 Mr. Speaker—— [ ] Thank you. You can smile. It's okay. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you. Please. Mr. Speaker, Madam Vice President, our First Lady and Second Gentleman—good to see you guys up there—[ ]—Members of Congress. and by the way, Chief Justice, I may need a court order. She gets to go to the game tomorrow—next week. I have to stay home. [ ] We've got to work something out here. Members of the Cabinet, leaders of our military, Chief Justice, Associate Justices, and retired Justices of the Supreme Court, and to you, my fellow Americans: You know, I start tonight by congratulating the 118th Congress and the new Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy. Speaker, I don't want to ruin your reputation, but I look forward to working with you. [ ] And I want to congratulate the new leader of the House Democrats, the first African American minority leader in history, Hakeem Jeffries. He won in spite of the fact I campaigned for him. [ ] Congratulations to the longest serving leader in the history of the United States Senate, Mitch McConnell. Where are you, Mitch? And congratulations to Chuck Schumer, another—you know, another term as Senate minority [majority; White House correction] leader. You know, I think you—only this time you have a slightly bigger majority, Mr. Leader. And you're the majority leader. About that much bigger? [ ] Yes. Well, I tell you what, I want to give special recognition to someone who I think is going to be considered the greatest Speaker in the history of the House of Representatives: Nancy Pelosi. Folks, the story of America is a story of progress and resilience, of always moving forward, of never, ever giving up. It's a story unique among all nations. We're the only country that has emerged from every crisis we've ever entered stronger than we got into it. Look, folks, that's what we're doing again. Two years ago, the economy was reeling. I stand here tonight, after we've created, with the help of many people in this room, 12 million new jobs—more jobs created in 2 years than any President has created in 4 years—because of you all, because of the American people. Two years ago—[ ]. And 2 years ago, COVID had shut down—our businesses were closed, our schools were robbed of so much. And today, COVID no longer controls our lives. And 2 years ago, our democracy faced its greatest threat since the Civil War. And today, though bruised, our democracy remains unbowed and unbroken. As we gather here tonight, we're writing the next chapter in the great American story, a story of progress and resilience. When world leaders ask me to define America—and they do, believe it or not—I say I can define it in one word, and I mean this: possibilities. We don't think anything is beyond our capacity. Everything is a possibility. You know, we're often told that Democrats and Republicans can't work together. But over the past 2 years, we've proved the cynics and naysayers wrong. Yes, we disagreed plenty. And yes, there were times when Democrats went alone. But time and again, Democrats and Republicans came together. Came together to defend a stronger and safer Europe. You came together to pass one-in-a-generation—once-in-a-generation infrastructure law building bridges connecting our Nation and our people. We came together to pass one the most significant law ever helping victims exposed to toxic burn pits. And, in fact—[ ]. It's important. And, in fact, I signed over 300 bipartisan pieces of legislation since becoming President, from reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act to the Electoral Count Reform Act, the Respect for Marriage Act that protects the right to marry the person you love. And to my Republican friends, if we could work together in the last Congress, there's no reason we can't work together and find consensus on important things in this Congress as well. I think—folks, you all are as informed as I am, but I think the people sent us a clear message: Fighting for the sake of fighting, power for the sake of power, conflict for the sake of conflict gets us nowhere. That's always been my vision of our country, and I know it's many of yours: to restore the soul of this Nation; to rebuild the backbone of America, America's middle class; and to unite the country. We've been sent here to finish the job, in my view. For decades, the middle class has been hollowed out in more than—and not in one administration, but for a long time. Too many good-paying manufacturing jobs moved overseas. Factories closed down. Once-thriving cities and towns that many of you represent became shadows of what they used to be. And along the way, something else we lost: pride, our sense of self-worth. I ran for President to fundamentally change things. To make sure our economy works for everyone so we can all feel that pride in what we do. To build an economy from the bottom up and 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. I know a lot of you always kid me for always quoting my dad. But my dad used to say, "Joey, a job is about a lot more than a paycheck." Because he really would say this. "It's about a lot more than a paycheck. It's about your dignity. It's about respect. It's about being able to look your kid in the eye and say, 'Honey, it's going to be okay' and mean it." Well, folks, so let's look at the results. We're not finished yet, by any stretch of the imagination. But unemployment rate is at 3.4 percent, a 50-year low. And near record—and near record unemployment—near record unemployment for Black and Hispanic workers. We've already created, with your help, 800,000 good-paying manufacturing jobs, the fastest growth in 40 years. And where is it written—where is it written that America can't lead the world in manufacturing? And I don't know where that's written. For too many decades, we imported projects and exported jobs. Now, thanks to what you've all done, we're exporting American products and creating American jobs. Folks, inflation—inflation has been a global problem because the pandemic disrupted our supply chains, and Putin's unfair and brutal war in Ukraine disrupted energy supplies as well as food supplies, blocking all that grain in Ukraine. But we're better positioned than any country on Earth right now. But we have more to do. But here at home, inflation is coming down. Here at home, gas prices are down $1.50 from their peak. Food inflation is coming down, not fast enough, but coming down. Inflation has fallen every month for the last 6 months, while take-home pay has gone up. Additionally, over the last 2 years, a record 10 million Americans applied to start new businesses. Ten million. And by the way, every time—every time someone starts a small business, it's an act of hope. And, Madam 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 enacted that are going to 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 cellphones to automobiles and so much more—these chips were invented in America. Let's get that straight: They were invented in America. And we used to make 40 percent of the world's chips. In the last several decades, we lost our edge. We're down to only producing 10 percent. We all saw what happened during the pandemic when chip factories shut down overseas. Today's automobiles need 3,000 chips—each of those automobiles—but American automobiles [automakers; White House correction] couldn't make enough cars because there weren't enough chips. Car prices went up. People got laid off. So did everything from refrigerators to cell phones. We can never let that happen again. That's why—that's why we came together to pass the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act. Folks, I know I've been criticized for saying this, but I'm not changing my view. We're going to make sure the supply chain for America begins in America—the supply chain begins in America. And we've already created—[ ]. We've already created 800,000 new manufacturing jobs without this law, before the law kicks in. With this new law, we're going to create hundreds of thousands of new jobs across the country. And I mean all across the country, throughout—not just the coast, but through the middle of the country as well. That's going to come from companies that have announced more than $300 billion in investment in American manufacturing over the next few years. Outside of Columbus, Ohio, Intel is building semiconductor factories on a thousand acres, literally a "field of dreams." It's going to create 10,000 jobs, that one investment; 7,000 construction jobs; 3,000 jobs in those factories once they're finished. They call them factors. Jobs paying an average of $130,000 a year, and many do not require a college degree. And jobs—because we worked together, these jobs where people don't have to leave home to search for opportunity. And it's just getting started. Think about the new homes, the small businesses, the big—the medium-sized businesses. So much more that's going to be needed to support those 3,000 permanent jobs and the factories that are going to be built. Talk to mayors and Governors, Democrats and Republicans, and they'll tell you what this means for their communities. We're seeing these "fields of dreams" transform the Heartland. But to maintain the strongest economy in the world, we need the best infrastructure in the world. And, folks, as you all know, we used to be number one in the world in infrastructure. We've sunk to 13th in the world. The United States of America—13th in the world in infrastructure, modern infrastructure. But now we're coming back because we came together and passed the bipartisan infrastructure law, the largest investment in infrastructure since President Eisenhower's Interstate Highway System. And, folks, already, we've funded over 20,000 projects, including major airports from Boston to Atlanta to Portland, projects that are going to put thousands of people to work rebuilding our highways, our bridges, our railroads, our tunnels, ports, airports, clean water, high-speed internet all across America: urban, rural, Tribal. And, folks, we're just getting started. We're just getting started. And I mean this sincerely: I want to thank my Republican friends who voted for the law. And my Republican friends who voted against it as well—but I'm still—I still get asked to fund the projects in those districts as well, but don't worry. [ ] I promised I'd be a President for all Americans. We'll fund these projects. And I'll see you at the groundbreaking. Look, this law—this law will further unite all of America. Projects like Brent Spence Bridge in Kentucky over the Ohio River, built 60 years ago, badly in need of repairs. One of the Nation's most congested freight routes, carrying $2 billion worth of freight every single day across the Ohio River. And, folks, we've been talking about fixing it for decades, but we're really finally going to get it done. I went there last month with Democrats and Republicans in—from both States—to deliver a commitment of $1.6 billion for this project. And while I was there, I met a young woman named Saria, who's here tonight. I don't know where Saria is. Is she up in the box? I don't know. Saria, how are you? Well, Saria—for 30 years—for 30 years—I learned—she told me she'd been a proud member of the Ironworkers Local 44, known as—known as the "Cowboys in the Sky"—the folks who built Cincinnati's skyline. Saria said she can't wait to be 10 stories above the Ohio River building that new bridge. God bless her. [ ] That's pride. And that's what we're also building: We're building back pride. Look, we're also replacing poisonous lead pipes that go into 10 million homes in America, 400,000 schools and childcare centers so every child in America—every child in American—can drink the water, instead of having permanent damage to their brain. Look, we're making sure—[ ]—we're making sure that every community—every community in America—has access to affordable, high-speed internet. No parent should have to drive by a McDonald's parking lot to help their—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 criticized about this, but I make no excuses for it—we're going to buy American. We're going to buy American. Folks—[ ]—and it's totally—it's totally—consistent with international trade rules. Buy American has been the law since 1933. But for too long, past administrations—Democrat and Republican—have fought to get around it. Not anymore. Tonight I'm announcing new standards to require all construction materials used in Federal infrastructure projects to be made in America. Made in America. I mean it. Lumber, glass, drywall, fiber-optic cable. And on my watch, American roads, bridges, and American highways are going to be made with American products as well. Folks, my economic plan is about investing in places and people that have been forgotten. So many of you listening tonight, I know you feel it. So many of you felt like you've just simply been forgotten. Amid the economic upheaval of the past four decades, too many people have been left behind and treated like they're invisible. Maybe that's you, watching from home. You remember the jobs that went away. You remember them, don't you? The folks at home remember them. You wonder whether the path even exists anymore for your children to get ahead without having to move away. Well, that's why—I get that. That's why we're building an economy where no one is left behind. Jobs are coming back, pride is coming back, because of choices we made in the last several years. You know, this is, in my view, a blue-collar blueprint to rebuild America and make a real difference in your lives at home. For example, too many of you lay in bed at night, like my dad did, staring at the ceiling, wondering what in God's name happens if your spouse gets cancer or your child gets deadly ill or if something happens to you. What are you going—are you going to have the money to pay for those medical bills? Are you going to have to sell the house or try to get a second mortgage on it? I get it. I get it. With the Inflation Reduction Act that I signed into law, we're 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 for prescription drugs than any nation in the world. Let me say it again: We pay more for prescription drugs than any major nation on Earth. For example, 1 in 10 Americans has diabetes. Many of you in this chamber do 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. Package it and all, you may get up to $13. But Big Pharma has been unfairly charging people hundreds of dollars, $4- to $500 a month, making record profits. Not anymore. Not anymore. Not anymore! Not anymore! Not anymore! . So many things that we did are only now coming to fruition. We said we were doing this, and we said we'd pass the law to do it, but people didn't know because the law didn't take effect until January 1 of this year. We capped the cost of insulin at $35 a month for seniors on Medicare. But people are just finding out. I'm sure you're getting the same calls I'm getting. Look, there are millions of other Americans who do not—are not on Medicare, including 200,000 young people with type 1 diabetes who need these insulin—need this insulin to stay alive. Let's finish the job this time. Let's cap the cost of insulin for everybody at $35. Folks—and Big Pharma is still going to do very well, I promise you all. [ ] I promise you they're going to do very well. This law also—this law also caps—and it won't even go into effect until 2025. It costs [caps; White House correction] out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors on Medicare at a maximum of $2,000 a year. You don't have to pay more than $2,000 a year, no matter how much your drug costs are. Because you know why? You all know it. Many of you, like many of my family, have cancer. You know the drugs can range from $10-, $11-, $14-, $15,000 for the cancer drugs. And if drug prices rise faster than inflation, drug companies are going to have to pay Medicare back the difference. And we're finally—we're finally giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices. Bringing down—bringing down prescription drug costs doesn't just save seniors money, it cuts the Federal deficit by billions of dollars—[ ]—by hundreds of billions of dollars because these prescription drugs are drugs purchased by Medicare to make—keep their commitment to the seniors. Well, guess what? Instead of paying 4- or 500 bucks a month, you're paying 15. That's a lot of savings for the Federal Government. And by the way, why wouldn't we want that? Now, some Members here are threatening—and I know it's not an official party position, so I'm not going to exaggerate—but threatening to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act. As my coach—that's okay. That's fair. As my football coach used to say, "Lots of luck in your senior year." [ ] Make no mistake, if you try anything to raise the cost of prescription drugs, I will veto it. And look, I'm pleased to say that more Americans health—have health insurance now than ever in history. A record 16 million people are enrolled in the Affordable Care Act. And thanks to the law I signed last year, saving—millions are saving $800 a year on their premiums. And by the way, that law was written—and the benefit expires in 2025. So my plea to some of you, at least in this audience: Let's finish the job and make these savings permanent. Expand coverage on Medicaid. Look, the Inflation Reduction Act is also the most significant investment ever in climate change—ever. Lowering utility bills, creating American jobs, leading the world to a clean energy future. I visited the devastating aftermath of record floods, droughts, storms, and wildfires from Arizona to New Mexico to all the way up to the Canadian border. More timber has been burned that I've observed from helicopters than the entire State of Missouri. And we don't have global warming? Not a problem. In addition to emergency recovery from Puerto Rico to Florida to Idaho, we're rebuilding for the long term. New electric grids that are able to weather major storms and not—prevent those fire—forest fires. Roads and water systems to withstand the next big flood. Clean energy to cut pollution and create jobs in communities often left behind. We're going to build 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations, installed across the country by tens of thousands of IBEW workers. And we're helping families save more than $1,000 a year with tax credits to purchase electric vehicles and efficient—and efficient appliances—energy-efficient appliances. Historic conservation efforts to be responsible stewards of our land. Let's face reality. The climate crisis doesn't care if you're in a red or a blue State. It's an existential threat. We have an obligation not to ourselves, but to our children and our grandchildren to confront it. I'm proud of how the—how America, at last, is stepping up to the challenge. We're still going to need oil and gas for a while, but guess what—[ ]—no, we do—but there's so much more to do. We've got to finish the job. And we pay for these investments in our future by finally making the wealthiest and biggest corporations begin to pay their fair share. Just begin. Look, I'm a capitalist. I'm a capitalist. But pay your fair share. I think a lot of you at home—a lot of you at home—agree with me and many people that you know: The tax system is not fair. It is not fair. Look, the idea that in 2020, 55 of the largest corporations in America, the Fortune 500, made $40 billion in profits and paid zero in Federal taxes? Zero.  Boo!  Folks, it's simply not fair. But now, because of the law I signed, billion-dollar companies have to pay a minimum of 15 percent. God love them. Fifteen percent. That's less than a nurse pays. And let me be crystal clear. I said at the very beginning: Under my plans, as long as I'm President, nobody earning less than $400,000 will pay an additional penny in taxes. Nobody. Not one penny. But let's finish the job. There's more to do. We have to reward work, not just wealth. Pass my proposal for the billionaire minimum tax. You know, there's a thousand billionaires in America—it's up from about 600 at the beginning of my term—but no billionaire should be paying a lower tax rate than a schoolteacher or a firefighter. No, I mean it. Think about it. I mean, look, I know you all aren't enthusiastic about that, but think about it. Think about it. Have you noticed? Big Oil just reported its profits. Record profits. Last year, they made $200 billion in the midst of a global energy crisis. I think it's outrageous. Why? They invested too little of that profit to increase domestic production. And when I talked to a couple of them, they say, "We were afraid you were going to shut down all the oil wells and all the oil refineries anyway, so why should we invest in them?" I said, "We're going to need oil for at least another decade, and that's going to exceed"—[ ]—and beyond that. We're going to need it. Production. If they had, in fact, invested in the production to keep gas prices down—instead they used the record profits to buy back their own stock, rewarding their CEOs and shareholders. Corporations ought to do the right thing. That's why I propose we quadruple the tax on corporate stock buybacks and encourage long-term investments. They'll still make considerable profit. Let's finish the job and close the loopholes that allow the very wealthy to avoid paying their taxes. Instead of cutting the number of audits for wealthy taxpayers, I just signed a law to reduce the deficit by $114 billion by cracking down on wealthy tax cheats. That's being fiscally responsible. In the last 2 years, my administration has cut the deficit by more than $1.7 trillion, the largest deficit reduction in American history. Under the previous administration, the American deficit went up 4 years in a row. Because of those record deficits, no President added more to the national debt in any 4 years than my predecessor. Nearly 25 percent of the entire national debt that took over 200 years to accumulate was added by just one administration alone, the last one. They're the facts. Check it out. Check it out. How did Congress respond to that debt? They did the right thing. They lifted the debt ceiling three times without preconditions or crisis. They paid the American bill to prevent an economic disaster to the country. So tonight I'm asking the Congress to follow suit. Let's commit here tonight that the full faith and credit of the United States of America will never, ever be questioned. So my—many of—some of my Republican friends want to take the economy hostage—I get it—unless I agree to their economic plans. All of you at home should know what those plans are. Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset. I'm not saying it's a majority——  Boo!  Let me give you——  No!  Anybody who doubts it, contact my office. I'll give you a copy. I'll give you a copy of the proposal.  Liar!  That means Congress doesn't vote—— Well, I'm glad to see—no, I tell you, I enjoy conversion. [ ] You know, it means if Congress doesn't keep the programs the way they are, they'd go away. Other Republicans say—I'm not saying it's a majority of you. I don't even think it's a significant——  [ ]—don't say——  ——but it's being proposed by individuals.  But you don't say who.  I'm not—politely not naming them, but it's being proposed by some of you.  [ ]  Liar, liar!  Look, folks, the idea is that we're not going to be—we're not going to be moved into being threatened to default on the debt if we don't respond. Folks—[ ]—so, folks, as we all apparently agree, Social Security and Medicare is off the books now, right? They're not to be touched? [ ] All right. All right. We've got unanimity! Social Security and Medicare are a lifeline for millions of seniors. Americans have to pay into them from the very first paycheck they've started. So tonight let's all agree—and we apparently are—let's stand up for seniors. Stand up and show them we will not cut Social Security. We will not cut Medicare. Those benefits belong to the American people. They earned it. And if anyone tries to cut Social Security—which apparently no one is going to do—[ ]—and if anyone tries to cut Medicare, I'll stop them. I'll veto it. And look, I'm not going to allow them to take away—be taken away. