[applause]

>> the gop response to the state of the union was kathy mcmorris rodgers, who heads the republican caucus. she spoke for 10 minutes. >> what an honor it is to be with you after the president's state of the union. tonight, we honor america. a nation that has witnessed the greatest rise in freedom and opportunity our world has seen. a nation, where we are not defined by our limits, but by our potential. a nation where a girl who worked at the mcdonald's drive-through to pay for college can be with you at the united states capitol. the most important moments right now are not happening here. they are not in the oval office

or in the house chamber. they are in your homes. kissing your kids good night figuring how to pay the bills, getting ready for tomorrow's doctors visit. waiting to hear from those you love serving in afghanistan. or searching for that big job interview. after all, we the people have been the foundation of america since her earliest days. people from all walks of life and from all corners of the world. people who come to america because here, no challenge is too great and no dream too big. that is the genius of america. tonight, the president made more promises that sound good. but it will not solve the problems facing americans. we want you to have a better life. the president wants that, too. but we part ways when it comes to how to make that happen. so tonight, i would like to share a more hopeful republican

vision, one that empowers you, not the government. it is one that champions free markets and trusts people to make their own decisions, not a government that decides for you. it helps working families rise above the limits of poverty and protect our most vulnerable. it is one where washington plays by the same rules that you do. it is a vision that is fair and offers the promise of a better future for every american. if you would have told me as a little girl that i would one day put my hand on the bible and be sworn in as the two hundredth woman to serve in the house of representatives, i would not have thought it possible. i grew up working on my family's orchard in a small town in eastern washington. getting up before dawn with my brother to pick apples. my dad drove a school bus and my mom worked as a part-time bookkeeper. they taught me to work hard,

help others and always dream for more. when i showed my 4-h animals at the county fair, my parents used to say, you need to save us -- save this money so you can go to college one day. and so i did. i saved, i worked hard, and i became the first in my family to graduate from college. the chance to go from my washington to this one was unexpected. i came to congress to help empower people. not politicians. to grow the working middle class, not the government. and to ensure that everyone in this country can find a job, because a job is so much more than a paycheck. it gives us purpose, dignity and the foundation to build the future. i was single when i was elected. it was not long before i met brian, a retired navy commander and now we have three beautiful children, one who was born just eight weeks ago.

like all parents, we have high hopes and dreams for our children. we also know what it is like to face challenges. three days after our son was born, we got news and no parent expects. coal was diagnosed with down syndrome. the doctor's told us he could have endless complications heart defects, even early alzheimer's. they told us all the problems but when we looked at our son we saw only possibilities. we saw a gift from god. today, we see a six-year-old boy who dances to bruce sprinsteen and reads above grade level and who is the best big brother in the world. we see all the things he can do. not those he cannot. cole and his sisters have only made me more determined to see the potential in every human life, that whether we are born

with an extra 21st chromosome orwithout a dollar to our name. we are not defined by our limits, but by our potential. our mission, not only as republicans, but as americans is to ensure that we are not bound by where we come from, but empowered by what we can become. that is the gap republicans are working to close. it is the gap we all face between where you are and where you want to be. the president talks a lot about income inequality. the real gap we face today is one of opportunity inequality. and with this administration's policies, that gap has become far too wide. we see this gap growing every single day. we see it in our neighbors who are struggling to find jobs. a husband who is working just part time. a child who dropped out of college because she cannot afford tuition.

or parents who are outliving their life savings. last month, more americans stopped looking for a job than found one. too many people are falling further and further behind because right now, the president's policies are making people's lives harder. republicans have plan to close the gap, focusing on jobs first , without more spending government bailouts, and red tape. every day we are working to expand our economy, one manufacturing job, nursing degree, and small business at a time. we have plans to improve our education and training systems so you have the choice to determine where your kids go to school. so college is affordable and skills training is modernized. yes, it is time to honor our history of legal immigration. we are working on a step-by-step solution to immigration reform by first securing our borders

and making sure america will always attract the best, brightest, and hardest working from around the world. and with too many americans living paycheck to paycheck, we have solutions to help you take home more of your pay through lower taxes, cheaper energy costs, and affordable health care. not long ago, i got a letter from betty in spokane who had hoped the president's health care law would save her money but found in instead her premiums were going up nearly $700 a month. we have all talked to too many people who have received cancellation notices they did not expect. or who can no longer see the doctors they always have. no, we should not go back to the way things were. but this law is not working. republicans believe health care choices should be yours, not the government's and that whether

you are a boy with down syndrome or a woman with breast cancer, you can find coverage and a doctor who will treat you. we hope the president will join us in a year of real action by empowering people and not by making their lives harder with unprecedented spending, higher taxes, and fewer jobs, as republicans we advance these plans every day. because we believe in a government that trusts people. and does not limit where you finish because of where you started. that is what we stand for. for an america that is every bit as compassionate as it is exceptional. if we are successful, years from now, our children will say that we rebuilt the american dream. we built a working middle class that can take in anyone and a

workforce that can take on the world. whether you are a girl in kettle falls or boy from brooklyn, our children should be able to say that we closed the gap. our plan is one that dreams big for everyone and turns it back on no one. the president said many things tonight but now, i ask him to listen to you. for the true state of the union lies in your heart and in your home. tomorrow, i will watch my son cole get on the school bus. others will wait in the doctor's office or interview for that first job. some of us will celebrate new beginnings. others will face great challenges. but all of us will wake up and do what is uniquely american. we will look forward to the balanced potential that lies ahead. we will give thanks to the brave men and women who have answered america's call to freedom.

like sergeant jacob hess from spokane, who recently gave his life to protect all of ours. so tonight, i simply offer a prayer, a prayer for sergeant hess' family, your family, and the larger american family. that with the guidance of god, we may prove ourselves worthy of his blessings of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. for when we embrace these gifts, we are each doing our part to form a more perfect union. may god guide you and our president and may god continue to bless the united states of america. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2014] >> after president obama's state of the union last night, members of congress offered their reaction in the capitol statuary

hall. this portion is 15 minutes. >> the president spoke for about one hour on his fifth state of the union address. just off the house chamber where both the senate and the house meet to hear the president deliver his message is statuary hall. this is where the media set up to talk to members of congress following the speech. that is what we are going to be doing tonight on c-span2. joining us first is representative eddie bernice and a registered nurse, eddie bernice johnson, you have been here for several years. how did this speech compared to some of his past? >> well, i think what this speech did tonight was make me feel responsible for getting something done. it has been easy to be pretty cynical recently. where everything is met with "no

