0 you don't -- but the chief justice has often said that he doesn't really like to come to these things because they're political. but he's come to many of them. i think he has one -- >> he has come to every one. >> one of the records. something like 18. >> even during the covid year when almost nobody came, he was the only supreme court justice who came. we see there the secretary of transportation, pete buttigieg, secretary of energy. you're joining us, you're one of the preeminent biographers of joe biden. what is going through his mind in this very unique landscape with a new republican-led house and this newly-heightened challenge from china, not a new challenge, but newly-heightened? >> you know, there are moments for a political speech. we heard some of thoiz recently from him during the midterms and may, in fact, be hearing more of that kind if he does run for re-election. that's not what tonight is about. tonight is about being president of the united states. and i heard from one of his advisers the other day who said, you know, we're at this point of transition where we've gotten it done legislatively and now we have to make it real. you know, that is the idea. make it tangible. put it into people's lives, the idea that you're building these chip factories in the united states, the idea that you're building bridges and tunnels. you saw the president go to kentucky, stand with mitch mcconnell and talk about bridges that are going to be built. he went to arizona talking about a semiconductor factory. that is -- you'll hear more of that tonight about him saying to people out there, i see you. you're not invisible. you're not left behind. we're coming up with an economic strategy that can meet you where you are and that tries to bring you back into this economy. >> i think as we watch the pictures they're about to bring the president into the room. this is his night obviously. just looking you at the floor reminds you of the uncertain moment we're at politically for both parties. kyrsten sinema is with two republican senators. she is a bit of a pariah many her own party yet they may need her in the 2024 election. 18 republicans in this house chamber who represent districts joe biden carried. they're a little worried about the marjorie taylor greenes in their party and a whole bunch of trump state democrats, john tester of montana who have to be on the ballot in 2024. and running in state. is joe biden going to be a strong democratic nominee for him? it's the president's night. jake, you made such an important point early about the house chamber, the insurrection, the history of the chamber every single time the chief justice is there because he respects the institution. kevin mccarthy has begged his members respect the institution. 130 of these members, including speaker of the house did not respect the institution back on january 6th. so, we're still in this remarkable moment of transition in american politics as we go from the last campaign which the democrats did surprisingly well in into the next campaign with all the questions. a lot of the republicans on the floor here think trump is going to fade away. are they right? they're hoping he does. but are they right? >> i've seen that movie before. >> yeah. >> we have all lived that movie before. and he has not. is joe biden strong enough? you know, the tepid response shows you that a lot of democrats have those doubts. the uncertainty in american politics right now is everywhere. >> and if -- >> if you see all these individuals sitting by the aisle and you're wondering, wow. did they just luck into these good seats? no, no, no, no, no. they had been sitting there for hours. these are the seats in which you get to shake the hand of the supreme court justice, chief justice, et cetera. but mainly so you can shake the hand of the president of the united states. this is a big moment for a lot of these house members. we are waiting for president biden, who is not generally the most punctual president in the world. i would say george w. bush was probably the most punctual. >> george w. bush was fanatical about it. if a meeting was supposed to start at 8, at 9:00 -- 8:58, why isn't everybody in here? >> here we go. let's listen in. mr. speaker, the president of the united states. [ cheers and applause ]. [ cheers and applause ]. >> mr. president. how are you, my friend? [ cheers and applause ]. >> mr. president. >> mr. president, good to see you again. >> sir, how you doing? [ applause ]. >> how are you doing, buddy? good to see you. [ applause ] . [ applause ]. >> how are you doing? >> welcome back, mr. president. >> how are you doing, mr. president? >> how are you, man. [ applause ]. >> how are you doing? >> good to see you. all right. we're watching president biden making his way down the aisle. if you are wondering who the gentleman on the left side of your screen and the woman in front of president biden are, they are the house sergeant at arms. and the senate sergeant at arms. the house sergeant at arms was just appointed to that position by speaker kevin mccarthy. the senate sergeant of arms was appointed in march, 2021. both of their predecessors, shall we say, were shown the door after january 6th, 2021. the president is making his way past the joint chiefs of staff. there is pelosi and steny hoyer, former house democratic leader, now he's joining and meeting and greeting his military leadership, members of the joint chiefs. traditionally i do not believe the president greets the u.s. supreme court. it is often considered to be a bad mixture of the judiciary and the executive branchs. john, looks like a pretty happy guy. it's important for him to show the pep in his step, that people remember from watching joe biden since he arrived here in washington in early '70s. >> people for years say why do we have this speech? why does it go on for more than an hour? any politician can speak to millions of people uninterrupted -- >> there he is with house speaker kevin mccarthy shaking hands. [ cheers and applause ]. >> part of the tradition. hand a copy of your speech to the vice president, the speaker of the house. that's a big moment there. we'll see. this is a relationship, jake, that has started off relatively cordial, despite huge policy differences. we'll see if that continues. >> let's listen in. >> thank you. thank you, thank you, thank you. >> members of congress, i have the high privilege and the distinct honor to present to you the president of the united states. [ cheers and applause ]. >> mr. speaker. >> thank you. you can smile. it's okay. thank you, thank you, thank you. thank you. please. mr. speaker, madame vice president, our first lady and second gentleman, good to see you guys up there. members of congress. [ cheers and applause ]. by the way, chief justice, i may need a court order. she gets to go to the game tomorrow -- next week. i have to stay home. got to work something out here. members of the cabinet, leaders of