hello. i am hello. lam laura hello. i am laura trevelyan here in washington, dc. welcome to bbc news and our special coverage of president biden�*s state of the union address. the story of america astoria progress and resilience, that is what we are expecting mr biden to say in his remarks tonight. we know he'll also talk about moving on from the covid pandemic — he'll tout the millions ofjobs that have been created under his watch. and he'll cite the benefits of working across the aisle with his republican

rivals in congress. we can see below picture is now what is happening inside the us congress. we know the president's motorcade has arrived at the capitol. state of the union is an annual event here in washington, when the president speaks direct to the nation. vice president kamala harris and kevin mccarthy the republican speaker of the house, not quite chatting to one another. this is a divided government, president's first divided government state of the union address. the chance is for president biden to celebrate the achievements of his administration over the last year and lay out his priorities for the and make the case here is the man for the job with the 2024 election looming on the horizon, though he has yet to confirm his candidacy. throughout the evening i'll bejoined by our in—studio commentators, republican strategist

ron christie, and democratic strategist amanda renteria. before we go much further, just a quick word from you both. amanda, what will you be looking for tonight? i'm looking to be inspired, and i'm looking to be inspired, and i think inspired by the result is that this president has already gotten in the last two years, but also what's ahead. everybody always wants to know what's ahead, what will you do in your leadership going forward? it is particularly important forjoe biden as he is about to launch a presidential campaign. is about to launch a residential cam aiun. �* ., presidential campaign. and ron, how about you. _ presidential campaign. and ron, how about you, we _ presidential campaign. and ron, how about you, we saw - presidential campaign. and ron, how about you, we saw kevin - how about you, we saw kevin mccarthy, the republican speaker of the house, he will be flanking president biden when he speaks, this is divided government for president biden. it is, good evening to you laura, _ it is, good evening to you laura, you will be the first time — laura, you will be the first time the _ laura, you will be the first time the president of the united _ time the president of the united states will now have a republican speaker of the house behind _ republican speaker of the house behind his shoulder. i anticipate much like amanda does — anticipate much like amanda does that we will see a president touting his achievements but at the same time _ achievements but at the same time outlining his vision for why— time outlining his vision for why he _ time outlining his vision for why he should be re—elected as president— why he should be re—elected as president of the united states, and he — president of the united states, and he will use this very historic— and he will use this very historic platform to lay out

the case _ historic platform to lay out the case-— historic platform to lay out the case. ., ,, ,, , the case. thank you, we will be with ou the case. thank you, we will be with you throughout. _ the case. thank you, we will be with you throughout. let's - the case. thank you, we will be with you throughout. let's go i with you throughout. let's go to our correspondent on capitol hill. what do we know that president biden will say tonight in his speech? finish thejob, that is tonight in his speech? finish the job, that is the theme of the job, that is the theme of the white house briefing out, what does that mean? absolutely, laura. he is going to really outline how the united states has come out of the covid pandemic. he is going to lay that out very clearly to the american people, saying that america is one of the only countries that comes out of crises stronger than it entered it, and he is going to say despite the covid pandemic, they have seen record job creation, the economy is back on track and the nation, though it is unbowed and broken. so he is going to lay that out, he will lay out his economic achievements and then really appeal to the republicans in this divided congress that they work together. for him,

finishing thejob is making those same kind of commitments he has made since he ran for president throughout his last two terms, and trying to push through his policy proposals, but with a divided congress that of course is going to be a challenge. so we are going to hear him make the appeal to republicans that there are areas of mutual concern, whether it be on china, the opioid pandemic, cancer, where the two parties can work together, and he will say that americans are sick of fighting for the sake of fighting, but they want real results. so that is what we will hear from president biden with very much the presidential election in 2024 on his mind. we the presidential election in 2024 on his mind.- the presidential election in 2024 on his mind. we can see the scene _ 2024 on his mind. we can see the scene from _ 2024 on his mind. we can see the scene from inside - 2024 on his mind. we can see the scene from inside the - 2024 on his mind. we can see l the scene from inside the house chamber with kamala harris, the vice president. she is flanked by kevin mccarthy, the republican speaker of the house. some of the excerpts from the president's speech, he will say there is no reason why we can't work together to

republicans but what exactly can he hope to work with republicans on?- can he hope to work with republicans on? that's right, and i republicans on? that's right, and i think— republicans on? that's right, and i think being _ republicans on? that's right, and i think being here - republicans on? that's right, and i think being here on - republicans on? that's right, and i think being here on the| and i think being here on the hill, we have to remember that for republicans, while this is a big night for president biden to speak directly to the american people, this is a nation deeply divided, and we have heard senators coming, doing interviews, giving their perspective on how the nation is doing, touting the fact they still think there is a big immigration problem, a large drug problem, disagreeing with president biden �*s energy policies, but there are areas that they have to work on. if you take for example the debt ceiling. we have had that is an area that the treasury warns by june the government could default on its debt obligations if an agreement is not reached between president biden and the new speaker kevin mccarthy. so this is a key area. there are others i have mentioned of mutual concern when it comes to foreign policy when it comes to

china, so president biden will say let's try to come together, put our differences aside on behalf of the american people and see what we can negotiate. that was his whole pitch to the american people that he was all about working together in a bipartisan fashion. that is what he talked about when he said restoring the soul of the nation. that is kind of a promise he hopes to be able to build on. now the republican party itself it has to be said is very divided. they within their own party have differences on key policy issues, so i think there will also be a challenge, as they go from the party in opposition to the party that has to govern. netted trophic for us on capitol hill. you can see the live pictures of the house chamber. ten minutes to go until president biden delivers a state of the union address. we are awaiting the arrival of the second gentleman, the

husband of vice president kamala harris. 0ur north american correspondentjoins us american correspondent joins us from american correspondentjoins us from the washington newsroom and you have been doing a lot of writing about this, focusing on the shadow with the chinese spy on the shadow with the chinese spy balloon story has cast on to make �*s proceedings. that was shot down at the weekend by the white house, after it had been drifting over montana and other points for a few days. so we may actually see, we are told, a small white balloon in the house chamber tonight, because marjorie taylor green, one of the republican members of congress, has said she may bring one on. of congress, has said she may bring one om— bring one on. she has been parading — bring one on. she has been parading around _ bring one on. she has been parading around the - bring one on. she has been parading around the holes. bring one on. she has been. parading around the holes of the house of buildings with a white balloon. she says she wants to bring it into the chamber, i don't think that will get by security, but it does represent a lot of the criticism republicans have been lobbying atjoe biden for his handling of the chinese

surveillance balloon, his decision not to shoot it down until after it had already cleared off american territory and onto the ocean. joe biden i think will have to address this one way or the other and the reason is because, as you mentioned, this was a huge story. it broke through and caught the american public �*s attention, and politic stories don't always do that, so whateverjoe biden says about this, and he draws it into a larger discussion of us— china policy and a growing kind of conflict between the two nations, i think that is going to get significant coverage and i think the public will be interested to hear what he has to say. interested to hear what he has to sa . ~ u, , interested to hear what he has tosa. , , to say. we can see the second gentleman. — to say. we can see the second gentleman, doug _ to say. we can see the second gentleman, doug m _ to say. we can see the second gentleman, doug m half, - to say. we can see the second gentleman, doug m half, the | gentleman, doug m half, the husband of kamala harris, the vice president. let's talk about the brutal reality of a divided washington, we will not see nancy pelosi but republican kevin mccarthy, he is now the speaker of the house. what will that mean for the tenor of the

president's speech? this that mean for the tenor of the president's speech?— president's speech? as nowto mentioned. — president's speech? as nowto mentioned, he _ president's speech? as nowto mentioned, he will— president's speech? as nowto mentioned, he will try - president's speech? as nowto mentioned, he will try to - president's speech? as nowto mentioned, he will try to cast| mentioned, he will try to cast himself as someone who can work in a bipartisan method with the republicans and he will cite some bipartisan agreement for the past two years on things like gun control and infrastructure. but once again, the debt ceiling will be the pressing issue facing congress in the months ahead, and in that particular issue, it is not a source where they are agreeing to work together, and they are engaged in a game of chicken, where they are facing off and someone has to blink, but doesn't really lend itself to conciliation, it lends itself to conflict.- to conciliation, it lends itself to conflict. let's 'ust look itself to conflict. let's 'ust rook mi itself to conflict. let's 'ust look now at i itself to conflict. let's 'ust look now at some i itself to conflict. let'sjust look now at some pictures itself to conflict. let's just - look now at some pictures from inside the house chamber. you can see this as the supreme court justices who are can see this as the supreme courtjustices who are going to be coming in now. applause you can see the chiefjustice, john roberts, justice cavanagh, of course the supreme court right at the centre of us

politics, because they had that huge decision on roe versus wade, overturning the federal rate to an abortion, and another big case coming up this year on affirmative action in education, isn't there, anthony, butjust tell us about their set piece occasion, the state of the union, the president's biggest tv audience of the year. it president's biggest tv audience of the year-— of the year. it is, it is an audience _ of the year. it is, it is an audience that _ of the year. it is, it is an audience that numbers i of the year. it is, it is an . audience that numbers tens of the year. it is, it is an - audience that numbers tens of millions of americans. that is a rare opportunity for a politician, even for a president to have, which is why american presidents love all the pageantry around this, they relished the moment, even if the state of the union addresses don't typically move public opinion, even if they don't really lead to any substantive legislative changes, it is a chance to frame the president's policy priorities, it is a chance for him to make his or her case to the american public and injoe biden's case, as you pointed out, this is a chance to kind

of define the train for an upcoming re—election bid, to point out what he thinks he did well over the past two years, and then to link that to what he hopes to accomplish if say the american public decides to re—elect him. the american public decides to re-elect him.— re-elect him. thank you for “oininr re-elect him. thank you for joining us- _ re-elect him. thank you for joining us. back— re-elect him. thank you for joining us. back to - re-elect him. thank you for joining us. back to our - joining us. back to our panellists, we are looking again at the live pictures of the house chamber. you can see a smiling john roberts, the chiefjustice of the supreme court, and were on, what you think about the pageantry of this occasion? we see doug emhoff, the second gentleman, joe biden, a spectacular address, amanda, we have to be girly for a moment, that is a great purple! it girly for a moment, that is a great purple!— great purple! it sure is, and it's purple! _ great purple! it sure is, and it's purple! sorry, _ great purple! it sure is, and it's purple! sorry, ron, - it's purple! sorry, ron, amanda. _ it's purple! sorry, ron, amanda, tell _ it's purple! sorry, ron, amanda, tell us - it's purple! sorry, ron, amanda, tell us about | it's purple! sorry, ron, - amanda, tell us about who the first lady has as a guest tonight and the political signalling through her choices. it is was fully important who she has around her, you see

bono, just sort of see a group of folks, from policing, a list of folks, from policing, a list of the conversation today is about how are we really going to tackle cancer, paediatric cancer, parents who have faced opioid crises in their own families, and so what i would say is this is a group of quite a few empathetic, personifying some empathy that we need to have in this country. one of the things joe have in this country. one of the thingsjoe biden does really well as bring people into those moments that are really important in people �*s lives. really important in people 's lives. ~ ., really important in people 's lives. ., , lives. we are seeing the cabinet _ lives. we are seeing the cabinet entering. - lives. we are seeing the i cabinet entering. actually, lives. we are seeing the - cabinet entering. actually, the president is losing somebody from his cabinet, his labor secretary going off to work for the national hockey league. hat the national hockey league. not such a bad _ the national hockey league. not such a bad job if you can get it. such a bad 'ob if you can get it. ., such a bad 'ob if you can get it. . ., , ,, such a bad 'ob if you can get it. that was the us secretary of state anthony _ it. that was the us secretary of state anthony blinken - of state anthony blinken leading the walk down. just a reminder, he was supposed to go to china at the weekend and i had to be cancelled. there he is, the secretary of state, followed by the treasury secretary, janet yellen. a reminder of the geopolitical tensions, the fact that anthony

blinken could not go because of the shooting down of a chinese balloon. �* �* ., , . balloon. and anthony said it a few minutes _ balloon. and anthony said it a few minutes ago, _ balloon. and anthony said it a few minutes ago, the - balloon. and anthony said it a few minutes ago, the shadow| balloon. and anthony said it a l few minutes ago, the shadow of the balloon that china sent is really— the balloon that china sent is really hanging over the speech, and the — really hanging over the speech, and the president and his team have _ and the president and his team have spent a month writing the state _ have spent a month writing the state of — have spent a month writing the state of the union address, and right— state of the union address, and right now— state of the union address, and right now this past weekend, they— right now this past weekend, they now— right now this past weekend, they now have to address the fact that _ they now have to address the fact that this balloon was over the continental united states. and so— the continental united states. and so what i learned for four years — and so what i learned for four years of— and so what i learned for four years of the white house, laura, _ years of the white house, laura, is _ years of the white house, laura, is that you spend so much — laura, is that you spend so much time trying to draft these remarks, — much time trying to draft these remarks, and yet something happens _ remarks, and yet something happens at the last minute that throws — happens at the last minute that throws the original draft out, and then— throws the original draft out, and then you try to capitalise on the — and then you try to capitalise on the president '5 strengths, white — on the president '5 strengths, while addressing some concerns of the _ while addressing some concerns of the american people. as while addressing some concerns of the american people.- of the american people. as we see the cabinet _ of the american people. as we see the cabinet filing - of the american people. as we see the cabinet filing in, - of the american people. as we see the cabinet filing in, it - see the cabinet filing in, it isjust a reminder that see the cabinet filing in, it is just a reminder that a course there has to be a designated survivor, someone who doesn't come here to be in the capital hill, and the designated survivor is the man thatis designated survivor is the man that is leaving, marty walsh. wouldn't you figure? it is