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever. But apparently, it's not going to be a problem. [ ] Next month, when I offer my fiscal plan, I ask my Republican friends to lay down their plan as well. I really mean it. Let's sit down together and discuss our mutual plans together. Let's do that. I can tell you, the plan I'm going to show you is going to cut the deficit by another $2 trillion. And it won't cut a single bit of Medicare or Social Security. In fact, we're going to extend the Medicare Trust Fund at least two decades, because that's going to be the next argument: how do we make—keep it solvent. Right? Well, I will not raise taxes on anyone making under 400 grand. But we'll pay for it the way we talked about tonight: by making sure that the wealthy and big corporations pay their fair share. Look—look, look, here's the deal. They aren't just taking advantage of the Tax Code, they're taking advantage of you, the American consumer. Here's my message to all of you out there: I have your back. We're already preventing Americans who are [from; White House correction] receiving surprise medical bills, stopping 1 billion dollar surprise bills [1 million surprise bills; White House correction] per month so far. We're protecting seniors' life savings by cracking down on nursing homes that commit fraud, endanger patient safety, or prescribe drugs that are not needed. Millions of Americans can now save thousands of dollars because they can finally get a hearing aid over the counter without a prescription. Look, capitalism without competition is not capitalism, it's extortion; it's exploitation. Last year, I cracked down, with the help of many of you, on foreign shipping companies that were making you pay higher prices for every good coming into the country. I signed a bipartisan bill that cut shipping costs by 90 percent, helping American farmers, businessmen, and consumers. Let's finish the job. Pass the bipartisan legislation to strengthen and—to strengthen antitrust enforcement and prevent big online platforms from giving their own products an unfair advantage. My administration is also taking on junk fees, those hidden surcharges too many companies use to make you pay more. For example, we're making airlines show you the full ticket price upfront, refund your money if your flight is canceled or delayed. We've reduced exorbitant bank overdrafts by saving consumers more than $1 billion a year. We're cutting credit card late fees by 75 percent, from $30 to $8. Look, junk fees may not matter to the very wealthy, but they matter to most other folks in homes like the one I grew up in, like many of you did. They add up to hundreds of dollars a month. They make it harder for you to pay your bills or afford that family trip. I know how unfair it feels when a company overcharges you and gets away with it. Not anymore. We've written a bill to stop it all. It's called the Junk Fee Prevention Act. We're going to ban surprise resort fees that hotels charge on your bill. Those fees can cost you up to $90 a night at hotels that aren't even resorts. [ ] We—the idea that cable, internet, and cell phone companies can charge you $200 or more if you decide to switch to another provider. Give me a break. We can stop service fees on tickets to concerts and sporting events and make companies disclose all the fees upfront. And we'll prohibit airlines from charging $50 roundtrip for a family just to be able to sit together. Baggage fees are bad enough. Airlines can't treat your child like a piece of baggage. Americans are tired of being—we're tired of being played for suckers. So pass the Junk Fee Prevention Act so companies stop ripping us off. For too long, workers have been getting stiffed, but not anymore. We're going to be—we're beginning to restore the dignity of work. For example, I should have known this, but I didn't until 2 years ago: Thirty million workers have to sign noncompete agreements for the jobs they take. Thirty 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.  Boo!  It just changed. Well, they just changed it because we exposed it. That was part of the deal, guys. Look it up. But not anymore. We're banning those agreements so companies have to compete for workers and pay them what they're worth. And I must tell you, this is bound to get a response from my friends on my left, but the right. I'm so sick and tired of companies breaking the law by preventing workers from organizing. Pass the PRO Act! Because businesses have a right—workers have a right to form a union. 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 and medical leave, affordable childcare. That's going to enable millions of more people to go and stay at work. And let's restore the full child tax credit, which gave tens of millions of parents some breathing room and cut child poverty in half to the lowest level in history. And by the way, when we do all of these things, we increase productivity, we increase 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 of family caregivers looking after their loved ones. Pass my plan so we get seniors and people with disabilities the homecare services they need and support the workers who are doing God's work. 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. You know, when we made public education—12 years of it—universal in the last century, we made the best educated, best paid—we became the best education, best paid nation in the world. But the rest of the world has caught up. It's caught up. Jill, my wife, who teaches full-time, has an expression. I hope I get it right, kid. [ ] "Any nation that outeducates is going to outcompete us." Any nation that outeducates 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. If we want to have the best educated workforce, let's finish the job by providing access to preschool for 3 and 4 years old. Studies show that children who go to preschool are nearly 50-percent more likely to finish high school and go on to earn a 2- or 4-year degree, no matter their background they came from. Let's give public school teachers a raise. We're making progress by reducing student debt, increasing Pell grants for working and middle class families. Let's finish the job and connect students to career opportunities starting in high school, provide access to 2 years of community college, the best career training in America, in addition to being a pathway to a 4-year degree. Let's offer every American a path to a good career, whether they go to college or not. And, folks—folks, in the midst of the COVID crisis, when schools were closed and we were shutting down everything, let's recognize how far we came in the fight against the pandemic itself. While the virus is not gone, thanks to the resilience of the American people and the ingenuity of medicine, we've broken the COVID grip on us. COVID deaths are down by 90 percent. We've saved millions of lives and opened up our country—we opened our country back up. And soon, we'll end the public health emergency.  [ ]  But—that's called a public health emergency. But we'll remember the toll and pain that's never going to go away. More than a million Americans lost their lives to COVID. A million. Families grieving. Children orphaned. Empty chairs at the dining room table constantly reminding you that she used to sit there. Remembering them, we remain vigilant. We still need to monitor dozens of variants and support new vaccines and treatments. So Congress needs to fund these efforts and keep America safe. And as we emerge from this crisis stronger, we're also—got to double down 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' dollars, who were sidelined. They were fired. Many people said, "We don't need them." And fraud became rampant. Last year, I told you the watchdogs are back. Since then—since then, we've recovered billions of taxpayers' dollars. Now let's triple the antifraud strike force going after these criminals, double the statute of limitations on these crimes, and crack down on identity fraud by criminal syndicates stealing billions of dollars—billions of dollars—from the American people. And the data shows that for every dollar we put into fighting fraud, the taxpayer will get back at least 10 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 safe. Public safety depends on public trust, as all of us know. But too often, that trust is violated. Joining us tonight are the parents of Tyre Nichols—welcome—[ ]—who had to bury Tyre last week. As many of you personally know, there's 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 your son or daughter came home from walking down the street or playing in the park or just 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 children. Beau, Hunter, Ashley—my children—I never had to have the talk with them. 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 license. Keep your hands on the steering wheel." Imagine having to worry like that every single time your kid got in a car. Here's 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. With the faith of 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's up to us, to all of us. We all want the same thing: neighborhoods free of violence, law enforcement who earns the community's trust. Just as every cop, when they pin on that badge in the morning, has a right to be able 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 counselors, social workers, psychologists—responding to drug overdoses, mental health crises, and so much more. In one sense, we ask much too much of them. I know most cops and their families are good, decent, honorable people—the vast majority. That they risk—[ ]. And they risk their lives every time they put that shield on. But what happened to Tyre in Memphis happens too often. We have to do better. Give law enforcement the real training they need. Hold them to higher standards. Help them to succeed in keeping them safe. We also need more first responders and professionals to address the growing mental health, substance abuse challenges. More resources to reduce violent crime and gun crime. More community intervention programs. More investments in housing, education, and job training. All this can help prevent violence in the first place. And when police officers or police departments violate the public trust, they must be held accountable. With the support—[ ]. With the support of families of victims, civil rights groups, and law enforcement, I signed an Executive order for all Federal officers, banning chokeholds, restricting no-knock warrants, and other key elements of the George Floyd Act. Let's commit ourselves to make the words of Tyler's [Tyre's; White House correction] mom true: Something good must come from this. Something good. And all of us—all of us—[ ]. Folks, it's difficult, but it's simple: All of us in the Chamber—in this Chamber, we need to rise to this moment. We can't turn away. Let's do what we know in our hearts that we need to do. Let's come together to finish the job on police reform. Do something. Do something. That was the plea of parents who lost their children in Uvalde—I met with every one of them—"Do something about gun violence." Thank God—thank God—we did, passing the most sweeping gun safety law in three decades. That includes things like—that the majority of responsible gun owners already support: enhanced background checks for 18 to 21 years old, red-flag laws keeping guns out of the hands of people who are a danger to themselves and others. But we know our work is not done. Joining us tonight is Brandon Tsay, a 26-year-old hero. Brandon put his college dreams on hold—to be at his mom's side—his mom's side when she was dying from cancer. And Brandon now works at the dance studio started by his grandparents. And 2 weeks ago, during the Lunar New Year celebrations, he heard the studio door close, and he saw a man standing there pointing a semiautomatic pistol at him. He thought he was going to die, but he thought about the people inside. In that instant, he found the courage to act and wrestled the semiautomatic pistol away from the gunman who had already killed 11 people in another dance studio. Eleven. He saved lives. It's time we do the same. Ban assault weapons now! Ban them now! Once and for all. I led the fight to do that in 1994. And in 10 years that ban was law, mass shootings went down. After we let it expire in a Republican administration, mass shootings tripled. Let's finish the job and ban these assault weapons. And let's also come together on immigration. Make it a bipartisan issue once again. We know—we now have a record number of personnel working to secure the border, arresting 8,000 human smugglers, seizing over 23,000 pounds of fentanyl in just the last several months. We've launched a new border plan last month. Unlawful migration from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela has come down 97 percent as a consequence of that. But American border problems won't be fixed until Congress acts. If we don't pass my comprehensive immigration reform, at least pass my plan to provide the equipment and officers to secure the border—and a 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 and——  Secure the border!  [ ]—border!  [ ]  Congress must restore the right that was taken away in   v.   and protect   v.  . Give every woman the constitutional right. The Vice President and I are doing everything to protect access to reproductive health care and safeguard patient safety. But already, more than a dozen States are enforcing extreme abortion bans. Make no mistake about it: If Congress passes a national ban, I will veto it. But let's also pass—let's also pass the bipartisan Equality Act to ensure LGBTQ Americans, especially transgender young people, can live with safety and dignity. Our strength—our strength is not just the example of our power, but the power of our example. Let's remember: The world is watching. I spoke from this Chamber 1 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. Would we stand for the most basic of principles? Would we stand for sovereignty? Would we stand for the right of people to live free of tyranny? Would we stand for the defense of democracy? For such defense matters to us because it keeps peace and prevents open season on would-be aggressors that threatens our prosperity. One year later, we know the answer. Yes, we would. And we did. We did. And together, we did what America always does at our best. We led. We united NATO. We built a global coalition. We stood against Putin's aggression. We stood with the Ukrainian people. And tonight we're once again joined by Ukrainians' Ambassador to the United States. She represents not her—just her nation, but the courage of her people. Ambassador is—our Ambassador is here, united in our—we're united in our support of your country. Will you stand so we can all take a look at you? Thank you. Because we're going to stand with you as long as it takes. Our Nation is working for more freedom, more dignity, and more peace, not just in Europe, but everywhere. Before I came to office, the story was about how the People's Republic of China was increasing its power and America was failing in the world. Not anymore. We made clear and I made clear in my personal conversations, which have been many, with President Xi that we seek competition, not conflict. But I will make no apologies that we're investing and—to make America stronger. Investing in American innovation and industries that will 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. Modernizing our military to safeguard stability and determine—deter aggression. Today, we're in the strongest position in decades to compete with China or anyone else in the world. Anyone else in the world. And I'm committed—I'm committed—to work 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. Look, let's be clear: Winning the competition should unite all of us. We face serious challenges across the world. But in the past 2 years, democracies have become stronger, not weaker. Autocracies have grown weaker, not stronger. Name me a world leader who'd change places with Xi Jinping. Name me one. Name me one. America is rallying the world to meet those challenges, from climate to global health to food insecurity to terrorism to territorial aggression. Allies are stepping up, spending more, and doing more. Look, the bridges we're forming between partners in the Pacific and those in the Atlantic. And those who bet against America are learning how wrong they are. It's never, ever been a good bet to bet against America. Never.  U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!  Well——  U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!  When I came to office, most assured that bipartisanship—assumed—was impossible. But I never believed it. That's why a year ago, I offered a unity agenda to the Nation as I stood here. We made real progress together. We passed the law making it easier for doctors to prescribe effective treatments for opioid addiction. We passed the gun safety law, making historic investments in mental health. We launched the ARPA-H drive for breakthroughs in the fight against cancer, Alzheimer's, and diabetes, and so much more. We passed the Heath Robinson PACT Act, named after the late Iraq war veteran whose story about exposure to toxic burn pits I shared here last year. And I understand something about those burn pits. But there is so much more to do. And we can do it together. Joining us tonight is a father named Doug from Newton, New Hampshire. He wrote Jill, my wife, a letter—and me as well—about his courageous daughter Courtney. A contagious laugh. His sister's best friend—her sister's best friend. He shared a story all too familiar to millions of Americans and many of you in the audience. Courtney discovered pills in high school. It spiraled into addiction and eventually death from a fentanyl overdose. She was just 20 years old. Describing the last 8 years without her, Doug said, "There is no worse pain." Yet their family has turned pain into purpose, working to end the stigma and change laws. He told us he wants to "start a journey towards American recovery." Doug, we're with you. Fentanyl is killing more than 70,000 Americans a year. Big——  [ ]—the border.  The border!  Big—you've got it.  [ ]—China!  It's your fault!  Boo!  So let's launch a major surge to stop fentanyl production and the sale and trafficking. With more drug detection machines, inspection cargo, stop pills and powder at the border. Working with couriers, like FedEx, to inspect more packages for drugs. Strong penalties to crack down on fentanyl trafficking. Second, let's do more on mental health, especially for our children. When millions of young people are struggling with bullying, violence, trauma, we owe them greater access to mental health care at their schools. We must finally hold social media companies accountable for experimenting they're doing—running [on; White House correction] children for profit. And it's time to pass bipartisan legislation to stop Big Tech from collecting personal data on kids and teenagers online, ban targeted advertising to children, and impose stricter limits on the personal data that companies collect on all of us. Third, let's do more to keep this Nation's one fully sacred obligation: to equip those we send into harm's way and care for them and their families when they come home. Job training, job placement for veterans and their spouses as they come to—return to civilian life. Helping veterans to afford their rent, because no one should be homeless in America, especially someone who served the country. Denis McDonough is here, of the VA. We had our first real discussion when I asked him to take the job. And I'm glad he did. We were losing up to 25 veterans a day on suicide. Now we're losing 17 a day to the silent scourge of suicide. Seventeen veterans a day are committing suicide, more than all the people being killed in the wars. Folks, VA is doing everything it can, including expanding mental health screening, proven programs that recruits veterans to help other veterans understand what they're going through, get them the help they need. We've got to do more. And fourth, last year, Jill and I reignited the Cancer Moonshot that I was able to start with, and President Obama asked me to lead our administration on this issue. Our goal is to cut the cancer death rates at least by 50 percent in the next 25 years, turn more cancers from death sentences to treatable diseases, provide more support for patients and their families. It's personal to so many of us, so many of us in this audience. Joining us are Maurice and Kandice, an Irishman and a daughter of immigrants from Panama. They met and fell in love in New York City and got married in the same chapel as Jill and I got married in New York City. Kindred spirits. He wrote us a letter about his little daughter Ava. And I saw her just before I came over. She was just a year old when she was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease—cancer. After 26 blood transfusions, 11 rounds of radiation, 8 rounds of chemo, 1 kidney removed, given a 5 percent survival rate. He wrote how, in the darkest moments, he thought, "If she goes, I can't stay." Many of you have been through that as well. Jilly and I understand that, like so many of you. And he read Jill's book describing our family's cancer journey and how we tried to steal moments of joy where we could with Beau. For them, that glimmer of joy was the half-smile of their baby girl. It meant everything to them. They never gave up hope, and little Ava never gave up hope. She turns 4 next month. They just found out Ava is beating the odds, is on her way to being cured of cancer. And she's watching from the White House tonight, if she's not asleep already. For the lives we can save—[ ]. For the lives we can save and the lives we have lost, let this be a truly American moment that rallies the country and the world together and prove that we can still do big things. Twenty years ago, under the leadership of President Bush and countless advocates and champions, he undertook a bipartisan effort through PEPFAR to transform the global fight against HIV/AIDS. It's been a huge success. He thought big. He thought large. He moved! I believe we can do the same thing with cancer. Let's end cancer as we know it and cure some cancers once and for all. Folks, there's one reason why we've been able to do all of these things: our democracy itself. It's the most fundamental thing of all. With democracy, everything is possible. Without it, nothing is. Over the last few years, our democracy has been threatened and attacked, put at risk—put to the test in this very room on January the 6th. And then, just a few months ago, an unhinged "big lie" assailant unleashed a political violence at the home of the then-Speaker of the House of Representatives, using the very same language the insurrectionists used as they stalked these halls and chanted on January 6. Here tonight, in this Chamber, is the man who bears the scars of that brutal attack, but is as tough and as strong and as resilient as they get: my friend, Paul Pelosi. Paul, stand up. But such a heinous act should have never happened. We must all speak out. There is no place for political violence in America. We have to protect the right to vote, not suppress the—that fundamental right. Honor the results of our elections, not subvert the will of the people. We have to uphold the rule of the law and restore trust in our institutions of democracy. And we must give hate and extremism in any form no safe harbor. Democracy must not be a partisan issue. It's an American issue. Every generation of Americans have faced a moment where they have been called to protect our democracy, defend it, stand up for it. And this is our moment. My fellow Americans, we meet tonight at an inflection point, one of those moments that only a few generations ever face, where the direction we now take is going to decide the course of this Nation for decades to come. We're not bystanders of history. We're not powerless before the forces that confront us. It's within our power of "We the People." We're facing the test of our time. We have to be the nation we've always been at our best: optimistic, hopeful, forward-looking; a nation that embraces light over dark, hope over fear, unity over division, stability over chaos. We have to see each other not as enemies, but as fellow Americans. We're good people. The only nation in the world built on an idea—the only one. Other nations are defined by geography, ethnicity, but we're the only nation based on an idea that all of us, every one of us, is created equal in the image of God. A nation that stands as a beacon to the world. A nation in a new age of possibilities. So I have come to fulfill my constitutional obligation to report on the state of the Union. And here is my report: Because the soul of this Nation is strong, because the backbone of this Nation is strong, because the people of this Nation are strong, the state of the Union is strong. I'm not new to this place. I stand here tonight having served as long as about any one of you who have ever served here. [ ] But I've never been more optimistic about our future, about the future of America. We just have to remember who we are. We're the United States of America. And there's nothing—nothing—beyond our capacity if we do it together. God bless you all, and may God protect our troops. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker—— [ ] Thank you. You can smile. It is okay. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you. Please. Mr. Speaker, Madam Vice President, our First Lady and Second Gentleman—good to see you guys up there—[ ]—Members of Congress. and by the way, Chief Justice, I may need a court order. She gets to go to the game tomorrow—next week. I have to stay home. [ ] We have got to work something out here. Members of the Cabinet, leaders of our military, Chief Justice, Associate Justices, and retired Justices of the Supreme Court, and to you, my fellow Americans: You know, I start tonight by congratulating the 118th Congress and the new Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy. Speaker, I do not want to ruin your reputation, but I look forward to working with you. [ ] And I want to congratulate the new leader of the House Democrats, the first African American minority leader in history, Hakeem Jeffries. He won in spite of the fact I campaigned for him. [ ] Congratulations to the longest serving leader in the history of the United States Senate, Mitch McConnell. Where are you, Mitch? And congratulations to Chuck Schumer, another—you know, another term as Senate minority [majority; White House correction] leader. You know, I think you—only this time you have a slightly bigger majority, Mr. Leader. And you are the majority leader. About that much bigger? [ ] Yes. Well, I tell you what, I want to give special recognition to someone who I think is going to be considered the greatest Speaker in the history of the House of Representatives: Nancy Pelosi. Folks, the story of America is a story of progress and resilience, of always moving forward, of 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 it. Look, folks, that is what we are doing again. Two years ago, the economy was reeling. I stand here tonight, after we have created, with the help of many people in this room, 12 million new jobs—more jobs created in 2 years than any President has created in 4 years—because of you all, because of the American people. Two years ago—[ ]. And 2 years ago, COVID had shut down—our businesses were closed, our schools were robbed of so much. And today, COVID no longer controls our lives. And 2 years ago, our democracy faced its greatest threat since the Civil War. And today, though bruised, our democracy remains unbowed and unbroken. As we gather here tonight, we are writing the next chapter in the great American story, a story of progress and resilience. When world leaders ask me to define America—and they do, believe it or not—I say I can define it in one word, and I mean this: possibilities. We do not think anything is beyond our capacity. Everything is a possibility. You know, we are often told that Democrats and Republicans cannot work together. But over the past 2 years, we have proved the cynics and naysayers wrong. Yes, we disagreed plenty. And yes, there were times when Democrats went alone. But time and again, Democrats and Republicans came together. Came together to defend a stronger and safer Europe. You came together to pass one-in-a-generation—once-in-a-generation infrastructure law building bridges connecting our Nation and our people. We came together to pass one the most significant law ever helping victims exposed to toxic burn pits. And, in fact—[ ]. It is important. And, in fact, I signed over 300 bipartisan pieces of legislation since becoming President, from reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act to the Electoral Count Reform Act, the Respect for Marriage Act that protects the right to marry the person you love. And to my Republican friends, if we could work together in the last Congress, there is no reason we cannot work together and find consensus on important things in this Congress as well. I think—folks, you all are as informed as I am, but I think the people sent us a clear message: Fighting for the sake of fighting, power for the sake of power, conflict for the sake of conflict gets us nowhere. That is always been my vision of our country, and I know it is many of yours: to restore the soul of this Nation; to rebuild the backbone of America, America's middle class; and to unite the country. We have been sent here to finish the job, in my view. For decades, the middle class has been hollowed out in more than—and not in one administration, but for a long time. Too many good-paying manufacturing jobs moved overseas. Factories closed down. Once-thriving cities and towns that many of you represent became shadows of what they used to be. And along the way, something else we lost: pride, our sense of self-worth. I ran for President to fundamentally change things. To make sure our economy works for everyone so we can all feel that pride in what we do. To build an economy from the bottom up and 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. I know a lot of you always kid me for always quoting my dad. But my dad used to say, "Joey, a job is about a lot more than a paycheck." Because he really would say this. "It is about a lot more than a paycheck. It is about your dignity. It is about respect. It is about being able to look your kid in the eye and say, 'Honey, it is going to be okay' and mean it." Well, folks, so let us look at the results. We are not finished yet, by any stretch of the imagination. But unemployment rate is at 3.4 percent, a 50-year low. And near record—and near record unemployment—near record unemployment for Black and Hispanic workers. We have already created, with your help, 800,000 good-paying manufacturing jobs, the fastest growth in 40 years. And where is it written—where is it written that America cannot lead the world in manufacturing? And I do not know where that is written. For too many decades, we imported projects and exported jobs. Now, thanks to what you have all done, we are exporting American products and creating American jobs. Folks, inflation—inflation has been a global problem because the pandemic disrupted our supply chains, and Putin's unfair and brutal war in Ukraine disrupted energy supplies as well as food supplies, blocking all that grain in Ukraine. But we are better positioned than any country on Earth right now. But we have more to do. But here at home, inflation is coming down. Here at home, gas prices are down $1.50 from their peak. Food inflation is coming down, not fast enough, but coming down. Inflation has fallen every month for the last 6 months, while take-home pay has gone up. Additionally, over the last 2 years, a record 10 million Americans applied to start new businesses. Ten million. And by the way, every time—every time someone starts a small business, it is an act of hope. And, Madam 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 enacted that are going to 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 cellphones to automobiles and so much more—these chips were invented in America. Let us get that straight: They were invented in America. And we used to make 40 percent of the world's chips. In the last several decades, we lost our edge. We are down to only producing 10 percent. We all saw what happened during the pandemic when chip factories shut down overseas. Today's automobiles need 3,000 chips—each of those automobiles—but American automobiles [automakers; White House correction] could not make enough cars because there were not 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 is why—that is why we came together to pass the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act. Folks, I know I have been criticized for saying this, but I am not changing my view. We are going to make sure the supply chain for America begins in America—the supply chain begins in America. And we have already created—[ ]. We have already created 800,000 new manufacturing jobs without this law, before the law kicks in. With this new law, we are going to create hundreds of thousands of new jobs across the country. And I mean all across the country, throughout—not just the coast, but through the middle of the country as well. That is going to come from companies that have announced more than $300 billion in investment in American manufacturing over the next few years. Outside of Columbus, Ohio, Intel is building semiconductor factories on a thousand acres, literally a "field of dreams." It is going to create 10,000 jobs, that one investment; 7,000 construction jobs; 3,000 jobs in those factories once they are finished. They call them factors. Jobs paying an average of $130,000 a year, and many do not require a college degree. And jobs—because we worked together, these jobs where people do not have to leave home to search for opportunity. And it is just getting started. Think about the new homes, the small businesses, the big—the medium-sized businesses. So much more that is going to be needed to support those 3,000 permanent jobs and the factories that are going to be built. Talk to mayors and Governors, Democrats and Republicans, and they will tell you what this means for their communities. We are seeing these "fields of dreams" transform the Heartland. But to maintain the strongest economy in the world, we need the best infrastructure in the world. And, folks, as you all know, we used to be number one in the world in infrastructure. We 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 Highway System. And, folks, already, we have funded over 20,000 projects, including major airports from Boston to Atlanta to Portland, projects that are going to put thousands of people to work rebuilding our highways, our bridges, our railroads, our tunnels, ports, airports, clean water, high-speed internet all across America: urban, rural, Tribal. And, folks, we are just getting started. We are just getting started. And I mean this sincerely: I want to thank my Republican friends who voted for the law. And my Republican friends who voted against it as well—but I am still—I still get asked to fund the projects in those districts as well, but do not worry. [ ] I promised I would be a President for all Americans. We will fund these projects. And I will see you at the groundbreaking. Look, this law—this law will further unite all of America. Projects like Brent Spence Bridge in Kentucky over the Ohio River, built 60 years ago, badly in need of repairs. One of the Nation's most congested freight routes, carrying $2 billion worth of freight every single day across the Ohio River. And, folks, we have 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 in—from both States—to deliver a commitment of $1.6 billion for this project. And while I was there, I met a young woman named Saria, who is here tonight. I do not know where Saria is. Is she up in the box? I do not know. Saria, how are you? Well, Saria—for 30 years—for 30 years—I learned—she told me she would been a proud member of the Ironworkers Local 44, known as—known as the "Cowboys in the Sky"—the folks who built Cincinnati's skyline. Saria said she cannot wait to be 10 stories above the Ohio River building that new bridge. God bless her. [ ] That is pride. And that is what we are also building: We are building back pride. Look, we are also replacing poisonous lead pipes that go into 10 million homes in America, 400,000 schools and childcare centers so every child in America—every child in American—can drink the water, instead of having permanent damage to their brain. Look, we are making sure—[ ]—we are making sure that every community—every community in America—has access to affordable, high-speed internet. No parent should have to drive by a McDonald's parking lot to help their—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 criticized about this, but I make no excuses for it—we are going to buy American. We are going to buy American. Folks—[ ]—and it is totally—it is totally—consistent with international trade rules. Buy American has been the law since 1933. But for too long, past administrations—Democrat and Republican—have fought to get around it. Not anymore. Tonight I am announcing new standards to require all construction materials used in Federal infrastructure projects to be made in America. Made in America. I mean it. Lumber, glass, drywall, fiber-optic cable. And on my watch, American roads, bridges, and American highways are going to be made with American products as well. Folks, my economic plan is about investing in places and people that have been forgotten. So many of you listening tonight, I know you feel it. So many of you felt like you have just simply been forgotten. Amid the economic upheaval of the past four decades, too many people have been left behind and treated like they are invisible. Maybe that is you, watching from home. You remember the jobs that went away. You remember them, do not you? The folks at home remember them. You wonder whether the path even exists anymore for your children to get ahead without having to move away. Well, that is why—I get that. That is why we are building an economy where no one is left behind. Jobs are coming back, pride is coming back, because of choices we made in the last several years. You know, this is, in my view, a blue-collar blueprint to rebuild America and make a real difference in your lives at home. For example, too many of you lay in bed at night, like my dad did, staring at the ceiling, wondering what in God's name happens if your spouse gets cancer or your child gets deadly ill or if something happens to you. What are you going—are you going to have the money to pay for those medical bills? Are you going to have to sell the house or try to get a second mortgage on it? I get it. I get it. With the Inflation Reduction Act that I 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 for prescription drugs than any nation in the world. Let me say it again: We pay more for prescription drugs than any major nation on Earth. For example, 1 in 10 Americans has diabetes. Many of you in this chamber do 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 did not 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. Package it and all, you may get up to $13. But Big Pharma has been unfairly charging people hundreds of dollars, $4- to $500 a month, making record profits. Not anymore. Not anymore. Not anymore! Not anymore! Not anymore! . So many things that we did are only now coming to fruition. We said we were doing this, and we said we would pass the law to do it, but people did not know because the law did not take effect until January 1 of this year. We capped the cost of insulin at $35 a month for seniors on Medicare. But people are just finding out. I am sure you are getting the same calls I am getting. Look, there are millions of other Americans who do not—are not on Medicare, including 200,000 young people with type 1 diabetes who need these insulin—need this insulin to stay alive. Let us finish the job this time. Let us cap the cost of insulin for everybody at $35. Folks—and Big Pharma is still going to do very well, I promise you all. [ ] I promise you they are going to do very well. This law also—this law also caps—and it will not even go into effect until 2025. It costs [caps; White House correction] out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors on Medicare at a maximum of $2,000 a year. You do not have to pay more than $2,000 a year, no matter how much your drug costs are. Because you know why? You all know it. Many of you, like many of my family, have cancer. You know the drugs can range from $10-, $11-, $14-, $15,000 for the cancer drugs. And if drug prices rise faster than inflation, drug companies are going to have to pay Medicare back the difference. And we are finally—we are finally giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices. Bringing down—bringing down prescription drug costs does not just save seniors money, it cuts the Federal deficit by billions of dollars—[ ]—by hundreds of billions of dollars because these prescription drugs are drugs purchased by Medicare to make—keep their commitment to the seniors. Well, guess what? Instead of paying 4- or 500 bucks a month, you are paying 15. That is a lot of savings for the Federal Government. And by the way, why would not we want that? Now, some Members here are threatening—and I know it is not an official party position, so I am not going to exaggerate—but threatening to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act. As my coach—that is okay. That is fair. As my football coach used to say, "Lots of luck in your senior year." [ ] Make no mistake, if you try anything to raise the cost of prescription drugs, I will veto it. And look, I am pleased to say that more Americans health—have health insurance now than ever in history. A record 16 million people are enrolled in the Affordable Care Act. And thanks to the law I signed last year, saving—millions are saving $800 a year on their premiums. And by the way, that law was written—and the benefit expires in 2025. So my plea to some of you, at least in this audience: Let us finish the job and make these savings permanent. Expand coverage on Medicaid. Look, the Inflation Reduction Act is also the most significant investment ever in climate change—ever. Lowering utility bills, creating American jobs, leading the world to a clean energy future. I visited the devastating aftermath of record floods, droughts, storms, and wildfires from Arizona to New Mexico to all the way up to the Canadian border. More timber has been burned that I have observed from helicopters than the entire State of Missouri. And we do not have global warming? Not a problem. In addition to emergency recovery from Puerto Rico to Florida to Idaho, we are rebuilding for the long term. New electric grids that are able to weather major storms and not—prevent those fire—forest fires. Roads and water systems to withstand the next big flood. Clean energy to cut pollution and create jobs in communities often left behind. We are going to build 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations, installed across the country by tens of thousands of IBEW workers. And we are helping families save more than $1,000 a year with tax credits to purchase electric vehicles and efficient—and efficient appliances—energy-efficient appliances. Historic conservation efforts to be responsible stewards of our land. Let us 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 our grandchildren to confront it. I am proud of how the—how America, at last, is stepping up to the challenge. We are still going to need oil and gas for a while, but guess what—[ ]—no, we do—but there is so much more to do. We have got to finish the job. And we pay for these investments in our future by finally making the wealthiest and biggest corporations begin to pay their fair share. Just begin. Look, I am a capitalist. I am a capitalist. But pay your fair share. I think a lot of you at home—a lot of you at home—agree with me and many people that you know: The tax system is not fair. It is not fair. Look, the idea that in 2020, 55 of the largest corporations in America, the Fortune 500, made $40 billion in profits and paid zero in Federal taxes? Zero. Boo! Folks, it is simply not fair. But now, because of the law I signed, billion-dollar companies have to pay a minimum of 15 percent. God love them. Fifteen percent. That is less than a nurse pays. And let me be crystal clear. I said at the very beginning: Under my plans, as long as I am President, nobody earning less than $400,000 will pay an additional penny in taxes. Nobody. Not one penny. But let us finish the job. There is more to do. We have to reward work, not just wealth. Pass my proposal for the billionaire minimum tax. You know, there is a thousand billionaires in America—it is up from about 600 at the beginning of my term—but no billionaire should be paying a lower tax rate than a schoolteacher or a firefighter. No, I mean it. Think about it. I mean, look, I know you all are not enthusiastic about that, but think about it. Think about it. Have you noticed? Big Oil just reported its profits. Record profits. Last year, they made $200 billion in the midst of a global energy crisis. I think it is outrageous. Why? They invested too little of that profit to increase domestic production. And when I talked to a couple of them, they say, "We were afraid you were going to shut down all the oil wells and all the oil refineries anyway, so why should we invest in them?" I said, "We are going to need oil for at least another decade, and that is going to exceed"—[ ]—and beyond that. We are going to need it. Production. If they had, in fact, invested in the production to keep gas prices down—instead they used the record profits to buy back their own stock, rewarding their CEOs and shareholders. Corporations ought to do the right thing. That is why I propose we quadruple the tax on corporate stock buybacks and encourage long-term investments. They will still make considerable profit. Let us finish the job and close the loopholes that allow the very wealthy to avoid paying their taxes. Instead of cutting the number of audits for wealthy taxpayers, I just signed a law to reduce the deficit by $114 billion by cracking down on wealthy tax cheats. That is being fiscally responsible. In the last 2 years, my administration has cut the deficit by more than $1.7 trillion, the largest deficit reduction in American history. Under the previous administration, the American deficit went up 4 years in a row. Because of those record deficits, no President added more to the national debt in any 4 years than my predecessor. Nearly 25 percent of the entire national debt that took over 200 years to accumulate was added by just one administration alone, the last one. They are the facts. Check it out. Check it out. How did Congress respond to that debt? They did the right thing. They lifted the debt ceiling three times without preconditions or crisis. They paid the American bill to prevent an economic disaster to the country. So tonight I am asking the Congress to follow suit. Let us commit here tonight that the full faith and credit of the United States of America will never, ever be questioned. So my—many of—some of my Republican friends want to take the economy hostage—I get it—unless I agree to their economic plans. All of you at home should know what those plans are. Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset. I am not saying it is a majority—— Boo! Let me give you—— No! Anybody who doubts it, contact my office. I will give you a copy. I will give you a copy of the proposal. Liar! That means Congress does not vote—— Well, I am glad to see—no, I tell you, I enjoy conversion. [ ] You know, it means if Congress does not keep the programs the way they are, they would go away. Other Republicans say—I am not saying it is a majority of you. I do not even think it is a significant—— [ ]—do not say—— ——but it is being proposed by individuals. But you do not say who. I am not—politely not naming them, but it is being proposed by some of you. [ ] Liar, liar! Look, folks, the idea is that we are not going to be—we are not going to be moved into being threatened to default on the debt if we do not respond. Folks—[ ]—so, folks, as we all apparently agree, Social Security and Medicare is off the books now, right? They are not to be touched? [ ] All right. All right. We have got unanimity! Social Security and Medicare are a lifeline for millions of seniors. Americans have to pay into them from the very first paycheck they have started. So tonight let us all agree—and we apparently are—let us stand up for seniors. Stand up and show them we will not cut Social Security. We will not cut Medicare. Those benefits belong to the American people. They earned it. And if anyone tries to cut Social Security—which apparently no one is going to do—[ ]—and if anyone tries to cut Medicare, I will stop them. I will veto it. And look, I am not going to allow them to take away—be taken away. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever. But apparently, it is not going to be a problem. [ ] Next month, when I offer my fiscal plan, I ask my Republican friends to lay down their plan as well. I really mean it. Let us sit down together and discuss our mutual plans together. Let us do that. I can tell you, the plan I am going to show you is going to cut the deficit by another $2 trillion. And it will not cut a single bit of Medicare or Social Security. In fact, we are going to extend the Medicare Trust Fund at least two decades, because that is going to be the next argument: how do we make—keep it solvent. Right? Well, I will not raise taxes on anyone making under 400 grand. But we will pay for it the way we talked about tonight: by making sure that the wealthy and big corporations pay their fair share. Look—look, look, here is the deal. They are not just taking advantage of the Tax Code, they are taking advantage of you, the American consumer. Here is my message to all of you out there: I have your back. We are already preventing Americans who are [from; White House correction] receiving surprise medical bills, stopping 1 billion dollar surprise bills [1 million surprise bills; White House correction] per month so far. We are protecting seniors' life savings by cracking down on nursing homes that commit fraud, endanger patient safety, or prescribe drugs that are not needed. Millions of Americans can now save thousands of dollars because they can finally get a hearing aid over the counter without a prescription. Look, capitalism without competition is not capitalism, it is extortion; it is exploitation. Last year, I cracked down, with the help of many of you, on foreign shipping companies that were making you pay higher prices for every good coming into the country. I signed a bipartisan bill that cut shipping costs by 90 percent, helping American farmers, businessmen, and consumers. Let us finish the job. Pass the bipartisan legislation to strengthen and—to strengthen antitrust enforcement and prevent big online platforms from giving their own products an unfair advantage. My administration is also taking on junk fees, those hidden surcharges too many companies use to make you pay more. For example, we are making airlines show you the full ticket price upfront, refund your money if your flight is canceled or delayed. We have reduced exorbitant bank overdrafts by saving consumers more than $1 billion a year. We are cutting credit card late fees by 75 percent, from $30 to $8. Look, junk fees may not matter to the very wealthy, but they matter to most other folks in homes like the one I grew up in, like many of you did. They add up to hundreds of dollars a month. They make it harder for you to pay your bills or afford that family trip. I know how unfair it feels when a company overcharges you and gets away with it. Not anymore. We 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 on your bill. Those fees can cost you up to $90 a night at hotels that are not even resorts. [ ] We—the idea that cable, internet, and cell phone companies can charge you $200 or more if you decide to switch to another provider. Give me a break. We can stop service fees on tickets to concerts and sporting events and make companies disclose all the fees upfront. And we will prohibit airlines from charging $50 roundtrip for a family just to be able to sit together. Baggage fees are bad enough. Airlines cannot treat your child like a piece of baggage. Americans are tired of being—we 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 stiffed, but not anymore. We are going to be—we are beginning to restore the dignity of work. For example, I should have known this, but I did not until 2 years ago: Thirty million workers have to sign noncompete agreements for the jobs they take. Thirty million. So a cashier at a burger place cannot walk across town and take the same job at another burger place and make a few bucks more. Boo! It just changed. Well, they just changed it because we exposed it. That was part of the deal, guys. Look it up. But not anymore. We are banning those agreements so companies have to compete for workers and pay them what they are worth. And I must tell you, this is bound to get a response from my friends on my left, but the right. I am so sick and tired of companies breaking the law by preventing workers from organizing. Pass the PRO Act! Because businesses have a right—workers have a right to form a union. And let us guarantee all workers have a living wage. Let us make sure working parents can afford to raise a family with sick days, paid family and medical leave, affordable childcare. That is going to enable millions of more people to go and stay at work. And let us restore the full child tax credit, which gave tens of millions of parents some breathing room and cut child poverty in half to the lowest level in history. And by the way, when we do all of these things, we increase productivity, we increase economic growth. So let us finish the job and get more families access to affordable, quality housing. Let us get seniors who want to stay in their homes the care they need to do so. Let us give more breathing room to millions of family caregivers looking after their loved ones. Pass my plan so we get seniors and people with disabilities the homecare services they need and support the workers who are doing God's work. 