our military, chief justice, associate justice and retired justices, supreme court and to you, my fellow americans. you know, i start tonight by congratulations 118th congress and the newest speaker of the house, kevin mccarthy. [ cheers and applause ]. >> speaker, i don't want to ruin your reputation, but i look forward to working with you. i want to congratulate the new leader of the house, democrats, the first african-american minority leader in history, hakeem jeffries. [ cheers and applause ]. i campaigned for him. congratulations on the longest serving leader in the history of the united states senate, mitch mcconnell. where are you, mitch? and congratulations to chuck schumer, another, you know, another term senate minority leader. you know, i think -- this time you have a slightly bigger majority, mr. leader. you're the majority leader, about that much bigger? well, i tell you what. i want to give special recognition to someone who i think is going to be considered the greatest speaker in the history of the house of representatives, nancy pelosi. [ cheers and applause ]. folks. the story of america is a story of progress and resilience. of always moving forward. of never, ever giving up. story unique among all nations. we're the only country that has emerged from every crisis we ever entered stronger than we got into it. look, folks, that's what we're doing again. two years ago the economy was reeling. i stand here tonight after we created with the help of many people in this room 12 million new jobs, more jobs created in two years than any president created in four years because of you all. because of the american people. two years ago -- two years ago covid had shut down, our businesses were closed, our schools were robbed of so much. today covid no longer controls our lives. and two years ago, democracy faced its greatest threat since civil war, today though bruised our democracy remains unbowed and unbroken. as we gather here tonight, we're writing the next chapter in the great american story. a story of progress and resilience. when world leaders ask me to define america, they do believe it or not, i can define it in one word. i mean this, possibilities. we don't think anything is beyond our capacity. everything is a possibility. you know, we're often told that democrats and republicans can't work together. but over the past two years we proved the cynics and nay sayers wrong. yes, we disagree plenty. and yes, there were times when democrats went alone. but time and again democrats and republicans came together. came together to defend a stronger and safer europe. came together to pass one in a generation -- once in a generation infrastructure law building bridges, connecting our nation and our people. we came together to pass the most significant law every, helping victims exposed to toxic burn pits. and in fact -- this is important. and in fact, i signed over 300 bipartisan pieces of legislation since becoming president. from reauthorizing the women's act, electoral count reform act, respect for marriage act, protects the right to marry the person you love, and to my republican friends, if we could work together the last congress, there's no reason we can't work together and find consensus on important things in this congress as well. and thank -- folks, you all are informed as i am, but i think the people sent us a clear message. fighting for the sake of the fighting, power for the sake of power, conflict for the sake of conflict gets us nowhere. that's always been my vision of our country. and i know it's many of yours. to restore the soul of this nation, rebuild the backbone of america. america's middle class and to unite the country. we've been sent here to finish the job in my view. for decades middle class has been hallowed out. and more than -- not one administration but for a long time. too many good paying manufacturing jobs move overseas. factories closed down. once thriving cities and towns many of you represent became shadows of what they used to be. and along the way something else we lost, pride. our sense of self worth. i ran for president to fundamentally change things. to make sure our economy works for everyone. so we can all feel that pride in what we do. to build an economy from the bottom up and middle out, not from the top down. because when the middle class does well, the poor have a ladder up and the wealthy still do very well. we all do well. [ applause ]. i know a lot of you always kid me for always quoting my dad, but my dad used to say, joey, a job is about a lot more than a paycheck. really would say this. it's about a lot more than a paycheck. it's about your dignity. it's about respect. it's about being able to look your kid in the eye and say, honey, it's going to be okay and mean it. well, folks, let's look at the results. we're not finished yet by any stretch of the imagination, but unemployment rate is 3.4%, a 50-year low. [ cheers and applause ]. near record. near record unemployment. near record unemployment for black and hispanic workers. we've already created through help 800,000 good-paying manufacturing jobs, the fastest growth in 40 years. and where is it written? where is it written that america can't lead the world in manufacturing? i don't know where that's written. for too many decades we imported projects and exported jobs. now thanks to what you've all done, we're exporting american products and creating american jobs. [ cheers and applause ]. folks, inflation -- inflation has been a global problem because the pandemic disrupted our supply chains and putin's unfair and brutal war in ukraine disrupted energy supplies as well as food supplies. blocking all that grain in ukraine. but we're better positioned than any country in earth right now. but we have more to do. but here at home, inflation is coming down. here at home, gas prices are down 1.50 from their peak. food inflation is coming down, not fast enough, but coming down. inflation is falling every month for the last six months. while take-home pay has gone up. additionally, over the last two years, a record 10 million americans applied to start new businesses. 