fascinating, you asked me this a few— fascinating, you asked me this a few minutes ago, there is an electricity— a few minutes ago, there is an electricity that we have both out of — electricity that we have both out of being in that chamber, and— out of being in that chamber, and the — out of being in that chamber, and the pomp and the circumstance of all this, but yet still— circumstance of all this, but yet still there is a member of the cabinet who are sitting somewhere, well away from where a nuclear— somewhere, well away from where a nuclear blast could decimate the capitol, and if need be take — the capitol, and if need be take over as the next president of the — take over as the next president of the united states.— of the united states. amanda, we 'ust of the united states. amanda, we just saw — of the united states. amanda, we just saw linda _ of the united states. amanda, we just saw linda thomas - we just saw linda thomas greenfield, who is the us ambassador. the resort of an occasion of bonhomie but also serious politics and signalling. yeah that's right, and it is a time where you are seeing all the cabinet together, this is very important because in the next couple of days you will see a lot of the cabinet spread around the country, talking about exactly what he's going to say tonight. that is a really a difference in this administration. he has used his cabinet in ways that has been very intentional, putting people in different places, talking about what he's done. and i think it has been a lesson learned by democrats,

just passing policy is not enough, you have to connect it. you do indeed. let's look at these scenes live now on capitol hill. kirsten sinema, also a colourful dresser, now an independent, another headache for president biden. and we want to welcome our viewers on pbs and the united states to our special bbc news coverage ofjoe biden's state of the union address. we are expecting their speech to begin in just a expecting their speech to begin injust a minute or two. we have with us now our panellists. we want to welcome our viewers on pbs in the united states to our special bbc news coverage ofjoe biden's state of the union. we're expecting the speech to begin injust a minute or two. you're watching live pictures from the us house of representatives. we'll bring you mr biden's address, and have full coverage and analysis afterwards. plus the republican rebuttal by arkansas governor, sarah huckabee sanders. that is my old boss arriving there! you can imagine the conversations and you are talking about what has happened in the past and what is each of these agencies going forward.

we saw therejill biden, a pretty powerful ad for her husband's agenda?- pretty powerful ad for her husband's agenda? pretty powerful ad for her husband's arenda? ' :: :: , . husband's agenda? 10096 and the first lady is _ husband's agenda? 10096 and the first lady is often _ husband's agenda? 10096 and the first lady is often the _ first lady is often the overlooked asset of the president, they have the opportunity of putting very powerful and persuasive people to underscore the agenda for his speech and for the remainder of his administration. ., ., administration. how powerful do ou think administration. how powerful do you think the — administration. how powerful do you think the first _ administration. how powerful do you think the first lady - administration. how powerful do you think the first lady will- you think the first lady will be, amanda, whether or not he will announce they were run? although it does seem here will be running?— although it does seem here will be running? everyone is leaning in hard on _ be running? everyone is leaning in hard on this _ be running? everyone is leaning in hard on this one. _ be running? everyone is leaning in hard on this one. i _ be running? everyone is leaning in hard on this one. i really - in hard on this one. i really think that is what tonight is about, taking the energy, all of the cabinet secretaries and the families launching from here. �* , . , here. and there is elizabeth warren. another _ here. and there is elizabeth warren. another previous i warren. another previous presidential contender looking very animated! ron, let's talk

about one of the elephants in the room. his age. he is 80, and will be 86 in a second term, he needs to be pretty vigorous tonight and not confuse iranians and americans and mispronounce and some few things he has done. he and mispronounce and some few things he has done.— things he has done. he needs to rive a things he has done. he needs to give a speech — things he has done. he needs to give a speech rather— things he has done. he needs to give a speech rather than - things he has done. he needs to give a speech rather than read i give a speech rather than read a speech _ give a speech rather than read a speech. you needs to project our vigor— a speech. you needs to project our vigor and saying to the americans i have got this and i'm americans i have got this and im up— americans i have got this and im up to _ americans i have got this and i'm up to this task, i can do this— i'm up to this task, i can do this for— i'm up to this task, i can do this for another six years. there _ this for another six years. there were polls that say that a lot — there were polls that say that a lot of— there were polls that say that a lot of democrats, let alone republicans and independents, he think— republicans and independents, he think he is not up to the job — he think he is not up to the job this— he think he is not up to the job. this will be a trial, a dress _ job. this will be a trial, a dress rehearsal for him to demonstrate he still has the vigor— demonstrate he still has the vigor to— demonstrate he still has the vigor to undertake this most important position. amanda, i know you _ important position. amanda, i know you are _ important position. amanda, i know you are also _ important position. amanda, i know you are also looking - important position. amanda, i know you are also looking for| important position. amanda, i | know you are also looking for a very vigorous speech from president biden? that's right and clarity as to why the american people should trust

him, a vision for the future and how he will continue to bring the country together, which is always been his message about restoring the soul of the nation. we are waiting for the serjeant—at—arms to announce he is coming in. he is running slightly behind. ron, you have beenin slightly behind. ron, you have been in the white house. what a big night this is for staffers and what is going on behind the scene in the final seconds before the president walks up? nervous, right? nervous and you are hoping — nervous, right? nervous and you are hoping he will hit a home run, _ are hoping he will hit a home run. given— are hoping he will hit a home run, given the speech and you cheer— run, given the speech and you cheer them when they go to capitoi— cheer them when they go to capitol hill... cheer them when they go to capitol mu. . ._ cheer them when they go to capitol hill... and i think we can see that _ capitol hill... and i think we can see that is _ capitol hill... and i think we can see that is the _ capitol hill... and i think we| can see that is the entourage of the president in the he is. this is president biden and we arejust waiting now. applause.

cheering. you can see there, president biden, the original retail politician! he is taking more than a minute to get to the podium! than a minute to get to the odium! ., , , than a minute to get to the odium! . , , ., , podium! he absolutely loves this stuff! — podium! he absolutely loves this stuff! you can _ podium! he absolutely loves this stuff! you can see - podium! he absolutely loves this stuff! you can see it - podium! he absolutely lovesj this stuff! you can see it and feel it when you are next to him as well. it feel it when you are next to him as well.— him as well. it is one of his rifts, him as well. it is one of his gifts. the _ him as well. it is one of his gifts, the connection, - him as well. it is one of his gifts, the connection, the l him as well. it is one of his i gifts, the connection, the joe gifts, the connection, thejoe from scranton. gifts, the connection, the joe from scranton.— gifts, the connection, the joe from scranton. where we were a coule of from scranton. where we were a couple of months _ from scranton. where we were a couple of months ago. _ from scranton. where we were a couple of months ago. amanda i

couple of months ago. amanda and i_ couple of months ago. amanda and i were _ couple of months ago. amanda and i were laughing about this and i were laughing about this and you — and i were laughing about this and you can see the congressmen there. _ and you can see the congressmen there. that — and you can see the congressmen there, that he just shook hands with. _ there, that he just shook hands with. for— there, that he just shook hands with, for many of these members of congress and senators will line up— of congress and senators will line up for many hours to get that— line up for many hours to get that coveted seat on the isle so the — that coveted seat on the isle so the constituents can see them — so the constituents can see them on _ so the constituents can see them on national television where _ them on national television where they can shake hands of the president and have a good word _ the president and have a good word and _ the president and have a good word and they will be looking for autographs and selfies when he leaves —— aisle. this for autographs and selfies when he leaves -- aisle.— he leaves -- aisle. this is very much _ he leaves -- aisle. this is very much a _ he leaves -- aisle. this is very much a post- - he leaves -- aisle. this is very much a post- covid| he leaves -- aisle. this is - very much a post- covid state very much a post— covid state of the union, not a mask in sight! except the bernie sanders who was sporting one and that is one of the themes, moving on? that is right and the pomp — moving on? that is right and the pomp and _ moving on? that is right and the pomp and circumstance l the pomp and circumstance speaks to that.— the pomp and circumstance speaks to that. one of the big chances speaks to that. one of the big changes from _ speaks to that. one of the big changes from the _ speaks to that. one of the big changes from the past - speaks to that. one of the big changes from the past year i speaks to that. one of the big changes from the past year is| changes from the past year is the russian invasion of ukraine and i see many members wearing those pins of solidarity with ukraine. that is one of the interesting things, ron, the

bipartisanship over that and how far it goes at the white house was even more money for ukraine beyond what is authorised to the samar? think that is right. — authorised to the samar? think that is right, and _ authorised to the samar? think that is right, and they - authorised to the samar? think that is right, and they will- that is right, and they will look— that is right, and they will look to— that is right, and they will look to where there will be bipartisan agreement and i think— bipartisan agreement and i think since the incursion of russia _ think since the incursion of russia into the ukraine, we have — russia into the ukraine, we have seen bipartisanship, standing with european allies in saying that we were not the invasion— in saying that we were not the invasion go unaddressed. amanda, we have seen the policing pins as well that democrats are wearing, what is that about?— democrats are wearing, what is that about? that has been under way saying _ that about? that has been under way saying that _ that about? that has been under way saying that this _ that about? that has been under way saying that this is _ that about? that has been under way saying that this is the - way saying that this is the time to move on policing, given recent events and is it time now in a bipartisan fashion, and a lot of work in the senate to finally move a bill forward and you're beginning to see that this may be one of those things on the short list. this can pass on this period of time. , , , . , time. the president is really takinr time. the president is really takin: a time. the president is really taking a long _ time. the president is really taking a long time _ time. the president is really taking a long time to - time. the president is really taking a long time to get - time. the president is really taking a long time to get to | taking a long time to get to the podium! all the running order say he is meant to be speaking our! actually, not

quite until ten minutes past nine but he is loving this moment. there is the minority democratic leader in the house and he has taken overfrom democratic leader in the house and he has taken over from the legendary figure nancy pelosi. quite the task, isn't it when you are in a minority? {lily quite the task, isn't it when you are in a minority? oh yeah, an important — you are in a minority? oh yeah, an important shifting _ you are in a minority? oh yeah, an important shifting of - an important shifting of leadership in the democratic party right now. leadership in the democratic party right now— leadership in the democratic party right now. and there is nancy pelosi _ party right now. and there is nancy pelosi with _ party right now. and there is nancy pelosi with her - party right now. and there is i nancy pelosi with her husband, he was attacked in that horrific attack last year. and there is the president with his generals and generals playing a significant role over ukraine, haven't there been, amanda? yes, there have and he has had an incredibly important part of the intelligence and military community with all that is happening and the alliances that his team and him have built over time, this has been an important thing for him, dating back to the days in the senate. ~ .,

senate. withing all three branches _ senate. withing all three branches of _ senate. withing all three j branches of government, senate. withing all three - branches of government, ron, thejudiciary, we are branches of government, ron, the judiciary, we are seeing the judiciary, we are seeing the presidency, the lawmakers. they have kevin mccarthy as speaker, welcoming the president, kamala harris, the vice president and what you think about that? all smiles, the republican speaker and the president? mil the republican speaker and the resident? �* , , , president? all smiles, they get a co of president? all smiles, they get a copy of the — president? all smiles, they get a copy of the speech _ president? all smiles, they get a copy of the speech and - president? all smiles, they get a copy of the speech and then i a copy of the speech and then you are — a copy of the speech and then you are here to speak of the house — you are here to speak of the house saying it is his high honour— house saying it is his high honour and privilege to introduce the president of the united — introduce the president of the united states and everyone is structuring again and i would take — structuring again and i would take a — structuring again and i would take a couple of minutes and then— take a couple of minutes and then will— take a couple of minutes and then will get down to business. and that — then will get down to business. and that indeed is a copy of the speech and of course the two men have been negotiating, kevin mccarthy and joe biden about the debt ceiling and i think events are about to begin and whereabouts are here. please listen in.— and whereabouts are here. please listen in. members of congress. — please listen in. members of congress, have _ please listen in. members of congress, have the - please listen in. members of congress, have the highest i congress, have the highest privilege _ congress, have the highest privilege and _ congress, have the highest privilege and honour- congress, have the highest privilege and honour to - congress, have the highest- privilege and honour to present to you. — privilege and honour to present to you. the _ privilege and honour to present to you, the president— privilege and honour to present to you, the president of- privilege and honour to present to you, the president of the - to you, the president of the united _ to you, the president of the united states. _ to you, the president of the

