[inaudible conversations] .... [applause]

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[background conversations] okay. we are ready in the chamber. [background conversations]

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[background conversations] madame speaker, the president of the united states. [applause] [applause]

[applause] [applause] [applause] [applause] >> members of congress, i have the privilege and distinct honor

to present to you the president of the united states. [applause] >> thank you. thank you. thank you. thank you. [applause] good to be back. [applause] it is good to be almost home, down the hall. anyway, thank you all. madame speaker, madame vice president -- [applause] [cheering] no president has ever said those words from this podium. no president has ever said those

words, and it's about time. [applause] first lady. [applause] second gentlemen. [applause] chief justice. members of the united states congress, the cabinet and distinguished guests. my fellow americans. while familiar, this gathering is just a little bit different. a reminder of the extraordinary times we are in. throughout our history, presidents have come to this chamber to speak to congress, to the nation and to the world to declare war, to celebrate peace,

to announce new plans and possibilities. tonight, i come to talk about crisis and opportunity, about rebuilding the nation, revitalizing our democracy and winning the future for america. i stand here tonight, one day shy of the 100th day of my administration. one hundred days since i took the oath of office, lifted my hand off our family bible and inherited a nation. we all did, those in crisis. the worst pandemic in a century. the worst economic crisis since the great depression. the worst attack on our democracy since the civil war. now, after just 100 days, i can report to the nation america is on the move again. [applause]

crisis to opportunity, setbacks into strengths. we all know life can knock us down, but in america, we never, ever stay down. america always gets up. today, that's what we are doing. america is rising a new, choosing hope over fear, truth overlies and darkness. over 100 days of rescue and renewal, america is ready for a take off, in my view. we are working again, dreaming again, discovering again and leading the world again. we have shown each other and the world that there is no quit in america.

none. one hundred days ago america's house was on fire and we had to act. thanks to the extraordinary leadership of speaker pelosi, majority leader schumer and the overwhelming support of the american people, democrats, independents and republicans, we did act. together we passed the american rescue plan, one of the most consequential packages in american history. we've already seen results. [applause] we've already seen results. [applause] after i promised we would get 100 million covid-19 vaccine shots into people's arms in the 100 days, we will have provided over 220 million covid shots in those 100 days. thanks to the help of all of you. [applause]

with your help, everyone's help. we are using every federal resource to get vaccines to nearly 40,000 pharmacies, and over 700 community health centers for the poorest of the poor to be reached. we are setting up community vaccination sites, developing mobile units to get the hard to reach communities. today, 90% of americans now live within 5 miles of a vaccination site. everyone over the age of 16, everyone is now eligible to get vaccinated right now, right away. go get vaccinated, and america. go and get the vaccination. [applause] they are available. eligible, now. [applause]

when i was sworn in january 20th, 1% of seniors were vaccinated fully against covid-19. one hundred days later, 70% of seniors in america over 65 are protected, fully protected. senior deaths of covid-19 are down 80% since january. down 80% because of all of you. and more than half of all of the adults in america have gotten at least one shot. a mass vaccination center in glendale, arizona. i asked the nurse i said what's it like. she looked at me and she said it's like every shot is giving a dose of hope was the phrase, a dose of hope. a dose of hope for an educator in florida, a child suffering from autoimmune disease wrote to me and said she was worried about bringing the virus home.

she said she then got vaccinated at a large site in her car. she said she sat in her car and got vaccinated and just cried. cried of joy and cried out relief. parents seeing smiles on their kids faces for those able to go back to school, because the teachers and school bus drivers and cafeteria workers have been vaccinated. grandparents hugging their children and grandchildren instead of pressing hands against the window to say goodbye. it means everything. those things mean everything. you know better than any group of americans there's still more work to do to beat this virus. we can't let our guard down. tonight i can say because of you, the american people, our