10 million. and by the way, every time -- every time someone starts a small business is an act of hope. and madame vice president, i want to thank you for leading that effort to ensure the small businesses have access to capital and the historic laws reenacted that will come into being. standing here last year i shared with you a story of american genius and possibility, semiconducts rers. power everything from cell phones to automobiles and so much more. these chips were invented in america. let's get that straight. they were invented in america. we used to make 40% of the world's chips. the last several decades we lost our edge. we're down only producing 10%. we all saw what happened during the pandemic when chip factories shut down overseas. today's automobiles need 3,000 chips each of those automobiles. but american automobiles couldn't make enough cars because there weren't enough chips. car prices went up. people got laid off. so did everything from refrigerators to cell phones. we can never let that happen again. that's why -- that's why we came together to pass the bipartisan chips and science act. [ applause ]. folks, i know i've been criticized for saying this, but i'm not changing my view. we're going to make sure the supply chain for america begins in america. the supply chain begins in america. we've already created -- we've already created 800,000 new manufacturing jobs without this law, before the law kicks in. with this new law, we're going to create hundreds of thousands of new jobs across the country. and i mean all across the country. throughout not just the coast but through the middle of the country as well. that's going to come from companies that have announced more than $300 billion in investment in american manufacturing over the next few years. outside of columbus, ohio, intel is building a semiconductor factory on 1,000 acres, literally a field of dreams. it's going to create 10,000 jobs with one investment. 7,000 construction jobs. 3,000 jobs in those factories once they're finished. they call them factors. jobs paying an average of $130,000 a year. and many do not require a college degree. j jobs -- because we worked together, these jobs where people don't have to leave home to search for opportunity. it's just getting started. think about the new homes, the small businesses, the big -- the medium size businesses, so much more that's going to be needed to support those -- those 3,000 permanent jobs and the factories that are going to be built. talk to mayors and governors, democrats and republicans, and they'll tell you what this means for their communities. we're seeing these fields of dreams transform to the heartland, but to maintain the strongest economy in the world, we need the best infrastructure in the world. and folks, as you all know, we used to be number one in the world in infrastructure. we've sunk to 13th in the world. the united states of america, 13th in the world in infrastructure, modern infrastructure. but now we're coming back because we came together and passed the bipartisan infrastructure law. the largest investment in infrastructure since president eisenhower's interstate highway system. and folks, already we funded over 20,000 projects, including major airports from boston to atlanta to portland. projects that are going to put thousands of people to work rebuilding our highways, our bridges, our railroads, our tunnels, ports, airports, clean water, high-speed internet all across america. urban, rural, tribal and, folks, we're just getting started. we're just getting started. and i mean this sincerely, i want to thank my republican friends who voted for the law. and my republican friends who voted against it as well. but i'm still -- i still get asked to fund the projects in those districts as well, but don't worry, i promised i would be a president for all americans. we'll fund these projects. and i'll see you at the ground breaking. look, this law -- this law will further unite all of america. projects like bridge in kentucky over the ohio river, built 60 years ago. badly needed repairs, one of the nation's most congested freight routes carrying $2 billion worth of freight every single day across the ohio river. and folks, been talking about fixing it for decades. we really finally going to get it done. i went there last month, democrats and republicans and from both states to deliver a commitment of $1.6 billion for this project. while i was there, i met a young woman named sara who is here tonight. i don't know where sara is. is she up in the box. i don't know. sara, how are you? well, sara for 30 years -- for 30 years i learned she told me she had been a proud member of the iron workers local 44 known as -- known as the cowboys in the sky. the folks who built, built cincinnati's skyline. sara said she can't wait to be ten stories above the ohio river building that new bridge. god bless her. that's pride. and that's what we're also building, we're building back pride. look, we're also replacing poisonous lead pipes that go into 10 million homes in america. 400,000 school and childcare centers. so every child in america, every child in america can drink the water instead of having permanent damage to their brain. look, we're making sure -- we're making sure that every community, every community in america has access to affordable high-speed internet. no parent should are v to drive by mcdonald's parking lot to help do their homework online for their kids. many thousands were doing across the country. and when we do these projects, and again i get criticized for this but i make no excuses for it, we're going to buy american. we're going to buy american. folks -- and it's totally -- it's totally consistent with international trade rules. buy america has been the law since 1933 but for too long past administrations democrat and republican have fought to get around it. not anymore. tonight i'm announcing new standards that require all construction materials use federal infrastructure projects to be made in america. made in america. i mean it. lumber, glass, dry wall, fiberoptic cable. and on my watch, american roads bridges and american highways will be made with american products as well. folks, my economic plan is about investing in places and people that have been forgotten. so many of you listening tonight, i know you feel it. so many of you felt like you just simply been forgotten. amid the economic upheaval of the past four decades, too many people have been left behind and treated like they're invisible. maybe that's you watching from home. remember the jobs that went away. you remember them, don't you? folks at home remember them. you wonder whether the path even exists anymore for your children to get ahead without having to move away. well, that's why i get that. that's why we're building an economy where no one is left behind. jobs are coming back. pride is coming back. because choices we made in the last several years. you know, this is my view of blue collar, blue rebuild america and make a real difference in your lives at home. for example, too many of you lay in bed at night, like my dad did, staring at the ceiling, wondering what in god name happens if your spouse gets cancer or your child gets deadly ill or something happens to you. what are you -- you have money to pay for those medical bills? are you going to have to sell the house or try to get a second mortgage on it? i get it. i get it. with inflation reduction act that i signed into law, we're taking on powerful interests to bring healthcare costs down so you can sleep better at night with more security. you know, we pay more for prescription drugs than any nation in the world. let me say it again. we pay more for prescription drugs than any major nation on earth. for example, one