POLITICS
Read the full transcript from President Joe Biden's
address to a joint session of Congress
USA TODAY
0:07
2:03
Wednesday
night, approaching his 100th day in office, President Joe
Biden addresses the joint session of Congress for the first
time. The full text of his prepared speech below was released by the White
House.
Madame
Speaker. Madame Vice President. No president has ever said those words 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 guests.
My
fellow Americans,
While
the setting tonight is familiar, this gathering is very different – a reminder
of the extraordinary times we are in. Throughout our history, Presidents have
come to this chamber to speak to the 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 our nation —
and revitalizing our democracy. And winning the future for America.
As
I stand here tonight — just one day shy of the 100th day of my administration.
100 days since I took the oath of office, lifted my hand off our family Bible,
and inherited a nation 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.
Turning peril into possibility. Crisis into opportunity. Setback into strength.
Life
can knock us down. But in America, we never stay down. In America, we always
get up. And today, that’s what we’re doing: America is rising anew. Choosing
hope over fear. Truth over lies. Light over darkness.
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After
100 Days of rescue and renewal, America is ready for takeoff. We are working
again. Dreaming again. Discovering again. Leading the world again. We have
shown each other and the world: There is no quit in America.
100
days ago, America’s house was on fire. We had to act. And thanks to the
extraordinary leadership of Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer – and
with 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 rescue
packages in American history. We’re already seeing the results.
After
I promised 100 million COVID-19 vaccine shots in 100 days – we will have
provided over 220 million COVID shots in 100 days. We’re marshalling every
federal resource. We’ve gotten the vaccine to nearly 40,000 pharmacies and over
700 community health centers. We’re setting up community vaccination sites, and
are deploying mobile units into hard-to-reach areas.
Today,
90% of Americans now live within 5 miles of a vaccination site. Everyone over
the age of 16, everyone – is now eligible and can get vaccinated right away. So
get vaccinated now.
When
I was sworn in, less than 1% of seniors were fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
100 days later, nearly 70% of seniors are fully protected. Senior deaths from
COVID-19 are down 80% since January. Down 80%. And, more than half of all
adults in America have gotten at least one shot.
At
a mass vaccination center in Glendale, Arizona, I asked a nurse what it’s like.
She looked and said every shot feels like a dose of hope. A dose of hope for
the educator in Florida who has a child who suffers from an auto-immune
disease. She wrote to me that she was worried about bringing the virus home.
When she got vaccinated, she sat in her car and just cried. Cried out of joy,
cried out of relief.
Parents
are seeing smiles on their kids’ faces as they go back to school because
teachers and school bus drivers, cafeteria workers have been vaccinated.
Grandparents hugging their children and grandchildren instead of pressing their
hands against a window to say goodbye. It means everything to both of them.
There’s
still more work to do to beat this virus. We can’t let our guard down now. But
tonight, I can say because of you — the American people – 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.
What
else have we done these first 100 days? We kept our commitment and we are
sending $1,400 rescue checks to 85% of all 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 to me. She said when she couldn’t work, this relief
check put food on the table and saved her and her son from eviction. A
grandmother in Virginia told me she immediately took her granddaughter to the
eye doctor — something she put off for months because she didn’t have the
money.
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. Did you ever think you’d see that in
America? That’s why the American Rescue Plan is delivering food and nutrition assistance
to millions of Americans facing hunger – and hunger is down sharply already.
We’re
also providing: Rental assistance to keep people from being evicted from their
homes. Providing loans to keep small businesses open and their employees on the
job.
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. We’re making one
of the largest one-time investments ever in improving health care 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.
In
the process, the economy created more than 1.3 million new jobs in 100 days. More
new jobs in the first 100 days than any president on record. The International
Monetary Fund is now estimating our 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. And we can’t stop now.
We’re
in a competition with China and other countries to win the 21st Century. We
have to do more than just build back. We have to build back better.
Throughout
our history, public investments and infrastructure have transformed America.
The transcontinental railroad and interstate highways united two oceans and
brought us into a totally new age of progress. Universal public school and
college aid opened wide the doors of opportunity. Scientific breakthroughs took
us to the Moon and now to Mars, discovered vaccines, and gave us the Internet
and so much more.
These
are the investments we make together, as one country, and that only government
can make. Time and again, they propel us into the future. That’s why I proposed
The American Jobs Plan — a once-in-a-generation investment in America itself.