." but when i looked up there and solve that young man, cory, i realized that much of what can be done is up to you. and so, i will just try harder to work a little harder with the opposite party. because we need to achieve the things the president talked about. we need to achieve stem education. we need to achieve the opportunities for job training. and all of the things that we know we need to go forward to improve our economy and bring jobs back to america. it takes all of us. >> you are the vice chair, or the ranking democrat on the science committee, right? how closely do you work with your chairman? >> i try hard. and i will even try harder. it has not been a great experience up to now. because i really, truly believe in research. and looking forward to the future and looking out for the future. we have not done that very well. but i am not going to give up. i am going to start with new vigor. >> eddie bernice johnson of

texas, thank you very much. now, from the other side of the aisle, we will grab the majority whip of the u.s. senate, dick durbin. >> same side of the aisle, other side of the room -- >> other side of the building, there we go. dick durbin, the fifth state of the union for president obama. what did you think? >> i thought it was powerful. he started off on an issue people really care about. making sure that hard-working americans have a fighting chance in this economy. he talked about the basic issues. unemployed folks getting a chance to getting back to work. those who are working, making enough money to get by. making sure you have health insurance to give you peace of mind for your family. these are things real families are talking about. politicians are not, but the president brought them and he should have. up, >> three times he said he would act without the congress. jobs, infrastructure, and education. >> i think it is -- what he said was, i am willing to work with you, but i'm not going to wait on you.

if congress gets caught up in its squabbles and shutdowns and all the other things, he is still going to do everything in his power to move this agenda. that is why he was elected. i hope all of us on both sides of the aisle take part in that. we can be part of the solution. >> he talked about investments did not mention the deficit. >> he talks about the deficit cut in half over the last five years. he made the point -- when americans get back to work earning wages, paying taxes deficits come down. the old of this economy and deficits will come down. >> thank you for your time here this evening in statuary hall on c-span. coming up, we have from the house side the vice chair of the democratic caucus, joe crowley, democrat of new york. was there any point in there that you disagreed with what the president had to say? >> there honestly was not very much at all that i disagreed

with. i thought the president nailed everything, a very powerful speech. optimistic, the use of humor was good. it was positive and uplifting for the american people. he came through with flying colors. >> where is your district -- what he had to say, how would it affect your district? >> i am from queens, new york. parts of my district extended to the bronx. areas around laguardia airport primarily in queens and the south -- actually, eastern bronx. what he is talking about is a more positive america. not just about new york, it is about the entire country. i think using the speech as an opportunity to uplift the people. he did that, we are looking to be uplifted. we are looking to hear how to improve our economy, what can we do. whether it is a jobs bill for infrastructure or giving america a raise.

people who are struggling day to day, giving them a raise. uplifting their spirits and their pocketbooks. he talked about no longer creating these false or man-made fiscal cliffs, we are facing one on february 7 with the debt ceiling. so creating more crises for america. there is enough out there, both naturally made as well as what is happening around the world. we need to focus on more positive things and delivering for the people. >> thank you for your time here on c-span2. we are in statuary hall, live. talking with members of congress. following the president's one hour state of the union speech. maybe 100 feet away from the house chamber. joined by a freshman, stephen hartsburg democrat of nevada. where is your district? >> 4th district, 52,000 square miles from the northern part of our county to -- of clark

county. both rural and urban, it is the demographic of america. i am proud to be the first representative of the 4th congressional district of nevada. >> brand-new district. you have taken to doing special orders on c-span host up why? -- on c-span. why? >> a lot of what the president talked about nikon making sure economic mobility is for all americans, not just the top one percent who had the most gains in this economy. we are focused on the middle-class and those striving to be part of that. the congressional black caucus will focus on these issues and bring focus to that in the house of representatives. congressman hor -- >> congress and h --

congressman horsford, whether anything you disagreed with? >> he talked about the need for congress to act and work with him. where congress fails to do his job, he will step in and provide direction at the executive level. finally, he focused on the fact that we should be optimistic. we are coming out of a deep recession, my home state of nevada has 9% unemployment, people have been hit hard. that is why we need the extension of unemployment, increase in minimum wage and a focus on policies that help the middle class. >> thank you for your time, we will probably see you next monday night. thank you, congressman. joining us now from the other side of the rotunda isn't senator lindsey graham, a republican of south carolina. senator graham. 5 pages of the president's 20

page speech devoted to foreign policy. >> incredibly ismiddle east is not similar to what is going on. syria is a contagion, civil war in syria is a humanitarian disaster affecting lebanon 700,000 refugees, the king of jordan is under siege. it is affecting our lack of troops in iraq. he forgot to tell us iraq is falling apart and al qaeda is on the rise. he painted a picture of the middle east that was not remotely connected to the world. >> what about his call to talk with iran? >> at the end of the day, the goal is to disarm the iranians' nuclear capabilities. this agreement does not dismantle one centrifuge or remove one ounce of uranium, it

does not deal with plutonium dismantling. the deal should be no enrichment capability, no plutonium producing reactor, and remove all enriched uranium out of the country as they u.n. calls for. i am worried, the sanctions are falling apart. delegation after delegation is going to iran they are beginning to crumble before our eyes. they are the reason we are at the table, but if we don't reinforce sanctions, they will fall apart. >> three times, the president said he would act with or without congress. >> that is up to the president. one thing that was slightly encouraging on foreign policy, if he will leave a residual force behind in afghanistan to hold the country together and not commit the same mistake in iraq i support that. if there are no troops in afghanistan in 2015, the place will fall apart. as for executive orders, the

president will have to make that decision, bypassing the constitution. >> how is your campaign going. >> so far, so good. >> also from south carolina, returning to congress, former governor and former congressman, mark sanford. your return, hasn't been any different than the first time? >> yeah, one of the things that jumps out is the erosion distraction of what was once called regular order. the idea of going through a yearly budget setting process in washington is something that i saw when i left 13 years ago have not seen since i came back. >> what did you think of the speech? >> long on words and short on details. there are some themes out there that every american would agree with in terms of equality and opportunity. the devil is in the details in terms of how you get there, i do