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. You know, when we made public education—12 years of it—universal in the last century, we made the best educated, best paid—we became the best education, best paid nation in the world. But the rest of the world has caught up. It is caught up. Jill, my wife, who teaches full-time, has an expression. I hope I get it right, kid. [ ] "Any nation that outeducates is going to outcompete us." Any nation that outeducates 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. If we want to have the best educated workforce, let us finish the job by providing access to preschool for 3 and 4 years old. Studies show that children who go to preschool are nearly 50-percent more likely to finish high school and go on to earn a 2- or 4-year degree, no matter their background they came from. Let us give public school teachers a raise. We are making progress by reducing student debt, increasing Pell grants for working and middle class families. Let us finish the job and connect students to career opportunities starting in high school, provide access to 2 years of community college, the best career training in America, in addition to being a pathway to a 4-year degree. Let us offer every American a path to a good career, whether they go to college or not. And, folks—folks, in the midst of the COVID crisis, when schools were closed and we were shutting down everything, let us recognize how far we came in the fight against the pandemic itself. While 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 percent. We have saved millions of lives and opened up our country—we opened our country back up. And soon, we will end the public health emergency. [ ] But—that is called a public health emergency. But we will remember the toll and pain that is never going to go away. More than a million Americans lost their lives to COVID. A million. Families grieving. Children orphaned. Empty chairs at the dining room table constantly reminding you that she used to sit there. Remembering them, we remain vigilant. We still need to monitor dozens of variants and support new vaccines and treatments. So Congress needs to fund these efforts and keep America safe. And as we emerge from this crisis stronger, we are also—got to double down 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' dollars, who were sidelined. They were fired. Many people said, "We do not need them." And fraud became rampant. Last year, I told you the watchdogs are back. Since then—since then, we have recovered billions of taxpayers' dollars. Now let us triple the antifraud strike force going after these criminals, double the statute of limitations on these crimes, and crack down on identity fraud by criminal syndicates stealing billions of dollars—billions of dollars—from the American people. And the data shows that for every dollar we put into fighting fraud, the taxpayer will get back at least 10 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 safe. Public safety depends on public trust, as all of us know. But too often, that trust is violated. Joining us tonight are the parents of Tyre Nichols—welcome—[ ]—who had to bury Tyre last week. As many of you personally know, there is 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 your son or daughter came home from walking down the street or playing in the park or just 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 children. Beau, Hunter, Ashley—my children—I never had to have the talk with them. I never had to tell them: "If a police officer pulls you over, turn your interior lights on right away. Do not reach for your license. Keep your hands on the steering wheel." Imagine having to worry like that every single time your kid got in a car. Here 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. With the faith of 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: neighborhoods free of violence, law enforcement who earns the community's trust. Just as every cop, when they pin on that badge in the morning, has a right to be able 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 counselors, social workers, psychologists—responding to drug overdoses, mental health crises, and so much more. In one sense, we ask much too much of them. I know most cops and their families are good, decent, honorable people—the vast majority. That they risk—[ ]. And they risk their lives every time they put that shield on. But what happened to Tyre in Memphis happens too often. We have to do better. Give law enforcement the real training they need. Hold them to higher standards. Help them to succeed in keeping them safe. We also need more first responders and professionals to address the growing mental health, substance abuse challenges. More resources to reduce violent crime and gun crime. More community intervention programs. More investments in housing, education, and job training. All this can help prevent violence in the first place. And when police officers or police departments violate the public trust, they must be held accountable. With the support—[ ]. With the support of families of victims, civil rights groups, and law enforcement, I signed an Executive order for all Federal officers, banning chokeholds, restricting no-knock warrants, and other key elements of the George Floyd Act. Let us commit ourselves to make the words of Tyler's [Tyre's; White House correction] mom true: Something good must come from this. Something good. And all of us—all of us—[ ]. Folks, it is difficult, but it is simple: All of us in the Chamber—in this Chamber, we need to rise to this moment. We cannot turn away. Let us do what we know in our hearts that we need to do. Let us come together to finish the job on police reform. Do something. Do something. That was the plea of parents who lost their children in Uvalde—I met with every one of them—"Do something about gun violence." Thank God—thank God—we did, passing the most sweeping gun safety law in three decades. That includes things like—that the majority of responsible gun owners already support: enhanced background checks for 18 to 21 years old, red-flag laws keeping guns out of the hands of people who are a danger to themselves and others. But we know our work is not done. Joining us tonight is Brandon Tsay, a 26-year-old hero. Brandon put his college dreams on hold—to be at his mom's side—his mom's side when she was dying from cancer. And Brandon now works at the dance studio started by his grandparents. And 2 weeks ago, during the Lunar New Year celebrations, he heard the studio door close, and he saw a man standing there pointing a semiautomatic pistol at him. He thought he was going to die, but he thought about the people inside. In that instant, he found the courage to act and wrestled the semiautomatic pistol away from the gunman who had already killed 11 people in another dance studio. Eleven. He saved lives. It is time we do the same. Ban assault weapons now! Ban them now! Once and for all. I led the fight to do that in 1994. And in 10 years that ban was law, mass shootings went down. After we let it expire in a Republican administration, mass shootings tripled. Let us finish the job and ban these assault weapons. And let us also come together on immigration. Make it a bipartisan issue once again. We know—we now have a record number of personnel working to secure the border, arresting 8,000 human smugglers, seizing over 23,000 pounds of fentanyl in just the last several months. We have launched a new border plan last month. Unlawful migration from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela has come down 97 percent as a consequence of that. But American border problems will not be fixed until Congress acts. If we do not pass my comprehensive immigration reform, at least pass my plan to provide the equipment and officers to secure the border—and a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, those on temporary status, farmworkers, essential workers. Here in "the people's house," it is our duty to protect all the people's rights and freedoms. Congress must restore the right and—— Secure the border! [ ]—border! [ ] Congress must restore the right that was taken away in v. and protect v. . Give every woman the constitutional right. The Vice President and I are doing everything to protect access to reproductive health care and safeguard patient safety. But already, more than a dozen States are enforcing extreme abortion bans. Make no mistake about it: If Congress passes a national ban, I will veto it. But let us also pass—let us also pass the bipartisan Equality Act to ensure LGBTQ Americans, especially transgender young people, can live with safety and dignity. Our strength—our strength is not just the example of our power, but the power of our example. Let us remember: The world is watching. I spoke from this Chamber 1 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. Would we stand for the most basic of principles? Would we stand for sovereignty? Would we stand for the right of people to live free of tyranny? Would we stand for the defense of democracy? For such defense matters to us because it keeps peace and prevents open season on would-be aggressors that threatens our prosperity. One year later, we know the answer. Yes, we would. And we did. We did. And together, we did what America always does at our best. We led. We united NATO. We built a global coalition. We stood against Putin's aggression. We stood with the Ukrainian people. And tonight we are once again joined by Ukrainians' Ambassador to the United States. She represents not her—just her nation, but the courage of her people. Ambassador is—our Ambassador is here, united in our—we are united in our support of your country. Will you stand so we can all take a look at you? Thank you. Because we are going to stand with you as long as it takes. Our Nation is working for more freedom, more dignity, and more peace, not just in Europe, but everywhere. Before I came to office, the story was about how the People's Republic of China was increasing its power and America was failing in the world. Not anymore. We made clear and I made clear in my personal conversations, which have been many, with President Xi that we seek competition, not conflict. But I will make no apologies that we are investing and—to make America stronger. Investing in American innovation and industries that will 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. Modernizing our military to safeguard stability and determine—deter aggression. Today, we are in the strongest position in decades to compete with China or anyone else in the world. Anyone else in the world. And I am committed—I am committed—to work 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. Look, let us be clear: Winning the competition should unite all of us. We face serious challenges across the world. But in the past 2 years, democracies have become stronger, not weaker. Autocracies have grown weaker, not stronger. Name me a world leader who would change places with Xi Jinping. Name me one. Name me one. America is rallying the world to meet those challenges, from climate to global health to food insecurity to terrorism to territorial aggression. Allies are stepping up, spending more, and doing more. Look, the bridges we are forming between partners in the Pacific and those in the Atlantic. And those who bet against America are learning how wrong they are. It is never, ever been a good bet to bet against America. Never. YOU.S.A.! YOU.S.A.! YOU.S.A.! Well—— YOU.S.A.! YOU.S.A.! YOU.S.A.! When I came to office, most assured that bipartisanship—assumed—was impossible. But I never believed it. That is why a year ago, I offered a unity agenda to the Nation as I stood here. We made real progress together. We passed the law making it easier for doctors to prescribe effective treatments for opioid addiction. We passed the gun safety law, making historic investments in mental health. We launched the ARPA-H drive for breakthroughs in the fight against cancer, Alzheimer's, and diabetes, and so much more. We passed the Heath Robinson PACT Act, named after the late Iraq war veteran whose story about exposure to toxic burn pits I shared here last year. And I understand something about those burn pits. But there is so much more to do. And we can do it together. Joining us tonight is a father named Doug from Newton, New Hampshire. He wrote Jill, my wife, a letter—and me as well—about his courageous daughter Courtney. A contagious laugh. His sister's best friend—her sister's best friend. He shared a story all too familiar to millions of Americans and many of you in the audience. Courtney discovered pills in high school. It spiraled into addiction and eventually death from a fentanyl overdose. She was just 20 years old. Describing the last 8 years without her, Doug said, "There is no worse pain." Yet their family has turned pain into purpose, working to end the stigma and change laws. He told us he wants to "start a journey towards American recovery." Doug, we are with you. Fentanyl is killing more than 70,000 Americans a year. Big—— [ ]—the border. The border! Big—you have got it. [ ]—China! It is your fault! Boo! So let us launch a major surge to stop fentanyl production and the sale and trafficking. With more drug detection machines, inspection cargo, stop pills and powder at the border. Working with couriers, like FedEx, to inspect more packages for drugs. Strong penalties to crack down on fentanyl trafficking. Second, let us do more on mental health, especially for our children. When millions of young people are struggling with bullying, violence, trauma, we owe them greater access to mental health care at their schools. We must finally hold social media companies accountable for experimenting they are doing—running [on; White House correction] children for profit. And it is time to pass bipartisan legislation to stop Big Tech from collecting personal data on kids and teenagers online, ban targeted advertising to children, and impose stricter limits on the personal data that companies collect on all of us. Third, let us do more to keep this Nation's one fully sacred obligation: to equip those we send into harm's way and care for them and their families when they come home. Job training, job placement for veterans and their spouses as they come to—return to civilian life. Helping veterans to afford their rent, because no one should be homeless in America, especially someone who served the country. Denis McDonough is here, of the VA. We had our first real discussion when I asked him to take the job. And I am glad he did. We were losing up to 25 veterans a day on suicide. Now we are losing 17 a day to the silent scourge of suicide. Seventeen veterans a day are committing suicide, more than all the people being killed in the wars. Folks, VA is doing everything it can, including expanding mental health screening, proven programs that recruits veterans to help other veterans understand what they are going through, get them the help they need. We have got to do more. And fourth, last year, Jill and I reignited the Cancer Moonshot that I was able to start with, and President Obama asked me to lead our administration on this issue. Our goal is to cut the cancer death rates at least by 50 percent in the next 25 years, turn more cancers from death sentences to treatable diseases, provide more support for patients and their families. It is personal to so many of us, so many of us in this audience. Joining us are Maurice and Kandice, an Irishman and a daughter of immigrants from Panama. They met and fell in love in New York City and got married in the same chapel as Jill and I got married in New York City. Kindred spirits. He wrote us a letter about his little daughter Ava. And I saw her just before I came over. She was just a year old when she was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease—cancer. After 26 blood transfusions, 11 rounds of radiation, 8 rounds of chemo, 1 kidney removed, given a 5 percent survival rate. He wrote how, in the darkest moments, he thought, "If she goes, I cannot stay." Many of you have been through that as well. Jilly and I understand that, like so many of you. And he read Jill's book describing our family's cancer journey and how we tried to steal moments of joy where we could with Beau. For them, that glimmer of joy was the half-smile of their baby girl. It meant everything to them. They never gave up hope, and little Ava never gave up hope. She turns 4 next month. They just found out Ava is beating the odds, is on her way to being cured of cancer. And she is watching from the White House tonight, if she is not asleep already. For the lives we can save—[ ]. For the lives we can save and the lives we have lost, let this be a truly American moment that rallies the country and the world together and prove that we can still do big things. Twenty years ago, under the leadership of President Bush and countless advocates and champions, he undertook a bipartisan effort through PEPFAR to transform the global fight against HIV/AIDS. It is been a huge success. He thought big. He thought large. He moved! I believe we can do the same thing with cancer. Let us end cancer as we know it and cure some cancers once and for all. Folks, there is one reason why we have been able to do all of these things: our democracy itself. It is the most fundamental thing of all. With democracy, everything is possible. Without it, nothing is. Over the last few years, our democracy has been threatened and attacked, put at risk—put to the test in this very room on January the 6th. And then, just a few months ago, an unhinged "big lie" assailant unleashed a political violence at the home of the then-Speaker of the House of Representatives, using the very same language the insurrectionists used as they stalked these halls and chanted on January 6. Here tonight, in this Chamber, is the man who bears the scars of that brutal attack, but is as tough and as strong and as resilient as they get: my friend, Paul Pelosi. Paul, stand up. But such a heinous act should have never happened. We must all speak out. There is no place for political violence in America. We have to protect the right to vote, not suppress the—that fundamental right. Honor the results of our elections, not subvert the will of the people. We have to uphold the rule of the law and restore trust in our institutions of democracy. And we must give hate and extremism in any form no safe harbor. Democracy must not be a partisan issue. It is an American issue. Every generation of Americans have faced a moment where they have been called to protect our democracy, defend it, stand up for it. And this is our moment. My fellow Americans, we meet tonight at an inflection point, one of those moments that only a few generations ever face, where the direction we now take is going to decide the course of this Nation for decades to come. We are not bystanders of history. We are not powerless before the forces that confront us. It is within our power of "We the People." We are facing the test of our time. We have to be the nation we have always been at our best: optimistic, hopeful, forward-looking; a nation that embraces light over dark, hope over fear, unity over division, 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 built 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, every one of us, is created equal in the image of God. A nation that stands as a beacon to the world. A nation in a new age of possibilities. So I have come to fulfill my constitutional obligation to report on the state of the Union. And here is my report: Because the soul of this Nation is strong, because the backbone of this Nation is strong, because the people of this Nation are strong, the state of the Union is strong. I am not new to this place. I stand here tonight having served as long as about any one of you who have ever served here. [ ] But I have never been more optimistic about our future, about the future of America. We just have to 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 bless you all, and may God protect our troops. Thank you.
thank you you can smile it is okay thank you thank you thank you thank you please speaker madam vice president our first lady and second to see you guys up of congress and by the way chief justice i may need a court order she gets to go to the game week i have to stay home we have got to work something out here members of the cabinet leaders of our military chief justice associate justices and retired justices of the supreme court and to you my fellow americans you know i start tonight by congratulating the 118th congress and the new speaker of the house kevin mccarthy speaker i do not want to ruin your reputation but i look forward to working with you and i want to congratulate the new leader of the house democrats the first african american minority leader in history hakeem jeffries he won in spite of the fact i campaigned for him congratulations to the longest serving leader in the history of the united states senate mitch mcconnell where are you mitch and congratulations to chuck schumer know another term as senate minority majority white house correction leader you know i think this time you have a slightly bigger majority leader and you are the majority leader about that much bigger yes well i tell you what i want to give special recognition to someone who i think is going to be considered the greatest speaker in the history of the house of representatives nancy pelosi folks the story of america is a story of progress and resilience of always moving forward of 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 it look folks that is what we are doing again two years ago the economy was reeling i stand here tonight after we have created with the help of many people in this room 12 million new jobs created in 2 years than any president has created in 4 of you all because of the american people two years and 2 years ago covid had shut businesses were closed our schools were robbed of so much and today covid no longer controls our lives and 2 years ago our democracy faced its greatest threat since the civil war and today though bruised our democracy remains unbowed and unbroken as we gather here tonight we are writing the next chapter in the great american story a story of progress and resilience when world leaders ask me to define they do believe it or say i can define it in one word and i mean this possibilities we do not think anything is beyond our capacity everything is a possibility you know we are often told that democrats and republicans can not work together but over the past 2 years we have proved the cynics and naysayers wrong yes we disagreed plenty and yes there were times when democrats went alone but time and again democrats and republicans came together came together to defend a stronger and safer europe you came together to pass infrastructure law building bridges connecting our nation and our people we came together to pass one the most significant law ever helping victims exposed to toxic burn pits and in it is important and in fact i signed over 300 bipartisan pieces of legislation since becoming president from reauthorizing the violence against women act to the electoral count reform act the respect for marriage act that protects the right to marry the person you love and to my republican friends if we could work together in the last congress there is no reason we can not work together and find consensus on important things in this congress as well i you all are as informed as i am but i think the people sent us a clear message fighting for the sake of fighting power for the sake of power conflict for the sake of conflict gets us nowhere that is always been my vision of our country and i know it is many of yours to restore the soul of this nation to rebuild the backbone of america america middle class and to unite the country we have been sent here to finish the job in my view for decades the middle class has been hollowed out in more not in one administration but for a long time too many manufacturing jobs moved overseas factories closed down cities and towns that many of you represent became shadows of what they used to