The largest jobs plan since World War II.
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’s clean water.
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. A clear and present
danger to our children’s health.
The
American Jobs Plan creates jobs replacing 100% of the nation’s lead pipes and
service lines so every American, so every child – can turn on the faucet and be
certain to drink clean water. It creates jobs connecting every American with
high-speed internet, including 35% of rural Americans who still don’t have it.
This will help our kids and businesses succeed in a 21st Century economy. And I
am asking the Vice President to help lead this effort.
It
creates jobs by building a modern power grid. Our grids are vulnerable to
storms, hacks, and catastrophic failures – with tragic results as we saw in
Texas and elsewhere during winter storms.
The
American Jobs Plan will create jobs to lay thousands of miles of transmission
lines needed to build a resilient and fully clean grid. The American Jobs Plan
will help millions of people get back to their jobs and their careers.
2
million women have dropped out of the workforce during this pandemic, too often
because they couldn’t get the care they need for their family, their children.
800,000 families are on a Medicaid waiting list right now to get homecare for
their aging parent or loved one with a disability. This plan will help these
families and create jobs for our caregivers with better wages and better
benefits.
For
too long, we have failed to use the most important word when it comes to
meeting the climate crisis. Jobs. Jobs. For me, when I think about climate
change, I think jobs.
The
American Jobs Plan will put engineers and construction workers to work building
more energy efficient buildings and homes. Electrical workers installing
500,000 charging stations along our highways. Farmers planting cover
crops, so they can reduce carbon dioxide in the air and get paid for doing it.
There’s
no reason the blades for wind turbines can’t be built in Pittsburgh instead of
Beijing. No reason why American workers can’t lead the world in the production
of electric vehicles and batteries.
The
American Jobs Plan will create millions of good paying jobs – jobs Americans
can raise their families on. And all the investments in the American Jobs Plan
will be guided by one principle: “Buy American.” American tax dollars are going
to be used to buy American products made in America that create American jobs.
The way it should be.
Now
– I know some of you at home are wondering whether these jobs are for you. You
feel left behind and forgotten in an economy that’s rapidly changing. Let me
speak directly to you.
Independent
experts estimate the American Jobs Plan will add millions of jobs and trillions
of dollars in economic growth for years to come. These are good-paying jobs
that can’t be outsourced. Nearly 90% of the infrastructure jobs created in the
American Jobs Plan do not require a college degree. 75% do not require an
associate’s degree.
The
American Jobs Plan is a blue-collar blueprint to build America. And, it
recognizes something I’ve always said. Wall Street didn’t build this country.
The middle class built this country. And unions build the middle class. And
that’s why I’m calling on Congress to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize
Act – the PRO Act — and send it to my desk to support the right to unionize.
By
the way – let’s also pass the $15 minimum wage. No one should work 40 hours a
week and still live below the poverty line. And we need to ensure greater
equity and opportunity for women. Let’s get the Paycheck Fairness Act to my
desk for equal pay. It’s long past time.
Finally,
the American Jobs Plan will be the biggest increase in non-defense research and
development on record. We will see more technological change in the next 10
years – than we saw in the last 50 years. And we’re falling behind in that
competition.
Decades
ago we used to invest 2% of our GDP on research and development. Today, we
spend less than 1%. China and other countries are closing in fast. We have to
develop and dominate the products and technologies of the future: advanced
batteries, biotechnology, computer chips, and clean energy.
The
Defense Department has an agency called DARPA – the Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency – that’s there to develop breakthroughs to enhance our national
security – which led to the internet and GPS and so much more. The National
Institutes of Health, the NIH – should create a similar Advanced Research
Projects Agency for health. To develop breakthroughs – to prevent, detect, and
treat diseases like Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and cancer.
This
is personal to so many of us. I can think of no more worthy investment. And I
know of nothing that is more bipartisan. Let’s end cancer as we know it. It’s
within our power.
Investments
in jobs and infrastructure like the ones we’re talking about have often had
bipartisan support. Vice President Harris and I meet regularly in the Oval
Office with Democrats and Republicans to discuss the American Jobs Plan. And I
applaud a group of Republican Senators who just put forward their proposal. So,
let’s get to work.