in ten americans has diabetes. many of you in this chamber do. and in the audience. but everyday millions need insulin to control their diabetes so they can literally stay alive. insulin has been around for over 100 years. the guy invented it didn't patent it because he wanted it to be available for everyone. it cost the drug companies roughly $10 a vile to make that insulin. package and all may get up to $13. but big pharma has been unfairly charging people hundreds of dollars, 4 to $500 a month making record profits. not anymore. not anymore. [ cheers and applause ]. so many -- so many things that we did are only now coming to fruition. we said we were doing this. and we said we passed a law to do it. but people didn't know because the law didn't take effect until january 1 of this year. we capped the cost of insulin at $35 a month for seniors on medicare. people are just finding out -- i'm sure you're getting the same calls i'm getting. look, there are millions of other americans who do not -- are not on medicare, including 200,000 young people with type 1 diabetes that need this insulin to stay alive. let's finish the job this time. let's cap the cost of insulin for everybody at $35. folks, big pharma is still going to do very well. i promise you. i promise you they'll do very well. this law also caps and won't go into effect until 2025, costs out of pocket drug costs for seniors on medicare at a maximum of $2,000 a year. you don't have to pay more than $2,000 no matter how much your drug costs are because you know why -- you all know. many of you, like many in my family have cancer. you know the drugs can range from 10, 11, 14, $15,000 for the cancer drugs. and drug prices rise faster than inflation, drug companies have to pay medicare back the difference. finally, and finally giving medicare the power to negotiate drug prices. bringing down -- bringing down prescription drug costs doesn't just save seniors money, it cuts the federal deficit by billions of dollars. by hundreds of billions of dollars because these prescription drugs are drugs purchased by medicare to keep their commitment to the seniors. well, guess what, instead of paying 4 or 500 bucks a month you're paying 15. that's a lot of savings for the federal government. and by the way, why wouldn't we want that? now some members here are threatening -- and i know it's not official party position. so i'm not going to exaggerate. but starting to repeal the inflation reduction act. that's okay. that's fair. as my football coach used to say, lots of luck in your senior year. make no mistake, if you try anything to raise the cost, i will veto it. look, i'm pleased to say, that more americans have health insurance now than ever in history. a record 16 million people are enrolled in the affordable care act. and thanks, thanks to the law i signed last year, saving millions, saving $80 a year on their premiums. by the way, that law was written and the benefit expires in 2025. so my plea to some of you at least in this audience, let's finish this job and make these savings permanent. expand coverage for medicaid. look, the inflation reduction act is also the most significant investment ever in climate change. ever. lowering utility bills, creating american jobs, leading the world to a clean energy future, i visited the devastating aftermath of record floods, droughts, storms and wild fires from arizona, new mexico, to all the way up to the canadian border. more timber has been burned that i've observed from helicopters than the entire state of missouri. and we don't have global warming? not a problem. in addition to florida to idaho rebuilding for the long-term. new electric grids able to weather major storms and not prevent those forest fires. roads and water systems with stand the next big flood. clean energy to cut pollution and create jobs in communities often left behind. we're going to build 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations, installed across the country by tens of thousands of ibw workers. and, we're helping families save more than $1,000 a year with tax credits to purchase electric vehicles and efficient appliances, energy efficient appliances. historic conservation efforts to responsible stewards of our land. let's face reality. climate crisis doesn't care if you're in a red or blue state. it's an existential threat. we have an obligation not to ourselves but to our children and grandchildren to confront it. i'm proud of how america at last is stepping up to the challenge. we're still going to need oil and gas for a while. but guess what, no. we do. but there's so much more to do. we got to finish the job. we pay for these investments in our future by finally making the wealthiest and biggest corporations begin to pay their fair share. just begin. i'm a capitalist. i'm a capitalist, but pay your fair share. i think a lot of you at home, a lot of you at home agree with me and many people that you know the tax system is not fair. it is not fair. look, the idea that in 2020, 55 of the largest corporations in america, the fortune 500, made $40 billion in profits and paid 0 in federal taxes, 0? folks, simply not fair. but now because of the law i signed, billion dollar companies have to pay a minimum of 15%. god love them. 15%. that's less than a nurse pays. let me be crystal clear, i said at the very beginning, under my plans as long as i'm president, nobody earning less than $400,000 will pay an additional penny in taxes. nobody, not one penny. but let's finish the job. there's more to do. we have to reward work not just wealth. pass my proposal for the billionaire minimum tax. you know, there's 1,000 billionaires in america. it's up from about 600 the beginning of my term. but no billionaire should be paying a lower tax rate than a schoolteacher or firefighter. i mean it. think about it. i mean, look, i know you aren't enthusiastic about that. but think about it. think about it. have you noticed big oil just reported its profits, record profits. last year they made $200 billion in the midst of a global energy crisis. i think it's outrageous. why? they invested too little of that profit increase domestic production and when i talked to a couple of them, they say we're afraid you're going to shut down all the oil wells and all the oil refineries any way, why should we invest in them? i said we're going to need oil for at least another decade. and that can exceed and beyond that. we're going to need it. production. if they had, in fact, invested in production to keep gas prices down, instead, they used the record profits to buy back their own stock. rewarding the ceos and shareholders. corporations ought to do the right thing. that's why i proposed we quadruple the tax on corporate stock buy backs and encourage long-term investments. they'll still make considerable profit. let's finish the job and close the loopholes that allow very wealthy to avoid paying their taxes instead of cutting a number of audits