0 calm, steady place to work. >> it has been. what i would say is remarkable about it is that nobody left during the first two years, and that nobody has left since republicans took control of the house. many of them know that they will be the subject of an impeachment inquiry from the house. they are still there. secretary mayorkas, probably the first target. he is walking into listen to the president speech tonight, and there's no indication that he's leaving. that's actually pretty remarkable, given what they know they're going to face. >> you see the secretary here, the aforementioned secretary mayorkas, 1000 people in that room. i have to say, i know this is wrong, but it does give me -- to see the average age of that room, and see precisely one mask. i realize we're in a different position, but these are a lot of very important, very powerful for the most part, very old people. there are 1000 of them in the room, and they're going to be in their screaming together for several hours, and bernie sanders is the only mask that i've seen. >> it is coming at the time that the white house is saying that the covid, trying to point to covid, trying to end the emergency designation for covid, and the funds available. just the optics. >> the president is expected to talk tonight about ending the covid emergency, as of may, which will have a practical impact in terms of regular american households affecting free tests, free treatment, medicaid enrollment, which is extended, and has been massively successful. that statistic that you cited earlier about the highest level of insurance is partly due to the expanded medicaid enrollment that happened as pursuant to the american people. >> dennis with the very rare white house staff to cabinet trajectory. >> it will be interesting to see tonight. this unofficial, and if you ask me to back it up later, i will tell you that i never heard it anywhere. in, fact we are hearing unofficially the sort of rumors tonight that this is a long state of the union, that this is an address of sub heft. if needed done is right and telling us that this is not going to be a big speech, as you are saying, this is going to be an optimistic speech about what we've done, and where we're going, what we can do together. the question is whether it is a list of policies, or whether there is a thesis to be advanced by president biden, as to what he can do with kevin mccarthy, and what the two houses can do together if there is going to be, as you said, good praise and acknowledgment of the republican senate leader, mitch mcconnell, for history asian as leader in the senate. that is an olive branch of a sort. >> it's interesting, because if nothing else, it's an opportunity to remind ourselves of who joe biden is. he is not a rhetorical, he's not a -- he's not president obama. but he has a very authentic speaker. the fact that he worked with a stutter informs the way that he speaks. i saw him speak once in front of an a b j, and i've seen him speak in black churches, he has a way of connecting to whatever audience he is in front of, and sort of becoming a member of the audience in a way. he sort of speaks for the regular guy, and i think that it's interesting. president biden's superpower is that he is a regular person. it is the sort of fact that he is not an unusual politician, and so a long speech from him is interesting, because it gets more conversations, it's not going to be pounding you over the head with trump, but it's just something different. it's interesting to see how crafts it, and if he does try to store a little bit. this is the biggest audience that he will probably ever get during the year. >> and denouncing that he's running for reelection. >> the speaker, the president of the united states! [applause] he took his time leaving, you remember that. he's really enjoying these moments so deeply. >> he's a retail politician, the handshake, face to face contact, that's his superpower as well. >> sometimes, these moments have some substance to them. you can at least liberate a little bit, the second gentleman and the first lady are together in the viewing box. >> and it's who he chooses to side with, that's of significance. this face time and chat time as well, trying to avoid george santos. >> trying to figure out if he's already passed him. >> or if he accidentally walks into him. >> he did pass him, i see representative massie,. >> you see a lot of ukrainian flags, right on what peoples lapels tonight. >> it's going to be an interesting moment when he talks about that, because it will really defines -- >> and last year, we wrote the speech in a day leading up to the speech, seeing the first third about ukraine. it was an interesting phase after russia had invaded ukraine, and i don't expect that it will be the same this year. the ambassador of ukraine, ambassador to united states is sitting in the box. certainly, their fight and will is very different from what it was in that chamber a year ago. >> nbc news reporting today that for the anniversary of this war, this month president biden is traveling to poland, and so we'll get the front lines of that conflict. signifying more u.s. work for the ukrainians as they continue to fight off the russian invasion. >> if you've noticed, some the members have the 1870 pins on that is for a young man named henry, who was killed by police in 1807 in philadelphia. it's a message about police reform. you have a bunch of members of the congressional caucus wearing those, 1807 pins. >> and it's the year that black men were given the right to vote, and it's also the first known police killing of a free black man in the united states. i know you talked about this on your show in the last hour, but at least a couple dozen members of congress are going to wear the 1870 pence tonight, saying that it's been this many years since the representative from new jersey hated those out. >> hakeem jeffries immediately behind the president, new generation of democratic leadership, as they have stepped down to make way for a new generation of democratic leaders, led by hakeem jeffries of new york. [applause] >> i've got a reporting from garrett and his twitter feed, president biden clearly looked at representative santos in the eye, but did not shake hands. >> god bless, you my friend, thank you for answering all of our questions, looking for a new way to ask them. >> all right. >> very enthusiastic walk-up. members of both parties, so