progress these past 100 days against one of the worst pandemics in history has been one of the greatest logistical achievements, logistical achievements this country has ever seen. what else have we done in those first 100 days? we kept our commitment, democrats and republicans of sending 1,400-dollar rescue checks to 85% of american households. we've already sent more than 160 million checks out the door. it's making a difference. for many people, it's making all the difference in the world. a single mom in texas wrote me, she said she couldn't work, but she said the relief check put food on the table and saved her and her son from eviction from their apartment. a grandmother in virginia who

told me she immediately took her granddaughter to the eye doctor, something she said she put off for months because she didn't have the money. hundreds of images at least from my perspective of the crisis, cars lined up for miles and not people just barely able to start those cars, nice cars, lined up for miles waiting for a box of food to be put in their trunk. i don't know about you, but i didn't ever think i would see that in america. and all of this is true through no fault of their own. no fault of their own these people are in this position. that's why the rescue plan is delivering food and nutrition assistance to millions of americans facing hunger. hunger is down sharply already. we are also providing rental

assistance. you all know this, but the american people, i want to make sure they understand. keeping people from being evicted in their homes. providing loans to small businesses that reopened and keeping their employees on the job. during these hundred days, an additional 800,000 americans enrolled in the affordable care act when i established a special assignment period to do that. 800,000 in that period are making one of the largest one time ever investments, ever, in approving healthcare for veterans. critical investments to address the opioid crisis. and maybe most importantly, thanks to the american rescue plan, we are on track to cut child poverty in america in half this year. [applause]

and in the process, while this is going on, the economy created more than 1,300,000 new jobs and 100 days. more jobs than -- [applause] -- more jobs in the first 100 days than any president on record. then the international monetary fund -- [applause] -- the international monetary fund is now estimating the economy will grow at a rate of more than 6% this year. that will be the fastest pace of economic growth in this country in nearly four decades. america is moving. moving forward. but we can't stop now. we are in competition with china and others to win the 21st

century. we are at a great inflection point in history. we have to do more than just build back better. we have to build back better. we have to compete more strenuously than we have. throughout our history, think about it, public investment and infrastructure has literally transformed america. our attitudes as well as our opportunities. the transcontinental railroad, the interstate highways united to oceans and brought up a totally new age of progress to the united states of america. universal public schools and college aid opened up the doors of opportunity. scientific breakthroughs took us to the moon. now we are on mars, discovering vaccines, the internet, and so much more. these are investments we made together as one country. and investments that only the government was in the position

to make. time and again they propelled us into the future. that's why i proposed the american jobs plan, a once in a generation investment in america itself. this is the largest jobs plan since world war ii. it creates jobs to upgrade our transportation infrastructure. jobs modernizing our roads, bridges, highways. jobs building ports and airports, rail cars, transit lines, it's clean water. and today up to 10 million homes in america and more than 400,000 schools and childcare centers have pipes and drinking water. a clear and present danger to health. american jobs plan creates jobs replacing 100% of the nations

led pipes and service so everyone in america can drink clean water. [applause] and the process will create thousands and thousands of good paying jobs. it creates jobs connecting every american with high-speed internet, including 35% of the rural america that still doesn't have it. this can help our kids and our businesses to succeed in the 21st century economy. and i'm asking the vice president to lead this effort, if you could. because i know that it will get done. it creates jobs building a modern power grid. our grades are vulnerable to storms, catastrophic failures with tragic results as we saw in texas and elsewhere during the

winter storms. american jobs plan will create jobs with thousands of miles of transmission lines needed to build a resilient and fully clean grid. we can do that. [applause] the american jobs plan will help millions of people get back to their jobs and back to their careers. 2 million women have dropped out of the workforce during this pandemic. 2 million. and too often because they couldn't get the care they needed to care for their child or care for an elderly parent who needs help. 800,000 families are on the medicare waiting list right now to get care for their aging parent or loved one with disability.