for wealthy, i signed law to reduce deficit by $114 billion by cracking down on wealthy tax cheats. that's being fiscally responsible. the last two years my administration has cut the deficit by more than $1.7 trillion. the largest deficit reduction in american history. under the previous administration, the american deficit went up four years in a row. because those record deficits no president added more to the national debt in any four years than my predecessor. nearly 25% of the entire national debt that took over 200 years to accumulate was added by just one administration alone, the last one. they're the facts. check it out. check it out. how did congress respond to that debt? they did the right thing. they lifted the debt ceiling three times without preconditions or crisis. they paid american bills to prevent an economic disaster of the country. so tonight i'm asking the congress to follow suit. let's commit here tonight to the full faith and credit of the united states of america will never, ever be questioned. so my -- some of my republican friends want to take the economy hostage. i get it. unless i agree to their economic plans. all of you at home should know what those plans are instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some republicans, some republicans want medicare and social security to sunset. i'm not saying it's majority. let me give you -- anybody who doubts it contact my office. i'll give you a copy. i'll give you a copy of the proposal. that means congress doesn't vote. i'm glad to see you. no, i tell you. i enjoy conversion. you know it means -- if congress doesn't keep the programs the way they are, they would go away -- other republicans say, i'm not saying majority of you, i don't think it's significant -- but it's being proposed by individuals. i'm not politely not naming them, but it's being proposed by some of you. look, folks, the idea is that we're not going to be -- we're not going to be moved into being threatened to default on the debt if we don't respond. folks -- so folks, as we all apparently agree, social security, medicare is off the books now, right? all right. got unanimity. social security and medicare are lifeline for millions of seniors. americans have to pay into them from the very first paycheck they start. so tonight, let's all agree and apparently are, let's stand up for seniors. stand up and show them, we'll not cut social security. we will not cut medicare. those benefits belong to the american people. they earned it. if anyone tries to cut social security, which apparently no one is going to do, if anyone tries to cut medicare, i'll stop them. i'll veto it. and i'm not going to allow them to take away -- be taking away, not today, not tomorrow, not ever, but apparently it's not going to be a problem. next month when i offer my fiscal plan, i asked my republican friends to lay down their plan as well. i really mean it. let's sit down together and discuss our mutual plans together. let's do that. i can tell you, plan i'm going to show you will cut the deficit by another $2 trillion. i won't cut a single bit of medicare or social security. in fact, we're going to extend the medicare trust fund at least two decades. because that's going to be the next argument. how do we keep it solvent, right? well, not raise taxes anyone making 400 grand, but we'll pay for the way we talked about by making sure the wealthy and big corporations pay their fair share. look, look, folks, here is the deal. aren't just taking advantage of the tax code, they're taking advantage of you the american consumer. here is my message to all of you out there, i have your back. we're already preventing america from receiving surprise medical bills. stopping $1 billion surprise bills per month so far. but protecting senior's live savings by cracking down on nursing homes that commit fraud, endanger patient safety, prescribe drugs that are not needed, millions of americans can now save thousands of dollars because they can finally get a hearing aid over the counter without a prescription. look, capitalism without competition is not capitalism. it's extortion. it's exploitation. last year i cracked down with the help of many of you on foreign shipping companies that were making you pay higher prices for every good coming into the country. i signed a bipartisan bill to cut shipping costs by 90%, helping american farmers, businessmen and consumers. let's finish the job. pass the bipartisan legislation strengthen anti-trust enforcement and prevent big online platforms giving their own products unfair advantage. my administration is also taking on junk fees. those hidden surcharges too many companies use to make you pay more. for example, we're making airlines show you the full ticket price up front, refund your money if your flight is cancelled or delayed. we reduced exorbitant bank overdrafts by saving consumers over $1 pl a year, cutting credit card late fees by 75%, from $30 to $8. look, junk fees may not matter to the very wealthy but they matter to most other folks like homes in the one i grew up, like many of you did. they add up to hundreds of dollars a month. they make it harder for you to pay your bills or afford that family trip. i know how unfair it feels when a company overcharges you and gets away with it. not anymore. we written a bill to stop it all. it's called the junk fee prevention act. we're going to ban surprise resort fees that hotels charge honor your bill. those fees can cost $90 a night at hotels that aren't even resorts. the idea that cable internet and cell phone companies can charge you 200 or more if you decide to switch to another provider, give me a break. we can stop service fees on tickets to concerts and sporting events and make companies disclose all the fees up front and prohibit airlines from charging $50 round trip for family just to be able to sit together. baggage fees are bad enough. airlines can't treat your child like a piece of baggage. americans are tired of being -- we're tired of being played for suckers. so pass, pass the junk fee prevention act so companies stop ripping us off. for too long workers have been getting stiffed, but not anymore. we're getting -- we're beginning to restore the dignity of work. for example, i should have known this, but i didn't until two years ago. 30 million workers have to sign noncompete agreements for the jobs they take. 30 million. so a cashier at a burger place can't walk across town and take the same job another burger place and make a few bucks more. they just changed it because we exposed it. that was part of the deal, guys. look it up. but not anymore. we're banning those agreements. companies have to compete for workers and pay them what they're worth. and i must tell you this is bound to get a response from my friends on my left with the right, i'm so sick and tired of companies breaking the law by preventing workers from organizing. pass the pro-act. because businesses have a