far. >> i just think the president is having a good time. >> and now he goes back and does it again. [applause] >> thank you. >> he spent half a century working for him. >> members of congress, i have the high privilege and the distinct honor to present to you, the president of the united states. >> mister speaker, thank you. you can smile. [applause] thank you, thank you very much. mister speaker, madam vice president, a first lady and second gentlemen, it's good to see you guys up there. members of congress, -- [applause] i might need a court order, she gets to go to the game tomorrow, next week. i'm going to have to stay home. after work something out here. >> members of the cabinet, leaders of the military, chief justice associate justice, and retired justice of the free court, into, my fellow americans, a start tonight by congratulating the 118th congress, the newest speaker of the house, kevin mccarthy. speaker, i don't want to ruin your reputation, but i look forward to working with you. [laughter] and i want to congratulate the new leader of the house democrats, the first african american minority leader in history, hakeem jeffries. he won despite the fact i campaigned for him. congratulations to the longest serving leader in this history of the united states senate, mitch mcconnell, where are you, mitch? and congratulations to chuck schumer, another term in the senate, i think that you -- this time you have a slightly bigger majority, mister leader. is it that much bigger? i tell you what, i want to give special recognition to somebody who i think will be considered the greatest speaker in the speaker of the house, speaker nancy pelosi. [applause] the story of america is a story of progress and resilience. always going forward, never giving up. it's a story unique among other nations, we are the only country that has emerged from every crisis that we have ever stronger then we got into it. folks, that's what we're doing again. two years ago, the economy was in ruins. i stand here tonight, with what we have created with the help of many people in this room, 12 million new jobs, more jobs created in two years than any president has created in four years, because if you all. two years ago, businesses had been shut down by covid, but today, covid no longer controls our lives. two years ago, democracy faced its greatest threat to the civil war, and today, the greatest, our democracy remains on bowed and unbroken. [applause] as we gather here tonight, we are writing the next chapter of the great american story, a story of progress and resilience. when leaders ask me to define america, they do, believe it or not. i said, i can define it in one word, and i mean this, possibilities. we don't think that anything is beyond the capacity. everything is a possibility. we are often told the democrats and republicans cannot work together. over the past two years, we've improved, and prove them wrong. yes, we have disagreed plenty, and yes, there are times the democrats went alone. but time and time again, democrats and republicans came together. they came together stronger and safer. they came together in the past one in a generation infrastructure law, building bridges connecting our nation and our people. we came together to pass most significant law ever, helping victims exposed to talk to burn pits. it was important. i signed over 300 bipartisan pieces of legislation since becoming president, the electoral count reform act. the respect of marriage act, and for my republican friends, we can work together, if we could work together in the last congress, there is no reason that we can find consented on important things in this congress as well. [applause] folks, all as informed as i am, but the people sent a clear message. fighting for the sake of fighting, power for the sake of conflict, it gets us nowhere. that's always been my vision of our country, and so to restore the soul of this nation, rebuilding the backbone of america, america's middle class, and uniting the country. we've been sent here to finish the job, in my view, for decades the middle class had been hollowed out, and did not know one administration, but for a long time too many good paying manufacturing jobs -- factories closing down, once thriving cities and towns that many people represent, and they became shadows what they used to be. along the way, something else that we lost, pride. our sense of self-worth, also changing things, making sure the economy works well, so we can all feel that pride and what we do. to build an economy from the bottom of, not from the top down. when the middle class does well, the wealthy still do very well. you all do well. [applause] i know a lot of you always came here, but my dad used to say, joe, your job is about a lot more than a paycheck. he would really 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 you can mean it. folks, let's look at the results. we're not finished yet, not by any stretch of the imagination. the unemployment rate is a 3.4%, a 15-year low. a near record. a near record unemployment. a near record unemployment, for black and hispanic workers. we've already created their help, 800,000 good paying manufacturing jobs. the fastest growth in 30 years. where is it written that america cannot leave the world of manufacturing? i don't know where that is written. for too many decades, we've imported projects and exported jobs. now thanks to what you've all done, exporting american products, and creating american jobs. inflation, it's been a global problem because the pandemic disrupted our supply chains. putin's unfair and brutal war in ukraine disrupted energy supplies, as well as food supplies. blocking all of that green in ukraine bergeron -- but inflation is coming down at home. down $1.50 from their peak. food inflation is coming down, inflation falling every month for the last six months. take home pay has gone up. additionally, over the last two years, 10 million americans applied to start new businesses. 