not see a lot of fleshing out how we would get there. >> the president said three times he would act without congress. >> i think that is a real mistake. our founding fathers were really deliberate about setting up a system of checks and balances. a system that forced all of us to talk to each other, whether we agreed or disagreed on a given subject. the idea of acting unilaterally is at odds with that constitutional tradition that our country has enjoyed for 200 years. it is a real mistake. >> when you were here last time have you seen a change in partisanship? >> too early to tell, six months in. the easy answer is yes. a lot of the conversations that take place on the floor are very much the way they would have been 13 years ago or 20 years ago. i would say -- let me gather a few more facts over a few more months and i will have a fuller answer. the quick answer is yes, as you get deeper into it, i am not

sure. >> the president said "climate change is a fact." >> well, facts are debatable things in washington dc. it is a fact that the climate might be changing, the question mark as it relates to policymakers is what is the cost is it man-made, partially man-made, where are we on that inuing? that has a lot of all shoots with regard to be debated. >> mark sanford, thank you for spending a few minutes with us. we will get to you in one second, i promise. thank you for stopping, kevin brady is joining us. quite a scrum here in statuary hall, a lot of media folks and members of congress. our friend sheila jackson-lee will be joining us in a few minutes. kevin brady, chair of the joint

economic committee, republican of texas. congressman, the president used the word "investment." >> in washington, that normally means spending directed by the government. often times it does not hit the mark, that is one of the reasons the stimulus failed. and a lot of the benefits of all the spending has gone to wall street rather than the middle class. we need a change in course. >> where did you agree? >> we can work together on trade issues, expanding our ability to sell around the world. increasing training, the way we scale up workers in america is poor. lowering the backlog for veterans, especially those from iraq and afghanistan. there is some common ground there. >> so what happens, he has made the speech, what happens next? >> it the ball -- the ball is in the president's court.

most americans think the country is headed in the wrong direction. the president is going to stay that course. republicans have a more positive vision that empowers people rather than the government. we are willing to work with the president and hopeful he will work with us. >> you have two texans, al green and sheila jackson-lee. how often do you work with them? >> in houston, we worked together very closely. nasa, texas medical center, the largest in the world we have a lot of common interests. i think we work together beautifully. >> evan brady, we appreciate your time. >> on the next "washington journal," we discussed the state of the union speech with tom price of georgia. the congressmen, a member of the ways and means and budget committees, will outline the gop's legislative priorities. we will hear about the

democrats' legislative agenda from john larson of connecticut also a member of the ways and means committee. "washington journal" is live on c-span, everyday at seven :00 a.m. eastern. join the conversation on facebook and twitter. there will be more reaction to the president's state of the union beach this morning when politico posts members of the house and senate and panel discussions and one-on-one interviews, on c-span2 just after eight :00 a.m. eastern. president obama today begins a two-day tour highlighting initiatives from the state of the union. at 1:45 eastern on c-span3 live at the u.s. steel plant in pennsylvania. president obama's fifth state of the union speech focused mostly on domestic issues including health care and the economy. we are considering your us --

your responses on facebook and twitter. this is a little more than one hour. >> mr. speaker, the president of the united states. [applause]

the speaker: members of congress, i have the high privilege and distinct honor of presenting to you the president of the united states. the president: thank you. thank you so much. thank you. thank you.

thank you so much. mr. speaker, mr. vice president members of congress, my fellow americans today in america a teacher spent extra time with a student who needed it and did her part to lift america's graduation rate to its highest levels in more than three decades. an entrepreneur flipped on the lights in her tech startup and did her part to add to the more than eight million new jobs our businesses have created over the past four years. an auto worker fine-tuned some of the best most fuel-efficient cars in the world and did his part to wean america off of

foreign oil. a farmer who prepared for the spring after the longest a rural doctor gave a young child the prescription to treat asthma that his mother could afford. a man took the bus home from the graveyard shift, bone tired dreaming big dreams for his son and in a tight-knit communities across america fathers and mothers will tuck in their kids, put an arm around their spouse, remember fallen comrades and give thanks for being home from a war that after 12 long years is finally coming to an end.

>> tonight this chamber speaks with one voice to the people we represent. it is you. our citizens, who make the state of our union strong. and here are the resus of your efforts. the lowest unemployment rate in over five years, a rebounding housing market, a manufacturing sector that's adding jobs for the first time since the 1990's, more oil produced at home than we buy from the rest of the world, the first time that's happened in nearly 20 years. our deficits, cut by more than half. and for the first time -- for

the first time in over a decade, business leaders around the world have declared that china is no longer the number one place to invest. america is. that's why i believe this can be a break-through year for america . after five years of grit and determined effort, the united states is better positioned for the 21st century than any other nation on earth. the question for everyone in this chamber running through every decision we make this year is whether we are going to help or hinder this progress. for several years now, this town

has been consumed by an argument over the proper size of the federal government. it's an important debate. one that dates back to our very founding. when that debate prevents us from carrying out even the most basic functions of our democracy, when our differences shut down government or threaten the full faith and credit of the united states, then we are not doing right by the american people. now as president, i'm committed to making washington work better and rebuilding the trust of the people who sent us here. and i believe most believe your too. thanks to the work of democrats and republicans, congress produced a budget that undoes

severe cuts to education. nobody got everything they wanted. we can still do more to invest in this country's future while bringing down our deficit in a balanced way, but the budget compromise should leave us fiscal year to create more jobs, not creating new crises. and in the coming months let's see where else we can make progress together. let's make this a year of action. that's what most americans want for all of us in this chamber to focus on their lives their hopes, their aspirations. what i believe units the people of this nation regardless of race or region or party young or old, rich or poor, it's the simple profound belief in opportunity for all, the notion that if you work hard and take responsibility, you can get

ahead in america. let's face it, that belief has suffered some serious blows. over more than three decades, even before the great recession hit, massive shifts in technology and global competition had eliminated a lot of good middle-class jobs and weakened the economic foundations that families depend on. today, after four years of economic growth, corporate profits and stock prices have rarely been higher and those at the top have never done better, but average wages have barely budged. inequality has deepened. upward mobility has stalled. the cold hard fact is, even in the midst of recovery, too many americans are working more just

to get by, and still too many aren't working at all. so, our job is to reverse these trends. it won't happen right away and we won't agree on everything. but what i offer tonight is a set of concrete strengthened proposals to build ladders of opportunity into the middle class. some require congressional action and i'm eager to work with you. america will not stand still and neither will i. wherever i can ta steps to expand opportunities for more american families, that's what i'm going to do.