if you think it's not important, check out in your own district. democrat or republican. democrat or republican voters. the great concern, taking care of an elderly loved one who can't be left alone. medicaid contemplated, but this plan is going to help those families and create jobs for the caregivers with better wages and better benefits. continuing the cycle of growth. for too long we failed to use the most important word when it comes to meeting the climate crisis jobs. jobs. [applause] when i think climate change, i

think jobs. the american jobs plan will put engineers and construction workers to build more energy efficient buildings and homes. electrical workers, members installing 500,000 charging stations along the highways. [applause] so we can own -- so we can own the electric car market. [applause] farmers, farmers planting crops to reduce the carbon dioxide in the air and get paid for doing it. [applause] look, think about it. there's simply no reason why the blades for wind turbines can't be built in pittsburgh instead of beijing. no reason. none. [applause] no reason. so, folks -- [applause] there is no reason why american

workers can't lead the world in production of electric vehicles and batteries. there's no reason. [applause] the american jobs plan will create millions of good paying jobs that americans can raise a family on. as my dad would say with a little breathing room. and all the investments in the american jobs plan will be guided by one principal, buy american. buy american. [applause] that does not violate any trade agreement. it's been the law since the 30s, buy american. american tax dollars are going to be used to buy american products made in america to create american jobs. that's the way it's supposed to be and it will be in this

administration. [applause] and i made it clear to all my cabinet people, their ability to give exemptions has been strenuously limited. it will be american products. now i know some of you at home are wondering whether these jobs are for you. so many of you, so many of the folks i grew up with feel left behind, forgotten in an economy that is so rapidly changing. it's frightening. i want to speak directly to you, because if you think about it, that's what people are most worried about. can i fit in? independent experts, it will add millions of jobs and trillions of dollars to economic growth in the years to come.

it is a eight year program. these are good paying jobs that can't be outsourced. nearly 90% of the infrastructure created in the jobs plan do not require a college degree. 75% don't require an associates degree. the american jobs plan is a blue-collar blueprint to build america. that's what it is. [applause] and it recognizes something i've always said in this chamber and the other. good guys and women in wall street but wall street didn't build this country. that's why i'm calling on congress -- [applause] to pass the protect the right to

organize act so they can support the right to unionize. [applause] and by the way, when you think about sending things to my desk, let's raise the minimum wage to $15. [applause] no one working 40 hours a week, no one working 40 hours a week should live below the poverty line. we need to ensure greater equity and opportunity for women. and while we are doing this, let's get the paycheck fairness act to my desk as well, equal pay. it's been much too long. look behind you. finally -- the biggest increase in research and development on record. we will see more technological

change, and some of you know more about this than i do. we will see more technological change in the next ten years and we saw in the last 50. that's how rapidly artificial intelligence and so much more is changing. and we are falling behind in competition with the rest of the world. decades ago, we use to invest 2% of our gross domestic product in america. 2% of our gross domestic product in research and development. today, mr. secretary, that is less than 1%. china and other countries are closing in fast. we have to develop and dominate the products and technologies in the future, advanced batteries, biotechnology, computer chips, clean energy. the secretary defense can tell

you, and those of you working on the security issues now, the defense department has an agency called the defense advanced research project agency darpa. the people set up before i came here, and that's been a long time ago, to develop breakthroughs that enhance our national security. that is their only job. and it is a semi-separate agency. it has led to everything from discovering the internet to gps and so much more. it's enhanced our security. the national institutes of health, the nih i believe should create a similar advanced research project agency for health. [applause] a singular purpose to develop

breakthroughs to prevent, detect and treat diseases like alzheimer's, diabetes and cancer. i will still never forget when we passed the cancer proposal in the last year, almost $9 million going to nih and excuse the point of personal privilege naming after my deceased son it meant a lot. but so many of us have to see sons, daughters and relatives die of cancer. i can think of no more worthy investment. i know of nothing that is more bipartisan. so let's and cancer as we know it. it is within our power. it's within our power to do it. [applause]

investments and jobs and infrastructure like the ones we are talking about have often had bipartisan support in the past. vice president harris and i met regularly with democrats and republicans to discuss the jobs plan. and i applaud a group of republican senators that put forth their own proposal. so let's get to work. i want it to lay out before the congress my plan before we got into the discussions. i'd like to meet with those that have ideas that are different that they think are better. i welcome those ideas. but the rest of the world is not waiting for us. i just want to be clear from my perspective, doing nothing is not an option. [applause]