10 million. by the way, every time, every time somebody starts a small business is an act of hope. madam vice president, i want to thank you for leading that effort to ensure the small businesses have access to capital, and the historic laws enacted that are going to come into this. standing here last year, i shared with you a story of american genius and possibilities. semiconductors, small computer chips the size of a fingerprint. a power everything from cell phones, automobiles, and so much more. these chips were invented in america, let's get that straight, they were invented in america. we lost our edge, we're down to producing 10%. we all saw what happened during the pandemic when chip factories shut down overseas. today's automobiles, 3000 chips with each of those automobiles. american automobiles could not make enough cars, because there were two enough ships. car prices went up, people got laid off, started everything from refrigerators to cell phones. we can never let that happen again, that's why we came together, that's what where the bipartisan chips act comes in. folks, i know i've been criticized for saying this, but i am not changing my view. we are going to make sure that the supply chain for america begins in america. the supply chain begins in america. we've already created 800,000 new manufacturing jobs without this law, before the law kicks in. with the new law, paying hundreds of thousands of new jobs across the country. 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 dollar in investments into american manufacturing over the last few years. outside of columbus, ohio, intel is bringing a semiconductor factory. 1000 acres, literally a field of dreams, and will create 10,000 jobs with that one investment. 7000 construction jobs, 3000 jobs in those factories once they're finished. jobs paying an average of $130,000 a year, and many don't require a college degree. jobs, because we work together, these jobs where people did not have to leave home to search for opportunity. it's just getting started. think about the new homes, the small businesses, the big and medium sized businesses. so much more that's going to be needed to be supporting those 3000 permanent jobs. the factories are going to be built. talk to governors, democrats and republicans, and they will tell you what this means for those communities. they're seeing these filmed -- transformed in the heartland, but to maintain the strongest economy in the world, we need to do the best infrastructure in the world. [applause] as you all know, we used to be number one in the world infrastructure. we've sunk to 13th in the world. the united states of america, 13th in the world in infrastructure! but now we are coming back. because we came together and passed the bipartisan infrastructure law. the largest investment in infrastructure since president eisenhower! [applause] and folks, already we have funded over 20,000 projects, including major airports in boston, atlanta, portland, projects that are going to put thousands of people to work rebuilding highways and bridges, railroads, tunnels, ports, airports, clean water, heightened internet, all across america. urban, rural, tribal. and folks, we are just getting started. we are just getting started. [applause] and i mean this sincerely, i want to thank my republican friends who voted for the law. and by republican friends who voted against it as well. but i am still getting 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 will fund these projects. i will see you at the groundbreaking! [applause] look, this law, this law will further unite all of america. projects like the bridge in kentucky, over the river. bill 60 years ago, needing the repairs, one of the most congested truck freight routes, carrying two billion dollars every single day across the river. and folks, we've been talking about fixing it for decades. we are really finally going to get it done. i went there last month, with democrats and republicans from both states. we delivered a commitment of 1.6 billion dollars for this project. while i was there, i met a young woman named sarah, who is here tonight, i'm not sure where she is. is she up in the box, i'm not sure. sarah, how are you? sarah, for 30 years, for 30 years she told me that she had been a proud member of the local 44, known as the cowboys in the sky. the folks that have built cincinnati's skyline. saria said she can't wait to be ten stories above the ohio river building that new bridge, god bless her. that is private! and that's what we're also building, rebuilding back pride. we are also replacing poisonous lead pipes going into 10 million homes in america. 400,000 school and childcare centers, and so every child of america, every child in america with drinking water, instead of having permanent damage to their brain. look, we are making sure, we are making sure that every community, every community in america has access to affordable high-speed internet. no parents should have to drive by the mcdonald's parking lot to do their homework online with their kids. many thousands were doing across the country. when we do these projects, and again i get criticized for this, we are going to buy american. we are going to buy american. [applause] it is totally consistent with international trade pools. by american 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 am announcing new standards requiring all construction materials, using federal infrastructure projects to be made in america. made in america! i mean it. lumber, glass, dry wall, fiber optic cable, and on my watch, american roads and american bridges will be made with american products as well. folks, economic plans about adjusting inflation for people that have been forgotten. so many of you listening tonight, i know you feel it. so many of you feel like you had simply forgotten, the people of the past four decades. too many people have been left behind. they've been treated like they're invisible. maybe that is you watching from home. remember, the jobs that went away, you remember them, don't you? the folks at home remember them. you wonder whether the path even exists anymore for your children to get ahead. without having to move away. that is why, and i get that, that is why we are building an economy where nobody is left behind. jobs are coming back. pride is coming back. choices that we have made in the last several years, this is my view of blue-collar, blue america. making a real difference in their lives. for example, too many of you, laying in bed tonight like my dad did, staring at the ceiling and wondering what in god's name happens if your spouse good spin cancer. or your child gets deadly ill, or something happens to you. what are you going to do? you don't have the 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 do get it. with the inflation reduction act, that i signed into law, we are