united states.— united states. cheering. mr speaker... _ united states. cheering. mr speaker... thank - united states. cheering. mr speaker... thank you. | united states. cheering. - mr speaker... thank you. thank you, thank you, thank you. please... mr speaker, madam vice—president, our first lady and second gentlemen, good to see you guys up there! members of congress!— by by the way, chiefjustices i may need a court order, she gets to go to the game tomorrow and next week i have to stay

home and i have to work something out here. members of the cabinet, leaders of the military, chiefjustices and associate justices and retired justices of the supreme court and to you, my fellow americans, you know, istarted out by congratulating the 118 congress and the new speaker of the house, kevin mccarthy. cheering. because i don't want to worry and ruin your reputation but i look forward to working with youth. and i want to congratulate the new leader of the house democrats, the first african—american minority leader in history, hakeem jeffries! �* ~ ,, ,

congratulations to the longest serving leader in the history of the united states senate, mitch mcconnell, where are you, mitch? �* �* ., mitch? applause. congratulations . mitch? applause. congratulations to | mitch? applause. - congratulations to chuck schumer, another term as senate minority leader. you know, i think this time you have a bigger majority, mr leader, and you are the majority leader, a much bigger? i tell you what? i want to give special recognition to someone who will be considered the greatest speaker in the history of the house of representatives, nancy pelosi. ,

pelosi. cheering. folks. _ pelosi. cheering. folks, the - pelosi. cheering. folks, the story i pelosi. cheering. folks, the story ofj pelosi. cheering. - folks, the story of america pelosi. cheering. _ folks, the story of america is a story of progress and resilience. always moving forward, i've never ever giving up. it is a story unique among all nations, we are the only country that has emerged from every crisis we have ever entered stronger than we got into look, folks, that is what we're doing again. two years ago the economy is reeling and i stand here tonight after we have created with the help of many people in this room, 12 million newjobs, morejobs created in two years then 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 and schools and we were closed and schools and we were robbed of so much. today covid no longer controls our lives and two years ago democracy faces its greatest threat in civil war and today the debt although bruce, democracy remains unbowed and unbroken. , unbroken. cheering. -- bruised. _ unbroken. cheering. -- bruised. as - unbroken. cheering. -- bruised. as we i unbroken. cheering. i -- bruised. as we gather unbroken. cheering. - -- bruised. as we gather here toniuht, -- bruised. as we gather here tonight, writing _ -- bruised. as we gather here tonight, writing the _ -- bruised. as we gather here tonight, writing the next - tonight, writing the next chapter in the great american story, a story of progress and resilience and when world leaders ask me to define america, and they do believe me or not, i define it in one word, possibilities. we do not think anything is beyond our capacity, everything is a possibility. we are often told that democrats and republicans cannot work together. but over

the past two years we have proved the cynics wrong. yes, we disagree plenty and yes, there are times when democrats went alone but time and again, democrats and republicans came together and came together to defend a stronger and safer europe, it came together to pass one in a generation infrastructure law, building bridges connecting our nation and people. it came together to pass significant law ever, helping victims exposed to toxic burn pits... in fact,... cheering. and in fact, i cheering. and infact, ifind cheering. and in fact, ifind over 300 bipartisan pieces of legislation since becoming president, from ralph torres i

—— through re authorising the respect the marriage act, which the right to marry the person you love and my republican friends, if we work together in the last congress, i'm sure we can work on important things in this congress as well. you are all as sinful desires but i think the people sent us a clear message, fighting for the sake of fighting, power for the sake of fighting, power for the sake of power, conflict for the sake of power, conflict for the sake of conflict gets us nowhere. that has a ways been my vision for our country and i know it is many of yours. to restore the soul of this nation, 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, the middle class has been hollowed out for a long time. too many good paid

manufacturing jobs moved overseas, factories closed down. 0nce thriving cities and towns that many of you represent became shadows of what they used to be. along the way, something else we lost. pride. 0ursense way, something else we lost. pride. 0ur sense of self worth. i ran for pride. 0ur sense of self worth. iran 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 in the 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 could move always quoting my dad, but my dad used to say, jerry, your job is about a lot more than a paycheck. he really would say this. it's about your dignity,

it's about respect, it's about being able to let your kid in the eye and say, honey, it's going to be ok, and mean it. well, folks, let's look at the results. we are not finished yet by any strength of the imagination but unemployment rate is at 3.4%, a 50 year low. applause near record unemployment. near record unemployment for black and hispanic workers. we have already created and helped 800,000 good paid manufacturing jobs, the fastest growth in 40 years. and where is it written that america can't lead the world in manufacturing? i don't know where that is written. for too many decades we imported project and export ofjobs. now thanks to what you have all done we are exporting american products and creating american

jobs. folks, inflation has been a global problem because the pandemic disrupted our supply chains and puritan's unfair and brutal war in ukraine disrupted energy supplies as well as food supplies, blocking all the grain in ukraine. but we are in a better position than any country on earth right now, but we have more to do. here at home, inflation is coming down. here at home, gas prices are down $150 here at home, gas prices are down $1 50 from their peak. food inflation is coming down, not fast enough for coming down, inflation has fallen every month for the last six months. take—home pay has gone up. additionally, over the last two years, a record 10 million americans applied to start new businesses, 10 million. applause and by the way, every time

someone starts a small business, it's an act of hope, and madame vice president, i want to thank you for leading that effort to ensure that small businesses have access to capital and the historic laws we have enacted that would just come into being. standing here last year, i shared with you a story of american genius and possibilities, semiconductors, small computer chips the size of a fingerprint that 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. in the last several decades, we lost our edge. we are down to producing only 10%. we all saw what happened during the pandemic when chip factories shut down overseas. today's automobiles need 3000 chips, each of those

automobiles. but american automobiles. but american automobiles could not 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 we came together to pass the bipartisan chips and science act. folks, i know i've been criticised for saying this but i'm not changing my view, we are going to make sure the supply chain for america begins in america. the supply chain begins in america. we have already created 800,000 new manufacturing jobs before this

law kicks in. with this new law, we are well create hundreds of thousands of new jobs across the country, and i mean all across the country, throughout notjust mean all across the country, throughout not just the mean all across the country, throughout notjust the coast but through the middle of the country as well. that is going to come from companies that have announced more than $300 billion in investment in american manufacturing over the next few years. 0utside american manufacturing over the next few years. outside of columbus, ohio, intel is building semiconductor factories and 1000 acres, literally a field of dreams. it is going to create 10,000 jobs, that one investment. 7000 constructionjobs, 3000 jobs in those factories, once they are finished, they call them factories. jobs paying an average of $130,000 a year, and many do not require a college degree. many do not require a college decree. , applause

and because we work together, these jobs where people don't have to leave home to search for opportunity. and it'sjust for opportunity. and it's just getting for opportunity. and it'sjust getting started. think about the new homes, the small businesses, the medium size businesses, the medium size businesses, so much more that is going to be needed to support those 3000 permanent jobs, and the factories that are going to be built. talk to mayors and governments, —— governors, democrats and republicans, they will tell you what this means for their communities. we are seeing these field of dreams transform these field of dreams transform the heartland, but to maintain the heartland, but to maintain the strongest economy in the world, we need the best infrastructure in the world. applause and folks, as you all know, we used to be number one in the world in infrastructure. we have sunk to 13th in the world. the united states of america, 13th in the world in infrastructure, modern 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's interstate highways system. applause and folks, — highways system. applause and folks, already _ highways system. applause and folks, already we - highways system. applause and folks, already we have i and folks, already we have funded over 20,000 projects, including major airports from boston to atlanta to portland, projects that will 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 are just getting started. we just getting started. we just getting started. we 'ust getting started. applause and i getting started. applause and i mean _ getting started. applause and i mean this _ getting started. applause and i mean this sincerely, | getting started. applause| 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

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 will fund these projects, and i will see you at the ground—breaking. applause look, this law will further unite all of america, projects like span bridge in kentucky over the ohio river, built 60 years ago, badly in need of repair, it is one of the nation's most congested freight routes, carrying $2 billion worth of freight every single day across the ohio river, and, folks, we've been talking about fixing it for decades, but we are really finally going to get it done. i went there last month, with democrats and republicans, and from both states, to deliver a commitment of $1.6 billion for this project. of $1.6 billion for this

project-— project. applause and while - project. applause and while i - project. applause and while i was i project. applause - and while i was there, i met project. applause _ and while i was there, i met a young woman named sarah, who is here tonight, i don't know where she has come up in the box? sarah, how are you? well, sarah, for 30 box? sarah, how are you? well, sarah, for30 years... box? sarah, how are you? well, sarah, for 30 years... applause for 30 years. — sarah, for 30 years... applause for 30 years. i— sarah, for 30 years... applause for 30 years, i learned, - sarah, for 30 years... applause for 30 years, i learned, she i for 30 years, i learned, she told me she had been a proud member of the iron worker's local 44, member of the iron worker's local44, known member of the iron worker's local 44, known as... member of the iron worker's local44, known as... cheering known localltlt, known as... cheering known as— local44, known as... cheering known as the — local44, known as... cheering known as the cowboys - local44, known as... cheering known as the cowboys in - local44, known as... cheering known as the cowboys in the i known as the cowboys in the sky. known as the cowboys in the s . �* ~ ,, sky. applause the folks - sky. applause the folks who i sky. applause - the folks who built cincinnati's skyline. sarah says she can't wait to be ten stories above the ohio river building that new bridge, god bless her. that's pride. and thatis bless her. that's pride. and that is what we are also building, we are building back pride. look, we're also replacing poisonous lead pipes that go into 10 million in america. 400,000 school and

childcare centres, so every childcare centres, so every child in america can drink the water, instead of having permanent damage to their brain. �* ~ ,, brain. applause we are _ brain. applause we are making i brain. applause i we are making sure brain. applause - we are making sure that brain. applause _ we are making sure that every community, every community in america has access to affordable high—speed internet. no parent should have to drive by a mcdonald's parking lot to help them do their homework online with their kids, which many thousands were doing across the country. and when we do these projects, and again i get criticised for this but i make no excuses for it, we are going to buy american. we are going to buy american. we are going to buy american. we are going to buy american. applause folks, and going to buy american. applause folks. and it's— going to buy american. applause folks, and it's totally _ folks, and it's totally consistent with international trade rules. buying 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 am announcing new standards that require all construction materials used in federal infrastructure projects to be made in america. infrastructure pro'ects to be made in america. applause made in america. _ made in america. applause made in america. applause i mean made in america. applause i mean it- — made in america. applause i mean it. lumber, - made in america. applause i mean it. lumber, glass, i i mean it. lumber, glass, drywall, fibre—optic cable, and on my watch, american roads, bridges, 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 have you have felt like you have just simply been forgotten, amid the people of the past four decades, too many people have been left behind and treated like they

are invisible. maybe that's you watching from home. remember thejobs that went watching from home. remember the jobs that went away, you remember them, the jobs that went away, you rememberthem, don't you? the jobs that went away, you remember them, don't you? the folks at home remember them. you remember whether the path even exists before for your children to get ahead without having to move away. i get that. that's why we are 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 a blue—collar blueprint to rebuild america and make a real difference in your lives at home. �* ~ ,, home. applause for example, i home. applause for example, to i home. applause - for example, to many of home. applause _ for example, to many of you lay in bed at night, like my dad did, staring at the ceiling, wondering what in god's name happens if your spouse gets cancer, oryour child happens if your spouse gets cancer, or your child gets

steadily ill, or something happens to you. do 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. the inflation reduction act that a signed into law, we are taking on powerful interests to bring health care costs down so you can sleep better at night, with more security. you know, we pay more security. you know, we pay more for description drugs than any nation in the world. let me say it again. we pay more for description drugs than any major nation on earth. for example, one in ten americans has diabetes. many of you in this chamber do it, and in the audience. but every day, millions need insulin to control their diabetes so they can literally stay alive. insulin has been around for over 100 years. the guy who invented it didn't even patent it because he wanted it to be

available for everyone. it costs the drug companies roughly $10 a vial to make that insulin. packaging and all of you may get up to $13. but big pharma has unfairly been charging people hundreds of dollars, $4500 a month, making record profits. not any more. cheering applause not any more. applause not an more. , not any more. cheering. . so not any more. cheering. - so many — not any more. cheering. . so many things - not any more. cheering. . so many things that i not any more. cheering. . so many things that we | not any more. cheering. i . so many things that we did our only now _ . so many things that we did our only now coming - . so many things that we did our only now coming to - our only now coming to fruition. we said we were doing this and we said we would pass a law to do it but people didn't know it because the law didn't know it because the law did not take effect until january 01 this year. we capped the cost of insulin at $35 a

month. people arejust the cost of insulin at $35 a month. people are just finding out. month. people arejust finding out. i'm month. people are just finding out. i'm sure you're getting the same calls i am getting. look, there are millions of other americans who are not on medicare, including 200,000 young people with type 1 diabetes who need this insulin to stay alive. let's finish the job this time. let's cap the cost of insulin for everybody at $35. , at $35. cheering. folks. _ at $35. cheering. folks. big - at $35. cheering. folks, big pharma| at $35. cheering. . folks, big pharma will at $35. cheering. - folks, big pharma will still at $35. cheering. _ folks, big pharma will still do very well, i promise you all, i promise you that would do very well. this law also only going to affect until 2025, the cost out—of—pocket drug costs for seniors on medicare at a