We
welcome ideas. But, the rest of the world isn’t waiting for us. Doing nothing
is not an option. We can’t be so busy competing with each other that we forget
the competition is with the rest of the world to win the 21st Century.
To
win that competition for the future, we also need to make a once-in-a-generation
investment in our families – in our children. That’s why I’m introducing the
American Families Plan tonight, which addresses four of the biggest challenges
facing American families today.
First,
access to a good education. 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. But the world is catching up. They are not waiting.
12
years is no longer enough today to compete in the 21st Century. That’s why the
American Families Plan guarantees four additional years of public education for
every person in America – starting as early as we can. We add two years of
universal high-quality pre-school for every 3- and 4- year-old in America.
The
research shows that when a young child goes to school—not day care—they are far
more likely to graduate from high school and go on to college. And then we add
two years of free community college. And we will increase Pell Grants and
investment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal colleges,
and minority-serving institutions.
Jill
is a community college professor who teaches today as First Lady. She has long
said any country that out-educates us is going to outcompete us – and she’ll be
leading this effort.
Second,
the American Families plan will provide access to quality, affordable child
care. 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. The most
hard-pressed working families won’t have to spend a dime.
Third,
the American Families Plan will finally provide up to 12 weeks of paid family
and medical leave. No one should have to choose between a job and paycheck or
taking care of themselves and a loved one – a parent, spouse, or child.
And
fourth, the American Families Plan puts money directly into the pockets of
millions of families. In March we expanded a tax credit for every child in a
family. Up to a $3,000 Child Tax Credit for children over 6 — and $3,600 for
children under 6.
With
two parents, two kids, that’s up to $7,200 in your pocket to help take care of
your family. This will help more than 65 million children and help cut child
poverty in half this year. Together, let’s extend the Child Tax Credit at least
through the end of 2025.
The
American Rescue Plan lowered health care premiums for 9 million Americans who
buy their coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Let’s make that provision
permanent so their premiums don’t go back up.
In
addition to my Families Plan, I will work with Congress to address – this year
– other critical priorities for America’s 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 has demonstrated how badly it is needed. Let’s lower deductibles
for working families on the Affordable Care Act, and let’s lower prescription
drug costs. We all know how outrageously expensive they are.
In
fact, we pay the highest prescription drug prices in the world right here in
America – nearly three times as much as other countries. We can change that.
Let’s
do what we’ve always talked about. Let’s give Medicare the power to save
hundreds of billions of dollars by negotiating lower prices for prescription
drugs. That won’t just help people on Medicare – it will lower prescription
drug costs for everyone.
The
money we save can go to strengthen the Affordable Care Act – expand Medicare
coverage and benefits – without costing taxpayers one additional penny. We’ve
talked about it long enough – Democrats and Republicans. Let’s get it done this
year.
This
is all about a simple premise: Health care should be a right, not a privilege
in America. So how do we pay for my Jobs and Family Plans?
I’ve
made clear that we can do it without increasing deficits. Let’s start with what
I will not do.
I
will not impose any tax increases on people making less than $400,000 a year.
It’s time for corporate America and the wealthiest 1% of Americans to pay their
fair share. Just pay their fair share.
A
recent study shows that 55 of the nation’s biggest corporations paid zero in
federal income tax last year. No federal taxes on more than $40 billion in
profits. A lot of companies evade taxes through tax havens from Switzerland to
Bermuda to the Cayman Islands. And they benefit from tax loopholes and
deductions that allow for offshoring jobs and shifting profits overseas. That’s
not right.
We’re
going to reform corporate taxes so they pay their fair share – and help pay for
the public investments their businesses will benefit from. And, we’re going to
reward work, not wealth.
We
take the top tax bracket for the wealthiest 1% of Americans – those making
$400,000 or more – back up to 39.6%. We take the top tax bracket for the
wealthiest 1% of Americans – those making $400,000 or more – back up to 39.6%.
That’s where it was when George W. Bush became president.
We’re
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. This will only affect 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 anyone. But I will not add to the tax burden of the
middle class of this country. They’re already paying enough. What I’ve proposed
is fair. It’s fiscally responsible.
It
raises the revenue to pay for the plans I’ve proposed that will create millions
of jobs and grow the economy. When you hear someone say that they don’t want to
raise taxes on the wealthiest 1% and on corporate America – ask them: whose
taxes are you going to raise instead, and whose are you going to cut?