be and along the way something else we lost pride our sense of i ran for president to fundamentally change things to make sure our economy works for everyone so we can all feel that pride in what we do to build an economy from the bottom up and 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 i know a lot of you always kid me for always quoting my dad but my dad used to say joey a job is about a lot more than a paycheck because he really would say this it is about a lot more than a paycheck it is about your dignity it is about respect it is about being able to look your kid in the eye and say it is going to be okay and mean it well folks so let us look at the results we are not finished yet by any stretch of the imagination but unemployment rate is at percent a low and near near record record unemployment for black and hispanic workers we have already created with your help manufacturing jobs the fastest growth in 40 years and where is it is it written that america can not lead the world in manufacturing and i do not know where that is written for too many decades we imported projects and exported jobs now thanks to what you have all done we are exporting american products and creating american jobs folks has been a global problem because the pandemic disrupted our supply chains and putin unfair and brutal war in ukraine disrupted energy supplies as well as food supplies blocking all that grain in ukraine but we are better positioned than any country on earth right now but we have more to do but here at home inflation is coming down here at home gas prices are down from their peak food inflation is coming down not fast enough but coming down inflation has fallen every month for the last 6 months while pay has gone up additionally over the last 2 years a record 10 million americans applied to start new businesses ten million and by the way every time someone starts a small business it is an act of hope and madam 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 enacted that are going to just come into being standing here last year i shared with you a story of american genius and possibilities computer chips the size of a fingerprint that power everything from cellphones to automobiles and so much chips were invented in america let us get that straight they were invented in america and we used to make 40 percent of the world chips in the last several decades we lost our edge we are down to only producing 10 percent we all saw what happened during the pandemic when chip factories shut down overseas today automobiles need of those american automobiles automakers white house correction could not make enough cars because there were not 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 is is why we came together to pass the bipartisan chips and science act folks i know i have been criticized for saying this but i am not changing my view we are going to make sure the supply chain for america begins in supply chain begins in america and we have already we have already created new manufacturing jobs without this law before the law kicks in with this new law we are going to create hundreds of thousands of new jobs across the country and i mean all across the country just 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 outside of columbus ohio intel is building semiconductor factories on a thousand acres literally a field of dreams it is going to create jobs that one investment construction jobs jobs in those factories once they are finished they call them factors jobs paying an average of a year and many do not require a college degree and we worked together these jobs where people do not have to leave home to search for opportunity and it is just getting started think about the new homes the small businesses the businesses so much more that is going to be needed to support those permanent jobs and the factories that are going to be built talk to mayors and governors democrats and republicans and they will tell you what this means for their communities we are seeing these fields of dreams transform the heartland but to maintain the strongest economy in the world we need the best infrastructure in the world and folks as you all know we used to be number one in the world in infrastructure we have sunk to 13th in the world the united states of 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 interstate highway system and folks already we have funded over projects including major airports from boston to atlanta to portland projects that are going to put thousands of people to work rebuilding our highways our bridges our railroads our tunnels ports airports clean water internet all across america urban rural tribal and folks we are just getting started we are just getting started and i mean this sincerely i want to thank my republican friends who voted for the law and my republican friends who voted against it as i am still get asked to fund the projects in those districts as well but do not worry i promised i would be a president for all americans we will fund these projects and i will see you at the groundbreaking look this law will further unite all of america projects like brent spence bridge in kentucky over the ohio river built 60 years ago badly in need of repairs one of the nation most congested freight routes carrying 2 billion worth of freight every single day across the ohio river and folks we have 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 both deliver a commitment of billion for this project and while i was there i met a young woman named saria who is here tonight i do not know where saria is is she up in the box i do not know saria how are you well 30 30 told me she would been a proud member of the ironworkers local 44 known as the cowboys in the sky folks who built cincinnati skyline saria said she can not wait to be 10 stories above the ohio river building that new bridge god bless her that is pride and that is what we are also building we are building back pride look we are also replacing poisonous lead pipes that go into 10 million homes in america schools and childcare centers so every child in child in drink the water instead of having permanent damage to their brain look we are making are making sure that every community in access to affordable internet no parent should have to drive by a mcdonald parking lot to help their homework online with their kids which were doing across the country and when we do these again i get criticized about this but i make no excuses for are going to buy american we are going to buy american it is is with international trade rules buy american has been the law since 1933 but for too long past and fought to get around it not anymore tonight i am announcing new standards to require all construction materials used in federal infrastructure projects to be made in america made in america i mean it lumber glass drywall cable and on my watch american roads bridges and american highways are going to be made with american products as well folks my economic plan is about investing in places and people that have been forgotten so many of you listening tonight i know you feel it so many of you felt like you have just simply been forgotten amid the economic upheaval of the past four decades too many people have been left behind and treated like they are invisible maybe that is you watching from home you remember the jobs that went away you remember them do not you the folks at home remember them you wonder whether the path even exists anymore for your children to get ahead without having to move away well that is get that that is why we are building an economy where no one is left behind jobs are coming back pride is coming back because of choices we made in the last several years you know this is in my view a blueprint to rebuild america and make a real difference in your lives at home for example too many of you lay in bed at night like my dad did staring at the ceiling wondering what in god name happens if your spouse gets cancer or your child gets deadly ill or if something happens to you what are you you going to have the money to pay for those medical bills are you going to have to sell the house or try to get a second mortgage on it i get it i get it with the inflation reduction act that i 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 for prescription drugs than any nation in the world let me say it again we pay more for prescription drugs than any major nation on earth for example 1 in 10 americans has diabetes many of you in this chamber do 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 did not 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 package it and all you may get up to 13 but big pharma has been unfairly charging people hundreds of dollars to 500 a month making record profits not anymore not anymore not anymore not anymore not anymore so many things that we did are only now coming to fruition we said we were doing this and we said we would pass the law to do it but people did not know because the law did not take effect until january 1 of this year we capped the cost of insulin at 35 a month for seniors on medicare but people are just finding out i am sure you are getting the same calls i am getting look there are millions of other americans who do not on medicare including young people with type 1 diabetes who need these this insulin to stay alive let us finish the job this time let us cap the cost of insulin for everybody at 35 big pharma is still going to do very well i promise you all i promise you they are going to do very well this law law also it will not even go into effect until 2025 it costs caps white house correction drug costs for seniors on medicare at a maximum of a year you do not have to pay more than a year no matter how much your drug costs are because you know why you all know it many of you like many of my family have cancer you know the drugs can range from for the cancer drugs and if drug prices rise faster than inflation drug companies are going to have to pay medicare back the difference and we are are finally giving medicare the power to negotiate drug prices bringing down prescription drug costs does not just save seniors money it cuts the federal deficit by billions of hundreds of billions of dollars because these prescription drugs are drugs purchased by medicare to their commitment to the seniors well guess what instead of paying or 500 bucks a month you are paying 15 that is a lot of savings for the federal government and by the way why would not we want that now some members here are i know it is not an official party position so i am not going to threatening to repeal the inflation reduction act as my is okay that is fair as my football coach used to say lots of luck in your senior year make no mistake if you try anything to raise the cost of prescription drugs i will veto it and look i am pleased to say that more americans health insurance now than ever in history a record 16 million people are enrolled in the affordable care act and thanks to the law i signed last year are saving 800 a year on their premiums and by the way that law was the benefit expires in 2025 so my plea to some of you at least in this audience let us finish the job and make these savings permanent expand coverage on medicaid look the inflation reduction act is also the most significant investment ever in climate lowering utility bills creating american jobs leading the world to a clean energy future i visited the devastating aftermath of record floods droughts storms and wildfires from arizona to new mexico to all the way up to the canadian border more timber has been burned that i have observed from helicopters than the entire state of missouri and we do not have global warming not a problem in addition to emergency recovery from puerto rico to florida to idaho we are rebuilding for the long term new electric grids that are able to weather major storms and those fires roads and water systems to withstand the next big flood clean energy to cut pollution and create jobs in communities often left behind we are going to build electric vehicle charging stations installed across the country by tens of thousands of ibew workers and we are helping families save more than a year with tax credits to purchase electric vehicles and efficient appliances historic conservation efforts to be responsible stewards of our land let us 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 our grandchildren to confront it i am proud of how america at last is stepping up to the challenge we are still going to need oil and gas for a while but guess we there is so much more to do we have got to finish the job and we pay for these investments in our future by finally making the wealthiest and biggest corporations begin to pay their fair share just begin look i am a capitalist i am a capitalist but pay your fair share i think a lot of you at lot of you at with me and many people that you know the tax system is not fair it is not fair look the idea that in 2020 55 of the largest corporations in america the fortune 500 made 40 billion in profits and paid zero in federal taxes zero boo folks it is simply not fair but now because of the law i signed companies have to pay a minimum of 15 percent god love them fifteen percent that is less than a nurse pays and let me be crystal clear i said at the very beginning under my plans as long as i am president nobody earning less than will pay an additional penny in taxes nobody not one penny but let us finish the job there is more to do we have to reward work not just wealth pass my proposal for the billionaire minimum tax you know there is a thousand billionaires in is up from about 600 at the beginning of my no billionaire should be paying a lower tax rate than a schoolteacher or a firefighter no i mean it think about it i mean look i know you all are not enthusiastic about that but think about it think about it have you noticed big oil just reported its profits record profits last year they made 200 billion in the midst of a global energy crisis i think it is outrageous why they invested too little of that profit to increase domestic production and when i talked to a couple of them they say we were afraid you were going to shut down all the oil wells and all the oil refineries anyway so why should we invest in them i said we are going to need oil for at least another decade and that is going to exceed beyond that we are going to need it production if they had in fact invested in the production to keep gas prices they used the record profits to buy back their own stock rewarding their ceos and shareholders corporations ought to do the right thing that is why i propose we quadruple the tax on corporate stock buybacks and encourage investments they will still make considerable profit let us finish the job and close the loopholes that allow the very wealthy to avoid paying their taxes instead of cutting the number of audits for wealthy taxpayers i just signed a law to reduce the deficit by 114 billion by cracking down on wealthy tax cheats that is being fiscally responsible in the last 2 years my administration has cut the deficit by more than trillion the largest deficit reduction in american history under the previous administration the american deficit went up 4 years in a row because of those record deficits no president added more to the national debt in any 4 years than my predecessor nearly 25 percent of the entire national debt that took over 200 years to accumulate was added by just one administration alone the last one they are the facts check it out check it out how did congress respond to that debt they did the right thing they lifted the debt ceiling three times without preconditions or crisis they paid the american bill to prevent an economic disaster to the country so tonight i am asking the congress to follow suit let us commit here tonight that the full faith and credit of the united states of america will never ever be questioned so of my republican friends want to take the economy get i agree to their economic plans all of you at home should know what those plans are instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share some republicans want medicare and social security to sunset i am not saying it is a boo let me give no anybody who doubts it contact my office i will give you a copy i will give you a copy of the proposal liar that means congress does not well i am glad to i tell you i enjoy conversion you know it means if congress does not keep the programs the way they are they would go away other republicans am not saying it is a majority of you i do not even think it is a not it is being proposed by individuals but you do not say who i am not naming them but it is being proposed by some of you liar liar look folks the idea is that we are not going to are not going to be moved into being threatened to default on the debt if we do not respond folks as we all apparently agree social security and medicare is off the books now right they are not to be touched all right all right we have got unanimity social security and medicare are a lifeline for millions of seniors americans have to pay into them from the very first paycheck they have started so tonight let us all we apparently us stand up for seniors stand up and show them we will not cut social security we will not cut medicare those benefits belong to the american people they earned it and if anyone tries to cut social apparently no one is going to if anyone tries to cut medicare i will stop them i will veto it and look i am not going to allow them to take taken away not today not tomorrow not ever but apparently it is not going to be a problem next month when i offer my fiscal plan i ask my republican friends to lay down their plan as well i really mean it let us sit down together and discuss our mutual plans together let us do that i can tell you the plan i am going to show you is going to cut the deficit by another 2 trillion and it will not cut a single bit of medicare or social security in fact we are going to extend the medicare trust fund at least two decades because that is going to be the next argument how do we it solvent right well i will not raise taxes on anyone making under 400 grand but we will pay for it the way we talked about tonight by making sure that the wealthy and big corporations pay their fair share look here is the deal they are not just taking advantage of the tax code they are taking advantage of you the american consumer here is my message to all of you out there i have your back we are already preventing americans who are from white house correction receiving surprise medical bills stopping 1 billion dollar surprise bills 1 million surprise bills white house correction per month so far we are protecting seniors life savings by cracking down on nursing homes that commit fraud endanger patient safety or prescribe drugs that are not needed millions of americans can now save thousands of dollars because they can finally get a hearing aid over the counter without a prescription look capitalism without competition is not capitalism it is extortion it is exploitation last year i cracked down with the help of many of you on foreign shipping companies that were making you pay higher prices for every good coming into the country i signed a bipartisan bill that cut shipping costs by 90 percent helping american farmers businessmen and consumers let us finish the job pass the bipartisan legislation to strengthen strengthen antitrust enforcement and prevent big online platforms from giving their own products an unfair advantage my administration is also taking on junk fees those hidden surcharges too many companies use to make you pay more for example we are making airlines show you the full ticket price upfront refund your money if your flight is canceled or delayed we have reduced exorbitant bank overdrafts by saving consumers more than 1 billion a year we are cutting credit card late fees by 75 percent from 30 to 8 look junk fees may not matter to the very wealthy but they matter to most other folks in homes like the one i grew up in like many of you did they add up to hundreds of dollars a month they make it harder for you to pay your bills or afford that family trip i know how unfair it feels when a company overcharges you and gets away with it not anymore we 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 on your bill those fees can cost you up to 90 a night at hotels that are not even resorts idea that cable internet and cell phone companies can charge you 200 or more if you decide to switch to another provider give me a break we can stop service fees on tickets to concerts and sporting events and make companies disclose all the fees upfront and we will prohibit airlines from charging 50 roundtrip for a family just to be able to sit together baggage fees are bad enough airlines can not treat your child like a piece of baggage americans are tired of 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 stiffed but not anymore we are going to are beginning to restore the dignity of work for example i should have known this but i did not until 2 years ago thirty million workers have to sign noncompete agreements for the jobs they take thirty million so a cashier at a burger place can not walk across town and take the same job at another burger place and make a few bucks more boo it just changed well they just changed it because we exposed it that was part of the deal guys look it up but not anymore we are banning those agreements so companies have to compete for workers and pay them what they are worth and i must tell you this is bound to get a response from my friends on my left but the right i am so sick and tired of companies breaking the law by preventing workers from organizing pass the pro act because businesses have a have a right to form a union and let us guarantee all workers have a living wage let us make sure working parents can afford to raise a family with sick days paid family and medical leave affordable childcare that is going to enable millions of more people to go and stay at work and let us restore the full child tax credit which gave tens of millions of parents some breathing room and cut child poverty in half to the lowest level in history and by the way when we do all of these things we increase productivity we increase economic growth so let us finish the job and get more families access to affordable quality housing let us get seniors who want to stay in their homes the care they need to do so let us give more breathing room to millions of family caregivers looking after their loved ones pass my plan so we get seniors and people with disabilities the homecare services they need and support the workers who are doing god work 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 you know when we made public years of in the last century we made the best educated best became the best education best paid nation in the world but the rest of the world has caught up it is caught up jill my wife who teaches has an expression i hope i get it right kid any nation that outeducates is going to outcompete us any nation that outeducates 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 if we want to have the best educated workforce let us finish the job by providing access to preschool for 3 and 4 years old studies show that children who go to preschool are nearly more likely to finish high school and go on to earn a or degree no matter their background they came from let us give public school teachers a raise we are making progress by reducing student debt increasing pell grants for working and middle class families let us finish the job and connect students to career opportunities starting in high school provide access to 2 years of community college the best career training in america in addition to being a pathway to a degree let us offer every american a path to a good career whether they go to college or not and in the midst of the covid crisis when schools were closed and we were shutting down everything let us recognize how far we came in the fight against the pandemic itself while 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 percent we have saved millions of lives and opened up our opened our country back up and soon we will end the public health emergency is called a public health emergency but we will remember the toll and pain that is never going to go away more than a million americans lost their lives to covid a million families grieving children orphaned empty chairs at the dining room table constantly reminding you that she used to sit there remembering them we remain vigilant we still need to monitor dozens of variants and support new vaccines and treatments so congress needs to fund these efforts and keep america safe and as we emerge from this crisis stronger we are to double down 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 dollars who were sidelined they were fired many people said we do not need them and fraud became rampant last year i told you the watchdogs are back since then we have recovered billions of taxpayers dollars now let us triple the antifraud strike force going after these criminals double the statute of limitations on these crimes and crack down on identity fraud by criminal syndicates stealing billions of of the american people and the data shows that for every dollar we put into fighting fraud the taxpayer will get back at least 10 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 safe public safety depends on public trust as all of us know but too often that trust is violated joining us tonight are the parents of tyre had to bury tyre last week as many of you personally know there is no words to describe the heartache or grief of losing a child but you lost that child at the hands of the law imagine having