maximum of $2000 a year. you don't have to pay any more than $2000 a year no matter how much your costs are, you know why? many of you like many in my family have cancer and you know the drugs can range from ten, 11, 14, the drugs can range from ten, 11,14, $15,000 fora the drugs can range from ten, 11,14, $15,000 for a cancer drug. drug prices rise faster than inflation and drug companies have to pay back medicare the difference. and finally giving medicare the power to negotiate through a crisis, bringing down, bringing down prescription drug costs does not to 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. guess what? consider paying 400 and $500 a month, you are paying $50 and that is a lot of savings for the federal government. either 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 suddenly to repel the reflation re— reduction act. that's ok, that is fair. as my football coach is fair. as my football coach is to say, lots of luck in your senior year!— is to say, lots of luck in your. senior year!_ make is to say, lots of luck in your- senior year!_ make no senior year! laughter. make no mistake, senior year! laughter. make no mistake. if— senior year! laughter. make no mistake. if you — senior year! laughter. make no mistake, if you try _ senior year! laughter. make no mistake, if you try anything - senior year! laughter. make no mistake, if you try anything to i mistake, if you try anything to raise the cost of this, i will veto it! �* ~ ,, , veto it! applause cheering. i'm veto it! applause cheering. i'm pleased — veto it! applause cheering. i'm pleased to _ veto it! applause cheering. i'm pleased to say _ veto it! applause cheering. i'm pleased to say that - veto it! applause cheering. i'm pleased to say that more | i'm pleased to say that more americans have health insurance now than ever in history, a

record 60 million people are enrolled in the affordable care act and thanks to the law i signed last year, saving millions saving $800 a year in their premiums and by the way, that law was written in the benefit expires in 2025, so my plea to some of you at least in this audience, let's finish the job and make the savings permanent! expand coverage of medicare! , medicare! cheering. look, the _ medicare! cheering. look, the inflationaryj look, the inflationary reduction act is also the most significant investment ever in climate change, ever. lower utility bills, giving americans jobs, leaving the world to a clean energy and i visited the aftermath of droughts, floods and wildfires from arizona all

the way up to the canadian border. more timber has been burnt that i have observed from helicopters and the entire state of missouri and we don't have global warning? not a problem, in addition to recovery from florida to idaho where we are building for the long—term, new electric grids that are able to wear the major storms not prevent those forest fires and roads and systems can withstand the next big flood and clean energy, to create communities left behind and we will create 500,000 electric vehicle stations, installed across the country by tens of thousands. —— global warming. and helping families save more than $1000 a year in 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. the climate crisis does not care if you are in a red or a blue state. it is 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 guess what? we do. but there is so much more to do. we have 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. corporations begin to pay their fairshare. let's begin! fair share. let's begin! applause.— fair share. let's begin! applause. �* ., ., , , applause. i'm a capitalist but -a our applause. i'm a capitalist but pay your fair— applause. i'm a capitalist but pay your fair share! _ applause. i'm a capitalist but pay your fair share! i - applause. i'm a capitalist but pay your fair share! i think i applause. i'm a capitalist but pay your fair share! i think a i pay your fair share! i think a lot of you at home, many of you at home agree with me are many people that you know the tax

system is not fair. it is not fair. �* ~ ,, system is not fair. it is not fair._ look, i system is not fair. it is not fair._ look, thej system is not fair. it is not i fair._ look, the idea fair. applause. look, the idea that in 2020. — fair. applause. look, the idea that in 2020, 55 _ fair. applause. look, the idea that in 2020, 55 of— fair. applause. look, the idea that in 2020, 55 of the - fair. applause. look, the idea that in 2020, 55 of the largest| that in 2020, 55 of the largest corporations in america made $40 billion of profits and paid zero in federal taxes? zero? folks, simply not fair. now because of the law i signed, billion dollar companies have to pay a minimum of 15%, god love them! 15%! let me be crystal clear i sit in the beginning under my plans as long as i'm president, nobody earning less than $400,000 will

pain additional penny in taxes. nobody. not one penny. but let's finish thejob, nobody. not one penny. but let's finish the job, there is more to do. we have to reward work, notjust wealth. past my proposalfor work, notjust wealth. past my proposal for the work, notjust wealth. past my proposalfor the billing work, notjust wealth. past my proposal for the billing and minimum tax. there are 1000 billionaires in america, up from 600 from the beginning of the term but no billionaire should be paying a lower tax rate than a school teacher or firefighter! think about it! cheering. i mean, look... , i mean, look... cheering. i mean, look... cheering. i know i mean, look... cheering. i know you _ i mean, look... cheering. i know you are _ i mean, look... cheering. i know you are all- i mean, look... cheering. i i know you are all enthusiastic about it but think about it. think about it. have big oil just reported 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 profit into domestic production and when i talked to a couple they say we are afraid you would shut down all the oil refineries anyway so why should we invest in them? i said we will need oil for at least another decade. and beyond that. we will need it. production. if they invested in production to keep gas prices down. instead, they use the profits to buy back their own stop, rewarding ceos and shareholders. corporations ought to do the right thing. that is why we propose quadrupling tax on corporate buybacks and encourage long—term investments. buybacks and encourage long-term investments. applause i was still make _ long-term investments. applause i was still make considerable - i was still make considerable profit! = i was still make considerable -rofit! , ,

profit! - - they will still make considerable i profit! - - they will still i make considerable profit! profit! - - they will still - make considerable profit! let's finish thejob and make considerable profit! let's finish the job and close the loopholes instead of cutting the number of taxes for wealthy taxpayers, i reduce attacks by $114 billion by cracking down wealthy tax cheats! that is being fiscally responsible! 0ver being fiscally responsible! over the last two years, the biden administration has cut the deficit by more than 1.7 trillion dollars. the largest effort of reduction in american history. underthe effort of 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 death in any four years and my predecessor, nearly 25% of the entire national debt that took over 200 years to accumulate was added byjust one administration alone, the last one. that is a factor. check it

out. check it out. hardy congress respond to that debt? they did the right thing and lifted the debt ceiling is up and paid american bills to prevent an economic disaster to the country the tonight i am asking the congress to follow suit and commit here tonight to the fate of the united states of america and that it will not be questioned. some of my republican friends want to take the economy hostage, i get it. unless i agreed to their economic plans. all of you at home should know what those plans. consider making the wealthy pay theirfair plans. consider making the wealthy pay their fair share, some republicans, some republicans want medicare and social security sunset, i am not sure it is a majority.

booing. not sure it is a ma'ority. soomafi not sure it is a ma'ority. booing. ., ., , , booing. anyone who doubts, contact my — booing. anyone who doubts, contact my office _ booing. anyone who doubts, contact my office and - booing. anyone who doubts, contact my office and i - booing. anyone who doubts, contact my office and i will i contact my office and i will give — contact my office and i will give you _ contact my office and i will give you a copy of the proposal! that means congress does _ proposal! that means congress does not — proposal! that means congress does not vote... glad to see... itell— does not vote... glad to see... i tell you. _ does not vote... glad to see... i tell you. i— does not vote... glad to see... i tell you, i enjoy conversion. it i tell you, i enjoy conversion. it means— i tell you, i enjoy conversion. it means if— i tell you, i enjoy conversion. it means if congress does not keep— it means if congress does not keep the _ it means if congress does not keep the programme is the way they are, — keep the programme is the way they are, i'm not saying it's a majority— they are, i'm not saying it's a majority of— they are, i'm not saying it's a majority of you, i don't even think— majority of you, i don't even think it's _ majority of you, i don't even think it's a _ majority of you, i don't even think it's a significant but it is being _ think it's a significant but it is being proposed by individuals.— is being proposed by individuals. �* , ., individuals. i'm politely not namin: individuals. i'm politely not naming them _ individuals. i'm politely not naming them but _ individuals. i'm politely not naming them but it - individuals. i'm politely not naming them but it is - individuals. i'm politely not| naming them but it is being proposed by some of you. booing. proposed by some of you. ewing-— proposed by some of you. booing. ., ., , booing. folks, the idea is we will not booing. folks, the idea is we will rrot be _ booing. folks, the idea is we will not be moved _ booing. folks, the idea is we will not be moved to - booing. folks, the idea is we will not be moved to being i will not be moved to being threatened to fall on the debt if we do not respond. cheering.

folks, as if we do not respond. cheering. folks. as we _ if we do not respond. cheering. folks, as we all— if we do not respond. cheering. folks, as we all apparently - folks, as we all apparently agree, social security and medicare is off the books now, right? all right. we have unanimity!— unanimity! cheering. social security - unanimity! cheering. social security and i unanimity! cheering. - social security and medicare are a lifeline for many seniors and americans have to pay from the very first paycheck so tonight, let's all agree and apparently we are, stand up for seniors! . seniors! cheering. stand up _ seniors! cheering. stand up and - seniors! cheering. stand up and showl seniors! cheering. - stand up and show them! we seniors! cheering. _ stand up and show them! we were not cut social security! we were not part medicare! those benefits belong _ were not part medicare! those benefits belong to _ were not part medicare! those benefits belong to the - were not part medicare! those i benefits belong to the american people and if anyone tries to cut social security, which apparently no—one is going to do... and if anyone tries to

stop medicare, i will stop them, i will veto it! stop medicare, i will stop them, iwill veto it! i stop medicare, i will stop them, i will veto it! i will not allow them to take away, not allow them to take away, not tonight will not ever but apparently it is not going to be a problem. next month when i offer my physical plan i will ask my republican friends to lay down their plan as well. let's sit down together and discuss our mutual plans together. let's do that. applause. i together. let's do that. applause.— together. let's do that. applause. .., y ., applause. i can tell you, the lan i'm applause. i can tell you, the plan i'm going _ applause. i can tell you, the plan i'm going to _ applause. i can tell you, the plan i'm going to show- applause. i can tell you, the plan i'm going to show you i applause. i can tell you, the| plan i'm going to show you will cut the deficit by another $2 trillion and it won't cut a single bit of medicare or social security and in fact, we will extend the medicare trust fund to at least two decades and that is about how do we keep it solvent. well, i will not raise taxes on anyone making 400 grand but will pay

for it the way we talked about, by making sure the wealthy and big corporations pay theirfair share. look, here is the deal. they are notjust share. look, here is the deal. they are not just taking advantage of the tax code, they taking advantage of you, the american consumer. this is my message, i have your back. we are already preventing americans from receiving surprise medical bills, stopping $1 billion surprise bills per month so far. we are projecting seniors and their life savings by cracking down on nursing homes that commit fraud and endanger patient safety and prescribe drugs that are not needed and millions of americans can now save thousands of dollars because i can finally get a hearing aid over—the—counter without a prescription! look, capitalism without competition is not capitalism. its extortion. it's exploitation. last year, i

crackdown 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 that cut shipping cost by 90%, helping american farmers, businessmen and consumers. let's finish thejob. businessmen and consumers. let's finish the job. pass the bipartisan strengthening trust enforcement to prevent big online platforms giving their own products and unfair advantage.— my my administration is also taking onjunk fees, those taking on junk fees, those hidden taking onjunk fees, those hidden surcharges to many companies use to make you pay more. for example, we are making airlines show you the full ticket price up front, refund your money if your flight is cancelled or delayed. we produced exorbitant bank overdrafts by we produced exorbitant bank overd rafts by saving we produced exorbitant bank overdrafts by saving consumers more than $1 billion a year. we

are cutting credit card late fees by 75%, from $30 look, junk fees may not matter to the very wealthy but they matter to most of the folks in homes like the one i grew up too, 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 for that family trip. i know how unfair it feels when a company overcharges you and gets away with it. not anymore. we have written a bill to stop it all. it is called the junk fee prevention act. we are going to ban surprise resort fees that hotels charge an ad on your bill. those fees can cost up to $90 a night at hotels that aren't even results. (laughter) 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 services on tickets to concerts and sporting events, and prohibit airlines from charging $50 round—trip for a familyjust 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 played for suckers. so pass the junk fee prevention act so companies stop ripping us off. for too long, workers have been getting stiff but not any more. we are beginning to restore the dignity of work. for example, i should restore the dignity of work. for example, ishould have known this but i didn't until two years ago, 30 million workers have to sign non—competing agreements with thejobs

non—competing agreements with the jobs they take. 30 million. so a cashier at a burger place can't walk across town and take the same job at another burger place and make a few bucks more. theyjust changed it because we exposed it. that was part of the deal, guys. look it up. but not any more. we are banning those agreements were companies have to compete for workers and pay them what they are worth. �* �* . are worth. applause and i must _ are worth. applause and i must tell i are worth. applause and i must tell you, i are worth. applause i and i must tell you, this are worth. applause - and i must tell you, this is bound to get a response from my friends on my left, with the right, i am so sick and tired of companies breaking the law by preventing workers from organising. pass the pro act because businesses and workers have a right to form a union. and 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 childcare. that will 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 to child poverty in half to the lowest level in history. and by the way, when we do all of these things, we increase productivity, we increase economic growth, so let's finish thejob and economic growth, so let's finish the job and get more families access to affordable, quality housing. let's get seniors who want to stay in their homes the care they need to do so. let's give more breathing room to millions more families and caregivers looking after their loved ones. pass my plan so we get seniors and people with disabilities in the home care and the services they need, and support the workers who are doing god's work. applause