Look
at the big tax cut in 2017. It was supposed to pay for itself and generate vast
economic growth. Instead it added $2 trillion to the deficit. It was a huge
windfall for corporate America and those at the very top.
Instead
of using the tax savings to raise wages and invest in research and development
– it poured billions of dollars into the pockets of CEOs. In fact, the pay gap
between CEOs and their workers is now among the largest in history.
According
to one study, CEOs make 320 times what their average workers make. The pandemic
has only made things worse.
20
million Americans lost their jobs in the pandemic – working- and middle-class
Americans. At the same time, the roughly 650 Billionaires in America saw their
net worth increase by more than $1 Trillion. Let me say that again. Just 650
people increased their wealth by more than $1 Trillion during this pandemic.
They are now worth more than $4 Trillion.
My
fellow Americans, trickle-down economics has never worked. It’s time to grow
the economy from the bottom up and middle-out.
A
broad consensus of economists – left, right, center – agree that what I’m
proposing will help create millions of jobs and generate historic economic
growth. These are among the highest value investments we can make as a nation.
I’ve
often said that our greatest strength is the power of our example – not just
the example of our power. And in my conversations with world leaders – many
I’ve known for a long time – the comment I hear most often is: we see that
America is back – but for how long?
My
fellow Americans, we have to show not just that we are back, but that we are
here to stay. And that we aren’t going it alone – we’re going to be leading
with our allies.
No
one nation can deal with all the crises of our time alone – from terrorism to
nuclear proliferation to mass migration, cybersecurity, climate change – and as
we’re experiencing now, pandemics. There’s no wall high enough to keep any
virus away.
As
our own vaccine supply grows to meet our needs – and we are meeting them – we
will become an arsenal of vaccines for other countries – just as America was
the arsenal of democracy in World War 2.
The
climate crisis is not our fight alone, either. It’s a global fight. The United
States accounts for less than 15% of carbon emissions. The rest of the world
accounts for 85%. That’s why – I kept my commitment to rejoin the Paris Climate
Agreement on my first day in office. And I kept my commitment to convene a
climate summit right here in America, with all of the major economies of the
world – from China and Russia to India and the European Union in my first 100
days.
I
wanted the world to see that there is consensus that we are at an inflection
point in history. And the consensus is if we act, we can save the planet – and
we can create millions of jobs and economic growth and opportunity to raise the
standard of living for everyone in the world.
The
investments I’ve proposed tonight also advance a foreign policy that benefits
the middle class. That means making sure every nation plays by the same rules
in the global economy, including China.
In
my discussion with President Xi, I told him that we welcome the competition –
and that we are not looking for conflict. But I made absolutely clear that I
will defend American interests across the board. 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.
I
also told President Xi that we will maintain a strong military presence in the
Indo—Pacific just as we do with NATO in Europe – not to start conflict – but to
prevent conflict. And, I told him what I’ve said to many world leaders – that
America won’t back away from our commitment to human rights and fundamental
freedoms.
No
responsible American president can remain silent when basic human rights are
violated. A president has to represent the essence of our country. America is
an idea – unique in the world. We are all created equal. It’s who we are. We
cannot walk away from that principle.
With
regard to Russia, I made very clear to President Putin that while we don’t seek
escalation, their actions have consequences.
I
responded in a direct and proportionate way to Russia’s interference in our
elections and cyber— attacks on our government and businesses – and they did
both of those things and I did respond. But we can also cooperate when it’s in
our mutual interests.
As
we did when we extended the New START Treaty on nuclear arms – and as we’re
working to do on the climate crisis. On Iran and North Korea’s nuclear programs
that present a serious threat to America’s security and world security – we
will be working closely with our allies to address the threats posed by both of
these countries through diplomacy and stern deterrence.
And
American leadership means ending the forever war in Afghanistan. We have the
greatest fighting force in the history of the world. And I’m the first
President in 40 years who knows what it means to have had a child serving in a
warzone.
Today
we have service members serving in the same war as their parents once did. We
have service members in Afghanistan who were not yet born on 9/11. War in
Afghanistan was never meant to be a multi—generational undertaking of
nation—building.
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 threat of al Qaeda in
Afghanistan. After 20 years of American valor and sacrifice, it’s time to bring
our troops home.
