US President Joe Biden made his first speech to Congress on Wednesday, marking the eve of his first 100 days in office.
He began by paying tribute to his vice president, Kamala Harris, who was standing behind him alongside House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, saying it was about time a president got to say “Madame Vice President”.
He went on to lay out an ambitious plan to rebuild the United States in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the damage wrought in deaths and economic destruction.
John Nichols, the national affairs correspondent at The Nation, said it was a “classic” presidential speech but also “showed the extent to which Biden has moved to the left and how his administration is trying to revive the spirit of FDR (Franklin Roosevelt) and Lyndon B Johnson in the sixties.
Joe Biden Calls for Once in a Generation Investment in America. Read Full Text of Speech
On 4/28/21 at 10:13 PM EDT
President Joe Biden gave the first congressional address of his presidency on Wednesday.
In the speech delivered one day shy of his 100th day in office Biden touted his American Jobs Plan. He encouraged out-of-work Americans to partake in the $2 million plan s newly created jobs in infrastructure rebuilding and caregiving.
Biden also mentioned his administration s legislative agenda. This included his higher capital gains tax; a comprehensive immigration reform bill; expanded voting, LGBTQ, healthcare and women s rights; addressing climate change; racial justice reform and other efforts.
USA TODAY
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.