as usual our first lady sets a good example. michelle -- michelle has moved partnerships with schools, businesses, local leaders and helped bring down childhood obesity rates in the past 30 years and that is achievement that will improve lives. the joining alliance has encouraged employers to train 400,000 veterans and military spouses. taking a page from that

playbook, the white house organized a summit that businesses and nonprofits have made concrete commitments to reduce inequality and help every hard-working kid go to college and succeed when they go to campus and across the country we are partnering with mayors governors and state legislatures on issues from homelessness to marriage equality. the point is, there are millions of americans outside of washington who are tired of stale political arguments and are moving this country forward. they believe. and i believe that here in america, our success should depend not on accident of birth but the strength of our work ethic and the scope of our dreams. that's what drew our forebearers here that's how the daughter of a factory worker and c.e.o. of

america's largest ought oove maker -- auto maker, the son of a bar speaker of the house, how the son of a single mom can be president of the greatest nation on earth. now, opportunity is who we are. and defining project of our generation must be to restore that promise. we know where to start.

the best measure of opportunity is access to a good job. with the economy picking up speed, companies say they intend to hire more people this year. and over half of big manufacturers say they are thinking of insourcing jobs from abroad. so lets make that decision easier for companies. both democrats and republicans have argued that our tax code is riddled with wasteful complicated loopholes that reward companies that keep profits abroad. let's work together to close the loopholes and end the incentive to shift jobs overseas and create jobs right here at home.

moreover we can take the money we save to create jobs, rebuilding our roads, upgrading our ports, unclogging our commutes. because in today's global economy, first-class jobs gravitate to first-class infrastructure. we'll need congress to protect more than three million jobs by finishing transportation and waterwaist' bills this summer, and that can happen. but i'll act on my own to slash bureaucracy and streamline the permitting process for key projects so we can get more construction workers on the job as fast as possible. we have the chance right now to beat other countries in the race for the next wave of high-tech manufacturing jobs. and my administration's launched

two hubs for high-tech manufacturing in raleigh, north carolina and youngstown, ohio where we connected universities to industries to help lead the world in advanced technologies. we eel -- we will launch six more this year. so get those bills to my desk. put more americans back to work. let's do more to help the entrepreneurs and small business owners who create more small jobs in america. over the past five years, my administration has made more loans to small business owners than any other. and when 98% of our exporters are small businesses, new trade partnerships with europe and the

asia-pacific will help them create even more jobs. we need to work together on tools like bipartisan trade mow proceedings authority to protect our workers, protect our environment and open our market to new goods stamped, made in the u.s.a. listen china and europe aren't standing on the sidelines. neither should we. we know that the nation that goes all in on innovation today will own the global economy tomorrow. this is an edge america cannot surrender. federally funded research helped lead to the ideas and inventions behind google and smart phones and that's why congress should undo the damage done by last year's cuts to basic research, so we can unleash the next great

american discovery. there are entire industries to be built based on vaccines that stay ahead of drug-resistant bacteria, or paper thin material that's stronger than steel. let's pass a patent reform bill that allows our businesses to stay focused on innovation, not costly and needless litigation. now, one of the biggest factors in bringing more jobs back sour commitment to american energy. the all of the above energy strategy i announced a few years ago is working and today america is closer to energy independence than we have been in decades.

one of the reasons why is natural gas. if extracted safely, it's the bridge fuel that can power our economy with less of the carbon pollution that causes climate change. businesses plan to invest almost $100 billion in new factories that use natural gas. i'll cut red tape to help states get those factories built and put folks to work and this congress can help by putting people to work building fueling stations that shift more cars and trucks from foreign oil to american natural gas. meanwhile, my administration will keep working with the industry to sustain production and jobs growth while strengthening protection of our air, our water, our communities. while we're at it, i'll use my authority to protect more of our pristine federal lands for future generations.

it's not just oil and natural gas production that's booming. we're becoming a global lead for the solar, too. every four minutes, another american home or business goes solar. every panel pounded into place by a worker whose job cannot be outsourced. let's continue that progress with a smarter tax policy that stops giving $4 billion a year to fossil fuel industries that don't need it so we can invest more in fuels of the future that do. and even as we have increased energy production, we've partnered with businesses, builders and local communities

to reduce the energy we consume. when we rescued our auto workers, for example, we worked with them to set higher fuel efficiency standards for our cars. in the coming months, i'll build on that success by setting new standards for trucks so we can start driving down oil imports and what we pay at the pump. taken together, our energy policy is creating jobs and leading to a cleaner, safer planet. over the past eight years, the united states has reduced our total carbon pollution more than any other nation on earth. but we have to act with more urgency because a changing climate is already harming western communities struggling with drought, coastal cities dealing with floods. that's why i directed my administration to work with states utilities, and others to set new standards on the amount

of carbon pollution that our factories are allowed to dump in the air. the shift to cleaner energy will not happen overnight but the debate is settled. climate change is a fact. when our children's children look us in the eye and ask if we did all we could to leave them a safer, more stable world with clean energy i want us to be able to say, yes, we did. finally, if we're serious about economic growth, it is time to heed the call of business leaders, labor leaders faith leaders, law enforcement, and fix our broken immigration system.