these plans are fully paid for, and we can afford to do them. restoring the dignity of work means making education an affordable ticket to the middle class. when we made public education, 12 years of it, universal, in the last century, we made the best educated, we became the best educated, best paid nation in the world. but the rest of the world has caught up. it's caught up. jill, my wife, who teaches has an expression. i hope i get it right, kid. "any nation that out educates us is going to outcompete us". folks, we all know 12 years of education is not enough to win the economic competition of the 21st century. competition of the 21st century-— century. applause we century. applause we want _ century. applause we want to - century. applause we want to have i century. applause | we want to have the century. applause - we want to have the best educated workforce, let's finish the job by providing access to preschool for three and four—year—olds, studies show that children who go to

preschool are nearly 50% more likely to finish high school and go on to earn a two or four—year degree, no matter their background they came from. let's give public school teacher a raise.— we are making progress by reducing student debt, increasing programmes for working and middle—class families. let's finish the job and connect students to career opportunities starting in high school, provide access to two years community college, the best career training in america in addition to being a pathway to a four—year degree. let's offer every american a path, whether they go to college or not. and folks, in the midst of the covid crisis, when schools

were closed, and we were shutting down everything, let's recognise how far we came in the fight against the pandemic itself. the virus is not gone, thanks to the resilience of the american people and the 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 our country back up, and opened our country back up, and soon we will and the public health emergency.— health emergency. applause but it is called _ health emergency. applause but it is called a _ health emergency. applause but it is called a public- but it is called a public health emergency. but we will remember the toll and pain is never going to go away. more than a million americans lost their lives to covid, a million. family is 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 to keep america safe. and as we emerge from this crisis, stronger, we also have two double down on prosecuting criminals who stole relief money meant to keep workers and small businesses afloat. �* �* . before i came to office, you remember during that campaign, the big issue was about inspector generals who would protect taxpayers's 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, we have

recovered billions of taxpayers's dollars. now let's triple the antifraud squad strike force going after the criminals, double the statue of limitations on these crimes and on syndicate stealing billions of dollars, billions of dollars from the american people. applause the data shows that for every dollar we put into fighting fraud, the tax system gets back more than ten times as much. it matters. it matters. look, covid left its scars, like the spike in violent crime in 2020, the first year of the pandemic. we have an obligation to make sure all people are self. —— are safe. public safety depends on public trust as all of us know but two of them that trust is violated. joining us tonight are the parents of tyre nichols. welcome.

they had to bury tyre last week, as many of you personally know, there are no words to describe the heartache or grief of losing a child, but imagine, imagine if you lost that child at the hands of the law. imagine having to worry whether yourson imagine having to worry whether your son or daughter came home from walking down the street, playing in the park orjust driving a car. most of us in here have never had to have the talk, the talk that brown and black parents have had to have with their parents. i never had to have the talk with my children. i never had to tell them if a police officer pulls you over, turn your interior lights on right away. don't reach for your licence. keep

your hands on the steering wheel. imagine having to worry like that, every single time your kid got in a car. this is what tyre's mother shared with me when i spoke to her, when i asked her how she finds the courage to carry on and speak out. the faith to god she said her son was, quote, out. the faith to god she said herson was, quote, a out. the faith to god she said her son was, quote, a beautiful soul, and something good will come of this. imagine how much courage and character that takes. it is up to us, to all of us. we all want the same thing. neighbourhoods free of violence, law enforcement who earns the community's trust. just as every cop that pins on that badge in the morning has the right to go 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 ask them in many cases to do too much, to be cops and social workers, psychologists responding to drug overdoses, mental health crises and so much more. in one sense, we ask much more. in one sense, we ask much too much of them. i know most cops and their families are good, decent, honourable people, the vast majority. applause and they risk their lives every time they put that shield on. but what happened to tyre in memphis, it 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 them safe. we also need more first responders and professionals to address the growing mental health and substance abuse challenges, more resources to reduce violent crime and gun crime, more community intervention programmes, more investment in housing, education and job training. all this can help prevent violence in the first place. when police officers or police departments violate the public trust, they must be held accountable.— accountable. applause with the _ accountable. applause with the support... i accountable. applause | with the support... with accountable. applause i with the support... with the support of the families of victims, civil rights groups and law enforcement, i signed and law enforcement, i signed an executive orderfor and law enforcement, i signed an executive order for all federal officers, banning choke holds, restricting no knock

warrants and other key elements of the george floyd act. let's commit ourselves to make the words of tyre's true: something good must come of this, something good. and all of us, all of us... applause.— and all of us, all of us... applause. ., �*, ' . applause. folks, it's difficult but it's simple. _ applause. folks, it's difficult but it's simple. all _ applause. folks, it's difficult but it's simple. all of - applause. folks, it's difficult but it's simple. all of us i applause. folks, it's difficult but it's simple. all of us in i but it's 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 let's come together to finish thejob on let's come together to finish the job on police let's come together to finish thejob on police reform. do something. do something. that was the player parents who lost

their children in uvalde. i met with everyone of them. do about gun violence. thank god... applause. gun violence. thank god... applause-— gun violence. thank god... applause. ., ~ applause. thank god we did! passin: applause. thank god we did! passing the — applause. thank god we did! passing the most _ applause. thank god we did! passing the most sweeping i applause. thank god we did! | passing the most sweeping gun safety law in the last decade. that includes things like that the majority of response or gun owners already support, and has background checks for 18—21 year old, red flag laws, keeping funds out of the hands of people who are danger to themselves and others. now i work is not done. joining us tonight is a 26—year—old hero. brandon put his college they are hard to be on his mum's side. brandon...— are hard to be on his mum's side. brandon... applause.

branded now _ side. brandon... applause. branded now works - side. brandon... applause. branded now works at i side. brandon... applause. branded now works at the i side. brandon... applause. i branded now works at the dance studio started by his grandparents. two weeks ago, during the near new year celebrations, he heard the studio door close. he saw a man standing there pointing a semiautomatic pistol at him. he thought he was going to die. he thought he was going to die. he thought about the people inside. and in that instant he found the courage to act and wrestle a semiautomatic pistol away from the gunman who had already killed 11 people in the dance studio. the dance earle 11 people. it's time we do the same. a ban assault weapons now! ban them now! once and for all! i had the fight to do that in 1994. in ten years the burn,

mass shootings were down. mass shootings tripled in the republican administration. let's finish thejob republican administration. let's finish the job and ban these assault weapons and has also come together on immigration. make it a bipartisan issue once again. applause. we bipartisan issue once again. applause-— bipartisan issue once again. applause. ~ ~ ., ., ., applause. we know, we now have a record number— applause. we know, we now have a record number of— applause. we know, we now have a record number of personnel i a record number of personnel working to secure the border. arresting 8000 human smugglers. seizing over £23,000 of fentanyl injust seizing over £23,000 of fentanyl in just the last several months. we have launched a new border plan last month on lawful migration in cuba, haiti, nicaragua and maddison taylor has come down 97% as a consequence of that. but american border problems might be fixed until congress acts. if we don't pass my immigration reform, at least passed my plan to provide equipment at offices to secure the border. equipment at offices to secure the border-—

equipment at offices to secure the border._ and i equipment at offices to secure the border._ and a | the border. applause. and a athwa the border. applause. and a pathway to — the border. applause. and a pathway to citizenship - the border. applause. and a pathway to citizenship for i pathway to citizenship for dreamers, those on temporary status, farmworkers, essential workers. here in the people's house, it's our duty to protect all the people's rights and freedoms. congress must restore the right... freedoms. congress must restore the right---_ the right... order, order! congress _ the right... order, order! congress must _ the right... order, order! congress must restore i the right... order, order!| congress must restore the the right... order, order! i congress must restore the right that was taken away in roe v wade and project roe v wade. applause. wade and pro'ect roe v wade. avvmuss._ applause. give everyone the riuht. applause. give everyone the right- the _ applause. give everyone the right. the vice _ applause. give everyone the right. the vice president - applause. give everyone the right. the vice president and | applause. give everyone the| right. the vice president and i are doing everything to protect access to reproductive healthcare and safeguard patient safety, but already more than a dozen states are forcing extreme abortion bands. make no mistake about it, if congress passes a national ban, i will veto it! congress passes a national ban,

i will veto au— congress passes a national ban, | will veto it!_ but. i will veto it! applause. but let's also _ i will veto it! applause. but let's also pass, _ i will veto it! applause. but let's also pass, let _ i will veto it! applause. but let's also pass, let also - i will veto it! applause. but let's also pass, let also passj let's also pass, let also pass a bipartisan equality act to ensure lgbtqi americans, especially transgender young especially tra nsgender young people, can especially transgender young people, can live with safety and dignity. people, can live with safety and dignity-— people, can live with safety| and dignity._ our and dignity. applause. our strenath and dignity. applause. our strength is _ and dignity. applause. our strength is not _ and dignity. applause. our strength is not just - and dignity. applause. our strength is notjust an - and dignity. applause. our. strength is notjust 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 murderous assault, evoking images of death and destruction. europe suffered in world war ii. putin's invasion has been a test for the ages, a test for america, a test for the world! we stand for the most basic of principles? would we stand for sovereignty? we stand for the

right of people to live free of tyranny? we stand for the defence of democracy? for such defence of democracy? for such defence matters to us because it keeps peace and prevents open season on would be aggressors that threatens our prosperity. aggressors that threatens our prosperity-— aggressors that threatens our prosperity-_ one i aggressors that threatens our i prosperity._ one year prosperity. applause. one year later, we know _ prosperity. applause. one year later, we know the _ prosperity. applause. one year later, we know the answer. - prosperity. applause. one yearj later, we know the answer. yes, we would, and we did! we did! applause. we would, and we did! we did! applause-— we would, and we did! we did! applause. �* ., applause. and together, we did what america _ applause. and together, we did what america always _ applause. and together, we did what america always does - applause. and together, we did what america always does at - applause. and together, we did what america always does at our| what america always does at our best, we lead. we united nato. we built a global coalition. we stood against putin's aggression. we stood there with ukrainian people to unite, and we once againjoined by ukrainian people to unite, and we once again joined by a ukraine puzzling ambassador to the united states hero presents notjust her nation but the courage of her people. ambassador, ourambassador courage of her people. ambassador, our ambassador is here, united in support of your country. will you stand so we all can take a look at you?

thank you!— all can take a look at you? | thank you!_ we all can take a look at you? - thank you!_ we are thank you! applause. we are auoin to thank you! applause. we are going to stand _ thank you! applause. we are going to stand with _ thank you! applause. we are going to stand with you, - thank you! applause. we are going to stand with you, as . going to stand with you, as long as it takes. our nation is looking for more freedom, more than dignity and more than peace, notjust your butt everywhere. before i came to office the story was about people's republic of china was increasing its power and america was failing in the world. not anymore. we made clear and i am clear my personal conversation which have been many with president xi, and we see competition, not conflict. but i will make no apologies that we are investing to make america stronger. investing in american innovation to define the future that china intends to be

dominating. investing in our alliances and working with our allies to protect advanced technologies so they will not be used against us. modernising our military to safeguard stability and deter aggression. today we are in the strongest position in decades to compete with china or anyone else in the world. anywhere else in the world. and i am committed... applause. world. and i am committed... applause-— applause. i'm committed to workin: applause. i'm committed to working with _ applause. i'm committed to working with china _ applause. i'm committed to working with china where - applause. i'm committed to working with china where we | applause. i'm committed to . working with china where we can advance american interests and benefit the world, 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. will act to protect our count , and we did. �* �* ,, country, and we did. applause. look, country, and we did. applause. look. let's _ country, and we did. applause. look. let's be — country, and we did. applause. look, let's be clear. _ country, and we did. applause. look, let's be clear. winning - look, let's be clear. winning the competition should unite all of us. we face serious challenges across the world but

in the past two years democracy has become stronger, not weaker. autocracy has grown weaker, not stronger. namely a world who changed places with xi jinping. world who changed places with xijinping. namely one, namely one! america is rallying about to meet those challenges from climate to global health, to feuded security to terrorism, to territorial aggression. allies are stepping up spending more and doing well. look, the bridges we are forming between partners in the pacific and those in the atlantic and those who are better against america highlighting how wrong they are. it's never ever been a good bet to bet against america. never. applause. (chanting) _ america. never. applause. (chanting) usa, _ america. never. applause. (chanting) usa, usa, - america. never. applause. | (chanting) usa, usa, usa!