look, we can't be so busy competing with one another that we should get the competitions we have with the rest of the world to win the 21st century. the secretary can tell you i spent a lot of time traveling over 17,000 miles, spent over 24 hours in private discussions with him when he called to congratulate, we had a two hour discussion. he was earnest about becoming the most consequential nation in the world. he and others. autocrats think democracy can't compete in the 21st century. it takes too long to get the

consensus. to win that competition for the future i remind you we also need to make a once in a generation investment in our families children. that's why i've introduced the american family plan that addresses four of the biggest challenges facing american families. first is access to good education. this nation made 12 years of public education universal in the last century. it made us the best educated, best prepared nation in the world. it is i believe the reason that propelled us to where we got in the 21st and 20th century. the world has caught up or is catching up. they are not waiting. i would say parenthetically if we were sitting down with a bipartisan committee and said okay, we are going to decide

what we do in terms of government providing free education, i wonder whether we would think as we did in the 20th century that 12 years is enough in the 21st century. i doubt it. twelve years is not long enough today to compete with the rest of the world and the 21st century. that's why my american families act as a guarantees for years of public education to every person in america starting as early as we can. great universities in the country have conducted studies the last ten years and it shows adding two years of universal high-quality preschool for every 3-year-old and 4-year-old, no matter what background they come from, puts them in the position to be able to compete all the way through 12 years and increases exponentially the prospect of graduating and going

beyond graduation. research shows when a young child goes to school, not daycare, they are far more likely to graduate from high school than to go to college or something after high school. when you add two years of free community college and on top of that, you begin to change the dynamic. [applause] you can do that. [applause] and we will increase pell grants and invest in historical black colleges and universities, minority serving institutions. the reason is they don't have the endowments, but the students are just as capable of learning about cybersecurity, just as capable learning about all the things that are going on to provide those jobs in the future. jill is a community college professor who teaches today as

first lady. she's long said -- [applause] i've heard it a thousand times, joe any country that out educates us is going to outcompete us. should be deeply involved in leading this effort. thank you. second thing we need, american families plan will provide access to quality affordable childcare. [applause] to guarantee. i'm proposing legislation to

guarantee low middle income families will pay no more than 7% of their income for high-quality care for children up to the age of five. the most hard-pressed working families won't have to spend a dime. third, the american families plan will provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave, family medical leave. [applause] one of the few industrial countries in the world. no one should have to choose between a job and a paycheck or taking care of a loved one, spouse or child. the american family plan puts directly in the pockets of americans in march we expanded tax credits for every child in the family. up to $3,000 per child if they

are under six years of age. excuse me, over six years of age. with two parents, two kids, that is 7200 to help take care of your family. and that will help more than 65 million children and help cut child healthcare poverty in half. [applause] we did that in the last piece of legislation that we passed. but let's extend that child tax credit at least through the end of 2025. [applause] the american rescue plan lowered premiums for 9 million americans who bother coverage under the affordable care act. i know that's really popular on this side of the aisle.

[laughter] but let's make that provision permanent so there premiums don't go back up. [applause] in addition to the families plan, i'm going to work with congress to address this year other critical priorities for american families. the affordable care act has been a lifeline for millions of americans, protecting people with pre-existing conditions, protecting women's health and the pandemic is demonstrated how badly, how badly it is needed. let's lower the deductibles for working families on the affordable care act. and let's lower prescription drug costs. [applause] we know how to do this. we all know how outrageously

expensive drugs are in america. in fact, we pay the highest percentage of drug prices of any where in the world, right here in america. nearly three times for the same drugs nearly three times what other countries pay. let's change that, and we can. let's do what we talked about for all the years i was down here in this body and in congress. let's give medicare the power to save hundreds of billions by negotiating lower prescription prices. [applause] by the way, all prescription drug costs for everyone and the money we save which is billions of dollars can go to strengthen the affordable care act and expand medicare coverage benefits without costing taxpayers an additional penny.

it's within our power to do it. let's do it now. [applause] we've talked about it long enough, democrats and republicans. let's do it this year. it's all about a simple premise. healthcare should be a right, not a privilege in america. so, how do we pay for the jobs and family plan? i made it clear we can do it without increasing the deficit. let's start with what i will not do, impose any tax increase on anybody making less than $400,000. but it's time for corporate america and the wealthiest 1% of americans to just begin to pay their fair share. just to their fair share.