republicans and democrats in the senate have acted and i know that members of both parties in the house want to do the same. independent economists say immigration reform will grow our economy and shrink our deficits by almost $1 trillion in the next two decades and for good reasons. when people come here to fulfill their dreams, study invest, contribute to our culture, they make our country a more attractive place for businesses to locate and bring jobs for everybody. so let's get immigration reform done this year. let's get it done. it's time. the ideas i have outline sod far

can speed up growth and create more jobs but in this rapidly changing economy, we have to make sure that every american has the skills to fill those jobs. the good news is, we know how to do it. two years ago, as the auto industry came roaring back, andra rush opened up a manufacturing firm in detroit. she knew that ford needed parts for the best-selling truck in america and she knew how to make those parts. she just needed the work force. so she dialed up what we call an american job center, places where folks can walk in to get the help or training they need to find a new job or a better job. she was flooded with new workers. today, detroit manufacturing systems has more than 700 employees. what andra and her employees experienced is how it should be for every employer and every job seeker. tonight i've asked vice

president biden to lead an across the board reform of america's training programs to make sure they have one mission train americans with the skills employers need and match them to good jobs that need to be filled right now. that means more on the job training and more apprenticeships that set a young worker on an upward trajectory for life. it means connecting countries to fill jobs with specific needs. if congress wants to help, concentrate on improving proven programs to connect ready to work americans with ready to be filled jobs. i'm also convinced we can help

americans return to the work force faster by reforming unemployment insurance so it's more effective in today's economy. but first, this congress needs to restore the unemployment insurance you just let expire for 1.6 million people. let me tell you why. misty is a mother of two young boys. she's been steadily employed since she was a teenager. put herself through college. she never collected unemployment benefits, but she's been paying taxes. in may, she and her husband used their life savings to buy their first homes. a week later, budget cuts claimed the job she loved.

last month when her unemployment benefits ran out she wrote many a -- me a letter, the kind i get every day. we're the face of the unemployment crisis, she wrote. i'm not dependent on the government. our country depends on us we care about our neighbors. i'm confident that in time i will find a job, i will pay my taxes and we will raise our children in our own home in the community we love. please give us this chance. congress, give these hardworking, responsible americans that chance. give them that chance. give them the chance. they need our help right now but more important this country needs them in the game.

that's why i've been asking c.e.o.'s to give more long-term unemployed workers a fair shot at new jobs a new chance to support their families. in fact, this week, many will come to the white house to make that commitment real. tonight i ask every business leader in america to join us and do the same because we are stronger when america feels a -- fields a full team. of course, it's not enough to train today's work force. we also have to prepare tomorrow's work force. by guaranteeing every child access to a world class education. as -- steven rodriguez couldn't

speak any english when he came to this country. but he led a crowd of classmates from the school to the post office where they mailed off their college applications. this son of a factory worker just found out he's going to college this fall. five years week set out to change the odds for all our kids. we worked with lenders to reform student loans and today more young people are earning college degrees than ever before. race to the top, with the help of governors from both parties, has helped states raise expectations and performance. teachers and principals in schools from tennessee to washington, d.c. are making big strides in preparing students with skills for the new economy. problem solving, critical

thinking science technology engineering, math. some of this change is hard. it requires everything from more challenging curriculums and more demanding parents, to better sport for teachers. and -- better support for teachers. and new ways to measure how well our kids think, not how well they can fill in a bubble on a test. but it is worth it, and it is working. the problem is, we're still not reaching enough kids. we're not reaching them in time. and that has to change. research shows that one of the best investments we can make in a child's life is high quality early education. last year, i asked this congress

to help states make high quality pre-k available over the 4-year-old. as a parent, as well as the president, i repeat that request tonight. but in the meantime, 30 states have raised pre-k funding on their own. they know we can't wait. just as we worked with states to reform our schools this year we'll invest in new partnerships with states and communities across the country in a race to the top for our youngest children. as congress decides what it's going to do, i'm going to pull together a coalition of elected officials, business leaders and philanthropists willing to help more kids access the high-quality pre-k they need. it is right for america. we need to get this done. last year i also pledged to connect 99% of our students to high speed broadband over the

next four years. tonight i can announce that with the support of the f.c.c. and companies like apple, microsoft, sprint and verizon we've got a down payment to start connecting more than 15,000 schools and 20 million students over the next two years without adding a dime to the deficit. we're working to redesign high schools and partner them with colleges and employers for -- with -- to have more real-world education. it will give parents more information and colleges more incentive to give better value so that no middle class kid is priced out of a college education. we're offering millions to cap -- millions to cap their monthly student loan payments to 10% of their income. i want to work with congress to

see how we can help more americans who feel trapped by student loan debt. and i'm reaching out to foundations and corporations on a new initiative to help more young men of color to stay on track and reach their full potential. bottom line is michelle and i want every child to have the same chance this country gave us. we know our opportunity ajeopardy after won't be complete and too many young people entering the work force today will see the american dream as an empty promise unless we do more to make sure our economy honors the dignity of work and hard work pays off for every single american. and today women make up about half our work force. but they still make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns.

that is wrong. and in 2014 it's an embarrassment. women deserve equal pay for equal work. she deserves to have a baby without sacrificing her job. a mother deserves a day off to care for a sick child or a sick parent without running into hardship. and a father does too. it is time to do away with workplace policies that are in a madman episode let's work together, congress businesses, wall street to main street to

give every woman the opportunity she deserves because i believe when women succeed, america succeeds. now, women hold a majority of lower-wage jobs. but they aren't the only ones stifled by stagnant wages. americans understand that some people will earn more money than others and we don't resent those who achieve incredible success. that is what america is all about. but americans overwhelmingly agree that those who work full-time shouldn't have to raise a family in poverty.

in the years since i asked this congress to raise the minimum wage five states have raised theirs. many businesses have done it on their own. nick shooter is here today with his boss. john is owner of a pizza place in minneapolis and nick helps make the dough only now, he makes more of it. john gave his employees a raise to 10 bucks an hour and that boosted their morale. i ask more of america's business leaders to follow john's lead. do what you can to raise your employees' wages.

it's good for the economy, it's good for america. every mayor governor, state legislator in america, i say, you don't have to wait for congress to act americans will support you if you take this on. and as the chief executive, i intend to lead by example. corporations like costco see higher wages as the smart way to boost activity and reduce turnover. i will issue an executive order requiring federal contractors to pay their federally-funded employees a fair wage of $10.10 because if you cook our troops' meals or wash their dishes, you should not have to live in poverty.

of course, to reach millions more congress does need to get on board. today, the federal minimum wage is worth about 0% less than it was when ronald reagan first stood here. tom harkin and george miller have a bill to fix that by lifting the minimum wage to $10 .10. this will help families and give businesses customers with more money to spend. it does not involve any new bureaucratic program. join the rest of the country. say yes. give america a raise. give them a raise.