right -- workers have a right to form a union. let's guarantee all workers have a living wage. let's make sure working parents can afford to raise a family with sick days. paid family medical leave. affordable child care. that's going to enable millions of more people to go and stay at work and let's restore the full child tax credit. which gave tens of millions of parents some breathing room and cut child poverty in half to the lowest level in history. and by the way, when let's finish the job and get more families access to more affordable housing. let's get seniors who want to stay in their homes and -- let's give more breathing room to millions of families and caregivers looking after their loved ones. past my plan so we can get seniors and people with disabilities at home care and services. and support. the workers who are doing gods work. these plans are -- we can afford to do them. destroying the dignity of work means making education and affordable ticket to the middle class. as you know, when we made public education 12 years of it, universal in the last century, we made the best educated and best -- nation in the world. the rest of us caught up. it is caught up. jill, my wife, who teaches full-time has an expression. i hope i get it right. any nation with that doesn't educate us is going to outcompete us. any nation -- folks, we all know 12 years of education is not enough to win the economic competition of the 21st century. do i have the best educated workforce? let's finish the job! by providing access to preschool. for three and four years old. studies show that children go to preschool our nearly 50% more likely to finish high school and go on to earn a two or four year degree no matter their background that they came from. let's give public school teachers arrays. [applause] we are making progress. by reducing student debt -- working and middle class families. let's finish the job. and connect students to career opportunity starting in high school. provide access to two years of community college. the best current training in america in addition to being a path to a four-year degree. -- whether they go to college or not, and folks, folks, in the midst of the covid crisis when schools were closed. and we were shutting down everything, let's recognize how far we have come in the fight against the pandemic itself. while the virus is not gone, thanks to resilience of the american people and ingenuity of medicine, we have broken the covid grip on us. covid deaths are down by 90%. we have saved millions of lives and opened up our country back up. soon we will end the public health emergency. but -- it's called a public health emergency but we will remember the toll and pain that is never going to go away. more than 1 million americans lost their lives of covid. 1 million. families are grieving. children orphaned. empty chairs at the dining room table, constantly reminding you that she used to sit there. remembering them. we remain vigilant. we still need to monitor dozens of variants and support new vaccines and treatments. so congress needs to fund these efforts and keep america safe. and as we emerge from this crisis, stronger, we have also got to double down on prosecuting criminals who stole relief money meant to keep workers -- [applause] before i came to office, you remember, during that campaign, the big issue was about inspector generals. who would protect taxpayers dollars who were sidelined. they were fired. many people said we don't need them. and fraud became rampant. last year, i told you the watchdogs are back. since then, since then we have recovered billions of taxpayer dollars. now let's triple the -- going after these criminals. double the statute of limitations on this kind and crack down on a denting fraud by criminal syndicate stealing billions of dollars. billions of dollars from thela w and the data shows that every dollar we put into fighting fraud -- ten times as much. it matters. look, covid left us scarred. like the spike in violent crime in 2020. the first year of the pandemic. we have an obligation to make sure all people are safe. public safety depends on public trust, as all of us know, but too often that trust is violated. joining us tonight are the parents of tyre nichols. welcome. [applause] they had to bury tyree last week. as many of you personally know, there are no words to describe the grief of losing a child. but imagine, imagine if you lost that child at the hands of the law. imagine having to worry whether your son or daughter came home from walking down the street, playing in the park or just driving a car. most of us in here have never had to have the top. the top that brown and black parents have had to have with their children. bo, hunter, ashton, my children. i never had to have the talk with them. i never have to tell you of a police officer turned pulled you over, turn on your interior lights right away. don't reach for your license. keep your hands on the stealing steering wheel. imagine having to worry like that every single time your kid got in a car. . here is what terry's mother shared with me when i spoke with her, when i asked her how she has the courage to carry on son was quote, a beautiful soul. when something good will come of this. imagine how much courage and care that takes. to us, to all of us. we all want the same thing. neighborhoods free of violence. law enforcement who earns the community's trust. just as every -- to be going home at night, so does everybody else out there. our children have a right to come home safely. equal protection under the law is a covenant we have with each other in america. we know police officers put their lives on the line every single night and day and we know we asked them in many cases to do too much, counselors, social workers, cycle ecologists responding to mental health crises and more, in one sense we ask too much of them. i know most cops and their families are good, decent, honorable people, vast majority. but the risk -- [applause] and they risk their lives, every time they put that shield on. but what happened to ty remembers happens too often. we have to do better. give law enforcement the real training they need. hold them to higher standards. help them succeed in keeping a safe. we also need more first responders and professionals to adjust to the growing mental health and substance abuse challenge. more resources against violent crime and gun crime. more community intervention programs. more investment in education and -- all this can help us prevent violence in the first place. when police officers or police departments violate the public trust they must be held accountable. [applause] with the support of the families of victims, severe whites and law enforcement, i signed an executive order. all federal officers, banning chokeholds. restricting no -- warrants, another key element of the george floyd act. let's commit ourselves to make the words of tyler tyree's mom