to worry whether your son or daughter came home from walking down the street or playing in the park or just driving a car most of us in here have never had to have the talk the talk brown and black parents have had to have with their children beau hunter never had to have the talk with them i never had to tell them if a police officer pulls you over turn your interior lights on right away do not reach for your license keep your hands on the steering wheel imagine having to worry like that every single time your kid got in a car here is what tyre mother shared with me when i spoke to her when i asked her how she finds the courage to carry on and speak out with the faith of 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 neighborhoods free of violence law enforcement who earns the community trust just as every cop when they pin on that badge in the morning has a right to be able 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 be counselors social workers to drug overdoses mental health crises and so much more in one sense we ask much too much of them i know most cops and their families are good decent honorable vast majority that they and they risk their lives every time they put that shield on but what happened to tyre in memphis happens too often we have to do better give law enforcement the real training they need hold them to higher standards help them to succeed in keeping them safe we also need more first responders and professionals to address the growing mental health substance abuse challenges more resources to reduce violent crime and gun crime more community intervention programs more investments in housing education and job training all this can help prevent violence in the first place and when police officers or police departments violate the public trust they must be held accountable with the with the support of families of victims civil rights groups and law enforcement i signed an executive order for all federal officers banning chokeholds restricting warrants and other key elements of the george floyd act let us commit ourselves to make the words of tyler tyre white house correction mom true something good must come from this something good and all of of folks it is difficult but it is simple all of us in the this chamber we need to rise to this moment we can not turn away let us do what we know in our hearts that we need to do let us come together to finish the job on police reform do something do something that was the plea of parents who lost their children in met with every one of do something about gun violence thank did passing the most sweeping gun safety law in three decades that includes things the majority of responsible gun owners already support enhanced background checks for 18 to 21 years old laws keeping guns out of the hands of people who are a danger to themselves and others but we know our work is not done joining us tonight is brandon tsay a hero brandon put his college dreams on be at his mom mom side when she was dying from cancer and brandon now works at the dance studio started by his grandparents and 2 weeks ago during the lunar new year celebrations he heard the studio door close and he saw a man standing there pointing a semiautomatic pistol at him he thought he was going to die but he thought about the people inside in that instant he found the courage to act and wrestled the semiautomatic pistol away from the gunman who had already killed 11 people in another dance studio eleven he saved lives it is time we do the same ban assault weapons now ban them now once and for all i led the fight to do that in 1994 and in 10 years that ban was law mass shootings went down after we let it expire in a republican administration mass shootings tripled let us finish the job and ban these assault weapons and let us also come together on immigration make it a bipartisan issue once again we now have a record number of personnel working to secure the border arresting human smugglers seizing over pounds of fentanyl in just the last several months we have launched a new border plan last month unlawful migration from cuba haiti nicaragua and venezuela has come down 97 percent as a consequence of that but american border problems will not be fixed until congress acts if we do not pass my comprehensive immigration reform at least pass my plan to provide the equipment and officers to secure the a pathway to citizenship for dreamers those on temporary status farmworkers essential workers here in the people house it is our duty to protect all the people rights and freedoms congress must restore the right secure the border congress must restore the right that was taken away in and protect give every woman the constitutional right the vice president and i are doing everything to protect access to reproductive health care and safeguard patient safety but already more than a dozen states are enforcing extreme abortion bans make no mistake about it if congress passes a national ban i will veto it but let us also us also pass the bipartisan equality act to ensure lgbtq americans especially transgender young people can live with safety and dignity our strength is not just the example of our power but the power of our example let us remember the world is watching i spoke from this chamber 1 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 invasion has been a test for the test for america a test for the world would we stand for the most basic of principles would we stand for sovereignty would we stand for the right of people to live free of tyranny would we stand for the defense of democracy for such defense matters to us because it keeps peace and prevents open season on aggressors that threatens our prosperity one year later we know the answer yes we would and we did we did and together we did what america always does at our best we led we united nato we built a global coalition we stood against putin aggression we stood with the ukrainian people and tonight we are once again joined by ukrainians ambassador to the united states she represents not her nation but the courage of her people ambassador ambassador is here united in are united in our support of your country will you stand so we can all take a look at you thank you because we are going to stand with you as long as it takes our nation is working for more freedom more dignity and more peace not just in europe but everywhere before i came to office the story was about how the people republic of china was increasing its power and america was failing in the world not anymore we made clear and i made clear in my personal conversations which have been many with president xi that we seek competition not conflict but i will make no apologies that we are investing make america stronger investing in american innovation and industries that will 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 modernizing our military to safeguard stability and aggression today we are in the strongest position in decades to compete with china or anyone else in the world anyone else in the world and i am am work 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 look let us be clear winning the competition should unite all of us we face serious challenges across the world but in the past 2 years democracies have become stronger not weaker autocracies have grown weaker not stronger name me a world leader who would change places with xi jinping name me one name me one america is rallying the world to meet those challenges from climate to global health to food insecurity to terrorism to territorial aggression allies are stepping up spending more and doing more look the bridges we are forming between partners in the pacific and those in the atlantic and those who bet against america are learning how wrong they are it is never ever been a good bet to bet against america never when i came to office most assured that impossible but i never believed it that is why a year ago i offered a unity agenda to the nation as i stood here we made real progress together we passed the law making it easier for doctors to prescribe effective treatments for opioid addiction we passed the gun safety law making historic investments in mental health we launched the drive for breakthroughs in the fight against cancer alzheimer and diabetes and so much more we passed the heath robinson pact act named after the late iraq war veteran whose story about exposure to toxic burn pits i shared here last year and i understand something about those burn pits but there is so much more to do and we can do it together joining us tonight is a father named doug from newton new hampshire he wrote jill my wife a me as his courageous daughter courtney a contagious laugh his sister best sister best friend he shared a story all too familiar to millions of americans and many of you in the audience courtney discovered pills in high school it spiraled into addiction and eventually death from a fentanyl overdose she was just 20 years old describing the last 8 years without her doug said there is no worse pain yet their family has turned pain into purpose working to end the stigma and change laws he told us he wants to start a journey towards american recovery doug we are with you fentanyl is killing more than americans a year border the border have got it it is your fault boo so let us launch a major surge to stop fentanyl production and the sale and trafficking with more drug detection machines inspection cargo stop pills and powder at the border working with couriers like fedex to inspect more packages for drugs strong penalties to crack down on fentanyl trafficking second let us do more on mental health especially for our children when millions of young people are struggling with bullying violence trauma we owe them greater access to mental health care at their schools we must finally hold social media companies accountable for experimenting they are on white house correction children for profit and it is time to pass bipartisan legislation to stop big tech from collecting personal data on kids and teenagers online ban targeted advertising to children and impose stricter limits on the personal data that companies collect on all of us third let us do more to keep this nation one fully sacred obligation to equip those we send into harm way and care for them and their families when they come home job training job placement for veterans and their spouses as they come to civilian life helping veterans to afford their rent because no one should be homeless in america especially someone who served the country denis mcdonough is here of the we had our first real discussion when i asked him to take the job and i am glad he did we were losing up to 25 veterans a day on suicide now we are losing 17 a day to the silent scourge of suicide seventeen veterans a day are committing suicide more than all the people being killed in the wars folks va is doing everything it can including expanding mental health screening proven programs that recruits veterans to help other veterans understand what they are going through get them the help they need we have got to do more and fourth last year jill and i reignited the cancer moonshot that i was able to start with and president obama asked me to lead our administration on this issue our goal is to cut the cancer death rates at least by 50 percent in the next 25 years turn more cancers from death sentences to treatable diseases provide more support for patients and their families it is personal to so many of us so many of us in this audience joining us are maurice and kandice an irishman and a daughter of immigrants from panama they met and fell in love in new york city and got married in the same chapel as jill and i got married in new york city kindred spirits he wrote us a letter about his little daughter ava and i saw her just before i came over she was just a year old when she was diagnosed with a rare kidney after 26 blood transfusions 11 rounds of radiation 8 rounds of chemo 1 kidney removed given a 5 percent survival rate he wrote how in the darkest moments he thought if she goes i can not stay many of you have been through that as well jilly and i understand that like so many of you and he read jill book describing our family cancer journey and how we tried to steal moments of joy where we could with beau for them that glimmer of joy was the of their baby girl it meant everything to them they never gave up hope and little ava never gave up hope she turns 4 next month they just found out ava is beating the odds is on her way to being cured of cancer and she is watching from the white house tonight if she is not asleep already for the lives we can for the lives we can save and the lives we have lost let this be a truly american moment that rallies the country and the world together and prove that we can still do big things twenty years ago under the leadership of president bush and countless advocates and champions he undertook a bipartisan effort through pepfar to transform the global fight against it is been a huge success he thought big he thought large he moved i believe we can do the same thing with cancer let us end cancer as we know it and cure some cancers once and for all folks there is one reason why we have been able to do all of these things our democracy itself it is the most fundamental thing of all with democracy everything is possible without it nothing is over the last few years our democracy has been threatened and attacked put at to the test in this very room on january the 6th and then just a few months ago an unhinged big lie assailant unleashed a political violence at the home of the of the house of representatives using the very same language the insurrectionists used as they stalked these halls and chanted on january 6 here tonight in this chamber is the man who bears the scars of that brutal attack but is as tough and as strong and as resilient as they get my friend paul pelosi paul stand up but such a heinous act should have never happened we must all speak out there is no place for political violence in america we have to protect the right to vote not suppress fundamental right honor the results of our elections not subvert the will of the people we have to uphold the rule of the law and restore trust in our institutions of democracy and we must give hate and extremism in any form no safe harbor democracy must not be a partisan issue it is an american issue every generation of americans have faced a moment where they have been called to protect our democracy defend it stand up for it and this is our moment my fellow americans we meet tonight at an inflection point one of those moments that only a few generations ever face where the direction we now take is going to decide the course of this nation for decades to come we are not bystanders of history we are not powerless before the forces that confront us it is within our power of we the people we are facing the test of our time we have to be the nation we have always been at our best optimistic hopeful a nation that embraces light over dark hope over fear unity over division 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 built on an only one other nations are defined by geography ethnicity but we are the only nation based on an idea that all of us every one of us is created equal in the image of god a nation that stands as a beacon to the world a nation in a new age of possibilities so i have come to fulfill my constitutional obligation to report on the state of the union and here is my report because the soul of this nation is strong because the backbone of this nation is strong because the people of this nation are strong the state of the union is strong i am not new to this place i stand here tonight having served as long as about any one of you who have ever served here but i have never been more optimistic about our future about the future of america we just have to remember who we are we are the united states of america and there is our capacity if we do it together god bless you all and may god protect our troops thank you
thank smile okay thank thank thank thank please speaker madam vice president first lady second see guys congress way chief justice may need court order gets go game week stay home got work something members cabinet leaders military chief justice associate justices retired justices supreme court fellow americans know start tonight congratulating 118th congress new speaker house kevin mccarthy speaker want ruin reputation look forward working want congratulate new leader house democrats first african american minority leader history hakeem jeffries spite fact campaigned congratulations longest serving leader history united states senate mitch mcconnell mitch congratulations chuck schumer know another term senate minority majority white house correction leader know think time slightly bigger majority leader majority leader much bigger yes well tell want give special recognition someone think going considered greatest speaker history house representatives nancy pelosi folks story america story progress resilience always moving forward never ever giving story unique among nations country emerged every crisis ever entered stronger got look folks two years ago economy reeling stand tonight created help many people room 12 million new jobs created 2 years president created 4 american people two years 2 years ago covid shut businesses closed schools robbed much today covid longer controls lives 2 years ago democracy faced greatest threat since civil war today though bruised democracy remains unbowed unbroken gather tonight writing next chapter great american story story progress resilience world leaders ask define believe say define one word mean possibilities think anything beyond capacity everything possibility know often told democrats republicans work together past 2 years proved cynics naysayers wrong yes disagreed plenty yes times democrats went alone time democrats republicans came together came together defend stronger safer europe came together pass infrastructure law building bridges connecting nation people came together pass one significant law ever helping victims exposed toxic burn pits important fact signed 300 bipartisan pieces legislation since becoming president reauthorizing violence women act electoral count reform act respect marriage act protects right marry person love republican friends could work together last congress reason work together find consensus important things congress well informed think people sent us clear message fighting sake fighting power sake power conflict sake conflict gets us nowhere always vision country know many restore soul nation rebuild backbone america america middle class unite country sent finish job view decades middle class hollowed one administration long time many manufacturing jobs moved overseas factories closed cities towns many represent became shadows used along way something else lost pride sense ran president fundamentally change things make sure economy works everyone feel pride build economy bottom middle top middle class well poor ladder wealthy still well well know lot always kid always quoting dad dad used say joey job lot paycheck really would say lot paycheck dignity respect able look kid eye say going okay mean well folks let us look results finished yet stretch imagination unemployment rate percent low near near record record unemployment black hispanic workers already created help manufacturing jobs fastest growth 40 years written america lead world manufacturing know written many decades imported projects exported jobs thanks done exporting american products creating american jobs folks global problem pandemic disrupted supply chains putin unfair brutal war ukraine disrupted energy supplies well food supplies blocking grain ukraine better positioned country earth right home inflation coming home gas prices peak food inflation coming fast enough coming inflation fallen every month last 6 months pay gone additionally last 2 years record 10 million americans applied start new businesses ten million way every time someone starts small business act hope madam vice president want thank leading effort ensure small businesses access capital historic laws enacted going come standing last year shared story american genius possibilities computer chips size fingerprint power everything cellphones automobiles much chips invented america let us get straight invented america used make 40 percent world chips last several decades lost edge producing 10 percent saw happened pandemic chip factories shut overseas today automobiles need american automobiles automakers white house correction could make enough cars enough chips car prices went people got laid everything refrigerators cell phones never let happen came together pass bipartisan chips science act folks know criticized saying changing view going make sure supply chain america begins supply chain begins america already already created new manufacturing jobs without law law kicks new law going create hundreds thousands new jobs across country mean across country coast middle country well going come companies announced 300 billion investment american manufacturing next years outside columbus ohio intel building semiconductor factories thousand acres literally field dreams going create jobs one investment construction jobs jobs factories finished call factors jobs paying average year many require college degree worked together jobs people leave home search opportunity getting started think new homes small businesses businesses much going needed support permanent jobs factories going built talk mayors governors democrats republicans tell means communities seeing fields dreams transform heartland maintain strongest economy world need best infrastructure world folks know used number one world infrastructure sunk 13th world united states world infrastructure modern infrastructure coming back came together passed bipartisan infrastructure law largest investment infrastructure since president eisenhower interstate highway system folks already funded projects including major airports boston atlanta portland projects going put thousands people work rebuilding highways bridges railroads tunnels ports airports clean water internet across america urban rural tribal folks getting started getting started mean sincerely want thank republican friends voted law republican friends voted still get asked fund projects districts well worry promised would president americans fund projects see groundbreaking look law unite america projects like brent spence bridge kentucky ohio river built 60 years ago badly need repairs one nation congested freight routes carrying 2 billion worth freight every single day across ohio river folks talking fixing decades really finally going get done went last month democrats republicans deliver commitment billion project met young woman named saria tonight know saria box know saria well 30 30 told would proud member ironworkers local 44 known cowboys sky folks built cincinnati skyline saria said wait 10 stories ohio river building new bridge god bless pride also building building back pride look also replacing poisonous lead pipes go 10 million homes america schools childcare centers every child child drink water instead permanent damage brain look making making sure every community access affordable internet parent drive mcdonald parking lot help homework online kids across country get criticized make excuses going buy american going buy american international trade rules buy american law since 1933 long past fought get around anymore tonight announcing new standards require construction materials used federal infrastructure projects made america made america mean lumber glass drywall cable watch american roads bridges american highways going made american products well folks economic plan investing places people forgotten many listening tonight know feel many felt like simply forgotten amid economic upheaval past four decades many people left behind treated like invisible maybe watching home remember jobs went away remember folks home remember wonder whether path even exists anymore children get ahead without move away well get building economy one left behind jobs coming back pride coming back choices made last several years know view blueprint rebuild america make real difference lives home example many lay bed night like dad staring ceiling wondering god name happens spouse gets cancer child gets deadly ill something happens going money pay medical bills going sell house try get second mortgage get get inflation reduction act signed law taking powerful interests bring health care costs sleep better night security know pay prescription drugs nation world let say pay prescription drugs major nation earth example 1 10 americans diabetes many chamber audience every day millions need insulin control diabetes literally stay alive insulin around 100 years guy invented even patent wanted available everyone costs drug companies roughly 10 vial make insulin package may get 13 big pharma unfairly charging people hundreds dollars 500 month making record profits anymore anymore anymore anymore anymore many things coming fruition said said would pass law people know law take effect january 1 year capped cost insulin 35 month seniors medicare people finding sure getting calls getting look millions americans medicare including young people type 1 diabetes need insulin stay alive let us finish job time let us cap cost insulin everybody 35 big pharma still going well promise promise going well law law also even go effect 2025 costs caps white house correction drug costs seniors medicare maximum year pay year matter much drug costs know know many like many family cancer know drugs range cancer drugs drug prices rise faster inflation drug companies