there are steps we can take to help families make ends meet. fewer are more effected than the earned income tax credit. right now, it helps about half of all parents at some point. think about that. it helps about half of all parents in america at some point in their lives. but i agree with republicans like senator rubio that it doesn't do enough for single workers who don't have kids. let's do more to help americans get ahead. let's help americans save for retirement. today, most americans don't have a pension. social security check often isn't enough on its own. and while the stock market has doubled over the last five years, that doesn't help folks who have 401k's. tomorrow i will direct the treasury to create a new way to

help americans start. myira. new savings bond to encourage folks to build a new nest egg. no risk of losing what you put in. if this congress wants to help with me, work with me and fix an upside down tax code that helps the wealthy saveb. offer every american access to an i.r.a. on the job so they can have access to an i.r.a. and the most important investment is their home, protect taxpayers from a housing crisis and keeps the dream of home ownership for future generations.

one last point on financial security. for decades, few things exposed hard-working families to economic hardship more than a broken health care system. and in case you haven't heard, we are in the process of fixing that. now, a pre-existing condition used to mean that someone like amanda shelley, a physician's assist ant and single mom from arizona, couldn't get health insurance. but on january 1, she got covered. on january 3, she felt a sharp pain. on january 6, she had emergency surgery. one week earlier amanda said

that surgery would have met bankruptcy. that's what health insurance reform is all about, the peace of mind that if misfortune strikes, you don't have to lose everything. already because of the affordable care act, more than three million americans under age 26 have gained coverage under their parents' insurance plan. more than nine million americans have signed up for private health insurance or medicaid coverage. nine million. here's another number. zero, because of this law, no american none, zero can ever again be dropped or denied coverage for a pre-existing condition like asthma or back pain or cancer.

no woman can ever be charged more just because she's a woman. and we did all this while adding years to medicare's finances, keeping medicare premiums flat and lowering prescription costs for millions of seniors. now, i do not expect to convince my republican friends on the merits of this law. but i know that the american people are not interested in refighting old battles, so again, if you have specific plans to cut costs, cover more people increase choice tell america what you do differently. let's see if the numbers add up.

but let's not have another 40-something votes to repeal a law that is already helping millions of americans like amanda. first 40 were plenty. we all owe it to the american people to say what we're for, not against. if you want to know the real impact, talk to governor of kentucky. kentucky is not the most liberal

votes. he is like a man possessed when it comes to covering his commonwealth's families. they are our neighbors and our friends, he said. they are people we shop and go to church with farmers out on the tractor grocery clerks, for people who go to work every morning praying they don't get sick. no one deserves to live that way. he's right. that's why tonight i ask every american who knows someone without health insurance who help them get covered by march 31. help them get covered. moms, get on your kids to sign up. kids, call your mom and walk her through the application. it will give her some peace of mind, plus she will appreciate hearing from you.

after all, that's the spirit that has always moved this nation forward. it's the spirit of citizenship. recognition that through hard work and responsibility, we can pursue our individual dreams, but still come together as one american family to make sure the next generation can pursue its dreams as well. citizenship means standing up for everyone's right to vote. last year, part of the voting rights act was weakened, but conservative republicans and liberal democrats are working to strengthen it. and the bipartisan commission i

appointed, chaired by my campaign lawyer and governor romney's campaign lawyer came together and have offered reforms so no one has to wait more than a half hour to vote. let's support these efforts. it should be the power of our vote not the size of our bank account that drives our democracy. citizenship means standing up for the lives that gun violence steals from us each day. i've seen the courage of parents, students, police officers all over this country who say, we are not afraid. and i intend to keep trying, with or without congress, to help stop more tragedies from visiting innocent americans in our movie theaters, our shopping malls, or schools like sandy

hook. citizenship demands a sense of common purpose. participation in the hard work of self-government. an obligation to serve our communities. and i know this chamber agrees that few americans give more to their country than our diplomats and the men and women of the united states armed forces.

tonight buzz of the extraordinary troops and civilians who risk and lay down their lives to keep us free, the united states is more secure. when i took office, nearly 180,000 americans were serving in iraq and afghanistan. today, all our troops are out of iraq. more than 60,000 of our troops have already come home from afghanistan. with afghan forces now in the lead for their own security, our troops have moved to a support role. together with our allies we'll compete our mission there by the end of this year and america's longest war will finally be over.

after 2014, we will support a unified afghanistan as it takes responsibility for its own future. if the afghan government signs a security agreement that we have negotiated, a small force of americans could remain in afghanistan with nato allies to carry out two narrow missions. training and assisting afghan forces and counterterrorism operations to pursue any remnants of al qaeda. while our relationship with afghanistan will change, one thing will not. our resolve that terrorists do not launch attacks against our country.

the fact is that danger remains. when we put al qaeda's ore leadership on the path to defeat a threat -- the threat has evolved as extremists take root all over the world. in yemen somalia, iraq, we have to keep working with partners to disrupt and disable thoseorks. in syria we'll support the opposition that rejects the agenda of terrorist networks. here at home, we'll keep strengthening our defenses and combat new threats like cyberattacks. as we reform our defense budget we will have to keep faith with our men and women in uniform and invest in the capabilities they need to succeed in future missions.

we have to remain vigilant. i strongly believe our leadership and our security cannot depend on our outstanding military alone. as commander in chief, i have used force when needed to protect the american people and i will never hesitate to do so as long as i hold this office. but i will not send our troops into harm's way unless it is truly necessary, nor will i allow our sons and daughters to be mired in open-ended conflicts. we must fight the battles that need to be fought, not those that terrorists prefer from us, large-scale deployments that drain our strength and may ultimately feed extremists. so even as we actively and

aggressively pursue terrorist networks through more targeted efforts and by building the capacity of our foreign partners, america must move off a permanent war footing. that's why i've imposed limits on the use of drones, for we will not be safer if people abroad believe we strike within their countries without regard for consequences. that's why working with this congress, i will reform our surveillance programs because the vital works of our intelligence community depends on public confidence here and abroad that the privacy of ordinary people are not being violated. and with the afghan war ending, this needs to be the year congress lifts the remain regular strixes on detainee

transfers and close the prison at guantanamo bay. because we counter terrorism not just through intelligence and military actions but by remaining true to our constitutional ideals and setting an example for the rest of the world. you see, in a world of complex threats, our security, our leadership, depends on all elements of our power, including strong and principled diplomacy. american diplomacy has rallied more than 50 countries to prevent nuclear materials from falling into the wrong hands and allowed us to reduce our own reliance on cold war stockpiles. american diplomacy backed by the threat of force is why chemical weapons are being eliminated. and we will continue to work with the international community to usher in the future the

syrian people deserve, a future free of dictatorship and fear. as we speak, american diplomacy is supporting israelis and palestinians that they engage in the difficult but necessary talks to end the conflict there, to achieve dignity and an independent state for palestinians and lasting peace and security for the state of israel a jewish state that knows america will always be at their side. and it is american diplomacy, backed b has halted the progress of iran's nuclear program and rolled back parts of that program for the very first time in a decade.