Even
as we do, we will maintain an over—the—horizon capability to suppress future
threats to the homeland. But make no mistake – the terrorist threat has evolved
beyond Afghanistan since 2001 and we will remain vigilant against threats to
the United States, wherever they come from. Al Qaeda and ISIS are in Yemen,
Syria, Somalia, and other places in Africa and the Middle East and beyond.
And,
we won’t ignore what our own intelligence agencies have determined – the most
lethal terrorist threat to the homeland today is from white supremacist
terrorism.
And
my fellow Americans, we must come together to heal the soul of this nation. It
was nearly a year ago before her father’s funeral, when I spoke with Gianna
Floyd, George Floyd’s young daughter. As I knelt down to talk to her so we
could talk eye—to—eye, she said to me, “Daddy changed the world.”
After
the conviction of George Floyd’s murderer, we can see how right she was – if we
have the courage to act. We have all seen the knee of injustice on the neck of
Black America. Now is our opportunity to make real progress.
Most
men and women in uniform wear their badge and serve their communities
honorably. I know them. I know they want to help meet this moment as well.
My
fellow Americans, we have to come together. To rebuild trust between law
enforcement and the people they serve. To root out systemic racism in our
criminal justice system. And to enact police reform in George Floyd’s name that
passed the House already. I know the Republicans have their own ideas and are
engaged in productive discussions with Democrats.
We
need to work together to find a consensus. Let’s get it done next month, by the
first anniversary of George Floyd’s death. The country supports this reform.
Congress should act.
We
have a giant opportunity to bend to the arc of the moral universe toward
justice. Real justice. 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.
A
chance to deliver real equity. Good jobs and good schools. Affordable housing.
Clean air and clean water. Being able to generate wealth and pass it down
through generations. Real opportunities in the lives of more Americans – Black,
white, Latino, Asian American, Native American.
I
also want to thank the Senate for voting 94—1 to pass the COVID—19 Hate Crimes
Act to protect Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders from the vicious hate
crimes we’ve seen this past year – and for too long. I urge the House to do the
same and send that legislation to my desk as soon as possible.
I
also hope Congress can get to my desk the Equality Act to protect the rights of
LGBTQ Americans. To all the transgender Americans watching at home – especially
the young people who are so brave – I want you to know that your president has
your back.
And
another thing. Let’s reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, which has been
law in this country for 27 years since I first wrote it. It will close the
so—called “boyfriend” loophole to keep guns out of the hands of abusers.
It’s
estimated that more than 50 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner –
every month in America. Pass it and save lives.
And
I need not tell anyone this, but gun violence is an epidemic in America. Our
flag at the White House was still flying at half—staff for the 8 victims of the
mass shooting in Georgia, when 10 more lives were taken in a mass shooting in
Colorado.
In
the week between those mass shootings, more than 250 other Americans were shot
dead. 250 shot dead. I know how hard it is to make progress on this issue.
In
the 1990s, we passed universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons
and high—capacity magazines that hold 100 rounds that can be fired in seconds.
We beat the NRA. Mass shootings and gun violence declined.
But
in the early 2000’s, that law expired and we’ve seen the daily bloodshed since.
More than two weeks ago in the Rose Garden, surrounded by some of the bravest
people I know – the survivors and families who lost loved ones to gun violence
– I laid out several steps the Department of Justice is taking to end this
epidemic. One of them is banning so—called “ghost guns.”
They
are homemade guns built from a kit that includes the directions on how to
finish the firearm. The parts have no serial numbers, so when they show up at a
crime scene, they can't be traced. The buyers of ghost gun kits aren't required
to pass a background check. Anyone from a criminal to a terrorist could buy this
kit and, in as little as 30 minutes, put together a lethal weapon. But not
anymore.
I
will do everything in my power to protect the American people from this
epidemic of gun violence. But it’s time for Congress to act as well.
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. And we need a ban on assault weapons and high—capacity
magazines again. Don’t tell me it can’t be done. We’ve done it before … and it
worked.
Talk
to most responsible gun owners, most hunters – they’ll tell you there’s no
possible justification for having 100 rounds – 100 bullets – in a weapon. They
will tell you that there are too many people today who are able to buy a gun,
but who shouldn’t be able to. These kinds of reasonable reforms have the
overwhelming support of the American people – including many gun owners. The
country supports reform, and the Congress should act. This shouldn’t be a Red
vs. Blue issue. It’s an American issue. And here’s what else we can do.