[applause] sometimes i have arguments with my friends in the democratic party. i think you should be able to become a billionaire and millionaire but pay your fair share. recent studies show that 55 of the nation's biggest corporations pay zero federal tax last year. those 55 corporations made in excess of $40 billion in profit. a lot of companies also through tax havens and benefit from tax loopholes and deductions for offshore jobs and shifting profits overseas. it's not right. we are going to reform corporate taxes so they pay their fair share and help pay for the

public investments that the businesses will benefit from as well. [applause] reword work. we take the top tax bracket for the wealthiest 1% of americans. those making over $400,000 or more back up to where it was when george w. bush was president. 39.6%. that's where it was when george w was president. we are going to get rid of the loophole for more to make more than a million and pay a lower tax rate on the capital gains and americans who receive a paycheck. three tenths of 1% and it's going to crack down on millionaires and billionaires who cheat on their taxes.

it's estimated to be billions of dollars by think tanks and left right and center. but i will not add a tax burden to the middle class in this country. they are already paying enough. i think what i propose is fair. fiscally responsible and it raises the revenue to pay for the plans i propose and will create millions of jobs that will grow the economy and enhance our financial standing in the country. when you hear someone say they don't want to raise taxes on the wealthiest 1% or corporate america, ask them whose taxes do you want to raise? instead, who's are you going to cut? the tax cut of 2017 remember is supposed to pay for it self.

and generate vast economic growth. instead, it added $2 trillion to the deficit. it was a huge windfall for corporate america. and those in the very top. instead of using a tax haven to invest in research and development it poured billions of dollars into the pockets of ceos. in fact, the pay gap between the ceos and their workers is now one of the largest in history. according to one study, they make 320 times what the average workers in a corporation makes. it used to be below 100. the pandemic has only made things worse. a 20 million americans lost their job in the pandemic working and middle-class america. at the same time roughly 650 billionaires in america saw

their net worth increased by more than $1 trillion in the same period. let me say that again, 650 people increased their wealth by more than $1 trillion during this pandemic and they are now worth more than $4 trillion. my fellow americans, trickle-down economics it's time to grow the economy from the bottom out. [applause] you know, there's a broad consensus left right and center and they agree what i'm proposing will help create millions and generate store economic growth. these are among the highest value investments we can make as a nation. i've often said our greatest strength is the power of our

example not just of our power. i've made it known america is back. you know what they say? the comment i hear most of all they say we see america's back but for how long? my fellow americans, we have to show not just that we are back, but we are back to staying and we are not going to go alone. [applause] we will do it by meeting with our allies. no one nation can deal with all the crisis of the times from terrorism, nuclear proliferation, mass migration, cybersecurity, climate changes. we experience what we are now,

pandemics. there is no wall high enough to keep a virus out. our own vaccine supply grows to meet our needs and we are meeting them. we will become an arsenal for vaccines for other countries for a democracy for the world. and influence of the world. [applause] every american will have access, every american will have access to be fully covered from covid-19 with the vaccines that we have. look, the climate crisis is a global fight. the united states accounts for less than 50% of carbon emissions. the rest of the world it accounts for 85%. that's why i kept my commitment to rejoin the paris accord

because if we do everything perfectly, it's not going to matter. i kept my commitment right here in america with all the major economies of the world china, russia, india, european union. i said i would do it in my first 100 days. i want to be very blunt about it. i had my attempt was to make sure that the world could see there was a consensus that we are at an inflection point in history. the consensus is if we act to save the planet we can create millions of jobs and economic growth and opportunity to raise the standard of living. that's what every nation said

even. the investments i propose tonight also advance the foreign policy. in my view the benefits to the middle class. that means making sure it plays by the same rules of the global economy including china. my discussions i told him we welcome the competition. we are not looking for conflict. but i made absolutely clear that we will defend america's interest across the board. america will stand up to the unfair trade practices and the american industries like subsidies from state to state owned operations and enterprises and the american technology and intellectual property. i also told him that it will make a strong military presence in the indo pacific just as we do with nato and europe. not to start a conflict, but to prevent one.