as we gather here tonight, iran has begun to eliminate its stockpile of higher levels of enriched uranium. it's not installing advanced centrifuges. unprecedented inspections help the world verify every day that iran is not building a bomb. and with our allies and partners we're engaged in negotiations to see if we can peacefully achieve a goal we all share -- preventing iran from obtain agnew clear weapon. these negotiations will be difficult. they may not succeed. we are clear-eyed about iran's support for terrorist organizations like hezbollah

which threaten os our -- threatens our allies and we're clear about the mistrust between our nations, mistrust that cannot be wished away. but these negotiations don't rely on trust. any long-term deal we agree to must be based on verifiable action that convinces us and the international community that iran is not build agnew clear bomb. if john f. kennedy and ronald reagan could negotiate with the soviet union, then surely a strong and confident america can negotiate with less powerful adversaries today. the sanctions that we put in place help make this opportunity possible. but let me be clear. if this congress sends me a new sanctions bill now that threatens to derail these talks, i will veto it.

for the sake of our national security, we must give diplomacy a chance to succeed. if iran's leaders do not seize this opportunity, then i will be the first to call for more sanctions and stand ready to exercise all options to make sure iran does not build a nuclear weapon. fie ran's leaders do seize the chance, and we'll know soon enough then iran could take an important step to rejoin the community of nations and we will have resolved one of the leading security challenges of our time without the risks of war. finally, let's remember that our leadership is defined not just by our defense against threats, but by the enormous opportunities to do good and promote understanding around the globe.

forge greater cooperation. expand new markets. free people from fear and want. and no one is better positioned to take advantage of those opportunities than america. our alliance with europe remains the strongest the world has ever known. from tu knee shah to burma we're supporting those who are willing to do the hard work of building democracy. in ukraine, we stand for the principle that all people have the right to express themselves freely and peacefully. but they have a saying -- that they have a say in their country's future. across africa, we're bringing together businesses and governments to double access to electricity and help end extreme poverty. in the americas, we're building new ties with commerce but we're also expanding cultural and educational exchanges among young people. and we will continue to focus on

the asia-pacific where we support our allies, shape a future of greater security and prosperity, and extend a hand to those devastated by disaster. as we did in the philippines when our marines and civilians rushed to aid those battered by a typhoon. and who were greated with words like, we will never forget your kindness. and god bless america. we do these things because they help promote our long-term security. and we do them because we believe in the inherent dignity and equality of every human being, regardless of race or religion. creed or sexual orientation. next week, the world will see one expression of that commitment when team u.s.a. marches the rhett, white, and blue into olympic stadium and brings home the gold.

my fellow americans, no other country in the world does what we do. on every issue, the world turns to us. not simply because of the size of our economy or our military might, but because of the ideals we stand for. and the burdens we bear to advance them. no one knows this better than those who serve in uniform. as this time of war draws to a close, a new generation of heroes returns to civilian life. we'll keep slashing that backlog so our veterans receive the benefits they earned and our wounded warriors receive the

health care, including the mental health care, that they need. we'll keep working to help all our veterans translate their skills and leadership into jobs here at home and we will all continue to join forces to honor and support our remarkable military families. let me tell you about one of those families i have come to know. i first met corey hemsberg, an army ranger, on omaha beach on d-day. along with some rangers, he walked me through the ceremony. he was a -- an impressive young

man, an easy manner, sharp as a tack. we took some pictures, i told him to stay in touch. a few months later, on his 10th deployment he was nearly killed by a massive roadside bomb in afghanistan. his comrades found him face down in the canal face down . for months he laid in a coma. next time i met him, he couldn't speak. he could barely move. over the years he has endured dozens of surgeries hours of grueling rehab. he is still blind in one eye, still struggles on his left side. but slowly, steadily, with the support of caregivers like his

dad greg and the community around him he has grown stronger he has learned to speak again, stand again and walk again and walking toward the day when he can serve his country again. my recovery has not been easy, he says. nothing in life that's worth anything is easy. corey is here tonight and like the army he loves like the america he serves, sergeant first class corey ramsburg never gives up and he does not quit.

the president: my fellow americans my fellow americans, men and women like corey remind us that america has never come easy. our freedom our democracy have never been easy. sometimes we stumble. we make mistakes. we get frustrated or discouraged. but for more than 200 years we have put those things aside and placed our collective shoulder to the wheel of progress.

to create and build and expand the possibilities of individual achievement, to free other nations from tyranny and fear. to promote justice and fairness and equality under the law so that the words set to paper by our founders are made real for every citizen. the america we want for our kids , a rising america where work is plentiful and prosperity is widely shared and opportunity lets us go as far as our dreams, none it of it is easy. and if we work together, if we summon what is best in us, the way corey summoned what is best in him with our feet planted firmly but our eyes looking into

the future. god bless you. and god bless the united states of america. thank you so much.