Immigration
has always been essential to America. Let’s end our exhausting war over
immigration.
For
more than 30 years, politicians have talked about immigration reform and done
nothing about it. It’s time to fix it.
On
day one of my Presidency, I kept my commitment and I sent a comprehensive
immigration bill to Congress. If you believe we need a secure border – pass it.
If you believe in a pathway to citizenship – pass it. If you actually want to solve
the problem – I have sent you a bill, now pass it.
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. The violence. The
corruption. The gangs. The political instability. Hunger. Hurricanes.
Earthquakes.
When
I was Vice President, I focused on providing the help needed to address these
root causes of migration. It helped keep people in their own countries instead
of being forced to leave. Our plan worked. But the last administration shut it
down.
I’m
restoring the program and asked Vice President Harris to lead our diplomatic
efforts. I have absolute confidence she will get the job done.
Now,
if Congress won’t pass my plan – let’s at least pass what we agree on. Congress
needs to pass legislation this year to finally secure protection for the
Dreamers – the young people who have only known America as their home.
And,
permanent protections for immigrants on temporary protected status who come
from countries beset by man—made and natural made violence and disaster. As
well as a pathway to citizenship for farmworkers who put food on our tables.
Immigrants
have done so much for America during the pandemic – as they have throughout our
history. The country supports immigration reform. Congress should act. And if
we are to truly restore the soul of America – we need to protect the sacred
right to vote.
More
people voted in the last presidential election than ever before in our history
– in the middle of one of the worst pandemics ever. That should be celebrated.
Instead it’s being attacked.
Congress
should pass H.R. 1 and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and send them to my
desk right away. The country supports it. Congress should act.
As
we gather here tonight, the images of a violent mob assaulting this
Capitol—desecrating our democracy—remain vivid in our minds. Lives were put at
risk. Lives were lost. Extraordinary courage was summoned.
The
insurrection was an existential crisis—a test of whether our democracy could
survive. It did. But the struggle is far from over. The question of whether our
democracy will long endure is both ancient and urgent. As old as our
Republic. Still vital today.
Can
our democracy deliver on its promise that all of us – created equal in the
image of God – have a chance to lead lives of dignity, respect, and
possibility? Can our democracy deliver on the most pressing needs of our
people? Can our democracy overcome the lies, anger, hate and fears that have
pulled us apart?
America’s
adversaries – the autocrats of the world – are betting it can’t. They believe
we are too full of anger and division and rage. They look at the images of the
mob that assaulted this Capitol as proof that the sun is setting on American
democracy. They are wrong. And we have to prove them wrong. We have to prove
democracy still works. That our government still works – and can deliver for
the people.
In
our first 100 Days together, we have acted to restore the people’s faith in our
democracy to deliver. We’re vaccinating the nation. We’re creating hundreds of
thousands of jobs. We’re delivering real results people can see and feel in
their own lives. Opening the doors of opportunity. Guaranteeing fairness and
justice. That’s the essence of America. That’s democracy in action.
Our
Constitution opens with the words, “We the People”. It’s time we remembered
that We the People are the government. You and I. Not some force in a distant
capital. Not some powerful force we have no control over. It’s us. It’s “We the
people.”
In
another era when our democracy was tested, Franklin Roosevelt reminded us—In
America: we do our part. That’s all I’m asking. That we all do our part. And if
we do, then we will meet the central challenge of the age by proving that
democracy is durable and strong. The autocrats will not win the future. America
will. The future will belong to America.
I
stand here tonight before you in a new and vital hour in the life of our
democracy and our nation. And I can say with absolute confidence: I have never
been more confident or more optimistic about America. We have stared into an
abyss of insurrection and autocracy — of pandemic and pain — and “We the
People” did not flinch.
At
the very moment our adversaries were certain we would pull apart and fail. We
came together. United. With light and hope, we summoned new strength and new
resolve. To position us to win the competition for the 21st Century. On our way
forward to a Union more perfect. More prosperous. More just. As one people. One
nation. One America.
It’s
never been a good bet to bet against America. And it still isn’t. We are the
United States of America. There is nothing – nothing – beyond our capacity –
nothing we can’t do – if we do it together.
May
God bless you all. May God protect our troops.