true. something good must come of this. something good. [applause] and all of us, all of us -- [applause] this is difficult but simple. all of us in this chamber, we need to rise to this moment. we can't turn away. let's do what we know in our hearts and we need to do. let's come together to finish the job on police reform. do something. do something. that was the plea of parents who lost their children in uvalde. i met with everyone, do something about gun violence. thank god. [applause] thank god we did. passing the most sweeping gun safety law in decades. that includes things like what the majority of responsible gun owners already support. enhanced background checks for 18 to 21 year old, red flag laws, keeping guns out of the hands of people who are dangerous to themselves and others. we know our work is not done. join us tonight is brandon say, a 26-year-old hero. brandon put his college -- on hold to be at his mom's side when she was dying from cancer. and brandon -- [applause] brandon now works at -- studios -- grandparents. two weeks ago, during the lunar new year celebration, he heard the studio door close and he saw a man standing there pointing semiautomatic pistol at him. he thought he was going to die. but he thought about the people inside and in that instant he found the courage to act and russell descending automatic pistol rate from the gunman who had already killed 11 people in the day and studio. 11. he saved lives. it's time we do the same. ben assault well pans now. ben them now. once and for all. i -- to do that in 1994. in ten years that ban was law, mass shooting went down. after they let it expire in the republican administration, mass shootings tripled. let's finish the job and ban these assault weapons and lets also come together on immigration. make it a bipartisan issue once again. [applause] we know we now have a record number of personal workers securing the border, arresting 8000 human smugglers, seizing over 23,000 pounds of fentanyl in just the last several months. we have launched a new border plan last month. unlawful migration in cuba, haiti, nicaragua and venezuela has come down 97% as a consequence of that. but american border problems won't be fixed until congress acts. if we don't pass my immigration reform, at least passed my plan to provide equipment for officers to secure the border. [applause] and a pathway to citizenship for dreamers, those on temporary status, farm workers, essential workers. here in the peoples house, it is our duty to protect all the people's rights and freedoms. congress must be restore the right -- congress must restore the reich that was taken away in roe v. wade and protect roe v. wade. [inaudible] the vice president and i are doing everything to restore access to reproduction, health care -- already more than a dozen states are forcing extreme abortion bans, make no mistake about it, if congress passes a national ban i will veto it. but [applause] let's also pass, what's also pass a bipartisan equality act, to ensure lgbtq americans, especially transgender young people can live with safety and dignity. [inaudible] [applause] our strength is not just an example of our power, but the power of our example. let's remember the world is watching. i spoke in this chamber one year ago, just days after vladimir putin unleashed his brutal attack against ukraine. a murder assault invoking images of death and destruction, europe suffered in world war ii and putin innovation has been a test for the ages. test for america. test for the world. what we stand for the most basic of principles? can we stand for sovereignty? we stand for the right of people who, to live free of tyranny. will we stand for the defense of democracy? for such defense matters to us because it keeps peace and prevents open season on would be aggressors and -- [applause] one year later, we know the answer. yes, we would and we did. we did. and together we did what america always does our best, we lead. we united nato. we built a global coalition. we stood against putin's aggression. we stood with the ukrainian people to fight and we are once again joined by the acrania bassler of the united states, she represents not to the sovereign nation but the courage of her people. ambassador, she is here. uniting -- support of our country. will you stand, so we can all take a look at you? [applause] thank you. we are going to stand with you. as long as it takes. our nation is working for more freedom, more dignity, more peace. not just in europe but everywhere. before i came to office, the story was about how people's republic of china was increasing its power. and america was feeling the world. not anymore. we made clear, and i made clear in my personal conversation with -- president xi that we seek competition, not conflict but i will make no apologies that we are investing to make america stronger. investing in american innovation will define the future that china intends to be dominating. investing in our lives and working with our allies to protect advanced technology so they will not be used against us. modernizing our military to -- deter aggression. today we are in the strongest position in decades to compete with china or anyone else in the world. anyone else in the world. and i am committed -- [applause] i am committed to work with china so we can advance american interests and advance -- but make no mistake about it, as we made clear last week, if china threatens our sovereignty we will act to protect our country and we did it. [applause] look. let's be clear. when the competition should unite all of us, we face serious challenges across the world but the past two year democracy has become stronger not weaker, autocracy has grown weaker not stronger. name me a world leader who changed places with xi jinping, namely one. name me one. america's rallying to meet those challenges from climate to global health. to food insecurity, to terrorism, to territorial aggression. allies are stepping up and spending more and doing more. look. the the -- british reform of partners in the pacific and those in the atlantic, those who beta against america learn how wrong they are. it is never ever been a good idea to bet against america. never. [applause] when i came to office, bipartisanship assumed it was impossible. i never believed it. that is why a year ago i offered -- as i stood here. we need real progress together. we passed the law making it easier for doctors to prescribe effective treatments for opioid addiction. we passed the gun safety law, making historic investments in mental health. we launched the our ph drive to fight against cancers, diabetes and almost timers and so much more. we passed, the lead robson -- iraq war veteran who story about exposure -- i shared here last year. i understand something but those -- there is so much more to do. we can do it together. join us tonight, a father named doug. from new hampshire. he wrote jill, my wife, a letter and me as