going pay medicare back difference finally giving medicare power negotiate drug prices bringing prescription drug costs save seniors money cuts federal deficit billions hundreds billions dollars prescription drugs drugs purchased medicare commitment seniors well guess instead paying 500 bucks month paying 15 lot savings federal government way would want members know official party position going threatening repeal inflation reduction act okay fair football coach used say lots luck senior year make mistake try anything raise cost prescription drugs veto look pleased say americans health insurance ever history record 16 million people enrolled affordable care act thanks law signed last year saving 800 year premiums way law benefit expires 2025 plea least audience let us finish job make savings permanent expand coverage medicaid look inflation reduction act also significant investment ever climate lowering utility bills creating american jobs leading world clean energy future visited devastating aftermath record floods droughts storms wildfires arizona new mexico way canadian border timber burned observed helicopters entire state missouri global warming problem addition emergency recovery puerto rico florida idaho rebuilding long term new electric grids able weather major storms fires roads water systems withstand next big flood clean energy cut pollution create jobs communities often left behind going build electric vehicle charging stations installed across country tens thousands ibew workers helping families save year tax credits purchase electric vehicles efficient appliances historic conservation efforts responsible stewards land let us face reality climate crisis care red blue state existential threat obligation children grandchildren confront proud america last stepping challenge still going need oil gas guess much got finish job pay investments future finally making wealthiest biggest corporations begin pay fair share begin look capitalist capitalist pay fair share think lot lot many people know tax system fair fair look idea 2020 55 largest corporations america fortune 500 made 40 billion profits paid zero federal taxes zero boo folks simply fair law signed companies pay minimum 15 percent god love fifteen percent less nurse pays let crystal clear said beginning plans long president nobody earning less pay additional penny taxes nobody one penny let us finish job reward work wealth pass proposal billionaire minimum tax know thousand billionaires 600 beginning billionaire paying lower tax rate schoolteacher firefighter mean think mean look know enthusiastic think think noticed big oil reported profits record profits last year made 200 billion midst global energy crisis think outrageous invested little profit increase domestic production talked couple say afraid going shut oil wells oil refineries anyway invest said going need oil least another decade going exceed beyond going need production fact invested production keep gas prices used record profits buy back stock rewarding ceos shareholders corporations ought right thing propose quadruple tax corporate stock buybacks encourage investments still make considerable profit let us finish job close loopholes allow wealthy avoid paying taxes instead cutting number audits wealthy taxpayers signed law reduce deficit 114 billion cracking wealthy tax cheats fiscally responsible last 2 years administration cut deficit trillion largest deficit reduction american history previous administration american deficit went 4 years row record deficits president added national debt 4 years predecessor nearly 25 percent entire national debt took 200 years accumulate added one administration alone last one facts check check congress respond debt right thing lifted debt ceiling three times without preconditions crisis paid american bill prevent economic disaster country tonight asking congress follow suit let us commit tonight full faith credit united states america never ever questioned republican friends want take economy get agree economic plans home know plans instead making wealthy pay fair share republicans want medicare social security sunset saying boo let give anybody doubts contact office give copy give copy proposal liar means congress well glad tell enjoy conversion know means congress keep programs way would go away republicans saying majority even think proposed individuals say naming proposed liar liar look folks idea going going moved threatened default debt respond folks apparently agree social security medicare books right touched right right got unanimity social security medicare lifeline millions seniors americans pay first paycheck started tonight let us apparently us stand seniors stand show cut social security cut medicare benefits belong american people earned anyone tries cut social apparently one going anyone tries cut medicare stop veto look going allow take taken away today tomorrow ever apparently going problem next month offer fiscal plan ask republican friends lay plan well really mean let us sit together discuss mutual plans together let us tell plan going show going cut deficit another 2 trillion cut single bit medicare social security fact going extend medicare trust fund least two decades going next argument solvent right well raise taxes anyone making 400 grand pay way talked tonight making sure wealthy big corporations pay fair share look deal taking advantage tax code taking advantage american consumer message back already preventing americans white house correction receiving surprise medical bills stopping 1 billion dollar surprise bills 1 million surprise bills white house correction per month far protecting seniors life savings cracking nursing homes commit fraud endanger patient safety prescribe drugs needed millions americans save thousands dollars finally get hearing aid counter without prescription look capitalism without competition capitalism extortion exploitation last year cracked help many foreign shipping companies making pay higher prices every good coming country signed bipartisan bill cut shipping costs 90 percent helping american farmers businessmen consumers let us finish job pass bipartisan legislation strengthen strengthen antitrust enforcement prevent big online platforms giving products unfair advantage administration also taking junk fees hidden surcharges many companies use make pay example making airlines show full ticket price upfront refund money flight canceled delayed reduced exorbitant bank overdrafts saving consumers 1 billion year cutting credit card late fees 75 percent 30 8 look junk fees may matter wealthy matter folks homes like one grew like many add hundreds dollars month make harder pay bills afford family trip know unfair feels company overcharges gets away anymore written bill stop called junk fee prevention act going ban surprise resort fees hotels charge bill fees cost 90 night hotels even resorts idea cable internet cell phone companies charge 200 decide switch another provider give break stop service fees tickets concerts sporting events make companies disclose fees upfront prohibit airlines charging 50 roundtrip family able sit together baggage fees bad enough airlines treat child like piece baggage americans tired tired played suckers pass junk fee prevention act companies stop ripping us long workers getting stiffed anymore going beginning restore dignity work example known 2 years ago thirty million workers sign noncompete agreements jobs take thirty million cashier burger place walk across town take job another burger place make bucks boo changed well changed exposed part deal guys look anymore banning agreements companies compete workers pay worth must tell bound get response friends left right sick tired companies breaking law preventing workers organizing pass pro act businesses right form union let us guarantee workers living wage let us make sure working parents afford raise family sick days paid family medical leave affordable childcare going enable millions people go stay work let us restore full child tax credit gave tens millions parents breathing room cut child poverty half lowest level history way things increase productivity increase economic growth let us finish job get families access affordable quality housing let us get seniors want stay homes care need let us give breathing room millions family caregivers looking loved ones pass plan get seniors people disabilities homecare services need support workers god work plans fully paid afford restoring dignity work means making education affordable ticket middle class know made public years last century made best educated best became best education best paid nation world rest world caught caught jill wife teaches expression hope get right kid nation outeducates going outcompete us nation outeducates going outcompete us folks know 12 years education enough win economic competition 21st century want best educated workforce let us finish job providing access preschool 3 4 years old studies show children go preschool nearly likely finish high school go earn degree matter background came let us give public school teachers raise making progress reducing student debt increasing pell grants working middle class families let us finish job connect students career opportunities starting high school provide access 2 years community college best career training america addition pathway degree let us offer every american path good career whether go college midst covid crisis schools closed shutting everything let us recognize far came fight pandemic virus gone thanks resilience american people ingenuity medicine broken covid grip us covid deaths 90 percent saved millions lives opened opened country back soon end public health emergency called public health emergency remember toll pain never going go away million americans lost lives covid million families grieving children orphaned empty chairs dining room table constantly reminding used sit remembering remain vigilant still need monitor dozens variants support new vaccines treatments congress needs fund efforts keep america safe emerge crisis stronger double prosecuting criminals stole relief money meant keep workers small businesses afloat came office remember campaign big issue inspector generals would protect taxpayers dollars sidelined fired many people said need fraud became rampant last year told watchdogs back since recovered billions taxpayers dollars let us triple antifraud strike force going criminals double statute limitations crimes crack identity fraud criminal syndicates stealing billions american people data shows every dollar put fighting fraud taxpayer get back least 10 times much matters matters look covid left scars like spike violent crime 2020 first year pandemic obligation make sure people safe public safety depends public trust us know often trust violated joining us tonight parents tyre bury tyre last week many personally know words describe heartache grief losing child lost child hands law imagine worry whether son daughter came home walking street playing park driving car us never talk talk brown black parents children beau hunter never talk never tell police officer pulls turn interior lights right away reach license keep hands steering wheel imagine worry like every single time kid got car tyre mother shared spoke asked finds courage carry speak faith god said son quote beautiful soul something good come imagine much courage character takes us us want thing neighborhoods free violence law enforcement earns community trust every cop pin badge morning right able go home night everybody else children right come home safely equal protection law covenant america know police officers put lives line every single night day know ask many cases counselors social workers drug overdoses mental health crises much one sense ask much much know cops families good decent honorable vast majority risk lives every time put shield happened tyre memphis happens often better give law enforcement real training need hold higher standards help succeed keeping safe also need first responders professionals address growing mental health substance abuse challenges resources reduce violent crime gun crime community intervention programs investments housing education job training help prevent violence first place police officers police departments violate public trust must held accountable support families victims civil rights groups law enforcement signed executive order federal officers banning chokeholds restricting warrants key elements george floyd act let us commit make words tyler tyre white house correction mom true something good must come something good folks difficult simple us chamber need rise moment turn away let us know hearts need let us come together finish job police reform something something plea parents lost children met every one something gun violence thank passing sweeping gun safety law three decades includes things majority responsible gun owners already support enhanced background checks 18 21 years old laws keeping guns hands people danger others know work done joining us tonight brandon tsay hero brandon put college dreams mom mom side dying cancer brandon works dance studio started grandparents 2 weeks ago lunar new year celebrations heard studio door close saw man standing pointing semiautomatic pistol thought going die thought people inside instant found courage act wrestled semiautomatic pistol away gunman already killed 11 people another dance studio eleven saved lives time ban assault weapons ban led fight 1994 10 years ban law mass shootings went let expire republican administration mass shootings tripled let us finish job ban assault weapons let us also come together immigration make bipartisan issue record number personnel working secure border arresting human smugglers seizing pounds fentanyl last several months launched new border plan last month unlawful migration cuba haiti nicaragua venezuela come 97 percent consequence american border problems fixed congress acts pass comprehensive immigration reform least pass plan provide equipment officers secure pathway citizenship dreamers temporary status farmworkers essential workers people house duty protect people rights freedoms congress must restore right secure border congress must restore right taken away protect give every woman constitutional right vice president everything protect access reproductive health care safeguard patient safety already dozen states enforcing extreme abortion bans make mistake congress passes national ban veto let us also us also pass bipartisan equality act ensure lgbtq americans especially transgender young people live safety dignity strength example power power example let us remember world watching spoke chamber 1 year ago days vladimir putin unleashed brutal attack ukraine murderous assault evoking images death destruction europe suffered world war ii putin invasion test test america test world would stand basic principles would stand sovereignty would stand right people live free tyranny would stand defense democracy defense matters us keeps peace prevents open season aggressors threatens prosperity one year later know answer yes would together america always best led united nato built global coalition stood putin aggression stood ukrainian people tonight joined ukrainians ambassador united states represents nation courage people ambassador ambassador united united support country stand take look thank going stand long takes nation working freedom dignity peace europe everywhere came office story people republic china increasing power america failing world anymore made clear made clear personal conversations many president xi seek competition conflict make apologies investing make america stronger investing american innovation industries define future china intends dominating investing alliances working allies protect advanced technologies used us modernizing military safeguard stability aggression today strongest position decades compete china anyone else world anyone else world work china advance american interests benefit world make mistake made clear last week china threatens sovereignty act protect country look let us clear winning competition unite us face serious challenges across world past 2 years democracies become stronger weaker autocracies grown weaker stronger name world leader would change places xi jinping name one name one america rallying world meet challenges climate global health food insecurity terrorism territorial aggression allies stepping spending look bridges forming partners pacific atlantic bet america learning wrong never ever good bet bet america never came office assured impossible never believed year ago offered unity agenda nation stood made real progress together passed law making easier doctors prescribe effective treatments opioid addiction passed gun safety law making historic investments mental health launched drive breakthroughs fight cancer alzheimer diabetes much passed heath robinson pact act named late iraq war veteran whose story exposure toxic burn pits shared last year understand something burn pits much together joining us tonight father named doug newton new hampshire wrote jill wife courageous daughter courtney contagious laugh sister best sister best friend shared story familiar millions americans many audience courtney discovered pills high school spiraled addiction eventually death fentanyl overdose 20 years old describing last 8 years without doug said worse pain yet family turned pain purpose working end stigma change laws told us wants start journey towards american recovery doug fentanyl killing americans year border border got fault boo let us launch major surge stop fentanyl production sale trafficking drug detection machines inspection cargo stop pills powder border working couriers like fedex inspect packages drugs strong penalties crack fentanyl trafficking second let us mental health especially children millions young people struggling bullying violence trauma owe greater access mental health care schools must finally hold social media companies accountable experimenting white house correction children profit time pass bipartisan legislation stop big tech collecting personal data kids teenagers online ban targeted advertising children impose stricter limits personal data companies collect us third let us keep nation one fully sacred obligation equip send harm way care families come home job training job placement veterans spouses come civilian life helping veterans afford rent one homeless america especially someone served country denis mcdonough first real discussion asked take job glad losing 25 veterans day suicide losing 17 day silent scourge suicide seventeen veterans day committing suicide people killed wars folks va everything including expanding mental health screening proven programs recruits veterans help veterans understand going get help need got fourth last year jill reignited cancer moonshot able start president obama asked lead administration issue goal cut cancer death rates least 50 percent next 25 years turn cancers death sentences treatable diseases provide support patients families personal many us many us audience joining us maurice kandice irishman daughter immigrants panama met fell love new york city got married chapel jill got married new york city kindred spirits wrote us letter little daughter ava saw came year old diagnosed rare kidney 26 blood transfusions 11 rounds radiation 8 rounds chemo 1 kidney removed given 5 percent survival rate wrote darkest moments thought goes stay many well jilly understand like many read jill book describing family cancer journey tried steal moments joy could beau glimmer joy baby girl meant everything never gave hope little ava never gave hope turns 4 next month found ava beating odds way cured cancer watching white house tonight asleep already lives lives save lives lost let truly american moment rallies country world together prove still big things twenty years ago leadership president bush countless advocates champions undertook bipartisan effort pepfar transform global fight huge success thought big thought large moved believe thing cancer let us end cancer know cure cancers folks one reason able things democracy fundamental thing democracy everything possible without nothing last years democracy threatened attacked put test room january 6th months ago unhinged big lie assailant unleashed political violence home house representatives using language insurrectionists used stalked halls chanted january 6 tonight chamber man bears scars brutal attack tough strong resilient get friend paul pelosi paul stand heinous act never happened must speak place political violence america protect right vote suppress fundamental right honor results elections subvert people uphold rule law restore trust institutions democracy must give hate extremism form safe harbor democracy must partisan issue american issue every generation americans faced moment called protect democracy defend stand moment fellow americans meet tonight inflection point one moments generations ever face direction take going decide course nation decades come bystanders history powerless forces confront us within power people facing test time nation always best optimistic hopeful nation embraces light dark hope fear unity division stability chaos see enemies fellow americans good people nation world built one nations defined geography ethnicity nation based idea us every one us created equal image god nation stands beacon world nation new age possibilities come fulfill constitutional obligation report state union report soul nation strong backbone nation strong people nation strong state union strong new place stand tonight served long one ever served never optimistic future future america remember united states america capacity together god bless may god protect troops thank
thank smile okay thank thank thank thank please speaker madam vice president first lady second see guy congress way chief justice may need court order get go game week stay home get work something member cabinet leader military chief justice associate justice retire justice supreme court fellow american know start tonight congratulate 118th congress new speaker house kevin mccarthy speaker want ruin reputation look forward work want congratulate new leader house democrat first african american minority leader history hakeem jeffries spite fact campaign congratulation long serve leader history united state senate mitch mcconnell mitch congratulation chuck schumer know another term senate minority majority white house correction leader know think time slightly big majority leader majority leader much big yes well tell want give special recognition someone think go consider great speaker history house representative nancy pelosi folk story america story progress resilience always move forward never ever give story unique among nation country emerge every crisis ever enter strong get look folk two year ago economy reel stand tonight create help many people room 12 million new job create 2 year president create 4 american people two year 2 year ago covid shut business close school rob much today covid longer control live 2 year ago democracy face great threat since civil war today though bruised democracy remain unbowed unbroken gather tonight write next chapter great american story story progress resilience world leader ask define believe say define one word mean possibility think anything beyond capacity everything possibility know often told democrat republicans work together past 2 year prove cynic naysayer wrong yes disagree plenty yes time democrats go alone time democrat republicans come together come together defend strong safe europe come together pass infrastructure law building bridge connect nation people come together pas one significant law ever help victim expose toxic burn pit important fact sign 300 bipartisan piece legislation since become president reauthorizing violence woman act electoral count reform act respect marriage act protect right marry person love republican friend could work together last congress reason work together find consensus important thing congress well inform think people send u clear message fight sake fight power sake power conflict sake conflict get u nowhere always vision country know many restore soul nation rebuild backbone america america middle class unite country send finish job view decade middle class hollow one administration long time many manufacture job move overseas factory close city towns many represent become shadow use along way something else lose pride sense run president fundamentally change thing make sure economy work everyone feel pride build economy bottom middle top middle class well poor ladder wealthy still well well know lot always kid always quote dad dad use say joey job lot paycheck really would say lot paycheck dignity respect able look kid eye say go okay mean well folk let u look result finish yet stretch imagination unemployment rate percent low near near record record unemployment black hispanic worker already create help manufacture job fast growth 40 year write america lead world manufacturing know write many decade import project export job thanks do export american product create american job folk global problem pandemic disrupt supply chain putin unfair brutal war ukraine disrupt energy supply well food supply block grain ukraine well position country earth right home inflation come home gas price peak food inflation come fast enough come inflation fall every month last 6 month pay go additionally last 2 year record 10 million american applied start new business ten million way every time someone start small business act hope madam vice president want thank lead effort ensure small business access capital historic law enact go come stand last