve seen this previous yr – and for too lengthy.
I urge the House to do the identical and ship that laws to my desk as quickly as doable.
I additionally hope Congress can get to my desk the Equality Act to defend the rights of LGBTQ Americans.
To all of the transgender Americans watching at dwelling – particularly the younger people who find themselves so courageous – I need you to know that your president has your again.
And one other factor.
Let’s reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, which has been legislation on this nation for 27 years since I first wrote it.
It will shut the so—known as “boyfriend” loophole to hold weapons out of the fingers of abusers.
It’s estimated that greater than 50 girls are shot and killed by an intimate associate – each month in America.
Pass it and save lives.
And I needn’t inform anybody this, however gun violence is an epidemic in America.
Our flag on the White House was nonetheless flying at half—employees for the 8 victims of the mass capturing in Georgia, when 10 extra lives have been taken in a mass capturing in Colorado.
In the week between these mass shootings, greater than 250 different Americans have been shot lifeless.
250 shot lifeless.
I understand how exhausting it’s to make progress on this concern.
In the Nineties, we handed common background checks and a ban on assault weapons and excessive—capability magazines that maintain 100 rounds that may be fired in seconds.
We beat the NRA. Mass shootings and gun violence declined.
But within the early 2000’s, that legislation expired and we’ve seen the day by day bloodshed since.
More than two weeks in the past within the Rose Garden, surrounded by a number of the bravest individuals I do know – the survivors and households who misplaced family members to gun violence – I laid out a number of steps the Department of Justice is taking to finish this epidemic.
One of them is banning so—known as “ghost guns.”
They are home made weapons constructed from a equipment that features the instructions on how to end the firearm.
The elements don’t have any serial numbers, so once they present up at a criminal offense scene, they’ll’t be traced.
The patrons of ghost gun kits aren’t required to cross a background verify.
Anyone from a prison to a terrorist may purchase this equipment and, in as little as half-hour, put collectively a deadly weapon.
But not anymore.
I’ll do every little thing in my energy to defend the American individuals from this epidemic of gun violence.
But it’s time for Congress to act as nicely.
We want extra Senate Republicans to be part of with the overwhelming majority of their Democratic colleagues, and shut loopholes and require background checks to buy a gun.
And we’d like a ban on assault weapons and excessive—capability magazines once more.
Don’t inform me it might’t be executed. We’ve executed it earlier than … and it labored.
Talk to most accountable gun homeowners, most hunters – they’ll let you know there’s no doable justification for having 100 rounds – 100 bullets – in a weapon.
They will let you know that there are too many individuals at present who’re in a position to purchase a gun, however who shouldn’t have the opportunity to.
These sorts of cheap reforms have the overwhelming help of the American individuals – together with many gun homeowners.
The nation helps reform, and the Congress ought to act.
This shouldn’t be a Red vs. Blue concern. It’s an American concern.
And right here’s what else we will do.
Immigration has all the time been important to America.
Let’s finish our exhausting struggle over immigration.
For greater than 30 years, politicians have talked about immigration reform and executed nothing about it.
It’s time to repair it.
On day considered one of my Presidency, I stored my dedication and I despatched a complete immigration invoice to Congress.
If you imagine we’d like a safe border – cross it.
If you imagine in a pathway to citizenship – cross it.
If you truly need to remedy the issue – I’ve despatched you a invoice, now cross it.
We even have to get on the root of the issue of why persons are fleeing to our southern border from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador.
The violence. The corruption. The gangs. The political instability. Hunger. Hurricanes. Earthquakes.
When I used to be Vice President, I targeted on offering the assistance wanted to deal with these root causes of migration.
It helped hold individuals in their very own international locations as an alternative of being pressured to depart.
Our plan labored.
But the final administration shut it down.
I’m restoring this system and requested Vice President Harris to lead our diplomatic efforts.
I’ve absolute confidence she’s going to get the job executed.
Now, if Congress gained’t cross my plan – let’s a minimum of cross what we agree on.
Congress wants to cross laws this yr to lastly safe safety for the Dreamers – the younger individuals who have solely identified America as their dwelling.
And, everlasting protections for immigrants on momentary protected standing who come from international locations beset by man—made and pure made violence and catastrophe.
As nicely as a pathway to citizenship for farmworkers who put meals on our tables.
Immigrants have executed a lot for America throughout the pandemic – as they’ve all through our historical past.
The nation helps immigration reform.
Congress ought to act.
And if we’re to really restore the soul of America – we’d like to defend the sacred proper to vote.
More individuals voted within the final presidential election than ever earlier than
in our historical past – in the course of one of many worst pandemics ever.
That ought to be celebrated. Instead it’s being attacked.
Congress ought to cross H.R. 1 and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and ship them to my desk straight away.
The nation helps it.
Congress ought to act.
As we collect right here tonight, the pictures of a violent mob assaulting this Capitol—desecrating our democracy—stay vivid in our minds.
Lives have been put in danger. Lives have been misplaced. Extraordinary braveness was summoned.
The riot was an existential disaster—a check of whether or not our democracy may survive.
It did.
But the battle is much from over. The query of whether or not our democracy will lengthy endure is each historic and pressing.
As outdated as our Republic. Still important at present.
Can our democracy ship on its promise that every one of us – created equal within the picture of God – have an opportunity to lead lives of dignity, respect, and chance?
Can our democracy ship on probably the most urgent wants of our individuals?
Can our democracy overcome the lies, anger, hate and fears which have pulled us aside?
America’s adversaries – the autocrats of the world – are betting it might’t.
They imagine we’re too full of anger and division and rage.
They take a look at the pictures of the mob that assaulted this Capitol as proof that the solar is setting on American democracy.
They are flawed. And we have now to show them flawed.
We have to show democracy nonetheless works.
That our authorities nonetheless works – and may ship for the individuals.
In our first 100 Days collectively, we have now acted to restore the individuals’s religion in our democracy to ship.
We’re vaccinating the nation. We’re creating lots of of 1000’s of jobs. We’re delivering actual outcomes individuals can see and really feel in their very own lives.
Opening the doorways of alternative. Guaranteeing equity and justice.
That’s the essence of America.
That’s democracy in motion.
Our Constitution opens with the phrases, “We the People”.
It’s time we remembered that We the People are the federal government. You and I.
Not some drive in a distant capital. Not some highly effective drive we have now no management over.
It’s us. It’s “We the people.”
In one other period when our democracy was examined, Franklin Roosevelt reminded us—In America: we do our half.
That’s all I’m asking. That all of us do our half.
And if we do, then we’ll meet the central problem of the age by proving that democracy is sturdy and powerful.
The autocrats is not going to win the long run.
America will.
The future will belong to America.
I stand right here tonight earlier than you in a brand new and important hour within the lifetime of our democracy and our nation.
And I can say with absolute confidence: I’ve by no means been extra assured or extra optimistic about America.
We have stared into an abyss of riot and autocracy — of pandemic and ache — and “We the People” didn’t flinch.
At the very second our adversaries have been sure we’d pull aside and fail.
We got here collectively.
United.
With mild and hope, we summoned new energy and new resolve.
To place us to win the competitors for the 21st Century.
On our approach ahead to a Union extra excellent. More affluent. More simply.
As one individuals. One nation. One America.
It’s by no means been a very good guess to guess in opposition to America.
And it nonetheless isn’t.
We are the United States of America.
There is nothing – nothing – past our capability – nothing we will’t do – if we do it collectively.
May God bless you all.
May God defend our troops.
Source Link – www.marketwatch.com
source https://infomagzine.com/bidens-first-speech-to-congress-full-text/
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