>> the gop response to the state of the union was cathy mcmorris rodgers, who heads the republican caucus. she spoke for 10 minutes. >> what an honor it is to be with you after the president's state of the union. tonight, we honor america. a nation that has witnessed the greatest rise in freedom and opportunity our world has seen. a nation where we are not defined by our limits, but by our potential. a nation where a girl who worked at the mcdonald's drive-through to pay for college can be with you at the united states capitol. the most important moments rightn the oval office or in the house chamber. they are in your homes. kissing your kids good night figuring how to pay the bills, getting ready for tomorrow's

doctors visit. waiting to hear from those you love serving in afghanistan. or searching for that big job interview. after all, "we the people" have been the foundation of america since her earliest days. people from all walks of life and from all corners of the world. people who come to america because here, no challenge is too great and no dream too big. that is the genius of america. tonight, the president made more promises that sound good. but it will not solve the problems facing americans. we want you to have a better life. the president wants that, too. but we part ways when it comes to how to make that happen. so tonight, i would like to share a more hopeful republican vision, one that empowers you, not the government. it is one that champions free markets and trusts people to make their own decisions, not a government that decides for you.

it helps working families rise above the limits of poverty and protect our most vulnerable. it is one where washington plays by the same rules that you do. it is a vision that is fair and offers the promise of a better future for every american. if you would have told me as a little girl that i would one day put my hand on the bible and be sworn in as the two hundredth woman to serve in the house of representatives, i would not have thought it possible. i grew up working on my family's orchard in a small town in eastern washington. getting up before dawn with my brother to pick apples. my dad drove a school bus and my mom worked as a part-time bookkeeper. they taught me to work hard, help others, and always dream for more. when i showed my 4-h animals at the county fair, my parents used to say, you need to save this money so you can go to college one day.

and so i did. i saved, i worked hard, and i became the first in my family to graduate from college. the chance to go from my washington to this one was unexpected. i came to congress to help empower people. not politicians. to grow the working middle class, not the government. and to ensure that everyone in this country can find a job, because a job is so much more than a paycheck. it gives us purpose, dignity and the foundation to build the future. i was single when i was elected. it was not long before i met brian, a retired navy commander, and now we have three beautiful children -- one who was born just eight weeks ago. like all parents, we have high hopes and dreams for our children. we also know what it is like to face challenges. three days after our son was

born, we got news no parent expects. cole was diagnosed with down syndrome. the doctors told us he could have endless complications heart defects, even early alzheimer's. they told us all the problems. but when we looked at our son, we saw only possibilities. we saw a gift from god. today, we see a 6-year-old boy who dances to bruce springsteen and reads above grade level and who is the best big brother in the world. we see all the things he can do. not those he cannot. cole and his sisters have only made me more determined to see the potential in every human life. that whether we are born with an extra 21st chromosome or without a dollar to our name we are not defined by our limits, but by our potential. our mission, not only as

republicans, but as americans, is to ensure that we are not bound by where we come from, but empowered by what we can become. that is the gap republicans are working to close. it is the gap we all face between where you are and where you want to be. the president talks a lot about income inequality. the real gap we face today is one of opportunity inequality. and with this administration's policies, that gap has become far too wide. we see this gap growing every single day. we see it in our neighbors who are struggling to find jobs. a husband who is now working just part time. a child who dropped out of college because she cannot afford tuition. or parents who are outliving their life savings. last month, more americans stopped looking for a job than found one.

too many people are falling further and further behind because right now, the president's policies are making people's lives harder. republicans have plans to close the gap, focusing on jobs first, without more spending, government bailouts, and red tape. every day we are working to expand our economy, one manufacturing job, nursing degree, and small business at a time. we have plans to improve our education and training systems so you have the choice to determine where your kids go to school. so college is affordable and skills training is modernized. yes, it is time to honor our history of legal immigration. we are working on a step-by-step solution to immigration reform by first securing our borders and making sure america will always attract the best, brightest, and hardest working from around the world.

and with too many americans living paycheck to paycheck, we have solutions to help you take home more of your pay through lower taxes, cheaper energy costs, and affordable health care. not long ago, i got a letter from betty in spokane who had hoped the president's health care law would save her money but found instead her premiums were going up nearly $700 a month. we have all talked to too many people who have received cancellation notices thet expect. or who can no longer see the doctors they always have. no, we should not go back to the way things were. but this law is not working. republicans believe health care choices should be yours, not the government's. and that whether you are a boy with down syndrome or a woman with breast cancer, you can find coverage and a doctor who will treat you. we hope the president will join

us in a year of real action by empowering people and not by making their lives harder with unprecedented spending, higher taxes, and fewer jobs. as republicans we advance these plans every day. because we believe in a government that trusts people. and does not limit where you finish because of where you started. that is what we stand for. for an america that is every bit as compassionate as it is exceptional. if we are successful, years from now, our children will say that we rebuilt the american dream. we built a working middle class that can take in anyone and a workforce that can take on the world. whether you are a girl in kettle falls or boy from brooklyn, our children should be able to say that we closed the gap. our plan is one that dreams big

for everyone and turns its back on no one. the president said many things tonight but now, i ask him to listen to you. for the true sta lies in your heart and in your home. tomorrow, i will watch my son cole get on the school bus. others will wait in the doctor's office or interview for that first job. some of us will celebrate new beginnings. others will face great challenges. but all of us will wake up and do what is uniquely american. we will look forward to the balanced potential that lies ahead. we will give thanks to the brave men and women who have answered america's call to freedom. like sergeant jacob hess from spokane, who recently gave his life to protect all of ours. so tonight, i simply offer a

prayer, a prayer for sergeant hess' family, your family, and the larger american family. that with the guidance of god, we may prove ourselves worthy of his blessings of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. for when we embrace these gifts, we are each doing our part to form a more perfect union. may god guide you and our president and may god continue to bless the united states of america. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2014] there will be more reaction to the state of the union this morning. that is on c-span2, just after 8:00 a.m. eastern. president obama begins a two-day tour, highlighting initiatives from the state of the union.

we will be live with his speech at the u.s. steel plant in west mifflin, pennsylvania. in a few moments, a look at today's headlines, plus your reactions to the president's state of the union speech. the house will be back in session and a couple of hours to consider the farm bill. the old farm bill expired in 2012. in an hour, tom price of georgia will discuss the president's speech. he will also outline the gop legislative priorities. we will hear about the democrat 's legislative agenda. >> america does not stand still and neither will i.

wherever and whenever i can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more american families, that is what i am going to do. ♪ host: president obama pledging a year of action in his state of the union address. he will take his pledges on the road at a costco in maryland and a steel plant in pennsylvania today. peter baker writes about last night's state of the union.