when _ (chanting) usa, usa, usa! when ' _ (chanting) usa, usa, usa! when i came to office, most assumed bipartisan was impossible. they never believed it, and that's why a year ago we made real progress together. we passed a law making it easier for doctors to prescribe effective treatments for opiate addiction. we passed the gun safety lawmaking and historic investment in mental health. we launched the breakthrough against cancer, alzheimer and diabetes and so much more. we passed the heath robertson packed act named after the late iraqi war veteran the story about exposure to toxic burns, i shared here last year. applause. j i shared here last year. applause. , ., , applause. i understand there is so much more — applause. i understand there is so much more to _ applause. i understand there is so much more to do. _ applause. i understand there is so much more to do. we - applause. i understand there is so much more to do. we can - applause. i understand there is so much more to do. we can do| so much more to do. we can do it together. join us tonight,

as a father named doug from newton, new hampshire, he wrote jill, my wife, a letter, and me as well, about his daughter, courtney, a contagious laugh, his sister's best friend, her sister's best friend. he shared a story all too familiar to americans and you and the audience. courtney discovered pills in high school. and spiralled into addiction. and eventually death from a fennel overdose. she was just 20 years old. describing the last year without her, doug said there is no worse pain. if the family has turned painter purpose, working and stigma and change laws. he told us he wants to start a journey toward american recovery. doug, we're with you. fentanyl is killing more than 70,000 americans a year. you

got it. so let's lodge a major surge and stop fentanyl production and the sale and trafficking, with more drug detection machines, inspections of cargo, stopping pills and power are powder at the border. applause. working with courage like fedex to inspect more packages to drugs. strong, second, let's do more in mental health especially for our children. when millions of young people struggle with bullying, violence and trauma, we need better access to mental health in schools. we we need better access to mental health in schools.— health in schools. we must finally hold _ health in schools. we must finally hold a _ health in schools. we must finally hold a social - health in schools. we must finally hold a social media. finally hold a social media companies accountable for experimenting or would doing or running short of a profit. it's

time to pass bipartisan legislation to stop big attack from collecting personal data on our kids! and teenagers online. van targeted advertising to children and impose stricter limits on the personal data that companies collect all of us. third, let's do more to keep this nation's fully sacred obligation to equip those we send into harm way and care for them and their families when they come home. job home. job training, job placement of veterans and their spouses as they return to civilian life. helping veterans afford their rent because no—one should be homeless in america, especially someone who served the country.— served the country. applause. dennis is here, _ served the country. applause. dennis is here, the _ served the country. applause.

dennis is here, the ba. - served the country. applause. dennis is here, the ba. we - served the country. applause. dennis is here, the ba. we had ourfirst raw discussion dennis is here, the ba. we had our first raw discussion and i asked him to take the job. our first raw discussion and i asked him to take thejob. i'm glad he did. we are losing up to 25 veterans a day in suicide. now we're losing i7 suicide. now we're losing 17 date of the silent scourge of suicide. i7 veterans a day for our committing suicide. more than all the people being killed in the wars. folks, the vat is doing everything he can include expanding mental health screening, improving programmes that recruits veterans to help other veterans understand what they are going through. get them help they need. we got to do more. and fourth, last year jill and i reignited the organisation i started with president 0bama stop our goal is to cut the cancer death rates at least by 50% in the next 25 years. turn more

cancers from death sentences to treatable diseases. provide more support for patients and theirfamilies. it is personal to so many of us in this audience. joining us on morrison candies. they met and fell in love in new york and got married in the same chapel thatjill and i got married in the same chapel thatjilland i did. kindred spirits. he wrote us a letter about his daughter, ava, and i saw herjust before i came over. she was one—year—old when she was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease, cancer. after 26 blood transfusions and ii 26 blood transfusions and 11 rounds of radiation, eight rounds of radiation, eight rounds of radiation, eight rounds of chemo, a kidney removal, even a 5% survival rate, in the darkest moments he thought that if she goes i cannot stay and many of you would feel that as well. jill

and i understand that, like so many of you. he read jill's book describing our families cancerjourney and how book describing our families cancer journey and how we tried to steal moments ofjoy where we could but for them thatjoy was the half smile of their baby girl. they never gave up hope. ava never gave up hope. she turns four next month. they just found out that she has beaten the odds and is on her way to being cured of cancer and she is watching from the white house tonight, if she is not asleep already. so for the lives we can save with the lives we can save with the lives we can save with the lives we can save and the lives we have lost let this be a truly american moment. that rally is the world and country together and proves we can

still do big things. 20 years ago under the leadership of president bush and countless champions he undertook the effort to transform the global fight against hiv/aids. it has been a huge success. he thought big and thought large and moved. i believe we can do the same thing with cancer. let's end cancer as we know it. cure some cancers wants and for all. folks, there is one reason why we have been able to do these things. 0ur democracy itself. it is the most fundamental thing 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 and put to the test in this very room onjanuary 6.

and then a few months ago and unhinged big lie, and assailant unleash political violence at the home of the then speaker of the home of the then speaker of the house of representatives using the same language that the insurrection lists used in these holes onjanuary 6. here tonight at the man who bears the scars of that brutal attack but he is as tough and as strong and resilient as they come, my friend paul pelosi. paul, stand up. it was a heinous act and should never have happened. we used to all speak out. there is no place for political violence in america. we have to protect the right to vote, not suppress. we

have to uphold the rule of law. we must give hate and extremism in any form no safe harbour. democracy must not be a part as an issue. it is an american issue. every generation of americans has faced a moment where they have been called to stand up and defend and protect their democracy and this is our moment. my fellow americans, to my we meet at an inflection point, one of those moments in only a few generations where the direction we now take will decide the course of this nation for decades to come. we are not bystanders of history. we are not powerless before the forces in front of us. it is

within our power of we the people. we faced the test of our time. we have to be the nation we have always been, optimistic, hopefuland optimistic, hopeful and forward—looking. the optimistic, hopefuland forward—looking. the nation that embraces light over dark, hope overfear, that embraces light over dark, hope over fear, stability over chaos. we have to see each other not as enemies but as fellow americans. we are good people. the only nation in the world tilt on an idea. the only one. other nations are defined by geography, ethnicity but we are the only nation based on an idea. that all of us, everyone of us is created equal in the image of god. a nation that stands as a beacon to the world, a nation with a new age of possibilities. i have come

to fulfil my constitutional obligation to report on the state of the union and here is my report. because the soul of this nation is strong it is the backbone of this nation because the people of this nation a strong. the state of the union is strong. i am not new to this place. i stand is strong. i am not new to this place. istand here is strong. i am not new to this place. i stand here tonight and i have served about as long as anyone of you have ever served here. but i have never been more domestic about how future about the future of america. just remember who we are. we are the united states of america and there is nothing,

nothing beyond our capacity if we do it together. god lets you all and may god protect our troops. thank you.- all and may god protect our troops. thank you. and that is joe biden _ troops. thank you. and that is joe biden their _ troops. thank you. and that is joe biden their leading -- - troops. thank you. and that isj joe biden their leading -- that joe biden their leading —— that isjill biden their leading the applause for her husband. using thatjob, finish thejob, more than 12 times, a speech that was heavy on the economy mentioning jobs 17 times and inflation eight. just telling americans, even though two—thirds of them say the economy is going on the wrong direction that things have gotten better on his watch. amanda, what did you make of that speech as we seekjoe biden glad handing there. he was biden glad handing there. he: was pretty robust. he was robust and did not shy away from the length. he was engaged and fired up. when off script a couple of times but he did what

he does best which is bring people into the connection with humanity and he ended the speech in that way before he fired up again and that makes a difference for folks watching at home because it is what he is best at. at home because it is what he is best at— is best at. what did you make ofthe is best at. what did you make of the speech, _ is best at. what did you make of the speech, ron? - is best at. what did you make of the speech, ron? you - is best at. what did you make of the speech, ron? you said| of the speech, ron? you said you thought this was a test for the president that he is essentially laying out the case for him to go to the american people and ask for a second term aged over 80. i think this is a lengthy speech for him and i think he passed the endurance test that many people wanted. i just wish that this joe biden was — just wish that this joe biden was the _ just wish that this joe biden was the one that we were promised two years ago, who talked — promised two years ago, who talked about unity and unifying the country and yet i felt many of his— the country and yet i felt many of his remarks, his boeck about the wealthy paying share, big army. — the wealthy paying share, big army. -- _ the wealthy paying share, big army, —— big armour, it seems likely— army, —— big armour, it seems network— army, —— big armour, it seems likely folk about that makes spoke — likely folk about that makes spoke about the folks he didn't

like rather than those who sought _ like rather than those who sought to unify. we will see what — sought to unify. we will see what the _ sought to unify. we will see what the think about his remark but in _ what the think about his remark but in my— what the think about his remark but in my humble opinion he should — but in my humble opinion he should have been speaking about homelessness with a lot more emphasis on crime and the millions— emphasis on crime and the millions of people who have entered _ millions of people who have entered the country illegally. that — entered the country illegally. that way is on minds of many pebble — that way is on minds of many --eole. ., , ., that way is on minds of many --eole. ., , , people. there was an emphasis, wasn't there _ people. there was an emphasis, wasn't there amanda, _ people. there was an emphasis, wasn't there amanda, on - people. there was an emphasis, wasn't there amanda, on the - wasn't there amanda, on the middle class and thejoe from scranton, what my dad used to tell me that you need dignity and honest work. fine tell me that you need dignity and honest work.— and honest work. one of the thins and honest work. one of the things that _ and honest work. one of the things that he _ and honest work. one of the things that he has _ and honest work. one of the things that he has been - and honest work. one of the things that he has been able and honest work. one of the i things that he has been able to do when he gives speeches is talk to the common person. even the idea ofjunk fees, giving so much attention, we know what that looks like when you get an e—mail and there are fees and you wonder where they come from. he talks about what it is like to wonder at the ceiling —— look at the ceiling and wonder about the family. he talks about what it means when people get sick, when kids face disease. there wasn't so much in there and i have to say, even as he started out with a

couple ofjokes here and there i thought that opened it up to really reaching folks where they are and then we heard about manufacturing. that has been important forjoe been important for joe throughout been important forjoe throughout his administration to bring manufacturing jobs back. that speaks to a lot of people from scranton in the midwest. people from scranton in the midwest— people from scranton in the midwest. . , ., ., midwest. there was quite a lot of heckling _ midwest. there was quite a lot of heckling of _ midwest. there was quite a lot of heckling of the _ midwest. there was quite a lot of heckling of the president - midwest. there was quite a lot of heckling of the president at | of heckling of the president at one point when he got into it with the crowd saying that there were some republicans who wanted to cut medicare and social security, at one point kevin mccarthy, the republican speaker of the house had to shoot republicans when we got to a bit on the border. and i think, i was looking at my feet, when you heard the president talk about sentinel and the people dying from that, you heard, allegedly, republicans say it is your fault. �* ., ., republicans say it is your fault. �* . ~ ., fault. and we hearken back to president _ fault. and we hearken back to president barack _ fault. and we hearken back to president barack obama - fault. and we hearken back to | president barack obama when fault. and we hearken back to . president barack obama when he president barack 0bama when he delivered — president barack 0bama when he delivered a similar state of

the union address where he had the union address where he had the representative who said you live _ the representative who said you live it — the representative who said you live. it does not matter what party — live. it does not matter what party you _ live. it does not matter what party you are, i think you have to have — party you are, i think you have to have respect and faith in the institution of the presidency and i think it demeans the officeholder who yells _ demeans the officeholder who yells at — demeans the officeholder who yells at the president in such a disrespectful manner. we can respectively —— respectfully agree — respectively —— respectfully agree to _ respectively —— respectfully agree to disagree and this was entirely— agree to disagree and this was entirely inappropriate and inexcusable.— entirely inappropriate and inexcusable. . ,, . inexcusable. that speech was one hour _ inexcusable. that speech was one hour and _ inexcusable. that speech was one hour and 13 _ inexcusable. that speech was one hour and 13 minutes - inexcusable. that speech was | one hour and 13 minutes long. did it feel to you that that was president biden laying the case for his re—election run? he did a lot of things in a period of time. notjust laid the case but really spoke about some specifics, brought back the humanity, tried to end with a conversation about unity. it spoke to many folks and when you are going to launch a presidency you have to be able to lean on all these different communities that are and need a

leader to follow up on the issues most important to them. so tonight you did here how to reach those communities and i think the biggest one, of course, was the applause for seniors tonight. i got a text from my mum and dad saying he's about insulin and social security. i think he did a lot of things in these speeches and gives his cabinet and ability to work off that as they go community by community. that was interesting _ community by community. that was interesting because - community by community. that was interesting because kevin mccarthy, the republican speaker of the house stood up when president biden said let stand for seniors. he stood up when the president said let's try and and fentanyl trafficking at the border. this is these two areas where they can come together? i think so. remember when we were talking about— remember when we were talking about where the president and republicans couldn't meet in consensus and i think sentinel, drugs _ consensus and i think sentinel, drugs and _ consensus and i think sentinel, drugs and pouring in through the southern border, i think that— the southern border, i think that is— the southern border, i think that is what they can agree upon — that is what they can agree upon and of course first responders and policemen and