[applause] too many world leaders, america will not back away from our commitments. our commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms and alliances. when i pointed out to him no responsible american president could remain silent when basic human rights are being so blatantly violated. an american president has to represent the essence of what the country stands for. america is an idea, the most unique in history. we are created, all of us, equal. it's who we are. and we cannot walk away from that principle. and in fact to say we are dealing with the american idea. with regard to russia, i know it concerns some of you, but i made

very clear to putin that we are not going to seek escalation, but their actions will have consequences if they turn out to be true, and they turned out to be true. so, i responded directly and proportionately to russia's interference on the elections and cyber attacks on the business. they did both of these things. and i told them we would respond, and we have. we are also going to cooperate when it is in our mutual interest. we did it when we extended the treaty on the nuclear arms and we are working to do it on climate change. but he understands. we will respond. on iran and north korea, nuclear programs that prevent serious threats to american security and the security in the world, we will be working closely with our allies to address the threats

posed by both of these countries through the diplomacy as well as stern deterrence. and american leadership means ending the forever war in afghanistan. [applause] we have the greatest fighting force in the history of the world. i'm the first who knows what it means to have a son serving in the war zone. today we have servicemembers serving in the same or zone as their parents did. we have servicemembers in afghanistan that are not yet born on 9/11. it as we remembered the debates here we are never meant to be multigenerational undertaking of nationbuilding. we went to get the terrorists that attacked us on 9/11 and we

said we would follow some of them to the gates of hell to do it. and we delivered justice to bin laden. we degraded the threat of al qaeda and afghanistan and after 20 years of value and sacrifice, it's time to bring those troops home. [applause] even over the capacity to suppress future threats to the homeland, make no mistake. in 20 years, terrorism has metastasized. the threat is way beyond afghanistan. those in the intelligence committees, the foreign relations committee, defense committee, you know well we have to remain vigilant against the threats to the united states, wherever they come from.

al qaeda and isis, yemen, somalia, other places in africa, the middle east and beyond. and we won't ignore what the intelligence have said determined to be the most lethal threat to the homeland today, white supremacy is terrorism. we are not going to ignore that either. my fellow americans, look, we have to come together to heal the soul of this nation. nearly a year ago when i spoke with george floyd's young daughter. she's a little tight so i was kneeling down to talk to her so i could look her in the eye. she looked at me and said my daddy changed the world. after the conviction of george floyd's murder, we can see how right she was if we have the courage to act as a congress.

we have seen the knee on the black of black americans. the vast majority of men and women wearing the uniform and the badge and they serve honorably. i know of them. i know they want -- [applause] [applause] i know they want to help me to this moment as well. my fellow americans, we have to come together to rebuild trust between law enforcement and the people they serve. truly systemic racism in the criminal justice system and enact police reform in george floyd's name that passed the house already. i know republicans have their

own ideas and are engaged in a very productive discussion with democrats in the senate. we need to work together to find a consensus. but let's get it done next month, by the first anniversary of george floyd's death. [applause] the country supports this reform, and congress should act, should act. we have a giant opportunity to bend the moral universe towards real justice. with the plans outlined tonight, we have a chance to root out the systemic racism that plagues america and american lives in other ways. the chance to deliver real equity, good jobs, good schools, affordable housing, clean air, water, being able to generate wealth and pass it down to generations because you have access to purchase a house, real

opportunities in the lives of more americans, black, white, latino, asian americans. look, i also want to thank the united states senate for voting 94-12 pass this before hate crimes act to protect asian americans. [applause] >> acting decisively. we see on television the viciousness of the hate crimes. we have seen over this past year, for too long. i urge the house to do the same and send legislation to my desk, which i will gladly and anxiously sign. i also hope congress will get to my desk the equality act to protect lgbtq americans. [applause] all transgender americans at home especially young people, you are so brave and i want you