year share story american genius possibility computer chip size fingerprint power everything cellphone automobile much chip invent america let u get straight invent america use make 40 percent world chip last several decade lose edge produce 10 percent saw happen pandemic chip factory shut overseas today automobile need american automobile automaker white house correction could make enough car enough chip car price go people get lay everything refrigerator cell phone never let happen come together pass bipartisan chip science act folk know criticize say change view go make sure supply chain america begin supply chain begin america already already create new manufacture job without law law kick new law go create hundred thousand new job across country mean across country coast middle country well go come company announce 300 billion investment american manufacture next year outside columbus ohio intel building semiconductor factory thousand acre literally field dream go create job one investment construction job job factory finish call factor job pay average year many require college degree work together job people leave home search opportunity get start think new home small business business much go need support permanent job factory go built talk mayor governor democrat republicans tell mean community see field dream transform heartland maintain strong economy world need best infrastructure world folk know use number one world infrastructure sink 13th world unite state world infrastructure modern infrastructure come back come together pass bipartisan infrastructure law large investment infrastructure since president eisenhower interstate highway system folk already funded project include major airport boston atlanta portland project go put thousand people work rebuild highway bridge railroad tunnel port airport clean water internet across america urban rural tribal folk get start get start mean sincerely want thank republican friend vote law republican friend vote still get ask fund project district well worry promise would president american fund project see groundbreaking look law unite america project like brent spence bridge kentucky ohio river build 60 year ago badly need repair one nation congest freight route carry 2 billion worth freight every single day across ohio river folk talk fix decade really finally go get do go last month democrat republicans deliver commitment billion project meet young woman name saria tonight know saria box know saria well 30 30 told would proud member ironworker local 44 know cowboy sky folk build cincinnati skyline saria say wait 10 story ohio river build new bridge god bless pride also build build back pride look also replace poisonous lead pipe go 10 million home america school childcare center every child child drink water instead permanent damage brain look make make sure every community access affordable internet parent drive mcdonald parking lot help homework online kid across country get criticize make excuse go buy american go buy american international trade rule buy american law since 1933 long past fought get around anymore tonight announce new standard require construction material use federal infrastructure project make america make america mean lumber glass drywall cable watch american road bridge american highway go make american product well folk economic plan invest place people forget many listen tonight know feel many felt like simply forget amid economic upheaval past four decade many people leave behind treated like invisible maybe watch home remember job go away remember folk home remember wonder whether path even exist anymore child get ahead without move away well get build economy one leave behind job come back pride come back choice make last several year know view blueprint rebuild america make real difference live home example many lay bed night like dad star ceiling wonder god name happen spouse get cancer child get deadly ill something happen go money pay medical bill go sell house try get second mortgage get get inflation reduction act sign law take powerful interest bring health care cost sleep good night security know pay prescription drug nation world let say pay prescription drug major nation earth example 1 10 american diabetes many chamber audience every day million need insulin control diabetes literally stay alive insulin around 100 year guy invent even patent want available everyone cost drug company roughly 10 vial make insulin package may get 13 big pharma unfairly charge people hundred dollar 500 month making record profit anymore anymore anymore anymore anymore many thing come fruition say say would pass law people know law take effect january 1 year cap cost insulin 35 month senior medicare people find sure get call get look million american medicare include young people type 1 diabetes need insulin stay alive let u finish job time let u cap cost insulin everybody 35 big pharma still go well promise promise go well law law also even go effect 2025 cost cap white house correction drug cost senior medicare maximum year pay year matter much drug cost know know many like many family cancer know drug range cancer drug drug price rise fast inflation drug company go pay medicare back difference finally give medicare power negotiate drug price bring prescription drug cost save senior money cut federal deficit billion hundred billion dollar prescription drug drug purchase medicare commitment senior well guess instead pay 500 buck month pay 15 lot saving federal government way would want member know official party position go threatening repeal inflation reduction act okay fair football coach use say lots luck senior year make mistake try anything raise cost prescription drug veto look pleased say american health insurance ever history record 16 million people enrol affordable care act thanks law sign last year save 800 year premium way law benefit expire 2025 plea least audience let u finish job make saving permanent expand coverage medicaid look inflation reduction act also significant investment ever climate lower utility bill create american job lead world clean energy future visit devastate aftermath record flood drought storm wildfire arizona new mexico way canadian border timber burn observed helicopter entire state missouri global warming problem addition emergency recovery puerto rico florida idaho rebuild long term new electric grid able weather major storm fire roads water system withstand next big flood clean energy cut pollution create job community often leave behind go build electric vehicle charge station instal across country ten thousand ibew worker help family save year tax credit purchase electric vehicle efficient appliance historic conservation effort responsible steward land let u face reality climate crisis care red blue state existential threat obligation child grandchildren confront proud america last stepping challenge still go need oil gas guess much get finish job pay investment future finally make wealthy big corporation begin pay fair share begin look capitalist capitalist pay fair share think lot lot many people know tax system fair fair look idea 2020 55 large corporation america fortune 500 make 40 billion profit pay zero federal tax zero boo folk simply fair law sign company pay minimum 15 percent god love fifteen percent less nurse pay let crystal clear say begin plan long president nobody earn less pay additional penny tax nobody one penny let u finish job reward work wealth pas proposal billionaire minimum tax know thousand billionaire 600 begin billionaire pay low tax rate schoolteacher firefighter mean think mean look know enthusiastic think think notice big oil report profit record profit last year make 200 billion midst global energy crisis think outrageous invest little profit increase domestic production talk couple say afraid go shut oil well oil refinery anyway invest say go need oil least another decade go exceed beyond go need production fact invest production keep gas price use record profit buy back stock rewarding ceos shareholder corporation ought right thing propose quadruple tax corporate stock buyback encourage investment still make considerable profit let u finish job close loophole allow wealthy avoid pay tax instead cut number audit wealthy taxpayer sign law reduce deficit 114 billion crack wealthy tax cheat fiscally responsible last 2 year administration cut deficit trillion large deficit reduction american history previous administration american deficit go 4 year row record deficit president add national debt 4 year predecessor nearly 25 percent entire national debt take 200 year accumulate add one administration alone last one facts check check congress respond debt right thing lift debt ceiling three time without precondition crisis pay american bill prevent economic disaster country tonight ask congress follow suit let u commit tonight full faith credit united state america never ever question republican friend want take economy get agree economic plan home know plan instead make wealthy pay fair share republicans want medicare social security sunset say boo let give anybody doubt contact office give copy give copy proposal liar mean congress well glad tell enjoy conversion know mean congress keep program way would go away republican say majority even think propose individual say name propose liar liar look folk idea go go move threatened default debt respond folk apparently agree social security medicare book right touch right right get unanimity social security medicare lifeline million senior american pay first paycheck start tonight let u apparently u stand senior stand show cut social security cut medicare benefit belong american people earn anyone try cut social apparently one go anyone try cut medicare stop veto look go allow take take away today tomorrow ever apparently go problem next month offer fiscal plan ask republican friend lay plan well really mean let u sit together discuss mutual plan together let u tell plan go show go cut deficit another 2 trillion cut single bit medicare social security fact go extend medicare trust fund least two decade go next argument solvent right well raise tax anyone make 400 grand pay way talk tonight make sure wealthy big corporation pay fair share look deal take advantage tax code take advantage american consumer message back already prevent american white house correction receive surprise medical bill stop 1 billion dollar surprise bill 1 million surprise bill white house correction per month far protect senior life saving crack nursing home commit fraud endanger patient safety prescribe drug need million american save thousand dollar finally get hear aid counter without prescription look capitalism without competition capitalism extortion exploitation last year crack help many foreign shipping company make pay high price every good come country sign bipartisan bill cut shipping cost 90 percent help american farmer businessmen consumer let u finish job pas bipartisan legislation strengthen strengthen antitrust enforcement prevent big online platform give product unfair advantage administration also take junk fee hide surcharge many company use make pay example make airline show full ticket price upfront refund money flight cancel delayed reduce exorbitant bank overdraft save consumer 1 billion year cut credit card late fee 75 percent 30 8 look junk fee may matter wealthy matter folk home like one grow like many add hundred dollar month make hard pay bill afford family trip know unfair feel company overcharge get away anymore write bill stop call junk fee prevention act go ban surprise resort fee hotel charge bill fee cost 90 night hotel even resort idea cable internet cell phone company charge 200 decide switch another provider give break stop service fee ticket concert sport event make company disclose fee upfront prohibit airline charge 50 roundtrip family able sit together baggage fee bad enough airline treat child like piece baggage american tire tired played sucker pass junk fee prevention act company stop rip u long worker get stiffed anymore go begin restore dignity work example know 2 year ago thirty million worker sign noncompete agreement job take thirty million cashier burger place walk across town take job another burger place make buck boo change well change expose part deal guy look anymore ban agreement company compete worker pay worth must tell bound get response friend leave right sick tire company break law prevent worker organize pas pro act business right form union let u guarantee worker live wage let u make sure work parent afford raise family sick day pay family medical leave affordable childcare go enable million people go stay work let u restore full child tax credit give ten million parent breathe room cut child poverty half low level history way thing increase productivity increase economic growth let u finish job get family access affordable quality housing let u get senior want stay home care need let u give breathing room million family caregiver look loved one pas plan get senior people disability homecare service need support worker god work plan fully pay afford restore dignity work mean make education affordable ticket middle class know make public year last century make best educated best become best education best pay nation world rest world catch catch jill wife teach expression hope get right kid nation outeducates go outcompete u nation outeducates go outcompete u folk know 12 year education enough win economic competition 21st century want best educate workforce let u finish job provide access preschool 3 4 year old study show child go preschool nearly likely finish high school go earn degree matter background come let u give public school teacher raise make progress reduce student debt increase pell grant work middle class family let u finish job connect student career opportunity start high school provide access 2 year community college best career training america addition pathway degree let u offer every american path good career whether go college midst covid crisis school close shut everything let u recognize far come fight pandemic virus go thanks resilience american people ingenuity medicine break covid grip u covid death 90 percent save million life open opened country back soon end public health emergency call public health emergency remember toll pain never go go away million american lose life covid million family grieve child orphan empty chair din room table constantly remind use sit remember remain vigilant still need monitor dozen variant support new vaccine treatment congress need fund effort keep america safe emerge crisis stronger double prosecute criminal stole relief money meant keep worker small business afloat come office remember campaign big issue inspector general would protect taxpayer dollar sideline fire many people say need fraud become rampant last year tell watchdog back since recover billion taxpayer dollar let u triple antifraud strike force go criminal double statute limitation crime crack identity fraud criminal syndicate steal billion american people data show every dollar put fight fraud taxpayer get back least 10 time much matter matter look covid leave scar like spike violent crime 2020 first year pandemic obligation make sure people safe public safety depend public trust u know often trust violate join u tonight parent tyre bury tyre last week many personally know word describe heartache grief lose child lose child hand law imagine worry whether son daughter come home walk street play park driving car u never talk talk brown black parent child beau hunter never talk never tell police officer pull turn interior light right away reach license keep hand steer wheel imagine worry like every single time kid get car tyre mother share spoke ask find courage carry speak faith god say son quote beautiful soul something good come imagine much courage character take u u want thing neighborhood free violence law enforcement earn community trust every cop pin badge morning right able go home night everybody else child right come home safely equal protection law covenant america know police officer put life line every single night day know ask many case counselor social worker drug overdose mental health crisis much one sense ask much much know cops family good decent honorable vast majority risk live every time put shield happen tyre memphis happen often well give law enforcement real training need hold high standard help succeed keep safe also need first responder professional address grow mental health substance abuse challenge resource reduce violent crime gun crime community intervention program investment housing education job training help prevent violence first place police officer police department violate public trust must hold accountable support family victim civil right group law enforcement sign executive order federal officer ban chokehold restrict warrant key element george floyd act let u commit make word tyler tyre white house correction mom true something good must come something good folk difficult simple u chamber need rise moment turn away let u know heart need let u come together finish job police reform something something plea parent lose child meet every one something gun violence thank pass sweeping gun safety law three decade include thing majority responsible gun owner already support enhance background check 18 21 year old law keep guns hand people danger others know work do join u tonight brandon tsay hero brandon put college dream mom mom side die cancer brandon work dance studio start grandparent 2 week ago lunar new year celebration hear studio door close saw man stand point semiautomatic pistol think go die think people inside instant find courage act wrestle semiautomatic pistol away gunman already kill 11 people another dance studio eleven save life time ban assault weapon ban lead fight 1994 10 year ban law mass shooting go let expire republican administration mass shooting triple let u finish job ban assault weapon let u also come together immigration make bipartisan issue record number personnel work secure border arrest human smuggler seize pound fentanyl last several month launch new border plan last month unlawful migration cuba haiti nicaragua venezuela come 97 percent consequence american border problem fix congress act pass comprehensive immigration reform least pas plan provide equipment officer secure pathway citizenship dreamer temporary status farmworkers essential worker people house duty protect people right freedom congress must restore right secure border congress must restore right take away protect give every woman constitutional right vice president everything protect access reproductive health care safeguard patient safety already dozen state enforce extreme abortion ban make mistake congress pass national ban veto let u also u also pass bipartisan equality act ensure lgbtq american especially transgender young people live safety dignity strength example power power example let u remember world watch speak chamber 1 year ago day vladimir putin unleashed brutal attack ukraine murderous assault evoke image death destruction europe suffer world war ii putin invasion test test america test world would stand basic principle would stand sovereignty would stand right people live free tyranny would stand defense democracy defense matter u keep peace prevents open season aggressor threaten prosperity one year later know answer yes would together america always best lead united nato build global coalition stand putin aggression stand ukrainian people tonight join ukrainians ambassador united state represent nation courage people ambassador ambassador united united support country stand take look thank go stand long take nation work freedom dignity peace europe everywhere come office story people republic china increase power america fail world anymore make clear make clear personal conversation many president xi seek competition conflict make apology invest make america strong invest american innovation industry define future china intend dominate invest alliance work ally protect advanced technology use u modernize military safeguard stability aggression today strong position decade compete china anyone else world anyone else world work china advance american interest benefit world make mistake make clear last week china threaten sovereignty act protect country look let u clear win competition unite u face serious challenge across world past 2 year democracies become strong weak autocracy grow weaker strong name world leader would change place xi jinping name one name one america rally world meet challenge climate global health food insecurity terrorism territorial aggression ally step spending look bridge form partner pacific atlantic bet america learn wrong never ever good bet bet america never come office assure impossible never believe year ago offer unity agenda nation stand make real progress together pass law make easy doctor prescribe effective treatment opioid addiction pass gun safety law make historic investment mental health launch drive breakthrough fight cancer alzheimer diabetes much pass heath robinson pact act name late iraq war veteran whose story exposure toxic burn pit share last year understand something burn pit much together join u tonight father name doug newton new hampshire write jill wife courageous daughter courtney contagious laugh sister best sister best friend share story familiar million americans many audience courtney discover pill high school spiral addiction eventually death fentanyl overdose 20 year old describing last 8 year without doug say bad pain yet family turn pain purpose work end stigma change law tell u want start journey towards american recovery doug fentanyl kill american year border border get fault boo let u launch major surge stop fentanyl production sale traffic drug detection machine inspection cargo stop pill powder border work courier like fedex inspect package drug strong penalty crack fentanyl traffic second let u mental health especially child million young people struggle bully violence trauma owe great access mental health care school must finally hold social medium company accountable experiment white house correction child profit time pas bipartisan legislation stop big tech collect personal data kid teenager online ban target advertising child impose stricter limit personal data company collect u third let u keep nation one fully sacred obligation equip send harm way care family come home job train job placement veteran spouses come civilian life help veteran afford rent one homeless america especially someone serve country denis mcdonough first real discussion ask take job glad lose 25 veteran day suicide lose 17 day silent scourge suicide seventeen veteran day commit suicide people kill war folk va everything include expand mental health screen proven program recruit veteran help veteran understand go get help need got fourth last year jill reignite cancer moonshot able start president obama ask lead administration issue goal cut cancer death rate least 50 percent next 25 year turn cancer death sentence treatable disease provide support patient family personal many u many u audience join u maurice kandice irishman daughter immigrant panama meet fell love new york city get married chapel jill get married new york city kindred spirit write u letter little daughter ava saw come year old diagnose rare kidney 26 blood transfusion 11 round radiation 8 round chemo 1 kidney remove give 5 percent survival rate write dark moment think go stay many well jilly understand like many read jill book describe family cancer journey try steal moment joy could beau glimmer joy baby girl mean everything never give hope little ava never give hope turn 4 next month find ava beat odds way cure cancer watch white house tonight asleep already live life save live lose let truly american moment rally country world together prove still big thing twenty year ago leadership president bush countless advocate champion undertook bipartisan effort pepfar transform global fight huge success think big thought large move believe thing cancer let u end cancer know cure cancer folks one reason able thing democracy fundamental thing democracy everything possible without nothing last year democracy threaten attacked put test room january 6th month ago unhinge big lie assailant unleashed political violence home house representative use language insurrectionist use stalked hall chant january 6 tonight chamber man bear scar brutal attack tough strong resilient get friend paul pelosi paul stand heinous act never happen must speak place political violence america protect right vote suppress fundamental right honor result election subvert people uphold rule law restore trust institution democracy must give hate extremism form safe harbor democracy must partisan issue american issue every generation americans face moment call protect democracy defend stand moment fellow american meet tonight inflection point one moment generation ever face direction take go decide course nation decade come bystander history powerless force confront u within power people face test time nation always best optimistic hopeful nation embrace light dark hope fear unity division stability chaos see enemy fellow american good people nation world build one nation define geography ethnicity nation base idea u every one u create equal image god nation stand beacon world nation new age possibility come fulfill constitutional obligation report state union report soul nation strong backbone nation strong people nation strong state union strong new place stand tonight serve long one ever serve never optimistic future future america remember united state america capacity together god bless may god protect troop thank