mititarx — responders and policemen and mititarx i_ responders and policemen and military. i think that gives the — military. i think that gives the president an opportunity and the _ the president an opportunity and the monster, forging a consensus among the republicans.- consensus among the republicans. consensus among the reublicans. ., ~ ., ., republicans. thank you to our panellists _ republicans. thank you to our panellists ron _ republicans. thank you to our panellists ron christie - republicans. thank you to our panellists ron christie and - panellists ron christie and amanda. don't go anywhere, we are coming back. i know that you will be speaking to your mother, amanda. let's go live now to a working mother there on capitol hill live for us. nadal, finish thejob, that on capitol hill live for us. nadal, finish the job, that was the theme of president biden �*s speech. how has it gone down there in divided government land? it there in divided government land? ., , , land? it was interesting, wasn't it. _ land? it was interesting, wasn't it, laura? - land? it was interesting, wasn't it, laura? the - land? it was interesting, - wasn't it, laura? the exchanges he had with republicans throughout in the chamber. i mean, anyone who has followed joe biden this is very much consistent with the themes that he has really been embracing throughout his entire career. but with that ability ofjoe biden to kind of speak off the cuff to his counterparts. so at the top there when he was

congratulating kevin mccarthy saying that i do not want to ruin your reputation but i look forward to working with you, that was a really interesting moment that set the tone there for the night and certainly you guys were discussing their the debate about the social safety nets. medicare and social security. that back—and—forth with the chamber where he said, ok, we allagree with the chamber where he said, ok, we all agree then. he said 0k, we all agree then. he said i understand that not the entire public repower t wants to sunset but it has been proposed in that spot reaction from republicans in the chamber. so that was an off—the—cuff moment. in that sense he really saw president biden speaking directly to republicans and directly to republicans and directly to republicans and directly to americans. as you say, laura, the theme really being finish thejob. say, laura, the theme really being finish the job. i think that only spoke to his ambitions are run for

re—election but also trying to really push to americans that while many of his policies might not be felt for a while and he talked about that when it comes to drug prices, when it comes to drug prices, when it comes tojobs it comes to drug prices, when it comes to jobs being created, he feels like this congress could go even further in some of those promises to the american people and kind of build on some of his past achievements. now because republicans have deep disagreements on some policy issues. we thought that tonight but nevertheless president biden tried and optimistic note saying he optimistic about the future of america and that in the last two years democrats and republicans were able to meet together and he thinks that's possible going forward. thank you. we see president biden is inside the chamber on capitol hill, glad handing away, very, very slowly making his way from the podium out to begin hisjourney his way from the podium out to begin his journey back to the white house. let's get analysis and assessment from north

america editor sarah smith. sarah, you are telling us just a few hours ago that 62% of americans say the state of the union is divided. what was president biden able to do there to try and bring the country together?- there to try and bring the country together? what was his message? _ country together? what was his message? he — country together? what was his message? he started _ country together? what was his message? he started with - country together? what was his message? he started with a - message? he started with a bipartisan turn and when it turned into a tussle about social security and medicare, he was happy to talk to his republican opponents, because if this wasn't the message of unity, i was really struck by the energy and the vigor he brought to this speech this year. certainly compared with last year, at the time when everybody is expecting him to soon announce that he wants to run for president again in 2024 and there is a national conversation about his age, the oldest us president ever. if you want another term he'd be 86 by the time he was leaving office, voters bring it up all the time so it was important to

him to look like a man who had the and the passion to see through not only the next two years by another term. as well as first to have his achievements he had a long list of things he still wanted to achieve, and he said looked as though he definitely had the passion to move forward with everything you want to do from prescription drug reform to tackling fentanyl and some tackling fenta nyl and some small tackling fentanyl and some small issues like getting rid ofjunk fiesta bigger ones like of junk fiesta bigger ones like tax ofjunk fiesta bigger ones like tax and big corporations. he has a laundry and he certainly seemed to be saying to the republicans, you can work with me on some of these things and i want agreement in the room republicans, but i will do what i can to get this past without you if i have to. we i can to get this past without you if i have to.— you if i have to. we can see the 're you if i have to. we can see they're still— you if i have to. we can see they're still saying - you if i have to. we can see | they're still saying goodbye, receiving congratulations on his speech, and it was notable that he didn't make any of the available gaffes that he did last year when he seemed to confuse american and iranian.

his senators are much shorter, i don't know if that was deliberate to give the impression of vigor, as you say. impression of vigor, as you sa . �* impression of vigor, as you sa , �* , ., ., , impression of vigor, as you sa . ~ ., , ., impression of vigor, as you say. also, those of us who are lucky enough _ say. also, those of us who are lucky enough to _ say. also, those of us who are lucky enough to have - say. also, those of us who are lucky enough to have a - say. also, those of us who are lucky enough to have a copy i say. also, those of us who are j lucky enough to have a copy of the speech delivered to us just before he started reading it out, you could follow line by line and see actually there were a lot of ad limbs in there which he did very fluently as well, notjust that point which he did very fluently as well, not just that point where he was arguing with republicans over the debt ceiling and marjorie taylor greene was shouting him calling him a liar which she was more than happy to responded by saying it looks as though we have agreement here. there were lots of places where he was adding in a line and in some cases even adding a joke, all with great proficiency. why are we talking about that when this is a president of united states? you think that he'll be more than capable of delivering a speech, but biden has always made these verbal gaffes throughout decades of his career, he has been notorious for flopping decades of his career, he has been notorious forflopping his words about. it's when you are at the age he is, people start to assume that it's to do with your advancing years when you

get your words mixed up sol think it was crucially important for him to deliver the speech fluently. that is certainly been achieved this evening. certainly been achieved this evenina. . certainly been achieved this eveninu. ., ., certainly been achieved this evenina. ., ., , evening. sarah, on this question _ evening. sarah, on this question of— evening. sarah, on this question of the - evening. sarah, on this question of the debt i evening. sarah, on this i question of the debt ceiling, it was interesting the symbolism of the night, the president flanked by kevin mccarthy, the republican speaker of the house, need to reach agreement on the debt ceiling and president biden was talking about the importance of the economy not being held hostage. it is such an agreement, doesn't seem to be on the cards between those two men? �* , ,., ., , men? it's something that needs to be worked — men? it's something that needs to be worked out _ men? it's something that needs to be worked out because i men? it's something that needs to be worked out because they i to be worked out because they have very clear possessions, president biden says it has to be raised by congress without any other conditions attached and the republicans, as they have in previous years, want to talk about cutting spending. it seems clear after tonight that not involve cuts to medicare or social security but to be fed to the republicans, kevin mccarthy had already said that those were off the table when it came to the debt ceiling

negotiations, but no, there was nothing in the speech that showed any compromise that would get us closer to that. except that at the beginning biden said how much he looked forward to working with kevin mccarthy. they are both made positive noises about trying to reach agreement on certain things before but a lot yet has to be worked out if they are coming to agreement on the debt ceiling. coming to agreement on the debt ceilinu. , �* ceiling. president biden the 're ceiling. president biden they're getting i ceiling. president biden they're getting selfies l ceiling. president bidenl they're getting selfies on ceiling. president biden i they're getting selfies on the way out. a lot of congratulations, i'm sure he is feeling well pleased with that speech because a lot of commentary on how vigorous it was, on how he really held together, which as sarah was saying, this is the president of united states, it should be something we have to comment on, but he is 80 years old and he would be 86 if he were to run for and when a terms of his age is most definitely an issue. but sarah, if you throw ahead to what president biden is going to be able to achieve before he stands for election

as weeks expect he will in 2024, what legislation do you see in that speech tonight? when he talked about immigration reform, that didn't seem to be going anywhere, what lord you say coming out of the end of his presidency that he can get through the house on the senate?— the senate? that he can get throu~h the senate? that he can get through the _ the senate? that he can get through the house - the senate? that he can get through the house of- the senate? that he can getj through the house of course the senate? that he can get i through the house of course is a very big question of whether democrats lost their majority in the mid—term election, so although some of the was part of the last two years that he was able to trump this evening including infrastructure bill and the chips and science act that deals with the semiconductor manufacturer back to the us, those were passed with a degree of republican support, that will be much harder to do in the next two years. so i think what he will be relying on is making the case for the things he wants to do, whether that is reform of gun laws, police reform, tackling the fentanyl crisis in united states, all the things that he listed, if he can't get

that he listed, if he can't get that done that becomes his campaign platform 2024 but he is obviously hoping, he has this in the speech, but in the years between now and the next presidential election some of what he has already passed then voters will start to feel the benefit of. some of it, as you mentioned, like the rolling of subscription drug costs, only started ijanuary this year is a people are onlyjust now beginning to notice that. other things like the manufacturing jobs, will be returning with great investment into american industries, thejobs great investment into american industries, the jobs that will be created by the huge infrastructure spending has been authorised and improved infrastructure, rebuilding roads and bridges are people can get some work and goods can move around the country, as these things will take a while before voters began to feel the benefit. that's roughly why there is a disconnect between really good economic figures at the moment and so many americans saying they don't feel any better off. they feel worse off underjoe biden's presidency. he has got 21 months between our next

presidential election people to feel as though the economy has turned around. you can sense within that speech a degree of optimism that the benefits of what has happened in the last two years will be felt in the next two years.— next two years. our north america — next two years. our north america editor, _ next two years. our north america editor, sarah i next two years. our north i america editor, sarah smith, thank you so much forjoining us with the analysis and we can see president biden there are still in aisle and during that moment, enjoying the afterglow of his speech, as he is there in the house chamber. let's get a north america reporter, and zarco. anthony, i know you are thinking beforehand that an enormous great big chinese balloon would be the elephant in the room as it were in the speech. we didn't actually see any members of congress carrying them. we thought marjorie taylor greene might but she was certainly calling, seem to add her finger at the president. seem to add her finger at the president-— president. what is your assessment _ president. what is your assessment of the i president. what is your i assessment of the speech? it was settling animated joe biden delivery and the focus was on the economy and touting his accomplishments. we can talk about how the balloon was a big

topic here in united states over the past couple of days but boy it was laid out in the speech. he barely even mentioned it, just a passing remark about how the united states show that it would defend its sovereignty. the foreign policy as a whole really did not take much prominence. ukraine wasjust really did not take much prominence. ukraine was just a couple of paragraphs, not a new call for aid. couple of paragraphs, not a new callforaid. ukraine, couple of paragraphs, not a new call for aid. ukraine, just an acknowledgement of the ambassador in the room and a bit of a talk about how the united states cooperated with bipartisan way to support ukraine along with the welds democracies. it was a speech that sounded like something focused on a domestic audience, domestic audiences care about the economy, the only really care about foreign policy if american soldiers are dying overseas, which is not the case right now. that's something joe biden clearly took to heart in crafting the speech.- biden clearly took to heart in crafting the speech. there were the moments — crafting the speech. there were the moments of _ crafting the speech. there were the moments of real— crafting the speech. there were the moments of real emotion . the moments of real emotion when the parents of tyre nichols stood up, the black man

who died after being beaten by police, and president biden calling and therefore police reform, but what chance is there a list divided congress agreeing on the? hat there a list divided congress agreeing on the?— agreeing on the? not much chance. same _ agreeing on the? not much chance. same with i agreeing on the? not much chance. same with gun i agreeing on the? not much i chance. same with gun control which he talked about right after that. those are two issues that a lot of americans care very deeply passionately about and joe biden reflected on that and in using members in the gallery, the family of tyre nichols, the hero to moderate the mass shooting in california, to drive the point home that was but try to make an emotional connection with the audience, but when it comes to legal reality and the reality thatjoe biden has to deal with, with republicans in control of the house of representatives and their priorities, there is very little chance of policing reform, or of gun—control legislation coming out anytime soon. ~ .., legislation coming out anytime soon. ~ , , soon. we can see president biden there _ soon. we can see president biden there still _ soon. we can see president biden there still glad i soon. we can see president i biden there still glad handing, still making his way out of the

house chamber, someone with a reputation as a retail politician, isn't he, enjoying the hugging, enjoying the selfies, president live in a bubble and the white house in some ways but here he is definitely enjoying meeting all of the lawmakers. what did you make of the optics, as it were, of divided governments? some republicans were pretty rowdy and calling the president a liar when he said that republicans wanted to cut these big social security entitlements americans have, medicare and social security yes, as joe medicare and social security yes, asjoe biden was getting to the podium to address the nation, i was really quickly through a transcript of his speech and got through all the stuffed joke about unity and cooperation and bipartisanship and then i hit that portion on the debt limit, and joe biden puzzling attempts to tie that republicans, some republican calls to cut social security

and medicare, and i knew right then that that was going to get ugly. then that that was going to get u al . �* , , ugly. and it did. this is something, _ ugly. and it did. this is something, bipartisanl something, bipartisan cooperation legislation they might be able to work together on other things that would be nicer congress pass, raising the debt limit is something that they have to do in the coming months and right nowjoe biden democrats are on one side and weekends and the house of relatives on the other side and they're not getting round and as soon as joe they're not getting round and as soon asjoe biden started to really talk a tough game on that, you knew republicans were not i take kindly to that. it sets up what is going to be a very tense series of negotiations over the coming months with the credit of united states, the economy of united states, the economy of united at stake. i’ll united states, the economy of united at stake.— united at stake. i'll see you north america _ united at stake. i'll see you i north america correspondence, thank you so much forjoining us with our analysis. letter to someone who is a close friend and political confidence of presidentjoe biden and that is and chris coons, democrat of delaware. thank you so much for