to know your president has your back. another thing let's authorize the violence against women act which has been law for 27 years. [applause] 27 years. it will close the act that has to be authorized now will close the boyfriend loophole, to keep guns out of the hands of abusers. the court order said this is an abuser, you can't own a gun. to close that loophole in the system. you know it's estimated that 50 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner every month in america. fifty each month. let's pass this and save some lives. [applause]

i need not tell anyone this but gun violence has become an epidemic in america. the flag at the white house is still at half-mast for the eight victims in georgia with ten more lives taken in a shooting in colorado. and in the weekend between those two events, 250 other americans were shot dead in the streets of america. 250, shot dead. ..

>> the survivors and families who lost loved ones to gun violence. i late several department of justice actions to impact the epidemic. one of them bands the so-called ghost guns. these are homemade guns built from a kit that includes instructions how to finish the firearm. they have no serial numbers. they show that crime scenes and cannot be traced. the buyers of the ghost gun kids are not required to pass any background check. anyone from a criminal or a terrorist can buy this kit and within 30 minutes have a weapon that is lethal. no more. i will do everything in my power to protect the american

people of this epidemic of gun violence but is time for congress to act as well. [applause] i don't want to become controversial we need more senates to join us in close the background check loophole. we need a ban on the small weapon high-capacity magazines. don't tell me it can't be done. we did before it worked. talk to most responsible gun owners and they will tell you there is no possible justification having 100 rounds in a weapon. does dear wear a kevlar vest? [laughter]

that tells you there too many people per day who can buy a gun but should not be able to buy a gun. this has overwhelming support including many gun owners. the country supports reform and congress should act. this shouldn't be a red or blue issue. no amendment to the constitution is absolute. you cannot yell fire in a crowded theater. from the very beginning there are certain guns or weapons that could not be owned by americans. certain people could not own those weapons ever. a change in the constitution would be reasonable this isn't a democrat or republican issue it is an american issue immigration is always been essential to america.

for more than 30 years politicians talk about reform and we have done nothing about it. it's time to fix that on day one of my presidency i commit my commitment on the comprehensive immigration bill to the united states congress if you believe the need to secure the border for high-tech border security with 11 million undocumented folks the vast majority with the overstaying of their visa and then to take a close look at it. we are all set to get at the root problem to the southern border from the political instability natural disasters hurricanes. when i was president when i was vice president and then to

help those that are forced to leave the plan was working but the last administration decide it wasn't working. i am restoring the program i asked vice president harris to lead the diplomatic effort to take care of this. [applause] >> let's all pass what we all agree on. congress needs to pass legislation this year to finally secure protection for the dreamers. [applause] they only know america as their home. [applause] and permanent protection for immigrants who are here on

temporary protective status coming from countries from man-made and natural made violence. [applause] as well as a pathway to citizens. >> to do so much for the pandemic and throughout history. we should act. let's debate. let's act. [applause] and then to protect the sacred right to vote. [applause] those at the last presidential election more than any time in history during the worst pandemic ever. it should be celebrated.

congress passed hr one and i john lewis voting rights act. [applause] the country supports it. congress should act now. >> and to remain vivid in all our mind lives are put at risk. lives are lost extraordinary courage was summoned the insurrection was an existential crisis whether democracy could survive and it did. with it with long in do or the ancient incursion can the democracy deliver on the

promise? with respect and possibility can our democracy to deliver the most pressing needs of our people can overcome the lies and hate and fear to pull us apart? america's adversary the autocrats are betting we can't. they believe we are too full of division and rage look at the assault on the capital as proof the sun is setting on american democracy. but they are wrong. you know it and i know it. we have to prove them wrong. prove democracy still works in the government works it we can deliver for our people.