well. about his courageous daughter courtney. contagious laugh, his sister's best friend, her sister's best friend. he shared the story all -- many of you in the audience. courtney discovered pills and high school. it spiraled into addiction. and eventually death from fentanyl overdose. she was just 20 years old. prescribing the last eight years without her, doug said there is no worse pain. if the families turn pain to purpose, -- stigma and change laws. he told us he wants to start a journey towards american recovery. doug, we are with you fentanyl is killing more than 70,000 americans a year. [screaming] you've got it. so let's launch a major surge to stop fentanyl production and the sale and trafficking with more drug detection machines, inspection cargo, stop pills in powder at the border. [applause] working with courage like fedex to inspect more packaging for drugs. [inaudible] second, let's do more for mental health especially for our children. when millions of young people are struggling with trauma, bullying, violence we will have greater access to mental health care in our schools. we must finally hold social media accountable for experimenting or doing -- it is time to pass bipartisan legislation to stop big tech from collecting personal data on our kids. and teenagers online. ban targeted advertisements for children, and -- limits on the personal data that companies collect on all of us. third, let's do more to keep this nation as one for a fully sacred obligation to -- when they come home. job training, job placement for veterans and responses as they come to civilian life again, helping veterans afford the rent because no one should be homeless in america, especially someone who served the country. [applause] denis duncan, denis but dunn is there, the va. we had our first discussion when i asked him to take the job and i am glad he did. we were losing up to 25 veterans a day for suicide. now, we are losing 17 a day to the silent scourge of suicide. 17 veterans a day. our committee, are committing suicide. more than all the people being killed in the worse. folks, va is doing everything he can including expanding mental health screening, proven programs to veterans to help veterans understand what they are going through, get them the help they need. we have to do more. and fourth, last year jill and i reignited to catch a moon shot, i was able to start with president obama to lead our administration. our goal was to cut the cancer death rate, at least by 50% in the next 25 years. turn more cancer from death sentences to treatable diseases. provide more support for patients and their families. it is personal to so many of us, so many of us -- joining us, morris and candace, an irishman and a daughter of in immigrants from panama. they met and fell in love new york city and got married in the same chapel as jill and i got married in new york city. kindred spirits. he wrote as a letter. about his little daughter eva and i saw her just because i came on before i came over, she was just a year old when she was diagnosed with rare kidney disease, cancer. after 26 blood transfusions, 11 rounds of radiation, eight rounds of chemo, one kidney removal, 5% survival rate. he wrote how in the darkest moments he thought, if he goes, i can't stay. many of you have been through that as well. jill and i understand that like so many of you, have you read jewels book describing our families cancer journey? and how we try to instill moments of joy when we could with bow. for them, that glimmer of joy was the half smile of their baby girl. it meant everything to them. they never gave up hope. little eva never gave up hope. she turns for next month. [applause] they just found out eva is beating the odds and is on her way to be cured of cancer. and she is watching from the white house tonight, if she is not asleep already. because the lives we can save, -- [applause] the lives we can save, the lives we have lost, let this be a truly american moment. that rallies the country in the world together. and prove that we can still do big things. 20 years ago, leadership for president bush, countless advocates and champions, he undertook a bipartisan effort through -- to transform the global fight against hiv/aids. it has been a huge success. he thought big. he thought large. he moved. i believe we can do the same thing with cancer. let's end cancer as we know it. here are some cancers, once and for all. folks, there is one reason why we have been able to do all of these things. our democracy itself. it is the most fundamental think of all. with democracy, everything is possible. without it, nothing is. the last few years our democracy has been threatened and attacked. put at risk. put to the test. in this very room, on january the 6th. and then just a few months ago, an unhinged big lie, -- at the home of the speaker of the house of representatives, using the very same language the insurrectionists used as they stopped these halls and chanted on january 6th. -- chamber is a man who bears the scars of that brutal attack. he is tough and strong and rules illiad as they get, my friend paul pelosi. [applause] such a heinous act should never have happened. let's all speak out. there is no pace for political violence in america. we have to protect the right for to vote and not suppress that fundamental right -- the will of the people, we have to hold the rules, we trust our institutions of democracy. we must give hate and extremism in any form no safe harbor. [applause] democracy must not be a partisan issue. it is an american issue. every generation of america has faced a moment where they had to call to protect their democracy, defend it, stand up for it. this is our moment. my fellow americans, we meet tonight in an inflection point, one of those moments. only a few generations ever face it, the direction we now take is going to decide the course of this nation for decades to come. we are not bystanders in history. we are not powerless before the forces that confront us. it is within our power of we the people, we are facing the test of our time. we have to be the nation we have always been, our best, optimistic, hopeful and forward-looking the. nation that break embraces light over dark, hope over fear, stability over chaos. we have to see each other not as emmys but as fellow americans. we are good people. the only nation in the world built on an idea. the only one. [applause] other nations are defined by geography and a ethnicity. but we are the only nation based on i ideas that all of us, every one of us are created equal in the image of god. a nation that stands as a beacon to the world and a nation, the new age of possibilities. so i have come to fulfill my constitutional obligation to the important state of the union and here is my report. because the soul of this nation is strong, because the backbone of this nation is strong, because the people of this nation are strong, the state of the union is strong.