joining us. was not the speech of a president who is running for election already? it certainly was the speed of a president who is confident, that what has been accomplished in the last two years is significant. and has laid the groundwork for a strong two years ahead, and i'm not making any announcement bowel project that had the energy, the verb, the forcefulness of a president ready for a second time. band ready for a second time. and et, ready for a second time. and yet. 62% _ ready for a second time. and yet. 62% of _ ready for a second time. and yet, 62% of americans i ready for a second time. and yet, 62% of americans think the state of the union is divided, two—thirds americans don't feel the economy is working for them. can joe the economy is working for them. canjoe biden really persuade people, he seemed to be tried for tonight, that things are not as bad as all that? b. things are not as bad as all that? �* ., ., ., things are not as bad as all that? ~ ., ., ., i. things are not as bad as all that? ~ ., ., ., ., that? a lot of what you heard from president _ that? a lot of what you heard from president biden i that? a lot of what you heard from president biden tonight| from president biden tonight was a review of what's gone right in the last two years, what we have accomplished and how the american people are beginning to feel it. for example, the monthly cap of $35

for the cost of insulin, just now becoming effective. the annual cap of $2000 for out—of—pocket prescription costs, the ability to medicare to negotiate for prescription prices. all that is just beginning to have an prices. all that isjust beginning to have an impact. the hundreds of thousands of high quality manufacturing and constructionjobs. they high quality manufacturing and construction jobs. they are just beginning to come online. while i president was able to talk about the private sector and the last two years, creating a record number of jobs for any president's first two years, i agree with you there are many americans who don't yet feel it, and our president reflected that. he spoke directly to the audience at home is well as to those of us in congress saying we have more work to do. he got strong bipartisan support for refusing to cut social security or medicare, for working together to finish the hard work of police reform, for securing our border and fighting fentanyl and for trying to find a path forward on bipartisan immigration reform. it was a

bold challenge to congress and a reminder to the american people of the good work that's been done and what is left to been done and what is left to be finished. republican response tonight will be delivered by one of the youngest governors in the country, sarah huckabee sanders and they are trying to contrast her rage with that of president biden. he delivered a robust and vigorous speech tonight that he will be 86 years old if he won and finished a second term. is it not time for a generational change in the democratic leadership? i think our president showed determination, forcefulness, energy, agility. there were moments there in the chamber when it veered off close to the prime ministers questioning period where there was a vigorous give—and—take with vigorous give—and—ta ke with some vigorous give—and—take with some folks on the republican side who were almost debating with him and i think his answers were quick and agile, were engaging. we saw a president tonight full of

energy and purpose and a president who laid out a clear path forward for america under his leadership. stand path forward for america under his leadership.— his leadership. and where will he work with _ his leadership. and where will he work with republicans, i his leadership. and where will he work with republicans, do | he work with republicans, do you think? he talks about trying to do immigration reform. that seems unlikely, doesn't it? i reform. that seems unlikely, doesn't it?— doesn't it? i 'ust visited el paso on _ doesn't it? i 'ust visited el paso on the i doesn't it? ijust visited el paso on the border i doesn't it? ijust visited el. paso on the border between texas, arizona and mexico with a bipartisan group of eight senators and a group of us is about to make a bipartisan trip to mexico. in both cases, looking at the issues of border security, migration, asylum and justice. i don't think it is impossible or i would not be here in the senate. i think bipartisan work is sometimes our very best work. i will also remind you that a hush came over the assembled crowd of congress as our president talked about the pain and the cost of cancer and the importance of fighting to reduce cancer death dramatically. that was one of

several moments where he really summoned the better angels of our nature and called on congress and the american people to believe in the possibilities of what can get done here. possibilities of what can get done here-— possibilities of what can get done here. , ., ., , ., ,, done here. senator chris combs, thank you — done here. senator chris combs, thank you for— done here. senator chris combs, thank you forjoining _ done here. senator chris combs, thank you forjoining us. i done here. senator chris combs, thank you forjoining us. let's i thank you forjoining us. let's go to the republican response and sarah huckabee sanders. so and sarah huckabee sanders. ’sr forgive me and sarah huckabee sanders. sr forgive me for not believing much of anything i heard tonight from president biden. from control inflation and violent crime to the dangerous water crisis and threat from china. biden and the democrats have failed you. they know it and you know it. and it is time for a change. tonight let us reaffirm our commitment to a timeless american idea that government exists not to rule the people but to serve the people. democrats want to rule us with more government control but that is not who we are.

america is the greatest country the world has ever known because we are the freest country the world has ever known with a people who are strong and resilient. five months ago i was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and it was a hard time for ourfamily. hard time for our family. particularly hard time for ourfamily. particularly our kids, scarlet, hulk and george. but we kept ourfaith and hulk and george. but we kept our faith and persevered. thanks to exceptional. does here in arkansas a successful surgery and the grace of god i am cancerfree. through it all i could not help but think about my mother. she was 20 years old and in herfirst about my mother. she was 20 years old and in her first year of marriage when she was diagnosed with spinal cancer. the dock has told her she may not live and if she did live they said she would never walk again. and if she did walk she would definitely never have

children. the daughter she was told she would never have was just sworn in as the new governor of arkansas and is speaking to you tonight. adversity and fear of the unknown can paralyse us but faith propels us to charge boldly ahead. we cannot stand still in the face of great challenge. you and i were put on this earth for such a time as this, to charge boldly ahead. i will be the first to admit that president biden and i do not have a lot in common. i do not have a lot in common. i am forfreedom, he is for government control. at lio i am the youngest governor in the country and at 80 he is the oldest president in american history. i am the first woman to lead my state and he is the first man to surrender his presidency to a woke mob that cannot even tell you what a

woman is. in the america of the radical left, washington taxes you. you can be crushed with high gas prices, empty grocery shelves and our children are taught to hate one another. on account of race. but not to love one another or our great country. whetherjoe biden country. whether joe biden believes country. whetherjoe biden believes this madness or is simply too weak to resist it his administration has been completely hijacked by the radical left. the dividing line in america is no longer between right or left. the choice is between normal or crazy. it is time for a new generation of republican leadership. upon taking office a few weeks ago i signed executive orders to ban crt, racism and indoctrination in our schools. eliminate the

use of derogatory terms, repealed covid orders and said never again to authoritarian mandates and shutdowns. americans want common sense from their leaders. but in washington the biden administration is doubling down on crazy. president biden inherited the fastest economic recovery on record. the most secure border in history. keep abundant homegrown energy, fast rising wages, a rebuilt military and a world that was stable and at peace. but over the last two years, democrats destroyed it all. despite democrat's trillions in reckless spending and reckless that we now have the worst border crisis in american history. as a mom my heart breaks for every parent who has lost a son or daughter to addiction. 100,000 americans a

year are now killed from drug overdoses. largely from fe nta nyl overdoses. largely from fentanyl pouring across our southern border. yet the biden administration refuses to secure the border and save american lives. and after years of democratic tax on law enforcement and calls to defund the police, violent criminals room free while law—abiding families live in fear. beyond our borderfrom families live in fear. beyond our border from afghanistan to ukraine, from north korea to run —— iran, president biden 's weakness puts our weakness in the world at risk. in the presidents refused fossil to stand up to china —— and the president's refusal to stand up to china is dangerous and unacceptable. president biden is unable

-- i'm —— i'm willing to defend our borders and is to serve as commander—in—chief. and the biden administration seems more interested in woke fantasies than the hard reality americans face every day. most americans want to just live their lives in freedom and peace but we are under attack in left—wing culture war we did not start and never wanted to fight. every day we are told we must partake in rituals, salute the flags and worship their false idols. all while the government couude idols. all while the government collude with tech to strip away the most american thing there is, yourfreedom of speech. that is not normal. it is crazy. and it is wrong. make no mistake. republicans will not surrender this fight. we will lead with courage and do what is right. not what is political correct all convenient. republicans believe in an

america where strong families thrive in safe communities. wherejobs are abundant thrive in safe communities. where jobs are abundant and paychecks are rising. whether freedom our veterans shed their blood to defend is the birthright of every man woman and child. ., . , and child. sarah huckabee sanders there, _ and child. sarah huckabee sanders there, the i and child. sarah huckabee l sanders there, the governor and child. sarah huckabee i sanders there, the governor of arkansas delivering the republican response. i sorry to interrupt her that we are almost at the end of our programme and we will get a final thought our best. ron, what do you make of the choice of sarah huckabee sanders to be delivering the final response by the republicans? it is a clear ploy of biden's old and biden is 80 and we have the youngest woman governor in the united states. stand youngest woman governor in the united states.— united states. and look at what she is saying- — united states. and look at what she is saying. she _ united states. and look at what she is saying. she is _ united states. and look at what she is saying. she is throwing i she is saying. she is throwing red meat— she is saying. she is throwing red meat to the conservatives and saying that he is crazy, the — and saying that he is crazy, the agenda is crazy and it was a contrast— the agenda is crazy and it was a contrast in the dichotomy

between what republicans in the troubling believe and flair i think— troubling believe and flair i think she believes that president biden is at this point _ president biden is at this point. and what is your take on president — point. and what is your take on president biden 's state of the union — president biden 's state of the union address and divided government with the republican controlling the house? very long — controlling the house? very long but— controlling the house? very long but he did outline issues about — long but he did outline issues about law enforcement and sentinel fit i think republicans can come to accord with him — republicans can come to accord with him in— republicans can come to accord with him in the coming weeks. amanda. — with him in the coming weeks. amanda. i_ with him in the coming weeks. amanda, i know you are concerned going into the speech. was it going to be vigorous, what did you make of it? l vigorous, what did you make of it? ., , , , ., it? iwas inspired. i am hearing _ it? iwas inspired. i am hearing about i it? iwas inspired. i am hearing about what i it? iwas inspired. i am| hearing about what this it? iwas inspired. i am- hearing about what this country can do i am always inspired by that but the idea of beating cancer, the idea of coming together and finishing the job, i think that worked. his humour at the beginning, his connection with people, his humanity in this speech really matters for this country that is what leader looks like. i have to say he did look a bit more energetic than sarah, even. ., ~' more energetic than sarah, even. . ~ i. more energetic than sarah, even. . ~ ., even. thank you both for 'oinin:

even. thank you both for joining us _ even. thank you both for joining us and _ even. thank you both for joining us and that i even. thank you both for| joining us and that brings even. thank you both for i joining us and that brings us to the end of our special bbc coverage ofjoe biden 's state of the union address. my thanks to our studio analysts in the studio and everyone behind the cameras. hello, there. recent weather days have been dominated by high pressure, but with light winds at this time of year, that's brought an issue with frost and fog. the high pressure still with us for england and wales, more to come, but plenty of isobars further north and west, the arrival of this weather front as we go through wednesday. so that means, with more wind around, and certainly increasing cloud, not quite as cold as the start here. the fog may well be slow to linger in places across england and wales. early morning frost will melt away, we'll see some sunshine coming through into the afternoon, but the winds continue to strengthen, particularly in the far north—west. gale force, perhaps severe gales at times, gusts in excess of 70 mph. that's strong enough to cause some disruption, and there will be some rain by the end of the day. temperatures ranging from seven to ten degrees. now, that weather front

will continue to sink its way steadily southwards, but as it bumps into that area of high pressure, it loses its intensity. by thursday morning, it'll be a band of cloud, just clearing away from the south—east, and then behind it, more sunshine returns. a north—westerly wind driving in a few showers into the far north of scotland, some of these turning increasingly wintry to higher ground. top temperatures on thursday between seven and nine celsius. the high still with us across england and wales. weather fronts trying to push in across the top of that high. the wind direction changes somewhat, as we move into friday, to more of a south—westerly or a westerly, a milder source, the air coming in off the atlantic. more cloud around, still outbreaks of rain to the north, but with the cloud in scotland, northern ireland, northern england and wales, here those temperatures perhaps up as high as 12 or 13 degrees. further south with the sunshine, nine or ten. still, that high pressure

across central europe still dominating the story for england and wales. we do see more isobars continuing in the far north, but as we head into the weekend, once again, it could be an issue with some mist and fog first thing for england and wales, somewhat warmer, but sunnier conditions, but windier to the far north. will this weather pattern change? well, it looks likely, as we head into next week. we could see more weather fronts pushing in off the atlantic, which means an increase to more wet and windy weather, perhaps the driest in the south, but it will turn just that little bit milder.

this is bbc news. i'm rich preston. our top stories: president biden uses his annual state of the union speech to ask the country to be more united. he stresses the importance of democrats and rebublicans working together. my my friends, we work together in the last congress, there is no reason we can't work together on this congress as well. the search continues for survivors of the earthquake that's devastated turkey and syria. the number killed soars to more than 7000. rescuers capture the extraordinary moment when a three—year—old girl is pulled out alive from the rubble as the scale

of the disaster around the epicentre becomes clear.