the first 100 days revaccinate the nation. hundreds of thousands of new jobs. delivering real results to people who can see it and feel it in their own lives. opening doors of opportunity to guarantee more fairness and justice is the fairness of america and democracy in action. the constitution starts with we the people it's time to remember we the people are the government. you and i. not a force in the distant capital. not a powerful force they have no control over. it is us. we the people another era franklin roosevelt reminded us in america we do our part. we all do our part. that's all i'm asking. we do our part. all of us. we meet the challenge by proving that democracy is doable and strong.

the future belongs to america. and we can say with absolute confidence i have never been more confident are optimistic about america. because of what is happening with the american people. we stared into the abyss of insurrection of pandemic and pain and we the people did not flinch. the very moment the adversaries were certain we would pull apart and fail we came together reunited with light and help to someone a new strength and resolve to position us to win the competition of the 21st century. on our way to a union more perfect and prosperous and just as one people. one nation. one america.

folks, i told every leader i have ever met, it's never ever been a good bet to bet against america. and it still isn't. we are the united states of america. there is not a single thing, nothing beyond our capacity. [applause] we can do whatever we set her mind to do it if we do it together. let's begin together. god bless you all. may god protect our troops. thank you for your patience. [applause] thank you.

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[inaudible conversations] >> i don't know how to reach out and i have the experience.

>> i can do a lot of good there with a conversation. [laughter] [inaudible conversations] [laughter] [inaudible conversations]

>> the joint session. [inaudible] [inaudible conversations]

>> for what purposes the gentleman from maryland recognition? [applause] >> without objection. [inaudible conversations] >> in a speech that ran just over one hour president biden remains in the capital tonight. he will be meeting with members of congress before returning to the white house. we are literally across the street in the rotunda. here on c-span2 a chance to hear from members who were inside the chamber. only 200 in attendance. different feel from the crowd

seen inside. they will come over here and we will get their reaction. on c-span one we have the republican response that cheney feet one - - a chance for you to weigh in your calls to president biden speech to members of congress. all coverage is available on our website. and also praising former president trump with operation warp speed with the gop agenda as lawmakers with ahead what the president outlined tonight in his speech. all available tonight online c-span.org. senators will come over here and your calls and comments on c-span one. what the president talked about 100 days into his administration where we are with the pandemic, 200 million americans being vaccinated and the program continues around the country. the president praises this is a joint effort across the country. more from president biden and senator scott's response in just a few minutes.

>> i stand here tonight one day shy of 100th day of my administration. one hundred days since i took the oath of office to with my hand on the family bible and inherited a nation. we all did that was in crisis. the worst pandemic and a century. the worst economic crisis since the great depression. the worst attack on our democracy since the civil war. now come after just 100 days, i can report to the nation, america is on the move again. [cheers and applause] with the possibility and crisis of opportunity. setbacks in the strength. we all know what cannot is

down. and in america we never stay down. americans always get up. today that is what we are doing. america rises. choosing hope over fear. truth overlies. light over darkness. after 100 days of rescue and renewal, america is ready for takeoff, in my view. working again. dreaming again. discovering again. leading the world again. we are shown each other and the world there is no quit in america. one hundred days ago america's house was on fire. we had to act with the extraordinary leadership the speaker pelosi and then them in majority schumer and democrat it's democrats independence and

republicans, we did act. together we passed the american rescue plan. the most consequential rescue packages in american history. we already see the results. [applause] we already see the results. after i promised we would get 200 million covid vaccine shot into arms and 100 days we will have over 220 million covid shots in those 100 days. [applause] thanks to all the help of all of you. with your help we have every federal resource to get vaccines and 40000 pharmacies and 700 community health centers with the poorest of the poor can be reached.

setting up community vaccination sites. mobile units to get the hard-to-reach communities. today, 90 percent of americans now live within 5 miles of a vaccination site. >> now we go live to republican senator tim scott. >> good evening. i'm senator tim scott from the great state of south carolina. you just heard president bidens first address to congress. president seems like a good man. his speech was full of good words. but president biden promised you a specific kind of leadership. he promised a united nation to lower the temperature and govern for all americans no matter how we voted. this is the touch. you heard it again. our nation is starving for more than empty platitudes. we need policies and progress to bring